Goals: Monthly Update for March

Financial

Our federal tax refund came in, so we were able to pay off one of our credit cards (the one carrying the charge for our previously mentioned new washing machine and the fees for our upcoming trip to CA in May.)  So our debt has dropped from $23,779 to $20,864 since the last post.  It would be another $1,200 lower, but we took one of the cars in for regular service and "repairs" were required.  I haven't migrated the balance of the refund from our checking to savings account, just waiting a bit to square off the accounts.

After writing about the crap and clutter, I've stepped up the efforts to sell what can be sold, and clear out the rest.  Additionally, I'm limiting how much time I will take to try and sell it.  If it's not sold after one or two attempts, that's it; out with it.  So, within the past few weeks, I've posted about 30 items.  One item was a batch of scrubs that Christie used to wear went for $50 which went straight to savings.

Physical

The past few weeks have been really hectic at work, plus a bunch of Easter candy lying around.  I'm getting mad at myself and frustrated.  I've read a lot of good things about the show on TLC, "I Will Teach You To Be Thin".  I may peruse the literature.  I need to practice what I preach.  I'm trying to teach the boys sensible eating habits with some flexibility, but do a better job of leading by example. 

I've been writing a reminder of "500" on my hand.  One pound a week is a difference of 500 calories a day;  a combination of eating fewer and burning more. 

I'm putting together a gym bag for the fitness center at work.  I haven't used the center at work in a few years; in the smaller cubicle I've been in, there's not much in the way breathing room for a used gym bag.  I've shopped around for a fancy quick drying, odor free camp towel, so hopefully that will help. 

Up until Spring break for the boys, although they were going on field trips through their day care, we were still giving them a break on the morning rush; so I slept in a bit here and there.  Up in the mornings and working out.

The stiff neck and and back I've had is a gentle reminder that I need to get on the yoga train.

The Rest

Most of the seedlings that I've started are doing well.  I got too confident in the Spring weather of a few weeks ago, and with our recent snow and cold temps, the pumpkin starts that I put out have withered.  I'll need to get some more going.  But the tomato and basil sprouts are doing really well, and of the sweet pepper seeds that I thought had failed, a few are actually starting to pop up.

I'm sure I've mentioned it, but I'm practicing piano, using "Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course".  It's simpler than I had imagined, not that I've progressed past a few bars of Jingle Bells, yet.  It's sometimes a little tough on the tendons in the hands, though.