Furniture Shopping!

Since I've gotten some money back from income taxes this year (thanks to being a homeowner and paying all that mortgage interest!), I'm hunting for new living room furniture. You wouldn't think this would be difficult but..... I'm not accustomed to spending that kind of money so I am being very cautious. But I have to say, so far I'm not having any luck - and not having much fun either.

How hard is it to find a comfortable couch, chair and ottoman that is "me"? Obviously more difficult than I ever thought. Of course, this is all complicated by my painfl foot, so walking around stores is something I can't do for long periods of time. But maybe that's a good thing because I start getting confused as to what I want after a short period anyway.

I've been in stores where the clerks TOTALLY ignored me - what is that all about! I got locked in a store that closed because none of the sales staff had noticed me so didn't realize I was still in there - and they didn't announce it was closing time so how would I know! Fortunately I made my presence known and they quickly let me leave. I had visions of me calling 911 and trying to explain - "but officer, I was just looking for a couch!"

The most horrific experience was in a very small store on Sunday afternoon. There was an older man working, and one additional customer - a young mother with a 3-year-old-ish child who was running around the store, bouncing on every piece of furniture, operating a toy gun at the same time with "click click click" continuously. After about 2 minutes, I wanted to harm the kid - and was on the verge of saying something to the mother (who was blissfully ignoring her offspring). When the salesman came to offer me assistance at the other side of the store, I told him that I was fighting the urge to go beat the tar out of that child, and he smiled and told me how much he wished he could do it too. I told him I would come back another day and left - it was THAT horrible. What is wrong with some of these young mothers today who choose not to discipline their children? I don't get it - what are they thinking? I know that I was probably overly strict with my kids when they were young - my ex called me "Hitler" - but I think it was a good thing. They learned to behave in public, and they will be the same kind of parent - intolerant of bratty behavior. And for that I am proud.

Anyway, my quest for the perfect couch and chair will continue. I've transferred my refund money into my savings account so that I don't "accidentally" spend it on something else, and will take my time to find just what I want. I'm going to have to live with my choice for a long time, literally, and I want to make sure I make the right decision. It might not happen until after my foot surgery, which is what I was trying to avoid, but, oh well.

Anyone have any magical words of wisdom for me?