On Kites and Kites and Splurges

The Mississippi Kites are gone.  Their departure is not as dramatic as their arrival.  They were super-active and very loud Friday afternoon August 28 and I felt certain they were discussing their imminent departure (and perhaps they were discussing it), but at least a few were still around two weeks later, and then I saw none today at the park where they swarm.  (More about my tracking of Mississippi Kites can be found here).

August 19, 2015
3 1/2 weeks and ages and ages ago

Before school started (three and a half weeks and ages ago) the boys were flying a kite Dianthus received for his birthday and several Mississippi Kites circled by to investigate.  At $30, the kite, an, "Easy-Flier" from Into the Wind in Boulder, Colorado, cost many times what previous kites the boys have owned have.  And it is so worth it.  The Mississippi Kites came by because the dragon delta was calmly soaring.  It went up easily,  It stayed up.  It is pretty incredible (almost, but not quite, to the point of being boring to fly).

While flying the kite and marveling that such a wonder could be found for $30, complete with full service (annotated instruction book, long discussion about appropriate wind speeds, swivel), I started thinking about skimping and splurging, and listing luxuries worth the extra money and splurges I wouldn't do again.

Immediately it became clear that I am willing to splurge on condiments.  Mustard from the mustard museum is worth it.  Good jam is worth it.  Greek yogurt is worth it (but I can only justify plain in the 32 oz. size.  I can't feel good about expensive individual yogurts if I am not on vacation or at my parents' house).  Real maple syrup, real vanilla extract, and good dark chocolate are worth it.

I pay asking price for farmers' market eggs (which are a steal at $3.50 per dozen in my town), farmers' market produce and good peaches shipped in from Colorado.

As I am writing I am realizing that this list is not really revealing to anyone (Sparkling Squirrel is willing to pay $8 for mustard?  I'm shocked!)

I've been surprised at how much I have loved having new cars, considering how much I loved my used cars (for 13 and 11 years, respectively), but our new cars have hardly been marketed as luxury vehicles.  When my mother pointed out that other mini-vans have magically gliding doors, I had to add how many other uses I could find for the $10,000 difference.  Another friend commented on what a steal it was to upgrade the seats in hers, and I could only find myself musing at how much I would rather have another vacation than leather seats.

Speaking of vacations, I have found it well worth it to pay for location when dealing with lodging, but the few times we have paid extra for luxurious accommodations, I  have not thought it money particularly well spent.

I'm not sure how much I think "good seats" are worth it.  "Seats" at performances and sporting events are almost always worth it.  "Good seats"?  I don't know.

Back when I was thinking these things and flying a kite, I was partially trying to justify the amount I had spent on make-up while glowing at Nordstrom with my friend L, and having a hard time doing it.  I kept thinking about how much I was willing to spend for a facial (which I had not deemed worth it based on two in my life, but had been thinking of doing again as part of glow year) and adding it to the amount I was willing to blow on an afternoon of frivolity with L, plus the amount necessary for new foundation, and I kept falling short of the total on my new Nordstrom card.

August 24, 2015
Prairie Turnips in Background

Then my school started.  I didn't have any new outfits,  I felt I had limited, less-than-flattering wardrobe options (limited by my current size, by teaching labs all the time, and by walking to work in the heat), but I had my make-up.  With the magic of foundation that cost more than my mother-in-law has spent on a pair of shoes*, tips from the wonderful full-service beauty stylist at Nordstrom and the four brushes that I only pretended I would use a few weeks before, I popped the middle of my eye lids, I contour chiseled my cheeks with bronzer, and I glowed radiantly.  Wearing the red shoes that, three years later still make me immensely happy, so must be worth it, I rocked the first day of school.  And, horrible allergy days aside, I have been pulling out the brushes every morning since, combining $2 eye shadow with $30 bronzer, and feeling great.  Definitely worth it.

What's "worth it" for you?  What's not?

*For the record, my mother-in-law is just a great shoe shopper, the foundation didn't cost that much.  I mean, it cost far more than the $13 I budget for foundation, but much less than the red shoes that I have never felt particularly guilty about, for instance