I feel like fall rhythms are finally settling in.
Honesty, everything felt a little dicey for a while — ever since returning from our long trip in August, I’ve felt kind of . . . behind. Every non-clinical day was filled with stuff from kid appointment to podcast recordings and more. Nothing was overly stressful but I often felt like I was juuuuust one minor mishap away from messing up something important.
But now, the calendar right now just looks a little kinder, with some more open space, and I’m just feeling content and happy about just . . . regular life. Exactly 1 year ago, I officially went part time in my clinical role to pursue podcasting (and related pursuits) in a more significant way, and maybe it has taken me a year to find my rhythms. But I think I’m getting there! And I think I really do have a really lovely balance (even though I know not everyone loves that word!).
This weekend I did do some work (newsletter + BLP home work!) but mostly just enjoyed a regular ‘home’ weekend. Long run, kid gymnastics, kid piano, kid soccer game (Josh took C to that), TJ’s pumpkin shopping extravaganza (with A/G while C was skateboarding), and a play date for G (also a schoolwork evening meetup for A!). It sounds like a lot of mundane activities, and I suppose in some ways it was, but it was nice!
I made cookies + Sunday dinner and our house was actually fairly functional by ~8 pm Sunday which doesn’t always happen.
Some Highlights
THE COOKIES: I made these and they were pretty awesome!
DINNER AND A MESS IN THE BACKGROUND:
MEDIA: I read more of Tom Lake and the kids blasted Olivia Rodrigo + Ava Max and watched Z-O-M-B-I-E-S, a Disney movie which reminds me of The Descendants. It’s in a very rare category of movie that ALL 3 WILL WATCH WITHOUT COMPLAINT, so I’ll take it.
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I changed jobs on 1 September, and am now entering week 4 of the semester, and I’m feeling like things are a bit more “normal” as well. I’ve got a grasp on my commute, etc and should get back into my office this week (it flooded my 2nd week in the office, so I’ve been using the office of a colleague on sabbatical). It is weird, I feel busier than when I was commuting much more (gone for 3 days) and I can’t figure out if there’s something different about this job, whether I’m just tireder and working slower, etc.
I need to figure out a bit more social interaction though, I’m mostly teaching the 2 days a week I’m on campus, and I’m feeling a bit lonely as I don’t have a school pick-up day this semester, so I don’t meet folks at the school gate.
My husband and I took a day off yesterday and blitzed a lot of house projects – things that only took 10-20 minutes a piece but weren’t getting done in the course of a normal weekend.
It feels better to have cleared the to do list, still a lot of gardening to do with autumn clean up but that can be done when it fits in, the leaves aren’t going anywhere 🙂
I’ve got some decluttering to do (inspired by the Edit Your Life) but I tend to do that when A and T are away – they have 5 days in London and will come home to a hopefully emptier house. Perfect timing as a few weeks after that, our town hosts a bit zero waste festival, so things will be able to find good homes.
Are you liking Tom Lake? Â I finished it last night and thought it was lovely but I have seen some mixed reviews.Â
Tom lake was a DNF for me. I think it was just wrong book/wrong time combo. I found it hard to get into it and eventually just abandoned it!
So funny! I’m only 1/3 through but I’m finding it so enjoyable. Books are so interesting that way!!
Off topic for this post, but I was listening to BOBW this morning and I was wondering if you’d considered asking your nanny to take on some of the decluttering you want to do. Other than you and Josh, it seems like she’s the person in the best position to know how your house functions.
She errs on the side of not throwing anything out (which I get, if it’s not your stuff!) — but she has helped in some areas!!!
Curious as to whether it’s clothes that you need to get rid of, or just stuff in general? Even though I’m a pro at decluttering (probably too much so sometimes), I have previously had a friend come over and give me a yay/nay on keeping certain clothes, which I know are a pain point for some people. I paid her in takeout sushi for both of us =) If you have a buddy who is ruthless and could just set aside a few hours one day, I bet you could power through and get rid of a lot! It also helps to have a Green Drop or Purple Heart pickup or the like scheduled so that you have a deadline. And also obviously do it when NO ONE ELSE IS HOME. I have both had the buddy come over and been the buddy for others!
(also, excuse my overly-obsessive cheerleading for decluttering. Maybe it’s just not a high priority for you right now and that’s fine! For me, clutter makes my anxiety skyrocket so I’m always trying to help others figure out how to do it, which isn’t necessarily what you asked for!)
I sure hope things feel more normal next week. I am almost done with my grant and have a personnel issue to deal with that is sooooo painful. Also, what’s with the 85 degree weather in October, MI? I feel like I’m going to wilt!
Sounds like things are going well! That pumpkin run to TJs probably put you in a good mood : )
It’s nice when things come together and the elusive state of “balance” is achieved. AND, those cookies sound amazing- I might have to make them this week!
Our house is “Zombies” (1, 2 and 3) obsessed. All kids ages 2 to 11 either LOVE or tolerate it. I admit I like it too!
I made those cookies too but did not drain the pumpkin because I thought it would be fine. Um. Definitely drain the pumpkin! (they were still delicious but kind of wet and smeary)
I used paper towels to blot it like crazy and it worked!