It has been an embarrassingly long time since I have checked-in. April was a tough month for me. It began with a mysterious sickness that lasted over three weeks, and ended with a trip to see my parents that was dispiriting and extremely uncomfortable.
So far in May, I’ve been trying to prepare for shoulder replacement surgery, getting ahead of the day job so that things would go well during my 2-3 weeks out. Then I found out last Thursday that my surgery on the 21st has to be rescheduled. While I am bitterly disappointed, I should be able to get things back under control since I am ahead of the game in the day job.
So how have I been doing on my goals? I’m fine on some, and far behind on others. I’m concentrating on the half-full glass.
Writing:
Write one hour three times this past week. No, but I’m going to strive to meet this goal.
Community:
Visit my assigned blogs twice a week. I missed a week or so, but I am making it up the next two weeks.
Reply to all comments. No, but I have scheduled times to bring me back on track. I plan to catch up on my sponsor posts and guest post comments as well.
I did not reach the goal of non-blog related posts on Facebook or Twitter. I plan to schedule these posts as well.
Clutter:
One hour three times a week at home going through paper detritus of modern life. Done!
One hour three times a week going through electronic files–rename, delete, archive. Done! Luckily, both these tasks can be accomplished with less than full brainpower.
I also pulled, cleaned and put away all my winter clothing. I am in the process of cleaning and putting away my summer clothing, although the weather is quite volatile here lately, and I regret putting some of my winter clothes away.
Health:
Walk. Seriously. 30 minutes a day. My best lately has been three days a week. My shoulder is a bother when walking, so I’ve taken it easy.
Follow-up on all the health issues. I have followed up on several health issues. There is only the surgery and one other problem to address.
Family day, no working and time with family, one day per week. Yes. Except when I was out of town on business, I spent every Saturday with my family.
Reading:
Update Goodreads at least every other week. Nope. I need to put this back on my radar.
List and report on what I’m reading, even the dry, academic stuff. I haven’t been reading much academic stuff lately, I’ve been up lots of nights, and read non-stop through many of them.
For Wednesday’s check-in, I’ll list what I’ve read this past month or so. In the meantime, please go encourage some of our participants here.
Elizabeth Anne Mitchell 
Wow! You’ve had a lot to deal with. Congrats on doing as well with your goals as you have been. Kudos!
Hope you’re able to get your surgery soon. Keep us posted.
Thanks for the congrats, Steph. No word on the surgery yet, but my ROW80 friends will be among the first to know.
Isn’t it great to have a community that cares? I’m so glad Marcy Kennedy made me aware of ROW80. Have a good week, Elizabeth. Bye for now.
Despite the not-so good points, it sounds as if you still managed to get a fair amount done. The glass half-full, as you say…
Sorry to hear the family trip didn’t got well… I don’t know what to say. Family is a challenging thing… basically any group of people you’ve been arbitrarily connected to by fate can be challenging… family is no different. We like to believe there is more connection because of biology, but we leave home and find partners and communities outside our homes because of differences…differences that makes us individuals. It’s no bad thing.
Your Saturdays with your family that you made show that. Hold to those and the joy and comfort they bring you.
And get back into a pattern as you can… (tell me about this cold weather! BRR!)
Eden, thank you for your good points about family. What little I had in common with my mother is now submerged by her Alzheimer’s, and her demons have merrily escaped all the prisons she locked them in. I’m sometimes amazed at how little biology accounts for friendship, but most of the time can deal with it.
The pattern is slowly coming back into focus. Thank you for your support.
Sounds like your goals aren’t suffering too badly with everything that’s been going on. You’re making time for the important things — family and health — those are good. The rest will fall into place.
Thank you for the encouragement, K. L. It’s taken some time–as witnessed by how long ago you made this comment, but I think I’m beginning to get back on track.
I love how your goals strive for balance in multiple parts of your life. I’ve noticed a few other people have non-writing-related goals for ROW80, and it’s making me think about whether I might benefit from that approach, too.
Also, loved your guest post on Kait’s blog today.
Thank you, Sione. I was a little apprehensive about the guest post, since so many ROWers are professional writers, published and all. I’ve always been one to speak my truth, though. I find my goals do better when there is a balance of non-writing and writing goals; it might work for you as well.
I hope you get your surgery soon and that it goes really well. With two new hips, my dad’s a brand new man. It doesn’t hurt that my nephews think he’s a cyborg! 🙂 Hang in there!
Thanks, Lindsey. I already have a knee replacement that sets off airport security like I won in Vegas, and wish I’d done it a year earlier rather than been so scared of it. Cyborg–I love it!
I hope your surgery gets scheduled and it goes well. The important thing is you are back and haven’t given up. I feel your pain. It happens to all of us. Good luck with your goals.
Thanks for the encouragement, Susan. I have written in the past not to hide when one falls off the goals wagon, so I have to walk the walk, don’t I? 🙂