Life’s Obstacles

I thought my biggest obstacle would be getting DH on board with the idea of saving. I was wrong. Although not particularly enthusiastic on the new focus of saving as much money as we can to pay off our loans, he gets it and is being supportive.

He’s even tolerating my request to not spend $35 for work equipment this month because we already bought stuff this month, and I want to spread out expenses. And when I had a craving for ice cream on Friday, he reminded me we are trying to save money-ice cream is not essential.

So with things going in our favor, life tested our commitment. Bright and early Saturday morning we had an emergency. As we let the dogs out this sunny morning water poured down the exterior wall of our house. Some part of our water heater plumbing has gone a muck.

A plumber on a Saturday would be expensive! With the water shut off we contemplate what to do (and fear the cost of fixing it). We’ve gone without water before can this wait until Monday?

I'm back!

Our garage is finally done! I'd show you pictures but I lost the camera a couple months ago and we've been too broke to replace it. The work on the garage was more extensive than originally planned and we went way over budget but it's done and paid for so I'm happy.

I've converted 3/4 of the garage into a yoga studio for myself and DH didn't complain too loudly which was nice. I'm hoping to take a yoga teacher training class next January so it's great to have a place for my home practice.

In the meantime, I've been listening to the Dave Ramsey podcasts which has reignited my desire to start saving like mad to pay off our car loans and student debt. My work situation is still precarious- I love my work, but I'm not convinced that our office, which was reduced from 75 people to 38, will be sticking around forever.

My new short term goals are to pay off my small student loan, the smaller car loan, and save enough for the yoga teacher training course. After that we'll tackle DH's truck loan and the much larger student loan.

Wish me luck! -or the strength to stop spending :)

The Universe is Testing Me

Today is one of those days where everyone pulls together to really test your patience. Like the village raising a child, the universe is helping me build my practice of mindful thought.

It started with the rain and day 2 of postponing work on the garage. This is a project I’ve dreamed about since the day we bought the house 3 years ago. That is 3 years of saving and waiting finally paying off. But oh the rain.

The recycling truck skipped over our house again and we have a month’s worth of recycling backed up in the house and no garage to store it in. All the houses have empty bins, except mine.

I arrive late to work, my team misses a meeting with the boss , and a tongue lashing follows.

It's just one of those days, a day when nothing goes right.

I stub my toe on the side walk, the camera batteries die as I take my first picture, and I forget to put the tea bag in my hot water. Yep it's just one of those days.

Then I realize how calm I am. I've been awake 3 hours, nothing has gone right, and I'm not mad. I'm not cursing at my desk, telling people off under my breath or packing my bags. I just am.

Thank you universe for bring sunshine to my rainy day.