I forgot all about the gift exchange they do at Julie's school. I think I mentioned it in a previous post, where each child brings in a wrapped toy that they open, but the toy is donated to the school.

So yeah, forgot all about it. And yeah, honesty it wasn't in the budget this month to go out and buy a gift for her school, but it needed to be done.

I stopped by Target two days ago and picked up the cutest twin sets of babies. I thought the sign said $7.67, but it said $17.67 (not including tax). At first, I was just going to deal with it, b/c I knew that I was probably wrong and that I couldn't find a doll for much cheaper. Plus, I like the brand and they are something my daughter owns. I know nothing will withstand 18 three year olds playing with it all day, but these dolls have a chance of lasting, maybe 6 months.

Well, that night a Kohl's commercial came on that all of their Fisher Price toys are 50-60% off. Hmm ... maybe I can go and check them out. It couldn't hurt.

Scored the same set of babies for $10.67 (including taxes) I saved over $7 by driving .5 miles away. Of course I returned the other babies to Target, which was on my way home.

I feel accomplished. AND, I won't look too cheap since Kohl's prints the prices directly on the box, so the daycare will think I spent $19.99 plus tax on the silly dolls. I really don't know who would spend that kind of money on a set of dolls, but they were the last pair, so somebody did.

Juliette and I were discussing things last night, how fun it was to see Santa, how she's gotten tummy aches a couple of times this month ... normal silly stuff we actually talk about now, when it hit me ...the poor child hadn't gone #2 since Saturday.

So, I panic a little. I sent her to school today hoping there would be some sort of activity ... feeling like a bad mom that it took me so long to realize that there hadn't. After work today I picked her up, and no poop. Off to the store, for some juice. I laughed after we spent 1/2 an hour there, buying more junk we don't need. After checking out, she unbuckled herself from the cart and ran off towards the bathroom "You stay here mom!" I waited, but she was playing around ... so I went in after her. She was embarrassed, b/c she had finely gone, but in her panties. Oh, how I wish she had gone 30 minutes before ... you know, before stopping at the grocery store "for just one thing!" and walking out with $50 of junk. Luckily, most of it is things we'll use, and makes up for what my roommates took. Of course, cookies were on sale BoGo, which we didn't need, but were a nice treat.

At least we don't have to go to the doctors tomorrow! Tonight going to bed she looked at me and said "Tomorrow I'm sleeping in my bed without you." Cross your fingers everyone, I would love to sprawl out in bed by myself for one night. I can't believe she'll be three in less than three weeks.

I saved a puupy yesterday! At least I hope I did. I take a "shortcut" when coming from my parents to pick up Juliette from school. I say shortcut b/c it's through a neighborhood with speedbumps, and it really doesn't seem much shorter. Anywho, I almost hit a chihauhau. He was just hanging out in the street, so I pulled over a picked up the little guy. He was ADORABLE. I thought for about 1/10 of a second on just getting right back in my car and driving home, but ... I was more sensible than that. I knock on this lady's door, and she pointed across the street. She was sweet, but she said "Oh, he gets out all the time." I walked across the street and the lady who owned him thanked me about a million times. But, it worries me that he gets out a lot ... but you can't make people be good parents to children or dogs, you just hope they learn sometimes.

So, good deed of the day Check!

It was lightning really badly when we got home, so dinner was frozen waffles and bagles. It's no fun to be in the middle of a thunderstorm cooking dinner ... and your power goes out. I also gave Julie these little frozen yogurt bars I concocted. She LOVED it. All I did was take plain yogurt, peaches, and honey ... puree and freeze. It was like eating slightly sour icecream, the peaches did that. I bought some strawberry yogurt this week and some blueberries and bananas, all things I can freeze and use when needed.

I've spent $100 this week on groceries, which is A LOT for us. The thing is, if I've planned this right, we'll have enough food for at least three weeks. I'll have to buy milk, and possibly eggs and cheese, but everything else we've got plenty of. This includes fresh fruits and veggies, which are huge budget busters, plus all the staples, flour, sugar ... everything. Today I am going to start cooking, I even "spurlged" on chocolate chips for cookies. My daughter, like most toddlers, is a nut for sweets. Hence why I made her the frozen yogurt bars (her ice cream), and I hate to think of the horrid things that are in premade cookies. Plus, a little mom love goes a long way with cookies and children. I have more broccoli, spinanch and mushrooms than I know what to do with ... but luckily she'll eat all of that. Can you see me beaming over here ... my toddler eats veggies!

Today I am going to blow a little bit more of the money ... I mean, I'm going to actually do something for myself. I'll be heading out to check out Harry Potter ... but I'm bringing popcorn and soda with me. Our movie theater lets you bring in food, which I didn't know until I took my sister a few weeks ago and the family in front of us brought in subway. I guess they would rather you come and bring food than not come at all. I just finished reading book 6 again, waiting for my book to arrive on the 21st, and cried like a baby. Books always make me cry, but you know it's a good writer when you cry the 2nd or more time you've read a book.

Oh, and my roomie sprung on me night before last that there friend is bringing another friend down for his trip. URGH. They told me a bit ago that they have a friend coming into town. I don't have a problem with someone sleeping on the couch, not a big deal, as long as they are aware that Julie and I are early risers and sometimes that means a fight from her. Now, though, I'm agngry that he's brining a friend with him. First of all, we have one couch, and two love seats, not exactly the biggest either ... so I don't know where this other person is sleeping. Secondly, they told me this on Monday, and the people are coming on Friday. This angers me more than anything. If I have to, I can stay at my parents house, I know they won't mind, since they are out of town until Tuesday, but I don't feel like I should evict myself from my own house. We'll see though. On the other hand, I just got word that my brother is getting leave in late August, he's going back to Iraq in September. I told him to PLEASE come and sleep on my couch and harrass my roomies, and he laughed. He'll probably stay over though, so he doesn't get into it with my mother. Now, I have to think of something to get him for his birthday. He'll be turning 21 right before he comes home, but it needs to be something he either doesn't mind leaving behind for however long he is going to be over there this time, or something he can take with him. I am thinking about making a basket like thing, with a bunch of 80's candy and finding a Tennage Muntant Ninja Turtle stuffed animal like he had when we were kids. I don't know if this is a good idea, but my brother is hard to buy for. I am also giving him a tupperware thing of sand, just incase he doesn't see enough of it in Iraq.

I'm off to cook!

Sigh. There is nothing like car repairs.

My car got broken into on Christmas Eve. Luckily enough I came out right as the bastard was breaking into my car, and he only got away with three small toys. My backup Santa gifts for Julie and a new nightgown for her. Ugh. Luckily he practically hit a really nice guy, so there is a chance they will catch him. I'm not holding my breath, but still. SO, now I have to repair my lock on my door.

1. Fix the door. Car repair shop that I usually use is closed for the rest of the week, so I can't call for a quote. I did get a quote from the dealer, which is hopefully really really too much for $350.

2. Muffler is broken in half. It works, it's just the exhaust pipe. I need to get that fixed.

3. My brakes are squeaking. I need to get that checked out, and more than likely fixed.

4. My left rear tire is going flat. About once a week ... which I can handle right now, but I know it needs to be fixed.

5. I really am quite over-do for an oil change. Like REALLY over-do. I am going tomorrow after work to get it changed.

6. My air conditioner leaks into the car. I can't use the air conditioner, still, which isn't the end of the world at all. I just would like to get that fixed so I can use my air conditioner in the summer.

Anything else??!?!?! Does anyone else need work done on their car? You can probably sneak it in, and I wouldn't know.

Due to horrible planning, and my parents last minute notice that they were going out of town last week, I was short for daycare. Sigh

I hate this feeling.

So, I called up her father. Who is stating that he wants to be around ... still haven't seen him ... and asked to borrower $20. I can put gas in the car, get milk and pay daycare. I actually felt bad asking him to borrow money, which is just disgusting since he hasn't paid a dime for her in 19 months.

Sigh, at least he was more than happy to let me borrow the money.

To stop this from ever happening again, each payday, I am going to put $100 directly into my savings account. No matter what it takes. If I don't have the money for it, I honestly don't need it.

I'd also like to put $50 each serving weekend into savings. I don't know if this is possible, but I would really like it to happen.

Here's to stopping feeling sorry for myself, and getting back on track.

Now, I'll be honest. I kinda like working two jobs. If I didn't have Julie, I would work two full time jobs. Drag myself into the ground. I do feel guilty not spending enough time with Juliette ... but we do spend tons of time together ... just not as much as before.

But this weekend, I make $245 serving. WOW! I've been averaging around $200 including my measley paycheck (I get about $20 a week from Cracker Barrel b/c I have a 401k through them) This weekend I didn't even pick up my paycheck.

I'm pretty thrilled. I am not working next weekend, I decided to take some time off (plus my parents are going out of town, so no babysitter) so I am going to hold on to a lot of this money. Plus next weekend since I'm not working, I decided to take Julie to Disney for the day. We haven't been since Labor Day, I'm really exicited, since Disney will be decorated for Christmas. My three favorite things, Julie, Disney and Christmas. It's going to be amazing. I wish it wasn't so much money to go to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, or we'd go to that to. I think I am going to wait another year before taking Julie to it, I just don't think she'll enjoy it quite yet.

Today, well I've spent about $5 on food so far. Breakfast I had something from downstairs, and then for lunch I had to go down for a bottle of water, and they had these awesome veggies so I picked some up. My coworker shared his leftover yummy shrimp pasta with me. I have some food that I really need to cook and freeze, I just don't feel like cooking when I get home.

This weekend, I went out and picked up Julie's Christmas outfit. It's sad, but I went to the Disney store and got her a cute dress with Mickey and Minnie on it. I also picked her up a stuffed version of Lightning McQueen. She's really into cars, and this darn thing has had to go with us everywhere. Then we rode the carousel, a good $2 spent. She didn't want to ride on the horse, we sat in this clam thing. It moved up and down and she kept yelling "WEEEE!!!!" She's pretty silly. Tomorrow we're going up to get the girls pictures with Santa, yay!

Friday I took Michael out to dinner. Dinner was bleck, but Julie was with us. They were so cute together. Julie acutally listened to him. We had a great conversation, good time with Julie ... I didn't want to introduce him to her so soon, but I think that if things keep continuing down the path they are on, it was good for him to meet her now. On the ironic side, her father who was so interested in seeing her still hasn't. Sigh. I don't even want to ask him anymore. The past two weeks having to talk to him and deal with him have been grueling.

I almost titled this entry Baby it's cold outside, but I didn't want to take away from BA's surprise.

Lesson 1: It gets cold in Florida
Lesson 2: Jackets are hard to come by on the night before a cold front.
Lesson 3: Never wait to the last minute to buy a jacket in Florida.

I had to run out last night and find a warm jacket since we have "big time business people" coming into the office today. I didn't think about it before hand, but an orange hoodie is NOT great business attire.

Sigh, got a sweater, a new shirt, an outfit for Julie *Christmas* and three puzzles for her *birthday or Christmas*

I then went out with my friend to Dennys fro a midnight dinner. I hadn't done this in years, and it was nice to sit and talk and eat horribly greasy food.

I was talking to my mom, and Julie saw snow yesterday. They woke up to snow flurries. Julie was all about touching it, she thought it was the cutest thing ever. They also rode a train up there, where they do a sort of "Polar Express", and Julie was screaming "SANTA!" when she saw him. I don't know how she knew who he was ... last year was her first Christmas and she fell asleep when we were last in line to have our picture taken with him. Apprently though, she thought he was pretty cool.

Tonight I have to drive out to Pinellas, an hour drive from work. Michael wanted to come over, but we're postponing it until tomorrow since he has to work so early. I think I'm going to go home and really get to cleaning and organizing. It's weird going home to an empty house.

This weekend was the weekend of the wedding.

We had a wonderful time. I drank way to much. Isn't that always the case when you don't let yourself go out and have fun ... you over do it. I didn't want to overdue it.

The wedding included all of my friends who were friends with James and I ... before the baby. A lot of them had written me off after listening to his lies ... so that was really really interesting. They all asked about her, told me they hoped I was doing well ... and then all yelled at me for not having filed for child support.

REALLY!?!?! After two years of these people telling me I was wrong ... now they're on "my side". I literally almost died I was laughing so hard at this point. Apprently I'm supposed to be the one to show him the right way. LOL. Oh, how joyous it really did feel.

I also found out he was evicted from his apartment, and they're now living in the extended stay suites. This made me laugh a lot too.

I spent about $100 on everything for the wedding, not including her gift. I'm taking full advantage of the fact that I get a year to get them a gift. Love her and all ..but I'm broke. Plus, I'm going to help her make the scrapbook ... so ... I have to find the right time to spring that on her.

Other than that .. it's a tight week, with the money for the car and the wedding and everything ... it really hurts to be this broke. LOL. Payday is Thursday, and then in two weeks we get paid again. Then I'll get to go Christmas shopping for the little one.

So yesterday my friend called ... and called .. and called. I was busy at work so I didn't have a chance to return her call until almost 6 when I was done picking up Julie.

She had an extra ticket for Guns n Roses!!!!

OMG ... are you kidding me.

So, it kinda threw a teeny wrench in my budget. I didn't have to pay the $93 for the tickey *yes, $93 ... how sad is that*, but I did have to pay $10 to park $2.50 to drive on the expressway, I gave her $3 for fries while there, and $5 for dinner on the way over. Totally worth it. I had to buy lunch and breakfast today, so there goes another $8. The rest is going to go into my gas tank.

The show lasted till nearly 2:30 in the morning. Then I had to drive my friend home, by the time I got into bed it was 3am ... UGH. Waking up this morning was really really unbearable.

I haven't gone out in MONTHS. Seriously it's close to two years or more. I always feel guilty leaving Julie. But last night I went and had a BLAST. I met these two hillarious guys so we spent most of the night telling eachother jokes ... then I met this nice guy and he asked for my number.

My friend laughed when I proclaimed that I hadn't been picked up in a really long time.

So all in all ... the best night I have had in ages ... one of the best shows I have been to ever. I won't say the best, that would be the free ticket I got to Incubus.

And you know, it got me thinking ... I have been questioning karma a lot lately. It happens when I think about Julie's father and this situation. Don't get me wrong, I love my daughter, but I can't get over how "unfair" it is to all of us that he left. And I couldn't figure out how come my life was harder. It's not. Sure, James is a lot of horrid words, but I have a wonderful daughter ... and wonderful friends. I didn't like who I was before my daughter, and I honestly think she was brought here to give me life. So, the next time I want to kill her father .. I'll remember last night ... a free ticket to a great show, where I met great new friends *and possibly a potential boyfriend* ... and be content. That's all you can be in life, content.

Thank you folks and good night!

I cashed in $38.41 in change today. Handed over $5 to my friend for buying a sub for me ... mmmm Publix subs.

$25 is going towards filing for child support. I am filing today, as soon as I find Julie's SSN#. I'm actually going to do this.

The rest, I'm either going to buy her another outfit, or throw into my savings account. Both are important ... I won't decide until I get home today.

A good day, I think.

So 50 degrees might not sound cold to most of you ... but whew! Was that hard to wake up to this morning! This weekend was in the high 80's and then wham ... it's chilly. I had to bust out Julie's coat ... and I noticed I don't have one. Great. I don't know when I'm going to be able to afford that.

I'm heading over to kmart b/c they have their pants on sale. 2 for $7 for Julie. I'll get her two full outfits for a little less than I'd pay for second hand clothes at the consignment shop. The clothes there are great, Children's Place, GAP ... but I'm more worried about quantity at this point over quality. I have to make it to Christmas when her great grandmother will load her up with clothes. LOL. She might not speak to me, but she loves the kid. Whatever, I'm just happy for the clothes.

My daughter went peepee twice in the past two days ... on the floor. She runs to me to tell me she needs to go ... starts tugging at her diaper ... I take it off, put her on the potty ... and she promptly stands back up and pees on the floor. I don't know what to do about that! LOL. She likes to carry her potty around behind her bumm around the house. It's pretty hillarious. In two months, a week and two days, she'll be two. I'm not ready for this!!!

A preliminary Christmas for Julie:
1. Trunk for dress up clothes.
2. Dress up boas, sunglasses and shoes. I think I'm going to hold off on actual clothes until she's older. More beaded necklaces!
3. A good doll, there's a particular one I have in mind that I wanted to get her last year but waited too long ... I think it will be perfect this year as well.
4. A couple of puzzles.
5. A couple of books.

I think for her birthday I am going to get her a trike. I am not to sure b/c my mom wants to get her a ride on car that I don't think Julie is old enough for yet ... but my mother won't listen to reason on this one. I'm also considering a good wooden cradle for her doll.

I honestly can't think of anything else she needs ... I am going to get her sippy cups for her stocking ... and who knows, we might be ready for big girl panties at Christmas as well. I'm going to talk to the teacher tonight about the need for pullups ... Julie's all about taking off her diaper and throwing it in the trash if she has a chance.

This weekend flew by. I love it when that happens.

It was a good money making weekend. I brought home around $115 on both Saturday and Sunday. SWEET. It means that we're getting back into season "Come on down snowbirds!" I complain like most Floridians the amount of snowbirds that do infact come down ... but it's amazing how much our income depends on it.

$130 - day care
$15 - gas
$5 - McDonald's for dinner Saturday
$25 - Dad
$10 - phone bill
$27 - groceries at walmart

I have a couple of bucks left over, and I had to buy lunch at CB on Sunday. I don't count that as a spending day though ... since I HAVE to eat at work or risk not making it home without hitting up McDonald's or something.

This afternoon, I was going to put my check into savings, but I think I am going to cash it and head over to the consingment shop to pick up one or two pairs of pants for Julie ... possibly more. Tomorrow it will be in the 50's when we wake up in the morning ... the high will barely reach the 70's! Yeah fall is here!! This weekend it was digustingly hot ... I hate trying to plan for "winters" down here.

Goals for this week:
1. Plan Julie's outfits for the week .. including socks. No more hunting in the morning.
2. Box up some of her toys and take to the storage shed.
3. Make some more lunches for work ... the mac n cheese I had today ROCKED.
4. Make breakfast at home.
5. Keep track of money spent better.

That's enough for now ...

Yesterday I had to stop at the gas station, I was on fumes ... I only put $10 in the tank to hold me over until this weekend, when I can put money on my walmart gas card.

After work, I went to Publix. I spent $32.34, but that also included a $15 pack of diapers. Not to shabby.

The only thing else I need for the rest of the week are egg whites and soda. What an interesting combination. I'll probably pick up a pack of sunflower seeds from walmart, they are the only store around here that sells honey roasted sunflower seeds. We used the rest of the milk this morning ...

Last night, I came home and made dinner for Julie and I. I ended up having enough left over that I froze two meals for the following week.

I also need to buy some more gladware to freeze things in for work.

All in all, including the $15 for gas, I shouldn't spend more than $30 at walmart tonight. This week's daycare is back to being $130, plus I'd like to pay my dad $40-50 that I owe him. So, the goal for serving this weekend is $210. I don't know if that's possible ... since usually it's been everyother week that's busy lately.

We're about to go and pay the car payment. It's scary to know that after I make this payment ... I will have nothing left from payday. ACK. Oh well, I put $330 on the prepaid debit card, $305 for insurance and $15 for Julie's premium. It's not like I'm completely broke ...

right?!?!

Thursday are my least favorite day ... ugh .. just stressing and thinking about money. Wondering where it's going to go, how I am going to get it .. all that fun stuff.

But, today's not too bad. $692 ... It would be $130 more if I didn't have to pay for Julie's flippin insurance!

I put aside $325 to go onto the prepaid debit card ... $305 to my car insurance, and $15 to Julie's Florida KidCare premium, that way her health insurance can stop being almost $300 a month. I can handle $15 a month ... $300 hurts.

I put $300 aside to go tomorrow and pay my car payment.

I went out and got lunch today, so I have $60 left. I put some money into my change jar ... With the $60, and I am hoping to buy my groceries for the week, diapers and my gas for the week. The good news in that is that I usually have to wait for the weekend to be able to do this ... after working my second job.

My goal is to stop worrying over payday ... to just have the money there .. when I need it.

I acutally used the a/c in the car for about 20 minutes both yesterday and today ... I needed to use the phone and couldn't hear over the wind.

My lunch by the way ROCKED! I spent $10 ... I got shrimp, fries and chocolate cake. Another girl at work wanted to have some shrimp so she got a chicken philly cheesesteak. So ... I split that with her. I still have a few shrimp, a ton of fries, half the cheesesteak and half a piece of chocolate cake for tomorrow. I'm still STUFFED!

So I went to the library last night to hopefully find The Tightwad Gazette. I haven't had a card to the public library since I was in highschool so I applied for a new card first ...

Turns out sometime in 2005 someone checked out and lost a number of books in my name. This can't possibly be me since I was living in a different city and honestly wouldn't have checked out the books to begin with. They were on things like sewing and baking ... but I was living on my friend's couch at the time ... so it's not something that would have peeked my interest.

Anyways .. I have to pay it off ... since I can't proove that it wasn't me ... AARRGGGHHH!!!

It's $168 ... total ... isn't that insane!! Until I pay it off ... I can only check out three books at a time ... not to bad I guess. I put $21 to it ... all the cash I had. It's just upsetting ... but whatever ... money's just money at this point.

I went to get my bank account at my credit union opened up ... I have a savings account there. Since my credit score is pretty awful, I have to take a class to be able to get it open?! I have never heard of this ... but whatever, it won't hurt to do this. It's $30, and I'm going to have to change my schedule around and have my mom pick up my daughter ... but just knowing that things will get done eases my fear a bit.

Just a bit though.

Still waiting to hear from Direct to see if my loans were able to be consolidated. Then I will know for sure my total budget.

I've been paying extra on my car to try to get it lower so that when I go to trade it in in a few months I won't owe so much ... still trying to save money, plus by my daughter winter clothes. It's like a never ending way to spend money.

Tonight I am going to cash my check at the credit union ... pay my mom the $10 I owe her for the rest of Julie's costume *she's going to be a kitty* and head to the grocery store.

Another no a/c in the car day ... today is WONDERFUL here in Florida, very windy and not sunny at all. I think I live in the wrong state ... I could get used to living in this kind of weather!

I've noticed that I've been stressing a lot lately about money. It's not a good thing.

My goal this week:
Do not stress about money! There is nothing else I can do about the current state I am in, but work to get out of it. Fretting and pndering are NOT going to help.

Let's see if I can keep to that.

I've gone three days without a/c .. and guess what ... my car hasn't leaked. HMMM .... I think I might have solved the problem. Now if I could get the car to not SMELL. That would be wonderful.

This weekend I made a good deal of money. I bought Julie some new clothes, and I will be heading to the grocery store tonight. Going to pick up some turkey sausage, egg whites, brown rice and veggies. MMMmmm ... how healthy. Thank goodness my daughter eats pretty much anything i give her.

10.18 .. that's how much I added to the change jar today.

It came from a few random places, a couple of pants pockets, I cleaned out my wallet ... I also brought home $6 in change from work tonight. Not too shabby.

16.00 - original
+10.18 - today's total
--------
26.18 - two days worth of saving. Not to shabby at all.

Tonight wasn't a great night at work, but it wasn't to bad either. I brought home $103, which is $12 less than average.

I ran to Walmart afterwards. I needed a few things ... and only bought what I went in there for. WOW ... it CAN happen!

I needed deodorant, a small pack of wipes for Julie, gum, milk, cheese, turkey, envelopes, pens and I did fight the decision to buy Julie a new pair of shoes ... but she really needed them, so I picked up a pair. I ended up spending $28.88 ... and I have to run by the grocery store tomorrow to pick up some veggies, eggs and turkey sausage for work this week. I shouldn't spend much at all.

I also got a $20 gas card ... I usually get $40 every week ... even though $20 will fill my tank for the week *usually* ... I like to have the extra, just in case. I get paid Thursday though ... so I only got the $20 since I really really have to get my oil changed this weekend.

I spent $5 at McDonald's ... after serving food all day .. the last thing I want to do is come home and cook ... plus everyone is asleep. I need to be asleep too ... its after midnight and I have to be at work at 8am.

I put $45 away for daycare, I only need $20 more. Plus, I have a few bucks left over tonight, after tomorrow I'll know how to spend those.

All in all ... a good day. I just wish there were more hours in it.

So, I ended up spending a $1 on breakfast and $3 on lunch today. I just didn't want to wake up this morning. I don't know what's wrong with me .. I go to bed at a decent time, but I still don't want to wake up in the morning. My goal for this week is to be able to actually MAKE breakfast and lunch to bring to work.

My goals for this weekend:
1. Make breakfast and lunch for work for the following week.
2. Get oil changed in car.
3. Vacuum out car, figure out how to clean the leaking mess from the air conditioner.
4. Take two boxes of Julie's clothes to storage shed.
5. Keep track of change.

On Monday, my goal is to get to work early so I can take a long lunch and go to the credit union and open my checking account.

I'd like to make an estimated budget on what to spend on clothes for the next year. It's going to be "higher" than the norm I think ... I need a lot of new clothes since I barely have any ... and with Julie in her odd growth patterns.

Here's to a happy weekend. Monday I get to go to the consignment shop and pick up some more clothes for Juliette.

Apprently when you have a child, you have to be prepared for them to drop like flies. I picked her up from school Monday, with a note that she'd been coughing and had a runny nose ... nothing much I think ... so I go out and get some Dimetapp. Get home, give her a dose, feed her dinner, we played some games, cleaned up a bit, my mom came home and she ate some more. 7:30 she crawled into my lap and whined "Momma" and went to sleep.

That is NOT normal for my child.

By 9:30, she was BURNING up. I took her temp, it was 102.3. I had to wait until 10:30 to give her a dose of tyelnol cough and cold ... she slept pretty well on and off through the night.

We woke up the next morning, I made my lunch and breakfast for work, got dressed and grabbed some clothes for Julie ... woke her up. She was sick. You could see it in her eyes ... a couple of weeks ago we were having fevers all night, but she was fine ... I guess I was hoping this was just a viral thing. It wasn't.

I had to call in at work, and then try to get an appointment at her peds. They're a very busy office, and her doctor is the most sought after ... but luckily we got an appointment right away. He checked her out ... she was acting great in his office. Her cough is just drainage, and she has an ear infection.

She's on antibiotics, and at daycare. The fever didn't come back, so she was cleared to go to school today.

I milked what little I had in savings. I had to get gas, a card for my dad's birthday, plus the copay for the doctor's and the prescription. I ended up with a bit left over, so we got McDonald's for lunch. I also bought her an outfit since all of her clothes are getting to be to small and part of her Halloween costume.

I spent just under $50 all day, which isn't bad since $30 went straight to the doctor's and $10 went to gas. $12 was a new outfit she REALLY needed, and I spent $2.50 on her cat ears and tail.

Today is looking to be a no spend day, woot, since I don't have any money to spend. LOL. My brother is going back to Cali this afternoon. I'm a little sad to see him go ... especially since he and Julie ended up getting along so well last night .. she was finally comfortable with him. There was one point in the night that she and Will were reading a book, and she got up and walked around to everyone in the family and pointed to who they were and said their name ... just showing him the ropes I guess. Last night she didn't want to go to bed, she wanted to cuddle with Uncle Will. Too cute.

I just can't wait for him to come back home again ... we won't see him until around my birthday it looks ... though he's not sure with the current state with Korea, if they are going to send him over there or to Iraq. I guess we'll just wait and see.

I checked my bank account ... to see if I could pin point the exact problem in it.

Turns out, I deposited $690 in CASH and they put it in as a check deposit. They hold check deposits for THREE days. During that time ... a bunch of little purchases went through, but also my car insurance. The car insurance overdrew the account, causing about 10 checks to overdraw. AARRGGHH!!

Not only did my car insurance not get paid, but I literally just got screwed. They charge a $5 a business day fee ... and they won't close the account or fix their mistake. Nothing will happen for the next 27 days, when they will charge off the account .... 21 of those days they will charge me $5 overdraft fees.

I'm so aggitated. Mostly at them ... b/c if the rep had just deposited the money in cash and not check ... none of this would have happened ... at the woman who told me "Just depoist the money" ... and at myself for banking with such a crappy bank (and for overdrafting the account to begin with).

On a good note ... I had a no spend day yesterday! WOOT! Today I have to buy gas, I'm almost out of gas, and I'm trying to decide if getting a Western Union or a prepaid debit card would be the best decision.

Have a good day, it's payday!

This morning, bought a piece of turkey sausage from downstairs *with change*. It cost $1.06. How ridculous is that? I couldn't believe it when the lady said it.

I need to start making my breakfast for the week. That's my goal for this weekend. To make lunch and breakfast for work everyday.

I'm thinking about picking up some sourdough bread at work tonight and some of the awesome blueberry syrup and making enough french toast to freeze. I have plenty of egg whites that I could make and freeze and just have to refreeze at work the next day.

The problem comes with lunch. I need to find easy things that could be frozen, but reheated easily enough. I don't want to get stuck eating the same things everyday.

I'm picking up an extra shift tonight at Cracker Barrel, which is good news. Really good news.

Today was almost a no spend day, though yesterday truely was. I'm up to four now.

Today I had to buy breakfast b/c I overslept *this is getting to be to much*, but I spend 4.00 on breakfast. Today I was going to go cheap and buy a double cheeseburger at McD's for lunch .. but when I told my coworkers where I was going ... all of them asked for lunch. LOL. One lady bought my lunch so I got to eat like a pig for free!

This weekend is going to be nice. I'm going to go over on my gas budget more than likely, b/c my parents are going "camping" *they have an RV* and I have to drive out to the campsite before work on Sat and then after on Sunday so they can watch Julie. I guess Monday is a no school day, I miss vacation days.

After I drop Julie off, I'm going to vaccuum out my car. It needs it pretty badly, toddlers are a magnet for trash, dirt and bits of food! Saturday after I drop her off, I'm going to run to the consignment shop as well. The director of her new daycare actually works at the local consignment shop ... it'd be great if she gave me a deal

I also have a "date" for dinner with my ex. We were almost crazy enough to get married four years ago, but both decided we were too young. I'm pretty exicited, which seems silly. When we were dating he was in the airforce out in Utah, so we've never actually gone to dinner. I think he owes me. I'll probably pay though ... it's just the kind of girl I am.

I'm very exicited about this weekend ... I just wish the work week would fly by.

Yesterday was a great day. We woke up late *we always wake up late on Mondays!* and I rushed her to her new daycare. The traffic around our town is awful, but it only took 10 mins to get to daycare. During non rush hour trips, it'll take about 2 minutes to get there from the house.

Julie LOVED her new daycare. She was pretty sad to see me go, but according to her teacher had a wonderful day. The note home said she actually tried to eat everything on her plate during lunch time, which is amazing for my picky eater.

Last night, I had to go out and buy the bug spray *which I forgot at home this morning!*. That was $4, and then I was horrid and bought a snack at McDonald's ... I was so hungry. I bought a soda from the gas station, I rarely drink soda so this was a treat. All in all, I spent $7 yesterday. While at walmart, I forgot completely to look at windshield wipers, I don't think I am ever going to remember to look. I hope it doesn't rain today, which it looks like it's going to.

Today, I bought a piece of toast. That's it so far. I was STARVING for breakfast and the cereal I brought from home just wasn't cutting it, so I picked up a piece of toast from down stairs with some peanut butter. Mmmm ... Today spent .54 from my change jar here at work. I'm pretty sure today should count as a no spend day.

I hate Tuesday, they just drag on. I picked up a shift on Thursday at Cracker Barrel ... so I'm just hoping to make it that far.

I worked out a potential budget this evening on Quicken. It's not for sure, it doesn't hold my student loans or the fact that I have to call about paying back my credit cards, but it was what I had on me just then.

With the ammount of money I've been paying in overdraft fees, and I think I was short changing the overdrafts, honestly ... I'll be paying the bank nearly [$2000]. Are you kidding me?!!?!? Guess what ... I don't want to line someone else's pocket.

So, and this is just a tentative idea, I think I am going to start paying for my bills with money orders ... at least for the next couple of months. The only ones I have to do this with are my insurance and my car payments. Her daycare I can pay for with cash. Hopefully, this will stop the overdrafting of my account.

I went to walmart tonight ... I meant to buy windshield wipers, and forgot to even look. I got Julie's pillow for school, and picked up the ingredients for broccoli casserole for Monday. This way, I can have two no spend days this weekend ... hopefully.

So, I got $30 in gas and the above mentioned, and spent $43. Woot! My limit was $50. If I had remembered to look at the wipers, I would have gone over.

Going through Julie's clothes, I found another huge tub that are too small. I'm going to piece together the outfits, and take them to the consignment shop early this week.

All in all, a good day. I've got to get back to work before I loose my drive, but I'm happy to say I accomplished something today.

A friend of mine is currently enrolled in Sanford-Brown University, where's she's going to school for medical assistance. Another friend is thinking about enrolling .. so today I went there for a quick chat with one of the admissions counselors.

I currently work 7 days a week ... Mon-Fri 8-5, Sat 2-midnight and Sun 8-4. Classes would be Monday- Thursday 6-10pm. So ... Mon-Thur would SUCK, and I would never see Juliette. It's 11 months for the course ... that's a really really long time.

I can't decide if this is the right course for me to take. I know that I have to do something for our future, I can't work two jobs forever.

My parents are moving out of state *going for a year long rv trip is a better way to put it* in two and a half years. I know my mom would watch Juliette, but I'd have to do it before they actually leave.

I'm so frustrated. I really want to do something with my life. I have to do something. I just don't know if this is the answer.

But, I think I have my answer.

I'm going to wait a year. I sound like such a procrastinator. If this is what I really want to do with my life *and put myself even more into debt* .. then I'll give myself a year to pay as much as I can off of my debt. Then, make the choice to go to one job ... and somehow do this.

They do offer a program where I can go just Friday and Saturday .. but I didn't even get into it. I don't know if it's something I am going to be able to do now, and certainly not in the long run.


I've just had a bad day ... I somehow stupidly overdrew my checking account. I'm so frustrated with my self. So tired of bumbling with this.

I keep telling myself that tomorrow is a new day. A brand new wonderful day. Of course, it won't be a no spend day. I spent $68 at Target tonight ... I got my coworkers baby gift (Little Tykes Noah Ark, Binks and a hat *on clearance*) Her theme is Noah's Ark, so this is perfect. Plus, my friend's birthday gift, I bought her a giftcard. I hate giftcards, but I honestly had no idea what to get her. Then, I also had to pick up some new sippy's for Julie's first day at her wonderful new daycare. I have to pick up fried chicken and cake at Publix for tomorrow ... I'm hoping some of my wonderful coworkers will chip in some money. That would be sweet ... but I'm not going to hold my breath. They're cheap.

I work Sat and Sunday waitressing ... I'll probably make about $200 this weekend. Hopefully more. I am going to pay for daycare in cash at least this week ... so I make sure that the check doesn't bounce. Sounds silly, but it'll work I hope.

I have to go to Wal-mart on Sat ... I need to pick up a little pillow and possibly windshield wipers. I might need diapers this week, but I'm pretty sure they'll last until next week. I've got wipes and milk. Funny that these things are important to a mom, but really, those are the most important thing on my list.

She needs clothes. This morning, it was in the 60's down here *67 probably*. That might not sound cold to you, but to Florida at this time of the year we were surprised. Funny story, she has NO winter clothes! I dressed her in a pair of 12 month pants and they fit fine in the waist, but were about an inch to short. I HAVE to go through her clothes this weekend to consign them ... and pick some more up.

Long enough ... I believe. Off to watch my recorded showing of the office. I have to have something to gossip about at work tomorrow.

So, I enrolled Juliette last night at the new daycare.

I was so pleased just walking in there. Have to keep reminding myself that you PULL the front door. LOL.

It's so home like. I can see Julie growing there, and that's what I was looking for.

There are going to be 12 kids in her class, and two teachers. She has to pack her blankie and pillow up after naptime everyday, which is cute. She's very into helping with chores around the house, so this is right up her alley. They eat lunch in a lunchroom, so that will be cute for her. Thursday, the meal is country fried steak, mashed potatoes, peas and peaches ... I don't even eat like that for lunch!

The daycare is on 6 acres, and they have a farm there. They have five cows, a bunch of rabbits, a couple of goats, some pigs ... and the kids get to go down there and actually meet and greet with the animals. They go down about once a week at her age group. This is great, Julie is such an animal lover.

On the budget front, I wasn't expecting to pay the $50 registration fee ... but it's normally $75 and they're running a special, so I'll take that any day. Also, daycare is $130 a week, which is ten dollars less per week than her current daycare. That's awesome. The fourth week is half off, which will be put towards good use on my end.

All in all, I'm thrilled. I dropped her off at her current daycare and she started crying immediately. It hurts my heart to leave her, so I'm thrilled that she's starting her daycare on Monday.

We went for her shots this morning. She was overdue, but my insurance for work just kicked in. She was such a trooper! She had to get FIVE, and didn't even cry for the first two. The doctor said "She might be prissy, but she's tough!" This was after our discussion about Julie's "icky sticky" and wiping her hands and mouth after each bite. He says it's just a phase, that worst case scenario, she'll just have good personal hygeine. LOL. The things mother's worry about. She's still above average for height, but below for weight. She's catching up though, she's only a pound below normal. I was told to not worry if she stops gaining, as her growth is about to come to almost a standstill. The only hard part is trying to determine what size she'll be next summer, she's not even all the way in 18 months at 20 months yet. I'm thinking she'll still be in 2T next summer ... sigh.

I always deposit my tips after the weekend, all except $20. I think it's better to keep the $20 out, as a just in case. Guess what, I spend it all and normally by Wednesday. I'll need to buy lunch, b/c I don't feel like making it. Well .. this week, I decided to just go ahead and deposit it. I still have my check card, so if there is a just in case ... but I'm hoping that it makes me actually not spend the money. Here's to this week's expierment.

So, today at work I spent $3 on lunch. It was worth it, I split lunch with a guy at work. He makes the best chicken ... mmmm. I work at Cracker Barrel Sat and Sundays, and my favorite thing on the menu is the homestyle chicken. I haven't had it in weeks because it's so horrible for you. Matt today asked if I would split some with him, mmmm.

Yesterday I borrowed $10 from my mom to put some gas in my car, since she neded me to drive my sister to her soccer game. I paid her back, and then put an additional $20 in my tank tongiht. What I can't understand is how come gas dropped .20 cents, but I'm still paying the same amount to fill my tank every week. I need to better track my driving .. and try to cut back somehow.

I bought Julie a pair of shoes and some socks tonight. I also bought some groceries, and the total came to $17.00.

I went shopping for my parent's groceries tonight as well. My mom has this weird thing happening to her leg where she's now in a cast. Don't ask me what it is, I honestly don't know ... just know that the muscles are seperating from the bone. I do the shopping to help out, plus to make sure there is something for me to eat here in the house.

So, all in all .. not a bad day. I put $7 in my new savings account. It's not much, but I need to start saving for Christmas and Julie's birthday. I can't believe that it's only 4 months till Christmas! And then, Juliette's birthday is a week later. ACK!!! I honestly don't know what I am going to do ... I can't even think about the holidays yet.