My 25th birthday is Monday, and I am ready for it.

Today, I applied to some restaurants, and two of them look semi-promising. I don't want to serve anymore, but if I have to go back to serving to get a job ... well, then I will. I've got my fingers crossed that SOMETHING pans out this week, for no other reason than it's my birthday week.

Monday I think we might go to the zoo. It's free admission on your birthday, and a free meal at one of the restaurants. I would have to pay Juliette's admission, however, the food would be enough for the two of us to share. I don't remember how much Juliette would cost, but I think it would be around $20. I don't think that's bad at all, honestly.

I think this week we're also going to go and see the manatees, while they are still around. They come up to the electric plant during the winter, and even though it's hot as heck down here right now, you can still get a small glimpse of those giants swimming around in the water. Better yet, this is free! They also have a small museum that talks about why you shouldn't throw trash in the water, and why you have to drive slow in certain areas of the bay, and why we should conserve water - this is Juliette's favorite part. I should mention, my favorite park is that it's FREE.

Can you believe I have a budding hippie on my hands? Juliette takes these things VERY seriously. If we're in the parking lot of a store (or in the store itself) and there is trash on the ground, she will make me stop so she can pick it up and will put it in our buggy until she finds a trashcan. And heaven forbid someone drop litter on the ground in front of her ... I'm torn between being raised completely Southern (children do NOT talk to adults in that sort of way) and being completely proud when she stopped the woman who threw her trash on the ground and said "Mother Nature asks us all to put trash in the trashcan. It doesn't belong on her ground." LOL ... I mean, I feel like I should remind her that she shouldn't speak to people like that, and then, well hell, I'm proud that she has the nerve to stand up for what we believe in. She's also a complete light Nazi now, and scolds me if I am running out the door and leave a light on ... "MOoooom ... we have to conserve energy." Remember, this kid isn't going to school right now ... I have no idea where she is picking this stuff up from. We've talked about it a little ... but not this much.

I am almost halfway through our cash only month, and yes, I have used my debit card. Grr. Part of it is completely my fault. I lent my mother $100 of my cash (what was I thinking ... trying to be nice) and I haven't seen her since I lent it to her. Well, today I did, and it's been over a week, so she's forgotten all about it. Not a huge deal, because I know she'll give it to me when we both remember about it at the same time, however, I used my debit card to get gas twice. I'm not completely upset that I had to use the debit card, but those damn things are a really hard habit to break. Seriously.

We have been using redbox a bit, but only with free codes. That way Juliette still gets to watch a couple of her movies, and I don't have to listen to her whine ...all the time. I am praying I get a job so I can get a break from her. I know that sounds horrid, but ... I have officially found out I am not the kind of mom to stay at home. Lordy no. I don't know how people do it, but I am assuming they have a lot more patience than I do. I was going to preorder Twilight for my birthday, but I think I'm just going to gamble being able to get it from redbox. That will save me oh .... $24, and that's if I don't wait for a code as well. Not that picky over a dollar.

So far this month, I have spent right at $116. Not too shabby, if I do say so myself. $53 of that was a trip to the Strawberry Festival (where I lent my mom the money, so she didn't have to stop at the Atm), which is a fair down here. Juliette rode rides all night, I was surprised. She is a thrill seeker. We had a very good time, and Juliette wants to know when we're going back. $30 of it has been in gas, and I have a $35 walmart giftcard somewhere in my house that might get me through this week. I've been spending about $30 a week in gas, driving all the way out to my parents house for them to watch her while I drive all over town looking for a job, and going on interviews that are seeming completely pointless.

This month, we also officially filed for child support. Oh yeah ... about time, I know, but it's something I have been dreading since she was born. I just didn't want the drama. I'm actually shocked that I haven't heard anything from the loveable fella, but ... nothing. I'm hoping he just goes along with it, and doesn't try to fight it. If he fights it, he can easily drag it out an additional 6-8 months. Joy! Oh well, I know it's just going to keep adding up against him ... I just (secretly) hope and pray that if he is paying for her, that he'll take an interest in her life. My little girl doesn't understand why her daddy isn't around. And, as a momma, I can say that kills me.

I've got a feeling this month is going to be a good one ... fingers crossed!