Sofa and Such

The couch/sofa that hubby and I have is over 10 years old... I actually bought it from a friend back in 1998 when I was moving back to Ypsi. She'd had it for a few years at that point- though it wasn't getting used. Over the years it has been a good couch! Very comfy, good to sleep on when needed, and I've liked it. However, it had gotten tattered and the threads in the fabric are coming apart. It was looking like it needed to be replaced- but we didn't really want to do that because we're still planning to leave the country in a year or so.

Kyle intervened, helping us make the decision... Apparently, he suddenly took exception to the couch. He displayed this, when we were out, by attacking the cushions, and throwing them off the couch. This wasn't really a problem, until he actually went for ripping holes in the cushions, oh and removing some of the stuffing... We repaired as best we were able. I'm pretty sure there's some smell there that he's all gaga over... Especially as we've had him almost 3 years, he's been uncrated for almost 1, and this is a new things for him. Also, it has begun to smell faintly of cat pee in that area. So yeah.

The time had come. This meant shopping, checking out Criagslist, etc. We checked out one store that was going out of business, but didn't fall in love with anything. Art Van has pretty good prices, so we went there last night. We had few qualifications- it had to be long enough to lay down on, wide enough for cuddling, and I preferred microfiber. We found a couple we liked in the main area, but then I found one I really liked in their Clearance section. I think our salesperson was disappointed. ;) After much dithering- we bought it! *laughs* So next week we will be taking possession of a new sofa/couch/thing. :) Clearance center = good prices. In total (tax, delivery, etc) it came to about half of the other one we liked. I think we did good! It will be interesting to see how the animals react. (oh, and Kyle has gone back to being crated when we're not home, no more couch rearranging for him!)


In other news- finally got around to seeing some movies: Wall-E and Mamma Mia. Loved both of them! We got them both from Netflix, but I have since gone out and bought Mamma Mia. I grew up with Abba, so knew that I would have to see Mamma Mia eventually. With Wall-E I just loved how they managed to make all the robots so expressive while only really using sounds. I think Mo was my favorite. *grins*

Hmm, there was something else... But I'm forgetting. Ah well, I've been working on this post in bits and pieces all morning, I should get around to actually posting it!

Oh, I remember- locals, I'm sorry for the rain. It's hubby's fault- he washed my car yesterday. ;)

Huh

Whoa! Huge picture! Sorry.
Edited: Okay, fixed picture size (oooh, modified the html I did!)

Your result for The Elemental Test...

Null

Chaotic Potential

Your nature is null. This means you have no key element. You hold in yourself the potential to exert attitudes and actions of any or none of the elements. You also have the benefit of being able to easily adapt to those of tempered natures depending on circumstances.

Take The Elemental Test at HelloQuizzy

Valentine's Day

It seems "cool" to be vehemently against Valentine's Day, to mock it, and the people who celebrate it. This came up on a friends journal, and yuki_onna said the following about celebrating, which really hit home for me.

"Ritual exists to pass the time until death and there is nothing wrong with ritual colors and actions and holidays--I love them. I celebrate as many as I can. We need MORE days of joy and celebration that we experience as a culture, not less. Random presents are great, but holidays give us something to look forward to, to plan around, to bedeck ourselves in Lupercalia and Parelement of Foules and celebrate our medieval Catholic weird-ass roots. I feel like th tradition of Grinch-ness surrounding Valentine's Day is sad and misguided and it makes me wonder why so many people are determined to both /take a holiday full of joy away from others/ and make themselves look superior by claiming to make every day special.

If every day is special, none of them are. Ritual exists to make us more human, and I'll never give up on it. Yes, pop culture makes that ritual lame, but that doesn't mean the red colors aren't blood and passion in the midst of snow, it doesn't mean that Valentine's Day isn't a prayer for fertility in the midst of barrenness, and that the whole day isn't fire in the cold, a hint of the new world to come. "


My husband is very good at showing me that I'm loved, yet we do go out of our way to celebrate every little 'holiday.' Anniversaries are celebrated, birthdays, and yes, Valentine's Day. We don't go crazy commercial and buy huge gifts, if he gave me jewelry I would be stunned. It's not the commercial aspect that we're celebrating. We're celebrating the love we share. I'm sorry that not every one is in a relationship, and I do try to be considerate of that. However, because other people aren't in a relationship, is that asny reason I shouldn't celebrate mine? Should I not say anything, not praise the man I married, because other people don't have someone to talk about?

As far as how we DO celebrate, what we try to do is simply step up our attempts to let the other know how loved they are. We buy sappy cards to exchange, and generally go out to dinner to celebrate. Husband may give me a rose, but certainly not a dozen. (while romantic, the thrifty part of my personality freaks over the cost) Why is that something to be reviled and made fun of? It's not as though Valentine's day is the *only* day we're romantic, it's just a chance to put a touch more effort in to it.

The day can be celebrated in whatever way works. If a couple doesn't like chocolate and fancy schmancy dinners out- and instead would like to celebrate at a con- good for them! If friends want to get together and celebrate their friendship- isn't that good too?


Lastly, I just want to thank yuki_onna for writing out so clearly, what was nebulously floating around in my head. :) And for saying I could quote her here.