our lists

Feeling a bit stressed, tired, disconnected, unmotivated, and anxious this week. Maybe my mood is reflecting the recent shift in weather - winter arrived rather suddenly (and definitively) this week and it's been cold, in the 30's (which Kevin is quick to point out will feel positively balmy in about 3 months), windy, and "snrainy" (not quite snow, not quite rain). Lots to do for school and at METRO and not enough sleep or enough connecting with friends, family, and Kevin lately.

I think Kevin and I both get a little apprehensive when the winter weather arrives because we worry we'll sink into previous winters' habits and hermitize for 5 months and grow a bit depressed and, of course, all that apprehension tends to be rather counter-productive. This is temporary though, I hope. Over the past couple of days we've been compiling a "Winter To Do" list, chock full of things like learning to cross-country ski, cooking tasty and wholesome meals, trying some new restaurants, going to concerts, finally checking out the Minnesota Orchestra, working on some puzzles, going to the theater, taking bundled-up wintry walks, meeting friends for drinks in cozy bars, working in a weekly cheap date night, exercising regularly, volunteering together, and so on. We also have some individual lists of things to do this winter that we know are super good for our spirits. My list includes yoga, knitting, book club, wine club, broomball (like hockey, only not really), reading, running, going to the movies, writing, having people over, and trying something new (like rock-climbing or embroidery or learning to sew). Also, I really think I need to work on getting more sleep (I am a totally different person when I am running on a healthy nine hours of sleep). Kev's list includes running (man, he is a totally different person when he's running on a regular basis - that stress just melts right off him), keeping up with his bike maintenance skills, playing the bass or guitar (maybe, even learning the Mexican birthday song?), luxurious little naps on the couch, lots of snuggling (the man needs his snuggles, especially when it's cold outside), and I'm not sure what else.

So, I am hoping that by making our lists and by remembering how miserable it's been in years past to just stay in all winter and let ourselves sink into gloominess, that we'll actually be motivated to stay active, be creative, go on dates, make plans with friends, stay in touch with old friends, connect with family regularly, and get outdoors a lot this long season. Wish us luck!

P.S. - Please keep my beloved great-aunt (my grandpa Bill's sister), Sister Jeremy, in your hearts and prayers. She's very ill and I think it's almost time for her to leave us. She lives in a community for retired nuns in St. Cloud (here in Minnesota), and my Dad is flying out from California tomorrow so that he and I can drive out and spend some time with her, loving her and soaking up her beautiful energy. Really, I am not exaggerating when I say that there is a light around her - she is love, wit, kindness, truth, beauty. Just the loveliest human being, without a doubt one of God's greatest.