Catch Up Time

The last four days have been busy, busy, busy! I've worked (BOO!)  three of the last four days. Hubby gave me a break and worked on Christmas Day so I wouldn't miss out on any family time. Things have been good though. I'm feeling much better than I did last week, when the doctor at the walk-in clinic put me on antibiotics. I swear I have been reading all the blogs that I normally do, just not enough time to comment. I promise I am still around though.

On Christmas Day, we were at Gramma's house, when DD1's bf and my nephew were opening their gifts. Which were 'the' gifts. With the 'giftwrapping from hell' as DD2 likes to call it. The present for "Bad Guy" was wrapped several times, then totally enclosed in packing tape, with no seams exposed. The gift for Nephew was a little less intensely wrapped, but only a little. DD1 timed them to see how long it took them to get to the gift inside. Laughter ensued, and both guys made it happen in under four minutes. A new family record! (Or maybe I'm not trying hard enough!) They both told me after that it's now a tradition that they look forward too, so they can get to their new socks. So I will continue, but get more creative with the wrapping. :)

I'm trying to get some goal setting under way, but I'm not finding the quiet time I need to do so. I know that most of our financial goals for the coming year are going to focus more on security: emergency fund, Essential Expenses and RRSPs. The 'plan' on how this will be done is coming up in a future post, I promise!

Some members of Hubby's family are doing a 'Biggest Loser' type challenge starting January 1st. The winner will be determined by whoever loses the largest percentage of body weight over a given period. I am thinking of joining in. I still want to have lost 40 pounds by my 40th birthday, which may be a real challenge seeing as I still weigh what I did 10 months ago. Maybe this will be an incentive for me, as the competitive side in me will emerge.

I've thought a lot about the "Sealed Pot Challenge" that others are taking part in. I want to do this also, but of course, I'm late to the party, as usual. I have some plastic canvas, so I am going to fashion my own box with a slit in it somewhere so I can put money in. All the sides, top and bottom will be sewn together, so I will have to cut the yarn holding it together in order to get money out of it. I don't know that I can do a whole year of it, but I sure will try. I'd like to use the money next December to purchase meat to fill the freezer. I know the idea is to treat yourself with the money, but that will be a huge treat for me AND my family.

I've spent some time this week getting business files for 2012 set up and ready to go. I'm implementing a new system for myself to use so that I can keep better track of invoicing. It's gotten a bit out of hand, and I need to figure it out somehow. I hoping that my new system will eliminate the problem

Tonight, I'm hoping to head out to sing some karaoke with hubby and some friends. I'm determined to keep my personal spending for tonight under $20. Cross your fingers for me, will you? ;)