I’ll be honest, I first titled this post, “Fun Friday!” then admitted that bill paying is not so fun… but it is fantastic (really)! 

Let’s discuss why my Friday is fantastic:

It started with a boss meeting.  I dread them and look forward to them in equal parts (like nerds “dread” tests… except I secretly liked them, too).  When they go well, I get reassurance of my employment status and direction and usefulness. When they don’t, well, at least I know I’m not fired.  When we skip them, I have another week to worry that I’m about to get canned.  Remember, I work from home in a strategic role for a boss I rarely interact with.  Also, I am a worrier and affirmation addict, so anytime I’m not getting confirmation that I’m doing a good job, I worry that I’m doing a bad job.  A half hour conversation is a big deal. And today it was good, full of work to do and looming deadlines.  {Hi, I’m strange.  I like unhappy customers, ridiculous deadlines, and unrealistic goals.  All at once.  Throw in some people who aren’t convinced and any amount of confusion or chaos and I am one satisfied worker.}

We paid off our last credit card today.  And in two weeks we’ll have paid off all debts except for our cars and mortgage, a grand total of $10,279.26 over 12 weeks.  We’re very proud of ourselves (okay, the pride thing is mostly me, because I was the financial embarrassment when I met my husband and now I’m the Budget Monitor slash Pay Shit Off-er).  I know it’s gauche to talk about money, but whatever, I talk about s.e.x. and fighting and divorce.  This – this focus on getting out of debt and planning where our money is going and being okay with being broke because that means we’ll soon be done with debt – this is worth discussing.  Or at least mentioning.

I’m hanging out with my bff this afternoon… and we’re going to a vintage furniture store.  So, so, so many things right about that sentence.  So many!  We’ll see if my relatively new budgeting prowess can survive the vintage furniture kind of lust.  Let’s not bet on it.

I just realized how brilliant I was when I set my office furniture up this way.  Remember this picture?

I am sitting on that white chair typing on that laptop.  Here’s the awesome part: when I’m thinking or pondering or planning or plotting,* I look up and to the left.  I only noticed this the other night when Joey was sitting to my left while I was writing something, and he kept thinking I was looking at him and trying to figure out WHAT IN THE HELL IS WRONG THAT SHE KEEPS LOOKING AT ME LIKE THAT?  Nope, just thinking.

Well, in this office setup, when I look up and to the left to think, my eyes fall on many beautiful green trees.  I’m on the second floor in this corner of the house so it feels like I’m in a tree house.  The best kind of tree house with internet access and coffee and a bright yellow couch in the corner.  I love all the green around here, and finding myself looking out at the about-to-change leaves is pretty cool.

Now, if only I receive good news re: something secret I applied for, this would be the perfect day.  Assuming, of course, that my husband and I continue to get along fabulously.

How’s your Friday shaping up?

Oops, I forgot: My favorite neighbor baby is turning one soon and I need some really fantastic gift ideas for a one year old.  I’m definitely a classic gift kind of giver (and honestly, I typically only give kids books) but Joey wants to give him “something really awesome and cool.”  Ideas?  I kind of sort of maybe want to DIY something, but then again, I’m not so good at DIY and don’t want to embarrass myself.  We’re shooting for a sub-$50 price range.

*High school AP English vocabulary word I’ll never forget — ruminate: to ponder, plan or plot.

(P.S. Cacey – I have no idea what color the walls are.  Our ex-roommate painted them and I’m fairly certain I used the remaining paint on the floor in the basement then chunked the can.  I can tell you that the wall is a dark, dark navy but depending on the light it reads black or gray.  I love it, too.)