Today, I am channeling my inner Busy Bee Lauren. If you have not yet scurried over to meet Busy Bee Lauren, you really should—she’s a cheerful, uplifting, and light-heartedly entertaining blogger. About once a week or so, Lauren writes an entire post about things that are making her happy. It’s a cheerful notion, and often she carries on and on with her tidings of great joy, leaving me feeling refreshed and rejuvenated that there is, indeed, still a semblance of good in the world.
After a solid several weeks of bad news—including poo-poor grades on midterms and papers, a pregnancy rumour, and one very wrecked Tamra Camry—a “semblance of good” post sounds like just the sort of thing I need this week. So…
What is Making Me Happy This Week?
1. A grade I deserve. Finally. And on a midterm, no less. Thank goodness—I was really starting to worry about my capacity to learn.
A+!!! Take THAT, other lousy English professor!
Although, it looks like she did the math wrong and originally gave me a 19.5 out of 20. {I scratch off white-out on a regular basis. There’s no hiding from me.} Oh well. 19/20 is still 95%, and that is a grade with which I can live.
2. I’m still digging the dark. In fact, I like it so much, I’m planning on returning tomorrow to have the hair lady darken up some of the blonde in front. I want it to be…more dark.
Seriously. Embracing the natural is the best thing I have done for my self-esteem since I got the contact lenses (thanks Mom and Dad!) in seventh grade (Grade 7, Canadians).
I got my bangs cut, too.
3. The thaw has come. For now, at least. It’s glorious.
Temperatures in the 30s, even the 40s? Not bad at all. Tomorrow I might even go jogging to commemorate the occasion.
4. It’s the beginning of a new month—and a new budget.
I’m trying to learn how to work the system with coupons. When I was a little girl, and my mom used coupons, I was always horribly embarrassed about it. Now? Loud and proud, baby. Loud and proud.
I did my grocery shopping today (because most grocers in Southern Alberta offer 10-15% off total purchases* on the first Tuesday of each month). That, combined with other sales, and the occasional coupon that actually applies to my life, makes for a good day of deals. I spent $91 and saved $40; today’s groceries ought to get me through at least a week and a half, if not two weeks, at which point I’ll need to do a little rejuvenating of the fridge. I try really hard to save money. Honest. I’m a hard tryer.
5. It’s the beginning of the month—and a new idea.
This “fun money” envelope lives clipped to our fridge, and I’ve had fun just looking at it the past couple of days—there’s a lot of hope in a “fun money” envelope at the beginning of a month.
Poor Kyle and I have decided that, in addition to taking out all the cash for our groceries at the first of the month—and not spending beyond that—we’re going to give ourselves a “fun” allowance. We are lucky to be able to budget for this; I know a lot of people might not have that chance. At any rate, we’re keeping it fairly moderate (for us), allowing ourselves $200/month for dates or excursions. How we spend it is totally up to us as a couple: If we want to go to the Burger Baron ten times in a month, fine. If we want to save it up for three months and have a weekend getaway, fine. If we want four nice-ish dinner/dates a month, fine. It’s fun money.
Being the first month we’re trying this, I’m anxious to see how it will work. Rest assured, I’ll keep you posted.
Anyway, that’s all I’ve got for today. Lauren can usually come up with 20 things that she’s happy about, but, given the circumstances, I think I’m doing fine with five. And you know what? Lauren might be on to something with these happy-happy-joy-joy posts of hers. I really do feel better.
Is there anything making you happy today?
*Total of purchases must be $50 before GST. There’s always a catch.
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