I am nearly done with Christmas for Juliette. I am very happy that I came in WAY under budget. I thought I would spend $300 for both Christmas and birthday and right now I am at $150 for Christmas. This includes a new bike with matching helmet, a play kitchen, a play washing machine, play food to go in the kitchen, about five VHS tapes, pots and pans for the kitchen, an apron, new crayons, markers and construction paper. Seriously, it's a REALLY GOOD Christmas for her. Most everything were things I stumbled on, I was planning on spending $110 on a play kitchen, but my mom found a really nice *made in America* plastic kitchen for $20. So, I was able to get the laundry center *also plastic and made in America* for $20. That's a savings of $70! I'm not really worried about the made in America thing as much as I am happy about the fact that it's not made in China. When my mom told me she found these things, I asked her where it was made right away. Since I "saved" that money, I spent it on the new bike with matching helmet. She has seriously been asking for both of these things, so I know it's something she is really really going to enjoy. Much more than the baby sister she keeps asking me for! I also found a bunch of toy food for the kitchen in the Target dollar spot.

My sister is getting a refurbished ipod that I bought for myself and then didn't want. I bought it last Spring, so it's really no money out of my pocket. It was "blow" money at the time that I didn't think through. I am also giving her a bunch of books I have from when I was her age. She is reading "Moby Dick" right now, she is just like me. I was reading "The Old Man and the Sea" when I was her age. Some of the books are in amazing condition, but they aren't selling for anything on half.com, so I know it will make her day.

My mom and dad, grandparents, and my cousins are the only people I haven't bought for yet. And honestly, I don't know what to get them. My parents are going on a cruise in March, so I might be able to not buy there presents until then. Is that horrible? I am looking for really god awful cruise shirts for them. Matching. My dad has this disgusting shirt (it's covered in huge marlins, and he doesn't fish) he wears whenever he invites me out for dinner ... so I figured buying him and my mom a shirt would make there day. My grandparents and cousin could be satisfied with a $25 giftcard, though I would like to get my cousin daughter something. She'll be two, so the possibilities are endless.

I finally qualify for health insurance through my job. The open enrollment period is this month. I was thrilled, until I saw how much it is going to cost.

Right now, my daughter is on state paid health insurance. I pay $15/month. I don't have health insurance.

The new plan will be $75/week for her and I. OMFG, are you kidding me?!?!? For me alone, it's $21/week. My mom used to work in insurance, so I will have her help me pick out what plan I should get and what all it will really mean, but I honestly feel like a horrible person b/c I canNOT afford to add my daughter to the plan.

As it stands right now, I have half my paycheck deducted into my 401k. My paychecks are usually $40/wk (remember I'm a server). This money would be automatically deducted for insuance, so I would still owe them $35/week. At an extra $140/month, I just can't afford that right now. I'm barely squeaking by as it is.

I just ... ARGH! I am so frustrated. Honestly, everytime I think I am getting things together ... something new comes up. I'm really getting tired of this "game".