Feelings of Accomplisment

I love feeling as if I've really accomplished something. Yesterday started off so slow. Ethan and I overslept and while we could have made it to late service at church, we opted to just take our time getting ready and spend the rest of the day together before he had to go to work. We had a nice lunch, I made a deposit at the bank and by the time I got back home I was ready to take a nap. I don't know why I get these bursts of creativity/drive to do something RIGHT before I'm ready to pass out, but sometimes I do. I spent hours in front of my computer screen last night looking at bank statements, credit card statements, calendars and an excel sheet that contained my budget. I decided that my previous budget wasn't good enough, so I created an even more detailed budget that would last me through December of this year. I wanted to keep going but knew I had better stop while I was ahead. In a few months if I seem to stay on target with this one, I'll start on one for next year. I think the hardest part for me will be finding things to do with Ethan or friends that doesn't cost any money, or that costs very little money. I'm really bad about going out to dinner, going to the movies or doing something that costs $10-20 bucks a weekend, and then by the end of the month I realize that I've spent so much on things that aren't really necessary. Thankfully I am starting this new budget during the summer so lots of our entertainment can come from a pool or a park. Redbox is another good way to watch movies on the cheap... and I always forget about my favorite form of entertainment: reading. I plan on reading a few good books this summer.

I'm also starting a new diet along with this new budget. I didn't really plan to start both within the same week, but it just sort of happened. To begin with, I actually really love working out. It's one of the best ways to relieve stress and I genuinely feel SO much better when I'm doing it. My serotonin levels must skyrocket when I'm a phase of working out because I'm just so happy. My depression seems to disappear. And My skin is healthier... well, it's really no secret that eating right and working out is good for you, but I just always forget howgood it is. I went to the gym this morning and did a short workout and I was so pumped to just be back in the gym. I think I'm going to start taking a few classes there because I find myself losing motivation if I'm just moving from machine to machine.

I am SO excited to go to NOLA this summer, too. I think part of the reason why I'm budgeting so tightly is so we don't have to worry about money while we're there. And I want to look a little better before we go, too. I'd really like to drop two sizes before we leave. I can do it. Hopefully.

I guess I'm just ready to get happy. I'm ready to stop worrying about what I don't have or what I wish I had or what I could have if only [insert impossible thing here] would happen. I'm going to just start living with a bit more organization, a bit more structure and that will, in turn, mean I'll be leaving just a little bit more carefree.

:)