much I spent.

The Open House for the 2016 graduates was yesterday; it went really well. It was a nice stream of people in and out, and ended up with the kids' friends having a s'mores fest on the deck.

I didn't know how many people to plan for and we had about 40+ people (30ish ate a meal, 10ish grazed or had dessert)

I paid cash for most of it. Here is what I spent:

1) Food (deli spread/meatballs/salad/fruit) > $107
2) Dessert (cake/cupcakes/s'mores) > $61.25
3) Decorations (streamers/nice frame) > $30.00
4) Souvenir autograph pillows > $36.75
5) Paper Goods (plates/napkins/cups/utensils) > $18.00
6) Flowers > $5.00

TOTAL SPENT >> $258.50

The upside is I also have enough leftovers to feel that family for a solid several days, plus one unopened bag of meatballs and enough supplies for one more night of s'mores.

The kids received generous gifts. They'll do their thank you's tomorrow.

My house is neat and clean and (for once) organized. Everything I borrowed from my mother is heading back tomorrow. I do really like her double-sided crockpot (actually keeps hot food hot and is an easy way for a buffet to look nice and neat). I borrowed my mother's table clothe and serving dishes. And will admit it looked nice, my food spread.

We're house-bound today with only a bike ride on the to-do list. Time to start thinking about California in earnest. We land on the 15th and on the 16/17 my daughter has five meetings with various top agencies in LA. So exciting. Though I'm scared at the prospect of driving in that commotion!

Our graduation open house is on Saturday; my first go at hosting something like this (with no definite start and stop times, though my relatives do tend to like to hang around longer than necessary). I've done some list making/comparison shopping/menu revision and here is where it stands:

1) Deli spread with ham/roast beef and Swiss/cheddar
2) Meatballs - half in marinara and half plain
3) Rotini pasta salad with ham cubes/peas/mayo
4) Tri color pasta salad with vegetables and Italian dressing
5) Orange cool whip jello recip
6) TBD other salad

I've priced out fruit plates and can do it cheaper by myself (versus picking up one at Sam's). We found a very nice and reasonable two tier cake at Sam's for $35. I've decided to round out the desserts and snacks with home-made pan cookies (might get exotic with mint chocolate chips for one).

For chips I am buying a 50 count bags of Doritos/Sun Chips at Sam's for $10 and will get two bags of veggie chips at Aldi's for a total of $14.00..

For drinks, Jewel has two liters on sale at $.88 if you buy in multiples of 4. I will get 8 and spend $7.20 plus cost of plastic cups. I was going to do cans but there is the potential for waste and its more expensive.

For decorations, I'll buy a bouquet of flowers and some balloons from the Dollar Tree on Saturday morning. Should spend roughly $15.00.

Today I am renting a Rug Doctor from Ace and cleaning all the carpets in the house. Fun? Not really!! But end result will make me happy. Cost for this: $30 plus cost of soap. My brother asked why I didn't just hire someone, or borrow his oldish spot cleaner.

I mowed the lawn yesterday. I find that highly therapeutic (not sure why). My brother asked why I didn't just hire someone, or pay my child to do it.

My mother also has some ideas on how I should entertain: such as how punch should be served, the service bowls that should hold the salad, etc, and suggested where I should purchase the cole slaw from (Culvers).

I'm finding it rather ironic that I'm able to now say (without angst) "That's a great idea. I will consider it." It acknowledges peoples valid points without stating that they may not be relevant to me. The old me would say yes and change my plans or defend my reason why I won't. Too much energy to talk sometimes.

And on a money-front:

My goal for over the summer is to acquire enough extraneous funds so I can live this month on last month's paycheck. The entire YNAB concept that confused me as to how I was going to achieve it.

Onward to clean carpets and cake orders!