Almost Friday...

Thank Goodness!!! I am really looking forward to the weekend and getting the opportunity to sleep in on Saturday and Sunday. I am going to stay up and do a deep clean on the condo this evening and then enjoy a very relaxing weekend. The weather is supposed to be amazing. One day I am going to plan a Fall Wedding. Fall in Chicago is awesome!!!

I am staying up and staying in good spirits. I have the most amazing family and friends. They really make my life seem rich. With them, I can escape the moments of loneliness that comes from living by myself and being quasi-single in the city. They love and support me 100%.

I think I am going to take my computer to Best Buy this weekend to see if they can repair it and do something about the virus I think is on my computer. I've made it over a year with my work computer and iPad but I really need a PC at home. Fingers crossed they can work a miracle. My mom has a new copy of Windows 6 so I am hoping they can get Vista off and install the new software. Then I will be ready to go and that will buy me another year on getting a new computer.

Hope you guys have a wonderful day! =)

Hit a Wall...

Boy oh boy did I hit a wall today. This month has been grueling with work off the chain and things going on in my personal life. I treated myself to lunch and then came home to pass out for about 3 hours. I just wanted a cat nap so I could go to the park but I was out for the count. Completely exhausted. 

I enjoyed lying there and relaxing. Something I don't do too often and probably not often enough. It's usually GO-GO-GO until I pass out. 

I am working on my weekend plans already. lol. I want to have some fun this weekend and I may try to get a massage. My Mom gave me a gift certificate so I'll try to get an appointment for Saturday to get some of this tension out of my neck and shoulders. Church on Sunday and I may try to check out the new movie Baggage Claim coming out this weekend. 

I had a plumber come out yesterday to rod the condo main line so I have full use of my kitchen again. Now I can cook a little more and take leftovers for lunch. That would save me some moola if I could bring my lunch at least 2 times a week. Thumbs up! 

Now it's back to working out. I am starting Insanity next week so that's a solid 60-day program. I'll be done by my 36th birthday in December. I'll be in the best shape ever and that's the best birthday gift I give myself. Good health and happiness. Cheers!

Hump Day...

I had Jury Duty today. I was sitting there doing some work and hoping to get called and dismissed early. Well I never got called and we were dismissed at lunchtime. Perfect! I did my duty.

Now how shall I spend the rest of my day?!?! I need to work but it's a beautiful day. There's no law against working in the park or outside somewhere else. Fun!

Finance & Fitness Update...

I wanted to come by and give a quick update. Things are going well but it's been a crazy few weeks with my Dad in the hospital, the marathon, more car issues and usual working/life. 

Good news is my Dad is doing great and my car is doing better. I finished the half marathon in 2:31, two minutes faster than my time in 2011 so I'm pleased. 

Spending has been so so but I haven't done horribly at all despite all the craziness the last couple of weeks. I've been successfully experimenting with some less expensive hair products so I've managed to cut down even more. 

I managed to cut my spending a little over the last month so I didn't have to use my entire $1,000 eFund for the $1,050 in car repairs. My CC bill gets paid at the end of the month and I should have roughly $500 leftover in the eFund. 

After taking a week off, I have to get back to working out and figuring out what's next for me. I think I'll go back to the Insanity Program from Beach Body. 

Day 13 Finance & Fitness Challenge....

Good Morning!

My Dad is still in the hospital.  He should be discharged today and will have to go back in 3 weeks for a stress test.  There is a high likelihood that he will need to get a defibrillator and possibly a pacemaker in the next 3-6 months.  It's just been a scary few days. He's on a diuretic to remove the excess fluid that was building in his body and he's feeling much better and breathing easier.  You look at him and he's the picture of a healthy 65 year old man so it's hard to imagine someone with a heart of gold having heart problems.  I know he's looking forward to coming home today.

The last week has been chock full of spending once my phone almost died from accidental drowning and things with my Dad.  I went grocery shopping yesterday to get fruit and staples so that I can try to eat a little better this week. The Chicago Half Marathon is this coming Sunday and while I am nervous, I will show up and do my very best.  I am a little sleepy from being in the ER at the hospital until 4am on Sunday morning. Still trying to get back on schedule. That's all folks.

Day 12 Finance & Fitness Journey...

Today was a crazy day. I got up and there was a thunderstorm so I couldn't run outside. Instead I did an hour walk/sprint workout on the treadmill and another hour of Shaun T. My Dad was admitted into the hospital last night after some shortness of breath. Can't take any chances with him after quintuple bypass almost 2 years ago. I bought lunch but ended up picking up pizza for the family.

Day 11 Finance & Fitness Journey...

Expensive eating out day.  Once again I ate out every meal. I did manage to get up that morning to get in a 40 minute Shaun T workout.

Day 10 Finance & Fitness Journey...

I finally got my Proactiv Cleanser. I didn't bring my lunch or dinner and ate out every meal. I know...not good. No exercise either. 

iPhone is Alive...

My iPhone is alive! Thank God! Soon as I fished it out of the water, I ran to the store to buy rice and covered it immediately. I transferred it to a plastic bag as soon as I got home from work.

All in all, I kept my phone in rice a little over 48 hours and dodged a financial bullet. Whew!

Computer and Timing Purchases...

I am the Queen of timing purchases! I use my Capital One Rewards card to pay for everyday expenses, for emergencies, monthly household utilities and monthly transportation costs. For over a year, I have successfully used and paid the card off each month.  The billing cycle is pretty much from the 15th to the 15th of the next month. Then I pay it off at the end of the month, two weeks after the closing date. So if I have to incur a large expense or make a large purchase, I try to make sure it's just one thing during that 30-day billing cycle.

Right now, my car repair is sitting on my credit card for payoff at the end of next month. If I am able to get the Condo Association to reimburse me the $420 for the pipe repair soon, I will be in great shape. I just need to watch my spending over the next two weeks. If I am able to keep things tight, I won't have to use much if any of the Emergency Fund money my friend gave me for a rainy day.

I am praying that my phone turns back on in the next couple of days because I definitely need it for the Half Marathon on September 8th. This morning I remembered why I had to get a new phone when I realized after charging my old iPhone 3S that I couldn't turn it off. The power off button at the top doesn't work. My sister has a Go Phone she said I could use that she purchased after she too dropped her phone in the toilet. Her iPhone managed to come back on and so did my BFF's iPhone after she dropped it in pool. There is a good track record of these phones turning on after they finally dry out.

The other thing on my radar is a computer. My Dell laptop has a virus on it and doesn't work. I've had my eye on a new computer but now I am thinking that I will take my Dell over to the Geek Squad to see if they can do anything to get it back up and running. That could save me over $1k right now. I really do need a personal computer especially if I plan to do any side legal work. My iPad is limited in its functionality.

So provided my iPhone turns back on and works properly, I may look to get my computer repaired next month. Again...fingers crossed and prayers going up!

More Fun & Less Stress...

I've decided I need to have more fun in my life. I've been a bundle of stress and I'm boring the heck out of myself! I'm going back to doing the things I enjoy. Hanging with friends after work, eating lunch in the park, reading by the lakefront, seeing plays and spending time with my family. None of that requires a lot of money but puts a smile on my face and peace in my heart. 

My finances are on auto-pilot now. The plan is in place.  Now it's about execution.  The debt will be paid off in 5 years.  I'm saving for retirement and getting the bank match.  My expenses are streamlined.  Now I just need to focus on work, side work, and watching my spending to make sure I follow through on executing the plan. 

Now, I get to have fun and watch it all come to fruition. It will be a journey but I've decided it's going to be a good and fun journey. 

Day 9 Finance & Fitness Journey...

Money & Spending:

Today was NOT a good spending day. I didn't pack breakfast or lunch. I didn't cook dinner. I dropped my phone in the toilet by accident. I think it's still alive but I won't know for another 24 hours if I am going to have to bite the bullet and get a new phone. It's sitting in a bag of rice right now trying to dry out.

Health & Fitness:

I put my scale away until after the race. My focus is on getting a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise daily and to get in longer maintenance runs before the Chicago Half Marathon in less than 2 weeks. I am really trying to push water to help my kidneys so that there is some improvement in my kidney function test when I go back in a month.  Lastly, I am going back to not eating after 6/7 pm which is 3/4 hours before bedtime. That would help tremendously and I would probably sleep better. I've been having some crazy dreams.

Work & Side Work:

Work was good today. I moved on to another review but really enjoyed working on my last review and learning about the agriculture dairy industry. The one thing I like about my job at the Bank is that while the actual work is the same, I get to cross and experience different industries, transactions and banking groups.

I got a call from a friend yesterday about working with him on a few matters he has coming up. If it pans out, he would pay me $50/hour for some legal document review which may lead to other opportunities. I like to think the best of people but I was disappointed when he hired on a paralegal a couple of weeks ago after I offered to do work for him. He did say the paralegal was going more administrative type of work for him right now and will start to do more paralegal type duties in the coming weeks. So perhaps he thought that particular work was beneath me. He is offering me a little more per hour than I originally said I would accept. Who knows. The most important thing is that I figure out the best way to get myself back into the legal game and put my degree and skills to work. Once you have something going, it can snowball and gain momentum.

I am moving forward and doing the things I need to do to put myself in the best position to WIN. 

Dropped My iPhone in the Toilet....

I haven't heard from my friend since yesterday afternoon which is very unlike him so in an effort to stay connected, I took my phone with me to the restroom.  As I went to exit the stall, I jumbled my phone and the darn thing flipped right into the toilet. Enough said! It's working right now but we'll see for how long. I just ran over to Walgreens to get some rice. I heard and read online that the best thing to do it to put your phone in a bowl of rice overnight to get the moisture out. I don't have a bowl at work so it's sitting in a tall cup on my desk covered with rice right now. I hope and pray I won't have to get another phone. My BFF and I were just joking about this a couple of weeks ago. I was going to ride it out with my 4S until it died and well...I still will. Please live! Please live!

Annual Health Physical...

I went for my annual physical last week. My doctor gave me a card to call in for my results after the 30th but on a whim I called last night to see if she left a message. Everything was good with two exceptions. My kidney function level was right at borderline so I was instructed to drink more water. There was also one liver enzyme that was slightly elevated. She wants me to come back in a month to test those again. She's moving to a new practice so I'll be making the appointment today at the new location to make sure I get on the schedule. I've never had any issues with my kidneys or liver before.

One thing I do know is stress manifests itself physically and this has been a blessed but stressful year with issues at work, plumbing issues with my condo, financial and liquidity strain and trying to build a new relationship long distance. I've done my best to juggle everything, pay everything, make strategic moves and take care of everything and everyone's needs. I am blessed beyond measure so I want to make that clear. I'm just so tired. Tired of trying so hard, sacrificing and knowing in my heart that it's still not enough. I've got to take better care of myself mentally, physically and spiritually despite the goals and  challenges ahead. 

I came home last night to nothing. An empty house. How many years have I done that now and felt utterly alone? I'll stay in my place through the year. If there is no indication that things in my personal life are changing in the near term, I'll sell my place for a loss or rent it out and move home with my parents. Not ideal but I'd have some company and I would be able to free up cash flow to accelerate debt payments and put myself in a better financial situation.  

Hope you guys have a good day. Thanks for reading. 

Day 8 Finance & Fitness Journey...

Not a terrible spending day. I did bring breakfast and lunch today but I got hungry in the late afternoon.  I ran over to Wendy's before I went home for the day.  So it was an early dinner.  I also purchased an eBook on Amazon.  I am going through the entire JD Robb series by Nora Roberts. There are over 30 books in the series and I may be nearing Book 15. I can get some from the library as well. My card just expired last month so I will renew it over the weekend. There is always a waiting list so I try to check out as many books as possible. 

That's all folks! =)

Returns and Reimbursements...

I got email confirmations that my returns to Victoria Secret were received. The total amount was $212.

Earlier this year, I had a major water leak caused by a broken pipe underground.  I sent an email today to the Condo Association to submit a copy of the $420 invoice to be reimbursed for the pipe repair work. The broken pipe was outside my four walls and underground. Therefore, it is considered part of the common area of the association. Now that the Bank is paying for the empty unit across the hall from me, the Association should have sufficient funds to reimburse me soon.

All good things.

Why Complain...

I was thinking last night and this morning about complaining and negative energy. I've been guilty of it and those around me lately have been as well.  Do you think it's possible to go a day without complaining?  I think we collectively need to be more aware of when we are complaining.  If we stop for a second and think about all we have to be grateful for, we would put out much better positive energy.  We would realize there is so much more to be thankful for than there is to complain about.

We have to turn things around when we start thinking and talking about what we don't want, what we don't wish to happen and what we don't appreciate.  We can pivot and focus our thoughts and words on what we do want, what we wish to happen and what we do appreciate.  There is no need to focus on the negatives when we can take that same energy to focus on the positives in people, circumstances and events.  Then you have a chance (which is all you need) to bring more of what you like and appreciate into your life. 

Day 7 Finance and Fitness Journey...

Money & Spending:

Today was a ZERO spend day! I brought breakfast and lunch and a ton of fruit with me to work so I didn't have to spend anything eating out. I am not a big cooker but I came home and made dinner tonight so I have leftovers for tomorrow. I had this funny moment when I knew I was trying to make something I'm not familiar with so I said to myself, you better throw some canned green beans on just in case. lol.

Health & Fitness:

Weighed in at 170 this morning again. Monday and Friday are my off workout days. So, I have to get some exercise in tomorrow and I have to do it either early in the morning or inside because we're expecting high temps in the 90's again.  I wore size 10 pants today.  Although my weight has gone up, I am still fitting in the smaller size pants.  That is a plus for me.  I need to get more consistent with drinking water and getting to bed by 10 o'clock. I will do great one day, so-so another day, and not too great another day. Consistency it key.

Work and Side Work:

I am plugging away at the Bank. We are nearing year end on 9/30 so I am trying to end on a high productivity note before we start doing annual performance evaluations.

I worked a little bit on a basic website for Chitown Law Group last week. I have to get fee agreement letters prepared, order some business cards, work on templates, continue brushing up on the law and explore marking alternatives.  I have a pretty good meeting scheduled next month and I need to develop a pipeline of networking opportunities.  Public speaking is not my thing but I am fairly good in small groups and one on one. Come to think of it, I think there may be a Toastmasters Group here at the Bank. If I join, I may be able to develop my public speaking skills. Note to Chitown to look into Toastmasters!

That's all for me. Since I just started blogging back consistently, I am trying to find out if any of my old pals are out there still blogging and trying to make new friends along the way. =)

21 Random Facts About Chitown...

1 - I love brussel sprouts.

2 - My parents got my real name from the movie The Godfather.

3 - I have a lot of birthmarks in two different colors.

4 - When I was in junior high, I wanted to be an astronaut or a psychologist. 

5 - My number #1 pet peeve is cigarettes. 

6 - I don't like driving because it's boring. 

7 - My favorite color is purple followed closely by green. 

8 - I have a fear of public speaking. 

9 - I've had my ears pierced more than 5 different times. 

10 - I've always had an eerie feeling going downstairs in my parent's basement. 

11 - I don't like floral perfumes. 

12 - I only had two wisdom teeth. 

13 - I graduated 8th in my high school class.

14 - My favorite author is Nora Roberts. 

15 - My favorite movie is Pretty Woman - "I want the fairy tale"

16 - Haagen Dazs butter pecan is my favorite ice cream. 

17 - I once sang the Star Spangled Banner at the opening of a little league game. 

18 - Fall is my favorite season. 

19 - My sports nickname growing up was Magic so I wore the number 32. 

20 - I daydream a lot but I don't remember what I'm dreaming about. 

21 - The three things I want most is a happy marriage, healthy children and to be debt free. 

Jamba Juice...

I love Jamba Juice especially on a hot day like today when there is an expected high of 92 degrees. My co-coworker sent me an IM with just one word..."Jamba?". I knew I was going to get anything but I said, sure I could go for a walk. When we got there he said I'm treating. I found this gift card in my wallet. I was like...YES!!! He didn't know I wasn't going to get anything but I sure appreciated the treat! Score one for Chitown! =)