buying without spending

Every New Years Eve I wonder about the people who stand freezing in Times Square to watch the ball drop.  This is something I don’t understand.

Similarly, I don’t understand why people would cut short their Thanksgiving day to rush into stores to go shopping.  I watch the brawls on TV, and question the sanity of people.

I am on a shopping moratorium.  While I would love to re-do my entire apartment (well, actually I would love to move to a new, bigger apartment and then decorate it from scratch), that is not about to happen.

So today, I shop in someone’s apartment.  They are re-doing their entire, already-gorgeous apartment and have asked me if there is anything I might want.  There is.

For years, I have envied their beautiful coffee table.  I have one I like just fine —

but theirs is more interesting, and bigger (54 by 36 versus my 48 by 30, and two inches taller).  It is in pristine condition, with a planked top that has a beautiful sheen.

The table is more country than modern, but I think it will blend well in my living room.  I am going to take it.  It’s a stunning piece; I need a change; and the price is right.  Besides, it's the biggest shopping day of the year; I need to do something!