Simple pleasures

This weekend I got new sheets, a pricey body cream, a fabulous manicure, and a killer bottle of red wine.

Its the simple pleasures sometimes that bring us the most joy.

I've been stressed lately. REALLY STRESSED!

A new job with sets of changes and rules and extenuating circumstances I never could have imagined. A house that was sold, and then, just as suddenly, back on the market and then, thank God, sold again this weekend when I received an acceptable offer and took it. And the financial stressors that come with having a mortgage and monthly rent and a car payment and all the other costs of living all combined into one big money-sucking vacuum.

I debated the sheets and the body cream, and thought twice about the manicure. But, I reasoned, the sheets were a necessity, and the manicure was too, as my nails were looking pretty ratty; the wine was a gift. And the body cream, well, that was sheer retail therapy.

But having treated myself, and not spent an outrageous amount (the wine was actually a gift), I felt a bit better. Not MUCH better. But a bit better.

And it lasted longer than just a few minutes. I just turned the covers down on my bed and caught myself smiling because of the new sheets.

The nails are looking fabulous and with a week of meetings and business lunches and dinners ahead, it was money well spent.

The guilty pleasure of the body cream will pay for itself tomorrow nite when I know I'll come home late, (even though I'm going in for 7 a.m.), take a hot shower and then slather it on before cocooning myself in my flannel PJ's, lighting a candle, and curling up with a good book.

There are so many things I would like to change about some of the things in my life right now. But I honestly can't . I just have to settle for working through them, hoping and planning for the best possible outcome, and living with the end results.

In the meantime, though, I can take refuge in some of the simple things -- like new sheets, flannel pajamas, and rich, creamy, scented body cream. And a glass of that really good red zinfandel. It may not sound like much, but its comfort and in a strange way, helps me escape the insane roller coaster that has been my life lately.