Well we're now in August (how?) so here is my 18 in 18 - July update
1. Bake once per month (bread/cake/biscuits) FAIL
2. Plant new flower bed and child proof garden NOT YET
3. Sort out magazines. Still need to catch up on reading them!
4. Plan a lunch date/date night with Nick once a month (theatre/cinema/meal) FAIL
5. Eat at 4 new-to-me restaurants PREVIOUSLY COMPLETED
6. Complete the A – Z blogging challenge PREVIOUSLY COMPLETED
7. Plan a family weekend away for next year NOT YET
8. Walk at least 3 times per week FAIL
9. Visit my brother NOT YET
10. Visit my cousin NOT YET
11. Visit the beach PREVIOUSLY COMPLETED
12. Complete my reading challenge (52 books for the year) Still on track. In July I read:
The Simple Truth - David Baldacci
The President is Missing - Bill Clinton & James Patterson
The Lying Game - Ruth Ware
Guilt - Amanda Robson &
Those Who Lie - Diane Jeffrey
Details and Reviews can be found on my Goodreads site.
13. Keep my bullet journal updated Doing better
14. Blog at least once per week (plus regular memes) FAIL (July has been my worst blogging month so far this year.)
15. Take more photos FAIL
16. Update my wardrobe . Previously completed
17. Do more crafting – update on blog FAIL
18. Try out a new recipe each week FAILOh my goodness that does not make good reading. But here's my defence. We had visitors for 10 days. Which was lovely but of course it does throw normal routines out the window. It has also been VERY hot. Yes I know it's summer but for virtually the whole of July the temperature has been in the high 20s or low 30s. (C) On the 27th July we hit 34 degrees C. I do not function well in the heat. We do not have air con. We have fans. Portable fans that get moved around the house depending on where we are. It has not been the weather for slaving over the stove trying out new recipes. It has been the sort of weather where you don't want to be doing anything energetic.
The journey over the Nathan's house has been very uncomfortable. The trains are air conditioned but they are also so crowded that you don't really notice it. They are supposed to be switching from diesel fuelled trains to electric powered trains which will have more capacity. The switch was supposed to happen at the end of the summer. Now they are talking November. In the meantime the extra trains that used to run during the rush hours have been withdrawn which actually means a reduction in capacity, hence more crowded trains and shorter tempers in the heat.
But there is an upside to this. There was a time when I could not use public transport. Anxiety prevented me from being out of my comfort zone. Now I'm happier to take the crowded train than go by car. It's not a pleasant journey but the trains are usually reliable and run to time. Door to door it takes an hour. In the car it's far less predictable and I can't drive and read! Reading makes the journey pass quickly and I haven't missed my stop. Yet!
You have had a busy July so getting anything accomplished is a win!! Crowded trains don't sound like fun but you have to go and that's how you get there. Glad you can read while you travel! Have a blessed Sunday!
ReplyDeleteYou are accomplishing your 18 inch-by-inch. Hurray.
ReplyDeleteI love it when I can take the train to see my grands. It is about 90 minutes away. If it was cheaper, that is the only way I'd travel. Like you mentioned, it is a great time to read (or take a nap).
Hurray that your anxiety has lifted enough for you to take this transportation. That is quite a success.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading all your accomplishments. :-)
Tell me, how did you like The President is Missing?