I'm not really in the challenge, as I purged 27 items only one day this week. I got rid of a bunch of frames I was going to use "someday", a sweater, a sweatshirt, a pair of sandals, three purses, a cross-stitch pillow cover that only reminds me of my divorce.... Most things went to Goodwill.

My laundry sorter broke -- it was already on life support, but this time an important joint just disintegrated. I went to Wal-Mart to get a replacement, which I didn't find, but I found something better. They now have slender individual plastic hampers called sorters. I bought four -- for darks, lights, colors and reds. I'm very happy to have a sorter for reds -- I wear red a lot, and it doesn't wash well with anything else. Plus, I will throw pinks and purples into that load. The four sorters were $28. While I was there I also bought some margarine and CoQ10 -- $2 and $25 respectively.

I did not grocery shop, other than the margarine.

I went to Goodwill to look for corduroy pants, which I didn't find. I bought five Blue Willow bread plates and bowls for $1 each. It's not the kind I collect, but I will resell them in the booth (for a lot more!) I also found a brand-new in-the-box drying rack from Target for $5. It had to be assembled, which went well for a change. I also found some bangle bracelets for my grand-nieces' Christmas jewelry boxes.

I went to the zoo with my grandsons on Saturday -- a beautiful day! Spent $10 on McDonalds and $25 on gas. Came home exhausted and had to take a pain pill, but it was fun!

Last night I wanted to use up some chicken, and I got creative. I decided to make mini pizzas with Grands biscuits, cheese, a homemade tomato-teriaki sauce and chicken . I pressed the biscuits down into flat discs, spread them with a sauce made of ketchup, teriaki marinade, and chopped garlic, added a layer of cheddar cheese, then topped them all with chicken cubes and a little more teriaki sauce. Sounds good, huh?

Well, I will eat them, but I don't think I will ever serve this recipe to anyone else. Perhaps if I had cut down the teriaki it would have been better -- the flavor is very strong. Furthermore, the biscuits didn't stay flat, but rose up so that they look like cinnamon rolls rather than mini-pizzas. But, as I said, edible. I will eat them.

Today I packed a Lean Cuisine, yogurt, an apple and a clementine for lunch, as well as a bacon biscuit for breakfast. After I ate everything I still felt hungry - so much so that I went to the cafeteria and bought two cookies -- something I almost never do. I wonder if I am hungrier than usual because I am recovering? I just can't get over how hungry I am all the time.

I did not purge 27 items yesterday. I will probably do most of my purging on weekends. I've already purged a lot, what with my moving around, downsizing, and a recent cleaning out of my closet. But I know from experience there is always more. My papers are particularly in a mess, so I guess that is the place to start.

It was cold and rainy today. And windy! Lake Michigan is pummeling the shoreline -- you may have seen it on the national news. I hate this kind of weather. I was really unmotivated at work, and though I tried, I didn't accomplish much. I couldn't stay on task. So I came home feeling yucky because I was such a washout at work, and didn't even really enjoy my evening.

AND I'm really off my diet, taking in the comfort food like I'll never see it again.

I suspect the real problem is that I am still not back to normal after my surgery. My belly button hurts, and I am tired and drained, even though I am sleeping fine.

What does this have to do with finances? Nothing. But whenever I get low like this, I worry like crazy about money. It doesn't help that the medical bills are forcing me to exceed my income. It doesn't feel good.

I got another bill today, $51. It seems like they will never stop.

It's surprising to me how expensive the anitbiotics were. Thousands of dollars. And of course all the radiology was outlandish, too. I certainly hope this is the last medical episode I will have for a while.

Sorry about all the complaining. I'll feel better in the morning, I know.

I did find a penny today, so it's not all bad!

Had my post-op appointment. He said everything is ok, but tonight I'm feeling discomfort in the navel area. Probably because it's the first day I've been without the thick, protective bandage. Anyway, I hope that's all it is.

Ironically, two of the co-workers who were so helpful to me are now having their medical troubles. One had knee surgery. She came to work today but couldn't make it past eleven. I drove her home and bought her a sandwich for lunch. And my other co-worker just had gall bladder surgery this morning. I sent her flowers. I'm glad I can do a little something to pay back, but not glad that they are suffering! Our office has been hit hard by medical emergencies. Another co-worker had an appendectomy a couple of weeks ago. This is nuts! It's not a big office!

Just got another bill from the infusion center for $213. I'll have to check -- the amount seems familiar. I may have paid it already. Glad I have that notebook of receipts.

Too many deals to take advantage of...

10 packages Green Giant frozen vegetables -- on sale
5 packs of yogurt desserts -- on sale
4 Grands biscuits - 3 coupons $1.10 off -- on sale
1 Pillsbury crescent rolls -- on sale
Wine -- on sale
Box of 4 bakery muffins -- $1 off coupon
Body wash - on sale
Bread -- on sale
Milk -- on sale
2 boxes Russell Stover chocolates - BOGO

Total: $49.80
Savings: $29.11

The chocolates are for a co-worker who helped me out a lot when I was sick.

The yogurt desserts, biscuits and crescent rolls were part of a General Mills promotion -- got $5 off for buying 10.

I thawed and cooked a pan full of chicken medallions this morning which I will use throughout the week.

My fridge and freezer are unusually well-stocked. I might try and skip grocery shopping next Saturday.

Last night, at the final dinner for Homecoming, I missed my chance for another free meal. After the guests were all seated, our alumni director told me I could go home. (I had been there since 3:30). I started putting on my coat, and the waiter suddenly arrived, delivering salads to the working staff! Well, I felt funny saying, "Oh, I think I'll stay for the meal!" when I already had my coat half on, so I left. Truthfully, I was glad to go; I was very tired and ready to sleep. I came home and had some chicken noodle soup and conked out for the night.

I worked at Homecoming registration after a full day of work yesterday, then went in and worked a couple more hours this morning, after a very poor night's sleep. I won't get any extra pay for this, I'm salaried. But it is pretty much expected.

I did get a free dinner last night, and there was coffee and donuts this morning, but I had already gotten breakfast at McDonald's -- $4.26. I didn't know if I would be fed, and didn't want my stomach rumbling.

I have to go back this afternoon for more of the same. The reason there is so much registration work is that there are many different reunion events taking place. Very fun for the alumni; they seem to be having a blast.

I got paid and paid my bills. I had to transfer $800 from savings to cover all the extra medical bills, but that's better than I thought it would be. Now back to building up my EF again.

Went to my conference yesterday. My GPS did a crappy job of directing me -- told me I was there, when there were still miles to go. Wasted a lot of time and gas finding the right location.

Had two nice meals, met some really nice people, and got a free tour of a new museum exhibit. Oh, and the sessions were good, too.

Chicago certainly looked the "city of big shoulders" with industrial gray skies and smokestacks spewing steam (?) into the foggy sky. I loved the drive.

I had the urge to stop for fast food on the way home, but overcame it. Instead I had a nice meal of crackers, hummus, clementine and a cheese stick, and was perfectly satisfied.

Tonight I am working at Homecoming. I may get some free snacks/dinner -- then again I may not. You never know if you're going to have the free moments, or if there is too little, so "family hold back."

My samplers were ready today. I left from work a little early and went straight to Michael's. For once, I drove there and back in traffic that was moving! I guess earlier is better.

The samplers look great, though they are bigger than I expected. But I always have that reaction when I have something framed.

I found a quarter in front of the store.

Someone left a (wrapped) muffin in the break room. I'll have it for breakfast tomorrow before I get on the road for my conference in the city. Breakfast and lunch will be provided (but since the drive may be an hour, I'll need to eat before I get there).

Parking will be $18! I can probably have the college reimburse me, but I don't think I will ask. Since it is my job to raise money for the college, I like to help them out in little ways. No, I won't get credit for the $18, but still, it's $18 the college can use for something else. They are already paying for the conference.

I sold a book on half.com today. It was the second one this week. One was 4.99 and one was 3.99, so I'll be getting that plus postage in my account. I always make a little money on postage -- the rate is lower than their estimate. And I am very creative about the way I wrap the book. Not that I would ever do a bad job of it -- but I try not to buy mailing bags, which would just eat up the profit. I save small boxes and mailing bags that come to me, or that come to work, and if I have neither I wrap the book in bubble wrap and heavy paper, well taped. That's what I did this time.

I must say I am a bit surprised whenever I sell a book. It seems to me that Kindle will eventually make deep cuts in the used book market. But I suppose there are others, like me, that like the physical book. I, however, prefer to get my books free, whether passed on from friends, or borrowed from the library.

That reminds me, I need to take some books to one of my co-workers. She is good about passing them along to me, and I need to reciprocate. I think I have a sense of what she likes. I'll scour my shelves.

I've started something new with my to-do list. I used to make a pretty long list, putting down every thing I could think of, and then crossing off the few things I actually did.

Recently, I've been putting my to-do list on one of those mini post-it notes and attaching it to my DayRunner. There is room for only about six lines. It forces me to choose what REALLY needs to get done. The next day I make sure I've done them all and throw away the note, and make a new one. I may be no more productive, but it feels like I am!

In other news, I pulled up my Discover statement, which closed yesterday. It is $1784 -- maybe a new high. This includes $972 in medical, $276 to supermarkets (with a $40 cashover on one trip), $84 for services, $38 for gasoline, $65 to restaurants, $347 for merchandise (big chunk of that went to framing the samplers). So I can't completely blame medical, but without the medical it would have been a fairly typical month. I'll pay it off on Friday when I get paid.

My dryer is working. Hurray! So nice to have that taken care of with no cost and no hassle. Of course, I'm paying for it in my rent.

AND, I found a shiny new dime!

My cat sounded terrible last night, sneezing and wheezing. I called the vet this morning and took him in at noon. The vet diagnosed a probable infection or virus and gave him an injection and sent him home with a bag of medicinal treats. $136.

He was surprisingly docile, which I put down to how bad he was feeling. This evening he seems better, so I'm glad I did it. I grabbed lunch at McDonald's while I was out -- $3.61. And I mailed a package after work, a half.com sale -- $2.82.

I spoke too soon. He just fired off another round of sneezes.

Another medical bill - radiology - $33.45. I think that should about finish up my FlexPro account.

I just topped off my leftover soup with salsa and finished it off. Now it's truly gone.

I bought a book of stamps today -- $8.80. I'll send in my $123 medical bill tomorrow.

Got a free breakfast at work -- fruit (good) and sweets (not so good). But free is free. I've kept below my calorie limit, even with the extra sweets.

I made soup for dinner -- actually I just extended soup I already had, adding potato flakes to thicken and cheese to add protein. It was pretty good. There was a little left. Maybe I can extend it more tomorrow! It can be my endless bowl of soup.

My cat is sneezing like crazy. I suppose I should take him to the vet, but he is just awful at vet visits. And if they give me medicine, I doubt that I could get it into him. He is a wild and crazy guy. I am going to cross my fingers and hope it goes away.

Not much else to report. I am enjoying getting back into good health, and the beautiful weather isn't hard to take, either. I hear it will be cold for Homecoming this weekend. That's okay. I want to wear my "new" sweatshirt ($3 at Goodwill!)

I'm off to work. I feel pretty good, though I haven't stopped taking pain pills. I imagine today will be tiring, but I'm glad to be back in action. I'm glad to have this whole thing behind me.

I checked my Discover account and it is more than $1700. I also put $300 on my Capital One card. I'll be making a withdrawal from savings to pay both of those off.

The medical bills seem be slacking off, so I hope this will be the worst month.

On Thursday I am heading to a day-long conference downtown, and this weekend I will work Homecoming -- usually that means working at a registration table somewhere, probably for several different events. I am certainly jumping back into the fray. Hope my strength holds up.

I didn't try to diet during this time at home -- in fact, I ate everything I wanted to. The scale didn't punish me this morning. I'm back to counting calories today. I can't outgrow my wardrobe!

I'm doing this now without even counting! Fifteen items seem to automatically fall into my cart. This week's items:

2 half gallons ice cream - on sale
1 dozen eggs - on sale
Bag of coffee beans - on sale
Greek yogurt
Milk
Bag of clementines
Can of nacho cheese - on sale
Granola - house brand
Crackers - house brand on sale
Bag of breadsticks
2 boxes oatmeal cookies -- house brand on sale
Cat Chow - $1 off coupon
Ground coffee (for work) - on sale, $1 off coupon

Total: $51.70
Savings: $16.77

I also got gas - $30.95

After this trip I was really ready to come home and rest, but I'm feeling better every day. Going to work tomorrow is now a plausible idea.

I got my new electricity bill - $40.

I don't know if drying my comforter did this, but my dryer is no longer heating up. It runs, but never gets warm. I put in a maintenance request online. I hope they actually read those!

I was drying a load of whites, which was lucky, because I will have plenty of underwear for a while. I hung everything up over doors and towel racks. Many things are already dry. Still, I hope it gets fixed soon. I have a full load of darks ready to be washed. I will run out of pants if they don't get washed fairly soon. I guess I could break down and wear skirts to work.

In normal circumstances, I would go to the laundromat, but I don't think I feel well enough to do that today. I would have to sit and wait on those hard chairs -- just don't think I'm up to it. Nor should I be carrying anything remotely heavy.

I do plan to make a short run to the grocery today if I feel up to it. But if I don't, it can wait another day.

I spent most of today sleeping on and off. Yes, those painkillers are good, especially for making me sleep! I did go out this morning to take a form to my doctor's office, and got a smoothie at McDonald's on the way.

Got another medical bill -- I think it's about $120 -- I won't pay it till after the 11th when my credit card turns over. Also got two prescriptions for $10.

I have to give myself an injection in my abdomen, the idea of which was freaking me out, but it's not too bad. Most people who have appendectomies don't have to do this, but I have an enzyme in my blood that puts me at risk for clots. So I have to be on the safe side.

I'm feeling better, but even so, it's hard to believe I will go to work on Monday. I'll have to start feeling a lot better!

Thanks to everyone for your good wishes!!!

Just checking in. My appendectomy was yesterday and I went home at about 4. I'm really sore! And I have to give myself a shot for three days. But everything went all right.

That this site was unavailable all afternoon? To me, anyway. Just got a blank. Now that I'm home, it's fine.

Tomorrow I go in for my appendectomy. I have to be there at 5:45 in the morning, and since I can't drive myself, I had to ask a co-worker to get me there that early. Makes me feel so bad -- what nice thing can I do for her?? My son will be available to take me home afterwards. Here's hoping it's as simple and routine as they say. And that I'm fairly comfortable afterward, and can halfway enjoy a few days of TV and reading.

I drove home from work in heavy traffic today only to have to turn around and go back. I had left my paperwork in my office -- the stuff the doctor has to fill out for work, since I'm taking three days off. Ironically, I didn't turn in any paperwork when I took three weeks off, but they weren't happy with me. However, they didn't send it to me till I was at home, and then what was I supposed to do? Call my doctors to come on out to my house and fill out some forms? Anyway, it was extremely clear to everyone at work that I was hospitalized and then homebound, and not playing hooky.

One good thing about having to drive back to work though -- I found three dollars in the parking lot! This never happens to me!

Today I paid another medical bill - $34 -- and sent in two more EOB's to FlexPro. I only have about $60 left in FlexPro so I'm almost done with that.

Last night as I was getting ready for bed, my cat threw up on my comforter. It had to be washed, but it barely fits in my washer. I have been drying it now, over and over. I can't tell you how many drying cycles it's been through, and it's still damp. Of course, I should have taken it to a laundromat where there is larger equipment, but I was too tired, and it was too late.

I slept under an old quilt that wasn't quite warm enough. Today the weather is much warmer, so it won't really matter, but I'll be glad to have my comforter back on the bed!

It seems that Sunday is becoming my official no-spending day. I stick close to home and take it easy.

I did do some cooking. I made blueberry pancakes from scratch for breakfast (and froze enough for three more breakfasts). For lunch I made rotini Alfredo. Well, the Alfredo sauce was store-bought, so that was pretty easy. Enough for two more lunches in that batch. Dinner was canned soup and biscuits. I stayed under my calorie limit, with the help of an hour-long walk that burned 270 calories. Once again, it was a beautiful day. The sky was china-plate blue, and the sumac is starting to turn red. I love the early fall.

I watched several more episodes of "Mad Men." It is set in 1960, when I was eleven. I realized today that the show represents the kind of life I THOUGHT I was going to grow up into. How things have changed! Some good changes -- the sexism makes me cringe, but how well I remember it. I thought it was always going to be that way! But life was also a little more relaxed, I think. Not so many rules and regulations. No food police!

They are really good with the details, so I find myself trying to catch them in a discrepancy. I think I've seen only one -- in a dinner scene they were eating European-style, with the fork in the left hand. I'm pretty sure that did not become fashionable in America until the late sixties. But I may be wrong. I was a kid; I sure wasn't eating European-style!

Way back then, I read a book called "Sex and the Single Girl" which I took as gospel. Probably about when I was thirteen or fourteen. The atmosphere in Mad Men really reminds me of the book -- the expectation that women had to "catch" men by any means necessary; the acceptance of sexuality, even sexual harassment in the workplace, the drinking, the smoking.... This is how I thought life would be when I grew up, but everything changed. Thank goodness. I've certainly lived in a time of great social change. My kids have no idea how it used to be. I should make them watch that show!

Why did I even wonder whether I would go to the rummage sale or not? I can't resist them.

I spent $9.50 and got three crystal goblets, a large Anchor Hocking glass bowl, a smaller, more decorative glass bowl, a Limoges two-handled cup and a decanter. I bought them all for the booth, but I may keep the big bowl. I have nothing like it.

The reason I got such good deals was that they were selling housewares half-price. I also took a look at their "collectibles" room -- where nothing was half-price -- and everything was way too costly. Fair prices, but not low enough for a re-seller like me.

I stopped at Wal-Mart on the way and spent $29 on household stuff and $5 on a prescription. The machine would not accept my FlexPro card for the prescription, though it has many times before. According to my records, I still have about $100 left on the card, so I can't understand what was wrong. I finally just paid cash; it was too frustrating.

When I got on the scale this morning it registered a number I did not like at all, so I am back on the wagon. Counting calories and exercising. I took a 45-minute walk today. After a cold morning, the afternoon weather was lovely.

I got an email from the property company requesting rent payment today. Duh, I paid it on September 15. I pay ahead to avoid foolishness like this. I replied that my rent was already paid and to please check their records. I have my receipt if they question it further.

What a month. Crazy spending. Here is how it breaks down:

Medical: 1630
Rent: 1132
Utilities: 229
Furnishings & Equipment: 227
Groceries: 182
Gifts/Charity: 110
Eating Out: 75
Insurance: 66
Business: 54
Gas: 38
Personal: 32
Vet/Pet Supplies: 30
Car Repair/Maintenance: 25
Clothing: 23
Entertainment: 12
Household Supplies: 3

Total: 3868

It is the costliest month I've had all year, but what really tipped the scale was the medical. I supposedly have an out-of-pocket cap of $1750. We'll see if that holds true. I'm almost there.

I was looking at a magazine in the break room today and pulled out an insert with coupons for Dominick's. It was a good find. I shopped on the way home from work. I paid $23.82, and my total savings was $17.77, or 43%! Here is what I bought:

5 "Eating Right" entrees (their version of Lean Cuisine)
1 box Eggo muffin tops
2 lbs. Jimmy Dean sausage
Alfredo sauce
Freschetta pizza
Red Baron pizza

Obviously, it was a frozen food promotion. I had coupons on all of the above, as well as a $5 off coupon for buying $15 worth of frozen food. That's okay. I will want a stocked freezer when I'm recovering from my surgery -- which is next Wednesday.

And since I bought only 11 items I can still go to Wal-Mart tomorrow and get the few things I need.

Tomorrow there is a rummage sale at a big church in a well-heeled area. I want to go, but then again, I want to make October a lot leaner than September. But there might be great deals! Or I might just spend money on things I don't need! What to do, what to do. I'll see how I feel tomorrow.

Last night I pressed my samplers and took them to Michael's. This time the trip took even longer than last time -- stop, stop & go traffic all the way. I'm so glad to have that done. Next on my list -- get some jewelry repaired. I'll wait a bit on that.

No spending yesterday, no medical bills arrived. It was a pretty calm day.

I started watching "Mad Men" on Netflix. I'd never seen it before, though, of course, heard a lot about it. Since I am old enough to have lived in that era (as a young teen) it brought back a lot of memories. Yes, people smoked all the time like that! I have never smoked in my life, other than one cigarette in the bathroom when I was in eighth grade. I was somewhat of a novelty among my friends, because everyone else was a smoker. When I was in graduate school, people smoked all through the seminars. There was a permanent haze in the air. I'm glad that kind of acceptance is no more -- and I'm glad I never got addicted myself. Just think of what I've saved by that one good habit alone!

I am getting so tired of medical runarounds. I have promptly paid every bill that's been sent to me, and still there is hassle.

I got an email from FlexPro saying I had to send them an EOB statement for the whopping $14.10 I charged to their card. Uh, it's from Adventist Health System. Do they think I bought candy there? I wonder if this is going to happen for every charge I made. Why do they even issue a credit card if you have to send documentation for everything?

Well, for the last three days I have not received a new bill, so that's something.

I was supposed to go to a library book discussion last night, but when push came to shove, I just wanted to stay home. Maybe I will enjoy that sort of outing more when I am not working. Instead I watched the last episode of "Downton Abbey" on Netflix. I am really enjoying that series, but it stopped with Episode 7, clearly right in the middle. I have to find out how to see more. Maybe the library has it.

Looks like this weekend's grocery shopping will be at Wal-Mart. I need to fill a prescription, and so far I have no food items on my list other than wine, which isn't a necessity.

Well, I found Michael's. It is at least two suburbs away, maybe more, but I found it with no trouble. However, it was after work, and I was in rush hour traffic, so it took a while.

I had a coupon for frames for 25% off, so I found a nice 8 x 10 for my son's wedding picture (if it ever comes -- that's another story). I wanted to find one that coordinated with my other son's wedding picture, and I found a good one. After the discount, it was 7.99. A lot more than I pay at Goodwill, but I've been looking at Goodwill for a while and not finding one. I used my 40% off coupon on a set of figurines for my DIL's Christmas display. The set included a yellow lab (like theirs), so I thought it was a winner. It will be a Christmas gift. After the discount, it was about $10. I also bought a tiny plate stand for a little Chinese plate that has been dangerously propped up on a shelf. Looks much nicer now. And I picked up $17 worth of baking supplies for a co-worker who will pay me back.

My BIG expenditure was getting my two samplers framed. I had a coupon for 60% off, but it still cost over $100 for each. I don't have the receipt right now, but I believe one was $120 and one was $106. OUCH! I guess this is my Christmas present to myself this year. Both samplers are old and precious to me (I believe my grandmother did one as a girl), so they are worth being well-preserved, and I think they will be beautiful when finished. I've been meaning to do this for a long time.

The kicker is I have to press the samplers and take them back -- they don't want to stretch old material so they will be framed flat. If I want them to be wrinkle-free I have to take the wrinkles out myself. So I have to make that trip again.

Offermatic will refund me $5 for having shopped at Michael's, but in the light of what I spent, it doesn't seem like much of a savings!

My haircut cost $27, because I agreed to a blow-dry, and tipped generously. I got a really good haircut this time -- not from my regular stylist. I may want to switch, though that could be awkward.

I walked to the hairdresser, which gave me about 40 minutes of exercise, not counting the time I spent wandering around the grocery store looking for something to buy. I wanted to break a bill for change. I finally bought a birthday card. As it turned out, though, the hairdresser had a new setup so that I could put my tip on the credit card. So I didn't even have to break the bill.

Paid another $40 medical bill, this time to pathology consultants. Who knows what for. I must be getting near my cap.

My chicken fajitas turned out pretty good, which is good because I'll be eating them for a while. I have enough for at least two more servings, maybe three.

Tonight I'm going to Michael's -- not only to use my Offermatic rebate, but I also have a 40% off one item, a 25% off coupon on a frame (which I need) and they're running a special on custom framing -- and I have two samplers I've been wanting to frame for a long time. Their special is 60% off for two items. I just have to find one of them. I have an idea where it is -- I just hope it's there.

I still have the Tall Ships groupon -- my illness derailed my plans for taking a sail this summer. It expires on Saturday -- and now it's COLD! My son thought my grandson might be interested in going with me. I would have to leave work early on Friday to get there on time, and I've taken so much time for sick leave (and will take more) that I hate to ask. I think I may just have to let that $15 go.

For this week's grocery visit, instead of focusing on 15 items, I decided to maximize my coupon use. I had some that were ready to expire. Ironically, I bought 13 items, still well within my goal!

Head & Shoulders shampoo ($1 off coupon)
Cat Chow ($1 off coupon)
Advil ($1.80 off coupon & on sale)
2 bottles Chi-Chi's salsa ($1 off coupon & on sale)
Low-dose aspirin (on sale)
Keebler cookies (on sale)
Hummus ($1 off coupon)
Beef lunchmeat (house brand)
2 lbs. butter ($1 off & on sale)
Mayonnaise (house brand, $1 off coupon & on sale)
Bag of gala apples ($1 off coupon)

Total: $42.44
Total savings: $18

I'm pretty proud of the savings -- also the fact that everything I bought is something I use regularly.

Had a great time at my grandson's birthday party, but I came home to a reminder of why I'm being so frugal -- in the mail was a letter from BCBS, a copy of what they had sent to the hospital. They are denying the $95,000 claim until the hospital provides more information. Oy! This is totally out of my control but it makes me uncomfortable. I thought switching to a PPO plan would spare me this kind of grief, but apparently not. All I can say is, I hope the hospital follows through. They can't get $95,000 out of me -- that's more than two years' salary -- gross!

Today I'm resisting turning on the heat. It's a little cool, but I'm moderately comfortable in my sweatshirt. Tonight I'll use the heated mattress pad.

My only errand today -- a haircut!

This one from the infectious disease center. My share is $300.06. It doesn't give me the option of using my Discover card, and it's too big for my FlexPro card. Guess I'll put it on my Capital One. I will definitely have to hit savings next month to pay these off. I hate it that I am getting these bills at the same time that stocks are falling. Feels like a double whammy.

Tomorrow is my grandson's birthday. I'll go up in the morning for the party. I am regretting that I skipped the haircut last Saturday, because now it's looking pretty weedy. Not that my grandson will care, but I will see some folks that I don't see too often. My ex will probably be there. He actually came to visit when I was in the hospital, though, so he has seen me at my worst. (And no, I don't really care!)

Offermatic gave me a $5 rebate offer for anything at Michael's. I figure I can find something I can use for just over $5. Once I figure out where Michael's is! I've been here two years, and still, I am a newbie in many ways! Maybe if I were a big shopper I would get around more, but I'm not, so I only know a few shopping centers.

Someone here at work is bringing in cans of food and leaving them in the break room. No note or anything. I assume they are cleaning out their pantry and sharing. I have let them be for a few days, but if there are any left at the end of the day I will take some of them. I have no objection to free food! They are mainly soup and fruit; things I can use.

Now the medical bills are starting to hurt. Yesterday I got one for $658. I charged it to my Discover card, but that will tip the balance enough that I will have to dip into savings next month to pay the whole thing off.

I know that's what my emergency fund is for, but I hate to use it.

Any bills I get that are under $150 I will put on the FlexPro card. Looking at the BCBS website, it is obvious there are many to come.

The site says I have a limit of $1750 out of pocket. But the list of bills clearly totals up to way more than that. I wonder how it will work.

Meanwhile, I am keeping a notebook with a copy of every bill I pay, just in case it gets ugly.

I had an old friend stop by for lunch yesterday and I treated at a local restaurant. $25 for the two of us. We had chili and split a sandwich. She talked about planning a "girl's weekend" here in Chicago with another friend of ours. She lives in Indiana and the other friend is in Minnesota, so Chicago is the midway point. Very convenient for me! Plans haven't materialized yet, but I think the idea is a night in one of the downtown hotels and dinner out. Sounds fun, but pricey. I'm definitely the poor one in this group. And now that all my extra money is going to medical bills -- well, it will be a challenge.

The medical bills are starting to hit. Yesterday I got four of them. They totaled $490. Three of them were for radiology, and one was pharmacy and minor surgery. Minor surgery, I ask? What was that? Then I remembered that having one of the abscesses drained was considered minor surgery.

On the BCBS website, I see that the hospital has charged for the two-week-plus stay. $95,000! Insurance is still considering what it will pay, so I don't know yet what my responsibility will be. But wow. The house I used to own cost $95,000.

I called FlexPro to see how much is left in my flexible spending account. I have $261. I charged $76 to it from the bills above, so now I have $185.

I had to write checks for two of the bills, as they didn't provide any option for credit card payment. (My FlexPro account is a debit card). Well, there will still be plenty of opportunities to use up that money.

In other news, I signed up to take part in a book discussion at the library. The book is "Little Heathens," a memoir about growing up during the Great Depression. I haven't started reading it yet, but the topic interests me. A second program will be a presentation about depression-era recipes, and that interest me, too.

It's beginning to seem like every weekend I have one super-lazy day. On Sunday I did nothing productive. Well, I did vacuum and take out the garbage and I put a load of whites in the washer to soak. That was it.

The rest of the day I read, watched movies on Netflix, played computer games and napped. It was a rainy day, so very good weather for laziness. I was planning to get a haircut, but just couldn't make myself leave the house. I decided my hair will look okay for another week.

Of course, a lazy day is also a no-spend day and a no-gas day, so that is some sort of accomplishment!

I'm in a bit of a spending spree. Last night I went out to dinner and it cost $38. I had decided to choose an healthy low-calorie meal, no matter what the cost. It was a fish special -- I can't remember the name of the fish, but it was an unfamiliar one. It was pretty good, but I was not blown away. But at least I stayed somewhat within my calorie limit. (Yesterday I said I would get chicken tacos, but it turned out I snacked during the day and had to scale down).

I still owe $$$ for part of the honoree's dinner, and for my part of her gift. We'll figure that out on Monday.

This morning I went to the grocery store with my freshly-weeded packet of coupons (there were a LOT of expired coupons!) I stuck to my fifteen items, since one of my Lean Cuisine coupons was expired.

House brand honey nut cheerios -- ($1 off coupon)
House brand tissue
6 Lean Cuisines - on sale & $1.25 off coupon
Bag of romaine lettuce - on sale
2 boxes pre-cooked bacon -- $1 off coupon
Ice cream - on sale
Pecan Sandies - on sale
Tomatoes on the vine
Cat Chow

Total -- $51.49
Total Savings -- $17.26

I also bought birthday presents for my grandson, which I didn't count with the fifteen. I bought a Diego doll, a duckling Beanie baby (he loves ducks), a four-pack of Play-Doh, some inflatable swim rings and birthday card for a grand total of $25. As the second child, this kid has everything in the world already, so I didn't go all out. The point will be the fun of opening the gifts.

I found another gift for him at Goodwill - $5 for a brand-new (with tags) Carter's baseball shirt. So that should round out the gift package nicely.

Other finds at Goodwill:

A Sag Harbor lightweight beige jacket, like new, $7
A fully-lined wool plaid blazer with velvet collar, $7
Two Japanese figurines for the booth - $1.98
Variety of gift wrap, $3
A Hunt Club sweatshirt, like new, $5

I also bought gas -- $38.30.

And I bought lunch at McDonald's -- $3.91. Could have skipped that -- I had food at home -- but I had a craving for the mango smoothie.

I still have to get a haircut, but I may do that tomorrow.

Oh, and another medical bill arrived -- this one from the infusion center -- $97.

Money out, money out!