I've been working on cutting back the budget, trying to make sure that I am going to be able to really start throwing money at debt next year. I think it's been working.

I've done really well on the shopping part. I don't want to go out to stores and lug Juliette with me, so even though I never planned it this way, having her home instead of in daycare is saving me a lot of money.

With Juliette home, even grocery shopping is easier. I skip as many aisles as possible trying to cut time, and the lure of characters on certain products. The savings on both ends of this (money and my tummy!) of just trying to shop the perimeters has been great.

My parents new house is about 20 minutes away. As much as I would like to go out there and visit, we've been going out nice a week. This gives Juliette and I a lot of fun momma and me time. It gives my parents a much needed chance to get settled and try to unpack. They still have a ton of stuff here that I am *patiently* waiting for them to move. Since I'm not stopping off at Target, which is across town, just to browse, I am saving a lot of money there as well. While I take Juliette out a few times a week for playgroup dates, I try to keep within a certain distance of our home. This helps. Not to mention, it only cost $20 to fill my tank, as opposed to the $40 it was costing last month. Right now, I am keeping the same amount of gas budget I had a couple of months ago, because I know the price of gas is going to go back up soon. The difference *more than half since I am driving less* is going into a savings account, and that feels amazing.

We've been cooking at home, almost exclusively. Juliette won't eat everything I cook, but she tries. There is always leftovers, so I can have that as lunch. I've been trying new recipes, and that is always fun. I've been trying to get more creative .. and Juliette isn't loosing any weight, so chances are she might actually start eating vegetables, if I keep this up.

Our biggest change is canceling cable. GASP. I never thought I would be able to do that. I don't know why, and I can honestly say I don't miss it. We're watching a lot of PBS if we're looking for something new. Of course, that's the channel that comes in the worst on our little rabbit ears. It works though, and you can't ask for much else. Juliette only asked once this week to watch "her shows" (Sprout and Noggin) and I told her we didn't get that anymore. So she asked if I would put them "on demand". Sad, when an almost four year old nows how to use the tv probably better than my grandmother. LOL.

I'll probably be giving up internet, at least for a couple of months to really save some money. I don't think I could give it up forever, I would miss it too much, honestly. Since I am not currently doing anything completely productive on here (like finding a way to make money), I'd like to take the $50 or so a month and throw that at debt. I think it's money well spent. I can use the internet at my parents house if I need to, I could go to the library, but that doesn't always work out well with my little hellion.

I'm hoping to get the majority of my debt out of the way by next year. It would be simply amazing to start of 2010 in a better financial state.

For Christmas I want a pink laptop computer, that's real. Not pretend.

And a baby sister from my momma's tummy. Not the doll you got me last year. A real baby sister.

That's what Juliette asked for ... any guesses on what she's getting?


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A play kitchen and a vanity set. Anyone else think she's gonna be a little disappointed?

She even asked my brother for a pink computer. LOL. I thought she'd be at least 13 before she started asking for "big ticket" items.

Fingers crossed!

I have been looking for a new jib for awhile, and this is the first bite. I am ready to get out of the serving industry! I am completely done, and just looking for something "more" to say the least.

Here's to hoping!

On dates. Sigh and a LOL all in one on that one.

I'm young, really young. I don't necessarily think that my dating life is over, however, I have made the choice to be single. I am VERY happy with this choice right now. There is no one I am currently interested in dating, and if I were, I would want to take it at my own pace.

My mother, whether she is scared of being stuck with me forever or what, has decided to start scouting for "eligible" guys for me. At first, it was humorous. Now, it's getting almost annoying.

Her latest catch is a new teacher at her school. He is 30 and just into teaching (he isn't certified yet, he's degree is in finance). I know he is Spanish, and not much else about him. My mother started going on and on about him while I was helping her move last Friday. When I rolled my eyes at her, she gave me a look of defeat.

I want to look at her and scream "I'm HAPPY!" Seriously, I am. I don't want to date, and I certainly don't need my mother to scout out potential love interests. That's ... just weird. I've always been very independent. My mother has often, lovingly, called me her black sheep. It's true, I don't necessarily fit the mold of the family, but it's worked.

I think my mother is not only scared of the whole financial instabilities of being a single mom ... but I think she is secretly worried if I don't settle down soon, she won't get anymore grandkids. I have to laugh at the insanity of saying that out loud, but it's true. My brother is 22, and hasn't ever really dated a girl, let alone found "the one" and my sister is ten, so she better not even think about having kids for at least 15 more years, lol. I just wish my mother could see that I am happy. Happy with myself, happy to be single ... and certainly happy enough to know when I am ready to date.

And I swear, if she invites this man over for Christmas .. which I wouldn't put it past her ... I'm keeping the gift I bought her for myself.

I am about to cancel my cable/internet in a way to save money, but I am hoping to be able to keep up at my parents house.

My parents DID get the new house! YAY! It's such a nice house, and they got it for sucha great deal. I am very happy for them.

And me ... well, I am still trying to everything settled here. It's such a MESS! LOL. My parents are in the middle of still moving all of their stuff out, and most of my stuff is in boxes in the "spare" room. It's a pain in the rump! I am ready for them to get everything out so I can get settled in.

I am still looking for a new job, and hoping one is on the horizon soon. My brother is coming home for Christmas, for the first time in three years. I am thrilled with this.

I'm just hoping for a break in everything. I have been moving everything for the past three days, and I am pretty sure I am going to fall over in exhaustion.