So here's how the story turned out. Did you know you have 6 months to dispute charges on your Discover card? We called Discover and registered a dispute over the mattress. DIscover was terrific! They, in turn, sent a letter to the mattress shop owner telling him he had 30 days to dispute our dispute. In the meanwhile, the charge was removed from our credit card. The mattress store owner sent the truck out within a few days to pick up the mattress. He never disputed the charge, so after 30 days, the amount was deducted from his Discover account and we have been refunded the full amount. On a curious note, our cat HATED the original mattress. She would hiss and cry at it and race away from it at top speed. Maybe she knew something we didn't. Anyway, good riddance to that mattress. We subsequently bought a 10" all latex mattress at Costco, which is fully returnable, no questions asked. But we love it! So,all is well.

If you haven't used your blender or mixer for a while, it gets dusty and you tell yourself, "this is a waste, I should put it away." A fabric cover keeps it ready to use and cuts down on the guilt--it's still right there, ready for you to use as soon as the muse arrives. These are known as "bags on the heads" of our appliances here and I approve of them, probably better than an appliance garage because it gives more flexibility to countertop options over time. I will be making some for my appliances, probably using remnants from my roman shades. You can also make coordinating napkins, hotpads, aprons, valences, cushions, tea cozies, doilies and runners, beverage coasters, towel edging or applique. And drawstring bags to corral stuff like cookie cutters or appliance pieces. Have made the appliance bags in past--I just invented the pattern and this time around will probably will just adapt the old patterns I developed. I'm sure there are patterns in the pattern books at fabric store also, but if not, there are some oldies on ebay. (Watch out for these vintage patterns--they may be more narrow and/or shorter than will fit today's models, so do some measuring and add girth/length if necessary.) The stiffer the fabric, the more the "bag" will stand alone--they used to use quilted fabrics a lot, which looked like jackets on the appliances. I prefer single layer drapery weight cotton and piping in the seams to reinforce them. I know that Kitchenaid sells readymade covers in a lightweight canvas for their large mixers, with a pocket in one side to hold the beaters. If you have just a few oddball pieces left after a curtain or stool cushion project, sew the remnants into larger slabs, then cut on diagonal to make piping to be used on another piece of fabric for the body. Doesn't matter if it's patched--piping is just color and texture as trim, not a significant whole. People are very impressed by these, if you do it halfway decently, and they can be classy instead of cute Applique is another option--add color or letters/words from the top with a zigzag stitch. Remember to wash the fabric sternly before sewing it up so it shrinks before instead of after you make it up. Wash the piping cord also so it doesn't shrink later.

Hi Kids, The clothing industry is messing with us again. It use to be simple...clothes were made in the USA and there was a standard as to measurements = size across the industry. Now that most of our garments come from outside the US, much of that control has gone out the window. The industry has also played games with sizing as a way to stimulate buying. If a women wears an 18 but finds a dress in a 12 that fits, she will almost always buy it...whether she likes the dress or not. Who could pass up? Lots of reasons cause this issue and they are all real. We need to try everything on and forget about the numbers on the hang-tags. Annoying to be sure. sooey

I love their Wamsutta sheets and the Yankee cancles have monthly "Scent of the Month" 25% off sale that you can use a coupon for after that, like a $5 off coupon. Love the Cranberry Chutney scent. I've gotten fabulous deals on Mikasa and found my "Antique White" pattern on the BBB clearance racks for one reason or another, and snapped them up (like eight luncheon plates for $9.99, usually $10 a piece). Got our Fitbits there, and will stock up on sundry items when I have a 20% off your entire purchase coupon, which I receive once or twice a year. I think the 20% off coupons make the "Harmon" drug store items very competitive price-wise. I would never pay for that service however. Not Prime either. I'm not paying a retailer to shop there.... except Costco. : ( Finally, Macy's is having their "Thanks for Sharing" promotion, which gives you 10% of your Fall-Winter purchases back in the form of a gift card in January. I paid $25 for that privilage, but it was taken off sale shoes, and the associate doubled that coupon.