February has officially begun, and what a full February it is. And a leap year! Starting March 1st, everything jumps TWO weekdays ahead on the calendar (instead of one day). I will say: I’m not sad July 4th skipped from Tuesday to Thursday. The mid-week July 4th is rough stuff.
Five things that are happening in February.
Daughter’s art school audition
Tomorrow my daughter has her audition for the public high school she had to apply for with a prepared portfolio. She needs to bring a small object to draw in front of judges. This audition is the culmination of over a year of taking classes and working hard to give this application her best effort. We all know that admission is a long shot, and I’m so proud of all the work she’s done to get here. I’m also SO relieved that it’s almost over, and that all we have to do after is wait.
7th graders at outdoor Ed.
Thank goodness I don’t have to go with them, but their departure is a big deal for me because three of my classes are mostly 7th grade. That means the week after next I have a much lighter load. I used to earmark that week for catch up, but I’ve learned the hard way that I never get as much done as I want to. Instead I hope to decompress a little during that week. And this year the timing is especially good because that Friday I leave for our…
CDMX (Ciudad de México) trip
I still can’t really believe we are going. I really hope we both stay healthy and have a good time. I know we both need the time away from our real lives, and the time to reconnect with one another. Also Spanish! And mezcal! And lucha libre! And music! And book stores! I can’t wait.
Lots of martial arts
I’m testing in mid-April and my husband will be out of town a lot in March and April so I’m trying to get ahead of my test prep in February with some long days at the dojo. I’ll be there every Saturday from noon to 3pm, except the one I’m in CDMX. I’m also trying to go more during the week. It’s going to be a lot. I’m already anticipating a meltdown from my husband, who I know wants to support me, but who I also know just can’t handle it when I’m consistently out of the house. I’m already asking around for friends to take my son. I know I shouldn’t have to, but I also know that if I can set some set up, we’ll all be happier for it. I’m taking my son’s best friends to the KOA for a week this summer, so I figure I can ask for a few Saturday afternoons.
Can we keep the house clean?
I am extrinsically motivated to keep my house in great shape for the next two weeks, because of my in-laws visit. I know it will be spotless when we get home, because that is how they role. But what will happen after that? In the past I would have been sure it would eventually fall into disarray, but now I’m not so sure. We have avoided our messy status quo for several weeks now. Will I be able to keep that up? Possibly. I’m more hopeful than I’ve been before.
hope for a keep it tidy house is great. So glad your family is joining the effort for now. It is easier when it not chaos to keep it up than to restart …. but that doesn’t make it simple to sustain the activity.
Fingers crossed daughter feels good about the whole art focused school interview. Know waiting for answer will be stressful for all of you.
SO excited for your trip, hope the week with fewer 7th graders at least lets you be prepped for the week after your vacation trip.
Wishing you a good weekend and positive week despite the projected chill and wet weather.
THANK YOU for writing.
I was recently at my mother’s house and she is a for-real hoarder. I was so motivated to clean my house when I got back to my own house! So, if you can find yourself a hoarder’s house, you’ll get serious motivation to clean your own. (Note: I don’t actually advise this. It’s very sad.)
Sympathy and support to you re your Mom’s problem. Knowing and understanding it is a mental disorder does not make it easier. It is hard to see and terrible to have to clear if your family member is gone. Yes, cleaning up another’s estate does inspire owning less……even if the person doesn’t leave much and has been tidy and organized. Hugs to you.
I’ve actually been watching the show Hoarders lately to find my own motivation to clean and declutter more – it works!
Oh wow, lots of exciting for you to look forward to. I’d love to visit Mexico sometime but it’s a long way for us.
Good luck keeping your house clean, visitors can be motivating like that. I have a friend coming over for dinner tonight so I will be making sure I get my weekly cleaning done today!