Tuesday, September 10, 2024

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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17 comments:

  1. Judy, your paintings are fun and so whimsical. I love the fall decor. I am so ready for fall after that miserable hot summer. So sorry about your couch. It does make you wonder about the insurance they want you to buy and then it doesn't cover the issues. Happy September. xoxo

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    1. Thanks so much, Linda. Wayfair themselves only have a 30 day warranty on the product so I guess that shows how much they have faith in the product they sell. xxoJudy

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  2. Thanks so much, Linda. It is a good thing I enjoy the painting because I have a lot of them!! I'm so glad that fall is on the way...It's funny that I am now getting tons of ads for couches from Wayfair. I found a place to add my two cents worth to them so am curious to see if I get a response..xxoJudy

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  3. Your painting is beautiful. I love that you enjoy painting. That is horrible about Wayfair selling inferior insurance to cover your sofa. I believe in this world and what we have been experiencing there is no customer service and no one really cares to help. So sad. Everything cost so much more and then they do not want to do what they should do to make errors right. I am sorry they will not fix your sofa and found a crappy excuse why they are not paying. Maybe we should all write and bring it to Kelly Clarkson that represents Wayfair and sells a lot of her furniture on this site!!!!! Have a good week. Hugs. Kris

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    1. Thanks so much, Kris. I love your answer about getting in touch with Kelly Clarkson. That is something I didn't think of and even laughed at, then I wondered why not! I googled her and came up with an email address so I sent her a note!! Seriously, I did. What are the odds that I will get an answer?? When I get my new couch, I will be sure to credit you! xxoJudy

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  4. Hi Judy! So happy to see a post from you in my feed. I love that picture of the witch. That's my favorite, you are are getting so good and developing a real style of your own. I'm sorry to hear about the sofa. I've been there and decided to not buy the insurance or the warranties anymore, because everytime I went to use one, the issue I had was, very predictably, never covered. I hope you can find a fix for the leather wear...and I hope you get that caramel! Happy {early} fall my friend!

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    1. Thanks so much, Kim. It is so maddening and I agree about the warranties. Kris suggested I should get a hold of Kelly Clarkson which I laughed at but then gave it a try. Believe it or not I got an email address from Google so I did send her a note. Do you think I will hear back?? Will keep you informed! HaHa xxoJudy

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  5. Seems like there is always some fine print in a contract that does not cover something. So sorry to hear they would not cover your sofa replacement. Your paintings are just so lovely. I could never paint as good as you. Love everyone you did. Great job. Janice

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    1. Thanks so much, Janice. O my goodness I appreciate your compliments, but anybody could paint better than me, although I hope they would have as much fun! I did see a picture of a cover that would look good on the couch so will see if I can afford it!! xxoJudy

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  6. Hi Judy! So nice to touch base with you again and get back into blogging, although I have nothing new up yet!! I love your paintings!! Your style is there and you are building on it with each new painting. Some of them remind me of Charles Wysocki. My late sister had many of his works. Keep up that terrific work!😊. I'm so sorry about your experience with Wayfair. I'm wondering if another approach might work. Sometimes companies will try to make things right in other ways-its worked for me. Wayfair sells goods from other manufacturer's such as Birchlane, Pottery Barn, etc., Maybe you can find out where the sofa originated from and if it had a warranty and even if it's not effective now, bring it up to customer service for leverage. In the past, when I've run up against a wall with a customer service person, I
    remain very easy going and ask them to reconsider or if they could speak to their manager. There is always wiggle room. I once had Wayfair waive a $250 shipping charge on a large piece of furniture when I pretended to cry that I couldn't afford it! If anything, you can ask for a store coupon, voucher or credit for your time and trouble as you've been a good customer and would like to continue to shop with them. It really is amazing what power these customer service people have...they just dole it out as they see it. I noticed I aways get the nicest people late at night. They must be bored!! Good luck Judy!

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    1. Thanks so much, Jane and it is good hearing from you. I maybe should have you be my advocate because my husband and I both tried everything we could think of to no avail. However, I did google Kelly Clarkson and got an email address for her. I sent her a note so will see if I hear back anything. xxoJudy

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    2. Thanks so much, Jane and it is good hearing from you. I maybe should have you be my advocate because my husband and I both tried everything we could think of to no avail. However, I did google Kelly Clarkson and got an email address for her. I sent her a note so will see if I hear back anything. xxoJudy

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  7. Love all your paintings, and yes, practice and play does help. My project this week was insane, or I'm insane, not sure. Have a great Fall season..still very hot here...and dry! Hugs, Sandi

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    1. Thanks so much, Sandi. Still much practice needed! xxoJudy

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  8. I do love your new style. It fits you, your space and it's so very pleasing. Doesn't it feel easier when you finally discover what you are "supposed" to do, meant to do? I'm sorry about the sofa -- that's a pity. It does make me wonder a bit about Wayfair. We're having a burst of late summer but fall and September are working at quite a pace. Behind before I started!

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    1. Thanks so much, Jeanie. I watch a video of someone painting and they are so loose just wiggle that brush over the paper and come up with a beautiful painting, I am all hunched over and hanging onto the brush for dear life! I am now practicing that style . I'll try anything. We have bought other items from Wayfair and have always been happy. Last resort I e-mailed Kelly Clarkson, like I say, I will try anything. xxoJudy

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  9. Judy,
    So sorry about the sofa....I would be so mad too!! I adore your paintings and your talent...I am not an artist by any means and came barely draw stick figures but my great nieces submitted several of their painting to the Bloomsburg State Fair here in Pa. and both came in with first, second and third prize awards in the categories that they submitted their art work to!! I finally finished my Fall deep clean of the downstairs and am decorated for Fall and Halloween...I took my time this year and really enjoyed the process....I hope you and your hubby are well!!
    Hugs,
    Deb
    Debbie-Dabble Blog

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Your comments are so special to me...Judy