The temperature hit 60 degrees yesterday. I had all the windows open, as well as the front door. Light was streaming into the cottage and I decided that this was the day to tackle the wardrobe/cabinet in the living room.
I found it at an auction many years ago. It’s huge, has interior shelves, and I love it. $100.00! One of my favorite “steals.” It has such style. It has furnished us with storage that we wouldn’t have otherwise, which is why I got it in the first place. Over the years, it became the repository for office supplies, jewel boxes and CDs (from the time that Don was recording his songs), telephone books (do we really need them anymore?), binders holding every script I have worked on since we moved here – stacks of them, old theater contact sheets, old bills, paycheck stubs…you name it.
You have to be in a ruthless mood. I was – a strange combination of ruthless and happy – so I tackled it. First, I used some Murphy’s Oil Soap on both the pew and the coffee table. Then, armed with contractors bags, which are huge, I started throwing things away. Three contractors bags later, I was done. Well, not quite. I had to wait until Don got home to ask him about his blank CDs and his masters for some of his recordings. He sorted through those and then we were done.
In the meantime, I took the opportunity of an almost empty cabinet to remove the McCoy from the top and push it to the left about 3 inches, so there could be some space between the cabinet and the pew.
And now the door shuts again. I had been propping the child’s chair against the cabinet to keep the door closed.
Now there’s a little air between all three pieces.
And you can see some of the carving on the pew. And it’s easy to pull out from the wall if you want to see more.
Such a satisfying day! I’ve long known I had to tackle the cabinet. I just kept putting it off. But the addition of the pew, along with my need to see some of the carving detail, which necessitated moving the cabinet, is what clinched it.
Even warmer today with possible rain, then back down to the mid-forties tomorrow, which is still positively balmy considering what we’ve been through this winter. No complaints from me.
I woke to the horrific news from New Zealand. I will never understand how such hatred can exist. My heart is with you, New Zealand.
With hopes for an end to hate with the realization that we are all one,
Happy Friday.
I am once again in horror mode. How does this keep happening? I send prayers to the wounded that they may heal and pray for those that did not make it, and prayers to the families of all.
I don’t know. But this attacker was fueled by Trump and others like him.
Such horrific news. I’m overwhelmed with the hate in this world. I’m thankful that tomorrow I get to see love celebrated. Unconventional as it may be, it is love and happiness and joyful.
Love that cabinet and yes to letting all that stuff go. It is hard to tackle but the results are great and now moved a few inches we can see that gorgeous bench even better. Saying hi from sunny but cool Northern Calif. I do love it here.
It’s lovely there. (Except for wildfires and earthquakes!) Have a lovely day tomorrow, Linda.
glad you are enjoying milder weather and, now, the satisfaction of tackling a job that maybe you didn’t want to do. it looks great! especially love the pull on that cupboard.
very sad about more terrorism and hate being put into the world. i will never understand the choice to intentionally hurt/kill people or animals or to damage other people’s property.
praying for better.
hope you all have a nice weekend ahead. among other things, i am hoping to get windows open to bring fresh air and birdsongs into my little home!
kathy in iowa
I have to try to shake this day off. The horrors in NZ, amongst other things, have left us feeling very unsettled.
That cabinet and the pew are so beautiful. I also like the glassware that you have on top of the cabinet.
I know how you feel when you get a deal at an auction.
I hope the weather stays nice for you.
HUGS
That’s not glassware, Kim, it’s McCoy pottery in lovely shades of green and aqua.
Thanks so much!
One has to be in the right frame of mind to do such an intense deep cleaning, Claudia. I’ve been sharing your mindset! Yet another few cartons of shoes, clothes and stuff are going to the Senior center thrift shop. I also managed to clear off a couple of shelves in the bookcases.
I’m driving out to pick up Daughter from college for a rare weekend home. So I’ll be happy this weekend that both ducklings are at home.
I fear so much for humanity. Fear and ignorance are powerful inciters of violence against those who are “different”. It’s up to us to start the change. One doesn’t have to travel the world to see life through someone else’s eyes, just start conversations. Talk about family traditions. Exchange recipes. Go to an event put on by people of another culture. And never forget where hate can lead.
Good ideas, all, Wendy. I’m very fearful myself.
Have a lovely weekend with your daughter!
One article about the New Zealand horror struck me as it talked about the fact that NZ had been spared terrorism/hate crimes because it was relatively isolated, very little social media access there. That changed in the last few years and the fact that the murderer live streamed his killing people on FB is just beyond comprehension.
It does feel good to be ruthless when cleaning, doesn’t it? I’ve had bursts of cleaning mania recently while working to organize our basement that resulted in many carloads going to Goodwill. And in the kitchen, digging into cupboards and tossing/organizing stuff that hadn’t seen the light of day in the 16 years we’ve lived here. Of course, the fact we’re about to embark on a “down to the studs” reno helps with motivation. But it really is true getting rid of things you no longer need but are just hanging onto makes you feel more in charge of your life.
Beyond comprehension. Appalling in every way.
Our big projects will be the shed (we’ll have to rent a dumpster) and our storage space. Ah well, that’s for another day.
I think all these hatreds are caused by lack of scientific knowledge and mental illness. All people came from the same origin. And if we would step up and say that we believe God likes all religions. He created all religions. There is no such thing as God hating one religion or another. Get a clue, humans.
More wars have been started because of ‘religion’ than I care to count. Always someone who feels superior, or feels their religion/skin color/beliefs are superior to others. My heart breaks.
I bet it was a great feeling getting that all cleaned out. Phone books… why do they continue to print them? I shouldn’t say that, I know there are people who need them. Just wishs that one could request a phone book if needed, and they wouldn’t do the mass mailing which results in so many adding to the landfills. Do you have more storage space inside now? That is always such a wonderful feeling when you can free up another space with newly found space!!
The hatred and these evil acts are so repulsive. I heard the same thing, that NZ had been spared most of this. It just takes one, I guess, to start the hatred. I don’t think most of us can understand it because our brains don’t work that way. (thankfully)
Hope you are having a quiet Friday.
I do have a bit more storage space. I’m trying to not use it at the moment and wait to see what might be indicated.
NZ, such a beautiful country, such beautiful people. My heart breaks for them.
We all have those projects that we put off. This looks like a job well done and I love that you can see the carving on the side of the pew.
New Zealand — breaks my heart into pieces.
Mine, too, Jeanie.
The main idea around the terror in New Zealand was to show that nowhere is safe from a terrorist. I was not surprised to find that the shooter or shooter(s) was inspired by our President.
Sadly, so many of our major cities are killing more people than the terrorists. Mental illness is not shown to be the cause of such violence against others. People with mental illness tend to harm themselves. An evil deed does not make you mentally ill. If you know what you are doing and plan such an attack, you were not mentally ill. You are an evil person. I am very sorry that this happened. Sadly religion and its dogma kill way too many people. God must weep.
I’m not surprised, either, Mary.
I agree about religious dogma and fanaticism.
I was so saddened to hear the news out of New Zealand this morning….tragic. When oh when are we going to respect each other? Not one of us is better than another…none of us. There is too much hostility in this world…and I’m at a loss to understand it, or explain it away.
You must feel very happy to have that chore done. Don’t believe I’ve ever noticed that cabinet pull before….too cool for words.
That carving on the pew is gorgeous…glad you can now see more of it. Enjoy your day! ;)
It just seems to be getting worse. This has been a tough day.
I love the cabinet pull. Always have! Thanks, Donnamae.
I was so encouraged on my trip to New Zealand and Australia because they didn’t have mass killings. I thought there was hope for us. Now I don’t know. I just don’t understand it. Unbelievable.
I don’t either. I feel like New Zealand’s innocence is forever gone.
I have decided to put my head in the sand for a while newswise. I was getting numb to it and we should not tolerate this as a baseline or “new normal”. I really need a break from the vicarious traumatization this stuff has been causing me. That being said, I will continue to actively support the causes that oppose this hate filled time in our lives and practice random acts of kindness and keep the phrase “ I am only one person” said 7 million people, in mind as motivation. We can make things change! There, I’m done with that.
Love that cabinet and the space between the pew. It’s amazing what a difference a couple of inches can make in a room.
I’m taking the weekend off from the news. Self care!
Thanks, Deb!
I have always envied that huge cabinet of yours…all of that storage space!…I was shocked at the shootings in New Zealand!…I always thought of it as such a beautiful peaceful place…How my heart aches for this world…
Mine, too. It’s heartbreaking. Thanks, Nancy.