So many things happening this week. Today is my anniversary. I feel beyond blessed to be married to a brilliant man who can make me laugh, doesn’t mind if I cry, knows the meaning of romance, and can rock my world with just a glance. I love you. Always.
I’d like to thank the people bidding on my critiques. Keep those bids coming. Larissa will be very happy. 
My dh went to a software conference last week in L.A. I’d planned to work, but productivity eluded me. Instead, I spent the week thinking. As you know from reading past blog entries, that’s always a dangerous thing.(wg)
I should probably back up here and explain a few things. Over the last couple of months I’ve been experiencing one of those phases where nothing holds my interest…and I mean NOTHING. I’ve tried reading, watching movies, writing, etc. Nothing has worked. So I spent last week trying to figure out what changes I needed to make in order to disrupt this unproductive pattern.
The first thing I did was pick up books I don’t normally read. It worked. I’m now reading, ‘For the New Intellectual’ by Ayn Rand and ‘The Power of the Kabbalah’ by Yehuda Berg. Talk about polar opposites! Truth is I’m finding ‘both’ books fascinating.
The next thing I did was address my productivity. I’m not just talking my writing productivity here. I also mean working out and diet. I figured out in order for me to workout or write I have to set specific parameters. In my case, I’ve set an exact time that I will workout everyday. If working out is left to whenever I feel like it, nothing will get done. I also realized my writing is much the same way. It’s MANDATORY for me to set daily word limits, if I want to be productive and remain in the habit of writing. (Yes, I said habit because that’s what it is.) I’m going to take Stephen King’s advice and only take one day off a week until I get back into the groove. Perhaps then, I’ll take the entire weekend off. Not sure yet.
On top of everything else, I’ve decided to clean my closet out and get rid of ALL the clothes that don’t fit me anymore. I’m not going to ’save’ them until I can wear them again. Nope, I’m getting rid of them. When I manage to lose the weight I want to lose, then I’ll re-fill the closet with new clothes. (I should’ve done this one a LONG time ago.)
What habits are you hanging onto that should’ve been kicked to the curb? Do you have a ritual you do in order to get yourself to do the stuff you don’t want to do? (How’s that for the most ‘do’s’ in a sentence? *ggg*) Come on spill it. NOW is the time to change.
September 19th, 2005
As an old married women (3 days and I still haven’t filed for divorce), let me congratulate you on your anniversary. Woo-hoo!!
by Jaid Black September 19th, 2005 at 1:45 pmI had it when I misspell stuff. That was womAn, as in singular!
by Jaid Black September 19th, 2005 at 1:46 pmFirst of all, congrats on your wedding anniversary! Many happy more to come! *vbg*
Addressing the other issue, it seems like you’ve outgrown certain areas of your life, certain patterns, and you’re ready to move on into new ones. However, you’re having a hard time letting go. Since this Wednesday, Sept. 21, is Autumn Equinox, I think it’s a good time to do some “fall cleaning” (yep, it’s not just in spring anymore!). Clean your house. Eliminate the clutters. Out with the old. Set new goals. Welcome the new. I know, easier said than done. Well, I do this ritual every spring and fall equinox to help me clean the clutters in my life.
by Silma September 19th, 2005 at 2:16 pmJaid, Thanks for the congrats and keep those ‘married’ days coming.
by Jordan September 19th, 2005 at 2:32 pmSilma, You have no idea how true that statement is.
As for the cleaning, I have someone come in weekly to do that, so my house is clean. I do need to address the ‘out with the old in with the new’ thing. I think I’m ready, even though it’s a fight against my nature every time I do it. *ggg*
by Jordan September 19th, 2005 at 2:35 pmHappy Anniversary! (And congrats to you Jaid!)
I need to clean out some of the clutter too. I admit to hanging on to some old clothes I need to get rid of. Decluttering is a big goal for me right now, because I want to get a new house!
by Danica September 19th, 2005 at 4:08 pmDanica, That’s wonderful motivation!!!
by Jordan September 19th, 2005 at 4:59 pmI should really get this house organized LOL but it’s not. Frankly it’s either organize or write and I chose writing. =\ I feel bad letting the house go since I’m not even unpacked yet, but there’s so much I can’t do by myself. I need to find a handyman. I seriously need to go through my clothes too btw LOL
by Cece September 19th, 2005 at 6:27 pmI do force myself to clean up (dishes and general pick up) and do a load of laundry a day but that’s about it. Mopping is for when I have company
LOL Cece!!! I hear you on the company. (wg)
by Jordan September 19th, 2005 at 8:29 pmYou have someone to come in & help with the cleaning??!…sigh…
But big congrats on the anniversary, hon, and many more!! (congrats to you too, Jaid!).
As for organization…what’s that?? I seem to either have to be in a certain mood, have an ulterior motive, or just become plain old fed up with the clutter. Clothes too–I’ll pack up boxes of the stuff & give it to charity without a thought–but only when the mood hits.
And there are one or two items of clothing I refuse to part with, no matter if I ever get in them again. They’re just…special.
by raine September 19th, 2005 at 11:40 pmHappy Anniversary, Jordan!
“rock my world with just a glance” - Wow, I’m jealous! That’s a keeper!
by Peggy September 20th, 2005 at 5:54 amHappy Anniversary!!!
And wow! I’m impressed on how you got on top of everything, I find that exercise does wonders for keep me stress free. Sadly, I haven’t worked out in about a month now. I stopped when I went into seclusion to finish up book #2 and I’m feeling the effects now. That’s something I need to get back on track with. I’m going to try to start today, thanks to your post!
by Cherlyn September 20th, 2005 at 6:19 amHappy B-lated anniversary!!
And I feel completely disorganized. Like I need to find order in my house both inner and outer before I can grasp everything going on around me.
by Teresa September 20th, 2005 at 7:12 amFunny this should be the topic….I just finished purging the closet for fall and also organizing my jewelry. I sure manage to lose plenty of earrings! I think new clothes are defintely more fun, Jordan, and you deserve them if you are pursuing a weight loss goal. I am working with my “book in a month” group to get on a page goal each day. It is really frustrating to proscrastinate so much. I am wondering if going somewhere else to write is helpful…like a coffee house, etc. Any thoughts anyone? Oh, and a special hi! to Wendy our new reader:)
by CJ September 20th, 2005 at 10:37 amI’ll go withthe clothes thing. Ihave too many clothes in my closet waiting fro me to fit them again. Also, the time thing. I need to make a permanent time to hit th gym…then maybe I’ll go each day.
by Sasha September 20th, 2005 at 10:38 amGood lord…sorry..Happy Anniversary!
by CJ September 20th, 2005 at 10:39 amRaine, It’s not very expensive to hire someone to come in and clean where I live. Besides, it was dh’s idea.
Thank you on the anniversary. I tend to go through spurts with getting rid of things. This must be one of those times. I figure I’ll jump on it while the mood strikes me. 
As for special clothes, I have one pair of jeans I hang onto. I would love to see my fat butt back into them someday. *ggg*
by Jordan September 20th, 2005 at 1:17 pmThanks Peggy! I agree, he IS a keeper.
by Jordan September 20th, 2005 at 1:19 pmCherlyn, Thanks! Still trying to get a handle on the diet now that we stopped the Atkin’s home food delivery. I do think the setting of a schedule is helping me immensely.
by Jordan September 20th, 2005 at 1:20 pmTeresa, Thanks! That’s how I was feeling and I couldn’t stand it anymore.
by Jordan September 20th, 2005 at 1:21 pmCJ, I’m going to start working at a coffee shop a couple of days a week just to break up the routine. I am not going to do it until I buy an AlphaSmart, but that will probably happen within the next two months. I think if you’re spending hours in the same spot that it helps to change the scenery. Thanks for the congrats!
by Jordan September 20th, 2005 at 1:23 pmSasha, My closet is the same way and I’m sick of it. I truly believe it stagnates everything. I’m tired of the lack of movement. The specific time thing seems to be working for me so far. Of course, tomorrow I doubt I’ll be able to move since I decided to workout to a Tahitian dance DVD today. I can already feel my muscles starting to ache…I didn’t realize I had muscles in some of these places. ;-P
by Jordan September 20th, 2005 at 1:26 pmI’m too tired to wrack my brains on the habits thing, but…. Happy Anniversary, Jordan!!!
And belated congrats, to you, Jaide!
by Jaq September 20th, 2005 at 2:55 pmThanks much, Jaq!!!
by Jordan September 20th, 2005 at 3:30 pmAs far as scheduling things in order to get them done: I have to do that too. HOWEVER.. as a flowy Piscean rising kinda person..I CANNOT do that” 8 AM EVERY MORNING” kind of scheduling. I schedule myself out ONE WEEK AT A TIME.IN my day planner.
I KNOW that on MONDAYS I enjoy exercising in the afternoons. So I put it in my dayplanner at about 4 PM..I do my afternoon walk.
Tues, Wed. Thurs,etc.. each day is different,each WEEK IS DIFFERENT! But I usually know a week in advance what is up–so I sit down and plan in my grocery shopping time at Trader Joe, my exercise times for the week, and other important stuff… my company over for dinner, etc. etc..
Then,.I am happy knowing my week is sort of gonna happen the way I want.
Each week is different.I HAVE TO plan, but can’t have it be the SAME all the time.. one week at a tIme. It works for me.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to you and your handsome Highlander!!!!
THROW OUT those clothes and get 2 outfits that make you feel FABULOUS RIGHT NOW! AND, THEN, FROM THAT POINT OF POWER AND BEAUTY– YOU GO GIRL!
MADDIE
by Maddie September 20th, 2005 at 4:13 pmMaddie, That’s interesting that you rotate things to keep yourself motivated. I could probably do that IF it was all written down, but for now, I’ll stick with the same time thing.;-) Thanks for the congrats! I’d planned to do exactly what you suggested with the clothes. I’ve already got the new stuff picked out. (wg)
by Jordan September 20th, 2005 at 4:20 pm