On this episode of Domestic Delight:
I learn that refinishing a table in the kitchen is not a good idea. In Curtis’ words (he’s very wonderful), “How is it possible that there’s sanding dust even in the back room?”
Chicago (puppy, not city) has accidents on the floor once a week—better than 3x vomit in one day? I’m not sure on this one. I might chose vomit that I can avoid over urine that I accidentally step in.
Graham learns how to stand up, and falls over. And stands up, and falls over, stands up, falls over. Babies are a beautiful example of the resilience of the human spirit. I wrote about this a while ago. It’s one of my favorite things to talk about.
I lose the baby monitor. Hoping I find it when I find my mind . . . Which means the monitor might be a lost cause.
We watch the Rocky movies for Friday night pizza/movie the past few weeks. Actual transcript from the Rider Household:
Anneliese: ”Is this just going to be another movie where he trains the whole movie and then fights Apollo Creed at the end?”
Curtis: “I mean . . . They are boxing movies. Isn’t that the point?”
Anneliese: “Oh . . .”I get an espresso machine. I will be the first to say I’m not an expert, but I can pull a tolerable shot—andsonowI’mconstantlyovercaffeinatedandmybreathalwayssmellslikecoffeeandI’mamasteratcreatingbloblatteartandeverytimeI’mhomewithCurtisIsay”Doyouwantafancydrink”andofcoursehesaysyesbecauseheisaprinceamongmenandthenwedrinklattesandI’mthefanciesthingeverandmaybesomedayI’llhaveagiganticcaffeinecrashandheadachebutfornowIamastarringonmyownTVshow: Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.
Curtis coaches girl’s middle school basketball, and most days I hear the chorus, “Mrs. Rider, Mrs. Rider, we saw your husband yesterday!” It’s pretty fun. :)
I learn what the interrobang is. Do YOU know what the interrobang is‽
It’s a new year, and it’s time for New Year’s Resolutions—which, for me, typically prove completely ineffective and become an object of shame by the middle of March. That doesn’t mean I don’t usually make them, but in the past I’ve only ever written them on a scrap of napkin that I inevitably lose before the middle of March (probably why the resolutions fail . . . If you can’t remember something, how can you make sure to do it? Refer to the “Baby monitor” entry above).
SO. This year, I have a few resolutions—very few—and in an effort to remember them/achieve them, I’ll tell you what they are. That way, if I succeed, we can celebrate together. And if I fail, I’ll have some public shame to keep me humble.
Resolve: 2022
Read through the whole Bible. I did this for many years in a row, but for the past few I fell off the bandwagon. I regret that, so I’m starting in on the habit again.
Publish the next two Finley Pike books (#2 and #3). Book 2 is already in the editing stage of the Editorial Process, and has a soft drop date of late February. Book 3 is currently just a lot of random notes and ideas.
Those are my two main goals. I have a lot more soft goals, but they’re more about developing habits, and I don’t feel the need to tell you what they are. (Do you really want to know how often I plan to clip my nails?) (Just kidding.) (Now you’re not sure if I’m serious or not, right?)
But I have one big conceptual goal that I’m going to work on, in addition to the nuts and bolts goals
In 2022, I want to practice recognizing the difference between urgent and important.
I learned this distinction from a good friend in high school. In a world of urgent, it’s easy to move the important to the back burner, but it’s often not the right choice. Urgency is necessary where safety and injury are involved—”Put on the brake before you drive the car over the cliff”—but in our culture, it’s a much more popular approach to things that aren’t urgent at all: “Check your social media before you get out of bed in the morning, to see what’s happening in the world.”
Learning to distinguish between the two isn’t popular, but practicing discernment between them leads to becoming the intentional, thoughtful person that I want to be.
So this year, I’m remembering that the loudest voices calling for my attention don’t always need it at that exact moment (besides Graham, I do pay attention to him when he yells).
There it is. Anneliese Rider’s 2022 goals.
Check back next year for completion percentage—with sovereign guidance, lots of caffeine, and deep rings under my eyes, we’ll hit 100%. With or without sanity.
New year, same menfolk.
Alternate caption: Which came first, the sweater or the couch?