The Happiness Project: July 2015 (part 2)

The Happiness Project

July 2015

Buy Some Happiness

MONEY

Part Two: Buy Needful Things

There seems to be two approaches to buying: over-buying and under-buying. I tend to be an under-buyer. As an under-buyer, I put off making purchases or buy as little as possible at a time. I don't stock up, even on things I use every day and then have to pay full price or run out. I take FOREVER to make up my mind on something (especially big purchases), then end up getting nothing, hence the side chair I'm still talking about but still haven't bought for the living room.

Peter and I are complete opposites when it comes to buying. He has a purchase in mind, researches it, and buys it. He also shops differently than me. We go to Walmart and if he needs, say, deodorant, he buys at least 5 (at least) of the brand he loves, I, on the other hand, buy 1 (of whatever is on sale). But, I don't envy over-buyers, in fact, I wonder what they do with all that stuff! I think I tend to under-buy because I don't like the clutter.

I think there is a happy medium somewhere. I think you should buy things that you need and have an adequate supply. This not only saves money, but keeps you from stressing from being unprepared.

Part two of this chapter focuses on buying needful things. Keep a supply of everyday things you use on hand. It can be things like stamps, address labels, make-up, batteries, groceries, detergent, etc.

I used to to be a big coupon user and always had plenty of stuff on hand (and got LOTS of stuff free). My grocery shopping habits have changed alot over the years, and I'm still working on a good system. It's just the two of us most of the time, so I don't buy in bulk much. I find myself running out of things more often than I used to, so this will be my new goal...buy needful things and be more organized.

Good Things Thursday

Peter got his call last week to go to Baltimore to get a physical for his new job. Since we had to be there early Tuesday morning, we spent Monday night with Lindsey. We went out to dinner at Texas Roadhouse after she got off work. It was YUMMY! It was so good to spend a little time with her (and Allie). :O)

  

We left early the next morning and got there in plenty of time for his appointment.

 

Everything went good, except the breath alcohol testing machine was down and we had to go to another office across town to finish his exam.

a good time to catch up with one of my favorite magazines.

 

Logan called while I was waiting to let us know that he was tied up in Baltimore. It's funny how things happen. If the machine had been working, we would have been on our way home and would have missed seeing him. 

 

These are the things that mean the most to me....like little visits with our children. :O) :O) :O)

 



We were starving by this time, so once we got across the bridge, we stopped for a late lunch at Olive Garden. We both got the salad & breadsticks and the Seafood Alfredo. Delish! It took Peter almost 30 years to give O.G. a try, but it's now a favorite for lunch! :O) :O)

 

 

 

Just when I thought things couldn't get any better, Peter suggested we drive to Chincoteague to see Mom and Dad! :O) :O) :O)

 

 

Lindsey had dinner plans with friends, so it was just the two of us. We got to see the townhouse they have been staying in ALL summer. It is a really nice place, but I would rather have them home (which they are planning to do very soon!). It was soooooo good to see them and spend a few hours with them. We went out to get something to eat and ended up at Woody's. Great place!

 

these fries seriously give Thrasher's a run for their money!!

 

It was so nice just to sit and talk and spend some time with Mom and Dad. I have really missed that.

 

{The Pony Swim was the next day and I would LOVE to have seen that, but that will have to go on the bucket list for another year.}

source: yahoo

 

 We stayed with Lindsey again on Tuesday night and headed back home on Wednesday. Allie was very quiet all morning, like she knew we were going home. She even jumped in bed with Peter while I got my shower. When we left, she stood at the window and watched us drive away. It was so sad! :O(

 



 

 

What was supposed to be a boring drive to Baltimore for a physical, turned into an awesome two days!! Now, we are just waiting to hear when Peter will start his new job. :O)

 

thoughtful thursday {W}

-W-

 

 

Something I like: weekend getaways

 

 

July 2014

 

Something I don't: (big) waterslides

 

 

 

 

Place(s) I've been & Want to go (back to):

 

Washington, DC

 

 

 

I've been to Washington a few times, one of them being my Senior Trip (32 years ago!).

I would love to take a mini-vacation there with Peter sometime. We did the Bears vs. Redskins game a couple of years ago, but would love tour all the historical sites of D.C. again.

 

 

Williamsburg, VA

 

 

I was born in Williamsburg and lived there until I was 4. My Dad attended William & Mary, and worked at Chowning's Tavern. I would love to go back and look for the homes we lived in and visit Chowning's Tavern (if it's still there?). I've been back to Williamsburg a few times over the years to do the Pottery and Water Country,etc., but would love to go back to do more sightseeing.

 

 

Food I love: watermelon

 

 

 

 

 

Movie I've seen: When A Man Loves A Woman

 

 



[3/52] photo challenge: silhouette

 On my way back from dropping off guests at the airport a few mornings ago, I couldn't resist getting a few pictures of the church with this beautiful, cloudy sky

 as the backdrop. Due to shooting directly into the sun, the church had a silhouette effect (which actually looks pretty cool!). :O)

[3/52] silhouette

#silhouette #52weekphotochallenge #SMUMC #headintheclouds

#blueskies #church #beauty #heaven #clouds

 

52 Week Photo Challenge List



july sunset....

and another summer day comes to an end...... 

The Happiness Project: July 2015 (part 1)

The Happiness Project

July 2015

 

Buy Some Happiness

 

MONEY

 

Part One: Indulge in a Modest Splurge

 

 

"Money satisfies basic material needs. It's a mean and an end."

 

So the argument goes.....Money can't buy happiness....or can it?

 

I think that people with more money can be happier than those with less. Financial troubles and not being to able to make ends meet can certainly cause stress, which in turn, can make you unhappy. Having enough money to pay your bills and even having excess enough for a vacation or extras most definitely makes most people happier. But, there can be instances where even having money won't make some people happy.

 

Money alone can't buy happiness. Can money help buy happiness? Yes, used wisely it can.

When money or health is a problem, you think of little else; when it's not a problem, you don't think much about it.

 

Part one of this chapter focuses on indulging in a modest splurge. For me, it was buying a good camera. I kept putting it off, debating on whether I should splurge on one since I already had a decent camera. But, taking pictures is something I really love doing and want to learn more about. I guess a camera isn't really considered a "modest" splurge, but it really does make me happy! :O)

 

 

 

Gretchen focused on indulging in several areas. For me, they could be:

(1) for health & energy - buying new walking shoes

(2) for relationships: going to lunch with a friend or taking a vacation with Peter.

(3) for work: buying new post-its or pretty pencils

(it's amazing how happy pretty post-its make me!) LOL

 

 

 

 

 

thoughtful thursday {V}

skipping the letter U and on to

 

-V-

 

Something I love: Valentine's Day

 

 

 

Something I don't: when your vacation ends....

 

 

 

 

Place I've been: Virginia Beach

 

 

 

Somewhere I want to go: Vermont

(I have passed through, but I would love to take an actual vacation there)

 

 

Food I love: Veggies (all)

 

 

 

 

Movie I've seen: The Vow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rustic Blackberry Tart

[2/52] photo challenge: before & after

I picked a few blackberries from my neighbor's vines.........

and made a simple, rustic, blackberry tart......

1 pie crust ( I use Pillsbury Pie Crust)

2 cups berries

1/2 cup sugar

3 T. butter

flour (just a sprinkle)

Grease a baking dish with butter. Put crust in dish; add berries and sugar. Dot with butter and sprinkle with flour. Fold over edges, and bake at 400 degrees until crust is browned. Serve hot with a dip of vanilla ice cream.

52 Week Photo Challenge List
 

summer bonfire

Lots of my favorite things about summer rolled into one evening......the beach, relaxing, a bonfire, roasted marshmallows, the sunset, and time to catch up with friends. :O)