After two relaxing weeks of break, I returned to work ready for another semester. Christmas break was incredibly relaxing, and Michael and I really enjoyed the time off that we got to spend together. His parents gave us a wonderful gift: money to buy a coffee table! We found one at Rooms-to-Go, although there was a slight misunderstanding with the one we unpacked in our living room and the one we ordered, so the right coffee table is going to be delivered this Saturday.
Owning a home (well, almost owning a home--in 30 years) gives us so much to be thankful for. Just last week, he and I sat on our couch and commented on how much of our "home furnishings" we owe to others, whether it be hand-me-downs or gifts.
Even though we made this purchase back in November, our Christmas gift came in the form of a golden retriever/lab that we adopted from the nearby animal shelter. We kept it a secret from Michael's guy friends who love giving him a hard time about his tendency to buy on impulse and regret the decision later (as evidenced by our Great Dane whom we owned for 3 days back in April). She is affectionately called London, and I am convinced that the Lord made her calm, docile, and sweet--knowing that I couldn't handle much more than that. Haha. All in all, we've had very little destructive behavior, save the chewed dry-wall in the garage and the strip of carpet that evidently tasted so good she had to pull it up. She's certainly not a great dane but playful enough that Michael and I really enjoy her company. Seriously, in a million years, I never imagined that owning a dog (or in pet lover terms, "a new addition to the family") would be so much fun.
On another note, I'd like to remove all doubt about whether or not I've become an old married lady. Yes, I think I have, and here's why. I play the Grocery Game. If you think that sounds like some sort of Supermarket Sweep board game, you're wrong! My dear friend Shannon told me about the Grocery Game back in November, and since then I have saved hundreds of dollars at the grocery store--a cause totally worth being called an old married lady.
The website is www.grocerygame.com if you're interested. The idea is to buy items at their lowest price (using coupons and the sales at the grocery) so you begin "stockpiling" instead of need shopping. It takes a little bit of time to build up to that point, but eventually you're spending virtually no money because you already have a mini-grocery at your house. If you're willing to take the time to do it, you will find that it's totally worth it! Just last week, I spent $36 dollars at Lowes Food and saved $31. This week I spent $40.59 and Harris Teeter and saved $30.96. There are times when good coupons fall on the same week as a super-sale item and you get it for free. So I have become one of those people who clip coupons, stroll slowly through the grocery store while flipping through the pages of my coupon book. Fun!
