Another antique spool cabinet.
Seeing as how I just bought an antique spool cabinet… And seeing as how there may (?) be a limit to the number of these things that any one person needs… I said to myself— I don’t need that.
But Self was like – what? No. Erroneous.
NOW WE CAN HAVE A COLLECTION.
It was Friday night. And I’d had a REALLY LONG WEEK. And traffic would be MADNESS… So I went and asked Paul to talk me out of it.
(Thank you for your concern. Obviously I am unwell.)
I said to him – please talk me out of this.
Paul said – that seems like a good price?
I was like – this is the part when you say things like: didn’t we JUST get a spool cabinet?
Paul said – should I look forward to a new era where you only show me things we are not getting? Should I revise my expectations of you in such a way that I will not expect you to get all of the spool cabinets in the entire world?
So then I had to trudge out.
I also got an EXTRA extra-useless item: a fancy antique towel bar.
I paid $15. Which is a total bargain if you are willing to overlook the lack of brackets and also my general having-no-actual-use-for-it… aside, (obviously) as Scepter of Magnificence, (with which to knight Paul.)
And also as Pointer of Seriousness, with which to emphasize diagrams and charts illustrating the mathematical impossibility of me telling my husband something 17 TIMES and him STILL NOT REMEMBERING.
The really thick glass rods with large glass/ball ends are SUPER hard to find!
Mine is missing the brackets for mounting… you can see what they should look like on this pair on eBay (shockingly, that is considered a GOOD price for a pair!)
(Also horrifyingly expensive and covetable is this one with faceted ends and brass hardware.)
These are the towel bars I really wanted to use in our bathroom remodels.
But:
finding a vintage set
in the varying sizes we needed
with all hardware accounted for
in a time frame not measured in years
that did not require me to get a second job working nightshift to fund my exciting towel odyssey.
Sounds awesome and like something I could really excel at questionable.
Back when we were doing the bathrooms, I was resistant to reproductions partly because they are expensive! (And have about zero variety. Especially if you want THICK glass.) And I couldn’t wrap my brain around spending so much money for something not old, and decidedly not a GFT.
Plus, I couldn’t even find any with glass ball ends. Except these which were disappointingly puny. And also stupidly expensive.
But I ended up buying hardware at an RH outlet sale… they had all the sizes I needed, for both baths, and were surprisingly well-priced.
At the time, I figured I could always swap them out when I found something vintage… (which is why we didn’t mount through the subway tile) but I have never given it any more thought ever again; so I guess my towel bar principles are not quite as stringent as I’d like to believe.
The End.
New topic:
My last week has put me in a hole of sadness… not only is the circus in town, (necessitating that I spend every free moment doing my best to raise awareness/please read the second part of this post!) I also took the foster kittens to the adoption center.
And every day since have second-guessed myself with the kind of paralyzed uncertainty that comes with knowing there is no good solution.
I am sad that the wild-herd-of-monkey-babies are gone… especially the one who was so sick and was my special favorite.
When I took them to the adoption center, they reached their little paws through the cage and cried at me. Just typing this I feel crushed.
But then I remember that today, and tomorrow, and everyday after that, I will get emails, asking for foster homes for OTHER BABIES who are sick and scared and need a home to get well in.
But then I remember this face: MOM! HELP!!! WHAT’S HAPPENING?
What kind of monster am I?
Then the adoption center called me last night to say that two of them were going home together… which on one hand, wonderful. But I couldn’t feel good about it because my heart hurt for the one they didn’t want… she is a sweetheart and I know she will get adopted too, but she won’t have her sisters.
Paul really enjoyed my lengthy dissertation on:
hysteria,
I’ve done the wrong thing,
what if the kitten’s new mom doesn’t understand she has to be their mom. FOREVER?
I miss Elvis,
but what about poor left-behind-cat,
maybe I should go get her,
I should have kept them ALL,
maybe I should just go get new fosters tomorrow,
maybe I should find out who adopted the first two and try to get them back, and also get their sister back.
I’ve lost control of this narrative and I don’t have the energy to fix it so I’m signing off.
Please enjoy this video of a cat raised in a horse barn.
November 16, 2016 @ 11:14 am
OH MAN….that spool cabinet for what????????????? Drool, yes Drool and spontaneous bouts of jealously. So , I congratulate your good fortune. Really, its not half heart’d at this moment. Enjoy.
November 16, 2016 @ 11:15 am
Thank you for the dose of fabulous- -and all the kitty love. You are extra special!!
November 16, 2016 @ 11:18 am
Please forgive me if this is a silly question, but why did you not adopt one? It seems there is a hole to fill and something fuzzy and warm and needy sounds perfect! Your heart is too large to stay empty. You will never replace Elvis but you will start a new love-pet journey I hope.
November 16, 2016 @ 11:25 am
not at all a silly question… I’ve been asking myself it on repeat.
I feel like when we adopt a new cat it needs to be an adult… Kittens get adopted SO FAST! And we can give a home to an older unwanted cat… and I just haven’t felt like I was “ready” to find that cat yet, so fostering seemed like a good fit… although, Paul pointed out that there was no scenario in which I was not devastated to give up baby furballs.
November 16, 2016 @ 12:16 pm
Thank you-I understand. My sister adopted a momma cat- all her kittens got picked but she was left. You’ll know when you know!😻😻
November 16, 2016 @ 12:24 pm
I have always adopted older cats and absolutely love them!!! You are right that they often are overlooked. I have a 12 year old cat ( adopted when she was 4 yrsold) and a 2 year old cat that we rescued as a kitten from the side of the road. Having 2 cats is delightful! Whatever you decide you did a wonderful thing fostering those kittens ❤️
November 16, 2016 @ 12:42 pm
We also adopt adults–fairly young ones that we should have for a long time. But kitten siblings are wonderful. They are so happy together.
Love, love, love the video!
November 16, 2016 @ 12:48 pm
Could you not adopt an adult AND a kitten? We adopted an adult male tabby, Pablo, who has been the light of our lives and recently added a little black female, Paloma. It has worked out beautifully. Observe:
https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipN_u0EywbOlYRZijHGes0mcaIx85mS1EA34Tm-e0foXTiSXmIFfRqZJj36-pjlKCA/photo/AF1QipPmk8ROd4OYaUGV-t8QYoxq95ZsVgIaZkf4_97l?key=Zmd5YU9NTWtUUHFzYTlneGh6YWtWWmtCcTh2c1RR
I like the idea also of fostering a Mama with kittens and maybe keeping her and the littlest kitten. I love your heart for fostering, though. Keep up the good work!
November 16, 2016 @ 2:25 pm
The answer is a water dish and some food on the front porch, the kitty that needs you most will find you. (Also a few bunnies and a racoon ir two – do not be deterred by this!) Toss away cats haunt our Virginia neighborhood, I am feeding several who have gone from starved to sleek, thank you IAMS, and sassy.
November 16, 2016 @ 11:19 am
Hurry and go get left-behind-cat or a new foster cat/s fast. Your heart needs it. They need you. It’s a win, win.
Cool spool cabinet, Paul was right, I said the same thing too, “that’s a good price”. What a sweet husband you have there. He’s a keeper!
November 16, 2016 @ 11:20 am
Love your blog. I don’t get it very often though…just once in awhile. Wow, $40 for a spool cabinet?…with all the thread! Unbelievable cheap find! I feel for you, wondering if you did the right thing about the cats. My heart goes out to all strays and unwanted’s. You and I love beautiful things…saw your bathroom…wonderful! Paul is a “wonder man.”
November 16, 2016 @ 11:23 am
I just read the other comments…yes, I think you should adopt the last kitty. I loved Elvis, but you can “fill that void” with some other kitty. (I know, there will never be another Elvis!) I believe in cat heaven, don’t you? Also, “dog heaven.” Can’t imagine a “heaven” without my animals.
November 16, 2016 @ 11:29 am
Sweetie, I agree with all the others who commented. Go find yourself a new kitty. Get the one who wasn’t adopted. Elvis doesn’t want you to feel lonely. He wants you to be loved and to give love.
November 16, 2016 @ 11:36 am
If it’s any comfort, remember that their biological mothers run/cut them off, too, and that leaving the nest is a part of growing up for animals and humans alike.
That being said, I don’t know how you did it! But may blessings rain down upon you for what you do.
I am so jealous of your spool cabinets. I have a Giant Fancy Jewelry habit, and love your GFJs look in the cabinet! You should make more glorious necklaces to hang from your towel racks. You could sell them (to me) to fund your GFT habit.
November 16, 2016 @ 11:45 am
I love, love, love your blog. I also have a love of GFT, but hubby doesn’t get it. God bless Paul. Get a kitty when you’re ready (it kind of sounds like you are). I have 6 fur babies, 3 of each and they range in age from 5 to 17, the oldest being Checkers the calico who us queen of the brood and the rest of them know it. Think of a new fur baby as an early Christmas gift!
November 16, 2016 @ 11:47 am
I look forward to discovering how you will incorporate the spool cabinets into your Christmas decorations!
November 16, 2016 @ 11:47 am
My theory: If one of something is great, then two of the same thing are even better! Someday all these treasures will cause you to buy a larger home, and I look forward to that remodeling journey! My husband and I look forward to our retirement; we plan to find an older home and restore it. Honestly, it’s either in your DNA or it isn’t. It’s a dominant gene with my husband and I.
Beloved furry family members…you always know when the right ones touch your heart. Give yourself the needed time after Elvis, and when you’re ready, you’ll know. I’m with you, people always take the kittens and puppies, give me the older one that everyone else passes over. It’s like winning the lottery when you find that special new family member!
November 16, 2016 @ 11:56 am
Spool cabinet~wowzers and awesomeness!!! I covet such a wonderful, truly useful thing(and appreciate it for its usefulness, being a seamstress and all), but, but, the Scepter!!! Ermigard!!! I would be knighting any exceptionally good man(my hubs being first and foremost), and then proceeding to flit about with said Scepter and possibly fairy dust-truly, it is faery tale worthy!!
So, speaking from a cat perspective(whilst my three furballs attempt to all sit in my lap at the same time, because that’s what they do when mom is on the computer), adopting an older cat is a GENIUS idea!! I, too, have a very soooooft spot for the down and out, or older kitty. I also believe ppl who love cats as much as we do, need to have a cat to shower with the cat love we are so totally capable of. Our oldest, Tequila, was from the shelter, and when we saw her, knew she was ours~she had come from a home with two little boys, who had given her the worst haircut(including whiskers :O )and seemed so pathetic-to this day, she has been my ultimate favorite kitty with all her ornery-ness and ppl-like qualities. Our second kitty, Kahlua, was also a shelter kitty, and I do believe she is part feral-she was the only kitten in the shelter not trying to get out, but rather far off in a corner and shaking wishing the whole world would just swallow her up. She will stay in my lap the longest, will chat the longest, but has days where we don’t see her at all as she huddles under beds. Lastly, our Sambuca, is a tuxedo kitty like Elvis. He is very aware he is the low man on the cat totem pole in this household, but he is just so darn cute. He was not a kitten, but a young adult when we got him, so very well behaved when he came home-to this day, he still only scratches on the scratch post and cat tower. So, more is better in our household, and I have totally rambled…..but, I tell you, cat ppl NEED to love cats…so, go bless some older cat with your wonderful, big hearts….
November 16, 2016 @ 11:58 am
That spool cabinet (and all the thread!) is so amazing! Too good of a deal to pass up. I’m glad Paul helped you out when Self didn’t have strong enough arguments to immediately sway you. And that brass towel bar you linked to! We’re renting an old Craftsman, and all of our doorknobs are that cut glass–they’re so magnificent! It would be fun to have a towel bar to match, but somehow I don’t think our landlord would spring for it.
I worked as a vet tech at a shelter for several years (before staying home with kids full time), and worked with foster moms A LOT. I gotta say, the fact that you loved those little kittens so much and literally saved their lives is so important! I’m sure your rescue group will do a great job preparing their new families for success.
Also, I’ve seen that prancy cat video before–I always wonder if he has cerebellar hyperplasia, but he is so cute regardless!
And lastly in this giant comment, thank you for protesting the circus! You’re doing incredibly important work there!
November 16, 2016 @ 11:59 am
Cat raised in a horse barn is adorable. LOL
not sure I could have taken the kittens back to be adopted
I have one adopted cat and he is adorable
Jealous of your spool cabinet find (really)
November 16, 2016 @ 12:05 pm
Hello Victoria. This is the first official posting I have received since signing up to follow your blog. I just want to say thank you to you for opening up your heart and thoughts to all your readers, and respectfully letting us express comments and opinions on which direction you should follow with your kitty decision. Here is my two cents:
I had my cat until she was 22 and started to have a hard time towards the end. I made the choice to have her put down with the veterinarian at our house, with my grown children and even my ex there. Cleo had some crushed up bacon as a treat, and then we all gathered for the time she had left. It was very special, and quiet and with love that we sent her off…. I wanted to give you an abbreviated version of that day, so you have a better understanding of what I am about to say. I too, had a huge void once Cleo died, and I chose to adopt 2 adult cats shortly afterward to fill the void. I chose the 2 cats I did, because I saw them online and recognized them as cats a former co-worked had had for years, and she gave them up to get a dog instead! I couldn’t believe it! So I automatically went down to the SPCA here and adopted them. Later the former co-worker found out I had adopted them, and I think she was ashamed of her choice, but I really didn’t care what she thought, because I couldn’t imagine what those poor cats went through after living with their family for 9 years, and then being shipped off to the SPCA because the family was tired of having them! Sigh! Now here’s the thing…. I am happy that I was able to rescue those poor shell shocked cats, but I really hadn’t given myself time to grieve and recover over Cleo before I adopted the other two, and I think because of that, I am not able to fully give my heart to those two. So if you feel you are unable to give your heart 100% to a new kitty, then don’t do it until you are able. It takes time to grieve, mourn and recover over the death of a loved one, whether they have fur or not. Give yourself time…. Let your heart tell you when you are ready again.
Okay! So that’s that , and that’s the end of my opinion! I just felt super strong in this opinion, and since you open yourself up to us, your readers, I wanted to open up to you as well.
Pamela
November 16, 2016 @ 12:18 pm
Thank you for this… it’s precisely why I haven’t adopted a new one permanently. I WANT to fill the void, but I’m afraid it’s too soon.
xoxo
November 16, 2016 @ 12:51 pm
I agree. I lost two cats within a month of each other (I think the second one died of grief–even though she was my best beloved, the other cat was first in her heart). A few months later my nephew asked me to take his cat because he was moving and couldn’t keep it. We didn’t feel ready but really couldn’t say no. I love cats so of course was very fond of him, as well as of the other cat we got to keep him company, but we have never been as attached to these cats as we were to those we lost. Take all the time you need.
November 16, 2016 @ 12:32 pm
Your story make me cry.
November 16, 2016 @ 12:05 pm
Do the balls unscrew from the rods on your towel bars? The ones on ebay are great but yours might require a different bracket. I live in California and have never seen such antique coolness!
November 16, 2016 @ 12:07 pm
PS, get a kitty
November 16, 2016 @ 12:07 pm
Love your big heart and your fun sense of decor.
I think you should ask the Universe for a sign as to whether that kitten left behind should be your Elvis replacement.
It has always been my belief that cats pick their owners. <3
November 16, 2016 @ 12:35 pm
I really LOVE your comments but they are almost impossible to read with an ad popping up every three sentences or so. Cant they be in one place? I literally could not read this blog. Sorry. You are very funny. I think….
November 16, 2016 @ 12:45 pm
Urrrgh! That should NOT happen. There should never be anything that pops up (or plays audio) but some ads get around the restrictions. If you have the time/inclination to tell me what ad, if I have the link or a screenshot, I can report it to the company who manages the ads.
I REALLY appreciate when people let me know they have issues! (I know it’s easier to just close the window and move on!!)
November 18, 2016 @ 2:23 pm
I agree with Sandra about the ads. The JCPenney one with the shoe will not leave me alone!!! Makes me want to boycott them!! Love the blog and take your time on a new fur baby!!
November 16, 2016 @ 12:36 pm
The spool cabinet is fabulous. You do need a kitty. The house must seem so empty and they need you. And I agree with Julia, cats do pick their owners. So go get picked out.