april.

where has the time gone? the first quarter of 2018 is already over. let's recap march. i went out for my first st. patrick's day in about 5 years...at 11 o'clock. i had two ciders and left. i've never really liked being out on st. patrick's day for a few reasons: i never really like big crowds of drunk people, i don't need to drink in public to know i'm irish, and "cultural appropriation" for a lot of non-irish people celebrating being irish is just dumb. the big news for march?! thanks to my mom, i was able to buy my dream sofa for half price. my mom was at the mall and called me at work to tell me my sofa was 50% off...$850. it was the floor model. i went over after work to check it out and look it over. i went home to measure, because i thought the chaise portion may have been too long. i measured and taped it off...it was perfect. and that price! even at full price, it's a steal so at 50% off - it's like it was meant to be! so, i drove back across town and bought it. :) my brown sofa has been great...i bought it 12 years ago for $300. if it were a sleeper, i'd keep it but since it's not, it's time to donate it.

for april, i am embarking on a 30 day challenge. a challenge to tell myself "no" with the hope of making better choices and me feeling better about myself - outside and inside. love & respect...love & respect.

money.
1. snowball #1: still PIF | do not use
2. snowball #2: make returns
3. snowball #3: make remaining returns
4. house bills: mortgage; water; gas; electric; internet who knows when i'm going to get a water bill - but when i do, it'll be big!
5. apartment bills: rent/water/trash; electric
6. other bills: cell phone; car insurance
7. order checks with my new address!
8. order a new drivers license with my new address!
9. purchase presents: brother-in-law's birthday (may 15) & mother's day (may 13)

self.
1. 30 Day Challenge (see earlier post)
2. use R+F daily
3. oral: brush/floss/use Act after every meal, even at work; begin oil pulling 1-2 days a week; start using carbon coco to whiten/lighten teeth
4. beauty nights: 4/13, 4/27

fun.
1. church: 4/1, 4/7, 4/14, 4/21, 4/29
2. Easter Sunday 4/1
3. grandma turns 95!
4. STUDY STUDY STUDY
5. apartment lease ends 4/15 - turn in keys!
6. house cleaning schedule fun...4/7, 4/28

work.
1. town council 4/5
2. social media & gov't conf. call 4/10
3. NCDOT meeting 4/10
4. USACE meeting 4/16
5. CWEP meeting 4/17
6. County RAC meeting 4/17
7. PFC meeting 4/25
8. County CTP Steering Committee meeting 4/26
9. pay days: 4/6, 4/20

image credit: https://www.newyork-english.edu/rookie-blog/uncategorized/april-showers-bring-may-flowers/

30 day challenge

beginning sunday, april 1st i am embarking on a new 30 DAY CHALLENGE. they say it's not good to tell yourself "no" all the time. well, april is the month of NO. the goals of this challenge are to kick some bad habits, make some better choices and use my free time more wisely. to make these things happen, i have to start saying no - to myself.

1. NO high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) = NO skittles, soda

2. NO more...it's time to reverse the curse.

3. Healthy eating/cooking/drinking for the next 30 days = NO CRAP!

4. Gluten Free (GF) snacks and treats ONLY & Pay attention to serving sizes and portions
it sounds hard, but i do have snacks i like...pretzels, cheddar popcorn, KIND bars, cookies. it's going to be about not eating so much/often.

5. Healthy eating + Exercise = Feeling better about myself!
Losing the jiggles! Better quality of life!
WOD @ gym at least 5 days a week; walk around my neighborhood/Brier Creek on my "off" days when weather is nice!

6. Beauty Nights = Learning to take better care of my skin, my body, my self.
face masks, mani/pedis, bath soaks, shaving, etc. the goal is to work up to at least once a week of treating my self with kindness and respect.

Image: http://events.adelphi.edu/au_event/30-day-challenge/

march 2018.

money.

1. snowball #1: still PIF | do not use
2. snowball #2: PIF! | do not use
3. snowball #3: make returns to help bring down the balance! (the container store, target, etc.)
4. savings: probably will do nothing to add to the amount this month
5. house bills: mortgage (1st payment! ack!); water/trash; gas; electric; internet
6. apartment bills: rent/water/misc.; electric
7. other bills: cell phone; car insurance
adulting sucks sometimes!!

self.
1. sleep: sunday - thursday, bedtime is 10:00 pm at the latest (body under the covers, not start getting ready for bed at 10:00 pm bedtime)
2. sweat: monday - friday: 5:00 - 5:50 am; Weekends: by 7:00 am | work out 5-6 days/week i joined a "real" gym on 3/11! no excuses now! #fitforthirtyfive #doingitformenotthem #betterchoices 
3. use R+F daily
4. beauty night: 3/9, 3/30
5. NO MORE...it is time to drop this habit/lifestyle choice for once and for all!
6. oral health: brush, floss, use act after EVERY meal (even at work); begin oil pulling and using carbon coco
7. schedule a massage! it was wonderful! 
8. do more of what makes me happy! set up a weekly/bi-weekly cleaning schedule...a clean house makes me cheery and delightful :)

fun.
1. church: 3/4, 3/11, 3/18, 3/25
2. birthdays: mom 3/19, bestie 3/23
3. office closed friday 3/30
4. STUDY STUDY STUDY
5. st. patrick's day saturday 3/17 [i am part irish :)]
6. battle of the blues (@ duke), round 2, saturday 3/3 at 8:00 pm
7. finish moving everything out of the apartment
8. back to the apartment to fill holes, touch up paint, clean everything, vacuum, etc.: 3/10, 3/17, 3/31

work.
1. town council 3/1
2. planning board 3/8 cancelled
3. parks & rec advisory committee 3/12
4. county parks & rec advisory board 3/20
5. board of adjustment 3/22 cancelled
6. town easter egg hunt 3/24
7. office closed 3/30
8. pay days: 3/9, 3/23