Pop Rocks

Photo courtesy of Gratisography

Wednesday, July 15th, 2026

The couch showed up last Thursday. It arrived at 8:30 a.m., right at the beginning of the delivery window. I had work to do, so I couldn't open it right away. No worries, there was a tech update for my software scheduled later in the afternoon. It was only supposed to take an hour, but I had a hunch that it would take longer. So at 1:30, after logging out of my program,

I came up to start the Great Unboxing.

The night before, I had cleared everything out of the space where it would go, moved the plants to the dining table, pushed the chairs out of the way, and moved the painting across the room, facing the wall. Wally’s couch was moved down to the office, all the boxes in there were put - somewhat logically - into the garage.

There were two heavily reinforced boxes, every side printed with the words “Don't Be Boring". Personally, I was just glad it showed up. I bought it from an online company that I’d never heard of, and which my credit card flagged as fraudulent. I should check my credit card statements to see if I actually paid for it or not… 

Anyway, the unboxing took forever. Every edge was reinforced with heavy duty paperboard corners. There was some damage to one of the boxes so I was taking photos as I went, just in case. Clearly the box had been dropped. Two sides of it were bulging out, there was a different color of packing tape, some dirt on the box, and an edge that was reinforced with a different brand of corner reinforcement. I was expecting the worst. Most of the damage was on the corner where one piece of the sofa attaches to the other, and I was desperately hoping nothing was so damaged that it wouldn't connect together.

Two hours in and I get a Teams message that they're still working on the update. Cool.

After work, I finished the last bits of unboxing. I got it assembled, confirmed that there was no damage or staining, and put it in position -

just slightly off-kilter of being in the corner.

The off-white fluffy grid pillow covers are perfect for filling the back rest. It came with five pillows, all of which feel very low to me. Tucking in the corners of the big pillows softens them just enough to make them work well with the curved lines of everything else. 

I love it. It’s close enough to perfect for what I amorphously wanted, despite the fact that it isn’t pink. It’s a beige boucle with some blips of tan stitching for texture. I hope the fabric holds up well to the dogs and their fur. While I wouldn’t say it has butt squish - I think that might require chickens - it does have springiness. Overall, it seems to be a solid piece of furniture with a good shape and interesting details. I’m pleased with my choice.

I can’t stop marveling at it. 

With the boxes moved out of the office, I felt like I could breathe again. I set up Wally’s couch right in front of the window, covered it with his blue blanket with the ball fringe, and added the boucle cloud pillow. He looks like he’s sleeping on a cloud, floating through the most perfect summer day!

The book shelves still need help, but that will come. I have a plan for that too. And by plan, I mean, I know who I’m going to ask for help.

Next is the garage. Still a bit of a disaster, now including enormous pieces of cardboard. I have yet to put together the shelf I got from my friend. I need to move some things around before I can start assembly proceedings.

A day or two after the couch arrived, my rug for the downstairs hallway was delivered. I’m very happy with it. The base color of the rug works well with the carpeting in the office. There are three rows of bi colored rectangles with good color choices. I like that it gives the dogs another place to lay, particularly away from windows. The Fourth of July is a long holiday in this neighborhood.

A friend asked me tonight what I liked best about my house.

What I like best is that there’s so much to like! 

I get a little tinge of alignment every time I look at 

…my bedroom with the fun lamps and the good color and textural contrast on my bed.

…the living room with the couch, the iridescent tables, the painting and the fun lamp.

…the kitchen with the cool tile, my wonky dishes and my pans with the gold hardware.

…my office - particularly when my desk is clean - with the rug on the way there, Wally’s couch and no stray boxes in sight

…the entry way with my hello sign, the lamp my brother got me for my birthday forever ago, and my wicker elephant holding the fiddle leaf fig plant.

I get a tinge of excitement each time I use something that’s easily accessible and right where I want it. The systems I’m developing for myself give me a little jolt of electricity. 

There are a couple of things I’m looking forward to doing.

And I’m really excited that I have that motivation.

I have big plans for the far living room wall that I think will be really cool and fun. I am ready to turn my lamp shade on my lamp downstairs into one of those that looks like fun birds in a cage. I may even knit them sweaters.

The couch was the key. Now I feel like I actually live here. Yes, there is still SOOOOO much to do, particularly outside, but it’s coming along, and I’m thrilled with what’s happening. 

Stay Gritty