My grandma (90 years old) is heading home today after a three week visit. This is what we've done: took G-ma to a potluck dinner at Church, went to Cantigny in Winfield, IL and walked around the gardens and took the mansion tour, we went out to eat several times, walked around our local downtown, been to the library, went to the mall, worked a-gazillion jigsaw puzzles, watch the movies "What About Bob" and "The Secret Life of Bees". My grandma also got to see the dance studio where the girls dance and saw my soccer star son at practice. My mom and stepdad took my g-ma to Iowa to visit a cousin/neice, etc. I think she had a good time, and the thing that I'm realizing is that quality family time doesn't necessarily equate to spending a lot of money. We did lots of reminiscing and talking about the past, looking at old pictures, etc.

DH took the girls plus two friends each to a preview of the Jonas Brothers concert on Thursday evening. Both girls brought their best friends and their sisters, so DH had the range of girls: going into 3rd grade up to high school. We spent $4.51 at Hobby Lobby and the girls decorated the minivan's windows with "isms" like I *heart* Joe, Nick, Kevin; Burning Up for the Jonas Brothers, Honk if you love JB. The tickets and the parking were free. My children spent $22 on snacks at the venue ($8 for dippin dots, and $5 for a pretzel, and some waters). Afterwards, DH took the girls to Wendy's and spent $25 on items from the $1 menu. And as they were at Wendy's at 12:30, Alyson Stoner (she played Sarah Baker in the Cheaper by the Dozen movies and is a voice in Disney's cartoon "Phineas and Ferb") and the Camp Rock 2 dancers were at the Speedway next door. Apparently, Alsyon was very nice to our group of girls, had pictures taken, autographed T-shirts, and said that daughter #2 was so sweet and polite. The oldest girl in the group (the HS) posted pictures on Facebook and this has been the hit of the summer in their social circle. DH laughed when he asked the highschool if she had a good time, with a sigh she said it was *amazing* - she was able to touch all 3 brothers. So funny to hear these stories!

I've noticed that I since I'm attempting to mature and break some bad habits (gossip), I'm not really that emotionally vested in my brother's drama (parting ways with the GF). She called to talk about something other than the break-up and then when the conversation headed for that, rather than say anything to her about what I really think, I stuck to the "Life is too short to be in a place that you don't want to be." Didn't speak to her motives or what my brother might have done or not done. I don't think his relationship with her will leave us with any lifelong friendships (unlike the XSIL who we're still close with after six years). She said she'd like to get together (part of her 'say the right thing' package) in the future. I don't really see that happening ...


On the money front, things are stable. The tenant paid the $725 for 1/2 months rent and in two weeks she will pay the additional $275 to pay $1,000. All of the bills are paid for August. I must not get overzealous and think I'll pay all of the bills for September in August - I must fight that unrealistic straight-jacket thinking. I've already spent $45 on BTS for four kids and don't have much more to get. I have to pay $100 at the end of the month for license plate stickers and we have a weekend away in September which I'll need $130 for hotel and plan what we're doing (Dutch Village in Holland and visit to Lake Michigan) and plan accordingly.

Hope you all have a great weekend.