Cuba!

Somehow, I managed... I'm now free of student loans, recession debt, and unemployment/underemployment debt... Pretty crazy. I owe on my car and whatever is sitting on my small credit card right now. Such a good feeling. Learning to save, and manage my budget.

Traveling south in Jan 2020!

Furiously Happy - Jenny Lawson

Emptied due to loss of kitchen/freezer contents (after multi-day power outage). Starting to fill it up again!

Dooooone! Just waiting for final confirmation on paper.

Bit of a setback due to medical leave; less than $900 left, however! Should be paid off by end of October.

Bit of a setback due to medical leave; less than $475 left, however! Should be paid off by end of October.

It's GLORIOUS!

;)

Finito!! Another one bites the dust!

Less than $900 left; should be paid off by Sept 11th at the latest.

$1150 left on this one; should be paid off 100% by August 11th at the LATEST.

Less than $100 left! Paid 100% by May 11th (or sooner)!!

Nearly there! Should be paid off by July or August... I'm almost in maintenance at this point (retainer only at night for bottom, top should be only at night by March). Whitening soon, and then boom! Dream smile (minus canines ;) )!!

Refinanced for a better rate on Nov 2, 2018. Doing so took 6 months off my payment term!

Done!!!! Just waiting on the official letter.

Sept 5, 2018 - 74.7% of my total debt (minus car, braces, and previously paid-off Student Line-of-Credit) has been paid.

6 months (or less) to go!

Dad is interested! Would be fun.

Thinking it's going to be the "one theatre movie (or more) a month" tradition. We both love going to the theatre and we REALLY like going together! An automatic "date night" is built right in. ;)

Induced early due to BP - SW lives in another province, so it didn't work out as we'd hoped.

Saw 'Mamma Mia' at Neptune Theatre with Mom and Sidney.

Witnessed two births!

**Birth 1: With mom from 11pm - 3am. Epidural, 12 minutes of pushing - baby boy (3rd child). Baby rooted and latched quickly and easily. Mom felt awesome afterward, other than the exhaustion!

**Birth 2: With mom from 6:30am - 7:30am (called in for pushing/post-delivery). Epidural, 5 minutes of pushing - baby girl (2nd child). Baby required 2 suctions and latched with minimal difficulty once airway was clear. Very quiet and sweet.

**Birth 1: With mom from 11pm - 3am. Epidural, 12 minutes of pushing - baby boy (3rd child). Baby rooted and latched quickly and easily. Mom felt awesome afterward, other than the exhaustion!

**Birth 2: With mom from 6:30am - 7:30am (called in for pushing/post-delivery). Epidural, 5 minutes of pushing - baby girl (2nd child). Baby required 2 suctions and latched with minimal difficulty once airway was clear. Very quiet and sweet.

Intensive training weekend is April 7-8th. So excited!

Mon, Apr 2: down 46.4lbs. Getting close!

Wed, Mar 28: down 42.4lbs

Mom met A's parents on my birthday. Sidney hasn't met them yet.

Wed, Mar 14: down 39.2lbs

March 9, 2018 - 68.5% of my total debt (minus car, braces, and previously paid-off Student Line-of-Credit) has been paid.

Wed, Feb 28: down 35.2lbs

Received 50% scholarship to the program! Currently working on my records checks, registering for an IWK fob, etc. Exciting!!

Cancelled... Hoping it gets rescheduled before I go back to VAC in April.

Cancelled... Hoping it gets rescheduled before I go back to VAC in April.

Mon, Feb 13: down 32.4lbs

CJ was induced and had the baby early (and quickly) in early morning hours due to her persistent high blood pressure. She had her mom with her thankfully, so I wasn't needed!

Only a little right now, but I'll increase it as odds and ends get 'cleaned up'.

UPDATE:

January 24, 2018 - 64.5% of my total debt (minus car, braces, and previously paid-off Student Line-of-Credit) has been paid.

Monday, Jan 22: down 25.0lbs

Starting to crave water and feel thirsty when I don't have it. Progress!

Took mudder on a girls date. Waiting on firing and glazing now; can't wait! I'll post a photo once it's done (1/19).

- One more large poster
- 3 prints from Christmas

Wednesday, Jan 3: down 11.6lbs

2-day course scheduled for Feb 20-21, 2018.

Raised it by 157 points in the run of 12 months!

UPDATE:

November 13, 2017 - 60.6% of my total debt (minus car, braces, and previously paid-off Student Line-of-Credit) has been paid.

Began more extensive core exercising on Nov 23rd. Taking it slow as I believe I have ANOTHER slipped/bulged disc in my thoracic spine.

Meeting went very well - waiting on word back. Fingers crossed!

Appointment with CU on Fri, Nov 24.

My complaint has been accepted by the NS Human Rights Commission. We will see what happens...

UPDATE:

October 3, 2017 - 58% paid off, and my credit has gone up 6 points on CreditKarma (which I realize is not as accurate as Equifax, note).

I'm hoping the RCMP are soon able to confirm/charge/obtain insurance information for the guy who hit and left the scene after causing $3K+ damage to my car. If they do, I'll get my $500 deductible back and will be able to put some of that money on my DRP (the rest will go on my braces). Have also applied for a local program that reimburses some of student loan costs if you now work within the province. Fingers crossed! Every little bit adds up in the long run.

UPDATE:

August 29, 2017 - 55% of my total debt (minus car, braces, and previously paid-off Student Line-of-Credit) has been paid. Slowly but surely, I'm getting there.

I went into hospital on Sun, July 9 at 5am after suffering with intense pain for over 24 hours. By suppertime, it was concluded that my gallbladder had to come out and I would be admitted to hospital. Mon, July 10 at approx 2:30pm saw the removal of my gallbladder; I stayed in hospital until about 11am the next day, at which time I was released. My boyfriend's mother informed me she would be picking me up and I would be going to her house.

Instead of arguing, I went with her and let her care for me. I'm home now, but I am still trying my best to let my boyfriend and others do things for me (whether it's helping me up out of bed, or helping me with laundry/groceries).

It's tough for this stubborn ol' gal, but it's a lesson in leaning on others and a lesson in humility. I am not a superhero, and it's okay to ask for help... Using those around me as support does not make me weak.

A agreed that it would be fun - we'll try to do it this year!

UPDATE:

May 10, 2017 - I've officially paid off more than what is left owing; a great feeling!

Starting with my neck curvature, as that's one thing I can fix largely on my own. Watching correction videos and learning about proper spinal positioning. The 36N breasts don't help (pulls my shoulders, head, neck, everything forward), but if I can be more conscious about it, perhaps I can correct some of the negative change that has occurred over the last two decades.

Consultation: May 3rd
First Appointment: June 14

Kit will be mailed off tomorrow! The wait for results will be the tough part...likely 8+ weeks from the date I put it in the mail.

Kit is on its way!! So excited to be able to access a whole new database soon, and receive a new interpretation of my origins. Should have my results sometime in June.

Bit of a delay on the custom hutch... A's brother has had a heavy workload. Hopefully we'll get something built in the next few weeks.

Extraction will likely happen once my wire is changed again in May.

A and I have started to fill it together with spare change we find around the house, recycling refunds, small lotto wins, etc. Can't wait to decide what we'll do with it once it's full.

44.8% paid off as of March 10, 2017.

GLORY BE HALLELUJAH SWEET BABY JEEBUS. I did it.

Not far off from the "50% paid" mark, either.

A's brother is going to make a custom hutch for us. Should be done by the end of March - can't wait!

- Wire change on top and a powerchain added to front 6 teeth to close gaps.
- Heavier wire put on the bottom post-extraction. Next appointment (March 20th) will likely involve a powerchain added to the bottom.

Awaiting documentation/guidelines (sent via mail).

'Harding Lane' in Richmond Hill, Ontario was the driveway of my Great-Great-Grand Uncle, once upon a time. It led to the very first homestead of my line of Harding's in Canada. A year or so later, his siblings and parents followed; settling first in Erin, Ontario before eventually moving and settling in Lion's Head, Ontario.

Putting this off until my emergency fund is fulfilled. Soon!!

So close!!! March 2017 will have me under $10K on my old debt.

Just waiting on my tax return and/or a sale...that'll be my excuse to finally get it done. ;)

The Weakerthans announced their disbanding in 2016. Shame...

Starting to sing in front of A a little bit in the car...slowly but surely I'll get there.