Last year, as part of donating to the school our kids go to, we had bought tickets to a special weekend event over Fallen Leaf Lake near Lake Tahoe.
When the time came it wasn’t the ideal weekend but of course we went anyway. The kids had a blast. Nathaniel made bread with his friends.
There were many many animals as part of an evening event.
look at this porcupine?!
and a baby mountain lion.
Jake and I woke up at 5:45 and were able to see the sun come up. It was magical.
The colors were amazing.
there were several different kinds of boats but the second day was super windy so the kids could only do the pedal boats.
I don’t even have one photo of David because he was with his friends the whole time.
The weather was cold but really beautiful.
 on the first day, Jake went sailing.
while I read Hank Green’s book and relaxed. We got there 5 hours before everyone else.
and it was the best idea since it turned out to be the most beautiful day.
I couldn’t stop taking photos the whole weekend.
There was just so much beauty.
i even brought my large camera so not everything would just be phone photos.
here’s me listening to my book.
and jake still sailing.
and the little boy.
the love of my life.
in the evening, there was a lovely fire, smores, singing and more. I am so grateful we went to this event. The kids had a wonderful time, we barely saw them all weekend, and Jake and I also had a wonderful time. Here’s to doing it again next year.
Stories from 2018 is a year-long project for 2018. You can read more about my projects for 2018here.
Weekly Intention: This is another mixed week where I might work from home on Thursday and might be offsite all of Wednesday. Jake’s leaving town for the last part of the week. No school events this week except one day where I have late pickup. Otherwise, I am hoping for an uneventful week (hopefully.) My biggest intention this week is to give myself some grace and find some time to really journal so I can feel like I have a hold over my life, so I can feel grounded again, and so I can feel good about where I am and what I’m doing with my life. I am so grateful for my life but I am also feeling a little lost lately and I know journaling will help me with that.
This month’s intention is: Stronger than Before: Here’s your chance to give it one last push before the year’s over. Where are you still wanting to be stronger? How can you help yourself get stronger than before? How can you take things one notch higher? One notch deeper? OK so my plan here is to look back at the stuff I’d written in January of OLW and really figure out what I haven’t focused on so I can do more here. [ I still didn’t do this so I will keep it here for this week.]
One way I will stretch this week: i think i am going to try to sit with the discomfort this week and see what I can do there.
One boundary I will set this week: i will journal. i will take time alone.
This week, I will focus on pleasing: i want to spend a bit of time with david this week, making a plan, moving forward.
One new thing I will learn this week: i wrote this last week: what my priorities are for the rest of 2018, focus on a word for 2019 and personal goals for 2019 and I didn’t do it so i want to do this.
One area where I will go deeper this week: journaling, let’s do this.
What do I need to sit with this week? how i can get out of this space i am in and feel more on track.
I am looking forward to: taking some alone time to journal.
This week’s challenges: i am a bit unclear on Wednesday and having no Jake for four days will definitely be tough
Top Goals:
- Work: december summit, this wednesday’s speech, documenting my thoughts.
- Personal: i am going to have to repeat: get back to routine, journal, draw, eat well, exercise and sleep, make 2019 plans
- Family: spend time with David, cook for Jake. more time with Nathaniel.
I will focus on my values:
- Love: i want to spend time with my kids in a loving way.
- Learn: learn what i need right now. also how to define my job.
- Peace: peace with fact that this will take time
- Service: to myself again.
- Gratitude: for so much of my life that works.
This week, I want to remember: there’s an ebb and flow and it’s ok to embrace where i am now.
Stronger Than Before is a year-long project for 2018. You can read more about my projects for 2018 here.
How I got Stronger this week: I am still in a funk. I know it’s been months, weeks, I don’t even know. I feel like much of 2018 has been a struggle amidst lots of good things. Here’s what I did this week: I stood for what I believed. I took a chance and a risk. I was vulnerable. I told my truth. I stood up for others. I exercised twice. I ate poorly. I showed up and I took what I needed when I needed. I am trying to give myself grace. Some days it’s harder than others but I keep trying and I guess that’s how I get stronger.
Top Goals Review:
- Work: made progress on december summit, done with wednesday’s speech, barely worked on year end goals.
- Personal: did not get back to routine, and did not really do any of these: journal, draw, eat well, exercise and sleep
- Family: made a little bit of a plan for each kid but didn’t implement it. cooked only once.
I celebrate: hmm let’s go with i celebrate good books this week.
I am grateful for: being able to tell my truth, not everyone is open to receiving that and i am very lucky.
Karen’s Points: this week was also unusual and i ended up with two body pump classes.
A Change I embraced: trying to embrace my blonder hair. Some days i really like it, others i miss my dark hair a lot.
I let go of: feeling better. i’ve been letting myself feel out of sorts.
Core Desired Feelings Check-in:
- Fresh: i’ve been working from home a bit lately and i love it. i missed it.
- Magical: doing math with nathaniel is my happy place.
- Lighter: a few big things are off my plate so that makes me feel better.
- True: i need to make a plan for myself. i am feeling out of sorts and not sure how to re-anchor myself. i need to readjust.
Where I chose Joy: i spent more time with Nathaniel this week.
I showed up for: david at school this week.
A Mistake I made this week: i have been giving feedback, listening and being honest. i am happy about doing that but maybe i need to also be a bit more careful + thoughtful.
What I tolerated this week: still down, frustrated, sad, worn out, and just overall not my best self.
My mood this week was: off.
I forgive myself for: eating poorly, not wanting to make an effort.
What I love right now: a little bit of quiet.
Weekly Reflection is a year-long project for 2018. You can read more about my projects for 2018 here.
this week’s spread is a bunch of mishmosh.
8th grade tea, nathaniel breaking boxes, driving to school, breakfast, and more cayucos.
planning for an offsite, meetings at work, birthday party, and going blonde.
Moments from this Week 2018 is a year-long project for 2018. You can read more about my projects for 2018 here.
     
This was a good week.
I thought Make Time was ok. It had a bunch of practical tips but there was nothing wildly new in it for me. It’s more things I know I should be doing.
I then read Fox 8 which was a short story. I really liked it even though it was a bit weird.
I then tackled An Audience of One: Reclaiming Creativity for Its Own Sake which also had nothing new in it. It was meh.
I was finally ready for a novel so I grabbed The Dream Daughter which completely surprised me and I really liked it. If you’ve read this author before, you might like this one, too.
I wanted to make sure to read Whiskey in a Teacup before it was due at the library. It was fast but honestly, not super resonant for me. I still love and adore Reese though.
I finished the week with Dare to Lead which was the highlight of the week. I love love love Brene and this was no exception. I cannot recommend her enough.
Let’s see how I do next week.
Books I Read this Week 2018 is a year-long project for 2018. You can read more about my projects for 2018 here.
 A good friend of Nathaniel had his tenth birthday a few weeks ago. It was in their backyard and the theme was camping. They went above and beyond to make it special for the boys.
After dinner, they all got to watch Princess Bride.
before dinner, they played with tons and tons of boxes. All the kids said it was one of the best parts.
at night they slept in tents in their own sleeping bags. It was quite lovely.
It was Nathaniel’s first sleepover ever. He had a wonderful time. We are super grateful and hope he continues to have special memories like this with his good friends.
Stories from 2018 is a year-long project for 2018. You can read more about my projects for 2018here.
Weekly Intention: This week is a mixed week. I have to work all Tuesday for an all-day meeting on Wednesday. I have to go to the high school on Monday night. I have a hair appointment on Thursday night and the kids have no school on Friday but David has a high school shadow. I also really want to knock off some of my todos this week. Personal ones. Things I’ve been dragging around for weeks. I have to make some serious forward momentum on some of my work too since I will be going to Zurich in a few weeks. So here’s my intention for this week: I will do as much as possible, i will give myself grace for the rest, i will make some plans for the next two months so I understand my priorities, and I will focus on what’s in front of me the most. I will be kind. Kind kind kind. This is what i really want more than anything else. I want to be kind to me, kind to the kids, kind to Jake, kind to colleagues, kind to every single person.
This month’s intention is: Stronger than Before: Here’s your chance to give it one last push before the year’s over. Where are you still wanting to be stronger? How can you help yourself get stronger than before? How can you take things one notch higher? One notch deeper? OK so my plan here is to look back at the stuff I’d written in January of OLW and really figure out what I haven’t focused on so I can do more here. [ I didn’t do this so I will keep it here for this week.]
One way I will stretch this week: the appeals committee work and the onboarding will both stretch me.
One boundary I will set this week: i will take all of Tuesday to read packets, i will make sure i can be at home reading.
This week, I will focus on pleasing: me still, i need it.
One new thing I will learn this week: what my priorities are for the rest of 2018, focus on a word for 2019 and personal goals for 2019.
One area where I will go deeper this week: december summit.
What do I need to sit with this week? how i’m feeling and why it’s so hard on me.
I am looking forward to: the kids coming home earlier now that cross country is over.
This week’s challenges: evening commitments are always hard for me. Getting back to exercising is also going to be hard. And finally the unpredictable Wednesday.
Top Goals:
- Work: december summit, wednesday’s speech, year end goals.
- Personal: get back to routine, journal, draw, eat well, exercise and sleep
- Family: make a plan for each kid. cook again.
I will focus on my values:
- Love: take stock, figure out what’s getting in the way, make a plan.
- Learn: learn what i am missing the most and how i can bring it back in.
- Peace: peace with how i’m feeling, accepting what is.
- Service: to myself still.
- Gratitude: for my wonderful husband.
This week, I want to remember: that things will get better. i can do this.
Stronger Than Before is a year-long project for 2018. You can read more about my projects for 2018 here.
How I got Stronger this week: I want to be honest, this was a tough week for me. There has been many tough periods this year and I appear to be in the middle of another one. I feel like I am balancing too many things and they are all falling apart. At least I feel like they are falling apart. Each individual thing is small and possibly inconsequential but when I add it all together it feels like an avalanche and I just can’t breathe. I am not exactly sure how to find my way out at the moment. But I haven’t given up yet. I am trying. And I guess that’s going to have to do for this week.
Top Goals Review:
- Work: i did get started on other things, and worked on the december summit a little bit.
- Personal: i can’t really say that i got back to routine, i journaled only once, didn’t draw, ate i’d say mediocre at best and likely just not well, i exercised but not enough and i slept so so
- Family: i spent a teeny tiny amount of time with david on his project, and did not find a volunteer opportunity for David yet but i did hug them a bunch. though not enough. never enough.
I celebrate: making it through this week.
I am grateful for: my husband who showers me with kindness more often than i deserve.
Karen’s Points: this week i had a bunch of morning commitments so all I got in was one body pump and one 1.5 mile run.
A Change I embraced: I rested a lot this week, I needed it even though I had a lot of work.
I let go of: so much this week. i just couldn’t work crazy hours after last week. so i paced myself.
Core Desired Feelings Check-in:
- Fresh: i got to meet with an old friend and it was lovely.
- Magical: getting to work from home both monday and friday was awesome.
- Lighter: i don’t feel light right now. so much so that i feel like i have to pick light as my word next year.
- True: i am working so hard at getting better.
Where I chose Joy: i worked at home when i needed it.
I showed up for: nathaniel at school this week.
A Mistake I made this week: i have been dropping the ball a lot but i am trying to catch up.
What I tolerated this week: just overall feeling of being down.
My mood this week was: exhausted. dejected and just worn out.
I forgive myself for: being where i am. this is how i feel right now.
What I love right now: my husband. the good weather. kindness of everyone.
Weekly Reflection is a year-long project for 2018. You can read more about my projects for 2018 here.
more from our weekend away. adventures in the backyard. and just reading and reading.
i love the beach so very much.
so grateful for sunny california days!!
Moments from this Week 2018 is a year-long project for 2018. You can read more about my projects for 2018 here.
  
This might be the week I read the fewest books in all of 2018 so far. It was a long week so I knew it was unlikely I would be able to read much but it’s still better than nothing.
I thought Charlotte Walsh Likes To Win was ok. I wasn’t amazing but it didn’t make me upset as it has many others if you read the reviews on amazon.
I then read Wildcard which I knew would be an easy read and it was.
I started the Muse of Nightmares as soon as it came out. Laini Taylor is so so so talented. Her books are a joy to read and are unlike any other. And this was no exception.
Here’s to a much better reading week next week.
Books I Read this Week 2018 is a year-long project for 2018. You can read more about my projects for 2018 here.
Weekly Intention: This week is the week when I regroup and focus forward. The big event is now over and I can start planning and working on all the other things that are happening throughout the rest of this year. So my plan this week is to get organized, to rest a lot and then start taking some small steps. Pay attention to my kids again, to my own life again, to my sweet husband again. The goal this week is to work less and be home more.
This month’s intention is: Stronger than Before: Here’s your chance to give it one last push before the year’s over. Where are you still wanting to be stronger? How can you help yourself get stronger than before? How can you take things one notch higher? One notch deeper? OK so my plan here is to look back at the stuff I’d written in January of OLW and really figure out what I haven’t focused on so I can do more here.
One way I will stretch this week: I will focus on taking extra time at home.
One boundary I will set this week: i will work as little as possible and still be effective. i will leave work early almost daily.
This week, I will focus on pleasing: me.
One new thing I will learn this week: how to start pacing myself for the end of the year.
One area where I will go deeper this week: write the feedback form.
What do I need to sit with this week? how i’m feeling and how i want life to go.
I am looking forward to: some quieter weeks.
This week’s challenges: i have a bit of traveling around this week, to school and then to another office but i don’t expect any of it to be too stressful hopefully.
Top Goals:
- Work: get started on other things, and december summit.
- Personal: get back to routine, journal, draw, eat well, exercise and sleep
- Family: spend time with david on his project, find a volunteer opportunity and hug them all so so much.
I will focus on my values:
- Love: pause and love my life.
- Learn: how to get some balance again.
- Peace: peace with winter coming.
- Service: to myself this week.
- Gratitude: for my wonderful life.
This week, I want to remember: that there’s time, i will be okay.
Stronger Than Before is a year-long project for 2018. You can read more about my projects for 2018 here.
How I got Stronger this week: This might have been one of the longest weeks I’ve had this whole year. I was long and draining and I am grateful that work went well but I am exhausted both physically and emotionally. Saturday’s news just drained the very last bits I had in me and I’ve been in self care mood ever since. I wasn’t even sure I was going to write here today but this space is my little grounding space. So I come, I write, so I can remember. This was a tough week and may we never forget what’s possible and how much progress there still is to make.
Top Goals Review:
- Personal: i got a mediocre amount of sleep, a lot of nightmares this week.
- Family: i loved my people so much.
- Work: i was all in all the way
I celebrate: the offsite being over and that it went well.
I am grateful for: being at home and getting to rest a bit.
Karen’s Points: just one body pump this week.
A Change I embraced: oh jeez. all of this week. was intense. i embraced it.
I let go of: trying to get anything done besides the offsite. it can all wait.
Core Desired Feelings Check-in:
- Fresh: doing this offsite for the first time.
- Magical: being in carmel was magical and lovely.
- Lighter: i feel lighter now that it’s over.
- True: i am still really tired and worn out. and will take some time to recover.
Where I chose Joy: i stayed, i showed up, i participated.
I showed up for: work mostly.
A Mistake I made this week: i made many little ones.
What I tolerated this week: exhaustion. mental and emotional (and physical.) yet again.
My mood this week was: execution-focused and then very sad on saturday.
I forgive myself for: being sad.
What I love right now: i am looking forward to what I hope will be a quieter October.
Weekly Reflection is a year-long project for 2018. You can read more about my projects for 2018 here.
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projects for twenty twenty-four
projects for twenty twenty-three
projects for twenty twenty-two
projects for twenty twenty-one
projects for twenty nineteen
projects for twenty eighteen
projects from twenty seventeen
monthly projects from previous years
some of my previous projects
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