Well, when you’ve been kicked, it’s hard some days to find the joy. After learning our car is terminal over the weekend I’ve been struggling with my usual cheery disposition (really, I am the optimist in this house, believe it or not!).

Over the weekend we went to the movies – $40 gone. I remembered I still have to buy a present for my nephew when I thought I was done with Christmas presents (looking at another $10 there at least). I have the expense of Christmast dinner (ham is EXPENSIVE!! Sheesh! And I thought our turkey breasts at T-day were bad)…and other random things. I’m looking at our currently stable savings (small though it is) and trying to figure out how long it has left to live. At this point I’m figuring 1 – maybe 2 – weeks before it’s DOA.

Erik calls from work says he’s going to pay on his account at work (he works for a water purification/water softener company – from which we regularly buy salt for our softener, and filters for our R/O)…and then take out $20 for his carpool buddy to help cover gas costs (he and I agreed $20/2wks)…and the $30 for my remaining Christmas presents.

In a panic, thinking of our cash levels, I pull up the account. I expect to see a certain moderate amount in our account (on hold until mortgage is paid on Friday)…instead I see $200 MORE than I expected.

Apparently Erik got a bonus at work. No one told him *lol*

So our random joy for today is a bonus!! It’s not a huge one (not like the one he got two years ago, unfortunately), but it’s bigger than last years crap…and enough to cover our date night this weekend, AND Christmas dinner!!

Now if UPS would show up with his present…and the other one would make it before Christmas I’ll be totally joyous! (One gift was mailed standard USPS on Saturday…God willing it will get here before Christmas day!!)