Recent Indulgences
In trying to decide how to spend the money I was left by Cathe, I have shed many tears and made many plans. At first, Mark and I decided we would put the money towards a trip to Europe. We knew my parents were paying for the plane tickets as my graduation present and the money would let us do a three week "back-packing" tour or Europe with BEX Expeditions - it's a great company that is a no-frills approach for those under 35 who want to see as much of Europe as possible. You camp or stay in cabins, ride in coach buses and have a "cook" who provides simple breakfasts and dinners. In exchange you assist with chores in the campsites. Then I got the new job and found out that I get zero vacation this year, after Jan. 1, I qualify for a whopping 3 days for all of next year. So...those plans were obviously put on hold. We cannot afford to take a 3 week unpaid vacation, even if the vacation is paid for in full by loving gifts from family members. So, the fun began when I realized that I had some money to spend on things for me that would remind me of the most amazing women, my Cathe.
Purchase one, my euphonium! Mark and I have been trying to figure out for 3 years how we would possibly afford to buy me a euphonium. Well, I didn't get the one I was "dreaming" about, but after a lot of searching, a purchase, then a quick sell of that euphonium and another quick purchase, I am now the owner of a Besson Imperial Compensating Euphonium. It is very shiny and pretty, and plays great. I am very happy and will always have my euphonium that Cathe bought me. It makes me smile every time I think about it!
Purchase two, a Kitchenaid Artisan Red Stand Mixer! Just in time for our Gingerbread House Making Party. My little hand mixer starting smoking during the mixing of the first batch of gingerbread and we had 8 to make...I knew we were in trouble. Mark and I have wanted this mixer for a long time. I grew up with this mixer, Mark has coveted this mixer for a good long time - we registered for one, but didn't expect to get one due to the price tag. I have the greatest husband in the world and he deserves to have this mixer - I will never forget the happiness it brought him - the pure joy in his face when he took it out of the box or used it for the first time - we will have Cathe with us every time we cook for the rest of our lives. Cathe made all the food for our wedding reception - she would be so happy we got ourselves this mixer - she would have just laughed at Mark's response to it - his was so similar to what hers would have been - they both have such a great love of life!
Purchase three, my new sewing machine! I have had two hand-me-down machines which are both bottom of the line, awkward machines. They are hard to use and make it difficult to sew. I really spoiled myself here, I got a Viking Emerald 183 - it's awesome!!! I can't even explain how easy it is to use - fully automated and I can hardly wait to have enough time to just dig in and sew away! I have 3 baby-quilts on the table for Christmas presents and I'm so excited to use the new machine and see what new things I can try! The coolest thing is that the machine has different embroidery stitches which I can actually use on ribbon and cardstock for my scrapbooking...it also has full alphabet functions so I can make title pages and covers for different scrapbooks as well. Now, if I only had more free time...
Our other indulgence was guitar hero for the Wii, which is actually our Christmas present to each other - standing in line at Best Buy at 4am the day after Thanksgiving so we could afford it made it not so much an indulgence but a great bargain! We did make time for that tonight and it is great fun!
I'm incredibly sad that I have lost one of the most amazing people in my life. Every time I choose to spend some of the money she left me I cry, I felt like an idiot standing at Joann's crying like a baby looking at the machine crying, knowing that she would be happy I wanted it for myself, yet not wanting to spend her money. Part of it is thinking that if the money is still there she will still be there...I think that is why I want to make sure that every thing I use her money on is something I will have for many years to comes and will be able to make many memories with. I want her legacy to live on, and I want to be able to continue to tell her story to as many people as I possibly can - she really was just that remarkable.
Purchase one, my euphonium! Mark and I have been trying to figure out for 3 years how we would possibly afford to buy me a euphonium. Well, I didn't get the one I was "dreaming" about, but after a lot of searching, a purchase, then a quick sell of that euphonium and another quick purchase, I am now the owner of a Besson Imperial Compensating Euphonium. It is very shiny and pretty, and plays great. I am very happy and will always have my euphonium that Cathe bought me. It makes me smile every time I think about it!
Purchase two, a Kitchenaid Artisan Red Stand Mixer! Just in time for our Gingerbread House Making Party. My little hand mixer starting smoking during the mixing of the first batch of gingerbread and we had 8 to make...I knew we were in trouble. Mark and I have wanted this mixer for a long time. I grew up with this mixer, Mark has coveted this mixer for a good long time - we registered for one, but didn't expect to get one due to the price tag. I have the greatest husband in the world and he deserves to have this mixer - I will never forget the happiness it brought him - the pure joy in his face when he took it out of the box or used it for the first time - we will have Cathe with us every time we cook for the rest of our lives. Cathe made all the food for our wedding reception - she would be so happy we got ourselves this mixer - she would have just laughed at Mark's response to it - his was so similar to what hers would have been - they both have such a great love of life!
Purchase three, my new sewing machine! I have had two hand-me-down machines which are both bottom of the line, awkward machines. They are hard to use and make it difficult to sew. I really spoiled myself here, I got a Viking Emerald 183 - it's awesome!!! I can't even explain how easy it is to use - fully automated and I can hardly wait to have enough time to just dig in and sew away! I have 3 baby-quilts on the table for Christmas presents and I'm so excited to use the new machine and see what new things I can try! The coolest thing is that the machine has different embroidery stitches which I can actually use on ribbon and cardstock for my scrapbooking...it also has full alphabet functions so I can make title pages and covers for different scrapbooks as well. Now, if I only had more free time...
Our other indulgence was guitar hero for the Wii, which is actually our Christmas present to each other - standing in line at Best Buy at 4am the day after Thanksgiving so we could afford it made it not so much an indulgence but a great bargain! We did make time for that tonight and it is great fun!
I'm incredibly sad that I have lost one of the most amazing people in my life. Every time I choose to spend some of the money she left me I cry, I felt like an idiot standing at Joann's crying like a baby looking at the machine crying, knowing that she would be happy I wanted it for myself, yet not wanting to spend her money. Part of it is thinking that if the money is still there she will still be there...I think that is why I want to make sure that every thing I use her money on is something I will have for many years to comes and will be able to make many memories with. I want her legacy to live on, and I want to be able to continue to tell her story to as many people as I possibly can - she really was just that remarkable.