It’s been a while since something was too big for the stairwell and had to go up to the roof… *VIDEO*
This post is sponsored by Paul’s patience. All opinions are my own.
After the kitchen-bookcase-misappropriation, I excommunicated Self; denying her Craigslist access and banning her from a position of power.
I said – Self, that was the last straw. You can no longer be trusted… as punishment, we are NEVER buying anything ever again.
Self whispered – I think we should buy something else RIGHT NOW.
I said – NOTHING. EVER. AGAIN.
Self said – or, we could drive directly to the bank and take out all of the money… have you considered that option? Then we can get this mirror.
This sounded like a better plan, so I went and showed Paul. I asked him – if I get a good price for this mirror, will you get it up to the second floor?
Paul said – no.
He said this casually… as though he had never met me before.
I consulted Self to see how we felt about this, and she said — this is why Paul married you: to save him from making horribly erroneous mistakes in life.
So I bid on it.
I won.
$200.
Self said — congratulations! WE ARE A WINNER.
I had to go pick it up by myself, because I hadn’t yet figured out how to tell Paul that I had decided I didn’t like his answer… and rather than have a conversation about it, I had chosen to take a page from his book and act like WHAT?
ARE YOU SURE WE TALKED ABOUT THIS?
I DON’T REMEMBER THAT.
YOU MUST BE WRONG.
I was excited to see how he liked this version of language exchange which some-people-named-my-husband enjoy substituting for conversation.
I was also excited to consider that I may be approaching a time when I operate independently of constraints such as: what is my husband’s opinion?
I mean, it’s even possible that I might eventually graduate to: THERE ARE NO RULES NOW.
Why have I not thought of this before now?
On the way home, I calculated how many people I would need to help me get it upstairs… just incase Paul refused to be involved.
I decided I needed one Paul. Or ten, non-Paul regular people with some moving skills.
Sadly for Paul, I only know people who are idiots like myself, so he had to help after all.
Before we can mount it to the wall, I have to order some corbels… I haven’t decided between fancy or extra-fancy.
To understand how we’ll support the mirror from below, read this post… to understand how I’ll use the corbels, look at this post/ fourth photo down.
October 28, 2015 @ 2:07 pm
Your posts are one of the bright spots in my life. I honestly think you should find an agent and get a publishing deal. Read David Sedaris’ books…they are hilarious episodes of his life. You are every bit as funny….you could call it the Craigslist Chronicles!
October 28, 2015 @ 3:37 pm
I would absolutely read that.
October 28, 2015 @ 2:25 pm
This is classic Victoria Elizabeth Barnes and what keeps me always looking forward to another post. That mirror is gorgeous and the price well what a steal. Hubby says no sometimes but always gives in like Paul. Keep the videos coming. Love your style and love Elvis too.
October 28, 2015 @ 2:50 pm
So funny. Yes, Paul sounds like a wonderful, if not patient, husband. I know. I have one of my own. Loved the mirror.
October 28, 2015 @ 3:11 pm
You are so blessed to have Paul! My husband is not that flexible and would have said NO a long time ago. But I love you spunk and your design style and you two were a match made in Heaven!!
October 28, 2015 @ 3:29 pm
You have one amazing husband.
October 28, 2015 @ 3:36 pm
It is sometimes easier to ask for forgiveness than it is to beg for permission.
October 29, 2015 @ 4:21 am
Linzy, I’m gonna quote you from now on – spot on remark! Thank you; you made my day (as I didn’t have time to read all of VEB’s links, comments, videos, photos yesterday….. – SHE definitely made my day yesterday!!!)
Kiki
October 28, 2015 @ 3:40 pm
You are amazing! I worship at your amazing wifely feet!! You also both Dance very well 🙂
Your devoted follower
October 28, 2015 @ 4:21 pm
I got deleted? was it something I said? Sorry whatever it was…………………
October 28, 2015 @ 4:26 pm
Duh? Didn’t realize you had gotten to two pages already
October 28, 2015 @ 5:12 pm
Mirror shmirror just excited to see Elvis looking so sprightly!!!
October 28, 2015 @ 5:51 pm
Do you think your sponsor would be interested in working with my blog? Because here at The Little White House, we could use a dose of patience and a load of muscles!
October 28, 2015 @ 6:30 pm
I love you (and Elvis and Paul) as much as the next person but it did occur to me that your gorgeous new mirror is small enough to have been taken through the front door and up the stairs. If this is true – extra credit for the long way around just to amuse your readers! Thanks for that and for Elvis…she looks well and I hope she’s doing well, too.
October 28, 2015 @ 9:08 pm
I wondered at that too but then I realized that A. It must be fairly heavy and B schlepping it up a stairway – second person- bent in half and winding up with all the weight because of the lifting angle– down a hall way and
to its ultimate destination might be a wee bit more difficult than just scooting it up into the window with a pull rope and a bit of directing its trajectory.
October 28, 2015 @ 10:19 pm
Another beautiful mirror! Saw a beautiful antique ornate china cabinet on craigslist in lansdale, pa for only $200.00, just in case you have room for it in your kitchen design!
October 29, 2015 @ 4:35 am
Finally, dearest – I have read all of your post, seen and admired all of the pics AND the gorgeous video, gone through all the links back to Adam and Eve – AND all the comments (I think nearly 70 right now) – and my heart is filled with happiness, my face cracked with smile wrinkles, my espresso spilled over the tablecloth with roses….. I’m a happy woman, thanks to you & Paul & still lovely Elvis (long may she live)!
I was torn over the corbels because thought, with what you’ve got there you wouldn’t need any further ones….. (and yes, as a Swiss living in France I had to look up ‘corbels’ – learning something every day) and IF, surely not the extra fancy ones….. but hey, I’m me and not extra fancy Queen of Fancy Things Victoria! Then I thanked the lucky stars because one of your readers stated the same thing AND you agreed – so my day was doubly saved!
I wish I could show this post to my Hero Husband because we have the very same argument style (pipes & mirrors) every so often, only about other vital/totally so not important issues!!! but he really isn’t into house renovating blogs and I want to keep him 🙂 I decided just to laugh into his wonderful kind face when he gets too heavy on me and then he has to laugh too – and the world is saved for another day.
Thank you my wonderful, funny, hilariously crazy and over-fancy unknown friend – for those posts (I still have to read all the older stuff…. an extra treat I have in store for ‘one day’) – love you to bits, and Paul just as much (and a kiss for Elvis), Kiki
October 29, 2015 @ 11:27 am
If the question is “fancy” or “extra-fancy,” the answer is ALWAYS “extra-fancy.”
October 29, 2015 @ 5:06 pm
Hmmm.. reminds me of the 10 X 20ft Chinese rug I won at auction, conveniently forgetting that none of my rooms are big enough for it. It lives freshly cleaned & wrapped in all it’s koi glory on my front porch until I can find it a new home. Need a really pretty rug?
October 29, 2015 @ 11:43 pm
Victoria, I am so glad you won the mirror at an auction…and for two hundred dollars!
I’ve been going to auctions for quite a while and here’s what I know: MOST people who are interested in a specific lot will have hammer-price maximums in their heads like, “$50,” or “$100,” or “$200.”
Strategy One: when I’m interested in a lot that I think might go for a hundred dollars (for example), the maximum in MY head is $110 or $125, depending on the bid increments.
I won a 27” Villeroy and Boch apron sink (new) and an 1895 double-round Koken barber chair (needs massive restoration); $210 each.
I won a table lamp with a taxidermied rattlesnake inside (used; I had a local taxidermy shop open the lamp and clean the snake) and a vessel sink (new) for the master bathroom; $60 each.
I did win a Victorian fainting couch for an even two hundred dollars. I was present in the auction house and was bidding against one online bidder. Once the bid hit a hundred dollars, the bid increment was ten dollars. Eventually, online bid $190, I bid $200, and there was no answer from the online bidder.
Second Strategy: when I’m bidding, I don’t take my paddle down until I either win the bid or give up; I have the auctioneer’s attention for the entire lot. He doesn’t have to keep looking for me.
By the way, I paid for the Victorian fainting couch with “my fives.” Every time I get a five-dollar bill in change, I rat-hole it until I want something that Dave thinks we don’t need or is too much money. Third Strategy: “But, it’s my FIVES!”
P.S. Have you ever searched [pier mirror] in Google Images? Some of the images look very familiar!
October 31, 2015 @ 7:53 am
Is there really a decision between fancy and extra fancy corbels? Who are you and what have you done with Victoria Elizabeth Barnes?
October 31, 2015 @ 7:56 am
Plus, who knew Amazon sells corbels?
November 2, 2015 @ 3:20 pm
You are like me. Sometimes I wonder, WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING THIS FOR? AM I GETTING ANYWHERE? Does this accelerate aging?
November 3, 2015 @ 7:35 am
Uh, I can see I’m late to this party. Victoria Elizabeth Barnes you are one funny lady and gifted storyteller. I too, have a Victorian house in a constant state of spiffing, sprucing and gussying up, though my 1888 farmhouse is a bit more of a country mouse than sophisticated city girl. (Cue Aaron Copeland and Grant Wood.) While my English Bulldog uses most upholstered surfaces as a napkin, and I am unfamiliar with the ancient practice of folding clothes, and my project list exceeds any life expectancy found in an actuary table, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Home is where my heart is and as I can see, yours as well. So congratulations on the wonderful life and love you’ve built, and thank you for allowing us to visit, laugh and find a good neighbor in your blog.