The Deal of the Century

If you've known us at all you know we've had hand-me-down couches from both sets of parents since we've been married. And we're thankful that this is one less expense we had to incur after we got married. The couches have been masked by some illustrious khaki slipcovers that don't particularly like to stay in place. We also love to decorate and have always dreamed of getting leather couches.

Since we're planning on buying a house in the next few months, we've started saving for new couches and looking for them. We have always loved a certain set of couches from Pottery Barn - the Manhattan, but for us Pottery Barn is cost-prohibitive, in a big way. We did find out if you work there you can get a 40% discount, but even then, that was pushing it for us. Though we hadn't totally put away the thought of one of us working a part time job there for a short time, we were trying to find other couches that we liked. We've only looked passively, but still nothing was measuring up.

I was visiting my cousin Pam, a decorator, a few weeks ago and told her what we were looking for. I asked for store recommendations and she said she would keep an eye out for us. She called me the other day and said I wasn't going to believe what she had done. She was at an antique furniture auction and they started auctioning off new furniture. She saw a leather sofa and two leather chairs that looked exactly like what we wanted, so she bid and bought it. She told me it was ours if we wanted to buy it from her, and if not, she'd resell it. She was going to send us pictures so we could decide whether or not we liked it, but, she didn't have too. After looking at the couches and the Pottery Barn website, she thinks that it's the exact same couch and chairs. The exact same set we wanted in the exact same color we wanted! And the best part - for the the whole set she only paid the cost of ONE of the chairs, on sale! It's a steal, not only for leather couches, but for any set of couches, especially from Pottery Barn. Needless to say I am out of my mind excited! Way to go cousin Pam!

As soon as we buy the house to put them in, you're all invited over for a test sit!

Four Months = Four Pictures

As I've said before I don't want this blog to become baby-focused, but it's a big part of my life, so she'll definitely creep in occasionally. We visited the doctor last week for the four-month check-up and here are the stats: weight - 13 lbs. 4 oz (75th percentile), height - 25 1/2 inches (95th percentile), head circumference - 17 1/4 inches (off the chart). So she must be getting the big head because we're always telling her how pretty she is. Enjoy the pictures below (that my wonderfully talented husband took) and check out her blog if you want to see more.

(This is my baby jewelry she is wearing in this picture. My mom saved it and gave it to me at the hospital)

Conversations in Wal-Mart - Episode 1

I do my weekly grocery shopping at WalMart and it's now a much more pleasant and less stressful experience since I can go during the week and during less busy hours. This also gives me time to talk to people, which happens often now because the cutest little girl in the world is riding in my cart :) I've had some interesting conversations, so I thought I would share. I call this Episode 1 because I'm sure there will be others. And I must confess this first one isn't a conversation I was involved in, I was eavesdropping.

Male Oil and Lube Employee: Well are you?
Female Seasonal Aisle Product Stocker: (doesn't say anything, looks down and away)
M: Well, are you?
F: What are you going to do if I am?
M: I don't know, have a baby. Are you? (he then proceeds to lift up her shirt a little and look at her stomach) Are you?
F: (she's still looking down and nods yes)
M: Well how far along?
F: I don't know.
M: (seeing a friend of his) Hey Joe, what's up? ( he walks off)

I blog about this for a couple of reasons. At first it's a bit comical, especially the fact that they were having this conversation in the space of a 4 foot wide aisle, with me, a total stranger standing next to them. And then it's a little sad. I'm sure the young lady and young man were both scared to death considering the young lady claims she's pregnant. I sat there and thought "You should say something, she might need help", the other voice said "You're just being silly and nosy, walk away". The first voice won. I asked the girl if she was okay and if the young man was bothering her. She said she was fine and he was her ex. I said I just wanted to make sure she was okay.

So yeah, I was eavesdropping and nosy but I couldn't push aside the thought that maybe she needed someone to talk to and had nowhere to go and maybe a stranger is the safest person for her to talk to. No conversation developed, but I felt like at the very least letting her know someone cared was important. I think this is part of "the kingdom of God is among you" like in Luke 17:21.

What does it look like to be "the kingdom" among the world? Is it acceptable to interfere in a strangers life? Do we step into situations that aren't are business? I know a God who was concerned for everyone and His son stepped into the lives of a lot of strangers.