january.

fiscal
1. pay at least $200.00 on snowball #1 minimum paid 1/13 (need to pay $175.00 more to meet goal)
2. pay at least $200.00 on snowball #2 minimum paid 1/13 (need to pay $9.00 more to meet goal)
3. pay minimums for car insurance, rewards account
4. rent/+ payment = $1100.00+/-
5. pay my bills on time and in full (accidentally missed cell phone payment in december): cell phone; electric; internet
6. pinch my pennies & fill my piggy bank :)

physical
1. sleep/work out consistently
a. sunday - thursday: bed by 10pm | monday - friday: up at 4am to work out
b. monday - friday: work out 4:30 - 5:30am | saturday - sunday: work out by 9:00am
2. use R+F regularly
3. pill it up! (b12, vitamin c, probiotic) (do i need to add a magnesium supplement or what about iron?)
4. improve dental regimine: brush/floss after every meal; coconut oil pull 3x/week; whiten teeth
5. annual physical (+12 hr. fast) 1/17

fun
1. attend church at least twice: 1/1, 1/8, 1/15, 1/22, 1/29
2. finish setting up new apartment
3. dry cleaners
4. love tribe 1/14
5. sort/organize file cabinets (update files)
6. set up calendars/studying schedule for exam

work
1. town council 1/5
2. p&r advisory committee 1/9 cancelled
3. county rac + joint county rec & greenways meeting 1/12
4. path forward committee 1/25
5. cwep 1/31
6. website subcommittee
7. office closed 1/2, 1/16
8. pay days 1/13, 1/27

2017.

goals for 2017

pay off snowball #1 (Jan - Mar)
pay off snowball #2 (Jan - Nov)
close both accounts
reduce rewards balance by at least $1000.00
give at least $100.00 to good causes (A21, ALS, LLS, etc.)
attend church at least 2x/month
read at least 4 books (1 every 3 months)
pass certification exam (May)
pay car insurance in full for July
purge! donate! learn to live with less... (make at least 3 donation runs to DRM)
quit!
whiten teeth (using coconut oil and smile sciences)
splurge with a massage at least 3x/year (3 x $80 = $240 + tips)
continue to focus on ME (consistent work out and sleep schedules, better meal prep, try new recipes, etc.)

december.

This year has just flown by! It is already December 2...I have been so busy with my exam prep and moving, I've hardly had time to breath. This first week back at work has royally sucked. But, it could be worse I guess. Next year, I'll be vested at 5 years - almost the longest I've worked anywhere, which is slightly sad because I really enjoyed my years at Z Gallerie (5.5-6) even though I got paid peanuts. I didn't have the need for a gym during that time because a) I was in my 20's and still had a reasonably high metabolism and b) I ran around that place at a feverish pace most of the time. I really did love that place. ANYWAYS...back to the present. Here's what's happening and my goals for the last month of 2016.

fiscal.

1. Last rent payment for old apartment - lease ends 12/7. $254.00

a) W/S/T payment +/- $60.00 

2. First full month's payment for new apartment. $999.00

a) This payment includes rent, cable, trash, and pest control fees

b) Waiting for water/sewer bill

3. Bills: car insurance ($90), cell phone ($75), internet ($55 -- with a portion from old apartment)

4. Debt: rewards ($60 m), snowball #1 ($25 m), snowball #2 ($200 m)

5. Christmas: All gifts have been purchased by 12/1 and some even wrapped!

a) Shipping gifts to Colorado, Florida and North Carolina 12/12 - 12/16

6. Exam: Early bird window 12/1-12/7. $75.00 (to retake exam May 2017)

physical.

now that my exam is over and the move is done, i can refocus and center myself yet again. even with the holidays, hopefully i won't overindulge and/or overdo it.

1. Sunday - Thursday: in bed by 9 pm | Monday - Friday: up at 4 am to work out

2. Monday - Friday: work out 4:30 - 6:00 am | Saturday - Sunday: work out by 9 am

3. Quit

4. R+F: get back on track with this as well...my face has been going a little crazy over the past month or so with inconsistent applications

5. Pills, pills, pills: empty the pill box every week (B12, vitamin C, probiotic)

6. Floss/brush after each meal, even at work | coconut oil pull 3x/week | whiten teeth

fun.

1. church: 12/4, 12/11, 12/18, 12/24

2. play in new apartment! :) [sort/organize/purge, hang curtains, organize clothes, storage, hang art (after thoughtful consideration)]

3. dry cleaners

4. repair walls, clean old apartment 12/3-12/5 | turn in keys by 12/7

5. Christmas Eve 12/24 | Christmas Day 12/25 | New Year's Eve 12/31

6. iron/steam clothes

7. mail Christmas cards by 12/15

work.

1. town council 12/1

2. pictures with santa 12/2

3. ctp meeting 12/6

4. senior christmas social 12/8

5. planning board 12/8

6. website committee meeting 12/12
7. pfc meeting 12/14

8. rpo tac/tcc meeting 12/14

9. gtc meeting 12/15
10. boa meeting 12/15

11. office closed: 12/22, 12/23, 12/26

12. pay days: 12/2, 12/16, 12/30

More thoughts on the election...

While I should be solely focused on last-minute preparations for my exam on Tuesday(!), I remain plagued by the election and the reactions on both sides, namely the "left." I am sincerely empathetic to how the people who wanted HC to be the next president and do not claim DT as their president. I am. Even as a person who voted for DT (although if BS had been the democratic candidate, he may have received my vote because I actually liked him as opposed to my opinions about HC), I KNOW that he was very vocal against many protected groups, religions and cultures and that many view my vote for him as a vote in favor of those aspects of his candidacy. As the "left" calls those who voted for DT racists, homophobes, and other hateful labels, I can't help but get angry. While I cannot understand fully what it means to be gay or black or hispanic or Muslim or any other group that feels threatened by the fact that the "right" seems to reject these people, I am empathetic to the way they feel. I am not racist or homophobic. I care about a person's character. What moves me so much about these protests is that they seem to contradict in some ways, what the "left" stands for and a disrespect of the American democratic system.

I will admit, when our current president was first elected eight years ago, I wasn't happy. He was not my first choice and still wasn't four years later. But, I could appreciate and applaud the fact that he was our first black president. Did I get over my feelings about him during his term? Not really but I still supported him as our president. His success was my success, his failures my failures.

I do want to touch on HB2 as well. This was a widely discriminatory bill that was passed a few months ago in North Carolina. While it was dubbed the "Bathroom Bill," there were so many other aspects that were discriminatory that the media failed to cover. Politicians are sneaky creatures. Regarding the restroom aspect of this bill, it was one incident that spawned this legislation. ONE incident. There is little to no documentation or any trend in these types of incidents and yet here we are, with a law that has affected SO many people. I did not support it and wanted to smack our governor. I can respect his position and his fervor of support and refusal to back down to the media, to the "left," etc. but I can still disagree with him. It's called compassion.

Compassion. Something this nation (and the world) could use a lot more of. This election cycle brought out some of the deepest and darkest aspects of people's character that I wish I could unsee. Such hate and lack of general humanity displayed on both ends of the spectrum.

You know what? I'm sorry (not sorry) that your candidate did not win. The seemingly impossible happened. I didn't even really think DT had a legitimate chance at winning but when you (middle America, Christians, Republicans, etc.) feel bullied, forgotten, beat down and have the chance to change the status quo of the past eight years, you will do it. Obviously. And it wasn't just middle-class, white males that voted for him. If that were the case, he wouldn't have won. I think both candidates were poor choices for the presidency but it is what it is. Those were our choices. Think about how many people didn't even bother to vote for president. That should tell the "left" think that their candidate wasn't the right choice either.

As we move forward in the next few days, weeks and months before DT assumes the position as Commander in Chief, I hope the riots will stop. I hope the violence will stop. Can we talk about the fact that after a boy admitted that he voted for DT in a mock election at school, that he was yanked out of his chair by other boys and beaten up. The teacher was in the room! And, yet, he got beat up. Or the girl who was bullied on social media by a classmate(s) because of her vote in a mock election (the bullies were punished by the school). Or, have you seen the video of the white man who was beaten up by 3-4 (I'm sorry to say) black men for supposedly being a DT supporter? That while he was being brutally beaten, one of the men is seen going through his car, allegedly stealing items from his vehicle and when he tries to pull that man away, he gets hit in the back of the head and further beaten. Horrific. And, because I feel it needs to be said, I would feel just as outraged if it was a black man being assaulted by a group of white men. That kind of violence is inexcusable. And, while those are just a few examples and by no means are identifiable by everyone who is protesting DT's victory, it is an example of how f***ed up everything is. If it was the other way around and Trump supporters were doing all this shit, the "left" would...I don't know what they would do. Laugh? Call us sore losers. So that is what I call them. Sore losers. There is nothing to do about it now. If you are so upset, begin preparing for the next election.

But until then, I hope we can move forward. I hope the hate speech and tantrums will stop. Hopefully, DT can bring about the change he promised and ultimately, that people will support our president and our country.

Oh and RC -- you haven't won yet. Absentee, provisional and military votes still need to be counted. I hope you get egg on your face. But, if you do win, I hope you repeal HB2 and don't completely screw up our state. We could use some reform regarding education, that's for sure. Did you know that in lottery states, that slowly budgets quit funding education and rely solely on profits from the lottery? I did not know that until a few weeks ago...it makes me sick. No wonder we rank so low compared to the rest of the country in education. See? That is one example of why I like having friends and colleagues with different political views. You can learn from each other. I hope the next few months bring unity to this country. And that the man brutally attacked in the intersection gets justice.

Less than 40 hours until IT is time... 

.

Thoughts on Vote 2016. 
This election cycle was extremely passionate on both sides of the spectrum. People are hurting that the people they voted for lost while others are celebrating that their voices were heard and their votes were counted. Throughout this cycle, it's been the far left and the far right that seemed to yell the loudest and the people in the middle remained silent. The outcomes proved that they would be silent no longer. The hate spewed on both sides left me feeling...sad. I always believe in the best of people but this election has left me...angry. 

 "Congratulations to the uneducated, white Americans on their victory. We hear your racism and homophobia loud and clear."

"I'm so confused to see so many strong, smart women that are so excited to have a life-long self-admitted womanizer in the Oval Office. Did I miss something?"

This divisive language is exactly what I hate about politics. To me, the first one means that educated, non-white, non-racist, gay Americans had no place voting for anyone but Hillary Clinton. The second, that a woman should vote for Hillary purely based on the fact that she's a woman. Both are just wrong. They also imply that, for example, black people should have voted for Obama just because he was black. Dumb. But, I am way more offended by the first post. The left claims to be inclusive and this post does the exact opposite. The left calls the evangelical Christian a hypocrite for voting for Trump. I call their hate hypocritical by being from the "inclusive, every voice matters" party. It's all just crap.

I am an educated, white American woman who is not a racist, not a bigot. I voted for Trump. Here are some reasons why:

- I do not support Hillary Clinton. She's been in politics for 30 years and if you ask people what she's done that's good, I've yet to hear a response that's credible. We can talk about her flaws - e-mails, Benghazi, not calling terrorist attacks as such, etc.

- I wasn't crazy about Trump either. But, given the choices, I would much rather give my vote to him than her.

- He is not a politician and he won. In the early rounds, I liked him because he made the career politicians think and he had something to say. Now, he's been elected. To me, it tells our children that you can be anything you want to be. You could be president one day. Would I prefer if he had a little more political experience, absolutely; but, it is not a requirement.

- I am not an Obama supporter. I did not vote for him in 2008 nor in 2012. He, like Clinton, has turned a blind eye to the Muslim/terrorist attacks and the attacks on American soil. The fact that he didn't go to the site where 4 Americans were killed on American soil as the result of a terrorist attack because he was on vacation, was crap.

- I don't support Obamacare. The idea itself, it works in other countries. But we are not set up like those other countries. I think it needed a lot more forethought before implementation and it screwed a lot of people and small businesses. Here in NC, there are only 2 insurance carriers now participating. And the rates at which they provide insurance are sky-high. How is that fair?

- As a non-Obama supporter and knowing that Clinton would mean more of the same, why would I support that?

- I am not opposed to a woman being president. I'm just not sure she is the right choice to break the "glass ceiling." Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe it will be years before we have another woman befitting of the title of Commander in Chief. Time will tell.

- Immigration: I do not support building a wall. But, I do support the deportation of illegal immigrants. To say that the illegal immigrants are doing jobs Americans wouldn't want to do, may be true. But, "we" aren't given that option. The labor is cheap yes. But most of the money made does not go into our economy. That's a stereotype and I know it but it's also true in a lot of cases. If the illegal immigrants want to apply for citizenship and go through the proper channels, then by all means, stay. But, coming here, having babies, driving without licenses, etc. is a drain on our system.

- Refugees. As a Christian, I understand the argument that we should not turn away the women and children seeking asylum from what is happening in the Middle East. But, I also believe in the vetting process. We do not have a process sophisticated enough to properly vet these individuals. To open our borders to people whose culture and religion (however corrupt it may be) which supports killing women, children, gays, etc. - everything the left seems to support is just crazy to me. To increase Syrian refugees entrance into our country automatically and by 500%, is just too much. We need to prepare for these individuals - figure out how to provide housing and jobs and healthcare and everything that they would need to feel safe here. And, not just lump them into Syrian camps but be able to fully integrate them into our society. I love people from all backgrounds, religions, sexual orientation, colors...but I also support the process.

- The hate being spewed on the other side wasn't bringing me over to their team. I have always considered myself a moderate. There are some issues that I support that are very left and others that are very right side of the fence. I had to pick a side. I wasn't going to waste my right to vote.

- The compassion the left claims to provide is negated by their hate speech. I have refused to "unfriend" people on facebook based on politics, but this election may do it for me. I don't unfriend because I like hearing from all sides and it makes me think about issues in ways that I may not necessarily consider based on where I am in this process called living. But, it just seems that the respect I extend to others is not being offered back. There is only so much I can take before I scream. This is why I write this post (and also, because I don't know who reads my blog these days anyways).

There are people claiming to leave the US because Trump won the election. And to that I say, 'go ahead." I would rather wait and see what happens. We still have 70+ days before he takes office and begins his job as our President. But, if you are so upset that you just can't handle it, then you should go. Turn in your citizenship and beat it. I hear New Zealand is nice. 

The message was clear during this cycle - use your right to vote! Have your voice heard! The people did and now the left/liberals are so surprised at the outcome. It makes me laugh, really. They were so sure HC would win and that Trump didn't have a real chance and that just wasn't true. You can call me uneducated. I will show you my diploma and various professional certifications. I will show you my pay stubs. You call me a racist and a homophobe, I will show you compassion. You spit on me, I will turn the other cheek. 

Ultimately, this election and outcome don't matter. This is not my home. Hillary Clinton is not my savior and neither is Trump. Jesus Christ is my Savior and I will continue to give him my praise and adoration. We will be okay. Everything will be okay...until the rapture comes.

Where do Christians go from here?

debt pay down goals

i feel like this blog has become a place for me to write down my monthly goals and "to do" lists and less like a blog/way to communicate with the outside world. i had a "doh!" moment last night before i went to sleep. i've been anti-house buying as my parents have urged me to do so. since i'm moving in a little over a month(!), i was just curious. there are some townhomes in the country club that i pass during my commute cut-through or on the way home from kh's house. just for grins, i looked them up on realtor.com. there's one for sale for $186k. seriously?! and 2 more also under $200k. totally within my potential home buying budget. almost made me sick to my stomach knowing it's sitting across the parkway just waiting for me to put my diy hands on it (it needs kitchen, bath and flooring updates). BUT, it's also motivation for me to really push myself to finally get debt free.

so, i laid it out on the line this afternoon. not counting the new card associated with my bank, which will be the one card i would be willing to keep, i have just over $4,000.00 in credit card debt (about $700 & $3500). two weeks ago, i took my longevity check i got from my job (just over $380.00) and my mattress/moving fund money ($250.00) and deposited it into the bank (just over $638.00). i was so afraid i would spend it. i didn't. small victory. the purpose of this money is to help pay down my debt. moving down the street, my rent and small bills will be going up so anything i can do to free up more cash flow i see as a good thing. this afternoon, i made a $200.00 payment on the $700.00 balance (snowball #1). the goal is to pay off that account within the next 1 1/2 months using the $638.00 envelope of money, in smaller payments. I will make another $300.00 payment on Friday. The balance will be spread out over 2 payments (maybe) in November, so that the balance is $0.00 by December 1. it really equates to an extra $70.00 from my cash flow to make this happen.

as for the larger balance (snowball #2), that will be the one that i need to be diligent and disciplined. i gave the card to my mom to hold onto last month and even though i wrote down the numbers before i turned it over, i haven't been tempted to use it. i made a couple short-term goals as part of the overall plan to pay off this debt. goal #1: get balance <$3000.00 by christmas 2016. to achieve this, i will need to pay $500.00 in november and $400.00 in december. goal #2: get balance <$1000.00 by my birthday in june. that means paying at least $1800.00 in 6 months ($300.00 a month each month). my birthday payment could bring a balance of just over $500.00. goal #3: get balance to $0.00 by october 2017 (although the plan is for the balance to hit zero in september).

once rid of credit card debt, i will turn my focus toward the no interest-earning debt i owe to the bank of mom & dad. for my birthday next year, i will ask for the final tally of funds loaned over the years so i can begin to plan my payback budget to begin in october 2017. i hope if i am diligent and consistent with my payments, they may nullify anything after a year-ish of payments (by end of 2018).

being debt free is something that is very important to me. it's one reason i wouldn't accept a marriage proposal from my ex. i don't want to go into a marriage with debt. marriage is hard enough and to have to worry about money and debt just doesn't seem like a wise decision if it can be avoided. i don't want to bind myself to a mortgage (i'd rather pay cash, but at this rate, i'll be dead before i own a home if i stick to that plan) with debt.

it may seem crazy that i would be willing to spell out my debts and put it on the internet, and maybe it is. but, i hope it will lead to better accountability for myself and lend itself to better success in my gazelle mentality.

for anyone out there struggling with debt, i highly suggest dave ramsey's financial peace university and total money makeover. they changed the way i approach money and debt (even if i am skipping baby step #1 in favor of paying off my credit card debt). there are several other blogs and people to help with this topic. if you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment!

october.

fiscal
I am planning to use my longevity check from work (almost $400.000) and the money earmarked for a new mattress ($250.00)to knock down the balance on snowball #1 to less than $150.00 that can be paid off in November. I am contemplating transferring the balance of snowball #2 to the rewards card so I would then only have one account to make payments on. I am going to check with the bank to see if that's possible since snowball #2 is a store credit card and not like a visa.
1. snowball #1: make $25.00 minimum payment; make a second $100.00 payment (minimum) paid $200 10/17
2. snowball #2: make $187.00 minimum payment; make a second $13.00 payment (minimum) paid $13.00 10/18 (boy, did that feel silly but it's an even $200.00 paid in october...)
3. rewards account: make $100.00 payment; returns (round 1 complete, waiting for round 2 purchases to arrive to make final decisions on what stays and what will be returned). paid minimum $36.00 payment 10/18, additional $64.00 payment (minimum) due by 11/2
4. new apartment: figure out costs for what is due before I can pick up the keys on 11/16
5. eye appointment = new contacts = $$$
6. send in dental reimbursement | pay my mom the difference between what insurance will pay and total amount
7. bills, bills, bills: rent $843.00; w/s/t $62.00; car insurance $94.00; cell phone; electric $82.00; internet $66.00

physical
1. sunday - thursday: in bed by 9pm | monday - friday: up at 4 am to work out
2. monday - friday: work out 4:30 - 6:00 am | saturday - sunday: work out by 9 am
3. floss/brush after every meal, even at work | coconut oil pull at least 3x/week | whiten teeth (i'm ready to stop being embarassed by my smile :/ )
4. r + f: most days, i wear only r + f and no make up, even to work!
5. pills, pills, pills: empty the pill box every week!
6. eye appointment 10/12

STUDY FOR MY EXAM EVERY POSSIBLE MOMENT - less than 50 days to go!

fun
1. church: 10/2, 10/9, 10/16, 10/23, 10/30
2. decorate for halloween: home & office
3. dry cleaners
4. another round of clothes swap 10/9
5. take boxes to the house (i don't have room to hoard moving boxes!) 10/96. small group: 10/7, 10/28

work
1. work session with town attorney 10/11 i got a lot of s*** done instead ;)
2. rpo tac/tcc; town council 10/13
3. planning board 10/20
4. community campfire 10/22
5. rescheduled planning board meeting 10/24
6. path forward committee 10/26
7. out 10/12; leave at noon 10/19, 10/26

september 2016

August flew by just as quickly as July...just a few days left before September's arrival. I'm looking forward to cooler days and nights, fall wardrobe choices, college football, and hot chocolate. Although with North Carolina's climate, college football season will kick off and everything else will take awhile to catch up. I will probably still be anticipating most of those things come October. ;) I have just 75 days until one of the biggest and most important days of my life. Eek! To better my preparation, I am rejoining the world of people that have internet service at home. Of course, now that I'm ready, TWC is no longer offering the $14.99/mo service. Go figure. 
I. Debt. I moved the due date for Snowball #2 to the 15th. This will be a huge help - no more missed payments and the ability to really dive into the debt payoff. The goal is to be interest-earning debt free by the end of December 2017.
II. Home. I've decided to stay in my current unit for the month of November. My parents are going to help me cover the difference between what I usually pay per month and the 1-month rate (it's <$300). There is a 1 bedroom unit down the street that has a great location so as soon as the rate drops a little (or by Friday), I'll lock it in. My parents went over and looked at the model and liked it. I really liked the original 2/1 unit but the location left much to be desired. :/ The 1/1 is a 3rd floor unit, and I'll be able to see the road I currently live on from my balcony, so I can still people watch. :) I'm ready to reconfigure my furniture and most importantly, my art collection in new ways. Plus, the closet in the 1 bedroom is AMAZING! Lots of hanging space and built-in shelving. There will be inherent costs associated with moving but I am ready to move on. I've lived at my complex for 4 years. You'd think my longevity would've been rewarded with my renewal rate but no such luck. I have to let my current complex know by 9/8 of my intent to vacate.
III. Health. I am doing better about working out regularly although I still have not quite mastered the 4 am wake up call. :/ I am also doing better about flossing/brushing after meals and using my R+F. I definitely notice a difference when I'm wearing it and makeup - my skin doesn't get as oily as quickly. I'm supposed to have an eye appointment this month, but since I want to go ahead and apply for the new apartment, I'll push this to October. I should have enough contacts to get me through then.

Goals for September 2016
Fiscal
1. Snowball #1: Make minimum $25.00 payment; Make additional $175.00 minimum payment
2. Snowball #2: No payment due this month; Return online purchases; Give card to mom once returns have been completed
3. Bills: Rent ($843.00); W/S/T ($60.00+/-); Car Insurance ($93.19); Cell Phone ($110.14 -- higher because I went over on data and had to buy a new phone (monthly payment plan)); Electric ($83.85)
4. New Apartment: Application Fee ($25.00); Processing Fee ($100.00); Application Deposit ($150.00) (Yay for being a local government employee and a preferred employer so I get 1/2 off the application and processing fees! -- just kidding. I pay $250 and the other half goes towards my first month's rent.)
5. Internet: It's going to be about $65/month because I'm renting both the router and modem. If I keep internet when I move, I will buy my own modem (and possibly lower my speed).
6. $75.00 to Mom for a top she bought me at Anthro before my birthday that I said I'd pay her back for...

Physical
1. Sleep: Sunday - Thursday go to bed by 9:00 pm to rise at 4:00 am to work out Monday - Friday
2. Sweat: minimum 5,000 steps per day (Fitbit); work out 3-7 days per week
3. Eat: I am going to quit trying to limit my soda/candy intake (well, still limit soda intake) because indulging a little bit is not a bad thing (restricting myself only makes me want it more!) -- everything in moderation and as long as I eat clean for my main meals, I'll be okay.
4. Oral: Floss/brush/act after every meal (even at work); coconut oil pull 3 nights/week; whiten teeth; quit
5. R+F Regime: Continue using on a regular basis
6. Pills: Continue to consistently take as needed (I'm up to 3 weeks of taking all my pills every day!) - B12 (3 pills each day MWF); Vitamin C (1 pill per day STThS); Probiotic (1 pill per day with dinner)

Fun
1. Study, study, study
2. Church 9/4, 9/11, 9/18, 9/25
3. Do another wardrobe clean out/Donation run to DRM I'll just add this to November as part of the moving/packing situation
4. Do another round or two for the dry cleaners
5. Schedule a massage for October/November
6. College Football Kicks Off! ECU 2-2-0, VT 3-1-0
7. Chores 9/3 (clean the kitchen, change solar lights, sort/organize/purge, etc.)
8. 9/17 Get my hair cut! Just a trim but my hair needs it - I also need to get a partial but that'll have to wait.
9. 9/16 Baby sit the Prince 

Work
1. Town Council 9/1 Didn't have to go :)
2. Planning Board 9/8 Cancelled - nothing on the agenda b/c someone can't get their stuff finished (not me)
3. Parks & Rec Advisory Committee 9/12
4. GTC Meeting, Board of Adjustment 9/22
5. Celebrate 4 Years 9/246. Booth at Business Expo 9/27
 

august 2016

Well, July went by quickly! Here we are and it's already August. I got some huge news on Tuesday, July 19 that has changed how I'll be spending my time (especially my weekends) for the next 4 months. I don't want to go into a lot of detail or tell a lot of people the specifics, mostly because I'm afraid I'll fail and then I'd feel so embarrassed. "It" has the potential to change the course of my career (& subsequently, my life) and open more doors...no pressure or anything. :/
I. Debt. The extra huge payment on Snowball #2 last month really blew my fiscal goals for July. Blessing and a curse, it took care of my payment for August so I can focus on other debts. I'm also going to call and try to adjust my payment due date to the middle of the month. With rent and utilities being due at the beginning of the month, it's really difficult to spare extra for that payment; which, usually means I'm moving money out of my reserve to cover groceries and living expenses until the next pay day..which, then I'm paying off the amount I owed, leaving me with even less take-home pay. It's a sick cycle.
II. Home. I still keep going back and forth on the whole moving situation. Moving is appealing since I'm basically being pick-pocketed out of $10 each month for extra services (which over the course of a lease term is $120). Plus, if I move, then I'm really saving $30 each month (which over the course of a lease term is $360.00). I will go look at the two complexes in my neighborhood and think about it. With the timing of "it", I'm most likely going to stay in my current apartment for an extra month and move out by Dec. 1st. But, that also depends on how much the extra 3 weeks will cost me.
III. Health. I totally blew it in July as far as working out and getting good sleep and quitting my bad habit. My goal for August is to do a serious 31-day challenge. To resolve to not eating candy, drinking soda, snacking on crap. To resolve to putting myself to bed by 9pm Sun-Thurs so I can get up and work out in the mornings before work. I really was happier when I was getting my sweat on every day -- helped me get my frustrations out! AND, I did try a new watering hole and I really like it...but, I'll have to cut back on that - again, due to "it". :)

Goals for August 2016
Fiscal
1. Snowball #1: Make $200.00 payment (more if I can swing it, but not less) Paid $25.00 minimum payment 8/12. Will pay remaining $175.00 in a week or so.
2. Snowball #2: No payment due (unless changing my due date affects it) Future due date moved to the middle of the month to not soak up ALL of my paycheck at the beginning of the month.
3. Car Insurance: August payment to be paid out of July 29 paycheck
4. Car Inspection/Renewal: Due by the end of the month
5. Bills: Rent ($843.00), W/S/T ($65.00+/-); Car Insurance ($93.19); Cell Phone ($75.41); Electric ($83.73)

Physical
1. Sleep: Sun - Thurs go to bed at 8:30 pm to rise at 4:00 am to work out Mon-Fri (the Olympics are killing any plans for an early bedtime!!)
2. Sweat: minimum 5,000 steps per day (Fitbit); work out 5-7 days per week
3. Eat: 31 day challenge --> No soda, candy, crap; popcorn OK in moderation (aka I'm going to portion baggy the popcorn for my work day snack)
4. Oral: Floss/Brush/Act after every meal (even at work); coconut oil pull 3 nights/week; whiten teeth
5. R+F Regime: Started with sulfur wash in July, now add all the steps
6. Pills (Consistently take!): B12 (3 pills each day MWF); Vitamin C (1 pill per day except MWF); Probiotic (1 pill per day with dinner)

Fun
1. Start studying!
2. Church 8/7, 8/14, 8/21, 8/24
3. Schedule a massage for Sept
4. Sort/Organize/Purge/Donate
4a. Coat closet
4b. Storage ottoman/bins
4c. Update files
4d. Shred!
4e. Do another wardrobe clean out/Donation run to DRM
5. Look @ apartments - With the timing of "it", I may look to stay in my apartment an extra month and move over Thanksgiving weekend/be out by Dec. 1. I made a decision! I am definitely going to move - but not before my exam. I'm ready to move out because I'm just tired of everything except my kitchen and my view (lack of storage space, persistent bugs, flaws that wouldn't exist if they just did what they said they were going to do a few months ago, appearance/maintenance of property on decline (also has to do with types of people who have moved in in the past 1-2 years), etc. And, there's a complex down the street (within reasonable walking distance to Earth Fare) that is more in line with my budget and I can get a bigger apartment with additional storage included!. My mom and I drove around in it yesterday and she approved. I still can't live on the first floor and of the additional complexes I visited, its gym lacks the most but as long as there are free weights, a treadmill and a little space for me to do my thing, I'm okay. Or, I'll just make the den into a home gym. :)
6. Out of Town Interview 8/11

Work
1. Town Council 8/4
2. Greenway Connector Meeting 8/10
3. Planning Board 8/11 (no meeting)
4. Board of Adjustment 8/25
5. County RAC 8/25
6. Hoard my time: At the end of July, I had almost 90 hours of vacation time (!!) and August will give me almost 100 (so fun!). I would really like to start hoarding my sick time (only 10 hours at the end of July, but by the end of the year I could have 50 if I don't use any time) and, I earn comp time from meetings, so by the end of the year, that number should go up as well. I'd really like to have higher double digits for both sick and comp hours.  Doing really well with not using vacation time, but yesterday I stayed home. Got rid of the kid I'd been carrying around for the past few days. Which is partially attributed to be on the lady fun coaster. But, I've been taking my probiotic faithfully over the past few weeks so it was weird. I looked pregnant for a couple days and now I'm back to my slenderish self. :) And, if I have to miss a day for that, I say it's worth it. 

july 2016

OKAY! The year is officially half over. Time goes by so fast! Now that my birthday has come and gone, I've really been thinking about how I want the next 6 months to go and how I am going to make sure it happens -- call them mid-year resolutions.

I. Debt. I did well in May when I used by federal tax refund to pay off 2/3 of the balance of snowball #1. Then, I spent and brought my balance back up again. I basically wasted $500.00. :( So, paying off snowball #1 is my priority for the next 6 months. If I really suck it up, go straight gazelle-like with discipline, it could be done in 3 months or less.

a) Where I have wavered or screwed up is that instead of truly separating them as different snowballs/debt balances, I've been trying to take dents out of both at the same time. Then, I'm left drowning and not getting anywhere! What makes it difficult is that while the minimum balance on snowball #1 is low ($25.00), the minimum payment on snowball #2 is high ($150.00+/-) -- more than 4x the payment of snowball #1! The blessing is that they are due at different times during the month (thank goodness!). 
b) So, the priority for the next 6 months is to pay off the balance of snowball #1. If there is time left over once the balance is $0, I will devote chunks of money towards snowball #2. Otherwise, paying off the balance of snowball #2 will be the priority for 2017. 
II. Home. I've also been going back and forth about whether or not I want to move when my lease is up. I love my apartment, especially the kitchen; but, I don't love the new management and there's just been so many problems that I'd love a fresh start.
a) When I think about the fact that I'm trying to get debt free, moving is both a pain and can be expensive, and my current rate is well below market value so even with an increase in rate, with the cost of utilities, I'd probably be even with the cost of living for a new place. 
b) I really need a new mattress. The chances of me getting a new mattress sooner rather than later go up significantly if I don't move. If I move, it could easily be another year before I achieve better sleeping conditions. Plus, my parents gave me another $150 for my mattress/moving budget, so I'm up to $350.00 in my mattress fund. More motivation to pay off the balance of snowball #1 as quickly as possible to free up more money to move into the mattress fund!
c) I've been thinking of ways to freshen up my apartment to help it feel new again. The first idea? Take down everything off the walls, fill the wholes and paint (even just the same color that's there now). Second idea? Get rid of some furniture. I have two wooden cube units in the entry that house books and pictures and bins of things I don't want people to see. I'm planning on breaking up my elfa shelving and moving one into the living room, which could serve as my book storage. I could donate the cube units and replace them with a lighter drawer shelf option from IKEA for the entry.
d) PURGE!! Really hone in on what I use and need and how to best store it.  
So, I've pretty much decided to stay in my apartment for at least another year...which will be my 4th year in this unit and 5th in the building. Woo.
III. Health. If I'm being honest, I have really slacked off with working out regularly. I went from going 4-6 days/week to 1-2 days/week, which is really not effective. I feel like I was working really hard for my birthday goal and looking hot in my dress, which I achieved and now I've backtracked to the beginning of my journey. Balls. So, I will use the new month as new motivation! Since a new woman has joined my usual work out time in the mornings and hogs the good treadmill, I have decided to hit the gym earlier so I can still get in my morning run!
a) Get to the gym at 4:30 am M-F to be able to get in a morning run & my scheduled WOD.
b) Be more consistent and persistent!
c) Try a different watering hole -- Trali is getting depressing!
d) Immerse myself in my work. The office drama is killing my joy for my job. My annual review in September marks 4 years. 

Goals for July 2016
Fiscal -- The spending STOPS! I'm never going to make any progress if I don't stop spending!
1. Snowball #1: make minimum $25.00 payment; 
2. Snowball #2: make minimum $157.00 $332.00 payment. Because my payment was late, my new minimum payment became $332.00(!), which stole the $200.00 I was going to put towards Snowball #1. I am going to call in August and try to change my due date to the middle of the month -- it's just so hard with it due in the same time frame as my rent & utilities. :(
3. Pay July's car insurance payment 7/1
4. Pay August's car insurance payment 7/15 (because of the way the pay days fall) Nope. Snowball #2 ruined that plan
5. July's bills: Rent ($843.00), W/S/T ($65.00+/-), Car Insurance ($93.21), Cell Phone ($60.40), Electric ($73.12)
6. Car inspection? (Expires in August) Nope. That'll have to come out of the 8/12 paycheck :/

Physical
1. Sleep: Sun - Thurs, go to bed at 8:30 pm to rise at 4:00 am Mon - Fri to work out
2. Sweat: minimum 5,000 steps per day (Fitbit); work out 3-7 days per week
3. Eat CLEAN! No caffeinated soda, limited non-caffeinated soda intake, no skittles or doritos or crap, drink more milk, eat more fruit, make more smoothies!
4. Oral: floss/brush/act after EVERY meal; coconut oil pull 3 nights/week, whiten teeth
5. Use R+F skincare regime Started 7/17 with sulfur face wash

Fun!
1. Independence Day 7/4
2. Celebrate birthdays: Sister (39), Nephew (2)
3. Read a book!
4. Go to church every Sunday: 7/3, 7/10, 7/17, 7/24, 7/31 (1/5)
4a. Basix @ RFA 7/16
5. Schedule a massage for August/September (the lady I had in June was AMAZING!)
6. Sort/Organize/Purge
6a. Reorganize work nook
6b. Reorganize coat/suit closet
6c. Sort storage ottoman, boxes, bins, etc.
6d. Update files/filing cabinets
6e. Let stuff GO!
6f. SHRED!
7. CLEAN! 
7a. Garbage disposal
7b. Lights in kitchen
7c. Windows inside and out
7d. Vacuum
7e. Dust surfaces
8. Bag/tag donations (clothes, shoes, home decor, crafts, etc.)
8a. Take donations to Durham Rescue Mission (DRM) (8 bags of clothes, accessories, home decor items, craft supplies...I know I have more to give!)
9. Look at apartments - There's really only one option in my neighborhood I could afford at this point (which is one reason why paying off Snowballs #1 & #2 (and closing #2) are so darn important!)...
10. Work on my room/storage at my parents' house 7/23

Eight to Five.
1. Office Closed 7/4
2. Town Council 7/7
3. Boss on Vacation 7/11 - 7/22 (hallelujah!)
4. Board of Adjustment 7/28
5. Pay Days: 7/1, 7/15, 7/29

june 2016

Who can believe it's already June?! And, summer! I'm still trying to figure out how to apply my self-tanner evenly all over my body. I tried again over the weekend and it was less spotty but my right side was definitely more tan looking than my left...particularly with my legs. I do love the nearly instant color it provides...starts showing after a few hours and full application after twelve hours. But, how about my sheets? Those looked a little icky with self-tanner spots...guess it's time to start sleeping with the fan on again so I don't get so hot or taking my blue blanket off the bed - leaving just the sheet, down duvet, and furry throw. ;) I'm considering trying the spray tanner to see if that's easier to apply. Plus, I still need to recruit my mom to apply it to my back. 

This month is a great month because it's the month I was born! :) I'm excited, of course, even though it's kind of a "meh" birthday. I'm not 30 and I'm not 35...smack dab in the middle. But, I feel better going into the month of June than I did in May. I think I'm getting back into the swing of things and everything is just fitting. Yesterday was Memorial Day so I joined thousands of Crossfitters in doing the hero workout, "Murph." The Rx version consists of: 1 mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 push ups, 300 air squats, and another 1 mile run. I did a way scaled down version mostly because of the pull-ups. Since I don't belong to a CF gym (box), I continue to utilize the gym in my apartment complex. I'm too tall to rack the bar at the highest position and wrap the band around that to do them because them my chin would hit the frame, I believe. So, we have a stretching cage thingy that I've seen a few people use for pull ups. But, with that, if I stepped in the band with my foot, I was standing on the base. No way to kip. So, I used the band around my knee. Also, very hard to kip. So, I counted attempts for about half my count. I'm still sore across my upper back. ;) My scaled Murph consisted of: Run 1/4 mile, 25 pull-ups, 50 push ups, 75 air squats, and another 1/4 mile run. I put the treadmill on 5.5mph which felt fast, but I knew the pull-ups would take up valuable time...and I still wasn't at 100% with the blade injury to my left middle and ring fingers so maintaining grip with band-aids was challenging and made linking pull-ups together even tougher. But, I kept going. By the second sprint my legs felt like jelly and i was dripping with sweat. Not my best Murph workout but having been away from a legit CF workout for more than a couple years, it felt great. It was a great way to honor not just Murph but all of our service men, women and canines who have left it all out on the battlefield in service for our country. We should always remember, thank and honor those who service in our military, but Monday was really about honoring the ones who didn't come home. I think it's really important to distinguish why we honor certain holidays the way we do.

Enough rhetoric. Here are my goals for the sixth month of 2016.

Fiscal
1. make $200.00 payment on snowball #1 (6/17).
2. make $149.00 minimum payment (6/3), additional $200.00 payment (6/17) on snowball #2.
3. bills: rent $843.00; w/s/t <$70.00 (barely); car insurance <$95.00; cell phone $60.00; electric <$65.00.
4. dentist appt. 6/21: i pay up front & then my insurance company reimburses me, less the out-of-network cost
5. exchange a top purchased in april for a short-sleeve version, use $25 virtual dollars and basically, just pay for tax..what a deal!
6. order my Jacob's birthday present (my nephew turns 2 in July!)

Physical
1. sleep = sunday - thursday: bedtime is 9pm to rise by 5am monday - friday to work out; weekends: rise between 6-7am
2. sweat = minimum 5,000 steps per day (fitbit); work out 4-7 days/week || 3 weeks until my birthday & I have a HOT dress I want to wear out to celebrate!
3. eat = clean! no caffeinated soda, limited caffeine-free soda intake; no skittles, doritos, crap from Jack's. ;) drink mostly water and add more milk!
4. oral = floss/brush/use act after every meal, even at work; coconut oil pull 3 nights/week; whiten teeth.

Fun!
1. read a book (one of these days I really will!)
2. finish father's day gift: finish painting sides, border detail 6/1-6/3; design & paint board designs 6/3-6/4, 6/10-11; detailing/touch ups 6/13-15; seal boards (poly & sand & poly) 6/16-17
3. celebrate my birthday!
4. celebrate father's day 6/19
5. see "finding dory," opening 6/17...i am so excited for its release! :)
6. avoid the bar until my birthday...if the chicken pickin' is a wash out, i may venture out 6/4 nope! i stayed in! :) i went out for a little while on saturday 6/11, mostly so i don't shock 'em with my sexiness on the 17th! ;)
7. letter writing: michigan, raleigh
8. certification window opens 6/1 for november exam on sunday, the deadline was 6/7 at 9am. so i frantically tried to get my application in on time, only to find the deadline is midnight. tsk! *it's the second time something like that has happened to me in the past week!*
9. sort/organize/purge! 6/25-26
10. sort/organize/purge/update files 6/25-26
11. try to schedule a massage for real! :) i have one scheduled for friday 6/17!!
12. go to church every Sunday in June (I am really loving RFA!) i missed 6/5 because my phone locked up and i didn't have my other alarm clock (only has one alarm) on. i wound up staying in bed all morning because i stayed up late watching a netflix movie (which i just remembered i need to return!).

Eight to Five.
1. Code Enforcement Day! 6/1 (site inspections, new violation notices, etc.)
2. Nutrition Work Shop 6/2
3. Town Council 6/2 (this one is going to be a doozy! the planning dept has 5 agenda items, 4 are public hearings and the board has to adopt the budget, which is also a public hearing. we may be there all night!)
4. Update Zoning Map 6/3 (also on website)
5. Chicken Pickin' 6/4
6. County CTP Meeting 6/7
7. Regional Greenway Meeting 6/9
8. Code Enforcement Day! 6/10
9. UNRBA Meeting 6/15
10. OFF 6/17
11. PFC 6/22
12. RPO TAC/TCC Supplemental Meeting (for a delayed vote) 6/23
13. website subcommittee meeting 6/27

may 2016

let's just say that i have met the "mid-year slump" in almost every aspect of my life. on the outside, i need to get my hair done, i need to go to the dentist, and at the moment, i'm wearing a long dress because i need to shave my legs. on the inside, i need to quit spending money, quit wasting my time thinking about someone who has proven to be a reasonably sized jackass, quit thinking about what to write to my ex without calling him an arrogant asshole and just write it down and send it off, quit the one thing that i've been holding onto for the past few years, and just get my shit together. so, i've put a whole lot of pressure on may to be the month everything's going to fall into place. it's the last month i can call myself "32" and i really want to get back on track to being able to accomplish my goals for this year, and not slide off the wagon even further. the first step? i'm taking a purposeful month off from going to the pub on the weekends. i've started to drink my feelings and that only leaves me feeling more useless and like i don't matter. because i won't be out late on the weekends, that also means i'll be able to go to church - so i'm making a purposeful effort to go to church on sundays. i found a new church - went last week for the first time on purpose and was moved. so, i have to go back. :) with regard to spending, i'm making a conscious effort beginning with friday's paycheck to not spend for the heck of it. and looking at my budget for the next 2 weeks, there's not really an ounce of money that could be frivolously spent without repercussions anyways. those nice shorts i bought from white house | black market are killing me. but i don't regret them because they're my celebratory piece -- i fit comfortably in a size 4! my hard work is paying off and starting to show...i want to keep it up! with just a little more than a month to go for my birthday, i want to rock it at 33! :) and the good news, i've run the numbers and it is still possible that i will be debt free by the end of the year! whee!! :D
here's what's planned for may:

fiscal
1. make $200.00 payment for snowball #1 (5/20) $500.00 paid 5/20. looking to pay the remaining balance in full this month as well ($280.00) to be able to give my undivided attention to #2 for the next 6 months.
2. make $200.00 payment for snowball #2 (5/6) - i haven't missed a payment in over a year but the end of april/beginning of may left me in a pinch and thus, missed a payment. boo! paid minimum on 5/6. 
3. bills: rent/utilities (paid 5/3 -- did i mention my w/s/t bill was almost $70?! $70 for 1 person living alone. that is outrageous and just solidifies my desire to move when my lease is up in 5 months or so.); car insurance; cell phone; electric everything paid by 5/6
4. other bills: ue co-payment; ER payment payments mailed 5/6

physical
1. sleep = 9:00 pm bedtime sunday-thursday to rise at 4:30am monday-friday; 11:00pm bedtime friday-saturday to rise by 7:00am.
2. sweat = minimum 5,000 steps per day; work out 5-6 days/week
3. oral = floss/brush/act after every meal, including at work; coconut oil pull 3 nights/week; start using teeth whitening products
4. eat/drink = 31 days of minimal-no crap challenge! no soda, no doritos...acceptable snacks are gf cheddar popcorn and chocolate; acceptable beverages are water, milk and maybe virgil's (no hfcs).
5. change dentist appoint to june/july

fun
1. read a book (i promise it's going to happen this month!) it didn't happen this month.. :(
2. finish gallery wall in living room (antenna needs to be moved closer to the window again...wondering if i could just install a shelf so that i don't have to move everything again! and it looks FABULOUS!!
3. no nights at the bar this month!
4. write/send letter to michigan
5. applications
6. clean! kitchen, living room, bedroom 5/21-22, 5/28-30
7. iron/steam marathon: part 1 5/7, part 2 5/13, part 3 5/21
8. schedule a much needed massage!
9. celebrate! mother's day 5/8, paul's birthday 5/14
10. help the grandparents babysit while the parents are in dc 5/6-5/8
11. tv finales!
12. sort/organize/purge! from my file cabinets to my storage ottoman, underbed boxes, bins...
13. go to church every sunday in may

eight to five
1. public hearing for roads 5/4
2. town council 5/5 (i'm not going, i want to watch grey's!)
3. planning board 5/12
4. set meeting 5/16
5. unrba meeting 5/18
6. path forward 5/25
7. rpo tac/tcc 5/26

april 2016

fiscal
1. snowball #1: make $200.00 payment minimum payment paid 4/8.
2. snowball #2: make $200.00 payment (minimum) $143.00 paid 4/1. On 4/2, returned $74 from a recent order. Returned another $127.00 last week with other returns possible.
3. bills: rent; water/sewer/trash; cell phone; electric
4. gi co-pay from UE, gi co-pay for follow up appt., ER bill payment
Spring is when my wallet gets hit the hardest! 0:)

physical
1. sleep = 9:00 p.m. bedtime sunday - thursday; rise at 4:30 a.m. monday-friday
2. sweat = minimum 5,000 steps per day; work out 5-6 days a week (walk/run + mini WODs); monday - friday work out before work (5-6:00 a.m.)
3. oral = floss/brush/act after every meal (even at work); coconut oil pull 3 nights a week; start using teeth whitening "stuff" i changed my toothpaste (same brand but different formula and it is AMAZING! really seems to be tackling the tarter (eew!) and my teeth feel so clean! baby steps....
4. eat/drink = i slacked off in march with the abundance of easter candy/sweets, so it's time to get tough again! 30 days of no crap - no hfcs beverages, no/limited gluten, no processed crap, eat dinner by 7:00 p.m. every night
5. gi doctor follow up appointment

fun
1. read a book!
2. tra'li
3. send grandma a gift for her birthday
4. write/send note to michigan
5. returns: target, j.crew suit returns (i kept the black and navy suits - paid for by mi madre)
6. applications
7. clean! kitchen, living room 4/9-10
8. update gallery wall in living room 4/1-3
9. schedule a much-needed massage!
10. emerald isle to see my bestie!?!
11. jacob's baby dedication 4/17
12. babysit 4/23
13. order mother's day gifts for mom and grandma
14. do my taxes!! mail by 4/18

eight to five
1. make maps for town clean up event 4/6
2. town council 4/7
3. planning board 4/14
4. county RAC 4/19
5. SET 4/21
6. RPO TAC/TCC 4/22
7. tip a cop event 4/22
8. town health work shop 4/27 

march 2016

$ fiscal $
1. Snowball #1: make $200.00 payment
2. Snowball #2: make $200.00 payment (minimum)
3. Bills, bills, bills: $843.00 rent; $60.00+/- water/sewer/trash (finally!); cell phone; electric $62.00 +/-

physical
1. SLEEP = Go to bed at 9:00 p.m. Sunday - Thursday; Rise by 5:00 a.m. Monday - Friday
2. SWEAT = minimum 5,000 steps per day; 5-6 days per week work out (walk/run, mini WODs); M-F work out before work (5-6:00 a.m.)
3. ORAL = brush/floss/act after every meal (even at work); coconut oil pull 3 nights per week before bed (and/or other at-home oral care practice)
4. EAT/DRINK = 31 days of no crap: no soda, no/limited gluten; no processed crap; eat dinner by 7:00 p.m.
5. dr. appt. 3/1; upper endoscopy 3/4 (whoopie!)

* fun *
1. read a book
2. trali
3. celebrate mom's birthday
4. celebrate my bestie's birthday
5. celebrate Jesus' death and resurrection
6. write/send note to michigan (mid- to end- of month)
7. make container store return
8. buy a griddle/indoor grill pan
9. applications
10. update art wall in living room
11. schedule a much-needed massage!
12. emerald isle!
13. st. patrick's day 3/17

8-5.
1. town council 3/3
2. SET meeting 3/7
3. planning board 3/10
4. pay day 3/11
5. town PRAC 3/14 (probably not)
6. easter egg hunt 3/24
7. office closed (good friday) 3/25