Two weeks ago I was writing from the hospital while Mom had spinal surgery, and now I’m back waiting while The Husband has surgery.
I’m starting to find hospitals a very reflective place to do some writing. Is that odd?
Regardless, The Husband’s surgery is not too major. He needed a Mohs procedure, and now they are doing a skin graft to replace the skin they removed. Skin cancer is real, people. Please wear your sunscreen!
I don’t really know what I’m here to write about. It’s been a long week, mostly dominated by work, which I already shared on my LinkedIn journal.
So you know what? Let’s do a goal check-in. It’s been a few weeks since I reviewed them, and it always helps me refocus. Although I think I may be letting some of them go. My mentality has really shifted over the last few months, and I have been considering approaching goal-setting in a completely new way next year. More on that in a future post.
For now, I’m going to go back to my original 2026 goal-setting post to reflect on everything I set my sights on this year.
Cooking/Food
My original goals included making at least one loaf of sourdough a week and fresh pasta once a month. I als wanted to post one #SaladTime video a week, make more bone-in cuts of meat, make homemade stock, and get Ev in the kitchen with me more.
So I’m not doing too bad here! I have been averaging a loaf of sourdough a week, but pasta making has been on hold since about July. I don’t think that’s a bad thing. I’m simply not really eating that much pasta anymore.
I stopped posting online videos once classes started, so #SaladTime continued through the summer but not as consistently as I would have liked.
To be frank, I would love nothing more than to be a food content creator, but I don’t see it as a realistic goal for me at this stage in life. I am not giving up my teaching position anytime soon. I need the salary and benefits, and I enjoy teaching even though it’s emotionally exhausting. It feels like a calling, and I get a lot of personal and professional satisfaction from the work.
So I’m going to do what I’ve been doing… make online content when it makes sense for me because I enjoy it, and focus on work when I need to. That balance is working for me.
As for the bone-in cuts of meat and stock, I am nailing that! I mak stock every week or so and then use it to make soups, stews, and chilis for my lunches. I’m in a pretty good flow with it, and it’s nice. I actually have some simmering on the stove right now.
Getting Ev in the kitchen is another story, but he’s helped me a few times, and he’s getting more proficient at preparing the simple things he enjoys.
Fitness/Weightlifting
My original goals included working with my Olympic lifting coach and competing in weightlifting meets, while pursuing andstands, pull-ups, and jump rope as mini goals. I also wanted to continue hot yoga regularly, take daily walks, hike when I can, and start pla ing pickleball.
Well, check, check, check, CHECK! I am killing it in this department. Training is going well. I have two weightlifting events coming up. I have been slowly progressing my pull-ups, hands ands, and jump rope skills. I take nightly walks. I have been doing yoga at least twice a month all year, and The Husband and I did two pickleball leagues this past spring, and we are talking about doing one more league this winter.
The only one I am falling short on is hiking. I have gotten a few in, but nowhere near the pace I used to keep.
Creative Pursuits
1. Music
My original goals included committing to guitar practice and taking drum lessons.
Guitar was going great until this semester started. I have made SO much progress this year, but it’s also the thing I tend to abandon when time gets tight. These last few weeks, practice has been sparodic. Checking in here is reminding me that I could easily pick it up for a few minutes at the end of the day. I just need to keep it in mind.
Drum lessons are a bust, and I can’t imagine squeezing them in before the end of the year. But I’m keeping it on my bucket list. It’s just not the right time for me. I have too many other open projects.
2. Painting
My goal was to simply, paint more.
I’ve actually been painting a bit more these past two weeks. I made a little art station on a tray, and I paint while listening to whatever The Husband is watching on TV. It’s oddly relaxing.
I have also painted every greeting card I’ve sent this year: birthdays, weddings, baby showers, you name it. They are simple, but I really enjoy gifting something handmade, and people really seem to appreciate it.
Oh! And I painted the little fun Frankenstein this week from a YouTube be tutorial.
3. Acting
My goal was to take an acting class sometime this year.
I ended up taking four acting classes and it was SO fun! Talk about being pushed out of your comfort zone. I have so much more respect for the dramatic arts. I mean, I already respected them, but wow. It is such a skill and a talent.
Spanish
My goal was to get more fluent this year.
I failed. I mean, I am keeping up with Duolingo and learning new vocabulary all the time, but the time, energy, and commitment required to learn a new language is intense, and I don’t have any of those resources right now.
I am, however, proud of myself for what I have learned, and I will continue to learn. Who knows, maybe I’ll be able to hold a conversation in Spanish when I’m sixty!
Conclusion
Wow, it was actually more fun than I expected to go back and read my first post of the year and reflect on where I am now.
I also just got word that they are moving The Husband to the recovery room, so perfect timing.
Looking Ahead
I like that I have changed my approach here on the blog from structured goal check-in to more general reflective posts. I don’t know where next week will take me, but I love having this little home base to check in with. It helps me feel grounded.
Hope you are well!