sounds familiar

Today I worked late.

When I got home Sharaun and Keaton weren’t there, having gone to a birthday party for one of Keaton’s friends.  I was alone.  I knew I would be, she’d called me earlier in the day to let me know.  In fact, I’d had it all planned.

First, I’d work a little late since there was nothing to go home to.  Next I’d sit down and watch the rest of The Haunting in Connecticut, a movie we’d recorded earlier in the week and only got halfway through.  While watching the movie I’d eat cold leftovers from the local Mexican joint, right out of the styrofoam boxes.  After that I’d eat the last few spoonfuls of cookies ‘n’ cream ice cream, right out of the container.  It was actually a nice hour or so of downtime.

And, right after the movie ended I was sitting on the couch reaching for my laptop.  In the background the credits from …Haunting rolled, scored by some super-creepy atmospheric music.  The house being quiet otherwise, I will admit I was a little on-edge.  Suddenly the doorbell rang out loudly, ring-ring-ringring!!  I didn’t quite jump, but I was startled.  Even more so when I went to the peephole and saw no one there.  I opened the door and stepped outside, expecting maybe to find a package or advertisement hung on the handle – but there was nothing.  I ranged a bit farther down the walk, still nothing.  I poked ahead a little more, to where I could see the driveway.  Finally I see Sharaun chatting with our neighbors, Keaton and her friend running around playing.

Whew.  Not ghosts.

Goodnight.

Yesterday was Keaton’s dress rehearsal for the ballet recital.  Full costume, dress and makeup, on-stage in the big auditorium.

Dad cried.

Saturday, while Sharaun was at a baby shower thrown in her honor (or is it Cohen’s honor?) by her girlfriends at church, I was at a funeral.  The contrast of our morning calendars was not lost on me.

Sharaun’s sister and her husband are in town this week, so writing has been slim.  Today was Doug, my brother-in-law’s, birthday.  I took the day off work (after a few unavoidable morning meetings).  We tried to make for the mountains, had designs on a picnic by the river at a little washout swimming spot we know.  Got up, got ready, packed up the car, packed in the people, and made the 40min trek up the hill.  After paying our $8 “day use” fee we drove down to the river.

Once there we found it completely swollen and rushing with fresh snowmelt; the little beach where we’d planned to sun and play and stage our afternoon was swallowed up by the water.  Dejected, we made the call to turn right back around and make the 40min drive in reverse (after getting our $8 back, however).  We ended up at a local lake, which worked just fine to scratch our hot dog grilling, swimming and sunning itch.  Stayed there for a few hours and packed it in.

Once we got home we all crashed for naps, drained of energy by the sunshine.  While napping, the cat was curled up near my feet.  This got me thinking: Some people take their cats to the vet.  We’ve had this cat now for thirteen years and we’ve never once taken her to the vet.  I figure, as long as she’s eating, drinking, doesn’t have fleas, and hitting the littler box – she’s fine.  A couple years ago her fur started thinning around her haunches, and I guess maybe a normal person or an animal nut would’ve seen this as cause for a trip to the animal doctor.  But she didn’t seem to miss the hair, and she is thirteen years old, after all.  Anyway I like my cats self-sufficient.  As it is I’m planning to be done with pets after this one’s gone to cat-afterlife; so the longer she takes care of herself the better.

Goodnight.

I have a guy who does my lawn; takes care of everything: mowing, the trees, the bushes, the weeds, fertilizing, the sprinklers, etc.

I didn’t always have a lawn service.  There was a time when I scoffed at the idea.  Later, I debated the idea.  Finally, I broke down.  Now, I consider a lawn service as one of those “first to go” kind of perk services.  Like the pest control service or dinners out on Fridays it’s something below the discretionary/non-discretionary line; one of the easy “cuts” that could be made if need be.

But man, I love my lawn service.  And you know what?  I know I pay too much for it. In fact, I have friends who pay 30% less for almost the same type of service.  Sure, my guy is licensed and legal – but how much does that really matter when it comes right down to it?  Is it worth 30%?  Not to me.  So… why do I, Mr. Cheap, continue to pay more than I know I have to?  You are going to laugh.

I pay my lawn guy more than some other lawn guy because… I like him.  I mean, he’s really nice.  He’s personal; he’s great with Keaton when she’s around; he loves the Lord (no, really, that alone matters to me); he asks about my family; I know his kids’ names.  So is it dumb to pay a guy 30% more than another guy because he said he’d “pray for you” when you told him you’d be out of town at your grandmother’s funeral?

I have a friend who always tells me I mix too much emotion into my financial decisions.  He’s right; I do.  I make financial choices with about 90% focus on the numbers, the bottom-line, and about 10% on “feel.”  He goads me about my rewards card choice, stating plainly that the card he has (which deposits cash-back into a brokerage account) is better on the numbers.  Again, he’s right.  But y’know, my card gives me 2mi on every dollar.  Yes, I’m locked into airline miles; yes, the “liquidity” of airline miles leaves something to be desired and isn’t as flexible and often ends up being a worse deal than just taking 2% cash and buying tickets directly.  I know all this.  But, for some strange psychological reason I like my rewards “locked-in” to miles.  It makes me feel like I’m earning trips back to Florida, or cheaper vacations.  I actually prefer the rewards to be limited in this way.  So yes, emotion plays a role in my financial thinking.

I guess it’s not that strange then that I’m OK paying a premium for a lawn guy I connect with.  The spreadsheet side of me says I’m dumb… but the thing in me that likes my lawn guy because he gives us a Christmas card says I’m right-on.

Have a good weekend.