This morning I got a phone call from my mom. She told me that she had bought a couple of the mega millions tickets (not too big of a surprise there). She had just checked her numbers against the winning numbers this morning ... and found out that she had won!! Whoa!!

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April Fools (don't I wish it was true ... )

I think I'm going to take a blogging break. Just til I feel more myself. I briefly considered deleting my blog, but considering how I can't seem to do anything right lately - probably the less irreversible decisions made the better.
An feeling overwhelmed and alone and that seems to come out where I offend or bore people.
So ... Taking a break.

Today when I came home at lunch, the gas man was just putting the finishing touches on the gas stuff. (I'm SO technical) I went inside and tested the water .... HOT!! Yahoo! He told me they put in a 40 gallon water heater tank - which basically means there's no way for me to run out of water.

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Today we had our first meeting. It was fairly short and sweet. Then most of us went over to the gym and sorted out the school supplies. The school pretty much supplies everything the kids will need for school. So not only is it tuition free, there also is not a school supply list sent home.

This afternoon I was introduced to the "super secret" supply closet. I found some cardboard inserts from writing tablets (I think?) I used those to make my Help Triangles. The HTs will sit on top of the computers and when a kid needs help, they turn the triangle facing up. The part facing them says "Keep Working". Then when I (or the assistant teacher) come help them, we'll put it back down. I saw something like this in a teacher magazine - they wanted $10+ for each individual one. I spent about two hours and maybe $3 worth of supplies making 12 of them. They're not fancy - but they'll do the job!

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Tonight I went out to dinner with five of the teachers. It was at Applebee's - I had to order my own "meal" - a baked potato with a side of mushrooms. I ended up paying $7 for it. At first everyone was just putting cash into a pot to cover what they thought their portion was. I put in $4 - figuring that was plenty. Then the waitress came back and made separate tickets - people started taking "their" money back out. There was two dollars left. The only other thing I had was a $5. Ugh.

Overall though, I had a nice time.

Here are pictures of what I let go of today (taken with my iPhone camera.)

I haven't gone through my kitchen items yet. Today though the main thing was to get the furniture/big items out while their driver was someone capable of handling furniture.

Box of various items - makeup bags, box of notecards, etc.



Tivo (Dual Tuner, 80 Hr)



Entertainment Center, TV, Bean bag



Recliner, Corner shelf



2 laundry bags of clothes, a box of clothes, a box of various items (2.4 ghz answering phone + extra phone, stuffed bears, photo frames, alarm/radio clock, plug in night light, iron, etc.)



Table & chairs (ironing board not in picture)



Video and CD shelves, Bed recliner

Oohh! I just noticed the search button added to the sidebar. I wonder how long thats been there?

Anywho... I posted an update on my frugalton blog about

unemployment update and earth day.

I have two new blogs set up on blogger and am working on making them pretty and getting some content up, then I'll start promoting them.

E (gym manager) is trying to work out a deal with a company in the office building the gym is in to let us (namely me) be able to use their internet signal. I *really* hope this works out, cuz 40 hours a week with little human interaction and a tv set to Fox news AND no internet? Yech! and double Yech!

So, today is my day off from the gym, which is why I actually am having time to get anything done (catching up on blogs, etc.)

I checked my mail tonight and no debit card. So I guess they have till tomorrow (the 23rd) before I have room to start complaining. ;D I do hope it comes tomorrow so after work on Friday I can transfer it.

My mom is heading off tomorrow for her 40th High School reunion. Class of 69. She is really nervous, but is also excited because her sister lives near the high school, and she hasn't seen her sister in probably 9 years or more.

My brother called me yesterday afternoon to finalize what my plans are for my week-long vacation. It had been talked about that maybe I'd use my grandma's station wagon - but as we discussed that idea, we realized that it would mean driving two hours to get to where the car is, then driving another six+ hours to get to where she lives, then before I'm ready to leave, I'd have to drive it back to where it belongs. That's a whole lot of driving - a whole lot of gas - and a whole lot of chances for me to get lost or have something happen to the car.

So . . we came up with a better plan.

I'll get into San Francisco on Friday night (May 23rd). I'll stay at the hotel through Monday morning. (Free tickets to San Francisco and back, plus 3 nights free hotel stay due to a trip my dad won.)

Then, on Monday, my brother and perhaps my sister in law (if she can get off work) will take the ferry over to San Fran and we'll spend the day there doing sights. (One place in particular - Ghiradelli's Chocolate store for a Hot Chocolate!) Then we'll take the ferry back to their car, and I'll spend the night at their house. (Get to meet their furbaby's and play their Wii!)

Then, on Tuesday my brother will drive me over to San Jose where my Aunt lives. I'll spend the night there.

Then on Wednesday I'll fly from San Jose to the Ontario airport where I'll catch a shuttle to my Grandma's house in Loma Linda. On Friday, I'll catch a shuttle to the airport, and fly from Ontario to the Oakland airport.

My brother will pick me up at the Oakland airport, and I'll again spend the night with them. Then Saturday afternoon he'll take me back to the San Francisco airport and I'll catch my plane back home.

Whew!

I've budgeted $400 for my trip. So far, between the two extra flights + 2 shuttle trips, I've already spent $207. But -- I was able to book my flights through mypoints.com which netted me 2 points per dollar + of course I used my rewards card, so that is an extra point per dollar.

My dad was supposed to go on this trip, but it is looking like he won't be able to go. So, he is going to take me to the airport on Friday, and probably pick me up again on the next Saturday. If that doesn't work out, then I found a shuttle that will pick me up from work, and take me home for $64 roundtrip. (Cheaper than parking at the airport for 8 days + gas.)

So at any rate - I'm going to have Saturday (24th) and Sunday (25th) in San Francisco all by myself. I'm hoping the hotel will have a nice fitness center and pool, but that won't take all my time.

Any ideas of things I can do that won't cost much? (I'm not sure what hotel I'll be staying at yet - should know by the end of this week - I hope.) Also - any ideas on how I can keep my food costs down? What grocery stores would be easy to get to via bus or streetcar, etc?

About six weeks ago I got a bee under my bonnet to finally *do* something with my retirement funds from when I taught in the public school system.

A few years ago I received a notice that my money had stopped earning interest. For some reason, they stop giving interest on your money after 5 years. I really was going to do something with it, but just never got around to it.

So, anyway, about six weeks ago I sent in the form to say I wanted my money. They then sent me another form to fill out showing where that money was going to go to (my company's 401k plan.) I got that filled out - had our representative sign it, and mailed it.

Today I got the check in the mail! So, on Monday I'll get all the paperwork together and mail it off with the check. Then fairly soon afterwards, my 401k will jump by about $1300 -- effectively doubling it.

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Now I can only hope that in April 2009, when my Traditional cd IRA at BOFA comes due, that I'll have this same bee under my bonnet to move it somewhere to actually MAKE money for me!

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In other news . . this week I took two sick days. One of my own volition, and the other after being told to go home (after the president heard me coughing.)

I have the strongest feeling that I am going to have to skip the 5k on May 3rd. Unless the cough/upper resp congestion goes away REALLY fast . . .

Never thought that I'd be one saying that I miss going to the gym.

Oh well - I still have another 5k I'm signed up for in July. I wonder if I can get a refund of my registration fee for the May 3rd one??

I saw this interesting story today on msn.com about a man who'd been trapped in an elevator for 41 hours!

Trapped!

The video itself is pretty interesting, but what is even more interesting (to me at least) is the New Yorker article. The article talks about the psychology of elevators and about the history of them, along with giving a lot more details on the man who'd been trapped for 41 hours.

I found it just fascinating and thought y'all might too.

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It seems as though I'm sick again. I was really hoping to not have to have another doctor copay or meds copay this month . . but it looks likely that I'll have both. A few weeks ago I was dxd with an ear infection and a sinus infection and given antibiotics. I thought I was on the mend, so started back on my exercise program once I finished the antibiotics.

Sunday I started coughing. Monday after work when my PT Eric heard me cough, he bluntly told me that he didn't want me to do cardio for at least a couple days. Today, even with dosing myself with Dayquill, I sounded like a wounded Seal (according to one of my coworkers.)

So, I'm off to the doctor tomorrow morning.

I just hope that I'll be over whatever this is in time for the 5k on May 3rd. I may have to walk most of it even if I am, seeing as though most of April has been a loss as far as training goes.

Oh yeah - the budget? It's in sad, sad shape right now. Groceries is out of the roof -- and after tomorrow, medical will be out there as well.

And theres still 9 days of April to go.

I am a library donor. Not of my free will, unfortunately, but due to the copious amounts of books that I tend to keep checked out ( at least 10 -15+ at any given time), when I forget to renew my books, it is a costly mistake.

So after the last time where I had to part with $15, I set upon a fool proof way of never paying late fees again. Yep - foolproof.

I set up a reminder with yahoo calendar to perpetually remind me to renew my library books every Friday. I have it also set at work in my Outlook. So every Thursday night I get my first reminder email. Then several times on Friday I get a reminder popup at work.

Foolproof, right?

Apparantaly not.

This past Friday, despite all the reminders to check my library books return time, I didn't do it. Yesterday I went into my account to look for a book, and realized quickly that I was going to need to make a trip to the library.

So, today after work (and my workout) I stopped by to find out what the damage was. $30.50 UGH! Thankfully they take credit cards, so I was able to earn some points (plus I only had maybe $2 cash on me.)

An expensive lesson reminding me to NOT ignore my reminders!

Last weekend I made a crockpot of pinto beans. Unfortunately, I never got around to putting it into serving size portions to freeze. So, today I had to throw out 2lbs (less one serving I ate during the week) of pinto beans. That was enough beans for 33 work lunches -- gone.

Fortunately, I do have several cans of refried beans in my pantry. So, instead of running to the grocery store (which I'm trying to stay out of until Friday) I will use one of those.

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I just returned from my first outside trial run. Wow! Running outside is WAY different from running on a treadmill. I'm not sure exactly what distance I accomplished in my 40 minutes - thanks to the nifty little sportwatch/pedometer NOT working, but I have a feeling it wasn't much to speak of. I reverted back to what I did when I first started training on the treadmill - run for a minute, feel like I'm dying, then walk for a minute. Repeat and rinse.

Hopefully next Sunday's run will go better. I am planning on returning the sportwatch and taking my personal trainer up on his offer of a free pedometer.

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Last night babysitting went really well. I had SO much fun with the kidlets. We made mud brownies and mud pumpkin pie. We also raked up huge piles of leaves around the backyard (but didn't jump in them because their dad had told them not to.) We also tossed a football around for a bit and played chase. Then we went inside and I was shown all the new toys and dress up outfits. Finally we had evening worship, then watched "Alvin and the Chipmunks." Both kidlets were in bed with teeth brushed by 9 p.m. Then I had the next three hours to read and relax.

I told my friend when they got home that I almost felt like I should be paying them for the privledge of getting to play with their little ones!

I found out today how I did in our church's 20 week fitness challenge. Out of the 39 remaining contenders, I placed third. The top 5 individuals were all women, which really surprised me.

I'm not sure why they did this, but they gave cash prizes to the top 3 teams, instead of just the top team. But then they gave a cash prize just to the top individual, and gave *bath sets* to the 2nd and 3rd place people. Um . . not to complain or anything, but I think I'd have preferred whatever cash they spent on the bath set . . .

I was a bit embarrassed though - two reasons. One is that as I was walking up front to accept my "prize" one of my shoes fell off! The other reason is that they had a graph/slide listing the top ten individual weight loss amounts with the names next to the amounts - showing to the whole church!!

I am dissapointed that I didn't win the $200 first place money. But I do know that I had more than one occassion of slacking off during the 20 weeks, so coming in third is still doing pretty well.

Now I'm about to jet off to my babysitting job where I'll be coming home with cash in my pocket - not $200, but still more than I'll be arriving there with.

Wednesday night I called one of my best friends to tell her about the 5k race I'd signed up for. She was very excited for me, etc. Then she told me that she had been about to call me!

A good friend of her and her husband had texted them saying that he was going to be in town this weekend and would like to get together with them and go out. The last time he was here was nearly 3 years ago!

The last time he was here I babysat my best friend's kids. And now, I'll be babysitting them again. Yay!

I'd mentioned to her when we went to the Jim Brickman concert last month that I am looking for babysitting opportunities to help make a bit faster progress on my savings goals. She told me that she'd keep me in mind if she heard of anyone needing a babysitter.

I'm looking forward to being with her kids. They are two of my favorites. I've known both of them since they were less than a week old. I babysat the oldest while my friend was in the hospital having the youngest. He was just a bit over two years old at that time. Now he is in second grade, and his sister is in pre-k!

Tomorrow morning I'll be finding out about the results of the 20 week fitness challenge. I'm kind of nervous and excited about it. It would be so awesome if I won the individual prize.

I spoke with my carpool rider on Wednesday about a bit of a schedule change. I want to go in earlier on Tue and Thurs so I have enough time to run 3 miles on the treadmill. Tuesdays don't affect her because she has a doctor's appt every Tuesday and her daughter brings her to work later. She was okay with leaving 15 minutes earlier on Thursdays.

So, I'll be doing my training runs for the 5k on (treadmill) Tuesdays, Thursdays, and then either Sat or Sun (outside) will do a longer run/walk (60 minutes). Mon and Fri will probably be the recumbent bike, and Wed the elliptical. I also spoke with my personal trainer today about putting together a workout program card for Wednesday's after work - I'm going to start doing a 3rd strength workout each week on my own. So I'll be getting around 240 cardio minutes, plus 3 45 minute strength training sessions in each week.

As of today, I have less than 4 weeks to go till my first 5k! I can hardly wait!

I'll keep this short. My original post vanished when I accidnetally hit some keys.

1. My Mypoints CC limit was raised by $1500 this week. While paying rent yesterday, I found out that I can use my card. This will be an effortless way to earn a lot of points for money that I have to spend no matter what.

2. Someone posted on my local freecycle that they needed 3,5 lb dumbbells. I so happen to have 2 sets of 3,5,10 lb dumbbells. I met her this afternoon and gave her one set (w/stand).

3. During our conversation, I mentioned Sparkpeople.com . When I got home, I also emailed her the website address and my username (I get referral "credit" of sorts.) She signed up! She's now the 5th person who's signed up there because of me.

4. Before going to give the dumbbells, I decided to see if a pair of jeans that had just *barely* fit a month ago fit any better now. They did! I even wore them to our meeting place. They are still tight, but I was able to zip them up without having to go through Huruclean(sp?) lengths.

5. I booked my dad and I's flight for my grandpa's funeral with my Mypoints card. My grandma is going to be paying me back - so the trip will only cost me whatever food I buy. I used a link to travelocity.com through sparkpeople.com so not only did I earn points for myself, I also earned some money for sparkpeople.com (which is awesome since they are a free site and just an awesome resource.)

The only negative is that I am going to be missing a day of work, and my pay will be docked. My grandma is worth it though.

The flight was amazingly inexpensive too. For both my dad and I together, it cost less than my trip for my brother's wedding!

______
Spending Log:
Friday: Groceries -$31.35
Saturday: None

I finally have some wedding pictures from my brother's wedding that I can share. The wedding was beautiful and went really well. I am so happy for my brother. He just called me after getting back from his honeymoon. He sounded so happy.

Pictured: My brother and his wife - Reception

For some reason I couldn't post more than one picture. So . .

I had two other pictures I was going to post, but I can't for some reason. I loaded the filename in the picture box, but it's not uploading it (or giving me a button to add it.) Oh well.

Pictured: My brother and I - Rehearsal Dinner

My focus today was on my bedroom. There really wasn't much to do, because I had picked up quite a bit of stuff yesterday. Hmmm. .. neat concept - picking up stuff and putting it away as you go makes less work later.

I also sifted out that cat litter.

Dad stopped by and we went out to supper at Jason's Deli. He and I took the trash out (there were a number of empty boxes.) Then he took my vcr/dvd combo so he can record Scrubs for me tomorrow night (I'm Tivo'ing the "Bird Flu" movie) and the Survivor finale on Sunday (West Wing finale and Desperate Housewives will be Tivo'd.)

Tomorrow I am going back to the Map Library with Sh. I'll be spending the whole day there. One of the company's owner's daughters is on vacation from college (maybe summer break?) and she's going to take care of the phones. I was kept pretty busy today trying to get anything done that might come up tomorrow, today.

Watched the Series finale of 7th Heaven tonight. Wow. Words can hardly describe how bad it was. Ya know, "it was so bad, it was almost good" kind of thing? Everwood was really, really good too. I *hope* that it gets renewed so I get to enjoy more Ephram and Bright and Patch and Rose and Treat next year. Too many of my shows are leaving me. Ok, /tvaholic.

Got another $10 today from an ING referral. Mmmm .. . I love free money.

Did my weight training today. Tomorrow I *will* do Pilates.

No spending today.

Dad brought me the coupon inserts from Sunday's paper. Our Smart Source didn't have the Morningstar coupon in it, so I am very glad I didn't go out and buy a paper just for that. There are a couple other good ones (the Red Barron pizza and the Eggbeater ones) but tomorrow night at the Coupon Club I should be able to get more than enough of those.

KIF,

Laura

Today I did Laundry. While the first load was in the washer, I went to Kroger and did my grocery shopping. I also stopped by Ace Hardware to find out what I needed to do to get my Pur Water Filter working. A very nice gentleman there helped me, and it ended up that I didn't need to buy anything. Yay!

I got back and finished up my laundry and read a little while waiting.

Between yesterday and today, I have spent approximately 60 minutes working on decluttering and organizing my office area.

Before I go to bed tonight, I plan on setting out what I need for breakfast.

KIF,
Laura

I've been thinking about this for awhile. I really need to get a better system to keep my apartment picked up and organized. There are many reasons, but two of them are so I could feel comfortable inviting someone over to my place at the drop of a hat, and two, so that I won't spend money and time buying something that I already own, but just can't find.

I've tried using the flylady technique before, but was completely overwhelmed by the amount of emails. Plus, I hate wearing shoes when I'm home - much prefer going barefoot as much as possible.

But I decided today that I would take her concept and fit it into something that I think would work for me. I made a chart for me where each weekday has a FOCUS area. Then, each weekend has a FOCUS Declutter and Organize area.

This is something similar to what the pioneers did. I remember in the Little House books that Ma (Caroline) had a specefic chore for each day of the week.

So anyway, I have decided that I am going to use my blog here as an accountability factor.

Monday - Sift Kitty Litter/Replace; Straighten bedroom/Office.
Tuesday - Living Room
Wednesday - Kitchen/Dining Room
Thursday - Bathroom/ Empty Kitty Litter/Replace
Friday - General pick up/Vacuum/Trash run
Saturday -- Check food/HABA supplies; Check TaylorTownCouponPreview; Check GG and CutOutHunger for grocery deals; Make shopping List; Organize and Order Coupons.
Sunday - Grocery Shopping and Laundry
Declutter Focuses (approx. 60 min)
1st Sunday of Month - Office area
2nd Sunday of Month - Bedroom
3rd Sunday of Month - Office
4th Sunday of Month - Kitchen
5th Sunday of Month - Clothes

I also am going to start putting out as much as possible on the table for breakfast the night before. Also, as I'm making supper each night, I'm going to make sure I have my lunch planned for the next day. I only have about 18 -20 minutes for lunch, which doesn't leave very much time for making something and eating at a good, non-hurried pace.
I must complete my Focus each day after work before I can get on the internet, or sit to watch tv or read, etc.

KIF,
Laura

This has been a most relaxing weekend - especially compared to last weekend! I did ride the bus Saturday night - had a short one hour run. Then I went into the bus stationt this afternoon for a few hours. I had planned on wrapping *everything* up, but the person who was supposed to complete the other surveys had not left his bag, nor returned any of my numerous phone calls. So, probably I'll have to go in again tommorrow after work, or maybe the next day.

I did some searching for apartments this weekend. I found one that was ~700 sq ft for $430/mo --- best part of it though was that it was across the street from a new library! Unfortunately, they didn't have any openings. I asked the lady for suggestions of other places in that area. I called the place she mentioned - they do have some openings, but the rent is quite a bit higher. They are however having a move in special - $99 total move in (first month's rent+deposit). So, if I like the place, I'm going to ask if they would prorate the special out over the 12 month lease - which would make the mid-size apartment (~670 sq ft) ~$455/mo. I'm going to take a look at it tomorrow after work. It has a dishwasher and it has a stackable washer/dryer connection - I'd just have to locate one of those. Of course, this time I would be MUCH more careful about obtaining a *working* one!!

All right, I've got some coupon cutting to do. Then gotta hit the hay early. It's been just loverly sleeping in the last two mornings. But, alas, none of that for the next 5 days at least.

Spending Log:
Newspaper + Snickers bar -- $2.39

At the temp job I where I started yesterday, I am working in the back office in the payroll department. There are two other ladies back there, plus the manager. The three of us were talking this afternoon as we worked. The past two days I've been doing a lot of filing, sorting, and stuffing. These are all things the other two normally do. So anyway, I asked them how they got all that I was doing, plus everything else they were doing, done.

They told me that they both put in overtime. The younger girl (the one I'm training to take over for during her maternity leave) only does maybe 3 or 4 hours of overtime. But the older lady said that she averages 17 - 20 hours of overtime PER week! She told me she was worried about what she was going to do when the truckers went completely over to the scanning system - which would cut way back on the paperwork. She has been working this kind of overtime for the past three years, and has grown accustomed to living on that amount of money. She's going to be in trouble when she has to live on just her 40 hrs a week salary.

I wanted to suggest to her that it's never a good idea to count overtime money as actual income. That it's better to base your budget on the base salary, and then have set categories for any kind of extra money that comes in - whether it be from overtime or from lottery winnings, etc. etc.

Of course I didn't say anything like that to her for two reasons: 1. It really wouldn't be very helpful to her now because she's already used to living on that money... and more importantly 2. I'm new, and she's the one I'm going to have to be working with for the next few months, so want to keep a good working relationship.

Spending Log:
None

Keeping It Frugal,
Laura

Today was another nice lazy day. I didn't even get around to doing any cooking or anything else really productive. I did read a Karen Kingsbury book - the first in her series called "Redemption." I'm now reading the second book in that seres called "Remember". So far, so good.

This evening I got on my computer after finishing "Redemption" to check my email. My computer wasn't connecting to the net however, which I found quite strange since I have cable internet, and it's an always on type connection. So I ended up rebooting my computer. After logging back in, a screen came up for a program called "PowerScan." I didn't recognize it as anything *I* had put on my computer, so I googled it and found out it was a spyware thing. So then I realized I hadn't updated (or ran) adaware in awhile. But alas, adaware somehow wasn't on my computer anymore!! *I* sure don't remember removing it! So, I put it back on from the Lavasoft site (the free one of course) and ran it. It found 263 adware files!!!!!! Needless to say, I think I'm going to have to get vigilant about running that thing again. I've fallen down on my duty of protecting my computer.

I need to record Desperate Housewives for my dad, and maybe watch Crossing Jordan, then get to bed at a decent hour tonight. Can't sleep in tomorrow - back to the old work grindstone. I hope I get called for temp jobs for Thursday and Friday to help pad my paycheck - January might just be a pretty lean, lean month if all I have is three weeks of 20 hours a week (plus of course this past week since the paycheck doesn't come till Dec 2 - would count towards January.)

No spending today - didn't go anywhere either.

Keeping It Frugal in Texas,
Laura

Today was essentially a very lazy day for me. Spent most of it on the computer. However, yesterday my dad had asked me to mail a card for him, so that meant I had to go out to the post office. Since I had to go out anyway, I decided to stop at Taco Bell and then at Walgreens since I had a little grocery budget money left.

After stopping at the post office, I went to Walgreen's. I picked up my pint of Dreyer's Nestle Ice Cream and a Coke, then went to stand in line. One of the employee's came over and told me she could get me in Cosmetics, so I gladly followed her there. While ringing up my purchases, she mentioned that they had some lotions left that were free after rebate, AND that if I bought one, THEY would send in the receipt + rebate form for me!!! I'd been thinking that it was about time to get some more lotion (with Vitamin E) and since it would be free, I went ahead and bought it. All I had to do was fill my name and address out on the rebate form (I also entered my rebate card # to get the extra 10%). She kept my receipt and marked my purchase, and she will send it in for me! I have to say that that is some remarkable customer service! I hadn't done any Walgreen's rebate shopping in awhile, but that was easier than pie!

Tomorrow I am going to try and figure out a couple things I can make with my stockpile of food. I'd like to make Special K roast, but I'm not sure I have enough cottage cheese. Maybe I'll make lasagna or some other kind of cassarole with my oodles of noodles.

Found out that at Kroger's this week you can get our friday night pizza for $2 a pizza if you buy 8 of them. That is almost $3 less than Walmart's price. I'll have to let my dad know about it so he can get some on Monday - that is, if they have enough of the plain cheese ones left by then.

Spending:
Walgreens: $6.39 (junkfood + lotion)
Taco Bell: $2.39 (7-layer burrito + pintos&cheese)

Keeping It Frugal in Texas,
Laura

Got to work an hour early. Wasn't a very exciting day. Spent 8 hours sitting at a desk answering the phone maybe 3 dozen times, transfering calls to various places when needed. Easily finished my book two hours before the end of the day. Spent the last two hours reading msnbc.com and cnn.com since those were the only two websites "allowed". Those last two hours really dragged!

Got home and got to hear how disgusted my dad was at Albertson's. He'd gone there to buy a couple Red Barron Pizza's (on sale 3 for $10) and the one we've been eating for Friday night supper wasn't on sale. Smart guy ended up getting a no epiration raincheck. I will definitely have to look into some coupons for that!

Otherwise a pretty slow day. I am so looking forward to sleeping in in the morning (if Monkey doodles who's sitting in front of my monitor will let me!) Ha ha! Just as I was writing about him, he turns his head towards the monitor like he's reading what I'm writing. Cat's are just too funny!

Spending:
Wal-greens: $2.34 junkfood (chocolate bars on Black Friday sale, couldn't resisit - really!)

Keeping It Frugal in Texas,
Laura

Today was pretty good. Dad and I went up to my mom's place. When we got there dad gorillia glued the pieces of the top piece for her desk. Then we started on our journey to find a place to eat. Most of the places we were thinking of were closed, so we ended up eating at Furr's Cafeteria. I owed my dad half of the Sam's Club membership renewal, so I told him that I would treat for the meal. All of us were being fairly conservative with what we took. Then when we got to the register we found out that they were charging one price for all you could eat! So when we got to the table the watier told us that he would bring us anything we wanted so we wouldn't have to cut in line. I ended up getting some more veggies, but was satisfied with what I already had. Dad gorged himself quite simply. Mom ate her three nibbles and pronounced herself "stuffed."

When we got back to Mom's apartment we watched "The Fugitive." I'd given my dad the DVD for his birthday (back in July) and he hadn't had a chance to watch it yet. Mmm mmm, Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones.

Got back home and had an email from a good college friend of mine. She sent some pictures of her kids - she has two girls - adorable of course. I hadn't heard from her in awhile, so it was good to get a bit of an update.

Tomorrow I have to get up super duper early - no not for Black Friday sales - but for a one-day temp job as a bank receptionist. I have to be there by 8, and I figure with holiday traffic, I'll need to leave here no later than 6am. Ugh! I am NOT a morning person!

I finished reading "There's Something About Christmas" on the way to my mom's place. Sniff, sniff. I think I'm going to have to stake out the shelf in the library with more of Debbie MacComber books. Am now starting on a new book by Melissa Bank called "The Wonder Spot." So far, so good.

My calves have been really, really sore today. I guess I didn't stretch them enough last night after gliding on my gazelle.

Spending today:
Furr's Cafeteria: $28.97 -- 3 meals + 1 IBC Rootbeer (that was me, my special treat on Thanksgiving, couldn't resist.)

Keeping It Frugal in Texas,
Laura

Woo Hoo! My Gazelle arrived tonight a little after 6pm just as I was fixing supper. The estimated delivery date was Nov 30 and I didn't think my patience would hold out that long. After dad and I ate, we worked together to put it together. It wasn't really too difficult, but it was good there were two people working together. I already did my first workout on it -- ~20 minutes. I LOVE It!!! Now I can get my cardio in while watching tv shows and not having to mess with videos or worry about what the weather's like or how dark it is, etc.

I had a short day at work today, which was good because I had NOTHING to do!! After work I picked up my check. Then I stopped at Walmart. Instead of just putting enough on my shopping card for one tank of gas, I went ahead and put enough on it for the tank of gas, plus my December gas budget. That way I don't have to go in there every time I want to fill up (and be tempted to buy something else - like chocolate!)

I watched some of my Lost Bonus Disc DVD when I got home. So far it's pretty cool, but I don't think I'll watch all the parts. Then tonight Lost was on an hour later than usual, which was good because we weren't done putting together my Gazelle till nearly 7:15pm. It was AWESOME!! I bet posters on television without pity.com are going to be complaining loudly about the charachter Ana Lucia having flashbacks - but I still thought it was a very well done episode.

I read some more of my book "There's Something About Christmas" last night. In fact I had to force myself to put it down so that I would get a good night's rest. I'm going to read some more tonight, probably knowing me, I might even finish it.

I'm really liking using the program "You Need a Budget." Since my income each month right now is who knows what - depending on what assignments I get/# of hours - basing my next month's spending on what I earn in the current month is the way to go. Customer service is awesome also. I had a question about something, and emailed Jesse (the creator of the program) and had a response the next day that gave me a through explanation. I think it was well worth the $20.

Spending Today:
Walmart:
Junkfood - $2.14
Gas ---- $19.08 ---- $1.96/gallon w/card !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(I'm not counting my December gas budget until I actually spend it from the card.)

Keeping It Frugal in Texas,
Laura

Happy Thanksgiving Everybody!!

Woo Hoo! Walmart has their gas for $2.02/gallon, and with the shopping card discount, it becomes $1.99!!! Maybe it will even go down another cent or two by tomorrow night when I need to fill up again.

Work was ok. When I got there this morning my access card wasn't working. Luckily one of the people who works in my section pulled up behind me and opened the gate with his card, and let me in the building. The security guy fixed my card for me, so hopefully it will work in the morning. Otherwise, nothing very interesting happened today.

I stopped by the library on my way home and picked up four more books. I was really looking to see if I could find the first book in a series - I had inadvertantally picked up books 2 and 3 last time. They didn't have the first book.

When I got home I clipped the necessary coupons, and made up our shopping list (using the grocerygame list plus a few other things we needed.) I divided the coupons between my dad and I and we went shopping. They had restocked on an item which was still on sale, and I still had coupons for (making it free.) Dad added a number of things that weren't on my list, otherwise we would've had a better percentage. My list - $15.50 shelf total -- Actual Cost $4.08 (12 items). My dad's list -- $32.03 shelf total -- Actual Cost $22.10 (17 items). Total shopping trip: $47.58 shelf total / $26.18 actual cost (29 items) = less than $1 an item!! Pretty good considering that we bought milk, frozen vegetables, a frozen pizza, 3 boxes of cereal, plus other stuff. Also, my dad's Kroger card now has over $100 spent for November, so he's earned the $.10/gallon gas discount. He drives by a Kroger gas station at least once a week, so he'll be able to use the discount without doing any extra driving.

As for me, today was a no spending day.

Oh, for supper tonight we had mashed potatoes (free), vege chicken strips ($1 - 1/2 box), cream corn ($.25), and cinnamon rolls ($.50). Free and cheap food tastes so good! And, I am taking the leftovers for lunch tomorrow.

I finished Amy Tan's book "Saving Fish from Drowning." It was really good. I actually ended up staying up late to finish reading it. Tonight at the library one of the books I got was "There's Something About Christmas" by Debbie MacComber. I've only read a few pages, but it looks pretty good.

Keeping It Frugal In Texas,
Laura

I had a late start this morning. Just couldn't make myself get out of bed in time to exercise. Made it to work with plenty of time to spare though.

Work was fairly busy all day long. One of the surveyor's came in in the late afternoon and told me that she had to quit. Her mother in law's alzheimer's was getting worse, and she was needed to take care of her. I told her I was sorry to see her go, but that I understood.

I got a call from the employment agency offering me a temp job as a receptionist on Friday. I very gladly accepted. It will definitely make next weeks paycheck much better than I was expecting.

Dad mentioned to me that my grandma and his sister might be coming here for four or five days over Christmas. I'll be happy to see them, and I know he will be very happy to see them too. But ever since I've moved out on my own, the only Christmas decorating I've done is in my classroom - and even that was just basically a paper chain and some garlands and one strand of white lights - plus kids artwork. I don't have any Christmas decorations. I don't have money to spend on decorations or the extra electricity for lights. I don't have the storage space for any of that either. So, anyway I hope that they won't be too disspointed to come and spend Christmas in a home thats NOT decorated - and if I'm offered any temp jobs during that week, I feel like it would be necessary for me to take them. So I guess he'll have to be their main host. I hope they stay in a hotel, because if they stayed here they'd have to share my bed (a King) and I'd get to sleep on the futon in my living room. No privacy at all. I guess I really have space isues don't I?

Today I wore one of the tops I bought at Goodwill in July for $2. It's blue, and soft, and has ribbing? going vertically. I wore it with my red skirt thats kind of fitted. When I looked at myself in the mirorr I was really surprised. Either I'm actually slimming down some, or the effect of the outfit was very illusional. Even my dad made a comment tonight at supper asking me if I had lost weight. hee

k, time to be heading off -- no more sleeping in, ya hear! Weight lfiting here I come!!!

No spending today. Yay!

Keeping It Frugal in Texas,
Laura

This morning I somehow took a lot longer to get ready, and ended up having to speed all the way to the Garage to meet my bus on time. Did not like doing that very much at all. I kept having visions of getting stopped by a cop and then missing the darn bus anyway and having a ticket to boot! Thankfully I got there a minute before my check in time. I had some trouble getting a GPS reading on the first trip, so I have the feeling that first trip will need to be redone.

So anyway, this assignment should be the last one I have to go on, and I sure can't say that I'm sorry to say that. It's not hard work, sitting on a bus counting how many people get on and off. But it makes for some awfully short nights, and can just get to be quite tedious after awhile. I much prefer being in the office supervising.

I picked up a double newspaper on the way home. The coupon inserts are pathetic, but maybe one or two coupons might be worthwhile later on. I checked out the TV guide and to my surprise all but one of my regular tv shows (Everwood) is going to have a new episode this week. I also checked out the Career Builder, but there really wasn't anything very interesting in there.

I finished watching the last disc of Sex and the City. Although I've read where other viewers were very dissapointed with how it ended, I thought they ended it well. However, I am sad to know that there is no more where that came from. But now I can move on to the other 60 movies in my Que.

Today while I was on the bus I started reading Amy Tan's "Saving Fish from Drowning." I've enjoyed other books by her such as "The Bonesetter's Daughter" and "The Joy Luck Club" etc. So far I am also really enjoying her latest book as well. It's on a 7-day loan from the library, so I do need to get it back by Wednesday to avoid late fees. I used to read so much more than I have been lately. I guess I'm spending more of my reading time on the internet than I did before. I guess its a good thing in a way, because I was starting to run out of books that I enjoy that are also available at the library. I checked out frugalreader.com but I could see that getting quite expensive with the shipping - plus I really don't know if I have very many more books that I could part with, at least for now. Between all my moves this summer I got rid of ~45% of my library, maybe more.

Spending Log:
Dbl Newspaper: $1.99

Keeping It Frugal in Texas,
Laura

On Friday morning I got a call from Lynn at the employment agency. She told me that they had finally managed to get in touch with Candice. It had been nearly a week since we had heard from her, and I for one was really getting worried. It turns out that she had to have emergency surgery. I don't know what it was for, but she'll be able to be back to work this week. I'd started to really let my immagination run wild on this, so am glad to know concretely what happened!

On Friday afternoon I stopped at Walmart and picked up some more supplies for my personal foot and hand spa kit. I had picked up most of the supplies for the hands in October, so this month I picked up the supplies for my feet. In all, the supplies cost ~$35. A little more than the cost of a professional maincure/pedicure, but will last much, much longer, so the actual cost will probably be more like 10 cents per mani/pedi. All my supplies fit quite nicely in the dishpan (for soaking my feet in) and really doesn't take up much room. I got this one nail polish for $.88 - it's kind of clear with sparkles and little confetti type stars. I thought it was pretty cool.

Today I went out to lunch with some of my Pathway classmates. It was really great seeing them and catching up. They were talking about going to the Christmas banquet ($40 per person!) and the Step Beyond training ($349 - not including hotel!). Although I would dearly love to go, I just can't justify it. For the banquet you're supposed to dress up really fancy. My one "fancy" dress fit me 30 lbs ago, so I would need to get something else. Even if I could find something at Ross or at a consignment store, it would be at least $20, plus the cost of the banquet. So today's little get together is what will have to do for me until after the holidays when we have another get together.

For Thanksgiving my mom, dad and I are going to eat at Jason's Deli. Then we're going to go to mom's apartment and watch a movie. My mom wants to see On Golden Pond, so I told her that I'll make sure I watch my two DVD's I have right now from Netflix and get them in the mail on Monday, and then put On Golden Pond to be next in my Que. It should easily be here by Wednesday. Our family used to have a traditional Thanksgivng meal. But in the last six years, I don't think we've had one traditional meal. We've either been invited to someone else's meal, or like last year dad and I ate at Golden Corral, and then I ate with my Mom at Jason's Deli (they weren't on good speaking terms then.) I do sometimes miss making the meal and eating some of our traditional foods, but I don't really miss the cleanup!!

Oh! I almsot forgot to mention! I relisted my LAN cable on Ebay that didn't sell last time. This time I put a buy it now price - and somebody bought it! Woo Hoo! I'm going to get it out in the mail on Monday. I really need to get some other items listed - like the Oriental scarf, which would probably make a good Christmas gift for someone into scarves (which I'm not - and received it as a gift from someone who actually bought it in the Philipines I think.)

I received my refund from the dating site on Friday afternoon. Yay! I also ordered the Gazelle from target. It says it will arrive here by Nov 30. I'm hoping that's a generous estimate and that I'll get it much sooner than that!!

Almost forgot! Dad checked out this gym that is near where I live. He found out that they do offer Pilates classes twice a week - Mon: 7 - 8 p.m. and Wed 5:30 - 6:15 pm. You can do the classes without having to actually be a gym member. A one day pass cost $10.87, but you can get a 10 day pass for $50 which makes each class only $5! So what I am planning on doing is going to the class on Wednesday to check it out, and just buy the one-day pass to start. Then, if I like it and think I can handle it, I'll get a 10-day pass, and then go once a week. So for ~$60 I'll have 11 weeks of Pilates classes where I can have someone tell me directly what I need to improve on. I'm hoping that by the end of the 11 weeks, I'll be well versed enough that I can continue on without instruction.

Ok, I need to go watch my DVD so I can mail it out on Monday.

Spending Log:
Friday:
Walmart: 19.70 -- pedicure stuff

Saturday:
Walmart -Gas: $20.50 --$2.01/gallon w/giftcard
Abuelo's Mexican Resturant: $8.87 (meal + tip)
Walmart: $3.14 -- junkfood

Keeping It Frugal in Texas,
Laura

Mmmm mmmm good! Campbell's tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich - not much better on a cold winter's evening. Though it's not that terribly cold yet - at least not like they were predicting (Freeze warnings, etc.) It at least gave me a good reason to make some soup tonight.

I did my weight lifting routine today. To make my routine a little shorter, as well as work a little harder, I upped my weights and lowered the reps. It felt like a pretty good workout. Two of the exercises I think I'll increase the weight next time, but keep the rest the same.

Work was okay today. I am worried about one of the surveyor's though. I talked to Candice on Thursday, but have not heard from her since then. She was supposed to come into the office today or yesterday to download her work, and get her new assignments. I left a number of messages, as did the employment agency. I really hope she's okay. She's a single mom with the cutest little girl.

After work I stopped by the employment agency to pick up my check and I talked to Lynn. I mentioned to her about wanting to make sure that I'm able to get some temp jobs to fill in the hours in case my hours get cut back again in the supervisory position. She told me that wouldn't be a problem, just let them know what I need. Then I also mentioned that I although I'm more than happy for any and all temp jobs, what I would really like would be a long-term permenant job. She told me that she thinks that may be a very good possibility!! Before I went in I was getting the down in the dumps, despairing feeling, but after talking with her for a few minutes I felt so much better and so much more hopeful.

Dad was in a bit of a mood tonight. We went to Kroger's to do some grocery shopping and he asked me how much I thought we would spend. I was at a bit of a loss as how to answer. Finally I told him that it depended on how much he decided to get of the things that weren't free after coupon. Dad "grumble, grumble" "grumble, grumble". Then finally I just said, well well, the milk and bread will be about $5, then if we get lets say 5 boxes of GG veggies, that'd be another $5, then however many pudding boxes you want ... That at last seemed to mullify him. He ended up getting ~$35 worth of groceries for ~$16.

When I checked my bank account today, I noticed a renewal charge from one of the dating sites. Well, I definitely didn't want to renew at that site, and hadn't even realized that my membership was up for renewal. So I went to the site and it took about half an hour to figure out how to contact them. I wrote them an email teling them that I could not afford the renewal fee and that I thought it was rotten that 1)there was no notice sent to me letting me know that my account was up for renewal (thus giving me a chance to cancel if need be) 2) that there was no option in the account settings where you can say you don't want to auto renew, and 3) that there was no phone number to contact a real human being to discuss this. Oh, I also mentioned that another very rival site *does* do all those things. Within about two hours I had an email telling me that they had refunded my renewal fee and cancled my account (like I had asked.) Once I have a permenant job I might start looking again, but until then I think its pretty much a waste of time.

Oh! When I checked my bank account I also noticed that a transfer I had made from ING had already arrived. I'm using that money for my credit card - the purchase of the Gazelle, along with paying some more of it down so its not so close to its limit. I pay twice or more the mininum every month, although I do have the money in ING where I could pay it off all at once - it's just hard giving up the numbers in my ING account. I know money wise it makes more $cents to not have CC debt (esp at 21%!!!) versus the minimal 3.5% savings rate, but I still like seeing those numbers in my ING account. So anyway, the transfer went much faster than I thought it would, so I upped the date of my CC payment which will save a little bit of interest.

BTW - I've had this card now since 2002 and have never had a late payment. I have asked three times for my interest rate to be lowered - and each time it ends up going UP instead of down!!! I would dearly love to get a different CC - but again, that is where a real, steady permenant job comes into play.

This is quite long enough now. I probably ought to be heading off to bed. Tomorrow is my Pilates day.

Keeping It Frugal in Texas,
Laura