Lessons

When SuperDad and I were in our very first apartment, a block from our college campus, I had a step stool to reach the highest shelves in my kitchen. All the paint had worn off, so I decided that when I got paid, I was going to go to the paint store and have them help me buy what I needed to paint the stool. They showed me the best brushes and the nicest paint trays and the colors and the paints. I can't remember what I spent that day, but by the time I was done at the paint store, I only had $40 of my paycheck left to last two weeks. And I cried and I cried and I cried and SuperDad covered the bills (can you believe we used to have everything separate? To the point where we sent everyone two checks - each for one half of every bill!) and it was okay.

But I never forgot that feeling. I have never since shopped blindly, or bought everything the salesperson said I should. Or simply decided just because I wanted something done, that it should be done, without considering whether we could afford it or not.

So, maybe, after all, that trip to the paint store was the best money I ever spent.


P.S. We've tried some new recipes this week - chicken enchiladas and white chili, and neither blew my socks off, so I'll spare you. :)