Saturday, June 28, 2008

2008 Meinvent day whatever

The title should give away my mental status. Monday and Tuesday were so awesome. I think what I like best about the All Write!!! Conference is the intimate setting coupled with the big names that bring the big knowledge. It was just what the doctor ordered. I'm re inspired and so torqued for not just my own writing, but working with students. I put all my Reading and Writing Journals into one basket. I want to be able to model for the students and teachers my own use of them so as to help anyone who needs to see it, the PURPOSE for it all. :) I am looking forward to debriefing with colleagues on Monday...just a way to keep it going. Momentum, momentum, momentum...

Wednesday was a blur, but I didn't feel that good anyway, so the near-write-off of the day doesn't count against me, does it? Don't answer that!

As soon as my peds hit the ground Thursday it was non-stop. There may have been a few minutes that weren't spent getting goals met, but it wasn't many... Between Orkin, and Shoda's I had two adjacent lawns dug up. I was doing anything I was able to do to make their jobs easier (and less expensive). The bonus? All the debris from both houses was removed and out of my life forever! Ahhhhhhh. I also got the quad listed with Christine Shafer at REMAX. There was much running around, but, again, it all related to my goals. I actually feel like the loose ends are tying up. Each step I make just gets the whole process closer. It's not like I get one or two things done, and then can cross them off my list. Much of my doings are processes that keep creeping closer to doneness, and one day it will just be like, "hey, I can check all 10 of these things off." Am extremely pleased with my progress, though it could be more, I also understand that some of the "off" time has been chill time or be with people I care about time.

Take tonight for example...Bill and I took mom and dad to the Boathouse in Winona Lake. It was a nice dinner to celebrate their 49th wedding anniversary and dad's birthday. They liked our present with was a veritable "Price's Right" showcase showdown with little things they might need for their vacation. When I say "Price's Right"I don't mean high dollar as much as I mean, each item came with a silly narrative like they do on the show. Either way, they were entertained, as were we while watching them unwrap each item.

Though my rambling is pointless tonight, I felt it my duty to check in, especially since this really only constitutes entry number two for this week. That's o.k., like Sarah says, "there's always tomorrow." Thanks, Sarah!!

Monday, June 23, 2008

Feelin' "All Write!!!"

It's the eve of the All Write Conference. Well, I guess it's really the morning of...whatever. I am so excited that I can't sleep. I crept up the stairs to grab my Writer's Notebooks (which could have something to do with why I couldn't sleep--I didn't want to forget them.) While here, I thought I'd just post a quick word. I don't remember which day of the Meinvent it is...but that part doesn't matter...

Today, I am going to indulge myself in Katherine Bomer's extended session (provided there's room.) I can't wait. It's a two-day session in which "teachers" get to explore themselves as a writer. I disregard the word teacher, not because I disregard teachers, but because no matter what title I hold, I am a TEACHER first!!! Once a teacher, always a teacher. I've been removed from my Notebook for the better part of the last year, I'm anxious to get reacquainted. I'm allowing this indulgence as I am paying for the conference myself...and did I mention, I can't wait?

But wait, I will. I'm going to go back downstairs, slide under the covers and spend the last two hours of the night free of the worry that I will forget my old Notebooks--my "friends."

Thursday, June 19, 2008

2008 Meinvent, Day 11

Termites will deprive me of sleep no more!! Yesterday, after my quad's annual termite inspection, my inspector (guy good-guy, by the way) said he'd take a peek at the flip next door if I liked. Great, I thought, as I had checked it with a fine toothed comb last spring and summer and treated it preemptively to be safe. I was pretty sure we'd get a clean bill of health. Well, I was wrong. we were ninety-nine one-hundredths of the way through the basement, when voila, I saw, with my own eyes, two good-for-nothing white termites when the inspector disturbed the tube of destruction. Well, there goes our stimulus check plus forty bucks.

The good news is, it's fresh (I had checked that exact location last year with no sign of bugs.) Guy-inspector-guy said if this was well established we'd have seen a lot more offshoots...hopefully the prospective buyer, who lives just down the street, also in the termite zone, will realize this isn't the end of the world. I'm glad to know that, too, since I think the place is pretty darn fabulous.

Anyway, other ensuing issues are the goals. I have much of my stuff in my new office and am glad about that. I still have some stuff to organize before I take it, but I've got a great handle on it. I've clocked in some hours preparing for the job, too, which makes me feel better with each passing day.

Today, I threw caution to the wind and lounged poolside with my buddies Carrie and Diane. We always have fun, and have seriously good conversation. We don't always talk shop, but it's nice to know we can sprinkle lots of shop-talk amid our miscellaneous ramblings.

I also spent time with my husband this evening. It was a beautiful night, and we cooked chicken on the grill, and I made home-made macaroni and cheese...I'm getting it down to a science.

Almost all is well in my world. The down-side, everyone wants money...Orkin, The sewer company, the roofers, and Bath and Body works. O.k, Bath and Body Works just had a sale I couldn't resist...come on 5 for $15. You can't leave the stuff in the store, and they had my favorite smell--Ginger and White Tea.....ahhhhhh, it reminds me of being in Hong Kong just 4 short years ago. Back to reality. It's late. I'm tired, and I'm going to bed. Good Night!

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

2008 Meinvent, Day 9

Poison ivy and toilets seemed to be my biggest challenge today. The Ivy that started developing on Saturday seemed to crest today at well above black-eye stage. One of the custodians at school today asked me in what round I went down. Surprisingly, it looks a little better this evening (I'm trying to avoid the "shot," not because I hate needles--bring it on--but because I don't have time to fool with a trip to the doc.)

As for the toilet incident, let's just say "a hand in the toilet is worth more than the price of a new phone." Oh, yeah, if you happen to put your phone in your back pocket because you're too lazy to carry your purse in the building, remember to take it out before dropping your drawers in the bathroom. My heart sank when my phone did. It was kaput all day, and finally decided it had dried enough and so, came back to life this evening...this after a trip to Verizon to see about getting a new phone, which is a hassle by the way. Thankfully I didn't buy anything. Cross your fingers that the phone's guts aren't going to die a vicious death. That pretty much covers the "other stuff" that could have happened today that had nothing to do with my goals.

The up-side is that I got to watch my buddy's son romp around at gymnastics in the morning...then we met up again for dinner, and got to watch my God daughter run and kick. Both are so full of life and fun to watch and reconnect with, which is one of my newer-improved goals, by the way...

I've rewritten my goals now in a much more succinct fashion--one that encompasses several of the previous goals implicitly...here they are:

1) Walk closer to God
2) Blog 3 times a week
3) Live a healthier lifestyle
4) Organize, Consolidate, and Liquidate any (all) material possessions
5) Make more friend and family time
6) Tie-up Internship
7) Prepare and Sell (rent) Fort Wayne properties
8) Prepare myself professionally
9) Plan mom and dad's 50th reunion (for next summer)
10) Advance toward home remodel
11) Remember to plan some time for me (including reading)

Now that I have these, I will code my time chart by adding these sweeping categories. This will help my quantify my time, then determine what's off. I have started preparing a daily list of sub-goals in manageable chunks so that I can cross of what I do as I do it, then add it to the top of the next day if I don't. This has worked in the past, so I'm reviving it.

I know, I know...this all seems a little too analytical, but there's a method to the madness. I remember the words of a wise old sage (sages, really, nonetheless, this is not a new concept) at IPFW who said, "What doesn't get measured, doesn't get done." Or was it, "what gets measured, gets done?" Either way, you get the point. I'm on it, and I'm using the skills learned in TQM class to see to it that I can be as productive as possible. How can I go wrong, when part of my days are scheduled time with God, friend, family, and me?

I'm on a roll...let's see what surprises lurk tomorrow.

Monday, June 16, 2008

2008 Meinvent, Day 8

With an itchy eye, and a sunburned back, I take time to reflect on my progress thus far. The weekend was strictly spent with hubby and friends. Friday night, we dined with mom and dad, Lara and Doug with the express purpose of cutting off stamps from my grandfather's correspondence. We debated whether the stamps should be used for resale at a Stamp Collector's store, or to go for the leper colony that Doug collects for. Let's just say, not only did we get an education that night, but the lepers and stamp collectors will have their fare share, and there may have even been some few worth a little money, that mom kept. It's a story for another time, for sure, but let's just say, it was an interesting evening.

Saturday, Bill and I got the motorboat ready, then participated in the Big Lake Poker Run. We got 5th place with a four-of-a-kind, and heartily accepted a t$32.00 gallon of oil to be used with some of the equipment we own. After the poker run, we literally socialized/swam the entire day with neighbors and new friends.

Sunday, I was able to log some time on the organization of professional stuff, while Bill mowed. We then spent the rest of the day at mom and dad's, with his family as well, celebrating Father's Day.

The R & R did me good. I pushed so hard at the beginning of last week, that I was losing steam near the end of the week. I'm refreshed , have had a productive morning, and look to complete my Internship tie-ups today before seeing the contractor about our renovation. Things are looking up, and I'm starting to note some trends.

I am in correspondence with a sorority sister of mine, and was responding to one of her e-mails last Thursday night, and I told her that I felt like I was at the edge of a forest I had been wandering through for years, and I could finally see the clearing, metaphorically. I asked if she was laying any bets as to how long I could keep myself from being Over-programmed. But, the bigger picture here, for me, is that I have to accept responsibility for some of my short-fallings. My mind is the clearest it has been in a long time, why is that? And why do I over-program myself? I think I know the answers (at least in part).

For the past 6 years I have been in flux, professionally and personally. I sold the home I adored in the historic section of Fort Wayne in December of 2002, and have moved 4 times since then. In that same time, I've changed professional positions 3 times, beginning by packing up my entire classroom (have since let others borrow or have much of what should be in students hands daily.) For three years, while working in the Curriculum Department, I lived out of my trunk while serving 7 schools in the district. This year, I served in two buildings, while being "in the hair" of my mentors (literally in their office--how they can stand me, I don't know.) This is a lot of change for a person. Retrospectively, I can see it's effects. Many people think that I'm pretty easy going, and even like change--well I don't like change. But it's not up to me. Change happens--deal with it. This has been an important evolution in who I am as a person and an educator.

As I'm purging files, books, magazines, etcetera, I'm focusing on the grief that I haven 't allowed myself to feel. The grief at not having 25 kids at my door on the first day of school. Grief at not being part of a close-knit unit anymore. Grief at getting attached to students at the two schools I served in this year, and knowing I may not see any of them again. It hurts! And most of my seemingly-laid-back attitude is just an understanding that life keeps going. I'll work on finding a way to cope with these things on the way, but while being over-programmed I didn't have time to think about them.

I also realize now, more than ever, after having worked with two dynamic mentors, that the reason I am capable of doing what I do now is perhaps, in part, of having over-programmed myself. I realize that my IQ (though I don't know what it is) is probably not as high as I think it is, but the hard work I put in balances my disparities. What I have to do now, is see if I am still competitive in the market of leaders just as I am. I think back of all the things I pushed so hard to do in college and beyond, from the self-help books, to pushing myself to understand, learn, and grow...all of it is paying off, but is it sustainable? This will become apparent as I wend my way through my new position this year. The plusses? I'll have one space out of which to work. One that I can call my own. Also, I'll have one set of expectations and one building culture with which to work.

It's all coming together, I can't wait to see what the rest of the summer brings.

Friday, June 13, 2008

2008 Meinvent, Day 5

Today, I hang my head in shame--metaphorically speaking. Yesterday, I hit a brick wall. The day started well by breaking my fast with the current AP at the school where I'll be going next year, then dropping off boxes of my books that I will have in my office (both items satisfying growth toward completing my goals.)

After that, things went downhill rapidly. I went to one of my tenant's apartments knowing I could not do one of the tasks required, by myself. Once I got there, I made a list of everything that I needed to complete in her apartment this summer--so far, so good. Then, I went outside to call dad to see if he'd come help me put in the air conditioner. Rosie offered me an ice-cold Coke, and I sat and socialized with her for far longer than I should have. Dad came, we did the AC in pretty good time, but then as we did a walk-around (I wanted to see if the storm from the other day ripped off my vent fan cover from the south roof--it did) I knew my day had been captured by the ever-loving "something else."

Dad and I made a fruitless trip to Lowe's and Menard's--seriously, does NO ONE sell replacement covers? One man actually said, "I've never heard of that, it might be time to buy a whole new unit." I'm thinking, "not on my $100 + bill, pal." I shook my head as we left. This smug capitalist thinks I have couches stuffed with money. Doesn't he know what the price of gas is? He certainly doesn't know how much I spend in gas a month. Shhh, I'm not proud of the lack of "green-ness" in what I spend per month.

Anyway, after being unsuccessful at two of my favorite places to shop--barring smug, bearded salesman, who are graying (ha ha)--my dad and I are actually hungry, and he takes me to Richard's. My dad, who is turning 79 (or is it only 78?) in 14 days, who just helped me shlep an AC up a flight of stairs and into a chest-high window, mind you, would not let me buy him lunch. I better get him an awesome-butt Father's Day present. He's picked his art back up, so this year shopping for him will be easy!!

After a pleasant lunch (but if you're counting, that's two meals out today, not so good on the eating healthier goal--never mind what I ate...) dad drops me back to the Quad and I proceed to call around about getting the roof vent fixed. I leave messages and am assured someone will call me back. Yeah, right. No one wants or probably has time for such a small-fry job. I'm still waiting for someone to call back (I guess it is only 6-something in the morning, I'll keep my patience in check.)

In the meantime, though, my plans for painting Sarah's apartment are put on hold as I scurry around trying to figure out how the hell I'm going to temporarily cover the 14 inch opening in my roof. It is supposed to rain late tonight or tomorrow and I am afraid of water--not to swim in it, drink it, or otherwise enjoy it. I'm afraid of the damage it can cause...long story (stories, if you want to know the truth) for another time. Being that it is now today, it is raining as promised.

After making the phone calls to roofers, and trying to secure the use of my loaned-out extension ladder (which included several I'm-trying-to-track-down Kyle calls), I returned to my actual goal-seeking behavior--painting! I started in the blue room, and realized that it's unwise for me to continue using $25/gallon paint on a room I'm going to have to paint twice anyway (I'll buy cheaper primer for that coat, but I'm NOT going back to Lowe's today!) So I started cutting-in in the hallway, and then decided since I haven't heard anything about my ladder, I better get the hubby in the mix. He's none-too-pleased about the prospect of having to find McGyver-style stuff at work to help me with my hare-brained plan, but dutifully helps.

After painting some more, up pulls Bill on his Fat-Boy, and I'm laying in wait for what I know he's going to be even less pleased to hear--that I have not yet secured the ladder. Thankfully, Bill is more clever than I when it comes to mechanical things (I'm not a complete yutz when it comes to these things, but....he's better.) He figures out that we can remove a pin from the loft skylight, and crawl out with the ladder I do have...great trick to know. I don't ever have to have another near-panic attack about my fat arse falling off the ladder while going from the second-story roof to the top roof. Whew!!! Wish I had known that a couple months ago...and furthermore, hopefully my arse won't be as fat if I attend properly to my goals.

Well, let's just say the patching of the gaping roof hole went better than expected given the additional items Bill brought--so, putting heads together really is a good thing. Bill left as he saw clouds and feared getting caught in the rain on his bike (not the end of the world, but if you can avoid it, why not?) He made the fateful mistake of saying, "take your time" in relation to my intent to go downstairs and chat with my buddy Gerrie (who is also my Property Manager, and keeps things off my plate as oft as possible.)

To make the story a bit less cumbersome, let's just say Gerrie and I talked for a while, and then went to DQ for dinner and a little bit of ice cream--o.k., a Peanut Buster Parfait is not a little bit. Boy did it go down nicely, though. Gerrie didn't have ice cream, she was being good.

By the time I got home at 8:45 p.m. I was defeated. I figured Bill was going to be upset with me because I lingered longer than I expected, and my day was less fruitful than I desired. He was fine, but said he was a little worried. After laying on the floor for an hour or so (sweaty, tired, and utterly disappointed in myself) I went upstairs to check e-mail. I read and purged a bunch of personal e-mails, and professional e-mails, but did not blog, as you may or may not have noticed.

So, let's recap a bit. Here's what went well yesterday: minimal painting; AC in; purging e-mail; and socializing with Rosie and Gerrie. Here's what didn't go well: unplanned time spent on roof-vent fiasco (seeing people flooded in Idaho and Illinois keeps the logical part of my head in perspective, mind you); 3 meals out--unhealthy; no blogging; no 30 minutes of exercise. Not a complete bust, but certainly not up to my standard.

It wasn't until later, after I went to bed at midnight, tossing and turning MOST of the night, that I realized, I have one MAJOR thing missing on my list of goals: To walk closer to God. Perhaps if I would put that first, and give my first fruits of the day to Him (instead of blogging, I caught the irony), I would be more focused. That wouldn't keep the unexpected from happening, but I notice any time I'm trying to metaphorically "drive," I'm usually humbled. Maybe the roof vent was supposed to remind me that I need to move over. For any unbelievers reading this, don't worry, I'm not crazy, I'll pray that you can know the peace that comes with such a decision. Whenever I "move over" things go smoother.

It's kind of like the whole Administration thing. I kept swimming against the stream (in this case the stream was going into administration). I did NOT want anything to do with administration (never mind that I had been president of this and that in college and beyond.) The more I swam upstream, the more difficult things became. It wasn't until part way through my Master's Degree (yes, for administration...there's a story there, though) that I realized Administration is my lot in life. Again, for any non-believers, don't tune out just yet. I'm happy to be pursuing it now, even more so, because I truly believe it is God's desire to have me be a servant in this capacity. And for anyone paying attention, he knows I use the word hell above (I thought about deleting it, but it is a well placed word for which none can take it's place and have the same verve.)

On that note...the rain has died down. I've been blogging for an hour (and three minutes), and need to get back on the program. Today is a new day, and I think I'll make time to read a bit of the Word before I get to work. Peace Out!!

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

2008 Meinvent, Day 3

SMART! Specific, measurable, attainable, blah, blah, blah...as I reflect on my week thus far, I am pleased with my progress. As I reflect, though, I realize that in order to make my goals more meaningful, I do have to make them more specific and measurable. I've worked up one draft of goals, which cut down significantly on the number of goals, but I'm in no way done...I'll put down what I have. I'm certainly going to lack lustre tonight as I am tired, have a sink-ful of lovely strawberries to finish cleaning, and am blogging tonight out of obligation to my word.

Newer, moderately improved goals:
1. Blogging at least 3 times per week (today makes 3)
2. Exercising at least 30 minutes every day (this week alone I've logged 135 minutes)
3. Liquidating ANY unnecessary items from our house (still ongoing)
4. Organize and Consolidating Leadership and Curriculum info. (good progress, ongoing)
5. More time for girlfriends (lunched with Falk today)
6. Finish and Market Flip (crunched numbers and have potential buyer)
7. Quad-related (formerly #7-#10...have done little to nothing this week)
8. Internship tie-ups (made great headway today, still have a few hours worth left)
9. Moving into new office (moved 3 more boxes today)
10. Eating Healthier (had no chocolate today, and ate 3 proper meals, veggies and all)
11. Prepping our house for add-on (looked at first set of drawings with hubby this evening)
12. Organizing and Consolidating our house (not much on this front until I get my office stuff moved along with organizing leadership stuff.)
13. Learning about my new job (am going to breakfast with the current holder of my job tomorrow)
14. Professional Reading (nix)
15. Personal Reading (Read a little Oprah yesterday--10 minutes worth in addition to my walk back from the mailbox which is .6 miles away.)
16. Cooking for and spending time with hubby (I've done well here, we've had a proper dinner 3 nights in a row, and yesterday we were outside hanging most of the night.)
17. Planning for Mom and Dad's 50th--get a save the date invite out and contact the cabins for reservations.

Well, I know there's more paring to do, but some of the existing items will knock off this list before the middle of next week...

I've worked hard on all these fronts, though, and I'm tired today, and I've got an important breakfast with Gale at 6:30, which means it's time for this girl to hit the hay!

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

2008 Meinvent, Day 2

"Anal" is a word I'd use to describe my actions yesterday. For anyone misreading the word "anal," I do not mean pertaining to that part of my body, rather my obsessive, anal retentive type of behavior. I timed every activity I did yesterday, and this morning tried to link the activities to one of my goals. Well, I see some err in my ways...no problem...that's what this blog's all about for now.
I decided to time my activities after blogging yesterday (so I have no record of what I did prior to completing the blog.) The thought came to me as I was processing my writing...fancy that...I can have multiple thoughts at the same time and respond accordingly. Whew! I thought I'd lost that skill this semester. Needless to say, I have 747 minutes of activity yesterday that are accounted for. I also did not count the I-can't-believe-I'm-not-asleep-yet time (well, it was 34 minutes to be exact) or the sneaking to the bathroom at 11:12 to count up my minutes for the day (I wonder if there's a connection to why I couldn't sleep.) Here's the rough breakdown:

I spent 43 minutes exercising. Yay, me...I rode Bill's bike (better than mine) around Loon Lake and back. I spent another 37 minutes in the bathroom...getting ready and or attending to necessities. I only petted Scooty (our outdoor kitty) 10 minutes. 27 minues of my day were spent prepping meals; 68 minutes eating them, and another 17 minutes doing dishes. The remining time was spent, socializing with my in-laws, going to the store, and watching t.v. (which can be linked to goal #2 from yesterday, as I was going through catalogs and pulling out any things of interest, which I may give to Bill so he has ideas for my birthday in August.) The remainder of the catalogs were put in the ever-growing recycling pile. This whole process would be a whole lot easier if I weren't as "green" as I am. Furthermore, coming from a post WWII-fleeing-from-potential-aggressors upbringing, waste is frowned upon, thereby keeping me from liberally "throwing things away." No, I have to find a place to use it or donate it...thank goodness for Martha Stewart's body + soul magazine and REAL SIMPLE magazine which help me discover new and meaningful ways to get rid of things (bcause one of my sub-goals is always, put as little as possible into the waste stream.) Now, I'm just rambling.
To analyze yesterday (or analize), I'm including laundry and bill paying in goals #3 and #4 (as I realize that I need to further define the organizing--it's not just for professional stuff anymore,) I spent 64% of my waking day working on my goals.
Today, I stayed up with Bill, just as I said, and already have a couple hour jump on yesterday. I won't be as anal through this whole process, but for me it was important to go through the times and percents. I'm going to continue that temporarily so that I can see where most time is wasted, and how I can tighten up...this will help me professionally, too.
Now that I have spent 35 minutes blogging and re-reading, I will go and make myself some breakfast. I was up a pound from yesterday. I'm sure with all the water I drank yesterday (and yes, I kept track of everything I put in my mouth), and the exercise, I will start to see it go down. But right now, the belly's calling...

Monday, June 9, 2008

2008 Meinvent

Yes, the date is correct. It is now June, and I have not only made it through my middle school internship, but decidedly liked much of it. It was rocky at first--mainly because I was slaying my own demons regarding middle school (having nothing to do with the current context in which I found myself.)
Today, however, is my first official day of my reinvent, or as I've titled today's blog, my "2008 MEinvent." As of today, I have 49 days with which to prepare myself mentally, physically and in any other way necessary for my new job as Assistant Principal. 49 days! That doesn't sound like much time to get done what I want to get done, especially given that my morning nap consisted of falling asleep after my husband left around 6:15 and not waking up until around 8:30. I'm never going to accomplish all that needs to be accomplished at that rate. Tomorrow, I will wake up with him, and stay up.

So, as I chronicle the "2008 Meinvent," here's the hard, cold reality:
49 days, minus 8 for a pseudo family reunion, leaving 43 days.
43 days, minus 2 for the All Write!!! Conference, leaving 39 days.
39 days, minus the I-don't-know-how-many days that will involve me in New Adminstrator Training...

Time's-a-wastin'. In no way do I mean to imply that the above-listed functions careening into my remaining days will be anything less than awesome, but the point remains, tempus fugit (no, I'm not cussing, it's Latin for "time flies.")

Here's what my meinvent will entail (parenthetical phrases are the "why"):

1. Blogging at least 3 times a week (to focus my reflections, work on my writing craft, and to be accountable)
2. Exercising for at least 1/2 hour every day, including weekends (because I'm not in optimum physical condition)
3. Liquidating ANY unnecessary items from our house (there's too much junk residing here)
4. Organizing and Consolidating my leadership and curriculum information (see #3)
5. Making more time for my girl friends (all work and no play makes Ingrid dull girl)
6. Finishing and Marketing the Flip (as it should've been marketed soon after my last blog entry...pathetic that we still own it)
7. Putting new garage doors on Quad (so I can sell it)
8. Upgrading Sara's old apartment and re-rentingit (so I can sell make the mortgage as I prepare to sell it)
9. Putting new flooring in Rosie's apartment ('cause I told her I'd do it 6 months ago)
10. Excavating the sewer pipe and inserting a clean out (so we won't get you-know-what backed up the pipes)
11. Moving into my new-oh-wait-I've-never-had-one-before office (so I can effectively do my job)
12. Eating Healthier (see #2)
13. Preparing to "move" (so that when we add on to our house I can find things as necessary)
14. Organizing and Consolidating tools and other stuff at our house (see #3 and #13)
15. Learning about my new job (to go in over-prepared, like I prefer)
16. Reading the 2 books I borrowed from Jeff, the one I borrowed from Sarah, and any other book I can cram into my available time (because I love reading/learning)
17. Cooking for and spending more time with the hubby (because we team play)
18. Finishing up a couple loose ends for my internship (because I don't leave a job undone)
19. I reserve #19 and #20 for the things that come up that I didn't account for...
20.
I think that about covers it. If it doesn't pertain to any of the above, then it won't make the cut for what to do in a day's time. Stay tuned, if you want for an Improving Me.