april.

the pollen arrived for real last weekend, which means spring is really here! we had an early dusting of yellow in late february/early march, but nothing like the coating we have now. thankfully, we've had rain a few times this week to help wash it away. i can't wait until it's gone so i can go over to my folks' and wash/detail my car. spring is by far my favorite season...sunshine, flowers, sandal season, white pants, sundresses, warmer temperatures without the humidity of a north carolina summer, sunless tanning lotions. gimme, gimme, gimme! :)

march recap: i started going back to church and went 3 of 4 sundays. i only went out one night. my mom, sister and i went to the casting crowns/unspoken/danny gokey concert at pnc arena. it was AWESOME! my mom had a great time and it was so nice for the three of us to spend time together. we only had two complaints: 1) that unspoken didn't play longer, and 2) casting crowns took a really long break! we could've been out almost an hour earlier...with traffic, i didn't get home until midnight. but, other than that, so fun!
i did fairly well with not spending much in march. i did order more gifts, but i don't really count that as "spending." it is, but it's not wasting money on stupid crap. i ordered a book for my grandma's birthday, a book for father's day, and a couple christian albums. i met with a family friend who is a realtor. with the anticipation of a hike in interest rates, my parents really want to buy and if i want to stay in my neighborhood, the time to buy is now (!). it's a very exciting time...i just have to get through may 17th first. my exam is in less than 50 days. eek! i also attended my first young adults night at rfa. it was fun. everyone was really nice. a smallish group of 30-40. everyone seems to be in their mid-to late 20's. which means i'm still at least 4 years older than everyone. :/ the group will probably skew even younger once colleges let out. we shall see. they meet about once a month.

i am looking forward to what april will bring! here are my goals for the month.

fiscal.
1. pay off balance on snowball #1 made another $500 payment 4/7; < PIF 4/21!!
2. pay at least $200.00 on snowball #2 paid 4/7
3. pay at least $255.00 on snowball #3 paid $155.00 on 3/24, $100.00 on 3/30; $100.45 on 4/21
4. rent/water/misc. payment: $1034.26 paid 3/30
5. bills: car insurance, cell phone, electric, internet made second payment on car insurance to PIF for may & june! :)
6. purchase gifts for may: brother-in-law's birthday and mother's day (4/21-4/22)
7. file my taxes by 4/18
8. adjust withholdings/dependents for my paycheck (advice from my realtor)

physical.
1. consistent sleep schedule: bed @ 9pm, rise @ 4am for weekday workouts; bed by 11pm, rise by 8am for weekend workouts
2. consistent workouts - work out at least 5 days a week
3. remember to stretch and roll out my muscles
4. get a massage! (i have needed one since november in the worse way -- even if it's just a quick 30-min squeeze on my shoulders and back)
5. continue using R+F regularly
6. continue using diy clay mask once a week
7. continue weaning off caffeinated soda - i cheated a little bit but have mostly stuck with cherry 7up
8. start coconut oil pulling - begin 2x/week
9. floss/brush/act after every meal, even at work

fun.
1. church 4/2, 4/9, 4/16, 4/30
2. raleigh sports club's annual banquet 4/6 so fun. spent an evening with mostly men 65+ and met coach logan.
3. comp time! 4/8
4. hair cut 4/15
5. easter 4/16
6. grandma's birthday 4/18
7. not so fun --- STUDYING when i'm not at work, working out, sleeping or eating

work.
1. ctp meeting 4/4
2. cwep meeting 4/6
3. town council 4/6 i'll miss it because i have the rsc banquet
4. website subcommittee meeting 4/13
5. planning board 4/13 cancelled
6. office closed 4/14
7. county parks & rec advisory committee 4/18
8. pfc meeting 4/26
9. board of adjustment 4/27
10. pay days 4/7, 4/21
11. website updates - ongoing