THERE IS ALWAYS TOMORROW...

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 

and brought with it the unending heat

 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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