Yoga Pants Life

Whelp, the dumpster fire of a year that was 2017 is finally over. It actually wasn’t my worst year ever (that honor belongs to 2001, followed by 2011…I’m not looking forward to 2021) but it wasn’t exactly the greatest. So many people I know had a shitty 2017 and it seems like everyone was ready for a fresh start.

Baxter’s thoughts on 2017

So, here we are – 2018!

I’m not sure what the year has in store, but I’m optimistic it will be a good year, and if you know me in ‘real life’ you know that I am the pessimist of all pessimists. My old boss used to call me Eeyore. But hey! The more realistic I am, the less disappointed I am, so consider my pessimism an insurance policy for my soul.

I would love to say that I don’t have any goals or resolutions for 2018, but the truth is that I have a few.  I want to PR in both the half-marathon and full-marathon distances and I’m DETERMINED to hit 3 months of living expenses in my emergency fund. Like, it must happen. Do-or-die.

If you’ve actually been reading this blog, I’ve alluded to the fact that while my retirement savings is pretty healthy and robust for someone my age, my short term savings ability is lacking. I got really close last spring, but opportunities came up and if I wanted to jump on them, I needed to tap the cash I had on hand. I certainly don’t regret it, but if I’m being totally honest, only having a month of living expenses on hand is scaring the bejeezus out of me (how I used to have $0.39 cents in my savings account while being maxed out on credit cards 6 years ago is beyond me. I don’t like living on the edge anymore.) 

So, be prepared for some really riveting blog posts on my training (only 153 days until the San Diego Rock n’ Roll Marathon) as I attempt to hit a sub-5:30 time (hey, I never said I was a fast runner, like, at all. What can I say? Slow as I am, running brings me peace and happiness.)

Also? you may encounter posts about what steps I’m taking to beef up my emergency fund.  I think it will mostly revolve around my wardrobe and food waste. After cleaning out my dresser and part of my closet the other day, I realized that a clothes-buying ban is in order. I’m home 4-5 days per week and can live in yoga pants and hoodies during that time. Lord knows I DO NOT NEED more elastic pants or hoodies (seriously, y’all had years to report me to ‘What Not to Wear’ and I never got nominated…that I know of.) If I end up losing weight to a point where my current wardrobe looks beyond ridiculous and/or if something is beyond repair (as I fear my nude bra will be soon…TMI?) then I will replace it. I will likely purchase a pair of running shoes during my training season, but other than that, NO MORE CLOTHING.

As for food waste, I’m terrible at buying stuff and having grand plans of cooking all sorts of healthy meals from scratch…until life happens or my stomach is off the rails and all I can bring myself to eat is ramen for days on end. I’m not sure how I’m going to approach this one yet, but I’ll keep everyone posted (because I know y’all care so much.) 

Anyway, I need to wrap this up because I have pizza and champagne waiting for me. May 2018 be a fantastic year full of yoga pants for everyone! (and health and happiness and all that jazz.) 

Tucker, ready to take life by the balls in 2018…also? My walls are not actually yellow…I’m not sure what’s happening in the photo.