A Sentiment

God knew what He was doing when He sent a gentle breeze and brought a lovely butterfly to set my heart at ease. The happiness of your friendship and the gentleness of your words have touched my life in special ways and now I feel assured. Thank you for your loyalty and for reading everyday. I only hope you find things to make a happy day.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

What Should I Do?

Apples are coming into season right about now. Our little store in town had Honey Crisp apples in their ad last week. They were expensive, but they looked so perfect. I love a crisp, sort of sweet plus tart, juicy apple. During the winter, I ate so many that had no flavor. I eat apples quite often and have them in the evening for a snack. I cut them in wedges, and put a dab of peanut butter in a bowl with the apple wedges around to dip in. Sometimes I slice a couple slices of cheddar cheese. Most of the time I eat them as is. Well, back to my dilemma...should I spend the extra money on these or buy the Gala that were on sale? I decided to buy just two. I think I figured  that they cost about $1 apiece. Well, after eating one...I can say that they were well worth the money spent. This week, I'll try to find them cheaper at a bigger store, but for last night...I had a wonderful treat.

This brings me to my post for today...do you ever treat yourself to something special...something that may cost more than you usually spend? Maybe it's that new coffee pot for your kitchen, or those new shoes, or a special book. Do you go ahead and buy it without guilt or try to  justify your buying it. I have been wanting to subscribe to a magazine for several months. It's a foreign magazine and is much more that I would ordinarily spend on a subscription. I keep telling myself that I would enjoy it this winter, when it's bad weather, and we are cooped up in the house. I tell myself that maybe I would see new ideas for my garden next year or new recipes. I say to myself that I would save all the issues for the year and not subscribe next year...but read the old ones. I've cut down on my subscribing and get most of the magazines from the library...so I feel that I could spend the extra money that I saved on this magazine. I say to myself, " Would I really get more pleasure out of this than subscribing to maybe 3 other magazines?" These thoughts have been going through my head for a couple of months. I've gone to Amazon and almost clicked on the subscription...then deleted many times over. Why am I like this? I had to examine my feelings about it. I think that I still, after nearly 75 yrs., feel guilty about buying something expensive for myself. I grew up during the war years and we had little left over at the end of the month. A treat for me was having Dad give me $5 when Mom and I would go to Chicago to see the Christmas lights. I didn't spend the $5 on me...I bought Christmas presents for my family with it. Then when I was married and living from pay check to pay check those first years....I would always spend extra money on my kids. They always needed something...and I loved to see their faces light up when we could afford a new toy. I have always shopped at thrift shops...looking for name brands. There is no need for me to continue this....I can afford this magazine, but I am still troubled by spending the extra money on myself.I think that writing this has helped me figure it out. Writing a post in a blog is like going to a therapist sometimes. I write these things down...go back and read them a second time and learn from my words how my mind works. I can go way back in my archives and see how I've changed. I don't have to justify it anymore...I am going to Amazon and order that magazine.
Balisha

11 comments:

Vicki @ lifeinmyemptynest said...

Good for you! I hope you enjoy reading it with a cup of tea on our first snowy day :-)

Balisha said...

Hi Vicki...I just ordered it. Now waiting for the snow :)
Balisha

Barbee' said...

Interesting post. Well, yes, I did splurge recently on an expensive slow-cooker which my friend helped me find at a lower price ;)
I feel right there with you about the magazines, because for a week or more I have been going through very special old magazines which I had saved. Organic Gardening magazines from the seventies through the eighties and into the nineties. Stacked in a stack for each year, I managed to part with the ones in the nineties. They went to medical clinics' waiting rooms. But the old ones, I can't. I read them over and over. Will bag them according to year and squirrel them back into their closet. The women's magazines from the same eras: So many interesting things about them compared with today's publications; some are no longer published. They will be shared in more waiting rooms. Sunset magazine: I can let most of those go. Southern Living: But, Southern Living I simply cannot (yet), because of all those wonderful recipes. Yes, I read old magazines over and over, especially my years of Horticulture magazine. I no longer buy subscriptions; I just re-read what I have. My daughter cannot understand it. And, yes, I think you should treat yourself to the gift of a subscription to a publication that you will enjoy over and over. I know how that is.

Jan said...

Peanut butter and apples sounds like a heavenly combination... I've never tried it before. To be honest, I put a small amount of money aside each month with the title 'treat fund'. If there's something I really want but I can't really justify then I have a little bit of money put away to spoil myself. I don't always spend it each month so it can mount up a bit. Usually it goes on a nice item of clothing. Jx

Diana LaMarre said...

Good for you, Balisha. If you can afford it, I say go for it. You will be so happy when you sit by the fire thumbing through a Christmas issue as the snow piles up outside. You deserve a treat. Don't think twice about it, just do it!

Judy said...

At our age? Why not splurge once in awhile!!!

Margie's Musings said...

Yes, I do sometimes. I just have to be careful how often. And your apple salad looks delicious.

Balisha said...

I have to say that I have never seen a copy of this magazine...I've only heard about it. Everything that I have heard is positive. You get 12 issues a year and not the usual (today) six. I did order it and will tell all about it when it comes in about 12 weeks.
Balisha

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

I would guess you usually take care of everyone around you first? Do this to take care of you! The fact that you didn't dismiss the idea most likely means you'll love the magazine. It's worth it. I tend to analyze purchases like this a lot too.

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Balisha, right along there with you. Love apples and peanut butter.

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Balisha, I return :)
I love my English Garden magazine.
Comes from England and the simplicity of so many of them is "me"
Have the issues from years ago and reread and look at the pictures and dream all the time.
A new subscription recently and guess it has been 4 or 5 years.
I just love it...