My dad came up today to go with me to my company Christmas party. We had a lot of fun - plus I got to talk quite a bit with my best friend T (who's husband helped me get into this company.)

Before we left though, I had my dad take some new pictures of me - for my progress report. The last time he took pictures of me was in August after I'd lost 10 lbs and been using Sparkpeople.com for over two months. I've now lost a total of 40 pounds since last Christmas, 35 lbs gone since May.

How does this relate to money? Well I came close to being put on meds for high cholesterol/blood pressure in May. In May I was also very close to having to go up another whole size in clothing.

Then in June I found Sparkpeople.com after I had been thinking of trying weight watchers online again (somethihing like $49 for the first three months.) Sparkpeople? FREE!

In November I went back for my six-month checkup. My cholesterol was in normal range and my blood pressure was in its normal low range again! So, no meds! I am getting to the point where I'm going to need to get some new clothes pretty soon - but - that's going DOWN a size!

So, anyway I thought I'd share my progress picture with y'all. I plan on wearing the same exact outfit for every progress picture because I hate those so called before and after pictures where in one the person is frowning and looking really bad and then in the other they're smiling and have their hair and makeup etc all done up - of course they're going to look different! Oops, sorry, rant over.

Here's my pic.


--- um.. that's not my picture???? How'd I get Jen's logo? Jeffrey? Nate?

Hmmm... if you clik on Diva Tribe, it takes you to my picture. Weird.

Was a pretty good day at work today. Nice and busy.

After work I went to the drycleaners to drop off my dress and dress coat for the work Christmas party. It was going to be $21 + tax for both of them. I decided to take my dress home and do a "shower steam" to get the wrinkles out - but left my coat because it really needed cleaning. That will set me back $10 + tax. Ugh!

I stopped to get some gas - mainly because I had noticed the price go up 4 cents in the past 3 days and didn't want to wait till I actually had to fill up.

Then I went to the library. My books were three days late. No grace period.

When I got back home I paid the tuition for my class that starts in January and bought the textbook. Ouch

Oh! On a non-money note. I spoke to the Volunteer Director at the library today. She has my application and we are going to have a meeting on Friday after I get off work. I plan on volunteering probably one Sunday afternoon a month. I'm really excited, although I wish I could do it in my local branch.

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Spending Log:
(Monday)
Library: $5.40
Gas: $14.89 ($2.15/gal -6.896 gal)
Tuition: $39.00
Textbook: (used + shipping) $39.72

Today I went to a new laundromat. I was pleasantly shocked when putting quarters into the dryer to have 2 quarters buy 44 minutes of drying time. In most other places I've been, 2 quarters gives about 24 minutes. I figured this out too late to save money today, but next time it will only cost me $.50 to dry two loads! Woo hoo!

I was talking to my mom today about my upcoming trip to Michigan. She asked me if there was anything I needed. I told her that I wasn't sure if my current coat would be warm enough, so I asked if I could borrow one of her warmer/heavier coats. She told me I could have it because it is way too big on her now. I was needing a new dressier coat for work too - so this really works out nicely!

I also asked if I could borrow her extra pair of sneakers. My only causual shoes I have right now are my flip flops and I don't think that would keep my feet very warm in MI. (I have dress flats/heels but only flip flops for jeans/shorts etc wear.) I am also needing a pair of good sneakers for when I start my Phys Ed class in January. She said if she can find them, then I can have them. If not, then she will buy me a pair and they will be my Christmas present! Woo Hoo!

So now there is only one item left that I will need to get for my Phys Ed class. Think "no bounce".

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Spending today:
Laundry: $3.00
Treat: $2.00 (had to break a $20 to get change for laundry. )

I'll keep this short. My original post vanished when I accidnetally hit some keys.

1. My Mypoints CC limit was raised by $1500 this week. While paying rent yesterday, I found out that I can use my card. This will be an effortless way to earn a lot of points for money that I have to spend no matter what.

2. Someone posted on my local freecycle that they needed 3,5 lb dumbbells. I so happen to have 2 sets of 3,5,10 lb dumbbells. I met her this afternoon and gave her one set (w/stand).

3. During our conversation, I mentioned Sparkpeople.com . When I got home, I also emailed her the website address and my username (I get referral "credit" of sorts.) She signed up! She's now the 5th person who's signed up there because of me.

4. Before going to give the dumbbells, I decided to see if a pair of jeans that had just *barely* fit a month ago fit any better now. They did! I even wore them to our meeting place. They are still tight, but I was able to zip them up without having to go through Huruclean(sp?) lengths.

5. I booked my dad and I's flight for my grandpa's funeral with my Mypoints card. My grandma is going to be paying me back - so the trip will only cost me whatever food I buy. I used a link to travelocity.com through sparkpeople.com so not only did I earn points for myself, I also earned some money for sparkpeople.com (which is awesome since they are a free site and just an awesome resource.)

The only negative is that I am going to be missing a day of work, and my pay will be docked. My grandma is worth it though.

The flight was amazingly inexpensive too. For both my dad and I together, it cost less than my trip for my brother's wedding!

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Spending Log:
Friday: Groceries -$31.35
Saturday: None