Movin' on up!

Hi! I haven't been around much recently because I've been moving. I'm exhausted but I'm happy to say that by the end of this weekend I will be done moving into the new place. I'm so glad to be getting out and away from this condo that was only supposed to be temporary almost three years ago! I don't have any pictures yet, but when I have a chance to take them I will share them here. I'm probably going to be offline until late tomorrow so I can move my computer. The cable guys are coming tomorrow between 1-3, but I'll probably be too busy unpacking and trying to settle down so I can get up for work Monday. I'll be back soon though. Don't miss me too much! :oD

This is how I feel sometimes

And tonight is one of those times, thanks to a long, hectic, chaotic week.

And now I'm going to bed and hoping for less confusion tomorrow!

Surrendering

I've been wanting to discuss TV again for some time now. I've recently done something nearly unprecedented - I've removed two longstanding shows from my schedule. I talked in a previous post about my chart and categorization, etc. I'm going to show you my chart as it currently stands.

This is the fewest number of shows I've watched in I don't even remember how long. It's a whole new world for me. Biggest Loser and Supernatural are gone from my spring schedule. A year ago, I don't think it would have even occurred to me to remove a show I've watched for as long as I've watched Supernatural. But things, they are a-changing.

I used to fear the changes God was making in me in this area. I didn't want to give up the shows I love; I didn't want to surrender things I felt so attached to. It terrified me. I was obedient up to a point. I would pray for change but ask to keep certain things - I didn't want to go all the way. Even then, He helped me along, helped me to let go a little bit at a time, but I was resistant to it so it wasn't what it could be. I can't put my finger on when exactly I changed enough to want to change, but now I welcome it (in this area, anyway.) I've slowly been inching my way along this path, afraid to end up in a place where I don't know who I am anymore. Lately, though, I've started praying fervently for change. 

The first time I asked Him to remove anything that was before Him in my heart, I did it full of fear and reluctance. But every time that I ask, I feel stronger in my resolve, more secure in who I am in Him and more ready to let go of the things weighing me down. And things are starting to shift. I think it started with Glee. You may remember how much I adored this show last year. It quickly became my favorite show, but like many things that come on suddenly, it began to fade just as quickly. I don't know if it's the show or if it's me - probably a combination (I know I'm not the only one wondering where the plot went this season), but I just don't care like I did. I still watch it, but I've lost the need to see it right away. I usually tape it now and watch it several days later. It's still cute and the songs are still fun, but the need is gone.

Then Supernatural. Poor show. I watched it faithfully, but I just don't care enough anymore to tape and watch it every week, or to keep up with it online. That's what Netflix is good for, anyway. Then I just couldn't tolerate the manufactured drama of Biggest Loser. I tried to stick it out for Jillian's last season, but I couldn't take it anymore, and I don't miss it at all. I'm not a fan of the reality genre anyway, so that one was easier to let go. What's more, I find myself pondering what will go next and when. Not if - it's definitely when. It's probably going to be Chuck, which I've started to find quite repetitive. After that, I could see giving up Bones, maybe The Office after Steve Carrell leaves, and perhaps, at some point, Glee. And inside, there's a strong part of me that is excited about not having so much of my time taken up with these commitments. I feel relieved at the prospect of having more time of my own to focus on the things I love and the people I enjoy spending time with. And the shows that I truly enjoy watching every week. Like Vampire Diaries, which is just a fabulously good time every single week! But that's a story for another time.

February Goal Update

Hi all! I know, I know - I didn't really post anything in February. I have lots of stuff going on that I want to talk about, but that will have to wait for a later post (soon!). Right now I have to check in on my goal progress.

Offical tally:

Walk/run goal: I did 52 miles this month, so my total is ...drumroll, please... 93.5 of 300. Woo! I'm almost one third of the way to my goal!

Books: This month I read 9 books (A Caress of Twilight, Seduced by Moonlight, A Stroke of Midnight, Mistral's Kiss, A Lick of Frost, Swallowing Darkness, There's No Place Like Here, Sin in the Second City, How to Be Lost). So that makes 17 of 40. Almost halfway! I might increase my goal number if I continue at this rate.

Again, the majority of books this month were from a series, but now that I've finished the two series I spent the last couple of months catching up on, I am open to more variety. Part of my focus right now is also to decrease my book collection, so I'm trying to read books that I can sell/donate after I've read them. I enjoyed There's No Place Like Here, Sin in the Second City (which was a very interesting look at part of Chicago's history) and How to Be Lost, but they are all going in the next trip to Half Price Books.

Another good month for both goals. That makes me happy. I promise I'll be back soon with other goings on in my life.