I had a very relaxing morning - sleeping in, reading, computer time.

I decided not to do a movie because there wasn't anything I wanted to see badly enough to spend the $5 on. I had decided to head on up towards Fort Worth around 3:30, but stop in Burleson and do some browsing in the stores. But then my mom called me and asked me if I would stop by her friends office (wife of a dentist) to pick up something for her at 5pm. I told her I had been planning on leaving much earlier than that - finally, 4 pm was agreed to. On the way up there I missed the Burleson exit, so just went ahead to the restruant, and arrived about 40 minutes early.

While I was waiting, I got a call from my grandma. I thanked her for the birthday card and the gift inside then she proceded to slip up and tell me what was inside the box the UPS delivered the other day. When my dad arrived we both went inside and got a table. It was getting close to the time mom was supposed to be there so we called her. She had gotten lost, and then stuck in traffic. We went ahead and ordered our food (and her food). She arrived as I was taking my last bite of my entree (stuffed mushrooms - listed as an appetizer - mmmmm mmmm!) Shortly after, came the humoungus piece of chocolate cake with a birthday candle, and of course the happy birthday operatic singing waiter.

THEN I got to open the box!! It is a TIVO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not only a TIVO - but also a ONE-YEAR gift subscription for the monthly service!!!!! It wasn't just from my brother - my grandma, my dads sister and brother, Ryan, mom and dad all went in together for it -- it also is a combo Birthday/Christmas gift. The coolest, most awesomest thing about it though was the fact that it was my brother who came up with the idea, and then presented it to all the other people and got them excited about it. I've said it before, but I'll say it again - I've got the BEST brother!!! (I got to talk to Ryan for about 20 minutes tonight. )

My parents also got me 10lb and 15lb dumbbells. And my mom gave me a Dr Phill book about Love and Relationships (can't remember its title right now.)

Dad had to leave for a committment, but mom and I stayed and talked for another hour and a half or more. Big surprise (NOT ) she's got a guy in Oklahoma offering to get her a job and a place to live. I really don't know how she does it.

Oh, I did do some work related things today. Wesley, the guy from the survey company who came to help out last weekend, is coming again this weekend with a couple friends. So we shot a few emails back and forth to set the details in place. I also had to call Linda at the Bus Garage to get day passes for the friends - I hadn't even thought about them needing that yesterday when I was there. I also got a call from the employment agency asking if I'd be available next Friday to work -- of course, I said YES!!! So that will help my January budget out a bit.

Spending Log:
Gas station: $2.38 (2 sodas)
Walmart Gas: $19.68 ($2.04/ga) UGH!! 10 cents more than what I paid two fill ups ago!
Walmart: Chocolate $4.93

In the morning I'm going to work on setting up my Tivo!!! Wahoo!!!

Keeping It Frugal in Texas, (the 30 year old)

Laura