Today I did something I have never done before, something I never dreamed would be possible:

I RAN 5 MILES IN 53 min and 29 seconds.

I RAN 3.30 MILES WITHOUT STOPPING.

5 months ago when I started my journey to wellness I couldn't even run at a 5.0 on the treadmill without feeling like I was on the precipice of a severe cardiovascular disaster. Now, I feel so strong! Not a marathoner by any means but still strong!

After the gym husband and I did the weekly shopping. Spent 184.00 but had a 20.00 gift card to Walmart so total was 164.00 This is all our food and household essentials, animal food, detergent etc...

After supper I took M. to the high school track and we ran 2 laps and walked 3 laps. We ran up and down bleachers like crazy fools and did lunges and some kickboxing.

Great Workout day!

My new goal is to be 130 lbs. by July 18th. (Big family reunion) That is 8 lbs to lose...gonna have to work my rear off. My final goal is 120 lbs.

I picked up 4 extra hours of work this week so that will be a nice little bonus on my next check. We are going on a 3 day vacation in 3 weeks, 2 days at Cedar Point. We're probably going to spend around 600.00 so every cent counts.

This is the first vacation we have taken in many many years.

I hope everyone had a nice weekend. The weather in my little world is gorgeous!

Went to see Angels and Demons last night...pretty good.

Spent $37 for 3 of us. C.'s friend gave me 20.00 toward the price otherwise we would have paid more because of the popcorn, candy and drinks. Wow, they are too expensive!

But now that we have an actual WORKING budget we can have an occassional movie night. Besides I received 16.00 refund check from the radiologist that we over paid, also have 20.00 Walmart gift card to put toward groceries so this will not have any effect.

More good news is we are expecting another 70.00 in refunds from local hospital that we overpaid...insurance paid my entire surgery. Oh yes, another update, I had my gallbladder removed the end of March. I was off work for 4 weeks but I was paid my 2 weeks vacation and have disability insurance so everything was cool.

Long paragraph, excuse me.

Came home from work yesterday to find Husband had cleaned out a flower bed. Removed scraggly bushes so I have a fresh pallette (spelling?) to plant some pretty perennials and annuals. So excited!! We cleaned up another bed last weekend...two more to go.

Plan to exercise when I get off work at 3p today...going with my cousin and Aunt. They recently started working out with me and have each lost 10 lbs. Yay!

I have blogged about this in the past and received mixed reviews but we have decided to invest in new Trek bikes. We will be receiving one free using M.'s Marriott Rewards points and will be buying 2 more...yikes I know expensive but we are tired of borrowing my Aunts bikes and we have a trail and State Park close by and have been using it a lot.

It is such a good thing to do as a family!

But not to worry...it is all in the budget!

When it was only me doing the budget I was WAY underestimating basic needs like food, car maintenace etc... now with M. helping (basically taking over, but that is fine with me.) We are amazingly organized and actually have enough money for weekly grocery shopping.

Of course, I still expect many bumps in the road...always surprises lurking around each corner I suppose...

This coming week I face a HUGE test. Need to buy some summer clothes...I have none. NOT utilizing the cliche, I really don't since losing weight. I plan on going to Old Navy first and have a budget of 250.00.

In the past I always, always, overspent. I will let you know how it goes, I am actually nervous!

OH! I updated my side bar in case anyone is interested.

Hello all! I have not posted for several months but occassionaly still peruse the blogs. But I am hoping to blog a little more these coming months.

Finanacially things are much better than they were several months ago. Here is the good news:
1. My car is paid off. (extra 310 mon.)

2. The orthodontist is paid off (extra 235 mon.)

3. All medical bills are paid off
(Only medical bills are monthly prescriptions.)

4. Husband has been much more active in the budget and now does the monthly bill paying almost all online, it is all computerized and categorized etc... wonderful! We have a long term and short term budget.

5. Have not had any late payments since March.

6. Money is actually being put into savings and budgeted for propane, haircuts etc...

7. My husband and I do weekly grocery trips together. We have a running grocery list on the computer that we update
weekly.

8. We have successfuly planned and stuck to our weekly meals.

Bad news...
1. We still have credit card balances but they are slowly going down.

2. M. didn't receive any bonuses for this year but he thinks he might in a few months since they have made large sales and are getting busy.

3. Have a lot of car maintenance to do this summer...luckily M. does it all like brakes, oil, etc.

I guess the good news outnumbers the bad but the whole credit card issue still bothers the hell out of me.
Only owe 140.00 on gap so should be paid off in July!

So, that is a quicky update. Hope everyone is well.

OH MY GOSH! I forgot one of the biggest BIGGEST accomplishments of my life thus far! I have lost 37 POUNDS since January 16th!
As of this morning I weigh 138 pounds!

I exercise a lot and run 12 to 15 miles a week.

So, yes, that is really good news!