Sanity Check In (y02w16)

Ha! Remember how happy I was last week? Well…

Let me just put it this way… I literally called The Husband from work today just for a sanity check. Within the first two hours of teaching, grading, and interacting with students, I was losing my mind.

Part of me wants to rehash it all, but I’m not going to let myself. My husband did what partners are supposed to do: he listened, let me vent, and made me feel better.

So instead, I’m going to focus this blog post on ME, because this is my blog and I refuse to let the trials and tribulations of work invade all areas of my life. I went to work, I did what I could, and now it’s my time. I’ll give work my full attention again tomorrow, (probably) lose my shit again, and then head into the weekend forgetting my job even exists. It’s literally the only way to stay sane at the moment.

Besides all my teacher drama, I’m sad to say The Husband was laid off last week after an amazing 26-year career as a programmer. On one hand, I’m happy for him because the job wasn’t what it used to be, and he was being underutilized, but this is a hard transition for him. He’s not a guy who likes change (hence the 26-year career with the same company), and I know he’s struggling a little mentally.

I, on the other hand, have had at least 5 jobs and run my own company in that same 26-year span, because I thrive on change! lol

The interesting thing is that we started at the same position after graduate school. He stayed there the entire time while the company changed around him. I left and forged my own path, creating and finding opportunities that challenged and inspired me.

They say opposites attract, am I right?

Anyway, that’s the life update. Let’s get to the goals, because I’ve made some decisions.

2026 Goal Tracking

Cooking/Food

#SaladTime

Goal: Once a Week ❌ On Hold Retiring

I’ve decided this goal has run its course. Like many things I start and abandon, the goal has served its purpose. I wanted to eat more greens, and now I’m eating more greens!

You can see all my #SaladTime videos here in a YouTube playlist. I won’t be posting any new ones. I will, however, continue sharing my salad photos here to keep myself accountable, because I want to continue eating more greens!

So, I guess I’m transitioning this to a new goal: at least 5 big green salads a week.

Weekly Soup/Stew/Prep

Goal: Once a Week ✅

This goal is evolving too! Now that soup season is behind us, I’m committing to doing some sort of weekly food prep and sharing it here.

This week, it was a shit ton (that’s officially a unit, yes?) of grilled bone-in chicken I made on Sunday. I’ve been living off that chicken, making salads and pulling together quick meals all week. It’s been great!

I wish I took a photo of it, but I forgot. 🙁

Sourdough

Goal: Once a Week ✅

I made three loaves since my last post!

One of them I gave away, which is a first for me!

I’ve shared my bread before, but I’ve never given a full loaf away. I’ve been too scared, and I’m not confident in my skills yet.

Homemade Pasta

Goal: Once a Month

• January 1/9 ✅
• February 2/15 ✅
• March 3/1 ✅
• April

Didn’t get a chance to make some this weekend, but I already have a dish in mind. I just need to find the energy.

Evan in the Kitchen

Goal: Once a Week ❌ Retired

It’s time to retire this one. It’s not happening. HOWEVER, I may keep an Ev section in here moving forward, just to give myself a place to reflect and update on the current state of raising a teen.

And I need to say this: he has been AWESOME lately. His first job is going well. He’s helping around the house (sometimes UNSOLICITED) and keeping up with his schoolwork. He is truly doing all the things a fifteen-year-old should be doing, and I have to stop being so hard on myself and him!

I wish I could share the photo I took of him in his work shirt, but I will respect his privacy since he asked me not to share.

Fitness/Weightlifting

Olympic Lifting Training

I’m training away and love my new flow. I am now working out 4 days a week, and I am making some serious progress that I think will translate to my lifts.

To be frank, it’s all boring stuff at the moment, but I know it’s helping me build a strong foundation. Once I get back to full lifts, I’ll share some videos.

Handstands/Pull Ups/Jump Rope

I brought back my weekly jump rope workout! Last week I did:

• 100 single unders
• 10 EMOM (Every Minute on the Minute) of 25 DUs (double unders)
• 3 attempts at a max set: 70, 70, 38 (not bad! The goal is 100 in a row!)

My plan is one jump rope workout a week. Once classes are over, I’ll add in the handstand and pull-up work.

Daily Walks

I could probably stop updating this goal as well. I walk daily, unless there’s a reason I can’t, which is rare.

Hikes

• Goal: Twice a month
  • January 1/3, 1/15, 1/23 ✅
  • February ❌
  • March 3/21, 3/28✅
  • April 4/3, 4/12 ✅

I totally forgot to take a photo, but I caught up with an old friend on Sunday and we did a 3-mile loop. It was awesome!

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

I went the morning before I hiked, making it an awesome, active Sunday!

Pickleball

We got our asses KICKED this week. However, we had an absolute blast! I also think I’m getting better, even though we aren’t winning. Then again, maybe it’s in my head. lol

Regardless, this may win for my favorite goal of the year!

Creative/Other Pursuits

Music

I’ve gotten back to practicing guitar regularly. I wish I could say daily, but frankly, it’s the first thing that gets pushed off my daily list.

That said, I am still absolutely enjoying it and I am making progress. I can’t wait until classes end so I have more time and energy to devote to it.

Painting

Snuck in a session this week for an @Andrea.Nelson.Art tutorial!

Acting Class/Drum Lessons

Still researching an acting class, and I reached out to a local place since it looks like there aren’t many options at the college this summer. I’ll keep you posted!

Drumming is still on hold until I wrap up this semester.

Spanish

Keeping up with Duolingo… no other progress. This is another goal I’m waiting to dive back into once classes end and I have more mental room.

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 ❌

I will be drinking at my dinner party on Friday since we’re pairing wines with the dinner. I could look at it as a failure, but it feels more like a conscious choice. I’ve been really consistent with this goal, and I’m not going to let one intentional, joyful evening make me feel like a failure.

Looking Ahead

I need to run, so I can bake a cake for tomorrow’s dinner party I’m hosting. I will be sure to take lots of photos and share the menu next week. I plan to be fully in the moment and put all the work stress away.