Goal List

Well, the time is getting closer to leave Michigan behind and move to Newburgh, Indiana. I am so excited! We get to move into a beautiful new home and live close to fun and excited things to discover. However, the closer we get to M-Day, the more emotional I get. Our days go between packing and saying goodbye. The hardest things have been saying goodbye to my students and knowing we'll miss things like Josh's show, meeting baby Olivia (hopefully we get to see Xander soon!) and seeing Esperanza Spalding, Christian McBride and others at the Detroit Jazz Fest. I am also very sad to leave our 7 acres of land for less than an eighth. I romanticize over growing enough food to minimize our food budget. I dreamed of growing and canning and enjoying fresh, delicious produce from our own garden. However, over the 4 years we've lived on Kibby Road, we've grown enough food to have a few salads, a few veggies with dinner and a few jars of green salsa. I suppose that sort of thing takes practice and much harder work than we were putting in. I just read that successful (or happy, I forget which) people set goals to fulfill. So I will begin my list now: 1. Find a good church. Must have: Thoughtful, scriptural pastor, loving and educational nursery, active outreach, good music (I put this one for Shawn). 2. Discover gardening options in the Newburgh vicinity. This is what I know now: We have a small back yard which is predominantly shaded (and do I want to take up the only play space for a garden?) Our neighbor has a small garden on the tree house side of our yard, so a small garden is possible, but I think container is going to be the best option. I'll need to figure out more since I've spent a total of 30 minutes at this house. There are community gardens at UE and in Evansville. Dreams for this goal: a daily salad of at least lettuce and tomatoes, herbs, tea plants. (since we'll arrive around harvest time, I have plenty of time to research this goal). 3. Homeschool vs. Public School? This is a major decision to make in a year. Right now, I'm weighing on option #1. 4. Exercise more. I love food and I am happy to love food. I just need to eat less of it and exercise for the sake of my health and my kids' interest. 5. Practice. Holy Schmoley, what is a piano? It has been mooooooooooooooonths since I've touched a piano. I haven't played for anyone in a loooooooooooooong time and I have 0 students. I am not planning on rushing back into the music world so A and K can adjust to a new home. However, I will not go over a year of nothing. Shawn has a recital in February which means I will have to practice and play. Great? Yes. Maybe if I'm a good little piano player, I can go to France? For now, 5 is a good goal list. Ooooh wait!!! My number 1 goal is to sell Kibby Road stat to someone who will love this place as much as we have and will take care of Mary Lou.