Finding My Groove Again (y2w29)

It’s been two weeks since I did a goal check-in, so I’m looking forward to revisiting them. It helps ground me like nothing else does, especially during the summer when I’m all over the place.

We are starting to find our groove after last week’s debacles. The air conditioner is fixed, and our savings took a hit, but it was worth the investment. My house is so comfy now, and I hope the more efficient system will pay off in electric bills over the next few years.

We are still working on the dryer and trying to fix it ourselves.

Fingers crossed it works after we put it back together tomorrow. If not, I guess we are headed to the laundromat for now.

As for the progressives…

I’m getting used to them. I guess. Still not sold.

Okay, let’s do this!

2026 Goal Tracking

Cooking/Food

#SaladTime

Revised Goal: 5 Big Salads a Week ✅

Trucking along with this one! My consumption of greens and produce is at an all-time high. I’ve been posting more online too. I’ve added a few more #SaladTime videos to the YouTube playlist, and I’m sharing them over on @WastelesslyDelicious. I’ve also learned how to label them, so you can easily find them all on the feed.

Weekly Soup/Stew/Prep

Goal: Once a Week ❌ (On hold for the Summer)

This goal doesn’t make much sense for me in the summer. I’m not going to the office every day, and it’s too hot for soup. But I’ve been making stock and freezing it, so I’ll be good to go in the fall!

Sourdough

Goal: Once a Week ✅

I’ve kept this up mostly because I have a slice every morning on my way to the gym. This week I experimented with a mostly whole-grain loaf made with ultra-filtered milk to up the protein, and I was shocked by how good it came out!

It’s so hearty and chewy! I love it!

Homemade Pasta

Goal: Once a Month

• January 1/9 ✅
• February 2/15 ✅
• March 3/1 ✅
• April 4/18 ✅
• May 5/14 ✅
• June ❌
• July

Oh boy, I didn’t make it happen in June, and I don’t think July is looking good either. It’s just way too hot for pasta!

Evan in the Kitchen

Goal: Once a Week ❌ Retired
Revised Goal: Weekly Teen Sanity Check-In

He’s having a pretty laid-back summer, working and hanging out with friends. Nothing much to report, except he has been cooking for himself more. It’s just mac & cheese, but hey, we all start somewhere!

Last night I picked him up from work and he talked my ear off about all the conversations he and his coworker had at the snowball stand. It was so nice that I just let him go. Anyone who has raised a teen knows these moments are rare at this age, so when the floodgates open, I take advantage and let him lead. Just thinking about it puts a smile on my face. He makes my heart happy.

Fitness/Weightlifting

Olympic Lifting Training

Training is going well! I’m dealing with a little left elbow pain, but other than that, no complaints. And today I surprised myself. This jerk went up pretty damn easy for 143lbs.

I have a train-through event in August I’m looking forward to, and I’m hoping to compete in nationals this year, but they are out in California in December, and I’m not sure I’ll be able to afford the travel.

Handstands/Pull Ups/Jump Rope

Integrating these about once a week. No big accomplishments to report.

Hikes

• Goal: Twice a month
  • January 1/3, 1/15, 1/23 ✅
  • February ❌
  • March 3/21, 3/28 ✅
  • April 4/3, 4/12 ✅
  • May 5/9, 5/24 ✅
  • June 6/6, 6/21 ✅
  • July 7/12

Marsh and I hit the trails a few days ago. I tried to take a selfie with him, but he’s bad at it. lol

Hot Yoga

• Goal: Twice a month
  • January 1/4, 1/11, 1/18  ✅ 
  • February 2/1 ❌
  • March 3/1, 3/15, 3/22, 3/29 ✅ 
  • April 4/12, 4/18, 4/25 ✅ 
  • May 5/9, 5/23, 5/30 ✅ 
  • June 6/6, 6/27 ✅ 
  • July

It has been too hot to take hot yoga. Does that make sense? I’ve had no desire to go, plus my punch card ran out, and with the AC bill, I didn’t want to spend the money right now.

I may try to go this weekend, but I haven’t decided. I might just pick it back up after my vacation next week.

Pickleball

Nothing. 😢 I brought it up to The Husband the other day and I’m hoping to get back into leagues this fall.

Creative/Other Pursuits

Music/Painting

I forgot to take a photo of the card I painted for my mom for her birthday, but I was so proud of it! I’m pulling out the paints this evening… already made a promise to myself. 🙂

Acting Class/Drum Lessons

I have my last class of the 3-class package next week and I’m excited. My friend and I have a script that we’ve been practicing!

This entire experience has been better than I expected. It pushed me out of my comfort zone. It built my confidence. And it’s something I enjoyed more than I ever thought I would.

I won’t be running to any auditions any time soon, but as a movie fan and someone who has always appreciated good acting, I understand it a little more now. There’s something about getting lost in a scene… it’s energizing and fun. I’m not sure why I waited until I was nearly 50 to try it, besides my own self-doubt and the stories I’ve told myself. Like I said in an early post, I’m focused on Doin’ Me these days.

Spanish

I’ve been keeping up with Duolingo and I installed a 7-day free trial of an AI conversational training app. I’m not going to be rattling off any complete conversations any time soon, but I am building confidence, and I hope to respond more in simple Spanish when I’m in Mexico next week!

Alcohol Reduction

• Goal: No more than two days of drinking a month.
  • January 1/1, 1/31 ✅
  • February 2/1, 2/21 ✅
  • March 3/21 ✅
  • April 4/1, 4/2, 4/18 ❌
  • May 5/16, 5/23 ✅
  • June 6/20 6/?? ✅
  • July 7/11

I know there was another day I drank in June, but I can’t remember. I will not be reaching this goal in July… I already hosted a dinner party and enjoyed some wine, and next week I’m headed to an all-inclusive where I will absolutely be enjoying the open bar!

Looking Ahead

My 50th birthday is just over a week away, and I will be celebrating it in Mexico at a resort with some of my closest friends. I can’t wait!

I plan to pop in one more time before we fly out to keep my weekly blog post streak alive. I’ll probably reflect on turning 50, because it’s hitting me in a certain way that I want (and probably need) to get out of my head. Until then! I hope you are well!