Little Miss Sunshine

I did some more shopping for small whatnots and stocking stuffers. To be very honest walking around TARGET and WALMART was sure depressing. I just did not enjoy looking around. I usually do not get too bummed but this season of meriment has not been so good for me.
I keep telling myself to sorta snap out of it but it is proving to be more of a challenge. I think the whole baby thing with my ex and my kids just seemingly being so thrilled and so happy has just not been so easy for me. At times it is all I can think about in the back of my head. One GOOD thing is my son has elected to travel to PA with me and not stay at his dad's for Thanksgiving like his sisters are doing. So I will have one of my kids with me--that has added a spark.

Yes shopping has been really hard. I guess everything looks the same and is the same. I will have two weeks off from the stores.....hopefully by then I will get re-energized. Everything seems overpriced and well just boring.....I usually find much clever items and I am sure striking out this year.

I ate out on Saturday with my girlfriend and boy that was fun. A neat little tea shop filled with Christmas everything and candle lights in the windows. I could tell by how much I talked I needed to get out. We had such fun. I even had desert...a small pc. of pumpkin roll....boy was that fantastic!
So I had a nice treat going out to eat.

With the girls gone I kept the heat low or off.....and hung some laundry out on the line. I managed to also get some sleep and rest that I sorely miss during the week. Since I shopped close to home I did not use too much gas. I also grocery shopped close to home. I did not buy alot figuring I want to wait till my son comes home Monday evening to see what he wants as far as food goes. I did make a meatloaf tody to use on Monday night. So dinner is made for Monday. I just have to make mashed potatoes.

My mother keeps asking me if I bought any new clothes for me....sadly I keep putting it off. I just can not be buying stuff for me at this time of year it seems. She just does not get it. It is hard to explain to others about being frugal and being Ok with it. I think it angers my mom to see me have to switch my lifestyle now that I am divorced. Oh well I just can't make people see my point of view at times, and that is OK.
Not much I can do to change their minds.

Back to work on Monday....I am off Thursday thru Sunday. We will put our tree up on Saturday . Hopefully I will get more into the spirit. I am thankful for everything I have. I truly am. I am so glad to have a working car--two in fact, a house, a job, warmth when I want it.....a pretty nice new tv, health...great kids and good good friends and family----you name it. I just wish life would not hurt so much or cause such private pain at times. I am thankful. I really am.

Ouch..it is going down to the high 20's in temps tonight. Oh I am just not ready for this cold weather. It seems the older I get the worst it makes me feel. Hope you all are staying warm. Nothing like warm beverages, small little space heaters and blankets! The best way to keep warm is MOVING AROUND!

Today I took my girls to the mall. They were off from school. I wanted to see a movie but at the last minuete no one really had the interest. So we went to the mall. This mall is little run down and has a few less shops which meant basic stores and not much frills or high prices either. I usually hate going but since we never go shopping as a past time....it was a fun thing to do. We did lots of window shopping, we went to the pet store and saw Santa! We sampled some food, some fragrances and saw some nice holiday displays. We also looked at sale racks and decided upon some Christmas gifts. We ate at the mall so we saved gas by not driving all over...TACO BELL was the pick. So we had some fun and enjoyed ourselves. We also hit the dollar tree as we had to pack shoe boxes for Samaritan's Purse. So that was really fun putting that together. All in all a pretty decent day.

I have not deposited my monthly check yet for November. I am so glad I have managed to not do anything with that money YET. Come December I will bank two checks....that is really going to be great for bills and savings.

I only have to bring one item for Thanksgiving to my parents house.... a fruit salad. I did that last year and it was a major hit with my nephews and my family. Fruit is light and it came in handy to snack on. So I will do that shopping on Tuesday. I will have a light week for grocery shopping since my kids will be gone and I will be gone. I hope to put up the Christmas tree the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Hopefully my kids come back to me refreshed and not too emotional or cranky.

Stay warm everyone!

As many of know I am housekeeper for about 45 residents at an assisted living apartment complex. 95% of the folks I serve are sorely lacking in tidy home skills set,some border on being total slobs. Each day that I clean I see the same people and their same stuff, clutter, dirty old things and piles. It amazes me how a dirty dish can sit in a sink for days and days! Or how a pile of dirty clothes sits and sits! You see my job is to mainly to get rid of trash, tidy the bathroom and make the bed. I am not to really do much else as they folks are capable so to speak. It frustrates me to no end to see messes in such small living quarters!

So I have decided to offer my services to run errands and also do organizing services for these folks as a side business on my day off which for now is Thursday. I printed up 250 business cards and it cost me $5.25. I am really looking forward to starting this little home made business via word of mouth. I think I am NEEDED! I feel I can really be a huge help to some of the clients I serve on a day to day basis. I figure a homemade business is a great idea. Easy and kinda simple. i will charge as I see fit for each client. I know some have little money and others can pay a better hourly rate. I plan on being very fair but to be paid what my time is worth. I will keep you posted as to how it is going.

Slow and steady wins the race. My investments are doing fine...not great but steady in growth. Everything is basically very modest and conservative for long term growth. I am supposed to meet with my investor advisor this month. I reflected today on how scared and afraid I was right after my divorce--regarding anything to do with money. I still have my moments when I am nervous or unsure, but I feel so much more confident today. Time is a not only a great healer but a great teacher as well.
I am so thankful for blogs and web sites and those who truly inspire me and help make me feel more confident. Hats off to you!

Today and Weds the weather is much warmer....so the heat is OFF. It is still chilly but not so cold. Heat will stay off this weekend when the kids are gone to dad's. I will just bundle up since the weather is back to cold temps. I have some soup in the pantry...so all meals will be cheap. Lunch today was leftovers...same for Weds. Everyone who smelled my lunch was impressed how lovely my lunch looked today and their mouths were watering! Leftovers are super yummy and great to have the next day.

The basketball coach is willing to drive my daugher to a pickup spot much closer to home from school. So instead of driving 30 min there and 30 back home....I only have to drive 10 min there and 10 min back. So I will save a ton of gas with all the basketball practice she goes to this fall/winter. A BIG HELP!
gas is now at 3.25, sad but true.

I am already thinking about the drive to see my family next week. I have to go....so right now I am not driving the van to save gas in that tank. It is a five hour round trip. I hardly ever see them so it is worth it.

Pizza lunch at work...$4(brought my own pop)
Toys R US....$65
Kohls......$65
Old Navy.....$40

Just a spending day! UGH!
Trying to conserve gas and so I did everything on the way home from school and work. Free newspapers and inserts at work, birthday ribbon too. I will not be able to buy any clothes till way after Christmas...maybe after Jan. Too many other expenses. So glad I wear scrubs for work! Best deal going for me and the wardrobe budget. Crock pot dinner should last about three days. Groceries purchased for the entire week. Thank goodness. I need to keep turning off lights and keeping the heat way down.

I am sad to say but I think the days of line drying for the season are over. I have not removed my line yet....one never knows.....but for the most part line drying is over for now. I am now making some use of garage space till it gets super cold. Hangers help me out in doing garage drying. Farewell Mrs Clothesline.....what a joy you are to have close by to help me save money.

My two older kids just want money for Christmas. I am perfectly fine now with that. I used to not like to give money but I am getting to see the pratical side of giving money. I will still fill up their stockings and buy some small little gifts to un-wrap. So far I am on track as far as gift purchasing goes. I have saved money by shopping at the outlet/discounted stores near me. Really pleased.

I am determined to really not drive unless I HAVE TO! I will combine trips as well. I know we say that....but I have to. I filled up tonight and I have to make it last for the entire week. It is just awful. Good Luck everyone

Had a really wonderful time shopping in Amish Country on Saturday. It came at a great time because on Friday my ex husband and his new wife had their baby. I had a house full of all kinds of emotions flying about with my children. I as well was very emotional and just not myself. I just did not know how to act or feel or what to say! It was pretty miserable for me. So a bit of retail therapy and escape to the country was wonderful for me. I had rides organized for the kids but my ex ended up taking the kids to the hospital and buying them breakfast and lunch and doing some driving for them. I was just glad to be out of the picture so to speak....I think it helped alot.

My girlfriend bought a ton of great stuff but I mostly looked. I bought my kids some stocking stuffers that were modest and my dad a gift. I bought some cheese, fresh baked bread and some homemade peanut butter and honey spread. I did buy a beautiful nativity set that was $36.00 but it was on sale for an extra 20% off. I got the last one and was I glad! It is just too beautiful for words! I already have it displayed! I just love how pretty it is. We ate at Mrs Yoders and had a wonderful salad bar! I tried to pay but my friend paid saying it was all her treat! I wanted to just break out in tears at that point. I enjoyed seeing the pretty farms, countryside and farm animals. It was nice to see buggies and simple Amish people. It was peaceful and serene at times to be driving up and down the roads in the middle of no where ----it really calmed me and helped ease the pain and heartache I was feeling. I was feeling more sad since my kids decided to spend Thanksgiving with their dad and not me. So I will travel 2 1/2 hours to see my family for two days, by myself. Holdays are never "easy" for me.

I came home and we ordered three pizzas since my son and his friend were also around. Pizza was $20.00. I also went to bed early....it was good to just sleep.

Today is laundry, grocery shopping for the week (menu planning first) and getting things tidy.

I was down to a half tank and so I decided to fill up. The news tonight.....said the price could start going higher by Weds. So I of course got nervous and filled up my Focus on the way to dance class. It is very "scary" so to speak.

I just went to Walgreens and spent a bit .....my dd seemed to need everything from a toothbrush to acne stuff to toothpaste and band aids to first aid cream......ugh. Two steps forward and nine back!

It is bitterly cold here today! I had the heat off all day since no one was home. I think that is the way to save. Gas here is around $3.10 a gallon. It is just awful. To run errnads one must be very very smart on one's choice of routes.
Bought some Christmas candy today for stockings. Each day I try to get a few more items. Last year at this time I was done with gifts because I was having surgery in early December. If you need motivation to get things done....just have a surgery on your calendar and a three week recovery time! So I am making some progress in purchasing gifts for my kids. ALot of the gifts they have already picked out with me and I just purchase them. Seems like they like some surprises but they like to know kinda what they are getting. I think it is practical and then we can discuss budget and how things either are a good idea or not.

It feels good to be at least working on that. I just can not worry or fret too much and just do the best I can. It is more about making fun little memories, right?

Nothing new or free at work. I still get free newspapers which means coupons. One crabby old lady gave me an entire bottle of nice smelling body wash. I am still using it after about one month. That was nice freebie! I get free TP as well....only here and there.
I need to get better in using coupons! Part of me buys so many store brands that many coupons are worthless to me. Still I need to look thru them better and use the ones I can.

I am making some fleece blankets with last years left over fabric. The colors do not match my family room...but I could care less! I am not going to waste it. So this weekend I am making up warming blankets with the left over fabric I have.

My parents always buy me a Christmas gift. I hope they ask me what I want....I need pots and pans so badly. A WalMart gift card would be a huge help to purchase a few pans. We will see.

Stay warm...it is just an awful day here weather wise. Today there was snow in the air. It was not fun to see that! So cold way to soon! I will have plenty of leaves to rake come this weekend.

Worked on Saturday, journaled, Christmas shopped, mowed the yard, cleaned garage, put porch furniture away in the basement, grocery shopped.....yes I kept busy without my kids here.

I splurged on two things.....a hardback book I have been wanting and a Mr Hero lunch on Friday.

Gas is very expensive....so I shopped at the grocery store a half mile away rather than the 20 mile trip to Wal Mart. I shopped for the week and pretty sparsely.
Trying the use up what I have.

DD wanted to host a small Christmas party for 5 school chums in December. I agreed to it as long as it was not a sleepover.
Well....that was not agreeable so she asked her dad if he could host it at his house---so he said sure Ok have a sleepover at my house. SO the party will not be at my house. Part of me felt terrible to not agreeing to the sleepover right off the bat....then part of me was Ok with having set a boundry on what I wanted to handle. I guess that is part of the divorce-co parenting challenge. Playing one parent off the other?? I tried to be excited for her but I did feel weird about it. Oh well.

I get paid on Friday---ya hoo! Really trying to stay on top of getting bills paid and mailed in a timely manner. Also trying to conserve trips and gas. Amish country trip is on Saturday. I have already determined that I am buying lunch for me and my friend...my treat since she is spending the gas money. I can not let her pay! We always eat at a charming Amish place overlooking rolling hills with farm animals. It is sure pretty amd very peaceful. I am looking so forward to Saturday. I already told my girls I am going to buy some gifts so they are excited to see what I come up with.

I need some clothes since mine are all too big now. Everything is falling off me. I have two pairs of kinda decent pants from last fall but I need a few tops. I would like to try jeans...I have not owned jeans in years! Now that I am thinner I need to get more in style so to speak. I have looked at Goodwill and have found nothing......so I will keep looking at least once a week. Thankfully my life is so home centered I only need a few items. I am so glad I wear scrubs for work. That is HUGE BLESSING!

I am making it a point to stop in at the Dollar Tree on my way to school for stocking stuffers. What a great place for neat little stuffers. I have purchased quite a nice lot of nuts and candy for gifts for school teachers and dance teachers....etc. Each gift is beautifully packaged and each cost me $4.50. I purchased my mother's birthday gift as well. A coffee table book on horse riding and a candle in her fav. scent. I hopefully will have a family photo as well. I got her card at the Dollar Tree....so she is set. Her birthday is the day before Thanksgiving. I am so glad I will be seeing my family. It has been a awhile since we all got together. I may be going alone since my kids seems to want to stay behind and be with dad....another thing in my life that hurts my heart a bit.

Have a good week everyone. Stay thrifty and wise.
"Two important things about income are to make it first and then to make it last"

Tonight I saw someone cheat at the gas station. We have a discount station in town. You are allowed to fill up one car on your discout. I saw this young married couple fill up container after container of gas and load them up in the trunk of their car...all at the discounted price. It is plainly labled that you are not allowed to do that. I re-read the signs and everything.....yes it was plainly stated. Yet they went and did it. I was really mad. They drove a very nice car and were nicely attired. I just felt like I try to live my life without cheating anyone and they do it right in front of everyone and get away with it. I really was disguisted to be honest. Gas is high in price....so do we cheat and say well....the gas companies don't need it????? Cheaters never win right? Hmmm I am not sure about that. It bugged me alot to see that tonight. I hate to see things not fair and people getting away with it.
I just hate to see cheaters and all they represent.....

I planned out my menu this week and have stuck with it perfectly. It really is so helpful to have a menu. There are weeks when I do things off the top of my head and it is so stressful! Menus may take a little extra to plan---but it is so worth it in the end. Also this week I am organized with leftovers and using them.
I have to really work on this. There is too much waste going into America's garbage cans---including mine!

Today I used my thermos and took soup for lunch.....everyone else ate out of the vending machine......yuck. Lunch is so much better eating real food.

I am heading out to do some shopping in Amish country in about two weeks. My girlfriend who knows all the backroads and out of the way shops wants to take me for the day on an outing. I feel I deserve a break so I am going! I have to save some cash to buy some gifts while I am down there. So stashing I am! The deals are great plus they have nice things. I am really excited to head out. Hopefully the weather is not too cold.....thankfully we will be in lots of shops. I am looking forward to being inspired as well. Everything should be decorated for Christmas. Such Fun and such a friend!!!!!

I need to keep on track for purchasing small gifts here and there on the cheap each week. I got a free bottle of moisturizer at B and B works. That is now a stocking stuffer. I need to use cash as much as possible as well. Yesteday I purchased a gym bag for my dd that she wanted and I had a $10 off coupon....the bag cost $2.11 after coupon use. I am going to hit Michaels and use the Sunday coupons I get free at work. I like to get craft and art stuff so when they are home during the school break they have something to do! Need to get some Halloween candy for stockings as well. I just need to keep stashing it away each week. Girls are with dad this weeekend......I will have more time to scour around town for some deals.

I got done with work and RUSHED to WalMart with my detailed grocery list.
Got it all! Got to school on time as well for pick up! When I got home I noticed my ground beef was no where to be found! I am pretty sure the VERY DUMB sales clerk missed a bag! SO BE SURE YOU CHECK TO BE SURE THE DUMB CHECK OUT GIRL OR GUY hands you ALL of your stuff when YOU PAY! I did pay for it as I checked the sales tape. Sorry I normally do not get so fired up but I WAS VERY VERY UPSET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WASTE MAKES ME NUTS!!!!!!
SO always check the spiner-ette of bags to be sure dumbo gives you your stuff that you paid for!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes I am still a little fumed!

I love the box of $1 waffles. gee whiz!

Opps...our gas by the turnpike went up UP in price! Around 2.93! I am amazed at the hi's and lows we have had. Van is full and little Focus is down about two thirds. Have gas for the mower as well.

I am thrilled to announce we got Red Box in our town! I have been waiting and waiting for this! It seems like a super invention, one I wish I had thought of.
Do you use Red Box? If so I would like know how you like it. Also can you only use a credit card for purchases?? Curious about that part as well.

How to save money for Halloween???.....be like me and don't celebrate it! I bought one bag of candy for my kids to share.
Honestly save money by not celebrating it.
Have not done this holiday for about twenty years. Surprisingly my kids are healthy and normal. I am also pretty normal and have no huge glaring mental issues because I do not celebrate it. Also if you enjoy Halloween--- I still like you and very much respect your right to celebrate it. If you are heavy ladden with debt I would implore you to not buy alot of the Halloween garbage they sell.
My two cents that's all...........

Again.....low prices near me! 2.49 today!
One station near the turnpike has gas so low for our area. Each time I go to this station it is packed out with cars. How are gas prices out your way?

Today I took my son back to college, He was home for a weekend visit. He was able to see his old high school friends play in a soccer State tournement. He had a lot of fun and really enjoyed himself. On the way back I took him to Wal Mart to purchase some food items. It is always my treat. I just could not believe how many wonderful prices I saw. The store was PACKED! The carts I saw were full to over flowing! Again the prices were so good.
I decided that I am going back on Monday to my Wal Mart with a detailed list of my meals for the week and shop. The hike to Wal Mart is not too bad since it is near school. Again it maybe well worth it!

Prices at the grocery store are now out of this world. I am also sick of the gimicks our store uses to get you to buy.
I mean a can of corn is a can of corn right?

Plan out your menus and stick to your list......and save some money this week.
I truly hope to do so on Monday at WalMart.

This weekend I have done a few organizing jobs. I cleaned out my upstairs linen hall closet. I have a lovely stash of TP and soap. I also threw away some products we do not need anymore. I also went thru the basement and collected a large shopping bag of toys to give to a friends grandaughter who is 2. I have saved some toys for future grandkids. That was nice to get rid of some things that were collecting dust. I also threw away old catalogs, magazines and papers I have found scattered throughout the house.

Next to organize is the fridge and kitchen a bit. My garage is in pretty good shape. I still need to take down the swing set swings and put away all the porch furniture. Because it is so cold and rainy here I was not able to work outside. That will have to wait for the next weekend.

My girls were bored so we went to the library for magazines and books on cats.
We also played Jr Monopoly today which was fun for them. We cleaned my dd's room and re-arranged the furniture....that is so fun for her and it keeps her busy for hours. My girls are used to doing all things fancy and expensive with dad..... so keeping it real and simple at my house is must to keep them somewhat balanced.

I also organized my bed and got my electric pad on my bed. Oh my....if you do not own one I really encourage you to get one. They are simply the best in the colder months. I could not live with out mine....nor my lovely down comfortor.

Sunday I have to take my son back to college. He is in town for his old High School's state soccer tourney which is very very BIG for him and his old school. I have five hours of driving ahead for me on Sunday. I have enjoyed having him home for a bit. Next break for him is at Thanksgiving time. I really hope to keep things organized in the house this weeekend. We will see.

I have gone everyday on my way to dance classes and picked up the toilet paper on sale with a coupon. I have amassed a nice stockpile.
Yesterday I could not find my coupon---the gal checking me out used hers at the register. I thought that was a nice courtesy. I did find my coupon later in my jacket pocket when I got home! ....so now I have another coupon. I really like Walgreens. They are a super place to find deals if you are nicely organized.

I belong to NETFLIX did you know you can suspend your membership? I learned that somewhere in blog land. I did that just today. We have had zero time to watch a dvd. We will on Friday ---but I decided to go to the library and see if that is just the way to go from here on out. So I suspended my membership to see if it is really not needed and we can just use the library. We will see!

If you are in CA and experiencing the fires my prayers go out to you tonight.
It is a horrible situation. I just feel terrible for those who have lost so much.
Stay safe.

Two gas stations keep the price still at 2.48! All others are up around 2.70! I am so amazed they are not going up! The stations are packed everytime I drive by.
I tend to fill up when I get around half the tank gone....the price seems too good to pass up!

I am trying so very hard to combine trips and not drive unless needed. It is very hard to do. Driving the Ford Focus is huge help....my other car is a big BIG conversion van. I am sorry I bought it four years ago. YET----It is paid for and in GREAT..no WONDERFUL SHAPE and it runs like a dream. It just loves gas alot!!!!The Focus is great on mileage of course.

I continue to collect may free items at work. So far this week.....

Toilet paper---(unused of course)

Great sturdy cardboard box for Goodwill donations

Gift ribbon
Tons and tons of coupons
Free newspapers of many different kinds
Good Housekeeping magazine--Nov 2007

Food service container of maple syrup-one serving, not touched

Stationary
Time Magazine-current issue

It is simply amazing the things I collect from work as I go about my business!