Toystoryduo’s Journal: Baby Steps are the Key... Celebrate Each Victory!

[traceycooper]

Hi Tracy
Good luck with the new challenge, you can do it, we are all here to support you
Hope DH's decission will be an easy one.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

Hi Tracy-
I just wanted to stop by and say i hope you are having a great weekend

 

[toystoryduo]

Thanks everyone!

I way overdid my workout yesterday. I rode my bike for 45 minutes yesterday, which in and of itself was a great workout! However, I came home and cleaned for about 3 hours straight and completely wore myself out. I did manage to get everything done on my list yesterday so today will just be tying up some loose ends before the party. My DD5 is so excited!

The Countdown to 50 Challenge is going well. Here's my update through Sunday morning:

1. Fitness: 50 workouts (3 down, 47 to go!)

2. Food: One salad a day, no eating 2 hours before bed (salad: 3/3; no eating two hours before bed: 2/3... I forgot to eat dinner last night and had a quick snack before bed.)

3. Freeze: No extra spending, no eating out (except birthdays), buying only what we need. This could be challenging with a vacation coming up. (3/3 days...This one has been hard, but I'm glad I set this goal...It's really made me stop and think about what we purchase.)

I can't believe I forgot to mention this.... The past two weeks, my DH and his buddy have received some excellent tips after deejaying a wedding. In the past two weeks alone, they have made $250 in tips that they split down the middle. Last night, he received a $75 tip.....That means we have the rest of the money to pay for our September trip and will only need to pay $25 out of pocket! The rest of the money is deejay money and tips!

Gotta go frost some cupcakes.... Have a great day!

 

[traceycooper]

Wow Tracy great news about DH tips
One less thing to worry about
Hope DD has a super birthday party!!
Well done on the challenge so far, keep up the great work!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Hi Tracy, that is great news about the tip money dh and his friend got. Nothing like getting the WDW trip budget all squared away! I hope you bought the cake from Sams, I always waffle on that too, bottom line, my time is money too! And the last cake I made looked like somebody set a bomb off in the middle of it. . I hope dd's bday party went well, five is a fun age, I miss having my kids that age! I think you are doing great with your goals, you'll have those 50 workouts in. And you are really doing well with the no eating before bedtime thing. That is a hard one to break, but once you do (I have actually done that believe it or not), its really easy to stick to. Keep up the good work Wish Sis, hope you find a bathing suit. Go to QVC, they have virtual models and a nice large section to choose from. I don't think any of us much like to bathing suit shop (excpet maybe for our good British Babe Wish friend Tracey Cooper who has over a dozen bathing suits!)

Hope your weekend was a good one and the party was a success!

 

[ScoJo15]

Hi Tracy

Just wanted to say good job on the challenge so far!! You seem very committed to making it happen & it's exciting to see your progress

Hope your weekend was good & the party was fun!

 

[toystoryduo]

Good afternoon friends,

The party went very well yesterday! The kids had a great time and DD5 got some nice gifts, including $80, a Disney Princess backpack, a Walmart gift card and a McDonalds Gift card.

Today has been a bit of a rough day....I've not been motivated to do much and have been eating way off program. I am going to stick to getting my salad in today and stopping eating 2 hours before bed.

In a little while, my DH and I will be going through our closets and drawers to see what we have in the way of clothes for WDW. I also need to go through the girls' stuff too. After that, we will go to the store and do some WDW shopping. Before we go, we will set a limit and stick to it. I will try and come back later and post what we spent since I need to be accountable for the Countdown Goal # 3 about finances.

Through Sunday:
1. Fitness: 50 workouts (4 down, 46 to go!)

2. Food: One salad a day, no eating 2 hours before bed (salad: 4/4; no eating two hours before bed: 3/4)

3. Freeze: No extra spending, no eating out (except birthdays), buying only what we need. This could be challenging with a vacation coming up. (4/4 days.)

Have a good day!

*****************************************************

Tracey~ Thanks! The tips my DH received for deejaying have really helped a lot for WDW! I'll be making final payment tomorrow and can't wait!

Amy~ Thanks! I ended up making cupcakes with pastal colored frosting and gummy bears on top. (Her theme was Carebears.) Have a great trip to D.C.! Hope you're feeling better!

Scott~ Thanks for your words of encouragement today. I needed to hear that!

 

[bekkiz]

Great job on all of your goals! You are off to a wonderful start!

I'm gald that the weekend went so well--including the party. That can be SO stressful

I hope that the rest of your day went well too

 

[toystoryduo]

Thanks Bekki!

Good morning friends,

Can you believe July is over already? I was just looking at the calendar and homeschooling starts next week!

Here is my monthly update on my goals for the year:

1. Lose 20-25 pounds before WDW in September. Nothing happening here. I am content for the moment that no gain has occurred, but I am working on thisover the next month. Maybe a 1 pound per week goal?

2. Savings account. We had property taxes to pay this month for our house and land. Our savings account took a hit, but we have already started building it back up.

3. Pay off debt...Still working on card #3.

4. Become a better cook. Nothing happening here.

5. Organize my time better... This has been much better than in past months. The real test will come in August when homeschooling begins.

Rewards Programs:
CD: $10 Disney Dollars
SR: $50 Shell Fuel Card
MP: $10 BP Fuel Card & $25 RFC Gift Crad
EX: $25 Sonic Gift Card, $25 Shoebuy Gift Card
QR: $10 Disney Dollars
CM: $10 Red Lobster Gift Card
PC: $10
My Survey: $10
Change Jar: $25

Today begins soccer season for both girls. DD6 has practice 2 days a week and DD5 one day a week. They will be on different teams for the first time this year. I've decided not to be involved in the practices this year and to attend the games only. That way, I get some mom time that I will need, especially with homeschooling. (Dad will take both girls to practice and let the one not practicing play at the play ground.)

Today's Plan:

* Workout

* Finish laundry

* Read my library book

* Look over homeschool plans

That's about all from here...Have a great day!


50 Day Countdown Challenge through Tuesday Morning

1. Fitness: 5 workouts totaling 230 minutes (55 minute walk/run)

2. Food: salad: 5 days; 4 days of no eating before bed

3. Freeze: 5/5... We did buy some much needed clothes yesterday for WDW, but we stuck to the budget and didn't buy what we didn't need.

 

[traceycooper]

Hi Tracy
Well done for sticking to your spending budget, thats a much needed leaf i need to take out of your book!!
I havnt forgotten about the postcard, just havnt had time to go & find one!!
Will try & get one tomorrow!

 

[toystoryduo]

Thanks Tracey!

I just got off the phone with Disney and my vacation is paid in full!!!! Most of it was paid with rewards programs, eBay, and deejaying money so we only had to dip into our pockets for a small portion. Now, I have to find someone to watch our pets for a reasonable amount of money while we are gone and we're all set!

I am so excited!!!

 

[keenercam]

Tracy -- I am so psyched for you! Look at that countdown! How amazing to have paid for nearly the whole trip without having to dip into your daily budget too much. Kudos to you for all your hard effort! I hope you got some great end-of-summer sales when you went shopping. Isnt' it fun to know you have fresh, new outfits for all those awesome vacation pix you'll take?

So, has DH decided about the major project yet? Is it still an open opportunity? I LOVE the idea of Daddy taking the girls to soccer practice and letting the non-practicing one play on the playground. What fun they'll have! And it is so wonderful that you will have a bit of non-Mom time. I know you'll really appreciate that once homeschooling starts.

Congratulations on keeping to your goals. I am being inspired by your no eating for 2 hours before bedtime challenge and your one salad/day challenge. I am also going to join the August exercise challenge (if there is one yet) and try to be very diligent about getting in meaningful workouts.

Thank you so much for the wonderful inspiration you provide Tracy. You juggle so much with your small children who don't go off to school 6 hours a day, leaving you with time to accomplish all you need to, and a husband whose work you support and assist. You really are amazing! Have a great day!

 

[AmyBeth68]

CONGRATS Tracy!!! How wonderful to have the vacation paid off.

I also just want to tell you that you are really doing a good job with those workouts. I'm impressed with your determination...I really think you are going to reach that goal . Speaking of which, I LOVE all the goals that you've set for yourself!!! Keep up the good work Tracy...you are doing fantastic!!

I am trying to get organized myself. It's not easy...but I know it will eliminate stress in my life.

 

[toystoryduo]

Good morning friends,

The past few days have been quite laidback which is nice. Let's see...What has happened in the past couple of days?

* We upgraded our tickets to 10 day no expiration tickets. I can not believe how much ticket prices are going up!

* DD5 had her birthday party at my MIL's yesterday. She got a cute dog puppet that barks it's a small world....Very cute! She also got some money from one of her uncles.

* I did a major workout on Thursday and I am still sore today! Looks like walking will be my workout for today.

We start homeschooling on Monday. I am looking forward to the Epcot unit and the girls are too! It will be much different homeschooling two kids instead of just one.

Today's Plan:

* Twins Days Parade: We have friends who have twins that will be in the parade. Plus the parade participants throw candy....My DDs can't wait!

* The Hannah Montana Marathon... 16 episodes that we have already seen enough for me to be able to quote the episodes. The girls are thrilled!

* DH is deejaying....The girls and I are chilling....

50 Day Countdown Challenge through Saturday Morning

1. Fitness: 10 workouts totaling 430 minutes

2. Food: salad: 9 days; 6 days of no eating before bed

3. Freeze: 8/9...

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

*********************************************************
Cam~ Thank you so much for your words of encouragement! My DH has decided not to complete the first stages of the huge project I mentioned which means that somewhere down the line, he may or may not be asked to do phases 2 and 3. He's got some other opportunities coming up so we'll see what happens. He just felt this one was way too time intensive (80- 120 hours per week ) and the compensation would not make up for the time lost on other projects he is working on or the time lost with our family.

Amy~ Thanks! You know....When I taught 5th grade, organization was no problem for me. Everything had it's place. Now, with two kids, homeschooling, and a DH who owns his own business, organization is one of my key challenges! Baby steps though, right?

Have a great weekend everyone!

 

[AmyBeth68]

Tracy you are doing really great with the goals you have set for yourself! Wow...I'm super impressed .

Sounds like you've had a nice few days...ahhhhhh isn't it wonderful to have some calm every once in a while!!!

Good luck as you begin homeschooling. The Epcot work sounds like it will be fun for both you and the children! Have a great week !

 

[Blueeyes101817]

Tracy-it seems like things are "falling into place"
i cant wait to hear how the girls like the epcot unit

hope you enjoyed your weekend

 

[ScoJo15]

Hi Tracy!

Just driving by... and wanted to tell you GREAT JOB with everything so far this month!! You are accomplishing your well thought plan, you have to be feeling so good about yourself!!

Keep up the great work and have a great week!

 

[toystoryduo]

Thanks everyone!

I did manage to NOT eat last night. I wanted to so badly, but after about an hour and a half of talking myself away from the food, I finally felt relaxed and ready to let go of the day. (Bad day yesterday... A/c problems, washer problems, computer problems, and two DDs with attitude problems. )

I got up super early this morning and decided to get two workouts in....My 60 minute Fan's Guide to WDW weightlifting/ab workout and a 40 minute walk in the muggy, humid morning air. I am feeling good, but a little tired at the moment. When I came home, I had a piece of peanut butter toast and a banana for breakfast.

Today looks to be a relaxing day. We will probably go to Kohls to get some new tennis shoes, head to the Disney Store for some Disney Dollars, and go to the library for some books.DD6 may have soccer tonight, depending on the weather. If DD5 is feeling well enough to go to practice with dad and sis, then I will stay home and take a nap. If she isn't feeling well, then we'll probably snuggle up and watch a movie. Either option sounds good to me!

50 Day Countdown Challenge through Tuesday Morning

Day 13

1. Fitness: 13 workouts totaling 585 minutes

2. Food: salad: 11 days; 9 days of no eating before bed (did not count today yet)

3. Freeze: 10 days Total amount spent: $59

I will try and get to journals later on today.... Right now, it's starting to storm outside so I need to shut the computer off. Have a great Tuesday!

 

[Blueeyes101817]

you sound so positive today and i love it!! way to go on the workouts!

was today as relaxing as you hoped?

 

[kmp1191]

Wow!! You are so on track!! That's awesome!!
I have got to follow your lead! Send some of that motivation my way...I've gotten lazy....BAD!!

Keep it up...and send it my way!!
marie