So this weekend I was once again reminded just how big I am.. this is becoming a bit of a habit.
 I spent an extended weekend away with the BF’s family up in the Boonies.. well Prince Albert and getting on the plane I discovered that my hips were too big to sit on the plane.  I thought to myself how am I going to sit like this for a long time when I head to Australia in October.  It
was bad enough for an hour and a half.  Thankfully the BF moved up his arm rest and let me “spread out” a bit.  Still I was one step closer to having to purchase a second seat..
Then while driving to the farm were the reunion was I was told by my BF’s niece that I have a big butt.  Ok so she is four and says what she wants.. but still thanks for the reminder..

Then after the reunion we went to Edmonton to stay with the BF’s sister and we went to West Edmonton Mall.  While getting into the roller coaster I had a terrible flashback about the ride I was asked to leave and thought that the belt was not going to fit around me.  Thankfully it
did but I had a moment of sheer terror that for a moment and it didn’t come from the ride either.
Besides that it was a fun weekend hanging out with the BF’s family and extended family.  They loved me and we had a lot of fun.

Even though I got those reminders we still managed to get some exercise in, mostly walking but we did manage to go for a 30 minute bike ride while in Edmonton and playing with the kids chasing them around was fun and exercising to.  All and all a good weekend.
But the seat on the planes concern me a little.  Mainly because it’s a massive flight down to Australia and I want to be as conformable as possible.  So I really need to step up my exercise
routine.  So as well as saving for the trip I need to be slimming down for the trip…

Two challenges accepted…

So far my summer has been pretty good.. busy but that is nothing new.  Heading to
the beach with friends, the lake with the BF and working my tail off both in my muggle job and my theatre group
But the other day I had the worst day when it came from fatness and self esteem. 

It started when we (the BF and I) went to a local ride park for the day.  An annual
tradition for us.  We were having fun on all the rides when we got on one ride and the harness wouldn’t fully come down.  So I waited there.  This has happened once before to me and
  sometimes the attendant is just able to push it down enough to click the safety strap on .  This time however when he came around he couldn’t.  He couldn’t get the safety strap to lock. 
 He looked at me and I knew what he was going to say but I could tell he was getting nervous about saying it.  Finally I said “its not going to fit huh” to his reply “um.. yes.. sorry”.. I could tell he was just as embarrassed as I was.  So I got up and left.  The worst part was the
seat we were was facing the line up.  I could feel have the crowd judging me and the other half feeling sorry for me.  So I quietly left and told the BF to stay on the ride since we waiting that long to get on it.

 Of course I was a little upset.  I was just removed from a ride because I was to big for the harness to fit on properly. But I chose to not let it get to me and continue with the fun day with the BF.  But I admit every ride I went on after that I had it in the back of my mind that I would not be allowed to go on it.  
 
Then when I got home my fat day just got worse.  When I got home I put my pants in the wash and checked the tag cause I forgot the conditions of washing it.  And when I checked the tag it
said Maternity pants.. the most comfy summer pants I have every owned which I bought at a second hand clothing store, which was not in the maternity wear section where in fact maternity pants..
 
ARRRRRGGGGGGGGG

That was the kind of day I was having on the weekend… 
 
So I could do two things with this.  I  can be all mopey about it.  Complaining about my weight and getting all depressed or I can use it as motivation and learn from this.  I decided to do that latter.. I started by cutting off the tag on my pants.. if there is no tag its not maternity pants.. RIGHT!!!
 

So we have pasted the first half of the year 2013.  Holy Cow.. where did the year go??
Summer is in full swing here and I am loving every minute of it..  but I thought I would take a couple of minutes and check up on my 13 goals for 2013 and see how they are doing.

1.       Pay off the final credit card (The Canadian one) and have the line of credit under $5,000.00. On track.  If all goes well we will have the credit card  paid off in full by October. 
However I might not have the Line of Credit under that mark by the end of  the year due to the fact we just purchased a cruise holiday for July 2014 (more  on that later), but we still have our plan to get that all paid off by the end  of next year.
 
2. Pay off the lawyer loan from work – Done.. paid off the last of the payments at the end of May
 
3. Have $1,000.00 saved in our emergency/Australia fund – on track..  I couldn’t start until the lawyer loan was paid off but have started now and on track.
 
4. Get the stuff we want for the apartment, mainly new storage units and shelves for the bedroom and living space. Started.. got something going but not anything from our original list, but its still something.
 
5. Loose 50 pounds – um.. started..  sortoff.. I lost 4 pounds over June so I will need to ramp things up if I want  to do this by the end of the year.

6. Look into best options for a new car (either leasing or loan) and if possible get a new car (this will depend on whether we can afford it and/or we find the car that would best suit us) – We have decided to hold off into getting a new car as the options for leasing or  loan weren’t that great considering our plans for the next couple of years. Will look into it again next year

7. Get an emergency kit together for the  house. Created the list.. now just got to get the stuff.

8. Contribute money to RSP's (at least $1000.00 to start).  Another one I couldn’t start until after the lawyer loan was paid off but its started and things are on track.
 
9. Continue to grow this blog.   Some weeks I am good, some I am bad
 
10. Attend the BF's family reunion.  This is happening at the end of the month.

11. Attend another sunny destination (either Mexico or back to Cuba).  This has  been moved to next year as we decided to go back to my home to see family.

12. attend a dance class/course (either jazz or  belly dance).  Still looking into deals for classes on this

13. Stress less..  Doing pretty well at this.  I have had people tell me I seem more happier and less stressed out.  My theory now is not to worry to much as worrying doesn’t help the situation and turns your hair gray..  haha


 

I know when it comes to finances its each to their own but I  admit I am getting a little sick of people making fun of me because I am not  doing what they are doing when it comes to spending my money.
Examples.. the girls at work made fun of me that I don’t go out to lunch with them (mind you they go up to 3 times a week or more now).  One girl told me to my face that that they don’t invite me to lunch anymore because I will most likely say no because I don’t have the money.. its all good.. ill brown bag it.  Its healthier for me anyway
Next example happened yesterday.  While walking with a buddy of mine we were met up with another friend who I haven’t seen In a while.  It was nice to catch up with her and see her again.  Half way through the walk we got onto the topic of lines of credits.. my friend was thinking of getting a line of credit to help her pay her bills.  The two of them got talking and I just kept walking while listening to their reasons for why they have so much debt. Then the topic of overdraft came up. One said she has overdraft protection of $500.00.   The other said overdraft protection of $200.00 and both agreed that that protection came in so handy when bills needed to be paid and why having overdraft is the  best.. when they asked me how much my overdraft protection was, I said “I don’t have overdraft protection”  Both looked at me with this weird look before asking me what happens when I go into overdraft.  My response was “I
don’t”.  Both their mouth dropped open and I don’t think they could believe that I don’t ever and have never gone into overdraft.  I know what is in my bank at all times and never spend more than that.

The my walking buddy said “well that’s because you don’t go out and drink or have fun or anything like that”.. now at this point I could have go offended by that comment but didn’t. 
I knew she wasn’t trying to be mean about it.  I know she goes out to dinner 4-5 times a week with her friend and goes clubbing every weekend.. I just calmly said “yes I would like to go out every  night and drink beer on the patio after work, I would love to go out every  weekend and party and yes I would love to spend money on brand new clothes every season but I don’t.. I have different priorities right now, like travel and becoming debt free”

I think they both were shocked that don’t have any need for overdraft and that I don’t care to spend my money on something’s that.. essentially.. is going to end up in the toilet.. I did advise that I am saving my money for 3 major trips that my and the BF re planning over the next year
and a half.. to which both of them replied “I wish I could travel”
 
I guess the point I am making is that I am fine with not “keeping up with the jones”.. I would love to go out every night and party with my friend, have dinner out every night and get new clothes every season but I choose not to because I want to travel.  I do know that if I put all that money I am saving for traveling towards debt I would be debt free by the end of the year. 
But I have my plan to do both.  Travel to the places that I want to and be debt free by the end of next year..  


I will have the last laugh of course when I am sitting on a plane  heading to my travel destination.. and I am totally cool with  that..