BulgingButtons

Not bad for a fat girl


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When Christmas Isn’t Really Christmas

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Shopping is done. Wrapping is in progress. Dinner is made. Baking is partially done.

It’s December 12, what’s going on? Well, Christmas is coming early to our house. This year our schedules are a little wonky, with some out of town stuff going on and three people with three different schedules trying to work together. I’m okay with it.

Maybe it would bother me if Christmas were about faith for me, but it’s not. I’m a secular Christmas celebrator, so the actual date is far less important to me than the people and traditions involved.

The decorations are in place, the eggnog is chilling, and the Christmas music is playing. I think we’re just about ready, even if we are early. Somehow it seems like it will make the season last just a bit longer, but I’m not sure.

This is kind of new territory for me, so we’ll see how it goes. Whatever happens, I’m pretty sure Santa will be stopping by later tonight, or at least sending someone from his team. I’m pretty sure it will be as magical as always, and I’m pretty sure Christmas isn’t defined by a twenty-four hour period, but more by a feeling. Merry Christmas to all of you, whether you celebrate on December 25, or some other day, or not at all.


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The Purple Couch At Last

Portfolio-Kilby-Plum-Velvet-SoFast-Sofa-2baa0deb-7a1f-45d1-856f-ffdba1b1a0de_600Finally it arrived. The purple couch I bought from the internet on Black Friday has finally made its way into my living room, and I couldn’t be more relieved.

This poor couch has been hanging around town for the past week, just waiting to come home. It’s been in and out of the delivery company’s facilities and trucks, being manhandled along the way. How do I know? The combination of the scans it received along the way that made up its online “record” and the battered condition of its box when it finally made it to my doorstep. I’m a regular Sherlock Holmes.

Today was actually the sixth day that it was scheduled for delivery, but I held out little hope that it would actually arrive. I began to believe that it would eventually be sent back to the massive company from which I bought it, and I would never see it.

What lead me to this conclusion? After all, I’m the eternal optimist, the lover of flying pigs, the believer in the impossible. Well, I think the straw that broke the camel’s back was last night’s incident.  I was eagerly awaiting delivery (yet again) by sitting in the couchless living room watching the cars go by. Yes, I am that pathetic.

Well imagine my surprise (and yes, glee) when the delivery truck actually pulled up to our house. It was dark outside, and after 8 pm, but it was there. The driver turned off the lights, and did whatever it was that he/she did. I turned on the porch light, and kept myself from running outside. I was patient, but as the minutes ticked on, it occurred to me that my couch wasn’t coming off that truck.

After ten minutes the headlights popped back on, the truck made a u-turn, and it drove away. I was dumbfounded. I was stunned. I was numb. How. Could. That. Happen????????

That’s when I gave up hope. That’s when I decided I was not meant to have a purple velvet couch. That’s when I decided that it would never ever arrive. So of course, the next day it did.

I found out it was delivered at 4:28 pm. Of course I was still at work, and had to drive in the opposite direction to pick up my son. We arrived home after 6 and after dark. The whole time I was willing the thieves that steal people’s packages to stay away. Of course this package was the size of a fridge, but there are strong thieves with trucks, I’m sure of it. Lucky for me, it was still outside my front door when we arrived. I photographed the ripped box in case the contents were damaged, but fortunately everything was well protected. No tools were included, but we have our own, so that wasn’t a problem either.

My son and I built that couch with a few difficulties along the way, but it’s done and I’m satisfied. It looks terrific, but I’m pretty sure I’ll never buy a couch off the internet again. I just can’t take the drama and disappointment.


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Remember That Purple Couch?

I do. Sort of.

I mean, I remember what it’s supposed to look like. And I remember that I paid for it. And I remember how excited I was when I got a notification that it was in my town, and ready for delivery.

But then it didn’t come.

That was okay, because it was actually a day early, so I didn’t mind.

But the next day it didn’t come either.

The website said it would. They said it was on the truck and would be delivered by the end of the day. I swear they did.

But there’s no record of that now.

Then the next day it didn’t come either, and the status of the delivery mysteriously changed to something along the lines of “we left the package at our facility which may delay delivery.” Ya think?

The weekend came and went, and no status update was offered, aside, from “delayed, will reschedule delivery.” That weird little message about them not putting it on the truck disappeared, too.

Today the status changed again, to “in transit.”

I called the company from which I bought it. I figured they have a lot more pull with the delivery company than I do. I was told that the delay was due to the holiday rush, and that it was on the truck and would be delivered today. It’s now a few minutes before midnight, and not only do I not have my delivery, but the status report has once again been changed to “delayed.”

So here’s the deal: my fabulous (I hope!) purple couch is sitting in a “facility” a few miles from my home, and the delivery company can’t be bothered to bring it over to my house. It’s been there for nearly a week.

I know it’s a busy time of year, and honestly if it hadn’t been shipped yet I wouldn’t be annoyed, but why must they keep teasing me?

I don’t want this item sitting outside my front door all day, enticing anyone with a pickup to grab it and zoom off with it. I want it delivered safely and soundly, so I can attempt to build it (I know…) and enjoy it.

Please cross your fingers with me that tomorrow is the day. For real, this time.