out with the old, in with the new

It started with me buying and using my very first Groupon.  I needed a new mattress so badly.  I blamed a lot of my upper back and shoulder issues on running, BUT I'm sure my mattress had something to do with it.  It was given to me from the parentals.  They purchased it for me following our house fire (lightening) back in the summer of '93, I believe.  I took it with me my junior year in college once I had the apartment.  It moved with me into my Houston apartment, and then it moved again into my house 10 1/2 years ago.  So, if you have mad math skillz like I do, that means my mattress was 17 1/2 years old.  Uh...yeah...that's bad. 

My $50 Groupon purchase got me $200 off a mattress / box spring set from Mattress Firm.  I went there on Sunday, 1/2, and got tested in their test bed for what kind of bed would be best for me...one with mild firmness.  All I knew is that I did NOT want too firm.  My parents have ridiculously firm beds in their house and I hate them (the beds, not my parents).  So, then I had to test out all kinds of beds in the store that the print out said would be just right for me.  I flopped around on my side and stomach on 6 different beds until I found mine.  It's a pillow top plush bed with memory foam and a certain level of firmness.  It's all mumbo jumbo to me, honestly.  I just liked the way it felt. 

The dudes delivered it on Tuesday, 1/4, and dragged my old set away.  This bed is much higher, so I worry about my poor Penelope (the blind one) getting on and off the bed.  We had to forego the puppy staircase and now we use the ottoman instead.  The memory foam is cool and weird, but it's a lovely bed and I've had such pleasant nights of sleep in it.  Ahhh...

just showing off my new area rug

Younger sister Linda decided she and her husband, Craig, are having a garage sale.  She asked if any of us wanted to sell anything.  I was thinking that since I got the new area rug for my living room and the new entrance way rug for Christmas that I could sell my old ones.  I'm not expecting to make big money or anything, but a few bucks never hurt anyone.  Then I got to thinking about how I really hate my couch.  I loved it when I bought it.  It is still comfy.  It's just that it has a tear in the leather (thanks, Delilah) and it's old and now I no longer like the color.  I had looked a few months ago at some couches...  Anyway, I got the idea in my head to sell my couch and love seat at the garage sale.  I have a big chair that sort of matches the set, but it's a couple of years newer and is hardly ever sat in, so I'm keeping it for the time being.  This meant...FURNITURE SHOPPING...one of my favorite things to do!

I started on-line just to get an idea.  Man, things are really expensive!  I just really didn't want to spend a whole lot, you know?!  I knew what style I was looking for and I knew kind of what color I wanted.  I mean I would love to have a dark brown leather, BUT I can't do that because I have dark wood floors and a dark entertainment center and dark tables, so I need to bring a little light into the picture.  After work on Monday, I went to Lifetime Furniture - a little corner store located near my office.  I had been in there before and was interested in a couple of things they had.  I walked in and told the saleswoman what I wanted.  She took me to the set I would come to purchase.  The color was right.  The price was right.  So, out with the old, in with the new...here are some pictures!

old sofa and love seat (beige)

new sofa and love seat (nutmeg) with the added bonus of Delilah

Oh and in case you are wondering what's next...I'm just fixing up my master bathroom.  I got most of the stuff for Christmas.  I will have to purchase a few items myself and get to work on that.  I have some other stuff in the house that needs to be hung up - decorations and whatnot, but I won't do that until I finally paint.  Oh how painting haunts me.  I've been meaning to do it for years now.  Someday...