Little Changes

Last week we had to say "goodbye" to the rug that's been in my house/s for about eight years. It was a wonderful dining room rug in my previous place - but it struggled to work in our living room. Between the constant traffic creating rug-fur-bunnies of epic proportions and the additional dangers of spills and stains, it was already struggling to keep up with our needs. And over the weekend, things happened to the rug that cannot be undone, despite our attempts.

We're all fine. There was a little issue with 'do not leave candles unattended.' Apparently, sometimes reading a book three feet away needs to count as 'unattended.' So, negligence led to a great deal of bright red wax ending up in the rug - and absolutely nothing we tried would get it out without bringing pieces of the backing and rug fibers along for the ride. 

Although we had figured this loss would mean living with the horrid old green carpet underfoot for a few weeks while we searched Craigslist for a more suitable replacement, there was actually another rug sitting in my parents' garage just looking for a home.

It's not a pattern I would have chosen out of all the choices in the world - but it was the right price, the right colors for our orange chairs and yellow/pine-ish entertainment center, and oh my is it nice on the bare feet. It is about half the size of the old rug, so instead of resting under the coffee table and rug area, we're concentrating on using it between the entertainment center and the coffee table - so covering the greatest expanse of green carpet anywhere in the house and giving us all somewhere comfortable to sit when there aren't enough chairs in the living room.

Momo spent the first three hours rolling all over it. I think that's a good sign.

I finally finished up a bag I started months ago.

Nothing fancy - but lined (with one interior pocket - to coordinate with the three exterior 'windmill' pockets) and usable. And already taken to the library and shopping.

The other changes around here are less noticeable. Two weeks ago we rearranged some of the wall hangings - and although we knew it happened and thought the changes were better, it took our weekly guests two weeks to notice. Three days ago, I hung a new piece of 'art' (a page from a torn up book) in the hallway.

No one - including the other person who lives here - has noticed yet. I think perhaps we have too much on the walls...

The chalk board message and drawing are also mine. Greg not only has better drawing skills, he has much better handwriting. The chalkboard usually holds 'to do' lists and 'I love you' messages. We're pretty sappy sometimes. 

Most of our other changes really aren't worth talking about - mostly boring cleaning or getting ready for cooler weather kinds of changes. I'm still wishing winter weren't coming soon, but we're attempting to get ready for it. Next change to come? Caulking the window where the cold air leaks in all winter!