Hello From The Beach! (y02w32)

It’s our family’s beach week, even though we’re only going for a long weekend this year.

As parents of older kids, it’s hard to plan an entire week when all four of us have our own schedules and responsibilities. Not to mention, it’s quite expensive to rent a beach house these days, so this year we decided to just do a long weekend.

We drove up today with our youngest, and my oldest will be joining us after his shift at work this evening. It’s the first year he is driving himself, and it feels like we’ve come full circle. I was about his age when I drove up alone to meet The Husband while we were dating.

I was planning to bring my computer to post this evening, but I forgot it. So I am attempting to write and publish this on my phone. Please excuse any typos or weirdness as I attempt my goal check-in.

2026 Goal Tracking

Cooking/Food

#SaladTime

Revised Goal: 5 Big Salads a Week ❌

Again, I can’t give myself a ✅ for this one. I definitely ate more salads than I did the week before but I didn’t quite hit 5, maybe 3.

I did eat one container of mixed greens, so that’s great! Next week I’ll find my groove again for sure.

Weekly Soup/Stew/Prep

Goal: Once a Week ✅

This one I reached because Ev requested chili and I was all about it! I literally ate it all week.

Sourdough

Goal: Once a Week ✅

yes!! Made my first ever 100% Whole Wheat Sourdough loaf!

Homemade Pasta

Goal: Once a Month ✅

• January 1/9 ✅
• February 2/15 ✅
• March 3/1 ✅
• April 4/18 ✅
• May 5/14 ✅
• June ❌
• July 7/31 ✅

I did it! Snuck it in right on the wire on the 31st.

I used some pork I found on clearance as inspiration and made a fun mushroom cream sauce with peas and herbs from my garden.

It came out delicious!

Evan in the Kitchen

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

I can’t say this enough, I love this kid. He was so much fun today. From the drive to hanging out with us on the boardwalk, we just hang out effortlessly and it’s so nice because I know that teens aren’t always like this.

We also got a family date in this past weekend when both boys agreed effortlessly to join us for dinner and a movie to see Spiderman. It was awesome. Just thinking about it is making me smile. Both boys have been great recently and I am just going to allow myself to recognize and enjoy it.

Fitness/Weightlifting

Olympic Lifting Training
Handstands/Pull Ups/Jump Rope

I got two gym sessions in before we left and it was great! Next week I’ll be back on my training cycle and I can’t wait.

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 ❌
• August 8/1

Didn’t quite make but I already clocked one for August and I had a special guest!

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 7/18 ❌
• August 8/1

As expected, I didn’t make it in July but again, clocked one for August!

Pickleball

No update.

Creative/Other Pursuits

Music/Painting

I painted two cards and I need to paint a few more for events coming up.

The guitar didn’t get as much attention but I know I’ll get back to it next week. I miss it!

Drum Lessons

Next week I am planning on reaching out to a local drum school.

Spanish

No update.

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, 7/22-7/27 ❌
• August

Too many ❌s for me. Need to hold myself accountable for the rest of the year.

Looking Ahead

This was both fun and tedious to write on the phone. I mean, how cool is it that I can even do that, but OMG is it clunky.

Anyways, next week I will be returning to a stricter schedule. I’m back on contract in 10 days and work will be ramping up as I prepare for classes. I’m simultaneously dreading and looking forward to it.