Something New

Well, off on a new adventure or at least looking into the possibility of one.  So Tuesday I was in a pretty blah mood and just anti-everything.  I think we all have those days.  Maybe I shouldn't put them into words, but I do.  It works for me. 

Right now I am reading The Cheapskate Next Door by Jeff Yeager.  I know I am weird and that I like reading these finance books!  Someday I will tell my full story and when it is said and done, let's just say that you will be amazed at where I was and where I stand today.  Who knows, maybe I can start counseling others on how to get out of debt!  Anyway - it is really good book and if you can read self-help books, I suggest looking into it. 

As you probably recall, I am in the process of blasting debt out of my life.  I see a zero balance with one of my credit cards in the next month.  Today I made another payment on it and all that remains is $50.  So far this year I have paid off 10% of my debt.  To me, doing this solo, that number is huge.  I of course I  have to thank my WIRR friends (Click Here to learn more) for keeping me motivated and encouraged. 

As I was discussing with mama last night, between Lowe's and NFP, I have enough money to live, pay my bills and blast my debt.  However, when it comes to extra things I want to do, it requires serious penny pinching to do it with cash and I think that is the part that makes me feel strapped right now.  For example, I know that I probably need at least $350 to have the ceiling fans installed in my house.  NODIY guy said that he would do it for $50 a fan (5 fans) and then whatever parts he would need.  Needless to say - I have to scrimp and save to get that.  I also need new tires on my car if I am going to come back to Nebraska at Christmas.  Again, scrimping and saving to get it done.  It stinks.  Of course, it probably feels even more difficult just because my electricity and water bills are higher right now thank you to Mother Nature.  I know I should feel blessed that the electricity is only running about $150 considering it has been over 100 degrees every day, but it is hard.

So, with that said, yesterday I posted an ad on Craigslist to get a roommate.  Not something that I HAVE to do or really want to do.  However, it will definitely help me feel more relaxed on things and help cover some of those other things I want to get done as well as help blast the debt even faster!!  So my friends at WIRR are giving me great advise on background checks, leases, etc so I am pretty positive that things will work out okay and no one needs to worry.  Plus, as I told momma, I don't HAVE to have the extra money so I can take as long as I would like to find the perfect roommate!

Have a great weekend y'all!

Blogging Project - Day 13

Funny how life gets in the way sometimes.  Of course - I find in fun when my mom points out I haven't been blogging.  At least I know someone is reading it - right?

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Somewhere you'd like to move or visit

I find this one interesting because five years ago, I would of told you me moving would be from one apartment to another or to a house; never would it be to a new city or state.  But, I did take a leap and moved to Texas and while there will always be some doubt about the move based upon how things have worked out, I couldn't imagine not living here.  Is there a move in my future?  I don't have the answer to that question and it isn't something that I will ever rule out.  Life presents new opportunities at any time and sometimes you just need to take them and enjoy the ride.

As for where I would like to visit?  I honestly want to say that I have vacationed in all 50 states by the time that I die.  Will that happen?  I don't know.  I know there is plenty to see and do in the US that most take for granted.  It would not be appropriate to live life without camping in Yellowstone National Park!  I also know that I would like to visit some luxury vacation spots as well - I mean The Virigin Islands, Costa Rica, Australia - I'm not greedy.  Of course - we do have a tenative schedule to go to an all-inclusive resort in Mexico in order to celebrate my parents 40th Wedding Anniversary, my 40th Birthday and my brother's 5 year wedding anniversary.  It only means one thing people - start saving - you have 2 1/2 years before we party!!

But in reality - as much as I would like those vacation spots, in reality most of my vacation is spent with the important people in my life - my family & friends.  Maybe one of these days I can get my family to pick one of those vacation spots like camping in Yellowstone versus me driving back to Nebraska.  However, until that happens, I am perfectly content with a 12 hour drive to see my awesome peeps!

Auntie Jenn & Maddox on his first Birthday!

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Life Note - In reality just a lot of the same old, same old.  I had a fabulous memorial weekend!  The highlight was spending Monday at Lake Travis with some friends.  Of course, it didn't matter how much sunscreen one puts on when you spend four hours in the water - you still end up fried!  We were out on the water for 7 hours and you haven't seen anything until you see 100's of boats tying off to each other.

The big pieces I dug up!

This past weekend was spent "installing" my new purchase, a 10 foot Bradford Pear tree.  Let's just say one thing - this sucks in Texas.  Any digging requires at least an axe of some sort.  Apparently there is a bar of some sort that would of made life easier too.  In the end I don't recommend doing this when it is a 100 degrees out and you are digging through lime stone - it sucks.  But, if you didn't see the pics on facebook, here are the most important three:

My new tree & mound of dirt & rock!

Yup - this is me still smiling after it all!

Father's Daughter

Honestly, if you would of asked me this question in junior high and early part of high school, I would of said no way in hell.  Papa Smurf and I weren't really close, he was tough on me.  I don't want to say he ruled with an iron fist, because he didn't .  But, he does come from a long string of men that are tough men, don't show emotion, let alone talk about it.  Really, in my life I have seen him cry once, maybe twice.  The last when Grandma Schmidt passed.  He might of cried at Grandma Meedel's funeral too, but I was a train wreck so I wouldn't of had any idea.  You always had to see the little stuff he did to understand his love.  Take for example, softball, my love.  It wasn't until I was in a doctor's office before my senior year of high school and my dad was asking how my knee injury would impact my ability to play in college that I realized I might actually be good - no kidding.  Up until that point, I could tell you where my short comings in the game were.  That is my dad and now that I understand him and his ways, I love him and can't imagine having another dad but him.

So back to the matter at hand, Father's Daughter.  My dad LOVES to be outside.  We joke with him about his summer tans.  See, he gets engine brown on his back side and well his front side is more on the white side.  He spends so much time hunched over in the garden that only the back side gets tan.  I remember growing up my mom use to complain about how much the water bill was during the summer months.  She definitely was not impressed with the $100+ bills my dad managed to generate and he really didn't mind because he didn't pay the bills.  But, he did have the best looking yard in the neighborhood and maximized the small garden he had.  Heck, us kids were not even allowed to mow it most times because he had his way. 

Then they moved to an acerage.  I think my mom was going to flip a top the first summer they lived there and my dad was watering the "yard".  He carefully pointed out he was only water around the house to ensure the foundation didn't crack, etc.  It was a priceless moment. 

Now that I am older, I have found that I have become him.  I know that every time I mow the yard, I need to mow it from a different angle so you don't get the tracks in the lawn.  I spend hours outside on a bucket pulling weeds.  If my lawn isn't green and weed free, I look at it from the stand point my father would not approve.  With all that said, he just might approve of the front yard.  It is a little burnt between the sidewalk and the street just because I didn't get it watered after Scott's came out last time.  (Yes, I am a cheater and have someone fertilize & treat my yard for me.)  The backyard is still a work in progress and one I am not ready to take pictures of. 

All being said - it has come a long one in the two years I have lived there.  The photo below is just from last spring.  Hopefully I will see the same improvement in my backyard by next spring.

On a completely unrelated note, I have effective rid myself of Noname Guy #1 & Guy #2.