On New Year's Eve I babysat the grandkids. It was a lot of fun, but it was also a bad night, as the baby, who wasn't feeling well, had trouble sleeping and I rang in the New Year rocking him and walking up and down the hall. Couldn't get any good sleep after that, so on New Year's Day I was exhausted. Spent it mostly lying in front of the TV.

On the way up to their house I stopped at McDonalds. This is very easy to do, as there are 4 McDonalds' between their house and mine! Anyway, I got a McGriddle and an orange juice for $4.81. I resisted the stop on the way back. That's all I've spent in a couple of days. -- Except that I reserved a rental car in Fort Myers for $121. That's cheaper than taking the limo to Punta Gorda, my ultimate destination. Oh well, it's a vacation expense, and I have to remember I got a good price on the airline ticket.

Thinking about unusual expenses coming up this year --
there will be a wedding in Tennessee (my nephew); I need to buy some professional pictures from my own son's wedding; I may be moving. I may be changing jobs! That's a long shot, but an opening has come up in my field in a location much closer to my kids. I've got to at least give it a try, though I know my age will be a handicap. However, I haven't yet started to get my resume together, as I hate that whole process.

I will need to make a trip to NC in the spring to close down the antique booth, and I need to make some decisions about whether I will reopen here, or if I will just try to sell things on eBay.

If I remain with my present job, I will be going to a conference in Austin this summer. I will extend it into a short vacation, as I have a cousin living there.

I can't think of anything else, but I am sure things will crop up! I just want to be prepared.