Shortcomings

A while back, I applied for a different position within the company I currently work for. I have been interested in this position for quite some time and was excited by the chance for a change. I have since learned to even be considered for the job, I would need a "technical writing" background. So... I googled "technical writing" to see if I had any qualifications and then planned to update my resume. I personally hate resumes, I hate the whole- look how wonderful I am, part of trying to get a job. Imagine my humiliation as I looked over the resume I had submitted and realized I had misspelled a word! The whole job in centered around writing and not only do I NOT have technical writing skills, I didn't even correctly spell "excellent"- yep, only used one L. Oh, and to make matters worse- my resume is locked and is "under consideration," so no changes can be made. Ugh, I hope they have a sense of humor. My suggestion is this- if asked to apply and submit resumes online, spellcheck should be an option.

Today, Caitlin went back to school after being off track for three weeks. This morning she did her whole anxiety/sick routine and I have been worried about her all day. I got off work and made chocolate chip cookies to welcome her home. When she got home, she ran in, dropped her backpack, asked if she could go play, and was out the door before I could even offer her a cookie. So... she's fine and I have eaten 5 cookies.

Clint and I are going back for another session of Financial Peace University. We attended all the classes last year and graduated, but decided to go back to support friends who will be going through the program this year. Plus, the accountability and support is so helpful as we work to become debt-free. Problem? Can't find our book. Going to class unprepared tonight.

Shortcoming- the quality or state of being flawed or lacking

Progress and an Early Valentine's

I took a good look at my list of goals today and realized in some areas I'm doing great, in other areas, not so much.

But... there has been progress. In our quest to become totally debt-free this year, January has been a pretty great month.

• We paid off Caitlin's braces


• We paid off Radiology- I think for the first time in nine years, we owe them nothing! ;-)


• We paid a good chunk towards Caitlin's medical debt

We have also made some progress towards our 3-Month Rotatable Food Storage. We have been using Pinching Your Pennies and although it takes time to prepare our grocery list and cut the coupons, we are saving some good money and are able to stock up on food we would normally buy anyway (usually not on sale). Today Clint got 5 boxes of Quaker Instant Oatmeal for free by matching prices and using coupons. It's exciting. Here is what our food storage looked like at the beginning of the month.

Here's what it looks like now. Keep in mind we have also stocked up on toiletries, cleaning supplies, and fresh and frozen foods.

Caitlin is currently off-track and will be until February 16th. Her 5th Grade class had their Valentine's party early and she was excited about her box and class Valentine's. This may be one of the last times we make class treats together, so I took pictures.

Bling Queen

Caitlin got her braces on today and looks so cute (and so grown up...sigh!). Our orthodontist has had her on a treatment plan for the last year, and after doing some research, came up with a good plan to allow for her MRI's. He chose to use the clear, non-metal braces, so once she is done with the MARA, she will be able to have her wire taken out and have the MRI without interference. I really like the look of the clear braces and plan on getting them myself...someday...hopefully before I'm really, really old...


So Caitlin is excited about her braces and so are we...

Our excitement comes from paying them off. Clint and I realized if we combined our Christmas gift money and emptied my checking account, we could write out a hefty check to our orthodontist and cross one more debt off the list... that leaves us with two more debts to pay off before we are 100% debt-free.

So medical debt, here's your warning... you're next. We can't wait to have you out of our lives for good. Today I set up a new account for Caitlin's next MRI. Yep, that's right, we're saving up and paying cash for all future procedures, no more ever-growing hospital tab for us (knock on wood!).