Jingle Bells...

It has been like Christmas come early in our house. I have no idea why we’re on a purchasing kick right now but this means that packages have been showing up left and right at the house, making me realize that this is why the Internet was invented.

The ‘shopping spree’ began with the telescope. It’s not your everyday one that you most likely had as a kid – long, gray, sits on a tripod and gives you a slightly better view of the moon than the naked eye. Nope, this one is the astronomy enthusiast’s special. It’s the Celestron NexStar 8 SE (I like to say the name almost breathlessly as Hal rolls his eyes). It has a number of very cool features, none of which I really comprehend. But I do like that it comes with a remote control! Plus, I have to admit it provides an awesome (and blinding) view of the moon and all its craters. I’m fairly certain this new toy of Hal’s will provide endless hours of star gazing, which sounds heavenly (but not in 30 degree weather).



Then the Bowflex arrived. Hal and I are getting pumped up (do people say that anymore?). We’re getting fit and toned and jacked and ripped and all those fitness buzz words that inspire you to have a well-defined butt. I want the ‘guns’ and he wants the six pack. Ultimately, I’ll just be happy that we use the damn thing and that it doesn’t become the most expensive clothing rack ever. Oh, and since he bought it from some company on ebay this rather large, extensive contraption came disassembled in 8 different boxes, and there was a lovely tear right through the instructions. That was last night’s project…hopefully it will look like this once it’s completed. HOPEFULLY.



And the deliveries just kept on coming. Our all-in-one printer extraordinaire (cue the oohs, and the ahhs) which is still in its box. Great. Skirts for me that don’t fit properly. Sad times. New books. Yay. And something from a software company which contains something I probably could care less about. Here, Hal.

The good thing to come out of all of this (because spending money on just stuff is usually not a good thing, gratifying – yes, definitely) is that Hal and I discussed the big ticket items like the telescope and Bowflex before whipping out the credit card. As he puts it, “It’s our money buying our stuff, so it should be our decision”. Good to know he won’t be racking up debt once we’re married, at least not behind my back. Making joint purchasing decisions will be one of many things that we do collectively, and I’m looking forward to being Team Jenn and Hal.

In this case, however, I think our decision to purchase our Bowflex, was Hal's way of ensuring we take joint responsibility for our failure to make the most out of it…