I can’t believe it has almost been a month since I last posted.  August was crazy and not that fun, to be honest. The bumps and changes of back-to-school combined with some heavy travel for Scott.  And then my sweet grandmother fell and broke a hip. Again. It was major surgery for her and scary for all of us, and I’m glad the surgery was uneventful she is on the mend now, but she’s got a long road of therapy and healing ahead.

Old age is not for sissies – I’ve heard it said before.  I read a memoir this summer that gave me perspective on life’s changes and how hard it is to age and watch those around you grow older. Maybe it’s because I’m getting a little older, or maybe it’s that I see family and friends around me who are aging.  Whatever the reason, it’s been taking up a lot of my time and thoughts lately.  It is such a hard truth that we grow wiser as our bodies grow older and weaker.  I also received news this week about a high school friend of mine who lost her mother to ovarian cancer coupled with news of someone I admire professionally who was diagnosed with an aggressive liver cancer as well.

I’m glad that we live in an age of information and that I have the curiosity to read and learn. But sometimes I have to back off a little.  It’s almost too much for one human heart to consider, I think.  I’m trying to focus on what I can do to avoid physical trials and stay healthy – eat thoughtfully, make good choices, take notice of things I put on my body and in my home. But just as important, I think, is to use my healthy body while I have it and focus on how I can truly use my time to better my family, my children, and others around me, too.  Day by day, we can make little choices and accomplish so many small things that make us feel like our time is worth something.

Life sends rude wake-up calls sometimes.  It’s a finite thing we are doing here on Earth. I don’t want to take it for granted. In the meantime, these two are bringing lots of distractions and bright spots in my days.

Because it has been six months since I posted my birthday list and because I am writing a bit about how to really do something with my time, I thought I’d check in on my 33 goals to hold myself accountable a bit.  I am already seeing some things that will not be done my next March. But I’ve made some progress, too.

Goals from the list that I’ve accomplished or made at least a little progress on….

• Get an actual physical.  (I got this out of the way in July.)
• Establish somewhat regular exercise.  (We joined the Y this summer, and my frequency has dropped since heading back to work in August, but I’ve made it in a few times.  Hoping to get better at this, but it’s a start!)
• Travel somewhere I’ve never been before. (Our trip to Mexico in June filled that requirement.)
• Start using my camera again – not just my iPhone.  (Baby steps.  I used it last weekend for Jude’s first soccer game and when we head out somewhere special, I’m trying to remember to bring it.)
• Discover a new musician or two.  (Loving Walk the Moon these days)
• See three movies in the theater.  ( Only one so far, but I loved Begin Again.)
• Go on a few real dates. (Twice in recent months. None for the insane month of August.)
• Blog more often, at least 24 more entries before I turn 34.  (Last month, I failed big time on this one. But on the whole I’ve increased my frequency around here.)
• Have some fun new experiences with the kids. (We went to Tellus this summer, a few new parks, and I’m gearing up for fall festivals.)
• Get to know our new farmer’s market this summer.  (We went often in June and July.  It was great!)
• Create more time for reading and finish more books.  (I was good about this during the summer, and I just began Traveling Mercies. I love Anne Lamott so much, and it is just what I need right now.)
• Establish some flowers and vegetables in our back yard. (I was sad to see that a fungus ate my squash in July, but I was excited to have lots of fresh herbs and tomatoes!  I’m hoping for some fall lettuces and greens soon.  Grow Boxes are making it pretty easy.)
• Create a reading nook in our master bedroom. (We moved around a few book shelves and inherited some leather chairs from friends who downsized and moved recently.  I hope to add some comfy throw pillows and an ottoman, but it is shaping up.)
• Get a better understanding of retirement savings and save more in general.  (We’ve finally begun college savings plans for the kids and started using Mint recently.  We made big strides in this area this summer.  I feel good about it!)
• Go strawberry picking with the kids and enjoy the apple orchards again as we did last year.  (Strawberry picking was so fun, and apple season is around the corner!)
• Make use of our screened porch and outside space.  (We did this a bit this summer, and I hope to do more as the weather cools down soon.  Fall is my favorite time for outside play in Georgia.)

So I’ve made progress on 16 goals which is pretty good.  It’s been a fun project and I might repeat it next year….and have to move a few things to next year’s list if they don’t happen soon.)

Thanks for reading, friends. I hope September is treating you well as a new season is around the corner.