Somebody Else's Project Journal

This is a great post about project journals: http://diaryofadomesticanimal.blogspot.com/2009/01/in-december-inspired-by-this-post-on.html

If I was a better person, I would know how to link that with one word, but since I'm not, at least I'll be able to get back there. I've been thinking of the project journal as a way to record what we've been doing at home, and since there's been precious little of that since the Legislature started, I haven't written anything in it.

The post above is a reminder of the real reason for these journals--to record what the kid does as he learns, what he's interested in, what he says, and what he does. I mean, how could I have missed writing about penguin-mania? Fortunately, it's not too late.

First Day of School, er, Session

I went home for lunch today. As the dog watched hopefully, I reached into a cabinet and took out the butter, completely failing to notice that we'd left the (very warm) under- cabinet lights on this morning. As I slung the butter dish around toward the counter, it became apparent that the butter had melted as much as butter can melt while still retaining a solid appearance. At least half of it hit my skirt with a "floop" sound, and the rest brushed the dog's nose as it headed for the floor. More floop. The dog felt that his own personal prayers were finally being answered, as I shrieked and ran for the stairs (leaving him and the butter alone together). Wonder if it'll ever come out of the skirt?

After changing my skirt twice more (wrecked the second one having lunch), I chickened out on going to the Capitol. Went to the Health Fund Board in Portland instead, came home early w/ KC, picked up the shrimp. They went to basketball, I went to BSF. It was a great evening.

I'll face reality (at the Capitol) tomorrow.

It's Really January

The Shrimp and I went for a walk after school today. It was one of my last days to pick him up at 3:00 until after the legislature is over, so I was glad he wanted to do something like that. We hiked down to Parkway, ostensibly to see if there were any pictures there I could use on my makeshift office walls. The real reason? Just to have somewhere to go.

At first as we went along, I kept saying "come on" and "if you don't keep walking we'll freeze to death". As we progressed, though, I realized that the walk itself was the point, and if he wanted to poke a stick into a puddle, splash it around, and declare it to be fish guts, I should let him. Heck, I should probably even participate. So, we slowed down. It was chilly, and gray, and raw. The wind kept coming at us in these huge howling gusts. But eventually, we got down to Parkway, shuffled inside, and got warmed up by playing war with the Playmobil guys. I think I lost, although I pitched my fire-breathing dragon into his camp in a last-ditch attempt to save my side.

On the way back up, we decided to cut through the back lawns of some people we haven't met--but we almost did, since we got so close to their house as we sneaked by. After dawdling suitably on the way down Kingwood, we managed to get back inside our (thankfully) warm house, and we ended the evening with dinner in front of the last college bowl game of the year. It was great.

Again from Simplemom, since I don't seem to be making progress on 2009:

Reflection Questions for 2008
1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year?
There was more than one "single best" thing:
I got a new job, which I love, I got better from being sick, Aidan was identified as TAG (thus justifying my long-held contention that he's actually smart), we had a good visit to Erin and Barge in Boulder and a good visit from C+C in April, C+C got married and Kevin officiated, we had a good time in Mexico, we had good holidays, I have mostly accomplished my goal of switching churches, we all remain healthy, Aidan had a great JC relay experience.

2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?
I got sick.

3. What was an unexpected joy this past year?
My brothers' new relationships, which are so much more positive than their old ones, my new job.

4. What was an unexpected obstacle?
Being sick.

5. Pick three words to describe 2008.
Happy growth and change

8. What were the best books you read this year?

9. With whom were your most valuable relationships?
Besides my family, I would say Julie (as always), MMJ, Aidan's teacher

10. What was your biggest personal change from January to December of this past year?
The change in my job, which required a correspondingly bigger lobby personality. I didn't have that personna for the five years I was in private practice, and I'm glad to have it back. It requires some adjustment, though.

11. What was an important thing you learned this year?
I learned how to manage some of Aidan's behavior by visualizing how I want a situation (the one we're in conflict over) to turn out for him--what I want his end result to be. By visualizing that, I end up changing my whole behavior and reaction to his behavior. It's much more effective.

12. In what way(s) did you grow spiritually?
I keep trying.

13. What was the most enjoyable area of managing your home?
Living in it when it was clean and the family was under control.

14. What was your most challenging area of home management?
Keeping it clean, and keeping the family organized.

2009 Goal Questions

These are copied directly from Simplemom.net, not to plagarize, but so that I can spend time thinking and reflecting on them in my blog (and also so that I won't forget all about the project and never get around to it).

1. What skill do you most want to learn this year?

2. What is one skill you already have that you’d like to improve this year?

3. Name three books you most definitely want to read in 2009.

4. In what specific area do you most want to encourage your spouse? What are some ways you can do this?

5. Think of one of your major life goals. What will you do this year to make you one step closer to reaching that goal?

6. Name your kids’ biggest strengths. What are some ways you can specifically nourish those strengths?

7. Name your kids’ most prominent weakness. What are some ways you can encourage their ability to overcome it?

8. What is one of your strengths? Think of some specific ways you can exercise it this year.

9. What is one of your weaknesses? Brainstorm some ideas on how you can overcome this deficiency.

10. Think of an important relationship aside from your spouse and children. How will you nurture that relationship this year?

11. Name a few ways your physical health could be improved.

12. Name a few ways your family’s financial health could be improved.

13. In what way do you want to draw closer to God?

14. What is one area of home management that frustrates you? Think of some specific ways you could improve your attitude about it.

15. Have you ever created a family mission statement with your spouse? If so, why not do one for this year?

16. Name one specific thing you could do with your spouse this year that will deepen your intimacy.

17. What is something that is continually undone in your life? What will you do to fully complete it this year?

18. In what ways will you be involved with your local community?

19. What is one thing you’d like to accomplish by your birthday this year?

20. Think of three words you’d like to describe your 2009.