Kittens and Kids and Coincidences, Part 1

I almost put "Koincidences" so it would be 3 Ks but then I realized that this is a serious post so I should spell correctly, and also that no one should try to aim for 3 Ks because that will probably attract the wrong type of page views and comments, if you know what I mean. 
Way, way back in May, my darling (and most favorite) niece took me to school for "Special Friend Day," which was really Grandparents' Day plus two Aunts. It was adorable and she read a really special poem she had written for me about all the embarrassing things I do (like making up semi-sexual songs about her cat). Then, we had to fill out a workbook about "The History of Us" or something. You know the type, all your favorite things and favorite memories so you can look back in 20 years and say "wasn't your handwriting big and atrocious and third-grade-cute"? 

We're best friends, we hold hands.

The last question I was supposed to answer for her was "What piece of advice do you have for me?" So I wrote something down. And she asked me what it meant. And I said I can't really explain, but one day you'll just understand. You just have to have faith, that everything will work out in the end. 
So speed up. To Saturday morning. When my darling (and most favorite) niece woke me up with an early(ish) phone call of some 9-year-old devastating news about finding her new baby kitten dead. She was a trooper through that phone call. And as if I wasn't broken up enough about this adorable kitten and my poor, sad niece she just really had to take it to the next level. "Do you remember when I took you to school? And we filled out that book together?" she asked me. "Of course," I said. "And you wrote down that quote that I didn't understand?" "Mmhmm." "Well I understand it now, and it's really been helping me today. So I just wanted to say thank you." 
And then she repeated it back to me, that advice that I had written down for a 9 year old who I thought wouldn't understand for some time. 

Everything will be ok in the end; 

so if it's not ok, it's not the end.

Cue the waterworks. 
First of all, you should know that Emma is pretty much my guardian angel sent by God to protect me. That child has given me more then I could ever hope to give back to her. Ever. I try hard to be a good Aunt, but she seriously gives me so much support and grace and encouragement that I frequently feel like our roles have been reversed. So to be able to have finally given her something in return, made me crumble into 9 million pieces of blubbering Aunty mush. Just the idea that in the midst of that sadness something had gone off in her brain to remind her to look for something I had written months ago at the bottom of a school project...to take the time to go and find it and read it and take comfort from it, was too much for this emotional Aunt Autumn.
So now we skip to the Coincidence part...tomorrow, with Part Two.

My Fall 2014 Goals

I know "fall goals" is broad, but I like to set generic goals without specific timeframes so that I can feel better when I accomplish them. Also, I'm still in the student mindset where everything happens in a semester timeframe. Anyways... lately that I've been getting a lot more down and depressed then I care to admit. I'm frustrated with the lack of steady 9-5 job (though I know that won't solve all life's woes) and I think it's because without that title and official-ness, I feel like I'm not accomplishing anything. So, I thought...maybe setting my own personal goals will help me get out of that rut a little. Here are some things I want to accomplish. I'm looking to not only hold myself accountable, but for advice on what you've found helpful as well! 

+Create: I feel better about myself when I'm creating something. In St. Louis, that meant blogging 5 times a week. Anything. Creating blog posts, school papers, editorials, crock pot recipes...something.  +Celebrate: I get down and out on myself far, far too often. Depression has become a far too constant, and willing, companion. I'm hoping that by stating something I'm grateful for every day, I can start battling those dark thoughts and making more light in my life. I still haven't decided if I will do this via a journal, twitter, or monthly-round up blog post list. Any suggestions for me?
+Exercise. I want to be healthy, and I want to form healthy habits. Grad school (and three jobs) make for an insanely hectic time, and I know that exercise is a great way to process that and ease stress (and the stress hormones that make you fat). I also would like to look attractive for my roomsicle's wedding wink wink. I struggle with this because the gym turns into "one more to-do" on my really long, long list. How do you combat that? I'm hoping tagging along with Not Entirely Perfect's monthly goal setting link up (fitness themed for September) will help this one get off to a good start!

What type of goals have you set lately?

What's your best tip for holding yourself accountable and tracking progress?