history: We sold our house last year and received above asking price, which was unexpected. We sold our house last year and received above asking price_comma_ which was unexpected Nice!  Did you use that extra to do anything special?
current: Honestly, we paid off debt and a couple furnishings. The new house is very peaceful by comparison
next: That's probably the best choice.  I was thinking you could use it to spruce up a new place a bit, which it sounds like you did :)