Time to Begin Again

Normally, I wouldn't condone airing personal business on a blog where people you might actually know may actually read it and then have knowledge of all of your personal "dirty laundry."  And I'm not exactly going to air all of mine out as you may have assumed by reading the first line of this post.  So what exactly am I even talking about?  I am talking about new beginnings and change.

The fall is about to start (I know it is still technically three weeks-ish away but that is relatively close) and autumn always feels like the beginning of a new period to me.  The beginning of school, the beginning of the fiscal year (for those who start it in October), the beginning of a series of holidays that revolve around food (hello Halloween Candy, Thanksgiving Turkey, and Christmas Cookies) and this year, for me, the beginning of a new life.  What exactly does that mean?

I am no longer married.

This statement in and of itself sounds foreign coming from my lips.  Over this past summer, my ex-spouse and I went through a divorce.  I'm not going to air the details, as that's what I mean about not airing my dirty laundry; simply rest assured that my ex and I are working diligently to be successful co-parents to our children and that included in that is getting along amicably and handling the situation as adults.  Now is the time for me to remember who I am and remind myself of how amazing a person I am, with or without someone else standing by my side.

As part of my new beginning, I may start blogging again.  I say may, because I am going to do what feels right to me in the moment and what I have time for.  So if I have to choose between reading one more book to one of my kids before bedtime, or typing out a blog post, there really no competition on which one will happen... (for those who weren't sure though, of course the book with my child).  But if I have a few spare minutes or if the mood strikes me, then I would like to think that even if no one reads the post, what I have to say and think are important enough to record in a written form.  Even if it is sporadic and may have no entertainment value at all.

Blogging of course is not the only new beginning I plan on undertaking this autumn, I do have a few other things that I am attempting to undertake:

-This autumn I am working on remodeling the master bedroom of my home.  A popcorn ceiling is being removed, walls are being painted, and carpet is being ripped out replaced with laminate flooring.  This project has already been going on for a couple of months, but I am not mechanically inclined and am doing the project by myself (with the exception of minor help and advice from my dad).  I am looking forward to how amazing this room will look when it is completed, even if it may take forever to actually get done.

-I've joined the gym again.  The last time I actually was a member of the gym was about three years ago.  While I am not a huge fan of getting sweaty and lifting weights, I know that for me to be the best me I can be for my kids, I need to take care of my own health.  While I'm not looking to lose weight and become a professional body builder... I do want to be able to keep up with my kids as well as be able to actually manage the minor tasks around my house that require a little bit of heavy lifting.  I figure what better way to stay health than to make it a goal to physically stay active a few times a week at least.  Especially since I lead a fairly sedentary lifestyle due to my job.

-I plan on reading more books and trying more recipes.  This seems a little like a silly goal, but reading and cooking are two things that I really enjoy that I haven't made time for lately.  Keeping them in the front of my to do in my spare time hasn't happened and it something that should. 

I'm sure there are other things that are beginning again this fall for me and my family, but this is just a starting list.

I love autumn.  The changing of leaves, the crisp autumn air, the beginning of so many new and wonderful things.  The autumn is really just a transitioning period for the weather and so many other things; and for me this year:

It's a time to begin again.