Saturday, April 28, 2007

Who's apartment is it?

JM and I were talking today and she mentioned that she'd gotten her cats a cool play tent at everyone's favorite store. I had to go to the store to get some things for the apartment, so I thought I'd treat PPBob to a new toy. I checked the pet aisle and found the tent JM was talking about. She loves it. I may not sleep tonight.

She's especially fond of running through the tunnel, which is attached to the side....


When I finally buy a dining room table, I have no idea where I'm going to put her stuff. I asked the catsitter if she thought my house was a little sparse (I have a bed, bookshelves, a small stereo, a glider rocker, and two bar stools for furniture). She said, "No. It just looks like you're an animal lover, especially fond of your cat."

Sigh....

I do need to buy furniture. It's impossible to have anyone over right now. There's nowhere for them to sit. I've been putting my money toward getting some debt paid off. I let that get out of control trying to keep AM happy, and now I'm paying for it, one of many stupid mistakes made over the past eight or nine years.

I have to admit, I started counting on the salary that would come with the new job, already planning for how it would help me get a new car within a year and buy furniture. I'm a little ashamed to admit it, but that is the most disappointing part about not getting the job. Money is far tighter than it should be on my salary. So unless I can find some way of making several thousand more a year than I am right now, car and furniture will not happen this year. I'm going to have to figure out how to keep my current car running for a good bit longer, and get creative with the furniture. And, I've got to quit beating myself up for being where I am with finances at my age. It is what is.

I think when I can get some money saved, I'm going to invite some friends to join me one Saturday and run around to used furniture stores, thrift stores, and garage sales and make it an adventure. I hate shopping and I'm terrible at home decorating, so maybe if I try to turn it into something fun, I'll end up with some things that have great stories behind them, even if it isn't what I would have bought had I gotten the new job.

8 comments:

Littlemankitty said...

I think your apartment is perfect the way it is! Cat toys are more important than furniture!

jo(e) said...

Most of the furniture in my house came from either the Salvation Army or the Rescue Mission, with a few pieces from garage sales or estate sales. I prefer used furniture. At the places I go to, I have often gotten a comfy chair for as little as $25.

The nice thing about having used furniture is that if a guest spills grape juice or a cat claws at the leg of it, you can just shrug and say, "Oh, that's okay."

Of course, since musical instruments take up so damned much room in my downstairs, we also have lots of floor pillows -- you can fit lots of people on the floor.

JM said...

there's a tunnel? mine doesn't have a tunnel!

Linda said...

Jo(e)- I guess I go at the wrong times or not often enough. I've never had much luck looking for used furniture.

JM- Yeah. It's a little sleeve that you use to connect the tent to another tent (which I didn't buy), but she likes crawling through it anyway.

Marie said...

When I kicked the ex out, I let her take damn near everything in the house. Then suddenly, people started giving me their old stuff. K and I still sleep in the double bed (now with new! mattress!) that the Rev gave me and sit on a couch that he also donated. Out televisions (3, one for each floor) were all donated. And most of the stuff that she brought when we moved in together was purchased secondhand (she's good at it) or given to her.

I'm glad to hear that someone else is struggling to get out of debt. I have big debt for exactly the same reason: trying to keep the ex happy.

J said...

T would love to go with you.

Sue said...

I'm lovin' the cat tent. My feline overlords may just demand one once they get word of such a fun toy.

And yes, lmk is right, cat toys are more important than furniture.

spookyrach said...

Love your idea about the thrift store adventure!