March Review (Month 3 of Quests)

March 2016 Questing Report

Quests Completed

Quest # 23: Knee
Went to get my first consultation with a physical therapist. His report was that, although there may be some wearing down of the meniscus, the main thing that will help me right now is to strengthen certain muscles in the hip and along the leg. I've been doing the exercises that he prescribed, and I am on the mend!

Quests-in-Progress

Quest # 1: Biographies

March is Women History Month, and I was slated to read Bachelor Girl by Betsy Israel. HOWEVER, the library didn't have it in their stacks, nor did they have my second choice. So, I read a compilation of stories about 52 women scientists who have been incredibly influential in their fields and, the world, really. I was alternately excited and horribly frustrated - these women with their discoveries and various contributions were incredible! But... they rarely got much credit for their work. In fact, it was disturbingly common that the men they had to collaborate with at the end (to get their work published, recognized, and implemented, since often at that time in history, a woman just. couldn't.) ... those men are the ones whose names are on those procedures, vaccines, and discoveries. grr! White patriarchal society and its oppression of the masses....

Quest # 2: Finances

I've gotten into a good pattern for my bill paying. Next month I'm likely to go onto commission though, so that pattern may get disrupted.

Quest # 3: Tithing
Bit of a ... reserved month:
Time: Again, nada...
Money: My tithing went to my cousin and her mission trip to Haiti this summer.

Quest # 11: Photography
My morning routine - refill the fluids in my (lovable and otherwise trustworthy) Toyota, "Sir Walter." -_^

    

Quest # 13: Garden

I've started my seedlings and cleared out some space in the back yard! But... I'm starting to change my mind about having a garden in the yard: I don't know if I'll have time to care for and enjoy it. So, I may just wait until the pine pollen is finished coating everything in yellow, and then I'll populate the back porch with herbs.

Quest # 15: House Work
Deck: replacing the boards on the back deck (as well as replacing the door to the screened porch).
Bathroom Remodel - Started! Should be completed early April
Other: new mailbox, replaced a screen on the porch, replaced the porch door.
(All of these projects have been with the help of my friend Tim, and our favorite contractor/handyman and his "crew": Rick and Ken)

Quest # 16: Job Work

Swamped with work. Getting faster (but sloppier?). I guess after a while of going at a break-neck speed, I'll eventually be able to train myself to actually do a decent job at my work at the same time. Starting in April, I will now be on commission - so hopefully I'll start making surplus money. It'd be nice to be "in the black" for a change. Looking forward to appraising an equestrian center soon! That'll be an exciting challenge.

Quest # 18: Exercise

I've been consistently going once a week.... but then try to do at least on active thing (like the house work) during the weekend. Work's been keeping me glued to my computer. Thank God for the stand-up desk.. 

Quest # 20: Meal Plan

Nope. Nope. Nope.

Quest # 24: Floss

Been steady on this, three times a week.

Quest # 26: Friends

My little had her baby!!!!! I was able to see them the day they had little Landon, and he was so precious, I teared up a bit.
I also got to see Sarah - who was down from Boston with her boyfriend - and a bunch of university friends I hadn't seen or talked with in YEARS! I was nervous at first (I'm so bad at keeping in touch, I was worried how that would go), but it was really fun catching up with everyone. I loved hearing about their life news, upcoming events, where they are working now and what they're doing with their lives... how they've changed and grown and how they've stayed the same.

Coming up next:

Quest # 1: Biographies

The Argonauts by Maggie Nelson. Time to learn a little something about gender fluidity.

Quest # 13: Garden
Time to create an herb garden!

Quest # 15: House Work - bathroom remodel.
The bathroom remodeling should be done within the first full week of April. I'm so excited! It's coming along so beautifully (but... I'm starting to get a little nervous: what if everything comes together finally and there's something I picked that I can't stand??).

Quest #26 : Friends
A reunion of expats and our good friend Hailey - the owner of the cafe/pub we all hung out at, and the friend who got us out of all kinds of trouble - are gathering in New York City for shenanigans.

and... continue with the above Quests-in-Progress!
 
KJets