Not too much to report today. I went to PF yesterday and did my strength training, as well as picking up my free bagel. I didn't go out any more, hoping the R&R would help my knee. I was feeling pretty good at the end of the day, but then took a wrong step and pulled something, so I can't say I'm really improved. Today I have to go out to go to the eye doctor, so I'm going to stop at the physical therapist's, too. I'm playing phone tag with them and I think it will be more productive to just go there.

Had a nice conversation with another gym member over our bagel breakfast. She works at the YWCA. Sounds like they have a great aquacise program that might be worth investigating.

Meals today: Biscuits & honey for breakfast, Cheeseburger w/veggie side for lunch, Carrot Soup w/ celery sticks for dinner.

I keep getting emails from Pine Cone to participate in a survey, but lately I'm not qualifying. It seems the only thing surveyors are interested in from people in my age group are opinions about incontinence supplies and Viagra.

I guess the potential employer is not interested in setting up a meeting. I seem to have dropped from his radar. I'm not upset; I don't really want to work, but with the budget so tight, I do feel compelled to follow up when the opportunity presents itself. I'm not interested in beating the bushes, however.

I watched "Testament of Youth" yesterday, which was a little slow, but beautifully filmed and acted. It was based on the memoirs of a woman who lived through WWI.

I started the first Harry Potter last night. Still can't get into such an exaggerated story -- I like realism -- but I'll keep at it so I can discuss with the grandsons.

Yesterday was an impromptu zoo day. I heard on the news that the zoo was having a free day for kids, so I called C to see if she'd like to join me and our grandson in a trip to the zoo. It was an absolutely perfect day, and GS had a blast taking pictures of just about every animal on exhibit.

Financially, the day set me back $29 for admission for us two seniors plus $6 for an Icee. C paid for parking and kicked in an extra $3 so GS could enter the petting zoo area. We chose not to go into the petting zoo ourselves, but watched from outside the entrance. GS seemed to enjoy his independence for those minutes.

Physically, the day beat up my legs, even though I took great care to sit every time I could. Consequently, I had an awful night. I did manage to dispel a lot of the ache with a heating pad, but I couldn't take away the throbbing pain behind my knee. This morning it is better.

I am still not able to use the new phone. The SIM card did not arrive yesterday. My son is traveling for work today -- not sure when he will be back, but it may be Friday, so I may not get the phone operational until then. At least I am able to use my current phone; it's just inconvenient.

Needless to say, I did not take advantage of pizza day at Planet Fitness yesterday. I did, however, pack a lunch for the zoo trip, using up the last tuna patty and some carrots and celery, thus avoiding that expensive zoo food. I ate my leftover hibachi food for dinner. Today is bagel day at PF, so I will try to get in on that this morning. Lunch and supper will probably be salmon, with mashed potatoes and roasted veggies, and grilled cheese with carrot soup.

I got a $41 bill for medical services (ultrasound and lab work). I'm putting it aside to pay once pay day rolls around on the 23rd.

I'm firming up plans with old friends from the College to have dinner downtown on September 6. I'm also going to the botanic gardens with my professional group on the following Saturday, and the next day, to a barbecue. In two weeks I'm going to a baby shower for my nephew's wife up in Michigan. BFF is working on a trip for us up to Door County, where we will stay with a friend of hers. So a lot of socializing coming up! Which is good, but none of it will be free.

Variables are already a whopping 71%, and that doesn't even count the cost of the phone, which will come out of the EF. Nor does it count tomorrow's eye doctor appointment. The upcoming PT visits (if I ever get them scheduled -- that's another story) will probably come out of next month's budget.

Yesterday I went out to lunch at the local hibachi restaurant with DIL, C and one of the grandsons. I had a Groupon, which had unfortunately expired, but was still worth the $20 investment I had made in it. We split the remaining balance three ways and it came out to be $24 apiece. That was a bit more than expected. After thinking about it, I decided I'm going to offer some cash back to them, as this was supposed to be a "thank you" event and it turned out to be a bit of a splurge instead.

That said, the food was great, as was the "show."

Today is free pizza day at Planet Fitness, so I'm going to try to time my arrival accordingly. I still have a tuna patty and apricot chicken, as well as leftovers from yesterday's lunch, to eat up. I will probably freeze the chicken, as I think it will freeze the best.

I went to the library and checked out the first Harry Potter book, so I can catch up with my grandchildren. No, I've never read them -- fantasy is not my thing -- but they are really into HP now, so I'm going to try to keep up. I also checked out three new DVD's: Suffragette, Testament of Youth, and W/E.

I'm really looking forward to the arrival of the SIM card so I can get my new phone going! It's really annoying to have a phone that can only be used in the kitchen!

I had my son check my phone settings yesterday, just to make sure there was nothing amiss, and then he helped me pick out a new phone on Amazon. It was delivered the same day, since I have Amazon Prime. However, it is still not functional, because the SIM card from my old phone doesn't fit in the new one. So a new one was ordered, but it probably won't arrive till Monday.

The new phone is a fifth generation Moto G. I currently have the first generation, so this should be a big improvement, especially in storage. It was $255. Ouch! I did get a $50 discount for being a Prime member. I decided to go with the newest and latest, in hopes that it will last a long time. I don't want to have to buy a phone during my gap year, which will begin next July.

The news about C is not good. Her chemo is not working. They gave her a prognosis of six months. She could try another chemo, but it comes with a lot of side effects and would only extend her life by a couple of months. I don't know what she has decided to do. I saw her yesterday, but we didn't discuss her illness. It is clear she prefers not to. I can't even imagine how hard this must be for her.

I had a very bad night last night with general leg pain. I'm going to try to get my initial PT appointment set up today. My eye appointment has been moved again, this time to Wednesday.

My older grandson is leaving for camp this morning. He'll be there for a week, and he's very excited. I'm going to go be part of the send-off team, when the buses leave from the Y.

I watched "The Danish Girl" yesterday and have one more DVD to watch -- "Hell and High Water." They are all due today.

I have a load of laundry to do. I'm going to take it down and put it in my storage unit when I leave for the Y. Then, when I come home, I can put it in the washer before I climb the stairs again. I'm going to do the bare minimum of stair-climbing today until I get my legs working properly again.

Meals today will be tuna patties and apricot chicken for lunch and dinner (both leftovers). Not sure yet about breakfast -- maybe granola. The apricot chicken turned out great, even though I had to substitute honey for the apricot jam. I had plenty of fresh apricots, so it was suitably apricot-y.

I had a second dinner last night. When I was at my son's house, working on the phone replacement, they were cooking hamburgers and fixings. Even though I'd already had the apricot chicken, I was talked into having a half a hamburger. (So delicious!) And I took some fresh corn, cantaloupe and tomatoes, so I don't think the calorie damage was too bad.

I think I need a new phone. I did verify with Straight Talk that everything is all right on their end -- my phone is activated, my account is up to date, cell tower strength is good in my area. I have checked settings numerous times according to solutions offered on forums. I have powered off and on, I have taken out the SIM card and put it back. I have moved the router and moved it again. I'm at a loss.

The only reason I hesitate to get a new phone, despite the cost, is that I am afraid it will not solve the problem, and then I will have spent that money -- which I really need for other things -- for nothing. That said, it is an old phone -- in phone years -- and I have a significant storage problem with it in addition to the signal issues, so it wouldn't be a total waste to get a new phone.

I have to enlist my son's help, though, so I don't order something I can't use. It's all so confusing. This stuff is really hard for seniors; younger generations just don't realize how hard, and how isolating it is. I'm feeling like an old fogey -- I really wish the world hadn't changed quite this much.

I did take the boys to the Emoji movie yesterday, which set me back $19, and afterwards we went to McDonald's, where I spent $7.

DIL took C to the doctor yesterday, and when I returned the boys she briefly told me it was not good, and teared up. I wish I knew more, but I could not ask in front of the boys. I will try to learn more from my son today. But even in this state of knowing nothing -- but knowing it is bad -- I am pretty depressed.

I did not make the apricot chicken yesterday since I ate at McDonald's, so I'll do that today. I also have two tuna patties to eat up or freeze (but they didn't freeze well last time I did this). I need to deal with the celery and carrots, too. So I guess I will be spending some time in the kitchen today.

Yesterday I had a classic senior moment -- I arrived for my 12:20 eye appointment at 2:20. It was correctly written on my appointment card, but when I transferred the information to my Google calendar, I dropped the "1." Needless to say, they weren't thrilled to see me come in two hours late, without a clue that I had been a no-show.

I rescheduled for Monday.

Today I'm going to watch the boys for several hours while their mom takes C to the doctor. We may go see the Emoji movie, if they haven't done that yet. I have a free popcorn coupon!

My knee continues to be a mess, so after my eye appointment I'm going to set up some PT appointments.

I finally finished the tuna salad and mac & cheese yesterday! Today's meals: blueberry pancakes for breakfast, tuna patty for lunch, and apricot chicken for dinner. Yes, more tuna. I bought a big can, and I have to use up the rest of it.

Babysitting always throws a wrench in meal plans, so the reality may be a little different.

Did some laundry yesterday. Variables are now at 55%.

The cool has arrived! I love the way the house feels right now, fresh and crisp. No AC, no fans.

Only made one financial transaction yesterday -- I returned the unopened bottle of glucosamine/chondroitin to Walgreens. Since I bought it more than 30 days ago, they gave me store credit in the form of a gift card. $14. I'm not counting it as a snowflake, since it was just a return on money already spent. I did adjust my tracking for last month. And of course the $14 card will help me get something cheap when another need comes up that can be met at Walgreens.

Oh, and one more. I filled out a rebate form for the wine I bought for DIL. I will get $3 back.

I also did my strength training yesterday, and I got a new card at Planet Fitness, because my original was so battered it wouldn't swipe any more! So I guess that is a sign that I am getting the use out of my gym membership.

Speaking of Planet Fitness, I've noticed there is a man living in a car who parks under a tree right next to the gym. I've seen him three or four times now. He kind of spreads his stuff out (drying in the sun?) so he really isn't trying to be surreptitious. Is it Tabs? No, it's not a Prius. Whenever I see him, I wish him well in my heart. I hope he does not get harassed by the merchants.

Meals today -- would you believe I'm still eating mac & cheese and tuna salad? That's the trouble with living alone. I also think I will make blueberry pancakes for breakfast today to use up the last of the berries. I will probably finish the strawberries today, too. I expect that tomorrow I will make apricot chicken to use up the apricots. I've GOT to remember not to buy so many perishables at one time! After those are done, I need to concentrate on the celery and carrots. Not too excited about the idea of making more soup, as I have a big batch already made and sitting in the freezer.

Looking forward to a nice drop in temperature tomorrow! I've been pretty disciplined about not turning on the AC, but sometimes it just gets too uncomfortable. According to the weather reports, we will be in the 60's tomorrow! I'll probably be too cold.

Yesterday I mailed a package ($7), bought a baby shower gift ($40), and made a Walmart run, where I talked to the StraightTalk rep, then bought gift wrap & card, hangers and a bottle brush for $12. Then I stopped at the eye doctor's and made an appointment for Thursday.

The StraightTalk rep thought my phone problem was a Wi-Fi problem. He recommended I call customer service. I guess he is not customer service, but a salesman. I am still stumbling along with my phone. I can only get a signal in the kitchen and the bathroom, and sometimes in the bedroom. Never in the living room. Which is where I ALWAYS used my phone before -- and it's also where the Wi-FI is. Weird. I looked into cell phone extenders, but they are expensive.

The baby shower gift was two pairs of shoes from DSW -- one, a pair of Converse sneakers and the other, soft pink cowboy boots. They were on clearance, and I had a $5 coupon to apply. My sales receipt says I saved $24. I hadn't been thinking shoes at all, but I ran into these while I was looking for a way to use my coupon, and I decided to go for it.

After getting home, I relaxed the rest of the day.

C was discharged yesterday and she is feeling good. That new stent is doing its work. I haven't heard about the MRI yet. I don't press. She tells me what she tells me.

Meals today -- much the same as yesterday. I had biscuits & berries for breakfast, and will have mac & cheese for lunch, and tuna salad sandwich for dinner. Or the other way around.

I made a very nice fruit salad yesterday with blueberries, strawberries and apricots, and I will probably do that again.

So, no cooking today!

I got my electric bill. It was $55, which is higher than the usual $36 or so, but not too bad considering the AC usage.

Variables are at 53%. And three weeks to go! But I hope I have gotten most of the necessities out of the way. I still have to get gas, I have a trip up to Michigan in a couple of weeks, and the eye appointment to pay for, which will be out of pocket, since I have no vision coverage anymore. But at least they will give me the AARP discount!

No word yet from the potential employer. I assume he is slogging through email, and setting up a meeting for a potential backup researcher is not high on his list of priorities.

C was feeling sick yesterday because, it turned out, the stent in her bile duct was blocked. The hospital was able to squeeze her in for a procedure to replace it yesterday afternoon. She was hoping to come home today, but they have scheduled her for a brain MRI this evening, because she has been having headaches. I assume she will be discharged tomorrow. We are all relieved, but, of course, hoping the MRI doesn't show anything bad.

It was a spendy day for me with the grandsons. I took them to IHOP for lunch because I had a coupon for a free stack. Even with that price break, it cost $24. For dinner, I bought pizza for $11, a "daily special." I also bought them gum and mints for $5, and I picked up a $10 bottle of wine for my DIL to enjoy after she arrived home from a week working in Vancouver.

The reason I took the boys out to eat twice? Because it really helps to break up a long day. And I wanted to keep them happily distracted from what was going on with their other grandmother.

Today we will probably go to the Emoji movie while DIL visits her mom in the hospital. Today is discount day at the movies.

Meanwhile, my joints continue to feel bad. The glucosamine/chondroitin hasn't helped, and in fact, I have gotten worse, and a cruise on the internet indicates that others have had that reaction, too. There is also some indication that g/c may make LDL cholesterol worse, so, bottom line, I shouldn't take it unless it is dramatically helpful. And it isn't. I have one unopened bottle I will try to return.

Meal plans today: oatmeal for breakfast, leftover mac & cheese for lunch, and a tuna sandwich for dinner. Sides of berries, carrots, celery, etc.

It turned out C was not feeling well, so I had both boys last night. And I will have them today until DIL gets home this evening.

I took C to the ER this morning. She is getting tests now, and I will know more in several hours. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. She is frightened. I am, too, but I am keeping calm for the boys' sake.

Later on we will go get pancakes at IHOP. No movie today, as I want to keep my phone on.

I spent $4 last night to rent "Angry Birds" from xfinity. This morning I paid $3.50 to park at the hospital. Variables are already up to 38%, but I am not worrying about that now.

After grocery shopping yesterday, I did no more spending. I spent the rest of the day at home, since my leg was acting up again. I did a lot of reading, and I watched "The Skeleton Twins," which was rather depressing. Guess I'm tired of indie films about young, privileged people contemplating suicide. Seriously, it was very hard to feel sorry for the characters in the film, who so clearly brought about their own problems.

One more DVD to watch today. "Grandma" with Lily Tomlin. Pretty sure it won't be depressing, but may be silly. After I watch it, I'll take them all back to the library and get more. I have put together a list to work from now, so I might make better choices.

Just watched a brief spot about the "Summer of Love" -- 1967 -- on the Today Show. I was between high school and college that summer and I was deeply influenced by that movement. Now it looks kind of silly, but it was such a breath of fresh air! Such an innocent, idealistic, hopeful time. I did not do drugs or get into any of the sketchy areas of that movement, but I remember fondly listening to the great music, growing my hair long and shortening my skirts -- all to the shock of my parents, who apparently thought I was going to continue watching Lawrence Welk and getting bubble haircuts. I remember really believing we could all band together and stop war and racism. Ah well. Now I'm cynical and tired, and I miss those days.

Tonight I'm going to have one of my grandsons overnight, and tomorrow C and I will take both of them to see "Emoji." Probably there will be some eating out as well. Both parents will be out of town for work -- Dad in Nebraska, Mom in Canada! But Mom will get home sometime Monday evening, so I don't expect the sleepover will extend to two nights.

Yesterday I went to PetSmart and spent $33 on cat food and kitty litter, as well as feeder blocks for the fish. It's been a spendy month for pet supplies, but I hope I'm done.

I have a 48-lb. box of kitty litter in the trunk of my car. It was a good deal -- $4 off and a $3 coupon to boot -- and it is the brand I like. But there's no way I can get it up the stairs. I'll have to enlist the help of my son.

This morning I went to Jewel and got two free MyMixx items -- a nutrition bar and ice cream bars -- and I got 10 other items as well: sourdough bread, cookies, laundry detergent, a box of wine, apricots, dried cranberries, celery, blueberries, raspberries and strawberries. It was $48.

I haven't bought wine in quite a while, but now that I am off the statin, I can imbibe again. I only drink 5 oz. in the evening. It's good for my heart, so they say. It's also good for my spirit! Buying a box that I keep in the fridge is the cheapest way to go.

I also haven't bought cookies in a while, but it's too hot to bake, and I find myself trolling the kitchen looking for a sweet bite after meals. The trick is to keep it down to a bite.

I did a load of laundry yesterday, which involved three trips up and down the stairs. I also bicycled on the stationary bike at the gym for a half hour, and just getting out involved another trip up and down the stairs. Anyway, it was too much, both knees are aching. I know I should not cease exercise, but I'm having trouble finding the happy medium between rest and exercise.

As I recall from my other bout with knee pain, it was finally time that did the healing.

I got all my Amazon items delivered yesterday. I'm especially pleased with the cookie cutters -- one in the shape of an eagle, one in the shape of a cat's head. At Christmastime, I'm going to make cookies for the grandsons -- one is into birds, the other, cats. I already have one shaped like a fleur de lis. That will form cookies for my ex and his wife, who like to travel in France. Cheap gifts, but pleasing, I hope.

I still have two DVD's to watch. They are due on Monday, but I'd like to return them tomorrow, when the parking is free. So I may watch them both today. I already watched The Dressmaker, which was a little strange and dark, but I pretty much enjoy anything Kate Winslet does.

After the gym I went to Food4Less yesterday and bought ten more items: 4 packages frozen veggies, tortillas, biscuits, spreadable margarine, frozen pizza, vinegar and tuna. Total was $18.

Today I'll go to PetSmart for cat food and kitty litter. I also have a package of books ready to be shipped to my sister.

Meals today: Migas for breakfast, salad for lunch, Spanish rice for dinner.

It's supposed to be cooler today. Yesterday was comfortable enough to go without the AC, but I was a little warm at times. Today should be lovely.

Variables budget is at 25%. I've promised the Emoji movie for my grandsons, I have shower gifts to buy, a trip to Michigan in August, and I need to get my eyes checked. Plus a couple more grocery trips. I think all that will take care of the rest of the budget.

I do hope the eye exam doesn't lead to more expense. Last year I was told I had the very beginnings of cataracts. I am hoping little progress has been made in that area!

Yesterday I made my three orders from Amazon, in order to activate the $10 reward. Actually, there was a $7 reward already sitting there on another card, so I used that, too, so it was really four orders. I bought two large cookie cutters, which I will use at Christmastime, and fish food and aquarium filters. Total was $35, so with the discounts, $18. And it will be nice to be stocked up on fish supplies.

I have both soup and fettuccine Alfredo left over. I think I will combine the soup with rice to make Spanish rice, and I'll probably freeze that. I'll have the FA for dinner again, and I'll have salad for lunch.

This morning I am off to the gym, and then will go to Food4Less for ten more items.

I heard from the potential employer. It is a fundraising consultant business and the good news is that they have an office here in town as well as in Chicago. The interviewer said they already have someone for their current project, but would like to talk to me as a possibility for future projects. We were in the process of setting up a meeting, but he had to leave for a conference, so I am on hold. I don't expect to hear from him until next week.

I tried to buy a baby gift for the shower I am invited to, but when I looked at the Target registry (which was referenced in the invitation) I saw that it was all wedding registry stuff, nothing for babies. I could call the organizer, but I think I will just get something generic and useful, like diapers. In fact, there was a laundry basket in the registry; I may just get that and throw in a couple of boxes of diapers. This couple doesn't have a lot of money, and there are already three children from a previous marriage.

Variables are at 23%. I wonder if I can financially squeeze in an eye appointment this month. I am definitely due.

It's pay day, and I've done a lot this morning. I paid my property taxes, paid two credit cards in full, contributed $100 to a scholarship at my alma mater, and I grocery-shopped at Aldi. My ten items for $28 included: chicken, almond milk, granola, croutons, salad, butter, eggs, creamer, honey and carrots. I also stopped at Walgreens to spend my $5 rewards. I paid $2.50 out of pocket for two 48-ct. packages of panty liners.

My July recap:

Car Repair/Maintenance: $884
Insurance: $337
Housing: $321
Utilities: $164
Medical/Health: $132
Fees/Services: $131
Clothing: $81
Groceries: $76
Eating Out: $73
Gifts/Charity: $70
Vacation/Travel: $59
Phone: $52
Vet/Pet Supplies: $39
Furnishings/Equipment/Decor: $38
Personal: $23
Laundry: $17
Household Supplies: $8
Entertainment: $7
Fares/Parking: $1

Grand Total: $2572

It was my second-highest spending month this year. The first was February, when I also had big car repairs and paid property taxes. Can't do much about either of those.

Because I drew money out of savings, my net worth took a mild hit -- about $1500 less than last month. Hoping I can make that up soon.

I had potato pancakes and applesauce for breakfast. On tap for lunch is chicken tortilla soup, and for dinner, Fettuccine Alfredo with mushrooms.

One of my credit cards will credit me $10 if I add my card on Amazon and then make three separate purchases. I've already added the card, and today I will try to figure out three cheap and useful purchases to make. I won't have to pay shipping, as I am a Prime member.

I redeemed my $100 reward yesterday from my AAA credit card. It's actually $106, because of point credit for things I bought. I arranged to have it transferred to my bank account.

Knee is improving. I walked on the treadmill at the gym this morning with no ill effects. The pain in my toe has gone away.

I guess that's it!

Yesterday I returned the compression sleeve with no problem. Then I went to the library and returned my DVD -- and checked out three more! The Dressmaker, The Skeleton Twins, and Grandma. Haven't watched any of them yet.

Later in the day I washed sheets, so, combined with my errands, I had three trips up and down the steps. And spent $1.50.

The hot water was restored very quickly after they realized it was just a breaker problem.

The outdoor temperatures have dropped and the weather is beautiful.

I got an email from my colleague which was copied to the new potential employer. I replied with a very brief summary of my experience, a request for more information, and my telephone number. No call yet.

This is my last day before pay day. I'm going to do my July recap later on, as I don't expect to spend anything today. I'm really looking forward to a clean slate tomorrow!

My knee continues to improve slowly, but now I have developed a shooting pain in my little toe, of all places! It doesn't sound like much to complain about, but it really hurts! It helps to ice it, but it took me a while to figure out how to do that. Finally put a little bag of ice cubes into the toe of a sock, which worked pretty well. I'm pretty sure this is nerve pain, while the knee pain is from injury. I'm tired of all of it!

I went out yesterday. I was very strategic. I took my laundry downstairs, then went straight to Walgreens and Jewel, then came home, stopping to tend the laundry before I went back upstairs. When the laundry was dry, I took my garbage down at the same time. That was only two trips up and down the steps.

At Walgreens I bought a knee compression sleeve, but I think I will take it back today. It actually makes my knee feel worse. That was $12. At the grocery, I bought Slide kitty litter with a coupon and rebate offer attached. I've already prepared the rebate request. So that will not only be free, but will earn me a dollar (because of the coupon). I also bought one can of cat food -- it's a new brand, and I want to test it with the kitties before I commit to it. And I got three free MyMixx items -- cucumber water, ice cream bars, and dressing. My total spending was $8 but I'll get $7 back. The MyMixx items were worth $7, so I added that to Snowflakes.

Today I need to wash sheets. I'll combine that with my trip back to Walgreens and a drive-by at the library to return my DVD.

My knee is feeling better, but it is not back to normal yet. When I get in the wrong position, I definitely feel that "catch" which is so painful. I just have to be patient and wait for the healing. I'm doing mild stretching exercises, but for the time being I'm forgoing the gym. Maybe tomorrow I can go do my strength-training.

I got a text this morning from a former colleague who asked me if I was interested in part-time work in Chicago. If so, she would recommend me to the person who contacted her. I am willing to at least investigate. I'm now awaiting a followup email which will tell me more.

This morning I was loading the dishwasher and noticed, as I rinsed the dishes, that the hot water wasn't working. I tried the bathroom sink, and sure enough, no hot water there either. I guess it will be a while before I take my shower. Hope it gets resolved today!

Yesterday was my day of rest. I did not venture out at all. My knee is getting better, but healing will be a slower process than I would like.

But I think I can manage the stairs today, so I'm going to do some laundry and go to the store. I'm planning to get kitty litter, cat food, and some free MyMixx items, if they're still available.

I looked at knee compression sleeves online. I did not order one, but I may do so after payday on Wednesday.

I got a $2 cash settlement check (can't remember what for) so I added that to my slush fund, which definitely needs some pumping up. But this payday is going to be all about making ends meet, as I have to pay my property taxes and a Discover bill which includes the $884 car repair. I will have to tap my e-fund.

I've done several Pine Cone surveys this month, but the $3 payments go to snowflakes, which will go to my granchildrens' college funds.

I may sign up for an AARP driver safety course. I would supposedly receive a discount on my insurance. But I would also have to pay $15 for the course. I assume my discount will be larger than $15, but I think I will check with my agent, anyway! The course will not be held until next month.

Other frugalities: I made cornmeal pancakes for breakfast yesterday, and there is enough batter left over to make them today. I also made a tomato casserole for lunch, which will also be lunch today. Dinner was salmon and Ranch mashed potatoes. I ate all the salmon, but there are plenty of potatoes left for another meal. I may do a potato bowl, with a filling of peppers, onions and mushrooms.

I watched "Sully," which I borrowed from the library prior to BFF's visit. We never got around to watching it while she was still here.

I am using my AC minimally, despite high heat and humidity. I am able to stay pretty comfortable with fans and open windows. I am lucky to live near the lake, which keeps the temperatures about 10 degrees lower than neighboring areas.

Obviously, yesterday was a no-spend day!

I was watching the grandsons in the park yesterday and decided (foolishly) to shoot some hoops with one of them, when I felt a R-I-P in my knee. Any progress I had made is gone, and more.

I'm going to take the weekend to rest up and baby it before I decide whether I should go to the doctor. I know I didn't really break or tear anything, because I wouldn't be able to walk. But walking is painful, and the stairs more so. Today I plan to stay in all day and not even tackle the stairs, in hopes that will facilitate healing. And maybe tomorrow, as well.

I do have a full hamper of colored clothes, but laundry can wait. It's not like I don't have enough clothes to wear!

A larger urgency is kitty litter and cat food. If I were feeling normal I would get both today. I'm going to try to hold out until Monday.

So, the bright side is, no temptation to spend, and I should have a nice weekend reading and relaxing.

And I need to start thinking about what to do about getting into a first-floor condo or a building with an elevator. I love this condo, but it's clearly a problem every time I injure my legs, which I seem to be doing more and more frequently. Sigh.

Yesterday I was unpacking one of my purchases -- a bundle of 25 "velvet" hangers -- when I realized that three of them were cracked. I had bought them at T.J. Maxx. I took them back, intending to get a new pack, but they didn't want to do an exchange. They refunded the money, and told me I could then go buy a new pack. Well, I realized that at this time I'd rather have the money back in play, so I didn't get a new pack. Later. I do still need them, but that project can wait.

So that put $11 back into play. I spent $1.50 yesterday on laundry, so I have $36 in cash to make it till payday on the 26th.

I was invited to a baby shower up in Michigan for the wife of one of my nephews. That gift will come out of next month's budget. The shower isn't until late August.

I also got a solicitation for a donation to a scholarship honoring my friend P's retirement. I will donate to that in next month's budget as well. (I was not individually targeted; the solicitation went out to all former students.)

It turns out I will not be needing physical therapy; my knee has improved dramatically in the past few days and I expect to be completely back to normal soon. What a relief.

I still haven't gone to the grocery store. I had some leftovers from eating out with my BFF, and yesterday my grandson brought over a quarter of a watermelon. I got some free cherry tomatoes on a MyMixx deal, so I'm good in the produce department.

Today I'm going to watch the grandsons from about 9 to 1. Planning to make lunch at home and perhaps go to the park in the morning before it gets too hot.

My grandson's team lost their tournament game last night, so baseball is over for this year. I guess that will save me a little gas, as some of the games are 1/2 to one hour away. But I'll miss the free entertainment.

BFF has gone home, and in her wake, my poor budget is on life support. Not her fault. We just had a lot of fun together and I lost my perspective and spent too much.

We both love to go Goodwill shopping, and generally I hold it down. But this time, I found so much stuff. Having a $5 coupon and 15% off for being a senior made it all seem sensible. But I spent a lot -- $102. Some of it was for gifts, but I also bought some brand-new boots, two blazers, three jackets, eight tops, two scarves and a bracelet. I love everything I bought. Strictly speaking, I didn't need clothes, but my wardrobe was looking tired, and I'm pretty excited about these additions.

But of course it was exactly the wrong time to do this. My variables budget is now 110%. (Because I also ate out, got gas and went to a movie.) That said, I still have $26 to spend before pay day, because of coming in under budget in past months. So I will just do my darnedest to spend nothing, though I think I MAY have to cave on kitty litter. And I'll have to do laundry.

So, six days of belt-tightening. I choose to think of it as exciting!

After a truly awful night, with the worst knee pain I've had yet, I got up at 6 a.m., and now I'm waiting for BFF to arrive. I'm probably not going to be great company today!

I have a Baker's cyst behind my knee. I don't know how to get rid of it. I do have a physical therapy order (for sciatica, which hasn't been troubling me). I may just go in and tell them it is really my knee which is the problem. But PT costs $45 per session, and I have had such an expensive month, which will force me to use savings. I just hate the idea of adding more to it.

Yesterday I spent $11 on groceries and $28 on gas. I got three MyMixx items free which were valued at $11. Variables are now at 85%, with nine days remaining.

I found a dollar bill yesterday! The other bright spot is that the weather continues cool and beautiful. I'm taking a nice long break from AC.

After yesterday's baseball game, C and I went to lunch with our grandson, which cost me $7 at Subway. There is another game today, and then we will go into tournament. Baseball is wrapping up soon. Will have to find new entertainment!

BFF is coming tomorrow. I need to do some laundry today and just generally get ready.

I am scheduled for a lakeside walk this morning, but I am too afraid to rile my knee, which feels marginally better this morning. Prior experience tells me that the only thing that works is babying and time.

I have figured out that my phone works as long as I keep it in the kitchen, so that's what I'm doing.

It's still cool enough not to run the AC. Yay!

Actually, he is still here, so the sleepover is ongoing. Right now, he is watching "Spy Kids 2" from the library. Last night we watched "The Secret Life of Pets."

I didn't get by as cheap as I wanted to. We did end up getting a McDonald's lunch, which was $10 for the two of us. (We were on the wrong side of town at lunch time.) I got a Happy Meal for myself so my other grandson would get a toy, too.

We went to a garage sale and I spent .50 on earphones and a plastic dagger for my grandson.

I spent $6 on the book I had promised.

Later in the day, we decided to make a cake. I had a mix but no frosting, and no powdered sugar. I stopped in at Whole Foods, because it is right across from the library and bought a can of frosting there. Whoa! $6! No wonder I never shop there. And the frosting, while I am sure it is healthier than usual, was pretty gummy and hard to spread. But the cake turned out good and GS was pleased.

Even though I made up the sofa bed, he slept with me last night. Hope he slept better than I did!

Just put in a $1.50 load of laundry. Yesterday, I spent $4 on snacks at the baseball game.

Today I'm going to pick up one of my grandsons at noon and I'm going to keep him until tomorrow morning. Parents are meeting some obligations today and going out to dinner tonight. My other grandson will be with C., so each boy will get one-on-one grandma time.

I'm going to do my best not to spend, but I have promised GS that I will buy a certain book for him, and I do keep my promises. (This is a long-standing promise -- we have had to wait for the book to be published!)

Hoping I can keep him happy with time at the park (weather is lovely), DVD's from the library, and I'm going to take him on errands with me.

I've had a lot of trouble getting service on my phone lately. I have a Moto G smartphone, first generation, and my service is StraightTalk. Lately, it seems I never have "bars" when I am at home, unless I go out to the landing. I don't know enough to know what is wrong. Here is what I have done: power down and power up, unplug and replug the router, shake the phone (!), and check my settings (everything seems okay). I know I am getting to where I need a new phone, but would a new phone solve this problem? When I am outdoors, everything seems fine. I would assume it's something with the building, but I've been here four years without a problem. Is it a router problem? I believe my router is part of the xfinity box; should I call a Comcast technician? As I said, I'm just too ignorant of how things work.

I think this will be another no-spend day. I checked the laundry baskets and can clearly wait another day. There is a baseball game tonight, but C. is driving.

I made my quarterly order from OTC-Essentials, thus putting $50 in my snowflakes. I ordered: Vitamin D, generic Zyrtec, band-aids, a bunion guard, baby aspirin and hydrogen peroxide.

I went to the gym this morning and walked on the treadmill. The walking club has a walk scheduled at noon, but there was no info on the meeting place, only "lakeside." (Big area!) And at noon, it is too hot to walk, in my opinion.

I'll spend the day reading, doing chores, and working my my mother's diary.

I made Jiffy corn pancakes for breakfast this morning. It was a cheap meal, and tasty. I learned that corn pancakes are much more fragile than flour, so flipping them is not easy -- also I need to lower the heat. But I will do this again.

For the rest of the day, I'll work on the leftover mac & cheese, and the leftover chicken soup. I am out of frozen vegetables now, so I'm relying on the veggies in the soup for my veggie intake! Plus, I'll add some canned mushrooms to the mac & cheese. I do still have some celery sticks and half an onion, and some applesauce. I suppose tomorrow I will break down and buy a little produce. I'll probably have to get gas, too.

I went to a children's movie with the grandsons and C. this morning, which cost me $1. They beat me there, and C. had already paid the kids' admission. The movie was "The Iron Giant." Very sweet.

Strong storms have gone through the area several times. Last night there was so much lightning in the sky it was a veritable light show. This morning the clouds were dark and moving fast, and made me think of tornado weather, but when I got out of the theater, it was quite clear.

I'm making chicken soup today in order to use up vegetables. It made a pretty large pot, so I'm going to be eating it a while. It's anything but soup weather, but I like soup anytime.

Finally figured out that the back exercises which I perform on my knees are making my knees hurt. I'm cutting those out. I don't need to create more problems while trying to solve one. Hope my knees will improve in the next few days.

I got a small medical bill for the labs -- only $8, but I'm still going to hold onto it till pay day, which is now two weeks away. Trying to keep the variables as low as possible, in light of all the extra expenses I've been having. Variables are at 74% right now.

In Mom's diary, she reports that she bought her first outfit for my brother -- a brown and white seersucker "bobbie suit." I looked it up, and it is basically the 40's version of a onesie. I love it when she adds these details.

So, I've already renewed my driver's license and I've replenished my tollway pass. Now I see that AAA has withdrawn their membership fee, another $58. Yikes. When it rains, it pours.

Yesterday I missed out on pizza day at Planet Fitness, but this morning I got my free bagel for breakfast.

Yesterday's baseball game was rained out after a few innings, so tonight's game will be a double-header, at least that is the plan, not confirmed yet. It is in a more western suburb, so it will be a late night for me.

Today I'm doing laundry ($1.50) but have no other plans to spend money.

Temperatures are going up again, so the AC is on.

I've gone back to working on my mother's diary. Nothing really interesting to report. I am now at the point in her life when she is realizing she is pregnant with her first child, my brother.

I was invited by an old friend at the College to attend a gathering in honor of the annual jazz festival in September. I told her I would. I need to get out more and meet new people -- even if they live too far away to befriend. Anyway, it's free dinner, in exchange for a dessert! Always a good deal.

Yesterday was a no-spend day. I went for a walk with my walking club in the morning -- 50 minutes. When I do the treadmill at the gym I usually put in 30 minutes, so that was a bonus. Plus, I was outside in the sunshine soaking up that vitamin D!

When I came home I spent the day mostly reading, taking breaks to do household chores. I did do a $1.50 load of laundry, but I don't really consider that a violation of a no-spend day, since laundry has to be done. I may do more today.

Today is pizza day at Planet Fitness, so I'm going to try to plan my visit there to coincide with delivery time. I also have a baseball game to attend tonight, so the timing may not work out.

Decided to cut down on the wet food my cats get. They will only eat about a spoonful at a time, and they leave the rest and never go back to it. I'd like them to eat more wet food, but they seem to be limiting themselves. At least I always provide plenty of fresh water.

I hard-boiled six eggs and cut up a bunch of celery, storing the sticks in the fridge in a cup of water. I do have to take it easy on the eggs (even though recent studies indicate that eggs, while containing cholesterol, do not create cholesterol in the body the way fats do). I still want to be careful.

Still doesn't seem there is anything I need to buy.

My BFF is talking about coming to visit within the next two weeks, so that would wreak havoc on my budget. But if she does, I will explain that this is not a good financial time for me, and we will have to do things that are free/low-cost. She is not as strapped as I am, but she does understand about budget concerns.

We had rains last night and it's a cool morning. I haven't had the AC on for several days! It's all good.

My test results came back, and my LDL has improved to the point that I no longer have to take a statin. I will be monitored, however, so I have to be ultra-careful with diet and exercise.

I can't tell you how happy it makes me to know I don't have to endure that ache in my muscles. If my knees would just shape up now, I'd be feeling pretty good!

Yesterday I got a free MyMixx deal, a single serving of Tai Pei broccoli & beef worth $2.50. I added $2.50 to my snowflakes.

I spent $18 on a haircut. The price has gone up again. I do get a 10% senior discount. I really like my stylist, so I'm not going to look around for a cheaper cut.

Today I'm taking a lakeside walk -- in fact, in about an hour. The temperature is nice, so it should be a great walk. We have storm warnings for later in the day, but the weather is great now.

Food stores are holding up great; I don't anticipate any shortages in the near future.

Life is good!