We don't buy things very often because we have so much stuff at our two houses, there is very little we want for. If I see some cute little doo-dad in a catalog that looks like it'd be fun to have, I cut out the picture and glue it into my scrapbook where I can look at it any time I want, and that works for me. If I see it online, I store the image in a file called My Catalog of Things.

I find that once I start spending, it gets easier and easier to order things online or even go shopping in local stores. It's not all for fun: the door on my microwave cracked, and it's time for a new one. Poor Mr. Troutbend will have to figure out how to install it unless I can talk him into letting the store send someone to do it.

And I have decided I want a Lazy Boy sectional in my family room, one of those where a sofa has recliners in it. We usually buy used furniture, but since I don't think I'll find what I want at the consignment store, I'm willing to buy something new. They're having a sale right now, such as it is: I think they mark things up so they can mark them down and call it a bargain.