Category: Uncategorized

Here I am – at the end of 2023. Let’s see how how I did on these goals!

01: Purge 1000 items {Status: 1178/1000}

SUCCESS! I stopped counting at 1178 on Week 30 – but I continued to toss. My life is noticeably less cluttered!

02: Organize the Attic 

INCOMPLETE. I organized about 2/3 of the space. All of the boxes match with QR codes that take me to a list of what is in them. I’m confident that I can finish this goal in 2024.

03: Read 100 Books {Status: 52/100}

FAIL. I did, however, read 52 books. I’ll keep this goal for 2024.

04: Try 52 New Recipes {Status: 22/52}

FAIL. But, I enjoyed the concept of this goal. I will likely keep this goal – but, reduce the number. Quality > Quantity, right?

05: Get in Shape

SUCCESS. While I’m not in the shape that I want to be, I am further along than I was 365 days ago. This year I:
– Completed a Peloton workout every single day.
– Cycled > 3000 miles + > 15,000 minutes
– Completed 8 PZ Challenges
– Completed 3 100 Days of Peloton

I’m keeping this goal for 2024, with a twist.

06: Write/Send 52 notes/cards {Status: 11/52}

FAIL. I’m ok with it…

07: Maintain a weekly blog {30/52}

FAIL. Perhaps I will move towards a monthly update for 1024?

08: Organize my mother’s photographs {in progress}

INCOMPLETE. Although, I’m still motivated. Might keep it for 2024.

09: House Projects {15/23}

INCOMPLETE. Not terrible, but needs attention. I’m going to revamp this list for 2024.

Decorate the wall in the dining room
Build a Butler’s Pantry
Decorate the sunroom: Rearranged. Decluttering is in progress
Build valences for the house
Create a fenced-in downstairs for the puppies
Install a sunroom door
Decorate the fitness room: Planning my Peloton wall!
Remodel bathroom: Can’t decide, so I found a pretty curtain. Done!
Repaint island
Replace the front storm door: Fixed the existing one!
Paint front porch
Paint front door
New addition: Replace bathroom sink
New addition: Hang blinds downstairs
New addition: Replace front door
New addition: Build wooden beach game
New addition: Powerwash driveway
New addition: Replace the hot water heater
New addition: Replace the HVAC
New addition: Floor the attic
New addition: Install new cabinets
New addition: Frame downstairs for dogs
New addition: Paint attic door

10: Random Fun Goals {in progress}

FAIL: Make sausage
SUCCESS: Try new craft beers: 12 new brews (161 total)
SUCCESS: Try new local restaurants: 3

Live my #WOTY2023 … Transform.

Hey, 2024. I’m coming for ya!

Cheers, Holly

“One of the great balancing acts in life is to be cautious and daring at the same

“Mistakes are at the very base of human thought, embedded there, feeding the structure like root nodules. If we were not provided with the knack of being wrong, we could never get anything useful done. We think our way along by choosing between right and wrong alternatives, and the wrong choices have to be made as frequently as the right ones.

We get along in life this way. We are built to make mistakes, coded for error. We learn, as we say, by “trial and error.” Why do we always say that? Why not “trial and rightness” or “trial and triumph”? The old phrase puts it that way because that is, in real life, the way it is done.”

Source: The Medusa and the Snail

01: Purge 1000 items {Status: 1178/1000}

Still tossing — this week, DVDs and CDs. Afer all, I cannot play them.

02: Organize the Attic 

Too hot. This is going to wait until Fall.

03: Read 100 Books {Status: 33/100}

Lazy beach days mean that I am catching up on my reading challenge

In Progress
How Not to Die (Health)
Radical Candor (Professional, re-read)
Mindset (Professional, re-read)
Quiet (Professional)
The Originals (Professional)

Complete:
Quiet (Professional)
Pleasure Reading: 32 books.

04: Try 52 New Recipes {Status: 22/52}

I’m really slacking in this department.

05: Get in Shape

With the new year, I am embracing goals in 4-week intervals specific to fitness, health, and wellness. See below:

#OneMonthGoals with Michael Matera

January 2023: Consistency in Fitness
February 2023: Add stretching to my daily routine
March 2023: Maintain my routine during vacation
April 2023: Log meals on Lose It & Strength training (arms)
May 2023: I hired a nutritionist for 3 months!
June 2023: Focus on sugar! (failed)
July 2023: E2M

Peloton: Maintain streak: Day 250 of streak
Peloton: Engage with Accountability Group daily: 211/211
Peloton: 100 Days of Peloton: Day 100 {Finished!}
Peloton: 100 Days of Peloton, Round 2: Day 7
Peloton: Breaking Zones: Week 6: Platinum
Accomplishments:
– Peloton: Streak: 36 weeks
– Peloton: PR on 5 min ride: 45 kJ
– Peloton: PR on 45 min ride: 390 kJ
– Peloton: PR on 75 min ride: 567 kJ
– Peloton: 9K minutes
– Peloton: 464 Rides
– Peloton: 9K minutes
– Peloton: July Cycling Challenge: Bronze & Silver & Gold
– Peloton: July Activity Challenge: Bronze & Silver & Gold
– Peloton: Yoga: Badge for 10 workouts
– Peloton: Cycling: Badge for 450 Rides
– Peloton Fun Badges: Artist Series x 5 | AFO’22 x 2| Homecoming ’21

06: Write/Send 52 notes/cards {Status: 11/52}

This might wait until Fall, too. I’m still not feeling it.

07: Maintain a weekly blog {23/52}

Missed three weeks… but I’m back. Again.

08: Organize my mother’s photographs {in progress}

On a couple of rainy days, I worked on this. A little.

09: House Projects {12/21}

Decorate the wall in the dining room
Build a Butler’s Pantry
Decorate the sunroom: Rearranged. Decluttering is in progress
Build valences for the house
Create a fenced-in downstairs for the puppies
Install a sunroom door
Decorate the fitness room: Planning my Peloton wall!
Remodel bathroom: Can’t decide, so I found a pretty curtain. Done!
Repaint island
Replace the front storm door: Fixed the existing one!
Paint front porch: Porch is painted – just need to paint the ceiling
Paint front door
New addition: Replace bathroom sink
New addition: Hang blinds downstairs
New addition: Replace front door
New addition: Build wooden beach game
New addition: Powerwash driveway
New addition: Replace the hot water heater
New addition: Replace the HVAC
New addition: Floor the attic
New addition: Install new cabinets
New addition: Frame downstairs for dogs
New addition: Paint attic door

10: Random Fun Goals {in progress}

Make sausage
Try new craft beers: 12 new brews (161 total)
Try new local restaurants: 3

Live my #WOTY2023 … Transform.

How are your goals going?

Cheers, Holly

“One of the great balancing acts in life is to be cautious and daring at the same time. Cautious enough to avoid stupid mistakes, prevent burnout, and maintain a margin of safety. Daring enough to bet on yourself, to do the things you would regret leaving undone, and to be willing to be uncomfortable in the short term so you can learn and grow in the long term.” – James Clear

01: Purge 1000 items {Status: 1008/1000}

Youngest did a mental clean-out of her room… and 28 items left the house. Out of sight = Out of mind.

02: Organize the Attic 

Another week with the attic door closed. It’s entirely too hot for the attic. This is going to wait until Fall.

03: Read 100 Books {Status: 24/100}

Lazy beach days mean that I am catching up on my reading challenge

In Progress
How Not to Die (Health)
Radical Candor (Professional, re-read)
Mindset (Professional, re-read)
Quiet (Professional)

Complete:
Pleasure Reading: 25 books.

04: Try 52 New Recipes {Status: 22/52}

Completely in love with the NinjaCreami and all of the incredible “good for you” ice creams that can be made with it. Latest favorite: Orange creamsicle.

05: Get in Shape

With the new year, I am embracing goals in 4-week intervals specific to fitness, health, and wellness. See below:

#OneMonthGoals with Michael Matera

January 2023: Consistency in Fitness
February 2023: Add stretching to my daily routine
March 2023: Maintain my routine during vacation
April 2023: Log meals on Lose It & Strength training (arms)
May 2023: I hired a nutritionist for 3 months!
June 2023: Focus on sugar! (failed)
July 2023: E2M

Peloton: Maintain streak: Day 222 of streak
Peloton: Engage with Accountability Group daily: 183/183
Peloton: 100 Days of Peloton: Day 82
Peloton: Breaking Zones: Week 2: Platinum
Accomplishments:
– Peloton: Streak: 30 weeks
– Peloton: PR on 45 min ride: 388 kJ
– Peloton: June Cycling Challenge: Gold
– Peloton: June Activity Challenge: Silver and Gold
– Peloton: 432 rides
– Peloton: 2086.63 mi in 2023
– Peloton: 8K minutes
– Peloton Fun Badges: Artist Series x 4, Mental Health Series

06: Write/Send 52 notes/cards {Status: 11/52}

This might wait until Fall, too. I’m just not feeling it.

07: Maintain a weekly blog {22/52}

Missed three weeks… but I’m back.

08: Organize my mother’s photographs {in progress}

This looks like a Fall project.

09: House Projects {12/21}

Decorate the wall in the dining room
Build a Butler’s Pantry
Decorate the sunroom: Decluttering is in progress
Build valences for the house
Create a fenced-in downstairs for the puppies
Install a sunroom door
Decorate the fitness room: Planning my Peloton wall!
Remodel bathroom: Can’t decide, so I found a pretty curtain. Done!
Repaint island
Replace the front storm door: Fixed the existing one!
Paint front porch: Porch is painted – just need to paint the ceiling
Paint front door
New addition: Replace bathroom sink
New addition: Hang blinds downstairs
New addition: Replace front door
New addition: Build wooden beach game
New addition: Powerwash driveway
New addition: Replace the hot water heater
New addition: Replace the HVAC
New addition: Floor the attic
New addition: Install new cabinets
New addition: Frame downstairs for dogs
New addition: Paint attic door

10: Random Fun Goals {in progress}

Make sausage
Try new craft beers: 12 new brews (158 total)
Try new local restaurants: 3

Live my #WOTY2023 … Transform.

How are your goals going?

Cheers, Holly

You can be relaxed and dedicated. Just because you worry more, doesn’t mean you care more. – James Clear

I’m going to use this quote as inspiration to pause and relax more frequently.

01: Purge 1000 items {Status: 983/1000}

I only removed 3 items this week. So close!

02: Organize the Attic 

Another week with the attic door closed. May/June remains busy!

03: Read 100 Books {Status: 22/100}

Started several books – but did not finish any.

In Progress
How Not to Die (Health)
Radical Candor (Professional, re-read)
Mindset (Professional, re-read)

Complete:
Pleasure Reading: 22 books.

04: Try 52 New Recipes {Status: 22/52}

A new local spot has added a fantastic fried baloney sandwich with an onion ring to its menu. I have not had one of these since I was a little girl!

And, I tried the green bowl at WooCasa. How in the world did I wait this long to check out this local restaurant?

05: Get in Shape

With the new year, I am embracing goals in 4-week intervals specific to fitness, health, and wellness. See below:

#OneMonthGoals with Michael Matera

January 2023: Consistency in Fitness
February 2023: Add stretching to my daily routine
March 2023: Maintain my routine during vacation
April 2023: Log meals on Lose It & Strength training (arms)
May 2023: I hired a nutritionist for 3 months!
June 2023: Focus on sugar!

Peloton: Maintain streak: Day 201 of streak
Peloton: Engage with Accountability Group daily: 162/162
Peloton: 100 Days of Peloton: Day 61
Peloton: Zone Wars: The Force Awakens: Week 3: Platinum
Accomplishments:
– Peloton: June Cycling Challenge: Silver
– Peloton: June Activity Challenge: Bronze
– Peloton: 400 rides
– Peloton: 1906.31 mi in 2023
– Peloton Fun Badges: Artist Series

06: Write/Send 52 notes/cards {Status: 11/52}

Does it count if I bought new note cards? Asking for a friend…

07: Maintain a weekly blog {21/52}

Here I am!

08: Organize my mother’s photographs {in progress}

This looks like a Fall project.

09: House Projects {12/21}

Decorate the wall in the dining room
Build a Butler’s Pantry
Decorate the sunroom: Decluttering is in progress
Build valences for the house
Create a fenced-in downstairs for the puppies
Install a sunroom door
Decorate the fitness room: Planning my Peloton wall!
Remodel bathroom: Can’t decide, so I found a pretty curtain. Done!
Repaint island
Replace the front storm door: Fixed the existing one!
Paint front porch: Porch is painted – just need to paint the ceiling
Paint front door
New addition: Replace bathroom sink
New addition: Hang blinds downstairs
New addition: Powerwash driveway
New addition: Replace the hot water heater
New addition: Replace the HVAC
New addition: Floor the attic
New addition: Install new cabinets
New addition: Frame downstairs for dogs
New addition: Paint attic door

10: Random Fun Goals {in progress}

Make sausage
Try new craft beers: 12 new brews (156 total)
Try new local restaurants: 3

Live my #WOTY2023 … Transform.

How are your goals going?

Cheers, Holly

The end of May brings two things: Preparing for the end of school and Beach Week with the King family. This year, I am more excited than ever about both.

01: Get 6 – 7 Hours of Sleep Each Night {Status: 140/147}

This weekend was ALL about sleep!

02: Learn Calligraphy

Still struggling to make time for this!

03: Purge 1000 items {Status: 768/1000}

I only eliminated a few items from my life this week.

04: Organize the Attic 

No progress in this area this week.

05: Read 100 Books, including ALL of the DBC books. {Status: 24/100}

I’m still chipping away at professional reads!

In Progress
(1) Radical Candor | Scott {Professional Growth}
(2) Culturally Responsive School Leadership | Khalifa {Professional Growth}
(3) Hacking Questions {Professional Growth}
(4) The Ethics of Leadership | Ciulla {Professional Growth}
(5) Coaching for Equity | Aguilar {Book Study, Professional Growth}

Complete:
Pleasure Reading: 24 books.

06: Try 52 New Recipes {Status: 09/52}

This week was all about leftovers. I need to get myself in gear and get in the kitchen!

07: Get in Shape

Not a lot to share, but here are some specific action steps that I took this week:

Spring challenge continues this week. I’m enjoying a 77 day streak!

For another week, I closed the Activity Ring every. single. day. There is something quite satisfying about these silly little rings!

Still juggling two StepBets – which, is still a great motivator to get my daily steps *and* win a little cash!

I also earned a little badge bling this week…

08: #OneMonthGoals with Michael Matera

Last year, I joined Michael Matera on his #OneMonthGoals journey. I ran every single day for a month – and it was glorious. This year, I am committed to selecting (and sticking with) one new goal each month, which I will document here.

January 2021: Day 31 of my Run Streak! {Done!}
February 2021: Track my meals on Lose It App {28/28}
March 2021: Select and maintain a proper skin care routine! {31/31}
April 2021: Collagen Repair {9/9} + Coach to 5K! {30/30}
May 2021: Personal Development {30/30}

For May, I have decided to invest in my personal growth every day for 30 minutes.

09: Write/Send 52 notes/cards {Status: 78/52: Done!}

10: Maintain a weekly blog {19/52}

Here I am!

11: Simplify my life

I definitely enjoyed a slower pace of life this week. I left work at work, and I relaxed this weekend with books, light housework, and progress on a few house projects. Simplification is in the eye of the beholder, right?

12: Organize my mother’s photographs {527 scanned}

I multitasked this weekend and scanned a few (52)!

Secret Goals! 

• Secret Goal #1: A cool weekend allowed for progress in this area!
• Secret Goal #2: Parts of this one were assembled this week…
• Secret Goal #3: I have sketched out a paper/pencil plan for this…
• Secret Goal #4: I might just switch this one…

How are your goals going?

Cheers, Holly

#OneWord2021. By this point, I’m sure you have seen the social media posts. Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and everyone’s blog are filled with people ringing in the New Year with their #OneWord2021 carefully selected to frame their year. EVERYone is eager to say Goodbye to 2020, so I am not surprised to experience a renewed energy in resolutions and goals for the new year.

Many years ago, I, too, embraced the #OneWord challenge. In fact, I traded lists of New Years Resolutions for #OneWord to drive my decisions and focus my reflection for the entire year. I’ve created artwork, designed screensavers for my phone, and placed my word on a Post-It note on my desk — all deliberate reminders to use it daily.

Previous #OneWord selections include Fearless (2014), Move (2015), Simplify (2016), Intentional (2017), Cultivate (2018), Embrace (2019), and Focus (2020).

Last year’s selection, FOCUS, turned out to be particularly important amidst a pandemic that impacted every profession, especially education. In a world where flexibility and the ability to pivot on a dime were traits that kept us afloat, the need to focus and implement on-demand was just as important. As we move into 2021 with a vision of normalcy in the not-so-distance future, I hope that we take what we intentionally weave what we have learned into the years ahead. Our newfound skills – as parents, teahers, and students – are the ingredients to transform the future of education, a change that is long overdue.

As the world around us changed at the speed of light, my FOCUS shifted, too. With intention, I focused on what I could control: my response to a pandemic. No, I could not control the outbreaks in my area, the decisions made by local and state governmental agencies, or the rapid-fire cancellations that stole hopes and dreams. I watched as my daughters dissolved into tears as Lacrosse season, Prom, and Graduation Ceremonies were canceled. Instead, we shifted our FOCUS. We took this opportunity to enjoy outdoor dining experiences at local restaurants that expanded their menus to stay open. During quarantine, we road the wheels off of our bikes as we explored a very empty island. We watched four NetFlix series together, many in the outdoor theater that we created as a CV-project. We decluttered our home of physical things, while filling our lives with memories of beach days, great reads in the porch swing, runs on empty roads, and photogenic sunsets.

When COVID closed colleges early, I focused on opportunity to have both of my girls home for 2.5 months again during the holiday season. What a gift!

These moments were important.

These moments deserved my focus.

The smiles filled with pride. The smiles that are hiding pain.

We celebrated: The big accomplishments, the small victories, and the things that bring smiles to everyday life.

While FOCUS was selected for an entirely different reason, it turned out to be the perfect word to maintain my positive compass as I traveled through 2020.

2021, however, is a different.

Each year, I wait patiently for the word to find me – in a quote, in a song, or in a book that I am reading, or in a conversation. I reach for a word that is different… not from a list. With only hours before this year’s chapter closes, I had started to worry that my word had not emerged.

I pondered. I researched. I thought. I reflected.

I reached out to an accountability partner, Erin, who helps me brainstorm big life decisions like this. As we pondered her word, she asked me what is important to be for the incoming year. And, it hit me…

My #OneWord2021 will be INVEST.

When I think of the word INVEST, my brain immediately goes to the financial investment of money. I realized that, in 2021, I want to treat my time like the ultimate investment. I want to critically analyze how I spend my time: Who am I with? What am I doing? Why am I doing it? And, question how that expenditure of time is serving me.

Each day, we are given 1,440 minutes.

How can I invest those minutes so that I am the best version of me?

In 2021, I vow to INVEST in the following ways

• Invest in my physical health through movement, nutrition, hydration, sleep, and self-care
• Invest in my professional growth through reading, listening, and learning
• Invest in opportunities to be creative
• Invest in drafts, allowing myself to be imperfectly human
• Invest in relationships by being more present
• Invest in a minimalist mentality
• Invest in quality over quantity
• Invest in gratitude and joy

#OneWord2021 Invest

Cheers to your New Year,

Holly

I spent hours at work today. Yes, on a Saturday.

I planned to move methodically through my “to do” list, tackling items as they appeared while cleaning out cabinets filled with dated electronic supplies to make room for instructional technology gadgets and hardware to support our current classroom needs.

Within moments of sitting down at my new cluttered desk, the phone beeped. Next door, several teacher friends had requested help as they dug deeply into their National Board artifacts.

For the next few hours, I engaged in rich conversations about innovative instructional practices, professional growth opportunities, differentiated learning experiences, and the impact of professional learning communities on their students.

I problem-solved. I offered advice. I collaborated. I learned. I laughed.

I did not clean my office.

But, I filled my bucket.

The desk will wait.

After 8 weeks of intense physical therapy that included limited mobility at practices, miles of tape and adhesive, and absolutely no competitive events, my oldest daughter returned to the pool tonight. She swam over 1000m in her events, returning to her favorite events: 200m freestyle and 400m freestyle as well as her two relay events.

Initially, she was not pleased with her performance for a variety of reasons.

We stepped back.

While it was true that she did not finish first in the events, that is not the goal of every event. You cannot control the speed of the swimmer in the lane beside you.

You can, however, control you.

In reflection, she realized that – despite two months away from competition – she walked away with two personal bests, in the 200m and the 400m.  She had a solid swim – dropping considerable time on both events and placing herself in consideration for Regionals in both of her individual events.

Sometimes, our biggest competitor is the person in the mirror.

And, at the end of the day, personal growth is the most important indicator for future success.