Saturday, August 24, 2013

Appropriate Measures


What I measured today:
  • things crossed off a "to-do" list
  • things I still need to do
  • the number of views of a blog-post
  • the number of tenths of a pound lost or gained
  • the number of hours before I could leave my day job

I even measure things that haven't happened yet.
  • How many hours I will be able to devote to projects
  • How many projects I will complete
  • How many photos can I take?
  • How many Etsy items should I list this weekend?
  • How many days before my insurance check is deposited?
  • How many roofers should I call?


Sometimes I try to measure intangible things.

  • How many days should I wait before calling again?
  • How much of my dinner should I eat, and how much should I put in a doggie bag?
  • How much time should I allow to prepare a speech?
  • How long should it be? How many discussion questions?


Try as I may to live in the moment, the need to measure and quantify things persists. I have always been a list maker.
And as many lists as I make and prioritize, somehow they never seem to work out perfectly. There are things left undone. 

And I suppose that's not a bad thing. Having no "to-do" list is something I would not like - at least for an extended period. I'd have to make a new list...to get some new "to-do's."

But I will try not to obsess. I will try to achieve balance. My life is more than projects and white paint. Things will get done when they get done. I will clean my house. I will blog. I will rest. I will have dinner with friends, drink coffee with my aunt, and watch something on Netflix. And if while I watch Netflix, I happen to be painting the 7th small item of the evening, so be it. 

Progress is being made...inch by inch, and tenth of a pound by tenth of a pound, and small project by small project.

Word for the Day
Job 38:4-5
“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
    Tell me, if you have understanding.
Who determined its measurements—surely you know!
    Or who stretched the line upon it?


Possibly Linking with:

Monday

Make it Pretty Monday
Mod Mix Monday

Tuesday

Vintage Inspiration Tuesday
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
The Scoop
The Scoop
Inspire Me Tuesday

Wednesday

Wow Us Wednesday
Blissfully White Wednesday
What’s it Wednesday

Thursday

Thursday Open House Party
Time Travel Thursday
Share Your Cup Thursday

Friday

Feathered Nest Friday
Fabulously Creative Friday
Rustic Restorations Weekend

Saturday


Saturday Nite Special

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

1931 Vintage Sterling Silver Trophy Lamp Update and Kindness


OK, people. I really DO value your opinions, and when I ask for them, I mean it.

That being said, I'm keeping the 1931 sterling silver golf trophy someone turned into a lamp. 


Just in case you didn't notice it in a photo in my last post, here it is again. I switched the shade for one I already had, and I think it suits. Here's the other one I had put on it:



While it looks more vintage and in line with the curves and age of the lamp, my living room is a happy mix of a few modern lines and old crusty stuff. 




BUT that's not the most exciting thing! (Yes, I could get giddy over a lamp shade, but no. That's not the gist of this post.)

The most exciting thing is that somehow my post caught Robin's eye. Robin comes from a family of golfers, and was able to explain some things to me in terms a person who might buy a copy of "Golfing for Idiots," namely, me, would understand:


This piece appears to be a trophy from a golf tournament. To make playing fun for all of the participants, the organizers of these tournaments separate players into "Flights" based on their handicaps. That way, the very best players are placed in the "Championship Flight". As the players' handicaps got higher, they were placed in higher numbered flights. So whoever won this trophy probably had a high handicap, with no chance of winning the entire tournament, but at least they won for their flight..which was comprised of other players with the same handicap. Make sense? If you could figure out where the trophy was won, you may be able to contact the country club to find out "Who" won the Seventh Flight in their Invitation Tournament in 1931. And knowing that our country was in a severe depression in 1931, I would think this was won by someone of extreme privilege. And if that is the case, who else played in that tournament? Sam Snead or Byron Nelson or Ben Hogan? I'm just saying...you have some rich history with this piece!I hope this helps.Robin

But wait, it gets even MORE exciting! Robin is a very bright person - sort of Sherlock Holmes bright. 


That being said, I was almost floored to get an offer I couldn't refuse!


Hi Revi,
It was my pleasure offering what little I know about the world of golf tournaments  Do you know the name of the golf club?  I couldn't tell from the picture if the blue emblem was part of the trophy and if so, did it say RGC?  Because of the year, 1931, I have to believe this tournament was attended by the elite of the elite because who had money to belong to a country club in 1931.  I found a Riverhill Golf Club in Texas and the course was created by Byron Nelson.  I bet if you took a photo of the emblem and emailed it to potential courses, they would hopefully be able to tell you if that was their logo at one time in the past.  Just a thought...I'm a sentimental old fool and find such pleasure learning about the pieces I work on.  
Also, it looks as though the original piece was a vase and someone had it retrofitted into a lamp.  That would make sense to give out a vase as a trophy...not a lamp, fwiw.  I grew up in a golfing family and have several of my father's trophies.  Nothing sterling...all silver plated!  :(
If you are over researching it and want some help..I'd love to dig my teeth into this.  Not sure I could find anything more than what you have, but sometimes two sets of eyes are better than one!  :)
Anyway, congratulations on a great find!
Regards,Robin
Have I told you lately how much I really love blogging?
It's sort of like volunteering at church; you just meet the NICEST people there!

Check out Robin's blog:
http://rpkinteriors.blogspot.com/

Robin, you made my week, dear! 

Word for the Day:
Micah 6:8
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Possibly Linking With

Sunday

Sunday Show-off Link Party
Sunday Showcase Party
Monday

Masterpiece Monday
Make it Pretty Monday
Mod Mix Monday
Tuesday

Vintage Inspiration Tuesday
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
The Scoop
The Scoop
Inspire Me Tuesday
Inspiration Exchange Linky Party
Wednesday

Wow Us Wednesday
Blissfully White Wednesday
What’s it Wednesday
Cottage Style Party
What We Accomplished Wednesday
Thursday

Thursday Open House Party
Time Travel Thursday
Treasure Hunt Thursday
Share Your Cup Thursday
Friday

Feathered Nest Friday
Frugal Friday
Fabulously Creative Friday
Rustic Restorations Weekend
What’s Shakin’ Link Party
Weekend
Saturday

Saturday Nite Special
Get Schooled Saturday

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Post-Dog Rearranging the Living Room


Since there is no need for a big-dog-barricade, the primitive table that once occupied this spot in front of the window has found a new place.



It is just a hop skip and jump down the same wall, past the front door.

I also moved my French chair there to keep the "something rough, something refined" feel I'm going for in my "Elegant Industrial Cottage Living Room."



The French chair was a $5 thrift store find, which I painted with ASCP French Linen - fabric seat included.



The primitive table is actually a former kitchen table with an enamel top. I left the top at the curb where I found the table decades ago. The finish is original. I made the top from individual boards, cut to size at the lumber store, joined with 1 x 2's underneath and stained dark walnut. 


On top of the table, my 3rd grade Bible is open to Psalm 91, a Psalm of protection.


An industrial-ish wire box with two terra cotta containers holds a couple of votive candles. This was a thrift store find last year.


A thrift store lamp, painted with layers of neutral chalk paint and topped with a mod-print drum shade balances the vignette. A small, two-handled silver metal cup from a garage sale holds pennies.

In the background, propped against the wall, is a painting I did last year. 


Although I miss having the table in front of the window for taking photos of items, I'm working on a new photo area in my art room. I think this "desk" area fills the spot much better than anything else I have tried here recently.

As I am prone to do, the box and items behind the French chair have already been moved, so that space is clear now. 
I'll show you more changes later this week!

Word for the Day:
Psalm 91:9-10
Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—
the Most High, who is my refuge—
no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent.

Possibly Linking With

Sunday

Sunday Show-off Link Party
Sunday Showcase Party
Monday

Masterpiece Monday
Make it Pretty Monday
Mod Mix Monday
Tuesday

Vintage Inspiration Tuesday
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
The Scoop
The Scoop
Inspire Me Tuesday
Inspiration Exchange Linky Party
Wednesday

Wow Us Wednesday
Blissfully White Wednesday
What’s it Wednesday
Cottage Style Party
What We Accomplished Wednesday
Thursday

Thursday Open House Party
Time Travel Thursday
Treasure Hunt Thursday
Share Your Cup Thursday


Friday

Feathered Nest Friday
Furniture Feature Friday
Friday Redoux Link Party
Frugal Friday
Vintage Inspiration Friday
Rustic Restorations Weekend
Fridays on Remodelaholic
Fabulously Creative Friday
Flaunt it Friday
What’s Shakin’ Link Party
Weekend
Saturday

Saturday Nite Special
Get Schooled Saturday
Show and Tell Saturday