Change in Direction

I haven't felt the need to write about my thoughts and feelings the way I did in 2005-2007. Things are pretty settled and my life isn't careening towards or through crisis after crisis. The divorce is final, PdeFF and I are making pretty good work of sharing parenting (as long as I don't have to pay is ridiculous bills, he and I get along pretty well even though he is rather nuts -- we agree on the one big thing: the FoilKids are the center of the universe and we love them). I've had the same job, which I enjoy, for almost five years, and it's looking pretty stable. Since I'm not paying for a babysitter (or full-time child care, since DG is starting kindergarten) my disposable income actually includes a part that is truly disposable. I'm putting money in savings. I've increased my retirement plan contributions, and am re-starting contributions to the girls' college accounts. I can occasionally go out to eat on my own dime.

The last five years? Pretty rocky, but I got through it. But here I am now, and now DG can ride a bike. So my goals for the next year are pretty simple: save money (for a safety fund and for a home purchase), and regain physical fitness. Next year, LOS has suggested that we take the FoilKids up Mt. Moosilauke, which is a pretty minor climb, but bigger climbs will follow. I'll have fewer injuries (dislocated shoulder, I'm looking at you) if I'm in better muscular shape. Also, it's time to start taking the girls biking. So the change in focus: less on what's going on inside my head, more about what I'm doing.

Last weekend, Innana and I took the FoilKids to Bush Gardens Williamsburg. We must have walked around that park five or six times. This weekend, I biked 11 miles today. Tomorrow, either biking or hiking, I'm not sure. But my goal is to get some real exercise at least four days a week. And increase my activity level. Hiking, biking, swimming, skating. Not to mention simply trying to keep up with a five-year old and eleven-year old.