Contests around the BlogWorld!

Well-Heeled is doing a $100 Amazon gift card giveaway! She is all fired about about Mr. Rebates so check that site out as well!

There was a contest from Krystal at Give Me Back My Five Bucks, but it seems to have disappeared...check later I guess!

Old 2009 Goal Complete!

Thanks to my tax return and T's insistance, I just fully funded my 2009 Roth IRA!

The under 1K credit card challenge is going well! It will be close, but I should make it!

So Busy...

My brother and his girlfriend were in town for a long weekend. It was an absolute blast and I loved having them here, but now I'm playing major catch up.

I feel like I'm always busy... I try to plan in break time and then something comes up and there goes relaxation time!

I know its hard on T, but he is being so supportive; I really appreciate it. Now to just find the time to let him know how much I appreciate it!

I need to keep working on streamlining my work... it's getting better but it's not quite there yet. And I don't think I ever posted my #10 resolution: Organize my life!

On a happy note, in preparation for our visitors, we SUPER cleaned the house. I did a lot of organizing in the office. It's not perfect yet, but it's SO much better. We are making a conscious effect to keep it as nice as we got it! We've been doing well so far! I also took a big old bag to goodwill and a bunch of old VHS and DVDs. I also took a bunch of books to the used book store. (And only came back with one that is semi job related.)

Here's to life calming down soon!!!

Taxes Done!!!

Yesterday I felt awful, so while T went to a Super Bowl party I stayed home and finished my taxes. Thanks to putting solar panels on this year, I am getting quite a large refund back! Woohoo :-)

First thing it will be used for it paying the small loan I owe my mom. Then some will go towards a new garage door and towards my small mortgage. I still will have enough to beef up my savings a little.

This makes my money stress level go down quite a bit. However, I am still trying to spend minimal this month.

Money Update

So I've spent about $80 in groceries last night, which should last most of the month. T should get the rest for the month. I also spent about $50 for rodeo/concert tickets for the 4 of us when my brother and his girlfriend visit Valentine's Day weekend. The trip is part of a late college graduation gift for him.

I also forgot about my gym membership... it's $75/month. Before anyone gets flabbergasted over the price, I do have some justifications! I went to a different gym before that was half the price, but T went to the fancier one. I finally switched and got about $150 in gym money to use on their spa (massages and facials for us!), and they have a MUCH nicer facility. There is an indoor 24 hour lap pool, many more machines, more (and better) classes, and an outdoor pool area. There is also a good little cafe and they have all different activities going on. Given that T goes there, I definitely go more and we get time to go together.

Hopefully this weekend will be a no spend weekend. T is working Saturday and I am working most of the day and going scrapbooking that night. I already paid to go scrapbooking and I'm not going to by anything there. Sunday is just relaxing and cleaning and watching a little Superbowl. I have a lot of work to catch up on, so I should take care of most of that as well.

Anyone else having a no spend weekend?

Interval Success!

I went to the gym tonight with the goal of doing 7 X 400s at an 8mi mile pace. That's 2 minutes per 400. I gave myself a minute walking work up and 1 minute intervals between each 400. I walked the intervals at a 3.5mph pace. I wasn't sure if I could do it, but I was determined to give it a shot!

And guess what?!

I DID IT! It was awesome :-)

Just to keep everyone updated... with tonight's 1.75 in fast intervals, but I jogged out the remaining .25 after...

Mileage Goal: 22/1000

T working = Productive Laura

T is working a 24 hour shift that started at 7pm tonight. I try to use the time when he is working to be super productive so I have less to do when he's there! Oh the fun of owning your own business.

Here's tonight's To Do List:
1) Collect and take out trash
2) Finish Lit Assign #1
3) Do Lit Assign #2
4) Type notes from office today
5) Do laundry! (completed 8:45pm)
6) Make pile of books for little brother to go through when he visits (completed 8:30pm)
7) Do scheduled training run (completed 7pm)
8) Figure out dinner for Wed.
9) More pick up in office!

Working Out Therapy

I forget how good working out makes me feel. Since I finally have a plan, and I am starting to feel a little control over my life, I've been making time for the gym more. I feel SO GOOD after a great workout. I have been trying some new classes at the gym and I'm determined to stick to my half marathon training plan.

Last night, I got the gym in time to do a fast-ish 2.5 miles (24 minutes; 9:36 pace) before a 30 minute core class, then I did the remaining 1.5. Normally that remaining 1.5 would not have happened.

Tonight I'm going to do 7 X 400 (.25 mile sprints, seven times with walking or light jogging in between) I'm hoping to do them at a 8min/mile pace.

I have started cleaning out too... I have a bag full of mainly clothes to go to GoodWill. I have some books to sell on amazon. I posted them up this weekend and sold two for a total of $21.57 already. The only money I have spent was getting gas on Monday and the two post office charges.

I think this is going to be a good month :-) How is your February looking?

Half Marathon Training Plan

I have 8 weeks until my half marathon and I really need a plan. I have semi used Hal Higdon in the past and I'm a fan! Given that, I am going to use (and just slightly modify for my schedule) his intermediate half marathon training plan.

Today: 4mi run
Tuesday: 7 X 400 at 5K pace
Wednesday: Fitness Pilates (unless I have a meeting, then just stretching at home)
Thursday: 3 mi run + strength
Friday: rest, or strength
Saturday: 3 miles
Sunday: 8 miles

I'm excited!