2019 New Years resolutions

I am considering 2019 New Years resolutions as I am, as per normal these days, sitting in two places at once. I have two strong drivers this year. They are always on my radar but at this point they are screaming louder than ever that they want to drive decisions and be a priority.

With our girls growing up at a frankly alarming rate, I know for a fact that trips as a family are even more precious than they have ever been. I have always been one to want to spend money on family trips as the memories alone are more than worth it. For me I get tremendous joy in the planning, the travelling, the being there enjoying the time together as a family, and then the memories that come out of it. Unfortunately trips cost money and trips to Florida even more so, also Florida is now restricted on travel dates due to high school and weather. I want heat but not hotter than hell, can’t do anything at all, heat.

Secondly, and in direct contrast to the other main driver is my need to pay down debt. For the first time I am feeling a strong want to over-pay our mortgage. To get there we need to get rid of the remainder of this line of credit. Its significantly lower but its still freakin there, like a bad smell. Ideally it will be gone and then we can pay more on the mortgage, even if its just $50 a month – ANYTHING will help me here.

So, with these in mind, the list for 2019 (in no particular order):

·         Get rid of line of credit, finally, FFS;

·         Overpay mortgage;

·         Road trip in the summer, ideally to Jenn but that requires some more responsible consideration;
·         Our weekend get-away with BFF;
·         Get Ace moving his feet, as per Buck Brannamen style of training, and continue building our relationship
·         Work towards and attend all three Salmon River shows;
·         Save and plan for our next Florida trip – I really want a couple of days back in the Keys as well as Bahama Bay;
·         As per Geneen Roth, spend less time “in the attic” and more time on every floor;
·         Really enjoy this home we have, in the present moment, every single day;
·         Start writing. I have the concept, the name and the front cover shot all worked out, now need to create the content;
·         Rock this corporate finance team;

I am hoping that all these resolutions work in correlation or as close as possible, despite some of
this being in total contrast (saving money vs spending money 😊)
Its all about balance is it not? Therefore, its being financially responsible whilst still living – its
that thin thin line.

Happy New Year!

Christmas

Its fast approaching 2019 and as usual life is flying by. We have been in Canada almost 8 years and this place is well and truly home.
I had a call with my FIL about a week or so ago which was fun as for every sentence spoken I found myself loudly or mentally translating what was said. I just couldnt help it.

FIL - " so Melissa has a new house to move into and its really nice but she has to put carpets down, so on the floor is only... um"
Me "a subfloor?"
FIL "Yes its wood so she has to order carpets but the hall and kitchen is hard"
Me "they have tile?"
FIL "Yes and the kitchen is nice, has lots of cupboards.."
Me in my head "cabinetry"
FIL "...and has the plumbing for white goods"
Me in my head "appliances"

And so it continues, this constant mental translation of words and sayings that takes place in my head.

Its been a lovely Christmas, despite me having a fairly active cold. As usual Paul cooked a delicious Christmas dinner and Ruby and co. joined us for dinner which was as always wonderful, but the differences that really stood out to me were how I felt about pretty much everything. My friends who I completely love, I am so comfortable with them and so grateful for them. The quiet, I truly loved it. The way I still feel about the tree and the decorations, usually by now I am ready for them to be gone, but this year I am still enjoying them. Boxing day was everything Boxing day should be - binge watching a vet show (the Incredible Doctor Pol) whilst Paul watched Harry Potter, snacking on sandwiches made of hot turkey, ham, sliced roast potatoes, stuffing and cold cranberry sauce. Being able to visit with Ace, walking the dogs with Paul, helping Chloe organize her new room, watching Lily paint with her new watercolours, sitting in the dark with the cats in front of the fire and looking at the lights of the house across the road surrounded by the night sky.

So much cosy and comfort of our home. Truly thankful.

A review of 2018's NY resolutions

Its December 25th and I am sat here contemplating something to eat (no idea what) while Christmas dinner cooks in the oven. Its due at 3pm and now is almost noon and I have only had toast this morning so hunger is creeping up....
I just went over 2018's new years resolutions that I put down last December to see if I managed to achieve any of them at all:

Here they are, with outcomes now we are nearing the end of the year:

1. Continue growing at work. This has gone well as now I have a bigger team in corporate accounting which I am looking forward to leading. I decided a couple of months ago that I needed a plan for some personal leadership,  so I signed up to Spotify and now listen to leadership podcasts on my way into work, its been the best most motivating use of 40 minutes in the morning that I ever thought of. 
2. Enjoy Ace and my new saddle and keep competing and improving my riding. I am enjoying my lessons with Leah and have come to realize that the three Salmon River shows are exactly what we both need each year, no more and no less.
3. Keep working on improving myself as a human being and role model for my two girls. The leadership podcasts are helping here too. They come to me for advice and I hope they always do and I am proud of who they are growing into. 
4. Work on bringing that line of credit right down. This year we decided that we would take my bonus and put it straight on the line of credit and not book our springtime, much loved, Florida trip. This was a very hard decision and it remains hard, but bringing the line of credit limit down by a huge chunk was very satisfying.
5. Go on a road trip to somewhere new this summer. We actually went to three places, Silver Lake, ME with the girls and some friends, CB with my Canadian BFF and her family and Paul and I went on a date weekend to watch Buck Brannaman in Cornish, ME. It was all fantastic.
6. Meet up with my friend Jenne, its been too long. This has sadly not yet been achieved. Its either a 3.5 day drive or a 13 hour trip with three flights. Either way its long, the drive option is affordable but frankly epic. Still processing this one.
7. Find a level of fitness that works for me. Ah yes, I currently suck in this dept. Fitness level is at an all time low right now.
8. Succesfully grow some vegetables. This too is an epic fail this year.
9. Eat meat only from local farms where animal welfare is off a high priority, guilt-free meat as I call it. Still not managed to afford this one, the most I get too is free range eggs which is of course only the tip of the iceberg. Frankly I wish those people in charge of our meat would put the damn animals first anyway.
10. Have a once a month date-night with hubby, even if its just a coffee at Tim Hortons. We are not good at this either although we are walking the dogs together more now.