december 2015.

let's just face it. december is going to be busy and hectic and exhausting and tight on the wallet. thankfully, nearly all of my christmas shopping is complete - just have 2.5 left to purchase before wrapping begins this saturday. it's not even december 1 and my house and office are decorated for the holiday -- i even used my faux greenery on my balcony that i haven't used in probably, 5 years. we'll see just how indoor/outdoor useful it is! here are my goals for the last month of the year...not exactly where i thought i'd be at this point in the year! :( but, i can always finish the year strong!

fiscal.
1. snowball #1 - the fact that it's still lingering is annoying. and with rent going up, i don't think i'll be able to make much of a dent in the balance this month. :(
2. snowball #2 - using it with rewards card(s) for my mom's christmas gift and then it goes away until it is paid off, after which the account will be closed and the card will be cut. the account WILL close in 2016 or you may shoot me in the butt cheek. :)
3. bills, bills, bills: rent $843.00 paid 12/5; water/sewer/trash ?; car insurance $100.00 +/- paid 11/20; cell phone $75.00 +/- paid 12/4; snowball #2 min. payment $100.00 +/- paid 11/20; electric $50.00 +/- due 12/17 paid 12/4; snowball #1 min. payment due 12/22.

physical.
1. food challenge: 31 days of no crap - no hfcs sodas, no gluten, no processed crap, no bread; eat dinner by 7:30 pm every night
2. sweat challenge: 5,000 steps per day (fitbit); minimum 5 days/week of activity (walk/jog, crossfit @ home, etc.)
3. sleep challenge: sunday - thursday go to bed at 10:00 pm every night; monday - friday rise at 5:00 am to work out before work
4. oral care challenge: brush/floss regimine; coconut oil pull at least 3 times per week (to start)

good stuff.
1. trali 12/4, 12/11, 12/18, 12/23
2. exam application prep 12/5-6 12/12 - 12/23
3. wrap christmas presents 12/5, 12/11
4. neighbors' christmas party 12/5
5. exam application window 12/1-31 (exam fee $70.00)
6. babysit 12/12 my streak of only having to change #1 diapers is OVER!
7. end of year purge! --> goodwill, durham rescue mission

eight to five.
1. path forward 12/1
2. town council 12/3
3. pictures with santa 12/4
4. senior christmas social 12/10
5. planning board 12/10
6. town holiday lunch 12/11 didn't go - i ate mexican instead :)
7. office closed 12/24-28
8. leave early 12/31

challenge.

november 30 day challenge

food
1. eat clean --> no bread, jujyfruits, no processed crap
2. drink clean --> no hfcs soda
3. eat breakfast every day (most important meal!)

body
1. minimum 5,000 steps per day (fitbit)
2. minimum 5 days/week of activity (walk/jog; crossfit @ home; etc.) **incorporate dumbbells**
3. workout in a.m. before work (5 a.m.)
4. get a massage!

sleep
1. sunday - thursday nights: go to bed at 10:00 p.m. so i can wake up at 5:00 a.m.
2. monday - friday mornings: rise at 5:00 a.m. to workout
3. only go out a few times this month (11/13-14 at beach, 11/20)

oral
1. coconut oil pulling: at first, do this 3 days/week (sunday, tuesday, thursday)
2. apple cider vinegar swishing: 3 days/week (monday, wednesday, friday)
3. flossing: at first, do this before bed. work up to after every meal

november.

fiscal.
1. snowball #1: pay at least $200.00 (preferably $250.00) paid minimum $25.00 11/6; returned $100.00+ 11/16
2. snowball #2: pay at least $300.00 returned $100.00+/- 11/6
3. beach trip 11/13: $100-150.00  i took $200.00 and came home with $20.00. but i did get my mom's angel!
4. bills, bills, bills: rent $830.00+/-; water/sewer/trash $52.00+/-; snowball #1 min. payment $50.00 +/-; car insurance $100.00 +/-; dentist $214.00; cell phone $75.00+/-; electric $55.00+/-

physical.
this month i intend to make some life-changing decisions and begin the process of changing my ways & changing my inner and outer self. i have nothing to lose except pounds and bad habits!
1. food challenge: 30 days of no crap - no hfcs drinks, no gluten (no brixx!), no processed crap (jujyfruits!); no bread (no plumpeez!); eat dinner by 7:00 pm every night
2. sweat challenge: 5,000 steps per day (Fitbit); minimum 5 days/week of activity (walk/jog, crossfit @ home, etc.); incorporate dumbbells into workouts
3. sleep challenge: sunday - thursday go to bed at 10:00 pm (regardless of what's on tv); monday - friday rise at 5:00 am to work out before work
4. dentist appointment w/ x-rays 11/9 the substitute dentist was an ASS!
5. oral care challenge: coconut oil pulling, flossing regimine

good stuff.
1. boyles' 6 year anniversary 11/7
2. family christmas pictures 11/11
3. emerald isle 11/13-11/15
4. off work 11/13 & 11/16
5. homestead: work on bonus room, my room 11/20-21
6. homestead: work on attic 11/26-28

eight to five.
1. pfc 11/3
2. town council 11/5
3. pay days 11/6, 11/20
4. community campfire 11/7
5. p&r advisory committee 11/9
6. office closed - veterans day 11/11
7. planning board 11/12
8. unrba 11/18
9. road assessment meeting 11/19
10. office closed - thanksgiving 11/26-27

october.

fiscal
1. snowball #1: between car stuff, wedding gift & a few smaller purchases, the spending stops here. *pay at least $150.00 $100.00 paid 10/9
2. snowball #2: i used it in september with a rewards card and two savings cards. the card has been put away and i'll be making only payments on balance. *pay $110.00 minimum + at least $200.00 more
3. bills, bills, bills: rent/conservice +/-$850.00 (treasure it! rent goes up next month!); car insurance +/-$100.00; cell phone +/-$75.00; electric +/-$74.00

physical
1. FOOD Challenge: stay as strict as possible with no processed crap, less gluten, no HFCS sodas
2. BODY Challenge: minimum 5,000 steps per day (Fitbit); minimum 5 days/week of activity (walk/jog, crossfit @ home, etc.) new plan: workout in a.m. *the rain has got to quit for this to be an option!
3. MOUTH Challenge: a.m. - gargle ACV, brush; afternoon - floss, brush; p.m. - coconut oil pull, floss, brush
4. dentist appointment w/ x-rays 10/15 rescheduled - i'm sick
5. doctor appointment/annual physical 10/20 moved to 10/26. i forgot i had to fast for bloodwork. 4pm appointment? yeah right!
6. adjust bedtime schedule: in bed @ 10 p.m. so i can rise @ 5:00 a.m. trying again in november

good stuff
1. babysit jacob 10/3
2. madam secretary returns 10/4
3. pat mcgee band at trali 10/16 i met him!
4. BSD's reunite 10/17 some dude gave me $100 for being nice
5. wedding 10/24
6. donation run by 10/31 push to November
7. make halloween costume 10/21 - 10/31
8. homestead: work on the attic 10/31
9. shred fest 10/2 or 10/9 push to November?
10. homestead: work on bonus room 10/10 sick...push to 10/17 or November
11. stella & dot party 10/21 ordered a necklace for my mom, a ring for me...and then a 4-in-1 necklace. i'm having buyer's remorse (wallet pinch!)...so we'll see when it gets here sometime in November if it gets to stay.
12. hair appointment 10/31 (color & cut! -- only a month over due!)


8 to 5
1. town council 10/1
2. set kick off 10/5
3. pfc 10/6
4. rpo tac/tcc 10/8
5. planning board 10/8
6. board of adjustment 10/22 omg. that was the longest meeting!
7. sgaa/town meeting of the minds 10/28
8. gateway meeting 10/29
9. idde training 10/30

september.

this year is flying by! there are only 4 whole months until the end of 2015! crazy! time to get this party started. i've been feeling a lot more "blue" than usual. personal life pretty much fell apart. so, i'm done with men for now. try to regroup and get back on track professionally, physically, and emotionally. and get the new arrangement in the living room complete with new art arrangements. :)

fiscal.
1. snowball #1: pay at least the minimum (zero balance didn't last long as i made some car repairs at the end of august - hello new battery!) no minimum due but i will still pay at least $100.00
2. snowball #2: pay at least $300.00 paid $111.00 minimum on 9/2; minimum $189.00 due by 9/30
3. bills, bills, bills: rent/conservice (+/- $850.00), car insurance (<$100.00), electric (<$74.00), cell phone (<$80.00).

physical.
1. 30 day challenge: FOOD --> no processed crap; hand prepared meals and snacks only; no HFCS beverages
2. 30 day challenge: BODY --> minimum 5,000 steps per day (fitbit); minimum 5 days a week of activity (walk/jog, crossfit at home, etc.)
3. 30 day challenge: MOUTH --> brush/floss daily. it's gross but i have always hated flossing. a) start with flossing before bed; b) then before work and before bed; c) work up to before work, after meals, before bed. i have a dentist appointment in october/november. :)
4. 30 day "challenge": MIND --> time to buck up and attack this thing called life! i'm tired of feeling blue and like my life has fallen apart. i am more than which guy likes me and my work...
5. eye appointment 9/16

good stuff.
1. continue to purge & give! round 3 by end of month
2. more sorting/organizing/purging at homestead! round 2 by 9/26
3. shred fest
4. freshen up apartment for fall/rehang art
5. football season is here!
6. gift for horton wedding in october
7. mail ian's gift for his 1st birthday (to california)
8. wash/dry/touch up paint/wax/detail my car 9/4-5

eight to five.
1. pfc meeting 9/1
2. town council 9/3
3. planning board 9/10
4. parks & rec advisory committee meeting 9/14
5. county rec advisory committee meeting 9/15
6. unrba board meeting 9/16
7. small business/industry appreciation event 9/24
8. celebrate 3 years 9/24
9. update website with zoning maps, other info

peace & strength

Today will be a test of strength. It will be a test of patience and purpose. It will be a test of will power as I swallow my anger and absolute disdain for a particular individual. Friday broke me and my spirit. I was treated in a way no person should ever be treated, especially in the work place. I was spoken to in a manner that I do not tolerate and caused me to instantly lose all respect I had for this individual. I was made to feel like I did something horribly wrong when I didn't; all I did was ask a question. On Friday, I snapped. I was beaten up and drained of all enjoyment I had for my job. I do like my job  but the day-to-day nonsense has really started to bring me down and start looking for a way out. My relationship with this individual had already deteriorated since the addition of a new staff member, but Friday, the relationship was severed. I will suck it up and put on my best face (as I just did) but on the inside, I am done. I had really hoped to stick it out for at least a couple more years -- I knew coming in it wouldn't be a forever kind of gig. But, I don't even know if I'll make it to my four year anniversary. Today is a hard day. But, this situation is only pushing me to try harder, to do better and do everything I can possibly do to push my career forward. And, it's also pushing me closer to my God. I find peace in Him. Yes, this situation absolutely blows but He never promised this life would be easy. All I can do is hope, pray and set my eyes on what's to come...and hopefully, it's better than this.


I am thankful to say that today went really well...surprisingly. We got along just fine. I tried to be cold and moody, but I just couldn't. I don't have a bone in my body that would allow me to act like that for more than a few minutes. But, trust me, I'm not foolish. I will be sending out applications and resumes for every available job that I'm reasonably interested in. And, will continue to pray that I am approved to sit for the exam in October.

august 2015

there's still a week left in july but since i've already accomplished most of my goals(!!), i went ahead and prepared for august. august! summer is flying by. the biggest goal for the remaining 5 months is to pay off snowball #2 in order to achieve my resolution to be interest-earning debt free by the end of the year. it will be hard because these monthly payments will be hefty. but, since snowball #1 is at zero and i cancelled my september trip to michigan, i believe it will be possible! :) here i go...

fiscal
1. snowball #1: no debt here! $0.00 balance as of july 17th
2. snowball #2: current balance <$2200.00 - pay at least $550.00 this month
i had to move money from my reserve to cover a snowball payment in july, which means i have to pay off the reserve balance in august, which will take away from a bulk payment here. i'm hoping for at least $200.00. :/
3. car insurance: remaining balance <$485.00 - pay minimum balance (<$100.00)
4. rent/conservice (water/sewer/trash): due august 1-5 ($850.67)
5. auto renewal/property tax payment: due asap ($162.26) this also cuts down my snowball payment :(
6. get car checked (tpms light came on - hope it's not expensive!) 8/13 almost $200! :(7. get new hub caps for my car...got a little road rash on 'em a couple weeks ago so replacement is happening sooner rather than later because i'm vain. 8/28

physical
1. 31 day food challenge: no processed crap, prepared meals and snacks only, no HFCS soda... i slacked off at the end of july, so it's time to get back on the clean-eating wagon.
2. 31 day exercise challenge: minimum 4 days a week of activity - crossfit at home, walk/jog, etc. since my mom bought my sister some fancy jeans, she bought me a fitbit charge. so i, literally, have no excuse not to move/sweat.
3. b12 bloodwork scheduled for 8/28

good stuff
1. continue to purge and give (durham rescue mission) round 1: 6 bags of clothes/accessories dropped off 8/8 (goodwill). round 2: 8-9 bags of bedding/decor/clothes dropped off 8/18 (drm). round 3: early september.
2. more sorting/purging at homestead (keep only what will fit in my room & carry empty bins to the attic) planned for friday 8/14 & saturday 8/15 round 2 planned for 8/29-30
3. shred fest
4. find out whether or not i'll be taking the cert exam in november i'm not. :(
5. resist the urge to rearrange the living room... :) too late. it's not done-done but i got a head start after the exterminator left yesterday. some new ideas, some old but art will shift. 
6. resist the urge to spend now that snowball #1 has been paid off!
7. 1/2 day on Friday 8/28! & with car appt., it'll turn into a 2 hour work day. :) :)
8. beana, my best friend, comes to town for a brief visit! 8/28 :)
9. wash & detail my car
10. top-down, inside-out summer clean of my apartment including getting my drapery panels dry cleaned//rearrange the living room planned for 8/21-23 (because they'll come back and spray for bugs next Tuesday) started on 8/21 & 8/23. part II 8/28-30. part III labor day weekend
**i want to get all the sorting/purging/organizing done before football season starts (8/5 for ecu)**

eight to five
1. national night out 8/4
2. town council 8/6
3. ceds meeting 8/12
4. planning board 8/13
5. signs webinar 8/19
6. solar workshop 8/20
7. finance sub-comittee meeting 8/26 cancelled
8. rpo tac/tcc 8/27 cancelled
9. board of adjustment 8/27
10. weekly schedules: every monday a.m.
11. weekend schedules: every friday p.m.
12. complete website review/updates postponed until september/october
13. finish mapping projects due by 8/31