Family, Finances & Emotions~~Not Always A Pretty Picture

I've been pretty emotional this weekend. It started last night when I was driving home from seeing my guy. I picked up a voice mail from my friend, Captain, and I felt teary eyed listening to it. She didn't say anything in particular in the voice mail, but it hit me just right.

This morning I wanted to go to the local hardware store, because I'm having plumbing issues. I have two facets leaking and a toilet that won't quit running. Part of me thought I would put them off till my guy got out in December, but now that that isn't happening I decided to attempt to tackle these on my own. So I took the tips of the facets off and when I couldn't remove the flapper (yes, that is a technical term) I took a picture of it and off I went. Well, the guys couldn't help me and told me that I would have to take the facets apart and take a piece of of them and bring those in and I would have to remove the flapper and bring it in too. Having struck out I left the store and as I was driving to the grocery store I started thinking of my Papa. He would so have helped me and he would be ashamed of the "men" in my family who won't step up and help me with this.

Feeling dejected, thinking of my Papa and missing him I became teary eyed, again. I spent the rest of the day emotional. I have declared the men in my family as weak and self-centered. These are the things that make me even sadder over the fact that my guy isn't here to help right now, because the crap would have been fixed in a flash!! So after feeling down and pissed off I did what I do so often...I ate my feelings! I swung by Arby's and picked up lunch and came home. I then proceeded to call the plumber I've used in the past. He will be here Monday at 8am to take a look at all of the things I need help with and give me a quote. Of course now I have to pay for someone to come in my home and do what my dad, my uncle & my bro could do. So this got me to thinking about my finances...

My Finances...

Obviously I have a spending problem. My outgoing totals always exceed my incoming totals. I've been tracking my expenses since the beginning of the year. I've gotten rid of three of my expenses so far this year by paying off two credit cards (they were uber small though) and getting rid of my home phone. I haven't put any additional charges on my other two credit cards and actually the last few months I've been paying the amount that would have them paid off in 3 years. I also reduced my monthly car insurance by $19.47. I'm happy with the little progress I've been making.

Of course there are some upcoming bumps in my financial road, which are totally freaking me out!! I have to figure out to live without student loans supplementing my monthly "income" plus pay for PMBR, Bar/Bri & the fees associated with taking the bar in addition to the fact that I will have no income for at least two months while studying for the bar. On top of all of this, I'm also reducing my monthly income by reducing my hours worked by 8 a week in order to do my externship.

Then I started to think...so when I'm an attorney and they ask for my help should I not help and make them hire another attorney like I am having to do with my home repairs?!?

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 18

Just getting started: 4, 7, 12, 19, 20

Needs attention: 10, 11, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25

It's Finally Friday, Amen!

My Friday To-Do List:

1. Go & see my guy

2. Write out my shopping list

3. Go shopping

4. Pick up the house

5. Get my unibrow, etc. waxed

6. Get my facial

7. Do laundry

8. Write out my bills

9. Balance my checkbook

10. Write my guy

11. Study for the MPRE

12. File my papers

13. Catch up on my blog reading

14. Catch up on my TIVO backlog

15. Catch up on my emails

16. Workout

17. Get the munchkin's birthday pictures taken

18. Work on my August budget

19. Get me some serious sleep

20. Remotivate

21. Refocus for next week

22. Refocus on my healthy living

23. Plan out my week

24. Get organized

25. Get my shit together

Memories Of My First Concert Could Lead to $100?!? Daym....

The first concert I ever attended was Heart! Well, I was shocked when I read Daisy's blog post giving her review of Lilith Fair from last week and read that Heart was a part of it! I've never been to Lilith Fair, but was always curious about it. So if you always wondered what it was like to go to Lilith Fair go to http://blog.daisyjd.com/?p=852 and read her review!! On top of that you can enter to win a $100 Visa Gift Card....what gets better than this?!? So chop-chop y'all and head on over... I wish you all good luck and hope that karma brings that back to me winning a $100!! LOL

Muah y'all!!

Bragging Rights Y'all!!

This afternoon I left work early so the munchkin could go in and meet his newer new teacher. He will be entering the 3rd grade this September. His newer new teacher wanted to meet him and spend an hour with him to assess his reading skills. This is what Ms. Newer New Teacher had to say, "[Munchkin] is excellent at decoding and reading! He is reading at a 6th grade instructional level. This is the level he should be reading. The words and vocabulary meanings that he struggled with were at 6th grade level with historical or scientific nature. Because we need to continue to make progress with reading to keep interest; I would recommend that [munchkin] reads scientific or historical books or biographies at a sixth grade level This will build his vocabulary and background knowledge to catch up with his decoding sills. I also noticed that it would benefit him to read about geography, locations around the world or (with his interest in animals), he could read about where animals live around the world. Ms. Newer New Teacher."

Um hello!!! My 8 year old is reading at a 6th grade level!! I always knew he was a genius! Now if only he wasn't acting like he was a 6th grader...ugh!!

I'm so proud of my munchkin...of course this information went straight to his little head! Typical man! Ha!!

Alright y'all we are off to bed so I can update this week's lists one more time before tomorrow...

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26

Just getting started: 11, 27, 28

Needs attention: 13, 18

Space In My Head Discovered On Hump Day

The last couple of days I've been experiencing pain on the right side whenever I chew over there. So yesterday I had called and made an "emergent" appointment with my dentist. Of course before I got there the problem seemed to have started to resolve itself, but I already had the appointment and with my luck it would immediately return ten fold, so I went. Dr. Hearts informed me that I'm apparently grinding so much and biting so hard that I'm shifting my teeth... Of course! And now I've created space between a few of my teeth. Are you kidding me?!? Apparently having braces all those years ago didn't help solidify my teeth in my head. Go figure! With some additional steps in my dental routine and letting my right side rest by not chewing over there for a while he is hopeful that the discomfort will disappear. As for the spaces I've created...well, there isn't too much that can be done about that. Just great!

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26

Just getting started: 11, 22, 27, 28

Needs attention: 13, 18

There Is Always Something

So in the last 24 hours I have learned that my munchkin is not getting the teacher he wanted, because the teacher received a promotion and is no longer at his school. I had to tell the munchkin tonight and he was very upset over it. He was sort of cute, because he just keep saying with tears running down his face, "I've been waiting a year to have Mr. 3rd Grade Teacher. That is all I've ever wanted." I don't know where he gets his flair for the dramatic from!!

In other news I talked to my OB/GYN about my ultrasound from a couple weeks ago. It is not good news. He wants to go in, look at the cyst that has grown (from 3cmx4cm to now 5cmx6cm), and remove it. I'm totally not down with this. It scares the shit out of me!!! The cyst doesn't bother me. I don't have any pain, complications and don't even realize it is there, but he still wants to take it out.

On top of the idea of having a surgical procedure, it becomes a question of where in the heck to fit it into my schedule. I have to take the MPRE on 8/6, my externship & my last semester in law school starts on 8/23. My semester should end early December. Then I'm looking at PMBR & BarBri starting the end of December. Then taking the Bar the end of February. Where the heck am I suppose to fit in a surgical procedure????

Why is it always something? Why can't life just run smoothly?

Consider it done: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26

Just getting started: 3, 11, 22, 27, 28

Needs attention: 13, 15, 18

Tomorrow It All Starts

For all those bar takers!! I wish everyone who is sitting for the bar this week GOOD LUCK!!! I'll be thinking of you all. It is hard to believe that I will be right where you are now in 7 months!! YIKES!!! I'm so excited for each and everyone of you! Now go and kick ass y'all!!!!!

Consider it done: 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26

Just getting started: 2, 11, 22

Needs attention: 3, 12, 13, 15, 18, 27, 28

All It Takes Is 3 Weeks

This past week really sucked. Last weekend was lost on both days, which continued Monday. During the week after stopping my nose spray my headache continued to lessen and seems to have pretty much disappeared. Then on Thursday while I was off to study and take my final exam, my man called and gave me the results of his hearing. It wasn't good and he won't be coming home this year. I spent the rest of that day studying the best I could and then went up to school to take my Tax final exam.

Of course before hand Prof. Tax Guru had told us two things. One, we could use our Code book and two, he wrote the exam as a two-hour exam and shouldn't take longer even though he thought we had 3 hours to take it. Well, the first issue blew up when we got ready to take the exam, because there was nothing in writing saying we could use the book. So we had to waste like 17 minutes while the proctor and the registrar's office attempted to call Prof. Tax Guru to get approval to allow us to use the Code book during the exam. I knew if they wouldn't let us use that book I was totally screwed with my exam! Finally he returned their calls and everyone settled down. One issue down...

As for the second thing we were told, that was a blatant lie! The exam was brutal!! We actually had 4 hours to complete the exam, because it is a 4 credit class. Of course one bitch stood up and handed her finished exam in within an hour of starting it. I wanted to F her up! She was a know-it-all during class too! Bitch! The majority of the rest of the class finished between hours 2 and 3. I, however, finished 5 minutes before time was called. When I walked out I left one lone student to finish in the next 5 minutes. Now I just have to hope and pray that I passed. That is all I need to do is pass. Yes, this is my usual mantra; however, this is more necessary now than ever, because this is a required course (yes, my school is ran by crazy people!) and I'm about to start my last semester in school. I do not want to have to repeat this damn class during my last semester in law school...

They say that all it takes is 3 weeks to break a bad habit or develop a good habit. After two weeks of losing on with using sparkpeople I was hoping to test this theory out; however. They say that that is how long it takes to break a bad habit or to develop a good habit. I had hoped to test this theory out this past week, but with the week I had that so didn't happen. I ate like a pig all week...it really started last Saturday and just continued throughout the week.

I had moved me weigh-in up a day to Saturdays the last couple of weeks. Well, I am starting to wonder how wise of a decision that was. I think it may be giving me too much freedom. However, I went ahead and weighed-in yesterday morning and was so mad at myself because I had gained 6lbs. YIKES! Maybe it was the Quizno's, McDonald's, Taco Bell, Reese's Dark PB Cups, chips, tuna lasagna... What I find very interesting is the fact that when I got up this morning I had last 3.8 of those pounds. So I've decided to go back to my Sunday weigh-ins and use this morning's numbers for Today's Stats:

Starting weight (7/8/09): 363lbs

Current weight: 320.8lbs

This week's results: +2.2lbs

Total weight lost: -42.2lbs

I had no idea a week ago how horrible this past week was going to be, but I'm ready to get back on track and start at the beginning of my 3 weeks to try and break my bad habit and build my good habit of healthy eating. Here's to a much better week this week...

In other news, well I haven't accomplished much this week, but I have relaxed a bit by not doing much, of course I'm ready for a nap right now too, but anywho...on to another week tomorrow!

Consider it done: 1, 4, 7, 8, 21

Just getting started: 2, 6, 11, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25

Needs attention: 3, 5, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 26, 27, 28

Hoping For A Better Weekend...

My Friday To-Do List:

1. Go & see my guy

2. Write out my shopping list

3. Go shopping

4. Get my house cleaned

5. Call my OB/GYN to follow up on my ultrasound

6. Do laundry

7. Go to the Bar/Bri MPRE Review (why do they make these things so early on a Saturday???)

8. Do lunch with my LSBFF!!!!! (One of the two best parts of my whole weekend!!!)

9. Write out my bills

10. Balance my checkbook

11. Write my guy (we got bad news, so he really needs another letter a-sap...)

12. Workout

13. Get the munchkin's birthday pictures taken

14. File my papers

15. Get my pic taken for the MPRE (oh joy!)

16. Catch up on my emails

17. Go through my mail that has piled up the last couple of days

18. Start studying for the MPRE (yes, another frickin' test!)

19. Draft a schedule to propose to work for the fall semester

20. Submit my proposed schedule to work for the fall semester

21. Catch up on my blog reading

22. Get me some serious sleep

23. Remotivate

24. Refocus for next week

25. Refocus on my healthy living (I've fallen off the wagon this week.)

26. Plan out my week

27. Get organized

28. Get my shit together

Final Exam Tomorrow

So I need your prayers for the next 24 hours!!! I have mentioned lately how much I hate Tax Law?????!!!!! UGH..... Just let me pass...that's all I ask!

Then after that we can all focus our prayers on the Bar Takers for the next week and then back to me for the MPRE!!

I'm so tired of tests and studying................................

Need To Find My Week Before The Whole Week Is Lost

Apparently having a semi-lost weekend leads into a pretty crappy week. I think I mentioned the last week or so I've had an annoying headache, well yesterday morning that blew up! When I woke up Monday morning my head was hurting, so I reached up and touched my temples and thought I was going to cry while vomiting! I couldn't believe how bad my head hurt just be touching it. I called off work and went back to bed. Now mind you I was actually in the bed by midnight Sunday night so it wasn't an over-tired thing, but I ended up sleeping until after 12:30pm...

When I woke up yesterday I felt better, but definitely 100%. I sort of didn't do much all afternoon even though I thought I would get my ass in gear, get showered, go and workout before I started dinner or studying. Well, I never did get those things done. But I did work up the nerve to send Prof. Tax Guru a request for my midterm grade. I sort of figured that once I saw my crappy grade it would motivate me to study for my final. Hmmm...I got a 53 out of 57. Daym...needless to say I haven't been motivated to study and my final is Thursday. Guess you know what I'll be doing tomorrow night, huh? Opps...

I still had my headache today and I'm really starting to wonder what the hell is causing my headache... I'm going to stop taking my nose spray to see if that is contributing to it. I sure hope it is that and it goes away very soon. I really don't have time to be sidelined with a stubborn headache.

As for my battle of the bulge...this week isn't going so hot. It is so hard to eat healthy and get all of your water in and workout when your head is hurting. All I really want to do is swing by and pick up a good ol' juicy bar cheeseburger with curly fries and some Mexican fried ice cream... But that isn't going to help me with my goal, now is it?

I'm hoping tomorrow is uber productive and that I'm headache free!

On a separate note...I just placed a huge order form Nordstrom's for some professional clothes for my externship. Now I just hope they fit! Ha!!

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20

Just getting started: 6, 8, 21, 22

Needs attention: 12, 13, 14

A Little Less Lost

I was able to get a few more things done today, but not a whole lot. I should have gotten more done, but whatever... I'm crazy full still after 11pm. I consumed a sick number of calories both yesterday and today. I had heartburn the majority of the day, which of course did not slow my eating down. I guess maybe I thought if I ate more it would go away. Well, apparently after some fajitas it worked! Ha!

So...another weekend comes to an end and another work week is about to start... I so need a vacation that doesn't consist of illness or school related stuff.

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20

Just getting started: 6, 8, 21, 22

Needs attention: 12, 13, 14

A Lost Saturday

Last night I knew I had to attend my Tax review, which was scheduled for 9am this morning. Do you think that got me to bed at a decent time? Um...that would be a negative! I still thought maybe if I went to bed at 2am, which seems to be my usual bedtime I would make it there with no problem. I thought I would even have time to run and get fill up and pick up a diet coke too! What was I thinking??

Needless to say, that didn't work out for me. I live approximately 40 miles from school so when I got in the car at 8:40am and started driving I thought maybe I should just attend tomorrow's afternoon session and should just turn around. Then I decided to just go for it...if I was too late I'd just punish myself with going tomorrow instead. Plus I had no desire to get dressed and go up to school tomorrow, so that was a huge motivating factor for me!

As I pull up to the school I see that our parking lot is locked. I park on the street and realize I'm only running about 15 mins late. Cool! I walk up to go inside and realize that everyone in class is sitting on the side steps listening to the lecture. Prof. Tax Guru didn't ensure that the school would be open so our review consisted of us sitting on cement steps, outside, for almost 2 hours. Are you frickin' kidding me?!? WTF?! I just busted my ass, drove like a crazy woman to sit on cement for almost 2 hours? Ugh...

After the review I headed back home, but upon stopping for gas I realized I didn't have my driver's license with me! WHAT?! Thank goodness I didn't get popped for doing 85 up the expressway on my way up! Believing my license was at home, I obeyed all of the traffic laws and came straight home. I look at the only other place my license would be (in the case I collect quarters for my Friday night visits) and it isn't there. Just great... I look in my wallet again and there it was stuck behind my health care card. So I did have it with me the whole time. Had I known that I would have stopped off and watched the munchkin at his Soccer Striker Clinic...

The rest of the day was not productive at all. I felt like I would start something and then without finishing I would move to something else. Needless to say I've accomplished very little today. Well except that little nap!

I've had a headache the past couple of days, so I decided to lay down around 3pm for a little nap, thinking I would be up in time to run to the meat market before it closed. Well, I thought wrong. I didn't wake up until close to 8...long past closing time for the meat market. Guess I'll be getting up and getting dressed tomorrow regardless since I have to go to the meat market...

For all intents and purposes though I consider today a lost day with not really accomplishing much other than sleeping and eating...

I did accomplish my weekly weigh-in this morning and I'm happy to report Today's stats:

Starting weight (7/8/09): 363lbs

Current weight: 318.6lbs

This week's results: -1.8lbs

Total weight lost: -44.4lbs

I am only 1lb away from here, the lowest I've been since starting this journey a little over a year ago. Now if I can get below that point I'm back on my way of actually losing weight versus what I've been doing for the last several months, which is playing around with the same damn 8lbs...

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 16

Just getting started: 5, 9, 17, 18, 19,

Needs attention: 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22

Without Further Ado...

My Friday To-Do List:

1. Leave work early

2. Go for my ultrasound

3. Go & see my guy

4. Write out my shopping list

5. Go shopping

6. Do all of my Tax homework

7. Attend my Tax review

8. Study for my Tax final

9. Do laundry

10. Write out my bills

11. Balance my checkbook

12. Write my guy

13. Workout

14. Get the munchkin's birthday pictures taken

15. File my papers

16. Get me some serious sleep

17. Stay motivated

18. Get focused for next week

19. Stay focused on my healthy living

20. Plan out my week

21. Get organized

22. Get my shit together

Just The Munchkin & Me Tonight...

I'm kind of excited about today. I'm leaving the office @ 3pm so I can take the munchkin to his therapy appointment. From there we are going to come home and just sort of be quiet. We will watch some TV together, which we haven't done for a while, get a few things done around the house and call it an early night together. As long as we are going to sleep early, I love to cuddle with my munchkin in my big bed as we go to sleep together. He loves it too. It doesn't happen often so I figure we will take advantage of it when we can! :) I think it is a great way to end the week!

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27

Just getting started: 11, 28

Needs attention: 14, 15, 17

Bring It On Honey...I'm Ready To Go To Court, But Are You?

If you remember a couple weeks ago I was suffering from some TV issues, which eventually lead to a tech having to come out for DirecTV, which then lead to me being sans TV for almost a week. According to the tech I had completely lost my line of sight and therefore could not get a picture from the satellite. The only place he could get a reading from the satellite was on the front portion of my roof, which of course violated the park rules (they are only allowed on the rear of our homes). My only options were to get a pass from the park management to put it in the front of the house or go back to cable.

I placed several calls to my park management before I received a call back. I was told that they would not give me an exception, so I immediately texted my friend to hook me up with cable. I didn't like the decision, but whatever. I dealt with it and moved on. Well, until I got home tonight and there was a note on my house that my munchkin's swing set isn't allowed and I have until the 21st to "take care of [it]." Really??

I've had it with this hell hole I live in. I pay my rent on time in full every single month. I have since we moved in back in March 2002. The only statement in the rules concerning swing sets is that a "small swing set is allowed." Well, my definition of small and their definition of small must be different. I think that is a question of fact, don't you?

Needless to say I'm not going to be "taking care of it." If my park would like to serve me with papers for eviction, I say bring it on. If they would like to take me to court and attempt to evict one of the few tenants they have that faithfully pays her lot rent on time every month and doesn't cause any problems, I'm ready! Because I've frickin' had it with this place. What's the worst that can happen? I get evicted?! Okay...whatever! I'll deal with it should it happen, but I just don't see a judge finding this as "just cause" for eviction. Do you?

On top of the stupidity of this entire violation is the fact that I had a swing set before for 7 years and this was a replacement swing set and this one has been up since September 6, 2009. Isn't it ironic that after I called for a pass on a rule a week later I'm receiving this notice? They couldn't have been coming by to see if I violated that rule, could they have?! Ha! Also, there is another similar swing set at another home in my park. So Ms. Manager bring it on, 'cause I'm ready, are you?!

My current plan of attack is to ignore the notice...I just don't think it is worthy of a response from me. (All future and current attorneys, if you disagree with my current plan of attack, please let me know!)

On my way home tonight I was all excited to post about finishing my Tax class. So much for that post...

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27

Just getting started: 11, 28

Needs attention: 14, 15, 17

Do You Know Who You Are Talking To?

A fall extern at the Defender's Office! Woo-hoo!! I'm so excited to say that I called today, finally, left a message and when the big cheese called me back I didn't even have to schedule an interview. He told me that Prof. Arrogance called him about me and he would be happy to have me as an extern this fall! :) Thanks Prof. Arrogance! You rock Mister!

I was going to celebrate my good news with a candy bar (a York Peppermint Patty! Yummy!!) this afternoon. I literally had it in my hand in our little store, but I put it down, grabbed my bottle of water and checked out.

I was in a super good mood even though I had to drag my butt to tax for a "make-up" class! I even completed my assignment that was due back on the 7th. Opps! I get to class and we wait 25 mins before Prof. Tax Guru finally shows up. I was totally ready to book too when he came rushing in, telling us to "quiet down." Dude...where have you been?!?

Of course I got called in during class and I confessed that I had not read Chapter 25. Double Opps! Hey...I'm on Chapter 12! What more does he expect?! After class I had to turn in my assignment late, again. Of course there had to be 7 people around the podium when I did it, so I spit out some excuse about my son's grandma dying of cancer and here it is, blah, blah, blah... I don't know if he blew me off because my other assignment was late or because he had so many people around or what and to be honest, I really didn't care.

It wasn't a total lie...my mom's neighbor who my mom sees as a pseudo-mom-figure and who treats my son as if he is her grandson (hello! she bought him a $100 savings bond for his first communion!) and she is unfortunately dying of cancer. I know...I know...I know...I suck... I just felt like I needed an excuse and the whole 'I hate your class and avoid doing anything in here as if your stupid-ass assignment is the plague!' wasn't going to cut it and this just sort of fell out of my mouth!

If you knew me...the true me...you would know I don't turn assignments in late. It just isn't my style. I'm a slacker in all respects, but to the degree I've became a slacker in this damn class even scares me! I swear this required class is a mental block for me! This is as bad as my SADO class...just in a different way!

But in all seriousness, our Maddie is very sick. She is such a wonderful woman with a wonderful heart. She has been taking chemo for a very, very long time and is just not in a place to admit that she is losing her battle. Her cancer is spreading like wild-fire and instead of enjoying the time she has left with her loved ones, she is still fighting. Every day we hope and pray for the miracle that she wishes for or for God to give her the strength to find peace and enjoy the time she has left here...

Maybe it was the fact that I couldn't get her off my mind today after my mom told me she was back in the hospital this morning, because her lungs continue to fill with fluid on a bi-weekly or maybe it was her thinking of me tonight. I don't know why and there was no plan to use her as a part of my excuse, but when I handed in my assignment her situation just fell out of my mouth. I hope I can be forgiven for using Maddie as my "excuse" and I hope she knows that we love her and hope and pray for her everyday... Hugs Maddie!

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27

Just getting started: 11, 28

Needs attention: 14, 15, 17

Guess It Isn't My Alarm Clock That Is The Problem Here...Opps!

In an effort to start to get up earlier or actually just on time I picked up a new alarm clock Friday night. It is definitely louder and a different sound, which is good. Of course I think what will really help me with this is getting my butt to bed earlier! Since I was up until after 2am Sunday night...busy procrastinating...that certainly didn't help me get up on time this morning. Opps.

This week is gonna be a long week! Prof. Tax Guru appears to be smoking some bad stuff, because originally he scheduled this week...our last week of classes...to have a make up class tomorrow night. So originally he set out the following as our schedule:

Monday (tonight): 6-9:40p (regularly scheduled class)

Tuesday (tomorrow): 6-9:40p (make-up class)

Wednesday: 6-9:40p (our regularly scheduled final class)

Thursday: 6-8p (make-up lecture)

Saturday: 9-11a (review)

Sunday: 3-5p (review)

Final Exam on Thursday the 22nd!

Um...dude...when the hell am I suppose to study for the final?!? Ugh... I sent him an email telling him Thursday was a bit much! I'm sure others did too, so he canceled the Thursday lecture! So now I just have to suffer 3 nights this week and plan to do the Saturday morning review. I'll be so glad when this stupid class is done!!

Of course while rushing to finish my midterm the hour before class started tonight I was so pissed at myself for all of the procrastination I did this weekend! Damn me! Then during tonight's lecture I got mad at myself again for just now starting to pay attention. Needless to say I'm just praying I pass and am done with this last required class of mine! (Keep your fingers crossed!)

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27

Just getting started: 11, 28

Needs attention: 12, 13, 14, 15, 17

I'm So Good At Procrastinating

Last night was another late night for me, 4am, which of course lead me to not feel like doing anything today. I slept in for the most part...my guy called me at 8:54am~I went back to sleep 15 mins later, my munchkin called from my aunts at 10am~I went back to sleep 5 mins later...and got up, reluctantly, when my alarm went off at 12:30pm. And I thought I set it for no reason at all. I suspect that I wouldn't have gotten up at all today had I not set my alarm! I didn't hit the shower until around 3pm and then ran a few errands.

After returning home this afternoon I got several things done around the house, made a big ol' slow-cooker full of sloppy joes, and just when I started thinking about working on my midterm and doing some tax homework I looked and the clock said it was almost 8pm. It so didn't feel like it was so late! I opted to get a few other things around the house done instead of doing homework or my midterm, because who is really going to do well working on a frickin' midterm that late at night! So instead I decided that I would go to bed early tonight, get up refreshed tomorrow and hit the books. Well, since it is after midnight you see how well that is working for me, huh?!

In an effort to shake things up, I opted to switch up my weigh-in days from Sunday to Saturday. Plus I figured it gave me the chance to have a night off or out should I choose on Saturday! I am very happy to report that I seem to be doing pretty well with sparkpeople.com! I was very happy when I weighed in this morning (a day early, mind you) and saw a bit of a loss! Now I just need to keep the streak going! I've already made plans in my head to reward myself when I hit the 50lb down mark and another one when I'm finally in the 200's! :) Now I just have to get there, because I could really use those two little rewards....

Today's Stats:

Starting weight (7/8/09): 363lbs

Current weight: 320.4lbs

This week's results: -2.2lbs

Total weight lost: -42.6lbs

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26

Just getting started: 16, 24, 27, 28

Needs attention: 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17

Another Friday Has Arrived, Thank God!

Last night I didn't leave work until 8:45pm. So much for the gym... Of course if I lived in a perfect world and lived the perfect life I would have still trekked off to the gym, but since we all know that I do not live in the perfect world and I do not live the perfect life, plus I had that 25 page paper I needed to finish, so I headed home...in the rain. Of course I didn't get much done on my paper...go figure, huh?!

When I arrived home I had a special surprise waiting for me...cable! Yay! How can I work on a paper when I have TV for the first time in 4 days?! Seriously people!! I had to watch Bethenny's wedding! Duh...that was a no brainer! As for the installation process of my cable...that is a whole post all by itself! OMG...

My Friday To-Do List:

1. Go & see my guy

2. Write out my shopping list

3. Go shopping

4. Get my house cleaned

5. Finish my S&L paper

6. Turn in my S&L paper (It's due tonight @ 9pm!)

7. Do laundry

8. Write out my bills

9. Balance my checkbook

10. Do my Tax midterm (Thank God it is a take-home!!)

11. Do all of my Tax homework

12. Schedule my interview for my externship

13. Finish registering for my classes for my very last semester of law school (AMEN!!)

14. Write my guy

15. Workout

16. Set up my new DVR

17. Get the munchkin's birthday pictures taken

18. File my papers

19. Catch up on my blog reading

20. Catch up on my emails

21. Follow-up on the books I ordered

22. Get me some serious sleep

23. Stay motivated

24. Get focused for next week

25. Stay focused on my healthy living

26. Plan out my week

27. Get organized

28. Get my shit together

The Things You Hear In The Silence

Well, we remain sans television in j'lynn's world and apparently that isn't going over with with the munchkin or the aunt as I was advised tonight that should I need them tomorrow before his bedtime they will be at her house! LOL I made 2 calls and left 2 messages for the person in charge of our park rules...Since it is almost midnight I assume she isn't calling me back today. Guess tomorrow she will be subject to my hourly calling, because this is f'g crazy!!

I have discovered some things in the silence tonight though...

~People like to walk mysteriously close to my house when traveling through the property next to us.

~I am not the only person totally loving the new Eminem CD as someone is also playing it in their car every time they drive by.

~I apparently have the hearing of a dog, because every so often I hear a pitch squeal.

~My neighbor's are assholes shooting off fireworks just minutes before midnight on a Tuesday night & they are liable to get cut if they don't knock that stupid shit off!!!!

~The fan in my master bedroom either has a ball bearing out or it is about to die.

~I still can't seem to get my butt to bed at a decent time or get up on time either...

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4*, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22

Just getting started: 8, 9, 23, 24

Needs attention: 13

*~~No cleaning lady till Friday, but since I got the house picked up I've moved this to the accomplished list. :)

A Long Post To End The Holiday Weekend

This long holiday weekend has been filled with several ups, but a few downs as well. With the biggest down occurring today, I thought I would reflect a little on those this evening as I begin to get ready to face another week packed full of work and school...

Friday night was my usual evening of seeing my guy and then going grocery shopping. The visit was good except for the fact that it was the first time in a long time when leaving him that I could have cried had I let myself. I think it is the combination of my hormones and the waiting game we are still playing as we continue to wait for the results from his hearing. I went on to the grocery store and did the little bit of shopping I needed to do for the week and then came home. One thing seemed to lead to another and before I realized it, it was 4:00am! Off to bed I went!

Saturday morning I woke up and moved slower than a turtle all day, which really is the speed I have been set on all weekend! I got lots of personal stuff done throughout the day, watched one of the cutest movies I've seen in a long time that night, When in Rome! Typical "Rom-Com" but I love them so it was great. At one point about 7:00pm Saturday night I debated going to bed early that night. Well, that didn't happen and I didn't find myself crawling into the bed until 5:00am that night! Whoops! I figured I better set the alarm on my phone for 11am, just in case!

My guy called me at 9:00am Sunday morning to wish me a Happy 4th of July! :) I spoke to him for 15 minutes and rolled over and went back to sleep. When I woke up, hearing my alarm, I was shocked to learn that it was 12:30pm and not 11am! Yikes! I got up, got ready, got things done around the house for our 'Not Even A Small Gathering' that evening. After getting things done, I realized I only had 2 hours before the family arrived, so I opted to write my bitch letter to my guy's facility instead of working on homework! Seemed rational to me. Plus I had all day the next day to work on homework, right?!

I went to bed last night late at 2:00am knowing I had to get up for the DirecTV guy coming today between 12pm & 4pm. My man called me at frickin' 8:17am this morning! He forgot that today was a federal holiday and I didn't have to work. Opps! We talked...well, I think he talked and I mumbled things. I had my alarm set for 10am anyways. I was up and got ready. I was totally ready to dive into my tax reading this afternoon, but I've had a hard time "waking up" all day. This was only compounded by the fact that the DirecTV guy told me I have no hope of getting a signal where I have to maintain my dish according to my park's rules.

I attempted to call the "Courtesy Officer" supplied by my park "to immediately address an incident" which failed, because he didn't answer. I even tried to call the Management Emergency number provided, which failed on an even larger scale because the mailbox on that phone was full! What the hell is the point of giving us emergency numbers if no one is there to address my emergency?!? WTF people?! Customer Service at its best I presume!

So...he took the shit down!

I've spent the rest of the day staring at a blank TV realizing that even though I was not going to turn it on, because the plan was to do homework all frickin' day it is really bothering me to be so out of touch with the outside world! How the hell can people go without TV?!? I'm so not built for the 1800's!! I can't even make it 24 hours knowing I don't have the option of turning it on!! I've called around to look at other options, which has boiled down to one. Cable. Charter Cable. From what I've read, it sounds like my park has prepared me for Charter Cable's customer service treatment. Nice... But before I launch back into the cable world, which I have pretty much been out of since 2000, I will attempt to call my park's management tomorrow to see if I can get an exception to the rules granted. I'm sure we all know how likely that is, don't we?!

Around 3pm this afternoon I decided to take a little nap and set my alarm for 5pm. The munchkin and my aunt made it here before my alarm went off and upon learning that I'm sans television they opted to leave, so I went back to sleep until after 6pm. Now I sit here, in total silence, with what I assume is a headache due to my lack of caffeine today (I'm still working on guzzling down the rest of my 64ozs of daily water) and still 571 pages behind in reading for tax... Opps!

In my battle of the bulge news, I've been tracking my food intake on sparkpeople for 3 days now. I have my calorie intake set as low as the system will let me. It gives you a range of calories to consume for the day with a 350 calorie difference between the high number and the low number within the range. For now I thought it best if I work with the high number! Day #1, which was Saturday, I over consumed by 781 calories. Opps! Day #2, which was Sunday & the day we celebrated the 4th, I over consumed by 1,752. Double Opps! I like to blame my aunt's fatty-ass hot dogs she brought over that were just too frickin' tasty! Damn that woman! Day #3, today, I still have 83 calories before I hit my high number! Yay me!! I knew I would eventually turn it around. Hell, I'll just be happy this first week if I only go over my calorie intake by 500 calories a day! Yes, I've set my standards fairly low these days. Ha!!

But in an effort to end this wonderful, long, holiday weekend on a positive note...look at all the other stuff I've accomplished so far... Yay me!

Consider it done: 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22

Just getting started: 3, 4, 8, 9, 23, 24

Needs attention: 11, 13

This Is No Party; It Isn't Even A Small Gathering!

So tonight was wonderful! :) I think everyone enjoyed themselves. The munchkin was wild and the only thing he really wanted to do were his "fireworks!" Of course he didn't do them all, but I think he had fun none the less. :) Of course at one point my munchkin said to my aunt, "This is no party; It isn't even a small gathering!" LMAO!!

So after we were done eating, before the fireworks started, much to my son's disappointment, we had to clean up the kitchen. This is when I discovered that the hot dogs my aunt & uncle brought over for the cookout had 240 calories and 20 grams of fat in each hot dog. No wonder they tasted so damn good! The SparkPeople probably think I'm an utter failure between yesterday & today!! But in all seriousness...how in the hell can you get 20 grams of fat in one frickin' hot dog!!

Apparently my neighbors have more money than me as they have been blowing off some big fireworks for almost 2 hours now... Since what they are shooting off are illegal here I sure hope they saved some money for bail should the police show up! Ha!

I hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July! And unless you are like my mom & aunt and work for the world's worst boss, enjoy the day off tomorrow!! :) I love long weekends...

Consider it done: 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 22

Just getting started: 3, 4, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24

Needs attention: 8, 9, 11, 13

Happy 4th of July 2010!!!

First and foremost I want to give a big shout out to all the troops, overseas and domestic~active and reserves and retired, who continue to make today possible! Freedom doesn't come free and we owe our freedom to all of you! We salute you today!! I specifically salute the troops in my life~~My Papa, My Man, My Dad, My Aunt, My 2 Uncles, My Cousin MAJs, My Cousin Ranger, My Captain, My Captain's Fiance~~THANK YOU & I SALUTE YOU TODAY!!!!

Today is a day to celebrate with family and friends! I wish to all of my friends a Happy 4th of July!! Enjoy yourselves today & remember to take a moment to cherish everyone you love even if they are not with you today!

For me, today I'm celebrating with parts of my family. Most importantly my munchkin, my two aunts & my uncle are all gathering at my lovely little abode for a cook-out this evening. We should have a blast. My bro & his brood were invited, but I doubt they will show. My parents were invited, but I doubt they will show either, but that is because they spent the last few days out of town and may not be home in time.

I think I have everything done and ready. I've showered, shaved, and weighed in. I refuse to wear makeup today~~why waste the $! I've got all of the plates, etc. out and waiting. I'm on my 3rd batch of ice cubes...just in case! I've got my left over chicken/bean/cheese dip unfreezing and warming up in the slow-cooker. The beans are in the other slow cooker. The macaroni salad has been mixed, the cheese is sliced and the onions are cut. The condiments are ready to go and the chips & dip are waiting to be munched on! The dishwasher is unloaded waiting to be unloaded again and the pan for the hot dog chili is waiting patiently next to the cans of chili! The fireworks have been purchased and are waiting to be lit!! I don't think there is anything more I have to do except maybe some reading before everyone arrives or a little nappy-pooh!

I refuse to dwell on this week's weigh in, but here it is (it really could have been so much worse with all of the eating out I've done this week and the lack of working out), Today's Stats:

Starting weight (7/8/09): 363lbs

Current weight: 322.6lbs

This week's results: +0.4lbs

Total weight lost: -40.4lbs

Consider it done: 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22

Just getting started: 3, 4, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24

Needs attention: 8, 9, 11, 12, 13

Some Random Updating...

Nothing I hate more than realizing after it is too late that you missed one little towel in the laundry! Ugh!! I just went to gather my last load of laundry and realized I forgot my bathmat towel when I gathered all of the towels in the house to wash in the previous load! Fiddlesticks!! Of course I can't put it with my last load, because that is all work stuff and I'm just not willing to put a burgundy bathmat in with my delicates...

In an effort to tackel and start winning my battle of the (really big) bulge, my friend suggested going to www.sparkpeople.com. Well, I went this morning and I love it. What I love the most is the fact that they do have an app for my crackberry!! I can tally my calories for the day, figure out my calorie burn and run "reports" to track my progress! I'm totally in love with it. I am really hopeful that this little app will help me as I continue to struggle in my weight-loss journey! And the best part is the fact that when I open up the app it gives me the following message,

"Welcome jlynnscrazylife. To reach your goal, you can eat 165 to 515 more calories today. You have no fitness minutes scheduled for today."

One of the reasons I think this might really help me is because it shows the amount of calories I am consuming. It is a little shocking at first... I know I'm not alone when I say, I have no idea how many calories I really am consuming. I try my best, but without it being in my face in black & white it just isn't accurate. I'm sure I'm also not alone when I say I am guilty of under estimating the amount of calories in foods. Like who would have thought that the one and only meal I had today from Arby's would have been 1,635 calories. That is crazy!! But now I know! I may not be perfect and I know with the holiday weekend it isn't going to be great, but I now feel like I'm better prepared for the upcoming days, weeks and months as I continue my battle of the bulge...

Consider it done: 1, 2, 6, 7, 15, 16, 17

Just getting started: 3*, 4**, 5***, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

Needs attention: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18

*~~All I have left to do on this is go Monday and buy my lunchmeat for the week. Why buy it today when I won't touch it until Tuesday?!?

**~~Called my cleaning lady and she is either coming Tuesday or Friday. We both forgot that this was a holiday weekend!

***~~last load in the washer with the exception of my little snafu detailed above!

A Long Holiday Weekend

I'm so excited for this long holiday weekend for so many reasons. In addition to the fact I am away from my office for 3 straight days, I get to sleep in and be comfy. Over and above all of that, this weekend presents the ability and the time for me to get up on so many things and to get so many things done!! And as you well know, I always have tons to do!

I had hoped to come home to a cleaned house, but since I had given my new cleaning lady the choice to either clean Friday or Monday she apparently picked Monday. Of course when I gave her those options I had forgotten that I was off work Monday for the holiday. Opps. So I'll have to call her this weekend and let her know that I'm home Monday. This will likely lead us to move her cleaning day to next Friday or later in the week. If this proves to be true I will adjust #4 (Get my house cleaned) from my to-do list to be satisfied with just "picking up the house."

With my goal of getting so much done this weekend, I have to keep my eye on the ball so to speak or else I have a tendency to subconsciously become overwhelmed and accomplish nothing! Because there are few things worse than having 3 days off, getting nothing done, and waking up early that day you return to regular everyday life realizing you've just wasted the last 3 days!!

Consider it done: 1, 2

Just getting started: 3, 19, 20, 22, 24

Needs attention: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 23

July Has Arrived...Ready or Not!

I cannot believe it is July already. Time is just flying by way too quickly in my world!

Reflecting on the month of July, I found this tidbit of information, "Back in 1984, President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month and set aside the third Sunday of the month as National Ice Cream Day." Well, I didn't even know that last night, but apparently I celebrated National Ice Cream Month & National Ice Cream Day a little early!

My Friday To-Do List:

1. Go & see my guy

2. Write out my shopping list

3. Go shopping

4. Get my house cleaned

5. Do laundry

6. Write out my bills

7. Balance my checkbook

8. Write the final draft of my S&L paper

9. Do all of my Tax homework

10. Write my guy

11. Workout

12. Celebrate the 4th of July with the family

13. Get the munchkin's birthday pictures taken

14. Write my "bitch" letter about issues with my guy's facility

15. File my papers

16. Pick up my script

17. Do my course evals

18. Get me some serious sleep

19. Get remotivated

20. Get refocused for next week

21. Get refocused on healthy living

22. Plan out my week

23. Get organized

24. Get my shit together

Just Another Day In Paradise...

So I did not do this again today. I actually had trouble concentrating. I think part of it is the fact that I feel so darn overwhelmed at work. You know when you start feeling like you are having chest pains and panic attacks, because there is so much crap on your desk, in your email in-box, and your regular in-box that you aren't even sure where you are suppose to begin? Well combine that with being exhausted and it doesn't make for the picture perfect day at the office!

I had really wanted to work a little late tonight and maybe leave a little early tomorrow, but that failed. I was dead when the clock turned 4:30pm so I busted out of there as fast as my tired little legs would carry me. Being so tired I opted out of going to the gym tonight, which I suck at...I know! It may have been a good thing that I opted out of the gym, because when I got home no one else was here. About 10 minutes later someone knocked on my door. It was Chica, my babysitter for the summer. Through the door I said, "I don't have your money." We giggled, but we both knew she must be here for a different reason...

During our conversation Chica let me know how out of control my munchkin behaved today. They got into it to the point that as he left she went into her house and cried. Needless to say the had a little tiff. My munchkin is so angry for various reasons and we are working through them the best they can, but let me tell you 8 year olds cannot rationalize anything when they are pissed off and in the midst of a meltdown. After talking with Chica I called my aunt to see where they were and how my munchkin was doing.

After they got home, we decided to go out for dinner. I had the biggest, best, greasiest cheeseburger for dinner, along with some curly fries. Each bite I thought, "This is probably a 1,000 calorie bite, but it is so freakin' good!" After scarfing that down in addition to a side salad I opted for dessert...I was already pretty far in the hole, so why not enjoy it while I'm down in there?!? So after consuming a huge serving of Mexican Fried Ice Cream we left and went and bought Swimmy, a new fish to keep Bob, the original gold fish, company.

After getting home and getting ready for bed, the munchkin launched into another meltdown. He went on about how I don't trust my own son, because I told him not to hug me at that minute because I had medicine on my arms and I didn't want him to get it on him. He was yelling and crying and telling me how I suck as a mom, because I don't trust him and I torture him everyday... I tried to talk to him and he would then tell me he couldn't talk, so I would tell him to go and finish getting ready for bed and then he would start up again. It was a crazy rollercoaster. After he told me he just needed to lay down and I told him to go ahead he would start yelling that I was forcing him to lay down. I couldn't win for anything! Daym....

I swear some days are just another day in paradise here...

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21

Just getting started: 7, 22, 23

Needs attention: 8, 9, 10, 11