A Non-Exhaustive List of Chores That Are Suddenly Compelling When I Need to Grade Papers

• Clear out the fridge.
• Check expiry dates for condiments.
• Rearrange the spice collection.
• Do laundry.
• Not just laundry, but hand wash laundry, which is really rather excessive.
• Alphabetize books.
• Attack the unpaired sock pile.
• Make healthy (ha!) donuts.
• Wash up.
• Use a face mask.  Clearly, I cannot grade while my pores are being deep cleaned. That would disturb the process.
• Play Sporcle.  It is extremely important that I can recognize the names of countries in Africa when they are written in Greek characters.
• Update my planner.  This thing is seriously intense.  I'm trying to be organized.  We'll see how this goes.
• Play Lyraball.
• Work out.  For a long, long, long time.
• Prep my meals for the next week.
• Make sure I am up to date on college football.
• Plan my Hallowe'en costume.
• Update my blog.

Pottering

It's been one of those Saturdays I enjoy the most: a small wander around to do some tasks that had piled up (framing a print; returning not-too-overdue books to the library) and a trip to the farmers' market, and then some home-based tasks of hand washing items, laundry, and a bit of a tidy up while the slightly grubby, wet, cold weather continues.  These are all tasks that needed doing; they are also all tasks that I used to completely avoid the teaching work I needed to do.  But the main thing is a gentle sense of contentment and joy in the knowledge that I am still British enough to call this pottering.

Buzzed

Today I taught constitutional law from 10 in the morning until 6pm. I had about 45 minutes' break total.

It was absolutely brilliant.  I am so, so, so tired; there is very little as exhausting as teaching. Nothing quite consumes your mind and attention like teaching.  But it was utterly exhilarating.  I am so, so, so happy.  Not because of what I did, bear in mind; instead, I was moved and invigorated by their effort, minds, and all round brilliance.  What a day.  You do not necessarily get many days of work that are as good as today.  I thought it was worth marking it down.

[Insert number here] Ways I am Slowly Becoming a Grown Up*

* Or basic things that most functional people do that I should not be proud of achieving only in my late 30s.

1. I have made an appointment at the dentist's. (This is a BFD, frankly.)
2. I have recommendation for a new dermatologist who, fabulously, is in network. And I am actually going to get my moles checked out.
3. I have bought a lovely detangling hairbrush that I have been using. Every day. For the last three days, admittedly, but it's a start.
4. I now carry tissues in my bag(s). All of them. 
5. And a Tide pen (other brands are available).
6. I clean my makeup brushes and implements every month.
7. I have a watering the house plants day of the week. And it happens on that day of the week.
8. I record on my calendar when my period starts and ends. I also use a ruby cup, because they are amazing. 
9. I have several umbrellas and I know where they are. I keep a spare couple at work.
10. I take my vitamins every day.
11. I semi-regularly clean my mattress protector and mattress. Not that there's an alarm in the calendar or owt like that, but it does happen. Including today.
12. I know how to clean out a blocked sink using vinegar and baking soda. Which is one reason why we always have baking soda and vinegar in the house. Bugger, just ran out of baking soda (see #11); will purchase more tomorrow.
13. We have a semi-functional landing strip. No, not one of those, you filthy thing. The home clutter filtering variety.
14. We regularly refill the bird feeder. We also spend a lot of time discussing which birds are frequenting the bird feeder.
15. We pay for digital downloads.
16. We have a wine fridge! I have annotated those bottles of wine that should not be drunk yet! 2024 is going to be a great year, clearly.
17. We still drink too much wine (and beer, and picklebacks, etc.) and don't get enough sleep. But we have a gorgeous room that is a sunshiney yellow place of warmth and comfort. And we're about to frame a glorious Georgia O'Keeffe print that will be what we see when we wake up each day. FRAMED POSTERS!
18. I have a jar of rendered bacon fat in my fridge for vegetable cooking goodness.
19. I am--stutteringly and sporadically and inconsistently--admittedly, trying to give up sugar and get on top of that family history of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease... 
20. I am concerned about and actively managing the green/brown ratio of my compost heap.
21. Each time I open the lid, I say hello to the nesting spider in the aforementioned compost heap. Is that odd or being a grown up? You decide!
22. I have Marie Kondo'd my bathroom products this year. Clothing will happen. I'm sure. Yep. But I did do it last year. That totally counts.
23. I am trying to keep my Goodreads to-read list under 800, because I know that I will not read these all in my lifetime. Having said that, I just added an amazing book. But, because I am Slowly Becoming A Grown Up, I removed one to make it a round 800 again. #Goals.