This is a self-serving post for myself about next week of working full time, solo parenting, and finding time for hobbies.

Here is my 2026 annual list, with each intention numbered. Let’s see if I can align next week with some of them. The word for the year is “delight.”

1. Take good care of my physical health.
2. Take good care of my mental health.
3. Take a road trip for spring break (leaning toward Outer Banks again).
4. Take a roadtrip to Northern Italy: Milan, Venice, the Lake district, the Dolomites and possibly lake Bled in Slovenia (for now, looking at 20 days). Summer.
5. Visit my family in Russia. Summer (solo).
6. Take a camping trip with the kids. Summer.
7. Read books.
8. Write blog posts.
9. Monthly dates with T.
10. See friends more. (Think about what “more” means. Monthly, quarterly, seasonally(?)
11. Get social (what does this mean?).
12. Get cultured (theater+movies+concerts)
13. Don’t be cheap.
14. Celebrate and delight in the little things.
15. Give myself slack, lots of slack, during solo parenting (and not only).

Tuesday, 01/20. 7:30-2:45 work. *pack gym bag

A heavy teaching day, 5 classes, be sure to have water and snacks.

3pm to 4pm time at the YMCA. Then, pick up R at 4, bring him to jiu jitsu, 4:30 to 5:15. Pick up L at 5:30, bring everyone home. 6 to 7:30 is dinner, baths, books, teeth, bed, for everyone but especially ME. (intentions 1, 2, 7 and 15 from above)

Wednesday, 01/21. 7:30-2:45 work. *no gym bag

A very light teaching day, only 3 classes. 4pm to 5pm piano for daughter. Read my novel or read blogs/leave some comments while she is in her lesson. Pick up R at 5:30, bring everyone home. 6pm to 7:30pm is dinner, baths, books, teeth, bed. (2, 7, 15).

Thursday, 01/22. 7:30-2:45 work. *need swim bag

An average day, 4 classes. Swim at the YMCA after work. Pick R up at 4, bring him to jiu jitsu. BJJ from 4:30 till 5:15PM. Get daughter from after care. Everyone home. From 6 to 7:30 is dinner, baths, books, teeth, bed, for everyone but especially ME. (1, 2, 7, 15).

Friday, 01/23. 7:30-2:45 work. *need gym bag

A very light day teaching day. 3 classes. YMCA after work. No kid activities. T home, he picks up the kids. Write Friday Five (1, 2, 7, 8, 15).

Next weekend I am seeing Drum Tao performance in Morristown (solo) so that is 12 and 14. Also, cycling classes, family swim, and skates (1, 2, 11, 14). Kids’ passport renewal is on Saturday, this is 4.

Wow, this is really granular… BUT, for now, it’s aligned with some of my annual intentions.

Other reminders to self: pack lunch and snacks for myself (kids eat school lunch most days), slow down intentionally, pack and repack the gym/swim bag, always have snacks and water.

Be delighted by the little things.

From camera roll this past weekend: