I'm a pretty simple person. I don't want a lot. A roof over my head, a car to get me around, food to eat, health, a job, and happy kids. When I look at that list it's really not a whole lot. Looking again, maybe it is everything.

I wonder what other people have on there list and I wonder if it is enough for them.

Do other people go home and say "I really don't want to eat chicken soup again today?" Sometimes that is exactly what I do. I know I'll have to eat it eventually, but maybe, for just today, I make grilled cheese and ham sandwiches. Or do they always stick to their list?

I wanted to go on a cruise this year. It is still on my list. I also want to go to a theme park with the kids and get a family picture taken. It is still on the list. The family picture has become much more important now that my Pop has passed away.

I wonder what it would be like if I had money - like the Hilton family. Would my life be so different? Would my list change so much? I can't imagine it really being that much different. I guess maybe my house would be bigger, the kids would dress better and I wouldn't have to always take that one serving of leftovers to work the next day for lunch.

I don't know. My kids being happy is pretty high up on my list. I don't know if having it easier would make them that much happier. Just in case I'll keep playing the lotto every once in a while. )

I guess, overall, I'm pretty happy with my list.

I did my budget for November and December yesterday. There is not a whole lot left over, which shouldn't surprise me, but it did anyway.

I will have about $400 left each month for food, gas and my kids school lunches and bus passes. Life is actually easier when they're in school.

I just don't know how I make it month to month sometimes. My stupid debt is now less than $11,000. I should be overjoyed, instead I still see that $316 monthly payment going out month after month.

I did do some things which I am proud of. I am now giving my brother $50 per month to help out with my mom. I also paid the entire six months of car insurance so I wouldn't incur the $30 late fees for three monthly installments. I am also puting $25 in a savings account each time I get paid. I just started this, still, it is a step in the right direction and one I wish I could have done months ago.

The car insurance company wants to settle on the car. This will still leave me over $1,000 in the hole. The finance company wants their money right now. I'm hoping they will settle for what I get. To catch everyone up - my daughter did not have insurance on a car that I financed for her. I am afraid I will be sued. My daughter has not made a payment since the car was wrecked in June. I've tried talking to her, but she will not listen to me. I am holding on to being angry about that and I can't seem to let it go.

I went to see my Pop's grave yesterday. There isn't any grass yet or a headstone. Just a maker. For a little while I felt better. I think it is going to look really nice.

Yesterday I went home after just a half day of work. My daughter had her ortho appointment and I asked for the rest of the day off. I'm wondering if I just went back to work too soon after he died. He was just laid to rest on Monday and I went back on Tuesday. I stayed home all last week. I thought that that was enough. Maybe not.

I'm thinking about trying to publish my story I wrote. I don't know if I could take rejection right now. Maybe I'll wait a while.

I'm thinking about writing a blog on "How I... Maybe I'll win the $25.