Lizard Queen
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Post by Lizard Queen on Feb 1, 2016 10:32:43 GMT -5
Paperchase--I've got to figure out a better system for dealing with this. I've got 2 households of stuff to keep track of, plus Kindergarten should be called the tree-killer grade, I swear.Totally. What we did for the younger grades is put things that could be saved (8x11 or smaller, no noodles, feathers, shells, etc) in a box. I'd go through the box every few months and have my kids save x number of things. We did this at the semester, and the end of the year. Other people take pictures right away and then recycle. Good idea! I have an empty file box I could stick them in and let DS go through and save what he wants. (He's making these random cut out drawings lately that God forbid I through throw away. )
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giramomma
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Post by giramomma on Feb 1, 2016 10:37:55 GMT -5
The other thing I've been known to do is to go through that stuff when the kids aren't around and have forgotten about whatever they had been hot on...
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yogiii
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Post by yogiii on Feb 1, 2016 10:40:49 GMT -5
I'm one who takes pictures of the school work/projects. I've kept a few things, stuff with handprints, his first books where he tried to write words or maybe the first time he wrote Merry Christmas on something but otherwise, I don't hesitate to send off to trash/recycling.
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whoisjohngalt
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Post by whoisjohngalt on Feb 1, 2016 10:45:09 GMT -5
I'm one who takes pictures of the school work/projects. I've kept a few things, stuff with handprints, his first books where he tried to write words or maybe the first time he wrote Merry Christmas on something but otherwise, I don't hesitate to send off to trash/recycling. I want to be like you when I grow up! I have tons and tons of the crap art work they made. And that doesn't even include all the homeschooling crap!
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MJ2.0
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Post by MJ2.0 on Feb 1, 2016 11:02:24 GMT -5
I'm one who takes pictures of the school work/projects. I've kept a few things, stuff with handprints, his first books where he tried to write words or maybe the first time he wrote Merry Christmas on something but otherwise, I don't hesitate to send off to trash/recycling. I need to start doing this again. I made him a space on Google Photos or whatever and I was doing this for a while. But then life got in the way and I stopped. Guess this is something I can do this weekend. As for my actual 2016 goals so far: see..... what had happened was.... Budget got blown to shit because of car repairs and other semi-unforseen bills. I'm not eating much better and therefore not yoga-ing more or better. So... yeah.
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Lizard Queen
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Post by Lizard Queen on Feb 1, 2016 11:06:08 GMT -5
I'm one who takes pictures of the school work/projects. I've kept a few things, stuff with handprints, his first books where he tried to write words or maybe the first time he wrote Merry Christmas on something but otherwise, I don't hesitate to send off to trash/recycling. I need to start doing this again. I made him a space on Google Photos or whatever and I was doing this for a while. But then life got in the way and I stopped. Guess this is something I can do this weekend. As for my actual 2016 goals so far: see..... what had happened was.... Budget got blown to shit because of car repairs and other semi-unforseen bills. I'm not eating much better and therefore not yoga-ing more or better. So... yeah. Hey, it's a new month. Great time to get started! (Sorry about the budget/car repairs. We have a budget killer car maintenance/repair coming up in a couple of days. DH expects it to be $1000 altogether.)
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yogiii
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Post by yogiii on Feb 1, 2016 11:09:32 GMT -5
I don't even take a picture of everything. Probably once a week I line up 4 things together and take one picture. Good enough.
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whoisjohngalt
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Post by whoisjohngalt on Feb 1, 2016 11:10:36 GMT -5
I'm one who takes pictures of the school work/projects. I've kept a few things, stuff with handprints, his first books where he tried to write words or maybe the first time he wrote Merry Christmas on something but otherwise, I don't hesitate to send off to trash/recycling. I need to start doing this again. I made him a space on Google Photos or whatever and I was doing this for a while. But then life got in the way and I stopped. Guess this is something I can do this weekend. As for my actual 2016 goals so far: see..... what had happened was.... Budget got blown to shit because of car repairs and other semi-unforseen bills. I'm not eating much better and therefore not yoga-ing more or better. So... yeah. At least your car repair was a functioning part of the car. We spent $400 in Oct on body work for an 18 yr old car so it would pass the stupid state inspection. That, and property taxes are the worst parts of living in my state!
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whoisjohngalt
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Post by whoisjohngalt on Feb 1, 2016 11:11:04 GMT -5
I don't even take a picture of everything. Probably once a week I line up 4 things together and take one picture. Good enough. Holy crap you are organized!
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yogiii
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Post by yogiii on Feb 1, 2016 11:13:23 GMT -5
I don't even take a picture of everything. Probably once a week I line up 4 things together and take one picture. Good enough. Holy crap you are organized! My dream job would be to have my own business where I organize/clean out people's houses. The caveat is they'd already have to be "not too gross" to begin with. I don't want critters and what not popping out of places. I'm too lazy to actually make that happen but I seriously LOVE organizing stuff.
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Lizard Queen
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Post by Lizard Queen on Feb 5, 2016 15:43:11 GMT -5
I wish that I loved to organize stuff. I used to---kind of. I wish I could tap into that again. Speaking of organizing, I was going to do it with my goals this week, but now I just don't feel like it. (Love gira's outline method) Put me in the slackers club! So, might as well jump in because it will take me days to come back to this otherwise: 1: career management. Got a call for a temp job while I was in class and cell service was extremely sketchy. Someone else got it by the time I chance to call back. working on catching up with my class. Discovered I was only doing the practice quizzes instead of the ones that actually count. Work on: applying for jobs, catching up with school stuff 2. Money shopping less frequently with bigger purchases at a time--win! Entering everything into YNAB so far (besides for some things DH pays online) Yeah me! Work on: catching clearance sales--I so don't want to go shopping out in the cold, but it's the best time for deals. 3. Habits This is the section that I really need to organize. I've been keeping up with most everything I've been doing okay so far, nothing really more. Just treading water. Work on: everything!! Unfortunately, I need to do less YMAM, and more everything else. 4. Finish/follow through Same as habits, keep doing what I've been, haven't tackled the home projects that I had in mind when making this goal Work on: to-do lists to keep on task Mom stuff: got her registration in her car. The license plate is in the window--just can't get the old one off! YNAB for her stuff is up to date. Took her for bloodwork prior to Dr appt. Monday. Her GP gets copies--had a message today from him which sent me into alarm mode. (Good thing I'm on anti-anxiety meds now, as it keeps the accompanying cortisol surge in check.) Just letting me know her vitamin D levels are normal...thank God. Usually it's, "her CHF is getting worse". I feel like I should add a kid section here too. Maybe next week.
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Regis
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Post by Regis on Feb 5, 2016 16:11:01 GMT -5
Well, today kinda derailed us on our financial goals.
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ArchietheDragon
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Post by ArchietheDragon on Feb 5, 2016 16:13:46 GMT -5
Well, today kinda derailed us on our financial goals. was that your crane that fell in NYC today?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2016 16:23:21 GMT -5
Holy crap you are organized! My dream job would be to have my own business where I organize/clean out people's houses. The caveat is they'd already have to be "not too gross" to begin with. I don't want critters and what not popping out of places. I'm too lazy to actually make that happen but I seriously LOVE organizing stuff. I WILL HIRE YOU!!! You can have all my retirement accounts. Just help me get my shit together!
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Chocolate Lover
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Post by Chocolate Lover on Feb 5, 2016 16:54:42 GMT -5
My dream job would be to have my own business where I organize/clean out people's houses. The caveat is they'd already have to be "not too gross" to begin with. I don't want critters and what not popping out of places. I'm too lazy to actually make that happen but I seriously LOVE organizing stuff. I WILL HIRE YOU!!! You can have all my retirement accounts. Just help me get my shit together! For that fee I'LL do it! She can also start on my house any time. But I'm not offering up retirement accounts. Or much of anything really. I've got a dollar.
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TheHaitian
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Post by TheHaitian on Feb 5, 2016 17:23:57 GMT -5
Well, today kinda derailed us on our financial goals. was that your crane that fell in NYC today? I know it is cruel because someone died but I totally lol'd when I read that comment
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lurkyloo
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Post by lurkyloo on Feb 5, 2016 18:38:16 GMT -5
2016 is fired. I started writing out goals and resolutions, but instead I'm going to curl in a ball in the corner and wait for 2017 to roll around.
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giramomma
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Post by giramomma on Feb 6, 2016 9:00:26 GMT -5
1. Improve our financials a. Continue to increase/acquire income Started new student b. Rebuild my teaching business c. Save 2. Career a. Get in a position to apply for grad school in a year 3. Health a. Exercise Once b: Dental: Considering changing providers to save some money 4. Start working through my stash. a. Knit for charity knit another 6" square, then got burned out on knitting... b. Finish one UFO (cross stitch) a month Can't find a project that calls to me...I want to start a new project, actually. c. Finish a quilt/quilt related project. 5. Work on our House a. Declutter Girls and worked on their room; so far have a half a garbage bag full of stuff to throw out. b Repair c Update What the hell, I'll shoot for the stars: 6. Read something other than blogs and messageboards. Goals for this week will be a little different..Need to focus on volunteering for first half of Feb.. So they are as follows: 1) Get box tops in mail 2) Make calls for Preschool For the rest of the month I need to: 1) do initial sort for box tops/labels 2) start gluing labels 3) clean out a shelf a week on my bookshelf (goal is to empty bookshelf and move to girls room to use as storage) 4) get first floor flooring measured so we know what we have for sq feet needs 5) Deal with teaching income and get tax stuff ready 6) Figure out how to advertise in neighborhood newsletter 7) Start knitting small things for the kids' easter baskets... Geez, it looks like I need to get my @ss in gear. Maybe tomorrow...
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Apple
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Post by Apple on Feb 6, 2016 19:20:57 GMT -5
I've been keeping up on YNAB. Started last September, and I think it's helping. Of course, I just found out that Sweeney Todd is *finally* playing in Portland. We've wanted to see it for years. Tickets aren't on sale yet though, so I need to keep track in order to catch them as soon as they do so that I don't end up having to buy from a 3rd party vendor ($$$). But, I have a month or two to try not to spend any of the "fun money" so that I don't have to pull from somewhere else (which I would, because stuff like this is a priority for me, we both love theater and I prefer experiences to "stuff"). An added complication to ticket timing-- it's the week right before/on DS's graduation, and there are only a few showings, so have to get one that doesn't interfere with Baccalaureate, graduation, or finals *sigh*
No OT or worked holidays in January, so no real extra savings for college (was also an expensive month with the trip to Portland--we hit Costco and eat out when we go, but I had planned for those expenses).
This month I have two scheduled overtime days, plus a holiday, so should provide a good boost to the college fund.
DS is starting to realize a state/private college just might not happen next year, but he's still trying. Financially speaking, I'm still holding out for one year at community college. He has also mentioned (on his own) getting a job for the summer and next year, so that's good. Our agreement was as long as he was in theater, he didn't need to get a part time job. Sounds like he's remembered without me having to remind him. Hopefully he'll start the search on spring break, after the musical is done.
Grocery costs should be down this month. Doing the every-other-week milk stock up (buy a ton when it's $2/gallon, usually has a cycle of every two weeks at that price). I'm making homemade bread tonight, so that will save money on the expensive stuff. Also trying to teach DS more bread methods, might be able to get it to where we make 90% of our own, which could really save money in the long run, we like good breads. He made a gumbo using expensive sausage, but we each got at least 5 meals out of it, so not bad overall. Hopefully he'll make it again, but with a cheaper sausage, lol.
Work is going awesome, which makes my time off feel so much better. The house is getting back in order, slowly but surely. Will be making another donation drop off this week.
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resolution
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Post by resolution on Feb 7, 2016 13:42:25 GMT -5
1. Meet current retirement savings goals - on track 2. Increase exercise to at least 5 days per week - back on track for this week 3. Lose 10 pounds - Not on track. 4. Develop a better relationship with my SIL. - Got derailed this week when I wouldn't tell her how much my DH makes per hour.
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Post by mojothehelpermonkey on Feb 9, 2016 14:06:53 GMT -5
Moving - Not much progress, but it doesn't make sense for me to start getting rid of too much stuff when aren't leaving until May or June.
Wedding - We went to a family event this weekend, and apparently SO's grandma did not know that the wedding was not going to happen before we move. I also had an interesting conversation with SO's cousin's wife. They had a big church wedding a few years ago and I had assumed it was because they both wanted one. It turns out they caved to the pressure from grandma. My SO describes his parents as the black sheep of their family, and I am starting to think that is a good thing. They are still welcome at family events, but his branch of the family seems to be immune to pressure from grandma. She really is a nice lady, just very traditional, and we just don't want to have a big church wedding.
Career - I requested my transcripts and when I receive them I will start the registration process for the histotechnician certification exam. I also made it to the second round of the interview process for the manuscript editing job.
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giramomma
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Post by giramomma on Feb 12, 2016 10:59:31 GMT -5
I'm doing a quick check in, because I don't think I'll have time in the near future:
Updates as follows: $$ Doing a meet and greet tonight at my house for another student. Confirmed I had openings with a public school teacher in a neighboring town. Promotion was approved at the departmental level. Now I wait for it to get approved at the college level. No other action has been taken
Housing front Looking at more flooring as well as mattresses for the peanut DH started working on some maintenance yesterday
Exercised twice this week
Stitching: did some...hopefully another finish..nothing on the knitting, which is more concerning.
I still need to work on my volunteer stuff, call a new dentist, and I have to start planning DD1's First Holy Communion Party. Invites should really go out this weekend. And escalating the decluttering stuff since we we are working on re-doing the girls room a little.
Next year, my resolution will be to invent a way to make 36 hour days.
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snapdragon
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Post by snapdragon on Feb 12, 2016 11:18:09 GMT -5
2016 Goals
Financial -
1 ) Pay off the 2nd Mortgage. --- I have a great start on this. 2 ) Put $1000 into savings this year. --- not so good on this right now. But once the 2nd gets paid off I should be sitting decent.
Personal -
3 ) Meet with friends at least 3 times this year. --- Talking with the BFF's about when. 4 ) Start a game night with work friends -- Have plans for Feb in works --- We are planning on keeping it simple and playing Yahtzee or Scrabble. 5 ) Try a new recipe every month. --- Working on a baked falafel and a meatless quesadilla filling. 6 ) Go out of state on vacation this year. -- For myself not to visit Mom. --- Talk of California or seeing the Grand Canyon for the fall. 7 ) Work on decluttering the house. --- I will be able to get several things out in the beginning of March. 8 ) Check out a different podcast every few months - I am starting with Welcome to Night Vale. I have added Lore to the line up and I'm enjoying it. 9 ) Walk more. --- This has not happened due to low tolerance of the weather. 10 ) Play with my paints. --- Not happened yet.
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Lizard Queen
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Post by Lizard Queen on Feb 14, 2016 22:27:06 GMT -5
Having a hard time updating this week. My sitter, who's been like a second mom to my kiddos, got another job. I'm slightly happy to have the excuse to spend more time with my munchkins, but I still need a sitter for a minimum of one and a half days per week. The 3 yo isn't too much of a problem to place, I don't think, but I'd like my soon to be 6 yo to go to the same place during school breaks. Also, the 3 yo is very sensitive. (Both are really, but 5 yo is more of a sport with this kind of thing.) I really need to find a place he will like and thrive in. I'll need 5 days a week if & when I get a job, and now the pay criteria will have to go up. Anyway, I get sort of OCD when I'm faced with these sorts of things, hence, difficulty updating anything else. Oh, 5 yo had 2 playdates with his BFF. My mom had 2 Dr appointments. Got school stuff mostly caught up. YNAB was kept up last week, but not last couple of days.
That's all I've got off the top of my head.
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Apple
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Post by Apple on Feb 14, 2016 22:53:14 GMT -5
I took a car load of stuff to Salvation Army yesterday, including clothing, toys, children's books, glasses/mugs, and house decor stuff.
Rearranged part of the room upstairs last night and today. Trying to stay up as long as I can tonight, so I'll go up there and try to get a bunch more done. DS has a china hutch that has his military memorabilia, so will make sure everything is back in there and get other stuff stored on the shelves that used to hold his toys. Saved a few for when we have kids over, but those all fit in a couple containers that will go on a different set of shelves.
Put a "shoe tree" near the door, so finally got all those shoes up and out of the way.
Have kept up with YNAB. Have managed to spend less than $100 on groceries so far this month, so hopefully will start to get the buffer I want in the budget for that. Worked a day of OT that I was able to put away for college. Already gathered another $60 in change from around the house that will also go toward the college account (along with a $35 check from Ebates).
I'm working night shift this week, so will probably work on my taxes and figure out exactly how much I owe this year. Also going to take a rocking chair to put in women's locker room at work. Will be nice to have someplace comfortable to sit and read when work is slow (it's kind of like a fireman position--when you're busy, you're really busy, but otherwise you're just there to wait for a call).
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resolution
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Post by resolution on Feb 14, 2016 23:34:15 GMT -5
1. Meet current retirement savings goals - 2. Increase exercise to at least 5 days per week - 3. Lose 10 pounds - . 4. Develop a better relationship with my SIL. - I didn't make any of my goals this week.
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giramomma
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Post by giramomma on Feb 15, 2016 8:30:41 GMT -5
Having a hard time updating this week. My sitter, who's been like a second mom to my kiddos, got another job. I'm slightly happy to have the excuse to spend more time with my munchkins, but I still need a sitter for a minimum of one and a half days per week. The 3 yo isn't too much of a problem to place, I don't think, but I'd like my soon to be 6 yo to go to the same place during school breaks. Also, the 3 yo is very sensitive. (Both are really, but 5 yo is more of a sport with this kind of thing.) I really need to find a place he will like and thrive in. I'll need 5 days a week if & when I get a job, and now the pay criteria will have to go up. Anyway, I get sort of OCD when I'm faced with these sorts of things, hence, difficulty updating anything else. Oh, 5 yo had 2 playdates with his BFF. My mom had 2 Dr appointments. Got school stuff mostly caught up. YNAB was kept up last week, but not last couple of days. That's all I've got off the top of my head. Finding new sitters is always the worst. The one we ended up using long term was a good fit for babies...not so much for the preschooler crowd.. We found a preschool for the peanut that had wrap around care in the afternoon. We also only needcare for 1.5 days a week.
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Lizard Queen
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Post by Lizard Queen on Feb 15, 2016 18:24:48 GMT -5
Having a hard time updating this week. My sitter, who's been like a second mom to my kiddos, got another job. I'm slightly happy to have the excuse to spend more time with my munchkins, but I still need a sitter for a minimum of one and a half days per week. The 3 yo isn't too much of a problem to place, I don't think, but I'd like my soon to be 6 yo to go to the same place during school breaks. Also, the 3 yo is very sensitive. (Both are really, but 5 yo is more of a sport with this kind of thing.) I really need to find a place he will like and thrive in. I'll need 5 days a week if & when I get a job, and now the pay criteria will have to go up. Anyway, I get sort of OCD when I'm faced with these sorts of things, hence, difficulty updating anything else. Oh, 5 yo had 2 playdates with his BFF. My mom had 2 Dr appointments. Got school stuff mostly caught up. YNAB was kept up last week, but not last couple of days. That's all I've got off the top of my head. Finding new sitters is always the worst. The one we ended up using long term was a good fit for babies...not so much for the preschooler crowd.. We found a preschool for the peanut that had wrap around care in the afternoon. We also only needcare for 1.5 days a week. I have a really good option like that (where DS1 went to PS and literally around the corner from my house), but it's so expensive. The cost doesn't really matter for 1 kid for 1.5 days/week, but for 2 potentially full-time in the summer it does matter. I do like the religious education angle, but I'm afraid it will be too structured for my 3 yo, and that he would be miserable. Ugh, I didn't expect to have to look for alternative care anytime soon. Hopefully this way will mean that DS2 is happy and settled in a new place once I do find something (probably in the spring) and need closer to full-time care.
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Lizard Queen
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Post by Lizard Queen on Feb 15, 2016 18:26:14 GMT -5
1. Meet current retirement savings goals - 2. Increase exercise to at least 5 days per week - 3. Lose 10 pounds - . 4. Develop a better relationship with my SIL. - I didn't make any of my goals this week. Sorry about that. Could you focus on your next step for each goal? Would that be helpful?
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resolution
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Post by resolution on Feb 15, 2016 19:02:57 GMT -5
I didn't make any of my goals this week. Sorry about that. Could you focus on your next step for each goal? Would that be helpful? I can focus more on the exercise and weight loss. Really I just need to set a time and exercise every day. I have been dragging ever since I got sick and still have a nasty cough, but I have been well enough for a couple of weeks to get going.
The financial goals will probably be on hold a couple of months if we help out a family member, and the goal of developing a better relationship with my SIL was probably just unrealistic.
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