Precursor to Spring Cleaning: Decluttering!

It's probably a good thing that my husband is gone for most of the week. He'd kill me if he really saw what I do with my down time. Because when this girl gets bored, she declutters.

The above are just two examples of the piles I have eliminated from our one-bedroom apartment. The first picture shows you just how much random nonsense a junk drawer can accumulate (grape jelly packets are the epitome of classy, in my opinion). The second is from a closet clean-out I did a few weeks ago. In my defense, we haven't gone through a lot of our stuff since we moved into this place last May. We're preparing to do a major spring clean next weekend, so I like to think of my decluttering as less work for him when he's home. That totally saves me.

What's the strangest thing you've discovered when decluttering your living space?

Good-bye $491.65 and Size 18

It's a good morning at casa de SHL.

Thanks to a good chunk of extra income AND our tax return, I have eliminated one of our "small" balances on a debt we did a balance transfer on. I just paid the balance of $491.65 in full... and it feels pretty amazing. Before I made this payment, our debt balance was $2,609.87. After this payment, we're just $2,118.22 away from having NO credit card debt (our credit card debt came from transferring medical debts to no-interest cards). It feels good to see that number whittling away. And I'm thanking for zero percent interest cards to do balance transfers with.

AND...

I've been working out diligently and being more aware of what I eat, and I am currently weighing in at 225 pounds (as of my weigh-in this morning). I started the year at 232 pounds (after gaining some weight I loss and then some), and I'm thrilled to see this number dropping as well. I also can say "Adios!" to my size-18 pants. I bought two new pairs of dress pants for work yesterday and discovered that 18s were too big for me. I was shocked when I went to a size 16 and they fit.

I feel like I'm getting back on track to getting this debt and weight gone. Huzzah!

Fitness Update: DVDs and Dancing

I have been concentrating on eating well and exercising during the month of January. I'm happy to report that I am down to 226 again, which means I have dropped the weight I gained from Thanksgiving and Christmas.

I think my biggest struggle is with the food, but I often have a difficult time motivating myself to workout. I have introduced a few new "tools" to getting me moving more and they have definitely made a difference.

I bought Just Dance 3 during an after-Christmas sale, and I have been regularly "playing" it since. Here's my secret: I love to dance. I may not be the best, but I do love to move to a good song. I didn't use our Wii as much as I'd like to (and I didn't use my Active kit for the longest time), and this game has allowed me to want to get my butt up and have fun.

I have 30 Day Shred checked out from my library right now, and if I keep up kicking my rear end with it until it's time to return it, I may invest in the $10 to have my own copy. I really like the challenge of keeping up with the workout. I like the circuit training, and I like that you have no time to get a break. It's only 20 minutes but I am sweating like a man when I'm through. I feel so accomplished when the workout is over. And Jillian isn't as scary as I thought she would be.

I'm mentioned that I own a few Biggest Loser workout DVD, and I scored the above title at Goodwill last weekend for a whopping $2. I have tried it out yet because I'm trying to get maximum usage out of 30 Day Shred while I have the chance. My focus on sculpting is to get rid of some of my tummy pooch. It's just not cute.

I also religiously use My Fitness Pal to track what I'm eating and get extra motivation.

Have you incorporated any new fitness "tools" or routines into your life lately?

No-Heat Challenge: December/January

I thought this winter would provide a challenge in keeping our heating costs down. Nope! I'm not complaining about our milder winter, but the challenge simply has not presented itself. I don't know what kind of weather February will bring. I feel positive that the bulk of winter may be over (famous last words, right?) and the challenge may have been moot. Regardless, I'm thrilled with our electric bill over the past few months.

The latest bill we just paid? $69.94.

I may blog about our January/February bill when that comes around if the weather does start to feel more like winter. I guess we succeeded in this challenge, but most of the thanks goes to Mother Nature.

Anybody care to share their electric bill triumphs/woes?

This Evening's Dinner

While I have blogged about a recipe or two that I have personally made, I generally don't cook. I don't find enjoyment at it, and honestly, I really don't know how. I'm OK with this. I like salads and sandwiches very much. These are the types of dishes I'm attracted to when it comes to preparing food for myself (I also make a mean black-bean-and-cheese quesadilla and can prepare very basic meals).

Hubby is the cook in this family, and he rocks it out in the kitchen. The man is fearless. And I feel very blessed to have a kitchen-savvy spouse. With him not being home during the week, I'm on my own for food. When our families heard this, they all wondered how I'd feed myself.

I could pick something up at a fast food restaurant, but that costs money and isn't a very attractive option. I could pick up premade meals at the grocery store, but I don't like the cost. We keep our kitchen pretty stocked with easy-to-prepare meals - I haven't screwed up spaghetti yet.

So guess what this girl is having for dinner tonight? A bowl of generic Cheerios.


We have four boxes of cereal in the pantry, and I bought a quart of milk over a week ago that I'd hate to see expire. Wham, bam, and dinner is served. It's tasty, it's healthy, and it's frugal to boot.

Now if you'll excuse me, my dinner is calling.