Still going strong

Not much news to report at five days to go 'til moving day. I still haven't smoked since I put the last one out two days ago. Let me tell you, yesterday was damn hard. I really would have crashed were it not for the support of my daughter. She's been so great despite the fact that daddy warned her I'd be cranky. I had the worst cravings all day yesterday and every time they came on, my daughter was there smiling at me with such pride. "You're doing great," she'd say. Now, how lucky am I? Still, it's got to get easier from here.

We also found out the J will be able to transfer to a store down in NC and may actually get a promotion and raise out of it, although it's still very low pay and part-time. That is great news for us, though. Of course, he will still be looking for a job in his trained field as that's really where the money is to get us back on our feet. But, it means that we're going down there with some income, even if a pittance, until we've both landed full-time jobs. The other thing is that after the stress and frustration of his last job, it's nice to see him actually enjoying this job. He's happy and that's got to count for something.

So, how's the move going? Slow. I've struggled with motivation and J's been working up until yesterday, his last day. We really need to put the burn on because we've got just two days until the 'rents get here. You know what it's like having someone else messing with your stuff? I'm a relatively private person and it makes me a little bit weirded out. So I'd like to have just about everything, except the kitchen, packed and all that should be left is breaking down furniture, organizing, and loading the truck. Don't get me wrong, though. I am really appreciative that they're coming up to help us. I just don't think they need to be subjected to our mess as much as I can avoid it.

Lastly, a shoutout goes to Pushing30, a new blogger from Canada, who just got started on her own personal finance blog, Pushing Thirty: My Debt Deadline, this month as well. Check her out. She has the dubious honor of being the first to blogroll swimming upward. Thanks a bunch, P30! I'll be watching and cheering for you, too.

Why this blog?

I've been reading a lot of financial blogs in the last few weeks as I think about the things I want to change. It's been very inspiring to see so many people, in similar situations as mine, setting financial goals, digging themselves out of debt, and sticking to a sound plan to stay out of debt and build a strong foundation. I've read about people conquering debts so large they dwarf my own. Over a period of months and years, they have battled the natural urge to go back to their lackadaisical, spendthrift roots, but they persevered through the setbacks they threaten to overwhelm them and set them off-course.

I admire these people. I would very much like to be like them. So, here I am. Wish me luck!