Simple Pleasures

Today, I went to Kansas City for a doctor's appointment. I was very happy, another seven pounds lost! My mother drove over last night to go with me. We ate out, and I rented a movie, she paid for dinner, and the movie only cost $1, so I came out ahead. Unfortunately, I fell asleep before the movie was over (okay, almost before it got started...), so I didn't get to see it. Oh well, I needed the sleep, so I'm okay with it. I seem to have been falling asleep about 6 p.m. every night...it's starting to get very irritating, I can't get any work done at home.

Anyway, after going to the doctor, we went shopping for a bit. We went to Salvation Army, where I found a pair of black dress pants for $2.10. I'm sure they were expensive to begin with, as they are Daisy Fuentes brand (this brand of pants ranges from $30-$50 at Kohls.com). After that, we went to Hobby Lobby, where I bought nothing. That's right, I managed to get out of the store without a single thing, though I admit that I drooled over the big pictures for quite awhile. I have a big picture frame which I have been looking to fill for the last six months or so. I found a print that I liked today, but even half price, it was still $17.00, so I decided to be happy with the enlarged photos from my trip to Italy which are currently hanging above my couch. I think I will just sell my big picture frame at my yard sale, so that I'm not tempted to spend nearly $20.00 for a picture to put in it.

After Hobby Lobby, we had lunch at a little Italian Deli ($18.00 for the two of us, including some delightful chocolate cheesecake). I had them put my meal into a take-out container, so that I could bring it home with me. I have enough homemade ravioli to make up four frozen dinners. After that, we went to K-Mart. I had a $50 gift card, which I originally thought I would make last for several frivolous shopping trips, then I realized that the more trips I made to K-Mart, the more likely I would spend more than the $50. I think it is best to just avoid the temptation. I admit, I spent every penny of the card today, I wanted to do this so that I won't have any money left on the card as an excuse to go back to the store. I did buy some things which I will use, rather than things I just want. I got some freezer bags, Kleenexes, laundry detergent, Clorox for colors, and cat litter. Really interesting stuff... I also got a Snuggie for my mother (she was with me and paid me back in cash). I had a coupon for $5.00 off your $50.00 purchase, so I got as close to $55.00 worth of things as possible. I got pretty darn close, and came out of K-Mart having spent a grand total of $0.66. (Actually, I came out of there $14.84 ahead as Mom gave me $15.50 for the Snuggie)

I have noticed that prices are starting to go down in stores...it seems that some things are getting cheaper. I'm not sure if this is because of the recession or not...maybe stores are trying to keep the customers coming. The few groceries which cost me $10.00 a few months ago (½ gallon of milk, ½ gallon of orange juice, 1 package of shredded cheese, and one small bag of cat food) now cost about $8.00. Milk is down to $1.75 from $2.25, orange juice is down to $1.70 from $2.35 and so forth. Is anyone else noticing this trend?

It seems that all I read in the news and see on television is how bad things are getting. It seems that all anyone can ever talk about is the bad things which are going on. What about the good things? Since parents are no longer spending money on going out to eat, they are cooking at home, which means they are spending more time with their children. People are doing away with luxuries, which will perhaps make us all appreciate the things we get more. Perhaps if children aren't given everything they want, they will learn to use their imaginations more, and will, in the long run, be happier adults. Perhaps, if the media focused on all the positive things which are happening in our lives, people would not be so pessimistic. That is what I would like everyone to do this weekend, forget about the recession - cook a meal at home, get out a board game or a deck of cards and spend some time with your family. Enjoy them, and remember that no matter how bad things get economically, you will always have people who love you.