I just got back from round one of grocery shopping for my St. Pat's dinner. I spent $41 at Food4Less. I got some good deals -- 5 containers of Breyer's ice cream for $2.49 each, 5 packages of sliced Swiss cheese, also $2.49 each. I got the rye bread and the corned beef. Tomorrow I have to pick up sauerkraut, Green River pop, paper plates & cups, potato salad, chips, grapes, carrots. I figure I am roughly halfway there in cost. My variables are up to 96%, so I am really pushing my limit.

My BFF is planning to come to Chicago with her son's family this weekend. We made tentative plans to meet at the museum on Saturday. Now they are talking about going to the museum on Friday (when I am tied up for the party) and going to the zoo on Saturday. I told BFF I could have gone to the museum, since it is free for me, but I can't go to the zoo -- my budget is wiped out. It was hard for me to do. (Especially when I really do have money; it's just not designated for variable spending.) But I have to learn to stay within my limits; it will be so important later.

She texted back that nothing was set in stone; so, we shall see.

I had my wellness visit yesterday, so a $15 Walmart gift card will come in the mail eventually.

Now, for the diary update:

I was able to figure out the full name of Mom's old boyfriend,"JB", and he turned out to be pretty interesting when I did some research on him. He was the son of a local industrialist and he himself owned a string of movie houses. (Guess that explains all the movies!) He was 12 years older than Mom. He married in 1941 -- three years from the time I am reading about. He remained married to the same woman until he died in 2000. He died less than one month after my mother died! He was still living in the same house he grew up in. However, that was not surprising, for he lived in a gorgeous mansion that was known in town as "the house on the hill." An Italianate red brick house with a tower. Knowing my mom, that must have intimidated her somewhat. She grew up in very humble circumstances. She does not ever speak of meeting his parents; but perhaps they were no longer living.

I finished transcribing 1938, but read ahead a little in 1939. In January she obviously developed a crush on a coworker, who drove her home a lot and teased her at work. He was engaged, however, and he married in February. She doesn't let on any disappointment, but she does end her relationship with JB. No explanation, but she does not ever explain much, which is frustrating! A few weeks later she mentions JB was in a car wreck. Reading between the lines, I think he was upset.

Now I'm really interested to see how 1939 plays out!

I woke up to another snow dump this morning. I'm staying in and it looks like a lot of others have decided to do the same thing. The cars parked up and down the street look like marshmallows.

Kind of regret I'm missing free bagel day at Planet Fitness, but caution is winning over cheapness! Anyway, I have bagels in the freezer. I'll nuke one for breakfast in honor of free bagel day.

I got a reminder call from the nurse making the home visit, so, as of last night at least, she is still planning on making the visit.

I made the chicken french fry casserole yesterday, and it was pretty good! It yielded four servings, so I'll have another one today and freeze the other two.

Diary update -- I typed up two months yesterday. Mom is still dating the same guy -- they are driving all over the place in his "roadster." They went to Mammoth Caves and the Indiana dunes. Uncle is home from the hospital, improving daily. Mom is starting to worry that there may be a war in Europe. She was appalled by a terrible hurricane in New England. (I thought she must have got that wrong, but it's true; there WAS a terrible hurricane in New England in 1938!) I keep stopping and looking up places she mentions, especially restaurants. Some of them still exist, in some form. I will try to visit them in the future. One of them -- Nashville House in Nashville, Indiana, I HAVE visited! (I loved their fried biscuits and apple butter.) Yes, I think a sentimental journey is in the future.

Worked on my mother's diary last night, transcribing one more month in 1938. I am through July now. All her entries for July and many in June were about her uncle's stay in the hospital (apparently he was there more than a month!) He had two surgeries, but she didn't say what they were about. I was afraid I was going to be reading about his death, but, -DUH! I remember him, so of course he didn't die in 1938.

Her uncle was like her father -- she was orphaned when she was seven, and her aunt and uncle raised her.

I also went to the gym last night, ahead of the snow. We got the storm in the wee hours, and I am not going out today. However, we did not get the predicted seven inches. I am just staying in because the roads are a mess and my car is covered. I may just stay in until it melts. Why not? Of course, I do have to go out to buy the supplies for my party on March 17. But I think there is a good chance it will melt by then.

Tomorrow I'm getting a house visit from a nurse employed by UnitedHealthcare. It's just a wellness check. For doing this, I'll get a $15 Walmart gift card. It's also free bagel day at the gym, but as I said, I probably won't leave the house.

It's been a weekend of eating out, and just when I didn't need it, budget-wise. In every other way it was great. My dinner with my grandson at the seafood restaurant turned into dinner at home -- because the place was packed, jam-packed, so we ordered takeaway. My grandson order snow crab (!) and the funny part was that once we got home, I realized I did not have a seafood cracker, so we had to get creative about just how to get into those crab legs. We tried out several kinds of pliers and even a hammer. Too funny. He did get manage to get some meat, but it was hard and messy work. This morning I put a seafood cracker & forks on my Amazon wish list.

I ordered a shrimp basket for myself, which was much less hassle, but left me with a ton of fries. I'm going to make a chicken french fry casserole from the leftovers.

Then today, I had lunch with both grandsons, my friend C and my son, at a pizza place.

I shudder to say that I spent $57 altogether. Didn't need that, but on the other hand, it sure was fun, and I'll survive this bump in my budget.

Just to add to the (financial) misery, I put $1 in the parking meter before remembering that I don't have to pay on Sunday. So I guess it was a donation to the city coffers.

Since my grandson went home, I've just been lounging around, playing Candy Crush, reading a little, watching "Funny Face" on TV.

I haven't been to the gym yet, and I should get that done before the snow starts this evening. I might not want to go out at all tomorrow. They say there might be seven inches.

So far I haven't done any transcribing of my mother's diary, but I'll get that done this evening, too. I believe I may be coming close to one of the sad events of her life.

Saturday is my day to get freebies at the grocery through the MyMixx program. This time I got a bottle of sport drink, a candy bar and yogurt. I've already eaten the candy bar and yogurt. I also picked up some granola and some 7-Up. The 7-Up I got because it was on sale, and I will need it for the punch on Friday. The granola I got because I have a lot of almond milk to use up. Total spending was $4.

I did a load of laundry - $1.50.

I bought two boxes of girl scout cookies. $10. This was a splurge, but I do like to support the organization. And I like the cookies, of course.

My grandson is sleeping over tonight, and soon we will go to the restaurant of his choice. It's a seafood restaurant, but casual. I've been promising to take him there for a long time and now seems to be the time.

My variables spending is at 82%. The restaurant will probably foil my efforts to stay under budget, but sometimes you just gotta come through on a promise.

Late yesterday I got an email from the museum with a new contract attached, no explanation. I think I have to have this new contract in order to get paid; I think that's what's been holding everything up. I don't think it necessarily means I will be called back to work, but I think I can finally look forward to a check in the mail. I hope it is a big check that consolidates all three invoices!

I went to Goodwill today, but did not step inside. I took a bag of donations, plus an old microwave that was in my storage unit. After I came home I set up a new bag in my bedroom and already have two things in it. I am not much of a de-clutterer, but I do try to put something in the bag now and then, when I run across something I know I will not use again.

I typed up another month of my mother's diary this morning. No progress in her life, really, but she took a 400-mile ride with her boyfriend in his convertible. It sure sounds like she was having fun, which is good, because there were a lot of woes ahead of her. (My dad was an alcoholic, and had a very uneven employment record.)

In looking at the diaries, I figured out that she did not keep any from 1950 to 1980. That's an unfortunate big gap that pretty much covers my whole life at home. I know she was too busy, and I know there was a lot of turmoil, but I can't help but wish that time was covered, too. Oh well. She did keep a diary from 1980 until she pretty much couldn't handle it any more in the late nineties. She died in 1999.

I found my mother's diaries! With it were some family documents and pictures, plus I found another box of pictures. I have lots to do!

So far I have transcribed her entries from Jan-April 1938. All entries are short and very focused on activities, not thoughts or feelings. Still, it is quite amazing to get a feel for her life at that time. She was 25, dating someone who is not my father, living at home and working full-time in some kind of office (maybe insurance?) She went to a movie almost every day, most of the time with friends. She ate out a lot, but mostly on her dates. She doesn't mention anything about costs, which I would find interesting. She does go on a bit about "bank night" at the theater every Wednesday, hoping to win a big jackpot over $100! She was very impressed when her boyfriend drove up in a new maroon Chrysler convertible.

She talks about her clothes, too, and I love the old-fashioned descriptions. "Sheer wool dress" - "sport oxfords" - "collars" that were apparently independent of the suit or dress she wore them with. "Hose" instead of stockings. "Printed rayon dress." "Green linen blouse."

She belonged to a service sorority called Tri Kappa, which was a big deal to her. One of the entertainments at a Tri Kappa party was a "mock wedding." She seems like a happy, but wistful young woman, biding her time until she gets married and starts her real life.

I can hardly wait to hear about how this boyfriend goes out of the picture and my father comes in. I can't remember what year they married, but I feel this diary is just before she met him.

Well, back to my life. After going to the gym this morning I stopped at the grocery and bought cat food. I only spent $3 because I had a coupon for $2.50. Then I went to Walgreen's to pick up my prescription. They were waiting for a backorder so they gave me only seven-days' worth -- a whopping thirty cents!

I forgot to mention yesterday that I got my car inspected for emission levels. My car passed. Now I have to renew my registration, but that will wait until after payday. They were so apologetic that I couldn't do it on the spot, due to computer problems. I had no intention of doing it then! I can't remember the cost, but it is somewhere upwards of $100.

I made tentative plans this morning to meet a friend at the museum next Saturday -- I will spend the day as a visitor, not as a worker. And we also made tentative plans to take the Frank Lloyd Wright home tour in May. I've always wanted to do that.

BTW, my nephew's wife responded that they will all come to the St. Pat's dinner, so I will have quite a crowd. I will try to get as much as possible at Gordon's, where not only can I buy in bulk, but I can get a discount because I work at a non-profit. Since I still have the badge, and I haven't been let go, I think that's legit!

And another unexpected bill. My tollway pass was re-upped, $40 charged to my Discover card. Since I count everything at point of purchase, this comes from my variables budget, which is now at 80%.

I also (finally) washed that detergent-soaked comforter in water, in one of those big machines at the laundromat. The cost to wash and dry was $6.

I'm proud of myself for finally opening up a new storage area. There is a high shelf over my hall closet. It is behind a separate set of doors, which I could never open, because they were painted shut. Yesterday I got on a ladder and attacked those doors with a scraper blade and a hammer. I got them open and stored the comforter in there.

And I discovered a new problem. I can't open the doors very far because the ceiling light fixture is in the way. I could get a flatter fixture, but I would have to get small light bulbs, too. That's a problem for another day. I will just have to maneuver for the time being.

My goal today is to at least look at the storage unit in the basement and try to identify what's in what. I think my mother's diaries must be there.

I went ahead and invited my nephew's family for the St. Pat's dinner. They are a bunch -- two adults and three kids, possibly four, if the older daughter is home from college. But I felt I should not leave them out.

Now I need to plan the best way to assemble and cook the sandwiches. I have an electric griddle; it can grill six small or four large sandwiches at one time, and I think that will have to do. To make the rest of the meal easy, I'm going to get potato salad from Gordon's and will serve mint chocolate chip ice cream for dessert. And I'll have easy punch -- Green River soda and lime sherbet. And I'll have raw baby carrots on the side as well. Also planning to get green paper plates. The budget will suffer a bit, but now that I've decided to go ahead with it, I'm going to make it as easy as I can.

The only other purchase I will have to make between now and then is cat food. I only have enough to last three days right now.

Yesterday I got something free from Pine Cone, to test and evaluate. I can't say what it is, but it is an improved version of something I buy regularly, so I am pleased.

Today I'm continuing with my free/lost-cost meals, finishing up the pulled pork for lunch and having salami, cheese and crackers for dinner. Of course, with both, I will make veggies on the side, just not sure yet what I will grab from the freezer.

So that's another day in retirement-land!

No spending yesterday.

Today I'm going to stop at the laundromat after going to the gym. I'm finally going to water-wash the comforter I bought at Goodwill and then washed with too much detergent in my friend's washer. It really needs lots of rinsing.

I attempted to find my mother's diaries yesterday, which necessitated doing some closet-clearing. I got waylaid into sorting tools. I got the toolbox cleared of everything except tools (imagine that!) and I sorted paint supplies and other supplies into two separate containers. Much better.

In so doing, I found some Command hooks, so I hung three pictures. I also switched out my grandchildren's pictures with the updates I got at Christmas.

So, delving back into the closet today, I pulled out the comforter (which I will store on an upper shelf in a different closet once I get it washed.) I can see the back of the closet now, but I don't think my mother's diaries are there. I think the container I'm looking at contains material. Many decisions to make there. Will I ever really make a quilt? Will I make placemats? (More realistic). Will I make Christmas bags? (As in gift bags, only fabric.) Not ready to let go of all this nice material yet, and with extra time looming, I might actually do these things.

I'm looking forward to another pulled pork sandwich today for lunch. For dinner, I'm going to start using up the salami and cheese I bought intending to use for packed lunches.

I did make a firm commitment to host a casual St. Pat's dinner on the 17th; got five, maybe six RSVP's. And two more people to invite. People before money, right?

I forgot that Ancestry.com always renews in March. I have not used it much this year -- more at work than at home -- but I can't let it go until I can figure out how to save all the work I've done on my family tree.

It cost $189 to renew. That doesn't blow my variables budget out of the water, but it does take it to 74%.

Also, I promised to make Reubens for the extended family on St. Patrick's day. It has kind of become a tradition. So there will be a grocery bill coming up. Otherwise, I could probably make it through the next two weeks with very little shopping.

This morning I went to the gym and stopped at Chase on the way back to "buy" some quarters. Even though I don't need to do laundry yet, I'm glad I remembered to get quarters, because it's such an awful feeling when I NEED to do a wash, and I'm out!

Speaking of the gym, I went last night and got in on the free pizza. That was my dinner. Today I'll be eating pulled pork and sides that I brought home from my brother's. Love free food!

I signed up for another event with my professional group. It happens to fall on my next pay day, so it won't affect this month's budget. Plus, it's the kind of event where I don't have to buy a meal -- I can eat ahead of time and just get a drink, if that's what I want to do. The event itself is no cost.

Today I'm going to work on some projects at home. One thing I want to get started on is organizing my mother's diaries, and saving the text electronically to share with my siblings. That will mean finding the diaries, which will probably mean I have to work on organizing my most challenging closet, because I think the diaries are buried at the back of it.

I also have to catch up on my paperwork again. Sigh. It's my biggest organizational problem. I hate it. Right now I have a tall kitchen wastebasket full of mail. Yuck. I was caught up once, and I let it build up again.

I got back from Michigan this morning, and it was a pretty low-cost vacation. I spent $9 on food, and $19 on gas. Other spending, which I did not include in the vacation category: I spent $9 on a car wash, $12 on bakery bread, and $17 to fill up the tank a second time. I did not count the second fill-up as a vacation expense, because I actually had enough gas to get home, but chose to top off the tank because gas is so much cheaper in Michigan and Indiana than it is in Chicago.

I also brought home some pulled pork, pasta salad, cole slaw, and brownies and cookies. They were leftovers from a party my brother and his wife threw for some of my SIL's colleagues. AND I did four loads of laundry there!

My variables spending is at 48%, which isn't bad, considering I am two weeks and two days away from the next paycheck. Pretty much on track. And I have plenty of food and gas, and no planned purchases.

I had a good time in Michigan. I got to see my friend P; he treated me to a beautiful brunch buffet. As usual, great conversation bracketed by hugs. It is what it is.

I helped my SIL quite a bit with her fledgling auction business. She is very excited about it, but to me it looks like an awful lot of work for very little money. But she is the kind of person who needs to be busy. She would not be contented to read and relax, like I am.

No updates from the museum, either about future work or pay owed to me. I don't think I will agree to go back at this point, until the financial part is resolved.

I picked up my grandsons at 11 yesterday and we went to their favorite pizza place, where they bake thin-crust pizzas to order, very quickly. I spent $28 there for three individual pizzas and drinks. The boys took half of theirs home, but I ate all of mine. It was LOADED with veggies and delicious.

Then we went to the library and spent quite a bit of time there. (My DIL texted me and asked if I could keep them a little longer so she could grab a late lunch after work.) After the boys and I checked out, we went to McDonalds and got shamrock shakes. Well, they did. I got a smoothie. Another $7.

I can't plan on a NSD today, because I have to get feeder blocks for the fish, and I'll probably get another canister of food while I'm there.

Tomorrow I head out for my weekend trip to Michigan.

I think, sigh, it will be a high-spend month. My variables are already up to 36%. And I haven't even taken my trip yet. A lot of eating out, and also some stocking up on groceries.

I got an email from my boss' boss yesterday, explaining that they are "setting priorities" and they will be in touch with me after a meeting next week. I interpret that to mean I'll be cooling my heels for a while. She also said they are working to resolve the finance issues (my payment). They owe me about $2800 now. It'll be a nice feeling when I get that.

I heard from my man-friend this morning (how about if I call him P?) and we are set to meet for Sunday brunch. Between lunching with him, meeting my new grand-niece and being spoiled by my brother's cooking, it should be a great weekend.

Once again, I'm just going to take my laundry instead of packing a suitcase. (I will check, of course, to see that I have a decent outfit for Sunday). It saves me a little money, a little work, and the trip to the basement. And my brother's high-efficiency washer/dryer is fun to use! Almost like no work at all.

Need to think of a bread & butter gift -- I should pick one up today.

Yesterday was a no-spend day, but today will not be. I'm picking my grandsons up from school, and they will be raring to get lunch (it's a short day). I figure I will be lucky to hold it to $30. After that, we will go to the library.

My payment from TIAA finally posted (it wasn't late; I was just impatient for it as I was waiting for it to pay my Discover bill). I scheduled my Discover payment for tomorrow, since it appeared as "pending." Kind of relieved, everything is paid now, except for the automatic withdrawals, which I don't have to worry about.

I started a jigsaw puzzle yesterday and I have the niggling feeling that I've done it before. Which isn't making me work any faster!

We had severe weather in our state yesterday, but it did not affect my area very much. I was mostly worried that hail would damage my car, since I can't park it under cover, but as far as I know we didn't have any. Just rain, thunder and lightening. Other areas farther west and south had tornadoes; it's sad to look at the damage done. I heard there were a few deaths, too, but I don't know whether they were here or in other states. Anyway, just feeling grateful to be spared.

Yesterday was indeed a no-spend day. I didn't leave the house. That helps! However, I should have gone to the gym, and I didn't. I'm going today. (At least I didn't use any gas.)

I made chicken stroganoff and potato scramble yesterday, and have enough of both for meals today. I did not attempt making biscuits, like I was planning. I was pretty tired yesterday; hope today will be a little more productive.

I have learned that when I'm home, I have to accomplish at least one thing each day, or I feel like a slug. Something a little more than cleaning the cat pan, making the bed, etc. I suppose cooking was what I did yesterday. Today I'll try again on the biscuits -- and I still need to create the invoice, too, which isn't hard to do; just kind of a pain.

There's a Monopoly game going on at one of our grocery stores. I always play, more for the diversion than anything, because I never win, but this time I did win a "free" cooking school online course from Rouxbe. I don't know anything about this -- and I already know how to cook -- but I thought I would check it out, and hope it isn't a ruse to get me to pay for something.

Tomorrow I'm picking the boys after a half-day at school, and we will go to the library. So tomorrow is set, just need to get squared away on what I'm doing today!

I'm at home this morning -- my boss texted me that there are (temporarily) no projects for me, and I should wait for further word before I come in again.

I had a nice (though kind of expensive) day yesterday with C. We went to see Manchester By the Sea. I paid for both tickets, since I was the one who really wanted to see the movie. (Also since she is not working.) Afterwards, we stopped for dinner, this time going Dutch. The day cost $31, which is guess is not too bad. But my variables are up to 30%.

My dinner will do double-duty. I brought home a baked potato, a piece of garlic bread, and a container of coleslaw, as well as some chicken. Another whole meal, with the addition of veggies.

Plans for today are to make some biscuits (using my new rolling cutter), going to the gym, and spending nothing. The biscuits I will put in the freezer prior to baking. I just want to have a supply so that I can bake one or two at a time in my toaster oven.

I think I will create an new invoice and send it in. I usually do it after 40 hours. I am up to 35 1/2, but who knows how long it will be until I work again? Last time it was 10 months! I need to capture the information (how much time I spent doing what) while it is fresh in my head.

Other than that, I will do a lot of reading today. And I'll probably take a nap, since I stayed up for the Oscars last night, and then got up early, not knowing whether I was working or not.

I firmed up plans to go visit my brother this weekend. Since I am on hold for work, I plan to leave on Friday. This will be fun -- I will get to meet my new grand-niece!

This morning I woke up early, so I decided to seize the day, and went to the gym and then grocery shopping. I spent $46. One of my purchases was a Hickory Farms box with salami, cheese, crackers and mustard -- it was only $5, marked down from $13. It expires at the beginning of April, but I'll finish it long before. The salami, cheese and crackers should be good for about three lunches.

My other deals were a free bottle of Chobani yogurt drink, and specialty napkins marked down from $1.50 to .49. I bought two packs. And a fun purchase was a rolling dough cutter, for biscuits or cookies.

Almost everything I bought was on sale.

C and I went to see "Fences" in the afternoon. The theater was packed! We figured out that the large crowd was due to a package deal where people could see most of the best picture nominees in one day.

It was a good movie, but the most awesome thing is that I knew one of the actors! And it was a surprise to me that he was in it. He is married to a former coworker of mine. I haven't seen them in a long time. I knew his career was gaining momentum, but it was really surprising to see him in a pretty large role in a major film like this.

Anyway, the movie cost $8.

Afterwards, I went to my friend S's birthday party open house. Since the movie was so long I was late, but I did get a chance to talk with her and wish her well. She doesn't want presents on her birthday, but I brought her a card with some candy tucked inside the envelope.

Before the movie, I let down the hems on a pair of pants that were just a bit too short. They turned out well; the old hem line doesn't even show.

It's been a full day, both productive and fun!

I only worked 2 1/2 hours today, because I finished my project and there was nothing else to do. Once again my boss has to confer with her boss about more work for me. I'm feeling like the end is near.

I went to the gym and then came home and did a load of laundry. (Which reminds me, I have to go get it out of the dryer!) I found a penny in the dryer as I was loading it, and I found a dime at the museum.

I also stopped at Walgreens and bought some Easter cards and birthday cards. $20 -- boy, they add up! I did get special cards for my Florida grandchildren since I won't be mailing an Easter basket. My granddaughter's has a fuzzy bunny that is detachable, and my grandson's has sound effects. I'll include some cash in lieu of candy.

For the local grandsons, I may go the gift card route. They seemed excited by the ones that got on Valentine's Day.

My variables are up to 18% already. And I still have grocery shopping to do tomorrow. At least I seem to have broken the coffee habit at work. I'm drinking water, and I'm doing okay. I can always take tea bags, too. Even though the coffee is super-cheap, it's not a good habit to go for it every day.

I just did a Pine Cone survey. It doesn't seem like I get them as often as I used to, but this is the third one this year. I did 17 last year. At $3 a pop, that was about $50 added to my budget. Better than picking up coins!

My taxes have now been paid. Now I wait for the TIAA payment. It usually hits on the 25th, as does my withdrawal for the assessment fees. This time the one is going to help pay for the other.

Still no check from the museum. I heard through the grapevine that the person responsible for opening the PO number has been sick. In fact, several people have been sick. I just keep using the hand sanitizer, and hope that I don't catch it.

I know I will get paid eventually but I wish I didn't have to wait so long. Pretty soon it will be time to write up another invoice, and then I will be three checks behind.

But I'm looking forward to a nice weekend -- even though it will be cold! Boo!

I went out to lunch with K. today; we had a great time and talked for an age. My bill was $15 including tip. Soup and sandwich. Too many calories, but very good comfort food.

After I got home and put in my time at the gym, I went to the grocery -- Food4Less -- and spent $25. I still have things on my list, so I will probably go to Jewel this weekend.

The tax payments are showing as "pending" in my bank account. I was planning to pay the Discover bill today, but realized I have to wait till my payment from TIAA goes in -- otherwise the automatic payment of my assessment fees might bounce. No problem; I just have to remember. I usually pay the Discover bill on pay day, but it isn't due till the 6th.

I packed a lunch this morning and took it to work, even though I knew I was going out to lunch! The habit is so strong I just did it on automatic. Luckily, there is a fridge at work and I can eat my lunch tomorrow.

I'm listening to an audiobook during my commute, and something odd happened today. One section of the book was repeated on different discs. At first I thought I had just drifted off and put in the wrong disc, but no, it was actually repeated. I wonder how often that happens?

I spent $9 on lunch today, a planned meeting with my professional group. Then I shopped at Aldi ($22) and bought gas (also $22). I also paid my mortgage. I'll pay off my Discover card tomorrow, when the deposit from SS no longer says "pending."

The lunch was downtown, so I rode the El, which feels like paying nothing. Actually, a small fee is withdrawn from my transit pass. But since I'm over 65, I get a reduced rate.

When I got downtown, I was turned around (like usual) and walked the wrong way for a few blocks. So I got plenty of exercise before I got straightened out. So I didn't go to the gym, since it's treadmill day anyway.

My lunch was great. I was planning to get a hamburger, because this place makes my favorite hamburger, but the line was long and I wanted to get to my table, where others were already eating and talking. So I went to another line where only salad was served. I got a chopped salad, and it was delicious! Laura, if you're reading this, yes, it was Portillo's!

Now I'm doing a load of laundry and getting ready for tomorrow -- that means planning my outfit, and planning my lunch. Tomorrow promises to be another beautiful day. I will be so sad when this freaky warm weather ends!

Today was the last day in my pay cycle, and I did not spend a penny. (And I won't -- until tomorrow.) So I did my February recap:

Car Repair/Maintenance - $975
Property Tax - $970
Housing - $695
Utilities - $162
Medical/Health - $121
Gifts/Charity - $108
Groceries - $98
Vacation/Travel - $85
Eating Out - $84
Fees/Services - $60
Clothing/Accessories - $54
Gas - $53
Phone - $52
Personal - $27
Furnishings/Equipment/Decor - $24
Household Supplies - $19
Laundry - $15
Vet/Pet Supplies - $9
Fares/Parking - $4

Total - $3615

It was a high-spending month, but that was mainly because of the car repair and the property tax. Everything else was in line. I spent 98% of my variables budget.

Next month's challenges will be paying the federal & state taxes. I also have a lot of things coming up -- a tune-up and oil change in March, and in April I am scheduled to see the dentist and the eye doctor. And I do believe the cats are due for check-ups at the vet in March. It never ends, does it?

I didn't hear from my boss, and I couldn't figure out from the internet whether I had Presidents Day off. So I sent her another email early this morning saying I needed to take the day off, whether it was a holiday or not. Which was true; I had a raging headache. But I also wanted to stay home so that I would not have to use gas. I have enough in the tank to get to work and back tomorrow, and then my budget will reset on Wednesday.

My monthly fee for Planet Fitness hit ($10) so my variables are at 98%. I really ought to adjust the budget so that the PF fee is not a variable -- it is actually a fixed cost, though not a necessity. Maybe I'll do that next month.

Speaking of PF, I went there this morning, after skipping yesterday. I'm starting to feel a relapse -- diet and exercise both -- and I have to be more vigilant. Since I've given away my bigger clothes, I really can't go back.

I took a nap this afternoon and my headache is better, almost completely gone. I just hope the nap doesn't affect getting to sleep tonight.

Once pay day comes, I immediately have two lunches out coming up. On Wednesday I am meeting my professional group, and on Thursday my friend K. As I've said before, I can't keep up my social contacts without eating out, so it's just something I have to budget for. And of course, I do enjoy it.

No mail today, so it looks like I will not get a check before pay day. Thank goodness for the slush fund.

I did a load of laundry yesterday, and that was my only spending.

I went to my grandson's basketball game in the morning, and in the evening I went to a family dinner -- free pizza, salad and ice cream -- woo hoo! Also got to play euchre, which I don't get to do too often.

I mopped the kitchen and bathroom -- my most hated job. I made some spinach dip, which I will pair with crackers for lunches. Seems like I did more, but the rest was just routine stuff.

I watched two movies on Showtime's freebie weekend -- Big Eyes and 45 Years. Planning to watch more today, even though it is beautiful outside, and I should spend some time walking, too.

I am wondering if I am supposed to work on Monday, since it is Presidents Day. I emailed my boss, but it is her work email, and she hasn't answered. It would be great if I didn't have to go in. I might be able to get by on the gas I have.

I just had a feeling I should check my variables entries, and sure enough, there were things I forgot to record. I've actually spent 97% of my budget! In cash, that means I have only $26 to play with. Well, that's mostly going to have to go to gas, so I'm done.

I think I have enough of everything on hand that it won't be a problem; just an annoyance. I sure will be glad to see pay day, though!

So it will be a weekend of sticking around home. I think Showtime is having a freebie weekend, and I have my grandson's last basketball game to attend, so I will have entertainment. The weather has suddenly turned beautiful, so maybe I will take some walks.

I am happy to have a couple of days off, too!

The package I mailed yesterday cost $12, and I also paid $1.50 to wash my towels. My variables are up to 90%. Seven days to go, with about $73 to spend.

I am still waiting to get paid this year. The museum owes me two checks now. I wish they could get their accounting figured out, but I think the real problem is my boss' boss. She is the one who has to open new budget lines, and it seems she just doesn't get around to it.

If a $1000 check were to come before pay day, I wouldn't have to take any money out of savings to pay my taxes. Of course, I can always reimburse savings when the check comes -- I'd just rather not have to go through the motions.

I had a nice day yesterday. I accomplished one major thing. I fixed my TV! I have Comcast, basic cable, and I was losing stations and getting scrambled pictures on some stations. I Googled the problem, and found that it was a signal problem. I checked and tightened my connections, and then I unplugged my cable box for a few seconds and plugged it back in. Lo and behold, the stations worked, BUT the TV Guide part showed everything as "To Be Announced." I looked up the problem again and learned that the information would populate within 48 hours. True again, it's all back to normal. What did we do before Google?

For the second year in a row, my grandsons planned (though did not execute) a Valentine's Day dinner. This time it was strongly influenced by our cruise. They played the part of our cruise waiter very well. They created the menu, too, which was very cute. Actually, they each created a menu. Here is the ten-year-old's:

Menu

Main Course
Steak with a side of pineapples and oranges in a bowl and mashed potatoes and asparagus, and of course corn

dessert
Strawberry brownie trifle with brownies, strawberries whip cream and a choice of chocolate syrup

Appetizers
Fried shrimp
potstickers (crossed out)

You don't have to choose everything

Here is the seven-year-old's menu:

Valentines dinner

Appetisers
Fried shrimp
Potstickers

Meals
Stake with a side of spise and asparagus mash and corn

Desrt
Strawberry brownie triffle with brownies, strawberries, whip cream, and a choise of chocolate syrup.

Can you stand the cuteness?

They were excellent little servers, as well.

I was startled to receive a Valentine's gift from my DIL (well, supposedly from son, too, but I don't think he did anything but nod approval). They gave me a bracelet and a bag of Intelligentsia coffee. I felt bad I had nothing in return, but they did not seem to expect anything. It has never been our tradition before to exchange gifts on Valentines Day; it's always been just a little gift for the kids.

My non-chocolate lover was very excited about the chewy caramels. The chocolate lover was happy with the chocolate drops. Both seemed befuddled by the Swedish fish, but I think they will enjoy them once they try them.

So, anyway, a lovely night, and now I have a day off!

I'm planning to make fettucine Alfredo. I also have chicken noodle soup to use up, and I'm going to take a container of it to C. Another container went into the freezer. When am I going to learn to make less? Well, I know the reason -- I tend to make whatever amount I have to in order to use up what I'm trying to get rid of.

I'm also going to mail a package to my sister (if I get it boxed up!) Books for her, a shirt for her husband.

I have baby clothes for my niece, but I keep thinking I will visit there and not need to mail them -- have to hurry before the baby grows too big!

And I think I will wash a load of towels. And perhaps even take that "soapy" comforter to the laundromat to get it thoroughly rinsed.

Wow, just filled up my day. But for now, I will focus on getting to the gym.

I think it's been a no-spend day! Not that I didn't want to! I CRAVED coffee at work, and then, on the way home, I was DYING for something to eat. But I didn't get either one. Drank water at work, and waited until I was home to eat. Which meant waiting until I was done at the gym, and also at the library.

Oh wait. I spent .25 to park at the library. I would say that's unavoidable, but I could have parked free a couple of blocks away, and it's certainly a nice enough day to walk.

But .25 ain't bad.

Free dinner tonight at my son's house. Tomorrow I stay home from work; hoping to get a lot of little chores done.

I earned $23 from Discover this month, so that went on my snowflakes.

My boss let me go early today because she had run out of work for me. I hope this doesn't signal the end of my run. I think she just has to meet with her boss and regroup; prioritize projects and so forth. I'm figuring I'll be needed until the campaign is over, but with contract work, you just never know.

One week to go till pay day. About $85 left in the budget.

Well, I stopped at Walgreens and bought little valentine bags, filling one with Swedish fish and caramels, and one with Swedish fish and Hershey's milk chocolate drops. Hope this will make both boys happy. Total cost: $14, even though all the candy was on sale.

Son & DIL are having a Valentine dinner tomorrow night, so I'll deliver them then.

I placed a $50 order from OTC-Essentials. It's a $50 value but I don't pay anything -- it is a benefit of my Medicare plan. This time I ordered baby aspirin, generic Pepsid AC, a bathtub mat, generic Zyrtec and Chapstick.

I went out to lunch yesterday with C, DIL and the grandsons, after the Tae Kwan Do ceremony. We went to Chipotle, and my lunch was $8 -- I took enough home for a second lunch, so that wasn't too bad.

My variables are up to 88%, but only nine days to go.

Yesterday, in addition to the spending I did at the gas station, and at Target, I spent $3 on laundry.

I baked gingersnaps and made a batch of chicken noodle soup.

Today I am going to my grandson's Tae Kwan Do promotion ceremony. He's getting a new belt! I'm not sure what color. I've kind of lost touch with his progress since they moved his lessons to the school from the Y, and classes are no longer open to family members.

I hope to tackle making scones today. I've never tried making them, but they're one of my favorite things to buy at the museum cafe. Homemade has to be a lot cheaper.

Wondering what to do about Valentine's Day for the grandsons. One has decided he does not like chocolate, so I have to think of something else. Maybe caramels? I can't get my mind around not liking chocolate!

I've got ten days until pay day, and about $110 left to spend to stay within budget. Should be easy enough, but I will have to fill the tank again, and I've made vague promises to eat out with friends, so I'll see whether those plans materialize. Eating out is instrinsically linked with my social life; I think that's just how it is for single people.

Yesterday I spent $6 on dental picks. My lower teeth were driving me crazy; I felt like there was plaque stuck between them. I've been working on them, but still feel the plaque. I suppose the picks are not as sharp as the dentist's. Oh well, I think I have improved things, anyway.

The surprising thing is that I have regained feeling in my lower front gums. That area has been numb for years, following oral surgery. The surgeon said the feeling would eventually come back, but it's been more than 15 years! I have stopped expecting improvement for a long time. Weird.

Today I got gas - $24 - and used my $10 Target gift card. I bought cat food and pantiliners and two valentines, and paid just .97.

Later today I'll do a couple loads of laundry and bake some cookies.

I have spent 85% of my variables budget, so I have wiggle room for necessities.

When payday hits, I'll be paying the $1000 auto repair bill as well as my $450 tax payment. Savings will take a hit, unless I get a check from the museum (which is a possibility; it's overdue.) Anyway, I'll be feeling poor, so it will be good to know that I have met the variables budget for two months in a row.

Dinner out was $13. I had budgeted $15, so I was pleased to come in a little under. Especially since I had to pay $1.25 for parking.

I think I will have to fill the gas tank twice, which will cost in the neighborhood of $40.

I will use the Target gift card to buy cat food and pantiliners, for sure. I think all other groceries can be put on hold.

I figure I'll have to spend $6 on laundry.

I can't think of any other necessities that might pop up in the next two weeks. If I hold it down to the above, I'll come in well under 100% on my variables.

And I also bought a $10 Target gift card for $5 on Groupon. I figure I'll use it for groceries or some other necessity. I will add $5 to my snowflakes.

I worked only four hours today -- we lost the internet for a while, and I cannot do my work without the internet. So I cut the day short. It's almost time to create another invoice anyway.

My variables are at 79%. There are two more weeks in my pay cycle, so I'm definitely running ahead. But I had an $80 medical bill, and a $60 fee to file my taxes, plus a weekend trip and a haircut. I hope I can cut back enough these next two weeks. I do have a restaurant dinner to pay for tomorrow, but I am hoping it will not be too expensive. I shouldn't have to buy much more in the way of groceries (and I'll have the $10 gift card to pay for them) but I will have to buy gas again.

Such is life. Little expenditures add up; little economies add up, too. I have fun trying to hit the right balance.