Defeated

I battled the forces of evil (in the form of whatever that virus was) and emerged victorious! However, I lost the war on another front--my budget. January had been a very good month in as far as keeping my spending allowance in check. I thought for sure February, being the shortest month of the year, would follow in the fiscally-responsible trend.

I thought wrong.

The evil temptation this time? Two, very chic, leather chairs in a retro shade of green and a hand-blown glass lamp with a burnt orange lamp shade. I couldn't help myself. Paired with a steel and wood bookcase, I pictured the entire ensemble arranged on my top floor penthouse suite. This top floor was the only room left unfinished, waiting for just the perfect furniture to compliment it. Like everything else I purchase, I know it when I see it. And, my eyes were popping out of my skull when I walked into the furniture store. Cha-Ching!

But it gets worse.

As my excitement grew the closer to delivery day, I began to wonder: How would I entertain myself as I sat on the leather chairs? I could read, but this seemed a little lackluster. I could sip a martini from the wet bar, but this activity was common place at my house. My green leather chairs and I needed a worthy partner for the fourth floor, preferable a cold-blooded companion who would speak or remain silent on command and who would be flexible depending on my mood. And since the floor had already been pre-wired for an LCD TV and speakers, it seemed a logical next purchase. If I was going to break my budget, I might as well do it in the Diane Mandy tradition--all the way.

And so I did.

I've been defeated--completely, totally, and utterly. But to be honest, DEFEATED has never felt so good.

Impulse Purchase

It's not as extreme as the $900 sheets I purchased earlier this month, but I have done it again-- gone out and bought something extravagant for myself and my new(about- to- close- on) home.

This time my extravagant purchase is a coffeemaker, but not just any coffeemaker. It's a Keurig Single-Server Coffeemaker available at William-Sonoma and other fine retailers for a whopping $150.00.

It's hard to describe this space-age wonder. So, I'll allow the folks at William- Sonoma to describe it for me.

Keurig Single-Serving Coffeemaker

This machine is the best we've used for making single servings of coffee or tea, producing a customized, full-flavored brew in less than a minute. The machine combines microprocessor-controlled brewing technology and patented K-cups - portion cups holding the optimal amount of coffee or tea for one serving. Pressurized hot water flows through the K-cup to create the perfect beverage every time. Easy programming adjusts the water volume to vary brew intensity and cup size. Other amenities include a 48-oz. water reservoir, programmable on/off timer and removable, dishwasher-safe drip tray. K-cups for coffee and tea (sold separately) come in a set of 18. 17" x 12 1/2" x 16 1/2" high.

All I can say is, "WOW! This machine is truly amazing." The K-cups (about 10 dollar for 25 cups) contain fine teas and coffees and look like large coffee creamers. You pop a K-cup in the Keurig machine (without even having to remove the plastic covering), turn on the machine, and then Voila -a perfect cup of coffee in about 10 seconds!

I love coffee, but I hate making it. Coffee grinds are messy. I never measure correctly. It takes too long to brew for very short attention span. In truth, and I know this sounds crazy, I will as soon drive to the nearest coffee shop rather than make a pot of coffee at home. It happens all the time.

But now, with my brand new Keurig Single-Serving Coffeemaker, a perfect cup of coffee is only a click away. Oh, I just can't wait to try it out in my new abode! I'll be lazing around in my new sheets with a perfect cup of coffee in my hands. There is only one thing would make the scenario better-- a man to deliver the coffee to me. But, the cost of that little luxury might just be a little too great for even me.