It’s time again for Five Things That Make Me Happy And One Thing That’s Pissing Me Off. Why add the “One Thing That’s Pissing Me Off?” Because I’m a realist, that’s why.
Five things that make me happy
- I stopped into Goodwill this afternoon to look for weird things to photograph for a piece I’m writing. I found nothing particularly weird, but I did find two underpriced pieces of furniture to buy — a $14 Lane armchair that we’ll keep, and a $24 antique pedestal oak table to sell. I’ve actually bought and sold this exact chair in the past, although it bummed out my poor husband as he’d bonded with it. The money I’ll make from the table will more than cover the cost of keeping the chair.
- My lifeguard older son rescued a little girl at work today. Good boy.
- My younger son is driving independently on his own around town. He’s an extremely conscientious driver, and I trust him.
- I have something great to look forward to, which is my sister and her kids coming to visit for the second half of August. Oregon in August > NYC in August!
- My reading glasses. I think back to a time when people of a certain age simply had to stop reading, and I almost smear my lenses with appreciative kisses. $1 at The Dollar Tree and I’m able to sharpen all those tiny fuzzy letters. Hooray for cheap and effective reading glasses!
One thing that’s pissing me off
- My husband and I were suddenly unable to log into our credit union account, and it took multiple phone calls and almost two weeks to get it fixed. Meanwhile we had limited ability to manage our accounts and track our spending, which was a huge pain in the tuchus. I now need to devote an hour or two to bringing June’s budget up to date.
Now your turn. What makes you happy, and conversely what’s pissing you off?
Katy Wolk-Stanley
{ 52 comments… read them below or add one }
Making Me Happy:
1) We have dear friends visiting this weekend for the 4th from Boston and I appreciate them making their way up here.
2) Roadside wildflowers = all over the place. Cornflowers, lupine, shasta daisy and this lovely yellow one I don’t know.
3) It rained twice this week – good for the garden and the well.
4)I found a red ceramic plate in the “Free Exchange” (FE = our version of freecycle at our town recycling center). Perfect for the cookies I made for our 4th of July party!
5) I also found a working solar calculator at FE today. Very timely since mine stopped working while doing the bills this week. It is a graphing calculator! Do kids still use those today? High school math was a few years ago for me. 🙂
My one aggravation is my own time management which meant that I had to finish some work this afternoon while our friends are here instead of playing all day. Ugh on being a deadline driven person!
Ok, my turn –
1. I cleaned out my frig today, so I now know exactly what’s in there, nothing is expired (now) and it’s sparkling clean! (My back, however…. ouch)
2. A three day weekend with my husband and sons!
3. Making deviled eggs today (from super-cheap eggs from Aldi) for our adopted daughter’s 4th of July party tomorrow, and brownies and pumpkin bread for a church event tomorrow afternoon. (Yep, one less can of pumpkin = also happy).
4. The brick walk my husband has been putting in this summer, using bricks rescued from the dump last fall. It’s gonna be awesome!!
5. The weather cooled off a bit, so we’ve been able to eat on the patio.
Pissing me off – all the things I had to toss during the frig clean-out. However, now I’m motivated to stay on top of stuff!
Making me happy:
1. My husband planted for me the mandevilla plant that friends gave me a few weeks ago.
2. We have lots of leftovers in the refrigerator so there will be little cooking and no eating out this weekend.
3. It’s a beautiful day weather-wise. We had windows open and it’s nice sitting in the shade. Great weather for July 2nd.
4. Summer fruit has been available at good prices so far this summer. Yesterday I stocked up on blueberries, strawberries, and cherries.
5. I tried a new recipe for chocolate banana muffins and the muffins are delicious. Sometimes that is not the case when you use almond and/or coconut flour to avoid gluten.
One thing that’s pissing me off:
My cell phone is on palliative care. A new battery and trying everything that Google searches suggested did not help. Amazon will deliver a new phone by the end of the day (refurbished phones only have a 30 day warranty or I would have bought one of those) but I did not go with anything too flashy (nor expensive). Getting contacts and other information transferred is the next hurdle (I use Ting as my carrier, it is low on frills as well as price).
Now you have to share the recipe for the muffins!
Here is the link:
https://paleobreakfast.com/recipe/chocolate-banana-muffins/
Always love these posts… Lol!! I could do this a million times over. I hate when you get poor service from the bank, etc… Hopefully it’s not too brutal to sort everything out!! Good for your son!! You must be so proud!
Making me happy
1. Camping with my family while waiting on the nearby fireworks show
2. Looking at all the American flags people have decorated their homes with which reminds me of how blessed I am.
3. Ice cream-need I say more?
4. Air conditioning- it’s really hot in Mississippi
5. A friend from Florida came by and visited with me for awhile at work. Was great fun catching up.
5. I have a tooth that is causing me some pain. Not terrible pain but just enough to make me think about it all the time. Going to dentist next week and we don’t have insurance so it will be costly. We set money aside for dental issues but it still pisses me off!
Maybe ask if there’s a discount for paying at the time of service?
I did, there is, but it’s still kind of a lot. Well, depending on what all they have to do. Simple fillings aren’t too bad but crowns are over $1000. I really take pretty good care of my teeth! It’s so frustrating.
I so sympathize! I work full time, have dental insurance, and crowns are still $500 each. Lucky me, (NOT) I have 4, yes four, cracked teeth and all need crowns. Saving like crazy for the $2000, before I retire in 3 years and lose the dental insurance.
FTMMH:
(1) The unusually lovely, sunny weather we are having in Upstate NY, which means good clothes-drying conditions and unusually disease-free conditions in my garden. (I also took care to plant tomatoes and cucumbers this year for maximum air circulation, which also helps.) Of course, the dry weather means that I’m playing Our Lady of the Perpetual Watering Can, but life is a series of tradeoffs.
(2) An unusually trouble-free project at work. (This only happened because the project I was supposed to get had so many problems that it’s been put on temporary hold, but I’ll take what I can get.)
(3) The newfound strength of character that enabled me to hold on through a 4-day fight between local MRI providers and my new group insurance coverage through work to get an MRI I need pre-certified. Like Katy with her credit union problem, I detest these knock-down, drag-out struggles with corporate financial institutions–but I hope and trust that I’ve won this one.
(4) Good friends and neighbors, who are quietly stepping in to lend support in various ways as DH’s memory and cognitive problems become more evident.
(5) And the best DH in the world, who is bearing these problems with all the patience and sweetness for which I married him 37 years ago.
One thing…
(1) The entire aging process. Enough said.
Sending warm thoughts and best wishes to you during this time.
Hugs to you and your DH.
Whoever said “aging isn’t for the faint of heart?” You seem to be handling this with courage. Kudos to you!
My heart goes out to you. I am sending positive thoughts your way.
Wow, what a gorgeous chair, Katy! Your husband will happily bond with this new one, for sure.
Stuff making me happy:
1. Repaired the garage door opener when it quit working yesterday.
2. Assembled the pedestal fan bought to cool off our too hot den.
3. Mended the little holes developing at the corners of the back pockets of my only pair of shorts, which are four years old. Only need one pair because I wear them exclusively at home: no one out in public needs to be blinded by the whiteness of my legs. 😀 Seriously, though, being able to sew has saved me tons of money over the years.
4. Long holiday weekend, ice cream and watermelon both on deep sale — yay!
5. Mixed up some last little bits of dish detergent from several nearly empty bottles to refill the bottle at the sink. No one will care that it’s an odd color.
The only thing pissing me off is that I managed to shut the freezer door with the tip of my finger between the upper and lower handles, which hurt like the dickens. It’s not the first time I’ve done that, so it’s kind of a design flaw that makes me mad every time it happens.
1. Happily dogs/house sitting for a client watching their cable, using their air, water, and munching some of their food (we brought some as well). they have great ice cream treats.
2. Not spending any money, just enjoying a relaxing weekend.
3. Doing Swagbucks also, points are adding up will be happy to earn a Paypal soon to put towards vacation.
4. SOOOO happy for the long weekend.
5. Looking forward to vacation in a few weeks, planning a trip up north. 🙂
6. Not feeling pissed right now, just apprehensive. Will be interviewing to switch jobs next year and have not told my boss yet who is away on vacation for another week or so. :-{
4.
1. Summer day so cool that I had windows open all day, no AC.
2. Farmer’s market blueberries that taste like blueberries. (Shades of Willy Wonka, I know.) I expect similarly great things from the free range eggs (and this week XL were the same price as L!), broccoli, tomatoes, peaches, cauliflower, canteloupe, and cucumbers.
3. Finding the VHS of Dan Schorr’s “Watergate” just when I wanted to watch it.
4. I really funny Facebook link to brainburp moments, at just when I needed the laugh. (The hard lemonade helped, too.)
5. FINALLY cleaning out and defrosting/deicing the deep freezer.
Which leads to the annoying thing: not having anything remotely amongst my usual options with which to make dinner – no meat, pizza, shrimp, dumplings, bag o’ dinner, cold cuts, sausages. Nada.
Which leads to happy thing #6: Roommate is making buttered popcorn for dinner.
Lol I’m also part of the popcorn for dinner club 🙂 sometimes it’s just what hits the spot
Hey – it’s a whole grain. That makes it nutritious, right?
Aww! I am a parent to two boys that frequently use pools with lifeguards; give your son a big hug from all the worry-wart moms out there!
Happy Things:
1. I thrifted -Pee Wee’s Big Top- for a buck and we watched it tonight.
2. Temperatures are down from high 90’s to 79 (F).
3. 4 Day weekend (I could stop here)
4. A new library book called _The Neighborhood Project_
5. Getting to visit with a niece and sister-in-law I haven’t seen in years (due to geographical distance).
Pissy Thing:
A knee that started feeling weird a week ago. It doesn’t really hurt, but I have been walking around with the fear it is going to “pop out” (not fun). I made an appointment for early next week and am just playing it careful for now.
Making me happy:
1. We had our best friends over to watch the election night coverage. We all made pizzas, lit a fire, and had a lovely time.
2. I’m taking my daughter out to see Temple Grandin speak today.
3. It’s Sunday morning and we are lying in bed, lazing.
Pissing me off:
We likely have a hung Parliament, yet again.
1) I worked for my old boss last month as a side gig and just got my fattened paycheck.
2) I did a hike with my teenage son yesterday and we had such a fun time!
3) Went to brunch this morning at a friend’s house. Such yummy food and good company.
4) Did the budget for July and discovered that we will be able to save some money this month, despite a couple of unexpected expenses.
5) Denver weather has been gorgeous this week, cool and rainy, great for the garden.
What’s pissing me off -cancer. A dear friend just was diagnosed. Damn cancer.
I’m sorry about your friend. Cancer sucks.
Making me happy:
* More Netflix and chill with hubby lately! (Yep, keeping it real)
* Kids that are now old enough to get up by themselves during the weekend so we can sleep-in a bit.
* A healthy family, and my own health
* Grandma taking the kids for 5 days next week, and a lot of fun activities planned with hubby (hiking, yoga, comedy club, etc).
* 2 good books waiting for me to crack them open
One thing that is pissing me off :
…. Mmmm…. not sure. Not pissed, but we wanted cast iron skillets and I found two at Value Village, for 20$ each. Thought it was a good deal, but upon looking it up on the Internet I’m not so sure anymore, as I saw some new ones at the same price and even lower! Does this make sense???? I thought cast iron was super expensive…
Have a great frugal day!
It’s likely the cost has been kept minimal by the retailer ordering in a container load. I would ask someone at the store, or even head office, about the quality and low price.
I love reading the “5-and-1” posts. Here are mine:
1. Both my son and my daughter called yesterday. Nice conversation with each of them.
2. Found some kind-of-silly, but fun videos in the library, a murder mystery series called “Murder in Suburbia”. My husband and I are both enjoying this one.
3. Blueberries – my favorite berries – are in season.
4. The morning temperatures are cool – just right for my early morning walk with my neighbors.
5. Two books which were on reserve at the library have finally arrived and I am looking forward to reading both of them. Just can’t decide which to read first.
The one thing which annoyed me: I got caught in rush hour traffic yesterday from Portland, OR to Vancouver, WA. I was so cranky by the time I got home!
1. As others have mentioned – beautiful weather here – “what is so beautiful as a day in June?” It is July 2, but the sentiment still applies.
2. DH has fixed a hole in the fence – backs up to a busy sidewalk and we now have some much appreciated privacy.
3. Lots of bargains at the grocery store today including watermelon and sauerkraut which was unexpected.
4. Our elderly dog seems to be recovering from her bout with Lymes disease.
5. Despite upkeep problems, thankful for large yard and many trees.
6. Having banking problems – their ATM spewed out $$ we didn’t ask for and also did it to the person in front of me in line. Called them numerous times and elicited agreement that they would call me back when problem was fixed – never happened. Have noticed that around here most people are now availing themselves of teller operated windows at the bank. Also having problems with newspaper delivery – want to help local paper stay in business, but simply can’t get it delivered as promised. ( I guess that is two complaints!)
Your Goodwills have a lot better quality of items than ours do. That looks a lot like the Ekornes Stressless chairs that are in the $2000 range. Didn’t know Lane made some that are similar. I don’t blame your husband for wanting to keep it. Great find!
I hereby resolve to stop loathing my reading glasses. Thanks, Katy!
What makes me happy:
1. the front porch, where I am sitting right now. It is the perfect place to sit any time of the day.
2. Being able to be outside most of the time. I love the summer.
3. The dog – who is always thrilled to see you, no matter how little time you have left the house.
4. a soon to be one year old who is starting to walk
5. the giggles of my little nieces, who hang out with me on the porch a lot.
What doesn’t make me happy – M80 fireworks. I absolutely love a fireworks display but I detest the illegal M80s that are being set off in my neighborhood (and will continue for days to come). They are extremely startling and the poor dog hates them.
M80s? That must be what I heard last night. One of our neighbors was setting off fireworks and the ones at the end sounded like a bomb going off!
We live out in the country, so they weren’t right next door, but they were still so loud our two little chihuahuas started barking.
For now..bc I’m still angry..I had to pick up my Rx today..I’m a state employee so our insurance reset and the pharmacy says I’m inactive and 4 other state employees today got the same error..so 137.00 oop bc I needed the med today..hr will hear from me on Tuesday..
1. Last week, a particularly difficult work week, ended in a three day weekend.
2. I went to the gym for the first time in 6 months this morning. My insurance pays for the membership, so it made me feel good to do something for my out of shape self and take better advantage of my work benefits.
3. My flowers are blooming early as a result of a mild Buffalo winter.
4. I have not eaten in a restaurant or drive through in two days. I struggle with this, but have set a strict dollar amount on my food budget for July.
5. Had dinner with a BFF and her visiting family tonight. Said BFF is pregnant for the first time and I am happy to the moon for this couple! Grampa to be was at the dinner and he is walking on a pink cloud.
Groan: what Pattilou said: tired of the fireworks already and don’t even have a dog.
1. A lovely cool day, following a night of soft rain. The garden is smiling.
2. My lavender is still blooming, the basil is flourishing, the tomatoes and blackberries are ripening.
3. I found a website with old recordings of J.R.R. Tolkien reading his own poetry.
4. My oldest cat is nineteen now, and still fairly healthy (he just got up on the desk, and head-bumped my hand for attention.)
5. I’ve been looking for another large-ish teapot to use when I have company, and found an old English “Brown Betty” at the local thrift store, for all of $4.
The Really Annoying Thing: I detest random fireworks. Not the big professional set shows, but the blasted (illegal) neighborhood noisy bangs and pops and whoops that so distress the dogs and cats. More pets are lost this weekend than any other. Keep your critters in, folks.
1. Under budget for groceries and restaurants for June
2. Ahead on the work due for my recertification courses, so I can relax about it over the holiday weekend
3. Got to go to Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s without any kids. Looking for a few specific items. I showed great restraint. And I could just get through the stores faster.
4. Building increasingly complex puzzles with my 4 y.o. I am trying to cherish these times b/ c in a few years he won’t want to be read to or build with me.
5. My hold at the library is ready for pick up. I requested it so long ago. I forgot about it. I will get it on Tuesday! (Branch is closed next two days)
One thing…
My house is a wreck and I just can’t seem to keep on top of it…especially dishes and laundry and floors!
Happy: I hated spending the money on a new phone but less than a month later am thrilled to have caught some amazing action shots of the kids. It was also fun to share them but it was just a thrill to have managed it.
Happy: we spent time with some old friends today and they were appropriately entertained by and doting of our youngest. We don’t get enough of that since were somewhat isolated from good friends.
Happy: chatted with a very dear and older friend and found she had taken my advice about taking care of herself and something to do with their marriage. She sounded genuinely happy and relaxed and we both think she’ll feel totally present and enjoy their 50th (!!!) anniversary this year.
Sad: Broke my 26-days-virus-free streak yesterday.
Happy
1 had appt. with oncologist yesterday – 6 years all clear.
2. DH worked in the garden today weeding between rows
3. Made stir fry from the garden today – Yum!
4. I have wonderful neighbors. I give them things from my garden and they give me eggs from their chickens and fruit from their trees.
5. Was able to spend much of the day outside. Weather in Eastern Washington is gorgeous right now.
Pissing me off – everything takes so much longer to do than it used to. I am 62 now plus a cancer survivor, so should be grateful for every day which I am, but still miss having all the energy I used to have. I guess if that is the biggest problem I have, that’s not too bad.
Congratulations on 6 years clear!
1. My family is here to visit and I can hear the children’s voices every morning. I could listen to their laughter all day.
2. Summer produce is so delicious.
3. The kids are happy to swim or fish all day, no expensive events or treats.
4. I took time off of work, and I get to sleep in and savor my morning coffee.
5. My daughter has adopted some frugal habits as she raises her own family, I’ve enjoyed observing this all week.
Not so happy about our favorite dvd getting scratched. Going to keep an eye out for it in the thrift store (American President cheers dh up every time he’s in a blue mood, so its a staple in my house!).
1. Weather here is great – windows open no a/c!
2. Having enough money to cover several unexpected bills without dipping into our savings.
3. Wonderful friends who help with projects when we need a hand – we help them when they need a hand too.
4. Skype with video – get to actually see the people I love when I chat with them even though they are far away.
5. My family and spending time with my husband – he has more days off in the summer; its nice to just be us together, even if its just watching a movie or working on projects.
The thing that pisses me off most is customer service employees who tell you they will get something taken care of and then you find out a month later when you get yet another incorrect bill that they didn’t do anything.
1. We are getting ready to list our house. It is surprisingly satisfying to make small repairs. Fixed the trim around a light switch. Patched nail holes and touched up the paint. Added beadboard to the interior of a cabinet. Quick fixes that really make an impact.
2. The weather is beautiful here this week. Not so hot that being outside is unpleasant. Really cool at night for good sleeping.
3. My son wanted a new play ball, but decided $4 (of his own money) at Aldi was too much. Found a very similar one at a church rummage sale this week for 50 cents. I LOVE that he’s learning there are deals to be found.
4. I have a lot of vacation days accumulated, and have taken at least one day off every week this summer to stay home with my son.
5. The more stuff I get rid of, the more I enjoy cleaning my house. Not sure why it took me so many years to learn this lesson.
Bad: I’m worried we will be unable to sell this house or it will sell very low. Or I’m worried it will sell quick and I won’t be able to find a house to buy. I’m worried in every direction.
Bettypants, I’m not sure if you are religious or not, but I want to share this story of mine: when we were selling our home, I had already taken a job out of state. We had a cushion of money for me to live on at the time I took the job. Over a year later, the money was almost gone, the house hadn’t sold, and we were contemplating renting out our home. We were tired of living apart and visiting our home on the weekends to keep it in shape to sell. I sat down and looked out of the window, worried and worried. I saw a bird hopping around, and asked my husband what kind of bird that was that was hopping back and forth in front of our window. He said, “oh that’s a sparrow”. Then I remembered the verse that tells us to consider the sparrows, they are worth little, yet God takes care of them, and they don’t worry about what they will eat, where they will live, etc. I knew then that everything would work out. Less than a week later, we were offered a full price contract with no home inspection, and things moved forward from there. Even when a hurricane hit the day before closing, and the garage flooded, the buyer came through. I think of that story whenever I am overwhelmed with worry.
It will all be ok. 🙂
PS. when we bought our home in the new state, we found that we had to pay homeowner’s insurance a full year ahead. The cost of what one year’s of homeowner’s insurance was almost to the penny what we had left in our savings account. Like manna. 🙂
Crossing my fingers for you that the sale will work out just as you need!
Counting my blessings.
1) I have a watermelon chilling in the freezer.
2) I am chilling in the AC. It is hot out there!
3) I have been to the gym 5 times this week.
4) My kitty is sitting in my lap as I drink my morning coffee.
5) I am heading to the beach with my husband for a couple of hours of sunshine and swimming?
I am trying not to be irritated by a huge increase in our auto insurance rates. (30% ) I will deal with it on Tuesday.
1. Weather is cool enough to have screen door, sliders and windows open for a lovely breeze.
2. Wimbledon is on.
3. Swiss chard and kale from a friend’s CSA for a lovely fritatta.
4. Wonderful friends and family who have been so helpful and supportive during my move.
5. People coming to pick up boxes and packing material so it gets reused.
one thing-That I am still unpacking and all I want to do is relax and read
5 things that make me HAPPY:
1. I’ve had the weekend to myself. Hubby had to work and my daughter and grandkids had other things to do.
2. My best friend is coming to visit the last two weeks of July, so we’re taking a vacation on the first week and spending four days at the lake with her. The rest of the time she and I will be going on fun outings. Yay – can’t wait!
3. Daughter and grandkids are coming over on the 4th for a cookout, then we’re heading a few miles north to watch the firework show one of the casinos is putting on.
4. I thought I was having an asthma attack and was having issues breathing yesterday. Apparently I have bronchitis – but I picked up some Emergen-C at the store yesterday and it’s working. I have more energy today than I did yesterday.
5. I had a coupon for a $1 off of Blue Buffalo dog treats, so I bought a bag of the small grain free treats that were on sale at Petsmart yesterday. Even though the coupon wouldn’t scan correctly, the cashier had her manager override it so I got the savings. Love my coupons!
One thing that’s pissing me off:
I cannot seem to get my husband to weed eat on his day off. It is really hot, but I resent the fact that I will likely have to do it myself. I fantasize about moving out. Rant over.
1– enjoying the fresh air— no a/c!
2–hanging clothes out to dry
3–$7 off the paint that I needed to finish painting room in my house
4–doing well with eating out of the fridge
5–shopping in my closet
**puppy and I are exhausted from being up many times in the night. I’m so over neighborhood fireworks!
I like how you are always in a lookout at the goodwill store what you can buy and resell. Try entrepreneur spirit.
A friend of my husband’s was moving to another apartment a few weeks ago and we scored a few things. Including a blanket. I kept the blanket in a shopping bag until I had a closer look yesterday. Whoa! Hermes wool blanket. Does not show any signs of use. These babies sell for nice money on eBay. I will dry clean it and post up for a sale.
Sounds like your sons have turned into fantastic young adults. 🙂
What makes me happy:
-I got to spend some great time with the hubby this weekend.
-We were able to save an extra $200 this month by monitoring our food costs carefully.
-We officially are saving 50% of our income! I remember back in the day when it felt impossible to save just $100 every month. We’ve come so far. 🙂
What pisses me off:
-Loud people for Fourth of July. I love America too, guys, but why are you blaring music from an amp in front of our apartment right now?!
-Shake Weights. Always have, always will.
Congrats on saving 50% of income! That’s an amazing milestone. We’re still working on it and look forward to the day we can list it as one of our happies 🙂