Pizza night was good. So funny about the Harry Potter movie -- we put the DVD in the machine, and on comes Polar Express! We took it out, looked at the label -- yes, it said Harry Potter and the Prison of Azkeban. I've never seen that happen before! Luckily, we also had Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire on hand, so we watched that.

The pizza cost $20, and C and I both have two pieces left over for later.

This morning we went to GS1's football game, and then out to breakfast -- it was a very early game. My share of the tab was $16 including tip.

While I am spending these last weeks with C, I am not going to worry about costs like this if it means I can spend time with her.

This afternoon there is a baseball game. I hope to get a brief nap beforehand, and then after the game I should do my gym routine. I'm going to take my workout clothes along since the field is in the same vicinity as the gym.

How is it that these sad days are also happy? I guess I am appreciating the simple things, knowing that tomorrow is not promised.

Tonight is going to be pizza night at C's house. I'm getting Jet's pizza for us and the grandsons, and we're going to watch a Harry Potter movie.

I went to Aldi again today to get 10 more items: wine, crescent rolls, tuna, OJ, shredded cheddar, chicken breasts, butter, apple cider vinegar, dill pickles, and spreadable margarine. This trip cost $35. (The wine is a box, and the chicken breasts are a large bag of frozen).

I still need to do more shopping. I have to buy personal items -- shampoo, body wash, deodorant -- and produce.

But at least I have enough on hand to make meals.

Today's meals are: Breakfast - johnnycakes. Lunch - vegetable beef soup & crackers. Dinner - pizza.

I did laundry this morning and went to the gym. Then I visited with C and made brownies for tonight's "party."

Variables are now at 18%. It goes quickly. I don't feel I've even done much yet.

Anyway, I'm really looking forward to pizza night! Jet's is my fave! And it's not even a Chicago-based pizza!

Well, it's been a busy day. I got up early and did laundry. Then I went to Aldi to get more groceries ($19). I bought nothing that had to refrigerated, because I was going straight to physical therapy afterwards (and it turned out they sat in the car all day). My 10 items: Bottled water, ketchup, oatmeal, peanuts, bacon bits, cheese dip, instant mashed potatoes, evaporated milk, coffee, and applesauce.

It was my last physical therapy session. I'm not perfect, but better, and my therapist gave a bunch of stretching exercises to do regularly at home. And I will!

Meanwhile, my DIL took her mother to the doctor (problems with the drain) and asked me to step in for story time at school. So I went to the library and checked out a bunch of recommended books for second graders. By that time it was past lunchtime, and I hadn't had breakfast, so I bought lunch at McDonald's for $5.

At two I went to the school and did my stint as a "surprise reader." My grandson was really surprised, as he was expecting his mom! It went okay -- I am not a great reader -- that is, I am a great reader, but not actor, or interpreter, and I found it difficult to show the pictures and read at the same time. It's quite a skill that storytellers have! But no one threw tomatoes at me.

After school the boys played outside for a long time, as the weather was so nice. Finally I packed them up and brought them home and made mac & cheese. Then I sent them home. (They are old enough to cross the street themselves now.) My son took the younger one to Tae Kwan Do, which was a relief -- I thought I was on duty for that, too.

So, C has had an adjustment to her drain, which was bothering her. I texted her and she responded that she was tired, but hopeful of feeling better.

I think I may deliver her favorite pizza tomorrow if she is feeling better.

I'm pretty tired; looking forward to an early bedtime.

Pay day never felt so good! I paid my mortgage and Discover bill this morning. I donated $45 to my grandsons' school fundraiser. I did a load of laundry and went to Aldi for 10 items: eggs, almond milk, stew meat, bread, spinach, croutons, turkey slices, granola, dressing, and crackers. I'll be back tomorrow to get 10 more. This trip cost me only $14 because I had a $10 credit on my credit card.

Today's meals: Breakfast - johnnycakes. Lunch - turkey sandwich w/spinach. Dinner - Vegetable beef soup & crackers.

I also went to the gym. I'm going to get back into a steady routine, a little different than the old one. I'm cutting a couple of my strength training exercises that might stress my knee, and I'm cutting out the treadmill in favor of the bicycle. I'm only doing 15 minutes on the bicycle till I build my strength back up.

Last month's recap:

Housing - $1069
Utilities - $174
Gifts/Charity - $150
Medical/Health - $97
Groceries - $93
Gas - $82
Eating Out - $77
Clothing - $70
Vet/Pet Supplies - $59
Phone - $52
Vacation/Travel - $51
Furnishings/Equipment/Decor - $45
Personal - $30
Fares/Parking - $17
Miscellaneous - $12
Laundry - $9
Household Supplies - $9
Entertainment - $8

Grand Total - $2104

I paid my assessment fee twice this month, making housing high.

Utilities were a a bit high due to air conditioning.

Gifts/Charity - Two birthdays and some pre-buying for Christmas.

Gas was unusually high. I've been in the car a lot this month.

Clothing - a big chunk of that was a pair of shoes.

Fares/Parking - higher than usual due to hospital parking.

All in all, not bad. It was actually a little under average.

Variables spending was 110%. Hope to improve on that this month.

So -- those last couple of weeks were grueling, trying not to spend anything at all. Sometimes it felt good to be stretching my frugal muscles, but mostly it felt bad. I felt poor. I felt constrained. Lesson learned -- don't blow your whole budget in the first couple of weeks.

I get paid tomorrow, so this is the last day in my budget cycle.

It won't be no-spend, because I have promised to take C's friend to Merrillville, Indiana, today, where she will meet her husband and go home. I will have to fill up my tank, and I'll have to do it before I leave Chicagoland -- I don't have enough to make it to Indiana, where the gas is cheaper.

Since we're meeting her husband at 11 a.m., there will probably be a road food cost, too. I don't have the kind of food to pack right now.

A small expenditure yesterday -- I took older grandson to McD's for ice cream cones - $1.10. He was very hot after playing football in the schoolyard. Younger grandson was off on a playdate.

My assessment fee hit the bank this morning. That means I've paid it twice this month. It all evens out -- I only pay 12 times a year -- but it just makes this month seem harder. Glad to see it end.

Physical therapy -- I'm going to have at least one more session. I'm making progress, but I am not as far along as my therapist would like me to be.

I mistakenly went at 10 a.m. yesterday instead of 1 p.m. But there was an opening at 11, so I just stayed for it. I sat in the car (in a free parking spot) and read until it was time. I reflected on how, if I hadn't been broke, I would have gone home and come back at the later time, probably losing my parking space and using more gas. When the money runs low, it really focuses you.

My grandson's birthday party was great. It was held at IHOP, his favorite restaurant. I couldn't believe it -- they were so crowded, and yet they handled our party of 12 quickly and efficiently -- both in seating us and serving us. I contributed $20 to the bill and ordered an entree that fed me for both lunch and dinner.

Afterwards we went to my son's house for the gift opening. My grandson has been grilling me for weeks about my gift, and I was so afraid he would be disappointed by a stuffed animal and a T-shirt. But he loved them.

So, of course the $20 really threw off my budget. I have two days left now, and I'm 7% over. But some things you just have to do.

I'm really getting low on food now. My freezer is almost empty; the fridge is mostly stocked with condiments, and even the pantry is clearing out. My meals planned for today are: eggs, soup & roll, and cheese quesadillas with Spanish rice.

All my laundry hampers are full. But I have plenty of clothes, so that's no problem except for sleepwear. Tonight I'm wearing my swimsuit coverup as a nightshirt -- and I'll wear it tomorrow night, too!

I have physical therapy this morning. I hope it will be my last session. Rest has improved my knee so much -- I think I need rest more than exercise right now. And each session costs $45, which I can ill afford. (I haven't paid any of it yet; it will come in a chunk.)

It will be another hot day, and tomorrow will be as well, but a cooldown is coming. I am running my AC, but not full-time. I was quite comfortable last night with the air off and the ceiling fan on.

When payday comes on Wednesday, I will be plenty busy with shopping, laundry and paying bills. I have to say I'm looking forward to it!

I racked up another no-spend day yesterday. I went to my grandson's flag football game in the morning. In the afternoon, he decided not to go to the baseball game. (It was way too hot; last week they called an ambulance for an overheated player.) So, good call. I spent the day resting and cooling off. I'm not hesitating to use the AC now.

At noon today I'm going to IHOP for my other grandson's eighth birthday party. Just a family party. I'll have to pay for lunch; I'll try to make it frugal. The gift is wrapped and ready to go. I was proud of myself that I found an appropriate birthday card in my stash of unused cards.

Today's meals: Breakfast - oatmeal. Lunch - IHOP. Dinner - soup & roll.

Counting today, three days to go before payday. Variables are at 103%.

After making the effort to go to the doctor's office for my flu shot, I learned I didn't have an appointment. I had made the appointment online, but the staff had no record of it. This was an annoyance, because it was a waste of gas, and my gas tank is getting low. Thank goodness I didn't get stuck for parking.

In the evening, I went to C's house. Her visiting friend made stir fry. I helped with the chopping, and when she realized there was no teriyaki sauce, I went to the store to get some. So I'm out another $2, but got a free meal. After dinner we watched the second Harry Potter movie.

My knee was bothering me so much I could hardly sit still. I don't know what triggered it -- the heat, stair climbing, standing too long? It could be any or all of those things. After I went home, my night's sleep was restless and short.

I don't think I'm going to beat this. I think I will have pain forever.

Today GS1 has a flag football game and a baseball game. And it's so hot. I wish they would cancel because of heat, but I'm sure they won't.

Anyway, I hope I can get a nap in between the games. C will try to join us for the baseball game. I hope she uses good judgment about how she is feeling. Last night she seemed tired and dispirited.

I complain about my knee, but I am definitely counting my blessings.

My no-spend run ended yesterday, but in a small way, not a big one. I wasn't able to find a free parking space when I took my grandson to Tae Kwan Do, so I paid $1.15.

Today I'm scheduled to go to my doctor's office to get my flu shot. Since it won't take long, I should get free parking in the nearby parking garage. The flu shot is free, too.

Today's meals: Breakfast - corny mac & cheese. Lunch - soup & toast. Dinner - salmon & potatoes.

With the adjustment I made to the variables budget, I'm now at 102%. Five more days!

I'm still doing fine holding off on laundry. I will run out of pajama bottoms, but in this hot weather, that certainly isn't a necessity!

Since my knees were both hurting yesterday, my physical therapist wants to continue meeting next week. I have two more appointments set up. But over the weekend I am ordered to rest, which is okay with me.

Even though the temperatures are climbing into the 90's, I have avoided turning on the AC. I have been doing okay with fans. And it does cool off at night. Still, I will be very glad when this unseasonable heat wave ends.

I went to physical therapy this morning, and even though I was cutting it close, time-wise, I found a free parking spot. Normally I would not bother to hunt when I'm flirting with being late, but being on this self-enforced money diet, I am making the effort.

I got my electricity bill yesterday and it was higher than usual. Both electric and gas have slowly increased, so I found it necessary to rework my variables allowance. If the fixed expenses get higher, the variables must get lower.

I know that gas & electric are not really fixed in the sense that, say, my mortgage is, but I have chosen to limit variables to things I can control more easily.

Anyway, it was only a $10 monthly cut to variables, but it will make the challenge just a bit harder. Good practice for my gap year, when the cut will be deeper.

After really good progress, my knees are both hurting today. My physical therapist is prescribing rest over the weekend. I'm not sure what happened, except perhaps too much stair climbing.

Meals today: Breakfast - corny mac & cheese. Lunch - soup & breadstick. Dinner - potato bowl.

Only six more days, counting today, until my budget resets.

I got through another day without spending money. A week to go.

I took C to get her hair cut yesterday, which made her feel so much better. At about noon her friends from Indiana arrived; they took her out to lunch. I was surprised she felt up to it, but I think they gave her a shot of energy. In the evening, three of them needed a ride to a downtown station, so I took them. I used Google maps on my phone, but when we "arrived" we couldn't see the station, and we were in the middle of heavy traffic, with no place to really stop and look around. They decided to get out and ask directions and walk the rest of the way. We knew we were very close. I felt very bad leaving them there, but checked in with C to make sure they made it okay, which they did.

One of the friends is staying for a while. She has brought Harry Potter movies, so I think we'll have some movie nights.

I had another physical therapy session yesterday, and this morning, my knee feels pain-free. I know that won't last, as I move around and put weight on it, but it is such a good feeling. It is definitely improving.

I am working away on my food stores. Yesterday for breakfast I had corny mac & cheese; for lunch I had soup and a breadstick, and for dinner I had walnuts and cranberries.

Today I'm planning to have corny m&c, teriyaki salmon w/mashed potatoes, and cheese quesadillas w/veggies.

It is time to do another load of laundry. That is, one of my hampers is full. I keep four hampers going -- darks, lights, colors & reds. The colors hamper is full. However, I don't need to do laundry in the sense that I do have clean clothes to wear. Since I am scrimping so hard, I am going to wait until I actually have to wash in order to dress. I know I won't actually make it for another week, but I'd like to see how far I can go.

I made $1.80 on another peak savings day (electricity) so that went into snowflakes. I've also earned another $3 from Pine Cone.

My variables have crept up to 101%. I can only conserve cash as much as possible now. I do actually have $57 available, left over from previous months, but I still want to be uber-careful.

Luck was on my side today. I had to go to the hospital for a mammogram. It took less than an hour, so parking was free. Then, this afternoon I picked up the boys from school. They didn't even ask for a treat. I took them home and we watched the Simpsons -- after homework was done, of course.

So I have managed to spend nothing today.

Food is getting to be a challenge. Today I made a box of mac and cheese and layered Jiffy cornbread on top and baked. (It's a real recipe on the internet, except made from scratch.) Well, it actually isn't very good, but it will still serve for a few meals.

Here is what is still available:

Mac & cheese & cornbread
Peanut butter toast
Chicken vegetable soup
Meatless vegetable soup
Purple potato soup
Walnuts & cranberries
Cheese quesadillas
Eggs
Salmon fillets

It's just that I so often don't feel like eating anything that's available.... I'm going to stick with the plan, though.

Tomorrow I'm taking C to the hairdresser and then I have physical therapy. I've also offered to get my grandson's bow replaced before he has music lessons tomorrow. I'll probably be picking the boys up after school and taking them to music lessons.

My older grandson helped me with my home exercises -- which require another person to provide resistance. He was really helpful!

Today I bought some cat food ($14) and filled a prescription ($13). That tips my variables just over 100%, and I have nine more days to go. Not surprised; C's setback has made budget-watching both difficult and trivial.

I also did another load of laundry.

I guess my goal for the rest of the nine days is to spend as little as possible -- but if C needs something, that is out the window.

C's company has left and she is napping. I may go over later, if she is up to it.

Tomorrow I have a mammogram, and on Tuesday it's back to physical therapy.

I believe I will be on duty all week for after school care, unless DIL makes plans for the boys to go to friends' houses. Everything is on a day-to-day basis now.

Just bought an ice cream cone at McDonald's for $1. No, I shouldn't have sugar, but after sitting out in the sun for a long baseball game, I felt like an ice cream cone was elevated to a "need."

C went to the game with me, along with her friend from Indiana. She did well, but seemed tired at the end. It was a long and boring game, and grandson did not perform very well. But at least it was a lovely day, though warm.

My inflammation is gone, so I am permitting myself small portions of sugar to see how I fare. If my legs start to ache again -- out it goes.

My DNA results came from Ancestry.com. I was not too surprised. I am 96% European (mostly English, Scottish and Welsh), and 4% West Asian (which encompasses Turkey, Syria, Armenia, Iraq, Iran and others). That was a bit of a surprise, but it is also marked "low confidence."

My son is 90% European, so he must have gotten a dash of something else from my ex.

The test was free to me; son & DIL bought me the kit for my birthday back in August.

I guess that's all that's happening!

Today I did some laundry - $1.50 - bought some groceries - $9 - made lasagna and delivered it to C - went to physical therapy, and spent .50 on parking (because I got 23 free minutes on the meter!)

I am very, very tired, because I didn't sleep, but this evening I feel SO much better after the first day of my new round of physical therapy. It is clear I am on the right track now and I will get this problem fixed! The only catch is that I have to do a home exercise that requires the help of another person. I guess I will ask my son, since that person has to have some strength in the arms to provide resistance.

I signed up for four more sessions of PT, but I can cancel if the pain goes away altogether.

I also cleaned most of my refrigerator/freezer -- all but the shelves on the door. I'll do that tomorrow. Feels good. I should try cleaning more often!

I'm going to turn in early and hopefully catch up on sleep. C is well cared for by friends today. I did visit with her a little and she seemed great. It is hard to believe we will lose her so soon. I'm back in denial again.

C went home today. I sat with her in the hospital till her discharge, and DIL took over on getting her settled at home. She seemed much better and was very happy to be back in her own environment. Hospice was scheduled to begin at 5, but at first they will be a minor presence.

I picked the boys up after school. After they played for a while, I took them to Steak N Shake for kid shakes -- two for one, only $3. Around 5:30, my son picked up one of the boys and I took the other to Tae Kwan Do, then home.

My DIL bought me lunch today, and I got free parking at the hospital -- the gates were up!

I was too busy to make the lasagna, so that's on tomorrow's list.

Physical therapy re-starts tomorrow and I can hardly wait. The pain in my knee is taking over my life. I can't ignore it, and I can't control it. It's so annoying.

I got a bill from the medical system, but it was only $7. I was expecting to see the PT charges from last month. I guess they will lump them all together when I finish.

When I visited C today in the hospital she looked and seemed so much better. It was hard to believe she has so little time. Today the grandsons are going to visit her. They have been fully informed of the situation by their parents. I left early to let them have their private time. I hope it goes well.

With any luck, she will be discharged tomorrow. She will go straight into hospice. We have met the helpers and they seem to be wonderful. In fact, everyone we have encountered at the hospital has been wonderful.

C's friends from home are beginning to arrive, starting tomorrow. I am going to make a pan of lasagna to help feed them. I can't really offer them a bed, other than my sleeper sofa, which is comfortable but offers no privacy. We'll see how it all goes.

Today parking cost $4.50 and lunch in the cafeteria was $8.

Continuing to focus on my little economies is comforting to me. Today I picked up a free bag of panty liners from Walgreens - value of $6.49 -- and I deposited an .87 check in savings. Yep, .87. That was my share of the class action suit against Seventh Generation. Those two amounts will be added to snowflakes.

I took my last super Vitamin D capsule. I see that I am eligible for 2 refills, but I am not sure whether I should. I think I am supposed to have my blood checked for Vitamin D levels before I do. I've had so many blood tests lately, it's not an appealing idea, but I guess I'd better get in touch with my doctor's office.

I woke up at 2:30 this morning and watched TV for a while. I did go back to sleep after an hour or two, and I seem to be functioning okay. Hoping tonight will be better, because tomorrow I am on duty for after school care and chauffeuring to Tae Kwan Do. I can't keep walking around like a zombie when I am needed so much.

Oy vay, I'm so very tired!

I had a a poor night's sleep. Then I got up and went to Planet Fitness, mainly so I could have a free bagel for breakfast. (But I did bicycle and exercised my core.) Came home and showered and then I went to the hospital to visit C. I stayed until about 2; then I picked up the boys after school, took them out for burgers, and then took them to music lessons. Just got home at 6.

I spent $5.50 on parking and $10 on the burgers. Yesterday's hospital parking was $4.50. It's expensive, but the only free spots are too far away for me to walk comfortably with this darn knee.

Yesterday I filled up the tank (after getting my free pizza at PF.) $27. It's kind of funny that Pizza Day and Bagel Day came together, but that was because Pizza Day was originally scheduled for Labor Day. Yesterday's workout at PF included all my strength training except for anything stressing my knee.

The spending has pushed my variables up to 94%. Two weeks to go. But the circumstances are such that I am not worrying about money right now.

My son texted me this morning to let me know they are all safe, and they have suffered minimal damage. So glad that storm is mostly over. My son's half-sister, who lives in Venice, is also safe, though she is without power.

I visited with C for three hours at the hospital yesterday. I felt guilty upon leaving, thinking I had stayed too long. I shared this with my DIL, and she said, "You didn't!"

When I went to get my car out of the parking garage, it was closed and locked! In a panic, I went to the hospital concierge, and he told me how to get into it through the "hamster tunnel." Thank goodness once I was in there the exit door lifted to let me out. Unfortunately, I had to do a lot of extra walking and my knee was really hurting. But, hey, the parking was free!

I spent $17 on groceries yesterday -- blueberries, ricotta, mozzarella, spaghetti and sourdough bread. Now I can make either lasagna or spaghetti with my sauce. Not today, though; I'm going to finish the sloppy joes for lunch and have salmon teriaki for dinner.

An update of my "meals on hand" list:

Chicken vegetable soup
Purple potato soup
Salmon fillets
Spaghetti
Lasagna
French onion soup
Grilled cheese sandwiches
Cheese quesadillas
Potato bowl
Eggs
Blueberry pancakes (minimal syrup)

I'm planning to drop in at Planet Fitness this evening for pizza.

I just got back from the library. I got the next Harry Potter -- Order of the Phoenix -- and I checked out The Cursed Child for C. I also put the second Harry Potter movie on hold for our next movie night with the grandsons.

Afterwards I stopped at the physical therapist's and made an appointment for Friday.

I had to pay .50 parking at the library, but at PT, I happened to grab a metered space that had 52 minutes on it!

Planning to visit C again today, after lunch and after I rest my knee a bit.

Oops -- just realized I can't have pizza AND salmon for dinner. Guess I will have the salmon for lunch and hold off on the sloppy joes.

C's gall bladder was drained yesterday, and if she is feeling better she will be discharged today. However, her prognosis was altered to weeks only. We were all hoping and expecting that she would make it to Christmas, but apparently that is not to be. It is devastating news, even with all the warning we have received. I can't even describe how much this wonderful woman will be missed. I am finding it hard to deal with how unfair life is -- yes, I knew it was unfair, but sometimes is it so unfair, you just can't process it.

I talked at length to my Florida son last night. He has boarded up all his windows, stocked his fridge and pantry, has coolers and ice on hand, has trimmed off low-hanging branches, and has gotten the use of a generator. His wife's mother is with them. It was a planned visit that she decided to carry out before she realized how bad this hurricane would be. He said she's pretty scared, but she is helping to keep the kids entertained, and her presence will probably be calming to DIL.

My relations who live in Sarasota/Charlotte County have all evacuated -- they have moved in with family and friends who live farther inland and at higher levels. They didn't have time to make preparations, because they believed the gulf coast was relatively safe, so their properties are going to suffer.

I am watching the continuous coverage on NBC, and I probably will all weekend.

I didn't sleep well last night. Of course that's typical for me, but last night I was awake with worry.

I'm glad Amber reported in, and I hope everyone in our SA family who lives in Florida will be safe.

Well, everything is in turmoil around here. C was admitted to the hospital last night with intense abdominal pain. All I know at this point is that they are detecting a problem with her gall bladder.

I took care of the boys yesterday between the end of school and the time their father got home, as DIL was, of course, with her mom at the hospital. I bought them shakes at Steak N Shake -- only $4 as it was Happy Hour. Comfort food -- even though they didn't know anything!

Also on my mind is Hurricane Irma. The model I saw this morning put the path very near Gainesville. At least I know my son's family will be safe from the storm surge, but they are sure to get lots of damaging wind and rain. The new model also shows the landfall to take place on the gulf coast. I have quite a few shirttail relations living there, and I'm worried that they felt safe because the earlier prediction was focused on the east coast.

I finally got a diagnosis on my knee yesterday. It is pes anserine bursitis, and I have to sign up for more physical therapy. But at least I know what I'm dealing with. I declined a cortisone shot. The few that I've had were too painful to be worth it.

I also declined to pay my copay yesterday, explaining that I would rather pay my full medical online (which I will do after pay day.) I also got away with no cost for parking, because the appointment took less than one hour.

I was supposed to go with C today on a tour of the botanical gardens. That, needless to say, has been cancelled. I also tentatively cancelled my attendance at the jazzfest cookout tomorrow. It's an hour away and I'm not comfortable with being that far out of reach, the situation being what it is.

So all of this will have the silver lining that my spending will stay low as I bide my time at home and on call.

I am very uneasy on several fronts, but feeling grateful for my own health and safety at this time.

I spent $1.50 on laundry today, and paid a $7 doctor bill.

I have another doctor's appointment tomorrow. Now that the inflammation has calmed down, I can point to the exact spot on my knee that hurts. I hope this will help to figure out just what's wrong.

My variables spending is up to 83%, with 19 days to go. And another $5 copay will be made tomorrow.

I'm starting to think about how I can feed myself for the least amount in the days ahead. Here is a list off the top of my head of the meals I have available in the pantry or freezer. Some are already made, some need to be prepared.

Salmon Fillets
Sloppy Joes
Chicken Vegetable Soup
Cheese Broccoli Soup
Cheese Quesadillas
Apricot Chicken
Purple Potato Soup
Pizza
Eggs
Spanish Rice
Spaghetti (need an ingredient)
Lasagna (need an ingredient)
Peanut Soup

I'll have a free meal on Sunday at the cookout. On Monday and Tuesday I'll have a free bagel breakfast and a free pizza dinner at Planet Fitness.

In addition to the copay and groceries I have to figure on a tank of gas, a bag of cat food, $10 for parking, and probably $10 more for laundry. And there will probably be a surprise. There always is.

Two of my grandsons have birthdays next week, but the gifts are bought.

In other news, my son is heading home today in Florida. He's been on the road with his job. He will probably be in terrible traffic as he gets caught up among the evacuees. He and his family are staying put. They are in the north central part of the state, not close to either coast. And they live on very high ground. They are probably as safe as anyone can be in Florida. Still, I worry, this one is sounding so bad. I'll keep watching and hoping for the best.

My dinner downtown with friends was cancelled; one of my friends is not feeling well. We will try to reschedule in the next couple of weeks.

I was actually a little relieved. I didn't feel like making the trip downtown again, and for some perverse reason I always like it when any expected expenditure is put off. Maybe it won't even happen till the next pay cycle!

So instead I went to a matinee, "Tulip Fever." The reviews were terrible, but I love historical costume dramas. I didn't think it was too bad, and it was certainly beautiful to look at. Besides, I am interested in Dutch history, being part Dutch myself. It was Senior Day; it cost $7.

This weekend will be busy -- a trip to the botanical gardens on Saturday, and on Sunday, a cookout before the College's annual jazzfest. (I'm probably not going to the jazzfest itself.)

Variables are already at 82%; I've been too loose with my pocketbook this month. But I think I am set with most things -- I'll probably need another gas fill-up and probably another bag of cat food.

Despite the new phone, I still have a dead zone in my condo. My son's phone reacts the same way. I guess I'll have to look into a cell phone extender, because I really don't like limiting my phone use to the kitchen. But they're expensive, so I'll have to wait till next month -- which is actually the 27th.

I was there until 2 p.m. and then dismissed. They didn't even interview me. Now I go back in the pool, and won't be called again for a year.

The drive to the courthouse was every bit as harrowing as I was afraid it might be, but I got there in time and didn't have to pay for parking. Coming home was worse, because when I was leaving the parking garage I couldn't turn left, as Google Maps was advising me, and had to go quite a bit out of my way. When I was finally going the right direction, the navigator directed me to Wacker Drive. Uh-uh. Wacker Drive is a "layered" road and I always lose my signal on it. Then I come out in the midst of tall buildings and my navigation goes nuts. So I navigated myself to 94, which goes to Wisconsin -- I knew that would steer me the right way, even if it was a bit out of my way.

I took my lunch, so paid nothing for food. I was paid $17.20. That went into my snowflakes.

Now I'm "on" again for dinner in the city with my friends tomorrow night. I'm going to take the train this time.

I'm very tired, even though it was a day of sitting. It was an interesting process. There was a huge pool of people, and they gave us group numbers upon entering. They chose three different groups to go to courtrooms for screening. We had a little video lesson on courtroom procedure hosted by none other than a very young Lester Holt. I had forgotten his roots were in Chicago!

I didn't realize before, but it was a state circuit court, not city or county. There were people from all over. It was also a criminal court. Had I been chosen, it probably would have been interesting, but I'm glad I have freedom instead.

Spent the whole afternoon at the beach yesterday with my son's family, C, and some of their friends. The boys had a great time in and out of the water. I mostly sat in a chair, along with C. It was fun, but the day got long for the grannies! At the end of the day, DIL made burgers and fixins for the family.

I didn't spend anything. I got my two free items from MyMixx (coconut water and coffee in a can).

I sacrificed my ice cream and sherbet to son's family. Not eating sugar is proving to be so effective in reducing my inflammation, now I just have to think of ways to get rid of the sugary things in my house.

This morning I am meeting friends for coffee at a nearby diner. Tomorrow I report for jury duty in the city. I am dreading that so much, but mostly I dread the trip into the city and trying to find the courthouse and parking. Once I get there, it is just a matter of biding my time. I'm planning to take a lunch and a book.

C and I went to garage sales today. I had some luck!

Ceramic Teapot (gift) - $7
Cinderella Ornament (gift) - $1
Paris Ornament (gift) - $1
Minnie Mouse wallet (gift) - $1
Book - .50
Beatrix Potter figurines - $10
Wooden Desk Organizer - $2

The Beatrix Potter figurines were $10 for 10. I figure I can sell them for $5-10 apiece. If I have no luck with that, I will give them to my niece for her daughter's room.

After the sales, we went to Panera for lunch, which cost me $10. It was a good morning.

I got a notice that I earned $2.60 for reducing my energy usage during Peak Savings Day. It was pretty easy, considering I wasn't at home!

No other news, financial or otherwise.

I, like Patient Saver, am worried about SecretarySaving. I hope she posts soon.

Today I took $600 out of my Chase checking account and moved it to my BOA account. Two reasons. I wanted to have enough money in my account so that when the second assessment fee hits, it won't bounce. I also need to keep $300 in the savings account -- my slush fund -- in order to avoid fees. New policy. I don't like it -- it means my slush fund will have to be higher so I don't encroach on the $300. But it's not really a loss of funds.

My only real spending today was $1.50 for laundry. BFF let me do a lot of laundry at her house, but I did not take my towels, and it was time.

Oh, wait a minute. I also spent $46 on a birthday present for my Florida grandson. Picks from his Amazon list -- kinetic sand, Play-Doh, a school bus, and a thermos. I'm very proud that I got this done before the last minute!

I put all my stovetop burners in the dishwasher and I'm running it now. I've tried before, but never with the new dishwasher. I hope it will get some of the crud off, and if I still have to hand-scrub them, at least it will not be quite as much effort.

My car is still half-full of stuff from my trip. I'm taking things up a little at a time, because I don't want to stress my legs too much. I figure I have two more trips up the steps to go. But I'm done for today.

The rest of the day I'm devoting to reading. I'm way behind in the family Harry Potter book club!