Personal Boycotts

          This picture has nothing to do with personal boycotts.  I just can't get enough of that little face!  I felt you needed to see it again.  To focus on it!  Thankyouverymuch!

     There are certain things I have boycotted at one time or another in my life:  coloring my hair (never done it), school (I have homeschooled for the last 6 years), Valentine's Day (still hate it), Sweetest Day (made up "holiday"), Vera Bradley bags (too expensive and grannyish), the word sneakers (click for post), white chocolate (gross), Waffle House (you don't want to know what I think of when I hear those two words together) (Ok, I'll give you a hint, it has to do with hairs) (sorry!!  you guys made me!), Victoria's Secret (too many reasons), dustpans (always! leaves some behind... just go get the vacuum) and coffee tables.

     Need I go on??

     I am going to sit here on the coffee table discussion, not literally sit, I just want to talk about coffee tables.

     For some reason, they have always kinda got on my nerves.  I don't really know why.  They are sort of big and bulky and just in the way, especially when you have little toddlers running around.  Coffee tables scream goose egg!   

     I just refused, for years and years and years to have a coffee table.  About 5 years ago, Paul convinced me that we needed one.  I caved but I wasn't about to spend a lot of money on one. We went to a Pottery Barn outlet near our house, made our way to the scratch and dent area, and walked away with a $300 coffee table for $50.  Now granted it had a chunk taken out of it on one side, but it was about to obtain far worse damage moving into my house.

     About a year ago, my good friend Gina, introduced me to Craig's list.  I found a coffee table for the living room on that sweet little list for $20 bucks.  Paul hates it with every fiber of his being.  He swears a toddler put it together.  And, now when I stand back and look at it, I sort of have to agree.

     So, about a year ago, my mom got a new coffee table.  I saw it and all of a sudden, like cupid hitting me with an arrow, I had a love for THAT coffee table.

     For Christmas this past year, my mom was going to get me that same coffee table.  She went to a very small town furniture store near her house to make the glorious purchase.  My world came crashing down when she informed me that they no longer made it.  Ba hum bug!  Not only did I love the coffee table, I loved the price $189.  Where was I ever going to find a coffee table like that for that price?

  

     Frustration... until....

     While out Christmas shopping, my mom and I ran into Big Lots to look at something.  On our way out, we past some furniture.  

     There, in the middle of all places, was a glorious sight.  The star of Bethlehem was illuminating a coffee table while a tiny chorus of angels sang... something angelic.  I couldn't believe it!  Sitting before my eyes, in Big Lots of all places, was almost the same coffee table.  I say almost because, don't tell my mom, I liked it a bit better than hers.  And, it was in Big Lots! WHOO HOO!!

     We inspected the coffee table for a price.  A price tag was no where to be found.  We found a Big Lots guy and probably a bit excitedly asked, "How much is this table?"

     He looked at us and said, "Eight fifty."

     I was so excited!!  I looked back at him and said, "Eight dollars and 5o cents?"  

     It is Big Lots.

     With a serious and slightly offended face, he said, "NO!  Eight hundred and fifty dollars."

     "Eight hundred and fifty dollars?"

     This guy can not be serious!  This is B I G L O T S.  Things are cheap.... really cheap!

     He proceeded to tell us that they just got the shipment in the door- which is why it wasn't marked and that it was a really expensive brand.

     I wanted to say, "Um, hello!  This is Big Lots!  And, in case you haven't been told, most of the people who come to Big Lots aren't in the market for coffee tables that are as much as their house payments!"  Duh!

     Clearly, someone had to set this guy straight.

     He proceeded to rather arrogantly tell us that IF it didn't sell right away, it would get continual markdowns.

     I am here to tell you that since December, I have stalked that coffee table. I am not kidding.  I drive by the window and look at the price that is not perched upon the table.  If something is blocking MY table, I patiently park my 10 year old mini van and walk in the store and check on MY table.  Sometimes, on Sunday after church, Paul will pull in the parking lot and let me run in and check on it.  

     I have been very patient.  My $850 coffee table made it's way down to $340.  I was still holding out... until my mom called and told me that she was at the Big Lots an hour away from my house, IN A DIFFERENT STATE, and it was marked down to $255.

     I ran to my Big Lots... all for those arrogant Big Lots workers to snobbishly tell me that all Big Lots stores are not run the same.  Their table was still $340.

     SO, I showed them.  My mom and dad bought my coffee table a whole state away for $255.  Please say it like, "Two fitty five!"

     And, come this Sunday, it will for various reasons have been sitting at their house for 3 weeks.

     See why I boycott things?  Even when I cave, follow the ways of the world, keep up with the Joneses and buy a coffee table that I love.... I can't even get the thing to my house.  How can I fit a huge coffee table in a mini van with 6 bodies sitting in it.  Clearly, my parents do not think I am worth the drive to drop off the table I have waited for..... for 4 months!!  

   When and if I get it in this house, I'll take a picture of it and show it to you.