All grown up

Upon returning to Saskatoon from southern Saskatchewan, I've gone through a lot of changes. All of them are somewhat based on consumerism and surface things, but still.... it's how we present ourselves to the world. I don't want to live surrounded by a bunch of poor-quality items that I used when I was a student. I think that sometimes, when we refuse to let go of things, they weigh us down until it gets harder and harder to move forward. So, the list of things I've improved upon:

* I no longer have a fat TV... I've joined the 21st century and now have a flat screen! And you know what the best thing about this is? No more high-pitched ringing in my ears whenever the TV is turned on! *happy dance*

* I'm leasing a car. No more lemons from back-alley deals... when I get sick of this model, I'll take it back and get something newer. Cars are a money pit, and I don't want to own one.

* A house! It took awhile, but I finally got out of the renting game. When decent, affordable rental units got more and more difficult to find after the 'boom', I couldn't wait to put my money towards something that will actually increase in value over the years (and avoid all those crooked landlords).

* a stovetop range. It's in anticipation of kitchen reno's that will happen sometime before Christmas... it was a sale I couldn't pass up, so now I have a slide-in range sitting 2 inches too high and 2 inches too deep for the miniature countertops I have in my current kitchen. :)

* Investments. I found a financial planner and now have RRSPs and stuff! Look at me, I might be able to retire someday!

Things I have yet to update (but always gets forgotten):

* towels. I have that big mess of mismatched towels for my bathroom that I think we all have or had sometime in our lives, and not only are the colours not in great shape, but the edges are starting to fray on a lot of them. Eep! Since we don't get a lot of overnight guests, it's been okay up until now, but I'm thinking I'd like to see some consistency sometime soon.

* bed linens. For that matter, a BED. We have mattresses on the floor right now, and even though it works and it's okay, I'd like to have storage under the bed someday and maybe even (gasp) a headboard! It's one of those expensive items that are put at the bottom of the list (including the linens) because it doesn't see people that much, and it's easy to 'make do'. But I'd like my bedroom to be a wonderful, calming sanctuary, and not a dorm room. Someday.

I'm sure there are a bunch of other things I could mention, but honestly the blessings outweigh  anything else right now. It's fun to think of all the things you can do to improve your living space... especially when you can do them on a budget, or do them yourself. (it feels more like an accomplishment somehow than just going to the store and buying something.)

Here's to becoming an adult!