I Had a Vision

Sorry I haven't been keeping in touch. It's been a good type of manic week and I've been accomplishing a lot of physical labour. Thursday I cut up a mattress into manageable strips, rolled the up, tied them with Christmas ribbon (I had no twine) and put them out on Friday for the rubbish man. Friday I demolished a 6 foot long, all wood chest of drawers and a mattress box spring with nothing but a hammer and my bare hands. Today I tore apart an antique vanity - that was ridiculously well made I might add. I will regret ripping apart later as I found the manufacturer's seal inside and I'm sure the Antiques Road Show would have probably told me it was worth like $2k or something.

Last week, however, in my endless time at home, I had a vision. I've been known to scare people with my visions before. They tend to be a bit outlandish but I generally bring them to fruition.

Last year my buddy JC and I went up to the good ol' Webster Flea Market for my birthday where I picked up two old chests for whopping $10 a piece. Grandma wasn't very happy because I my house was already packed full of this and that. One was a very distressed wooden chest that I find absolutely beautiful. The other was a green traveling chest with the original metal closing things, hinges, lock and key (The debris surrounding it in the picture below it is that of the former dresser. My living room has been my work shop.).





I picked these up because I've always wanted my home office to look kinda like an old, rich man's study with forgien type stuff so I'd seem travelled. Over time I have collected a lot of very nice and interesting pieces from around the globe.

I also have a love of old books (I am diving WAY off subject here, lo siento) the earliest being Maunder's Biographical Treasury dating back to 1851 (NOTE: I do not own the updated 1854 version of this book. I have the original edition cause I'm bad ass), which talks about the origin of the big three religions, Islam, Christianity and Judaism. The book states Mohammed, founder of the Islamic religion, was illiterate and unable to write down his teachings. Two of his friends, a Christian and a Jew, aided him in the physical writing of the Koran. Ironic, huh?

My other favorites are my first editions: Winston Churchill's Richard Carvel, (1899); The Gathering Storm, also by Churchill (1948), which is the first of 6 books containing his memoirs; and the newer first addition classics, Anne's Rice's Interview With the Vampire; Mario Puzo's The Godfather; Jay Anson's The Amityville Horror (I used to keep this one on my nightstand). In addition to those, I also have a ton of books that date from the late 1800's through the eraly 1900's. I have two large bookcases in my office packed full of books (all hardcovers of course - you know me) and unfortunately I've had to put the ix-nay on book buying.

Now that we've gone through all that, my apologies for the delay - let's head back to the vision.

I've had this green chest standing upright in my office for the past year. I always wanted to get some vintage travelling/vacation stamps to put on it so I could get the cultured, travelled look I so deeply desire. I searched the web for these items at little to no avail. Then one night, all the sudden it came to me (kinda like the whole concept of the $1 move in program as I was drinking coffee on a Sunday morning, playing Final Fantasy XII).

My Vision

I know I need to go back and shore up the tilted top shelf, but when I have a vision I got to get going. The whole job took me about a half hour. Jeff was a little irritated with me because he wanted to go to the Home Depot to pick up some new wood for the interior and all the right hardware but I refused. The wooden inside support and shelves were left over pieces from the big ass dresser that went bye bye. I had nails and a hammer at the house. I even got to use my jigsaw. Total Price: $10.

I am SO FUCKING PROUD of both my vision and the outcome of what is now a very unique piece of furniture which I am displaying quite proudly in my office. The fact I used recycled materials is the icing on the cake.

I've had 2 other visions. I believe one will be a much lengthier process with 2 items I'll have to purchase. I have to buy some paints for the other, but I'm not 100% sold on it due to the fact I do not have a knack for drawing. I do, however, think the idea for latter is wonderful and the first creation will be a prototype. And guess what, both of these will also utilize recycled materials I have in my home. I'm crafty in more ways than one.

Jeff and I have our 2 person family dinner on Sunday nights. On the menu tonight - Mushroom Sauced Pot Roast.

I'm sorry but I must depart now to clean up what's left of the vanity. I'll try to be back as soon as possible. I've been lazy on my hiatus.

Sincerely:

June Cleaver
Betty Crocker
Martha Stewart
Bob Villa

P.S. Just finished dinner - it was off the chain. Let me know if you want the recipe. It literally had less than a 10 minutes prep time and sat in the crock pot for 6 hours. The perfect Sunday dinner for the fam!