The setup

While pursuing a professional career in the non-profit sector is not necessarily a lucrative path, it does have its benefits: good work-life balance, excellent health insurance and generous time off.  And this year, there is another benefit: a 4-week sabbatical.

It comes at a great time because I'm tired, I'm out of shape, and I'm feeling a little disconnected. It's no surprise, working full-time and running a household can feel sisyphean.  A lot of parents will tell you that time becomes a previous commodity once you have kids.  What they don't tell you is this: when you do receive the gift of time, it rarely comes with the gifts of energy or motivation.  In fact, once my professional and personal responsibilities are attended to, there is time at the end of the day, but I rarely do more than sit, watch tv, or try to finish my book club book (one book a month and I'm still struggling).

But here I am now and I have 4 weeks off from work.  There are some constraints: I'm still a mom and wife.  So before 8:30 and after 5:30 is family time.  We don't have daycare coverage on Monday.  So, Mondays are officially Mommy & Ollie days of fun.  Also, I haven't weaned Ollie yet.  So travel without him is not an option.  Otherwise, I'm free.  Pinterest, here I come!  Hold a seat at the AFI! Karla has some time off.

I'm planning to blog a little bit at the end of each weekday.  And I do have some goals for the month.  I'm not committing to anything, but I do hope to make a little progress toward the following:

Get healthy!
The first 25 lbs of baby weight melted away.  But there are still 5 lbs weighing me down (and making my clothes look less than awesome).  On top of that, I haven't prioritized exercise for an extended period of time.  Crossfit, running, yoga?  I don't care.  I just need to get back into shape.So, goal #1, go exercise!

Reconnect!
It's been a long time since I've actually indulged in my hobbies: playing piano, guitar, writing tunes, going to the movies, reading, hiking.  It's kind of interesting that the things that helped define me in my online dating profile have no place in my current life.  Interesting and a little sad.  So, goal #2, reconnect with my hobbies and passions.

Reflect!
In one of my Notes From Babyland blogs, I wrote once about a night during which I just sat and reflected.  It sounds silly, but now that my life is so rich with responsibilities, there's not a lot of room in my brain for reflection.  How are things going?  Am I satisfied with where I am in life?  Are there things out there that would feel more fulfilling that I should pursue?  So, goal #3, reflect.

Have fun!
I have other ideas in mind: museums, days of fun with friends, a little professional development, a day of pinterest, finally picking up that banjo my mom gave to me, baking.  Really though, I'm planning to leave things open to a little adventure.  Maybe I'll visit every vineyard in a 50 mile radius.  Maybe I'll just stay home and watch all seven seasons of West Wing; I can always jump on the treadmill as I'm watching.

Day 1 begins in one short day.  Let the adventure begin!