I had this idea. I’d had it for a while. I have this tendency to get an idea for a project and then proceed to obsess about it until I complete it. Sometimes this works in my favor. Other times, no so much.
You’ve seen this chair.
This wicker rocker is vintage. I paid about $60 for it, due to a slight bit of damage to the wicker in the back. At the time, it was no big deal. Over time, more and more of the wicker has broken.
Much of the left side had detached, and the top of the back had pulled away from the frame.
I wouldn’t let Don sit in it anymore.
So I thought if I could buy something like this jute that is often used in upholstery, I might be able to attach it in horizontal strips and the strips would become the support for the cushion. The colors are much the same as the colors used in the cushions. It would be Funky but Functional.
Maybe I’ve coined a new DIY phrase? I’d be happy to sell it to anybody who might be interested…
I got home from buying the jute at Joanne’s and asked Don to help me figure out the best way to use it. At first we were going to work with the back as is. But then it became clear that we would have to cut away the wicker and fashion something new. (In the midst of all of this, Don was getting ready for a gig that he had that evening.) I kept insisting that he come help me. I had a bee in my bonnet.
The job got so messy that we had to move it out on the porch. The problem? Those pieces of wicker that form the diagonal criss-cross design were wrapped around wire. We had to clip the wires. And they were rusty. Swearing and cussing ensued.
Then I cut my finger on one of the rusty wires. It was a very small cut and I washed it out and put on Neosporin, but we kept wondering about tetanus. We were sort of sure that it would be okay, but a little doubt lingered. We googled tetanus. When we read that it could happen with a ‘pinprick’ we decided I should get a shot. It was now 6 or so in the evening. The porch was a mess, Don had to play that night and I was going to have to drive him to his gig, go to Urgent Care and get the shot and then go back to pick him up. Frankly, I had been hoping not to see another doctor for a long while.
I got the shot, went to the restaurant where Don was performing, had some pizza while listening to him sing (he was great,) packed everything up and got home around 9:00.
In the midst of unloading the car, somehow Riley got out of the enclosed part of the yard. That never happens. I kept thinking he must be inside somewhere. He wasn’t.
We couldn’t find him. It was very dark. We ran to get flashlights, frantically calling for him. No Riley. We couldn’t figure out how he could get very far. Remember, he moves very slowly. I ran up to the woods, shining my flashlight, calling his name. Don was all over the front yard, doing the same. I ran across the street, looking for him on our neighbors’ property. This went on for what seemed like forever but was probably less than 10 minutes. My heart was pounding. No Riley. Don decided to get in the car and see if he was down the road. While he was getting ready to pull out, I tried the front yard again. This time, as I scanned the front of my yard with a flashlight, I caught a glimpse of his face, down by the willow tree. Thank goodness! He’d fallen into the culvert and he couldn’t get out. He was scared. I got him out. He emerged, dirty and frightened, but with no injuries.
Once my pulse rate returned to normal, I sat with him on the floor and told him he was safe and that we would never let that happen again. In retrospect, I am oh so grateful for the culvert. It stopped him from going into the road. And because he is so weakened in his rear legs, he didn’t have the strength to get out. So he remained ‘safe’ until I could get to him.
I woke up at 5 am this morning (an annoying habit of late.) Definitely not enough sleep.
The chair remains a big problem.
But Riley is safe.
Losing my dog is high on my stree list! So glad you found him early!
Deb
That’s supposed to say ‘stress’ list :D
Whoa, sounds like some kind of day! The important thing is you found Riley safe and the chair can wait. Better to be safe than sorry on the Tetanus!~Hugs, Patti
OH my, what a day! So glad you found your Riley. Your were smart to go for the tetanus shot. Will wait to hear what you decide to do about the chair.
Oh, Claudia, what a day! I got a tentus shot a couple of weeks ago, those buggers hurt!
Poor Riley. You both were scared and I know that feeling!
Have to laugh at a bee in your bonnet, I get like that with projects too!!
One day, years ago, I had come home from work to find that Hannah had broken through one of the fence boards. Richard stopped me in the street as I was pulling into the driveway. I took off driving around the neighborhood and to the park and he scoured the neighorhood on foot. No Hannah. I was so frightened that she might have been hit by a car as you had to cross a street to get to the park and I figured she might have headed there.
Thankfully, Matt, a neighborhood boy, found Hannah and as she knew him she went to him and he took her for a LONG LONG LONG walk, LOL, as he couldn’t take her home due to her not liking cats.
For a couple of weeks we found some of her toys in our front yard and in neighbors’ yards, apparently she was making sure she had her toys with her, LOL, on her little adventure.
I hope you have a GREAT day today!
xxoo
Marsha
The chair is such a small problem when you compare it to losing your dog. Thank God he is ok. Hugs, Deb=^..^=x4
Claudia, I am so glad that Riley is ok.
How about some photos of the chair in it’s present condition? Maybe some of your readers could offer suggestions.
Give Riley a hug for me.
Justice and Howie escaped for over an hour once. Justice returned – no Howie. I was frantic for hours driving the neighborhoods, fearing the main road, sure I would see something horrible there any minute.
Driving, calling, crying, calling, a friend joined the hunt. WHat could I tell darling daughter, she would be devastated after just losing our beloved Libbey.
Finally I spotted him, on the main drag, a four laner BTW hiding behind a bush. My heart finally slowed down. It took me till the next day to recover…
Some times a project is beyond help and things truly do need to be retired. The chair would have made a lovely planter for the yard. Probably still could. If you wire up the back, tendrils could grow up it? Or maybe you can revisit it and repair the next go round?
xx
z
I’m glad Riley is safe. He must have been terrified. When you get the bug for a DIY, you may as well give in to it. It relentlessly prods you.
Brenda
You had my heart racing Claudia. I think I was feeling what you were feeling and couldn’t read fast enough to find that Riley was safe.
I am so glad you had the shot. We never know…and why take a chance.
But I laughed when you said you had hoped to not see a doctor for awhile…that is exactly how I have been feeling too.
I am wishing a wonderful day after all you went through yesterday.
hugs from here….
I cut my finger on a bread knife a few months back and got a tetanus shot too. The good news is that they are good for about 10 years.
Claudia, so glad you had your shot -AND found Riley, safe-
Not so glad for you, that you can`t sleep long, and that you still have to figure out how to repair your beloved chair! I hope you can save it.
Hugs,Dorthe
You’re probably really glad that’s day’s over. But it is over, so now just think about the good thing that came out of it: Riley is okay. The chair… you’ll figure it out. Why don’t you post some pics of the chair and we all can pitch in with ideas. Surly, one of us has dealt with this kind of restoration before.
Have a better day!
What a night! Poor, poor Riley so glad he is safe. I bet he sleeps all day because of the excitement. Hope you get some sleep, too.
XO, Mere
Ok I get this wasn’t the best of your days. But I hope you understand that it was actually very funny too. I could picture it all the way. Hope you will find some solution for your wicker chair soon.
What an emotional roller coaster of a day! So glad Riley is OK. Poor little pup…how scared he must have been, and what a blessing that he couldn’t go any further.
Blessings, Joanne
So…. I will confess, this posting just tickled me pink. It sounds so like Scott and I with my “projects”, my “demands”, my “need to get it done, now”. They are real champions aren’t they. What a day this was for you. I had that darn tetanus buster this past visit. Wicked, and they didn’t ask if I was a leftie or rightie. They just shot me in the left, which is my good arm. Then they didn’t tell me how sore it would be for about a week. So, if you are sore, god bless you, I feel your pain right now. Just remeber to take these big project slow and I’m sure it’s going to be the best darn chair in the “hood”. Speaking of ‘hood”, I better Riley was just checking it all out, but am so glad to hear hin got back home before curfew.
Have a relaxingly creative weekend,
kate
oooh, I’ve had heart pounding moments like that!… glad it turned out ok. Aren’t you glad you looked over in that area!
Oh, poor Riley!! And poor you, having to stress over tetanus, & chair with surprise wires…no fair!! Glad doggy is safe, I’m sure chair will turn out great!!
Poor Riley. I’m so relived that you found him!
Oh my goodness…what a day! Actually, when you back on it, you kind of have to laugh about it. Because everything and everybody turned out ok! Glad your puppy was safe!
My pulse is racing just reading your post! Thank God that Riley is safe and back in his warm and sweet home. Oh what a day you had!!!
(((((hugs)))))
xxoo
Hi Claudia, I just ran to hug my Nellie–it is so terrifying when our dogs are lost! I am so happy that he is home safe and sound. I also think it was a good idea to get the tetanus shot. What a day you had! Just spend this weekend hugging your two furry babies and Don and forget about the chair! Linda
I was glued to every word. I completely forgot about the chair. All I could think about was that you and Riley would be fine. You both are ~ and I am relieved!
Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
So glad you found your Riley!! And so glad you got the shot – I had a patient once with tetanus ugh! Take care and hope the chair turns out! Love, Linda
I’m sure your idea with the chair is going to be grand, making it possible for Don (or anyone else) to sit in the chair again. Love wicker, but don’t like that it’s so fragile as it gets older.
I’m so glad you found Riley – safe and sound – but a little worse for wear. Those old guys are a lot like people. They think they can do more than they actually can.
I was happy to see him resting comfortably in your cozy home in your next post. Scratch him behind the ears for me, ok?
Hugs,
Donna
Oh my goodness! What a post! I’m new to your blog (found you thru Thrifty Miss Priss) and just cannot believe the series of events with the chair, your injury, the gig and the pooch! And then you didn’t sleep?! It exhausted me just reading about it!! Nice to meet you!