I woke up this morning feeling better. I don't know if it was sleeping with vapor rub on or if I was finally due for a good day. I went to some holiday open houses at folk art stores I frequent. I love poking around and trying to see through all the clutter. The one woman who owns the first one recognized me. Pretty impressive since I hadn't been there in a couple years. She remembered random details and was thrilled I was pregnant because she knew we'd been trying. In fact I have a rag angel to hang above Peanut's crib that I must have bought there over 3 years ago.
Then I went to a new place that opened last week. My policy is to never pay asking price on antiques. I saw a nightstand I really liked and then asked if the price was firm. She looked it over and asked what I wanted to pay. Knowing the game I knocked $20 off and she met me with $5 more. The key is to look calm and unconcerned while she thinks it over. Look like you could walk right out and never give it a second thought. Then she told me not to tell anyone else she had done it for me. I'm thinking, "who the heck would I tell?" (Oops, looks like I just told you.) She loaded it up for me and I headed home.
So that pretty much takes care of my birthday money. But I had a great time and that is what counts. I did manage to buy one gift for someone else though. I really need to finish shopping in the next week. Especially if I'm never sure I'm going to get a good day of energy when I wake up.

PS The feeling of impending snow is in the air. It makes me all giddy! Will we really get the 10-14 inches they are predicting? I hope so.