Preparing to move...

A Picture Share!,
originally uploaded by java boo boo.

Since 7:00 AM, I've been cleaning my closet out in preparation for the big move. Yesterday, my builder said he was planning on having the house completed by mid-January. I've been desperately needing to clean out my closet and have begun that process today. I'll be giving away/selling a lot of Polo, Old Navy, Claiborne, Tommy Hilfiger, and Murano clothes that I don't wear any more. I was thinking, I don't really feel too "attached" to the clothes, and that is probably because I bought them all at the Dillards 75% + 30% off sales. Thus, shirts which retailed for $60, I got for $10. I found my Dukes of Hazzard trash can from 25 years ago, and my "Air Jordan" shoe box from the first year they came out! I also found some old Pamela Anderson posters and calendar, along with boxes of high school stuff and even Battleship!!! You sunk my Battleship!

Financial Year in Review.
I ran my usual end of the year Microsoft Money Report, and you can see the top categories of spending for me in 2006. Numbers do not lie. Hence, this chart explains my 2007 Goals in the section below. Yes I spent $4,500 on food. $3,900 was on eating out, and $600 was on groceries. In 2007, the eating out must decline significantly.


The Pursuit of HappYness (Happiness)
Last night, Jawana and I had a "date night", although maybe it wasn't a date since she paid for dinner and I bought the movie tickets. Either way, we went to see the new Will Smith movie about the Chris Gardner life story. It was really good and goes to show that if you put your mind to it, you can change whatever life situation you find yourself in.

A secret to being successful involves setting goals. You can think of goals as bite-sized visions. You develop a vision of where you want to be in life, then set individual goals to achieve the vision. At the end of 2006, take time and reflect on the past year. Then begin to determine what lifestyle changes we need to make for 2007 to have an even better year. Each and every new year should consist of changes and tweaking in all areas of your life in order to win. The goals you set for each area must be specific, measurable, have a time limit, and be YOUR goal. The purpose is to change from a "reactionary lifestyle" to a "proactive lifestyle". My goals for 2007 are:

1. Career - By the end of 2007, I will complete the course work for level 3 certification which will allow me to be promoted.
   
2. Financial - Reduce eating out expenses by cooking and eating at home 3 days a week as soon as I move into my house. I will prepare a budget each month and will do more to save money on a daily basis by using coupons and other resources.
   
3. Spiritual - Remain active in my church and take on more responsibility with the set-up team as we move to our new location in Jan 2007. I will find a small group to attend during the week to help me in Bible study.
   
4. Physical - Return to a regular workout schedule on Mon, Wed, and Fri by going to the gym immediately after work and will begin taking supplements faithfully again. Mon – chest/back, Wed –Arms, Fri – Legs. 20 minutes of cardio each workout day.
   
5. Intellectual - Pick 6 books from the reading list on Dave Ramsey's website and read 1 book every 2 months.
   
6. Family - Take the family on one nice vacation this year to the beach during the summer. Likewise, I will continue working on getting use to being a dad/father figure/head of household. I will re-implement Friday date night with Jawana where she and I can have a night out one on one.
   
7. Social - After the airing of grievances at Festivus, I will do a better job of hanging out with the guys on a more regular basis during the work week, which should be easier once my house gets done.

Bad News... It won't fit!!
What you see below is a couch Jawana and I first saw in Nashville about 3 months ago. Immediately, I was taken by how cool it looked. We've looked at it a total of 3 times. Two of those in Nashville, and once in Birmingham. I took maximum measurements on it, and it is 13 ft x 10 ft at the widest points. My front room is only 17 ft wide (and 21 ft deep) which doesn't leave much room to walk around it on 2 of the sides...

I joked with my builder that we are going to have to start over and build a new house, because the couch I want won't fit in the living room. He seemed ok with that idea... Maybe in 2 years when I get out from under the capital gains umbrella.



Either way, we were thinking that it would be the perfect couch for when we have parties or game night... or even FESTIVUS! next year, due to the explosin in the popularity of the holiday and we can't really fit any more people into Jeff's house.

I remeasured it yesterday because it took me 3 months to get to the point to where I was prepared to spend some $2,500 on the couch. I really was disappointed when it looked like it was not going to work. I think we are going back to Nashville tomorrow (New Year's Eve) and are going to measure it one more time to make sure.

Salutation
I hope you all have a wonderful and safe night tomorrow!

Wish you the best in 2007!