Jody’s Neighborhood

Being a total pain in the ass to the person who's normally a pain in my ass.

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Frequently, I will fall madly in love with a piece of furniture that leaves even my closest friends & allies scratching their heads in confusion. Such was the case with my new desk. When I first showed it to my husband, I could tell he was skeptical, but knew better than to say so...When the glimmer is in my eye, just back away.

It was love at first glance on Craigslist for me: 

As you can see from the original photo, the desk & chair look a bit rough around the edges; the image itself was taken from inside a cramped storage locker of some sort. I knew, however, from first sight, we were destined to do great things together.

So I contacted the owner to arrange a viewing. We had several conversations over the course of a few days while attempting to fit our schedules together and I learned that the desk had belonged to his mother and he had the pity-able task of sorting out her belongings. I told him that I was a furniture maker and would take really good care of it...that I wasn't sure if I would refinish it, or leave it alone, but either way it would be loved. In a small way, I think these exchanges may have been a bit therapeutic for him, as I sensed he was perhaps a bit choked up on the other line.

I should mention, in addition to being incredibly kind, he was also extremely fair with the price ($45 for desk, chair, & mirror) and generously offered to deliver it to me for free.

So yesterday, when he showed up, it was an easy no brainer. I saw it on the truck, knew it was love, handed him the money, and brought it in the house. It was a little dirty from being in storage, but a little simple green & elbow grease was all it took to clean up nicely: 

While pulling out one of the drawers, my husband discovered hidden treasures had fallen into the back of it. I couldn't believe it - a beautiful desk AND hidden treasure! I had hit the jackpot. The best things we found: an antique bottle opener, stolen from a San Francisco hotel called The Raphael; a porcelain lid to a tiny box (this must have made her CRAZY trying to find it); an old silver swiss army knife? or nail cutter?; and best of all - a tiny gold skeleton key with a #2 on it.

Doesn't that just peak your sense of wonder & adventure like crazy???!!!! WHAT on earth does that key open and HOW will I find it?

Well, those questions may have to go unanswered. I plan to call the man today and offer him what I found...but I'm REALLY hoping he doesn't want them back, because I love them so much! I would like to keep them with the desk, either displayed behind my computer or in a shadow box on the wall. Each item has so much history and so many secrets to tell...If I am allowed to keep them, I know they will provide endless inspiration and possibly good luck while spending long hours feverishly writing at this desk.

 

May you find joy in the little things around you.

What's your a favorite holiday memory?

Getting a puppy. And my sister being so psyched out about attacking her stocking that she stepped right over the dog without even noticing her.

www.nataliedee.com

These got put up today n they freak me out, keep thinking they're customers lol
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14:30 I think Wilton's motorized cookie press wins the Most Awkward Design award. Why is the big button reverse rather than the small painful one?

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Final tally from my office holiday drives: For the Ottawa Food Bank - over 350 pounds of food and $225. For the SPCA of Western Quebec (who helped out with that big husky rescue in the Laurentians last month): $85 plus assorted leashes, collars, treats, toys, and food.

I thought our poundage was more than that, based on last year's reported 480 pounds, but hey, I can only assume they give me the right numbers.

For every dollar donated to the Food Bank, it counts as five dollars in distribution, FYI. Money-wise, we only had $20 last year, so I would say we did about the same overall.

For the SPCA, we had more stuff last year, but no money, so I think we came out ahead, and they were thrilled with everything.