"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace..." ... 1 Peter 4:10
"A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion." ...Proverbs 18:2
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Tom's old (2008) leather recliner still appeared fine, that is, until you sat in it. Then it felt cattywampus and tilted your world a tad.
So we window-shopped online and gracious! Now those cost anywhere from $450 to $2,000. Although we'd set money aside, still, this was one of those "it's the principle of the thing" things.
So much money for only a chair!
Well, one Friday Tom stopped at an estate sale and guess what he bought? A cool vintage leather recliner. In beautiful shape. For just $80. Now, we paid a little more to Neighbor Mike and his son to carry it inside,but hey. What a deal, right?
Assumption lesson #1: Never assume you must pay crazy-high prices for anything. Even in 2019.
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I, personally, know folks who believe shopping garage/estate sales is for losers with Let's Just Buy Unnecessary Trash habits. But, gracious! What exactly are we losing if our bank accounts still hold the thousands of dollars we saved on necessary items? Hmm?
Assumption lesson #2: Never assume all garage sale shoppers are gullible, trinket-buying slobs. ツ
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Here's what I wrote at Facebook on Monday:
Well, Tom got his new big tv with its ultra-complicated remotes and screen settings and choices and --- it looks like Debra won't be able to watch tv while he's away at work ever again. heh.
#itsallsocomplex
Assumption Lesson #3: Never assume you'll hate something before you even see it. I'd assumed I'd hate the modern appearance of the new tv, but after tweaking some furniture? I kinda prefer the new set-up(!)
The odd thing? Three (4?) of my friends pretty much said, "Now, Debra. You're an intelligent woman. You'll figure out how to use the new tv!" (And I appreciate that. I do.)
Yet, first of all, uhm, no. Not intelligent. Don't even wanna be.
Rather, I'm a simple-minded trial-and-error-learner gal. Anything smart-ish leftover comes from listening to God's (hard-won) personally-designed-lessons for those with stubborn streaks. Like me.
And technologically-speaking? Oh dear. No, no, no. We're talking major weaknesses here. Gaping holes of understanding and techno-advancing desire.
Basically, my public use of technology is only to complete God's calling(s) on my life (so He enables me to do what I must).
Using this new tv of Tom's (aka Tom's new baby)? I'm not seeing any of God's using me in that. So far, I'm content giving the controls to Tom, and instead, watching Hulu and Netflix on this computer. Oh, and playing my dvd's upstairs in my Happy Place Room.
That's plenty. For now--and perhaps--forever.
Assumption Lesson #4: Never assume anyone can do it all. Every person who's ever appeared upon Earth has weaknesses so to keep them (us) humble and reliant upon God and other folks who're strong where we are clueless.
We are, each of us, complex, uniquely-designed and dependent upon each other to walk us through our gaps.
That's always been God's plan--and it's a good one. Indeed.
You may want to also check out my earlier post entitled, "Where She's As Techno As She Wants To Go".
"You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free." ... John 8:32
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Still loving my new scented wax melts! (Turns out, everyone and his Aunt Pat discovered these years ago. Wish they would've told me!) ッ
Know what I'm doing with them after their removal from the melter? I place them around the house in my decorative teacups (etc.) so to keep scenting the air.
Also, I decided not to use the French Lilac ones for melting (preferring to use only bakery-scented ones) so I placed those lilac cubes inside clothing drawers and our bathroom. Those places, in my mind, anyway, are fine for lilac scent. シ
Ten Creative Uses for Candle Wax
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"For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." ... Matthew 6:14,15
Good Morning Debra! Our recliners are on their last legs, err, rockers too. They are lazyboy rocker/recliners that we've had since 1995 and they have worked very, very well for us. Lasted through three kids and lots of international students that lived with us. But they are dying. "Sob" . I REALLY love my chair but we have reluctantly started looking for replacements. Even lazyboy doesn't make them like they used too. Much more flimsy mechanisms. I'm sure another 25 years on a new chair is out of the question, but hey, I'm almost 60 so maybe God will have taken me home long before the chair gives up! We're still on the hunt.
ReplyDeleteTom's new chair is perfect! What a bargain, and I never, ever think that you shouldn't try to find bargains wherever you can.
I prefer the bakery scented wax melts too. After your post about them, I dug out my warmer and fired it up. Well, I plugged it in! Dennis thought I was baking cookies when he came home and said he really likes the smell. Now that's something, because he never comments about my frou-frou stuff.
I hope you're having a wonderful day, full of blessings my friend. (And don't sweat the TV. I can't do any of the technical stuff either and my kids they I just don't want to. Some of us have more important things on our minds.) Ha! Ha!
Blessings,
Betsy
That looks like a classy recliner! Long gone are the days of only ugly recliners to be found, although I have one that is definitely not a beauty.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that all three of my daughters-in-law love to shop at Goodwill. We love discussing our latest finds.
I'm afraid that both my husband and I are hopeless at tech stuff but he's happy as long as there is a football game on and I'm content with Netflix except for the fact that it has made me so impatient with commercials on regular TV that I rarely watch anything there.
Assumptions are risky but I still am far too quick to make them!
Tom's new chair looks great, and the price was right! We continue to use our beloved old recliners that came over on the ark (I'm not kidding). One of my favorites is a very small recliner we purchased at a neighbor's garage sale, 20 years ago. It was old when we got it back then, but it continues to serve us. Hubby's favorite recliner is a navy blue leather lazy boy purchased around 1993. Kinda funny, we're surrounded by changing technology that force up to make upgrades on what seems to be a daily basis, but we cling to our old, comfy furniture. Gotta love human nature! The new tv really does fit the space above your fireplace well. I hope you and Tom will enjoy it! Debra, you'll get the hang of using it...girl, I believe in you!!
ReplyDeleteHaha! You KNOW I loved all the "assumptions about garage salers" and don't care a hoot what "they" say. We've saved thousands of dollars and had a BLAST in the process shopping garage and estate sales over the years. We MAY have a slight bordering-on-hoarding problem, but we're aware and taking care. ;) That is awesome that you found such a bargain on Tom's chair! Good for you! And good things come to those who are patient! Always love your posts, Debra!
ReplyDeleteBetsy--especially loved your story about how your husband thought the wax melts smelled like cookies baking!I'm glad my post inspired you to bring yours back out. Hoping your recliner situation works out for the very best!
ReplyDeleteDewena-- Tom and I also love thrift shop shopping. Isn't it fun getting such terrific deals? And assumptions, oh my. Around 4 years ago God began convicting me about making those and although I'm better at it, oh dear, I still catch myself assuming incorrect things sometimes. It's a hardish habit to break, but so very worth it!
Pam--glad you like our new chair and the tv! It really is a wonderful thing to find comfortable seating. Our red couch is probably more comfortable than any we've ever had before so I'm glad I still like the way it looks. :)
Ha, Deb! I just knew you would comment about this post. :) I've faithfully followed your yard sale posts for years at Facebook and always enjoy the treasures you carry back home as well as the way you use them! Thanks for reading here for, like, forever! :)
Thanks so much, Everyone.... Blessings, Debra