I'm meeting with my university gals this afternoon to plot our garage sale strategy. I can tell it's almost August and still two months from payday by everyone's growing enthusiasm for this project. We're all broke.

At my evening class last night I ran a colleague who is joining in our sale. She's just pulled a slightly dinged DVD player from the classroom garbage hoping to sell it Saturday.

In another communal venture, we've decided to "shop" in each others' kids' outgrown clothing piles after the sale and then regularly from now on. Everyone is tickled and relieved.

DD and I walked again this morning after a "mystery shopper" breakfast at McDonald's. Neither of us is too fond of McD's breakfast, but she ate the pancakes and I'll make a breakfast burrito from the eggs tomorrow. DH hates wasting food so I'll bet I can get him to eat the biscuit. I did feel a little odd snapping photos of the breakfast, but heck, it was kind of fun. I haven't done one of these in years, and I'm not sure how regularly I'd do it, but for a change....

This afternoon DD went to her first day of Church Vacation Bible School Challenge. It's supposed to be a combination of Survivor, Amazing Race, The Apprentice, and Top Chef. She'll attend three afternoons and have an all-night challenge. All this for the $35 fee.

While dropping her off I ran into another mom from school and told her I didn't know they attended our church. She said they didn't, but her kids go to four or five different churchs' summer programs. Man--I've been paying $150+ for the great nature camps, but what a bargain this is!

DD and I have also started a fitness challenge--walking 2 miles every day and doing some other floor exercises. After one walk, I can't tell you how much better I feel. Looking forward to increasing zip!

DD and I spent yesterday with friends picking strawberries and peas. I made jam and froze berries, and have more to do. But those peas were pure heaven. I wish I would have planted some in our garden.

In further slight progress towards decluttering goals, I divested my office of a towering stack of DD's clothes and had a heartening discussion after our post-picking picnic lunch with friends about the need for us all to curtail restaurant meals in favor of monthly potlucks. I love going out, but we're all still reeling from the state paycuts. Most of my university friends have cut all kids' summer camps and other activities, so we're going to have to make our own fun.

My late ebay buyer is still late. I've now contacted her twice after the initial invoice. One more day and I'll open a claim.

In happier news, I've located a free voucher for Noodles. DD and I are heading there for lunch tomorrow since it expires soon!

It's been a sleepy Sunday. I slept late and we didn't make it to church. I blame the heat and a bit of a hangover from Friday's event. It wasn't a drinking hangover, just four hours in the car.

Leaving my Friday night documentation class, I got caught in a horrible traffic jam at 9 pm. There were three, almost consecutive accidents on the freeway. Nothing looked too bad, but it slowed traffic into a construction zone that eventually ground it to a halt. My normal one-hour drive, annoying at the best of times, turned into almost three hours. That coupled with the time to drive there in the afternoon was a real day spoiler. I took this documentation class as a favor to the administration, but I won't travel to that campus again. It's too far, and Friday night is not ideal. But last week was the last one.

DD and I did indeed create our sandbucket list. She wants more swimming lesson, crafts, reading, the library book club, etc. We've planned out special exploration days too. The next two weeks we're on our own until her various half day camps start. I'm trying to make these days both fun and frugal. That said--picnic tomorrow after swimming lesson.

No--not my hoodlum friends, but the session we attended at the library last night on e-books. Leave it to DD to drag us to a "Friends of the Library" meeting where everyone was at least 15 years older than me and the old man.

But we got the drill on downloading books from the library site, came home, and now have two library books, one on each Kindle.
It's again a testimony to my DD's inbred geekiness that she did a huge happy whooping dance about getting a library book on her Kindle.

It's her last day of elementary school today, and I'm not sure whether I'm happy or sad. What a trip.

I've got a bit of freelance work today, then the garden, maybe a nap, and the Popsicle party after school. Watching ebay auctions and hoping for the best.

Despite the long drive and lots of talk about documentation and citation, Friday night didn't go too badly. The other instructor was clearly not prepared for the evening, but I always have too much stuff--so I passed out examples, did samples, and spent time with each student helping with their projects. I think I can get through three weeks of it just fine.

Saturday morning we three did a school fund-raising run-walk. MY DH was less than enthusiastic, but we had fun and got some exercise. And lots of gift cards, coupons, and vouchers for free food and travel mugs. Perhaps it was the run tee-shirt with the big cupcake on it that made him doubt he'd wear it again?

Saturday night DD had a sleepover birthday party to attend. She'd heard from the b-day girl a short list of what she'd like for a gift, and apparently there was some grumbling from other moms about the price of the gifts. But we stuck to our budget with a gift card and a few little trinkets.

That sleepover meant DH and I had the evening to ourselves--and we made the most of it. First to a tapas place that we loved--then a movie. Wow--that much fun without paying the babysitter. I'd have sprung for the expensive gift for the b-day girl!

Yesterday at church we sang my DH's mom's favorite hymn--and since we'd both lost our moms since last Mother's Day--it was particularly meaningful to be together and remember them. Then we went out to lunch, weeded the lawn, and did some home chores. All that dining out is really unusual for us--and we ended up eating frozen eggrolls last night with the sleep-deprived DD snoozing on the sofa. It sounds odd, but it was very fun.

Yes, I can make it to spring break in eight days.
I wish my break held lots of fun like it did in the days when DH and I were dating and I flew to London for the week. These days if I can get lunch out with a girlfriend, it's a triumph.

I'd really like to go somewhere for break, but I'm halfheartedly committed to saving everything I can for new paint on the house trim, new windows, and new bathroom tile. But really, I'd rather go to London.

But there is good financial news. Our mortgage continues to shrink although I've stopped major prepayments when we worried about DH's job.

I resisted buying lace-up boots as suggested for DD's "Pioneer Days" simulation, but this afternoon while she was at dance class, I zipped over to Target. I figured they'd have nothing but sandals and spring shoes, and I was almost right. There, staring right up at me from the clearance rack was one pair of girl's lace-up boots reduced from $25 to (yeah) $7.28. In her size! It made my day--not too tough since the rest of the day was spent grading papers and prepping my online class.

Eight days, baby.

It was a bit of a flurried week, but Friday's snow was more than flurries, I guess.
DD had a friend over for a sleepover on Friday, and the three of us went to see "The Lorax." I'm continually amazed at the behavior of some children--which of course precipitated a lecture to DD on Saturday.

DD's friend is actually one of our favorites. She's a very nice little girl, and we like her whole family. The movie theater has a full restaurant attached. I've never been there before, but had a Groupon for it, so off we went. At full price, the three 3D tickets would have been $30. We ordered a pizza--then DD's friend asked if we were also having appetizers--and could she have a root beer float. One set of mozz sticks and two root beer floats later, my DD was struggling. She's not the world's biggest eater, but DD's friend cruised right through all the food, asking before the film started if we could also go for ice cream later.

Food at the theater with tip $42. Another $10 at the ice cream shop where friend wanted a waffle cone--then a big waffle cone dipped in chocolate, then asked if she could have anything she wanted. I reined it in a bit, but she did end with a double waffle cone topped with sprinkles. DD and I were about at our limits. Yet we had lots of fun. But has anyone else been faced with this?
I kept thinking about my mom's lectures to not ask parents for more things--and I always send cash with DD. But I think we're in the minority.

On Saturday I headed to the grocery store, graded papers, and then went out with some friends. Of the five of us, one friend (who insisted on paying for a favor we did her last fall) is in bankruptcy, another is in the middle of a short sale on their home, another is months behind on rent. Yikes! I felt strange and prosperous.

DH and I had a long discussion about how people deal with money stress. I'm a natural withdrawer. If things are tough, I tend to retreat, get quiet, and work through it. But the gloom of the economy--particularly among my academic and house-poor friends--makes many of them search for cheer with meals out, weekends away, and other "treats" that make things tougher in the longer-term.

Tonight--after a 10-week term off, my evening classes begin again. I can't say I'm excited, but the cash infusion looks satisfying.

Our school district offers a "Love and Logic" Parenting class that some of the parents we know have enjoyed, so I spent a whooping $8 on the workbook and went over there this morning. I think it was a good opportunity to connect with people--and I found that although those skills seem to come naturally to me in the classroom, I need to apply them more consistently at home--not getting in the middle of always intervening etc. The class runs for six weeks, and I think I'll enjoy it.


The rest of the day will be spent on the study abroad job app. No other news to report. I'm looking forward to a good first week back at school!

It's two days before the semester begins and I'm cleaning and clearing. I love to start the semester with a clean house and everything ready to roll--but the best mislaid plans...

My dear family always reminds me of when DD was three, and I was completely prepped for the semester. I was on time, ready to take her to childcare, syllabi and first day materials copied and ready to go in the back seat next to her. I was VERY pleased with myself as I;'m not normally that serene. About halfway there, DD says to me, "I think I'm going to burp." Since she rarely announced anything like that, I raised an eyebrow--and 30 seconds later, she vomited all over my course materials and herself. No way could I take her to childcare, the phone was in the back seat too, and I had class beginning in 40 minutes. I drove to DH's office, called him from the lobby, he jumped in the car, and we drove to the university--then he took DD home. I did have to explain the lack of handouts to students whose reaction was similar to the one you're probably having now. But indeed, the worst of the semester was over that first day!

I'm hoping for a calmer one on Tuesday.

When I stumbled from my toasty bed at 6, the thermometer read minus 5. In my Minnesota days that wouldn't have seemed too bad, but I've become a southern Wisconsin softie.

All my goals got crossed off yesterday as it was a pretty darn productive day. I got lots of class prep done--though I despise the Desire2Learn system we use for online classes. It's the most non-intuitive piece of... . Oh never mind. I made bean soup for a million, got the laundry done and my flex spending claim filed, completed my annual self evaluation, and thriftily used up all sorts of leftovers.

Can someone counsel me (CCF? Lauras?) about tempestuous tweens? DD seems to be going through a crazy time, but everything I read says it's normal. Lots of drama, tears, fights with friends, fights with us, feeling "pressured" about school work, etc. But man, either I'm going to have to send her to a faraway French convent school, or I'm going on the lam. The drama of it all is so exhausting.

Today's goals (if I decide not to go on the lam) include groceries, drugstore, and the beginning of the application process for the study abroad job.

I also curse Amazon for the free "Threadwords" on DD's Kindle. Time bandit!

Weary of being in the house and wearier still of my cold, DD and I did some shopping yesterday. First stop Target. Lots of great deals with those TGT on-line coupons and returned a few Christmas things. Thrill of the trip? A new ironing-board cover. They seemed to have lots of cute things, all of which I resisted. Then on to Blood, Bath, and Beyond (The Simpsons gets full credit for that name) to replace DD's broken jewelry holder which DH stepped on two days after Christmas. More joy there: It was on sale, and I had a coupon. Famous Footwear followed with frequent buyer credits and a sale bringing the $44 shoes down to $6.49! One more stop at CVS where we met the mom of one of DD's friends. DD's friend has been having problems being bullied on the playground, so we invited her for a playdate next week. The school has a no-tolerance policy, but some bullying is creepy intimidation. These girls say nothing to the little girl, just follow her and glare at her. She walks away, they surround her and do it again. I felt so bad for her mom too--big dark circles under her eyes from worrying about the situation. Anyway, we bought enough to get rid of my expiring EB and get a great deal on dishwasher soap.

I've looked up the site for the will, and intend to work on it tomorrow. And that's about the size of it. Cold, Cold--go away!

I graded all day Thursday but still have a day's work left. Thursday night I couldn't bear the sight of it one more minute, and at 11 pm bought Amtrak tickets to Chicago for the next day. I phoned DD's school in the morning to say she wouldn't be at there, bundled us up, packed coupons, train snacks, my Art Institute membership card, and we were at Union Station by 12:30.

We headed straight for Macy's, got a beeper for the Walnut Room restaurant even though they said it would be a two-hour wait. Off we went to the Christkindl Market, where DD swooned at the glass ornaments, had a piece of strudel, finally chose a white owl ornament (because it looked like Hedwig from Harry Potter) and enjoyed a fabulous hour there. Our beeper buzzed by 2:30, and we had a delicious lunch at a table with a great view of the spectacular decorated trees. The Christmas fairy came by, sprinkled DD with fairy dust as she marveled over the store, the lights, and the Christmas overload of it all. We took pictures by the trees, shopped a little, and had dessert at the Chicago Magnolia Bakery cafe before heading to the Art Institute for the Chagall windows and a few Impressionists, a walk on Michigan Avenue, and wound up at the Cloud Gate with carolers at 6pm. They lit candles, we sang, and when we decided we needed to head to the train station, my darling started to cry because it was all so wonderful, she didn't want it to end. When we got home at 10pm, she ran in the house to tell her father we were going to make a tradition of it and she wanted to do that same trip every year for the rest of her life. Take that, evil grading! I defeated you and refused to let you eat my life. I'll deal with you tomorrow when I obliterate you for good for the rest of 2011!

Last weekend in Chicago I spent 30 minutes or more oohing and aahing over fancy coats for girls at Macy's. The Rothschild one I almost bought was about $85 after discounts, but I just couldn't quite bring myself to pay that for a coat DD would wear two years.

I bid on and bought the same coat (used) on ebay for under $30. It was an indulgence, but I remember so well my "fancy" coat when I was 11, and I wanted DD to have one of her own. Maybe more for me than her? But less than half price!

After all the energy expended these past few days, our house should be toasty and warm. But it's cold.

I've spent the past 36 hours trying to get control of school work and the budget, and I'm a little tired. DD had a dream about a bear in the garage(?) and slept between us last night. That's rarely comfortable as she's a flailing, muttering sleeper. So I started getting anxious, and the bear in the garage seemed like a wolf at the door to my brain at 3am.
I got up, turned up the heat, and read for a couple hours. Poetry seemed like the answer, and may I recommend Lorine Niedecker, an underrated wonderful poet. Her spareness was just what I needed, and I slept like a baby in the guest room for a couple more hours.

So today dragged. I got some grading done, but fell asleep after lunch. Now, refueled by caffeine and a raspberry turnover, I'm back it for a few more hours until bear-haunted girl returns from school.

I did slash (ouch) all our retirement plan automatic contributions. DH has upped the deductible on his car insurance. Back to grading.

What a satisfyingly frugal day I had. First a great church rummage sale. DD and I bought her five tops and five bottoms--two denim skirts, some jeans, and two pairs of shorts and seven virtually new books for $20. Great quality stuff--mostly Lands End. Plus I met another local woman whose son is in DD's class and who would be delighted at some of DD's hand-me-downs for her 7-year-old. Frugal karma!

Then to double-double coupon day with 10 coupons doubled and double the game cards at the local grocer. I saved a lot--and got free cereal and other items for the food pantry.

We followed that up with a fun post- Halloween event at a colleague's home. They're v creative folks and had fabulous food and great games and potion drinks for the kids. Someone asked why they chose this weekend rather than last--and the husband replied, "Because all the Halloween stuff was 80% off at Michael's!) I love it.

DD had a friend over for a sleepover last night. We took them out for pizza, then they came home to watch a movie. But DD can never sleep with someone over--and usually they're both so tired it's tough on all of us the next morning. Her friend slept in one of the guest room beds, but at midnight, DD came crying in to sleep with us.

Are all kids' sleepovers so fraught with anxiety? I remember loving a sleepover with friends, and I feel like a big meanie when I limit hers but they're so tough on her.

We spent nothing today except at church, listened to the Brewers win the first game of the NLCS, and I graded papers. Beautiful weather here so we had a walk too.

No definite word yet on M-I=L's funeral date, so I'll wait to book until tomorrow. My F-I-L seems to be doing well. He's in his 80s, and they were married 59 years. I love him to bits, and if insurance wasn't an issue, I'd love to him live with us in the US.

Is it just me or are we having server issues? I couldn't log in last night at all and was bereft at the thought of a night without checking in with everyone.

No money spent yesterday except for DD's piano lessons which seem to do no earthly good. How much do folks pay for 30 minutes of children's lessons?

Lots of time pressure at school today, and I still feel like I'm constantly swimming upstream. But we had a lovely lovely (did I mention lovely?) evening hike at a nearby nature center. DD goes to a summer camp there, it's close to our house, and her favorite teacher does guided evening hikes. We climbed a 60-foot tower overlooking Lake Michigan, looked a some crazy wild mushrooms, watched red squirrels detach pine cones from a tree, and really enjoyed ourselves. I especially enjoyed watching my DH catch a bullfrog in a net.

Except for the "pennies for libraries" project at DD's school, I only spent on coffee.

But running to make everything happen today.

Paulette: I guess my hike counts as exercise?

Last night was my first class of the semester--my looooong evening class on Women's Lit. I think it went well. When I got home DD was still up, though lights went out in her room an hour earlier. She was very excited and nervous about today's school start.

This morning went well, although the bus was a bit late.
Our craft project decorating her backpack fell apart, so I envision another trip to the craft store for better glue.

I have a series of meetings and then a trip to the bakery since I assure DD that today would be "a piece of cake" and then promised her some when she got home!

Just about done with DD's back-to-school needs. I think we need new gymn shoes and a package of fine-tip markers and I can call it a day. Stopped into the Lands End store on the way home because she wanted a particular backpack--and they have free shipping when you order in the store, but I negated all those savings by buying 4 (eek!) pairs of pants--but they were on sale for $9.50/pr. I think I'd better stay in and away from the shops for a bit!

We also got her eyes tested, and am glad to say she doesn't need glasses. A little grocery shopping rounded it all out. Now I need a cup of coffee and some lunch to face the bags all over the kitchen.

Dd had her sometimes BFF (should it be SBF?) over last night for a sleepover. besides eating their way through the house, they had a spat around 1am, but by 3am, they were BFs again. Now I'm a TM (tired mom), but we have a full social schedule today.

I've made a huge spinach orzo salad that will be taken to DH's boss's pool party and to a birthday party later today. I had a BOGO coupon for the feta required, but the checker wouldn't take it. DH, outraged, went to customer service where they refunded him $4.99 instead of the $3.79 the feta actually cost.

Tomorrow the tall ships will be in the area, and I'm determined to have more summer fun.

On my "rest-of-the-summer" bucket list was ice cream cones by the lake, swimming, margaritas outside, a festival, and a BBQ with friends. I got two of those done last night.

I like Little Gopher's List! Wish I could make it to the Minnesota State Fair: It's the best and just thinking about it makes me homesick.

I'm thinking of subscribing to the daily paper again. We used to get it, but switched over to the Sunday and the Sunday NYT only. However, the local paper started including a free Wednesday edition with a Sunday subscription, and I've really enjoyed it. I found some useful coupons, including, strangely enough, one for the gold buyer I just met.

I also listened to an NPR broadcast yesterday about newspaper sales in India and was struck by how many Indian kids said they enjoyed the paper, commenting on how it kept them up with current events. As a child, I felt the same way. I loved the newspaper, and DD is now 9 and might enjoy it too. I know I can read on line for free, and we always listen to the Newshour, but if I can find a decent deal, I'm giving it a try.

My fabulous DD is two grades ahead in reading, but has always struggled with her Math. My sister-in-law sent my nephew to Kumon for math help for a couple of years--and now he's graduating from engineering school. Has anyone out there used Kumon? Reactions?

I like their methods, but I'm not sure if it's worth the $100/month they're talking about.

Raining raining raining here. It's a happy peaceful sound!

I bet many of you can tell when school ends for me. I'm always purging stuff and cleaning in a one-month frenzy. Yesterday I finally hauled out a big bin of DD's summer clothes, and as always, she has way too many. I don't buy her lots of clothes, but she is growing very quickly, and in her lankiness, many things (particularly shorts and skirts!) are way too short.
One of her British cousins is three years older, and we always get lots of hand-me-downs from her, so we sorted through clothes last night. About half of last summer's things are salvageable, but I'll have to deal with the other half. i wish I could truly just put them all in a bag and take them to the Salvation Army or Goodwill, but I always seem to resist that. That said, I freecycled a large bag this morning--and they're already gone--to a woman starting as a foster parent. That was VERY satisfying. Some other clothes should probably be ebayed or sold on Craigs list, so that's on my agenda this week.

Please again reassure me (and DD) that we are not the only folks on the planet without cable TV.

Here's today's story: I've decided to so a systematic evaluation of all our bills and started this morning with the phone bill. We have cheap-o "pay-as-you-go" cell phones, so it was the DSL and home line I considered. I called ATT, and of course, they tried to get me to bundle with a TV package for about $20 more a month than we pay now. But I wanted less, not more.

The call continued and eventually (20 minutes in) they came up with a package that is $25 less than we pay now. I resisted the cable TV package and instead of paying $240/yr more, I think I saved $300. I'm happy and can do without the cable as can DH. DD is another matter!

Wow, did we have a rainy first day of spring yesterday! Today's drier but not much brighter.

DD and I had a quiet weekend with DH gone to visit his ailing mother in England. Mt hat's off to all of you single parents out there--and folks like creditcardfree who raise kids with spouses on military service. I am not cut out for that life. I crave more alone time and end up staying up too late grading or watching TV and grading when DH is gone. I miss having DH around!

We did spend some time decluttering and straightening the basement yesterday. I hoped to put in some time on the taxes, but it was too gloomy not to get DD up and doing things.

Our very hopeful daffodils have started pushing through, but all the talk of rain/snow mixes for the next few days makes them seem foolish.

Anyone starting a garden plan yet? I'm thinking about it, but have gotten no further than thinking.

Our DD has become a Harry Potter maniac in the last few months. We own all the books and movies and are thinking of spending some of spring break at Universal Orlando Harry Potter Land. Have any of you been there?

I'm trying to figure out much time a Harry devotee would need there. We've done Disney before and may try another day or two there, but before we sink time and money into Universal, I'd like some veterans' advice.

We'll probably stay at a condo outside Orlando that we liked before, so we're trying to figure how much time to spend there and how much it might cost.

The DD and I went out for lunch at Noodles today, and on the way in, a complete stranger handed us a coupon for $2 off. Did we look poor? Dunno, but it was very nice!
Our next stop was Great Clips for a haircut for DD. I usually have my coupon with me, but left it on the kitchen counter. When I mentioned that to the hair cutter, she produced another one for me.

Savings? Only $5--but out of midair!

Perhaps I should've kept shopping hoping for even better things?

My African-American lit class tonight read aloud Dr. King's "letter from Birmingham Jail." It was fabulous and a great way to celebrate the day, in school, in conversation with a lovely piece of writing.

A little bit of snow and a very gray day on this Monday.

We had a quiet weekend with some shopping on Saturday and a sleepy quiet Sunday, only leaving the house for church. Our daughter is VERY excited about a family sock hop at her school this week. She got some cute clothes for it, probably more than she needed, but what the heck. I doubt her father and I will look at all cool.

Our regular Friday night friends' group is full of bad news. One couple isn't working at all; the other couple just took a 25K pay cut. We feel very blessed and lucky to be doing as comfortably as we are.

I sold a book over the weekend and have a bag of charity donations on the front steps. I hope they get through the snow!

My eight-week class starts tonight with 30 new students. I haven't been in the classroom for almost a month and am actually (gasp) a little excited.