I am invigorated.
There is a feeling of excitement around here
that is substantial,
and the weather is beginning to
give way to signs of autumn.
It is the time of year when thoughts,
for me, turn to practical situations.
Yearly doctor appointments are over and done,
with positive outcomes,
and something is buzzing,
something that gets me up off the couch
and itching to get to work.
Housecleaning, after a long hot summer,
is once again a thing of pleasurable necessity
and it seems as if a season of hope is within reach.
I have said, in the past,
that when it comes to my painting obsession,
three little words are very important:
practice, practice, practice.
Whether I really wanted to believe that or not
it seems to be true.
When I first started, I couldn't draw a straight line and had to trace all my subjects.
Now, even though I still can't draw a straight line,
I have been able to draw and paint
the above porch scene.
I know it isn't perfect and more practice and time
may not make it so,
but I admit that the process is easier
for me than it was,
and I feel better about the outcome.
I painted this sign on the back of
my Christmas quilt square board.
At least two seasons can come and go
without having to try to find storage for it.
For whatever reason,
I had a strange desire to paint it green
and when I put it on the shelf over the couch
it just looked horrible against the blue wall.
I can hardly wait until we repaint those walls.
Believe it or not,
the Captain thinks this plate is
the best thing I have painted.
Here are a few more of the little folk art pieces
that I have been working on:
I just couldn't help myself.
I started some fall decor.
I have been watching some YouTube videos
and have gotten into the spirit.
I ordered some autumn scented cleaner and candles
and can't wait to try them out.
------------------------------------------------
The next part of this episode
is the time when the screen fades to black
and the heroine wakes up
and realizes that while she was counting sheep
her dreams turned into nightmares.
Da, da, ta, da!
______________________
That beautiful and amazing fall-like morning
that I woke up to on that day didn't last very long.
The next morning had turned into 50 shades of gray, and I mean that in color only,
and brought with it pouring rain and soggy spirits.
The candles came that I ordered, and the scent is wonderful and definitely autumn
but the cleaning supplies did not,
so I put off another day
that which I should have started.
As each day passed and the supplies didn't arrive,
even though "Alexa" kept saying
that was the day that they would,
the sun came out once again
that has come to be so familiar this summer,
and I "waited one more day" to get busy.
I am still waiting.
As I was changing throw pillows on the sofa,
I saw these disgusting brown spots and peeling leather on the back cushion.
I swear I don't know how long it had been like that
or how it got that way.
It is only on the side that the Captain sits on
and we have racked our brains to think of something
that he would wear that might cause it
but can come up with nothing.
This sofa was not the most expensive one but it wasn't cheap by my standards either
and the rest that gets as much wear as that spot
is in perfect condition.
As luck would have it, I also added an insurance policy that would protect us
if something should happen like this.
It was good for 3 years
and we have had the sofa for 2.
So, in all good faith
I called the company, Allstate, that held the policy
and Wayfair, the company of purchase.
They both were easy and hopeful to talk to
and both said they would do what was needed to be done to fix the problem
after I sent photos of the damage.
Allstate got back to us and said they would call us
to set up a time to have someone come to the house and look at the sofa.
Then a few days later, we get an email from Allstate stating that the problems we were having,
discoloration and peeling leather,
were not covered under our policy.
They listed everything else except the kitchen sink that was covered but not this particular problem.
I was so mad at that point
I really didn't listen to what was actually covered
but it all sounded to me
just like what was happening to this sofa.
I asked for them to cancel the policy
and give me my money back for the remaining time
but they said that was Wayfair's problem not theirs.
Long story short, Wayfair canceled the rest of the contract and will be sending the money back
but I fault them also
in using their website
to promote this insurance company and for selling an inferior product and not standing behind it.
I tried to find a place
to leave a comment on Wayfair's site
but they must have discontinued this particular sofa.
Be very careful
of ordering leather products from Wayfair.
Some might not be of the best quality.
I have made the decision
to not order from them again.
I have done business with them in the past
and have always been satisfied
but this is too large of an issue to disregard.
Now, as I write this,
I take that first sip of the caramel latte that the Captain got for me this morning
and I guess Starbucks forgot to add the caramel,
so that must mean another day to sit and contemplate the injustice of it all.
As you probably have figured out it doesn't take much to set me off these days,
I guess, once a Cottage Witch, always a Cottage Witch.
Well, today is a new day
and the blue skies and gentle breeze again make me think of Autumn
so, I might be getting back on track.
I managed to tuck a small bit of fall into the parlor so that is always a good sign.
Light a beautiful, scented candle
and enjoy the end of summer.
Candle is from Amazon, Better Homes & Gardens, Farm Apple and Pumpkin, $11 and change.
A great price, smells wonderful and long lasting.
Until next time,
...xxoJudy...
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