goals are happening
thursday, january 10, 2019


writing is happening. it's still a little sporadic, but i didn't build the habit in a week, i probably won't rebuild the habit in a week, or a month. other things happen. mondays and fridays are pretty much out (for this and just about anything else, to be honest) because i'm filming for domytriesthis. because i post four times a week now, i need to film at least two videos on each of those days (and some weeks, it would be good to film three videos in case i get sick or something happens and i need backup videos. regardless, those two days are taken up by filming and editing (and editing is the real time consumer and pain in the butt). but actual writing is happening, i'm editing the second novel in my randi kayde series and i'm reworking another one in the same world but on the opposite coast.

what's not happening among the writing goals is critiquing (i am still a part of a loosely put together writing workshop) and submitting. at the end of 2018, i did submit blood charms and assassin's choice to just over a dozen agents, so i feel okay waiting on those responses for now. the thing is, i am writing and rebuilding old routines with a new mix, and that will take time. i do hope to get as on top of things as i was before the grandbaby, but it will take time.

exercise is also happening. as i noted in my last entry, i did tumble off the ball recently, but my lighter workout tuesday went okay, so i didn't miss, which is important right now. habits are hard to build, especially when it's not a daily habit, and any break makes it even harder. if i needed to, i would have taken a break, but i managed. i did ache later in the day, and i was considering not lifting today, but i'm definitely doing better so i'll be picking up the weights again. still going to take it easy, listen to the body, not go as deep for some moves, even keep to my more abbreviated workout, but it will get done.

we're also already working in more vegetarian meals already. hubs even made a couple: tostadas with his homemade refried beans and a pasta dish. it really did make it easier not having to figure out how to pay for $10 of meat on top of everything else. we don't have brown rice or barley back in the house yet, but i hope to do that this weekend. we're still recovering from the holidays, and whole grains tend to be more expensive (i can get white rice for $1.99; the same amount of brown rice is at least $1 more), so it may take some time to get that in the way i'd like. on the plus side, i've been craving sweets but have been eating kind bars and nutri-grain breakfast bars. mind you, i've been eating a few more of them than i probably would normally, but we are transitioning. hopefully the sugar cravings will ease off and that "need" for something sweet will decline with it and reduce the number of bars i'm eating.

speaking of money, i've been considering the makeup i buy and determining what i can stop purchasing. i'm keeping the subscription boxes (kind of need to or i'd have nothing new to share with the channel), but am developing a "don't buy" list. on the list so far: high end everything except eyeshadow palettes (drugstore doesn't stand up to issues i have with my eyes that make shadow literally vanish), color corrector (concealor works just fine), and face primer (not only do i have enough in samples and from subscriptions, but moisturizer seems to work just as well). i also need to find a way to makeup more through the week without irritating my eyes, but one step at a time. i'm also focusing on getting rid of some stuff that's been hanging out but not being used because new stuff has moved in, so to speak.

so goals are happening. not hitting all the points in every category, but feeling good about where i am so far. it is only the second week, but i'm still feeling focused. did have a bump tuesday and didn't cross off as much on my to do list as usual (not even sure what happened either, honestly—me and my sucky memory). and yesterday i had to do a short filming (trying to not have that happen too often, but it was short, and i still crossed off a number of other things, so at least it didn't derail much of anything). and the fact that i'm not falling apart two or three days after getting focused tells me that i've most definitely been ready. i know a challenge will come. hopefully i'll be ready for it when it does.