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!

Slowly but surely, I am starting to feel like my old self again.  I hung out with some friends on Saturday.  First, my girl Debt Hater took me to her trampoline class.  Whew lawd!  Who knew there was a specific technique and form to jumping on a durn trampoline?  Sheesh! By the time I was done, I felt like I had been running AND working out with Jillian on The 30 Day Shred.  I was sore from my neck to the tip of my toes (literally) and had bruises on my knees and hands.  Yes, it is that physically strenuous. LOL  My wallet got a workout too because the cost of one class was $40.  Umm…yea. But it was fun and I’d definitely do it again.

After class, Debt Hater and I met up with Tisha for brunch at Crème Café in DC.  I think I had THE best chicken and waffles I’ve ever tasted in my life.  I should have known I was in the right place when the waiter didn’t flinch after I asked him to substitute the fried chicken for oven roasted.  You’re probably wondering, oven roasted chicken with waffles?  Yeeeeeees!!  Me no likey fried anything anymore.  The chicken breast they brought out was flavored to perfection and it was sooo moist and juicy.  Mmm…mouth watering!  The waffle was topped with fruit and was as big as the whole plate.  Can you say yummy to my tummy?!  Everything was so good, I had to send my appreciation to the cook.  We each ordered drinks and my rum punch was pretty good too.  To top it off, the service was excellent and I had a great afternoon with friends.  Just what the doctor ordered.         

On Sunday, I spent some time with the Lord.  It began with me doing a lot of talking, then a lot of listening, and ended with a whole lot of crying.  It was a much needed emotional cleanse.  After church, I spent a little time making my empty nest feel like a home.  I put up some curtains, unpacked a box (yes I’m still unpacking lazy), hung a mirror and a few wall accents, and organized a growing stack of papers.  And then…I had a date that lasted 4 hours. :-)

When I woke up this morning, I felt refreshed and happy.  I spent the first 15 minutes stretching on the floor.  That trampoline class did a number on my old bones.  Then I prayed, showered, and took my time eating breakfast.  When I finally decided to to get dressed, I eyeballed a pair of heels that I hadn’t worn in a long time – tiger print, peep toe, sling backs.  I slipped them on my feet and instantly felt brand new.  Funky shoes always make me smile.  Oh, and it helps that this size 10 skirt feels loose too. LOL

As soon as I settled into my office, I received a text from CG…

“Good Morning Mommy. I Love You.” 

I guess what they say is true.  Slowly but surely, everything is going to be alright.

The year 2010, especially June and July, has been exciting. I changed my life for the better, lost -45 lbs, and ran my first 5k.  BG had an amazing senior year full of fun and memories, attended her senior prom, and graduated high school.  We vacationed in Europe, attended college orientation, and moved into a new apartment.  With all of that behind us, I can finally catch my breath and relax. *woosah*

The last exciting thing that we’ve all been waiting for is finally approaching.  Tomorrow, I will send my BabyGirl off into the world and give her the freedom to spread her wings.  From this day forward, she will be officially known as CollegeGirl.

Honey, if you’re reading this, the world is at your fingertips.  Explore life, make smart decisions, learn new things, challenge yourself, take risks, and most importantly, have fun!

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?

My only child is now 18 and she will be heading off to college in a few weeks. I thought this would be a sad time for me – you know with the empty nest syndrome and all – but I’m actually excited.  Very excited.  Shoot, probably too excited! LOL  For the first time in my adult life, I feel that it’s ok to focus on ME.  Although I will be a mom for as long as I live, I have birthed and raised another person to be an independent, productive member of our society.  I have laid the foundation. I have nurtured her physically and emotionally.  I have molded her mind and spirit.  I have exposed her to the world.  I have prepared her for LIFE.  And I am proud of the results.  Now, I look forward to seeing how she carries the torch.

In the meantime, I’m experiencing a shift in my own life.  Things that were once extremely important to me (ex: career advancement) are no longer a priority.  Things that were once a dream deferred (ex: international vacations) are now coming into focus.  Don’t get me wrong – I always have been and always will be goal oriented, but my perspective is changing.  I’m beginning to question the “why” behind what I consider important and the value it adds to my life.  I don’t know what is causing this shift, but it’s a welcome change.  I am happy. I feel free. And I look forward to what my future holds.

As I prepare for this new phase of my life, I’ve noted a few things that have risen to the top of my goal list.  In no particular order of importance,  I call them 30 in My 30s:

FITNESS

1. Run a 5k without walking
2. Run a 5k in under 40 minutes
3. Run a 5k in under 35 minutes
4. Run a 10k
5. Run a 1/2 marathon – maybe in Paris
6. Run on the beach
7. Overcome my fears and learn to swim
8. Reach my “happy” weight
9. Maintain my “happy” weight
10. Wear and look FABULOUS in a bikini

FUN

1. Take a solo beach trip
2. Spend a weekend at a spa resort
3. Vacation in Jamaica
4. Vacation in Barbados
5. Vacation in Europe (again)
6. Vacation in the Motherland
7. Take a cruise for my birthday & Christmas
8. Go wine tasting in Napa Valley
9. Take a gourmet cooking class
10. Go hiking or mountain climbing

FINANCE

1. Sell my townhome
2. Buy a cute 2 bedroom condo
3. Increase net worth by $50k
4. Maintain $50k in liquid savings
5. Maintain debt freedom (sans mortgage)

FAMILY

1. Nurture and strengthen my relationships (friends and family)
2. Attend my daughter’s college graduation
3. Prepare for my husband

PHILANTHROPY

1. Inspire and help others to improve their finances and fitness
2. Become a mentor to a teenage single mom

Well there you have it – my list of 30 things I’d like to accomplish while in my 30s.  *raising my wine glass* Here’s to enjoying the rest of my 30s and living life to the fullest!