August Happiness Challenge -- Day 24

Today’s happiness: Grilled cheese with bacon. This was one of my last "Summer Fridays," one of the last times I can end the workweek at 12:30 on Friday.

Today, I got off the train and took myself to lunch at my favorite summertime coffee house. They have the best clam chowder, and you can get a small bowl for free with their lunch special. Today is grilled cheese with bacon. Can you think of a better lunch for stolen, rainy Friday afternoon?

Even better, I'm really into my book. Put me in a quiet booth by the window, immerse me in a big biography, add in good soup and a gooey sandwich, and I am happy.

via GIPHY

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

 

Here comes that rainy day feeling again

Earlier this week, I received preliminary word from Chase that my mortgage payment was going up, up, UP! Well, today I saw the actual statement that detailed all the elements of this increase ... and how it could be avoided.

Some of it is an increase in my property taxes. The reason for this is two-fold: my neighborhood has gone up in value (yea!) AND the State of Illinois raised my rate. OK. It is what it is.

But then there's this: my property taxes are paid by Chase from my escrow account. That means Chase can increase the monthly escrow amount deposit. Or I can pay Chase all or part of that increase as a lump sum now. Doing that would reduce my monthly mortgage payment and keep it manageable.

I have accumulated $1480.00 in my "rainy day" emergency fund. I figured I'd use it when my refrigerator or air conditioner craps out, or if there's another special assessment from the condo association.

But, it turns out, rainy days can take different forms. And I'd say this turn of mortgage events constitutes a shower, if not a storm. So I wrote a check for $800 on that emergency fund and sent it to Chase. Now, my monthly payment will go up just $80. I can handle $80.

I still have $680 in my emergency fund. Sears sells a through-the-wall air conditioner like mine $550 and a refrigerator for $450. So I still have enough if one (but not both) fail me.

Adulting is hard. But I'm doing it.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 23

Roomy Alana

Today’s happiness: Alana and Elsa. I love Miche purses because you just simply swap out the outer shell, placing it over the plain, black cloth bag. (Here's a video that explains it all.) I got into Miche when my mom called me, many moons ago, and alerted me to their infomercial. And Kwizgiver is a fan.

I used to buy shells all the time. But then I stopped, because reckless spending is not good for me. I haven't purchased a new one in a year.

Textured Elsa

But Miche is still my day-in/day-out bag. Two factors contributed to my deciding I needed to shop. First, the company has gone out of business and second, two of my favorite "shells" were just so damaged I had to toss them. (OK, Reynaldo peed on one of them.)

I found three on sale on eBay, and two arrived on Thursday. Miche named their bags after women, so I feel like I made two new friends: Alana and Elsa. A third shell, Cheryl, was purchased from another seller so it (she?) hasn't arrived yet. I'm less excited about that one because it's a replacement and familiar to me.

Taking advantage of the eBay close-outs, I got all three bags for $71.25, including shipping. Or $23.75 each for my perfect handbags.

via GIPHY

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.