$10 Humor

I spent my Independence Day contributing to the local economy. I probably aided a few foreign ones as well because most, if not all, of my purchases were manufactured elsewhere. I set out intent on finding an area rug as all the floors in my apartment are hard wood and I would like to make some distinction between walk way and living room (especially now that I have cable!) I went to a number of different places in search of the perfect pattern as well as the best price. I visited Lowes, Home Depot, Pier One, Target and almost made it over to Macy's before I was just too tired to carry on.

During my travels I followed the direction of a talented streetside advertiser with the ability to flip his sign behind his back to Ashley's Furniture. They were having a CRAZY sale, or at least that's what they said. My guess is that we (me and Ashley) define crazy differently. My experience there was a new one. I had never been stalked and been somewhat okay with it. "John" was just there to help me or answer any questions I might have. I think this is why people go car shopping on Sundays... "John" was very helpful in pointing me towards the free coffee, cookies, and expensive over fluffed seating arangements, but alas, I just didn't find what I was looking for at Ashley's fine establishment.

One of the last places I visited was Target. They carried the same floral rugs that I just didn't want. I really wanted something to make my living room more of a place for the living, so I began to look at other options for contributing to the economy. I found two floor lamps that would add the light my mother said I really needed and a side table that could serve as an entertainment center until I upgraded to a bigger TV and more entertainment. Said table could then transition back to its original purpose.

Much to my disdain, I could not locate the light bulbs in Target and I didn't feel like asking for help. I conceded to visit just one more store. Enter Fred Meyer's, or as I now affectionately think of it, Walmart On Crack. Seriously. Fred took a Kohl's, a Home Depot, an Albertson's, an Ashley's Furniture, and Shane Co threw them all in a warehouse and put a cute strip mall out front. Not only did I find the light bulbs I was looking for, but I discovered that they were having a CRAZY sale on area rugs! (Crazy the way I define it, not the way Ashley does)

The pictures below show my living room designed for activities of the living sort. In them you will see my crazy cheap area rug, one of my new lamps, my miniature entertainment center, and my modest, minimalist, $10 chair that "John" and Ashley just couldn't provide. (Thanks for coming through on that one Target!) You'll notice too that in the second photo, Julia came by for visit in the form of one of my favorite movies.