September Change

It wasn't a huge month for change. I must have used my debit card much more than I did over the summer.  Still there was a bit.

2 rolls of quarters - $20
2 rolls of dimes - $10

I took that and $70 cash I had left from my jars over the month and put that $100 down towards my RRSP goal for 2013. That, added to the $800 I deposited yesterday brings my balance up to $900/$1500.

I hope to have that goal complete at the end of October, knock on wood.

Sunday Night Chit Chat

ok ok it's afternoon right now, but I have taken a moment to sit down and thought I'd jot this out before I completely forget. Not that anything I write is earth shattering :-)


Please take a moment later to stop by Carla at 1/2 Dozen Daily and see what her Sunday Night Chit Chat is.

This has been a fantastic week, if I do say so myself.  The month too. The best September I can recall in a long time.

What am I reading?

Great Ways in Differentiate Mathematics Instruction. Kids have such ability range even within each classroom. Hopefully I can find a thing or two that is reasonable and feasible to try in my room.

 

 

What am I watching?

 

I am watching the last bits of the fourth quarter of the Saskatchewan Rough Riders vs Montreal. I don't have a good feeling.

 

 

What am I cooking/baking?

 

I have a pulled pork in the crock pot ready to go as the boys will both be eating at different times. That with some of my mom's fresh made buns and a salad. mmmmm

 

 

What have I accomplished this week?

 

 I think what I am most excited about is the fact that I logged 22 KM walking this week. I made time both Monday and Wednesday after school, and then enjoyed Friday after school to celebrate and lots on Saturday and Sunday. For me this is huge. (ok "I" am huge) because I am not in good shape and more prone to be a lazy couch potato than active. Of course right now it feels like I sprained my *ss and  I am moving funny :-)

 

What am I Looking forward to next week?

 

I have two great outings planned with my students this week. I hope the weather holds. DS1 is going to skate  at an event where college scouts (US and Canada) are present so I am hoping he does well. DS2 is applying to Outward Bound. I hope he is considered. I think he would love it and he already has white water canoeing experience.

 

What am I thankful for?

 

This great weather that lets me be outside. My health...that I am able to do long walks without colitis issues. I think of my sister often when I am walking. She used to walk all the time before she got MS. Now she can barely move. I am reminded how fleeting good health can be and how much we should appreciate it.

 

 



Sensational Saturday

I have to say I truly enjoyed my Saturday, and appreciated all the moments and experiences.

DS2 and his father were up at their camp for one last fall camp before they take down their surveyor tents for the winter.  They left Friday at noon. I got a text to say that DH's tent was quite thoroughly mauled by a bear sometime between last visit and now. They always leave these structures up. At least it happened when no one was at camp. But when one is in bear country, stuff happens. We will have to buy a new one for spring. This one was almost 18 years old so it certainly had a good long life full of camping adventures.

I started off the day early. DS1 had to be up to meet his team by 5:30 for a run. I got up with him and enjoyed a leisurely cup of coffee waiting for the sun to fully rise.  When he came back he brought a couple of boys with him and I fed them pancakes and bacon before they all left to crash for a few hours. They had to meet again for another run after lunch. 

I went and picked up mom's dog and off we went for another walk. I explored a different set of trails and was dismayed to find that erosion had taken away one of my favourites from the past. I guess that is nature's way of saying she is alive and kicking. We had a great 4 K walk and I took him home.

I had lunch out on my little patio and enjoyed the leaves (both falling and fallen) and spent some time with a book, just appreciating the sunshine. I went again for another walk around 4. No mutt this time as he was out for a drive in the country to look at the various stages of harvest progress.  When I was done that trail I ended up back in the main area where there are picnic tables and fire pits. I was very pleased to see a birthday party going on. Campfire and picnic baskets and family and friends all enjoying the day outside playing and visiting. Such a better choice financially than going to a restaurant, or one of those token game places where costs add up like wildfire.

It was just me for supper as well. I must say I am doing better adjusting to 'single' life without the kids around. Or at least I was until I started raking leaves. I had a big lovely pile there and recalled wistfully the days we would rake and then the boys would bury each other in the piles and have leaf fights.  Timing couldn't have been more perfect. DS1 showed up with 2 of his teammates and without even saying  a word they proceeded to play in the leaves and bury the rookie. It was great to watch these 18/19 year old 'men' have such fun. When they were done they loaded those leaves into the compost bin.

I ended my evening with a glass of wine as I watched the end of the football game.

No costs today but a priceless day nevertheless.

Fabulous Friday

I am really appreciating the weather and Fridays. Yesterday was very dark and gloomy  but today was amazing. It's like I don't want to come inside because I know this weather and sunshine is limited. Maybe last year's winter that went from Oct 15 to May 2 and felt like forever.

After work I jetted home to change and grab my runners then went over to my parent's place. Mom was nice enough to feed DS1 before his game as he needs to eat by 4 then get himself gone. In  return I took her mutt and we went for a great long walk (4.5 KM) down on the trails by the river. It's just so pretty down there now that almost all of the mosquitos are gone. I love love love the changing and falling leaves. It's such a beautiful place to go walk. The mutt's never been down there before so I have taken him there a few times over the past 2 weeks. So many new places to sniff. Last night we tried the far loop which I haven't been on in years. Apparently no one else has either as it is overgrown. I liked that path. Hopefully it will get regroomed for next year.

After supper, I took my parents to the hockey game. Mom doesn't come to many games (crowd issues) so this was a treat.  It is still a bit odd to see kids running around with jerseys with DS's name and number on it.

I hope I can get back to the trails this weekend and take advantage of the sunshine. It's free, it's good exercise for my hiney and the benefits are endless!

A shocking revelation

I know..... it's going to shock you! It gave me quite a start as well.

Hold onto your hats for this self realizing moment. When I eat healthier, and I move more and I sit less, I................. feel better.

I am a reasonably intelligent woman. I am educated. I have life experience (I am old :) but it's been so long since I took care of myself properly, I had forgotten.

Since school started I have been (mostly) following Weight Watchers online, eating lots of fruits and veggies and lean proteins. I have been walking more and sitting less. I shut off the TV more than I have in the past.

While I have lost only a few pounds (4 or so), I DO feel better. I have more energy, I feel better about myself and I carry myself with more positivity than I did  a few months ago.

Now, to just remember this as winter sets in and the newness of a new school year and keep on making choices to keep on feeling better.

Where the money stands

as of September 9th

Debts
Mortgage - $26 763.26

Total Debt - $26 763.26

Savings/Planned Spending
TFSA/EF - $3062
($1000 added this month!! wheeee)
RESP - $14 550
RRSP - $6100
Plates - $1200
xmas 2013 - $1400
Back to School - $1000 (but disappearing soon)

This is the second time lately that my RESPs have done squat. I put $200 in each month and I expect it to grow my $200 each month, but this month it has stayed the same again. I am confused honestly and need to make a point of going in and asking what prompts it to stay the same despite the deposit.

Next target: RRSPs

The Happiness Project (book review)

A couple years ago, reading The Happiness Project was on my to do list. It was on the side of the list that never got done for the longest time. This summer I borrowed it from the library and started to read through it.  While I am late to the game on reading this, I thought I would share my thoughts.

Being truly happy in life is something I am struggling with lately and it bugs the heck out of me that I am not happier in the life I am living. I have a lot of great things going on in my world but this pervasive sadness just kept  cloaking it. I didn't like that. We only have one life to live and except for those teenage years when you just can't wait to grow up, it flies by quicker than one can imagine. 

One of the quotes from the book is "the days are long but the years are short" and that line resonated within me.  There is a lot of time during the day and I really do not use it to it's fullest potential. I need to do a better job of that.  Those few minutes here and there where I waste time could be use to get a few of the little things off my list that nag and nag at my brain, creating Titanic sized guilt.

The part of the book that resonated the deepest with me was the decluttering. One of January's goals I believe. She started by  just..............starting. I think that is one of the biggest hurdles. Just. Starting. I love love loved reading about her rush as she made it through her closet, and then went through it again. I could totally relate. There is just an amazing psychological effect when you clean and sort and get organizational control in your life....or one part of one room in your life. I wish my family would catch on to this feeling, but so far it is me against three mountains, unless I force the mountains to help.

What kept resonating in me as I read the book was how finding peace and contentment in your own life really impacts your health and mental well being, as well as how others see you.

I had a rough year last year and I am working very hard to have a more positive year this year in all corners of my life.

I'd like to draw your attention to.....

.......................... my  TFSA/EF progress bar on the right.

That's right. 100%

I haven't contributed to the darn thing since.....................2010??

Finally I have added a $1000 to it.

It's small. Really small. My contribution room is close to $20 000 I believe.

Things happened and I didn't set it as a priority and I just never ended up putting anything towards it the past couple years.

This year, after the LOC was paid off, I started using my change at the end of each month and some snowflakes, to boost that bad boy and save towards it.

I went to the bank yesterday and the teller did the paperwork to move it from my high interest into the TFSA account.

It feels good to see some green on there instead of that 66% and the pink.

I think I need to do that again next year....use the snowflakes /change to save for it. The savings goal didn't feel so onerous when it was added to here and there from money just sitting in a jar.

Yeah me ! A 2013 goal done!

Twas the night before school starts

Well I guess summer really is over. It's been hotter this past week than it was all summer so it is tougher to adjust to. Hard too, knowing that folks could be out enjoying the weather before old man winter pops back and settles in.

It was a busy day around here. DH finally finished cutting the tops off the main posts of our new fence and putting the running board across the top. Grass got cut and some weeding.

I hit the school for about 3 hours to finish tidying up and make sure I was ready for my huge class. I am quite nervous this year. A new grade and so much more to learn and to do.

I then ran for groceries so we could be sure to have food in the fridge for lunches and for supper.

It was HOT HOT out but what was I doing? cooking in my AC less house. silly girl.

I knew I would be tired tomorrow after school and that DS would need food before hockey so I was cooking. Felt like forever in the kitchen.  We bbq's chicken kabobs for supper and had fresh corn on the cob as well. Almost too hot to eat.

Mom dropped off fresh carrots from the farm so those needed to be cut and cleaned as well.

I went through clothes so I would know what I was wearing for the week, and I did about 7 loads of laundry and got those put away.

There wasn't much to get ready for the boys. DS1 is done. DS2 needed a binder and that was pretty much it. I got a cheque ready for him for his school fees. After years of school supplies and labelling them all, it was very empty this year.  Between you and me, I miss the days of labelling their pencils.

We ended the evening with a fire in the fire pit. I hated to come in and let the evening end.

Happy night before first day back for all those parents out there getting their little ones ready.