Tax Returns and Spending money

I received the happy news that I will be getting a very generous tax return this year.  Actually, I heard the same thing last year and scheduled a weaving workshop/vacation in Taos to find out  there was a mistake in the calculations and I would NOT be getting a nice refund.  I went on vacation anyway.  One would think given this experience I would not go and spend money before it landed in my account - but I am a financial optimist. 

I have been living in a Condo with a dishwasher that doesn't work and a stove that was becoming more dangerous every day.  I never thought I would be here that long, but three years later, well......I'm still here. 

Old Stove

The stove is gas and if you are using the oven you can't use the burners because it creates such a down draft the burner won't light.  The burners need a match to light, because they won't ignite with the igniter.  This makes for some creative planning, when I make a custard which requires you scald the milk, I have to turn the burner on before I pre-heat the oven.  While I normally don't pre-heat ovens it is a must with custard.  The last time I made custard I noticed even with the burner going on high the down draft from the oven sucked the flame out and all I had was gas coming out of the burner.  There comes a point where even I bow to the inevitable.  So I bought a new stove and dishwasher which my future son-in-law installed for me.  I also bought a new vacuum - in for a penny, in for a pound.

New Stove

Now the old stove was a slide in and the new one is a free standing, which required a little carpentry and it doesn't exactly fit since it would appear that the counters and tile were built around the old appliances - but I am thrilled.  At one time I thought I would remodel the entire kitchen with new counters and counters and I secretly think I might still want to do that.  If that happens then all will be well since I will factor in the new appliances.

So yesterday was a good day; new stove, dishwasher, vacuum and my car was retrieved from the collision people after being rear-ended by an attorney who was, yes, actually on his cell phone.  Gotta  love irony.

So tonight the family is coming over for Easter and to celebrate my oldest daughter's birthday, it will be a day of cooking and easy clean up - because I have new appliances - Yea Me!