Fabulous Financials

When I was working out in the fitness center last week, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and I liked what I saw.  I’m nowhere near where I want to be, but I know I’m getting there.  A few more pounds to my happy weight, another six months or maybe a year of toning and tightening, and a lifetime of health & fitness. Yes!

I walked into my apartment after work on Thursday and it was the first time I felt at “home” again.  Amazing what a few window treatments, family pictures, and carefully placed decorations can do for a room.  I stood in the middle of my living room and just smiled.

I finally decided to face another lifelong fear/struggle.  I signed up for adult beginner’s swim lessons. They were $85 and classes begin on 9/12 for 8 weeks.  I’m so scared. *sigh*

I “found” $700 last week.  Not for real, but it wasn’t money earned or expected.  I wanted to spend it on something frivolous but my good sense wouldn’t let me.

Holiday weekends on the beach are expensive, especially when hotels require a minimum 3 night stay.  Sheesh! I sucked it up and reserved an oceanfront room for Labor Day weekend.  I was hoping to spend some time with CG while I was there, but I just found out she already has plans.  Oh well, looks like I’ll get to take my solo beach trip after all.  I see lots of reading, lounging, eating, and running in my future.  And if I’m lucky, I may finally get to meet the wisest blogger I know, the lovely Chele.  We have so much in common and I look forward to it.

I made the final decision to go natural.  However, I don’t have the patience for transition and two textures, so I got my hair done in kinky twists.  Four hours and $180 later, I’m very happy with the results.  I will probably get them redone every 8 weeks and wear this style until the end of winter.  By early spring, I’ll be ready to do the big chop.

I can’t WAIT to reach my happy weight, if for nothing else but to finally go shopping.  I gave myself a $2,000 budget and put D-Day S-day on my calendar for the weekend of October 15.  I may also get to meet another lovely blogger, Catherine.  She’s working on her image consulting business and has offered to fly in from Chicago to help me shop.  How cool is that?!  Think I’ll kick off the weekend festivities with a massage because it’s also DC Spa Week.

I’ve been at my job for a whole year already.  My how time flies.  After my annual review, I learned that I will be receiving a 3.5% raise.  It’s funny because I didn’t feel the same excitement as I have in the past. More money has no effect on my lifestyle or happiness anymore.

CG sent a text to tell me she was going to a party.  Her first college party…and she texts her mom. LOL  I told her “have fun and be safe,” then said a silent prayer.  I’ve a feeling I’ll be doing that a lot in the future.  My child is now in God’s hands.

Oh, and I forgot to tell y’all. I didn’t meet my 5th motivation milestone. A few days before I took CG to college, I tried on those size 6 jeans.  I was able to pull them up….all the way up…zip and button too.  Yay!! But I COULDN’T BREATHE!!!! Lawd, no air!!  Umm yea, had to come out of those bad boys QUICK.  *exhale*  At least 10-15 more lbs for sure!

But…but…on the bright side, my size 10 jeans are now TOO BIG!! No more double digit sizes for me! Woot!  My buns are resting comfortably in a size 8.  And…and…I had to adjust the chest strap on my Polar HRM because it was getting too loose.  Yay for non-scale victories!

Had another great weekend. Family get together, good eats, gut wrenching laughs, spades, Wii, Just Dance, Rock Band, Family Feud, and Taboo. Need I say more?  But there is more.  It’s also DC Restaurant Week and I plan to meet a few girlfriends for another Sunday Brunch.  More good eats, laughs, and catching up.  Aaaah, I live for the weekends.

Yea, I think I’m slowly but surely finding me again.  Not only the me before CG left for the college.  But the ME before CG was ever conceived.  This is MY life and I intend to live it to the fullest…literally.  Hope all of you are having a great weekend too!

I finished Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred yesterday and that heffa kicked my arse!  For the past month, I’ve been huffing, puffing, sweating, and grunting every day.  But I can see a little definition in my arms/legs and my core feels stronger too.  Woot!

Starting this week, I begin training for my second 5k.  Eight weeks man!  Let’s get it!

Dear 11 lbs between me and my “happy” weight.  It’s time to say buh-bye!

My baby is gone to college y’all. :-(

My doggie is gone too. :-(

I miss my old apartment and neighborhood.

I think I’ve experienced too much change at once.

Some days I feel ok, then “a moment” hits me and I break. So when someone asks how I’m doing, I don’t lie and say I’m ok. I’m maintaining and taking one day at a time.

It feels like I’m grieving a loss.  Exercise is the only thing that soothes me.

I took Monday off as a mental health day. I lounged around the house, cleaned, exercised, and went to the movies by myself to see Inception. Lots of twists & turns. Pretty good movie.

When I did laundry, I put the clean clothes in CG’s room and had “a moment” again. *sigh*

I came home from work early yesterday and spent about an hour writing in my journal – busy mind & heavy heart. My last entry was 12/29/09…long overdue.

Think I might make an appointment to see my therapist too.

Mama SM sent me a link to an empty-nester support group. 0_o  I have images of a bunch of gray haired ladies crocheting and playing bingo.

T-Mobile reduced by cell phone bill by $45.41. Why?  Because I called and asked them nicely.

Tuition for this semester has been paid in full.  All bills are organized, allotments have been adjusted, and my finances are back on track. One less thing to crowd my limited brain capacity.

Lately, I’ve been questioning the value of my friendships.  Something tells me I need to do a self assessment too. My friends are good people, but I don’t have any friends that really know me.  For those of you who do…must be nice.

That is all.

BG leaves for college in 2 weeks. We both have mixed emotions.

She found her roommate on FaceBook. So far, they’re off to a good start.

I’ve decided to pay her tuition in one lump sum. The thought of a new monthly bill makes my stomach turn.

Once I pay her tuition and extracurricular expenses, she’s responsible for managing her own money and expenses for the rest of the year.

I’m on Day 16, Level 2, of The 30 Day Shred. It’s haaaaaaaaaaard. *tears*

When I workout in the morning, I eat MORE throughout the day. Weight training makes me RAVENOUS! And me no likey. Weight training – fewer calories burned during workout + more food = …you get the picture.

My bills are out of whack and my finances are a little disorganized.  I need to spend some time this weekend cleaning them up.

I need to make a dentist appointment, but I’m afraid he’s going to tell me something I don’t want to hear. Like, I need a whole new set of teeth.

Verizon makes me sick. That is all.

My car registration expires in…oh 6 days. I need to get an inspection first, but it’s too hot.

I want to see the movie Inception. Heard great reviews about it from many people.

I love my dysfunctional family. They’re crazy but we’re thick as thieves.

I’m contemplating a beach trip in October and we’re going on a cruise for Christmas.

I’m not putting up a tree or buying any gifts this year.

Wait…I might buy BG a good set of luggage. Practical gift for a young adult being sent off to explore the world.

My new life focus is centered around what makes ME happy.

I’ve lost 42 lbs so far. I still have 15 lbs more to lose, but the scale isn’t my friend right now.

The most exciting thing to me about reaching my weight loss goal is going on a shopping spree.

Other than working out, I plan to spend ALL weekend doing absolutely nothing but sitting on my couch and eating watermelon. LOL!

What’s been going on with you guys?