Little Miss Sunshine

I have found recently that here and there I have purchased things be it for my kids or myself or whomever.....when I should not of purchased them. It does not happen all the time but I find my myself at times being numbed at buying things mindlessly. Yesterday I bought two small coolers at WAL MART. I decided since we are packing food for the weekend to take with us to our dance competition I wanted something small and compact for us to take. I felt they were justifed. I probably could of made due. I thought maybe it would be better to have these coolers. I have to get much better at really denying myself and really thinking twice about purchases. It is a bad habit to make purchases so mindlessly. A little bit here and then a little bit there.

I want to work on denying myself because 9 times out of 10 I don't really need the item. I hope to really think about purchses I make the rest of the month.

I finally bought a vehicle last Saturday.
I am pretty happy about it. My girls dance teachers' family owns a dealership so that is where I went and found what I was looking for. I had a very good experience and was very pleased with how it all went down. I took my son with me since he was home from college. He was pretty handy to have along as he knows so much about prices and technology. I saw it Saturday and drove it home on Monday.
I bought a used 2005 Chevy Trail Blazer. I traded in my E150 van and got a pretty good trade in for it. The whole process went really smoothly. This was the first time in my entire life I bought a vehicle all on my own. It felt pretty empowering. I also paid cash for it. That felt really good. SO far so good. I am enjoying it.
Cheaper than the van to fill with gas too.

Everyone has been sick except me. Thank goodness!!! My middle daughter has been out of sick this entire week. Sinus infections and the flu bug. Today I called in sick to work. I have not missed any work since April 2007. So I felt OK calling off today. My boss was fine and understood. I hate calling off, but I felt more needed at home of course.

We have a dance competition this weekend in town. The pressure is on to feel better!! I will have to go to work and pick up my check and cash it. I will be spending some money on parking and food items. We are packing some small coolers to take with us so that will help save some money.

I spent some money last weekend of course on the SUV but I had to buy shoes for my son and also groceries. He did work at his dad's and was able to pay half of what he owes me. Money is tight for him.
He told me he plans on working all summer at two jobs and saving as much as he possibly can. He seems to have a good head on his shoulders now concerning money. I did some Valentine gifts (small) for my girls as well. ...so that was money spent.

I got a rather serious letter from my investment guy explaining how the market is of course sour and terrible right now.
I am not sure the purpose of the letter.....yes I know things stink right now but I have to keep the money invested and not worry about it. Most of it I am trying not to touch till I am retired any way. I guess it was nice to get a letter explaining why things are terrible right now. Maybe they are worried about th eir own rear ends. Part of me questioned buying a "new" vehicle....but I figured I had the money saved, I paid cash, I will save on gas and it was needed for our household. I just have to save as much as possible like I have been doing.

Well I win the bet! The gal at work who called off "sick" or what ever the heck she was doing----happily arrived at work today and said Hello to me. The she proceeded to tell me how tired she was while leaning on her cart. Then she asked who took care of her jobs she did not get too. I don't know but I decided she is kinda not worth my time encouraging her to have better work habits. She also needed to hand out clean towels on Monday. Well the towel cart sat there all loaded with clean towels today and she did not seem to mind that she was not doing it. And what was really weird was my boss did not seem to care either. Just plain old weird. I think she spent alot of the day playing around in her office
and planning her lunch. Odd.

Oh well be lazy is the message I feel the boss is sending to everyone in the department. It was kind of discouraging.
ON A BRIGHT SIDE!!!!! I helped a dear old lady today who is very new to our place. Well she got sick and wet the bed. She was so worried and super stressed she was very nervous to ask me for help. When I saw her sorry state....I sprang into actin and got things clean and got her clean. I had to help her to get dressed and that can be very humbling to have someone see you well....naked. I got her back in a fresh bed along with the tv remote and then saw her daughter. She thanked me profusely for helping her mother. It felt so good to know I was really making a difference.
I do not say that with pride...it just feels good to help.... to basically HELP someone in need. To truly make a small deposit in a life. I think at times people where I work forget that is why we are where we are working. Sad but true.
My co-worker must just suck the life out of me.....I can not imagine being so lazy and indifferent about your work. Maybe I am the odd ball.

If you go to their web site Redbox you can get free rentals and free rentals every Monday in Feb. via your cell phone.
I HIGHLY recommend Redbox for renting DVD's. Check it out. I have been very pleased with the whole system they have set up. They seem generous with coupons as well.

Got the cell bill for me and my dd. It was very bad. Guess which one of us made the phone bill "bad"?? I decided to make my daughter pay for half of it. She lost all her cash and now will have to take money out of her savings account. I decided I HAD TO MAKE IT HURT!!!!!!! Oh well.....a lesson hopefully she is learning the hard way. She talks too much plain and simple.

Loads of people at work sick with the flu...so far I am well. I just have a small slight cold with a small slightly annoying runny nose. My counter part who also cleans with me called in sick again!!! I am pretty sure they HAVE to fire her now. She is very lazy and unreliable. Do you want to bet about $100 she will still have a job when she wanders back in?? Ok the bet is on! I am not sure what YOU HAVE to do to GET FIRED! Work places sure seem ultra easy going and lax.

Free things at work. Coupons which I wanted since they have some soup ones I NEED for my son. Loads of coupons. I got a nice wired wide ribbon in gold off a dead plant. About 7 feet long. Part of a lunch...which was a dill pickle that tasted so good for some strange reason and some chips. It was nice snack for my break time. Four new white envelopes and a notecard with horses on it. Nothing else free today.

We ate dinner at home. My dd who I thought was eating out with her basketball team did not eat out as the game finished up earlier than expected. I only made enough chicken for three people--so we stretched it and made due. I have been making BBQ chix and adding very shredded carrots into the sauce, along with a tiny bit of butter and onion. I LOVE IT!!! It tastes so good and I like the chucky texture. Try it. It is a great way to use up carrots or include some vegies in your meal. I use my Black and Decker chopper to chop them up finely.

I also brought my lunch to work. Good thing. AS the vending machine broke. It is sad that so many depend on the vending machine near the dumpster for nourishment on their work shift. I really encourage you working folks to bring your own lunch and snacks....even cans of pop or water. It is so sensible! I often find many hungry eyes staring at my lunch! Hmmm....maybe I could start another small business!

Have a good evening everyone!

Had a pretty good day today. Took my middle daughter out for lunch for our little "date". It was very nice and pleasant. I made some returns as well. I was getting close to the 30 day return window.....so I really had to get those returned! Later for dinner we did Taco Bell. I had planned it in my mind to do TB all week. So we spent $13 and got a ton of food for four people. IN fact my dinner cost $1.19 and I only ate half! Talk about cheap eats! WOW

Tonight I grocery shopped with my two youngest. It was really hard to take them. They are too busy asking to buy things. I ran into a ton of people I know so I did spend time chatting a bit here and there. The store seemed empty. I thought it would be much more crowded due to the Super Bowl. We rented a RED BOX DVD and popped some micro popcorn. Nice and cheap. Do you have a RED BOX?? You just can't beat it! Sadly that is why the MOVIE GALLERY near me might of closed.
RED BOX does not need employees......MOVIE GALLERY did.

I got the bill for the next dance competition. It is so much money! I almost wanted to cry. This one is in town--there is no hotel even in the cards.....it just adds up I guess with all the fees and having both girls in it...it is double the price for everything. I did not estimate the high cost of two girls on dance team when I got divorced...I should of asked for more support. Oh well.....I thank the Lord that I have some income from my part time job. It helps so very much! It seems outragous. I try to not complain but at times it just seems like so much. I am glad my girls love to dance and it sure beats them doing things that are wrong or unhealthy!

All in all a good Saturday.

Sunday is church and homework and working around the house. So glad I did my grocery shopping!!! That feels good to have my menu planned and have it all shopped for and put away!

I will probably not even watch the Super Bowl. I am just not into sports.

I did not find any good freebies today at work. I was too busy helping the nurse assistants with residents who had the flu!
I was amazed that I did not get grossed out AT ALL!!!! Not one time! I guess I felt sorry for them and acted more like a mom....you know what I mean...you just get the job done. Many of the residents are very sick and it seems to be spreading! I was glad to be out of there today! I washed my scrubs.....and my sheets today. I did all the towels as well. I hope to keep the germs at bay!

I did cash my paycheck and headed to Dollar Tree. I decided I had better get my little one's valentine candy and treat supplies for her school valentine party and cards for my daughters while they had them available. I did come across bottled water there....6 bottles that were decent size for a buck! We use them for dance classes.....so I got 6 botttles.

I have my girls this weekend and all week as their dad is in Orlando till next week on business. My son is coming home next weekend as my girls will leave to go to dad's house. I have to pick him up and his dad is taking him back. That sure helps. Saves on gas if we share the drives. It is kinda sad.....he never really likes to be with his dad anymore. I think the new wife and baby really upset my son and he basically can't stand to be around them. I may use next weekend to look at used cars. We'll see. I thought my son might enjoy that challenge with me. I need to save some money for when he comes home, as I would like to treat him to dinner out one night.

We ate dinner in tonight. Trying to save "some" money. I hope this weekend is peaceful and restful for all of us. I have no plans to speak of. My house is pretty neat and clean---so hopefully we can just enjoy it all.

If you go to the web site there is a coupon to print out that lets you save $5 when you purchase $20.00 (sales tax is not included in your $20 total).
It is only good for today-- Thursday.

I did go and use it on staples. I did not want to spend but I decided it was a prety good deal. I got a ton of stuff some items were found in the clearance bin. Happy saving!

On the way home from dance my DD asked if we could stop and get a quick Taco Bell. My heart was so happy as I had purposefully left all cash at home! So we could not stop! Beautiful plan!!

That seems to work great for me. At work I can not use the vending machine cause....I have no money in my purse!
YAHOO!

Nothing really good for free at work today. I got some rubber like drawer liners that were leftovers from a new resident. They were new. Not sure where I will use them.

With high ---very high winds we lost power from 4am till 9am. My house was very cold! Luckily I turned on the gas fireplace.....so we all got ready for work and school via firelight. It was kinda fun and very humbling to be powerless. Lots of residents where I work are sick with the flu....many are now in the hospital. I hope I stay well!

I hope to bake on Thursday--brownies and banana bread and I will make apple salad as well if time permits. It is my day off so I will be staying home and not spending money or using up too much gas.
Friday is payday...yahoo again!

I am trying this week to stay away from the stores and eating out. Boy is it hard!
Today I made my last stop at Walgreens to buy TP and paper plates via a coupon. I looked at the marked down and clearance area. Good deals.....but everything I picked up I said do I really need this and can I make do or can I get this cheaper?? Boy that helped.
I pretty much never have big time problems at stores...but a little bit here and a little bit there really adds up. Thursday is my day off....I am planning on not going anywhere. I will stay home and find things to do here. Should be easy if I plan ahead to not spend on silly things.

I have an envelope started with $20 to use for dance recital costumes. This will be hard but I am determined to save as much cash as I can to pay for them as "painlessly" as possible.

Today I washed my son's little FOCUS in the driveway. That was fun since the weather was warmer...for now. I washed quickly and used as little water as possible. I did a good job I think getting the winter crud off. I think it was cheaper then a car wash.

My kids are set as far as a summer vacation goes. They will be going for a week to my ex's partner's summer house in Kiwahah Island. I am glad as I am not taking them anywhere big like that. I hope to work alot that week they are gone.

Back to work and of course I have my share of free things.
1. 3 Rolls of TP
2. Nice gold colored metal tin from someone's cookies. (good for storage or re-gifting)
3. Newspapers galore
4. Coupons galore
5. Local townie magazines I like to read that are from Jan and Feb 2008
6. 3 cans of Folgers coffee. Two new and one half used.
7. Stationary/Notepaper and stickers from March of Dimes throw away junk mail

Nice stash I would say. I did share one Folgers can with my friend who is really strapped for cash. That was fun to bless her. She gladly accepted my freebie.

I am still saving pennies and nickles in my change jar. It is fun to do and fun to save. Bills have slowed down a bit.....thank goodnes. I now have to start a slush fund for dance recital costumes.....I am way too embarasses to say how much it will be! It will be a huge amount. Due in March....so I putting some cash away here and there for that fund. Girls are with me all week except for Tuesday they will eat dinner with dad.
So one less meal to make. They ate a huge late dinner at his house Sunday afternoon so I did not have to cook dinner on Sunday as the girls were too full.

I did spend some money on Saturday at the dance competition. $48 on dance souviners....and dinner out with dance parents and girls for $36.00. That is always to be expected at these events.
I lucked out as one of the dad's does plastic surgery. We were seated next to each other. I decided to ask him about tummy tucks. He was happy to answer my questions and then he was happy to write off his dinner as a business expense! I learned alot. It helped me gauge how much money it will take to have one someday. Interesting to say the least. I think he was happy to answer all my concerns.

Well I hope to get more free stuff at work. I really like that part of my job. One never knows what one will find. It is like a treasure hunt. One sweet grandma's junk becomes my treasure!

Today I had to go to WalMart and purchase a large assortment of what nots for dance team. Makeup and many go withs,it is utterly insane. I walked out very bummed out. It is two steps forward it seems and about twenty back. HOPEFULLY these supplies will last the entire year and I will not have to re-purchase anything.
Still it hurts to look at the receipt. I really have not been so bummed about money in a long time. I am really feeling it for some reason. Maybe I should stop watching the TV news!

My son called and wants to come home from college. He was just at my parents house last weekend. My girls are with dad part of the weekend---we have a dance team competition so they will be with me for a time. So I have to take my son BACK on Sunday to school. Part of me is happy to do it.....to have him home yet, part of me wonders why he is in college since he never seems to be there on the weekends! Part of me wanted the weekend to be alone. I was not looking forward to having company. I feel badly saying that. He is thinking of transferring. Maybe if he goes farther location wise, he will be less likely to come home alot. I did not come home as much as he does when I was in school. He says he is bored. I don't really get it I guess. So my Sunday is now shot since I will be driving for 6 hours. Hopefully I can get to the library and get some music CD's to listen to or a book on CD. We will see.

It is very cold here.....I have the heat as low as I can stand it and when the girls are home I do turn it up a bit.
Was going to buy some clothes today for me but decided I can wing it with what I have. Thank goodness for work scrubs! What a HUGE life saver!!!!! I literally have about 8 things hanging in my closet. I decided last week to get rid of most of my fat clothes. They are just too big.
It felt good to do that. Thankfully I have a quasi boring life social wise.....so I need nothing really. I never really go anywhere that I have to look dressed up or too over the top. I do need a pair of jeans. I have not owned jeans for about ten years....no lie. That is one item I really want.

I delivered the newspapers....a job I am really starting to hate but I like the small amount of money I get for it. It went quickly since it is so cold I threw faster to get it done QUICK!

I have a TARGET gift card my daughter got me for Christmas for $35.00. I will probably use it for food/staple purchases for next week. That will help stretch things. TP goes on sale on Sunday at WALGREENS.....I have a bunch of coupons to get a small stash going. I have set aside the money.

This weekend will be very stressful I can tell already. I will really have to work on staying sane, calm and prayerful. One day at a time.....or ONE HOUR at a time will be my motto! I WILL make it thru all hurdles I will be facing. It will be a piece of cake....chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. YUM!

Wow what happened?? It was all quiet on the western front and then BAM the bills went crazy! I got my property tax bill and a medical bill for $500.00 which please do not get me started on! Just uterrly ridiculous! I am scheduled for an ultrasound....routine of course....that my frugal friends..... I promptly cancelled! You know like 20% of it is covered.....so a....no way. A $400.00 car repair bill and then stuff my son can't pay me back for "just yet". So I am dipping into my precious and I MEAN precious savings account. No spending unless really a needed and I MEAN REALLY NEEDED ITEM. The new clothes I wanted and the new floor lamp.....forget it.

Tough times call for tough and tight reins. The sad part is I am not sure things will be getting better. What is going on????? Lord helps us all!

Glad and thankful for---
1. my part time job and thus a paycheck.
2. my house is not in foreclosure
3. kids and I are healthy
4. ex pays me what he owes me on time
5. I have all the basics of life covered
6. all my blessings

I can now stop complaining.

This week as I pass the small grocery store near the kid's school I stop in for fresh fruit. I have noticed we seem to eat more fruit when I pick a few things every few days. We seem to eat the fruit and it stays fresher??? It just seems to work better and there seems to be far less waste. I used to buy it by the bag full...that method overwhelmed us for some reason. Alot of it we wasted. I really like making a pit stop and purchasing a small variety to eat. The girls seem to like it far better. The result seems to be a better budgeted food budget.

I spent money this morning before the closet re-do. I had a back tooth removed. It cost me $153.00 since I do not have dental insurance. My face hurts now---I had nothing to eat today but a cup of soup. So another med. bill for the tax folder.
Hopefully I am set now as far as dental work goes for some time. I am blessed with average teeth that always seem to need some work!

Today I had a side job at work on my day off! I cleaned an entire walk in closet for one of the elderly ladies I clean for. It went really well! I cleaned out 8 HUGE trash bags of non needed clothes and misc. Then I got the handyguy to hang a low rod. I re-organized everything top to bottom. It took me four hours. I made $60 in cash. Lovely! She went to lunch when I was just getting going....so I am hoping she loved it when she rolled back into her apartment! I know before she left she hugged me alot. I was really happy to get the money and a nice hug. Honest!

I then heard her bragging about me in the dining room as I stepped off the elevator. Talk about free advertising!
Really fun to see results and make someone so happy. Another reminder that one can live without so many clothes and shoes and whatnots! Keeping it simple is best.

Not too much free stuff today---newspapers with tons of coupons, some TP and also some more Christmas greeting cards.....fun to cut up and re-do new ones.

I also got the money for my ring. I got via a personal check...good Lord I hope it is legit! If not.....what the heck! Hopefully it all is fine and dandy.

My girls came home from dad's crabby as usual. My ex runs them absolutly ragged all weekend and then they are so overly tired and just so beat...they end up being very crabby with me. They do so many things it would make anyone crabby I guess. I have learned to give them plenty of space and down time. It seems to help. If I get too much into their "space" they really get emotional.

All in all a good day. Lots of running the girls to dance classes tonight. So a busy night is ahead of me.
I wanted to stop by the Dollar Tree but I am resisting spending....what on earth could I need??????? Nothing!

Whew! I did it all--got everything done on my weekend without the girls list. I did super clean the fridge and freezer as well. Of course something spilled everywhere...so I had no choice in the matter. So I cleaned it out top to bottom.....a job I just hate but love when I do complete it.

Met my neighbor at the grocery store. I said to her..."shopping for the week?"--she sweetly repiled..."oh no for a couple of days". Well her cart was filled and she lives alone with her husband and they both work all day. Hmmm....interesting.

I am trying to really work on using it up and making due. Well in that vein I decided to buy myself a small $2.97 frozen pizza for my treat instead of Taco Bell. I decided to just not waste the time or gas and just stay put. Oh my that took a small amount of self control. Not a problem.....as I munch on my pizza I can work on my journal.

I got to bed last night at 9:30 and slept till 8:30!!!! Boy that felt so good. Sleep is such a wonderful healer. It does a body and mind so well.

All in all a great weekend of accomplishment. Now it is full steam ahead for the new week. I am so looking forward to my girls coming home--will be so good to see them.

Not much free stuff. I did get about ten absolutly beautiful Christmas cards that I will re-use of course!!! Most were 3-d types or Hallmark brands. I had some free newspapers which I read on break time.
Someone was throwing away a footstool.
It was a fake leather type. It was pretty worn out....so I munster my frugal will power and placed it in the dumpster.

I returned the high priced handbag I got for Christmas....I got $187.00 back on a MACY's gift card. Now what to do with that thing??? I will spend very very carefully and make it last and last. I still feel badly taking my mom's gift back-- I just DO!!! I am glad she does not see me often. Because she would wonder I am sure.

Tried to sell something at HALF PRICED books....why do I bother???? What a total rip off that store is. It is so awful there....would you like $6.00 for it???? the sales girl rip off artist asked with a huge smirky grin on her face?????? Good Lord.....what a total waste of gas. Why do I go there....please stop me someone if I ever speak about going to HALF PRICED RIP OFF BOOKS AGAIN! UGH!

Got free juice at work.....to eat with lunch I brought. I will do that every day I work. Why bring a can of soda.....drink for free at work! I did bring my own plastic cup....will do that again and I will wash and re-use it. I could use their strofoam cups (which I hate using) but I will be fair since I am getting free juice. Frugal....frugal.

Will eat at home tonight......maybe taco bell on Sunday. I am so itching to go there. I have it on my brain! Ridiculous how I think.

Sold my engagement ring at a house sale my co-worker held today. Got a fair price as well. Very thankful she handled that sale for me. Other ring did not sell. Will put all ring proceeds into the money market savings account. Deposited a check owed from my ex into the savings account today. Working on building up that account and saving.

Bought 6 bulbs for recessed cans lights.
Spent $9.99 for 6 at WALGREENS. Bought one treat for me for a dollar. Ate at home tonight. Low heat as well.

Will return purse to the mall on Saturday. Will pack lunch for work on Saturday. Will drink free juice at work.
Will keep an eye open for free stuff as I work. Saturday will tackle basement, also I will journal.

"The Ultimate Cheapskate's Road Map to True Riches" by Jeff Yeager
Comical and yet good info that will help you learn to live more simply and frugally. How to be happy and content with so much LESS!

"How Starbucks Saved my Life" Michael Gates Gill
I am half way done with this quick read. A man of much wealth loses it all and must find a new meaning to his life.
He starts over by working at Starbucks.
A good book to reflect on. You will draw alot from reading about how he started from a new humble begining...and found joy! inspiring!

Enjoy!!!

I am working Friday and Saturday. I have not worked a Saturday for about 6 weeks! I have had them all OFF as paid days. Now it is back to working every other Saturday.....oh well it was nice when I had that going for me. Kids are with dad so it will be a cheap weekend.
I plan on doing a few things.

1. Return designer handbag I got for Christmas....yes I just can not get used to the idea of such an overly costly handbag. Sorry way too thrifty here. Please do not tell my mom. Will save money I get in return to maybe buy some pans I need badly.
2. journalling- I am behind
3. Cleaning the basement for about two hours...that is it. A quick cleanup and organize session....no more no less. Throw one bag of trash and clutter away and feel a sense of accomplishment.
4. wash sheets thru out the bedrooms (son's bed is done)
5. grocery shop on Sunday AM
6. Keep the heat WAY DOWN and not use alot of lights.
7. EAT out ONCE by myself for a treat...maybe taco bell....we will see
8. Go thru free work magazines QUICKLY for recipes and interesting items.
9. pay some bills but get stamps when I grocery shop

Lots of newspapers to read
Magazines--very nice ones
Two BIG unused rolls of TP
Half filled bottle of Bath and Bodyworks hand soap--Lemongrass scent
25 nice red plastic party cups
Nice,sturdy cardboard fruit boxes to pack up stuff for GOODWILL.
Old Christmas cards to recycle for new greeting cards I will make.
Coupons GALORE!!!
3 garbage bags

I have alot of bills due this month. Most are not covered medical expenses, taxes to the state and the IRS, car insurance for me and my son ( the son is the killer), home owners insurance and I have a ton of dance team and class bills now that my two girls are competing starting in three weeks. So far..... this month of bill paying has been rough. I am planning on cutting back as much as possble in other areas. I just deposited a wad of cash in my savings/emerg fund and I REFUSE to take any out. Fingers crossed I can meet the challenge.

I am eating out on Sunday with my daughter. I know I just said this is a tight month. I am now taking each child out for lunch on a Sunday as a mother and daughter type date. I feel that I do not do enough one on one stuff with my girls. Lately my oldest one in HS has really had an attitude with me....so instead of punishing I decided to try the extra love approach. Hopefully we strike an understanding. Hopefully we just get to talk and share our hearts a bit. My girls went to the Hannah Montana concert with dad and to be honest I can not compete. Next is Disney on Ice and about three vacations.....two that are out of the country. So this is my way of carving out some time with each child. My heart just wants to connect and to let them know I love them so much. Plain and simple.

Thanks for all the GREAT comments on being grateful for our jobs and having the right heart attitude. It sure gives us food for thought. Lets all make a resolution to really work on our job appreciation this year. It can really apply to all parts of our lives.

I am very grateful I have a job. After watching the news tonight about how the job market is so "bad" I was really counting my blessings. I had two co-workers show bad attitude at work and I can only shake my head. One wanted to NOT work the day after Christmas. She did not feel like it I think. Many of the girls had the day off due to vacation days. She was not one of them...she threw an immature hissy fit and temper tantrum in front of the boss and left early without permission on Dec 26th and then called off "sick" the next day. Another gal who I like alot who is about 19....left work cause she did feel well. Well she neglected to tell anyone and she just left her broom and walked out the door. She left her jobs undone and unfinished. I am not sure what has happened to something called work ethics....but they seem to be sorely lacking in some people. I find that rather sad and prideful. Everyone can be replaced. Everyone has a fair shot at being fired or let go for this reason or that. Not every boss is a gem.....but yet not every one of us is a ...gem. You are gettting paid to work and work a way that benefits others.

So I am grateful I am working and for the most part things at work are pleasant and fulfilling. I am sure going to try hard not to be replaced or fired or let go or downsized. I am really going to try this year to a be a good upstanding worker.
I want to model good work ethics and good habits of the heart. I promised myself I would try to smile as much as possible at work. Some times I don't feel like it. When I do smile things seems to go better.

I like getting a paycheck and I like being employeed. It sure feels good.

Free magazines I like
Free mailing envelope that is large and unused
Free Newspapers
Free manilla file folders that are brand new

Also I hit the library and got some free December magazines....which I will read and look for good recipes that are frugal.

I cashed out at coinstar this morning.....735 pennies. Last year I had about 600 pennies. It is a silly thing I like to do. Not sure why. I may up it to pennies AND NICKLES this year just for fun. Life is short...have "some" fun!

I am happily going off to the bank today to deposit a large lump into my savings account/emergency fund. I was able to hold onto my December check from my ex and not do anything with it. Now I am going to safely tuck that away! I just have to be a little more frugal for January and I should be fine. Fingers crossed. I also am depositing my tv rebate check, the money my son owed me and part of my work bonuses. I just want to save, save, SAVE!!!!!!! Every little bit helps and adds up as we all know.

I got the WALGREENS sale flyer....I am resisting purchasing anything! I am fine on most supplies. I am heading to the grocery today. I will be sticking to my list...and eating out of the freezer and pantry as much as possible the rest of the week. I get paid on Friday, so I will be back at the bank tomorrow.

I have to throw newspapers today and it is very very COLD out there. I really do not like having to deliver the newspapers in the winter, but it seems worth it when I get a check each month for not much work on my part.

I have my thermostat set on 66. I am resisting the urge to turn it up. Staying warm by moving about and layering up.

Very uneventful evening spent with children. We enjoyed some ice cream sundaes and watched some TV and listened to iPods. Today the children will go to Dad's house for most of the day. I will finsih taking the tree and ornaments to the basement for storage. That is it as far as putting away Christmas goes. I even took the wreath off the front door and replaced it with a winter type wreath.

Weds is go to the bank day and also take penny jar in to tally up the amount for the year. Little things sure excite me.

I hope to tidy up and work on my journal for the New Year. New journal...new blank pages....new year.

Have a good day everyone