The dentist gave me a temporary crown, and I will get a permanent one on March 6. The cost was $1115, which I put on my Discover card. It closed yesterday, so that will put off the actual payment till next month. For tracking, though, I always count at the point of purchase.

I was glad I waited for my own dentist, because he was just so professional and got it all done so efficiently it was like clockwork. I really felt like I was literally in good hands.

I do need to check today whether the crown will be metal or porcelain. I want porcelain, as it is pretty visible. But I forgot to ask about it yesterday.

In other spending, I sent $20 to my Oregon grandchildren inside their valentines. I will do the same for the local grandchildren, but I don't have to send those.

We had a snowfall yesterday that lasted through the night. Even so, it is not very deep. It's one of those lovely, winter-wonderland snows that makes the trees all lacy. I don't have to go anywhere today, so I will lay low. Maybe get out for a walk in the afternoon, when everything is cleared.

Today I go to the dentist to tackle my broken tooth. It is still causing me no pain. I'm hoping he can patch it up rather than replace it with a crown. And I hope there will be no root canal! I've never had one, but I dread the very thought.

Last night's dinner out included GS1's friend. We went to Culver's and it cost me $31. That is not too bad for four people. I'm happy to be generous once in a while. In fact, it feels good to be able to do something like this after my austere gap year.

No plans today other than the dentist. His office is in walking distance, so I will walk there. It is supposed to start snowing today, but I think I'll beat the storm.

Went to the gym this morning. I had forgotten, but it was bagel day, so I got a free breakfast. After I ate, I had a few minutes of panic, thinking I had lost my keys, but they were in my coat pocket. Duh. Had everybody looking for them and I feel pretty stupid.

I stopped at Walgreens on the way home and bought some valentine candy for the grandkids and two bottles of generic Tums on sale. I had a $5 reward on my account so the total bill was $12.

Tonight I'm taking the boys to music lessons, but I will also be taking another boy, who is in GS1's school orchestra, and they are going to work on some pieces with the teacher. I don't know what that will mean for dinner out -- I may be taking him out as well -- I'll play it by ear.

I learned that I actually won $17 in the family football pool this year! Woo-hoo! I usually finish up at zero. I'm still losing money, because the price to play is $35, but at least there is a little pride intact. I was one of three to correctly predict that SF and KC would be the contestants in the Superbowl. I also correctly picked KC for the win, but someone else beat me out by predicting closer to the final score.

Variables are at 43%, so it's time to slow down a little.

BFF left for home about an hour ago, and I'm unwinding. We had a great weekend together, though I had a mystery illness yesterday afternoon and evening that disappeared overnight, thank goodness. Don't know exactly what was wrong, but I had very bad acid reflux and a headache, as well as a cough. I was very tired from some sleepless nights, so I wonder if my body was just telling me, "Get some sleep, dummy!"

We saw four Oscar movies together and went out to eat a few times. My total cost for food was $42. We also did a bit of shopping. I spent $40 on new towels, and then at Goodwill I found a new purse for $10 and two pairs of reading glasses for a buck each.

I have laundry to do now, but I'm going back to a little more unwinding first....

I'm waiting for BFF to arrive in a couple of hours. We're going to see two movies tonight -- one that starts at 9:30, which is really late for a couple of old ladies! Tonight's offerings are JoJo Rabbit and Parasite.

Between shows I'm going to have to run to the parking garage and leave and re-enter, so my parking will be free. We get movie tickets validated for parking, but the time limit will not cover two movies in a row.

Last night I saw Ford v Ferrari, and, while it is not a movie I would choose to see otherwise, it was quite exciting and also somewhat sad. Well done. But a racing movie.

No spending since my last report. But I haven't been report on my variables. I'm at 29%, with three weeks to go.

It's been a busy day so far. I went to the gym, then to Food4Less and spent $26 on groceries (getting ready for BFF's visit tomorrow!) Even though we will mostly eat out, there are certain things I like to have on hand when she is here. Then I went to the vet's and bought some cat food. ($19) Yay! Iggy is eating enough that I actually have to buy cat food. He is doing well. Then I went to the library and exchanged some books. I did a lot of walking in between, and I already have taken 6,400 steps.

This afternoon I'm getting my hair cut and then this evening I'm seeing another Oscar movie, Ford vs. Ferrari.

I have decided not to get the heart scan. My doctor said it would not factor into his decision that I should be on medication, and he explained why. So I am okay with that. I have hope that the statin will not affect my muscles too badly this time; first of all, because I have taken a break, and second of all, because my vitamin D levels have improved greatly, and when I was on statins before, I didn't even know that my vitamin D was low. Apparently, low D is proven to increase muscle discomfort when taking statins. Also, there is a new statin on the horizon, so there is hope that this one might work out when it is available.

I think I'll get past the tooth thing before I tackle the statin thing, though. I'm not going to have a heart attack next week.

Forgot to say -- my oldest turned 42 yesterday! I PayPal'd him $75 because I figure cash is what he needs most right now.

Actually, with tax, it was .22. I bought a screw at the local hardware store. It replaces one that is missing from my table. I figure the refinisher would charge me a lot more than that. When the time comes.

I also parked some distance away and walked to the hardware store. I haven't been too good about walking, and I want to commit to a minimum of 5,000 steps a day.

I'm going to walk to the hairdresser today, but that is a shorter walk, and I'll have to figure out another way to get in enough steps.

BFF suggested that I get a heart scan before going back to statins, just to make sure than plaque is really a problem. I suspect it is. Heart disease is rampant in my family. But it would be good to know. The problem with this procedure is that Medicare does not cover it, so it would be out of pocket. Somewhere between $100 and $400. I'll see what my doctor thinks.

Hate to think about another expense when I don't know how much my tooth will set me back.

Today is DS1's birthday, and I sent him $75 through PayPal. I know that cash is what he needs right now.

Well, it was a good day and a bad day. I got my tax refund -- yay! I have now collected all the money I was waiting for. Broke a tooth -- boo! I can't believe something else happened that's going to drain my funds. It's a molar -- a chunk fell off and I saved it, but I doubt it can be glued back on.

The worst part about the broken tooth is that my dentist is on a mission trip and I couldn't get an appointment until next Wednesday. I could go to the emergency dentist, but I would rather have my dentist take care of this. (And I'm guessing the emergency dentist would be a lot more expensive.) The tooth does not hurt. I just have to be careful about what I eat. It was mostly soup yesterday.

I don't know whether is will be a filling, a crown, or a root canal and crown, but I am not happy to have my newly plumped-up savings account raided already.

I got my lab results, and the news there is not good either. My LDL is too high, which means I probably have to go back on statins, and my GFR (kidney function) went down, though I am not in any danger yet. I was just hoping it would remain stable.

Yesterday's spending: $16 at the gas pump, $5 for groceries, and $20 at Noodles & Co. for dinner with the boys. Also $1.50 for laundry.

Last night I bought my Oscar ticket ($38) and saw the first movie in the series, "1917." It was fantastic -- hard to watch, because it was very graphic and didn't pull any punches about the horrors of war -- but it was uplifting, too. Riveting.

I also bought the tickets for the four movies that BFF will join me for this weekend, but she will pay me back.

I didn't do much during the day, other than the lab visit. I hope to get the results today. Also on tap: gym, laundry, music lessons and dinner with the boys.

I am working my way through food in the freezer, but I will probably have to make a grocery visit soon to fill in some gaps.

Just got back from the lab. I rode the train, which is completely free and also forces me to take a short walk. Seeing all those people going to work made me appreciate my freedom.

Later today I will go to the theater and buy my Oscar movie pass. BFF promised to come up this weekend and catch four of the movies with me, so that decided me. This will be fun. I will see the first movie this evening, "1917."

My only spending yesterday was $5 for a car wash. I dearly wanted to use the free vacuum afterwards, but every space was taken. It was a warm day -- I knew everyone on earth would be washing their car. Maybe I'll see if my hand vac can get some of it. It doesn't seem very powerful, but I guess it would be better than nothing.

The movie Ground Hog Day was filmed in Woodstock, Illinois, and the city now has a Ground Hog Day festival with a reenactment of the ground hog ceremony in the park. As well as events all day. I hear Bill Murray was there this year. I would have liked to go up there, since I love the movie, and Woodstock is not far away at all. But I forgot, so here I am hearing about it on the news. Maybe next year!

Yesterday I realized that the book I was reading was due the day before -- and it was nonrenewable. (Part of the "Most Wanted" collection.) I had a bit to go, so I spent the morning finishing it up, then I went out and returned it, went on to the gym, and then I went to Bed, Bath & Beyond to look at hand towels. My set was actually developing holes, not a good look for the bathroom. I found some on sale that turned out to look absolutely wonderful in the bathroom -- just the right colors. I spent $22, which included a set of three bath poufs. By buying three at a time, I got them for $2 apiece. They are $3 apiece everywhere else I have looked. Of course, I also had a 20% coupon, but only one, so only one towel was discounted. I should have scrounged around and brought more. I think I have a million.

I also did a load of laundry yesterday.

Today should be nice and quiet -- no plans, no obligations. I am not a football fan, but I might take a peek at the SuperBowl, since I am in the family football pool and I have money riding on a win by the Chiefs!

Tomorrow begins Oscar week at my local theater. I can buy a $35 ticket to see all the best picture nominees, as well as the nominated shorts. I have already seen three of the movies (two on Netflix), so there are only six for that price. Still, $5.83 is less than I usually pay, and it's all the best movies of the year. I'm mulling it over. Maybe I should do it since I missed Ground Hog Day!

I'm supposed to be saving up for my table refinishing, but finding myself drawn in different directions.

Anyway, I donated the $600 to my grandsons' college funds yesterday -- I was aiming to do it for Christmas, but I was waiting for that $800 check. I think I may drop down to $200 apiece in the future, because this was a little tough.

Housing: 773
Vet/Pet Supplies: 223
Utilities: 209
Groceries: 145
Fees/Service: 108
Eating Out: 83
Medical/Health: 51
Phone: 51
Entertainment: 39
Gas: 32
Personal: 27
Laundry: 20
Furnishing/Equipment/Decor: 18
Gifts/Charity: 6
Household Supplies: 6

Grand Total: 1791

This was not quite an uber-frugal month, but I tried. The higher pet care cost was inevitable, and it is really not too bad, considering it includes two vet visits. Fees included a deposit to my senior transportation card, a stop payment fee, and Amazon Prime membership, which is now being charged monthly. I don't remember authorizing that, but perhaps I did. Senior-itis. I do want to keep the membership; I use it for gift-buying and I watch the streaming offerings.

Eating out is mostly meals with my grandsons after music lessons, so it includes their meals, too. This is something I enjoy, and I will do it as long as they are still interested in having dinner with Grandma. That may not be long, as they are becoming teenagers!

My variables were 87%, so a little over $100 went to savings. That is on top of $225 that comes out automatically.

Well, the lead story for today is that my refund check from the warranty company is already in my hands! The guy at the dealership called me this morning, and I went and picked it up. It is more than I remembered -- $874. This is going to help out a lot. I'll be able to pay all my bills this month without juggling money around.

I went to the doctor this morning. It was no charge, since it was my Medicare Wellness Assessment. Everything is fine, but I have to do some labs. That is where the issues pop up -- in the blood work. But at this point, my doctor said my health is excellent, even with the kidney disease. I'll probably go do the labs on Monday.

It snowed this morning, so rather than clean off the car, I rode the train to the doctor. By the time I got home, the snow on the car had pretty much melted. That's when I hopped in the car and went to pick up my check. Anyway, it's a bit of a savings every time I take the train, because it's free, and it doesn't take gas or parking fees. Plus I get in a 6-block walk.

I'm so mad. My neighbor has brought me three packages that were delivered to her address, not mine, because the labels were screwed up. Why? Because my address has a 1/2 in it. Oh yes. It contains the dreaded slash, an "improper symbol" that a whole lot of address formatting systems will not accept. So people on the mailing end get creative, and my mail goes to Timbuktu.

Three packages is bad enough, but this morning I learned that the $800 check from the warranty company was mailed to me on December 15, and I never got it.

How much else have I lost?

I can't even order a pizza, because it will get delivered next door, if I don't physically intervene with the delivery person.

My address is USPS-approved. It is a perfectly legitimate address. It's these stupid software companies that are messing me up, and there doesn't seem to be any solution, as long as they are allowed to refuse correctly formatted addresses.

I can get a PO box, but then I have to pay for it, and I have to go get the mail, and I even have to pay to park at the post office! I don't want to!

Anyway, I am having the check reissued and mailed to the dealership, where I will go pick it up. So I will finally get my money.

Iggy has an upper respiratory infection, very treatable. He got an antibiotic shot, as well as a B-12 shot, and today he seems much more comfortable. His weight has gone up a little and his vitals are good.

While the vet was looking him over, she saw the tears in my eyes, and she quickly said, "Oh no, today is not the day!"

I am so relieved, and so happy to have more time with this sweet boy.

The vet charged me only for the injection, which was $50.

In the evening, I took the boys to music lessons and then to dinner afterwards at a local casual restaurant. It was $23 for spaghetti, two hot dogs and a hamburger.

This morning, after going to the gym, I went to Sam's and bought raspberries and blueberries. Their berries are -- the berries! So good. And they are good for the kidney diet, so I'm going to keep treating myself this way. $8 for 30 ounces.

Woo-hoo! A text message came in yesterday and I checked it to see who was reaching out. It was Allstate! My $500 had just been deposited into my bank account. Thank goodness! Now I wait for the $800 from EasyCare (auto warranty) and the $911 from the IRS. I may go to the auto dealer where I got the warranty today to ask if they would check up on it for me. They said it would be 60 days, and now it has been 80+ days. I just want to make sure it hasn't slipped through the cracks. As for my tax refund, the site says it may be 21 days.... It's always arrived quicker than that (electronically) so I am hopeful the wait will be shorter.

I got a Stir Crazy popcorn popper for Christmas, but as of yesterday I hadn't opened the box yet. Not because I wasn't interested, but I just hadn't been craving popcorn, and I was kind of putting off having to learn how to use a new appliance. Well, I did it yesterday, and I am so pleased! I didn't realize that I could pop just one serving. I used the built-in butter disperser, but found that a lot of the butter got stuck up at the top, so I'll use my old method for buttering -- put a chunk in a little Pyrex bowl and give it a quick turn in the microwave.

In a final note, I have figured out that Iggy's "cold" is pneumonia. I'm going to take him to the vet today, but I am prepared for the strong possibility that I won't be bringing him home again. I'm tearing up writing this, but I want to do what's best for him, and to give him relief, and peace.

I had a terrible sleepless night last night. I am on the fence about what to do about Iggy and not seeing any clear answers. I don't want to let go of him too soon, but I don't want him to suffer. I am deferring a decision at least one more day, unless something negative happens today.

Yesterday I spent $12 at the grocery. The cost of groceries has been creeping up steadily and I just can't keep it at the low levels I am used to.

I brought home some ham from the dinner last night and there will be ham sandwiches in my future to help out a little.

GS2 came over for a few hours yesterday while GS1 was trying out for the travel baseball team. He brought his tablet over and played games most of the time. Which I thought was fine because he is allowed videogames on weekends. Well, he told his parents we made jam together, and I unintentionally busted him. Oops! Pretty funny. I hope he is not in TOO much trouble.

I got my property tax bill in the mail, and the accompanying note says I can pay with a credit card without a fee. I might do that; I should be much better off to handle it next month.

I had a nice, long conversation with DS1 in Oregon yesterday. He had all good news -- Florida house sold in three days, kids loving the new house and school, everyone happy. I am planning a trip in the spring. The Empire Builder, an Amtrak line between Chicago and Portland, stops in Pasco, WA, which is pretty close to where he lives. Close enough that he could pick me up. I might really enjoy the train ride. It wouldn't be any cheaper than flying, though. But I hate to fly.

My taxes are so easy now. I only have to report income from TIAA (interest payment from my retirement account) and Social Security. And I had a small amount of interest from my savings account, certainly not much. So as soon as my statement from TIAA became available, I was able to e-file quickly. (And there was no fee for state filing this year. I don't owe them anything, anyway.) I'm going to get back $911, which is the amount TIAA withheld.

I was able to do this a week earlier than anticipated, so I will probably get the refund in time to alleviate all my anxiety about next month's bills. I was hoping to put this money toward the table project, but this is better.

Iggy seems to have a cold. He is sneezing all the time. It makes him eat even less. I am worried and watching him closely.

Today it is snowing again, and I'm planning to stay in. I will probably do a load of laundry, but that is just a quick run down the stairs.

I noticed that my DS and DIL in Oregon did not yet cash the check I sent for their kids' college funds. I asked, and, indeed, they did not receive the check. It also seems they did not receive my Christmas package, only the gifts I ordered from Amazon. I put a stop payment on the check and I am sending a replacement today. I did the stop payment online and I am not sure what the fee will be.

It is so weird that neither mailing arrived. The package may have been stolen by a porch pirate. It makes me sad, because I put so much thought and effort into that package, picking up little items throughout the year, and wrapping and labeling each gift separately. In money terms, I probably lost between $100 and $200. I did not insure the package, so that was my bad.

They were living in an Airbnb while waiting to get into their house, so I wonder if that was a factor.

Today is Friday, sheets and towels laundry day. I am doing two loads, because Iggy messed up his quilt, and a towel that was in the carrier when he went to the vet. But the good news is, with all this stomach upset he's had, he hasn't messed up my bed, which is his usual favorite place to throw up! It's just time to do the sheets.

Later on, I will go to the library and get new reading material. I will try to beat the snow, which is going to start up again today.

My ex invited me and the kids and grandkids to come to his house for a ham dinner on Sunday. So that will be a free meal -- not that I really need it, because I am really stocked with food right now. But this will make my stores last just a little bit longer. He always overprepares, so he may press some leftovers on me as well. I believe he gets a free ham every year from his school corporation. Anyway, rest assured, I am not totally focused on just getting free food, it will be a fun gathering, good for the kids and grandkids. I hope we are setting a good example on how to get along, even when you have some painful history.

It snowed last night, so this morning I had to clean off the car to go to the gym. It's still snowing lightly, very prettily. It was not too bad -- I count it as extra exercise.

Even though I am doing well on keeping low on my variables, I have to cut off spending entirely now because my bills next month are so big. I have to pay my property tax, and a credit card bill that includes my semi-annual car insurance. In fact, I had to adjust my car payment down to $200 from $300 so I wouldn't be in the red. I would rather do that than pull from savings, because my savings are only a little over $1000, which is uncomfortably low for me.

Add to that, the big CC bill aforementioned is due a few days before pay day, so I will have to pull the money from savings and then put it back. This is all so frustrating. I thought I would be doing so much better.

But I have plenty of food on hand, and I can begin spending again on the 12th, when my Discover bill closes. Just have to hunker down till then.

And who knows -- maybe someday -- I will finally get the money that is owed me from insurance and warranty cancellation? Another big frustration.

I like to open up the calendar and see a blank day. Freedom! I love it.

Yesterday I went to the senior center and put $65 onto my transportation account. I can use this debit card for things like Uber -- also, buses and trains, etc., but I will use it for Uber, since my senior benefit card covers local buses and trains. There was already $10 on the card -- not sure why -- maybe it was a benefit for opening the account? Anyway, with my $65 addition, the value is now $140. Now I just have to create an Uber account! I did this once and then deleted it because I never used it. But with this boost, I think I will use it now, especially for trips to the airport.

Then I went to Aldi and spent $37, and then to Jewel, where I got a few items not available at Aldi -- $12. I also gave a dollar to a guy standing by the door.

I came home and did a load of laundry. Altogether, with this spending my variables jumped to 68%. Still very good for this late in the month.

There were no music lessons this week (the teacher is in Florida) so I didn't have a dinner to pay for.

The weather continues cold, but there has been no more snow, and I have been able to get around and park with little aggravation. I am waiting for a warmish day so I can drive my car through the car wash. It's a mess!

Oh, I wanted to say -- part of my grocery shopping was $7 spent on a new spider strainer from Aldi. I had been thinking about how much I missed the one I had, which fell apart, and there it was! I don't usually buy non-grocery items at Aldi, but I am very pleased with this.

Iggy seems to be feeling pretty good, so the cortisone shot was the right call. Fingers crossed!

Today I was supposed to take GS1 to baseball coaching, but DIL forgot that DS is off work today, so he can do it. That frees me up to get some errands done, provided I can move the car away from the curb. (Mounds of ice to get through!)

I made sugar cookie dough yesterday and I will bake some today and freeze the rest. Otherwise, most of the day was spent reading and watching TV. I watched about half of "The Irishman" and I will get to the rest today. Very long movie! I also want to catch up on PBS' "Sanditon." I am a big Jane Austen fan.

Yesterday Iggy was sick all morning. He had uncontrollable diarrhea and he was vomiting, too. I decided to forgo the memorial service and take him to the vet. The vet checked him out and gave him fluids and a cortisone shot. The latter is risky for his condition, so I am watching him. The bottom line is, it may make him feel better, but it may hasten his kidney failure. It can go either way. I know he is near the end anyway. I just want him to feel better. If he doesn't, I will let him go. I can't bear to see him suffer.

He does seem to be better today.

Before all that, we were dumped with snow, which then half-melted and became slush, and then froze when a deep freeze moved in. Driving and parking was terrible. Even walking was hard.

After cleaning off the car, I drove around so the spots I couldn't get to would melt. I got gas and went through the McDonalds drive-through. Finding a parking place afterwards was an extreme challenge. I finally scored a spot across the street that didn't seem too bad, but I don't know for sure whether I am frozen in or not. I don't have to move the car today, but I will have to take GS1 to his baseball coaching lesson tomorrow, so I am hoping I am not trapped in ice.

Money -- the vet cost $120, gas was $15, and a lunch at McDonald's was $4.

It will be cold all day -- in the teens -- but it will moderate as the week goes on. I have all my radiators on full-blast but they are having a hard time keeping up with temps like this.

We got a dump of snow last night, but I hear snowblowers and shovels going even as I speak.

I am supposed to go to a memorial up in one of the northerly suburbs. I don't know how the roads are. I hope I can go because this man was married to a friend, another baseball grandma, who is suffering from Alzheimer's. It's so sad. I don't know what is going to happen to her now; he was taking care of her. He had skin cancer, but it was very unexpected, and it took him fast.

I shopped at Sam's yesterday, spending $28 on groceries. I also spent $19 on a bottle of salmon oil, which I will use on Iggy's food. I hope it helps. He is having trouble pooping. He is so uncomfortable.

I returned rejected cat food at PetSmart and they gave me a $28 gift card.

Variables are at 39%.

Yesterday was a pretty leisurely day, until the evening, when I took the boys to baseball coaching. The facility where it is held is not heated well at all, and the waiting room was frigid! I have to do it again on Monday, which is supposed to be very cold, so I am planning to do a drop-off and then return to pick them up. I'll find a Starbucks, or something.

I am dealing with a chronic cough, so I am tackling it on several fronts. Nasal spray intermittently through the day, humidifiers and misters scattered around the house, a pot of water on low on the cooktop, and lots of drinking (water!) I got out my PurMist appliance but didn't use it last night as I was eager to just get to bed after taking the boys home. But I will make that a daily habit, too.

Of course I will also talk to my doctor about it, but I won't be making an appointment with him until I complete my House Calls visit (from UnitedHealthcare) on the 30th. That way my appointment will be free.

Today will be rather busy. I will go to the gym, then to Sam's for a few things, then to PetSmart to return cat food, and then home to do laundry and make meatloaf.

No spending in the last few days.

Oops, I forgot! I did get the senior freeze form in the mail and I'm sending it back today. There are three exemptions that are available to me, and two of them will become automatic, but there is still this one that has to be redone every year. So I did it!

Disney Steve's post reminded me that I had not yet received my tax bill, either. I got online and saw that it is due March 3, so it could still arrive, and I can pay online if it doesn't. I put it in my budget for next month so I won't forget.

I was also wondering about my exemptions -- senior homestead, and senior freeze, both of which I have to apply for every year. The site said they would be reflected in my second payment in July, and that I am supposed to be mailed the forms in January. I'll be watching for them.

In other news -- today is pay day!

I paid off all the credit cards and thus put an end to my Christmas splurging. I don't have a lot left over, but enough to get through. I also paid my second "car payment" -- actually a credit card payment, but I am paying off the debt from my new car on a 0% credit card. Only 8 more to go and that is gone. I am pleased that I did not have to take anything from savings.

And of course, I paid my mortgage.

My variables are only 33%, so I am doing well on that.

I took the boys to Noodles & Company after music lessons last night, and the tab was $21. I brought home half of my meal and I'll have it for lunch today.

I got payment from one Pine Cone survey and have been credited with completing another. I have redeemed those points, but it takes a few days to go through PayPal. So all is okay; I guess their site just wasn't up to date.

I went to the gym this morning -- got my free bagel and coffee -- and after working out, I stopped at PetSmart and bought 12 more cans of cat food. Hope Iggy doesn't suddenly decide it's time for a switch again. The clerk at the desk confirmed that they would take back open and unopened food, with or without a receipt. So I'll be taking the rejects back next time. That's a very liberal policy; quite impressive.

I got TWO 1099's from Social Security yesterday. I was quite confused at first, since they weren't duplicates, but different amounts. Then I figured out that one was for the money I drew on my ex's benefit, and one was my own that I switched to in August.

Now I just need the statement from TIAA, and I can get going on my taxes. It seems to me that last year I had to wait till the end of January.

Went to the library yesterday evening and checked out an armful of books. I'm happy!

Just kidding. My son asked to borrow my car this morning for a doctor's appointment. They have one car and he usually uses mass transit, but when he has an appointment they need another car. I was surprised this morning to see that the car was gone at 7:30 a.m. So that was an early appointment. (Obviously, he has a key to my car.)

I decided to put off gym day till tomorrow, since it's Bagel Day, anyway. A free breakfast. But I will need to get out later and return some library books (and get some new ones!)

My Discover cycle closed and I earned $1.33. Wow, that's not much; their rewards have really declined since they introduced the system where you get 5% back in a certain category, but not much of anything for all the rest. But also, my Discover bill is lower than usual; I have been using cash, and a lot of my Christmas spending went on my Amazon card.

I've done a couple of surveys with Pine Cone this month (both in one day) but have only been credited with one, and no payment at all through PayPal. In many years with Pine Cone, I have never had any trouble. I sent a request for help through their site. Those surveys are too much trouble to do for free.

I had a restless night and then I was awakened very early in the morning by a snowplow in the alley. It looks to me like we got very little snow, but I'm sure there is ice underneath it. Since I'm tired anyway, I've decided I'm just going to stay home and deal with cleaning up the car and going to the gym tomorrow, hopefully after a better night's sleep.

I've agreed to take part in a squares competition for the Superbowl so I'll be sending $10 to my son, the bookie, today. Whoo-hoo, big stakes!

I guess I'm just going to put in a hard day of reading and watching Netflix!

I updated my variables spreadsheet, and it is now 27%, and I'm almost at the halfway point. Pay day is three days away. That's my financial news today!

I got impatient to get started on taxes so I looked online to see if either SS or TIAA had statements I could download. No dice, but I did see that I am getting a $26 monthly raise from SS. Really, I am happy to get anything. That will more than cover household supplies each month.

Taxes should be easy this year, because I will only have income statements from the two above, and my very unimpressive interest income.

I'm in sort of a pause position right now. I don't have laundry to do, no dishes to load or unload, no errands to run, no cooking to do, no housework to do (other than dusting, which is an easy chore I will get done today.) I'm waiting for pay day so I can pay the bills and refresh the budget. It's kind of nice, but kind of weird, too.

It's a good time to relax and reflect. And to enjoy the simple life I worked so hard to attain.

The weather reports are quite threatening, though we've only had a little rain so far. Supposedly tonight the snow will move in. I'm not planning to go anywhere. I hope it's not too bad tonight, because tomorrow is a gym day, and I hate to disrupt my schedule. And I'll need to pick up more canned cat food, now that I know Iggy likes it. I may try to return the canned kidney food he won't eat, but I don't know if they will take it back. It's worth a try.