It's raining off and on here is southern CA. I love it when it rains -- and we sure can use it! Today is a holiday, but I did go into work today. Contractor could not work due to weather, but I did spend a few hours catching up on paperwork. It was great to work with little distraction. Then went to the company gym, and off to home with DH and DD.

A no spend day today -- we just had grilled cheese on hamburger buns with avocado for lunch. I got the cheese on sale last week for $1.88 lb (good price for here). Buns were given to me by a friend (her gardener gives her volumes of day old bakery goods) and the avocados were from our tree. Dinner plans will be chicken or bean burritos and carrots. Chicken is a leftover. Lots of sour cream, salsa, and avocado for garnish. Lemonade is one of the beverages (FIL's tree). Dessert can be cookies or See's Candies.

Yesterday DD and I went to a local mall to use up some gift cards. I haven't been to a mall for shopping in quite some time. Both DD and I did not like it -- to many people. I keep hearing that the economy is in trouble and spending is down. But there were no signs of that at this mall! People everywhere with lots of bags! We went to Vitamin World (with coupon); Gap (gift card); Justice (no gift card but 40% off the entire store so some decent deals were made); Victoria's Secret (gift card); and See's Candies (gift certificates). Got some good deals and free goodies at Justice and See's. I still have gift cards so I think I will have to make more trips to redeem them. I worry that the stores will not be there and I will be out my money. I do feel good that DD could see that we were being prudent with money; and also that my disdain of rampant (not mild) spending and commercialism is rubbing off on DD. DD is happy wearing just about anything (although she is getting more concerned about matching these days); and is an ardent recycler. She has more fun making things out of cardboard, etc. I am hoping to have her GS troop visit a local recycler this year and also start a papermaking project.

So.. I am having a lazy afternoon sitting on the computer and vegging.....