Tuesday, Week 48
134.7
NoSEating-N Day
B: coffee with cream
L: 2 tortillas with beans and cheese
D: ham, mashed potatoes and corn (note: piled plate too high)
It seems that I have been piling my plates very high the past few weeks. It reminds me a little of how I handled NoS in the first few months (the "fear" stage of experiencing hunger), and then how I've eaten during "hungry" phases. Currently, I wouldn't say I'm in a "hungry" phase--it's more like I've reentered the "fear" stage of avoiding hunger at all costs. When I was on vacation, I ate huge meals three times a day, all because I was afraid I'd get too hungry in between meals.
At ironchef's suggestion, I read the transcripts for Reinhard's podcasts about tweaking/mods. It was funny to see that he already had in there the possibility of 2 main meals/day (rather than three), and how he had a whole podcast about inventing your own systems. I avoided the "mods" podcasts this whole year, but I was finally ready for them.
JustMoveIt-N Day
walked to/from work (90 minutes)
StrategicSpending-N Day
All Clear. Also, my husband and I both just signed our teaching contracts for the upcoming year! This is the first year since 2005/2006 that we know what our income will be (since my husband is working full-time), and generally what our childcare needs will be (which is one of our biggest monthly bills!). It's exciting for me. I spend a few minutes every day fiddling with our YNAB budget (I like that software like some people like their app games!
)
In other financial news, we are getting closer to being able to refinance. We're a couple of the schmucks that bought a house at the TOP of the bubble (moved in May 2007), and so we have been $70,000 underwater for all these years. However, I've been smashing away at our mortgage and the market has recovered a tiny bit, so I am thrilled to say we are now only $10,000 underwater!! This means that in another year, I am optimistic we can finally refinance out of our 7% interest rate!
Once we refinance (that's our 1-yr goal), then we will put that extra money onto paying off the rest of my husband's student loans (that's our 3-yr goal). THEN, we will hopefully and finally be able to start saving for kids' college. It might just be that they have to go to a community college (haha like the one I teach at). Then again, maybe they won't even want to go to college.
Or their grades will be so bad we won't be willing to help out! Anyway, I hope I don't sound either a) too fixated on future plans, since no one knows what tomorrow brings; or b) just plain annoying when I talk so much about money. But it does make sense to me to plan, even though the future is always uncertain.
KidsUnplugged-N Day
Chore chart is working awesome! I think as a treat for myself, I am going to type up all the chores and get those tiny index cards laminated and glue magnets on the back.
The 8-yr old does all his chores without any help from me. The 5-yr old needs help with almost everything. I remember when my oldest was 5, he could do many of the chores without help already. It just goes to show, that even with only two kids, I have been way less effective with training the second. On the other hand, my younger son has a really great attitude about his chores and is a very detailed, good worker. The 8-yr old is intrinsically messy.....honestly, there's only so much I can do to fix his sloppiness. At least he does the work.....
OK, all that to say chore chart is working awesome. After morning chores, kids get an hour of electronics (I set kitchen timer). Same deal in the afternoon.
One challenge will be to transition the chores/electronics rules to fall quarter--September 15th when I return to work. I think the trick will be to have morning chores that are completed by the kids' independently, a way to enforce the electronics time..... (perhaps the time when my husband takes them to babysitters or school will provide a natural "end" to morning electronics); and a painful enough consequence for not finishing chores by the time I get home from work (no electronics...no playtime with friends.....extra chores or extra schoolwork).
Philosophically, wouldn't it be great if we could model and train "balance" for our children? A balance between earthly pleasures (electronics, eating, and playing), earthly responsibilities (chores and work), spiritual pleasures (singing, deep talks, and sharing/studying innermost beliefs), and spiritual responsibilities (sharing, giving, and sacrificing)?
RaisingReaders-N Day
Oops, truly did fail this time. At least my husband has been reading to them, though!
SW: 210 lbs
