My progress report

Since we're about halfway thru 2008 (which, by the way, I find completely unbelievable... yet, my calendar wins), I thought this would be a good time to let you all in on how I'm doing with my resolutions.

The original Resolutions post can be found here, if you'd like to read all the details. For the purpose of the progress report, I think I'll just sum up.

Get healthier:

• In this vein, I have successfully created the habit of cooking at home, averaging at least 3 nights a week.
• I am still working towards: an exercise regimen, quitting smoking, and enjoying the fruits (and veggies) of the local farmers' market on a regular basis.

Be more financially responsible:

• I've worked towards a MUCH more involved and informative approach to our bill paying/income-tracking/expense reducing/money saving activities. Everything is in excel (I still can't believe that up until this year I was still using a paper check register), I pay 95% of our bills online, we have a "working budget" in process, and I've created a very basic Income & Expense statement. We also have a detailed excel file showing how much we owe people, who we owe it to, and how quickly we're paying it off.
• I'm still kicking around the idea of taking that damn class the boss wants me in. It's offered again in August, but I really have ZERO interest in the subject matter. Argh!
• Still working towards: unloading some resell-able stuff on Craigslist or ebay.

I've also done some "off-list" things in this area, the biggest being that I've stopped going to Meijer (Wal-Mart-esque superstore chain) for grocery shopping, and have instead started using Aldi for most of our regular shopping needs. The store is smaller, they have less variety (and thus, less things for me to get caught up thinking we "need"), and the prices are oh-so-much lower. Example: Doritos @ Meijer: $3.99. "Nacho cheese chips" @ Aldi = $0.99. And they taste the SAME people, THE SAME! Seriously, if you have an Aldi near by, and you haven't yet explored it, give it a shot! Take a quarter so that you can rent a cart, and be prepared to a) pay with cash or debit card, and b) bag your own purchases (you can bring bags, or buy from them: $0.10 for plastic, or $0.05 for paper).

Get more organized: I feel like I've made a lot of progress here, even though much of it is not in the ideas I set forth in the original post.

• I have a better filing system for the bills, and for grocery shopping.
• I clean out closets (and other clutter filled areas) MUCH more regularly. One of my favorite steps I've taken here is that I donated THREE pieces of furniture today. I transferred our CD & DVD collections from their jewel cases into media cases like these. This simple step allowed me to get rid of 3 media towers! THREE OF THEM!!! (Can you tell I'm a wee bit excited about this?) This also makes the collection MUCH easier to toss into the camper for vacations, or into the car for road trips!
• I've made some strides in the housecleaning area as well, although I definitely still need to focus more energy here.

Live a little more green:

• I have: discovered and used Freecycle (that's where all those jewel cases went), started recycling everything that our city will pick up curbside, planted a few tomato plants (and planned for a larger garden next year), adjusted the thermostat to use less energy, gotten in the habit of turning off lights and unplugging electronics when they're not in use, and I've broken the habit of having the TV on all the time (thanks in large part to our DVR).
• Things I still want to work on: more detailed garden plans for next year, continue doing all of the things I've started.

Be more adventurous:

• I think I'm pretty good about picking up "something new" when grocery shopping, altho I haven't tracked it.
• I KNOW that I've tried a whole lot of new recipes over the last 6 months. Some have been added in to the rotation, others have been banished from ever appearing on Grumpy's plate again. Win some, lose some, right?
• Haven't been on the bike, as the bike needs fixin'.
• Have only been shooting once so far, but I know there is more of this to come.

Be more kind to myself: This is an area that I really feel (at least on good days) that I'm excelling at.

• I have definitely spent more time with friends over the last few months, both in person with the local friends and on the phone with the out-of-towners. I think I've also grown and nurtured some connections that I've made thru the blog. Still want to work on spending more time with family, specifically my side.
• Grumps & I have spent a LOT more time together this year, too. We are working better together on projects, and we are playing together more often (thank you camper).

I must say, compiling this post has made me feel really, really good. I've gotten a lot accomplished over the last 6 months. Of course, there is a lot more to be done (isn't there always?), but I really feel like I'm making good progress towards being that version of myself that I want to be. I need to remember this, and to refer back to it. I hope it will serve as encouragement to continue, even when I'd rather plant my big, fat, white, cellulite ass on the couch.

Growing up

I've done it, people! I actually.... created..... a BUDGET!

Well, kind of.

It's not so much a budget as it is spreadsheet (of course, cuz I love me some excel formulas!) for tracking income & expenses. More or less an activity log. BUT, I'm thinking that after a couple of months of logged activity, it might actually lend itself to becoming a budget!

"Why is she excited about this?" you're probably asking yourself. I'll tell you why... I work for a CPA, as a bookkeeper, and I do some bookkeeping/review of a few clients. The dichotomy of helping OTHER PEOPLE get their shit together, and me not even knowing how much shit I HAVE to get together... well, it finally got to be too much. And see, I've been wanting to do something like this for oh - about forEVAH! Wahoo procrastination!

Anywho, I put the fancy schmancy lil spreadsheet together on Saturday, and started entering activity in it as of June 1. I've got all the income & expenses categorized (or lord, I'm even following GAAP....). I've planned it so that I have monthly activity separated in different sheets (and I can even balance bank accounts), and I'll have an ongoing summary sheet that will show monthly totals. I may even do some fancy net worth kind of thing with it, too.

My plan (cuz I've always got to have a plan) is that understanding where we REALLY stand financially will help me to panic less about the BIG GIANT DEBT that I want paid off, like yesterday. I know it's going to take time, and I know it's going to take sacrifice. But my recurring method of "panic and eat mac & cheese for a month so we can send ALL OF OUR PENNIES to the debt" followed immediately by "that month REALLY FUCKING SUCKED, so let's go on a vacation, and then eat at restaurants every night for a week, and then buy some new clothes, and shoes, and tools, and crap crap CRAP"... well, it's not all that fun now.

I want to live "normally" for a couple of months, and see where we really are spending our money. Then we can see where we might be able to make a few cuts to pay down that debt some more. Or, maybe I'll have to finally face up to spending ridiculous amounts of money on absolutely nothing (do I really need to buy a pop or coffee EVERY TIME I stop & get gas?), and put a stop to some of that. OR, maybe I'll see that we don't have to live as tightly as I've been pushing for, and that we can have some fun while still paying down our debt and NOT FEEL GUILTY about it.

So, that's how I grew up this weekend.

The countdown has begun!

1 month until surgery. I am officially FREAKING THE FUCK OUT!!! It dawned on me today that I have 1 month to finalize as many tax returns as possible, bill out said returns, and generally get thru tax season crunch time. Doable, but certainly not my most favorite-est month of the year. And yet, I get to ADD to that fun, with the excitement of teaching my 2 co-workers how to do my job, so that they can cover for me while I'm on leave! Yay me!

Yeah, freaking out about all the stuff that has to happen between now and surgery. And freaking out (but only a little, so far) about the surgery itself. That 4-6 week medical leave for recovery? Any chance we could start that early? I could use the break!



In other news - 10 days smoke free! I'm constantly eating, so I really need to stop buying snack-y shit to keep in my desk. My first real non-smoking test is coming this Friday, when the Grumps & I are meeting some friends for cocktails and a night of general debauchery. This group of friends happens to be all smokers. Every last one of them. And did I mention that I'll be cocktailing it up? If I can make it through that night without a puff, then I will be pretty damn confident that this no-smoking thing will stick.... at least for a while.



I go in this Thursday for a pre-surgical IVP. Dr. N wants to make sure that everything is functioning properly throughout my urinary-tract before the surgery. He doesn't suspect a problem, but he wants to be sure.

I have to go to Big Scary Hospital for the test, so el Grumperino is taking the morning off to go with me. I'm not so nervous about the test itself, but more so about finding my way to the appropriate parking lot/garage, entrance, department, etc. I'm a wimp with that stuff.

SPEAKING OF Big Scary Hospital... I got a phone call this morning from their billing department. Apparently, it is standard procedure for them to call - prior to a scheduled procedure - to "discuss insurance coverage and deductible or co-payment patient responsibilities". That translates to them asking me to PRE-PAY my portion of the estimated bill for a relatively inexpensive procedure (they said my portion should be about $175, but $155 of that is meeting my deductible for 2008).

I told the twit from billing - in no uncertain terms - that the hospital could bill me AFTER they bill my insurance, and I will gladly send them a check. There is NO WAY ON GOD'S GREEN EARTH that I am giving them a dime for a procedure they have not yet performed, and one for which she herself told me she could only estimate the charges.

I then got the "My computer talks to the insurance company's computer (literally - in those words), and I'm quite certain that this will be our charge. Additional charges could be lab fees, or fees from your doctor's office." speech. I politely replied that I could also be hit by a bus tomorrow, and not have the procedure as scheduled.

She agreed to make a notation on my record and that the hospital will send me a bill.

Thank You!

Thank you all, SO MUCH for being so supportive of my attempt at kicking the habit. I'm still on the wagon - 141.25 hours and counting!

No time for a longer post (damn tax season!), just wanted to say Thank You! The encouraging comments mean more (and help more), than I could possibly tell you!

I need a new habit

before I gain 400 lbs from all the snacking that has taken the place of smoking!

Somebody - please - Help Me! Save me from this giant box of wheat thins, and bag of M&Ms, and box of granola bars (not the healthy ones, of course - the yummy ones with more chocolatey goodness than anything).

Seriously folks, I am honestly afraid to get on the scale. If this keeps up, I may just go back to the cancer sticks....

72 Hours!

Hit a few rough spots last night, and ALMOST caved, but.... I DIDN'T! Woohoo!!!!

Now, if only I could find some chocolate as a reward - that's fair, right?

Yay Me!

Despite it being an uber-krappy Monday at work, I have NOT dipped into my security blanket cig stash! Yay Me!

Off to see Dr N... Nervous? Bet your arse I am! And yet, I have no idea why. It's not like he's going to tell me anything I don't already know: surgery, Apr 18. Hoping for scope, possible full laparotomy. 1 - 6 week recovery (depending on procedure). Anything beyond removal of right ovary & tube, he's closing me back up & we're all gonna have a sit down to talk about it.

Still, I'm nervous to have to talk about it all again. I'd be much happier if he'd just get in there & get it all fixed up. Stoopid busy season at work!

45 Hours and Counting

The time finally came this weekend. I *think* I've quit smoking. I had my last (as in most recent, not as in never-again-for-the-rest-of-my-life) cig around 1pm Sat afternoon.

I don't know what clicked for me, but I woke up Sat morning just not wanting to smoke. Weird. It lasted until about noon, and then I was able to fight off the urge for another hour or so. I caved around 1, but only managed 2 or 3 puffs before feeling all nauseated and generally icky. So, I put it out, and haven't lit one since.

I haven't yet been able to give up the open pack in my purse. That's definitely my security blanket, and I'm just not ready to part with it (and you can't make me!).

I got thru yesterday just fine, but today is proving to be a bit more of a challenge... smoke breaks have always been my way to walk away from the frustration (ie bullshit) for a few minutes. Not doing that is harder than I thought it would be, but so far I'm working thru it.
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Have the follow-up with Dr. N at 6pm tonight. Will post when I have info.

I suck

There's simply no other way to put it - I suck...

When life gets crazy, apparently the first thing I cut back on is my blogging. See, I suck.

And now, because I haven't blogged *consistently* in what feels like F O R - E V E R... I find I have absolutely nothing to say. Told you I suck.

So umm, well.... hmmmmmm... OH! I got something! An update on my resolutions!

Let's see...

• I am cooking at home a LOT more often! It's become - dare I say - habit!
• I've gotten more adventurous with my cooking (ie, less opening of the box, and more opening of the cookbook or blog), and have tried a few new recipes... and even have gotten daring enough to throw stuff in a pot - until it "looks right", and then taste it - to - adjust the seasoning & stuff! Holy shit people, WHO AM I???
• I have a better handle on our finances. Haven't quite created THE BUDGET, but I do have a few spreadsheets in play that help me keep track of some of our activity.
• Greener living is coming along - slowly - but any progress is better than none, right? TV is off unless we are really watching it; Grumpy got the recycling bin down for me (so what if it's still tucked in the yard behind the house); I've gotten better about unplugging/turning off certain things when they're not in use... like I said, it's coming along.
• Still not making any progress on the exercise issue, but I'm getting closer I think. Having a lot of this other stuff "under control" makes it seem easier to undertake something like that.
• Still a smoker, but really want to quit before surgery... we'll see how that works out.
• OH, and after my frustration & breakdown last week, I've made the house a priorority. It's not exactly where I want it yet, but it's definitely on the way there. And I can't even begin to tell you how much better I feel when I go home - after a shitty day at work - to a house that's CLEAN, and SMELL'S GOOD (thank you crock pot cooking!).

Next on the bloggy to-do list: Q&A for Dr. N on my pre-surgical appt this coming Mon. Here are some of the things I want to address with him:

• He mentioned Lupron therapy as part of the post-surgical recovery (for possibly as long as 6 months). Would this help before the surgery, too?
• If the surgery is just laprascopic, what kind of restrictions/recovery am I looking at?
• Since I'm lucky enough to not have the life-disturbing pain associated with most advanced endo cases, how are we going to monitor the disease? Am I stuck with just hoping for the best until I a) am pregnant or b) have another 60 day cycle that tells me something is wrong?
• Does he still think I might have PCOS, or is the endo causing the annovulatory condition?

Now, what other questions should I be asking? I have until Monday afternoon to put together a nice, thorough list to arm myself with, and I sure could use some help!

Resolutions - Jan 08

I figured the end of the month seemed a reasonable time to give a public progress report on where I stand with my resolutions. Want to see the big long original post? You can check it out here.

Now, as for my progress:

• Get healthier: This one isn't going so hot. I have gotten MUCH better about cooking dinner at home (probably averaging 4 or 5 nights a week). Haven't started any exercise yet, can't shop at the Farmer's Market yet, and I'm still a smoker.
  
• Be more financially responsible: Again, got the cooking at home thing down and going well. I'm looking at the bills more regularly, and we have some vague idea of a debt payoff plan (or at least which creditors are getting our tax refund). I didn't get anything up on eBay or Craigslist this month, but I have sorted out some things I want to get there.
  
• Be more organized: Yeah, well... um - it's getting there. I do have the bills in a much more organized system. I have found the dining room table, and we're even Using It.... TO EAT ON most nights when we're home. Oh, and I do always have an open donation bag. I cleaned out a drawer or 2 a couple of weeks ago, and went thru some shoes. I also have a pile of stuff in the basement (clean laundry) that can be donated. A phone call is all it will take to get that stuff out of our house.
  
• Live a little more green: Not doing so good here. I found the recycling tub, but it's in the garage loft, and full of firewood. We do eat at the table with the TV turned off. I have lessened the time I use the TV as background noise, and am trying to get better at unplugging things when they aren't in use (like my laptop and cell phone charger). None of it is "habit" yet, but it is happening more frequently. Oh, and as light bulbs burn out, we're replacing them with the fancy-schmancy spiral more energy efficient ones.
  
• Be more adventurous: Not doing so great with the "try new groceries" thing, as I'm trying to reduce our food spending. I've probably picked up some new stuff outside of our usual favorites, but more in the spirit of trying a generic brand or frugal alternative, rather than being adventurous. I have tried 2 new recipes this month... 1 was a meatloaf recipe that neither of us cared for, and the other resulted in this blog post. Grumpy & I both really liked the sound of that recipe, so I'll be giving it another shot, probably in Feb.
  
• Be more kind to myself: I think I'm doing ok here. I am following some of the specific guidelines I outlined, and because of it, I think many of my personal relationships have gotten stronger. I think I had 1 library book this month, but haven't yet gotten back to get another one. Soon, I hope.

And that's where I stand. As I've said before (here and here), things are a little crazy for us right now, with no real sign of letting up in the near future. I'm trying to base my decisions around my resolutions when I can, but sometimes it's simply not an option. And that is where those last 2 resolutions become so important. My role right now - my priority - is to support Grumpy through this time. Everything else on my agenda - both in the day to day and the somewhat long term - has to come secondary to that. And as long as I maintain that thought in the forefront of my mind, I think I will be able to make the right decisions for my family. And really, what more can I hope for right now?

Paid Online Surveys?

Full disclosure first: should you do this, I will benefit. If you choose not to, that's totally ok with me. That's why I'm posting about it here, rather than sending an email... I figure this is less personal, and therefore easier to say no to (for those that aren't interested).

I'm a member of a few online survey sites. Some of them "pay" with sweepstakes entries (you know the type.... "enter here for your chance to win $10,000" small print saying you'd have to fuck a monkey's uncle to win), some of them give away free samples of products, and some actually pay you... Cash!

Survey Savvy is one that pays cash, and is therefore my favorite. They also have a referral program, which is just like your typical pyramid scheme... "you refer people to us, and we will pay YOU if they do something, whether you do anything else or not" blah blah blah.

So, in my continued effort to be more financially responsible, and to find more creative ways of bringing in little bits of extra cash here & there... I'm posting my personal referral link. If you're interested, click. If not, don't. I have no way of knowing who clicked & who didn't.

For those of you that stuck it out and read this whole post (so far), thank you! Your bonus for reading this far is...... I won't whine & bitch that I'm now on cd54, with still no AF in sight. And I won't even mention that this freaking cold sore has errupted on my lip in such a way that I can't smile, it hurts to eat or drink, and well.... it looks like Grumpy belted me a good one (which OF COURSE he would NEVER do). Yep, your reward is that I won't complain about any of that!

I may be better off than I thought!

First, a thanks to Familyof2 for sharing this handy-dandy little link.

The link will take you to a quick & easy test to see your body fat percentage. It claims to give you similar results to the water immersion test (which I believe is the most accurate test for body fat percentage). And it has to be more accurate than those BMI calculators, as it asks for a few simple measurements.

According to the test, I probably don't need to lose as much weight as my little ticker says. I *do* however need to lose some inches. So, as I suspected, I really need to get serious about that whole exercise thing. (Can you hear my groaning? Because believe me, I am.)

Want to learn your percentage? Simply grab a cloth or paper measuring tape, and go here. It only takes a couple of minutes, and I think it's definitely worth the time.

And for those that are curious (because lord knows I would be reading this post)..... My body fat percentage is supposed to be 22%. It is.................














24.9%

Frugal & Healthy?

As per my resolutions, I'm working hard right now at getting healthier, and being more financially responsible. In light of that, I want to take on the challenge of feeding my family (of 2), for $40 a week.

For some of you, that may seem like a lot for 2 people. If you grocery shop, and cook at every meal, that is a lot. For the 2 of US, that's nothing. For quite a while last year, we could go through 5 TIMES that much money on food in a week. Breakfast out here (for $25), a dinner & cocktails out there (for $60), a couple of fast food lunches at work (there's another $10)... and before you know it you've blown through $200.

Now, as part of this "challenge", I'm going to allow myself 2 guaranteed "gimmes" during the week. Our standing Sunday breakfast with friends (which only costs us $10 - $12 with tip), and 1 night a week that we buy dinner (could be pizza night, could be a date night, depending on how things work out). I'm also going to be gentle on myself during the work day. If I'm too swamped at the office to go home for lunch, fast food at my desk will be allowed, but only if I truly can't get away (and didn't have the foresight or energy to bring my lunch).

I'd also like to participate in future Menu-Plan-Mondays. That's a bit daunting to me right now, as I'm just getting my feet wet with this whole concept. But, I think it will help keep me in line, and hold me a bit more accountable.

And to pat myself on the back a bit, I've cooked the last FIVE nights in a row! That's huge for me people! HUGE! And, it's been a pretty inexpensive experience. Here's what the week looked like:

• Monday - pot pies - $1
• Sunday - kielbasa with fried potatoes & carrots - $4 .
• Saturday - pasta with sauce & garlic bread - $3.
• Friday - chicken stir-fry with rice & teriyaki veggies (so easy it's ridiculous) - $5
• Thursday - tuna helper - $3.

Now, the dollar amounts are estimates, since I don't have a grocery receipt in front of me (and many of the items were already in the house), but I think it's close to accurate. $16 for a week's dinners isn't too bad, I don't think.

I know there is a LOT of prepared food in there, and I want to work toward minimizing that. But, I had to start somewhere, and spending for the WEEK what we would normally spend in ONE NIGHT (and a cheap night at that).... well, that seemed like a good place to start to me.

Resolutions

I'm generally a non-believer in the mystical quality of the New Year's Resolution. You know, the idea that you go to bed your (hopefully) drunken self on New Year's Eve, and wake up the next morning this incredibly together, new & improved version of that person. It's not flipping a switch, folks. You're still you, and the only way you're going to change is to work at it, consistently, over the long haul.

I have, however, decided that there are some specific things I want to work on this year, so I figured I could let you all in on it. Then I have some accountability, and I might actually GET SOME OF IT DONE. Will wonders never cease?

So, in an effort to gradually become a "new & improved" version of me (no silly switch-flipping here, folks):

In 2008, I resolve to get healthier. To accomplish this, I will:

• Exercise at least 3 times per week, shooting for 5.
• Cook dinner at home at least 3 times per week, shooting for 5.
• Get in my 3 healthy meals a day (this will help me stay on track with my Metformin dosage, too).
• Shoot for no more than 1 fast food dinner per week, including the inevitable $5 Hot & Ready pizza night.
• Pack lunches for work at least twice a week.
• When I do have to grab lunch & eat at my desk, I will opt for a salad more often than not.
• Quit smoking.
• Shop at least twice per month (from April thru November) at the local farmer's market.

In 2008, I resolve to be more financially responsible. To accomplish this, I will:

• Look at the checkbook & bills at least twice a week, even if I know there are no bills due (or no money to pay them).
• Cook dinner at home 3 times per week, shooting for 5.
• Work with the GrumpyOne on a real budget (or at least a debt pay-off plan) that we both agree too, and is reasonable to live by.
• Clip coupons for groceries.
• Shop at least twice per month at the local farmer's market.
• Put at least 1 item per month for sale on eBay or Craigslist.
• Get in to the class that the boss has wanted me to take for years. Perhaps if I stop fighting it, and get it done, I'll get a raise!?!

In 2008, I resolve to be more organized. To accomplish this, I will:

• Get a better filing system for the bills.
• Clean out closets on a regular basis by always having an active donation bag going.
• Spend at least 30 minutes every day doing housework.
• Put away laundry as I wash it.
• Put at least 1 item per month for sale on eBay or Craigslist.
• Eat dinner at the dining room table when we eat at home, rather than in front of the tv.

In 2008, I resolve to live a little more green. To accomplish this, I will:

• Dig out the recycling tub from the garage, and USE IT.
• Turn off lights in rooms that we're not in.
• Stop using the tv as background noise.
• Only run the dishwasher when it's full Full FULL. This may require hand-washing more of the larger items, but I'm up for the challenge.
• Actively work to reduce our home heating & cooling usage. Plastic will go up on the windows during the winter so that we can turn down the furnace a little more. The air conditioners will get set a few degrees higher, and will not get turned on on the days that they aren't really needed.
• Work towards using our most fuel efficient vehicle every time we go out. (This would be the car in the winter, and the motorcycle during the riding months.)
• Attempt a vegetable garden, even if it's only a couple of tomato plants.
• Eat dinner at the dining room table when we eat at home, rather than in front of the tv.

In 2008, I resolve to be more adventurous. To accomplish this, I will:

• Try 1 new item every time I go grocery shopping.
• Try at least 2 new recipes every month.
• Get my ass on the back of the motorcycle more often.
• Get to the shooting range with the GrumpyOne at least 6 times throughout the year.

In 2008, I resolve to be more kind to myself. To accomplish this, I will:

• Spend more time with my friends & family.
• Take the dog for a walk at least twice a week (weather permitting).
• Make the time & effort to enjoy my husband and our marriage.
• Have at least 1 bonfire per week during "patio weather", so that we enjoy our home, our yard, our patio, and our fire pit.
• Always have at least 1 book checked out of the library, and MAKE TIME to read them on the 1st checkout, without having to renew them.
• Remember that all of the above are guidelines. It's ok if I slip & fall from time to time, and there is no reason to beat myself up over it for days on end.

That's where I'm at right now. I know that it's a long list... but a year is a long time. And I figure that I won't be actively working on it all at the same time. I'll pick a couple of things to start with, and add on something else as those things become routine.

I noticed as I was typing this up that many of the items fall under several of the resolutions. Maybe this will help me to stay on track a little more? Maybe it's just a more unified attempt to make these changes?

I plan to also do a regular blog "checkup" of sorts on all of this. I don't know if it'll be in snippet form (guess what, since I started this post, I've already reorganized the bill filing system!), or if I'll do a full on, point by point, monthly update. Time will tell, I guess.