Very little is needed to create a happy for youself

Yesterday I made a list of all the things Gary and I still need to purchase for the house. And a 'to do' list. Plus a list of stores I read about and want to visit. And though I was tempted, I decided NOT to make an excel spreadsheet. Sometimes, it's just easier with pen and paper. Especially if the 'paper' is actaully an awesome 'hope clover' journal with wicked Chinglish. For example, my 'to buy' list is written on the page with this little bit of wisdom printed at the top: Very little is needed to create a happy for yourself. it is contained in your way of thinking.

Love it!

Anyway - here's my list of 'things to buy'. Let me know if you have any reco's on where I can get it!
-DRAPES: family room, office and kitchen
-WALLPAPER: main bedroom
-LIGHTING: front entry, hallway, upstairs hallyway, bathrooms (3), living room side table, dining room, kitchen, main bedroom, guest bedroom, closet (i am super excited to get a small hanging light for my walk in!)
-TABLES: kitchen, living room side table and coffee table
-BEDDING: main bedroom
-FOOT STOOL: kitchen (I need it to reach the top two shelves)
-CLOCK: Hallway
-MIRROR: Living room
-BENCH: Hallway
-PATIO SET: deck
-BBQ: deck
-FAUCETS: kitchen, main bathroom
-STORAGE SOLUTIONS: kitchen

Phew!! Also on hold (for maybe the next year) are a new bedroom set (so the current one can go into the guest bedroom), new bathrooms (sinks, lights and counter for the main and powderoom) and new kitchen. My bank account hurts just reading this.

I think the hard part is, I know exactly what I want for alot of the above. Which means, it'll take forever to FIND it. Unless I wait a year or two. Everything I'm searching for from magazines suddenly appears in every store if I wait a year or two. Like those silver thong sandals I searched for all last summer. They suddenly appeared at Zellers of all places. By Alfred Sung. If they've already made it down to Zellers, it'll be everywhere this season. Then I wonder - do I still WANT THEM? Hmm...

But back to the list... Gary and I are shopping downtown for furniture today. To ensure I don't get frustrated if I don't find my wallpaper, I'll just keep repeating the journal's advice. It's funny that I wrote the 'to buy' list on the page with the line that seems to promote minimalism vs. materialism. ha ha.