Ha. So, I’m not rich. I wasn’t rich yesterday, but I did get a nice fat refund check from the IRS. Turns out I had overcompensated for that new tax bracket. So, we’ll adjust that for 2010, but in the meantime, as husband and I discussed, Uncle Sam probably did a better job holding our money for us than we would have done.

So, the day after payday and the tax refund, my checking account balance was bigger than it had been since, oh, last year’s tax refund. My brain went a little fuzzy with the feeling of possibilities. Valentine’s Day in Rio! New furniture! A new wardrobe for me and baby!

… Or, the boring but right thing to do, as previously agreed upon with Hubby: pay off the stupid credit cards. Sigh. And, sadly, the refund didn’t even get both of the cards to $0, but it went a long way to slicing our debt, so that when we actually need credit, it will be there for us. But paying off credit cards is boring, people! I wanted to fill the bathtub with dollar bills or something. Maybe next year.

This 24-hour flushness did remind me that I’m still not very good at not getting all heady with the feeling of having money in the bank. I was guilty of making a couple of luxury purchases, but they weren’t too terrible — a pair of tickets to see what will probably be our last rock n roll show until we retire . Husband is always bumming out about how we never get to see shows. So, now we are. Hopefully I won’t go into labor before then (or during the show). And then I bought a new book in hardback (gasp), which I NEVER do. I always wait until paperback or get new books from the library, but this time I didn’t want to wait for everyone in Oak Park to read it before me whenever the library gets it. I am absolutely in love with Louise Erdrich‘s writing, and this book sounds so fascinating. So, that was a big luxury for me, but I did it knowing I had the money in the bank.  It was intoxicating.

Then I also had to buy this book for Miss Adorable. I saw the illustrations in the NY Times Book Review and nearly passed out from the cuteness.

If this doesn't make you squeal, you might be dead

The whole book just about killed me. Is there anything more enjoyable than a truly good children’s book? I can’t think of many things. It’s right up there with a perfect latte, an episode of “Weeds,” and spooning with Husband.

But, now that the money is back with El Diablo credit card companies, no more fantasies of wealth. I saw plenty of other books I wanted last night, but I was good and decided I could indeed wait for those and get them at the library. (Kind of) Big Money, it was good to see you, even if for 24 hours. See you later.

Advertisement