Art Attack: Cheaper than a Shrink

UPDATE: We won! The pair cost $75 + 15% house commission. These delightful and  are very happily hanging on my wall.  Every time i walk by, under the watchful stare of these regal chimps, I giggle.
And the VW? We have driven more than 230 miles on less than 6 gallons, all city stop-n-start-often-rush-hour driving,  air conditioner ice-blasting, the radio blaring. That’s approx 39 mpg for those who are counting… Think I’m exaggerating? Meet The Fanatics»

I have to have these two oil paintings. I have to, have to, have to.

(i must keep reminding myself we are on an austerity budget)

These two oil paintings are being auctioned today – auction estimate is $75-$100 for the pair. (we are on an austerity budget ) The paintings themselves are 3×4 inches, the frames are so elaborate you would almost miss these regal chimps.

The problem is the new car. Less than a week ago,we bought a brand new 2010 VW Sportwagen TDI. We have been living in Houston for 5 years without a car, mindful of our carbon footprint and trying to save a down payment for a house. The decision to buy to brand new car for the first time in our lives was a difficult one. Hurricane season had a lot to do with it. Truth is, I would happily keep this car until the end of my life. Still.. it wasn’t cheap.

So we made a pact to hunker down starting today and live on in austerity in hopes of having enough socked away to take advantage of what I foresee as the great real estate buying opportunity of 2011.

But

I have to have these
We’ll start tomorrow
I have jobs booked starting monday
I’ll eat less

Looking at them, even in this post, fills me with giggles and glee
(and they are cheaper than getting a script for xanax or prozac).