Post-Holiday Recovery

You know how you make plans to do things when either you are on break from school or your kids are to get great things done?  Yeah well, I have a week until school starts and I didn't get my main goal done.  LOL  More on that later.

For me, post holiday recovery includes a number of things.  I'm going to use this list as a double for my "to do" list for the week as well, so forgive the format, but I'll also try to throw in as many details as I can so that this comes across as an actual blog post.

1. Donate clothing and toys/downsize in other ways - Even if you don't receive and excess amount of either as Christmas gifts, the holiday season is always a time for me to rethink the fact that I actually live my life quite excessively in comparison to those less fortunate.  I may feel the economic "pinch" in some areas, but when I look at the number of clothes that I own that I rarely if ever wear, the multiple bottles of different perfumes, lotions, shower gels, etc. that clutter my cabinet space, the toys that Kamden has either outgrown or doesn't have much interest in anymore and realize (maybe with exception of the toiletries) how many things could be USED that we aren't using ourselves.  I've already gone through my clothing and Kamden's clothing, so this week's goal will be to get Jeff to go through his and to go through Kamden's toys.  There is an organization coming by this week for boxes of other items we have ready for donation so I need to get it done early in the week. DONE except for Jeff's clothes and I'm making an executive decision on those if they aren't done by tomorrow.
2. Set up an updated budget - I'll be honest, this will probably either have to get spread out over the week or will be the LAST thing I do.  I HATE working with money.  H.A.T.E. it.  But, I'm the one in charge of it in the house and I know that this semester in school will be twice as insane as last for me and I can't risk anything slipping through the cracks.  I also am going to set up a plan for our debt payoff once I get all three of our credit reports pulled.  I'll likely do that in early February when the remainder of my Pell Grant money (and hopefully taxes) come and we can pay off a few things in full and start using Dave Ramsey's method for the rest.  My goal is to see our credit scores raise enough within our 1001 day time frame I mentioned in my last post to get us into a house.  Not an apartment. A HOUSE. Basically done - Just need to set up the spreadsheet for our debt and outstanding bills.
3. Go get books for the semester - I am going from 7 credit hours to 13 credit hours this semester, so I want to make sure I have my books ready to go and possibly have a bit read for both of my online classes ahead of the start date. DUNZO
4. Fill out Kamden's psychiatry evaluation paperwork and list of concerns - Right now, Kamden is scheduled for an assessment with a psychiatrist in mid-February to check into a high possibility of Asperger's.  I want to get the paperwork filled out early so that if there is a cancellation for a new patient, we will be ready for it.
5. Start new fitness program - A good friend of ours was good enough to do a full assessment on me and set up a workout program to help me lose the weight I'm wanting to lose.  Short of a Skype session with him to iron out any questions or details on the program, all I have to do is actually start it. 
6. Set up Family Management Binder and Bill Pay Binder - Going back to the crazy schedule this semester, I want to make sure that we keep track of things better.  This is a good idea in general, but I figure now is a prime time to start.  This will keep track of all insurance, medical, vehicle, bill, birthday/anniversary, gift lists, etc, as well as provide savings, debt, and bill pay charts to let us check off when things are done so that no one in the family has any question of it.  (ie, I'm not having to wrack my brain or pull up bank records to try and remember if something has been paid and ANYONE can take care of paying the bills, not just the momma.) Just have a few more templates I want to print out and add to the binder.  I'm happy with the progress I made on it though!
7. Start planning a Mary Kay party - I signed up in the early fall and only did one facial party.  I could and will make good money doing this.  Beauty and helping others feel beautiful is something I love, so why not utilize it??

I'm sure there will be plenty of smaller things I find myself needing to do this week, but I will definitely not need to add more to THIS list.  I'll keep you posted through the week as things are completed and be ready to go for class next Monday!

Be blessed!!!