i've decided to push myself and get out of the box, while i still can. i play the piano, by ear. i'm going to learn to play the entire album of "The Red Headed Stranger" by Willie Nelson. i chose this particular album because the melodies are simple and straight forward. i've mastered two complete songs. my daughter has a piano and i work on the songs at her house.

i'd like others to join me, so we can support one another. it can be any goal. from going to the store, crocheting a complete doily, sewing a dress, cooking a gourmet meal, playing an instrument, getting better at free cell,: smirk: reading something you've put off, learning to surf, learning to skateboard, learning to ride a horse, overcoming the fear of cats, standing up to a bully or whatever floats your boat.

let's push the envelope right into fall........

[SeptemberMorn]

Pat, I'll join you. Not because it's going to be fun. It's more out of necessity. There's quite a few projects that will need to be done as I transition into the new place, but first, I'm going to take care of ME. I've been needing new night gowns. There's plenty of material hidden away in the closet so it's time to drag out the boxes and get busy.

How about I purpose to make me two new night gowns for starters? From there, it will be making slip covers for the front room furniture. I've already got the love seat, but I'll have to buy another one or maybe even a small couch at a thrift store.

Gonna give myself three days for the nightgowns from start to finish. Can I let you know when I get the material dug out and will you hold me accountable? Probably won't get started if I don't have to check in with someone.

Thanks for the idea!

i'm thrilled, tomi. i'll set my goal for this week and try to learn one more complete song. and since you're doing three gowns, i'll add shampooing my rugs .......hold me on it, okay? you've really inspired me.....go girl~~~

[SeptemberMorn]

Wai... wai... wait!! I said TWO nightgowns in three days! LOL

If you're gonna shampoo your rug, in that case, I'm putting perming and weaving my own hair before the nightgowns! No... just perming it 'cause I'll have to wait a few days for the weave...

When's the start date??

[wisewoman]

Tomi, you can do three, just overlay the fabric and pattern for cutting two or three at a time. Sewing is the easy part. As for me, goals. ewwww, I am going to build the shelving in the bedroom I am doing over and finish re-finishing my blanket chest. However, I with-hold the right to not start until after my sinus infection is cleared up. 10 days on th antibiotics so about 1/2 way through I will be feeling better right? I am also going to get my french lop neutered so he can come into the house and I am going to clean out my son's room when all of the repainting is done since it's being used as a store room.

[SeptemberMorn]

LOL Overlapping the fabric was how I was planning on doing two nightgowns. I'm not sure I can come up with three different fabrics suitable for that purpose.

YEOW! Do you think maybe you're setting too many goals all at once?? How about you get over your sinus infection first then pick an easy goal to give yourself time to get fully well? Don't overload or you may not accomplish anything. That's my bit of support for you for now.

i'll start learning the third song, tomorrow. i have to listen to it, as i play....and it is start and stop, start and stop..... i can't set a date, because it all depends upon how many times i go to my daughter's house, this week.

ww, get the sinus infection cleared...you'll feel a ton better. be good to yourself. let us know your start date......

[jmo531]

Goals. I love threads like these. Great one Pat.

For me, I have pretty much been on the move with getting things completed lately and all the goals I have set I have completed. I am proud about that. There really isnt too much I can do at this moment as I am stuck in the stupid hotel until I can move in the the house. I guess I can set some long term goals. Is that okay?

Actually, I know this sounds silly but I was just talking to hubby earlier today about taking Salsa lessons. We both laughed because the thought of him dancing cracks me up. Anyway, he reluctantly agreed. So, after we get in the house and settle a bit I will be signing us up. I am totally into it. I love to dance .

Other then that, more short term goals, which is far more important then Salsa lessons is finding a new PDoc and T. That too is kinda hard because I am not yet in the house and I am still getting familier with the area and I dont want to find a T and/or PDoc that is not close to my new house. I guess I will have to wait 2-3 weeks on that.

I am sorry. I havent got any short term goals .

[eskielover]

Pat,

Yes, I think this thread is a great idea.....love it cause it will keep me honest (for a change). I have so many things going on it's hard to know where to start.....This week is off a little because my riding trainer just got married Fri night & she is off enjoying their honeymoon this week, so training starts again next Saturday. Have a glitch in my training also cause my 26 yr old ended up lame at the last show I tried to show at & had to withdraw both tests. I will be using him less & starting training at a much lower level with my 4 year old. I am hoping to sell my 4 year old soon & buy a new 3/4 level dressage horse to take over until Izzy is trained. But riding daily is my first goal. I took off 3 days & lost a lot of what I had....who would think that would happen in just 3 days.

Second goal this week is to get into contact with my horses chiropractor to make an appointment time for my older horse & Izzy. He works on the riders after he is done with the horses.....all part of the appointment is that he adjusts your horse & you. He comes here from Orange County which is several hours away.

Third goal is to get in touch with the dressage trainer that lives in Bishop Ca, & one that lives in Reno Nevada. I want to arrange a time to watch them teach & try to take a lesson from each one along with getting to know their philosophy about horses to see if it matches my needs. Then I can look into available ranch property around them once I make arrangements regarding the horses.

Forth goal......to turn in the information to my divorce lawyer that is needed to get it started....found this so overwhelming that I ended up with a massive anxiety attack. It was supposed to be turned in last week but had to get the time extended cause it is hard to get 30 years of information together that quickly.

Fifth goal is to take one of my eskies (Celia) in to be spayed on Tuesday morning....I accomplished my goal to get financial support for the spaying this weekend....had to bite my toung with pet assistance...if they weren't willing to help I would have hung up on them.....very rude & I don't need that kind of crap when dealing with anxiety anyway.

Sixth goal is to take a couple of my dogs down to my Mothers home & go through 1/2 of the back bedroom......sorting out give away/throw away/keep......this is the hardest goal cause I have big problems going back into that house where all the ID theft & threats happened......every little sound makes me jump. Besides, I need to keep my mind filled with other thoughts so I don't let all the things that happened there flood into my mind. It is so easy to let those 5 days take over & relive those horrible experiences again.

I'm going to try to get a chance while I am down there to visit my friend. Her husband was a good friend of mine in college. He died of cancer just over a year ago. She & I get along really great & have had a chance to support each other with our family dying of cancer. We are usually so busy with our lives that it is hard to find a free time to get together.

Last but not least goal......my psychologist appointment since she was on vacation last week......I have been having a really hard time lately & need to discuss a lot of things that are going on inside of me. The anxiety attacks have been horrible lately even though I have had to keep going anyway....& there must me some depression lurking iaround cause I just couldn't get myself out of bed on Saturday....(no I didn't have a hangover from the wedding.....didn't drink more than 1/2 glass of champagne). Part of this goal is to work on some issues I started working on over a month ago......& may be able to finish it up while down at my Mothers house......since it is a letter to her.....being in the house brings up those thoughts anyway.

I think this is enough for 1 week...& is will probably overflow into the next week if necessary. I'm exhausted just thinking about this week.

It seems like everything ends up in a huge fight which doesn't do much for my anxiety or depression. I really thought I had it together better than I do but guess that is why it's called reoccurant (depression/anxiety).....It sneeks up & bites you when you aren't looking. I do find when I have a responsibilities to focus on (or as you have set up here GOALS), then I am less likely to let it take over.

Thank you for this wonderful idea for all of us to get involved with here.....this is most helpful to put our minds onto things we commit to do & know it helps me not focus on the bad stuff.

Debbie

getting to Texas was quite a deal...so, taking salsa lessons should counteract all of the stress that comes with moving and settling in. i think the dancing lessons are a great, great idea. i'd love to do that. i used to love to dance the night away.

finding the psychiatrist and T will be challenging, but i'm sure you're up to it. please check back in with us...xoxox pat

debbie, you have a lot on your plate right now. you're amazing. just handling the horses is a lot. and i do know that being off three days will throw you off. wow, you have a 26 year old. i had one that had his 30th birthday. and as far as family goes, horses are great.

i hope that you get to be with the dressage instructors and can take a lot of their teaching home with you. you must be a very accomplished rider. i envy that.

i saw a horse massage therapist, last week, on the rural t.v. channel. that is awesome. she also worked on a mule. she talked about horse chiropractors throughout the show. i'm impressed with the idea and e specially that he/she works on both of you...that works for me.

getting on with the divorce is can be pretty daunting. it is hard to get it all together, plus it is an emotional jolt. you've tons of support from me. i've been there.

i've got to get leta spayed..glad you jogged my memory. how many eskies do you have? i've got three "dogs". leta is the only purebred. rough-coated jack russell. she came from the pound.

i understand about the work at your mom's house. i remember all that went on there, with the nurse. i'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

you have a huge amount of goals, for a week. we'll all support you and i hope you keep us updated. i'm going to my daughter's today, to start the third song. xoxo, pat p.s., sept, let us know how the "cutting" is going.

[jmo531]

Hey Pat, I thought of some things that need to get done.

I need to get my TX license and my TX license plates.

I will set a goal to get that completed by the end of next week.

Yeah, moving to TX was a huge thing. I will definitly keep you posted on the PDoc and T.

[dayzee9]

PAT! I Love this Thread! My mouse is double-clicking on all smilies; that's just how excited THEY are! It's like New Year's in August.........

But, WHOA, eskielover!!!WOW!!!Isn't that a "little TOO much to commit to at one time? Hey, if you can handle it, far out & go for for it, girl!

I guess mine will sound extremely trivial in comparision to everyone else's.
1)Every other day, I will get dressed and go downstairs & get our mail in the crowded lobby.

2)On alternate days, I will get dressed and (weather permitting) I will walk around our building once or twice.

SO, how does that sound for a severe agoraphobic?

All in A Day's Work; Peace -- DAYZEE9

[SeptemberMorn]

Aww geeeeezz! Don't know what I was thinking when I said I'd make those nightgowns. This house is so topsy turvey will all the stuff that's packed and waiting to be packed that I can't find anything, including space to work. I'm taking a rain check, if you don't mind. But I really do want to do this. Maybe my main goal should be to get through the move first, eh?

[jmo531]

Yes Tomi, that sounds like a good goal. Moving is stressful and very, very hard work. Believe me, I totally sympathize with ya mama.

don't forget to check with your insurance company.....your car insurance will probably change, due to Texas insurance board rules. p

[SeptemberMorn]

"Mama"!! I love it!

I know you do, Jen. Geez! This thing is about to drive me bonkers! Wish we had a little smilie who's eyes are rolling about in it's head. LOL That's how I feel! One pulling it's hair out would do, too!

It's so good to have you posting again, Jen!!

[jmo531]

I thought this smily might look like how your feeling. LOL

Yes Tomi, it is great to be back. It really is. I missed all of you guys so much.



Pat,

I have called my car insurance and tried to switch everything over to TX. However, since I havent closed on the new house, I cant switch the policy. Go figure. It is always something.

[Topher]

Hi Pat,

My first internet addiction was Freecell.

Just an aside, I see Thoreau in your signature. I like him, he mistrusts all creations human. I'm a social worker, and as I knock on clients' doors I try to remember something he wisely said,

"If I knew as a certainty that a man was coming to my house with the conscious design of doing me good, I should run for my life..." ~Henry David Thoreau

I'd like to help you learn Willie's songs, but I'm afraid my singing would drive you to drink and then you'd just have another goal.

Topher

dayzee, i think that is an admirable goal. remember, i can get pretty bad about isolating. yesterday i ran a lot of errands and it was very stressful. i applaud you! pat

hi, topher. your post cracked me up. do you have a goal? set one...and we'll nag you to it.

i've added a Civil War song to my list. Ashokan Waltz. it was played at my youngest daughter's wedding and if i EVER marry again, i want it played at me. it is simply lovely. simple melody and i think i can master it.

we're a spunky little group, aren't we?

tomi, i think achieving the move will do for you now.

pat

[eskielover]

First off, I have to apologize to pet assistance.....it wasn't them who was rude....it was the person from Actors & others for Animals.....Pet Assistance was awsome & the lady I talked to actually is interested in getting an American Eskimo. She had one previously that came from the same breeder as my first eskie that started my addiction to them & several others of mine (my riding trainer).....I'm thinking I might be able to place Leo's sister with her since she can't afford the cost of buying one from the bigger breeders.....another goal to add is to call her back & offer her one of my eskies....heavens knows, I have enough.

yes, Pat, I have 11 eskies & 2 misc muts....one is part shez zhu & one I think is lab/pit bull (the next one to get spayed)....I just left a message with pet assistance to speak with the lady that is interested in getting an American Eskimo. Isn't it great to be able to have the older horses....30 years is quite an accomplishment. They may not be able to work like they did when they were young but they still are our children. We have a couple that are around 35 right now at the ranch.....it makes me feel good that I will be enjoying my old man for quite a few more years.

Enjoy perfecting your songs. I remember doing that with a descant for my flute....played the music over & over util I got it written down perfectly. It was for the "Wedding Song" that I was to play for my friends wedding.....all she had was the recording for me to work from. Not only did I have to figure out the notes, but transpose it to the music the organ & voice were working from.

Jen, you know moving is a major stress....the last time I moved, I swore it would be the last time.....stupid me....I should never swear cause I am going to be there again in about 6 months. I really think your idea of the salsa dancing lessons is great.....there is nothing better that focusing on dancing to take your mind away from your troubles.....when dancing if I take my mind off of it, I trip over my own feet & land flat on my face.

Tomi, you do know that packing for your move it your biggest priority for weeks to come & quite an accomplishment to just get a few things packed daily....even though you really need those nightgowns......if you can accomplish the move & still keep your sanity, you are doing better than I ever could do.....keep up your good work.

Dazee9.....NO WAY are your goals trivial AT ALL....each day is a big accomplishment & we will be cheering for you daily.....be proud of your goals & your accomplishments & I please don't feel any guilt if there is a slip.....what you are doing is very difficult & I don't know if I could do that well in your situation......here is cheering for you (there is no clapping hands smilies....boo).

Lets see, so far, I have ridden my horse Sunday & Monday (had a great practice last night.....trainer even complimented me on it...hate it when she watches me practice cause I usually goof up).

I have sent an email to my equine chiropractor.....waiting for a call back to arrange a time when he is going to be in this area.

I have also sent an email to 2 dressage instructors in the Bishop area....one I had called & got her new email......waiting for responses to that too.....think I will postpone the Reno area until I have looked at Bishop. This goal was causing me so much stress because everytime I composed an email & tried to send it of save it to draft, I got kicked out of the email & lost everything I wrote.......dang adelphia email.....it has done it to me many times before....especially after I have composed a very long email.....hate having to re-do my thoughts.....can't always remember everything I put in the first one....brain dead.

I took Celia in this morning to have her spayed & also her teeth cleaned.....it is going to cost quite a bit even though the spaying was completely covered. I called & she had just come out of surgery.....not awake yet.....I decided to go down to my mothers home Thurs/Fri so I can be close here if there is any problem with Celia.....& besides, I want to pick her up tomorrow morning.

The divorce information was due today, but will have to extend it....we were going to originally file for bankrupcy but now will pay off everything when the house sells....so need to calculate all the owed money from over the past 11 years.....no small job.....along with accounting for the money that is coming out of my estate funds. Daily I am accumulating information.....so guess this will need to be postponed a while too.....as long as it is only a couple of more weeks. The amount of information that is required is overwhelming & find that I end up having an anxiety attack & have to put it down & start breathing (or escape to my horses). I should have set up a smaller goal with this & focus on just one section a day.

I can't really set as a goal for my responsibility to feed the horses at the ranch on Monday's, Wednesdays, & Fridays.....but sets a time for my goal of riding my horses...so by default, they are tied together.

This is a great idea for keeping us focused & trying to be committed to our goals. You all are right.....this is rather exhausting & when I get exhausted, I don't know about you, but I seem to be more able to fall into my anxiety attacks. I know I can only push myself so much before the red lights start flashing......& they usually seem to be mostly associated with getting the divorce information together.

Keep up the good work everyone.....it's great so see this thread being put to this good use.....thinking we all are benifiting from it.

Oh yes, Topher, I loved your Thoreau quote....going to keep that one.
Thanks again Pat,
Debbie

good to see that you accomplished some of your goals, eskie. i am with you, on the anxiety. when i get really tired, i'm more prone to having a BIG attack.

come on, Topher, we're waiting on you.

[Topher]

Goals? Like rules, they were meant to be broken. I've accomplished the big ones - mostly happily married, 3 kids who look like they'll graduate from college several years before I did, decent career, nice house, good friends, oh, and chronic mental illness under control (knock on wood). Now if I could only be rich and happy.

OK, OK, how about I catch up on my paperwork. I bring work home every night, but I blow it off rathionalizing to myself that evenings are my time. If I could knock off a few cases I'd feel less guilty talking to you guys. Alright, start bugging me.

i'm going to check on your manana and see if you did anything tonight. pat