Splurges

I'm done with the snow. Here are some photos of the last snowfall; snow clinging to every twig and branch of every tree.
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.hahaha, leave it to # 9 to have a crooked lamp post!

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The snow doesn't look like this anyone.

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It is alot black now. Alot.

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I'm ready for spring. I'm now officially writing a second book! And, it struck me in the shower this morning, I seem to be treating myself as well as I can. I take that to be a good all-around sign.
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So during my shower I opened my Origins' Ginger cream (so worth trying) and I started thinking about the things I splurge on. I love my guilt-free splurges.

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The definition of a splurge:

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1. a big expenditure
2. to be extravagant
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Here are some of mine. I'd like to hear some of yours:

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1. My morning coffee: the best is when JB makes it and it's ready when I get up. There is nothing like that first cup: the sound of my french press drips, the scent of peet's just-right major dickinson coffee, the hot feel of my favorite orange mug, fifteen minutes all for myself.

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2. Good shoes: I didn't know for a long time that good shoes are worth the money. The buttery feel of soft Italian leather, the smell of new black suede boots, the look of cool clogs, my favorite sturdy sneakers and sandals: I'll spend on shoes and in a rare occasion I've bought two or even three pairs at a time. With good shoes, I feel so dressed.
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3. Books & gardens: I don't like shopping in general. I shop for clothes maybe twice a year. I don't like malls. But bookstores and garden centers--this is a fact: I am never unhappy when I am at either. I stroll and browse. And what I buy I buy without guilt.
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4. My iphone: don't get me started. I LOVE IT. I can email, blog, calculate, text, phone, write notes, record sounds, take pictures, google, check the weather, research facts. All with just a few pushes of my finger. I don't know how I did without it. It may be high tech to some, but to me it is lowly lovely simplicity.
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5. Honesty: is this a splurge? I see it that way, because even though I may struggle and juggle a lot of things, I don't stress about being honest. I'm happy to say I just am.

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6. Working part-time. What a luxury. If I've missed a day because of snow and I can make it up the next day. I work three days, have four days off. Actually, I've earned this schedule. Some people my age aren't working at all. But for me, with a Mother who worked until she was 76, it's a splurge to be enjoying the days I work and the days I don't.

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7. Anne Marie Borland's face cream: A long time ago a past life psychic and skin care woman named Jennifer, who was the sister of my hairdresser, told me to use this moisturizer for life. She was right: it's a great product. And except for an unfortunate stress line on my left cheek, caused by a most unfortunate misstep and mistrust, my skin likes it.

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8. Any camera or printer made by Canon.

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9. The Atlantic Ocean. I can drive to it, in the summer walk to it, walk along its bays and coasts, search for shells, watch the sun rise and set. I can smell the sea & feel the wind slap me silly.

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10. Time to blog: A part of my life would be dimmer without this community of talented artists and writers and observers who share this place and space. Blogging is a source of ongoing joy for me--a fantastic splurge. I wouldn't want to miss a moment of it. :^)

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So, let me add this up. It seems that at least half of my splurges don't even require much money; easy gifts to give myself. A pretty good arrangement, I'd say....

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love

kj