after much prodding from sarah, and a guilty comment she left me...

here it is...my first blog of 2009? i think? its bad when you don't even remember the last time you blogged. maybe i blogged before in 2009

i've been on a blogging drought. not a fast...i've wanted to write. but just, what about? money? well, i spent the majority of my 1000 emergency fund on stuff i "needed" for philly. in retrospect, i want that $1000 back in the bank because i'd like to be farther along than where i am financially, but i don't regret it...so, am making the best out of my financial situation. I spent (literally) 3 hours this last long weekend going over and over and over my budget, figuring out how long it will take me and when i will have all my consumer debt paid off. Good news: by Dec 2009, all will be paid off (best case scenario). worst case scenario...i buckle and buy another pair of DK's and i'll add one more month to the backend of when i'll have everything paid off. Right now, i have dave ramsey in my ear "there's always an opportunity cost"...yes and no. Yes, i want to be out of debt more than anything, and have the hope that its absolutely possible (and have the gazelle intensity to go along with that hope), but no, i'm not going to stop living my life and doing things that make me happy. I just refuse to go into debt anymore to do those things. so...progress, my friends, this is what we call progress.

other stuff to write about...my coffee ulcer? ok. this morning, no clean cups at work. i poured my piping hot coffee into a double-cupped red solo cup that usually is the home for soda or beer. me...coffee. i'd rather burn my hand than wash the 8 or so old coffee cups in the sink, or the 4 old coffee cups in my office. i'm a slob. But, on that front, i've stopped starbucks, save for one every other week. That damn corporation was sucking up too much of my money. It was mainly a fiscal decision, but it had nice health benefits too. And, i could never get over the embarassment of those baristas seeing me on an almost daily basis...yep, hi, its me again, i'm a slave to your caffeinated beverages and am like a junkie who missed her fix if i don't get it. Just me...can you do it intravenous this time? it'll be quicker.

what else...oh philly. that city...i swear, is not my favorite city in the world. in fact, i kinda hate it. from now on, i'm only going on work trips to places like....tucson, fargo, and seattle. either really nice and warm, really cold and wintery, or home. not to janky cities like philly. i vomited in my mouth a little bit when we landed in philly that first night.

there's gotta be more...oh yes, i'm thankful for redding. its small, pretty, and i like that its my home. plus, its got some pretty freaking fantastic people here...so, what is not to love. And, i'm thankful for my small group. We are starting survivor here in another few weeks. Beautiful. Sometimes, people tell me that they didn't know that we were really that bound by the TV that we watch, and without TV, we don't hang out for all that long. Here's the thing, though, friend of mine who told that to me, i disagree. Thursday nights are a catalyst for other intentional events throughout the week. Yes, we are all really busy, but if we get together on Thursday, that reminds me to hang out with a group member during the week. And, for me, my love language is totally time spent. Spend time with me talking, and you and i will be best friends. So...I'm happy our shows are coming back. And, for our small group. And, for Abby bringing that lamp to our white elephant Christmas exchange, becuase i'd been really wanting a lamp for so long. So...it was Jesus' way of giving me a lamp...hopefully because he was so proud of me of all the progress i've made financially.

and, lastly, honor. i've loved the series so far. its totally challenging to me, a girl who, by all accounts is super-proud. sometimes, i need to put all that pride aside to honor those around me. those who deserve it, and more difficultly, those that don't. it kinda pisses me off that i have to honor the people that don't deserve it, but its all a part of being a good witness, so i'm going to get on board.

so...here's to 2009. Its going to be a banner year, full of fun with friends, fun with finances, and learning how to be a better person. Speaking of fun with finances, if you want my pay-off list based on each paycheck and corresponding balances on all my other debts written out, just let me know. Honesty and transparency are the names of my game. I have all of it in my pretty little head, and also in my budget binder (yes, i have a budget binder) seperated by month.