Monday, July 15, 2019

It's Finally Arrived!


We finally have bedroom furniture again! After six weeks of sleeping on a mattress on the floor, our new king size bedroom furniture was delivered Saturday.  We really wanted a storage sleigh bed, had searched all over and found the right one at Costco.  We tried local stores but they all carried the same furniture lines, most with basic starter furniture.  We wanted permanent investment furniture.  Then we tried to order it and found out it could not be delivered to our area, part of the drawback of island living.  Hubby spent 2 more weeks back and forth on the phone with the manufacturer and Costco until they finally said yes but we had to pay an extra delivery charge. We agreed and it is beautiful.  We put our queen set in the spare bedroom when the carpet was done at the end of May as we didn't want to have to move it (super heavy) nor put the bed frame back together a second time- hence why we were sleeping on a mattress on the floor. No point in doing things twice.

We are very happy with the furniture - but it was supposed to be delivered at 9am so we got up early in preparation for it as had to move some stuff/vacuum etc.  By 9:45 hubby called the delivery people.  One of their guys did not show up for work.  Anyway, the second crew was able to deliver it at 2pm.  I just don't understand how people quit their jobs by not showing up for work. How hard is it to quit the old fashioned way, with courtesy?   Is it this new generation?  How do people who are such flakes operate in the real world?  I guess it shouldn't surprise me based on how flaky people can be when I sell them things on our bidding site or Craigslist.  


This furniture was expensive, at least to us.  But of course we put it on a points credit card and immediately paid it off.  We also spotted a 3x Aeroplan miles special on their website and got that even though we ended up ordering and paying by telephone once everything got approved.  We also got a tiny bargain Saturday.  Friday night hubby accidentally flattened one of our lamp shades as we had put it in a weird spot and he forgot it was there.  We don't have many retail choices in our town but we do have Home Depot.  The lampshade was $30 and we needed two but the second was dirty and I did not want to take a chance that I couldn't get the dirt off easily.  The Home Depot worker said we could have $10 off, then $15, then $25 off.  Yes, we almost got paid to take the second lamp shade home at $5.  Hubby said it was a good thing I was being stubborn.  Anyway, yes, hubby got the dirt out and you can't even tell.  They go very nicely with our existing 8-year-old lamps.  

You don't see bedding as we are using temporary bedding right now - I've ordered new pillows (king size) and a comforter set with a second set of sheets but those may take a week or two to get here. Our old comforter set is still in excellent condition even after five years so will be used in the spare bedroom.   I am ready to stop spending money now though, the renos and furniture have depleted our bank accounts and I need a break from workmen and delivery people in my house.  Next summer the plan is to do outdoor patio renovations and buy some furniture there - we need to save up over winter for that.

$5 lampshade#2

In other news Mom had her second cataract surgery and it went well, although she seems to be having a bit more pain afterwards than the first.  I take her back to her Dr on Thursday to have a look.  It is also a bit blurry but the Dr said that was a stitch that needs to heal.  It will be weird not seeing her in glasses as she has worn them since she was 12.  She does need to wear really good sunglasses when outside from here on out - we went and bought some with store points last week so she is ready to go.  

 I came across this rainbow while out walking Buddy earlier this week - the end on the right side is on my street!  It was actually a double rainbow which you can barely see in this photo.
 While Mom was at her eye Dr the day after her surgery I walked the 3 blocks down to the Marina.  It is really lovely at 8am, I need to go down there in the morning more often.  Very peaceful with just me and a few birds and some bumblebees along with a few fishermen going out in their boats.  This is the same Marina where we will be leaving for our fishing trip on Friday.

Thursday Stepson #2 flies in for four days and then Friday we go on our annual fishing trip.  We are all looking forward to and so far the weather looks decent - not too hot (20-22 degrees C) and sun/cloud with a minor chance of rain. It is so nice to be able to just pay for fishing with cash saved up from selling stuff both for resale and things we no longer need the past year - zero extra out of pocket was required. We take snacks and drinks and layer clothes so we should be ready for anything.  The rest of the weekend will be spent having fun - maybe some hiking, some kayaking, and our town is having a market day so likely we will go to that.

That's what's shaking around the island pad - have a great week everyone!

32 comments:

  1. I love your new bedroom furniture. The extra storage will be so handy. I would say it was worth all the effort and the wait and the bonus Aeroplan points and other points are a great deal. The new lampshades look wonderful. It just occurred to me, why didn't you just sleep on your old bed in the guest room rather than on the floor?

    Hope your Mom is going to be okay. So many folks have problems with the second eye. You are going to have a busy week. Have fun.

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    1. We were tired and stubborn and slept on the queen mattress in our bedroom for 2 weeks then ordered the king and slept on that since (much nicer/better). At that point we put the queen bed back together in the spare room. The first eye was the worst in terms of vision so not sure what is going on. Thanks!

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  2. Your new furniture is lovely. I know your are thrilled to have you room back.
    Secondly glad your mom's surgery went well. Mom was very upset when she had her done. She claimed the cataract surgery gave her wrinkles, because she had never seen that many in the mirror before.
    All but free trip? Fantastic!

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    1. Mom could totally see more wrinkles/age spots after the first eye..she told me she always thought she had better skin lol

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  3. I want a sleigh bed, too. But, I want footboard so the covers won't fall off...lol. I like your furniture. The double rainbow is visible to me. When I had my cataract surger, they were adamant that the person who brought me stay right in the building. I guess they have had sedated people left there too long.

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    1. Oh that's strange. No, they called me when she was done.

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  4. Darn it, I hope this doesn't post twice as my last comment shot off into cyber-space. But I really love your furniture, it is beautiful and looks so classy!

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  5. You inspire with your careful bargaining. Glad your Mom has finished her 2nd surgery. Have fun when you head out fishing.
    Joy

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    1. Thanks - we love going out on the Ocean regardless of the catch - the fish is just the icing!

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  6. The furniture looks lovely. I like the look of dark wood. As for the employees I think they get treated and paid poorly so never develop any loyalty to the company. In other words the employers need to up their game too. We wanted to have a patio done this year but another downside of semi remote living is the slim availability of contractors.

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    1. Thanks! I could see you in PW having the same issues as us. Our neighbor across the street had a patio poured this Spring...will see who she used although I am not sure we are pouring concete yet, maybe patio bricks but I sure as heck don't want to do it ourself

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  7. I just love how y'all do things!! Good news about your mom's surgery. Hope y'all catch a bunch of fish this weekend!!

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    1. The fishing has been good the last 2 days, fingers crossed it holds up!

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  8. Yikes... I cannot imagine how expensive it must be to own a house with all of the "stuff" that goes along with it. I like being a nomad! :-)

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    1. Yes, it really is expensive. This still was WAY cheaper than moving - plus we get some of the things that were on our want lists (hubby has always wanted a king size bed, I wanted a proper spare bedroom now that the kids have girlfriends/boyfriends when they visit rather than foldout couch). Hubby is not a minimalist - I on the other hand could be (and have in the past) been perfectly happy with 500 sq feet of living space - as long as I have a little outdoor space. I could see you two easily in a tiny Mexican Casita with a great back yard down the road, that or a piece of land with an RV/camper/trailer on it that you would call home. PS land is relatively cheap on some of the outer islands like Denman - plus they get our same lack of winter weather

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  9. Nice bed! I love that it has built in storage. Ours is a four poster that sits high off the ground and I have stuff pushed under there, mostly my emergency supplies/food in case we need it for hurricane season. We slept on a king at the hotel in Texas. It was very nice. Enjoy your beautiful new bedroom!

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    1. Hubby has been hounding me for years for a king size bedroom set - I finally caved after he agreed to stay here. Ah marriage, you have to give and take :)

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  10. I live that rainbow. A good sign! Wishing your mother quick and easy recovery!

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    1. She is doing well although the 2nd eye is not healing quite as fast as the first one - thanks Mitchell!

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  11. It's a nice bed.
    The rainbow and Marina scenery are wonderful :)

    I love this blog, it's a lovely and inspiring blog.
    Following you.
    Thank you

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  12. Great furniture find! That they normally won't deliver on the island is something I wouldn't have known. Thanks for the head's up.

    The marina and the rainbow are lovely. Hope your mom's eye heals soon.

    Enjoy your trip! I'll look forward to hearing about it when your return.

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    1. According to Costco the manufacturer is solely responsible for shipping and/or whether they will deliver. We were willing to pay extra for shipping - I kind of understand since there is a ferry involved. Most people wouldn't have pursued it like us. It took about 6 Costco people to get to the one who finally suggested contacting the manufacturer. We have had other items (massage chair for hubby's bad back) delivered with no issue so I guess it depends on the item. Thank goodness for amazon - we end up ordering so much due to not wanting to drive to Nanaimo to buy things as we have a lack of retail here for every day items - lots of cutesy kitschy stores but not for things like underwear. We do have home depot, costco and Canadian tire which is great for doing stuff around the house.

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  13. What a gorgeous rainbow picture!
    Love the new furniture, it looks like its great quality and the style is timeless. I bet you love going to bed, must be like you're in a posh hotel room.
    Glad your Mum's recovering well.
    Hope you have the best trip and the weather plays nicely! xxx

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    1. Yes, we love the bed. The weather has gotten better, not too hot but sunny - perfect really every day 22-24 degrees :)

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  14. We have a hard time getting things like furniture in Powell River. Last year we ordered a desk and end table from a local store in May. It took until September to arrive from the lower mainland. Good thing we weren't in a hurry. Your bed looks wonderful and I bet all the extra storage is a huge bonus. - Margy

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    1. I can only imagine, other than hauling it yourself you too are at the mercy of others. Now - we can never move, the bloody set weighs an absolute ton. And yes, we have storage coming out of the ying yang now lol, especially since we have a whole extra dresser and all the closet storage we invested in

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  15. Doesn't it seem that once you start spending it takes a real effort to STOP?! Or is that just me :) I was able to put the cost of the deck on my points card and that should just about take care of Christmas! In addition to the deck I bought a new bed/mattress and bed tent - best decision ever, it's like sleeping outside. Love your new lamp - awesome price lol!

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    1. I feel like we are bleeding money...then a kid came and spent a week with us. We intended to do a lot of things without eating out..yeah that went out the window. A beer here, natchos there. Oh well, I guess we can be frugal in the winter lol.

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