About Me

Hi, my name is Angela and welcome to my blog. This is a place where I write about my life in an honest and open way.

I am 36 years old, single, and a Christian. God gave me a heart to work with children and so I spend my day teaching kindergarten. It is my fourth year teaching and although it is hard I love it. I currently go to a college for my BA in Elementary Education which keeps me busy. Between work and school there is not much time left but I enjoy serving and helping others, watching netflix, or reading a good book.


Thursday, December 8, 2016

Updated Vision Board

Last weekend I had the available time to finish my dream board. I had posted about my goals here but my board was just a draft put together. As a reminder here is the picture of the before.





First I picked up a yard of fabric from Joann's, there is always a coupon for fabric on their mobile app. I then had to go through my actual debt and write it down. I used the debt free heart and pre-printed circles. Each circle got a small post it note with the amount of current debt. I added a little purple paper that details out my debt snowball for the next year. If I work my plan then I will be able to close four credit cards by the end of 2017 paying off $4100. Okay, I hadn't calculated that till just this moment. That is a pretty significant number. That would be really really awesome! Also on the board is a monthly calendar. I printed a years worth. - As a note I wanted to go buy one but of course that would be silly and a waste of money when I have a printer, ink and the internet that has a million amazing options for free. This one I found on Pinterest by Ann Drake and you can see it here. This will help remind me of what I have due when which is something I forget sometimes. I did cover the numbers with pics for some privacy of my details but you can still see how I set it up.



I am now trying to find a good app to track my spending money. One of my biggest issues with money is spending on a daily basis. Honestly eating out is the majority of debt which is super sad. So I have a set amount for food, gas, and other that isn't too strict. So I want an app that I can just put in an amount for the month and then subtract what I have spent during the month. Something that is in my pocket so I cant just spend the money and try to figure it out later. 

So that is my current dream board.

Friday, December 2, 2016

Tattoo

When I was seventeen I decided I wanted a tattoo as soon as I turned eighteen. I was not very cool but my older sister was. I also wanted to feel very adult and do something special for my birthday. My sister had a flower on her ankle and so to follow I got a butterfly on my opposite ankle, I couldn't be exactly like her. I have never regretted my tattoo. Well, as I was getting it the pain was not fun but otherwise I have liked it. Her is the picture of it now. The colors have clearly faded a bit but I got it 16 years ago so that is expected.




For the last ten years or so I have thought about getting a new tattoo. A bible verse that has helped me get through hard times and lows of my depression was Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper, not to harm, for hope and peace." It reminds me how I am here for a purpose and the truth of God's love for me. As I made the tattoo piecing together the fonts that I liked best I decided that I wanted to switch the colon to a semi-colon. Known as a symbol to pause before suicide, a perfect addition to this tattoo. I do want to say that I am better now but still taking meds to help regulate my emotions.  My lows are something that I still have to be aware of but not something I fear as I once did. I am not sure what did it but after 10 years of thinking about it I finally got the tattoo on wrist. I love it and have had zero regret.


I do want to add as a side note about my tattoos. The size is clearly different as well as the locations. The butterfly was fully colored and I have no idea how long it took. I still remember how much I hated getting it. My sister who had come with me was concerned I would pass out and tried putting a scented something under my nose hoping to distract me. The newest tattoo is smaller and is only lines with no fill in. It took ten min at the most so pretty quick but I would swear it did not hurt as much. I think they put a numbing gel on it before the tattoo. That would have been handy 16 years ago. Though I have also lived 16 additional years and was aware of what to expect so that had to also play a part. Tattoo's aren't bad but you definitely need to be committed to your choice and think about social standards as well. This new tattoo is on my wrist but it is placed specifically to be covered by a watch or bracelets for when I am at work.