Quarterly Report: 1Q

If my life were a small business (which it kind of is!), this would be the end of the first quarter.  A fine time to look at sales, tweak the marketing strategy and review the Mission Statement.  I've been hacking away at my Dirty Five New Years Resolutions!  Here is my quarterly report:

#1  Learn to swim properly.  I went at this with a vengeance once I got all the fun accoutrement.  I was swimming at least 3 times per week and I got to the point that I could swim laps in the pool without much of a problem.  Then the ocean got cold (don't laugh, everyone is talking about it) and bad swimming conditions took over for about three weeks.  Every time I went to the sea, the waves were breaking and the water was cccooollldd.  The little break I've taken has been good for me but I'm ready to get back in the water.  I can't say that swimming is my "thing" or that I "love" it but I do like it and the physical benefits are a no-brainer.  I think it's safe to say that I learned to swim... continuing to swim is the next challenge.

#2 Spend an hour each day talking to loved ones.  I haven't made a ton of progress here.  I HAVE been a better texter - sending out love for no good reason.  I've also gotten FaceTime up and rolling on my iMac. Seeing my nephew for the first time via giant computer screen was pretty awesome!  Lesson learned from my Resolution:  Time is a seriously precious commodity.  Getting proper sleep is mandatory for me to physically complete my days.  Couple that with the time difference to the West Coast and things slide downhill in no time.  That's why it's a Resolution, right?  I'll work harder to have a better second quarter...

#3 Develop one visible abdominal muscle.  It's coming!  My diet is clean and I've got 37 days to go (the deadline is set to my husband's birthday weekend).  In seven days, the weekend cocktails get cut, as does the daily tortilla. 30 days of No Compromise and a wavering unshakable belief that it is possible are all that stand between me and my best effort.

#4 Convince three restaurants to add a vegan recipe to their menu.   ZERO progress here.  The first restaurant I wanted to approach spontaneously added a beautiful hearty salad with black beans, sweet peppers, toasted pumpkin seeds, tortilla strips, cilantro and creamy avocado dressing (OMG) to their menu.  They also added a "Fresh Market Garden Burrito" to compliment their black bean enchiladas.  This isn't technically a win in my column but clearly, my work here is finished.  I'll add a sub-resolution instead:  Eat at Cafe Sol at least twice in April, order the new items AND make sure to thank the Manager.  This isn't a tough one... Mexican food ranks second only to Indian.  Fire up the mariachis!

#5 Be a pacer at the Western States 100.  When I talk about WS I get so excited that I shake like my chihuahua!  My 12 weeks of trail training begins April 1 and I'm getting support from all over the place.  I've been studying my part of the trail, memorizing the names of the aid stations and doing my due diligence on the topic of headlamps.  My running is strong and effortless these days. I feel great! It seems the hardest part may be actually getting there. We're being moved to a new house and until I know when the move will happen, I can't buy a ticket. Can you hear me drumming my fingers on the desk? Additionally, the price of gas is driving up the airfare daily - taking my blood pressure right along with it! Yet I remain calm and pseudo-yogic.  It will all come together, it will all come together, it will all... 

All in all, not bad.  I need to pick up the phone more often and would love to shake off the discomfort of approaching restaurant owners.  I'll get there...  How are your resolutions coming?  I'd love to hear your war stories!

Btw, THANK YOU to everyone who read this blog in March.  It's been the most successful month to date and I know that your time is precious - any spent here with me is a great compliment.