Wheelin' and dealin'

I LOVE a good bargain. And I found a great one.

I've been looking for master bedroom furniture for a while. We had accumulated a mixed set of oak headboard, pine entertainment center, early marriage dresser, and various other pieces. I do think there's a decorating style called eclectic, so we'll choose to call it that.

When we moved last year I began searching in earnest for the right set, and I found it. If you're interested in seeing it, here's the link: http://www.stanleyfurniture.com/downloads/dl/file/id/24/louis_philippe.pdf.

What I wanted was a good price, so I called a number of local furniture dealers, compared online furniture prices (like Cymax, Amazon, and Wayfair), and found the best local price was a little better than online, but not much. By the way, the best local price was from Ariana Home Furnishings in Cumming.

So I went to the Hickory Furniture Mart's webpage (http://www.hickoryfurniture.com/) and searched their dealers to see who carried Stanley (go here for the manufacturer list: http://www.hickoryfurniture.com/manufacturers.inc), then called to get a quote (the Stanley dealer was Good's Home Furnishings, and they were fantastic). It was about half of the online price, even when the delivery cost was added.

Ahhhhh... I LOVE a good bargain.

The furniture came in about two weeks, as it was in stock, delivered and set up by a very nice pair of gentlemen from Star Delivery.

Did I say that I'm happy?

I'm happy.

And here's the finished look.

Me and my Fitbit

It all started with a financial decision... My health plan offered a $240 credit for tracking my exercise, and I found out that a Fitbit would submit my exercise results automatically. It cost me about $100, so I figured that I would be $140 ahead.

Here's the link if you'd like to check it out on Amazon:  Fitbit Flex Wireless Activity + Sleep Wristband, Black

I ordered my Fitbit, downloaded the app, and the addiction began...


Multiple checks daily to see how many steps I'd taken (the goal is supposed to be 10,000 steps a day).

Lamenting over a bad day.... I mean, it was SUNDAY!

Rejoicing over a good day...

The first time I reached 10,000 steps, the Fitbit began a party on my arm (it vibrates A LOT when you get to 10,000). The app shows me green happy icons, and I feel great about myself...

So my days are partially judged by the number of steps I've taken. Now I'm debating: keep it? dump it in a fountain, like Joanne Kaufman suggests? (Click here to read her hilarious article.)

I'm still debating, but for now I'll keep it. I'm walking more, thinking about my health more, and feeling great. That's a good thing in retirement.

In defense of the blog

I'm not a reality TV fan. If I were, I could better explain my desire to join the ranks of bloggers. But I'm not interested in (insert reality TV star's name here) (insert reality TV star's latest debacle here).

So why a blog?

Does anybody really want to read about my latest gardening decision? YES! (Hi, Mom...)

Does anybody want to see pictures of my grandchildren? YES! (Hi, Heather, Karen, and Mom...)

Does anybody want to know about my favorite cleaning products? ...................... ok, nobody wants to know about that.

So why a blog?

I'm sure my psychology students could answer that question..... Let's hear it!!!

Ahhhh.... summer!

Even though I'm touting this as a retirement blog, I don't feel retired yet. Summer is ALWAYS like this... first a trip to the beach....

Then some gardening....grow, baby, grow!!!

Finding some good bargains... the centerpiece is a $12.99 find from HomeGoods, the clock was a $18 find at Ballard's; well I could keep going... everything was a find at one of my favorite discount stores!!!

And of course, my favorite thing about summer....

no-rush-bad-hair-no-makeup-coffee