mid-month check in

It's "officially" the middle of the month and I want to take a look at my December goals and see how I'm doing.  The boys get out of school today for the Christmas Break and won't return to school until January 3rd...soooooo today I would like to get as many of my To-Do's checked off as possible!



FINANCES

Track spending.
Tracking is up to date I'm happy to say!!

Christmas Gifts.
Don't go over my budgeted amount.  We budgeted a significant amount of $ towards Christmas and there is no reason for us to go over.  To do so would be over indulging.   I'm still within my Christmas budget, but it's always at this time of the Season that I tend to blow it.  All of the gifts are bought and I start thinking of fun little "tuck ins" that the boys would enjoy.  All of those little things add up and usually send me over my limit.  But I planned ahead this year and left some wiggle room for this.  So, even with my extras that I will buy over the next week I'll still be under budget.  (Assuming Mr. Steady didn't go overboard with what he's getting for me!)

PERSONAL

Be mindful of Food, Drink and Exercise.
I think I'm doing well with this.  Since my youngest has his allergies we don't keep too many sweets in the house.  I've been meeting my friends to workout in the mornings (about 3x week) and am happy with my choices.

My Blog.
My blogging has been a bit sporadic and I'd like to challenge myself to blog 4 days a week.  So far, so good!

Vacations.
Make lodging reservations for Italy.  Done! Can't wait!

Complete at least 10 lessons of Rosetta Stone. - haven't done any yet!

Make reservations for one-on-one trip Washington D.C. - still need to do this!  While Mr. Steady and my youngest are skiing, my oldest and I will be taking our 1-on-1 trip to Washington D.C.  Just need to find a reasonably priced hotel near a Metro Station.

Make reservations for one-on-one trip ski trip.  Done!  We've got this entire trip planned minus the rental car.  My husband and youngest son will go to Colorado and ski for their 1-on-1 trip in February.  Flight, lodging, lift tickets and equipment rentals have all been reserved!

Come up with 3 vacation ideas for Mr. Steady's company's 2012 Award Trip- Still need to do this.

FAMILY

Christmas Guests.
My mother-in-law is coming to spend 5 or 6 days with us and I'd like to have our meals planned and prepped as much before she arrives.  Started thinking about meals and have some ideas...just need to finalize and shop/prep as much as I can before she arrives!

Christmas Traditions:
Make cookies for Santa before 7pm on Christmas Eve! - not yet

Make Gingerbread houses with the kids! - not yet

Drive around and see Christmas lights! - not yet

Finish my Advent Stockings (5 days late...I know!)  I finally finished this on December 8th!  I normally hang little stockings up the banister of our stairs, but the ribbon was worn out and I couldn't come up with any creative ideas.  So, I used what I had and hung them all on a little tree down in our basement.  I'm hoping to come up with a different idea for next year.  Maybe I'll remember and work on it in the summer?!?

So how are you all doing with your December goals?  Can you believe it's already the 15th!?!