I have been really scattered doing a million things this month and thought I would, for my own sanity really, do a recap here. Maybe it would all make more sense if I saw it in one place.
Home: We got 2 feet of snow this month and that pretty much stranded us. I didn't leave the house for those two weeks because I don't have any driving skills in the snow - I do everyone a favor by staying home. Because of the cold we have a lot of projects on hold, but spring will be here before we know it and more flooring and painting will begin.
Health: I gained so much weight this winter - not working out, but eating butter is not a good turn of events. I tried to do some exercise this month, but that was a bust too. I am a wimp in the cold and will use any excuse not to play outside. For the month of March I am doing two things that should make an improvement: it is a no bread month and 20 minutes on the treadmill even if I am dog tired and it is 11PM. Not HUGE changes, but they should make an impact and get me back to being motivated.
Work: Hosted a big Company Picnic for the local business community, traveled for training, worked on clients projects (design, web, pr, events, etc.), picked up a new fun jewelry/accessory client, had a client who left come back (that happens a lot. They think they can do it themselves, but they can't.) All in all, a very productive month, but very busy.
Spirit: I met with the president of our church for lunch - the best lunch, hours long and she introduced me to kale and I am adding it to my diet! We talked about why I am on sabbatical and what that means to me and to my commitment to our church community. These aren't easy discussions, but I feel good about the decision to take a break. I don't want to go to church out of obligation (we all have too many of those anyway) or guilt. When I am ready - knowing that they are not going to be any different and that I have to see them through different eyes - I will go back. My own meditation practice is in the pitts. I just can't get motivated - see health! It is a constant theme for this month, I guess.
Family: They are good, or at least what I have seen is good. Our daughter is pushing through the hard stuff with extreme grace and determination and I am so proud of her. Neither her dad or I went to college in the traditional way and having her experience the ups and downs is both thrilling and hard on us. We want her to succeed, but we know that there are learning lessons at every turn. We just keep encouraging and listening - all we can do really because we are clueless. And my husband has taken an afinity to debating relatives and old friends about god through Facebook. I love it because he is so incredibly knowledgeable (preachers kid) and so clear about his thought process that the conversations are so interesting. Dog, cats and chickens are all well.
Whew - who knew that February was such a busy month! Let's hope I can find more balance and deterination for personal projects in March.
Photo is of the Super Snow we had... amazing for Northwest Arkansas.