Yesterday I said I wanted to address 3 things:
1)Debt reduction
2)Prioritize and start some of my projects
3)Vacation ideas (it's what I'm saving for)

Debt Reduction:
Work 2 jobs to cover expenses (I'm just starting job #2)
Odd jobs to pay down debt and fund Vacation Fund! This will most likely be eBay but I'll see what other creative ideas I can come up with.
Goal: cc debt from $36,000 to $18,000 by January 9, 2008
Permanent fix is to look deeply into how I got into this mess in the first place and change that behavior.

Projects:
My project list starts with getting our bedrooms in order. The bedroom is where we start and end our days. It should be a peaceful place and not one of chaos. I want the garage taken care of because it’s out of control and the lanai because we like to eat out there. These projects need a completion date to hold me accountable and that will be January 31, 2007.

1.My bedroom
2.Boys’ Bedrooms
3.See above (two boys … counts as two projects)
4.The garage
5.lanai


Vacation:
Fern suggested Washington D.C. and at first I poo pooed that idea because I was born in D.C. and grew up in the burbs but the more I thought about it I realized how much I loved going to all the museums (Natural History is my favorite) and actually my children haven’t been (at least not at an age they would remember anything.) I may even entice my 18 year-old-daughter to come spend some time with me. It’s about a 13 hour drive (I hate driving but I fear flying … hmmmm … it’s a miracle I get anywhere ). Our other option was to vacation at home. There is so much to do and see here. It may be time to explore our own backyard. We could eat at all the restaurants (just like we would if we were away from home.) So, right now those are the two top choices. I like them both.

The boys and I cooked dinner together last night and we did pretty well. I like the time we spend together and they are learning a life skill. We ate out on the lanai by candle light. I’m glad we did because it is chilly this morning and it may be several days before we can eat outside again. We talked (me asking many questions that can’t be answered with a “yes” or a “no.” Talking to teenagers is a skill unto itself!). Then we cleaned up. We will do this every night that it is possible.