Mini barrister bookcase (and a foster kitten update.)
I never go to estate sales.
I used to, but at this point I’ve reached some kind of understanding that:
A- my time on earth is limited.
B- my eligibility for an episode of Hoarders is already imminent.
C- it is physically impossible to patrol a 100 mile radius around Philadelphia to ensure ALL OF THE THINGS ARE MINE.
It was basically for my own sanity that I had to back away.
In Philadelphia, estate sales are a professionally-run endurance sport: you have to show up hours before they start… get a number… wait in line… and then watch as all of the people in front of you walk out with the good stuff, (which was most assuredly NOT a bargain because even the crap no one wants is overpriced.)
Although, OBVIOUSLY if we drive by an unexpected estate sale, I basically leap out of the car before it’s stopped moving.
Which is what happened when we were driving through the middle of nowhere on a Saturday afternoon.
This petite little barrister is a combination I’ve not seen before!
You rarely see a barrister bookcase with claw feet… and I don’t know if it’s small because that was an option that Macey’s offered, or if it’s a salesman sample, or what.
Plus, it’s got a little drawer at the bottom where I can store other items of useless importance and unneeded fanciness!
Searching on eBay turned up nothing… although I did find this glorious representation of magic and inner peace embodied in a bookcase so far out of my price range that it fills me with sadness and covetous rage that my life will never be complete and I will have to die lonely and desolate.
Such a bummer.
Anyway. They wanted $150. I paid $100.
I don’t think that’s a STEAL… (I would have been way happier at $50,) but I couldn’t get them any lower, and I didn’t want to make the trip back the next day to see if they still had it.
Plus, it’s unique and I like anything oddly-sized. And it’s in perfect condition… these barristers usually start to have some veneer/finish issues, but this one is excellent!
We dumped it in the foyer because I have no spot in mind yet, which prompted me to realize that I never showed you the chalkboard mounted!
If you missed the acquisition of this brass antique set of hinged slate boards… it’s one of my favorite finds!
Hanging the chalkboard correctly (horizontally, so that the slate boards are moveable like book pages) would have made it too large for nearly any wall in this house, and I NEED the wall space I have left!
(WHO KNOWS WHAT GFT’S* 2017 WILL BRING?)
*Giant Fancy Things
Plus, this wall/location is where I wanted it visually… the size and shape are perfect for this small wall, and it adds interest (and note space) in the foyer, without adding any bulk.
On top of that, I feel like a vertical orientation is more sensible because it is OLD! Hanging it sideways would have placed stress on the far ends, and even though the hinges are huge, gravity is fairly persistent.
Paul cut a board to the outer width of the hinges, and then mounted that to the wall, (this way he hit all the studs, and the weight of the chalkboard is supported)… then we mounted the chalkboard to the board, which is mostly invisible now that it’s covered by the brass frame and hinges.
Since I was thinking of it, I searched to see if any more have come online for sale. (Because, why have one if you can have two?)
I didn’t find any. But I was reminded of this idea. Which I completely love and am storing away in case I find a fancy frame with no mirror. (Which I did one time, but had a mirror cut.) This would be such an easy DIY!
***
New topic: foster kittens update.
After much agony over left-behind kitten, when I called to go back for her – she had been adopted.
I am NOT sure I made the right decision with those three monkey babies. Most especially this one below (who got adopted with one of her sisters.) It actually hurts my heart to look at photos of her… I just want to reach through the screen and smooch her little face!!!
She was the one who was so sick, and she was my most favorite. (I know I’ve already told you this 47 times… sorry.)
I do not know how much of my ongoing attachment to her is the combination of that group being my first kitten fosters, mixed with losing Elvis, mixed with the basic fact of how lovable ANY kitten is.
On the other hand, I have emailed AND talked on the phone with her new mom (woman who took the two-kittens-who-got-adopted-together) and it could not be more clear how much she loves them… and that makes it livable.
I have not heard from left-behind-kitten’s new family. And that’s hard! But I realize that people have different levels of awareness about fostering. EVEN THOUGH they got a very personal letter from me about that specific kitten… it’s possible they did not even read it – maybe they just thought it was paperwork or something.
Either way, if I am going to do this, I have to accept a certain level of unknowing.
This is the crappy part.
Normally the way I deal with crappy parts is to just not do them… but I cannot see a solution here. I have to be able to accept and let go so that I can help more… like this little guy.
He is a MAD BUNDLE OF ENERGY… but after having three wild hooligans, having just one is like having NO cats at all!
He was plenty big when I got him, but too sick to get fixed. But once I brought him home, I was amazed at how quickly he started to feel better!
I got him fixed last week… and he’ll go to the adoption center when they have a spot for him. (no rush! I’m still snuggling him and telling him I love him!)
He is a love bug who comes when I call him and follows me around the house, so I know he will be adopted quickly.
Although, just like all the others – he refuses to understand how charming it would be if he would sit adorably in the tartan pram.
I tried to explain them that I need him to cooperate so that I can have the perfectly Christmas kitten Instagram. But he was all – lol lady, let me show you my claws… so I gave up on my dream and sold the pram yesterday to an adorable YOUNG guy who bought it for his mom’s Christmas present– she collects vintage dolls. He said that when he saw it he was like– oh my gosh! Mom will LOVE this!
I told him to be sure he told his mother that I said she clearly raised a superior human.
Anyway.
I am so thankful to have all of these kittens come through my life… they have made an enormous difference in how I have experienced Elvis’s death. I miss her UNBEARABLY. But also, this little guy marks 5 lives I have shared! Polydactyl kitty, the three sisters, and this boy! They have brought me joy and comfort and a feeling of truly making a difference, and I am deeply grateful for them.
AND FOR YOU… you are my people.
In case I haven’t told you lately how much I love you: your comments, your humor, having a place to share aspects of my personality that no one in my real life “gets”… Is a wonderful gift. Thank you for it.
Ok! I think that’s it! As of last night at midnight, both of my brothers are home and I finally feel like it’s Christmas!
MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HANUKKAH, MERRY SOLSTICE,
HAPPY NEW YEAR, MERRY BOXING DAY, HAPPY KWANZAA…
•••
WHATEVER HOLIDAYS YOU CELEBRATE,
I HOPE YOU GET TO SPEND THEM WITH THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE.
xoxo,
VEB
p.s.- I didn’t do any holiday posts this year because it was basically greenery and bows… no glitter cannons or life-sized disco reindeer, so please enjoy these recycled posts.
My “How To Make A Bow” post has now been pinned 147,989 times… please go pin it so I can make it to 150,000 and feel like my existence on earth has been validated via social media.
December 22, 2016 @ 1:00 pm
Nah, it’s the other way round; YOU have brought US oodles of love, hope, beauty, fun, incredible finds and tons of joy 🙂
Very, very Happy and Joyful Christmas to you and Paul and all your loved ones, as well as to all your lovely readers – and then a brilliant NEW YEAR full of GFTs and huge fun
Love, Kiki
December 22, 2016 @ 1:02 pm
Merry Christmas to you and your sweet family. I love the new foster kitty. I admire that you are helping so many cats through this program. I wouldn’t make it past the first lovable ball of fur…I’d have to adopt it and probably the other 10 I’d attempt to foster.
xo,
Karen
December 22, 2016 @ 1:09 pm
That bookcase is a little gem, I admire it greatly. Little cat man is also a gem- so glad you have a furpanion for the holidays! Peace and happiness and blessings to you and your crew.
December 22, 2016 @ 1:10 pm
Merry Christmas I love You too !!
December 22, 2016 @ 1:12 pm
Happy Christmas from NE Scotland! Love the barrister, love the slate, and LOVE the way the foster fellow is looking up at the sentiment on the board:) All the very best to you and yours in the New Year!!
December 22, 2016 @ 1:14 pm
You brighten my day. Thank you…….. and the happiest new year to you and yours.
December 22, 2016 @ 1:18 pm
Hats off to you and all the wonderful people out there who foster those unlucky souls who want nothing more than a chance for a loving home; I’m not sure i could foster without adopting, i just get so attached………and have the fur family to prove it:) wishing you and Paul and all the kitties a very Merry Christmas, following you always has been something i truly enjoy; I hope the New Year brings you an abundance of good fortune and happiness, tremendous GFT’s to show us, and many more foster babies to love on and care for!
December 22, 2016 @ 1:24 pm
You are a blast!
I wish I lived near you. I sooo get you!
Our husbands could commiserate together.
My nickname is (said with a Cuban accent):
LUUUUCY?!?!
If you are ever in Santa Cruz- give me a shout.
I would hire you to decorate my house!!
And, we could go out for drinks by the ocean!!
Stay sweet and funny!!!
Love,
Denise
December 22, 2016 @ 1:25 pm
Victoria,
Wishing you and Paul a Very Merry Christmas. I love your mini barrister and
I have never seen one either (which is saying something since I’ve been doing this longer than you’ve been on earth ;). Love the new kitten and with my whole heart commend you for fostering.
Hugs, Sharyl (Sage Farm Antiques) I’ll be in touch soon.
December 22, 2016 @ 1:43 pm
Love seeing your emails in my in-box. They always make me smile! Hope your holidays are wonderful!
December 22, 2016 @ 2:17 pm
Merry Christmas. I love reading your posts the are wonderful. I love all your GFT’s. I definitely live in the wrong place. 🙂 As for being a foster parent, good for you! I love dogs and cats and have thought about it, but I would have a hard time letting them go. Well, we’ll see, maybe if the future. Keep writing, it truly lifts my spirits. Thank you.
December 22, 2016 @ 2:20 pm
I love tuxedo kitties! I know you can’t keep them all, but you can keep him!! I’m sadly allergic to not only cats but to allergy shots.
Enjoy your holiday, I will look forward to the annual siblings jumping off the porch photo!
I didn’t decorate at all this year! Too stressed out and blue after the election disaster and a torn rotator cuff! Besides the relatives are going to their in laws this year so why bother? Maybe next year….
December 22, 2016 @ 3:04 pm
What a fun blog. Totally made my day. Victoria really has a way with words. If anyone knew I was reading about estate furniture and kittens they would wonder about me, but sometimes one just needs a writer with some serious personality to light up these winter days:)
December 22, 2016 @ 3:33 pm
I love your blog! It always makes me feel good … even when the subject can be sad. But, because you see things much the same offbeat way that I do – I end up smiling quite a bit as I am reading. Thank you and Merry Christmas!!
December 22, 2016 @ 4:07 pm
I always look forward to your posts — my little heart does a dance when I see the link pop up in my email. Love the bookcase and hearing about your fostering adventures. Enjoy your family time and Merry Christmas <3
December 22, 2016 @ 4:40 pm
I have two barrister bookcases, both of which I dearly love, but I have never seen one like this, and think it is about the cutest one I have ever seen! You lucky girl!!! In Washington State, that would have been easily $300 to $450 – even at an estate sale!! You score the very coolest stuff! Merry Christmas!
December 22, 2016 @ 4:55 pm
Christmas greetings to you, Paul and your families for this festive season… all the way from the land Down Under (Australia).
I absolutely adore your posts… they make me laugh out loud!! 🙂
Love all of your GFT’s and those gorgeous little fur balls. Keep up the good work and I look forward to hearing of your adventures throughout 2017.
December 22, 2016 @ 5:14 pm
Merry Christmas VEB!
I have been going to estate auctions and tag sales since I was 5! I am now 55 and had stuffed so many beautiful antique pieces in our home it was ridiculous! I am now on a mission to clear out some of my treasurs, but I still love estate sales! Your new small bookcase is so cute! I have never seen one so small! Great piece for a collection! 😀 I love your blog and you are so funny! You write with such wit and poise!
Have a wonderful Christmas and a blessed new year!
Blessings
December 22, 2016 @ 5:20 pm
Oh! I was hoping for a shot of the front porch with greens and bows and disco balls. That was so pretty.it had a kind of kiddy fairy tale quality. AnyHoo-any advice on my feral cat that is expecting another litter. I think she was pregnant once before but never saw any kittens or more adult offspring so either I am wrong or the kittens couldn’t make it. I have my son’s large Rottie in residence so she is reluctant to come in the house although he seems to understand not to hurt her. Should I find an organization that would help her-take her to my Vet for shots? Happy Holidays to everyone and heres to a wonderful 2017!
December 22, 2016 @ 5:21 pm
Merry Christmas!! I’m so proud of your fostering kittens!! Good job! Hope your next year brings many gft’s!!