I'm getting ready to head out to the gym, but I'm reveling in PAY DAY! Weird, pay day is more exciting than Christmas.

I paid my mortgage and a Chase bill. I'm holding off on the Discover bill until my check arrives from my credit union. (End of year expenses required some moving about of funds.)

I saw that I had forgotten to add my insurance premium to expected expenses, just an oversight, but glad I caught it.

After the gym I'll stop at Aldi and get a few items.

So, I've been thinking about how to cut expenses in my gap year (which doesn't actually begin till July.)

At first I was going to do a gift moratorium, but I decided that would feel too bad, so I'm going to give token gifts of $10. Of course, I will explain to all the circumstances.

I will not contribute to college funds in 2018.

I will observe a clothing moratorium. Will not buy anything unless it is an actual, incontrovertible need.

I will not eat out unless there is a social benefit. On those occasions, I will order cheap.

I will work harder to stretch food at home. I will make more from scratch.

I will be more mindful to run full loads of laundry.

I will stretch out haircuts by doing a bangs trim myself.

I will drive less and walk more. I will also use the train more.

I will continue Goodwill shopping, but will not buy books (use library instead.) I will only buy items to resell. If I find "wants" I will ask BFF to buy it and give it to me as a gift later. (We already do that a lot.)

On the income side, I'm going to start selling things on eBay. Any little income I can generate will be helpful.

Nothing big, but all of these things combined, along with "gazelle-instense" mindfulness should get me through.

Whew! What a day it was! I got up at 6 to go over to my son's house. The kids opened a mountain of gifts. There were a few meltdowns, especially when GS1's "fitbit" (not the real thing) wouldn't work properly. He was mainly overexcited and overwhelmed. They would do well to downsize Christmas, I think, but they are very influenced by other relatives and they are caught in a keeping up with the Joneses kind of thing.

After the gift opening we had homemade cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Then I took some time to shower and clean up, and we went to my nephew's house for Christmas dinner. We spent the rest of the day there.

For my part, I got a real fitbit from my kids, some other fitness-related gifts like a water bottle and a foam roller, some pictures, ornaments, and more hand cream! (Guess I've complained about rough hands.) I never asked for the fitbit, but I'm delighted. It will really help me tackle my creeping weight gain, which I hope to eliminate this year.

I always enjoy Christmas, and I always enjoy seeing it come to an end and getting back to normal!

Planning to go to the gym this morning, but the car is covered with snow and the temperature is really low. It might be really hard to clean off the car. But I guess I have to do it sometime.

I'm looking forward to pay day tomorrow and a fresh start for the new year.

Because I won't be spending anything today, I did my December recap, and here it is:

Gifts/Charity: $1669 (this includes $1080 for college funds, earned in snowflakes)
Housing: $695
Medical/Health: $345
Utilities: $262 (Comcast bill came twice)
Fees/Services: $214 (wheel tax, I-Pass, Amazon Prime)
Vacation/Travel: $190
Groceries: $132
Entertainment: $107 (includes $95 for Art Institute membership)
Phone: $52
Eating Out: $44
Vet/Pet Supplies: $42
Gas: $25
Personal: $18
Car Repair/Maintenance: $14
Furnishings/Equipment/Decor: $11
Laundry: $9
Household Supplies: $6
Fares/Parking: $1

Grand Total: $3847

Now -- December begone!

More baking today. My grandson is coming over in an hour and we will make a Christmas cake together. This is a cake he has imagined -- green cake, white icing, red decorations. I've just checked to make sure I have enough flour and butter. I don't have much in the way of cake decorations; I hope he will be satisfied with the marzipan fruit and plastic holly. And sprinkles, of course. If not, we'll take the cake to his mom's and see what we can find there.

The snow is coming down outside. I don't want to drive anywhere -- actually not until Christmas is over! I will walk over to my son's house this evening and then again tomorrow morning for the gift opening. After that, tomorrow's plans are in the air. I believe DIL will make a Christmas dinner, but I'm not sure. She also mentioned going out in the evening with my nephew's wife, so I'm unclear whether both things will happen.

The bread I made yesterday is rather coarse and dense. I always seem to have this problem -- the bread doesn't rise enough. And believe me, I gave it PLENTY of time. It must be that inside the cool oven is not warm enough. Bread is so tricky. But I will eat it! I'm just not going to offer the second loaf as a gift.

Wishing everyone here the best Christmas ever! And I hope Hanukkah was the greatest ever, too. Peace on earth to all!

Ah, I couldn't make it a no spender, because I had to buy some yeast. It was $2 for six packets.

I made bread from scratch this morning, but it did not rise. I was worried that the yeast was too old, and I was right. So I read that you could work fresh yeast into a failed loaf and I decided to try it.

I still don't know if the dough will rise, but the new yeast was definitely a lot perkier when I dissolved it. Here's hoping. I love homemade bread, and the extra loaf would make a good addition to Christmas dinner.

I finally got my bill for the assessment fees. It was $1 cheaper than I thought it would be, so woo-hoo! $392. I adjusted my variables budget for next year. From January to June, I'll have $690 to spend, and from June to December (and thereafter until August 2019), only $515. This year the monthly spending amount has been $710.

Later on I'll do a post on how I intend to make cuts and get through those lean months.

When I went shopping for the yeast, I found a nice man's ring in the parking lot. I turned it in at customer service. I hope the guy who lost it will realize he lost it at the store, and come back for it.

My variables are up to 105%, and that's with the removal of Christmas spending, and a combination of fees (wheel tax, I-Pass & Amazon Prime) that totaled more than $200. I have five days to go till pay day.

My gas level is hovering just below one quarter tank. Ordinarily, I would fill it up, but I am wavering. I really don't want to add more to variables. Can I make it on the gas I have? I don't really HAVE to drive, though I should go to the gym daily. I would hate to miss five days in a row.

So I think I will go on Sunday and Tuesday, and I think I should be okay, gas-wise. I don't have to do any grocery shopping, and the boys will be out of school, so I won't have any pick-up duty. (Though it's possible I could be called upon today.)

I can actually spend $13 and still be even for the year, so if the needle drops to rock-bottom, I can put $13 in the tank. It would just be nice to come in under for the year.

This may seem ridiculous, when I actually have plenty of money available, but it's very important to me to meet my goals on variables spending. This is how I know my money will last, and that I will have the cash in savings when I need it.

I'm still waiting to hear what my new assessment fee will be in 2018. This will decrease my variables budget a bit more, which is clearly already a challenge!

And then there's the gap year coming up in July. So my main new year's resolution this year will be to focus on new ways to cut expenses.

It's been a no-spend day, and I even got some freebies. DSW gave me a gift box for being a special customer. I guess I did buy quite a few pairs of shoes this year!

The gift box included a mug, a portable charger, a fleece blanket, some chalk, some drinking straws, and some earbuds. Most of those will be regifted. I wanted to give my son a few little things in addition to his big gift, and the charger and earbuds will be just the ticket! My grandkids will get the straws and the chalk. I would give away the mug and the blanket, but they're clearly branded "DSW."

I shifted around some money in my accounts yesterday so I could pay the grandkids' college funds. The check to the Florida grandkids was mailed this morning. As soon as I finish this, I'll take care of the local grandkids. For them, I give directly to an education savings account and it's a little more complicated.

It wasn't strictly a no-spend day since I did a load of laundry in the morning.

I am really ready for an uberfrugal month! December wears me out with all its financial demands.

I'm back from my brief trip. I spent $28 on gas, $4 on food and $7 on a car wash. (Sloppy road!)

I had a lovely lunch with P in a new restaurant that was excellent. He appreciated his little gift, especially the wrapping paper! Just like a kid.

My cough got worse and I didn't get much sleep on Monday night, but I got through the day and now that I'm home I feel much better.

I have one more gift to wrap, cookies to bake (not yet, though!), and I need to distribute the college money for the grandkids. Not bad, with Christmas still five days away, and having been sick for a while!

Today I'm going to be watching for an email from my property management company. Assessment fees are going up, and I have to change the amount that will be automatically withdrawn from my bank account. But I don't know the exact amount yet. Supposedly today we will get an e-bill. I expect it will be somewhere around $393.

Well, I'm heading up to Michigan today, staying at brother's tonight, having lunch with P tomorrow and then heading home again.

My cough is still hanging on and I almost canceled yesterday, but I think I am good enough to soldier through.

I am giving P a little gift, a paperweight with the name of our college on it. He always buys lunch, so I just wanted to do a little something at this seasonal time of year. I was going to make something, too, like cookies or fruit bread, but that just didn't happen. I think this will be okay.

I am taking my laundry to my brother's -- it's just so much easier than all those stairs! I'll be getting gas when I get out of Chicago and into the land of cheap(er) gas.

I'm still a little concerned about my elderly cat, but I don't think she is sick, just old. She is eating, drinking, using the litter pan. I'm sure she'll be okay for one night.

I'm going to listen to Christmas music on the way up, relax and enjoy myself. I think I will also get lunch on the road -- I just filled and started the dishwasher, and I don't want to leave dirty dishes in the sink!

I ordered one more little gift for my son -- I had a credit on my Amazon card, so it didn't cost me anything. It was something from his list and it seems like kind of an odd choice, so I hope it isn't a mistake! But I have to trust the list.

After this little trip is done, I just have Christmas Day to manage! I'm going to make cookies for the boys, but other than that I'm done. Then I'll have a week of peace and quiet, as everybody will be out of town after Christmas Day. I will enjoy that. I'm planning to catch some movies I want to see.

Then comes my favorite holiday -- New Year's Day! Because I love to reflect on the past year and make plans for the new one. I'm a great believer in the fresh start!

Yesterday was such a busy day. In the morning, I made the sugar cookies which I gave as gifts. The recipe actually yielded 17 large cookies, so I was overly pessimistic about how much the dough would produce. As soon as they were done, I cooked the veggies for the Christmas dinner. Then I packed up everything and went to my grandsons' recital in the city.

It was held in a beautiful seniors residence. The boys both did well. This recital had more of a Christmas bent, and it was fun to listen to.

The home had a valet service. I let them take my car, not knowing where else I could park. I noticed the rates were like $23 for an hour! Luckily, we were validated and the final cost was $5 per vehicle. My son & DIL paid for me because they felt bad that I had to pay to park for an event for their sons.

As soon as the recital was done, we headed to my ex's house to begin dinner. My ex and his wife were attending a play downtown, so DIL and I got the ham started and made the potatoes.

In a few hours, everyone else showed up, and the dinner turned out great. Then we had the big gift opening -- almost a non-event for me, since I only exchange with my ex and my nephew's family at this gathering. I gave my ex & his wife a Paris-themed picture frame and ornament. (They have vacationed several times in Paris.) I gave my nephew's family a $25 gift card for Bonefish Grill. Everyone got cookies in Harry London tins. What I got in return was two tubes of Crabtree & Evelyn hand cream, a box of marzipan and a $25 gift card for Barnes & Noble.

I'm used to it, but it's still shocking to me how much the others spend on Christmas gifts. They must have spent hundreds on each person.

It was a late night for me. I was certainly ready to go home earlier, but everyone was having a good time, and I didn't want to be a party pooper.

Now today will be a day of rest, and then I will go to Michigan on Monday to visit my brother and to have lunch with my friend P. I need to get a little gift for him, too. I'm thinking I might make more cookies, maybe krakelingen this time.

I got my auto insurance bill (not to be withdrawn until January 1). It is $337. I was certain it had gone up yet again, but it is the same. Just seems like a lot for an old car without collision coverage. Life in the big city.

So far this has been a pretty awful day. First of all, I slept very poorly (darn that Mucinex -- I thought I took it early enough!) When I got up I realized that one of my cats had thrown up in the bed. I had to wash the sheets and mattress pad. With my other whites I had two loads. I washed them and then put both in two dryers. THEN NEGLECTED TO START ONE! The one with the mattress pad was the forgotten one, so I had to wait a long time to make my bed.

While I was making my bed, my elbow hit the lamp, which fell and broke.

Then I discovered that one of the cats had either peed or thrown up on one of the gifts under the tree. Luckily, the gift was undamaged, though it had to be rewrapped. Everything else appears to be okay, but I'm not totally sure.

My cookie making went fine, until I realized I did not have powdered sugar for the rolling-out process. I'm going to pick that up in a little while, when I go out to pick up my grandson. Meanwhile the dough is chilling in the fridge. The recipe did not make much, even though it said it would produce 3 dozen 2-inch cookies. I think not. I am making large cookies. I think I will only be able to manage 6-8 cookies, if I'm lucky. Whatever it makes, that's what I'm going with. At least I have nice tins to put them in.

I am really, really tired, as a sleepless night will do to you. But I have promised to go to a flag football game tonight, and I missed the last two, so I'm kind of beholden. At least they're short -- unlike the baseball games!

Who ever said retired life is easy?

Today was a bit of a spending day. I spent $22 on pet supplies at PetSmart - kitty litter, cat food, and feeder blocks for the fish. Then I stepped over to Aldi and spent $51. That was more than I expected to spend, but I bought some impulse items, like scone mix, apple cider, port wine cheese spread, and ice cream. I also bought cookie icing and sprinkles. If I'm up to it, I'm going to make sugar cookies tomorrow to give as gifts on Friday. I hope they turn out, but I guess if they don't, I'll eat them!

On the way home, I got a message from Walgreens that my prescription refill was ready, so I stopped and got it - $13.

I've been under the weather all day. Not sick, but tired and phlegm-y. I took some Mucinex and I hope that helps. Even though my cold or flu or whatever it was is done, I am still feeling the after-effects. I was glad that my grandson decided not to go to Tae Kwan Do tonight, so I can get in my jammies and go to bed early.

I got a $3 Pine Cone payment today. I've made $78 from Pine Cone so far this year! That's a lot of surveys!

All my gifts ordered from Amazon have arrived and I've wrapped them all. I have yet to get something for my nephew's family. I usually get a gift card and candy. I suppose this year it will be a gift card and cookies.

I was checking my Chase account this morning and realized that my Amazon Prime subscription was automatically renewed on a Chase card I rarely use. I guess that's okay -- I do use the service -- I'm just glad I realized the charge was there before it became overdue. I should put a note on my calendar to cancel the subscription next year before it comes due.

Other than that, I didn't do any spending today.

I picked up a free can of cat food with a coupon at PetSmart, thus adding .69 to my snowflakes. I have two more coupons, but one was rejected (the system said I used it already -- not true!) And the other was for a brand I couldn't find on the shelf. I also have some $5 coupons for dry food, but I don't need it yet. The coupons came from my son in Florida, who adopted a dog recently and got a handful of coupons.

I slept until 8:30 this morning! Most unusual. I've been tired all day, so the extra sleep didn't really do anything.

It's really cold today. I wore my ski jacket; first time this year. I'm not quite ready to pull out the down coat yet!

I stopped at Food4Less after going to the gym, and spent $21 on two bags of groceries: carrots, sausage, cheese sauce, crescent rolls, mushrooms, Hawaiian rolls, tortillas, peas, peanut butter, and peppers. Outside the store I gave $2 to the Salvation Army bucket.

I came home and did a load of laundry. Even though I did two loads at BFF's, I still needed to wash my sheets and towels.

I also got online and paid $5 to my doctor's office. Apparently they undercharged me on my last bill.

I'm sticking close to home for the rest of the day. A number of packages are scheduled to be delivered today from Amazon. I have received one already, which needs to be wrapped. It's large -- I hope I have the paper for it!

I got $9.35 cash back from Discover.

I'm taking a short trip up to Michigan next week. I'm going to have lunch with my friend P and probably stay the night with my brother.

Variables are now at 83%. Two weeks and one day till pay day.

I just got back this morning from my trip to Indiana. C's memorial was just lovely. It was held in an old Carnegie library turned art center. It was beautifully decorated for Christmas. It was the most ornate Carnegie library I've ever seen -- it even had a stained glass dome ceiling, really exquisite.

There was a lunch buffet set up and a room filled with round tables where the guests gathered. There were probably 100 people who came in and out during the day. My DIL had made a series of posters with pictures telling the story of C's life. Everyone mingled and hugged and laughed and cried, and it was just the perfect celebration. C would have loved it.

There was a lot of food left over, and I came home with some boxes of coffee and a sheet cake that we will serve at our Christmas gathering this Saturday.

Before and after, I stayed at BFF's house, and we did a little eating out and some Goodwill shopping. I spent about $27 on food and $16 on shopping. Gas cost me $25. My shopping yielded me a new hoodie, an AirBake cake pan, two more wine glasses and a soup tureen. The tureen doesn't match my dinnerware but it is in a white ribbed style that will go with it beautifully. I do have a tureen but it's going in the trash, as it's badly chipped. I've been keeping it for display with the broken side hidden against the wall, but it is unusable.

I did laundry at BFF's, and she sent me home with a bag of books, some T-shirts she couldn't wear, and a red plaid table runner that will be perfect for this time of year.

I came home really, really tired, but satisfied. I need to go to the grocery store, but I have enough to get by today, and I'm going to save that trip for tomorrow.

My gas level was just getting too low for comfort, so I filled up this morning for $28.

Last night I paid $1 for parking at Tae Kwan Do.

This morning I snagged free parking while I went to the library and checked out Sue Grafton's latest book and an audiobook for my trip tomorrow.

Had cereal and toast for breakfast this morning. Lunch will be fried rice, and dinner will be ants on a log and yogurt.

After I come home from my trip to Indiana, I'll have to stock up a bit on groceries, but not till then.

I took gifts and the dentist visit out of my variables, and now the percentage used is only 64%. Would like to keep that very low, as the hit to savings is more than $500.

I'm going to be doing some traveling before my gap year hits -- planning a February trip to Florida to see my son, a road trip to New England with BFF and a girlfriend trip -- destination unknown. Both of the latter sometime in the spring. I'll be doing an uber frugal January to get ready. Good practice for my uber frugal year beginning in July.

Yesterday I had the boys for the afternoon. We had lunch at Chili's -- only $16 thanks to a coupon. $2 of that was for the entertainment device on the table. I managed to bring home some leftover hamburger and Mandarin oranges, which I will work into my menu today.

In the evening, my younger grandson had his promotion test and earned his yellow belt in Tae Kwan Do.

I slept late this morning -- until 8 am! Very unusual for me. I think I am in a catching up mode.

On Saturday morning I am leaving for Indiana. I'll spend the night with BFF, and the following morning we'll drive for another two hours to go to C's memorial. I am taking my laundry and don't intend to pack anything but an outfit for the memorial and underwear. (And toiletries, of course.)

I am a little worried about leaving my cat. I think I will have my DIL's neighbor check in on her, but I'll have to bring back a nice present.

It doesn't seem like a vet visit is in order -- she is just aging and fragile.

My gas tank is at 25%. I'm trying to hold out on a fill up until my Indiana trip, so I can fill up there at a cheaper price. Every little bit matters.

Yesterday was a big spending day. The dentist cost $282. They could not use the x-rays from my former dentist, as they were sent in a format they couldn't open. They were more than a year old, anyway. The good news is that my teeth are in great shape -- no issues, nothing to watch. I like my new dentist, too.

Then I spent $286 on Amazon gifts. My goal was to stay under $300 and to make equitable selections for the four people on my list. They should all be delivered on December 13. I made a note to stay home that day and watch for delivery -- I'm not giving them up to a porch pirate!

I also got a haircut for $17.

I still have a bit of shopping to do for the gathering on December 16. Gifts can be modest. I'm planning to make cookies. I'm also thinking of making jam, since I have some cute little jars. I haven't done it in a long time. I'm think about marmalade, actually -- PS's comment about looking for marmalade with real rinds in it got me thinking. Has anyone made marmalade? I never have, but it is surely no more difficult than other jams, right?

I'm going to the dentist today. It's been more than a year, due to to numerous reschedulings. I haven't been great about flossing, so I'm really afraid of what they'll find.

This is a new dentist, just a couple of blocks away. I used to travel back to the suburb where I formerly lived, because I liked the dentist so much. But it is time to change. It is too far to go.

I'm watching my cat Mystery. She's getting old -- I think she's around 18 -- and she's showing it. Last night she seemed to be lying in a funny position and she seemed kind of out of it. She seemed to be favoring one of her legs. I may take her to the vet tomorrow. Today's dentist appointment falls right in the middle of the walk-in period at the vet, and I don't think I can make it.

I went to the gym last night for the first time since Thanksgiving. It happened to be Pizza Day! So I got a free light dinner. I've had a lot of free pizza lately.

I forgot to report that I gave my son $100 as a graduation gift. I took "gifts" out of the variables budget, since they are going to have to come out of savings. It is a December thing. I'll never be able to cash flow gifts in December. My savings have remained stable throughout the year, despite occasional withdrawals.

So that puts the variables at 58%.

We'll see whether I can cash flow the dentist visit. I did have my x-rays sent, so I hope they don't want any more.

It has turned really cold and the radiators haven't caught up yet. Time to break out the sweaters!

I did go to the recital yesterday. I stood in the back, away from everyone. I did have one coughing episode but got it under control. There was plenty of disruption, anyway, at the recital. It was held in a seniors facility, and half of the audience were residents. They were coming and going in their wheelchairs and such, and a couple of them brought their dogs! I didn't know there would be seniors there and that might have encouraged me to stay home, but I took every precaution not to spread my germs.

Both boys performed very well. The older one, who plays the violin, was approached by someone who told him he was AMAZING, and how old was he, anyway? He looks younger than his age, and his skill level is way up there, so he does seem pretty amazing.

Afterwards my ex took us all out for pizza. I probably should have bowed out, as I started fading out pretty fast and felt pretty rough by the time I got home. But I had a good night's sleep, and today, I think, I've finally knocked that headache, and my coughing is minimal.

My local kids finally decided on their Christmas plans. They are going to be here on Christmas Day and then drive down to Florida the following day. I think they are staying here for my sake, but also, I suspect, because the boys would like to have Christmas in their own home, like they always have. So I won't be alone after all, not that I was really bothered by it!

We're also going to have a pre-Christmas gathering with the ex and my nephew's family, a ham dinner and a gift exchange, on the 16th. My part in the exchange will just be small gifts for my ex and his wife and for the nephew's family. I'm also going to bring a vegetable dish and a Christmas cake that my grandson has asked for.

So Christmas is really ramping up now! And I have yet to buy gifts for my local son's family. I'm so sorry I wasn't up to speed on the Target gift card deal yesterday, because I think maybe picking out their own gifts is becoming the best solution for the boys.

Right now variables are at 84%, but so far I am including Christmas gifts in the total. But I won't be able to cash-flow all of them, so that category will eventually come out of savings, and the variables will go down. If that makes sense.

In other financial news, I learned yesterday that my assessment fee for the condo will go up 5% next year. That will raise mine from $374 to $393. It could have been worse. This will make the upcoming tough year even tougher, but I do have plenty of savings and I'm not worried yet.

I am supposed to go to my grandsons' recital today, but I don't know if I should. My cough is bad, and it could be disruptive to others. I could take a Mucinex D before I go. I took one yesterday evening and it really cleared me up. Unfortunately, it also pretty much kept me up all night! I forgot that it had that side effect.

I did a little spending yesterday. I mailed the Christmas package to Florida; it cost $21. Then I stopped at Walgreens and bought a bottle of Advil for $9. I'm not supposed to have Advil, but I've been told by my nephrologist that I can take it for short periods if I'm really suffering. I'm really suffering. It is handling the headache, which seems to be the worst aspect of this flu.

I ran out of Kleenex yesterday and started using a roll of toilet paper for my sniffles. I left it out on the ottoman last night and this morning I found it destroyed -- also a lot of cat vomit. I forgot that Iggy is a pica cat, but he didn't forget. I very carefully keep my toilet paper out of his reach, so it was really a slip on my part to just leave it out like that.

My little outing yesterday wore me out. A reminder that it takes a while to regain your strength.

I heard on TV that it is a particularly bad flu season, and that the flu shot is not very effective this year (I can attest to that!) Try not to get this, everyone. Wash your hands and get your sleep!

I have moved into the coughing stage. While it isn't enjoyable, it means I am moving through the cycle and this bug will eventually be gone. I got some sleep last night -- six or seven hours -- which hasn't been happening before. The congestion is breaking up.

I felt good enough this morning to start some laundry, take out the garbage & recycling, clean the litter box, and load the dishwasher. I am going to put clean sheets on the bed today. All these things will make me feel better.

I had to turn down a visit from an out-of-town friend. I haven't seen her since April. She is going to be in town for a few hours today, but I had to tell her I was too sick to do it. Even though I am feeling somewhat better, I don't want her coming to a sick house, and I'm sure I wouldn't be good company. We will have to make an effort to reschedule.

I want to mail my big package to Florida today. It's full of little things I have found for the kids through the year. All are wrapped and the box is ready to label and send. But it will mean going out and perhaps standing in a line. I hope I can do it. I'm going to rest before and after.

The $2K has been removed from my mortgage. What a relief.

In fact, yesterday was a worse day than the day before, and last night was awful. I am too congested to sleep and the constant headache is driving me bats. I have been a good girl and have only taken Tylenol. If there were ibuprofen in the house, I would have taken it, but it's not good for my kidneys. I don't think the Tylenol is doing much.

At least there is no spending on days like this. I don't even feel good enough to shop online!

I had a dentist appointment today, but I rescheduled for next Tuesday. At this point, I don't even know if that will be a healthy day or not! I am supposed to go to a flag football game tonight, but I think that is unlikely. I do sincerely hope I will be well enough by Sunday to attend my grandsons' recital.

I have so much to do, but none of it will get done until I am back to normal.

The combination of stress, being around lots of people, getting little sleep and being rundown has come to its inevitable conclusion. I'm sick as a dog.

I did nothing but lay around yesterday. I don't feel any better today.

I wish I felt good enough to go to the doctor. Not for this -- this is something that will run its course -- but because my hand is dramatically discolored; looks like bleeding under the skin, though there is no pain. I suspect a ganglion cyst has ruptured, but I'd like to make sure it's not something worse. However, I am not well enough to get to the doctor's office.

I have a dentist's appointment tomorrow that I will cancel today. I don't believe I will be well enough to go.

I still haven't bought Christmas presents for the local kids. They are on the fence about what to do for Christmas. They might take a trip on their own rather than going to my ex's. I am unsure about whether they want a gift exchange or not. If they are taking a trip, they might appreciate cash instead. So I wait for clarification.

My variables are at 80%. December is always a difficult month.

The insurance charge is still on my mortgage account. I submitted a transaction inquiry to the credit union. I was told it would be removed, but I am not trusting anyone any more, and I will remind them daily if I have to.

I'm almost embarrassed to talk about this, even though it is not my fault. I just can't believe how I've been screwed over. It's shaming.

I may have blogged about this before. My mortgage lender demands proof of building insurance (which is handled and paid for by my property managers). This year, I requested the property manager to fax the info TWICE because the first time they claimed they didn't get it. I assumed the matter was settled, especially since it was done twice. The mortgage lender never told me that the document faxed was considered insufficient. I just kept getting threatening letters. Every time I got one, I called the mortgage company and explained that I did not have the document myself and I was trying to get the property manager to send it. They would say, yeah, yeah, it's so hard to work with property managers, we have a lot of trouble with them, blah blah blah.

Well, long story short, the mortgage lender took out hazard insurance and charged me more than $2K. It has gone onto my mortgage balance.

I spent quite a bit of time on the phone yesterday with the mortgage company, but they are unmoveable. I did manage to get the property manager to send the document yet again, this time by email. I also got a pdf copy and I can see that the document is current. I don't know whether the previous two were.

I emailed the mortgage company and requested that the charge be removed, as the terms have been met, that I do not need additional insurance, and I have been trying in good faith for months to get this done. My emails and calls to them document that.

I don't even dare look this morning. I have done everything I can, short of carrying the physical document to the mortgage office and sticking it under their noses.

I am sick. You guys know what a $2K bill -- for nothing -- will do to my budget and my life. And the unfairness of it is devastating.

On top of that, I am physically sick, coming down with a bad cold, and I feel awful.

I was on a high yesterday, before this came to a head, because I bought myself a Christmas present -- membership to the Art Institute. Now that $95 expense is something I regret.

Has anyone ever heard of anything like this? I may have legal recourse, but it would cost more than the $2K, probably. Screwed!

Hi all!

I got back from Michigan yesterday, my sister in tow. She will fly back on Wednesday morning. My brother bought the ticket.

We had a very beautiful holiday -- great food, family fun and togetherness, even good weather. On Friday my siblings and my SIL went to the country and planted a tree in my late brother's memory. It was a lovely drive and the setting for the tree is beautiful. It will grow on the property of a friend of my SIL's. After the planting we got a tour of the house -- it was built in 1877, a lovely brick home that needs lots of work, but will be something spectacular when they are done with it.

I spent $38 on gas, $30 on bread & butter gifts, $38 on food. I also spent $10 on a Christmas gift and $4 for new earrings. This morning I ventured out for groceries and spent $30 at Aldi and $7 at PetSmart.

Tomorrow my sister and I will go see "Murder on the Orient Express" (finally!) and we will go to dinner with my son's family and my ex's family to celebrate my son's graduation and birthday. Today, I think, will be a pretty laid-back day. I'm going to make some sloppy joes for lunch. I was hoping to make some split pea soup, with the ham bone my brother gave me, but Aldi doesn't have split peas. Or doesn't have them right now, anyway. So I'll have to make another stop for the split peas.

Since I'm stalled on the soup, I may try to use my $25 credit for Amazon restaurant for tonight's dinner. I've never done that before so I'm not sure how it works. I got the credit because I was okay with slow shipping on the Christmas gifts I ordered.

Still have to order Christmas gifts for my local son's family, and I still need that haircut, but I think I will let both wait until my sister goes home.

1. Pack
2. Take laundry to car
3. Buy bread & butter gifts
4. Buy kitty litter
5. Clean litter pan
6. Order gifts for Florida kids
7. Clean fish tank & put in feeder block
8. Pay bills
9. Pick up sister at airport

My son defended his thesis and completed his Master's degree yesterday! It's official! I'm so proud of him. He has done this while working full-time and continuing to be an awesome father. There may be a celebration tonight. It may or may not happen, but I will have time, since I don't have to go the airport till midnight. I just can't celebrate too hard!

Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving Day!

I've made it to the day before pay day. I don't think I will spend anything today, so I created my monthly recap:

Housing: 695
Medical/Health: 356
Gifts/Charity: 268
Eating Out: 136
Groceries: 94
Utilities: 65
Gas: 60
Phone: 52
Vet/Pet Supplies: 27
Entertainment: 20
Furnishings/Equipment/Decor: 18
Laundry: 12
Fares/Parking: 10
Clothing: 8
Household Supplies: 3

Grand Total: 1824

Variables: 94%

As expected, a big month for medical and gifts. Eating out was unusually high, but it does reflect some good times, not just runs through the driveup window. Utilities were low because the cable/internet bill did not fall within this pay cycle.

Expecting a quiet day today. Still using up food. I had oatmeal for breakfast; will have peanut soup and applesauce for lunch, and cheese quesadillas for dinner. I still have quite a bit of food in the freezer, but I'd rather not thaw anything only to have to (possibly) refreeze before I travel.

Not much financial news today. I just spent $1.50 on another load of laundry. I think I will do one more tomorrow, and that will be it before traveling to Michigan.

I'm using up stuff in my refrigerator, and it's looking very empty! I don't like to leave perishables in the fridge when I travel, even when it's only for a few days.

On Wednesday evening, just before midnight, I will pick up my sister at the airport and then drive the rest of the way to Michigan. Unless I feel so tired, that it will be safer to stop and get a room. I'm always okay with spending money if it is in the interest of safety.

Before I go the airport, I will get some pet supplies and perhaps get a haircut. It will be pay day, so I will pay my bills and do my Amazon shopping, too. But perhaps I should wait on the Amazon shopping. Delivery is so fast with my Prime membership. I don't want my packages delivered when I'm not here. I do live in the land of porch pirates.

Yesterday was a bit spendy, but a delightful day with my grandson. We went to Chili's for lunch, where we got two deals -- one, that game gizmo at the table was already loaded so my grandson could play free, and two, we got a free dessert which we shared. The free dessert came courtesy of an email I had received earlier in the day. The total cost of lunch was $18.

Then we went to see "Wonder" but the show was sold out. So I bought tickets for a later show, which took us out of the window for the matinee price. But my grandson had his heart set on it, and I wanted to see it too. The cost of the tickets was $20.

In between lunch and the later show, we hung around my place. He helped me bring up my Christmas tree from the basement, and I'm very glad to have that chore done. I probably won't decorate it till after Thanksgiving, but it's set up.

This morning I bought some coffee filters at Jewel ($2) and did a load of laundry ($1.50). I also picked up a free bag of Uncle Ben's flavored rice at Jewel, the value of which I added to my snowflakes ($3.49). Very soon now, I'll be cashing out my snowflakes for the grandkids' college funds. Even if I don't add to it, they will each get $265.

My variables now stand at 94%. I hope I will not have to spend anything tomorrow or the next day, so that I can come in under. I believe next month will be quite expensive, with more Christmas spending, a dental appointment, and some travel.

I got another free dinner last night. After bringing my grandson home from Tae Kwan Do, my DIL gave me a bowl of chili. Today I'm going to have pan-fried salmon and a baked potato for lunch, and cheese quesadillas for dinner.

I was scheduled for a haircut today, but decided not to get it. Even though I have room for it in my variables budget, I don't feel that I really need it yet. I trimmed my bangs last week, and the shape seems to be holding up. Waiting till after payday will mean no haircut till after Thanksgiving, but I honestly think my hair looks fine, and heck, I'll only be seeing family anyway.

I noticed that my DIL had a new globe on her mantel, and it is just like the one I have wrapped up for her for Christmas. Sigh. I will have to take it back. She likes to collect globes, but I know she doesn't want duplicates. I'll try to get that done today, before the flag football game.

I lucked out at Tae Kwan Do last night, when I found a free parking place. That's two weeks in a row. I told my grandson he is my lucky charm.

Tomorrow I'm taking my younger grandson to see "Wonder." The older one will go with his class. Today I might finally go see "Murder on the Orient Express." Two movies in two days is something I haven't done in a long time! Hmmm, maybe I won't. I should wait till Bargain Tuesday, or Senior Day on Wednesday. Every penny counts!