When I was a young, unemployed, single parent with NO money, I had to go to the free dentist who gave you two options - get your tooth pulled or suffer the pain. On top of that, my teeth are chipped and stained and generally yucko. I used to have fantastic teeth. I used to smile without shame.

Today I rang a dentist to make an appointment. After everything was sorted, they told me their prices. Holy moley, not cheap.

So I rang another dentist and this time the actual dentist answered the phone - not a reassuring sign - and he asked me about my immediate tooth problem (plus lots of inquisitive, non-dental related questions that made me rather uncomfortable). He thought it didn't need filling as I'd thought. More like root canal plus a titanium post then a crown.

On that basis, to get my whole mouth fixed will cost in the vicinity of $1,895,673.99, give or take a few dollars.

All I wanted to do was get my most troublesome (and visible) tooth fixed before my friend's party in 2 weeks time not spend the GDP of a small nation.

I went to lunch feeling totally depressed. At least it didn't lead to a binge - nothing stops emotional eating like the feeling of NEVER wanting to open your mouth in public ever again.

I'd made appointments with both dentists then realised I had to cancel them. I hate cancelling appointments. I feel like I have to have some justification. Then it hit me - I don't need to justify, I don't need to explain. I just have to cancel. That lifted some of the weight off me.

I made an appointment with a dentist close to home, who is significantly cheaper (ie. $110 a filling vs $200 plus a free initial consultation vs $90). I'll see what they say and work out how I can afford it. I've got to do something. Teeth don't fix themselves.

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Car update: I called RACV and they will sort my car out. I didn't think they would cos it says on their web site that they won't fix stuff that happens before you join. It's going to cost me $170 but I trust then whereas I've had bad experiences with mobile mechanics in the past. And I'll be all joined up (I dunno why I ever let my membership lapse cos I'm a total airhead at locking my keys in the car).

I'd actually checked out Coles Online before all the comments but didn't like the lack of info on food. I like to see the food in real life before I buy. Plus they didn't have the icecream I want on there - the Peters Lite and Creamy in individual serves. I'm fussy about these things. I did realise that I can go to an independent supermarket that is only about 10 minutes walk from home and get icecream there as well.

I still need to pay the big bucks to get my wheel bearings fixed once I get the car tyred up - my friend reckons it will be around $800 (but then again, I have no idea what he based that on) so I'll still be without a car for a while. Then, woohoo, I can go running at Albert Park again! That will rock.

I did love Beck's idea of getting a scooter though. I'd love one!

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Anyone notice how little I've been talking about weight loss this week? Mmm maybe that's because I'm too sick to exercise but well enough to eat like a piggy. I'm pretty sure I'll gain this week.