October was an entire year rolled up into one month. When I look back on 2018, October may be my best month, yet. Too many things and so many more things happened.

The list:

• Exercise (make room for one non-WIP workout per week): 14 bootcamp workouts this month plus 2 self-directed hotel-based workouts plus one amazing hike in Griffith Park in Los Angeles. Still time to fit in spinning or swimming.
• Allowance for the kids: Nada times ten.
• Read 30 books this year: Read 2 books this month. One book–Evicted–was probably one of the most important books I have ever read in the last few years. I was reading nonstop this month–I squeezed a manuscript to read for a publisher. My book chapter finally arrived in print. It was all reading, all the time.
• • Evicted by Matthew Desmond
• • Olive Kitteredge by Elizabeth Strout
• Write regularly: Writing was something I did on the side this month. I had a few moments where I got to quickly jot down feelings but I have been out of a good writing practice for a long time. I’m trying to keep up with NaNoWriMo (as I tried last year, too), so we will see if this jump starts the creativity train for me.
• 1 hike per month, preferably with the kids: I hiked the Mt. Hollywood trail in Griffith Park when I was traveling for work. I haven’t had the experience of hiking in full sun cover so that was interesting. And while I don’t love LA, I didn’t hate the views from the top.
• 1 date night: Another fail this month.
• Donate blood 6 times: Fit in my 5th donation of the year! I am super excited to donate one more time in December. It wasn’t easy to stay on top of it but every donation counts.
• Volunteer once a month: We were able to canvass one time for our local friend running for state representative. Since she won the primary it was the most we could do. Fitting in volunteer time with her campaign has been a challenge but my little one and I did knock on doors earlier this month.
• Self care (once per quarter): While I was traveling I had some serious alone time. The alone time generated lots of thoughts about identity and life and what was happening. I did have a solo dinner out and some lovely kick back and relax time in between conferencing and traveling. I watched the entire first season of the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Serious down time. I still need a massage, though.
• Experiment with podcasting: No movement.
• Find new opportunities to speak in front of an audience: I appeared in the Best of Valley Voices Storytelling show the second weekend of October. I arrived to learn that the theater was sold out–800 people! It was the biggest crowd I have ever addressed and I told my story flawlessly. This story remains one of my proudest accomplishments of 2018.
• Capture my “best thing all week” every week all year long (52 total): You know it.
• Financial planning for the household: Nothing happening.
• Get our unfinished rooms completed: Starting to plan for some updates to the girls’ rooms.
• Crochet regularly: Meh. I started something to keep my hands busy.

Additional October highlights:

• Book chapter came out in print–books arrived!!
• Visit to New York City, seeing friends, sights.
• Valley Voices storytelling event (video from an earlier version of the story told)
• Urban Institute conference in LA
• Seeing my mom’s family while in California
• Catching up with a dear friend in LA
• Launched new workshops at work to great reception

Less than 60 days until the year is over. Feeling pretty thrilled and excited about what comes next!

First time standing in her shadow. She was majestic as expected.

#5 in 2018.

The view onstage before every seat filled. In the spotlight, you can see nothing.

That’s me on page 79.

Scenes from LA: solo bookstore.

Spectating at The Broad.

The view from Griffith Park.

Kicking off & kicking butt.