#89. Read 115 Books - Progress

The goal this month was 10 books. I ended up reading 8 and a few other those were short stories. I got stuck on a couple books that took longer than I wanted until they eventually picked up. BUT at least I'm on track for my goal of 115.

The 5 Stars this month were:

It took a few days to get my imagination going for this one but once I got into it, I couldn't stop reading. It's very fairy tale meets Narnia less a wardrobe. I was sad when I found out there was no sequel because I don't feel like I got any closure from the ending.

I loved the setting for this story; homes that have foggy green, open forests as backyards. The love story was quite cute and felt real, despite the boy turning into a wolf when the weather got chilly. There is no tricky love triangle so you get to root for the main characters without feeling guilty. Plus, there is a sequel.

I read this book in about an hour or so. It's a visual short that I thought would be scary in a terrifying was but it was scary in a sad way. Perfectly written, I've yet to see a bad review about it. A must read for sure.

I normally don't read books like this, the simple love story books, but after I finished this one I had to myself why not? I had a hard time putting this one down as well and the characters next door were all so likeable. It was the perfect summer read that was perfectly written as a stand alone book.
38/115

#88. Purchase a New Bikini - Completed

It's been years and years since I last purchased a bikini and to be honest I think the reason I didn't want to was because I wasn't happy with my body enough to actually get into a bikini.

I'm down 20 pounds but I still have some work to do so I'm going to start up my program again, and by program I mean eat healthy and go to the gym.

I'm very particular about bikinis so it took me awhile to find one I liked and that was still a reasonable price. House buying means being frugal and less frivolous.

I found the perfect one at Forever 21 and for a grand total of less than $25. Hooray! 

I also found some cute sandals so I'm set for this summer. 

#83. Sell Items on Kijiji - Progress

I ended up giving my little sister the Versace Perfume I put on Kijiji. I had one buyer but it was too difficult to arrange to meet so I nixed it. All good.

But, now that we are going to be moving quickly, I want to make sure there are no loose ends that we have to move. It would be awesome to move in one truck load, amiright?

I bought a wardrobe (Indian in the cupboard as we refer to it) when B and I moved in together but sadlyI don't think it will fit in the new house. Did I mention you can lock it with a key?

I love it but it's huge and will likely be a pain to move so I'm going to at least try and sell it and if it doesn't go, then we take it and either try to sell it there or find a home for it in one of the bedrooms.

Totally leaving this one to chance because my heart wants to keep it but my brain says no. Yes, it is possible to be in love with a wardrobe.

#77. Sell Condo - Completed

Last night at 8:44 I was told that the conditions on the offer had been waived and that it was now a firm sale. I think I stood there for a couple seconds before I comprehended what that meant, this whole time telling myself "Don't get excited because it's not for sure yet."

This time I could get excited! There was no going back now because the condo has officially sold!!

There is a ton of work to do this week in order to get the house we want but the biggest burden has been lifted, now everything is mostly in our control.

Time to celebrate!

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Maybe I just wanted an excuse to search for delicious cakes. And eat them too. 

#81. Save $500 in Change - Progress

I was able to put another $35 in the bank today which is 7% of my total goal. So how do I manage to get so much change?

Well 1.) B uses cash primarily and 2.) I like to use cash primarily.

As soon as it's payday I do my biweekly budget and withdraw all the money I'm going to spend in cash such as groceries and bills. It's less tempting to use my credit card and that way I have the opportunity to receive change.

What's the total right now? $360.46.

And let's just note this is change that normally people throw away or leave under the seats in their car but instead I've hoarded it and it's paying for my birthday vacation. Try it.

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#77. Sell Condo - Progress

On Sunday I got a text saying there would be 2 showings around noon so B and I hopped out of bed and drove down to the condo to make sure it was pristine before the walkthroughs. The usual dusting, windexing, sweeping and mopping.

We didn't have much on the go that day so we decided to go for dinner that evening and during my Realtor called me saying there was an offer. I didn't want to get too excited because 1.) We were in a public place and 2.) I knew better from last time. BUT, it was much better than the first offer I recieved and we started negotiating the prices only to shortly have her withdraw due to personal family issues. Hopefully she's alright.

As it turns out the other couple that saw it Sunday also wanted to put in an offer but didn't want a bidding war so they stepped in after the other offer was gone. They came in with a stronger offer, a shorter possession date and wanted nearly all the furniture. Wins all around.

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We came to a price last night and there hasn't been any time wasted in them getting a property inspection and me contacting the builder about renewing our offer.

All of their conditions need to be waived by April 22nd so it will be an exciting week for both parties. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens in the next month. Fingers crossed everything works out.

#26. Reach 200,000 Points on Fitocracy - Progress

I feel like I've been slacking lately so this level up took longer than I feel it should have.

So, I got off my butt and worked out at home tonight to make sure Jax had some time to be out of his kennel during the evening.

It was an hour and a half arms and abs workout and I already feel it in my shoulders. Which is good - Yay strong shoulders.

I had a personal goal to make it too 150,000 by June so I like to think I'm at least on par with that. Small goals will add up to a larger goal. 

Now. Time to shower. 

#80. File My Own Taxes - Completed

My original intent was to send away my documents to the gov yesterday but as fate would have it, I forgot all the documents at home.

So I Siri'd my phone to remind me in the morning to put them in my purse. I did, only to be thwarted by the actual document that I couldn't open up because my work computer didn't have the program. Frustration was a good way to describe it.

I played around with it for a little bit when I got home and decided I might as well try to Netfile it again.

Turns out I just needed to download a program upgrade and then I could send the file electronically.

Success. I want to celebrate this huge burden that I no longer have.

Image via weheartit

Unfortunately B is working night shift (and day shift) so I'm home tonight watching Grey's Anatomy.

My life is really exciting. 

#77. Sell Condo - Progress

I woke up this afternoon from a nap, wait, let's just talk about that for a second. Remember when you were a child and a nap was the absolute worst thing you could be told to do? I'm not sure when the flip happened but I pretty much nap every time I get an opportunity, even on the bus when I was do that like "fall sideways" and startle myself awake with a gasp and look around wondering/hoping no one saw it happen.

But everybody did.

So I woke up from a glorious nap and I had an email from my Realtor subject line "Offer" and I was sure I was still dreaming. Sometimes I dream about being on my phone.

But no, I truly had an offer today. The kicker was it was $40,000 below my asking price so I had to politely decline. The way I saw it was the starting point was too low to meet at a price I would ultimately be happy and financially okay with.

However, I'm looking at the positive side. Someone sat down and took the time to even write an offer. Someone at least wanted my condo. The right buyer will come along. I just have to be patient, something that is hard for me but it will happen.

Image via weheartit

#9. Try a New Restaurant - Completed

We tend to stick to less than 5 restaurants when deciding where we are going to eat out; the top 2 being Earls and Boston Pizza.

We both wanted to go out for dinner but we knew we needed to change it up a bit. B was in the mood for Italian, lasagna more specifically and Boston Pizza wasn't going to cut it.

I did a quick Google search of Italian Restaurants near us and found this little gem: Toscana Italian Grill

It didn't look like much on the outside, being part of a strip mall but inside it was cozy and stylish. Granite tops on all the tables and restoration hardware light fixtures.

The food was as tasty as good as the place looked. I love when reviews don't lie.

We got pretty crazy with our order selections (Lasagna and Alfredo) but it seems we stick with what we know will be good.. This was a case that we were really happy we stepped out of our 5 restaurant box and discovered what else was out there.

#33. Organize and Properly File Important Documents - Completed

This was a really important project in the sense that it dealt with very important documents. Things that I couldn't afford to misplace or damage.

I've had this task on the go for a few weeks now, losing steam by the day so after I got all the documents out for my taxes this morning, I finished what I started and organized the rest of my papers.

From a happy mistake of the vendor shipping me the wrong binders, I've got a total of 4 now.

The binders are divided by the following groups:

• Misc 
• Home
• Rentals
• Past Documents

My life has already become more easier and organized. 

Image via weheartit

#80. File My Own Taxes - Progress

I usually find it hard to fall back asleep when B leaves for work on the weekends, yet no trouble falling back into slumber when I have 5 more minutes before I need to get up for work.

I've been putting off filing my taxes for awhile now because I've been terrified of seeing the number that I'd owe due to having a condo rental, but I realized that the longer I put it off, the more stressed I'll become.

So I bit the bullet and started it at 7:00 am this morning.

So I got it all prepared and as it turns out I'm getting a return of $17.58 which to some people doesn't seem like anything but not owing is a wonderful win for me. 

On Monday I'll send it off to the government and start compiling the documents for 2013. 

#31. Write Thank You Notes - Completed

I had two Thank You notes to write and both were in regards to our recent trip to British Columbia.

The first was an email to Telus thanking them when an employee helped boost the truck when the battery died.

On Thursday March 28th, 2013, my boyfriend and I were in Vancouver and had just walked back from the Rogers Arena to our truck in a parking lot when we found that the battery was dead.

My boyfriend asked several people if they were able to boost us but no one was willing to or able to help. It seems a couple of your employees were just leaving a business meeting when my boyfriend asked them for help. One of them said it was against company policy but your employee David B. (Last name hidden) was kind enough to lend a hand and get us going again.

Whether it was against policy or not, we just want to say Thank You formally to Telus and especially David B. for helping us in a time of need and showing that "Customer Service" extends beyond business hours.

 

That man truly saved us from a long, frustrating night and I'm very grateful to him. He didn't owe us anything but yet he decided to help us anyways. Faith in humanity has been restored.

 

The next note was to my family for watching Jax while we were gone. Nothing beats handwritten notes coupled with a gift card to The Keg.

 

Sometimes it's good to feel thankful, even when it's not Thanksgiving.

 

#89. Read 115 Books - Progress

I wanted to read at least 9 books this month and I actually ended up reading 12. This means I'm 2 books ahead of schedule for reading 115.  Go me.

Without further ado, here were the 5 Stars during the month of March:

I actually can't count how many times B has come home from work and Jax and I have been curled up watching the movie. I constantly have the soundtrack playing in my head, always unlucky for B. I'm a Lorax myself less magical powers. This book is a must own not only for it's life lesson but mostly for it's life lesson. Now go plant a tree.

And you thought we were done talking about trees. Now unlucky for you. I have a certain weak spot for dystopian novels, blame it on the Hunger Games, but not all dystopians are created equal. This one was wonderful without the same concept that's been done over too many times. I even loved that the love triangle was sorted out the way I wanted it to be.

I actually lent my friend my borrowed library copy because this book was so good. The subject matter is adult but its written in such as way that you don't blush when you read it. This easily could have been a trashy novel but the author did an amazing job at the storytelling, making you want to find out what happens next, and a lot happened.

Oh gosh. I love this book. It had me laughing out loud on the bus (like a crazy person you don't want to sit next to) to crying alone in an unromantic bath. I loved these characters as quickly as we met them. It was eye opening and a feel good type book but I kept waiting for something that never happened and that was hard. Beautifully written, the author captured the emotions of everyone perfectly. As readers we often assume when a male writes a book about female feelings, he will get it wrong. Not the case in this one.

30 read so far this year!