I have now voted as many times in St Louis as I did in Cleveland—and I lived there many more years.  I suppose I’ve become more civic minded as I’ve grown older.

I was actually voting because of one thing on the ballot and hadn’t done my research on the other races. (I guess I’m not THAT civic minded).  Upon arrival at the polling place I was accosted by three different people (one a CANDIDATE) who wanted me to vote for them or their candidate.  All three were for the same race!  I didn’t know what to do…so I just left it blank…and felt a bit like a loser. 

That’s okay.  I voted for what I intended to.  And there were no lines! 

The last election I was going to vote in Cleveland for was for the last presidential primary.  I wanted to go and vote for Hillary Clinton…but when I got done teaching there was 1/4 to 1/2 inch of ice on my car and after scraping that off (and it was still freezing raining) I decided it would be safer to just go home.  So I never did get to vote for Hillary. 

(my favorite election motto)

Enough politics!  If I went the rest of the year without hearing about politics I would be a happy camper.  (That’s a strange expression…I don’t even like camping!)

Here’s a story from MSNBC about a girl whose parents wouldn’t let her get a horse to ride so she learned to ride a cow instead.  I highly recommend taking a look!

Here’s my boring monthly goals post (boring to you, probably, not as much to me as each new month brings new HOPE.)

Monthly Goals:

Books: one classic, one related to teaching violin or children, one non-fiction.  Great Expectations, The Social Animal, and Moonwalking with Einstein

One or more new restaurants:

Weekly activities with friends:  Anybody up for stuff?  You have my number.  Or at least my blog address.

New recipes (three):

Fitness Classes:  Yoga—let’s do it, two classes! And maybe spinning…I guess I got bored with my class…

Race:  April 9 Go! St Louis Half Marathon.  Goal:  2:30 or bust. 

Mileage:  90 miles (run or walk)

Lose a couple of pounds:  under *redacted* by April 30 or bust. (I do have a number in mind, and this month I will meet or beat it).

Career: Schedule Student Recital for Early June.  Plus some other stuff that will happen in April.  You’re on a need to know basis.

Fun: Who wants to go to the South Grand House Tour April 16/17?  Also, I’m open to other social engagements, hit me up!

Financial: Well…I did MY taxes.  But I promised Chris I’d do his, so that’s this month.

Fingernails/finger biting: Must continue trying to stop…gah, so difficult as I usually don’t notice I’m biting until it’s already been going on for a little while. 

March…

Overall a good month.  Two solid races.  Some great teaching, good times with friends and FIANCEE.  Weather was up and down.  Did lots of great reading…cooking…eating…how did my goals go?

Monthly Goals:

Books: one classic, one related to teaching violin or children, one non-fiction.  Sense and Sensibility, Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, and The Warmth of Other Suns. CHECK!  Finished all by March 16–

One or more new restaurants: Trattoria Marcella (just had drinks/apps, but definitely want to go back for dinner), California Pizza Kitchen, The King and I (yummy Pad Thai!), The Highlander (there can be only one), Market Pub House CHECK!

Weekly activities with friends:  Too many to list here! CHECK!

New recipes (three): Goat Cheese and Artichoke Stuffed Chicken, Goat Cheese Grits, Shrimp n’ Grits CHECK!

Continue attending Spinning Class, do some Yoga–shoot for at least two classes.  Went to one spinning class, couldn’t go to another…and then was too tired… FAIL.

Two races:  March 12 St. Patrick’s Day 5 miler and March 26 Alton half marathon CHECK!  Plus I ran (some walking) 100 Miles this month—today I realized if I did 4.4 miles I would be at 100 for the month, so I couldn’t resist.

Get rid of 11 things from one room—I need to tackle the middle room and the book situation. Already did some of each, check!

Lose a couple of pounds (I have a goal weight in mind for the end of March but I’m not putting it here ) FAIL! but I already blogged about my failing…

Career: Attend SIUE teacher workshop with Susan Kempter.  Schedule Student Recital for Early June.  HALF/CHECK and plan to deal with recital shortly.  I’ve penciled in a date, just haven’t ‘set’ it.

Fun: Have friends over this month?  CHECK

Financial: TAXES this month CHECK

Fingernails/finger biting: Must continue trying to stop…gah, so difficult as I usually don’t notice I’m biting until it’s already been going on for a little while.  FAIL, but will keep trying..

It’s been over a month since we got engaged, so naturally people are asking about the date and such.  No, we haven’t set a date yet.  We are still waiting to find out a few things about next “season”  before we make any big decisions.  So I haven’t made any more wedding plans or anything, as until we decide on a date, we can’t choose a venue, and all the trappings that go with that.  It will happen in the next two months, and possibly sooner.  Also…(how to put this without seeming materialistic?)…we haven’t gotten any engagement gifts yet?  I assumed after announcing our engagement the gifts would start pouring in?  (We have received cards and many well-wishes, which is plenty, of course—I am kidding about the gifts!)

I am thinking I should enlist my cat as the flower girl or the ring bearer.  Has anybody done that?  How did it work out?

(Not my cat, but eerily similar…)