Slowly catching up

Yesterday was a lovely Sunday, if I do say so myself.

I slept in til the glorious hour of 8 and curled up to enjoy a coffee, knowing I did not have to go into the school to get ready for Monday. Not having that pressure was amazing.

As I had vowed to get my money back on track, I dutifully went to the ATM to take out my weekly jar money. My 'week' actually started last Wednesday, but I didn't have the time and we managed to limp along at home. I logged that money into my spending app and will do my best to stay on with that all summer.

I headed to my parents' house. I haven't seen them Father's day even though we  only live blocks apart. Thank goodness for texting.

I headed to the grocery store to try to slowly stock back up again. Even at the cheapest store, I paid $183. That got some produce, a few steaks for Canada Day, some cleaners we were out of, and the rest was canned goods. I have a budget of $240 a week for groceries and it goes like wildfire with the prices around here.

I visited with DS2. He went camping with buddies after finals on Wed and we haven't connected a whole lot. He leaves tomorrow for his camp up north and I won't see much of him this summer :(

We had massive rain here in SK yesterday though my neck of the woods did not get nearly as much as the south east corner of the province did.

DH and I watched the Rider football game yesterday for their season opener. Yeah for a win!

I rounded off the evening watching Bones on Netflix while cleaning and sorting the shelves in my bedroom.

Exciting day? nope. but ohhh so satisfying.

June change

I rolled up my change over the weekend to take to the bank this coming week.

 It was not bad...
1 roll of toonies $50
2 rolls of quarters $20
1 roll of dimes $5
for a grand total of $75

This money is going towards paying off the LOC debt from buying DS2's replacement vehicle.

A celebration

What a special treat today!

I was invited to a surprise graduation of a young lady I taught back in Jr High.  Her parents planned a BBQ for her as a surprise at their farm. Besides me, two other teachers from her past were there, including the one DS2 is going to go to Greece with this coming April. We had a great chat.

The text I received had made me cry.

It was so special to be asked to join the celebration. The food was delicious and to watch her face as she drove down the driveway, and see her happy tears as she got out of the car, was absolutely worth it. Moments like this make my job the best!

There we go!

Ta da!! Last day. Let summer begin!

I handed out report cards today and said my final goodbyes to the kids. They go on to a different school next year, so I only will see them if we happen to run into each other, or if they come to visit, which they often do.

It's a come and go style of hand out so they show up here and there throughout the morning. In between I cleaned my classroom and sorted and got it ready for the caretakers to come through for their summer cleanse. I know some schools where the teachers have to totally dismantle their whole room and take it home, or at the very least box it up, in case they switch classrooms I guess. I am lucky to not have to do that. That would be hours of packing, and then unpacking.

We had to say goodbye to one staff member today. She is moving to a different school. I have taught with her for the past 12 years. We moved to our school at the same time. I am sure going to miss her. She is an amazing teacher, and a great friend as well.  The next school is lucky to get her.

We had a BBQ afterwards at one of our staff's houses. It was great to just hang out in the backyard and chat and unwind before we scatter for the summer.

I didn't stay too long as I was off to a grad.  DS1's girlfriend was graduating. They live in a community about an hour away and her family invited me to come to the celebration. I know a few of them a little so it wasn't too awkward. Something like this was wayyyy out of my comfort zone so it was a big step for me to go instead of just plant my hiney at home in front of the TV. The family gathered at the home where her mother had a wonderful supper prepared. The 'daughter in law' looked lovely in a light green dress with a beaded corset top and a ruffly bottom. I missed the awards part of it while I at work, but I am told she received a couple of scholarship awards for university. smart girl!

It was a small town grad with the evening celebration at the hockey rink. Summer is finally here temperature wise and it was HOT..and muggy. Their family was very welcoming and I even got to hold an 8 month niece for awhile. She was a cutie.

I got home about an hour ago and I'm still feeling a bit surreal. Summer. Is. Here.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

I did it. almost. I still have tomorrow morning, but I did it.

I can't believe how fast the year has gone. I know I say that every year, but this year...wow!

June is a long month of 12 hour days 7 days a week to get through all the government required documents, testing, evaluation and report card. Toss in a couple track days, 2 field trips and 2 awards days and it's a full meal deal. I do not know how you folks who work 12 hour days do it. You have my full and complete respect.  I came home exhausted and felt like I had no time for cooking or cleaning or times with my family.

I had a great group of kids this year. A HUGE group, but great. For all you folks out there who wonder, size DOES matter. Even with decently behaved kids with only some learning challenges, you cannot effectively teach large groups. You just can't get to them all, and that eats me up. I  was blessed with so many supportive parents/grandparents.

I have to say that money and budget has taken a huge back seat since Easter. I have not tracked. I have not saved. I have not made good choices.  With DS1 gone down to the States I had a chance to 'save' on groceries while he was gone and I did not take advantage of that at all. I need to focus and regroup, fast.

My health has been stable. No colitis rebounds (insert happy dance). I didn't get a whole lot of good nutrition or exercise in though and my body feels like utter and complete crap. 

My blog has taken a back seat :(

July needs to be a focus on money and on health.

I am excited to get started.

Where the money stands

as of June 5th, 2014

Debts
Mortgage - $24 225.24
LOC - $1335

Total Debt - $25 560.24


Savings/Planned Spending
TFSA/EF - $5000
RESP - $18 100
RRSP - $8000 
DS2's trip -$1550
Plates 2014 - $1200
College Savings - $2550


Little was added to the college savings this month as the money I usually set aside each month went towards the expenses of actually sending him down there for spring training and keeping him there.

I made a small dent in the LOC and hope to have this car debt cleared up by the end of July, before the reality of college costs comes crashing down.