I got my second semi-annual tax bill yesterday and it was a nice surprise. Only $317. For comparison, my first tax bill of the year was $1881. I thought it must be a mistake, but I've talked to two other residents and their tax bills are markedly lower, too. Next year my taxes should be even lower, since I will turn 65 next month.

Also, when I turn 65 I can start to pay lower fares for the train. Less money going out -- I love it!

I had a frugal Fourth. I went to fireworks on the beach with my family on the evening of the 3rd, and on Friday morning went to a field day in the park. The boys competed in footraces, sack races, three-legged races, jump roping, pie eating, watermelon eating, penny scramble ... I think that's it! My older grandson took home three blue ribbons and one red. He is a really fast little guy! The younger one didn't get any ribbons but got .39 in the penny scramble. Like his Grandma, he is good at picking up coins!

Then I went to my son's house for sandwiches and board games.

Even though I skipped grocery shopping last week, I stuck to my ten items this week and spent $41. My purchases were: granola, sourdough bread, creamer, eggs, shredded cheese, chicken breasts, veggie salad mix, grape tomatoes, cherries, and tortillas.

Later today I will look up some chicken recipes and get at least some of that chicken cooked. I'm going to make some fancy tomato soup (Campbell's with some add-ins), and I'll try to find a muffin recipe that will use up some sour cream. And I'm going to pit the cherries. Some of those I'll have for snacking, but some may go into recipes.

My other spending this weekend was at Home Depot. I bought a portable chair for the beach ($7) and two power strips ($18). The chair was a deal. It was in a box labeled $6.98 (SALE) -- but it looked just like the $15 chairs in a box beside it. I asked for a price check before I checked out. Sure enough, it was a $15 chair. The clerk asked if I still wanted it, and I said yes, I needed to get a chair for the fireworks display. She gave it to me for $6.98! How nice was that?

I also returned the non-functioning air conditioner which gave me $130 back. My son will install the AC he got from his cousin on Sunday.

Really looking forward to two more days off! Whoo-hoo!