The Jen

I have almost identical hair in color and texture to Jennifer Aniston. It's been pretty boring style this year growing straight down my back, and pretty much just being put back in a pony-tail each and every day by mid-morning. Today though I decided I absolutely couldn't take my drab look any longer, and needed another cut immediately.

I went for the bob, similar to Jen's new style. Only just a tad bit shorter. I am so happy with my new cut........here's to (hopefully) warmer weather around the corner and letting go of all that stress I have been holding onto in my hair over the past year.

Yeah, I tend to not it cut all that often. I hope to change that though and keep up with a shorter style in the months to come.

Jury duty

I have to report to jury duty at criminal court this morning. While the whole idea of sitting in on a high profile case (if I were on one) seems interesting and exciting to me, and while I know it's also my duty in life to participate------I would much rather be at work. Especially because it's a freakin' 100 mile round trip there and back.

*Keep your fingers crossed for me that I can get out of this.*

Budgeting challenge

I feel like I've been spending way too much money lately and absolutely see the need to cutback A LOT.

My goals are to be able to pay off some debt and primarily, build up our joint savings account again. It's been a rough year business wise for DH so most of our joint savings has all but disappeared.

I expect by challenging myself to not spend money, we will be able to build up some of that savings more quickly.

I think my biggest downfall is just going to the grocery store or Target each weekend primarily out of habit and boredom. It's very hard to leave these places without spending anywhere from $60.00-$100.00, which obviously when doing the math adds up quickly to a large chunk of money.

Most of the time, outside of basic staples (i.e. milk, bread, eggs, fresh fruit and veggies), I already have a packed freezer/pantry/fridge and there's not a whole lot I really need to buy.

So I am going to challenge myself in this area especially---to completely avoid these places and only go if there is something we really and truly need.

I want to have more "dollar free" weekends where I don't spend any money on anything (as noted above shopping for me is something I find I do out of habit and BOREDOM). I want to focus on using the items we already have, waiting until we really are close to running out, and just finding free activities to do at home and in my area. (Can't wait for the warm weather to come again so we can get outside to do things and garden again!).

I also want to consider avoiding my daily coffee stops because that's easily $20.00-$30.00 a week that quickly adds up. This is another area I spend money out of habit. I think it would also be a lot more healthy for my body if I ate breakfast at home each day, or brought my breakfast to work.

Does anyone want to join me in my challenge? It's much easier to stick to a budget if I am writing about it, and have others holding me accountable as well!

Fill in the Blank Friday

1. I am a mother, a wife and a social worker.

2. The bravest thing I've ever done was have a baby. And probably also just jumping head first into some difficult client situations. Some of the stuff I deal with through my work can be pretty scary if you think about it!


3. I feel prettiest when I am freshly showered, hair blown out, with natural make-up on.

4. Something that keeps me awake at night is usually related to job stuff that needs follow up. I also tend to play out the worst-case scenarios in my head, which really never happen anyways ;).


5. My favorite meal in the entire world is probably something pizza-ish or pasta-ish.

6. The way to my heart is through just being nice. So many people are just not nice.

7. I would like to finally get my butt in gear and get my LMSW!!!!

My news

is work-related.

I met with my supervisor this week, and he has gotten the approval to move forward and create me a new position.

Basically, I will be in charge of all new intakes to our program. This will allow me to get rid of most of my current caseload, and just focus on writing new plans and bringing new people into the community from nursing homes.

The cool thing about this, is that a lot of my work can be done from pretty much anywhere.

I won't have to trek into the office as much, and although I will have to travel to meet new clients, I won't have to drive around as much every day, which has been a huge bummer with my current position.....especially because I have to use my own personal vehicle for work (yes, we do get reimbursed for mileage, but still.....it's wear and tear and I do have a lease).

With new intakes, since a lot of them are out of the area, the agency will pay for me to train, bus or plane it to meet with the clients.

While it will be stress of a different sort (i.e. working hard to do everything I can to bring clients on as quickly as possible, locating housing), I won't have to deal with as much day to day nonsense and stress that comes from working directly with a large caseload of clients who are already in the community.

So I am pretty excited. My boss is in the process of hiring someone to take over my current position, and then my new role will officially start.

I gots some news

but I'm gonna have to wait until tommorrow to post since I now have to get ready for work :)

Can't believe it's Thursday already. This week has flown by.......

Headed back tonight.......

to yoga that is. I haven't been at the studio in 4 whole days. That seems like a lifetime almost. Saturday and Sunday I was away, Monday I could've gone but was lazy and unmotivated due to a bad day at work (when I could've used my practice the most!) and yesterday I stayed home due to the fear of travelling there and back in an ice storm. But tonight there are no more excuses. I absolutely cannot wait to get back!