Sunday Dollars

Doing pretty well with my spending so far. Things will get challenging this week, when I have two big [for me] payments coming in. The money is earmarked to pay some bills, including therapist and monthly payment plan for staggering dental bill. We are taking a bite out of that one, though.

But if I had extra money today, I would have been tempted to get high-end Christmas stuff [50 to 75 percent off at Pink Bungalow], though I know I did not need that Santa cheese plate with the little silver knife. It was a jolly, retro image of the big guy, so nostalgic. I love Santa dishes. And then there was the new plant store next to Java Love on Bellevue Avenue, where the weathered clay pots with that moss-covered look were so pretty. Our friend, his boys, Punch and I meandered in and out of four shops in town.

I do not need another designer pot for houseplants; I have acquired beautiful ones already from a store in Maine and Howell in Montclair.

Just had a very clear thought: I don't have a big house with a potting shed, like Martha Stewart might. I'm carrying around extra weight that I want to drop. Yet I still reach for household and fashion items as if I have a spacious house with ample shelves for flowering African violets, and a body that is slim and ready to style. So if my house is my body and my body is my house, it might be nice for me to get both in order a bit more before bringing in more stuff to adorn them.

MONEY SPENT OUT OF POCKET [$MSOOP]: $25.45

• After Mass, Punch and I walked to the bagel shop with some friends we know from church, a sweet Dad and his sweet little boys, one in preschool and one almost 2 years old. They treated Punch to a bagel once in the past, so I wanted to treat today. The total bill was $19.45 plus $1 for tip jar. This was for a rainbow bagel; a cinnamon-raisin bagel; an egg bagel w cream cheese; an iced coffee; a small boxed Horizon chocolate milk; and my reuben on rye. [I was trying to avoid too many carbs in bagel.]
• Punch wanted some green matcha tea iced drink from Starbucks. I let her walk over alone from the bagel place, and she got a venti. $4.96 and four pennies in the tip box.
• I went to yoga but am not paying class by class, so won't list here. I got an introductory special at Juniper Yoga, one month unlimited for $39.

TCOY

1. Sang some hymns at Mass.
2. Short walk with Sug around grassy island.
3. Bath with lavender bubbles.

I didn't put money in the basket at church, and should have. Good night to you.