- School, BK Return and Nothing

I’ve been a little nervous about “announcing” this, but I think it’s really going to work out. I’m planning to go to school soon. I want to learn about web design. The local tech school offers a series of four classes. Naturally, the one that draws most of my interest is the last class taught: Flash. It is a class in animation. That doesn’t mean I’ll learn how to make movies like Toy Story or cartoons like Dora. Animation is making something move on a computer screen.

Hey! Wanna see the coolest website? This site is a great example of animation. The Chick-fil-a Camp Winshape website is incredible. Take a look!!!! (While you’re there…. listen closely.  You’ll hear the Wood Thrush singing in the background.  <swoon> I love them!) THIS is what I want to do. My brain is rockin’ full of ideas that I’d love to see come to life.

I hope my 40+ year old brain can take everything in, process it and keep it without shorting out a circuit. This is the challenge.

When am I going to work this in?  Well, that was definitely a big concern for me. I am at homeschool co-op all day on Friday (teaching or as an assistant every hour) and for the entire morning on Tuesday (manning a study hall). I am responsible to keep the school-ball rolling at home for two that are still hitting the books. As it turns out, the class is mandatory on Monday and kinda optional on Wednesday and Thursday. Class is from 2:l5 to 4:30 each time it meets. I can do this! So, I’ve applied and been accepted. They have my past college transcript and I have ordered my textbook (I got it from Amazon $10.00 cheaper than at the college bookstore. It’s ordered and on the way). I go to register in a few days. James is planning to take the course along with me. He’ll be carrying a full load plus this extra class. He’s pretty pumped, too.

Speaking of James, he and Glory went to Albany to visit Nina and her family. They’ll be returning today. I’ve missed the BK’s (”big kids”) over the weekend. It’s been quiet…. and the gallon of milk and two liter of sprite have lasted for four days!!

I have done a pitiful job of reporting on my weight. I haven’t dropped, but I haven’t gained. I couldn’t find a ticker that I really liked (in a few months, I can make one of my own! whoot!!) I can feel that little black rain cloud moving in. The days are getting shorter and I feel myself slowing down. Last night…. this is silly… I dreamt about whipped cream all night. I was working in a store that sold groceries. I ate one whole can. I squirted and squirted until the can was gone. I was working on my second can when I woke up. No, this isn’t a normal dream for me. But, I attribute it to my seasonal slow-down. I crave sugar and the energy surge it gives. Of course, it’s a vicious circle of ups and downs that drag me through the winter. Every year I work to deal better. Last winter was a pretty good winter. I hope this year will be even better.

We are attending a Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University class at our church. This is our second run through it, as we missed several of the videos the first time through. We are both thoroughly invigorated by the process and the anticipation of being debt free. It’s a very exciting thing to watch your debt go down and the amount you are paying per loan/item increase until each debt is gone.

30 Days of Nothing has been a nice addition to our working on a tight budget. I broke down and had fast food yesterday. Joy had a free meal coupon for Chick-fil-a. The BK’s were gone. Dad was at work. So, Joy and I ran around the corner to grab a bite to eat. It was a nice treat and I tried not to feel too guilty. We’ve done well on our 30 days. I need to get my numbers together and see how well we have stayed within budget.

I’m glad that Comedy had his own $50.00 “blow money.” On Saturday, he took Joy to the skating rink. They ate at McDonalds ($8.00), skated for just over an hour ($5.00) and bought candy and soda at the rink ($1.50 +.50). Their two hour excursion was over $15.00! yikes.

Joy’s birthday party was off budget by just a bit. I wanted to spend no more than $50.00 on her party. The tie-dye idea included 9 shirts at 2.50 and four bottles of ink. The ink was $6.00 per bottle. At $22.50 for shirts, we were just a little over budget. I got to Michael’s and found that the shirts went from 2.50 to 3.99 …. LAST WEEK! So, we were definitely over for the birthday party… by about $10.00. But, it was good to have a goal and the girls had a great time. They went home with something that will last, rather than candy and some cheesey toys that would be lost or broken in a week.

Are you on a budget? Do you have any great success stories to share? Leave your story in the comments section. I’d love to hear.

~ by pinkcamojeep on September 16, 2008.