Quite a bit of spending today. I was going to babysit my grandsons, but my kids decided to take them along on their trip. I decided to use the sudden freedom to get some things done.

I went to the doctor's office and got my lab work done. No money out of pocket. I have to make an appointment for the shots I am supposed to get.

I paid $.90 for parking. This time I found a spot on the street instead of using the garage. I was a little worried that I would run out of time, though, on the meter, so it's not as carefree as parking in the garage, even though it's a little cheaper.

I was lucky enough to find .15 on the street!

Afterwards, since it was a fasting test, I was really hungry, and planning to get some breakfast, but I decided instead to go the grocery store and buy my breakfast there. I spent $22 on 11 items. (Eleven this time because I decided at the last minute to grab a box of mac & cheese that was on sale. It's my grandsons' favorite food.)

Other than the mac & cheese I bought: granola, cauliflower, a green pepper, broccoli, a tomato, asparagus, raspberries, mushrooms, sourdough bread, and a four-pack of bakery muffins.

I came home and ate one muffin and the raspberries for breakfast along with some fresh coffee. The other 3 muffins will go into the freezer for next week. They were on sale for $3.49, so at .87 apiece they are still way cheaper than Corner Bakery.

After breakfast, I took my new computer to Best Buy to make sure the anti-virus software was installed. I thought it was, but I kept getting messages from Best Buy to install it. Turns out it WAS installed; they just forgot to key it in their system.

Office Max was right next door, so I popped over to buy file folders and hangers. I bought a big box of each, I think they were about $12 each, and I also bought a notebook to carry in my train bag.

Then I went to Ross -- I bought 2 plates and 4 mugs in a new pattern I am collecting; also some placemats to use when the grandkids are here. Total bill was around $30 (receipt is still in the car.)

Then on to Wal-Mart, where I bought a Shark handheld vacuum ($50), an aquarium brush ($4) and Mother's Day cards for my DIL's ($6).

By this time it was time for lunch, so I stopped at Jimmy John's and got a $6 sandwich.

Came home really tired! Shopping is hard work any more!

When I logged into my email, I found a message from Discover confirming my purchase of a Banana Republic gift card with Cashback Rewards. I did not do this, so I called them. I'll get my rewards back, but my card was cancelled and I'll get a new one in a few days. This is a pain, because I use that card all the time, and it's the one set up for automatic payments. I'll have to remember to update my accounts once I get it.

I made a broccoli salad for dinner -- broccoli, grated mozzarella, dried cranberries and walnuts in a mayonnaise-based sweet-sour dressing. I went heavy on the broccoli and light on everything else -- it was still good! I have many fresh veggies this week, so I will have to be mindful to use them up.

Well, time to clean the fish tank and then feed them. It's getting a little late for them -- their little fish bellies must be rumbling!