Yesterday I went to the grocery store again, spending $66. That takes me up to $144 spent this month, which is more than I typically spend in a whole month. But I had some catching up to do, after some record low spending on groceries in previous months. Here is what I bought for $66: Spaghetti, two bags of chocolate chips, sugar, popcorn, bread (two loaves), crushed tomatoes, 3 bags of coffee, crackers, Swiss cheese, cream, bacon, coffee creamer, English muffins, butter, snack chips, frozen pizza, carrots, and celery.

I was asked, "Are you making cookies?" Yes, eventually, but mainly I bought the chips and the sugar because of the good prices. I bought 3 bags of Starbucks coffee so I could get a $5 Starbucks gift card. I'll take 2 bags of coffee to my brother's for Thanksgiving, and the gift card will go into a Christmas stocking for my DIL.

I bought a 5 oz. bag of snack chips -- some kind of veggie-infused healthy chip, which I will use as part of a brown-bag lunch at the museum. It was on the clearance shelf for half price.

So I think I made some good decisions, but it still adds up.

My new kitty was delivered to me at about 1 o'clock. He was very distressed with all the change and moving about, I think, and I let him chill in his carrier, and then in the bathroom, until he felt more relaxed and comfortable. I wish I could tell him he is in his forever home, but he is just going to have to learn that.

At about 4 he wanted to be let out of the bathroom to explore. He and my little lady have done a lot of staring and circling. There has been a little hissing and growling. But overall I think it's going to be a pretty easy transition. Both of them joined me in bed last night -- on different sides, of course!

He is eating well and taking an interest in everything. He is fascinated with the aquarium, which my other cats have completely ignored.

In the evening, I went over to my son's house to celebrate my grandson's birthday. His real party is today, but his real birthday was yesterday. We had his favorite meal (shrimp and mac'n'cheese!) and then he opened his gifts from his parents and grandmas. I gave him a science kit that I found at a garage sale. It is one of those kits where you can build a clock, a windmill, a radio, a crank -- all kinds of things, with electronic parts. Beforehand I went through it piece by piece to make sure all parts were there and to verify that it had never been used. I think I paid $5 for it, but it is worth much more. Then I also gave him a $50 check for a fun adventure. I did the same with his brother last month. My DIL expressed a wish for less stuff, more experiences, so I hope she remembers saying that! The two of them may have a joint adventure -- mom & dad will plan, of course.

His "real" party today will be for his friends and more extended family. It will be held at some kind of a game room at the university, where the kids can play video games, etc. I believe they are renting the room by the hour.

One more birthday this month -- my son's. I have a game called Chronology -- another garage sale find. But that's just something to open. I need to get on Amazon and order something he wants.

And there is a Thanksgiving trip to plan. And that will be the end of an expensive month -- but the next month is December, and I have done basically no Christmas shopping. The grandchildren -- I am just going to get each one a t-shirt from the museum and then dole out the college money. That's what I do with my snowflakes, so each one will get $295, even if I don't earn any more snowflakes this year. That's a little better than last year, when each one got $250.

For my own kids -- I haven't even thought about it yet. I guess I will be relying on Amazon; it is so hard to know any more what they need and want.

I do plan to make kraeklingen for everyone -- trusting that I can master the recipe! I guess I should start practicing.

Today's menu:

Breakfast: English muffin, clementines
Lunch: Chili, cornbread
Dinner: Sloppy joes, veggies

(I didn't make the sloppy joes yesterday, since I was invited to dinner. They're a maybe today, too, since I don't know what will be served at the 3 o'clock birthday party!)