Howdy, folks! The COA met for a delicious brunch and the annual watching of Love Actually today. Time to recap November and talk about goals for the last month of the year.
November goals:
1. Health/fitness: Go to yoga 4 times. Finish two races (Wilderness Run and GOTR 5k) and complete at least two 'long' runs (defined as 5+ miles).
Success! Four yoga classes, two races, and 3 'long' runs completed in November.
2. Financial: Change savings allocation split among 401k/savings account to increase liquid savings in preparation for Christmas purchases and hopeful near future car purchase.
Done!
3. Work: Have a tidy transition to the new job. This means cleaning up old e-mails and the shared drive, sorting through old project files, leaving instructions/details on projects where necessary, wrapping up any loose ends, and reducing my cubicle stuff down to one box.
Well, I reduced it down to two boxes. I was pretty happy with that considering how much I purged.
4. Other: Write at least 20 out of 30 days this month.
This was a fail if I judge it only by the numbers. I did write seven times in November, though, which is better than a typical month.
December goals:
1. Health/fitness: Get my money's worth out of my unlimited monthly yoga class (go at least 5 times in December); complete Operation Jack half marathon; weigh in at the end of December at a number somewhere below my initial weigh-in for the weight loss challenge at work.
2. Other: Take bags o' stuff to Goodwill before end of year. Complete Reverb prompts.
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Here comes November!
We bypassed my favorite month much too soon. I always like October lasting for what seems forever. This year October went by so fast- We celebrated our one year wedding anniversary, then I got the flu/cold/sinus thing that wouldn't go away for weeks. I was also busy at work with a lot of school groups and special events, including our annual Cemetery Tours where I hardly had a voice but did it anyway. It quite possibly was the feeling that "maybe this will be my last year to do them" that really made me suck it up and do it- but also it is my absolute favorite event. So, I was sick for weeks, then my husband was sick for weeks. I took a quick roadtrip to St. Louis to see my brother and nephew, then finished up the month with my birthday. A birthday at work does NOT compare to last year being on our honeymoon for my birthday. I also lost a dear family friend, our next door neighbor Ginny passed away. She was like family. Then my Great Aunt passed away the same week.
Overall, October was a bittersweet month. I was on a roller coaster for a lot of it. but this blog post is about goals- so how did I do?
Goal: De-Clutter
I didn't do anything, but I didn't set out to because I knew it would be busy. My 4/40 goal is to send out my list of duplicates to my fellow Windie friends by Thanksgiving. I did get together a huge pile of stuff for the yard sale that didn't happen. That counts.
I failed on stopping to collect more clutter though. My family now owns several pieces from an amusement park we used to vacation to when I was growing up. Thats a major fail when it comes to de-cluttering.
Goal for October: Keep up with training plan, run Wilderness Run! Go to Yoga at least twice.
Yep. I ran the Wilderness Run. AND I LIKED IT. I haven't felt so proud of myself in a long time. No, I didn't run the whole thing (J & J didn't tell me there were hills....) but I did run a lot of it- and signing up for it did make me push myself to train. No, I didn't go to yoga. But I am so proud of myself for sticking with this.
Goal for October: Limit eating out at restaurants during the week. Pack lunch at least 4 times a week. Jennifer is going to pick a Button's Up project for Julie and I from our Pinterest. We are going to make it.
I kind of forgot about this goal. I stress ate a lot when I was sick. Jennifer, I forgot you were going to pick a Button's Up project. So, I failed.
Goal: Keep putting myself out there- e-mail at least 4 more people. Create list of accomplishments at work for yearly evaluation, and create list of things I would like to accomplish.
I didn't put myself out there. But I spent a lot of time thinking about what I want to try and do- and how to do it. I DID write a list of accomplishments, went to my yearly evaluation, and got a raise. I also wrote a list of what I would like to accomplish. Success!
Goal for October: Work on my "Life List" - and Blog on my Awkward/Awesome blog at least twice. Do Button's Up Craft (Yeah, I couldn't tell if that fits under debt or this.)
I spent a lot of time thinking about my Life List- and it was fun. I didn't blog on Awk/Awe, but I started writing a list about topics I want to blog about. No Button's Up crafts.
Hm. I didn't do so bad.
November
Goal: De-Clutter
Send out the list of duplicates to my fellow Windies by Thanksgiving. Get the back bedroom back in order. Put yard sale stuff down in the storage.
Goal: Lose Weight
I started my "Lose 30 by my 30th birthday" challenge. That doesn't seem hard, but it is and it will be. I want to continue running, sign up for another race, and continue to track in MyfitnessPal. I'm back to wanting to focus on pounds. I'm tired of being uncomfortable with my body. If I lose 2.5 lbs a month, I'll be at my 30 lbs next year. But, I am still trying to figure out what my caloric needs are, so if I don't this month, I am not going to be mad. Apparently I also eat a lot of sugar. So, a SMART goal- run 3 times a week, log into MyFitnessPal.
Goal: Debt
Oh. I don't know. I need to think about some more SMART goals for this one. Can I make it my goal to come up with a goal? I'm going to put this one on the back burner.
Goal: Career
I want to put this on the back burner, too. I need to think of more SMART goals to make this more successful.
Goal: Adultiness
I want to blog again. I also want to spend a little more time with how I look at work. Sometimes I end up at work realizing I wore the same jeans the day before (ssh don't tell anyone)-- I think if I spent more time on how I look, I will feel less uncomfortable with my own body. I also think if I liked how I looked at work I may have a better attitude about my day. For November, write 3 blogs on Awkward and Awesome, and go through my closet- get rid of clothes I don't feel confident in. Keep the clothes that I feel good in.
I'll try my best!
Overall, October was a bittersweet month. I was on a roller coaster for a lot of it. but this blog post is about goals- so how did I do?
Goal: De-Clutter
I didn't do anything, but I didn't set out to because I knew it would be busy. My 4/40 goal is to send out my list of duplicates to my fellow Windie friends by Thanksgiving. I did get together a huge pile of stuff for the yard sale that didn't happen. That counts.
I failed on stopping to collect more clutter though. My family now owns several pieces from an amusement park we used to vacation to when I was growing up. Thats a major fail when it comes to de-cluttering.
Goal for October: Keep up with training plan, run Wilderness Run! Go to Yoga at least twice.
Yep. I ran the Wilderness Run. AND I LIKED IT. I haven't felt so proud of myself in a long time. No, I didn't run the whole thing (J & J didn't tell me there were hills....) but I did run a lot of it- and signing up for it did make me push myself to train. No, I didn't go to yoga. But I am so proud of myself for sticking with this.
Goal for October: Limit eating out at restaurants during the week. Pack lunch at least 4 times a week. Jennifer is going to pick a Button's Up project for Julie and I from our Pinterest. We are going to make it.
I kind of forgot about this goal. I stress ate a lot when I was sick. Jennifer, I forgot you were going to pick a Button's Up project. So, I failed.
Goal: Keep putting myself out there- e-mail at least 4 more people. Create list of accomplishments at work for yearly evaluation, and create list of things I would like to accomplish.
I didn't put myself out there. But I spent a lot of time thinking about what I want to try and do- and how to do it. I DID write a list of accomplishments, went to my yearly evaluation, and got a raise. I also wrote a list of what I would like to accomplish. Success!
Goal for October: Work on my "Life List" - and Blog on my Awkward/Awesome blog at least twice. Do Button's Up Craft (Yeah, I couldn't tell if that fits under debt or this.)
I spent a lot of time thinking about my Life List- and it was fun. I didn't blog on Awk/Awe, but I started writing a list about topics I want to blog about. No Button's Up crafts.
Hm. I didn't do so bad.
November
Goal: De-Clutter
Send out the list of duplicates to my fellow Windies by Thanksgiving. Get the back bedroom back in order. Put yard sale stuff down in the storage.
Goal: Lose Weight
I started my "Lose 30 by my 30th birthday" challenge. That doesn't seem hard, but it is and it will be. I want to continue running, sign up for another race, and continue to track in MyfitnessPal. I'm back to wanting to focus on pounds. I'm tired of being uncomfortable with my body. If I lose 2.5 lbs a month, I'll be at my 30 lbs next year. But, I am still trying to figure out what my caloric needs are, so if I don't this month, I am not going to be mad. Apparently I also eat a lot of sugar. So, a SMART goal- run 3 times a week, log into MyFitnessPal.
Goal: Debt
Oh. I don't know. I need to think about some more SMART goals for this one. Can I make it my goal to come up with a goal? I'm going to put this one on the back burner.
Goal: Career
I want to put this on the back burner, too. I need to think of more SMART goals to make this more successful.
Goal: Adultiness
I want to blog again. I also want to spend a little more time with how I look at work. Sometimes I end up at work realizing I wore the same jeans the day before (ssh don't tell anyone)-- I think if I spent more time on how I look, I will feel less uncomfortable with my own body. I also think if I liked how I looked at work I may have a better attitude about my day. For November, write 3 blogs on Awkward and Awesome, and go through my closet- get rid of clothes I don't feel confident in. Keep the clothes that I feel good in.
I'll try my best!
Sunday, November 3, 2013
November!
Halloween has passed, the clock has fallen back, and it's time for me to check in on my October goals.
October Goals
1. Health/fitness: No Ben & Jerry's purchases in October. Successfully finish the KC Half Marathon - ideally as fast as (or faster than) my spring marathon.
Done, done, and done!
I'm happy to say I think we've broken the weekly Ben & Jerry's routine.
In regards to my half marathon, I was really happy with my finish. It wasn't a PR, but it was my second fastest (of four) half marathons- and faster than my spring race. This was also my first time doing this race so TECHNICALLY I can say it was a PR for this particular course.
2. Financial: No clothing/accessories/shoes purchases in October. Stay within Mint budget for food & dining.
Part one was a success. I did buy a Mizzou sweatshirt for Josh when we went to Homecoming last weekend, but that's a gift, right? That's how I categorized it on Mint since it wasn't for me. I consciously thought about this goal several times throughout the month. I almost broke down once towards the end of the month and bought a purse - but I resisted. Damn you, online shopping deals! (I will say that I also realized when November 1 rolled around that I could buy said purse. Which I did.)
I did not meet the second part of this goal, but I came close. I have a pretty generous budget in Mint for food & dining (includes groceries, fast food, restaurants, coffee shops, bars & alcohol, etc.). I went $34 over. I did go out of town two weekends for Mizzou games (once to Nashville and once to Columbia), which upped my dining spend. However, it probably evened out since I went to the grocery store a bit less.
3. Work: Positive attitude! Positive attitude! Positive attitude! Prepare for interviews but also stay engaged in my current role.
Huh. A lot can change in a month. I had been hoping last month that a change would happen on the job front, because it just felt like time to move on. In October the job I was interested in finally came open, it got posted, I "interviewed," (though the hiring manager had already decided), and my job offer was extended. Yay! I officially move Nov 18th.
Here's what I'm looking to accomplish in November.
1. Health/fitness: Go to yoga 4 times. Finish two races (Wilderness Run and GOTR 5k) and complete at least two 'long' runs (defined as 5+ miles).
2. Financial: Change savings allocation split among 401k/savings account to increase liquid savings in preparation for Christmas purchases and hopeful near future car purchase.
3. Work: Have a tidy transition to the new job. This means cleaning up old e-mails and the shared drive, sorting through old project files, leaving instructions/details on projects where necessary, wrapping up any loose ends, and reducing my cubicle stuff down to one box. (I will be sharing a cube when I move...so there won't be room for much in my new space.)
4. Other: It's NaNoWriMo month! Participating in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) is on my bucket list. While that's not going to happen this year, I'm going to incorporate the spirit into one of my goals for the month. I plan to write at least 20 out of 30 days this month. (Not all posts may necessarily be online.) It doesn't matter how LONG I write each day, it's the starting and getting the words down that matters.
October Goals
1. Health/fitness: No Ben & Jerry's purchases in October. Successfully finish the KC Half Marathon - ideally as fast as (or faster than) my spring marathon.
Done, done, and done!
I'm happy to say I think we've broken the weekly Ben & Jerry's routine.
In regards to my half marathon, I was really happy with my finish. It wasn't a PR, but it was my second fastest (of four) half marathons- and faster than my spring race. This was also my first time doing this race so TECHNICALLY I can say it was a PR for this particular course.
2. Financial: No clothing/accessories/shoes purchases in October. Stay within Mint budget for food & dining.
Part one was a success. I did buy a Mizzou sweatshirt for Josh when we went to Homecoming last weekend, but that's a gift, right? That's how I categorized it on Mint since it wasn't for me. I consciously thought about this goal several times throughout the month. I almost broke down once towards the end of the month and bought a purse - but I resisted. Damn you, online shopping deals! (I will say that I also realized when November 1 rolled around that I could buy said purse. Which I did.)
I did not meet the second part of this goal, but I came close. I have a pretty generous budget in Mint for food & dining (includes groceries, fast food, restaurants, coffee shops, bars & alcohol, etc.). I went $34 over. I did go out of town two weekends for Mizzou games (once to Nashville and once to Columbia), which upped my dining spend. However, it probably evened out since I went to the grocery store a bit less.
3. Work: Positive attitude! Positive attitude! Positive attitude! Prepare for interviews but also stay engaged in my current role.
Huh. A lot can change in a month. I had been hoping last month that a change would happen on the job front, because it just felt like time to move on. In October the job I was interested in finally came open, it got posted, I "interviewed," (though the hiring manager had already decided), and my job offer was extended. Yay! I officially move Nov 18th.
Here's what I'm looking to accomplish in November.
1. Health/fitness: Go to yoga 4 times. Finish two races (Wilderness Run and GOTR 5k) and complete at least two 'long' runs (defined as 5+ miles).
2. Financial: Change savings allocation split among 401k/savings account to increase liquid savings in preparation for Christmas purchases and hopeful near future car purchase.
3. Work: Have a tidy transition to the new job. This means cleaning up old e-mails and the shared drive, sorting through old project files, leaving instructions/details on projects where necessary, wrapping up any loose ends, and reducing my cubicle stuff down to one box. (I will be sharing a cube when I move...so there won't be room for much in my new space.)
4. Other: It's NaNoWriMo month! Participating in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) is on my bucket list. While that's not going to happen this year, I'm going to incorporate the spirit into one of my goals for the month. I plan to write at least 20 out of 30 days this month. (Not all posts may necessarily be online.) It doesn't matter how LONG I write each day, it's the starting and getting the words down that matters.
November! by Julie
Here we go again!
Fitness: In October, I ran 62.5 of the 78 goal miles and I strength trained only 3 of the 10 times I planned. I also signed up for my first solo race in a long time. For some perspective--during the last full week of my October training, I ran 20 miles with my longest run being 6 miles. Four weeks earlier, I only ran 10.5 miles for the week and my longest run was 3.5 miles. All in all, that's some good progress in the course of a month. Goals for November: 1. Run 97.5 (!) miles. 2. Get comfortable running in the dark. 3. Strength train 8 times.
Career: Well, October was a weird month. We had our first big event during the middle of the government shut-down and a state conference. Things got pretty annoying and discouraging. November Goals: 1.Get everyone focused on doing the workplan.
Finance: You know that old saying about if you want something done, do it yourself. Yeah, I should have had a garage sale ourselves. That goal is on hold until the spring. I also didn't do a good job setting a schedule for my side-gig, nor did the stay under-budget thing happen. However, I did accomplish something that I didn't set out to do at the beginning of the month: I cut my toll road costs in half. Every evening, I took the back roads home instead of getting on the toll road. Goals for November: Thanks to my toll road success, I'm going to focus on changing certain actions that will make an impact on the budget rather than "spending less." 1. Use it up. I'm going to focus on cooking stuff from the cupboards and freezer instead of purchasing new ingredients. 2. Get to work. Yep, devote more time to the side hustle. 3. Stay off the (toll) road.
Adultiness: Scarf is done! The knitting part is anyway. I forgot there is fringe so I have to finish that. I also finished my brother's birthday present in time and cleaned off my desk, which got moved downstairs because we have to do work in the room where it was. We finished our house project list but we still need to prioritize and sync them up. Goals for November: I'm kind of leaving this one blank for now because I started participating in this 4/40 challenge. The goals I set are:
Nutrition Use My Fitness Pal to track calories and have a deficit.
Fitness Follow planned workouts.
Self-care Write
Family For this I wrote down a list of 40 things to do and am trying to do half of them.
The end of the 4/40 challenge is Thanksgiving day so that is most of November. That's plenty to think about during November!
Fitness: In October, I ran 62.5 of the 78 goal miles and I strength trained only 3 of the 10 times I planned. I also signed up for my first solo race in a long time. For some perspective--during the last full week of my October training, I ran 20 miles with my longest run being 6 miles. Four weeks earlier, I only ran 10.5 miles for the week and my longest run was 3.5 miles. All in all, that's some good progress in the course of a month. Goals for November: 1. Run 97.5 (!) miles. 2. Get comfortable running in the dark. 3. Strength train 8 times.
Career: Well, October was a weird month. We had our first big event during the middle of the government shut-down and a state conference. Things got pretty annoying and discouraging. November Goals: 1.Get everyone focused on doing the workplan.
Finance: You know that old saying about if you want something done, do it yourself. Yeah, I should have had a garage sale ourselves. That goal is on hold until the spring. I also didn't do a good job setting a schedule for my side-gig, nor did the stay under-budget thing happen. However, I did accomplish something that I didn't set out to do at the beginning of the month: I cut my toll road costs in half. Every evening, I took the back roads home instead of getting on the toll road. Goals for November: Thanks to my toll road success, I'm going to focus on changing certain actions that will make an impact on the budget rather than "spending less." 1. Use it up. I'm going to focus on cooking stuff from the cupboards and freezer instead of purchasing new ingredients. 2. Get to work. Yep, devote more time to the side hustle. 3. Stay off the (toll) road.
Adultiness: Scarf is done! The knitting part is anyway. I forgot there is fringe so I have to finish that. I also finished my brother's birthday present in time and cleaned off my desk, which got moved downstairs because we have to do work in the room where it was. We finished our house project list but we still need to prioritize and sync them up. Goals for November: I'm kind of leaving this one blank for now because I started participating in this 4/40 challenge. The goals I set are:
Nutrition Use My Fitness Pal to track calories and have a deficit.
Fitness Follow planned workouts.
Self-care Write
Family For this I wrote down a list of 40 things to do and am trying to do half of them.
The end of the 4/40 challenge is Thanksgiving day so that is most of November. That's plenty to think about during November!
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Hi October! My favorite, favorite month!
How did I do for September? Eh.
Goal for September:Don't buy books at the conference, post duplicates on ebay
I did NOT buy any books at the conference. Yay. I posted a lot of duplicates on ebay, but sadly I only sold one book.
Goal for September: Start the training program Jennifer sent me on Monday the 9th. Stay away from crap food that I binged on all weekend on vacation! Go to yoga!
I started the training program, then took a break from it before October started (boo). I have stayed away from crap food. (I have?)
Goal for September: Keep the spending minimal- and keep trying to sell things on ebay to have some spending money!
Nope.
Goal for September: Write a list of what I'd like to accomplish. Pick one project to accomplish each month. Remember this feeling next time I get frustrated.
I got better- but didn't really do it.
Goal for September: Start a "bucket list" of things I would like to do sometime.
Didn't do it.
But it's October now! Fresh start.
Goal: De-clutter
Keep going through the collections, keep trying Ebay and Craigslist. Probably won't get too much done on it because October is a busy month!
Goal: Lose Weight
I am back on the training plan Jennifer gave me- I'm pretty slow at it all right now, but I am keeping up with it. I've shaved 3 minutes off my running time in the last week. Still have a lot of work to do. I signed up for Wilderness Run, so its training time!!!
Goal for October: Keep up with training plan, run Wilderness Run! Go to Yoga at least twice.
Goal: Debt
October is going to be hard. We are celebrating our anniversary this weekend, my friend Bethany is coming to visit, then Jeff and I are headed to St Louis, then its my birthday. I wouldn't call any of those activities "cheap." But- we've been better during the week so we can have more fun on the weekends. I'd like to look into other income things I can do-- Button's Up!
Goal for October: Limit eating out at restaurants during the week. Pack lunch at least 4 times a week. Jennifer is going to pick a Button's Up project for Julie and I from our Pinterest. We are going to make it.
Goal: Career
I have a feeling a lot of my positivity last time had a lot to do with going away with J to a conference. It was nice talking with some of my old professors there, and it was nice to have the reassurance that I don't necessarily need to figure out why I want to "move on" -- it is okay to want to accomplish more and have a new challenge. Will it be tomorrow? Probably not. Have I created a place for myself at work that makes me feel better? Yes. I'm taking on projects that I know I would like to learn for the future. At the October COA meeting I talked with J & J about putting myself out there in other fields, just to see if it is what I want. They challenged me to email someone I had spoken to. I DID IT. They explained they werent looking for anyone to help right now but they'd keep my email. I always read things like that to actually say "no thanks!" but I think I am just going to continue putting myself out there.
Goal: Keep putting myself out there- e-mail at least 4 more people. Create list of accomplishments at work for yearly evaluation, and create list of things I would like to accomplish.
Other Goal: Figure out what I want to do in life
Yeah, that really is vague. I don't know what else to call it.
Goal for October: Work on my "Life List" - and Blog on my Awkward/Awesome blog at least twice. Do Button's Up Craft (Yeah, I couldn't tell if that fits under debt or this.)
Goal for September:Don't buy books at the conference, post duplicates on ebay
I did NOT buy any books at the conference. Yay. I posted a lot of duplicates on ebay, but sadly I only sold one book.
Goal for September: Start the training program Jennifer sent me on Monday the 9th. Stay away from crap food that I binged on all weekend on vacation! Go to yoga!
I started the training program, then took a break from it before October started (boo). I have stayed away from crap food. (I have?)
Goal for September: Keep the spending minimal- and keep trying to sell things on ebay to have some spending money!
Nope.
Goal for September: Write a list of what I'd like to accomplish. Pick one project to accomplish each month. Remember this feeling next time I get frustrated.
I got better- but didn't really do it.
Goal for September: Start a "bucket list" of things I would like to do sometime.
Didn't do it.
But it's October now! Fresh start.
Goal: De-clutter
Keep going through the collections, keep trying Ebay and Craigslist. Probably won't get too much done on it because October is a busy month!
Goal: Lose Weight
I am back on the training plan Jennifer gave me- I'm pretty slow at it all right now, but I am keeping up with it. I've shaved 3 minutes off my running time in the last week. Still have a lot of work to do. I signed up for Wilderness Run, so its training time!!!
Goal for October: Keep up with training plan, run Wilderness Run! Go to Yoga at least twice.
Goal: Debt
October is going to be hard. We are celebrating our anniversary this weekend, my friend Bethany is coming to visit, then Jeff and I are headed to St Louis, then its my birthday. I wouldn't call any of those activities "cheap." But- we've been better during the week so we can have more fun on the weekends. I'd like to look into other income things I can do-- Button's Up!
Goal for October: Limit eating out at restaurants during the week. Pack lunch at least 4 times a week. Jennifer is going to pick a Button's Up project for Julie and I from our Pinterest. We are going to make it.
Goal: Career
I have a feeling a lot of my positivity last time had a lot to do with going away with J to a conference. It was nice talking with some of my old professors there, and it was nice to have the reassurance that I don't necessarily need to figure out why I want to "move on" -- it is okay to want to accomplish more and have a new challenge. Will it be tomorrow? Probably not. Have I created a place for myself at work that makes me feel better? Yes. I'm taking on projects that I know I would like to learn for the future. At the October COA meeting I talked with J & J about putting myself out there in other fields, just to see if it is what I want. They challenged me to email someone I had spoken to. I DID IT. They explained they werent looking for anyone to help right now but they'd keep my email. I always read things like that to actually say "no thanks!" but I think I am just going to continue putting myself out there.
Goal: Keep putting myself out there- e-mail at least 4 more people. Create list of accomplishments at work for yearly evaluation, and create list of things I would like to accomplish.
Other Goal: Figure out what I want to do in life
Yeah, that really is vague. I don't know what else to call it.
Goal for October: Work on my "Life List" - and Blog on my Awkward/Awesome blog at least twice. Do Button's Up Craft (Yeah, I couldn't tell if that fits under debt or this.)
Monday, September 30, 2013
October!
September Goals - Recap
1. Get to at least 4 yoga classes (health/fitness)
2. Write at least 5 blog posts (this one counts!) (adultiness)
Close but no cigar on #1; I went three times this month. This post gets me to my blogging goal!
Health:
Pros: Half marathon training is chugging along - got in my 10+ miler this past weekend and tapering a bit from here. The race is October 19th. After that it's the Wilderness Run in November!
Con: Training for a half marathon does not mean I can eat a carton of Ben & Jerry's whenever I feel like it.
Financial:
Josh and I were both looking at our spending in Mint yesterday. We spend a stupid amount of money on food - both on groceries and on restaurants. September seemed to be an especially awful month for both of us.
My Stitchfix this month was really good so I kept everything. The good thing about this is I got some fun new clothes, but as a result I ended up way over my usual spending in this area.
Work:
I've really been struggling here lately. My disengagement leads me to go out to lunch more often and take breaks to get coffee, etc. It's a bad cycle because then I spend more, too. Every little thing has been getting on my nerves - annoying co-workers, nitpicking from the boss. Things that shouldn't really bother me. I need to be more positive at work. In the meantime, I just found out today that a job I applied for is now moving forward and I am interviewing for it on Thursday.
October Goals
1. Health/fitness: No Ben & Jerry's purchases in October. Successfully finish the KC Half Marathon - ideally as fast as (or faster than) my spring marathon.
2. Financial: No clothing/accessories/shoes purchases in October. Stay within Mint budget for food & dining.
3. Work: Positive attitude! Positive attitude! Positive attitude! Prepare for interviews but also stay engaged in my current role.
1. Get to at least 4 yoga classes (health/fitness)
2. Write at least 5 blog posts (this one counts!) (adultiness)
Close but no cigar on #1; I went three times this month. This post gets me to my blogging goal!
Health:
Pros: Half marathon training is chugging along - got in my 10+ miler this past weekend and tapering a bit from here. The race is October 19th. After that it's the Wilderness Run in November!
Con: Training for a half marathon does not mean I can eat a carton of Ben & Jerry's whenever I feel like it.
Financial:
Josh and I were both looking at our spending in Mint yesterday. We spend a stupid amount of money on food - both on groceries and on restaurants. September seemed to be an especially awful month for both of us.
My Stitchfix this month was really good so I kept everything. The good thing about this is I got some fun new clothes, but as a result I ended up way over my usual spending in this area.
Work:
I've really been struggling here lately. My disengagement leads me to go out to lunch more often and take breaks to get coffee, etc. It's a bad cycle because then I spend more, too. Every little thing has been getting on my nerves - annoying co-workers, nitpicking from the boss. Things that shouldn't really bother me. I need to be more positive at work. In the meantime, I just found out today that a job I applied for is now moving forward and I am interviewing for it on Thursday.
October Goals
1. Health/fitness: No Ben & Jerry's purchases in October. Successfully finish the KC Half Marathon - ideally as fast as (or faster than) my spring marathon.
2. Financial: No clothing/accessories/shoes purchases in October. Stay within Mint budget for food & dining.
3. Work: Positive attitude! Positive attitude! Positive attitude! Prepare for interviews but also stay engaged in my current role.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
October! by Julie
Here are my goals and progress:
Fitness: I ran! Not all 37 miles, but I'm back at in and kind of in the swing of things. I ran 28.5 miles in September. My back/hip haven't bothered me much except for one bout where it kept me from running. I didn't do my exercises as faithfully as I could have, so I need to double-down on that for October. I even did ok with running while out of town--not super but ok. Goals for October: 1. Run 78 (!) miles. 2. Strength train 10 times.
Career: September was fairly successful as far as my work goals as well. Our workplan was approved and the process for its creation was praised by some higher-ups. I went to the Listening Session training and started to formulate a plan for implementing what I learned. October Goals: 1. Establish a process to track work against the workplan. 2. Stay at work an extra half-hour or hour every Friday to implement the tracking process.
Finance: Oof. The good: Tim did get some stuff on eBay, although not a lot of money came from that. I got a side-hustle doing some work for my awesome friend Liz. The bad: I have no idea how I did on my grocery and spending budgets and we didn't set a date for a garage sale (although we did discuss it). The ugly has been covered here. Goals for October: 1. Set a definite schedule for working on Liz's project. 2. Stay under-budget on everything. 3. Have a garage sale.
Adultiness: I forgot I had so much on this list. I brought a box of stuff home from Mom and Dad's and sidetracked myself with some old projects. I did a lot of work on Tim's Dr. Who scarf. I have less than 200 rows left. I finished reading at least two magazines and got them out of the house. And that's about it. Goals for October: 1. Finish Tim's scarf. 2. Make my brother's birthday present. 3. Fix khaki pants. 4. Clear off my desk. 5. Make dermatologist appointment for my annual skin cancer check. 6. Sort CDs. 7. Finish 2 pages of vacation photo album. 8. Make list of house projects.
Saturday, September 7, 2013
September Week 1 Progress Report
Fitness: I've run six miles of my 37 for September. Here's the boring deets, if you're into that kind of thing. It will be a busy week at work so I'll have to make sure I get my runs done in the AM. I won't feel like doing it at home. Also, I'm adding another run in during the week. I'm basically pre-training to get myself in shape to jump into a training plan. (Hal Higdon is usually my go-to for race training.) I didn't get all my strength training last week so I need to make sure I do that this week.
Career: I worked so hard on a draft of the workplan this week. At one point I had to escape for a latte and a cookie (I almost never do that.) and at another point I texted "Ack, ack, ack" to Tim. It drove me crazy but I'm really happy with where it is at. I emailed it off to my Advisory Committee yesterday. We'll have a conference call next week to set priorities and then I'll have less than a day to finalize some of the budget numbers and take it to the Board for their approval. Then I'll FINALLY have a workplan done before the end of the federal fiscal year!! Also just one more week until conference!
Finance: I got a part-time job. Technically, I'm an intern and Liz is my boss. I'm pretty stoked about being able to help her with some museum education projects and to have a real good reason to try to understand Common Core. I'm also stoked that it is a paid gig! Thanks, Liz! The number two thing that is happening is that we're contemplating having some comics graded. Tim got the comics free and went through them to see if they were worth anything. Some of them are, if they're graded, but it's tricky to try to figure out if the cost of grading will be worth it. It might be a big upfront investment for an uncertain return. If people aren't buying comics, we could be sitting on some pieces of paper that we paid to find out are "worth" a lot of money.
Adultiness:
Career: I worked so hard on a draft of the workplan this week. At one point I had to escape for a latte and a cookie (I almost never do that.) and at another point I texted "Ack, ack, ack" to Tim. It drove me crazy but I'm really happy with where it is at. I emailed it off to my Advisory Committee yesterday. We'll have a conference call next week to set priorities and then I'll have less than a day to finalize some of the budget numbers and take it to the Board for their approval. Then I'll FINALLY have a workplan done before the end of the federal fiscal year!! Also just one more week until conference!
Finance: I got a part-time job. Technically, I'm an intern and Liz is my boss. I'm pretty stoked about being able to help her with some museum education projects and to have a real good reason to try to understand Common Core. I'm also stoked that it is a paid gig! Thanks, Liz! The number two thing that is happening is that we're contemplating having some comics graded. Tim got the comics free and went through them to see if they were worth anything. Some of them are, if they're graded, but it's tricky to try to figure out if the cost of grading will be worth it. It might be a big upfront investment for an uncertain return. If people aren't buying comics, we could be sitting on some pieces of paper that we paid to find out are "worth" a lot of money.
Adultiness:
- I took some magazine clutter to the Lake with me and I actually read them! I put those magazines down in our garage sale stash and pulled out two more to take to Mom & Dad's with me this weekend.
- I knitted some on my scarf this week but not enough to hit the goal. I'm taking it to Mom & Dad's this weekend as well so I can get some more of it done.
- And that's about it. I actually kind of forgot that I had more adultiness goals for the month. I'm going to put them in my phone to remind myself to do them.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Hi, September!
August Goals - Recap
Pretty satisfied with how I did against these:
1. At least 10 min of exercise/meditation per day (health/fitness) > I achieved this 25 out of 31 days.
2. Post a photo a day as a part of The August Break on my Tumblr > I posted pictures 28 of 31 days in August.
3. Read at least 3 of the old Harvard Business Review magazines that are sitting around my cubicle (adultiness) > Done! Felt like a weight off my back.
Health:
Pros: I signed up for the Kansas City Half Marathon and training is going well so far. Looks like the COA girls are planning to do the Wilderness Run in November, too. It will be fun! Con: All the running leaves less time for yoga, which I also enjoy a lot.
Financial:
I've been pondering the idea of getting a new (or new to me) car. It's not urgent; my car is still a rock star. But I'd like to get something a little more convenient. When my mom visits we have to drive her car everywhere because both Josh and I have small two door cars. However, I hate the idea of having a monthly car payment again. I'd like to save up a bit so I have some down payment (my car won't be much of a trade-in) in hopes of maybe getting something next year.
Work:
I've been cranky at work again. Yesterday I had my annual review which reaffirmed that my manager is happy with my performance and that I'm doing things that she thinks add value. I need to focus on the positives (I basically can make my job my own) and spend less time worrying about things that aren't important. I was honest with my manager yesterday and said that there are many pluses to this job and I'm not actively looking for something else, but that if the right opportunity came along I would certainly consider it. She seemed to find that to be a perfectly acceptable response - so I feel more comfortable knowing the door is open for other possibilities.
September Goals
1. Get to at least 4 yoga classes (health/fitness)
2. Write at least 5 blog posts (this one counts!) (adultiness)
2. Post a photo a day as a part of The August Break on my Tumblr > I posted pictures 28 of 31 days in August.
3. Read at least 3 of the old Harvard Business Review magazines that are sitting around my cubicle (adultiness) > Done! Felt like a weight off my back.
Health:
Pros: I signed up for the Kansas City Half Marathon and training is going well so far. Looks like the COA girls are planning to do the Wilderness Run in November, too. It will be fun! Con: All the running leaves less time for yoga, which I also enjoy a lot.
Financial:
I've been pondering the idea of getting a new (or new to me) car. It's not urgent; my car is still a rock star. But I'd like to get something a little more convenient. When my mom visits we have to drive her car everywhere because both Josh and I have small two door cars. However, I hate the idea of having a monthly car payment again. I'd like to save up a bit so I have some down payment (my car won't be much of a trade-in) in hopes of maybe getting something next year.
Work:
I've been cranky at work again. Yesterday I had my annual review which reaffirmed that my manager is happy with my performance and that I'm doing things that she thinks add value. I need to focus on the positives (I basically can make my job my own) and spend less time worrying about things that aren't important. I was honest with my manager yesterday and said that there are many pluses to this job and I'm not actively looking for something else, but that if the right opportunity came along I would certainly consider it. She seemed to find that to be a perfectly acceptable response - so I feel more comfortable knowing the door is open for other possibilities.
September Goals
1. Get to at least 4 yoga classes (health/fitness)
2. Write at least 5 blog posts (this one counts!) (adultiness)
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Like a new school year...
I'm going into September like I would a new school year. Not like college or anything, but elementary school and middle school-- when each year was going to be completely different- and my mind was always really excited for everything I would learn-- I had relaxed all summer and felt refreshed walking into the new year. I'm going into the COA this month the same way. It's not any kind of "new year" for me, but I'm going to make it that. The late August COA meeting REALLY helped me. Good food, good friends, and good honest conversations. I sometimes feel like I can talk in circles and never get to a place of "resolution" about anything. But- these several months we've been meeting I feel like I have reached different places with my goals, and I do feel like there are people who are holding me accountable!
Goal: De-Clutter
I've been posting things on Craigslist non-stop on the Saturdays that Jeff has been working at weddings. It makes me feel better about watching hours of bad television, annnnd I get something done. I finally sold a violin I had, but I think ebay might be my best bet. I went through my whole GWTW collection and found all the duplicates, and now I am cataloging. I feel pretty good about my de-cluttering. We haven't added to the clutter, and Julie will make sure I don't buy any un-necessary books at the conference, or postcards for that matter (I just found a bunch of postcards I bought at the last conference in my laptop bag, certainly made good use of them!)
Goal for September:Don't buy books at the conference, post duplicates on ebay
Goal: Lose Weight
Eh, I am putting this goal on hold. I have reached a good place with my mental health- and I would like to maintain that and focus more on making me "healthy" in all aspects. Yes, this includes physical- but I seem to bring myself down more when I focus on my weight. Jeff and I cook together and enjoy restaurants together, and being still in the newly married stage, I am not wanting to give that up (right now). There will certainly be a time where weight is my biggest focus- but not right now. But, in this "healthy me" focus- I am going to run and be physical. Jennifer said she is going to make me a plan. Now that I just read that Julie may be bringing her running shoes to the conference we are both attending, uh-oh! I don't know how I will feel if Julie goes running and I sit in the hotel room watching the Today show. Maybe I'll have to go for a walk or something.
Goal for September: Start the training program Jennifer sent me on Monday the 9th. Stay away from crap food that I binged on all weekend on vacation! Go to yoga!
Goal: Debt
We have been doing very good with our budget. We have about one more month of large medical bills, then we are back to putting money away in savings, etc. Of course, I think life will always throw unexpected costs our way. But- between these unexpected costs we will continue to try and save. Our vacation really didn't cost much, which is good. But- October is packed with lots of fun things we have planned- so we better start saving!!! I successfully sold something on craigslist, so I let myself buy some shoes that I needed.
Goal for September: Keep the spending minimal- and keep trying to sell things on ebay to have some spending money!
Goal: Career
I've been on a roller coaster with my job. I went weeks with feeling stagnant and wanting more, and then it changes. There have been a lot of changes at my job in the last few weeks-- lots of changes that I think are going to be very good. I'm actually very excited right now about a lot- and want to keep this mindset. After talking soo many times with the COA- I feel like I finally got to a good place with me thinking about my career. I'm ready to be productive and successful! I'm going to be happy where I am at - make the absolute best of it so when my next step in life makes itself present, I'm ready!
Goal for September: Write a list of what I'd like to accomplish. Pick one project to accomplish each month. Remember this feeling next time I get frustrated.
New Goal?
I want to spend time figuring out what I want to do with my time, less focusing on what I don't want.
Goal for September: Start a "bucket list" of things I would like to do sometime.
Goal: De-Clutter
I've been posting things on Craigslist non-stop on the Saturdays that Jeff has been working at weddings. It makes me feel better about watching hours of bad television, annnnd I get something done. I finally sold a violin I had, but I think ebay might be my best bet. I went through my whole GWTW collection and found all the duplicates, and now I am cataloging. I feel pretty good about my de-cluttering. We haven't added to the clutter, and Julie will make sure I don't buy any un-necessary books at the conference, or postcards for that matter (I just found a bunch of postcards I bought at the last conference in my laptop bag, certainly made good use of them!)
Goal for September:Don't buy books at the conference, post duplicates on ebay
Goal: Lose Weight
Eh, I am putting this goal on hold. I have reached a good place with my mental health- and I would like to maintain that and focus more on making me "healthy" in all aspects. Yes, this includes physical- but I seem to bring myself down more when I focus on my weight. Jeff and I cook together and enjoy restaurants together, and being still in the newly married stage, I am not wanting to give that up (right now). There will certainly be a time where weight is my biggest focus- but not right now. But, in this "healthy me" focus- I am going to run and be physical. Jennifer said she is going to make me a plan. Now that I just read that Julie may be bringing her running shoes to the conference we are both attending, uh-oh! I don't know how I will feel if Julie goes running and I sit in the hotel room watching the Today show. Maybe I'll have to go for a walk or something.
Goal for September: Start the training program Jennifer sent me on Monday the 9th. Stay away from crap food that I binged on all weekend on vacation! Go to yoga!
Goal: Debt
We have been doing very good with our budget. We have about one more month of large medical bills, then we are back to putting money away in savings, etc. Of course, I think life will always throw unexpected costs our way. But- between these unexpected costs we will continue to try and save. Our vacation really didn't cost much, which is good. But- October is packed with lots of fun things we have planned- so we better start saving!!! I successfully sold something on craigslist, so I let myself buy some shoes that I needed.
Goal for September: Keep the spending minimal- and keep trying to sell things on ebay to have some spending money!
Goal: Career
I've been on a roller coaster with my job. I went weeks with feeling stagnant and wanting more, and then it changes. There have been a lot of changes at my job in the last few weeks-- lots of changes that I think are going to be very good. I'm actually very excited right now about a lot- and want to keep this mindset. After talking soo many times with the COA- I feel like I finally got to a good place with me thinking about my career. I'm ready to be productive and successful! I'm going to be happy where I am at - make the absolute best of it so when my next step in life makes itself present, I'm ready!
Goal for September: Write a list of what I'd like to accomplish. Pick one project to accomplish each month. Remember this feeling next time I get frustrated.
New Goal?
I want to spend time figuring out what I want to do with my time, less focusing on what I don't want.
Goal for September: Start a "bucket list" of things I would like to do sometime.
Friday, August 30, 2013
September! by Julie
Thanks, ladies, for a good, delicious, inspiring, wine-y meeting of the COA last night. It was a great way to start September (a little early).
Here are my goals:
Fitness: I've finally started running again. This week is my first week back and I aimed for a modest 6 miles with enough scheduled strength sessions not to neglect my sometimes aching back. Goal for September: If I can get in all my planned runs, I should complete 37 miles in September. By the end of September, if all goes well, I'll sign up for one of my favorite fall races, the Wilderness Run, a five-mile trail run that happens the weekend nearest Halloween. Potential stumbling blocks: 1. My back/hip problems. I'm going to try to do enough strength training/therapy/stretching to keep these issues in check. 2. Travel. I'll be gone for about a week in September for a conference. I love running in new cities as a way to explore so I'll just pack my shoes and gear and plan a route to discover something new.
Career: September means conference and workplan. Goals: 1. Learn how to do my job better at conference--especially through a special session on Listening Sessions I signed up for. 2. Have some Very Important Conversations at conference (that's a joke for Liz). 3. Create a realistic, manageable workplan that includes areas for growth for my organizations, myself, my employee(s), and a concrete work product that my boss will be responsible for. Potentially stumbling blocks: My boss is a big stumbling block for me. Good thing I have co-workers who are on the same page as me.
Finance: This summer was pretty killer for our finances. We had to have Tim's transmission rebuilt, we went on vacation, and I had several doctor bills from my back/hip problems. August is particularly stressful with tuition and car insurance due. August is also when the additional costs of gymnastics begin to roll in with mandatory team leotards and optional warm-ups and meet fees starting for the fall season. Goals for September: 1. Help Tim get stuff on eBay. 2. Explore potential consulting work. 3. Stay below my grocery and spending money budgets. 4. Set a date for a garage sale. Potential stumbling blocks: Unexpected expenses. We always have them! This is one reason that I'm looking to expand our money coming in.
Adultiness: I've been working on my 101 in 1001 list this summer. It's helped me to feel like I'm accomplishing something when I start feeling down-in-the-dumps. Here is my list for September. I know I won't get it all done, but it will give me some options to work on when I'm bored or don't know what to do. Goals for September: 1. Knit 125 rows of Tim's Dr. Who scarf. 2. Fix my khaki pants. 3. Declutter magazines and CDs. 3. Make dermatologist appointment for my annual skin cancer check. 4. Read a book of the Bible. 5. Finish 4 more pages of our vacation photo album. 6. Clear off my desk. 7. Make our list of house projects and a plan for their completion. 8. Read The Year of Magical Thinking. Potential stumbling blocks: Being gone for conference will get me a little out of the habit but I can ease back into "getting stuff done" by doing some of the more "fun" stuff on the list.
Here are my goals:
Fitness: I've finally started running again. This week is my first week back and I aimed for a modest 6 miles with enough scheduled strength sessions not to neglect my sometimes aching back. Goal for September: If I can get in all my planned runs, I should complete 37 miles in September. By the end of September, if all goes well, I'll sign up for one of my favorite fall races, the Wilderness Run, a five-mile trail run that happens the weekend nearest Halloween. Potential stumbling blocks: 1. My back/hip problems. I'm going to try to do enough strength training/therapy/stretching to keep these issues in check. 2. Travel. I'll be gone for about a week in September for a conference. I love running in new cities as a way to explore so I'll just pack my shoes and gear and plan a route to discover something new.
Career: September means conference and workplan. Goals: 1. Learn how to do my job better at conference--especially through a special session on Listening Sessions I signed up for. 2. Have some Very Important Conversations at conference (that's a joke for Liz). 3. Create a realistic, manageable workplan that includes areas for growth for my organizations, myself, my employee(s), and a concrete work product that my boss will be responsible for. Potentially stumbling blocks: My boss is a big stumbling block for me. Good thing I have co-workers who are on the same page as me.
Finance: This summer was pretty killer for our finances. We had to have Tim's transmission rebuilt, we went on vacation, and I had several doctor bills from my back/hip problems. August is particularly stressful with tuition and car insurance due. August is also when the additional costs of gymnastics begin to roll in with mandatory team leotards and optional warm-ups and meet fees starting for the fall season. Goals for September: 1. Help Tim get stuff on eBay. 2. Explore potential consulting work. 3. Stay below my grocery and spending money budgets. 4. Set a date for a garage sale. Potential stumbling blocks: Unexpected expenses. We always have them! This is one reason that I'm looking to expand our money coming in.
Adultiness: I've been working on my 101 in 1001 list this summer. It's helped me to feel like I'm accomplishing something when I start feeling down-in-the-dumps. Here is my list for September. I know I won't get it all done, but it will give me some options to work on when I'm bored or don't know what to do. Goals for September: 1. Knit 125 rows of Tim's Dr. Who scarf. 2. Fix my khaki pants. 3. Declutter magazines and CDs. 3. Make dermatologist appointment for my annual skin cancer check. 4. Read a book of the Bible. 5. Finish 4 more pages of our vacation photo album. 6. Clear off my desk. 7. Make our list of house projects and a plan for their completion. 8. Read The Year of Magical Thinking. Potential stumbling blocks: Being gone for conference will get me a little out of the habit but I can ease back into "getting stuff done" by doing some of the more "fun" stuff on the list.
Monday, August 5, 2013
Jen's Progress Report: Aug 5th
Long time, no post. I've been on sabbatical, then came back, then got depressed to be back, then felt kind of crappy for a week, then last week felt really good and had a lot going on. So here I am finally posting as a way to avoid Monday morning at work.
Health:
I think my right to buy pints of Ben & Jerry's needs to be revoked. Also, common sense dictates that if I were to stop eating crap (ahem, such as large quantities of Ben & Jerry's) my stomach would stop hating me. For a sorta smart person, sometimes I'm really, really dumb.
On the plus side, I think I'm going to do the Kansas City Half Marathon in October. I started a light week 1 training last week.
Financial:
I went on sabbatical. I bought a Turkish rug. Kelly and I bought a case of Italian wine to share. This was all probably as expensive as it sounds. As I mentioned before, I had been saving for this trip, so I had the money. I just hate spending it. My goal now is to build the savings back up a bit before the end of the year.
Work:
Somewhere between my last post and this one I stopped looking for a different job and resigned myself to stay put for a while. Then with the sabbatical I came back to work pretty fresh. I've got a few projects going on now, so I'm keeping busy.
Adultiness:
I can't think of a single thing here. I spent the day yesterday mostly on the couch being as lazy as possible and eating crap.
August Goals
1. At least 10 min of exercise/meditation per day (health/fitness)
2. Post a photo a day as a part of The August Break on my Tumblr
3. Read at least 3 of the old Harvard Business Review magazines that are sitting around my cubicle (adultiness)
Health:
I think my right to buy pints of Ben & Jerry's needs to be revoked. Also, common sense dictates that if I were to stop eating crap (ahem, such as large quantities of Ben & Jerry's) my stomach would stop hating me. For a sorta smart person, sometimes I'm really, really dumb.
On the plus side, I think I'm going to do the Kansas City Half Marathon in October. I started a light week 1 training last week.
Financial:
I went on sabbatical. I bought a Turkish rug. Kelly and I bought a case of Italian wine to share. This was all probably as expensive as it sounds. As I mentioned before, I had been saving for this trip, so I had the money. I just hate spending it. My goal now is to build the savings back up a bit before the end of the year.
Work:
Somewhere between my last post and this one I stopped looking for a different job and resigned myself to stay put for a while. Then with the sabbatical I came back to work pretty fresh. I've got a few projects going on now, so I'm keeping busy.
Adultiness:
I can't think of a single thing here. I spent the day yesterday mostly on the couch being as lazy as possible and eating crap.
August Goals
1. At least 10 min of exercise/meditation per day (health/fitness)
2. Post a photo a day as a part of The August Break on my Tumblr
3. Read at least 3 of the old Harvard Business Review magazines that are sitting around my cubicle (adultiness)
Monday, June 17, 2013
Liz's Progress Report 4
Goal: De-clutter
I've worked on de-cluttering my lifestyle, if that makes sense. I have really focused on only keeping what I really want, and not adding to clutter. I haven't gotten rid of a darn thing in weeks, but that is okay. We are using this move as a good reason to declutter, especially because we just picked up several huge boxes of Jeff's stuff from his sisters house that has been collecting dust since he moved in (back in 2010). When we move to the new place, we will go through and select what we want, and what we don't need. Example- I opened one box and saw a pastry brush- it was much cooler than the brush I have, so I know for certain we will get rid of that.
We also got some free furniture from Jeff's sister-- including a beautiful shelf I have to repaint, but it will display my GWTW collection (well, a small fraction of it). This saved money since we didn't have to buy a nice piece of furniture, and I can actually make use of the collection I am keeping. I can't possibly part with this collection, so I might as well display it and enjoy it.
Goal: Lose Weight
Stress eating is the worst.
I left my sneakers in my car, and the car was at the garage for 3 days last week. So I didn't run.
I quit my gym because it wasn't making me happy anymore, and it was annoying me that it cost $35 a month.
So, I failed.
I did stop a medication that is proven to cause weight gain...so.....we can see what happens?
I also have been scheduling myself out on the grounds a lot. I'm hoping that wearing a lot of clothes in the heat can just help me sweat the pounds off.....
Goal for next week: Stop eating ice cream so much. Drink more water. Keep being outside.
Goal: Debt
My husband and I have been doing soo good planning our budget and really figuring out how much we have to spend- and then we got a little ahead of ourselves (and excited about the move) that we started planning all these big purchases (when I say "big" I mean a couple hundred for this, and possibly a couple hundred for something else- all in all it was way more money than we should have even thought about). We didn't actually get anything- so that is good. We came to our senses and realized we have more than we need in our lives- and we don't need any of that stuff we were looking at. My husband got mad at me when I got home because I had been looking up the furniture we wanted on craigslist. Sure, its cheaper, but its still money!!!
We came home and reevaluated our budget - and *gasp* we actually transferred money to our savings account. We have a plan that could really put us in a better place in as little as 4-5 months. We just can't get carried away.
Also this week BOTH our cars needed taken in to the shop. Not fun. But, now we have two working cars.
Goal: Career
I am happy to have a job that lets me be creative. I am also happy to have a job that I can be outside all day and work with little kids. I am excited for the next few weeks of working outside and doing programming. If I take things day by day, or week by week, it is much easier for me to figure out.
My personality doesn't really think like that, though. So, I'm just going to have to work on it. I am also excited to meet with J about our conference this fall. I actually was brainstorming my presentation yesterday and *gasp* got excited.
I told the COA last week that I was worried I lost my passion for this- but I have moments where I get excited about an idea, or when I get a kiss on the cheek from a senior citizen visitor who told me I should be very proud of myself-- that I realize I still have the passion.
I've worked on de-cluttering my lifestyle, if that makes sense. I have really focused on only keeping what I really want, and not adding to clutter. I haven't gotten rid of a darn thing in weeks, but that is okay. We are using this move as a good reason to declutter, especially because we just picked up several huge boxes of Jeff's stuff from his sisters house that has been collecting dust since he moved in (back in 2010). When we move to the new place, we will go through and select what we want, and what we don't need. Example- I opened one box and saw a pastry brush- it was much cooler than the brush I have, so I know for certain we will get rid of that.
We also got some free furniture from Jeff's sister-- including a beautiful shelf I have to repaint, but it will display my GWTW collection (well, a small fraction of it). This saved money since we didn't have to buy a nice piece of furniture, and I can actually make use of the collection I am keeping. I can't possibly part with this collection, so I might as well display it and enjoy it.
Goal: Lose Weight
Stress eating is the worst.
I left my sneakers in my car, and the car was at the garage for 3 days last week. So I didn't run.
I quit my gym because it wasn't making me happy anymore, and it was annoying me that it cost $35 a month.
So, I failed.
I did stop a medication that is proven to cause weight gain...so.....we can see what happens?
I also have been scheduling myself out on the grounds a lot. I'm hoping that wearing a lot of clothes in the heat can just help me sweat the pounds off.....
Goal for next week: Stop eating ice cream so much. Drink more water. Keep being outside.
Goal: Debt
My husband and I have been doing soo good planning our budget and really figuring out how much we have to spend- and then we got a little ahead of ourselves (and excited about the move) that we started planning all these big purchases (when I say "big" I mean a couple hundred for this, and possibly a couple hundred for something else- all in all it was way more money than we should have even thought about). We didn't actually get anything- so that is good. We came to our senses and realized we have more than we need in our lives- and we don't need any of that stuff we were looking at. My husband got mad at me when I got home because I had been looking up the furniture we wanted on craigslist. Sure, its cheaper, but its still money!!!
We came home and reevaluated our budget - and *gasp* we actually transferred money to our savings account. We have a plan that could really put us in a better place in as little as 4-5 months. We just can't get carried away.
Also this week BOTH our cars needed taken in to the shop. Not fun. But, now we have two working cars.
Goal: Career
I am happy to have a job that lets me be creative. I am also happy to have a job that I can be outside all day and work with little kids. I am excited for the next few weeks of working outside and doing programming. If I take things day by day, or week by week, it is much easier for me to figure out.
My personality doesn't really think like that, though. So, I'm just going to have to work on it. I am also excited to meet with J about our conference this fall. I actually was brainstorming my presentation yesterday and *gasp* got excited.
I told the COA last week that I was worried I lost my passion for this- but I have moments where I get excited about an idea, or when I get a kiss on the cheek from a senior citizen visitor who told me I should be very proud of myself-- that I realize I still have the passion.
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Julie's Progress Report IV
Subtitle: The Flesh is Weak
One quick programming note: I think we all skipped the fourth week of progress reporting. We had our Second Sunday meeting on Monday and didn't use the blog to report out. Here's a recap. For 2/3 of us, our jobs are getting us down. The other 1/3 is off to a short sabbatical but completely understands our work woes. Other strategies were plotted and progress (or lack thereof) was reported. Wine was drunk.
Now, back to me.
Fitness: I had a short business trip to Omaha last week. I had a few goals for the week and fell short in almost all of them. I intended to go for a couple of runs while in Omaha. Downtown Omaha is a great place for a run, I imagine. Great architecture, open spaces, proximity to water: all the things I like on a jog. My back was even feeling pretty good. However, I forgot to pack one necessary piece of running gear--my sports bra. I don't need a sports bra because I'm well endowed...I even contemplated running in my regular bra. But then I remembered that I didn't have any other bra and I stink after a run. I nixed the idea because I didn't want to have to smell my bra or feel self conscious about others thinking that I smelled.
I got home, slept a few nights in my own bed, mowed the yard and my back feels terrible. I can't even imagine trying to go for a run in this state. I have to go get checked out, realigned, therapy, whatever the doctor orders. Until I have a go-ahead for more running, I'm putting that goal on hold. I'd rather be able to run/hike as a sixty year old than to accomplish a goal with an arbitrary deadline. So my fitness goal is now to focus on my back. I haven't given up on my marathon goal completely, but I will shelve it if necessary.
Career: While I didn't have any real career goals coming into this week, I think my business trip helped me to begin to conceptualize a new path for me, within my current organization. Over the summer, I'm going to move offices and look at restructuring my job description (I am responsible for writing my own job description and those of everyone but the Executive Director.), shifting some duties to the other staffer, creating some project-based internships, and writing a job description for a new position. While I feel somewhat stressed about having to shift my mindset about what I do in the office, I also feel energized by the potential for creating growth in my position.
Finance: Oh, Lordy. These past two weeks have represented the accumulation of one big-ticket expense after the other. Here they are in no particular order. I've probably missed one or two:
1) Refinancing the house. I thought we settled on a solution. Then I thought we settled on a different solution. Then my father-in-law (whose name is on the mortgage--long story) found out that his heart is only working at 40% or 50% of what it should be. Therefore he has other priorities right now that don't include refinancing. (Understandably. And yes, we are more concerned about his health than refinancing, too. But also, this refinancing question has been dragging on for about three years. It's hard not to feel stuck and powerless.)
2) Truck transmissions. About a week and a half ago, Tim's truck transmission gave up or something. He can drive forward, but not in reverse. His truck is currently at our mechanic's and we are waiting for the verdict. (Actually, he's waiting to find out what is wrong. I'm waiting to find out how much this is going to cost us.)
3) Foundation cracks. Last year we had a record drought. Tim spent part of the summer watering the foundation to try to prevent cracks. I didn't even know this was a thing and, unfortunately, his effort didn't pay off. We have two very long cracks in our foundation that will need fixing sooner rather than later. We think we can do most of the work ourselves, so it may not cost too much. But it will likely mean delaying other necessary repairs. I'm beginning to wonder why This Old House doesn't have an expletive in the title.
When faced with these big ticket items, pinching pennies is that much more difficult. Seriously, there have been studies done that back me up on this. I can't find them now, but they appear every year around Black Friday.
Adultiness: I finished my list of 101 things to do in 1001 days. It includes things that are in some of the other categories here. After I finished my list, I added due dates and pulled out a list of things to do in 2013. Then I pulled out a list of things to do in June, some of which are portions of larger goals. They are featured below. Some of the things on it might not make much sense. Maybe I'll describe them when I accomplish them. Maybe I won't mention them again. Maybe I'll write about them on my other blog. I've already figured out that some of them will have to be altered because they are no longer feasible. (I'm looking at you "Run 50 miles.")
Run 50 miles Knit 20 rows
Fix striped shirt Make bread
Finish Night Circus Get out French CDs and start listening to them
Save $ for bbq grill Use reusable shopping bags
Set up Tim's blog Select pictures for vacation scrapbook
Sort box of CDs Kahlo exhibit
Have a picnic Clear space in front of filing cabinet
Mother's day Save $ to paint house
Make landscaping plan Read/get rid of 2 magazines
Save $ emergency fund Read book of Old Testament
Make a list of mantras
One quick programming note: I think we all skipped the fourth week of progress reporting. We had our Second Sunday meeting on Monday and didn't use the blog to report out. Here's a recap. For 2/3 of us, our jobs are getting us down. The other 1/3 is off to a short sabbatical but completely understands our work woes. Other strategies were plotted and progress (or lack thereof) was reported. Wine was drunk.
Now, back to me.
Fitness: I had a short business trip to Omaha last week. I had a few goals for the week and fell short in almost all of them. I intended to go for a couple of runs while in Omaha. Downtown Omaha is a great place for a run, I imagine. Great architecture, open spaces, proximity to water: all the things I like on a jog. My back was even feeling pretty good. However, I forgot to pack one necessary piece of running gear--my sports bra. I don't need a sports bra because I'm well endowed...I even contemplated running in my regular bra. But then I remembered that I didn't have any other bra and I stink after a run. I nixed the idea because I didn't want to have to smell my bra or feel self conscious about others thinking that I smelled.
I got home, slept a few nights in my own bed, mowed the yard and my back feels terrible. I can't even imagine trying to go for a run in this state. I have to go get checked out, realigned, therapy, whatever the doctor orders. Until I have a go-ahead for more running, I'm putting that goal on hold. I'd rather be able to run/hike as a sixty year old than to accomplish a goal with an arbitrary deadline. So my fitness goal is now to focus on my back. I haven't given up on my marathon goal completely, but I will shelve it if necessary.
Career: While I didn't have any real career goals coming into this week, I think my business trip helped me to begin to conceptualize a new path for me, within my current organization. Over the summer, I'm going to move offices and look at restructuring my job description (I am responsible for writing my own job description and those of everyone but the Executive Director.), shifting some duties to the other staffer, creating some project-based internships, and writing a job description for a new position. While I feel somewhat stressed about having to shift my mindset about what I do in the office, I also feel energized by the potential for creating growth in my position.
Finance: Oh, Lordy. These past two weeks have represented the accumulation of one big-ticket expense after the other. Here they are in no particular order. I've probably missed one or two:
1) Refinancing the house. I thought we settled on a solution. Then I thought we settled on a different solution. Then my father-in-law (whose name is on the mortgage--long story) found out that his heart is only working at 40% or 50% of what it should be. Therefore he has other priorities right now that don't include refinancing. (Understandably. And yes, we are more concerned about his health than refinancing, too. But also, this refinancing question has been dragging on for about three years. It's hard not to feel stuck and powerless.)
2) Truck transmissions. About a week and a half ago, Tim's truck transmission gave up or something. He can drive forward, but not in reverse. His truck is currently at our mechanic's and we are waiting for the verdict. (Actually, he's waiting to find out what is wrong. I'm waiting to find out how much this is going to cost us.)
3) Foundation cracks. Last year we had a record drought. Tim spent part of the summer watering the foundation to try to prevent cracks. I didn't even know this was a thing and, unfortunately, his effort didn't pay off. We have two very long cracks in our foundation that will need fixing sooner rather than later. We think we can do most of the work ourselves, so it may not cost too much. But it will likely mean delaying other necessary repairs. I'm beginning to wonder why This Old House doesn't have an expletive in the title.
When faced with these big ticket items, pinching pennies is that much more difficult. Seriously, there have been studies done that back me up on this. I can't find them now, but they appear every year around Black Friday.
Adultiness: I finished my list of 101 things to do in 1001 days. It includes things that are in some of the other categories here. After I finished my list, I added due dates and pulled out a list of things to do in 2013. Then I pulled out a list of things to do in June, some of which are portions of larger goals. They are featured below. Some of the things on it might not make much sense. Maybe I'll describe them when I accomplish them. Maybe I won't mention them again. Maybe I'll write about them on my other blog. I've already figured out that some of them will have to be altered because they are no longer feasible. (I'm looking at you "Run 50 miles.")
Run 50 miles Knit 20 rows
Fix striped shirt Make bread
Finish Night Circus Get out French CDs and start listening to them
Save $ for bbq grill Use reusable shopping bags
Set up Tim's blog Select pictures for vacation scrapbook
Sort box of CDs Kahlo exhibit
Have a picnic Clear space in front of filing cabinet
Mother's day Save $ to paint house
Make landscaping plan Read/get rid of 2 magazines
Save $ emergency fund Read book of Old Testament
Make a list of mantras
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Julie's Progress Report III
Or: Not Dealing Well with Setbacks
The subtitle of my progress report for last week pretty much sums it up...
Finance: Spend less, save more, pay off credit card. Week's focus: Save my mad money and score keeping.
I cut off part of my finger so I decided that was a good excuse for subsisting on fast food. Also, I allowed Tim to go along on a trip to Target...never a good idea when trying to save a buck.
We did have a big talk about score keeping and my inability to not do it. Basically, we decided (I think) that every time he thinks about buying something big for himself, he should double the cost because I am allowed to spend the same amount on myself. There just isn't any other way to keep myself from being resentful when he comes home with a new toy. If you have a better idea, I'd be open to it.
Goals for next month: Shop at Aldi for all my groceries--except of course the CSA that Jennifer and I split. I want to see if shopping at Aldi saves me money.
Goals for next week: Don't spend mad money. This will be a continuing goal until I can actually accomplish it.
Fitness: Train for marathon. Week's goals: Go the distance, walk less, explore soft surface trails, core/back exercises.
I didn't run all my miles last week. I skipped two of my short runs. (Did I mention that I cut off part of my finger...that's why I skipped. Also, my back hurts.) Somehow, I did run (no walking) all of six miles of a long run on Sunday morning. It was awesome except my legs felt weird and I could tell my back was tight when I hit an uphill.
I found some exercises for my hips/back/core that I can do to try to rehab. The trick will be knowing when to push a run and when to back off. I can't let myself skip short runs because my muscles are sore like I did this week but I also shouldn't push it if my hip joints hurt or my legs feel numb. I'm holding off on the chiropractor until after I get back from a business trip next week.
Goals for next week: Do my self-imposed "rehab" exercises every day. Run all the miles.
Career: Have a better attitude. Week's goals: Extreme nice.
Sorry, I can't do that. I cut my finger. Actually, Monday, was a holiday. Tuesday, my boss was out. Thursday, I took a half day for a doctor's visit. Friday, I did some field work. So I was very nice on all those days.
On Wednesday, I made myself a reminder.----->
Goals for next week: I DON'T KNOW!!! How about I'll try to get 200 emails out of my inbox. Maybe I'll just back up and think smaller. Fewer emails in my inbox does make me feel better.
Adultiness: Accomplish home repair, waste time better, don't focus on bad feelings. Week's goals: Straighten kitchen cabinets, read the books I've started, do a chore when I feel moody.
So Tim and I made a list of chores for each day of the week. I did none of them. I also didn't straighten the kitchen cabinets and I don't think I read any books. I cut my finger and my back hurts. See a pattern here? I don't do well with set-backs--even minor ones. I'll spare you the picture of my finger, but it's not bad. It is a little bit misshapen and very difficult to type with the bandage on, but not bad.
I've been reading a new Appalachian Trail blogger this week and she mentioned, in an off-handed way, that she loves lists. One of the lists she mentioned having was "101 Things to Do in 1001 Days." I'm making one. When I do, I'm changing my adultiness goal to "Do one of the 101 things every day."
Goals for next week: Make my list. Blog it here. Do something to accomplish one of the 101 things every day.
The subtitle of my progress report for last week pretty much sums it up...
Finance: Spend less, save more, pay off credit card. Week's focus: Save my mad money and score keeping.
I cut off part of my finger so I decided that was a good excuse for subsisting on fast food. Also, I allowed Tim to go along on a trip to Target...never a good idea when trying to save a buck.
We did have a big talk about score keeping and my inability to not do it. Basically, we decided (I think) that every time he thinks about buying something big for himself, he should double the cost because I am allowed to spend the same amount on myself. There just isn't any other way to keep myself from being resentful when he comes home with a new toy. If you have a better idea, I'd be open to it.
Goals for next month: Shop at Aldi for all my groceries--except of course the CSA that Jennifer and I split. I want to see if shopping at Aldi saves me money.
Goals for next week: Don't spend mad money. This will be a continuing goal until I can actually accomplish it.
Fitness: Train for marathon. Week's goals: Go the distance, walk less, explore soft surface trails, core/back exercises.
I didn't run all my miles last week. I skipped two of my short runs. (Did I mention that I cut off part of my finger...that's why I skipped. Also, my back hurts.) Somehow, I did run (no walking) all of six miles of a long run on Sunday morning. It was awesome except my legs felt weird and I could tell my back was tight when I hit an uphill.
I found some exercises for my hips/back/core that I can do to try to rehab. The trick will be knowing when to push a run and when to back off. I can't let myself skip short runs because my muscles are sore like I did this week but I also shouldn't push it if my hip joints hurt or my legs feel numb. I'm holding off on the chiropractor until after I get back from a business trip next week.
Goals for next week: Do my self-imposed "rehab" exercises every day. Run all the miles.
Career: Have a better attitude. Week's goals: Extreme nice.
Sorry, I can't do that. I cut my finger. Actually, Monday, was a holiday. Tuesday, my boss was out. Thursday, I took a half day for a doctor's visit. Friday, I did some field work. So I was very nice on all those days.
On Wednesday, I made myself a reminder.----->
Goals for next week: I DON'T KNOW!!! How about I'll try to get 200 emails out of my inbox. Maybe I'll just back up and think smaller. Fewer emails in my inbox does make me feel better.
Adultiness: Accomplish home repair, waste time better, don't focus on bad feelings. Week's goals: Straighten kitchen cabinets, read the books I've started, do a chore when I feel moody.
So Tim and I made a list of chores for each day of the week. I did none of them. I also didn't straighten the kitchen cabinets and I don't think I read any books. I cut my finger and my back hurts. See a pattern here? I don't do well with set-backs--even minor ones. I'll spare you the picture of my finger, but it's not bad. It is a little bit misshapen and very difficult to type with the bandage on, but not bad.
I've been reading a new Appalachian Trail blogger this week and she mentioned, in an off-handed way, that she loves lists. One of the lists she mentioned having was "101 Things to Do in 1001 Days." I'm making one. When I do, I'm changing my adultiness goal to "Do one of the 101 things every day."
Goals for next week: Make my list. Blog it here. Do something to accomplish one of the 101 things every day.
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Liz's Progress Report 3
Goal: De-Clutter
Not so bad this week. Again, I didn't go through my GWTW plates- but I certainly didn't add to my clutter. I was in Wal-Mart buying things for work and I saw a coupon someone left for a huge amount of razors. I don't usually consider them clutter- but when I already have enough razors, and the price wasn't thaaat good- I knew if I bought them they would just be clutter under the sink. I also packed up a package for my sister of clutter that I think she will enjoy, and I don't want. Some religion textbooks from the one religion class I took in grad school- some jewelry that was really hers to begin with- and some tshirts that I don't want to wear anymore, and a nice wooden box that she gave me as a Christmas present back in 2003.
Goal for next week: Skip the GWTW plates- we signed the lease this morning for our new place. We will have 300 more sq. ft- and 4 more closets than we have right now. We have 3 closets right now- and one of them is the old coat closet/GWTW home. I am so excited to have more space for our belongings. I will no longer have my collection shoved into a small closet. I will be able to go through the collection and put it on display. This is not a reason to have clutter- but when things have a home we will be less likely to have clutter everywhere in view. So, for the next three weeks- I will be packing. I would like to cut back on the number of books I have. Not sure how to write this as an attainable goal. Maybe get rid of at least 10 books.
Goal: Lose Weight
Hey!! I started my Couch to 5k training program!!! I enjoyed it! I did not burn as many calories as going to Curves- but at Curves I am not getting enough cardio. I'm also very bored with it. I am going to cancel my membership come July- it will also not be on the ride home to the new place. We are contemplating a membership to the community center near us- or just be more active! Jeff even mentioned getting BIKES?!? We'll see. But, I am going to give this a good 9-week try. So, for my fellow COA members, what about this race?
http://www.therivalryrun.org/event_details.php
Of course- as a facebook friend posted, we could do the Elvis 5k but we'd have to go to Elvis Week. If I didn't just drag you both to Memphis last year, I'd suggest it. But then that goes against our savings goal too. :)
Also, I've done some more research into a certain medication I am on right now. Luckily it is not one for the Crohns, or I would have no choice but taking it. But- a lot of web forums are talking about how weight gain is a definite side effect. Without going into too much detail on this blog- this could quite possibly be a reason for not losing weight. So, I made an appointment with my doctor to discuss alternatives.
Goal for next week: Complete week 1 of couch to 5k. Go to Curves at least once and cancel membership (or put on hiatus) for July.
Goal: Debt
Jeff and I sat down and really mapped out a budget. One that could actually give us an emergency fund and get us out of debt! We know that moving will cost us more money- so we are being a bit flexible with our budget right now- but for our personal spending and food/drink we are sticking to it.
Our new place is also going to be within our budget, in a big way, and we are excited.
Goal for next week: Don't eat out until the weekend.
Goal: Career
I failed on that one this week.
This week starts a lot of my summer programs- so I'll be outside a lot. That's all I really have to say about this goal.
Goal for next week: Bring up this goal with the COA next weekend at coffee.
Not so bad this week. Again, I didn't go through my GWTW plates- but I certainly didn't add to my clutter. I was in Wal-Mart buying things for work and I saw a coupon someone left for a huge amount of razors. I don't usually consider them clutter- but when I already have enough razors, and the price wasn't thaaat good- I knew if I bought them they would just be clutter under the sink. I also packed up a package for my sister of clutter that I think she will enjoy, and I don't want. Some religion textbooks from the one religion class I took in grad school- some jewelry that was really hers to begin with- and some tshirts that I don't want to wear anymore, and a nice wooden box that she gave me as a Christmas present back in 2003.
Goal for next week: Skip the GWTW plates- we signed the lease this morning for our new place. We will have 300 more sq. ft- and 4 more closets than we have right now. We have 3 closets right now- and one of them is the old coat closet/GWTW home. I am so excited to have more space for our belongings. I will no longer have my collection shoved into a small closet. I will be able to go through the collection and put it on display. This is not a reason to have clutter- but when things have a home we will be less likely to have clutter everywhere in view. So, for the next three weeks- I will be packing. I would like to cut back on the number of books I have. Not sure how to write this as an attainable goal. Maybe get rid of at least 10 books.
Goal: Lose Weight
Hey!! I started my Couch to 5k training program!!! I enjoyed it! I did not burn as many calories as going to Curves- but at Curves I am not getting enough cardio. I'm also very bored with it. I am going to cancel my membership come July- it will also not be on the ride home to the new place. We are contemplating a membership to the community center near us- or just be more active! Jeff even mentioned getting BIKES?!? We'll see. But, I am going to give this a good 9-week try. So, for my fellow COA members, what about this race?
http://www.therivalryrun.org/event_details.php
Of course- as a facebook friend posted, we could do the Elvis 5k but we'd have to go to Elvis Week. If I didn't just drag you both to Memphis last year, I'd suggest it. But then that goes against our savings goal too. :)
Also, I've done some more research into a certain medication I am on right now. Luckily it is not one for the Crohns, or I would have no choice but taking it. But- a lot of web forums are talking about how weight gain is a definite side effect. Without going into too much detail on this blog- this could quite possibly be a reason for not losing weight. So, I made an appointment with my doctor to discuss alternatives.
Goal for next week: Complete week 1 of couch to 5k. Go to Curves at least once and cancel membership (or put on hiatus) for July.
Goal: Debt
Jeff and I sat down and really mapped out a budget. One that could actually give us an emergency fund and get us out of debt! We know that moving will cost us more money- so we are being a bit flexible with our budget right now- but for our personal spending and food/drink we are sticking to it.
Our new place is also going to be within our budget, in a big way, and we are excited.
Goal for next week: Don't eat out until the weekend.
Goal: Career
I failed on that one this week.
This week starts a lot of my summer programs- so I'll be outside a lot. That's all I really have to say about this goal.
Goal for next week: Bring up this goal with the COA next weekend at coffee.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Jen's Progress Report #2
Health:
The ankle is much improved.
I got in a nice 3 miler on Tuesday last week, a short run Saturday
(along with yoga), and a longer run yesterday when the weather cleared up.
Surprisingly, when I weighed in last week I was BELOW my
initial target weight - the first time I've seen that number since last
year. I think it was a bit of an
aberration though. I'm pretty sure I'll
be up if I weigh in this week. I had
mixed results on managing my calories over the holiday. A pint of Liz Lemon frozen yogurt is partly
to blame.
This week: The
Hospital Hill 10k is this Saturday; my goal is to just have a solid
finish. My birthday is Friday, and
calories don't count on your birthday, right?
Just so long as I don't let it careen out of control.
Financial:
I get stressy about money sometimes. It happened again this weekend. The original plan was for Josh and I to go
buy an inexpensive gas grill. I figured
maybe we could split the cost. Then Josh
announced that he paid his bills and had no money left. Even though we aren't married, we live
together and have some joint priorities.
I felt a little of that emotional money score keeping setting in, as
Julie so eloquently put it. To be fair,
he did have to put new tires on his car recently and that cut out pretty much
all free cash flow this month. I also
have to remember I make a lot more than he does. But we're the same age, and I wish he had
better financial habits. Like a rainy
day fund that he could use to pay unexpected expenses like new tires.
Anyway, not only did I end up paying for the grill, I ended
up paying for a much nicer grill than anticipated. Don't get me wrong; I was a full participant
in the decision making, and was okay with upgrading to a better grill that I
think will last longer. But I still
stressed about spending a few hundred dollars on an unplanned expense. I think this combined with the fact that I
know I have an expensive trip coming up is why I got so stressy.
Josh and I just have different perspectives in general about
money, probably just a subset of our life philosophies. While we never went without when I was
growing up, we didn't have a lot, either.
So now I like having money stashed away for the future. It's not about greed; it's not about keeping
up with the Joneses; it's about financial independence, control, and
security. Josh makes fun of me when I
keep the half of the bread loaf that isn't moldy and throw out the other half,
or when I squeeze the toothpaste tube till every last bit comes out. I don't like to be wasteful. It's just who I am.
This week: Don't
worry unnecessarily about upcoming expenditures. That's why I saved the money, remember?
Work:
I ended up having a conversation with a peer/coworker in
which I unintentionally blurted out some truths I hadn't really vocalized: If I stay put in this job, I'm at a 'hard
place,' a place where my coworker was a few years ago, where she had to fight
to grow and change and expand her role.
My boss is great, but she's a finance mind like me, and we have a
tendency to think inside the box. If it
works now, why change it? It will be an
uphill struggle. That doesn't mean it
can't happen though. We had a good chat
last week about the roundtable I went to the week before. She seems potentially interested in some of
the ideas. Baby steps.
I'm also still considering other opportunities, should
something very compelling arise.
Unfortunately the external recruiter said I wasn't a fit for the job he
was filling. I'm actually just fine with
that; it wasn't a particularly exciting opportunity. It did feel like a bit of a letdown though
since it seemed like a 'rejection'. I'm
going to have to get over that.
This week: Get some
work done. I only have one short week
and one full week before my sabbatical.
Also, finish that work reading I tried to get through on Friday.
Adultiness:
I've been really bad lately about attending to those nagging
"adult" tasks. I'm happy to report I got several of those tasks done
over the holiday weekend, like taking items to Goodwill, getting the patio
umbrella set up, moving winter clothes to the spare closet, going
through old mail, filing important papers, and actually putting a few decorations
on the dining table.
This week: Figure out
why the washer isn't working and get it functional again (long story). Sign up for the CSA. Figure out how to change settings on my phone
for my trip.
Monday, May 27, 2013
Julie's Progress Report II
Finance: Spend less, save more, pay off credit card. Week's focus: Don't spend all my mad money.
I have $7.32 left from my $20 mad money this week. Thursday we went to my niece's 8th grade graduation and I got suckered into buying Sonic for Tim, Lily and I. Tim was just talking about how his friend had paid back some money he owed and he suggested the Sonic stop. It wasn't until after we ordered that he looked at me to pay. I was more than a little annoyed by this unplanned expense. Which brings me to a major finance and adultiness thing I need to work on: keeping score. I am a big scorekeeper, especially in the area of money. No matter how I try to "not keep score" I always get irritated by little things like Tim spending his Christmas movie gift card on movies with his friends while I spend my Christmas Old Navy gift card on summer clothes for Lily. It doesn't matter how much I remind myself that it is my choice to try to save as much money as possible, I get super Hulk-level pissed when Tim decides to use the money his friend repaid him to save for a new Xbox instead of paying off his credit card. (Note: he is pretty responsible about using the extra money he makes to pay his credit card. I should cut him some slack if he wants to set aside 10% of his income in the past month to save for a new Xbox.)
In other spending news, coming into the last week of the month, we're looking pretty good. Other than a trip to Chipotle (for which we had a BOGO gift card. I counted this not from my "mad money" but from my "dining" budget line item.) and a couple trips to Hobby Lobby for school project supplies (We probably could have completed this school project cheaper, but when it comes to books and school projects, I'd rather not tell the kid no.) we didn't really have any excess expense.
So my goals for next week are to again, save my mad money and to figure out how to overcome my emotional money score keeping. I'm thinking that telling myself not to keep score only makes me feel guilty when I get upset. I think instead something along the lines of "even-ing" the score (allowing myself to put aside equal amounts of money for whatever I want) will be a better solution. I'm going to work on this one.
Fitness: Train for marathon. Week's goals: Go the distance, walk less, explore soft surface trails.
If you count today, I'm three for three on this week's goals. Today we went to the Weston Bluffs Trail to walk. From the state park to Weston it's asphalt and from the park to Beverly it's gravel.
My back was sore on Monday and Tuesday so I waited to run until Wednesday. That meant four days of runs with no rests but that was ok. Good thing my mileage is still low. I ran all my short runs and cut my pace from about 13 minutes/mile to 10:45. I took two walk breaks during my 5-miles so I was clipping along pretty fast (for me) when I was running.
I figured out on Sunday that the reason my back was sore was because of my long run. I ran both long runs on a trail and my short runs on the road. My legs are sometimes a little different length because my lower spine gets out of alignment sometimes. I'm going to try a few different things before I go to the chiropractor.
Goals for next week: I was going to try to switch my running time to morning but that was before I cut half my fingernail and a bit of my finger off. Now washing my hair will be too difficult to accomplish after a morning run. That will have to wait until I'm healed up. So I'll just repeat my goals again and try to figure out some core/back exercises to try to get things straightened up with my legs.
Career: Have a better attitude. Week's goals: Focus on progress.
I have to say that I did a little bit better this week. I assume that is only because I have an intern setting in my cubicle with me now.
Goal for next week: I'm going in the deep end and shooting for a week of extreme nice toward my boss.
Adultiness: Accomplish home repair, waste time better, don't focus on bad feelings. Week's goals: Streamline upstairs storage, weed gardens, avoid sudoku and crosswords.
I managed to do all of these things this week, just not all the time. I cleared out my closet and the clothing storage under my bed. I moved almost everything downstairs and if I haven't worn my summer clothes by the end of September, they shall not be spared from the garage sale pile.I also weeded gardens. This is a never-ending task in my house. Also, I noticed this week that weeding gardens is a good way to get my mind off bad feelings. Bonus!
I mostly avoided sudoku and crosswords. After I sliced off part of my finger and had already read as much Appalachian Trail thru-hiker blogging as I could take, I had to do something while sitting quietly with one finger in the air--so sudoku it was. Can you really blame me?
Goal for next week: Straighten kitchen cabinets, read the books I've started, do a chore when I feel moody.
I have $7.32 left from my $20 mad money this week. Thursday we went to my niece's 8th grade graduation and I got suckered into buying Sonic for Tim, Lily and I. Tim was just talking about how his friend had paid back some money he owed and he suggested the Sonic stop. It wasn't until after we ordered that he looked at me to pay. I was more than a little annoyed by this unplanned expense. Which brings me to a major finance and adultiness thing I need to work on: keeping score. I am a big scorekeeper, especially in the area of money. No matter how I try to "not keep score" I always get irritated by little things like Tim spending his Christmas movie gift card on movies with his friends while I spend my Christmas Old Navy gift card on summer clothes for Lily. It doesn't matter how much I remind myself that it is my choice to try to save as much money as possible, I get super Hulk-level pissed when Tim decides to use the money his friend repaid him to save for a new Xbox instead of paying off his credit card. (Note: he is pretty responsible about using the extra money he makes to pay his credit card. I should cut him some slack if he wants to set aside 10% of his income in the past month to save for a new Xbox.)
In other spending news, coming into the last week of the month, we're looking pretty good. Other than a trip to Chipotle (for which we had a BOGO gift card. I counted this not from my "mad money" but from my "dining" budget line item.) and a couple trips to Hobby Lobby for school project supplies (We probably could have completed this school project cheaper, but when it comes to books and school projects, I'd rather not tell the kid no.) we didn't really have any excess expense.
So my goals for next week are to again, save my mad money and to figure out how to overcome my emotional money score keeping. I'm thinking that telling myself not to keep score only makes me feel guilty when I get upset. I think instead something along the lines of "even-ing" the score (allowing myself to put aside equal amounts of money for whatever I want) will be a better solution. I'm going to work on this one.
Fitness: Train for marathon. Week's goals: Go the distance, walk less, explore soft surface trails.
If you count today, I'm three for three on this week's goals. Today we went to the Weston Bluffs Trail to walk. From the state park to Weston it's asphalt and from the park to Beverly it's gravel.
My back was sore on Monday and Tuesday so I waited to run until Wednesday. That meant four days of runs with no rests but that was ok. Good thing my mileage is still low. I ran all my short runs and cut my pace from about 13 minutes/mile to 10:45. I took two walk breaks during my 5-miles so I was clipping along pretty fast (for me) when I was running.
I figured out on Sunday that the reason my back was sore was because of my long run. I ran both long runs on a trail and my short runs on the road. My legs are sometimes a little different length because my lower spine gets out of alignment sometimes. I'm going to try a few different things before I go to the chiropractor.
Goals for next week: I was going to try to switch my running time to morning but that was before I cut half my fingernail and a bit of my finger off. Now washing my hair will be too difficult to accomplish after a morning run. That will have to wait until I'm healed up. So I'll just repeat my goals again and try to figure out some core/back exercises to try to get things straightened up with my legs.
Career: Have a better attitude. Week's goals: Focus on progress.
I have to say that I did a little bit better this week. I assume that is only because I have an intern setting in my cubicle with me now.
Goal for next week: I'm going in the deep end and shooting for a week of extreme nice toward my boss.
Adultiness: Accomplish home repair, waste time better, don't focus on bad feelings. Week's goals: Streamline upstairs storage, weed gardens, avoid sudoku and crosswords.
I managed to do all of these things this week, just not all the time. I cleared out my closet and the clothing storage under my bed. I moved almost everything downstairs and if I haven't worn my summer clothes by the end of September, they shall not be spared from the garage sale pile.I also weeded gardens. This is a never-ending task in my house. Also, I noticed this week that weeding gardens is a good way to get my mind off bad feelings. Bonus!
I mostly avoided sudoku and crosswords. After I sliced off part of my finger and had already read as much Appalachian Trail thru-hiker blogging as I could take, I had to do something while sitting quietly with one finger in the air--so sudoku it was. Can you really blame me?
Goal for next week: Straighten kitchen cabinets, read the books I've started, do a chore when I feel moody.
Liz's Progress Report 2
Goal: De-Clutter
Not so great this week. I didn't add to the clutter, so thats good- but I really didn't get rid of anything, or go through anything. Didn't make my goal this week of going through my Gone with the Wind plates. I guess I should focus more on the fact I didn't add to the clutter. Jeff and I decided where we are moving, and when- so its now time to start packing and really cutting back on the clutter that moves to the new place. (We have found the apartment we want, and I go tomorrow to fill out the application-so we aren't guaranteed, but it will more than likely work out.)
Goal for next week: Go through the Gone with the Wind plates. Start weeding through the upstairs to start packing!
Goal: Lose Weight
I at first wrote "I really failed on this one." But I'm not so sure. I did not go to the gym three times- I went once. However, I had a really busy week at work that involved a lot of working outside. It's a good time to work at my job- I get to be outside all the time and I actually like the feeling of getting home from work exhausted and sweaty. We had Jeff's family in town all week- so there was a lot of going out to eat. I could only do what I could. I think I may leave Curves, it is not making me feel very relaxed when I'm working out. I may leave in July when we move. I'd like to use the money I am spending on my membership and put it into savings, and take advantage of more free options- like the workout room at my apartment complex- or walking. or my Wii. Nothing is set in stone yet, though.
Goal for next week: Go to the gym twice (I am only working 3 days this week, so that is more of a realistic goal.) Keep going outside at work.
Goal: Debt
Not so good this week. Again, we had family in town so it was a lot of eating out, so we spent more money than I wish we had. But- we did make some big decisions on where we are moving, and we are still keeping everything within out budget, we decided we don't need a townhome or a house- we just wanted a little more space and to be closer to areas we like to be in. We were able to find something just $45 more a month, much larger- and they pay for all gas (heat!). We will be on the ground floor, so it may mean in the future getting a dog which would bring on more costs, but-- thats ok! This afternoon Jeff and I are writing out our budget. Yep, we are going to sit down and look over everything and figure out what we have to spend and what we need to save.
Goal for next week: Live within the budget!
Goal: Career
It's a fun time to be at my work. I scheduled myself a lot outside doing programs-so I can focus on what I like about my job. I also have finished a few projects that I am actually proud of, so it's a good feeling (right now). I am happy that I am enjoying things right now.
I keep thinking about my future in general- and I am constantly wondering if this is what I want to do. I am really considering a change- not right this moment, but I like the thought of Jeff and I working together in the future. Wedding photography and planning? I really love the idea of working with weddings in some capacity. I've given a lot of thought to my strengths and what skills I have, and my personality traits. A lot of people I've mentioned this too think that my personality would work well in the field. Working with Jeff would be really fun. We would bring a lot to the table. It's not going to be an overnight change. I'm thinking really long term changes- and I'm still giving this a lot of thought.Next year I may look to intern with someone, just to see if I like it. But, in the meantime, I'm keeping myself happy where I am at.
Goal for next week: Keep this up!!
Not so great this week. I didn't add to the clutter, so thats good- but I really didn't get rid of anything, or go through anything. Didn't make my goal this week of going through my Gone with the Wind plates. I guess I should focus more on the fact I didn't add to the clutter. Jeff and I decided where we are moving, and when- so its now time to start packing and really cutting back on the clutter that moves to the new place. (We have found the apartment we want, and I go tomorrow to fill out the application-so we aren't guaranteed, but it will more than likely work out.)
Goal for next week: Go through the Gone with the Wind plates. Start weeding through the upstairs to start packing!
Goal: Lose Weight
I at first wrote "I really failed on this one." But I'm not so sure. I did not go to the gym three times- I went once. However, I had a really busy week at work that involved a lot of working outside. It's a good time to work at my job- I get to be outside all the time and I actually like the feeling of getting home from work exhausted and sweaty. We had Jeff's family in town all week- so there was a lot of going out to eat. I could only do what I could. I think I may leave Curves, it is not making me feel very relaxed when I'm working out. I may leave in July when we move. I'd like to use the money I am spending on my membership and put it into savings, and take advantage of more free options- like the workout room at my apartment complex- or walking. or my Wii. Nothing is set in stone yet, though.
Goal for next week: Go to the gym twice (I am only working 3 days this week, so that is more of a realistic goal.) Keep going outside at work.
Goal: Debt
Not so good this week. Again, we had family in town so it was a lot of eating out, so we spent more money than I wish we had. But- we did make some big decisions on where we are moving, and we are still keeping everything within out budget, we decided we don't need a townhome or a house- we just wanted a little more space and to be closer to areas we like to be in. We were able to find something just $45 more a month, much larger- and they pay for all gas (heat!). We will be on the ground floor, so it may mean in the future getting a dog which would bring on more costs, but-- thats ok! This afternoon Jeff and I are writing out our budget. Yep, we are going to sit down and look over everything and figure out what we have to spend and what we need to save.
Goal for next week: Live within the budget!
Goal: Career
It's a fun time to be at my work. I scheduled myself a lot outside doing programs-so I can focus on what I like about my job. I also have finished a few projects that I am actually proud of, so it's a good feeling (right now). I am happy that I am enjoying things right now.
I keep thinking about my future in general- and I am constantly wondering if this is what I want to do. I am really considering a change- not right this moment, but I like the thought of Jeff and I working together in the future. Wedding photography and planning? I really love the idea of working with weddings in some capacity. I've given a lot of thought to my strengths and what skills I have, and my personality traits. A lot of people I've mentioned this too think that my personality would work well in the field. Working with Jeff would be really fun. We would bring a lot to the table. It's not going to be an overnight change. I'm thinking really long term changes- and I'm still giving this a lot of thought.Next year I may look to intern with someone, just to see if I like it. But, in the meantime, I'm keeping myself happy where I am at.
Goal for next week: Keep this up!!
Monday, May 20, 2013
Jen's Progress Report #1
Health:
Things were tracking along nicely until I sprained my ankle on Tuesday night. This is what it looked like yesterday:
Not getting in much activity + weekend fun means I didn't do too great on the calorie tracking either. The proof will be in the pudding when I weigh in tomorrow.
Financial:
No real updates here. Countdown mode for Europe trip: less than 4 weeks.
Work:
Two weeks ago I was super cranky at work. I got an e-mail from an external recruiter about a job and decided to talk to him about it. Ironically I also got an e-mail from another recruiter shortly thereafter. So last week I had short phone calls with both recruiters. Basically I gave them an overview of my background and opportunities that might fit with that. I sent them my resume as well, so they have it to match against future placements. While I don't think anything will come of these initial conversations, it opens up the door for future things. It also helps me level set the external environment so that I know whether I'm qualified/prepared for an external job search if I decide to truly do that at some point in the next year. I also had a conversation with our recruiter internally and she is going to share my qualifications with the recruiters that fill positions outside of finance. All of this makes me feel like I'm doing everything that's within my control.
In addition, I went to a roundtable event last Thursday that was made up of people from other companies in the metro area that do a function similar to mine. The purpose is to try to create a networking group where we can all learn from each other and advance what we do at our companies. My boss wasn't able to go, so I'm planning to share some of the discussion with her. Hopefully she will be open to some of these ideas.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Liz's Progress Report 1
Goal: De-Clutter
I did pretty good this week! I sold a lot on Craigslist and right after our latte meeting I dropped off two bags of books at Half Price Books,and a trunk full of junk at a donation center. I don't know why, but I get panicked when I do that, and constantly think I should be keeping things. But, I did it. Jeff said he was very proud of me because the apartment was actually looking nicer. Yay! What was (kinda) funny was that after all these errands last week, Jeff realized he was missing his wedding ring. I really panicked, thinking we just donated his ring to Goodwill. After searching for a bit we found it on the patio (apparently after he tripped on the chair the night before and fell, he dropped his ring. weird.) Anyway, I'd like to continue this progress next week.
Goal for next week: Start going through my Gone with the Wind collection, especially the fifty or so plates I have and weed out the duplicates.
Goal: Lose Weight
I really failed on this one this week. Jeff's family is in town so we went out to eat more than usual. I also did a show on Friday night so I didn't go to the gym on my usual MWF. I looked up the Couch to 5k program, so that is a start. I spent a lot of time thinking of my goals and how to achieve them, if that makes sense. I am also contemplating joining a different fitness center- one maybe with classes. I like Curves, but I never really feel "relaxed" when there, just going through the motions.
Goal next week: Work out your usual three times, and try one day of running. Keep eating healthy. Jeff's other set of parents are coming into town next weekend, so I am sure we will be eating out a lot, again.
Goal: Debt
It's hard to focus on this one when we are in the process of trying to figure out what we're doing and our next step (that sounds confusing, I know). I sold a lot of my junk, so I had cash to spend on things, but we also spent $20 on powerball. (Waste.of.money) We only ate out with Jeff's family, good and bad-- good because we didn't need to buy more groceries this week. Bad- because eating out was expensive (but delicious.) We are also looking to move to a house. So, we're having to look at the debt and figure out the budget moving forward. We also figured out what debt we are going to hit first. Now we must hit it.
Goal next week: Go out to eat just with family. Start paying down the debt we decided to pay down. Choose a house within our budget. (House will equal dog, so better save for that!!)
Goal: Career
I spent a lot of time thinking about my job and what I'm thankful for. I enjoyed being outside working with kids this week, I enjoyed asking a first grader what games they played and I loved her answer "I get my toy microphone out and pretend I'm a rockstar in front of my stuffed animals." It was fun this week. I also worked on some projects I am actually proud of. I've also given a lot of through to my big picture goals and realized what I want to work for. I had some bad moments too, but texting J helped.
Goal next week: Keep this up.
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