Tuesday, September 7, 2010

What I Did NOT Do On My Summer Vacation

Since I was so bold as to proclaim all the things I was planning to do this summer HERE, I think it's only fair to tally up my accomplishments and own up to the fact that I pretty much failed-- at least if you just look at the numbers. I'm barely 50/50.

Oh I had grand ideas, but you know what they say about carefully laid plans. Life got in the way, along with Mother Nature, missing motivation, distractions and a few unexpected twists and turns along the way.

On the top of my summer "to-do" list was spending more time connecting with friends over potluck dinners. Applause please-- I did really well on this goal. Beloved Husband and I entertained a lot this past summer and we're really glad we did. You just can't beat good food and quality time with loved ones. And, with all the cooking and grilling I did, this simple "confetti corn" recipe turned out to be the hit of the summer.

Second on the list was planting tomatoes and trying my hand at gardening... Again. Four plants and a full summer later, I harvested a whopping 7 tomatoes. Big sigh. I am still not gardener. But I made up for my lack of a green thumb at Farmer's Markets. I bought so many heirloom tomatoes that some weeks I was giving them away like those lucky folks who have awesome gardens of their own. But I always owned up to the fact that I purchased the tomatoes rather than grew them myself-- At least most of the time I did.

As for my trip to Ohio with Godson to meet my newborn great-niece-- Number Three on the list, all I can say is SCORE! It was such a fabulous trip that Godson and I are still talking about. And for your viewing enjoyment, here's a new pic of our still tiny but growing bundle of joy.


I get high marks on my goal of long weekend getaways, day trips and a vacation to New York City with Beloved-- Resolution Number Four. Hubby made a very concentrated effort to spend less time at the office and more time relaxing. It was a real treat for me and I took full advantage by getting us out of the house.

That brings me to Number Five-- The @#$%^&! treadmill and exercising pledge. Let's just say I laid a big fat goose egg on making that happen-- "Fat" being the operative word. See Resolution #1 and #4 and all the eating, entertaining and traveling that helped pack on several extra pounds. In short, I ate my way through summer vacation.

After all the angst, construction and expense of fixing our sinking pool and deck, goal Number Six on the list was nearly a total bust-- Pool parties. Mother Nature did not cut a break to Southern Californians near the beach and graced us with some unusually cold temperatures while the rest of the country got blasted with a major heat wave. So the pool was only used once all summer-- for about 30 minutes. On one hand, I like looking out the window and seeing the back yard stable and secure again. On the other hand, it was a very expensive dip in the pool.

Yoga and finding "zen" was Number Seven on the list and all I can say is that it's still on the list. (I didn't even buy a mat or yoga pants yet. Not even the excuse to shop made that happen.)

Same goes for Number Eight-- reading War and Peace, only it's not on the list anymore. Who was I kidding?!? But I did read all three books about the Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and Eat, Love, Pray. That's four more books than I finished all winter.

Which brings me to Number Nine on the list and remembering to cut fresh flowers and roses from the garden. Check and check. I did that A LOT this summer, and when there weren't any in the garden to cut, I brought big bunches home from Farmer's Markets and the Flower Mart. Ahh, that made me really happy. (Full disclosure-- I still do not have a green thumb but I do have a man who tends to the roses for me.)

And last but not least, my "fluff" to-do item on the list-- Number Ten-- "mindless entertainment" started with the sequel to Sex In The City. What a dog of a movie, but it didn't deter me. With minimal expectations and occasionally a pair of ear plugs, I also saw Flipped, Inception, Salt, Iron Man 2, and Robinhood-- And if those movies don't qualify for "mindless" I don't know what does. I also saw, and loved, Mao's Last Dancer. (Now I'm waiting for the Wall Street sequel to hit theaters.)

So technically speaking, that adds up to just "so-so" on my summer "to-do" list. Not exactly a glowing sense of accomplishment but as September begins I'm feeling pretty good about the meaningful connections with friends, family and my sweet husband this summer, and I'm looking forward to continuing as the year presses on.

I also have another trip planned to Ohio to see my family and a trip with Beloved back to NYC again for a reunion with his fabulous cousins this fall. Still, I know War and Peace will never be in my book bag and tomatoes will not grace my garden, but I'm okay with that.

What I do have to do however, is to get my head around the whole treadmill, yoga, "zen" thing. Seriously, I'm 52 years old. It's time to get over the love/hate relationship I have with exercise and stress. I've come to realize fitness is feast-or-famine with me, and yes, I acknowledge the pun. But it seems the older I get, the better I get at procrastinating the work it requires.

So as we move into the later quarter of 2010, I'm not making a year end "to-do" list. Rather I'm just going to "do" better at, and more of, the things that are important to me and stop wrestling with the things I need to be doing. Just saying it makes it feel a bit easier.

Are you a list maker?
Welcome to www.TheFiftyFactor.com - Joanna Jenkins
Photo Credit: © Bob Faulkner - Fotolia.com

57 comments:

  1. That corn recipe sounds delicious. What did you think of Eat, Pray, Love? It wasn't my favorite. Although, I could eat in Italy all day long.

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  2. I enjoyed reading all four of those books! I hate lists - I find them too confining. Seems to me you did a lot of stuff to be proud of...

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  3. Keep going, the last day of summer for the Northern Hemisphere for this year is September 21 :-) ...

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  4. I think you did rather well with your list.
    I make daily lists,shopping lists etc,but not seasonal lists!
    Maybe I should.
    Did you realise that we are almost the exact same age? I'm 52 next month!
    Woo hoo! lol

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  5. I think you did pretty good on your list! You did things that last and leave good memories!

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  6. As soon as I see a list, I break out in a cold sweat! I just hate lists and rarely, if ever, make them!
    And I am not sure why that is?? Guess it feels like someone is telling me what to do...and it's me!! Just can't do it!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  7. Oh, so you ACTUALLY go back and check and see if you accomplished things on your list! I just prefer to blindly go forward and make the next list.

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  8. i would say you did well...and sounds like you had a lot of fun along the way....treadmills are evil anyway...smiles.

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  9. Oh yest I am definately a list person. I must say I'm impressed on you result. Congratulations.

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  10. I thought about issuing you a challenge about treadmill use, but I thought better of it since I am in more of a hate than love mode about that right now.
    Sounds like you got a lot of the really improtant things on your list done.

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  11. I'm not a list maker, but hubby is. Sometimes he drives me crazy! lol

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  12. 50/50's not bad!!! Some things, like the pool problems couldn't be helped. And who needs exercise? Round is a shape!

    I'm a sometimes list maker. Like the list I'm making for our vacation in 11 days... gotta make sure I pack everything we need!

    LOVE the new cutie in your family!!

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  13. What I love is that you put people as a priority. While I know exercise is important for our health too, I do believe that relationships that make us laugh, love and live out loud is vital to our whole well being.

    I think your summer sounds like it was perfectly wonderful. Just so you know I do not have a green thumb one bit...I'm just lucky to be married to someone that does and loves to grow things for me to cook. :)

    That baby is perfectly delicious! Blessings to a wonderful fall for you and yours! XX

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  14. I'm with ya on the exercise thing. As for yoga, I've got one word of advice for you: class. That is, sign up for a class.

    Have you done yoga before? Then maybe you can get away with a video and that mat you're going to run out and buy this weekend!! Then make yourself an unbreakable appointment once or twice a week.

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  15. Hey, don't beat yourself up because you didn't do some things on your list... "they" say that you should always set your goals higher than is achievable, so let's just say that's what you did.

    Of those things that you did do, I'd say you did them all quite well... that little grand niece is a stunner!

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  16. I am not a list maker. Well, I take that back. sometimes I make lists but then I ignore them.

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  17. We will be having corn confetti for lunch today. Thanks for the recipe. We have all the ingredients here and I have lovely fresh basil and chives growing their little selves into all our dishes these days. I call the pot with chives in it Harry. I trim Harry's "hair" often and within a day the chives "hairs" are sprouting like a spiky haircut. Revisiting your previous goals and determining what ones were good for you and what ones to delete sounds healthy to me. Maybe ten years from now you will find War And Peace more appetizing. Right now you are busy and young and doing a fabulous job with your life. I have a couple Yoga DVDs but rarely use them anymore. I encourage you to do Yoga and I will too. When I worked my most stressful jobs I took an hour every morning for Yoga and truly relax. It was the best thing for my stressful life at the time. Now that my life is serene the Yoga has taken a back seat. But I will put it back in the front seat, and you too, okay?

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  18. Sounds to me like you did a pretty good job of meeting your goals and having a wonderful summer. That you even tried to grow tomatoes is fantastic - I'm not gardner and I don't even attempt stuff like that anymore - I applaude you. As for the treadmill, I think with fall here you stand a better chance of going for it, it's hard to start an exercise routine during the summer with so much to do and places to go. If you want it, you'll get it, just start slow!! Good luck.

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  19. I´m waiting on the third book of the "Girl with the tattoo" books to arrive in the mail. Can´t wait to get started. I think your summer was a success, even if you didn´t reach all goals.
    Have a good day Joanna!

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  20. I give you an Atta Girl for getting so much done! I love lists, you can go back and see what you've accomplished!

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  21. I'm not a list maker generally. Other than the short to do ones on the odd Sunday night before bed when I'm feeling overwhelmed
    Kudos to you for an amazing intentional summer. Really.

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  22. I'm a list maker, too.

    I think you did well on your summer "to do" list. You got the most important ones covered.

    My fall "to do" list may possibly include a trip to Willoughby, Ohio. We've been meaning to go there for the longest time!

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  23. Not reading this book did not stop from posting on it (while you were out)
    eat pray love the what

    I'm not a list person at all. Simple things in life like a walk on a sunny day, pushing a child in a swing, getting a laugh out of someone, having a cold beer with family and friends, could be on my list but having those on a list would lessen the fun.

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  24. Sounds like you've had a lot of fun this summer and that's the most important thing! Love that Confetti Corn recipe and that leopard headband is just too cute. She's adorable!

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  25. I'd say you've made quite a dent in that big old list your yours and what memories you've created with friends and families chuggin' down that list! Hubby always tell me I always bite off more than I can chew...but I have a really tiny mouth. Heeehehehe!

    God bless ya and have a great day girl!!!

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  26. 50/50 isn't too bad at all. You should get kudos for at least some of the attempts that were made. I mean, you did grow tomatoes, although not in an abundance. You did consider reading War and Peace.

    I think being with family and friends and enjoying that time together cancels out all the things that you didn't do. There is just no replacement to the time spent together.

    Your great niece wins the cutest baby award. She is absolutely precious!

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  27. sounds like you had a busy summer anyway! I am a list maker but never seem to get everything done on the list. So I just make new lists!

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  28. Sounds like a good summer. Except for the pool thing. I hear you on the exercise, but I'm confident that you can do it. Get those pants and start with yoga maybe?

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  29. When I evaluate part of my life and come up with a 50% success rate, I just pretend I'm in baseball. So, looks like you had a great season, my friend!

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  30. Seems to me like you got a lot accomplished. Now you know why I only had one big task on my list - clean the gargage. It's not perfect, but at least I can get out of the car.

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  31. No matter what it sure reads as a busy summer. Good for you if you stop wrestling, do what you can/want and enjoy life!

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  32. If you hate the treadmill can you just go on a walk every day? Would you like that better? Life is too short to do something you abhor. At least that is my motto!

    The baby is SO delicious. I can't really take it.

    I love that you live a happy and full life. You always make me smile and feel thankful! LOVE that about you!

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  33. Lists make me tired. It sounds like you had a very enjoyable summer. Bummer about the pool, though.

    Heading into Fall will bring new adventures.

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  34. Enjoyed your "progress report"
    I keep a continuous list of things to do or not do as the case may be.

    I never could find an exercise that I really love however in March I started NIA classes, relieves stress, I am moving for an hour, it combines 9 exercise/health physiologies. I am sure if they have a class in SC there is one in CALI.

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  35. If you ask me, it sounds like you had a wonderful summer -- you read four fabulous books, you broke bread with loved ones and friends, and you visited one of the cutest baby girls I have ever seen.

    :-)
    Traci

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  36. You did what mattered most. I say you were a success!

    Pearl

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  37. I've never been much of a list person, more of a "got a sudden urge" person!

    Love the Barefoot Contessa...will have to give that corn dish a try. Thanks!

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  38. Hi Joanna! Thank you for your viist and comment. My husbands opening is this Saturday, At Sherry Frumkin Gallery the Santa Monica Airport, 6-9pm stop by if your in the neighborhood. It runs until Oct.9th...

    as for Yoga...just go. Take a beginner class...it should be relaxing and help you to focus. If its too hard for you, take an easier class. I’m sure on the Westside they bust butt, but just find an easier beginner class...you will love it...all the best Cynthia

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  39. I think it is all a matter of perspective. As I read about your vacation accomplishments I think you did very well. I mean it was a vacation, not a must accomplish-cation.

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  40. overall, that sounds pretty good. I'm jealous about the lots of time with friends and pot lucks. I need to do more of that.

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  41. I am a list-maker, but only for specific concrete tasks I must do. Not big goals - I have given up on that and just live the life that gets thrown at me.

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  42. Nice to meet you and thanks for visiting my blob :)

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  43. Nice to meet you and thanks for visiting my blob :)

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  44. oh, my, that bundle of joy is ADORABLE!!!

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  45. Hi Joanna!
    It sounds like you did really well getting things done! Better than me, that's for sure.

    What a totally adorable little bambino! :-)

    I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
    Hugs,
    Anne

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  46. Hi Joanna!
    It sounds like you did really well getting things done! Better than me, that's for sure.

    What a totally adorable little bambino! :-)

    I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
    Hugs,
    Anne

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  47. Oh how I love the photo, so sweet!! Your list, well my friend, 50% is great! You made some wonderful memories. Hugs!

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  48. Thanks for stopping by, as you can see my computer has been fixed.
    Your grandson looks adorable.

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  49. lol... you had me giggling at many of these. thanks for stopping by mine, and for your sweet comment.

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  50. Is it wrong that the two things I liked best about your post were the photo of great niece (!!!!!) and the fact you laid a big fat goose egg in the exercise department?

    You did a lot with your summer. Goals are things to strive towards, to keep us moving in a forward direction. No where in the rules does it say you have to attain them all.

    What's the pool update?

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  51. i have no love hate relationship with my treadmill...it's all one sided and it's all hate. it's a hate hate relationship.

    i hate that i should be using it. i hate that i don't. i hate that i even have one in the first place. i hate that it would actually work if i got my butt on it.

    who wants some more m & m's ?

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  52. I love lists - and I posted my summer overview last week, too. Of course I only posted the things I DID do. The ones I didn't get to, well.. we focus too much on that all the time already!

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  53. I am reading this post at 4AM...as usual, I couldn't sleep. I have been laughing hysterically, it is so funny. I think you should pat yourself on the back, that you accomplished as much as you did.

    Listen, I have my treadmill beside my bed. I don't use it. In fact, I will probably break my hip, stumbling against it. Occasionally, I do clean it off, hang up the clothes draped over it and put away the pile of things acculated on it but, gads, to actually get on and walk, not on your life. Okay, I KNOW I need the exercise but I resist.

    I have several of the cutest cards. One says, "If God had meant for me to bend over, he would have put diamonds on the floor" - the other says, "My idea of exercise is a good brisk sit."

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  54. That is a fantastic baby photo!

    I didn't do the exercising thingee either...

    I think we accomplished the same kind of things JJ!

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  55. The baby is gorgeous and I love the way they "vamped" up the photo.

    Exercise always ends up the last thing on the list we get to...I wonder why. As for yoga, I'm 53 and I just started some classes and enjoy them...not so much the zen aspect...there is a yoga protocol and bursting out in laughter is frowned upon...but I do like how I feel afterward.

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  56. Now if you just added "making a list of things to do this summer" to the list, you'd have one more accomplishment. ;) It sounds to me like you've done most of the important things. :)

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