Today was Chipper Jones' last day to play in a regular game in Atlanta. 20 years with the same team. His parents were there to watch him play.
Chipper and I are from the same area, Volusia county, Florida.

The braves won their last two games and I had a no use gas day today, so $4 more for the challenge.

Prev. total $8013.00
today 4.00
new total $8017.00

I got a pinecone check in the mail today! As usual, it will be added to the $20 challenge.

Prev. total $8010.00
today 3.00
new total $8013.00

I have $5 to add to the $20 challenge; $1 is for the stock market going up yesterday, $2 is for the braves winning 2 games in a row, and $2 if for a no use gas day yesterday!

Prev. total $8005.00
today 5.00
new total $8010.00

Last night the braves came from behind in the 9th inning to win the Wikd card division! I am adding $10 to the challenge because of this!

Prev. total $7995.00
today 10.00
new total $8005.00

My usual check was deposited to my checking account this morning. It is my s/s check and I always add it to my $20 challenge.

prev. total $7491.00
today 504.00
new total $7995.00

I am having a very frugal day. First I add $2 to the $20 challenge by having a no use gas day.
I activated a new GM credit card that I got in the mail cause it said it will pay me back 5% on purchases. I then charged my elec bill which I will pay off in full on the card.
I was offered another credit card by my bank that will give me back $150 with ANY purchase! So, I accepted that. I love these free money offers!

Prev. total 7489.00
today 2.00
new total 7491.00

It was pretty cool here this morning when I got up, 37 degrees! I have not turned the heat on yet; instead I am wearing long pants and a sweater.
I ordered enough propane to fill up our 1000 gallon tank. I was quoted $2.05 per gallon. What are you paying in your area?

Since there was no bridge today, I did my grocery shopping. Using my Ingles card and 3 coupons, I saved 8 dollars. The braves won their last two games, so a total of $10 to the challenge.

Prev. total $7479.00
today 10.00
new total $7489.00

I went to my first bridal shower in over 25 years, yesterday. It seemed kind of strange. They served the food immediately when we got there at 3 pm.
There were several young men there and 10 children under the age of 10. Kind of a family thing, I guess. The shower was for my oldest granddaughter who is getting married in just 2 short weeks! I gave them cash; that is always a handy gift.

My electric bill came in under budget by $30 this month, so I am adding that to the challenge money!

Prev. total $7449.00
today 30.00
new total $7479.00

I just checked my mail and I got 2 checks. One from Wendy's for $11 and the other from my chase credit card for $50. Of couse this will be added to the challenge money.

Prev. total $7388.00
today 61.00
new total $7449.00

I love weather like this. It is so good for my electric bill!

I took Molly to get groomed yesterday. She groomer said that she cried when she cleaned her ears. I took her back today to the vets; I did not want her to suffer all weekend. Sure enough, it was an ear infection. I got my puppy a shot two weeks ago and she is due for another one the first of the month.
Dogs can be expensive!
The braves won their last game and the stock market went up yesterday; another $2 for the cause!

Prev. total $7388.00
today 2.00
new total $7390.00

We spent the day over in North Carolina yesterday. We have bought 7 pieces of property this past year for dh to build spec houses on. One lot was in Hayesville, N.C.
We decided to list it for sale. It is just too far to drive to build a spec house.
We also did the grocery shopping and saved $4 using the aadvantage card. Although the Braves did lose last night, they won their last 4 games; so a total of $8 to add to the $20 challenge.

Prev. total $7380.00
today 8.00
new total $7388.00

That is what today is, my bridge day! I love laying bridge. I took lessons a few years ago, and 4 of us decided that we would practice what we learned by playing bridge each Monday afternoon. I have never missedd a session! Do any of you play bridge?

I learned to read when I was 3 by reading comic books to myself. My favorite comic book was "Little Lulu" Does anyone remember her?
In one comic book, Lulu said this poem,
"Hollyhock is very smart,
Knows world history by heart,
Knows about the rising prices,
Knows about the far East crisis;
But all the world looks great to me,
So who is smarter, me or she?"

Isn't it amazing that there was a far east crisis more than 60 years ago? And we still have one! I hope that the next president can solve this problem.

(p.s., Hollyhock was Lulu's best friend)

WE got invited out to dinner last Monday night! It was at the home of my bridge buddies and was one of the best meals I have ever tasted! Filet mignon, red potatoes and home made chocolate pie!

I really don't like to cook very much. Maybe cause I have been doing it for so many years??

Now, we just got invited out for tomorrow night's dinner. It will probably be an outside meal cause the weather has cooled off so much. We built a large house for this couple 11 years ago. However, last year they bought a tiny cabin (400 sq. ft.) just 5 miles from their house, and they go there a lot.

I love eating dinner somewhere else!

A usual, I have managed to come up with a few more bucks for the $20 challenge. I had to pick up a few items at Bi Lo but I had several coupons, so I saved $4 there. The stock market went up yesterday and I had a no use gas day yesterday, for a total of $7 for the challenge!

Prev. total $7373.00
today 7.00
new total $7380.00

I did my grocery shopping yesterday. I allways use my advantage card and add the savings to my $20 challenge!

Prev. total $7361.00
today 12.00
new total $7373.00

I got a dividend check from Tim Horton today, so I will add that to my challenge money. am playing bridge all afternoon and then we are invited out to eat at friends house tonight. It should be a good day!

Prev. total $7330.00
today 31.00
new total $7361.00

And they did it three games in a row. It was Chipper's last day in New York (playing). I am from the same area as Chipper and had met his mother once.
I will add $3 to my $20 challenge fund.

Prev. total $7274.00
today 56.00
new total $7330.00

(I also added a rebate that I received from a building supply company, $53.00.)

I enjoyed most of the speechs. President Clinton's speech was very good, but according to fox news, not all of the speech was factual.
I think that this vote is very important and I would urge all of you to vote. Even if you don't like either guy; you should vote for one of them. I voted Liberitanian (spelling?) once and I am afaid that I just wasted my vote. We certainly need to turn this country around.

I have been watching both the republican and democrat conventions this past week. I am finding the speeches very interesting.
I think this might be the most important presidental race that I have ever voted in; and I have voted every 4 years.
I certainly find it interesting that our country owes 16 trillion in debt and that 46.6% of americans are on food stamps.

Yesterday, during bridge, I noticed it getting very hot in the house. The a/c had quit working. I was afraid it was something very serious, cause the unit is now 16 years old. My repairman came today and found out that a part had broken. So I have air again. I am so glad that i do not have to replace the entire unit YET!!

The braves won 2 games in a row; I had two no use gas days in a row. so I have $6 to add to the challenge.

Prev. total $7268.00
today 6.00
new total $7274.00

I received the interest on my ING account yesterday. I will add that to the $20 challenge.

Prev. total $7219.00
today 49.00
new total $7268.00

I forgot to include my social security check in the $20 challenge last month. I hope to do a lot better this month.

Prev. total $6715.00
today 504.00
new total $7219.00

Ever since I got the puppy a month ago, I realize how far I have gotten behind on my $20 challenge. I have not kept track of the stock market or the braves games. I need to do much better. I DO know that the stock market went up yesterday and on my desk is $2 I put there when the braves won 2 games in a row, last week. I will add that to my $20 challenge.

Prev. total $6712.00
today 3.00
new total $6715.00