We spend an incredible one-third of our lives in bed, whether our own or someone else’s. That adds up to almost thirty years in bed, and that investment of time deserves a good mattress and good sheets. We recently updated our mattress to one of those trendy memory foam thingies which I’m still somewhat ambivalent about, and thought I deserved some new sheets to go with the new mattress.

When I was changing our bed the other day, I decided I was not entirely happy with the most recent sheets I purchased. Quality sheets are expensive and if you’re like me you hold off until the “White Sale” every February. That’s when linens are marked down, often anywhere from fifty to seventy percent off. I usually pick up a couple of pairs and extra pillowcases if they’re available.

I must confess that I’ve had the most success purchasing sheets at Macy’s in the United States. They have several brands that are excellent quality and on sale often cost less than one hundred dollars for a four-piece king-size set. Somehow, this time I goofed and I did not get what I was hoping for.

Several years ago I purchased sheets at Macy’s that were the smoothest, softest, and most glorious sheets I have ever owned—like sleeping on silk but better. I don’t think the thread count was in the stratosphere, but something about those sheets made me feel like I was sleeping in linens designed for Oprah herself. They were one hundred percent cotton, and beautifully made with decorative stitching on the top hem. Over the years, I took the best care possible of those sheets. I air-dried them outside, sprayed and ironed the pillowcases with lavender linen water and carefully folded them in the linen closet ready for the next use.

The label was no longer readable after years of washing so I had no reference for the exact brand. When I went back to Macy’s about a year ago to again purchase the same sheets I photographed the top sheet hem detail in hopes of duplicating them. Were they their Hotel brand, or house brand, Charter Club? I somehow screwed up and now I have two pairs of sheets that fall far short of my expectations and I’m afraid I’m stuck with them. Or am I?

I did get those second-best sheets on sale so my investment was not as significant as it could have been if I’d paid full price. I remember when I bought the original sheets a few years ago, the sales associate checking me out complimented me on my taste in quality sheets. I wonder if he’s still working there. How good is his memory?

Sheets are a long-term investment so they have to be just right. Boomers do not have that many more years to live and I want to spend my remaining one-third of that time sleeping on sheets that make me feel like a princess, or at the very least like Oprah.

I think I’m going to bite the bullet and retire those second-best sheets and have another run at getting better quality. We deserve it! Keep your fingers crossed that I don’t screw up again. Do you have any suggestions? Time’s running out.