Accountability 201 Checking: 2 Months down... One to go!

Today's check is a couple days late, but updated none-the-less!  This list has been therapeutic for me, as I have it to refer to (but not in my face daily), update as needed (adjusting and adding comments), and feel GOOD about in looking back monthly!  July was certainly a busy month, but with August upon me and September just around the corner, the pressure is on to get the job done!

I'm still working on the picture department, and eagerly awaiting my tutorial on pictures on the phone.  

How many of these can I get finished by September 1?

• Home
• Kitchen
• Clean and Organize Frig
• Finish shelves & stock pantry
• Organize under sink
• Organize cabinets
• Electric
• Faucet Replacement
• First Floor
• Paint Stair Risers and Trim 
• Organize Breezeway
• Ikea Shelving over back door (purchased, assembled, installed)
• Paint Breezeway?
• A Frame away
• AC Mounting boards (exterior)
• Clean Basement Stairs
• Garage
• Bed to Attic
• Table workbench
• Camp stuff on shelves
• Attic Stairs
• Wreath to Attic
• Second Floor
• Organize bathroom closet
• Hooks replace
• Repaint bathroom
• Towel Rods 
• Bathroom - shower head replaced
• Closet Curtains
• New shower curtain & rug
• Basement
• Furnace Cleaning (scheduled) 
• Closet
• Storage under stairs

• Yard
• Organic Veggie Garden
• Potato Condo & layers
• Lettuce
• Side Shade Garden
• Trellis (Pallets)
• Chicken Coop
• Fire Pit, chairs, dig out, sand, stone
• Rhododendrons Chopped Down

• Personal
• Doctor
• Mammogram (July 24)
• Pap - Aug 19 2pm
• Eyes (C - Aug 18 2pm)
• Kid Dentist- Aug 11 2pm & drop off x-rays
• Budget
• Annual Budget Update
• Monthly Budget
• Pay off One Credit Card
• Debt Snowball (+1000/mo)
• Sinking Fund ($2000)
• Read 5 Fiction Books
• The Mazerunner by James Dashner
• The Fifth Assassin by Brad Meltzer
• Book of Fate by Brad Meltzer
• The Scorch Trials by James Dashner 
• The Death Cure by James Dashner
• Sleeping Murder by Agatha Christie
• Dicey's Story by Stephen King
• The Kill Zone by James Dashner
• MS Summer Reading tba "The Iron Trial" by Holly Black & Cassandra Clare
• Read 3 Non-Fiction Books
• HS Summer Reading "The Other Wes Moore" info HERE
• 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

• Fitness
• Yoga
• Sunday 10:30 1
• Friday Happy Hour
• Boot Camp @ Tanya's
• When?
• 30 Day Challenge- Start Aug 1?
• Abs (need to catch up already!)
• Arms (ditto!)

• Office
• Organize File Cabinet
• Organize Manuals
• Shred Documents
• Legacy Box

• Upload
•  TpT
• Line of Best Fit Project
• Rule of Four
• #1 Drama problem
• #2 Fall Festival?
• #3 Field Trip
• #4 Science Fair T-shirts?
• Bundle
• DC POWs
• FACES foldable

• Worcester (AxiD Corporation):
• Furnace Cleaning  (Aug 14)
• Sprinkler Inspection (Aug 14)
• Alarm Inspection (Aug 14)
• Washer Service (Aug 14)
• Fire Extinguisher Inspection (Aug 14)
• Paperwork to Olivia for fall inspection

• Canning, Freezing & Household:
• Liquid Laundry Soap
• Liquid Fabric Softener
• Dishwasher Detergent
• Lemon Kool-Aid Mix
• Strawberry Jam The recipe is HERE
• Green Salsa
• Red Salsa
• Pickles
• Spaghetti Sauce
• Chili Sauce 
• Freezer Meals
• Print and Organize menus
• Shop & Labels
• Stock Freezer for winter
• Flash Freeze
• Kale
• Carrots 
• Peppers
• Potatoes (cook first?)

• Thirty-One:
• Fall Preview - June 12
• Book 3 parties summer
• Catalog July!
• CONFERENCE! (July 25-27) SUCH A GREAT TIME!  Check out more HERE
• Book 3 parties fall
• Book 3 vendor events
• RSS Done! Helps when you're doing some home organization!
• Budget (Jan - July)
• Better Together Event (Aug 20)

• Family
• NYC w/ Dad and boys (July 2) Info on the Intrepid Sea and Air Museum HERE
• ComicConn @ Mohegan (August 14-15)
• Hike
• Cape Cod (Early July)
• Tubing w/ Softball (weekend of August 1)
• Move parents to new their home! (Aug 10)
• Scouts:
• Camp
• Pack equipment
• Merit Badges
• Citizenship of the Nation - A (Gave to Counselor)
• Archery - C
• Digital Technology -A & C
• Sculpture -C
• Partials:  Graphic Design, Engineering, Scholarship, Lifesaving
• Boards of Review/Feast - a much needed distraction and a HUGE success!
• Merit Badge Counselor 
• Application to Mr. Roberts
• Fall - Pets, American Heritages
• Winter/Spring - Theater, Scholarship, Dog Care
• Spring - Communication, Gardening
• Summer - Reading, Geocaching
• Others - American Cultures, Cinematography
• Plan for Life Scout
• Set Time Goal (Jan 1?)
• 3 Merit Badges (First Aid, Citizen in Comm, Citizen in Nation, Citizen in World, Communication, Personal Fitness, Lifesaving, Environmental Science, Personal Management, Swimming, Camping, Family Life)  MBU-  two of these
• Leadership 6 mo as Star, teach using EDGE method.
• Plan for 2nd Class & First Class - get items signed off from camp
• set goal (Christmas?)
• Compass, Leave No Trace, First Aid

• School:
• Tutoring (through June 30th)
• Recertification (due in August)  DONE!!!!!
• IPDP completed w/ certificates 
• IPDP signed
• Recert application & $ sent to DOE
•  Yearbook
• Ladder & Timeline
• Training with Software 
• Financials from last year
• Summer School (July 13)
• Summer School (July 13)
• Week 1
• Week 2/ Midterms - complete Thursday afternoon or Fri Morning
• Week 3 (Sub Monday)
• Week 4
• Week 5
• Videos on SchoolTube
• Set up computer first!
• INB usage
• Distribution
• Algebra Tiles
• tba
• Geometry Plan
• Organize Notebooks in Binders and Label (Crate?)
• INB?  What will it look like?
• Year Calendar
• Algebra Review; set up in INB; review questions from book
• Math 8 Plan
• Pre-test MC
• Post-test MC/OR
• Vocab Tests MC or Matching
• Checklists (including bookmarks)
• HW Lists
• Study Helps
• Pictures of Current Work for samples (every chapter) - Ipad/Evernote
• Set Up Notes
• Photos of Examples
• Photos of Student Work in separate note with link
• Pictures/Links of Templates
• Vocab Examples too!
• WYLB for each chapter (color copy in plastic?)

Happy Summer!  And here's to accountability and accomplishments!

SUNDAY THOUGHTS: When was the last time...

Today's retrospective is embarrassing.  I stepped on a nail.  In flip-flops.  In my own yard.  Stupid.

But the worst part is that I can't even remember the last time I had a tetanus shot.  Seriously.  I have lists for my kids, immunizations, testing, prescriptions, appointments.  But not mine.  I don't even know if I got one since the booster when I was a teen.  Frustrating.

So needless to say, I had to trek to medExpress and succumb to the shot.  Yuck.  Not my favorite.  But since I had lots of time to wait... It got me thinking.  "Where are all my medical records?"

And to add to my multitude of lists for summer to-dos will be my own record of medical goodies.  To find them.  Get a copy from my Primary Care.  Figure out which ones need to be updated (hopefully not any; the only one I can think of is Whooping Cough, and that was just when there was an exposure at school... and the annual Flu shot).

I have heard talk of a credit card strip on health insurance cards that can be programmed with personal information.  On one hand, I'm a bit apprehensive of those, being someone who misplaces her wallet and has had a purse stolen.  I'm also a creature of papers organized in 3-ring binders.  Tangible.  Flippable.  And highlightable.  Something about digitizing items isn't concrete enough for me.  I like paper when it comes to my medical stuff.  Even the idea of micro-chipping people (like you can ID a dog) is floated out there.  Not sure about Big-Brother having that embedded in me... a bit to 1984 for me.

So my question to you is... when was the last time you saw your doctor?  Your dentist?  Had your eyes checked?  Got your medical paperwork in order?  Your Power of Attorney?  Living Will?  or just a Will?   Will it be added to your list of summer to-dos?  Is it a priority to you?  Or will you wait for you to step on a nail (or God-forbid a REAL emergency) to put that at the top of your list?

Have a great week!

Accountability 201: Checking in from the first 30 days

Here's the first progress report.  It's been a busy, but refreshing month.  Wrapping up school did take the majority of the time, but since mid-month, I've been able to crack down on items from this list to attempt to make some progress.

Bits and pieces of work, play, and rejuvenation, while balancing home, family, and responsibilities.  It's never an easy thing, but then, I don't really know how to slow down.

Next check in will be August 1.  And I promise I'll include some pictures to accompany some of these projects.  Silly, I know, but pictures DO say 1000 words... (now, if I can only get my camera to cooperate...)

How many of these can I get finished by September 1?

• Home
• Kitchen
• Clean and Organize Frig
• Finish shelves & stock pantry
• Organize under sink
• Organize cabinets
• Electric
• Faucet Replacement
• First Floor
• Paint Stair Risers and Trim 
• Organize Breezeway
• A Frame away
• AC Mounting boards (exterior)
• Basement Stairs
• Garage
• Bed to Attic
• Table workbench
• Camp stuff on shelves
• Attic Stairs
• Wreath to Attic
• Second Floor
• Organize bathroom closet
• Repaint bathroom
• Towel Rods 
• Closet Curtains
• New shower curtain & rug

• Yard
• Organic Veggie Garden
• Potato Condo & layers
• Lettuce
• Side Shade Garden
• Trellis (Pallets)
• Chicken Coop

• Personal
• Doctor
• Mammogram
• Pap
• Eyes 
• Kid Dentist
• Budget
• Annual Budget Update
• Monthly Budget
• Pay off One Credit Card
• Debt Snowball (+1000/mo)
• Sinking Fund ($2000)
• Read 5 Fiction Books
• The Mazerunner
• The Fifth Assassin by Brad Meltzer
• Book of Fate by Brad Meltzer
• HS Summer Reading tba
• MS Summer Reading tba
• Read 3 Non-Fiction Books
• 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
• tba
• tba

• Fitness
• Yoga
• Sunday 10:30
• Second Day?
• Boot Camp @ Tanya's
• When?
• 30 Day Challenge- Start July 1
• Abs (need to catch up already!)
• Arms (ditto!)

• Office
• Organize File Cabinet
• Organize Manuals
• Shred Documents
• Legacy Box

• Upload
•  TpT
• Line of Best Fit Project
• Rule of Four
• #1 Drama problem
• #2
• #3
• #4
• Bundle
• DC POWs
• FACES foldable

• Worcester (AxiD Corporation):
• Furnace Cleaning
• Sprinkler Inspection
• Alarm Inspection
• Washer Service
• Fire Extinguisher Inspection

• Canning, Freezing & Household:
• Liquid Laundry Soap
• Liquid Fabric Softener
• Dishwasher Detergent
• Lemon Kool-Aid Mix
• Strawberry Jam The recipe is HERE
• Green Salsa
• Red Salsa
• Pickles
• Spaghetti Sauce
• Chili Sauce 
• Freezer Meals
• Print and Organize menus
• Shop & Labels
• Stock Freezer for winter
• Flash Freeze
• Kale
• Carrots 
• Peppers
• Potatoes (cook first?)

• Thirty-One:
• Fall Preview - June 12
• Book 3 parties summer
• Catalog July!
• Book 3 parties fall
• Book 3 vendor events
• RSS
• Budget (Jan - July)
• Better Together Event (Aug)

• Family
• NYC w/ Dad and boys (July 2) Info on the Intrepid Sea and Air Museum HERE
• ComicConn @ Mohegan (August)
• Hike
• Beach (Early July)
• Tubing w/ Softball (August)
• Scouts:
• Camp
• Pack equipment
• Merit Badges
• Citizenship of the Nation - A
• Archery - A
• Boards of Review/Feast

• School:
• Tutoring (through June 30th)
• Recertification (due in August)
• IPDP completed w/ certificates IN PROGRESS
• IPDP signed
• Recert application & $ sent to DOE
•  Yearbook
• Ladder & Timeline
• Training with Software
• Summer School (July 13)
• Summer School (July 13)
• Gr 7
• Gr 8
• Videos on SchoolTube
• INB usage
• Distribution
• Algebra Tiles
• tba
• Geometry Plan
• INB
• Year Calendar
• Algebra Review (biweekly - 10-18 packets)
• Math 8 Plan
• Pre-test MC
• Post-test MC/OR
• Vocab Tests MC or Matching
• Checklists (including bookmarks)
• HW Lists
• Study Helps
• Pictures of Current Work for samples (every chapter)
• Vocab Examples too!
• WYLB

Happy Summer!  And here's to accountability and accomplishments!

SUNDAY THOUGHTS: Appreciation for 20 years in education

In recent weeks, it has become increasingly clear that my life would have taken a completely different turn had I not been a tenured teacher for the last 20 years.  A high school, bachelors, and master's diplomas as well as the ability to reinvent and rejuvenate my classroom have gotten me far.

Nothing could have prepared me for the stability and security of my job, as well as the rejuvenation and fresh start each school year allows.  Honestly, I don't know if I will be able to quite put my feelings and thoughts into words, but I definitely have an appreciation for my career, my colleagues, and my students for what they bring to me.

Financial Stability

In my previous marriage, by former husband lost his job several times.  Fortunately, with my stable job (with health benefits), our family was never in jeopardy.  I feel truly blessed that I could not only pay back college loans in 3 years but also complete my Master's degree prior to starting a family.   This certification requirement by our state was necessary in the first five years of employment, but also put me higher on the pay ladder in our district.  At the time, it was frustrating, but in the long run, it's been a blessing.

With my divorce from my former husband, I fortunately was able to keep not only my house, but also (roughly) the level of comfort our family was accustomed to.  This helped tremendously with the upheaval in my kids' lives in that they could still attend summer camp, scout events, and extra curricular activities as they navigated their new reality.  I would not have been able to do this without my stable job.  Hands down.

Parenting Security

With my career as a teacher, I was able to have two maternity leaves with an extended summer vacation, and return to my job with a new crop of students in the fall.  My colleagues were supportive and understanding when I had sleepless nights due to cranky kids (my teenage students, surprisingly also gave me a wide berth when I was honest with them).

Because I work in the town I also live in, and the school my kids attend, I also was able to be both involved in their school lives on field trips or special events, as well as give them space when they needed it (like NOT chaperone the overnight field-trip or chaperone the 8th grade semi-formal upon their request, much to the disappointment of the organizers).  Occasionally, gym sneakers or lunch money was left at home and it WASN'T retrieved.  Sometimes, a lesson to be learned, with tears, but resulted in more responsibility as the kids got older.  I sometimes wonder if there was another school in the district to be transferred to, would I?  I think that would have been a long pro/con list to weigh.

However, the best thing is that my kids also know, without me saying, that school IS important.  Work (home or class) is NON-NEGOTIABLE because school is your JOB.  We all make choices, and have to deal with the ramifications of those choices.  And you may not get along with everyone, but you have to make it work.  And, of course, I also take on the role of surrogate parent to all my students, and hope that THEY also can absorb some of these ideas during our time together.  Teaching also gave me LOTS of parenting practice with the adolescent age group.  Not that I'm perfect by any means, but I've already learned from the mistakes I've made with all the students that have come through my class... so maybe I won't make as many mistakes with my own kids.

Emotional Security

Because I have worked in the same district for my entire career, I have had the pleasure of working side-by-side with some of my colleagues for as much as twenty years.  I have attended bridal showers, baby showers, christenings, graduation parties, weddings, retirement parties, hospital rooms, court rooms, wakes, funerals... we have been around at our best and our worst.  Sometimes being just an open ear or just a shoulder to cry on.  A voice of reason or a devil's advocate.  And I have taken advantage of that when the roles have been reversed as well.  Some of my colleagues who work in other buildings I don't see as often, but when we do get together, it's as though we haven't been apart.  Old friends, often with a common goal - educating the kids we see every day.

I also know that students have impacted ME emotionally in many ways.  In the trying times during my divorce, my homeroom gave me a reason to come to work and often their innocence and enthusiasm changed my mood for the entire day.  The best part is that they had NO IDEA of the positive energy they gave me.  We often as teachers talk about how students thrive on stability, scheduling, and order.  And how vacations and the end of the school year is quite difficult for some to leave that consistency and safety.   I truly think it goes in both directions.  I also thrive on the enthusiasm and energy of a room full of teenagers, even when drama and angst raise its' head.  I wonder if that is the true fountain of youth - just simply being around that energy!

I am truly thankful for Mr. Sheridan, my first department chair.  Who hired me based on my firm handshake (Dad was right!) after a phone-call interview while I was working at a camp in West Virginia.  I remember that phone call too - I was standing in my bathing suit at the pool at the only pay phone at camp.  Good thing SKYPE didn't exist then.  Mr. Sheridan gave me the opportunity to take on a classroom as well as give me an enthusiastic model to follow.  He has since passed-away from Brain Cancer.  A loss to the education community, but a legacy that lives on.

Fresh Starts

Every fall, I get a new start with a new set of students.  My classroom gets to be reorganized.  Systems get to be reevaluated and put into place.  Old habits can be broken.  And what's nice about that is that the KIDS get that fresh start too.  Which of course is easier said then done, especially with teenage angst and personality development.

Regardless, I love the fact that, even though I've been at this for (YIPES) twenty years and still can find something fresh and new to improve upon.  Admittedly, my to-do list of revamps tends to be overwhelmingly large each summer, but the ideas that are there may take a while to come to fruition.

I am GRATEFUL

Regardless, as I consider where I have been and where I am going in the midpoint of my career - I am very thankful that I chose education as my path  I have been a part of thousands of children's lives and (hopefully) impacted their lives in some way.  I know I, and my colleagues, have learned and continue to grow from our students energy.  I can't see myself being anywhere else but in the classroom.  Let's see what the next twenty years brings!

Accountability 201: Round two for summertime to-do

June is here, and school is in the downhill slide (with a few roadblocks along the way, but we should make it unscathed).  That means it's time for my summer-time list of items that I ignore most of the school year, and have to get completed before the whole school year creeps up on me again.  Overwhelming?  A bit, but breaking it up into chunks and checklists actually helps me stay on top of them, accountable, and less risk of forgetting (which is happening more and more... and I definitely rely on my calendar and post-it notes!).









So this year, the list comes back out to get all the craziness out of my head and onto (electronic) paper.  I still have the sticky notes in my office, but since I'm actually spending LESS time there, and more out and about, this electronic version may be more appropriate this year.  Time will tell.



Last summer, my strategy of a TOP 5 list worked quite well.  It kept be on track and gave me a target.  Sometimes, it was less than 5, sometimes more, but it was a starting point, and I was able to make progress.  You can read my FIRST and LAST posts from last year here and here.


This year, I'm attempting what appears to be MUCH more.  It seems overwhelming, daunting, crazy; but that's my style.  Bite off more than I can chew to give me a lot to feel good about at the end.  (Who ever finishes their list anyway?)  I plan on rewarding myself along the way... and several of these are setting myself up for fall success in both school and business, so it's worth it.

Three months, and MUCH on my list.  Let's get this party started!

 
How many of these can I get finished by September 1?

• Home
• Kitchen
• Clean and Organize Frig
• Finish shelves & stock pantry
• Organize under sink
• Organize cabinets
• Electric
• Faucet
• First Floor
• Paint Stair Trim 
• Organize Breezeway
• A Frame away
• AC Mounting boards (exterior)
• Basement Stairs
• Garage
• Bed to Attic
• Table workbench
• Camp stuff on shelves
• Attic Stairs
• Second Floor
• Organize bathroom closet
• Paint bathroom
• Towel Rods 
• Closet Curtains

• Yard
• Organic Veggie Garden
• Potato Condo
• Side Shade Garden
• Trellis (Pallets)
• Chicken Coop

• Personal
• Doctor
• Mammogram
• Pap
• Eyes
• Budget
• Annual Budget Update
• Monthly Budget
• Pay off One Credit Card
• Debt Snowball (+600/mo)
• Sinking Fund ($2000)
• Read 5 Fiction Books
• tba
• tba
• tba
• HS Summer Reading tba
• MS Summer Reading tba
• Read 3 Non-Fiction Books
• 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
• tba
• tba

• Fitness
• Yoga
• Sunday 10:30
• Boot Camp @ Tanya's
• When?
• 30 Day Challenge
• Abs
• Arms

• Office
• Organize File Cabinet
• Organize Manuals
• Shred Documents
• Legacy Box

• Upload
•  TpT
• Line of Best Fit Project
• Rule of Four
• #1
• #2
• #3
• #4
• Bundle
• DC POWs

• Worcester (AxiD Corporation):
• Furnace Cleaning
• Sprinkler Inspection
• Alarm Inspection
• Washer Service
• Fire Extinguisher Inspection

• Canning, Freezing & Household:
• Liquid Laundry Soap
• Liquid Fabric Softener
• Dishwasher Detergent
• Lemon Kool-Aid Mix
• Green Salsa
• Red Salsa
• Pickles
• Spaghetti Sauce
• Chili Sauce 
• Freezer Meals
• Stock Freezer for winter
• Flash Freeze
• Kale
• Carrots 
• Peppers
• Potatoes (cook first?)

• Thirty-One:
• Fall Preview - June 12
• Book 3 parties summer
• Book 3 parties fall
• Book 3 vendor events
• RSS
• Budget (Jan - July)

• Family
• NYC w/ Dad and boys (late June/early July)
• Comic Conn @ Mohegan (August)
• Hike
• Beach
• Tubing w/ Softball
• 
  
• Scouts:
• Camp
• Pack equipment
• Merit Badges
• Citizenship of the Nation - A
• Archery - A
• Boards of Review/Feast

• School:
• Summer School
• Gr 7
• Gr 8
• Videos on SchoolTube
• INB usage
• Distribution
• Algebra Tiles
• tba
• Geometry Plan
• INB
• Year Calendar
• Algebra Review (biweekly - 10-18 packets)
• Math 8 Plan
• Pre-test MC
• Post-test MC/OR
• Vocab Tests MC or Matching
• Checklists (including bookmarks)
• HW Lists
• Study Helps
• Pictures of Current Work for samples (every chapter)
• Vocab Examples too!
• WYLB

Happy Summer!  And here's to accountability and accomplishments!

Financial Freedom in progress

February vacation week has arrived, amid yet another snowstorm, and it's time for me to check-in with many of my 'big-girl-life' items.  This week tends to be financial driven - taxes, budgets, and thinking forward about summer plans (usually because, like today, it's FREEZING and SNOWY outside and I'm getting cabin fever!) 


The good news is, I have already finished the taxes (and have allotted the refund into 3 categories).  The bad news is, I have gotten off the envelope system wagon and need to give myself a fresh start!

I also found this site that has some FUN visual aids (for visual people like me) to keep track of their Debt Free journey.  Looks like my printer and my colored pencils will be getting some action today!

I'm laying out the groundwork, getting back on track, and making a plan.  This WILL happen!

 Debt Free Charts

New Year's Resolutions - Round two

While the chaos of the holiday season has finally passed and the routine of school is back in full swing, I realized that I didn't sit down to formalize my goals for the new year.  I also didn't reflect back on last years' top 5 goals (You can read my post from 2014 in it's entirety HERE).

However, I think the same top five make their appearance in the 2015 list:

#1 Finances: this seems to be an annual goal, though each year the focus takes on some twists.  In 2014 I was able to purchase a truck and a van in cash, which was a huge goal, but in doing so, affected some of my other savings plans.  This year, the goal is simply to stick to the budget and make progress at specific intervals (monthly and quarterly seem like appropriate checkpoints).  I'm also hoping to set the goal of a family vacation in 2016, but beginning savings for that so we can pay for it in cash. 

#2 Manage my time better:  time vampires still rear their ugly heads, but checklists and timers are very helpful in managing the chaos.  I have always been a creature of crunch time, the busier I am, the more I can get done.  When I have 'lots of time', I tend to get sucked into non-productive things.  Even over this last vacation, I found that my time was lost on some things, though enjoyable, didn't help me get through my list (and others I ignored altogether).  This year, I'm going to stick to the schedule, the routine, and my sacred six items to get done each day.  The trickiest thing will be to truly prioritize those six items (oftentimes, there's six things just in one facet of my life!)

#3 Focus on Family: my boys are getting older, and it's thrilling to watch them develop their own personalities, interests, opinions (no matter how strong) and share their strengths with others.  I relish the opportunities to share in their adventures, whether it is through drama, scouts, school, or sports.  I still want to be able to spend quality time, one-on-one, with each.  As our schedules becoming increasingly full, that's usually in a car as we commute from one place to another, but taking advantage of any opportunity is key.  I also value technology so I can connect with my extended family (including nephews who live out of state).  I love the fact that we can stay an active part of their lives even though we live far apart.

#4 Clutter Control: I definitely get my organization (or lack of it) from my parents, who are products of depression-era parents.  I am slowly going through items that I claimed I can 'eventually use these' for projects or storage.  Even kid #2's room got an overhaul with a new bedroom set and we pulled EVERYTHING out for him to reevaluate before going back into his Fortress of Solitude.  Unfortunately, he's learning his skills from me (and I'm not exactly the best role model for this!).  This year, I'm going to complete a weekly 30 minute purge, picking an area and tackling it whole heartedly for 30 minutes (using a fill-the-box mentality).  Hoping that a small, regimented focus will result in big changes over time.

#5 Be Grateful:   Thank you goes a long way.  2014 was challenging, but supportive friends and family allow me to stay the course.  I continue to be grateful for health and everyday joys.  Thank you notes, appreciative post-its, and even the occasional chocolate surprise allows me to tell those around me how much I appreciate their efforts as well as their support.  And who doesn't like a chocolate surprise!

So as the winds howl and the ice forms outside, I curl up in front of the fire with my cup of cocoa and a few fuzzy pups.  These are moments that I appreciate that allow me to reflect, regroup and recharge for a new year full of new surprises, new adventures and new attitudes.

Until next time -

Month of Gratitude Begins

Chaos ensues as the fall school year begins, and I find myself reflecting on the first quarter done... and noticing that this blog was put on the backburner.  But now, as November begins, I can begin the month of reflective gratitude in my online journal.

Day one will begin with me looking back on the first quarter of school.  It's been a whirlwind - but with a great group of kids this year.  They're young, but friendly.  And thank me, even for their write-up slip or poor test grade.  And several wish me a good afternoon... (which I have been wishing them for YEARS and am TICKLED that kids are finally returning the gesture!)  We have tons of curriculum to complete, and a long way to go, but it's off to a great start!  Upcoming this month Parent Conferences, the first report cards, Veteran's Day, our Washington, DC trip, and hefty curricular topics.  Bring it on!

As for the family, we have a fairly chaotic first week, beginning with a trip to NY tomorrow to partake in a cyclocross, and Parent Conferences Monday and Tuesday.  But my grades are complete and entered (the earliest... EVER!) and the alarm is set (for a VERY EARLY wake up call, despite daylight savings time!).  We'll hit the ground running and have a chaotic, and productive, day!

Until next time!

Update: Accountability 101 - THE FINAL REPORT

Today is the day.  September 1.  The day of accountability for my summertime checklist.  I really didn't dread today as I have in the past.  Feeling frustrated that my 'list' wasn't all done.  And the list grew... as it always seems to...  This year was of a different nature.  The accountability was different.  The results, maybe not so.

I did enjoy having a digital checklist this summer (even though the paper ones on post-its still creeped onto my desk).  And despite feeling plugged-in far too much this summer, I feel VERY accomplished with this list.  I got a lot done during summer vacation.  And even found time to reconnect with my kids and teach summer school.  Admittedly, some of the larger house projects didn't get done (either due to finances or a need of hiring someone to do them).  But I am pleased at the list of Personal Development items that were completed.  Especially time with my family as well as reading books for enjoyment.  That is something that I have missed, and really didn't even realize it until it wasn't there.

Now, I will revisit my quarterly goals (which were set in July and run through the end of September) that are a bit more streamlined.  And as school starts, encourage my 8th grade students to set those EIGHT goals for themselves (3 academic, 3 Personal Development, 2 Interpersonal Development) that we can measure this school year.

Will I do this again next year?  Right now, I'm not sure.  I may give myself another type of electronic challenge (again, accountability from an extrinsic source) depending on what my goals are at that point.  One thing that I do enjoy, is the constant nature of self-improvement.  There is always something that can be improved.  And today is always a good day to start.

THE FINAL LIST STATUS (As of Sept 1, 2014)

• Home
• Organize Under Kitchen Sink
• Organize Linen Closet
• Paint Kitchen and Hallway
• Organize Dining Room Reorganize
• Build Bedroom Wall
• Build Attic Stairs/Entry
• Build Bedroom Closet
• Organize Basement Closet
• Clean Basement Carpets
• Organize My Closet
• Closet Curtains (purchased, need to install)
• Help Kids organize rooms
• Glassware into storage
• Bulletin Board in Bedroom

• Yard
• Paint Bulkhead
• Fire Pit (dig out, border, pit, rocks)
• Screen House Office - replacement due to storm damage :(
• Organic Veggie Garden
• Side Shade Garden
• Trellis (Pallets)

• Personal Development
• Schedule Doctor Appt
• Life Insuranc
• Read 5 Fiction Books
• Inferno
• Divergent
• Insurgent
• Allegiant
• Four
• The Notebook
• Unwind
• Unwholly
• Unsouled
• Pieces
• Read 5 Non-Fiction Books (or Audiobooks)
• Smart Money, Smart Kids
• 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
• Start
• Book #4
• Book #5
• 30 day challenge
• Abs (day 15 - abandoned)
• Arms (day 15 - abandoned)
• Thighs
• Butt
• Shoulder
• Back
• Budget
• Annual Budget
• Emergency Fund Baby Step 1
• Sinking Fund +$2000 (status $800)
• Debt Snowball +600/mo (status $600)
• Eric's Budget

• Office
• Organize File Cabinet
• Organize Manuals
• Shred Documents
• Strong Box Break into Old and Purchase new
• Create Legacy Box
• Organize Bills
• Tutoring Business Cards
• Linkedin Account 
• Eric's Office
• Eric's Job

• Upload
•  TpT
• Essential Questions Blue/Purple
• Line of Best Fit Project
• Rule of Four
• DC POWs

• Worcester (AxiD Corporation):
• Furnace Cleaning (Scheduled August 8)
• Sprinkler Inspection (June)
• Alarm Inspection (scheduled August 8)
• Washer Service (scheduled August 8)
• Fire Extinguisher Inspection (June)
• Spackle Walls
• Hot Water Heater Moved (scheduled August 8)
• Exhaust Installed (Scheduled August 8)
• Carpets & Couch Cleaned (July 29)

• Canning & Household:
• Liquid Laundry Soap
• Powered Laundry Soap
• Liquid Fabric Softener
• Tomatillo Salsa (LOTS!!!)
• Red Salsa (pending)
• Pickles (no cukes in garden)
• Spaghetti Sauce (little tomato yield)
• Chili Sauce (little tomato yield)

• Thirty-One:
• CONFERENCE (end of July)
• Year Analysis ($25K in PV)
• Budget (Jan - June)
• RSS
• Set Goals

• Family
•  Jiminy Adventure Park Raincheck
• Tubing (tenative) - CANCELLED July
• Hartford Comic Con (July) - CANCELLED
• Boston Comic Con (August) - CANCELLED
• Jiminy Adventure Park - reschedule Fall 

• Scouts:
• July 3rd Firework Games (rescheduled to July 5th)
• Boards of Review 
• Star Review - A (At Camp)
• Personal Fitness - A
• Citizen of Nation - A
• Metalwork - A (At Camp)
• Climbing - A (At Camp)
• Tenderfoot Review - C (At Camp)
• Canoeing - C (At Camp)
• Nantucket Trip (August - tentative)

Update: Accountability 101 - the last 30 days

It's now six weeks into my challenge, and only 30 days left until my target date.  Summer school is almost over, but preparations for next year's academics are beginning to take shape.  Will I let some of these projects fall by the wayside for ANOTHER year?  I think not!

Some of the upcoming fun is family focused, others will be enjoying the fruits of our garden.  The others are larger house projects that require either time or finances.  Soon, my school checklist will be broken out and will start to take priority over this checklist.  The end is near.

Am I on track to get these tasks completed by September 1?  Of course, I always seem to add items to the lists as well.  That's part of my downfall. 

How many of these can I get finished by September 1?  Here's the status as of August 1.

• Home
• Organize Under Kitchen Sink
• Organize Linen Closet
• Paint Kitchen and Hallway
• Organize Dining Room Reorganize
• Build Bedroom Wall
• Build Attic Stairs/Entry
• Build Bedroom Closet
• Organize Basement Closet
• Clean Basement Carpets
• Organize My Closet
• Closet Curtains (purchased, need to install)
• Help Kids organize rooms
• Glassware into storage
• Bulletin Board in Bedroom

• Yard
• Paint Bulkhead
• Fire Pit (dig out, border, pit, rocks)
• Screen House Office - replacement due to storm damage :(
• Organic Veggie Garden
• Side Shade Garden
• Trellis (Pallets)

• Personal Development
• Schedule Doctor Appt
• Life Insurance (pending)
• Read 5 Fiction Books
• Inferno
• Divergent
• Insurgent
• Allegiant
• Four
• The Notebook
• Pieces
• Read 5 Non-Fiction Books (or Audiobooks)
• Smart Money, Smart Kids
• 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
• Start
• Book #4
• Book #5
• 30 day challenge
• Abs (day 15)
• Arms (day 15)
• Thighs
• Butt
• Shoulder
• Back
• Budget
• Annual Budget
• Emergency Fund Baby Step 1
• Sinking Fund +$2000 (status $600)
• Debt Snowball +600/mo (status $600)
• Eric's Budget

• Office
• Organize File Cabinet
• Organize Manuals
• Shred Documents
• Strong Box Break into Old and Purchase new
• Create Legacy Box
• Organize Bills
• Tutoring Business Cards
• Linkedin Account 
• Eric's Office
• Eric's Job

• Upload
•  TpT
• Essential Questions Blue/Purple
• Line of Best Fit Project
• Rule of Four
• DC POWs

• Worcester (AxiD Corporation):
• Furnace Cleaning (Scheduled August 8)
• Sprinkler Inspection (June)
• Alarm Inspection (scheduled August 8)
• Washer Service (scheduled August 8)
• Fire Extinguisher Inspection (June)
• Spackle Walls
• Hot Water Heater Moved (scheduled August 8)
• Exhaust Installed (Scheduled August 8)
• Carpets & Couch Cleaned (July 29)

• Canning:
• Liquid Laundry Soap
• Powered Laundry Soap
• Liquid Fabric Softener
• Tomatillo Salsa
• Red Salsa
• Pickles
• Spaghetti Sauce
• Chili Sauce

• Thirty-One:
• CONFERENCE (end of July)
• Year Analysis ($25K in PV)
• Budget (Jan - June)
• RSS
• Set Goals

• Family
•  Jiminy Adventure Park Raincheck
• Tubing (tenative) - CANCELLED July
• Hartford Comic Con (July) - CANCELLED
• Boston Comic Con (August) - CANCELLED
• Jiminy Adventure Park - reschedule August or Fall 

• Scouts:
• July 3rd Firework Games (rescheduled to July 5th)
• Boards of Review 
• Star Review - A (At Camp)
• Personal Fitness - A
• Citizen of Nation - A
• Metalwork - A (At Camp)
• Climbing - A (At Camp)
• Tenderfoot Review - C (At Camp)
• Canoeing - C (At Camp)
• Nantucket Trip (August - tentative)

Update: Accountability 101 - Christmas in July

Today's update is brought to you by Santa Claus!  It's Christmas in Mid-July, and I wanted to make sure I could be included on the NICE list, not by avoiding my projects and ending up on the NAUGHTY list...

What I notice is that I tend to avoid topics that are larger projects, especially when I don't have large chunks of time to tackle them.  However, I also notice I don't work well when I have long time and lots of little items.  Those TIME VAMPIRES seem to suck my time up.

However, with summer school in session, my time is a bit more limited so I expect that I can get more items checked off as the summer progresses.  Onward!  I need to earn more points to be in good standing with Santa!

Am I on track to get these tasks completed by September 1?  Of course, I always seem to add items to the lists as well.  That's part of my downfall. 

How many of these can I get finished by September 1?
Here's the status as of July 21st, now 4 weeks in, and I feel very accomplished.  Many of the sections came in chunks (like the Scouts checklist), and some have been put off (by Queen Procrastination).  However, I will say that I am getting some other items taken care of that are NOT on this list but should streamline my personal and business life significantly!  The summer is on the downhill slide, and the list is getting shorter!!!

• Home
• Organize Under Kitchen Sink
• Organize Linen Closet
• Paint Kitchen and Hallway
• Organize Dining Room
• Build Bedroom Wall
• Build Attic Stairs/Entry
• Build Bedroom Closet
• Organize Basement Closet
• Clean Basement Carpets
• Organize My Closet
• Closet Curtains
• Help Kids organize rooms
• Glassware into storage

• Yard
• Paint Bulkhead
• Fire Pit (dig out, border, pit, rocks)
• Screen House Office - replacement due to storm damage :(
• Organic Veggie Garden
• Side Shade Garden
• Trellis (Pallets)

• Personal Development
• Schedule Doctor Appt
• Life Insurance (pending)
• Read 5 Fiction Books
• Inferno
• Divergent
• Insurgent
• Allegiant
• Four
  
• Pieces
• Read 5 Non-Fiction Books (or Audiobooks)
• Smart Money, Smart Kids
• 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
• Start
• Book #4
• Book #5
• 30 day challenge
• Abs (day 15)
• Arms (day 15)
• Thighs
• Butt
• Shoulder
• Back
• Budget
• Annual Budget
• Emergency Fund Baby Step 1   95% of the way there!!!
• Sinking Fund +$2000
• Debt Snowball +600/mo

• Office
• Organize File Cabinet
• Organize Manuals
• Shred Documents
• Strong Box Break into Old and Purchase new
• Create Legacy Box
• Organize Bills
• Tutoring Business Cards
• Linkedin Account 
• Eric's Office
• Eric's Job!!!  

• Upload
•  TpT
• Essential Questions Blue/Purple
• Line of Best Fit Project
• Rule of Four
• DC POWs

• Worcester (AxiD Corporation):
• Furnace Cleaning (Scheduled August 8)
• Sprinkler Inspection (June)
• Alarm Inspection (scheduled August 8)
• Washer Service (scheduled August 8)
• Fire Extinguisher Inspection (June)
• Spackle Walls
• Hot Water Heater Moved (scheduled August 8)
• Exhaust Installed (Scheduled August 8)

• Canning:
• Tomatillo Salsa
• Red Salsa
• Pickles
• Spaghetti Sauce
• Chili Sauce

• Thirty-One:
• CONFERENCE (end of July) THIS WEEK!!!
• Year Analysis ($25K in PV)
• Budget (Jan - June)
• RSS
• Set Goals

• Family
•  Jiminy Adventure Park Raincheck
• Tubing (tenative) - CANCELLED July
• Comic Con (July) - CANCELLED
• Comic Con (August)
• Jiminy Adventure Park - reschedule August or Fall 

• Scouts:
• July 3rd Firework Games (rescheduled to July 5th)
• Boards of Review 
• Star Review - A (At Camp)
• Personal Fitness - A
• Citizen of Nation - A
• Metalwork - A (At Camp)
• Climbing - A (At Camp)
• Tenderfoot Review - C (At Camp)
• Canoeing - C (At Camp)
• Nantucket Trip (August)

Summer School: How to Tame the Paper Overload!

As summer school has started, I realize how much organization and streamlining I accomplish during the first day of any school.  It's always overwhelming, and stressful, but once my systems get into place, things tend to run fairly smoothly.  The expectations are in place, and the summer blahs that my resentful students seems to go by the wayside (for the most part).  With the program we have in place, they feel like they have control of what they can work on, as long as they are given timeline and score parameters, and it works.

This year, we set up a modified Interactive Notebook, mostly for accountability with scores, attendance, a table of contents, and scrap paper for the skills.  Training the students in our routine was half the battle.  Simple systems like numbering pages and writing the day's date at the top seemed basic, but until a routine was established, proved quite difficult.

Another paper overload area was tracking scores on the computer program.  We created two types of trackers.

One was a standards post-it tracker taped on the wall above each students' computer.  These trackers had the computer program coded skills on post-it tabs and allowed the students to self-monitor the skills assigned to the class.  They could move the tab along the spectrum, in four color-coded areas.  We discussed how they should set a small goal when they start a skill, like reaching a score of 50, then when that goal is reached, to modify it to another goal.  I was trying to get them into the 70% range (the orange, Satisfactory, area), which depending on the skill, could be quick, or could be quite challening.  However, many of the kids wanted to reach MASTERED (100%), and were frustrated when that proved too challenging.  They also noticed that their risk was greater the higher their score was.  Getting one question wrong while in the 90% range dropped significantly, and they needed one question correct for every point they wanted to earn back.

The other tracker was a hanging folder for each student and demonstrated where to access the daily data measuring their progress.  Having each student document their own data, rather than the instructor gathering everyone's, proved helpful in two ways.  They documented not only their cumulative scores,  but also their performance and time practiced.  The weighted average was calculated by me, as a percentage of time spent,

First, it allowed the student to reflect on their performance immediately.  Yesterday, in fact, I had a student who commented that they were very off track, as their total practice time was only 15 minutes (when we typically have two 20 minute target sessions).  He noted that he was very unfocused.  I hope that this reflection will allow him to keep himself on track today.

Second, it allowed me to keep all the students records in one place, in the classroom, for evidence on their progress.  Our summer school this year is set up to be more remediation practice rather than pure instruction, so this allowed us to document the skills practiced and provide evidence for the administration once the program is complete.

We'll check back in a few weeks to see how the systems are maintained.  It's giving me hope - especially for kids who are not as strong mathematically, reluctant and resentful to being here in the summer, and are weak in organizational skills.  They CAN find success and improve in their skills - especially when they feel like they are in some control, have immediate feedback, and can set and meet goals.

Right now, were working on intrinsic motivation with some electronic motivation built into the computer program.  My back up for the last week is some extrinsic motivation (in the form of stickers and candy).  We'll see how their resentful attitudes are in a few weeks.  I'd LOVE to report that I don't need to break out the stickers!

Update: Accountability 101; Independence from my list!

 

On this rainy Independence Day, while I watch the History Channel's "America: Story of Us", and reflect on my to-do list, I realize that my LONG list can certainly be daunting.  But I am determined to meet MY Independence Day target:  September 1.

Already, I've been sidetracked along the way, and I'm only 2 weeks in.  It's a long haul, like Westward Expansion, and I feel as though I only have made it through the Cumberland Gap.  However, the journey to the Pacific will still happen... slow and steady wins the race.  I must stay focused, timely, and not add TOO many new things to my list.

One thing we hadn't added to the list was the Family section.  That was still under debate when I published last.  Fortunately, we now have a few things on the calendar during these summer months.  Hopefully Mother Nature will cooperate (she hasn't been too friendly the last several days).


Am I on track to get these tasks completed by September 1?  Of course, I always seem to add items to the lists as well.  That's part of my downfall. 

How many of these can I get finished by September 1?
Here's the status as of July 4th.  2 weeks in, and I feel fairly accomplished.  However, the weekend before summer school starts will be a whirlwind as I try to tackle much of this before school items hit!

• Home
• Organize Under Kitchen Sink
• Organize Linen Closet
• Paint Kitchen
• Organize Dining Room
• Build Bedroom Wall
• Build Attic Stairs/Entry
• Build Bedroom Closet
• Organize Basement Closet
• Clean Basement Carpets
• Organize My Closet
• Help Kids organize rooms
• Glassware into storage

• Yard
• Paint Bulkhead
• Fire Pit
• Screen House Office
• Organic Veggie Garden
• Side Shade Garden
• Trellis (Pallets)

• Personal Development
• Schedule Doctor Appt
• Life Insurance
• Read 5 Fiction Books
• Inferno
• Divergent
• Insurgent
• Allegiant
• Pieces
• Read 5 Non-Fiction Books
• Smart Money, Smart Kids
• Book #2
• Book #3
• Book #4
• Book #5
• 30 day challenge
• Abs
• Arms
• Thighs
• Butt
• Shoulder
• Back
• Budget
• Annual Budget
• Emergency Fund Baby Step 1
• Sinking Fund +$2000
• Debt Snowball +500/mo

• Office
• Organize File Cabinet
• Organize Manuals
• Shred Documents
• Strong Box Break into Old and Purchase new
• Create Legacy Box
• Organize Bills
• Tutoring Business Cards
• Linkedin Account 

• Upload
•  TpT
• Line of Best Fit Project
• Rule of Four
• DC POWs

• Worcester (AxiD Corporation):
• Furnace Cleaning
• Sprinkler Inspection (June)
• Alarm Inspection (August)
• Washer Service
• Fire Extinguisher Inspection (June)
• Spackle Walls
• Hot Water Heater Moved
• Exhaust Installed

• Canning:
• Tomatillo Salsa
• Red Salsa
• Pickles
• Spaghetti Sauce
• Chili Sauce

• Thirty-One:
• CONFERENCE!

• Family
•  Jiminy Adventure Park
• Tubing
• Comic Con

• Scouts:
• July 3rd Firework Games (rescheduled to July 5th)
• Boards of Review 
• Star - A
• Personal Fitness - A
• Citizen of Nation - A
• Welding - A
• Tenderfoot - C
• Canoeing - C

Accountability 101: How the Summer Projects Were Accomplished

Summertime is a time to rejuvenate and relax.  I look forward to reading a good book, sitting out on the porch, sleeping in, spending time with my kids and friends, traveling...

However, there are so many things that fall by the wayside during the school year, that it's also a time for me to get caught up on life. Renovations, annual repairs, doctors appointments, even squeezing in a long weekend vacation or two. I find that it's so difficult keeping up with the day-to-day items that I justify putting things off until later (usually a vacation week or summer), then get overwhelmed when I look at the long list that has been created.

Every year, I tape a LOOOONG piece of poster paper to the door and map out the summer, May through September, to see the big picture (as well as to see who is where and when).  I do a similar thing in January with the a new calendar, even going as far as color coding each kid's events (that lasts a little bit, mainly because I don't maintain it).  It's helpful for a visual thinker like me, but also to communicate to the rest of the household.

 I discovered two main obstacles in my attempt:

One - my to-do lists are WAY TOO LONG.  It is OVERWHELMING when I start putting everything in one place.  It is DAUNTING to start to chip away at it.

Two - my paper lists and post-its become crossed out and rewritten and despite the fact I can eliminate many of them as I accomplish them, I never feel as though I'm getting any momentum... then come fall, feel defeated (even if I have completed many of them!).  I have a post-it tracker in my office and a paper list in my calendar, but I really never have everything in one place.

This year, I'm going to try something slightly different.  I'm going to have a TOP 5 of the day.  Five main things that I want to get completed.  This is especially helpful for those little things, like calling doctors or scheduling appointments, that I remember at 11:30 on a Friday night and tend to forget when the office opens the following Monday.

So I'm going to keep an electronic master list here on this blog and check in periodically to track my progress.  I'll still use my post-it tracker and a goofy sticker chart for myself (that's the teacher in me too).  I even would be thrilled to say that each day I'll get one item completed from each facet of my life, though I don't think that's going to truly be feasible, but at least it's a start.


How many of these can I get finished by September 1?

• Home
• Organize Under Kitchen Sink
• Organize Linen Closet
• Paint Kitchen
• Organize Dining Room
• Build Bedroom Wall
• Build Attic Stairs/Entry
• Build Bedroom Closet
• Organize Basement Closet
• Clean Basement Carpets

• Yard
• Paint Bulkhead
• Fire Pit
• Screen House Office
• Organic Veggie Garden
• Side Shade Garden
• Trellis (Pallets)

• Personal
• Doctor
• Life Insurance
• Read 5 Fiction Books
• Inferno
• Divergent
• Insurgent
• Allegiant
• Pieces
• Read 5 Non-Fiction Books
• Smart Money, Smart Kids
• Book #2
• Book #3
• Book #4
• Book #5
• 30 day challenge
• Abs
• Arms
• Thighs
• Butt
• Shoulder
• Back
• Budget
• Annual Budget
• Emergency Fund Baby Step 1

• Office
• Organize File Cabinet
• Organize Manuals
• Shred Documents
• Strong Box
• Legacy Box
• Organize Bills
• Annual Budget

• Upload
•  TpT
• Line of Best Fit Project
• Rule of Four
• DC POWs

• Worcester (AxiD Corporation):
• Furnace Cleaning
• Sprinkler Inspection
• Alarm Inspection
• Washer Service
• Fire Extinguisher Inspection
• Spackle Walls
• Hot Water Heater Moved
• Exhaust Installed

• Canning:
• Tomatillo Salsa
• Red Salsa
• Pickles
• Spaghetti Sauce
• Chili Sauce

• Thirty-One:
• CONFERENCE!

• Scouts:
• July 3rd Firework Games
• Boards of Review

Happy Summer!  And here's to accountability and accomplishments!

When I finally became a townie...

I am a Navy Brat.  Our family moved every 4-6 years throughout my childhood.  I never had 'roots' in one place for very long to see the particulars of how a town changed over time; both politically, personality, economically, and even geographically...

But now, I have been established for almost 20 years in my career and raising my family.  I have managed my personal life, and navigated my career while living amongst the families that I work with.  It has been interesting, sometimes stifling, to rise, fall, and get back up amid my students and their families.  At first, I was worried of perception, then embraced my 'nerdiness'.  This is me:  mom, teacher, scout leader, neighbor, volunteer, business owner.  I'm not always warm and fuzzy.  I'm enthusiastic but not hyper (well, maybe disorganized and over-caffeinated).   I'm authentic, but not fake.  I'm assertive, not bossy.  I reflect, reevaluate and adjust, even if it stresses me out.  I will stand up for what I believe.  Take it or leave it.

I have made mistakes in rearing my children, allowing the 'system' to makes determinations, while managing my own classroom and the personalities that go along with it.  I have stood my ground with other people's kids if they crossed the line with me.  I have tried to negotiate the strong personalities and stand up for those who are not as vocal.  Even when I don't mean to, I also take on the 'Devil's Advocate' side of the conversation, always proposing and preparing for the worst case scenario, must to the chagrin of those in charge.

So I suppose this now makes me an official 'Townie', being transplanted into this area and allowed to thrive.  I can't run away and reinvent myself every 4-6 years.  I have had to find my voice, my personality, and learn how to navigate everyone else's.  It may have taken me 40 years to do so, but I'm hopeful that I can empower, inspire, and lead by example, for both my own children as well as others.

Get Your Finances in Order

Like many people at the start of the new year, I set my top 5 goals for the year.  Some were personal, others were with the family.  Some were narrow, some were broad.  Most had bullet points that I can use as a checklist.  You can read my entire blog post HERE.  

Goal #1: $$$$  Get your financial house in order  $$$

My first goal for 2014 of getting my financial house in order.  I had organized all the papers and done a 'month in review' budget for years, but decided that I needed a kick in the butt and accountability.  Enter Dave Ramsey.  I had come across his free podcast of his daily radio show that spoke of finances.  Dave has a very 'in your face' personality.  He tells it like it is... even if it's not what you want to hear.  And that's refreshing.  He had spoken about his method of getting out of debt and accumulating wealth.  It was different than the other information I had read about (mostly investing in real estate, that was out of my reach now, and in year's past).  He principals included a checklist - I LOVE CHECKLISTS! - that seemed like an easy road map to the goal I was trying to achieve.  

So, as a birthday gift to myself, I enrolled in his Financial Peace University that was being held at a nearby church.  Though I hadn't been a student in a class in a while, this was a bit of a commitment - 10 Saturday nights, plus homework - but I knew it was an investment in myself and my future!

Each week covers a particular area of this checklist, what Dave calls the 'Baby Steps'.  And the class has facilitators, but is actually a video presentation of Dave and his colleagues (so everyone essentially gets the same class).  It also had an online component, so if you missed class or wanted to recap the highlights, you could review the video at a later date at your convenience.  This worked out great when I missed class due to inclement weather!

The Baby Steps are no secret, Dave talks about them regularly on his radio show.  It's basically 'common sense' or what Grandma would have told you growing up!  They are as follows:

#1 $1000 Emergency Fund (available for EMERGENCIES)
#2 Pay off all debts (except the house)
#3 Fully Funded Emergency Fund (3-6 mo expenses in bank)
#4 15% into Retirement
#5 Kids' College
#6 Pay Off House Early
#7 Build Wealth and Give!

My journey began with Baby Step #1: $1000 Emergency Fund.  I have carried a 'savings account' that is linked to my checking, and always got nervous when it was below $1000, but never thought of it as something separate.  So a bit or reorganization, and that step is checked off the list.  It's there for EMERGENCIES, like the furnace breaks or you get a flat tire, not for a WANT.  That's something you plan for, in the BUDGET.
 So along with Baby Step #1, I also reorganized the budget and moved to an envelope system of money management.  The idea is to CASH FLOW your expenses, with cash, and not live on a Credit Card.  That was, and continues to be HARD!  But it's also changing behavior, and I certainly am a work in progress...

The budget changes month-to-month, and that's very different than how I had previously arranged my budget analysis.  Each month, you take your paycheck, before you get it, and tell you money where to go.  EVERY PENNY!  Of course, as a pseudo-perfectionist, doing this in pencil was a must, because it's a ZERO-BASED BUDGET.  No money is left over.  And I wasn't very good at that.  But once the basics were covered (Home, Utilities, Food, Transportation), and monies set aside for Sinking Funds (like auto insurance, home insurance, the dentist, Christmas/Vacation savings and those other bills that are planned, but not monthly), then the other bills (ie: DEBT, like credit cards) could be addressed.

So cross that one off the list!
#1 $1000 Emergency Fund (available for EMERGENCIES)

So on to the next step.  That's the step I'm on now, Baby Step #2: Pay off all debts (except the house).  It's taking care of all the debts I have (except the home mortgage).  This is daunting.  It was something that I was aware of, but since I used credit A LOT, and didn't pay down my balance, it was always there... never a zero balance.  And I didn't ever see one.  So now that the Envelope System is in place, the cards cut up (still working on this one... but most are and I'm not adding to them), and the budget has told every dollar where to go, what's remaining becomes the DEBT SNOWBALL.

The idea of the debt snowball list all debts and organize them from least to greatest balance.  Then, pay minimum balances on all your debts stack all extra money available (after that well organized budget) towards the lowest balance.  Once that debt is paid off, use that amount and put it towards the next lowest balance.  As the smaller debts are paid, the snowball gathers momentum and you FEEL like you are making progress towards tackling your debt.  And you are.  Slowly at first, but eventually, as the snowball gets bigger and bigger, the debt will literally melt away!  

So here is my debt.  YIPES!  $35,000 to start.  That's daunting.  And, sadly that doesn't include college loans, like most folks.  Those were actually the first that were paid off.  My debt is solely car and credit.  But the plan is in place, and I'm chipping away.  $4,200 paid off since February 1.  YAY!  

But the great thing, that I'm super proud of, is that I did purchase a used Truck and Plow in CASH!  A bit of planning, but that's the first major purchase since I started Financial Peace University.  It was due to savings as well as selling a ton of items with my friend Craig (Craigslist and Ebay are awesome for this).  Also hoping to add to the snowball this April with a Tag Sale.  Another thing is to change my tax witholdings to get more in my paycheck throughout the year, and a much smaller rebate next spring.  That extra cash will go towards the snowball, as well as funding sinking funds for budgeted expenses.


So the journey continues.  I hope to finish Baby Step #2 by the summer of 2016.  It's a big challenge, but with extra jobs, extra cash and lots of motivation (and some accountability here on the blog), I will tackle this!

Happy Budgeting!