I Did A Great Job In November

I joined a group of people over on HCW in a challenge for the month of November. I said I could do it within $50. I actually only spent $31.47 on groceries for the month! Woo-hoo! I think I still have about $48 for December to come in at budget for the year.

I finished making my Christmas baskets for my lawyers, paralegals, and secretaries. I usually pick up baskets at thrift stores and yard sales all through the year and paint them myself in red, green, and gold. I cheated a little this year. Last year, after Christmas, I found some holiday buckets @ 75% off. I think they are usually $1.29 or so. Anyway, I was able to get 25 of them and only needed 22 this year, so, the fact that I hadn't haunted the thrift stores and yard sales didn't come back to bite me. Anyway, there's a pack of gourmet coffee, 2 envies of chocolate w/ flavors, and lots of Christmas wrapped individual chocolate candies. Each has a candy cane or two and a big poinsettia is clipped to the side of the bucket. Some glittery garland is strung across the top and little colored stars and candy cane cut-outs are sprinkled throughout. I figured everything I use to make these, purchased at retail value, comes to about $8 each. Of course, you know I didn't spend anywhere near that much, right? I think I may have spent about $60-$70 for everything.

My dad and I are going out to dinner together tomorrow. I'm performing a secret shop and it's a great excuse to have some private time with him. I think he is quite discouraged by the news he received last week. I can't say that I blame him! It hit me pretty hard, too.

I cancelled my Florida trip for my birthday. I need to be close to home. Dad needs me to drive him to chemo and radiation. I don't think I would enjoy FL too much knowing what's going on at home.