 A Funny Thing Happened..., ...on my way to the bank... |
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 Oct 27 2009, 05:08 AM
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 Just an iceberg  Group: Root Admin
Posts: 4,027 Joined: 10-January 06 From: East Coast Member No.: 1  |
Okey dokey. Confession time.
I've had a bit of the blahs lately, in no small part due to me and S9 being sick. But I got one of those "Pre-Selected" C.itifinancial unsecured personal loans (junk mail?) and in a moment of weakness called to see if I could get more than the $5,000.00 they pre qualified me for. I could easily, they asked if $6,000 would be good. My VERY emotional thinking was based on my cupboards falling off of the wall (literally pulled out two inches from the wall), how I wanted new kitchen appliances (they work intermittently), how much I hate my hand-me-down furniture, and a good dose of "Shop Therapy" mentality mixed with a good dose of Instant Gratification Escapism. So I called a dear friend to run it by her. I meant, run it by her like, "GUESS what I'm doing? I'm going to get this and that and that and weeeeeeeeee hooooooooooooooooooooooo yay me!" But of course, her gently UNenthusiastic response was like...hmmmmmm.....mmmmmmmm...uhhuhhhhhhh........well, is this in line with the next right choices you want to be making? (ME: Yesyesyes) The adult in her was prodding around trying to speak to the adult in me (the very RESISTANT one at that). She asked how I was doing with paying DOWN my debt and wasn't that a goal? (Me: uh. well, yes, BUT.....) She asked if there were other ways of getting what I wanted. like keeping an eye on craig.slist for appliances. (Me: grrrrrrrr yessssssssssss I could do that.) At some point I told her I was hearing her and understood and was going to "sit on it" a bit. (She didn't know I'd already MADE the appointment to go pick UP the check  ) But I didn't. I called them and backed out. And called her back and told her I'd cancelled the appointment she didn't even KNOW about  Since then, I've gone around the house finding anything I just really do NOT like and have listed it up on craigslist. Futon, S9's bunkbed set (was already planning on getting a replacement, now I'm raising the money for the replacement first!), etc. My whole mindset is now "How can I keep raising/finding money" and "what are alternative ways to get what I want ?" This is a picture of how I would like my living room decorated. Funny, when you start thinking differently, new options open up. Last night at a discounter/liquidators I saw almost the exact same ottoman for $99.00. Online those same size ottomans sell for $700-800! 
Cottage3.jpg ( 32.36K )
Number of downloads: 13I didn't buy it....but I might. I've already scrounged and sold and tucked away over $1,000 toward my new goals. But I'm not sure I want to part with the $99.00 just yet. Isn't THAT a mindshift?The morals of the story are many, I think, and I'll be sharing about my thriftstore/flea market/ebay, etc. decorating over the next few months I think. I do think the biggest lesson, though, is when I am thinking about doing something it is WISE to share the idea with a trusted friend who truly does have my best interests in mind. That sage counsel without judgment REALLY turned my whole thinking around and I'm grateful!  Now I have NO guilt, and I have myself a fun winter project: Raising/saving money and creative shopping. hehe  |
  
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Oct 27 2009, 06:30 AM
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#2
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 Microphone Group: Members
Posts: 1,877 Joined: 27-January 07 From: Atlanta, GA Member No.: 265 |
Good for you! You really are making good choices and I can hardly wait to see what you come up with this winter.
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Oct 27 2009, 07:44 AM
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 Megaphone Group: Root Admin
Posts: 3,287 Joined: 30-April 06 From: wherever I want to be Member No.: 38 Status: The Admin Team |
Good for you for taking your very good friend's advice. It sounds like in the end you got your focus back to make your next right choice. Your winter projects sounds like an excellent plan.
 Cathy / Phoenix (aka catzbelize)   I've found my wings and I'm ready to fly. The possibilities for the future are limitless. Every day is another opportunity to make . . . . . The Next Right Choice For those in need of healing from abuse . . . Check out Our Place |
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Oct 27 2009, 09:57 AM
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 Magdalenna's wild child Group: Root Admin
Posts: 5,290 Joined: 24-April 06 From: Near and afar Member No.: 6 Status: Advisor to the stars... |
Love the look you're aiming for!
Happiness is a form of courage. ~Holbrook Jackson
©Esmerelda |
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Oct 27 2009, 04:42 PM
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#5
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 this page intentionally left blank Group: Administrators
Posts: 3,887 Joined: 15-September 07 Member No.: 2,424 |
My sister has gotten quite a few FREE things on craigslist, including her most recent find of wicker chairs for her porch (they just needed a good cleaning and some spray paint). The television in our family room came from a tag sale. I think it's nifty to be able to find a bargain at a flea market or rummage sale. I love the thrill of the hunt and the stories behind each of my finds.
Good for you for resisting the temptation of easy credit!!! It's way too easy to get in over our heads that way and waaaaaaaaaaaay too hard to dig ourselves back out again. (And you have excellent taste in living rooms, I might add.)  "Some days even my lucky rocketship underpants don't help." Calvin & Hobbes |
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Oct 27 2009, 06:44 PM
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#6
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Just an iceberg Group: Root Admin
Posts: 4,027 Joined: 10-January 06 From: East Coast Member No.: 1 |
I found the chair fabric! HOLY COW!
I can get freecycle, craigslist or yard sale furniture and have it reupholstered to match!
v_p8747t1__1_.jpg ( 123.61K )
Number of downloads: 3
chairfabric.JPG ( 16.93K )
Number of downloads: 3Doesn't this look just like it? And this COULD work for the ottoman:
v_p8821t1.jpg ( 172.38K )
Number of downloads: 3And drapes....
v_p4799t3.jpg ( 105.69K )
Number of downloads: 3I also saw this on craigslist for $200:
3k93m13o35Q05T05S39ajfe4ea67eb4dd153f.jpg ( 5.56K )
Number of downloads: 3
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Oct 28 2009, 04:41 AM
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#7
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this page intentionally left blank Group: Administrators
Posts: 3,887 Joined: 15-September 07 Member No.: 2,424 |
Holy cow! You work fast! I am impressed!
"Some days even my lucky rocketship underpants don't help." Calvin & Hobbes |
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Oct 28 2009, 08:02 AM
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#8
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Megaphone Group: Root Admin
Posts: 3,287 Joined: 30-April 06 From: wherever I want to be Member No.: 38 Status: The Admin Team |
QUOTE (blank @ Oct 28 2009, 04:41 AM)  Holy cow! You work fast! I am impressed! The woman is on a mission!!!! Cathy / Phoenix (aka catzbelize) I've found my wings and I'm ready to fly. The possibilities for the future are limitless. Every day is another opportunity to make . . . . . The Next Right Choice For those in need of healing from abuse . . . Check out Our Place |
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Oct 28 2009, 09:14 AM
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#9
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this page intentionally left blank Group: Administrators
Posts: 3,887 Joined: 15-September 07 Member No.: 2,424 |
QUOTE (Phoenix @ Oct 28 2009, 09:02 AM) QUOTE (blank @ Oct 28 2009, 04:41 AM) Holy cow! You work fast! I am impressed! The woman is on a mission!!!! Obviously! (So why is it that when I'm on a mission, it looks more like one of those Family Circus comics where the kid takes the circuitous path through the neighborhood? I must become more like HV. Or maybe she'll come and redecorate for each of us when she's finished with her house.)  "Some days even my lucky rocketship underpants don't help." Calvin & Hobbes |
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Nov 1 2009, 03:59 PM
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 Megaphone Group: Members
Posts: 3,038 Joined: 25-April 06 From: Hog Heaven Member No.: 13 |
You GO girl! Well done!
Tal Everything will be OK in the end.
If it's not OK, it's not the end. ~Unknown I like beautiful melodies telling me terrible things. ~ Tom Waits "Had she anything to engage her tremendous curiosity and her gift for metaphor, she might have exchanged the restlessness and preoccupation with whim and for an activity that provided her with all she yearned for...like any artist with no art form, she became dangerous..." (Toni Morrison, Sula.) |
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Nov 5 2009, 03:34 AM
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 Microphone Group: Members
Posts: 1,815 Joined: 1-May 06 From: Finland Member No.: 40 |
WOW!! Cool, looks great!!! Can't wait to see the real finished product - and think how much more fun you're having chasing these things down than just walking in a store and buying everything!!
I'm impressed. Seriously!! ©2009 frenchfries
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Jul 8 2010, 10:31 AM
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#12
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 Moo Moo Kazoo Group: Members
Posts: 2,959 Joined: 8-May 06 From: Greener pastures Member No.: 47 |
Did someone say "holy cow?"
Okay, that was a long time ago, and I know you've been going through lots of stuff, Carly. Have you done anything more with this decorating project? Cowie
Expecting the world to treat you fairly because you are good is like expecting the bull not to charge because you are a vegetarian. ~Dennis Wholey  I think we should take stock of our own lives. You know, livestock. -Cowie VEGETARIAN: That's an old Indian word meaning "I don't hunt so good." ~Red Green And don't forget: Sacred cows make the best hamburger. - Mark Twain © 2008 2009 2010 Cowie |
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Jul 18 2010, 10:37 PM
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#13
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Megaphone Group: Members
Posts: 3,038 Joined: 25-April 06 From: Hog Heaven Member No.: 13 |
QUOTE (Cowie @ Jul 8 2010, 11:31 AM) Did someone say "holy cow?" Get over yerself, Cowie. Pffffffft.  Recently I found the coolest 'Josef Frank' chair. http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http:/...%26tbs%3Disch:1 Everything will be OK in the end.
If it's not OK, it's not the end. ~Unknown I like beautiful melodies telling me terrible things. ~ Tom Waits "Had she anything to engage her tremendous curiosity and her gift for metaphor, she might have exchanged the restlessness and preoccupation with whim and for an activity that provided her with all she yearned for...like any artist with no art form, she became dangerous..." (Toni Morrison, Sula.) |
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