For my parents’ impending visit, I had to make a couple of upgrades to my apartment, the largest was buying a new sleeper sofa. Since their last visit six years ago, the recliner loveseat had fallen into embarrassing disrepair. Still comfortable, but not presentable for my parents. Plus, now that I work from home and my desk is in my bedroom, it just made sense to not disturb them when I started work.
I took advantage of one of my credit card’s 0% APR for 12 months checks to buy the sofa. The big gamble is that within a year or less, I’ll be working full time or at least I will have paid it off with the three part time jobs I currently have.
Yet, I think the original gamble will pay off since I’ve already successfully passed my insurance agent’s license exam. I crammed 15 chapters into my head over two and a half weeks; mostly motivated in the short term by the bonus money I’d receive. In the long term, I’ll most likely go full time, get commission, and expand my skill set.
About two months ago, I came to a radical conclusion: remain on the right side of natural selection. In the past, I’ve been conscious of my dire finances. Unlike before, I’m no longer comfortable with carrying credit card debt for any amount of time. There’s something so satisfying about paying off the balance every month–just like getting a little exercise every day. Financial health may be just as important as body/spiritual health since without the proper finances, very few other things are possible.
After taking the plunge of purchasing the red sleeper sofa, I bought new sheets and pillows, new matching towels for my parents and some other minor things to make my apartment look less rundown. Normally, I only shop for gas, groceries and costume accessories for dressing in character to host The Austin Writers Roulette.
Given the proximity of my 46th birthday to the arrival of my new sleeper sofa, I can call it my birthday gift to myself (even though I wouldn’t have bought it if my parents weren’t coming). We certainly believe in celebrating our birthdays for at least a week in my family; so it’s not unusual to count every positive thing into the observation.
One bittersweet note: due to health reasons, Dad won’t be able to join Mom on the red sofa. Although his health has improved, the doctor didn’t clear him for flying. Yet, Mom and I are making lemonade with our lemons. Her birthday’s three days after mine. We’ll have plenty to celebrate for her week’s visit. In addition to our birthdays, the main draw for her visit is my art reception for the paintings I created for my second novel, The Adventures of Infinity and Negativa: An Adult Fairy Tale. As an added bonus, Mom will attend the roulette. She’s seen videos for the show, but this will be the first time she’ll be present for one.
I’ve focused so much on getting my apartment parent-ready, making final preparations for the reception and putting together my costume for the roulette, I hope the everything comes together well.