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| Fearless |
Over the past year I've tended to focus on the baby in this space. It is a really odd feeling having 3 kids at completely different and equally awesome and challenging stages. I love that it always feels like we're celebrating someone's milestone or latest accomplishment. Yesterday my biggest boy spent most of the afternoon building a ramp for snowboarding and tobogganing in the backyard. I watched out the window as he hesitated at the top with his board and then finally decided to go for it and he did it..flawlessly on the first try. I couldn't help myself, I opened the door and yelled out "Woohoo! You did it! That was so awesome!". It was so crazy watching my 6 year old do something I probably couldn't pull off and something that took guts. I haven't actually felt that overwhelmed with joy in a long time. It was such a good feeling.
Last month I really felt motivated to get things done with my 2015 goals fresh in mind. I haven't done a monthly goals post in a very long time but I love how doing them makes me feel more accountable. Here is what I accomplished related to my 2015 goals in January:
Marriage
- We had two couples over for dinner (we all went to university together). The group went tobogganing with the big boys while I prepped dinner at home with the baby and then we got to spend some quality adult time once the boys were in bed. It was a ton of fun and we realized that rather than getting together with friends separately always that we should try to get together with a few at a time every once in a while. Maybe even push the envelope and bring friends together that don't know each other very well!
- I made an effort to show more appreciation and tried to be more positive in general. It feels really easy to vent about things to a partner. I don't think I have been doing a very good job of balancing the negative with the positive so it is something I'm trying to work on.
Getting back to myself
- I started reading chapter books with B at night. We began Charlotte's Web.
- I made plans with my three best girlfriends. I booked a vacation day mid-week in February to spend with one who will be back from Edmonton. I started planning a long weekend girls trip for this Fall with another that has been about 6 years overdue since I've either been pregnant, nursing, or didn't have the money..and I got together for a coffee on my lunch hour with another that I hadn't seen in about 6 months.
- I got my eyebrows waxed and bought some new clothes. I ended up returning a pair of pants that didn't quite fit perfectly after trying them on a few times at home. I felt really good about my decision to return them since I ended up saving $50 and probably wouldn't have worn them too often. I also made a list of the gaps in my wardrobe so I could be more purposeful in my spending in that area over the next year.
Health
- I booked a half day off of work for next month and scheduled several medical appointments for that morning.
- I made a point of eating more and reminding myself to stop what I was doing. Usually I'd think to myself.. yeah I should really eat and then I'd focus on getting the boys something to eat and then get sidetracked and end up getting back into whatever I was doing and before I knew it a number of hours had passed and I never actually did eat or get that drink. I think just forcing myself to stop what I was doing led to me actually eating more.
Home
- I loosely followed the
52-Week challenge and tackled kitchen cleaning and organization this month. I rearranged stuff to more logical locations in the kitchen, created a dedicated pantry cupboard, and also stocked up on groceries.
- I went through every last corner of our basement and did a huge purge. I gave some books away to friends who I thought would be interested and investigated where I could get rid of things like my wedding dress or old electronics for a good cause. I have a few piles of things that still need to be taken and dropped off at various places but it was a huge undertaking and I feel really good about all I got done.
- I took my maternity clothes and some baby clothes to the consignment store as well as posted a bunch of baby gear on Kijiji.
Debt
- We created a new budget for 2015 taking into consideration all of the things we'd like to do this year that have financial implications (post to come!).
- I tracked all of our spending this month and R and I went over it so we got a clear picture of where we were going over and could make adjustments accordingly.
- I got a President's Choice Financial Master Card since I only ever shop at participating stores for our household and grocery purchases so I figured I might as well be reaping the rewards points. I also started using the PC Plus program and gained some significant rewards just for grocery shopping as usual.
February Goals
Marriage
- Get dressed on weekends! I'm embarrassed to say that most weekends I stay in my pyjamas doing housework and cooking before showering later on in the day and putting on some clean..pyjamas or sweat pants. It's bad because I always stress about someone showing up at the door and though I don't feel like I should have to always be put together, even just running a brush through my hair and putting on some clothes takes all of a couple of minutes in the morning before I go downstairs and should be a priority.
- Go on a date. My birthday is this month so it is the perfect excuse.
Getting back to myself
- Hang out with one of my best gals (at least twice) while she is back from Edmonton.
- Compete in a skating competition(!). My team skates in a competition this month. My personal goal is to go out there and do my best and have a clean skate. It has been half a lifetime since I was actually in a competition.
Health
- Book my annual physical appointment (which hasn't been so annual lately)
- Find a new naturopath and book an appointment. My goal with this is to have some updated food allergy testing so I don't have to stress or worry over eating certain foods.
- Make time for a bath at least once/week.
Home
- Keep on following the
52-Week Challenge - recipes, garbage/recycling, coupons, meal planning/grocery shopping
- Finish purging the baby stuff.
- Give the basement a good clean. We set up a TV area in the basement that the big boys regularly use now. Eliminating the dust would go a long way in helping their allergies.
Debt
- Continue tracking all expenses.
- Have a budget "meeting" once/week.
