I’m a backyard bird watcher and received my first birdfeeder easily 20 years ago as a birthday present. I’m on my second – or maybe third – feeder since then and it’s a fairly heavy-duty affair which includes a squirrel baffler (not that I have anything against squirrels though they can be piggish creatures who empty a feeder in record time).
I may, or may not, be known to talk to the birds as I’m filling the feeder (and I have a secret fantasy that includes a bird alighting on my finger a’ la Cinderella – or is it Snow White?) and I’ve always faithfully kept it full year round (birds get dependent – or so I’ve heard). That is until recently.
Five weeks ago today, my husband and daughter arrived home from work to discover a frozen water pipe had burst and brought down the ceiling (and insulation and lots of water) on both levels of our split-level (in the kitchen and family room) and my normally neat and organized life abruptly ended.
Please don’t get me wrong – compared to the problems so many people are facing – this is NOTHING – but it’s had a huge impact on me and on my birdfeeder.
As I type this, I’m looking into my backyard and my extremely forlorn and empty birdfeeder. Yep, in the chaos that’s ensued since the burst pipe my feeder has been empty for weeks.
However, empty is not a word you’d use to describe Jubilee Furniture! Wow – we are packed with amazing furniture finds! You’ve got to come in either today from 1 to 8 or tomorrow from 9 to 4 and see this stuff for yourself! Seriously.
Here’s a small peek at some of what’s been donated this week:
lovely – if a little faded – camel-back, floral, C.R. Laine sofa priced $195; blue velvet ottoman is $15 (something’s broken inside the ottoman and needs fixing)
fantastic color to this surprisingly good condition vintage La-Z-Boy desk chair (see rip in second photo though) – who knew La-Z-Boy made desk chairs? Priced $75
another cool retro piece – this time a swivel/recliner (recliner part needs some work) priced $85
lots of vintage pieces this week – this time it’s a Lane cedar lined bench/table. The bench part opens and then there are two cedar lined drawers. The vinyl on the bench has been dented by something (those aren’t buttons or anything like that) – not sure if you can soften the vinyl and those dents would come out (but the top is screwed on so you could take it off and re-cover) – this gorgeous piece is priced $145
fabulous dining set by Marshall Field’s which includes: buffet (it has a glass insert top) priced $325; table, 1 leaf and 8 chairs (6 armless and two armed – the two armchairs are on either side of the buffet) priced $475; one piece lighted china cabinet for $425. Can you see the beautiful inlaid wood on the dining table? Sigh. Love.
gorgeous Nichols and Stone chair for $65
beautiful old trunk priced $195
lovely moss green love seat for $95
small writing desk priced $30 (needs some TLC)
super nice two piece china cabinet – maybe ditch the top and use bottom piece for your flat-screen TV? – priced $195
two piece micro-fiber sectional/chaise (maybe from Sam’s Club?) – needs to be completely cleaned and some reinforcing done to one part of the back frame – priced $95 (cleaning could run you $150)
another great old trunk – this one priced $65
it may be be snowing – but spring and sitting outside are just around the corner (or I hope they are!) – this is a well-build, solid, heavy oval table with four chairs for $175; two extra chairs are priced $35 each
two cool retro chairs priced $20 for both – table top spins! and is priced $40
king-size head board, foot board and side rails priced $165; king mattress and box springs are $325 (super nice set)
lovely oak pedestal table, one leaf and four chairs (two with arms, two without arms) priced $225
gorgeous queen-size sleigh bed (head board, foot board and side rails – missing some hardware to put together) priced $325; matching, stair-step night stands priced $145 each
pedestal table, two leaves and four chairs for $65
gorgeous retro chair – no, not designed for someone with extremely short legs – it’s missing the seat cushion (easy fix) priced $50
white painted cedar lined chest for $40
As much as I wish I could say the dust, disorganization, loss of being able to walk into my kitchen, general confusion, workers in and out, and did I mention the dust. Which. Is. Everywhere. hasn’t impacted me, I can’t. It has.
It’s not that I haven’t had time to fill my birdfeeder – though I was out of birdseed which compounded the problem – but I felt tired and a little depressed whenever I was home.
Thankfully, we’re in the final stretch of putting our house to rights and I have a 50 lbs. bag of sunflower oilers in my van! Do I want to handle chaos in my home better in the future? Yes. Do I recognize having a fairly neat, clean and organized house are important to my mental well-being and I’m okay with that? Kinda.
Now if only I could get the birds to help me dust!
Hope you have a fairytale weekend, dear reader!
