The ottoman saga...

I'd like you meet the culprit.

Don't be fooled by it's sleek, beautiful appearance. It sits looking very innocent, but don't be hoodwinked! Inside it's filled with darkness (and probably some foam cushioning).

You see, it started out as a great idea for a ten-year anniversary gift for my husband. It was selected with a great deal of care, and shipped to a friend's house so it and the ottoman, could be assembled in secret. It was then brought to our house on our big day, much to my husbands's delight!

Then, we noticed a flaw in the leather of the ottoman. After several calls to the company, in New York, a Fed Ex truck was dispatched to pick up the package. What the company couldn't seem to figure out was how to pick up the ottoman at MY house and not my girlfriends. Three attempts by Fed Ex later, and a personal escort up to our house by my girlfriend, the ottoman was returned.

The replacement ottoman arrived, at my girlfriend's home! After the box was opened we discovered they had shipped the wrong color. Several phone calls later, the ottoman was sent back again. Our third, and we hoped final, ottoman arrived, this time at the correct address. I made my husband open it, I was afraid to look! All looked fine, at first, but the finish around the edging was not done! Major flaw! Talk about feeling frustration and rage! The company received several less than kind emails and phone calls, and they decided to issue me a $100 credit for my troubles, and a replacement ottoman. The only problem? They didn't have any of the correct color in stock, would I like a replacement chair instead? Seriously? Six weeks, three ottomans and still the gift is not complete! Insert several curse words here…..

We have decided to keep what we have until the end of November when the new, and hopefully correct, ottoman, arrives. In the meantime do not be fooled. It looks nice but it's got a dark side.

I should have bought him a watch.