Thankful in November 2011

Tuesday, 11/1:  A day off!  I’m thankful for all my days off, but I especially felt the need for this one.  Some weeks are just longer than others, I guess.

Wednesday, 11/2:  I’m house sitting for my sister and brother-in-law until Saturday.  My 17-year-old nephew is here, and I’m thankful that he doesn’t mind me “baby-sitting” even though he’s old enough to take care of himself.

Thursday, 11/3:  Between our work schedules and his trip to the movies with his girlfriend tonight, I haven’t seen my nephew for more than 20 minutes these last three days.  But I’m still thankful for those 20 minutes.  It’s just nice to lay eyes on people and have that moment of chit-chat – which is more than I normally get.

Friday, 11/4:  My sister cut her trip short and came home tonight.  I’m thankful to get this opportunity to spend a little time with them this evening, as I haven’t seen them in a while (the girls are growing too fast to keep up with!).  I’m sorry to leave the cable tv and dvr, but maybe that’s for the best, because they suck you in too well.  I am always thankful to be back home!

Saturday, 11/5:  Another two houses seen today, and as usual, one was nice but teeny tiny and the other was big but needs about $30,000 worth of work.  It’s time to decide whether I can afford to spend more money, or to start deciding which of my furnishings I can live without.  Tough decisions!  I’m thankful to have a really nice realtor, who is super friendly and helpful, and who’s willing to take me (and my tiny budget) all over the city and surrounding counties while I search for something that probably does not exist.

Sunday, 11/6:  I was supposed to be off today, but got a text message yesterday(!) that the schedule had been changed.  To be perfectly frank, I’m pissed that I got a text statement, instead of a phone call requesting me to work.  I would have said yes, because I’m a nice person and I do that.  But it would have been nice to be asked.  I hate that I’m feeling put upon and resentful about this.  I just keep telling myself that I’m thankful to have this income.  And I am.

Monday, 11/7:  My sister asked me to come over and help her decide how to fit a playroom, guest room, and jewelry design station all into one room.  I was absolutely no help, but I did love seeing her and the girls.  I’m thankful that she even called me and thought I would be able to help.

Tuesday, 11/8:  I found a house I really like today – I can completely see myself living there.  I’m thankful to have finally found something that seems like it could work out, but I’m sure nervous that it will.

Wednesday, 11/9:  I’m having some serious nerves!  I’m so worried that it won’t work out with this house.  This all started out with looking at one house that would have been a great bargain for me, and saved me money every month.  It has snowballed into me putting an offer in on a house at the very top of my price range.  And I’m worried that I won’t get it!  Am I nuts?  I’m thankful that I found a house that I want.  And I’m thankful for this learning experience.  I guess.

Thursday, 11/10:  I went to my Dad’s after work tonight to talk money – namely that I have none.  He brought up some good points and reminded me of a lot of things that I hadn’t even thought of – like deposits on utilities, etc.  I can do this thing, but it will be very tight for the first year and a half.  But do I want to live that way?  Wouldn’t it be better to get my budget – and more importantly, my habits and thinking patterns – under control before I make such a big step?  I’m thankful for a Dad who will point out these things and then hand me money anyway.  I’m thankful that he wants the best for me.  I’m thankful that he supports me, gives me guidance, and then doesn’t (always) say, “I told ya so!”

Friday, 11/11:  Bible study tonight.  I have been all tangled up about this house business and whether or not I can or cannot afford to move, or more accurately, whether or not I should spend that money.  We talked about it quite a bit tonight and I finally feel better about what’s coming, whether that includes this house, or whether it means gaining control of my budget without the burden of an extra house payment added to it.  I’m thankful for so many people around me who care about my future.

Saturday, 11/12:  I went to the store today with a grocery list in hand and a budget in mind.  And I stuck to it.  There was that moment after I had picked up all of the things on my list – the moment that I always have – when I started thinking about adding this, and this, and this…  But I stopped myself when I realized what I was doing.  I thought about what I could reasonably purchase, and stuck to my budget.  I’m thankful for that moment of sanity that kept me from over-spending.

Sunday, 11/13:  I just worked a short day today, 7:30 to 2, and it’s nice to get home at an early hour.  But man, I can’t afford to have these short hours.  I’m thankful to have this job – I know, I keep saying that over and over, and it’s true – but I would sure be thankful for some stability, too.

Monday, 11/14:  We did our Bible study early in the week this time, and we ended up talking about money management.  My aunt and uncle are going to do a fix-your-finances course with me.  Let me be clear: this is to help me way, way, way more than them.  I’m thankful to have people in my life who continually encourage me and support me.  Please see 11/10 & 11 for more examples of that!

Tuesday, 11/15:  Since I didn’t work at the store until 2:30, I was able to get into the office before work and pick up an extra hour and a half that way.  It was actually nice to be in there for an extra little bit on a day when I’m normally not there.  I was able to get some things done before the end of week crunch, and no one knew I was there, so no phone calls.  Mostly, I’m thankful that I can put in a little more time, so my paycheck doesn’t take such a bad hit.

Wednesday, 11/16:  Truck day rolls around again.  I’m always thankful that truck day seems to go by so quickly, but I’m really feeling it this week.  Tonight, I’m thankful it’s over.

Thursday, 11/17:  No call outs today.  I’m thankful for that!

Friday, 11/18:  Office day today…I am thankful for my office days.  Some of them are extremely stressful and busy.  I’m thankful that this week was not.

Saturday, 11/19:  I went to my sister’s tonight for an early Thanksgiving dinner.  Family from her side and his were there, so it was a big crowd.  I’m thankful to have so many great people in and around my life.  Tonight really reminded me of that.

Sunday, 11/20:  I’m off today and I’m making my meals for the week.  Becca sent me home with a lot of food – I’m thankful for that, for sure!  And I’m thankful that I’m trying to keep up with my budget through home cooking.  I’m seeing that I don’t care so much about where the food comes from (home or restaurant), as long as I can get to it quickly.

Monday, 11/21:  Bible study night!  We started the financial planning series tonight, and it’s going to be hard, but worth it.  I’m thankful to have great people in my corner!

Tuesday, 11/22:  I was supposed to work at the office today, but I didn’t.  I actually took a nap today, because I was so tired, just not feeling well at all.  I’m thankful to have some flexibility built into this week because of the holiday.  And I’m thankful that I was all caught up with my office work, so I didn’t absolutely have to go.

Wednesday, 11/23:  I went in to work today, but I was feeling so sick that I wasn’t sure I was going to make it.  I worked two hours, and then a co-worker came in early so I could go home.  I’m thankful that it’s truck day, so I wasn’t the manager on duty, and I’m thankful for my co-workers who took up the slack and let me go home and rest.  (Which I did!)

Thursday, 11/24:  Thanksgiving!  I’m thankful that my sister and brother-in-law had our celebration last weekend, so those of us who have to work could still have a nice holiday.  Today was like a regular work day for me, except I didn’t have to go in until 4:30, which was actually nice and not annoying like I thought it would be to go in so late.  I’m also thankful that I had an opportunity to make some time-and-a-half pay!

Friday, 11/25:  No call outs today!  I’m sure thankful for that, because it makes my office day go ever so much smoother.  Holiday payroll can be a bear, but not having to deal with call-outs allowed me to focus and get payroll done in a reasonable amount of time.  I even got to leave early.

Saturday, 11/26:  Toni and I drove to Richmond together for Jacky’s baby shower.  I can’t believe she’s having a baby – in my mind, she’s just a kid still.  It’s funny how people never age in your mind when you don’t get to see them very often.  I am thankful that she and the baby are doing well, and I’m happy to see that everyone is so excited to welcome this little baby into the world.  We all had a great time at the shower, and I am thankful that I was able to be there.  It was certainly great to see old friends again.  

Sunday, 11/27:  I’m off again today!  I’m thankful to have two days off in a row – a day to do and a day to do nothing.

Monday, 11/28: We had our second financial peace video tonight at bible study.  Overall, things are going well.  My “first step” on the plan is going to take me so much longer than I’d like it to, but I am at least finally paying real attention and taking real steps to get myself where I want to be financially.  Which is to say, saving money more than spending money.  I’m so thankful that my aunt and uncle are doing this for me, and are there to talk to and hold me accountable for my financial decisions.

Tuesday, 11/29: I surely didn’t want to go to work today.  I just can’t seem to shake this tired feeling.  I’m not sick, but not 100%, either.  I got up later than I wanted and then laid down for an hour before work, and that seemed to help.  But I was done before my shift was done.  Not as bad as last week, though.  So I’m thankful for that.  But I was really thankful to get home.

Wednesday, 11/30:  Not much going on today, just catching up on both blogs a bit and hanging out with Louis.  I’m thankful for these catch-up days, because I need them.