year 2 summary of the vehicle loan

Well year 2 of the 5 year loan on the vehicle is done. I have lopped off at least a year off the end of the loan through lump sum payments as often as I could. Below is the chart showing how much was paid in interest, principal and lump sum.

I have to say that Year 3 isn't going nearly as well. With the loss of wages, the computer malware expenses and some other surprise expenses, there hasn't been any to pay down thus far. I am hoping this changes very soon.

Here is Year 1 for comparison.

Happy 3rd blogoversary

It has been a whirly three years full of ups and downs. I have learned a lot over the past 36 months but I know I have a lot more to learn.

I was reading over my entry last year and I have to warn you, I was far more eloquent then, than I am now.

I am still a work in progress. I still have setbacks. The past 6 months have shown me that quite clearly.

I am eternally grateful for the PF blogging community for their support on here, and for all I have learned from you as I read your journeys.

I hope that I still have a few pearls of wisdom left in me to share with y'all.

Happy 4th everyone!

ohhh I almost forgot!

In the busyness of the past few weeks I forgot that with my last payday, I am now done making payments on my laptop.

I bought it in the fall of 2009 through a program our work offers. After applying for permission from work, I bought my computer outright on my CC. I then took my receipt into work and signed the repayment contract. They cut me a cheque for the full amount which went straight back to the CC to clear off the debt. Then work takes $x off each month for 10 months or 20 months (1 school year or 2). It is basically an interest free loan.

So on the 25th, I paid my last installment and I now have another $48.56 to add to my budget line each month.  Here's hoping my two computers last so I don't have to do this again for a year or two.

shameful food waste

So as DS1 wandered from fridge to cupboard, unsuccessful on his hunt, I realized there wasn't a whole lot in the fridge.

My home has been rather neglected the past 3 weeks in a lot of ways. I had pulled a lot of 12 hour days at work and I honestly don't know what DH fed those two boys.  I knew I needed groceries. I also knew that I was not putting fresh, delicious new groceries in a fridge that was dirty. First on the list to do was to pull everything out of my fridge and scrub scrub scrub.

There was some pretty questionable items in the crispers, particularly in the veggie one. There was a bad of (I think) broccoli that degraded enough to contaminate all his veggie friends - so out went the bag, some sad withered carrots, some cauliflower, two tired peppers and some say it ain't so celery.

The fruit side fared much better: two shriveled apples and 2 grapefruit that were awful when they were fresh. Must have just been a bad batch. woody and bitter.  I think we just kept putting them back in the crisper in hopes they would improve.

I was merciless in the door of the fridge: out went the expired salad dressings, gone were the two marinades we tried and just never liked. The garlic bulb had seen better days so it was gone too.

In the main part I had two single serving yogurts I found in the back, some questionable deli meat, some dried out tortillas, a couple of 'anyone remember what was in this plasticware' containers and an egg carton with no friends inside. I blame DS2 for that one.

When it was all freshly cleaned out, I returned to the fridge, the items which made the cut. There weren't many. As I cleaned I jotted down the items I threw out which I would want to replace. Then I went to the weekend flyers and made my 2 lists for my 2 shopping destinations.

Food wasted = bad
Clean fridge with pretty fresh fruits, veggies and foods in it =  good

The end of the tunnel

Well, I made it! I liken it to a locomotive racing down a long hill. Whether you want it to or not, the train just keeps building up steam, going faster and faster and feeling absolutely out of control. The sound is deafening and the speed more than a little frightening. And then it hits the bottom and runs out of steam, all in one quick moment. You still feel like you are vibrating, even though you are sitting still, and the sound of the silence is pulsing in your ears.

After report cards were handed out yesterday and everything was tidied and put away for the summer, there were hugs for the two on staff who were leaving and hurried 'see you around' to everyone else. Our paths cross often in the summer, in the building and outside of it. And after that, you just sit down at home and feel more than a little lost.

The group I teach is moving on to the next building so the goodbyes are a little more drawn out and emotional. Most will come back to visit at least once in the next year. Half of them will continue to visit on through High School and beyond. Such good kids.

I came home with two bags full. Materials for units I want to work on. Resources I need to read. I will go back to the school in a few days, and start my cleaning process: filing cabinets, shelves, drawers and cupboards. Little bits at a time can get a lot done.

After I got home and sat for a bit, the plans started. DS2 has to be picked up Sunday. DS1 was negotiating an evening out and curfew time. DS1 and I ran out to my sister's acreage to feed her cats and dog while she is away.  I started to make my long weekend 'to do ' list. Two versions. One for good weather and one for rainy weather. It's currently raining. I know which list I have to tackle and it starts with cleaning the fridge. oh boy LOL. but you can't get groceries until the fridge is cleaned out so the pecking order must be adhered to.

It will be very nice to have the time to tackle all my home and work to dos in little chunks.