Toward Freedom - Day 1 - Cleaned out Rogue

Okay Day 1 was actually yesterday. Day 1 = Gabi "fall break" shopping fail (eventually redeemed at ULTA). Climbing into trunk of Nissan Rogue to finish cleaning it out. Blizzard at night (no Gabi :() Shopping Fail - Plan was to get G to help clean out old car and pay her $20 and then go to Claire's/the mall and look around and get some things. She misunderstood and thought we were going to have a "shopping spree with Mommy" in which I would buy her whatever she wanted, a la her grandmas. And the shopping trip she had w her grandma and cousin in TX. Her face fell when she learned she would need to use her own money. She got angry, threw all the manipulation at me. She didn't want Claire's she wanted makeup. So we went to Macy's and that was too expensive. We went into HandM (For me) and I sent her to kids' section; when I went to get her she was sitting glumly staring at the $20 (very much like a gesture I have seen her dad make). She kept saying $20 was hardly any moeny; she wanted me to spend at least $50 on her and said "we never go shopping together"... I stood firm though I felt frustrated and hurt. I told her I felt like I always come up w/ something I think will be fun and it gets ruined by too much wanting and fighting. We eventually went into Ulta instead, where I thought her money could go further. And it did. She found a buy one get 1/2 off special and was able to get 3 eyeshadow palettes and some makeup wipes. She also got a free makeup bag at checkout which was really nice. The total was $26.42 or so. She paid with her $20, a few $1 bills she had and butt load of quarters and change! She didn't want me to put any on my card. Luckiy the cashier was patient and the line wasn't too long. I was proud that I stuck to my guns but was able to help her - realize that things are cheaper at different places and $20 CAN go far.