Gramma Ray's Blog

1. By far, number one is our stocking exhange. Everyone draws a name months in advance and is then responsible for filling that persons 'stocking'. Secret santa like. Stocking can mean stocking, a gift bag, a box...whatever holds all of the goodies that you've bought. Funny, meaningful, necessary or edible...anything is fair in a stocking!Everyone LOVES this part of our holiday.

2. Christmas eve out for pizza. DD3(almost 15 now) was born on Christmas Eve and the whole family meets at a cute little pizza place to celebrate her big-day without it being lost in the holiday...alot of fun!

3. The tree. We cut our own and it is always a fun event- a day in the snow with a toasty fire and hot cocoa.

4. Decorating the tree. Ive collected at least one ornament each and every year since 1976. There is such an eclectic mix of whimsy and tradition. Everyone loves unwrapping the ornaments and mom telling the stories.

5. The jigsaw puzzle. A holiday puzzle that we leave out all season (Thanksgiving to Christmas) and everyone helps get it done by Christmas.

6. Nana's beefy bread dip. An amazingly wonderful breadbowl full of sour creme, cream cheese, chipped beef, green onion and seasonings. Heat thoroughly and broil the bread pieces until crunchy...dip and eat...yummy!

7. The House Ornament. This ornament gets its own number on this list. The house ornament is one of the ugliest ornaments Ive ever seen. It is nothing special...just a little brown house on a hook...but for some reason, my brother and I fought over who got to hang it every year when I was growing up for as long as I can remember. My brother is gone now...but I keep that ornament displayed year round in my hutch. And it is the final touch on the tree every year. One of my most cherished possessions.

8. Crafts. The girls all make many of the decorations in our homes out of pinecones and acorns that we find on our property and embellish with dollar store finds. Frugal fun with a purpose.

9. DHs lights. His baby- there are lights everywhere and he wants more. (The electric bill is outrageous in December)

10. Christmas Vacation. Yep, our hands down family favorite for a good chuckle during the holidays. I enjoy all the chick-flick feel good movies and the classics....but this is one enjoyed by the whole gang.

So...what are some of your traditions.

I am down to the final puppy to sell. It is a little female and I am hoping her new mommy or daddy calls today!! I sold 3 yesterday!!! I really missed the critical puppy selling weeks while my parents were both ill...I just didnt get an ad posted. So, this week, I lowered the price quite a bit and have gotten a great response. Since the pups are 11 weeks old now, my primary concern is to get them into good homes.

DH sold/delivered a cord of wood yesterday. I havent ran an ad for the wood in a few weeks with everything going on around here. But I will run one next week. We have enough wood out there to keep us busy for the next couple of months and DH has found another contact who can get him into an area with more free wood.

I am now 2 months into receiving 1/2 salary. (Our business slows down in the winter and so we agreed to take less pay)
So far, it is going ok. The puppy sales have helped, DH has had some overtime and we have just tried to cut back.
I have 3 months to go and am fairly confident that we will make it ok.

However, a while back I blogged about the new cc balances that we have from the start up of DHs wood business. The wood business does pay the bills, but there has been an INCREASE on the balances in spite of those payments. I attribute this to the mentality of "oh, what the heck, the card already has a balance...whats another $50-100 !!!) Egads...I thought that mentality died long ago...but obviously its been ressurected!!!!
WE NEED TO DISCONTINUE THIS DISCIPLINE.

Clearly my first goal for 2007.

I hope they don't mind me sharing this with my frugal friends here...

I am watching my two eldest daughters prepare to buy their first homes, and I couldnt be more proud.

DD1 (24 w/ 14 month old daughter) is planning a full year in advance. She and her DH have given notice on their apartment and are moving into a travel trailer at DHs moms home to save a years worth of rent and expenses so they can payoff their debts and save as much as possible. Our trailer has a slide out and more room than their 5th wheel, so we will loan them ours during the months that we arent vacationing....Plus, they are welcome to move out here anytime they want if they desire a change of in-laws or scenery!!

DD2 (21 with 2 1/2 year old son) is buying her first home and found a fixer-upper that is within her budget. She found her niche in sales and makes really good money--and has been careful to pay off debts as they come along. She is starting the work on her new home today!!And will move in by Christmas.

Two very different approaches to homeownership...but mom is proud of both.

I told DD1 that she should keep a journal of this one year adventure and possibly write about it someday...I think she is going to do that.

I'll keep you posted on the progress!

Yesterday was a very busy one indeed.

I took my mom to have the transfusion, then went grocery shopping (long overdue) and spent almost $150 (and I didnt have even one coupon ) but was able to stock the pantry/freezer and get some deals for Christmas dinner items.

Then, back home to unload and pick up my dad...off to his pulminary appointments. Unfortunately, the doctor wants to rerun the tests at the end of the month as my dad has bronchitis and the results could have been so low because of the infection.

Then dad took my to a late lunch. Their money is so tight I ordered the cheapest thing on the menu...which was a small stack of pancakes. We stopped and bought DH some Irish Creme liqueur for his morning coffee and went by and saw DD2s new home (I'll write more on this in my next post).

Then we headed for home...by then it was 5pm and about 35 degrees out. brr. Thankfully, when I got home there was still a small fire in the stove!

DD1 brought my mom home from her dialysis appointment at about 7pm.

Today is a stay home and get some things done day. (thank goodness)

I think the best thing about the day would have to be the enthusiasm in my dads voice as we drove home. He enjoyed lunch and the visit to the new house...perhaps I should look for ways to encourage him to get out more. He even mentioned that he'd like to go to a movie this weekend...hmm...

We woke to snow this morning. Although true to the climate, it didnt stick long. But it sure was beautiful while it lasted.

I've had a difficult time focusing on finances lately. There have been so many health issues around here coupled with the bathroom remodel and Christmas shopping...Ive been very neglectful of tracking.

Tomorrow is a big day. My mom has no energy lately---and today the doctor confirmed that she is extrememly anemic and will need a blood transfusion....and I wonder if you all can guess what triggered this??? Yep, that darned dog bite!!!

Then, my dad is going for a breathing test/ pulminary doctor appointment. He has been having hallucinations and I am hoping there is an easy fix (like adjusting his oxygen?)

The hallucinations themselves are worrisome...but even more troubling is that they are all 'visits' from his siblings...who have long been deceased...I am trying not to read anything into this until after we see the doctor.

I have been trying to convice DH that he needs to go have that leg checked...but because it hasnt gotten any worse, he is not very cooperative.

Needless to say, trying to organize for Christmas and have a bathroom remodeled and find homes for my last 4 puppies has left me with little desire to worry about a budget...

I hope tomorrow sheds some light on my dads issues and fixes my moms. I just want them both to feel better.

Money...well, the new year is coming...and that is when I will mop up and start over.

Each year for the past 5-6 years, I have taken my parents to Sunday brunch in a little restaurant in historic Jacksonville. The town is decked with Christmas and they even have carolers dressed in their old-time finery.

Today is our day. This year is a little different. My dad (lovingly known as papa since my kids were little) is nervous about going. He is now on full-time oxygen and has a hard time walking even 5-10 steps before running out of breath...He rarely leaves the house anymore.

But he is up, showered and dressed up...and i think he is looking forward to it. I do not know if I will have him here next year, so I intend to enjoy this day!!!

It is my treat to my parents...and money I absolutely dont mind spending int he least!!!

Better go get ready!

Things I have never bought:

1. a NEW car
2. Drugs (never did em)
3. cigarettes (ditto)
4. Lobster
5. Life insurance on children
6. liver, kidney heart or any other organ meat.
7. A hunting license
8. A vacation home
9. Caviar
10. A boat
11. A big screen TV
12. Surround sound
13. A wine rack
14. Prepaid attorney
15. Shoes that cost more than $45
16. A suit that cost more than $75
17. Sushi
18. A cat (all have been free)
19. A tram ride
20. A timeshare

... Famous last words...I'll never....

DD1 and I decided to brave the crowds for a couple of the really good deals today. Id never gone to the big-boy black Friday stores...but low and behold, I found myself in a moment of weakness and agreeing to meet DD1 at 4am at CIRCUIT CITY this morning.

I ended up waking up at 1am and not going back to sleep. So I went to the Cir City website and was pleasantly surprised that I could order everything I needed and pick it up at the store.

So 3:30am, off I went and was over an hour early to the opening, only to find that we were at least 150 people back...egads...apparently, alot of people couldnt sleep. But we actually were in about the first 10th of the line by 5am...that line went way around the buildings and down the street!!!

Not to worry...my stuff was pre-ordered all I had to do was pick up...which went just as planned! DD1 bought some stuff while we were there and it took a little longer for that, but all in all it was fairly easy ~ especially doing the leg work on my computer first.

I commend Circuit City, actually, they let about 200 customers in the store at a time--which REALLY helped aleviate congestion, confusion and angry customers.

Then we went to Target. Umm...*shiver* They CLEARLY had no limits on the number of people in the store at a time. ALL SHOPPING CARTS were in use...not a good sign. The line to check out literally wrapped around the store!!! Ive never seen so many angry, frustrated folks...Luckily, we found a line that was way short in comparison and for some reason, the floor staff was not directing some of those customers to--but it got us out of there in about 20 minutes so I am glad we found it.

When we finished at Target, that was all I wanted of shopping...so we called it quits.

I am pleased with my purchases and am happy with the discounts. But I don't know if I will try this again...next year, I will opt to order on line and pick up the following week instore (which is an option at Circuit City)and stay in my jammies next to the fire!!!

So...how was your Friday?

Gobble, gobble!

I wish you all a day of thanksgiving in your hearts!!

Enjoy your day, no matter how you celebrate!!!

Stay safe!

{{hugs to you all}}

I mentioned earlier this week that DS is remodeling our lower bathroom.

Well, tonight I came home and DH was sitting in the living room playing X-box...not too unusual...except for a seat, he was sitting on our new-yet-to-be-installed toilet!!! lol-

I guess DS called it quits and just left the new toilet in the middle of the living room, so DH decided to put it to good use....said it was pretty comfortable.

Oh boy, good thing there's not room in the bathroom for a tv and an x-box---

men!

DD3 and I spent the day together today doing some shopping. It was a girls kinda day.

For lunch, we stopped at Marie Calendars- and boy were they busy making and selling pies.

There were literally pies everywhere! And stacked way deep!

The waitress said they are making pies 24 hours a day this week and that by the end of Thanksgiving they will have sold about 10,000 pies and 350 or so turkey dinners> (Complete packed up meals for families---this does not count the meals they will serve at the restaraunt.)

So my daughter and I were talking about it...and at the grocery store, we saw stacks of pies...at Costco, pies are selling like crazy..there are at least two other pie- making restaraunts in town....and then there are all those homemade pies...

1000's and 1000's of pies all consumed in one day.

I am munching on the slice of cherry pie that I brought home for dessert tonight. I have to say, its awful tasty.

I wonder how much money goes into Thanksgiving Pies?

If I could have a nickel for.....oh well, I guess Ill just enjoy it!

This weekend was my weekend to be the budget bully.

I am doing anything possible to stay frugal and on task. I am using less laundry soap, dishwasher soap, toilet paper, shampoo, etc. I have stayed true to my DO NOT BUY list for 2006---even when that means going the rest of the year with one pair of jeans and a pair of black sweats...and holey tennis shoes.
I use coupons and I watch sales and I stock up on good bargains. I dont get my hair cut, do my own nails and make do with what I have, even though that means a kitchen that has linoleum peeling in spots, a glass stove top thats cracked, and an entire linen closet of hand-me-downs. And the wheels on my dining room chairs broke many years ago...but who needs wheels on dining chairs anyway?? (But we are down to 4 out of 6 original chairs and the table wobbles because it has been repaired many times).

Am I painting this frugal picture???

So, Saturday night, DH pops out with "Ive figured out how I can afford a new ATV."....(to the tune of $6000)...Uh, I dont care how much figuring we've done...I would like a few things FIXED OR REPLACED around the house before we even CONSIDER toys...and then the not-so-fun conversation ensued. I cant really say it was an angry conversation...but I definately felt like the mom of a spoiled toddler for the duration.

Tonight, we head to walmart and DD3 comes up with shampoo and conditioner, and a pair of flannel jammies.

Um, I have a CLOSET FULL of shampoo and conditioner that I got at great deals...nice stuff too---but she doesnt want to use it because they dont "match"..or they make her hair greasy, etc, etc. So I said fine, then buy them with your allowance...otherwise, you are welcome to use anything in the closet.

Oh boy...and for the jammies...Ive bought her 4 pair in the past two months...so NO she didnt need them...and ended up buying those herself.

I dont think Id be nominated for wife/mommy of the year tonight.

I hope I am not being a martyr. I truly want to forego so that we are in a better financial place...but somedays I feel as though I am swimming upstream.

Somedays I wonder...

Thank goodness tomorrow is a new day with new possibilities.

Sigh.

First the good:
DH and I went to DD3's school play last night. It was fun to watch those young people acting their hearts out. There definately were some talented teens up on that stage! It was a play about a trial regarding creation vs. evolution...Play content has sure evolved since I was in high school!! To say the least, it was controversial.

And the scary bad:
DH has had a bad cold the past several days and was feeling pretty ucky during the play, but he was also complaining that his leg hurt.

Some of you might remember the scary bone infection that camethisclose to landing him in the hospital a couple of months ago. It finally cleared up after a week of daily dual-shots of pennicillin..but the doctors were very concerned about it.

When we got home, he took his boots off, and the mysterious swelling is back....with some redness around a minor nearly-healed scratch that he got about 4 weeks ago. I am PRAYING that the scratch has somehow gotten irritated and that this is not round 2 of a bone infection. (Although - I do not see how it could cause the whole lower leg to swell like it did...)

DH is still asleep this morning...and I hope he feels much better after a nights rest.

We do not need another medical issue with all thats transpired lately. But more importantly, I want this to be minor and not the onset of something serious.

Our medical budget is shot to h*ll this year...which, is insignificant right now...I just want his leg to be ok...

My challenge account took a step backwards today. Actually about 200 of them.

My son is very kindly putting our gutted out- not yet textured or painted bathroom back together. We purchased all the materials at the first of last year...but DH never got time to do it.

DS is trying to suplement his salary this winter with sidejobs...so i am paying him to do it.

So, unplanned money that I dont have will come out of my challenge account to very happily get this project done.

New challenge balance =$703.00

Ok. How do you top a day of hide n seek and peek a boo with a 14 month old sweetie pie??

Simply...you dont.

GD needed a place to hang today...so I volunteered and she and I had a blast. I was envious of her though, on the way back to daddy, she got in a quick nap and I had to stay awake and drive...!!!

I did make it by the bank and bought a few groceries. Now Im back home and enjoying reading everyone's blogs!!

I told DD3 an old money story today about the missing dollar...Probably all you money wizards have heard versions of it...but Ill share it here for anyone who might not have heard it before.

Three guys decide to share a hotel room.
It is $30 so they each pay $10. They head off to the room, when the clerk remembers that there is a special on the room....$25 instead of $30. He takes 5 $1 bills from the till and heads off to return the money. But on the way, he thinks about the $5 not dividing so easily 3 ways...and the guys in the room didnt know about the special anyways...so he pockets $2 and gives each guy back $1.

So how much did each guy end up paying?? $10-1 = $9.

and $9 times 3 = $27

the clerk pocketed $2 and $27 + 2 = $29.
what happened to the other dollar?

It kept my DD3 busy for a while.

29. 23 years ago next Wednesday, I was robbed at gunpoint. I was a teller at a bank and pregnant with my son. The robber made me walk to the other teller windows to get more cash...all the while holding a gun on me! I later identified him in a lineup and he went to jail.

1. I was an honor student in high school but decided not to go to college.
2. I am ¼ Cherokee Indian, but my full-blooded Cherokee grandpa (who was born in 1840) thought being an Indian wasn’t cool so he put ‘white’ on every legal document we can find! He was 73 when my dad was born and died 3 months later.
3. A local detective and I co-founded a fraud team between law enforcement and banks that has now gone state-wide and has stopped many bad guys!!!. J
4. I grew up riding dirt bikes in the southern California deserts.
5. I once tipped over an outhouse (no, no one was in it)
6. I’ve never done drugs or smoked.
7. I am a PHQ. (know what that is?)
8. My hero has always been John Wayne- who died right before I graduated from high school.
9. I’ve only had one accident. I hit some black ice and rolled and totaled our car.
10. With the exception of Tijuana, I’ve never been out of the continental 48.
11. I’m more creative than organized.
12. I am claustrophobic.
13. I love rollercoasters.
14. I don’t like seafood.
15. I once drove my Volkswagen through a park with lots of hills and then down a sidewalk to get back onto the street. (Oh, those teen years)
16. I divorced my first husband because of abuse.
17. My brother, and only sibling, was killed in a motorcycle accident in 1988.
18. My favorite movies to watch over and over are: Sense and Sensibility, The Notebook, and Everafter.
19. My DH and I never got to go on a honeymoon. We were married the night before he left for the Gulf War~ and I didn’t see him again for 7 months. Our daughter was born on Christmas Eve, 9 months after he got back …she is now 14 (almost 15)
20. I have 4 kids and 2 grandchildren.
21. I hate mayonnaise, mushrooms and meat that comes from organs. (blech)
22. I’ve never seen a UFO.
23. I love going to the movies, but only go once or twice a year.
24. Someday, I hope to go on a cruise.
25. Every time I turn on my street, I am grateful that I live in the country.
26. We have a 2 story blue house with red and white trim. My kids call it a dollhouse…and I LOVE it.
27. I’ve never seen Mount Rushmore, but hope to this next year!
28. I’ve lived in a haunted house.

Was it just yeasterday that I was revelling in a stress free day???

Well, today was fun, but bygolly gramma Ray is pooped. Had both GS (2 1/2) and GD (14 months) all day...and boy oh boy...Im old!!! LOL.

Absolutely no focus on money or housework today. Nope, today it was all about sitting in the floor and playing with babies...and cleaning an occasional poopy diaper.

And I loved every second of it!

Sigh...now back to adulthood.

Wow, what to do with myself??

Dontcha love having a day with a clean slate? Getting up in the morning and having only options, no commitments?

Because it is raining, the pest business will be slow. Nana was able to take herself to dialysis. DH is at work...DD3, school.

Ive got a toasty fire in the fireplace, a couple of candles burning and I am in a nice comfy pair of sweats.

I will need to make dinner, but Im planning on ham and cheese omlettes...so no thinking about it until this evening.

I have a couple of deposits to take to the bank...but since we are budgeting so well, and it's not the first of the month, there is no urgency to get to the bank today. It can wait.

I am still working on the laundry and always have something I could be doing with the house...but I dont think I will make a long to-do list.

I am justthisclose to being pain free...so I will most likely enjoy the day with some crafting!!!

I also want to spend some time evaluating the Christmas budget and gift list to make sure they still jive.

And it would be fun to work on the family budget to see if there needs to be any tweaking.

I think, now that Ive proclaimed my freedom for the day, I will knock on some wood...just to be safe.

Im eager to see where this day takes me.

FIL and new wife were in town this weekend and invited us to dinner tonight. DH and I had discussed on the way that the wood business would pick up the tab...but FIL nabbed the bill and refused to allow us to pay. (I really hate those awkward arguments over the bill) I know that dinner was expensive...We had a lovely time and I am greatful for FILs kindness.

Nana was released from the hospital today. She was sure ready to sleep in her own bed tonight. It is raining like crazy...so I will most likely drive her to dialysis tomorrow. Im just glad she is home and doing better!

I am on Veterans Day (weekend)overload here!! DH is a vet and has to watch it all...the movies, the tributes, the documentaries...He does this ALL THE TIME. When he is home our TV is either on the military, history or sci-fi channel or he is playing a military game on the X-box.

His major interests are the Vietnam War or WWII...(He has watched Band of Brothers so many times, he has it memorized).

I do want to thank any veterans who might peruse this site....and all families who have/had veterans. Your contribution to our freedom is greatly appreciated.

A big {{hug}} to all who have helped to keep our country safe and free!!!

GS (age 2 1/2) is here for the day. He will be spending the day with DH (aka Papa Rick) out in the wood yard. We have that two cords to get prepped and delivered and GS loves to help (he helps by filling his wagon with bark and moving it then unloading, etc and he also helps papaRick stack the trailer). GS LOVES his time out there. Truly a little boys dream!

My dad and I will be going to the hospital after while to see how nana is doing. We are hoping she comes home today.

I am anxious to get working on the baby cradle for my granddaughters Christmas gift. I bought it at a yard sale last summer for $4 and right now it is plain ol white. I saw a really cute idea on DIY for using carpenters biscuits to make flowers so I hope to make it to Lowes today to pick up the supplies so I can start painting and crafting tonight..

I am craving time to just relax and create!

When I am done with the cradle (and matching rocker) I hope to have an adorable gift for GD. I also found a cabbage patch doll that had the same b-day as GD!! so that will go in the cradle.

Lots to stay busy with today!! Hopefully it will be a frugal one!

Molly ended up going back to her prior owner. I honestly think she needs a home where there is ONE person and no kids.

Aside from the $60 for all the food, dish, bed, and toys...Nana ended up with a blood infection that required a doctors visit and some serious drugs...which she has taken religiously all week.

But today, while she was at dialysis she started getting a fever...and her white blood count went way up and her blood pressure dropped...and they determined that she needed to be admitted to the hospital...which is where we spent the remainder of the day.

She is in for tonight and possibly tomorrow night while they administer intravaneous drugs and antibiotics.

Poor nana...and poor papa--he is having a case of the guilts, since the dog was his idea...but hopefully tomorrow things will look better to both of them.

I would love a normal, near-boring day myself. Ive almost forgotten what those are like!

Gads.

Boink *hitting palm to forehead*

My sore hiney has got my whole schedule outa whack. Ordinarily, I shop each week and we have everything we need, or there is plenty to make do. But my trips to town have been fewer and shorter since my (3) falls.

So I just realized this afternoon that I was completely out of food for my puppies. (NOT a good thing when you have 5 little mouths to feed.)

We have a little corner market about 3 miles from here. They carry most anything you need---at a ridiculously high price. But I was desperate. So I was looking over the wet food...which was only DOUBLE what I normally pay at WalMart...and then headed for the dry food...ugh...the smallest bag was over $5!!!

So I resolve to paying these outrageous prices when I notice a big whiskey barrel with "FREE SAMPLES" on it...and inside are single servings of a new dry dog food!! There are 4 different types...so I grab one of each...plenty for tonight and first feeding tomorrow. Total spent: $1.98 for two cans of wet food.

And my puppies are now all happy again...but tomorrow...I see a Walmart trip in order.

Boy, I love free samples!

I decided to review my not buying list for 2006 to see if Im sticking with it.
The list included:

clothes (excluding 1 pkg undies and socks)
make-up
haircuts
shoes
craft supplies (except yarn for GDs xmas blanket- need 4-5 more scans)
nice bath soap (will use existing supply)
books
magazines
perfume
purses
soda for me at home
wine

On our girls trip, I did buy a cute halloween shirt that I found at Burlington Coat Factory for $12 and I have bought an occasional bottle of wine (although it is just an occasional treat, rather than an evening glass)

I even stuck to my guns after my 1 of 2 pair of jeans ripped beyond repair.

Just a few more weeks to go. I have a nice selection of holiday sweaters that I pull out after Thanksgiving...so it will soon feel like I have a new wardrobe anyways!

Boy, Im beginning to think this was not a match made in Heaven!

Nana ended up having the notorious red line running up her arm after the dog bite...so she is one some serious drugs for blood poisoning.

And Ms. Molly growled at GD (14 months) when she got close...

The grandbabies are the alta-omega to nana and papa...so me thinks lil miss Molly may be heading back to her former home if she is not on her best behavior today!

I spent $54 (grocery budget) at the grocery store on Saturday, $1 (my allowance)to get into the holiday bazaar, $15 (my allowance)on eating out.

DH spent $42 on a box of visqueen (sp?) to cover the wood since it is supposed to rain for the next several days. The wood business paid for it.

Otherwise, we ate at home, watched borrowed from family movies and didnt spend any other money.

My dad decided that he and nana needed a weiner dog. (ok, Dachsund)

Why? Well, theyve been avid anti-pet people since I can remember. So much so that they took my beloved dog to the pound when I moved out and could not have a dog at my apartment. (20 years ago)

So why a dog now?...well...My dads health has declined drastically this past year. So he thinks this pet will bring nana companionship if and when he goes...while nana secretly wondered what the h*ll she was gonna do with a dog if and when papa goes.

But papa was hellbent on getting a 'miniature' dachsund...and they found one free in the paper. They met the lady in town yesterday and picked up their new FULL SIZED- not miniature like they wanted, dog.

We ran to town while they were on the way home...so we were not here when Molly arrived.

Molly decided that she didnt want to go into their house....so she bolted and ran...by the time we got home, it was almost dark---and I could see something in the road about 1/4 mile up the road...heading towards the hwy. So off everyone went...neighbors, our family, my dad....we chased, we called, we offered food, but Molly kept on running from us...I had no idea weiner dogs could scoot so fast.

Finally, Molly was in the house but she was heading back towards the open door...so nana grabbed her and SHE BIT NANA, who bleeds easily and alot...but the door was shut and Molly was in. WHEW

During all of this my dad did not have his oxygen on and very well could have left us on the night he brought this...uh, 'precious'...dog home..But all was well afterall. And hopefully Molly will decide that we are all nice people and that she can trust us.

And we will see how the bonding goes up there...I have a feeling it will go well. But Mollys first night in her new home is one we will all surely remember.

We have a church in town that throws a HUGE holiday bazaar each year. My mom, daughters and I try to attend every year and this year was no exception.

So we donned our christmas sweaters (gotta be in the spirit!!) and off we went. It cost $1 to get in.

I am still scratching my head. Aside from that entry buck, I didnot spent one penny! Unheard of for me. But I kept thinking "stuff and more stuff"...and i have plenty of holiday stuff.

Then we decided to try a new restaraunt in town...it has gotten some pretty good reviews...and so we were excited when we got there...only to walk up and glance at the menu taped to the window...ummm, $12 for a hamburger?? $16 for a ceasar salad..$7 for a bowl of soup...bread is extra.

So we did a u-turn and headed off to our favorite steak house where you throw the peanut shells on the floor...I had a small salad and a " sweet postato with brown sugar and butter"...umm, yum! And the bread was FREE.

The we went to Jacksonville...and I shocked myself again by NOT BUYING A THING. I think the frugal bug has bit me in the ....pocket!!

We did stop at Safeway and there were many things marked down to discount prices...so I stocked up and spent $54.(got a lot of food for that $54!!)

The absolute best part of the day was the drive to drop off my daughter. We took the back roads and enjoyed the beautiful fall foliage, the vineyards, orchards and old farm houses...

and I just put some homemade chicken cheese enchiladas in the oven for dinner tonight.

Tonights entertainment is the movie "Over the Hedge" that my daughter burned for us.

Hope all of you had a good one as well!

Our electric bill came in under budget this month by $46!!!

I am trying to build our household account so that we are one month ahead, then two, then three...and so on...so I am going to leave this money in the household account for that purpose.

On the other hand...DHs paycheck was $4 under budget....so we sill cut the grocery budget by $4 this week.