So yesterday I wake up to a cold house. I check the thermostat, and, although it is set on 72, the temp is 63.

To me, this means trouble. It means in another hour the temp will be 53, then 43, because something is wrong with the furnace.

I call the company who services us, and they cannot send anyone until about noon.

By that time, the temp has crept up to 67.

The technician checks everything out, and then tells me everything is working fine.

Why is it so cold? I ask.

Oh, well, heat pumps have trouble keeping up in very cold weather.

Who knew? I've never had a heat pump before -- only gas furnaces that efficiently pumped out the heat when it was cold.

I had to pay $98 to learn that.

Then I sat down to do my state taxes. I did the paper version, but the refund was much less than it had showed on TurboTax. (Even though I hadn't done state taxes on TT, there is a little box that shows estimated state refund even while you are doing your federal tax.) That worried me. I went to the NC website, and it directed to me to a free tax service through TurboTax called taxfreedom.com. I logged in, but since I used my ID and password, it flipped right over to the basic service, which charges $25.95. I tried to back out and log in with a new ID and password, but because it couldn't link to my federal info, it calculated a $0 refund. Going backwards!

I went back to the paper, and still couldn't find my error.

Went back to TurboTax and paid the $25.95. I'm getting a $480 refund, and I'm glad to be done with it. But now I'm $124 poorer, with all my goofing up.

Today a new problem: no water in the downstairs bathroom. I assume the pipe is frozen. Right now I am running the hot water in all the other taps, and I have a heater set up next to the pipe in question. So far no luck.

I am beginning to miss the frozen north. At least when it gets cold there, the systems can handle it!

A whole week without spending or driving.

Today the first of my two pension checks was in the mail, so I bought some gas and groceries, mailed my son's birthday package, and paid the rental for the booth (sales didn't cover the rent this month). Total spending was $78.

The State of Indiana is challenging my tax refund of 2005. For some reason they don't think I made a donation to an Indiana college. I made gifts to the university I worked at through payroll deduction, and I have the documentation. I sent them a copy. I sure hope this doesn't get mucked up, because I did everything right, and I can't afford $104 for nothing!

And found that my pension check was not deposited. So I will have two more days of no spending, no driving. Oh well. I'm up to the task.

I did my taxes yesterday, as soon as my 1099-R arrived in the mail. I just got an email that it's been accepted, and I'll get the money deposited sometime around Feb. 13. The really great news is, between my federal and state refund, I'll have almost enough to pay off my credit card debt. Whew! I still have to do the state -- I will do it on paper, not pay to have TurboTax do it.

I have sold 5, count 'em, 5 books this week on half.com. So this morning I went through my bookshelves and found a few more to add. I have gotten adept at printing out mailing labels via PayPal, and my sister has been carting the packages to the post office.

Yesterday my sister brought over a casserole of pork chops, peppers, mushrooms and rice. It was really good. I insisted she take the leftovers home. I really have plenty of food, though I can't seem to get her to believe that!

Today I Frontlined the cats. There is only one tube left for next month, so that is another expense to think about.

My cousin suggested that I come down to Florida mid-month. I am thinking February 11 is a good day -- and I would stay until the 24th. A cousin on the other side of the family will visit her on the 28th, and March is covered by her friend.

I really don't have the money to make the trip, but I don't want to tell her that. She has done so much for me already, and she has her own money worries now. She depends on renting office space for her living -- well, in this economy, all her tenants are floundering. It's sad, and scary.

So I guess the money will come out of my emergency fund, as well as the dentist appointment -- when I get it scheduled.

I look out my window and the rain just keeps coming down. We're getting the warmer edge of the ice storm that's inching across the country. I'm thinking it's a good day to stay inside and spend nothing!

However, once again, I sold a book on half.com (I'm not complaining!) and I had to spend some money to print a postage label. This box is a bit too big to put in a mailbox, so I guess I will ask the carrier to pick it up tomorrow. I've never done that before; this will be a first.

Yesterday I baked some cookies from dough I had made. I essentially skipped dinner (too much snacking on cookies!) I am determined to go back to my 3 squares today. But since I slept late, my breakfast was actually lunch -- a romaine salad.

I am keeping a grocery list of things I run out of, but when I get paid I will be making decisions about which of them is really important. I won't get everything.

My sister dropped by yesterday and we priced and labeled most of the items we bought in Florida. However, they won't go in the booth quite yet. It is fully stocked, and if we add more, it might start to look junky.

When we have our garage sale in the spring, we will be going through the booth and pulling out the things that have sat the longest and are not really antiques. They will go in the garage sale. We need to do an inventory, too. I know a few things have been stolen. Such are the risks.

Last night my son called me on Skype. He gave me a LifeCam for Christmas so I could see my little grandson while we talk. He was entranced with a ViewMaster so didn't have much time for Grandma, but it was wonderful just to be able to see him. I am very grateful for all these little pleasures.

Well, I'm determined to spend nothing and go nowhere till I get paid. Which I think will be next Monday (since the 31st falls on a Saturday).

As I planned, I called the dentist's office early this morning and left a message on their machine saying that I wouldn't be able to make it in. I hope they won't charge me for a cancelled appointment. We'll see.

When I opened my e-mail, I found that I sold TWO books on half.com. Well, there goes no spending. I had to print mailing labels via PayPal: $4.82 total. I had just barely enough in my checking account, but I also transferred $5 from savings just to be safe. I will walk the packages to the nearest post office, which is about a 15-minute walk each way. I can use the exercise. Exciting to know I will get a little deposit soon from the sales.

Yesterday my sister and her husband came over for cards, and they brought a tin of cookies, some cheese dip and crackers, and a banana nut muffin for my breakfast this morning. Guess they are worried about me! I was grateful, but I want them to worry about themselves, too.

So I have practically no money at all till I get paid on the first. Two big looming problems:

My son's birthday. It's on the sixth, but he lives in Chicago so I have to ship soon.

Here's what I've done: I went "shopping" in my basement, where I store my finds for the booth and stuff designated for a garage sale. In the garage sale stuff, there was a a nice set of barbecue equipment -- tongs, spatula, brush etc. -- all with bamboo handles and still in the box. They were my sister's. I asked her if it was okay for me to give to B as a gift, and she was fine with it.

Now, to wrap. I had a roll of plain red Christmas paper which is fine for a guy's birthday. And I already had the card, which I bought last fall because I recognized it as the perfect card for him. So no cost to wrap.

I found a box that neatly fits the wrapped package, so all I have to do now is label and send it. My kitchen scale says the package is 3 lbs. 3 oz., but I don't know how accurate it is. I will take it to the auto center at the post office and see what it weighs there. I'm estimating it will cost around $8 to send. Which is about what I have.

My other big problem: A dentist appointment on Monday. I think I will be highly unethical and plead sickness on Monday morning, since it is too late to cancel now. I hate to do that, but a visit to the dentist, however important, is just not something I can do right now.

I am also very low on gas, so I can't do any running around. Which means I won't mail the package until I get paid either.

At least I have plenty of food in stock. I will just hunker down for a week.

Since my last entry, I've gone to Florida and come back, only to have to quickly turn around and drive to Indiana for a funeral. My friend with brain cancer, whom I have mentioned before, passed away just after New Year's.

Travel, Christmas, and car repairs have played havoc with my finances. I have credit card debt again for the first time since I've retired, and it's depressing. I do hope to cover a good chunk of it with my tax refund.

For the time being, I am in NC while my cousin is in Florida. A friend of hers is taking over her care until some time in February. While it is good to have some time to myself, I don't have the luxury of my cousin providing my board. My income doesn't go far. After I pay my medical premium, I have only $180 for the month. This is a major challenge.

I've been looking for a job, but finding nothing I can even apply for. I have not yet put in my application for temp work -- that will probably be my best bet. But I procrastinate. I have gotten used to not working, and I just hate the idea of it! I would really rather stretch that $180 and make it work. Since the house is well-stocked with food, it's doable -- except for expenses like the dentist, vet etc. What to do, what to do.

A bit of good news. At a garage sale in Florida I bought a porcelain mantel clock for $10. After a little research, I found it may be worth $1000! Of course, I can't just cash it in like coins at CoinStar. My sister and I will have to get it appraised and find a buyer. But it's exciting! We've already put in our bid for tickets to Antiques Roadshow, which will be in Raleigh in June.

And my sister had some good news as well. Some Oriental items she had consigned to a specialty store sold for more than $660. So that give her a much-needed buffer for her tight budget.

I don't know what the future will bring, but I WAS glad to hear this morning that stocks are rebounding after yesterday. I'll cherish ANY scrap of good financial news!

I'm getting ready to drive to Florida tomorrow. It's about a 12 hour trip. Luckily, I'll have my sister to spell me, because I don't plan to stop for the night.

Yesterday I got some CDs on tape from the library. While there, I overheard a man giving travel advice to a woman who happens to be going just a few miles beyond my destination. He advised an alternate route to avoid Atlanta. You bet I'm going to try it out! Atlanta is a traffic sinkhole no matter what time you arrive!

I stocked up on cat food and kitty litter so my kitty caretakers will have plenty on hand. I also bought a thermos -- a good one. I figured with all the road trips I do, a good thermos is something I can really use over and over again.

I also did my last bit of Christmas shopping -- Mickey D and Bojangles gift cards for my BIL, who will be alone for Christmas, since I'm dragging my sister with me! He has to work -- and he is not a great holiday person, anyway -- but fast foods treats should give him a boost.

Today I'm doing laundry and packing. The worst part of packing is that I have to pack summer clothes for Florida, but winter dress clothes in case I have to fly to Indiana for a funeral, which is very likely.

Too much spending is happening. I hope I can ratchet back after the holidays.

On the seventh day -- yes I rested, but I also mailed some Christmas cards, gave myself a pedicure, and installed some pictures on my computer -- as well as some more mundane things like cleaning up the kitchen and washing sheets.

My son called last night to tell me our friend with brain cancer was moved back home from the hospital and will receive palliative care. She may have a couple of weeks left. I talked to my DIL this morning, and she is a wreck. This is her best friend, a pivotal person in her life, probably THE pivotal person in her life, and the unfairness of it all is stunning, incapacitating to her. Wish I could wave a wand and make it all go away.

My accomplishments yesterday -- I returned library books, labeled and put new items in the booth, washed & vacuumed the car, did laundry, ran dishwasher.

My sister and her hubby came over for cards and I sent them home with some cheese, mushroom soup, butter and a diet coke. Call me the food pantry! I love it, though.

No further word on my friend with cancer. I guess no news is good news.

Today I need to send out some Christmas cards -- at least to those who've sent me one already!

Yesterday I took care of a few chores-- collected and took out the garbage, cleaned the cat pans, and hung my new valance. I did some cooking -- banana bread and chicken barbecue. And I did some financial stuff -- called TIAA-CREF to discuss changing my allotments (but decided to keep them as they are).

The big chore was taking my car in for the 90,000-mile checkup. I had to get a new battery, and they cleaned the engine, changed the air filter, flushed the power steering, did a safety inspection -- and I got an oil change and tire rotation as well. Altogether it was $353 -- about what I was expecting, though I wasn't exactly thrilled.

At the end of the day my son called to let me know that a dear friend who has brain cancer has entered the hospital with brain swelling. It looks bad for her. She has bravely battled this disease for two and a half years (after being told she had only six months). She is only 30 years old. Although this news is not unexpected, it hit me hard, and I tossed and turned all night after FTD'ing some flowers. She is far away and I can't visit. I can't call her because she has lost her speech. I'm just so sad.

Today I ran some errands -- mailed another Christmas package (the last one), picked up some prescriptions, picked up dry cleaning, got a few groceries. I also got my hair trimmed -- this after I tried to do it myself -- bad idea! At least I didn't ruin it, but that's one frugal idea that doesn't work.

I also scrubbed my couch and partially cleaned the interior of my car. Have to finish it up with one of those strong vacuums at the car wash.

I didn't do too much yesterday. I repaired a light-up magnifying glass that I use for identifying marks on china, etc. And I cleaned out the fridge since today is garbage day.

My sister and her husband came over for cards. After the games were done, we went over their finances. They needed to take $200 out of their savings in order to pay the satellite TV bill and get gas. I've already recommended that they cancel the TV, but that advice has gone unheeded. I could tell my brother-in-law was very frustrated, and I only hope he will eventually see that it is better to have food and gas -- not to mention a roof over their heads -- than it is to have TV. Oh well, he thinks he can replenish the $200 on his next payday. I am doubtful.

I sent them home with some soup I had made, some potatoes, and some cheese -- all stuff I had in surplus. At the last minute I stuck in a can of Diet Coke for my BIL. My sister said, "You're spoiling him," and he patted my arm in thanks. I do worry about them so.

Yesterday was the second day of keeping an "accomplishment" log, and I find I really wasn't too productive yesterday.

On the plus side, I repaired my cat's collar, mailed a Christmas package and a birthday card, forwarded mail sent here by mistake, baked cookies, slow-cooked some chicken thighs for barbecue, put away laundry, put some new items in the booth, and -- my best accomplishment of the day -- bought an outfit for my grandson, which cost nothing after using a $10 coupon from Penney's.

I also finished reading a book, visited with my cousin's sister, and talked on the phone with my son -- all of which took up some time. And are all worthy pursuits.

I will leave for Florida on the 22nd, so I need to get my car checked out. That's my goal tomorrow.

What' wrong with me?

When things get tougher, I stop sharing my woes. But it helps me to share, to keep myself on track, so I'm going to keep trying to do it.

My finances have become inextricably woven with my sister's. I know many of you would say cut her loose, she made her own mess, but I can't do that. Aside from my kids, she is the family member I am closest to. And she really is trying to change. While we once thought her house would go into foreclosure, she has now made the mortgage payment for four months running; she is paying her bills, paying for her food and gas, and even has a little in savings (which I keep in my account, so she can't raid it). It still worries me that a single emergency will set her all the way back, but I am so grateful she has made the strides she has.

However, I am falling behind. Christmas gifts and a trip to the Midwest, among other things, has given me an $800 Discover bill to pay next month. For the first time since I have retired, I am facing the possibility that I might not be able to pay it in whole.

I have to drive to Florida in a week or so to be with my cousin. Before I go I should take the car in for its 90,000 mile checkup. Both my cats need to go to the vet for checkups. In January I have to start paying $456 a month for health insurance -- and I am only drawing $637 out of my retirement fund.

The booth did well last month, with sales of $308, but so far this month there hasn't been much activity. I may not even make the rent payment.

I can't look for a job because I have to go back and forth between here and Florida. Besides, my cousin IS my job, I need to be around to help her.

So I am feeling frustrated. Not exactly frightened -- I know I will have a roof over my head, no matter what. But the economy has taken its toll on my cousin's portfolio, so she cannot help me much other than providing me with a home.

This isn't what I expected when I retired.

But I will persevere.

On a different note, yesterday I was feeling like I just rattle around and do nothing -- so I decided to keep a log of my daily accomplishments. I was surprised that I DO do something all day!

Yesterday I:

Sewed buttons on a sweater.
Folded laundry.
Wrapped Christmas presents.
Updated my budget.
Updated my family blog.
Made homemade vegetable beef soup and egg salad.
Bought gas.
Stocked booth with new items.
Entered a bunch of Pepsi, Coke, and Stouffer's codes.
Ran the dishwasher.
Bought 5 shares of stock in King Pharmaceuticals on ING Sharebuilder.
Talked to my grandson on Skype.

Not so bad for a do-nothing day.

Yesterday I paid my sister's propane bill. It was overdue and I was afraid they would take the tank away. Having just done her budget, I knew she did not have the funds for it. So that's $112 out of my gift fund.

I went to Goodwill and spent $33 on clothes -- 4 sweatshirts, 2 bras, and 2 pairs of capris. I also bought 2 books for $1.50, which I put up for sale on half.com, a matted photo for $3 and a monkeypod snack tray for $1. The latter two items I will sell in the booth.

I stopped at the booth to put in my Christmas items, and I didn't see any holes. I always look for holes, which means something sold, and I am disappointed when I don't see any -- even if it's only been a day or two since my last stop! Well, I already know some of our bigger things sold this month, so I am excited to see the month's end reckoning.

I took more clothes into the consignment shop, so I am hoping I get a check from there, too.

I received a benefits confirmation statement from my employer, but they didn't provide any info on the cost of the premium for retirees -- only for employees. I sent an email pointing this out -- no answer yet. I would like to change to a different plan than the one I've had, but I'm not going to do it with no financial information!

This morning I sent off two books I sold on half.com. That makes four altogether. They are actually my sister's books, but I am having fun helping her. I am finding half.com a much easier market to break than ebay.

Yesterday I combed a thrift shop and bought four books for $1. One I immediately put up for sale, the others I will read first. The one for sale is priced at $7, so it will be a good return if it sells.

I also found a bud vase and a Chinese spoon that I will put in the booth. Spent $2.50 on those items; they will probably be priced at about $7 or $8.

On the negative side, I blew $7 at McDonald's today. Left the house hungry -- that's always a mistake. But I got some more Monopoly pieces, which I will send to my son.

Yesterday I also got my hair cut ($12), and stocked up on pet supplies ($88). Tomorrow I go to the dentist, and that will be all I can spend this month.

I've been gone awhile. I've been distracted by my sister's problems. I've spoken of her before -- she has always been a spendaholic in denial. It has finally caught up with her, and she and her husband started to fall behind on their mortgage. They finally had to open up and face the fact that they cannot live on his salary and her social security. They have to sell their house, but they have to do it before they face foreclosure. It's been a nightmare for me, fearing that they will be out on the street.

Thank goodness they have allowed me to intervene and set them up on a budget and spending plan. Things are still really tight for them, and I have to help them in little ways, but now I have more hope that they will get through this. The problem now is selling the house. They have a lot of cleanup and repair to do before they can get it on the market, and once they do, the market is pretty awful here. It may be a long time.

I have been helping my sister sell her stuff -- they will have to downsize, anyway. She sold her entire set of dishes to replacements.com, and has taken her collection of Oriental art to a specialty store that sells on consignment. She is selling her books on half.com and taking her clothes to a consignment shop. I am proud of her, because she has never been able to let go of stuff before.

Our antique booth finally turned a profit last month. I am hoping that the Christmas season will bring higher sales.

As for me, I have given up on the medical premium fund. I will have to pay it monthly (come January), which really won't be all that much more expensive, just more of a nuisance.

I'm planning a trip to see my kids and brother in November. I'll spend a week in Chicago and a week in Michigan. I've bought a ticket for my sister to fly out for the Michigan part of the trip, so she can see her grandchildren. Then she'll ride back with me. I was glad to do this -- she hasn't seen her grandchildren for almost a year, and there is no way she can pay for travel right now.

So -- life is challenging! Isn't it always?

This morning I made a breakfast casserole, using leftover scraps of veggies, bread, cheese and eggs. It's in the oven now, but it smells delicious.

I am soaking my laundry now, having used only 1/2 the recommended amount.

Yesterday I entertained myself reading a book given to me and playing free games on the computer.

I also picked six tomatoes off our tomato plants and made BLTs for dinner yesterday.

I am still using deoderant that I got free from a product test.

I talked to my son yesterday, but plans are still up in the air for going to Chicago. I may wait until October.

So far I've spent not a penny. Easy, because I haven't been out of the house.

But I've tried to do a few frugal things, and I will try every day.

I rescued some aging carrots and spinach by cooking them for the dog. He is supposed to have a few vegetables in his food.

I used some leftover corn muffins as the base for creamed chipped beef. Pretty good.

I returned my latest Netflix movie in a timely manner.

I made an appointment to sell some clothes at a consignment shop.

I completed a Pinecone survey.

I cleaned and labeled my latest garage sale finds for the booth.

My computer was getting an "error 104" message a lot. I decided to Google it and found a site that claimed it would fix it with a free download. RegCure, it was called. It scanned my machine and found many things that needed fixing. But I had to buy a bigger version to actually fix most of them. Well, I looked around a little and it seemed legit. When I got to the part where I charged to Paypal, I thought it said it was $9.95. So I bought it. Then I get a message from Paypal that I paid $39.90. Whaaaa?????

I went back and looked at relevant page and it did indeed say it was $29.95 PLUS $9.95 for something extra. Blast it! I didn't want to pay $40!

My computer does seem to be running better, though.

Lesson: Read a little more carefully.

Good news -- I am running in first place in the family football pool! I may rake in some cash!

First of all, I'm worried that the antique booth is going to turn into an expensive hobby rather than a source of income. I know we just began, but I spent $365 last month, and it has only earned $44. That's not counting the gas I spent going to garage sales. Yikes! I know I will never have to spend that much again, but still.... I'd like to be seeing more sales.

I'm also worried about my medical premium for next year. Because of heavy expenses last month, I really cut into my savings. I don't see any way I can pay $4800 in January. I will have to go month-to-month, which will be $400+. Since my pension only provides $637 a month, this will be very painful. (Don't worry, newbies, I don't have to pay for food or housing, so it's not as horrible as it might seem. I live as caretaker in my cousin's house and have free room and board). I am hoping for a nice tax refund to help out, but this will be very hard. I may have to find a part-time job, like it or not.

Maybe I should start buying lottery tickets!

My car is fixed and it passed inspection (with hardly a minute to spare). That cost me $297. I must say it is not very exciting to pay all that money to have a new air blah blah sensor.

I've done some more shopping for the booth -- about $25 at garage sales and a consignment shop. These and some more "found items" at home will add $327 to the inventory. I haven't made an exciting find yet ala Antiques Road Show, but I am find nice little items and it's a lot of fun.

My son called me yesterday to let me know they bought a new coffeemaker for their new condo. That is their official invitation for me to come visit, since I am a coffee drinker and they are not.

Although I can't really afford it, I may make the drive to Chicago in September, perhaps toward the end of the month. Bottom line is, I can't afford not to see my grandson as much as possible. And my kids, of course.

I did my month's end accounting today, as I don't plan to spend anything today. It's been a very expensive month.

Medical: $2041 -- two crowns and some OTC drugs.

Vet/Pet: $376 -- medical care for my dog, Frontline and cat food.

Business (new category): $365 -- items for booth, cost of fixtures, setup, etc.

Car Repair/Maintenance: $349 -- inspection and related repairs.

Entertainment: $54 (Netflix, books, historic house tour, football pool)

Gifts: $52 -- mostly small things, some garage sale, for future giving.

Cell phone: $45

Gas: $39

Furnishings/Equipment: $30 (two vintage pictures for my bedroom wall)

Personal: $17 (toiletries, etc.)

Eating Out: $16

Miscellaneous: $7

Clothing: $4 (2 sweaters and 2 turtlenecks at garage sales)

Household Supplies: $1 (clothespins)

A lot of this went on my Discover card, so my savings will be hit hard to pay for all this. Most of it couldn't be helped, so I will just mark it off to fate.

I AM pleased to be back in the garage sale habit, because I am finding great bargains in clothing, gifts etc., as well as building the business. It will all pay off down the line!

My sister popped in yesterday and told me that some of our things in the booth have sold. We won't get the full account until September 1, but it's exciting to know we're not doing it for nothing.

We went garage saling on Friday and spent about $75 for more items to go in the booth. If everything we bought sells for the prices we've marked, they will bring in $327. Altogether we have more than $4,000 in inventory. I hope this pays off down the road! While garage saling I also found two sweaters for myself, some books and some gifts for rock-bottom prices.

In other news, I had to shell out $280 to the vet because my dog had a hot spot. He had to be sedated to be examined, and while he was out he had the spa treatment -- toenail clip and a good brushing. He's on steroids and antibiotics and seems to be doing better. He's a big dog and at age 14 I know I am lucky for every day I still have him around.

I took my car for an oil change and inspection -- and failed the inspection! My check engine light was on, which I ignore because it usually means the gas cap isn't tight enough. But this time it meant something -- I can't tell you what right now -- that will cost $200. I have to take it to the Toyota dealer on Monday, and just hope it gets fixed and passes inspection before the end of the month. I waited too long to get it inspected. Anyway, the oil change and inspection cost $52.

Once again, I've been away too long.

Since my last post, I've had a birthday, had temporary crowns put in, and I've opened an antiques/collectibles booth with my sister!

For my birthday I got new pajamas, a new top, new sandals, lunch at a wonderful inn, steak dinner on the grill, lots of cards and good wishes. It was a great day to celebrate my first annual 59th birthday!

My temporary crowns are giving me fits -- they keep breaking! But two good things -- I will have the permanent ones on September 2 -- and I paid cash.

As for the booth -- my sister had lots of stuff that was gathering dust in her basement -- I had a few antiques I've been hanging onto, wondering what to do with them. We joined forces and opened a booth in a very nice antique mall nearby. It was a lot of work, but I have to say it looks wonderful. Now I hope we sell something! I'm very excited about garage sale shopping this weekend for new items to put in. It took an investment of about $150 so far, for hauling and display items. On September 1 we will owe $125 for rent. I am hoping something will have sold by then. Wish me luck!

I haven't been here in a while. We've had a lot of company and the bustle is just settling down.

I had a great time with my "mini" family reunion, even though I was chief cook and bottle washer. My cousin paid for most of the food. My only contribution was $12 for donuts, so I guess I can figure my real contribution was the work.

We had fifteen people here on the busiest day -- and I think everyone had a good time.

Other spending included some gifts I picked up while shopping recreationally with family -- about $20 -- and $10 for admittance to a historic house.

Now I have to buckle down and save. My dentist's appointment to get two new crowns is next week. After that I must save, save, save to pay my medical premium next year.

In my last entry I was lamenting that I would have to charge upcoming dental work. After getting out of debt last year, I SO hate to do that.

I've decided that I will take the money from my medical premium account to pay for it. I still have half a year to make it up, since the premium is not due until January.

That will force me to save, and I won't be paying interest.

Why didn't I think of that before?

I went to the dentist yesterday for my quarterly cleaning and to have the old crown put back on. Bad news. There is decay under the crown and the dentist wants to replace it ASAP. He also looked at the other tooth that will be crowned and said the decay is getting worse there, too. If I don't have it crowned now, I'll have to at least get a filling. Getting a filling would be a waste, since I will have to get the crown eventually anyway. So I made an appointment to get both teeth done at once in mid-August. It's going to cost more than $2000 and I won't have the cash. I'll have to charge it. That breaks my heart. I never wanted to carry a credit card balance again, but now I see clearly why it happens.

At least I will get the whole thing over at once.

In other news, I sold an old diamond ring to the antique store for $130. The owner actually discouraged me, saying it was probably worth more in sentiment than value, but actually it is not a very sentimental piece for me. I already have my mother's diamond on a pendant and my own engagement ring will be reset for my son when he proposes. This particular ring was my great aunt's, to whom I was not close. It was small and in a very worn, old-fashioned setting. It was not particularly charming in appearance. So I was quite fine with letting it go for a little cash.

My sister sold $200 worth of jewelry and says she still has more. I shudder to think what she spent purchasing it, but at least she seems to be finally getting it that she has to raise some cash if she is going to stay in her house. She has to hide the money from her husband, though, or he will spend it. They are such a sad case.

I am $103 richer because I sold some old gold jewelry. I mainly did it to encourage my sister, who is having financial troubles (continually) to part with some of hers. She sold jewelry to the tune of $700+. I just hope she doesn't blow it foolishly. That is something she has, unfortunately, done all her life.

My money will go toward paying off the credit card next month. I am very close now and may not have to use savings as I thought.

However, I do have to really look at my budget and figure out where I am going wrong. I am spending too much. It is so easy to do with my income so small, but I can't take out any more from my retirement fund. When I set up my income, the idea was to take only the interest and profit. With the stock market the way it is, my income is outpacing profit. I know the stock market will eventually recover, but it is scary.

I think I have to have a no-spend month -- or two -- to get back on track. By that I mean no spending on anything that isn't a necessity. Most of my needs are taken care of in my living situation so it shouldn't be that difficult.

However, I have been keeping a list of expenses coming up -- a dental appointment, a trip to the vet for my cat, an oil change, and car inspection. That doesn't count the two crowns that I need -- which I would like to get done this year for tax reasons.

Well, back to the drawing board. I'll figure it out.

I just got back from a long weekend in Chicago with my kids. It wasn't as expensive as I feared it would be. Gas was only $126. Meals were about $73. I spent $4 on tolls and $7 to rent books-on-tape. But here's the expensive part: $199 on gifts. That included two birthdays, a housewarming, contribution toward a cookout, and little things for my grandson, so it's not totally out of line.

I've spent a lot of money this month. Too much. I won't be able to pay off my credit card in full without dipping into savings. I don't like to do that, but I would like it even less to carry a balance on the card, even for one month. That is one thing I swore I would not do in retirement. So I won't.

I need to go back to pinching and scrimping.

Next week I have to go to the dentist for a cleaning, and while I'm there I'll have to get an old crown cemented back on. I wish I had the money to replace it now, but I just don't. So I have to waste the money on cementing it. I hope it is not too large a fee.

My medical/dental fund is up by $8 because Bank of America matched my "save the change" savings. I probably won't be able to put any toward it this month because I have overspent so badly. Don't know quite how I did that, though the semi-annual car insurance was a big chunk. And having three animals who need Frontline every month is not cheap, either. We live right beside the woods, so our pets must be protected constantly from ticks.

Yesterday was a NSD. My sister came over for cards. We had a simple dinner of baked chicken, couscous, broccoli and watermelon. It rained almost all day which was a VERY GOOD THING! Right now we have 6 buds on 9 tomato plants! Yes, some of the plants are just providing greenery. The variety we bought supposedly doesn't produce until September, though, so there's still hope.

I may call the doctor today. I am still coughing from the bronchitis I had, what, four weeks ago? I'll have to check, but it's been a long time!