Trying To Stick With "Thank You."
The sun shone brightly outside, but Mother Nature's recent tears have left the yard looking more like a swamp than a friendly play place for a kid. As a result, Alexis little feet were busy running circles around the family room and kitchen. Her best little furry buddy, Cody, was close behind, fully engrossed in the intense game of chase.
I probably should have fussed at Alexis to stop running in the house, but instead I used those rare moments of a child fully self-entertained to briefly check comments on Friday night's post. A few mentions of the couch prompted me to post a public reply. Just as I was about to hit the Post button, a certain 5-year old appeared in my face, her eyes full of questions.
I don't remember what it was that she wanted, but when I returned to the laptop to finally submit that comment, I stopped in my tracks. I paused as I read what I had written and then deleted it.
I had done it again.
Apologized.
That couch? Oh, we paid practically nothing for that thing. It was an outlet purchase! It needed some wood glue and is probably missing a (purely decorative) leg, but it still looks pretty good, right?
Any time someone comments on something new or something that I considered a Major Purchase, I find myself apologizing.
The blue sweater? I found that on clearance at TJMaxx for just $10!
The car? I managed to get that for $1000 under invoice! Plus, I spend $20 less per week on gas than I did with my old car, so it's practically a money maker.
The house? Oh, yeah, it's a nice house, but we paid $70,000 less than the first owners did when they had it built five years ago. It had a bunch of holes in the walls and the plumbing was a mess, but it's starting to come together.
I always find myself justifying purchases by trying to explain that we didn't actually spend that much money.
I find myself making excuses for what we have.
I find myself apologizing for having nice things.
But I'm trying to stop.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
