Shin-kicking the daycare lady (what I'd like to do)

I'm beginning to not like my daycare lady. I don't think she's very truthful, and I don't think she is very attentive. She keeps me talking for 20 minutes every time I pick up my kids while the other ones are in the back room, and if she does that with me I can only assume she's doing that with every one. Plus, I don't think she teaches the kids very much, and I'm becoming very worried that when it comes time for school, they will not be prepared. I do what I can, but she's with them 40 hours a week.

The last couple days Henry has come home with a full or overflowing diaper, and while I've been stretching the smaller diapers during the day until we run out, it's a 5 minute drive home so I know he's not doing it all on the way. I don't think she's mistreating my kids (on the contrary, they are her pets) but the last straw was today when I paid based on the amount that she told me it would be starting in the new year and she told me I was wrong. A month ago she said that Spencer would be going down in price (by $40) and so would Henry (by $10) and I'm broke as all get out so I was excited. Now she said that I misunderstood her, and Spencer was correct but Henry would be the same price. So it's only a $10 difference but she's full of crap and I'm so mad I could pull my kids out of her care completely ... if I could afford it and had something else lined up.

So after fuming about it for the last two hours (yes, I dwell), I talked to my husband who told me to start looking around for someone else.

So. Anyone know of a good daycare in my area that's dirt cheap?

Weekender

I didn't take pictures of my weekend clothes, but it's a bit embarrassing. Saturday: black bib-style top (Target) and rose-colored shorts (Loft), with my leather Born flip flops. Today I left the same shirt on (and I slept in it (and the shorts) - how low-class, right?) and my Loft jeans and the same flip flops. Clean underwear, at least.

The hubby and I had a serious talk about finances last night and cutting back to not eating out as much (or at all if we can help it). The 3 months of no paycheck for me, coupled with the possibility of no job come January for him as well as that 14k in childcare has me in a nauseous frenzy. The problem is, that puts so much more of a burden on me: more cooking than I already do, more staying home. More coupon cutting, more price checking ... you name it, I'm the one who has to do it.

After we decided that we needed to cut costs (including even suspending Netflix while the season shows are on), the Hubby tells me that he's been invited to MY FAVORITE restaurant with friends from work and his friend is paying for him. Now I'm depressed because I want to go, but I don't really want to go with his friends and I don't want to spend the money but I love that freaking restaurant. It's just not fair - I don't have any friends who plan on paying my way for delicious food and at home I have to make it all myself. I'm going to try not to dwell but damn it.

We have had a nice weekend of doing nothing though. Saturday the boys and I sat outside and played/read/rode tricycles (guess who that was) while my husband did yard work and then played video games for the majority of the afternoon while the boys slept. Today I have Spencer playing out back while we catch up on our shows from last week (CSI, Fringe, Criminal Minds - not toddler-appropriate shows).

Anyhow, we made a list for grocery shopping this morning and still managed to go way over budget so now it's even more important to eat in. For every meal. Which I prepare. Which of course makes me less motivated to make anything at all.

Saturday
breakfast - french toast, bacon and coffee
lunch - chicken nuggets and mac & cheese
dinner - shrimp and tortellini in a cheesy wine sauce

Sunday
Breakfast - muffins and coffee
lunch - hotdogs
dinner - Voila skillet meal and french bread