Tuesday, September 14, 2010

A short, short visit

Anna and her friend Dana came from Bainbridge Island yesterday morning. We met at a breakfast place, finished early, and they went to the house on the beach to pick up a piece of furniture that Dana had bought during my garage sale. I drove as fast as was legal for an appointment with my dermatologist. I walked in and was seen at ten sharp and at ten-o-five was told not to worry, I did not have the bad kind of cancer on my arm. (We have been told so many times that when a spot on the skin changes and gets an irregular edge, go to the doctor.) Good news.

I now have another question that is worrying me. In a totally different area. Where I live, a wonderful beautiful place, management made a huge mistake when they readied my cottage for a new inhabitant. They ordered new carpeting throughout the place. The cheapest stuff on the market. It is awful. Every footprint shows and it is always soiled looking. My friend down the lane and I have compared notes, and she has now replaced everything in her cottage. When I saw the change, I was astounded. The comfort of the better kind of carpeting is huge.

But there is a distinct difference between us. She is in her early or middle seventies and could now be living there for twenty more years. I am ninety, or nearly ninety one, and I may have a much much shorter time. Should I spend that much money on a new carpet? There ore lots of people with nothing but mud under foot. I will ask my financial advisor if he thinks I can afford it, but he cannot advice me on my sense of right or wrong. I could ask my four children to vote on what I should do. 

Writing this blog has changed my mind. I will let you, my readers vote on yes or no. I know I can take it out of my saved up living expenses. Please all of you comment on this problem.

36 comments:

Melinda said...

Do it! Do something nice for yourself and give yourself a bit of luxury. You deserve it.

Viktor said...

I have had similar talks to my own grandparents in the last few years (86 and 83) and I always ask them what they'd spend the money on if they didn't spend them on themselves. I don't need no inheritance!

And I'd say the same to you: If you don't have anything even more interesting to spend the money on, get a nicer floor.

dani said...

Oh..I think you should get new carpeting!! Think of how nice it will feel on your bare feet..

Anonymous said...

I vote for new carpeting. You have lived long enough to deserve a few luxuries. If you were my mother I would encourage you to do it!

Anonymous said...

It sounds like new carpeting would make you happy - and you deserve to be happy, no matter what your age!

katherine said...

think of how you will feel every time you look at the new carpet versus how you feel now every time you look at the bad carpet! go for it!

conny said...

If you have the money, then DO IT. Everybody deserves a good life as long as they live. As we say in Denmark: There are no pockets in the clothes you leave this world in (- or something like that).

Anonymous said...

...and cheap carpeting is very bad for one's health. Carpeting in general is not so hot, but cheap carpeting is the worst; it outgasses really nasty chemicals. Besides, who's to say you won't be around for another 20 years or so? : D

Anonymous said...

I vote for getting the new carpeting. You deserve it and, so long as your carpet doesn't 'break the bank' -- I'd change the carpet right away. Enjoy the present, with nice deep plush carpet!

Anonymous said...

As I told my mom when she retired and sold the family home -- travel, decorate your new condo as you like, do whatever you want -- spend our inheritance! You worked for it!

Maxly said...

Yes, treat yourself to the feel of new carpet.

Anonymous said...

Imagine how nice the new carpet will feel...the bargain alternative won't be soft and cushy - plus you'll be able to wiggle your toes in a pleasant manner. :)

Anonymous said...

I think you should do it! You only live once- and you should enjoy yourself and your surroundings!

Tara M said...

I'm with everyone else. Get that new carpet!!

dianne said...

I think you should go for the new carpeting. It will be lovely.

LeahBear said...

Yes, please do buy the new carpet for yourself. I am positive your children would all say you should too!

propwashz said...

Get that carpet!

Danielle said...

My grandparents had the most horrid carpet in their house for years (more than 40). My grandpa, at the age of 85, decided to rip out the carpets and discovered hardwood floors underneath. So, he put out the money and had them sanded and waxed. I never did get to see them, but my mom said they were absolutely beautiful.

So yes, spend the money! Enjoy beauty/comfort under your feet!

Unknown said...

Svensto,
I vote for new carpet if it works out financially for you. It will make such a difference in how comfortable you are in your home.

Barbara said...

Of course you should get it. You deserve a carpet that pleases you. Furthermore, you will be doing someone in the future a favor by leaving them something lovely to live with. I say, do it, and enjoy the results!

Beth said...

I vote YES! You deserve it.

Anonymous said...

I like hardwood floors myself. If they put cheap carpet on though there probably isn't hardwood under it. I like painted floors too.

That gas is something to think about with carpets. Get the details on the backing.

Looks like the Ayes have it.

Keitha

HOA Mgr Lady said...

yes replace!

Anonymous said...

My grandma had the same dilemma, she was 92 when she decided to repaint and change the carpet and get a new sofa. Well she passed away last year, she was 107. She got a lot of pleasure out of her new furnishings every day.To the end she was happy and lively, making fun of our problems, always saying:" In my days, we did not worry so much about stupid stuff, as long as we had food on the table all was well"

Anonymous said...

yes, do it! we all want to see you happy and comfortable and living with your new carpet for a long time!

Sandra @ The Memory Workshop said...

Of course you should get the new carpet if it's in the budget. 10 years might not seem like a long time to live, but it sure is a long time to live with horrible carpet.

Bonnie's blog said...

Do you really need another 'yes do it' comment? OK..Yes absolutely do it, you deserve comfort and nice things age is just a number.
Please do tell us the colour you choose!
Chris

Charlene said...

Absolutely get the new carpeting.

Barbara said...

I just checked. It's now "yes" 28 to 0. The world says "get nice carpeting!"

Anonymous said...

Get the carpeting or ask your wonderful granddaughter to come paint your flooring. She did a great job on her checkerboard floor!!!! ;) If you have the resources, the flooring will save you energy and frustration.

Anonymous said...

I'm late to the vote, but I'll add #29 YES! I have an aunt who is, I think, about 88 years old. Last I talked to her, she had purchased a new dining room suit. She didn't like the old one in her new place, and dang it, she wanted it!!

Mussette said...

Always say yes to beauty.

Yes to deep padding that is much easier on the joints, yes to soft, luxurious, deep carpet that makes you happy to go barefoot, yes to investing money in your own comfort, yes to an investment that inspires you to live a much longer, healthy life to see you get the full return on your investment.

mss @ Zanthan Gardens said...

Absolutely! Get the new carpet! You are such an artistic soul and so sensitive to the beauty (or ugliness) around you. Making your home beautiful will make you happy every day. It's the small beauties in the world that do so much to soothe us and make us happy.

Nancy Peacock said...

I think you should do it.If the cheap carpet is an eyesore to you I think it's worth it to have something that will make you feel great every time you look at it! The following phrase is overused, and overlooks most of the world's poverty, but for you I'm going to use it anyways.... "You deserve it!"
I really think you do!

Amy said...

Yes- treat yourself!! You deserve it.

Ariel said...

Definitely! Would you rather live longer due to enjoying your living conditions, or die sooner because every day is filled with dread for coming home to nasty cheap carpeting? :-)