July 12th, 2011--Found a TV console that FITS!!!

For the past month and a half my TV has been perched on top of my coffee table because I had yet to find a console that meets the measurement specifications of the pre-cut wall inset where my TV hookups

were!  I'd searched everywhere from Target and Wal-mart to Woodland and MOR furniture without anything jumping off the racks at me!  On Tuesday July 5th, Mom and I finally stopped in at ASHLEY furniture and not only did she find a console that worked with her new flat screen but I TOO found the perfect one that fit my cubby!!!  Mom's house had some specifics that made it hard to find the just right console too!  At her house it would have to sit atop the bricks that gradually round around the sunken room so again the standard 60" was too long and most weren't deep enough to fit her existing music deck.  Anyway, in a crazy turn of events she came across one that matched the other dark wood furniture she'd recently purchased and I found one that was in a cappuccino color (in between a dark wood and black) that not only matched my existing decorations and furniture but they were both measuring tape approved!!! 

So we both purchased our finds and they were finally in for pickup at the warehouse on Tuesday July the 12th!!!  As soon as I got it home I began building!  I slid it in, hooked everything up and it all fit with only about an inch to spare total!!  I turned out exactly how I'd hoped because I wanted it to look as built-in or made to order as possible without paying for a custom build!!!  My living room finally looks a little more "grown-up" and a little less like a hodge-podge of "college leftovers"!!!  :)

I Bought a NEW 55" Flat Screen TV on a whim!?!?

So I've been living in a real house for nearly 4 years now and although I've wanted to upgrade from my 32" college-sized TV to an adult-sized flat screen, it just hasn't been in the cards or finances until now!  Well, that's not 100% true...I had every intent to buy one back in 2009 but that just happened to be the year that Baylie tore her ACL and I found myself paying for an emergency surgery, meds and numerous checkups!  After taking some time (years to be exact) to pay off said expenses, I did some light research on big flat screen TVs and was beginning to think about making this big purchase.  To be honest, I had just gotten some unexpected news about my dad getting engaged and was in need of some SERIOUS retail therapy...next thing I knew I was standing in the TV row at Best  Buy in a somewhat overwhelmed catatonic state.  I couldn't seem to get anyone to help me and/or answer my questions so I decided to get out of the one store in Bakersfield that smells like a mixture of armpits and dirty feet and go some place where employees work on commission!

 I drove across town and arrived at Urners where I was approached almost immediately by a not too pushy salesman.  In chatting I found out that he was the father of 2 daughters (one of which was a teacher) and a son...I instantly saw my angle!  I asked him what he'd recommend to his own daughter who wanted size, quality, and performance without spending a million dollars.  The battle was between a 55" Sony and Mitsubishi flat screen TV...at first they were toe-to-toe, both were smart TVs with similar resolution and price but THEN he gave me the sound demonstration!!! 

The Sony had two built in speakers that output decent sound and had an optional sound bar you could pay extra for.  The Mitsubishi TV on the other hand boasted 12 built in speakers that delivered 5.1 Dolby surround sound--I was SOLD instantly!!!  Sure someday I might splurge for a home theater speaker system, but no time soon that's for sure so this was the best option for me right now!

 So...I bought it, paid cash (well debit, but it's essentially the same thing), and turned down the extra $75.00 delivery and installation fee so that I could take it home with me right then!  I got it out of the car myself and used a skateboard to "carry" it around to the front door...then pushed it into the living room.  I had a momentary heart attack when I realized the box was bigger than the entertainment center cut-out cubby hole!  Luckily the TV was well packed in Styrofoam and ended up fitting PERFECTLY into its new spot with about an inch margin on each side...seriously couldn't have done better if I'd measured (which I didn't)!!!  I got it all set up and working by myself and temporarily perched on my coffee table...next order of business...finding a TV console that also fits into the dumb wall cut-out!!!