Growing Up

When I started working for the public school system, I was given a nice little bonus. This is a special bonus that they would give to math, science, and special ed teachers. I didn't have to repay that amount if I finished two years of teaching. I was also told that I would receive the same amount at the end of my fourth year teaching. All year I have waited for this bonus. I KNEW it was coming. I planned. I waited. I anticipated. I received the check about two weeks ago and I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it: Kitchen.

When we were first married, Joe and I received a cute little dinet set from his parents. It served us well -- lasting us eight good years and five moves. The chairs died out a couple of years ago, but our little table survived. We decided it was time for an upgrade. We went to John Paris Furniture on 33rd and Redwood. They were great! They asked if we needed help and when we said we were just looking they left us alone. He came back about 15 minutes later to see if we were still okay. TOTALLY no-pressure to buy. Well ... we ended up choosing this beauty:

We love it. When the leaf is put away we can easily fit 6 adults. With the leaf ... probably 8 - 10. It should last us many many years.

With the rest of my bonus we got a new fridge, dishwasher, and ... stamps. For new appliances we chose black -- and I don't know what I was thinking. It actually is growing on me a little, but I believe that our kitchen would look better if we had white, so we are going to exchange them soon. As soon as we do, I'll post new pictures!