Change Is On It’s Way

I have had “post a blog” on my To Do List for the past month.  I managed to get one entry up a couple weeks ago, but that’s pretty pathetic to my mind.  Perhaps I just have my expectations set too high, so I don’t even make an attempt.  That’s probably what it is actually – I always feel like I’m not putting forth my best effort if my post is shorter than 5 paragraphs or so.

This whole summer has been about change though, so I think changing my attitude towards blogging is easy enough to do.  Now I just want to post more often, with no expectations about length or content.  I’m also thinking I might use my cell phone to take pictures throughout the day (when it makes sense to), and upload those.  Just for something different.  Plus I’m thinking I need to post a link on my Facebook and Nexopia pages every time I post.  Having readers motivates me more.

I must say this is one of my better summers overall in terms of spending money (or in this case, not spending money).  It’s not that I’m not buying stuff, because I still am, I’m just a bit more selective.  So I usually get stuff that I will actually use.  And I’ve become much more dedicated about making up a list before I go.  Not that a list stops me from browsing and getting more than I need, but it does tend to minimize it a bit.

I’m also switching my credit cards around.  Because I want cards that have rewards that actually benefit me.  This was prompted when my CIBC Visa informed me the Shoppers Optimum Points option was being replaced by the Dividend/Cash Back option.  I don’t exactly use my card enough to get enough money back for it to be any use.  So I’ve gotten a Visa through Citizens Bank.  With every purchase, money is donated to a charity, and I earn points which can later be turned into yet another donation (and a tax receipt for myself).  That just makes way more sense to myself.  Now I’m trying to switch my BMO Mastercard with Airmiles for a Canadian Tire Mastercard so I can potentially get a free oil change a year instead of nothing with my Airmiles.  2 years, and there’s very little I can get with my points.

I miss doing my make-up differently everyday, and doing my hair.  Lately it’s just been some mascara and powder, and my hair up in a ponytail.  Exact same everyday.  I was putting a bit more effort into my make-up on the weekends, but I’ve been slacking off there too.  This is something else I want to change.  I’m going to make the effort to do one or the other, if not both.  It makes me feel good about myself.  Yea, I can feel good without them, but when you’re having a bad day, every little bit helps.

 

I had the day off work today, so I was actually able to get a lot accomplished.  It feels pretty good overall.  I’ve noticed I’m getting a lot more organized the older I get.  My room no longer has a huge pile in the middle.  I’ll put stuff on the floor sometimes, but it’s because I’d rather put it there than not put it away properly.  I also notice that when I feel stressed about something, any mess drives me absolutely bonkers and all I want to do is clean.

I managed to clean my fishes’ bowls tonight.  Well, to be honest I just changed the water.  Whenever I clean it, the chemical I add to neutralize the water makes the water go all murky.  And the fish make lots of bubbles that kind of crust on the top.  It’s very weird.  So essentially, I need to clean the bowls, put the water with the chemical in it for a day, and then put fresh water in so the fish don’t die.  Although they are pretty hardy fish.  They have to be with me.

Tonight is the first night of my Sleep Schedule.   I had to come up with something to help me prepare for 8am classes in the fall.  While the 8am part may not sound so bad, 1) I’m a night owl, and 2) I’m going to have to get up at 5:30am so I have time to get ready and catch the train.  But I’m not going to complain too much since I have no more than 3 classes a day, and I’m off by or before 3pm 3 days a week.

Now I think everyone who has read all of this should make me super happy and leave a comment (you don’t need an account or anything.)  Please?!

Off to a Good Start

It’s day 6 of the new year, and I feel like I’m doing pretty well in regards to my resolutions.  Actually, I’m feeling pretty good about the amount of things I’ve managed to accomplish so far.  Getting off to a good start is always a nice bonus, and helps keep me motivated.

I’ve yet to write my “official” budget post, but I think it’s going to be Get Organized January.  So far I’ve organized my receipts, and got the supplies to start a new filing system (which technically doesn’t involve filing, per se).    I’m also coming up with ideas of what I need to save for, and how I want my budget to work.  Perhaps I should be looking for a slightly irregular approach, as that seems to be when I succeed best at other things.

As for my speeding,  I’m doing really well at not doing it.  :-)  Not much else to be said.

That leads to the fact that I got my brother to wash Putt-Putt for me today.   I was going to go to a drive-through car wash, but the line was too long, and then it was closed.  So we went to a do-it-yourself one.  And I asked, and he did.  No complaints from me, especially since he can do it faster than I can with the same results.  Not quite sure why, but I’ll take it.

I’ve yet to decide whether Putt-Putt is a guy or girl though.  To me, cars are girls.  But the name doesn’t make me think so.  Maybe Putt-Putt is an “it”?  My next car is going to be a girl though.

As for the self-improvement portion,  I printed off my January goals check-list (and updated it).  I’m not scoring 100% or anything, but I’m doing way better now than I was back in October when I started the check-list.  And I know what I need to work on, which is half the battle.

I also started my move out list today.  Nothing too detailed, but the plan was basically to start the file.   So I’ve got different categories, like: kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, miscellaneous, etc.  The plan is to basically go through my (parent’s) house from top to bottom and write down everything I think I will need for myself.  And then check off what I have already.  I’ve got a lot of the big things, but I know there’s going to be tons of little random things (like a can opener, tape measure, screwdriver, measuring spoons, silverware organizer…).

So I can honestly say that I’m not as big of a candy fan as I used to be.  I bought $12 worth the other day, and it’s been 3 nights, and I’ve still got stuff left.  That would’ve been gone within 2 hours back in the day.  Definitely a good thing.  I’m eating more healthy foods now too.  Still no where near what I should be, but a little improvement is better than nothing.  And I do need to acquire a taste for a lot of things.

Without really realizing it, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about snowboarding, and just how important it really is to me.   And honestly, it’s nowhere near important as it was last year.  I’m not even sure how many competitions I’m going to do.  It’s just not a priority anymore.  I still love it (don’t get me wrong on that).  But there are other things I want to do in my spare time now.  I don’t think I’m really saddened by this development, although I am a little bit surprised.  This means I probably won’t be planning on buying any new gear this season, and that ultimately affects how I budget.

I’ve been attempting to clean up my bedroom a little bit every day now.   In some way, shape or form.  Like today I went through a bunch of my clothing, and got rid of tons!  And I’m moving things off my desk to their proper place.  Still lots to do, but I feel way better about it already.  I’ve collected a lot of junk over the years, but I’m getting more critical about what I keep.  I’d like to think that this attitude will stick with me when I go shopping for new things now.  But only time will tell with that…

Katherine and I went to yoga for the first time in 2008 on Saturday morning.  The 8am class too.  It was really fun – the instructor left a lot of time for playing around with handstand and shoulderstand.  I’m looking forward to going to more of his classes because he’s really helpful and encouraging.  I think that a combination of fun, playful classes and structured classes will be really great.  But I need to make sure I set some money aside for my studio passes.

I bought this gorgeous blue scarf the other day.  And it’s so soft.  But it sheds like fricking crazy!!!  Whenever I wear it, I end up covered in fuzz.  And I mean covered.  Today I tried to put it in the dryer with some tennis balls.  The tennis balls (and lint thingy) came out covered, as I expected, but the scarf is still shedding.  I’ve got no clue how to make it stop.  So if anyone has ANY ideas, please pass them my way.  Because I really love this scarf.