From Whence Did August Come?

I couldn't believe it when I noticed in the elevator this morning that my watch had rolled over to indicate a new month is upon us already. Half the summer is done, though you couldn't tell from the weather around here. I took good advantage of the unusual, though decidedly lovely, weather today and my renewed goal of healthier eating by hitting the grocery store and then the local market where I bought only locally-grown produce. The taste and quality makes it worth the extra money.

After I came home and showered, I played with my Wii. For a long time. Suffice it to say, it was dinner by the time I noticed I was getting hungry and should probably take a break. The Wii kept suggesting I take a break all afternoon, but I didn't listen very well.

Following dinner, I started thinking about my desire to do something for myself this year. It stems back to my new year's resolutions, one of which was to get a library card and actually use it, which I do often enough, and the other of which was to find a hobby. You'd think that would be easy enough, but I want to make sure it's something I will actually do and enjoy for the long-term.

I tried to get back into my musical performance, but that died off when I realized it was too cold to practice in the church and I can't practice in my home. Plus, I don't think that would have counted as a real hobby. For a time, I decided to stick to an area I know and borrowed my boss' guitar for a couple of weeks. I did manage to teach myself to play the scales and a few basic chords, but I found the strings very painful and the neck much too large for my hand. I feared a rapid onset of tendonitis from the awkward positions I was trying to adopt with my left wrist, so I returned the borrowed guitar with thanks. Tennis seemed like a good idea for a while, but my gallbladder made running a bad idea in general, and my sense kicked in at one point: what was I thinking? I'd end up breaking something.

Then, just about a month ago, I did something I love to do; I baked a cake for my father's birthday, iced it and decorated it with sprinkles. A few days later, I baked one for my sister-in-law's birthday and decided to be a little more exciting, so I bought some icing in a tube and a couple of decorating tips, and I did a little decorative butchering job which said "Happy birthday, C.!" She liked my efforts even though it looked like I had decorated it blindfolded with one hand tied behind my back.

My family, seeing my efforts, encouraged me to think about taking a cake decorating class some day. I have no idea why the thought popped into my head tonight to find a suitable course, but the timing couldn't be better as most of the courses are starting next month. It did take me a very frustrating 90 minutes to find one that fit my schedule that was accessible both by transit and financially, but I think I have finally found one. I am going to call and ask about registration this week.

So, maybe this will be the year that I complete my new year's resolutions on time and with good results. Fingers crossed - as the calendar informed me this morning, I only have 42% more of the year to go.