Okay...I have been emotionally absent for a couple of days. I have been stressing about making it through the week. But tomorrow if Friday, payday and I managed to make it. But because of my spending sprees that last few days(at the grocery store of all places!) I have managed to throw my budget completely off whack, fixable, but off whack. I think that when I don't blog about my spending that I don't tend to keep it in check. So I am back...going to have to start being a regular again.

The good news is that I just have two more items(headphones) to buy for Christmas and then stocking stuffers for my children. At least that is what I think now...seems people keep popping up that I forgot about.

More good news...my boss told me that I am the best person he has ever had in the position I hold. YEAH!! That is quite a compliment coming from him, not that he is an ogre to work for, but he has high expectations. He is also taking me and the other office girl out to lunch tomorrow...since I handle the finances, I know there is no bonus involved, but perhaps a nice present(he doesnt have cheap taste either!)

Cheerleading is a short practice tonight due to the Christmas party. Another YEAH! Working on bookmarks for daughter to give her teachers. Really worked very well, just more time consuming that I thought they would be.

I had a dream last night that my sister gave me a check for $1100(as well as some other wierd things from childhood). Needless to say, I woke up to reality.

Well, I sucked it up and asked my mom to loan me the money until Friday. I know that isn't that long but it just kills me to have to do it! But it is done. No more worrying about it. Can't say that my mood has increased any...but hopefully it will be on its way up.

No Hits yet about the tables for sale(Other than the first call that didn't want it because I couldn't tell him who made it). Hopefully someone will call me about them this week.

I have registered for pinecone and mysurvey.com. Hopefully that will start producing a little income.

Working from home today. I have to take my kids to Walmart this evening so they can purchase presents for people at school(with thier allowances of course) and since I work near Walmart, which is 30 miles away, I only wanted to drive there once today! I am fortunate to have a job that allows me the flexibility to do that.

Well, I have posted 2 tables and a larger longaberger basket on Craigs list. I have had one call on the table, but he ultimately didn't want it. Just waiting to see if someone else calls before I call my parents. Not sure what else to do. Have only had one call about the motorcycle...think it was a scam response.

On a more upbeat note...Socks is making improvements. His eye is not nearly as swollen and he is able to open it almost all the way. Hopefully he will be okay.

I don't know how I am going to make it through this week. If I don't get some money to put into my account, my checking account will be come overdrawn. In the past, I would simply ask my parents for the money who would gladly give it to me. But since I have "grown up" over the last couple of years, I have started to resent having to do that. We are not talking alot of money, but I needed gas on Friday and didn't realize my account was so low.

I had been doing so well...not eating out and budgeting for things. But today I m discouraged. I usually try to post something positive, some accomplishment. But I can't think of one today. I haven't eaten breakfast out in weeks and I still don't feel like it has made a difference.

It moved quickly and didn't last that long. But I managed to not spend any money while there! My parents had given me money for gas and they bought dinner. So the only money I spent was the $3 over the $20 they gave me for gas. Enjoyable evening for little money.

One of our older dogs bit our new puppy(Socks) last night. The new puppy was trying to get his food. It was horrible! Socks' eye is swollen shut and he has a gash on his head! Called the vet and they said to watch him, but there really wasn't much they would do.

Went to church this morning for my daughters violin performance. It was the stangest church service I have been to...not strange as in wierd but as in the preacher didn't really preach. He spoke for about 15 minutes about joy and then it was done.

We got the house cleaned up today after church...and my husband is now working on laundry. Feel very productive so far...but I am avoiding our bedroom!

While I should be done with my Christmas shopping for my kids, I have it set in my mind to get my daughter another present. I should be done...she will have quite a few presents because my sister keeps buying things. So I am going to try to resist getting her a gift cert for a perm. I feel good about where I am with the kids and know they will have a good Christmas. Still have a few things to get for a few people, but those will be small items.

Still managing to stick to the budget. Haven't had to deviate too far from it. Might have to take Socks to the walkin in clinic tomorrow, but it is far less than the normal vet and shouldn't throw us too far off budget.

Let me start by saying that I have never been one to appreciate the "arts". My parents and my sister(17 years older than I) tried to instill this is in me, but it never quite go there. We went to plays every year...went to musuems, etc and I was always bored out of my mind!

Well, this sister bought my parents tickets to the symphony for Christmas. Only one problem...my parents are in the thier late 70's and do not feel comfortable driving to Atlanta and bank after dark(about a 2 hour drive). So I volunteered to drive them. My daughter also wants to attend as she has turned into quite the musician lately. So we are all loading up and heading to the big city this evening for a night of culture...except of course for my husband who tactfully declined.

Good news is that I won't have to spend any money. If we eat anything, my parents will buy it and they have already given me money for gas.

I was telling my best friend how I ate lunch out on Friday and then how my husband and I went out to dinner on Friday. We also went out to Dinner on Sunday. I spent $66 eating out this weekend. All of this was after almost 2 weeks of not eating out...not one single time! My best friend pointed out to me that I was like an alcholic...that one drink is never enough. I don't mean to offend anyone that suffers with alcholism, (this runs in my family so I know it is a serious issue) but I had never thought of my eating out or spending as an addiction. Both are an addiction, but I guess that I never thought of my spending addiction as being as serious as an alcholic addiction. Spending could end you up in the same place, though...no house, no possessions, and living on the street if you don't learn to curb your spending.

So I am back on the no eating out wagon. Starting today, no more eating out. None. Zero. Zilch.

My husband is coming to get my car...am tempted to go to lunch(as this is my addiction). But no...not going to do it! I refuse!

I had to have a CT Scan done a couple of months ago, and since I hadn't met my deductible, I had to pay for it. I paid for 1/2 of it($100) and set up payments for the rest. I failed to set up the payment for November in my bill pay(I LOVE BILL PAY!!!) so I called today to explain what had happened and that I would send a double payment, for November and December. I asked her what the balance was and she said that I didn't have a balance, in fact, I had a credit. I was in shock. She looked at it and it turns out my insurance paid the whole thing!!! I have $100 credit! She is going to request that a check be cut and will call me next week when it is ready! So not only did I gain the $100, but I also gained the $60 that I had in my budget for the payment. Total is $160 "found money". Since I overlooked my husbands son(see previous posts), this will come in handy. I can un-adjust my budget and still stay in line! YEAH!!!

A representative from the Power Company showed up at my house this morning. I hit rock bottom last week(as many of you know) and apparently the payment I made to the power company last week was returned by the bank. I thought it had been paid because a check for the same amount went through. But fortunately, my husband was home and the representative was a friend of mine from years ago. I went online and paid it with the debit card. Close call averted! Gotta love small town living!