Katy McKenna Raymond  
Personal blog of christian writer Katy McKenna Raymond in Kansas City, Missouri

Personal blog of christian
writer & fallible mom
Katy McKenna Raymond
in Kansas City, Missouri


Katy is represented by
Greg Johnson at
WordServe Literary

Read more Katy at
LateBoomer.net

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Update On Projects Undertaken In 2006

I kind of like being accountable, in a way, to my fallible readers. After all, occasionally some of you jump on a bandwagon of mine (waving to Staci, who gave up pop when I gave up Starbucks) and you demonstrate remarkable success. But what about me? Do I ever actually succeed in following through on one of my harebrained ideas, or is the instant gratification of starting enough for me?

Here’s a run-down on my progress or lack thereof. I hope it inspires you to know that while I am old, I am capable of new tricks, or at least new attempts at old tricks. Therefore, young readers (and by my standards, believe me, most of you are YOUNG!), take courage!

Doug and I succeeded in completely avoiding coffee joints for two entire months. Then, slowly, over a period of a month or so, our resolve not only began to slip but slipped completely. We went from having one coffee per week to two, then every other day, then daily. What can I say? We are of all addicts most to be pitied.

Now, I am humbled to say, we are back on an every other day coffee run. I plan to move us into every third day as early as next week. These steps must be made as imperceptibly as possible, for the sake of my whiplashed husband’s equilibrium. The poor thing.

Next subject: Getting and staying out of debt. Well. As you know, we are in the final stretch of the most expensive years of our lives. During the period beginning Sept 1, 2006 (Kev’s opening day at the expensive two-years-in-ten-months bachelor’s degree program which will complete his education as far as our wallets are concerned) and ending June 30, 2007 (when our daughter Carrie marries Marc), we will indeed continue to rack up debt.

However, we are monthly throwing money at the paying down of this debt, and making excellent progress. By the time Carrie gets married, I believe we will have finished paying for Kev’s education (three college graduates, all debt-free!) and will have paid for the bulk of her wedding expenses—if not all. So far, the down payments on her dress, the venue, the photographer, etc. have been strictly pay as we go.

I gotta’ say I’ve become quite a fan of Dave Ramsey. He’s only been on the radio here in KC for a few months now, but he’s got my attention. When callers call claiming to have household incomes WAY below ours, and that they’ve paid off umpteen dollars in debt and have even paid off their mortgage in only a few years time, well. I’m on board.

How about losing weight? I started in earnest dropping pounds in June, after realizing that my Mama Escapades of 2005-2006 had caused weight to creep back on at an insidious but alarming rate. Since then, I’ve shed a cool 27 pounds. My jeans are a size 2, but as we all know by now if we’ve read anything about “vanity sizing,” 2 is the new 10. Now Doug and I have embarked on a renewed effort to EXERCISE, which for us means trodding the treadmill. Today is Day Three.

And the decluttering project? Oh, my. Carrie moved in on July 31 with all her stuff, and will stay until she gets married. Kevin moved all his stuff in before leaving for Switzerland. It’s a freakin’ zoo around here. It’s nearly impossible to make headway with the added stuff, so I’m having to concentrate on not bringing any more into the house than is already here. When they move out, they’ve got to take ALL their things, or they will be donated to charity and WE’LL get the tax deduction.

What about that novel I’m writing? NaNoEdMo went reasonably well, although November started and ended with my mother-in-law’s health problems. Four hospitalizations in a six-week period did NOT add to my productivity, but she’s doing a bit better, and that’s the main thing. I am STILL working on my novel, and the darned thing keeps improving, making me think it’s not time QUITE yet to stick a fork in it and proclaim it “done.” So I plod (if not plot) along.

There you have it. Some successes, some failures, lots of room for improvement. All in all, just another old chick, Muddling Through.

Posted by Katy on 01/05/07 at 10:15 AM
Fallible Comments...
  1. Hi Katy,

    I've really been enjoyed reading your blogs lately. I can so relate to you with getting kids through college, kids and their stuff in and out of the house, and the upcoming wedding. You make me laugh! God blessings to you and your family this year!

    Karen (mother of the maid of honor at Carrie's upcoming wedding--we're excited!)
    Posted by Karen Anderson  on  01/05/07  at  11:32 AM
  2. Karen! So fun to see you here! I miss seeing you in "real" life. I am SO glad your sweet daughter is C's MOH. Their friendship has been one of God's best gifts in C's life. See you soon!
    Posted by Katy  on  01/05/07  at  01:51 PM
  3. Still cool in my book.

    Take Care
    Michael
    Posted by Michael #2  on  01/05/07  at  01:53 PM
  4. Thanks for the kind words. Carrie's friendship is such a blessing to Amy as well! Oh, and sorry about the grammatical errors in my earlier comment. My daughter the English teacher wouldn't be pleased that I didn't proofread. I miss seeing you too!
    Posted by Karen Anderson  on  01/06/07  at  12:30 AM
  5. There's a lot to be said for plodding and muddling through.
    Sometimes it's the only way to go.
    Posted by Suzan  on  01/06/07  at  07:43 AM
  6. Michael #2--Coming from a young fellow like you, that's a real compliment! :)

    Karen--Errors? We don't count errors here on fallible. Hence the name!

    Suzan--Hey, one step at a time, even if it is through sludge, right?? ;)
    Posted by Katy  on  01/07/07  at  08:18 PM
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    48. Page 1 of 1 pages
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