If you were following along on Instagram, you already know this story – so I’ll be brief. This earring is part of a pair of silver earrings that I have owned for many years. They’re long and dangly. The silver looks good with my hair. They’re my favorites.
The night before last, I was in the kitchen near the counter when I realized that one of them was falling out of my ear. I heard the sound of the earring scooting across the wood floor. I assumed it had ended up in the living room. So Don and I looked everywhere for it. Under tables, under furniture, under the baseboard heating, under rugs. We pulled out the piano, the stove and the refrigerator.
Nothing. It was as if the earring had flown away.
It was getting late, so we agreed to try again in the morning.
But yesterday morning, Don was busy working on the snowblower with a mechanically-inclined friend of his, so yours truly started looking on her own. Now, the night before, while down on my knees (let’s not talk about how that sort of thing hurts nowadays) I noticed lots of dust bunnies and cobwebs between china cabinets and the wall and general stuff I don’t see in the course of a day. So, I thought to myself, I’ll take a section of each room at a time, and along the way, I’ll clean, scrub, dust, eliminate cobwebs, and vacuum. And I did. Every stinking inch of the kitchen. Every stinking inch of the living room. Furniture moved, refrigerator once more moved away from the wall. Ditto for the stove. My knees and back were screaming. The thought occurred to me that even if I didn’t find the earring, at least the house would be really clean before I left for Hartford.
Nothing.
Later in the day, I posted on IG and got lots of suggestions from everyone. Did I try this? Did I try that? And honestly, I’d tried everything. I kept going back to that sound in my head of the earring sliding across the floor. It was so clear to me, such a strong sense memory.
One suggestion was from Cathy. Had any drawers been open at the time? I was sure the answer was no. Time passed. It was now early evening. I finally got up from my chair and thought: What the heck? I went to the kitchen and opened the drawer, which happened to be the silverware and random junk drawer, a drawer that I had opened and closed countless times during the day. I searched the junk. Nothing. At the last minute, I looked through the silverware. And there – under the forks – was the earring!
I shouted to Don. It had been there all the time and, clearly, the sound I heard was not that of the earring scooting across the floor but, instead, it was the earring scooting across the tile counter. Success! I’m thrilled to have the earring back and am grateful for all the suggestions.
But danged if my back doesn’t hurt today and I can’t help thinking, “Claudia, why the heck didn’t you look in the drawer in the first place??”
Did I get to Act 5? No. Too busy searching and cleaning. And then I went outside and moved everything from the porch that needed to be stored into the shed.
Yours truly is sore today.
While in the shed, I grabbed 3 out of 4 of my bottlebrush wreaths.
I hung one on the chimney. The remaining two are going with me to Hartford. They’ll look lovely hanging in the apartment windows.
I got these 6 or 7 years ago at Big Lots. Another blogger had posted about them and I, a lover of anything bottlebrush, went to the nearest Big Lots and scoured through boxes until I came up with the last four wreaths in the store. I love them. I haven’t had them up for the last couple of years, so it’s nice to see them again.
Yes, that’s snow you see out there. Don’s out there right now, using the snowblower. He has to get out of here because he has an audition in the city today. I will be finishing my initial work on the play and making lists of things to buy and things to pack. That’s the order for the day.
That painting was the very first oil my dad painted. I remember that vase. He also made the frame.
Happy Monday.
so glad you found your earring! Your house is looking pretty all decorated. Take care Claudia.
Thank you, Doris! You, too!
I am so glad you found the earring. I think most of us have lost one before and it’s so frustrating. I do love those bottle brush wreaths. I’m listening to Mr. Toes snore and it’s making me smile. I put a cat bed by the window and both cats have taken turns sleeping there! I’m going to put out a bit more Christmas decor today since I’m home alone! Hugs!
I’ve lost so many earrings, but this one was really tough as they are my favorite pair!
Enjoy your day today, Linda!
So glad you found your earring!! The wreaths are pretty too!
Thank you, Lori!
The earring escapade is so relatable! And like you said, not only did you find the earring…your home got a good cleaning…a two-fer! I’m digging those bottle brush wreaths…digging? Where did that come from? Anywho…I like them…look very vintage! Enjoy your day! ;)
‘Digging’ is very cool, Donnamae! Maybe it should be ” diggin’ ” xo
Of course! ;)
xo
Claudia, with your house so clean now, come on down and do mine. Seriously, I am glad you found your earring.
Kathi in Florida
If I could, I would! Thanks, Kathi!
Glad you found the earring. When I have something missing, I always find myself reciting the old prayer to St. Anthony ~~ “Tony, Tony, look around. Something’s lost and must be found.” I remember my grandmother reciting that!! Well, at least the cleaning is done!!
Love the wreaths. I bought one this year. I have many smaller ones, but got a big one when shopping at World Market last week. I do love it.
Well, kiddo, hope you have a productive Monday today. Sometimes having deadlines actually does help.
I recite “Nothing can ever be lost.” It didn’t help on Saturday, but it helped on Sunday!
I wish we had a World Market nearby! I used to go there a lot when I was living in California.
ah me, yes,the knees I entirely understand – but ” All’s well, that ends well”
Yes, thankfully! xo
Well, I gotta say it. You told this “tale” VERY well, Claudia – I was actually RIVETED as I read along. Couldn’t wait to find out what happened – no kidding. THAT is one of the signs of a good writer, at least in my opinion. Capture the audience. PS – sounds like maybe The Force was at your house this weekend too. Found an earring. Kitchen got a good ‘Christmas’ cleaning. And I’m sure you have a well-earned feeling of satisfaction too. Win-win-win! Have a great day! 🎄
#ThisIsNotNormal
Thanks, Janet! I’m working on Act 5 now and then I’ll be done! (at least for a couple of days.)
So glad you found the earring. I had lost a favorite (gift from my Dad) one at a memorabilia store in Hollywood, full of scripts, and other papers, in piles, in file boxes, in cartons. The earring was a Jade stud and I was in tears. My toddler was being playful and did a flip in my arms (don’t ask me how she did it), and knocked the stud out of my ear. Everyone in the store was searching. My 7- year old finally found it on the floor, rolled under a bookcase. HUGE WHEW! I also know about knees hurting, after crawling around rerouting cables and cleaning out a floor level cabinet. You’re going to have the best decorated temporary living space ever, Claudia! Hope you have a productive day. And safe travels to Don.
So glad your daughter found that earring! Thanks, Wendy!
Now THAT would have just driven my bonkers to not be able to find an earring. Glad it turned up, and by the way….. it’s a lovely earring!
Thank you, Diane! I’m very fond of that pair and I’m very happy they are back together again!
So glad you found the earring! I’m still smiling at your wreaths. We had a bottle brush tree in our yarn in San DIego years ago, so I thought that’s what you meant. Now to go search some drawers to see whether I can find DH’s ring that disappeared some time ago……
I remember bottle brush trees from my time in San Diego. Not the same thing! But I really loved those trees, Judy. Good luck with your search!
a couple of months ago lost my prescription driving glasses. I looked everywhere, decided to accept that they were gone and then I received a message from my dad where they were. I KNEW they were not there, but finally went and looked. They were right there. Should have known!!!
Great story, Jan!
I’m still looking for the 2francs piece that rollled from my desk a few years ago …. We even replaced the floor boards .. :-)
Where do these things go??? Someday you’ll find it.
I get so frustrated from losing earrings…it always seems to be the hook type for me…I went to Walmart and bought a package of those tiny plastic backings and I slide one of those on each hook so when the earring tries to slip off it gets stopped at the backing and can’t totally slip off my ear…Glad you found it!
I’ve used those before – but they are so tiny that I often lose them!