Reaping the rewARDS

Good evening folks!
Well the weekend is drawing to a close, and a new week will soon be upon us.  I admit, I found the last one quite tedious - the 9-5 grind was getting to me and, coupled with a lull in the old social life, I was more than a little bit grumpy.  Alas, I managed to pull myself out of my gloom.  How?  Well I decided to book a little holiday...

Yep, that's right - in September I will be spending 10 days in San Francisco - and I can't wait!  Sad as it is, knowing I have this to look forwards to seems too have perked me up no end.  Coupled with the good weather, this weekend I've been pretty chirpy, getting up early and getting on with a new writing project and a bit of spring cleaning.  Today I bagged a bargainous four dining room chairs and a coffee table for 40 quid, which I can't wait to paint up along with my ten pound TV stand.  In fact, by the time I have my official housewarming in May, I reckon I'll be pretty close to having my flat as I want it - with perhaps the exception of a posh new three-seater sofa bed..
My point?  Well, I know I'm lucky to have the means to travel to the West Coast of the US and to play at being Kirsty Allsop, but I also know that I function a lot better when I know I have something to aim for; a reward to all my hard work.  At the end of the day, it is that often-tedious job that has enabled me to book that flight and pay the mortgage on the flat that I am so faithfully - and frugally - doing up. 
So, as I traipse into work tomorrow, I will do my best to the thankful for all the opportunities it gives me - from stability to adventure, with the odd bit of inspiration thrown in for good measure.  And, whatever you do and however challenging it can be, I hope that you feel able to do the same.  And, if you can't, book yourself in for a little reward sooner rather than later, whether it be the trip of a lifetime, a jolly to the seaside or an afternoon mooching around your favourite local haunt.  I doesn't have to cost a lot, or be particularly flashy.  But it does need to happen. 
Why?
Because Shelly said so :-)