Austin Garage Sale

The garage sale was wonderful. I found several nice things, but ended up buying a white bench for $52. I really shouldn’t have bought it, as it’s almost rusted through in spots and needs sandblasting and considerable work, but I fell in love with it and couldn’t leave it behind. Very modern, with a scoop-ish seat and rounded back. It looks very much like the Bertoia chairs.

Also bought $40 worth of fabric, mainly table cloths. I did buy one great piece of green chenille, and a quilt top I loved but Mom thought disastrous. I’m extra pleased with it after seeing her expression.

Later went to the outlet mall with the Pottery Barn. Very disappointed. I’ve always known in the back of my mind that Pottery Barn furniture was rather boring. All their magic comes from the accessories and the linens. Most of the furniture is pretty unoriginal, and you can pick up similar styles at a nude furniture store. This visit nailed it all home. The store didn’t have anything I wanted, except for the media console table. I should have bought it, but the store disillusioned me so much I couldn’t see clear enough to buy this one great piece. Plus they didn’t have any drawers for it, so I’d have to go online and buy them.

Very tired and ill at the mall. I didn’t go in many stores at all. We rented a different hotel room, which I’m very pleased with since you could hear all the plumbing from the other rooms in last night’s hotel. Went to Target and bought some green and blue and orange dishes, the same colors I’m doing the kitchen in. After dinner at Red Lobster we rented Love, Actually which was great. I might have to get it on DVD even if it is a love story.

Did I write about the oven? I don’t think so.

After the electricity came back on I started playing with the breakers, trying to figure out which one powered what. Later that evening I tried to use the oven but couldn’t. The power light would light up, but nothing heated. I checked the breakers, and they were all on. So either the oven is broken, or the electric system is damaged, or I’m overlooking something stupidly obvious. Earlier this week I tried turning on some lights in the living room and none of them worked, either. I’m hoping they aren’t plugged in, or that the bulbs are burnt out. I didn’t investigate too fully, but I will soon.

So why am I not worried? I bought a home shield policy to protect me financially from these kinds of disasters. Having a broken oven might actually be nice. The oven is an in-wall unit, and they don’t make that size any more. This means I have a very good excuse to get the drop-in I wanted, and possibly do a little remodeling on someone else’s dime.

Having a major electrical problem will not be all that good, mainly due to the inconvenience. I’d actually have to have rooms cleaned so workmen could get into them. Not fun.