I have to admit I've always felt a little bitter toward people with connections. (Jealousy alone could likely keep me out of heaven, if I'm not more careful...) Do I get free cookies because my family member owns a bakery? No. Did I never have to apply for a job because I was always able to work for my dad's company? No. Do I fly free because so-and-so that I know works for the airlines? No. Do my kids get lots of great hand-me-downs because I know some stylish person with kids just older than mine? No. Do I get free stuff and money for education because my grandpa was an Indian? (Dang it, Grandpa.) No. Do I have perfect, sparkling white teeth because my dad's a dentist? No. Do I get to go to fun, exciting places because I "know someone"? No. I take that back. I do know my mom, and I do get to visit her house this weekend with my sisters which will definitely be fun and exciting, but you know what I mean...Can you feel my bitterness?
But you know what? It turns out I've got the biggest hook-up a girl who loves to decorate could ever hope for--a husband who builds furniture. Man, I love it. And you know what he is working on now? A new armoire. I told you how Brian is saving for a big LCD TV, right? Well, I told him that the only way I will let him get one at all is if he builds a new armoire to house it. That's fair, right? So this is how it works. I draw a rough sketch of what I want, (or in this case, I find a picture in a magazine) and Brian drills me about every detail, and then he makes a real drawing to scale. Brian always gets a little frustrated at some point in the design phase, but I love it, and he loves it when he gets to start building. So anyway, here are some pictures of the design we've decided on. Brian is at the shop working away as we speak--I mean as I type...(The little sliver of an armoire to the far left in the magazine picture was my inspiration this time. Wouldn't it be rad to have a dark colored armoire in a kitchen of light cabinets? Brilliant! My aunt Deena taught me the coolness of accenting your primary cabinets with an island or section of decorative cabinets of a different stain or color. Someday...) I was thinking that Brian's sketches alone would be really cool decorative art in our home if I were to have them matted and framed really nicely. Anyway, I have no room to be bitter anymore. I feel like the luckiest girl alive. I'll post pictures of the finished product soon. Brian said he could be finished by April 2nd, on which day I will be hosting Book Club. Do any of you want to read A Girl Named Zippy with me? Sarah recommended it, so it's sure to be a winner, and I'd love to have you all join us.
P.S. I lied. I did have a connection one time. When I worked at the Gap, I was able to get some canvas-covered drawing books that had been used in props. Does anyone remember the yellow book?
Uhh, don't knock the Indians. Did I ask to come to this family, no. Well, at least I don't think so. (But sometimes I do kid my Dad and tell him I must have agreed to have him as my dad because I wanted to have tremendous blessings as a result of my putting up with him.) I just happened to be blessing with landing in a family who gets the casino money hook-up for L-I-F-E! ha ha ha, sucks to be you. However, my husband does not build Pottery Barn or Ballard Design, (my favorite), looking furniture...sucks to be me, I can't buy that talent even with all my free Indian money & all. So relish your hook up. I cannot wait until it's done. Tell Brian a delivery date of the first of April just will not do. The production schedule must be moved up. Oh, and what a great idea to frame some of his sketches. Do your remember all those architectural, parks, & astronomy "sketches" that have been in Ballard lately. They throw them out in a grid pattern. I know another grid pattern but it would look awefully snazzy. Plus, how cool would it be to have the sketches & then turn around and the real live thing is right there in your house! Now after saying all of this I am very jealous and sad as I count down the days until you are leaving for your fabulous trip to Vegas. I will now end this monologue. End.
ReplyDeleteWowie wow wow! I wish that kind of talent existed over here. If something like that were to be built, I'd be the one doing it. And then I wouldn't, because I know my limits.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I don't know if Grandpa told YOU, but he used to tell ME that he used to be an indian boy running around on the plains hunting buffalo. And he got scalped, and that's why he's bald on top. It's been very useful for defining my ethnicity for tax purposes. ;)
I've gotta say, of all the hook-ups that I have coveted, having a talented wood-working connection has been on the top of my list for a while. I have even inquired into tracking down Grandad's old machines to try and learn. I have looked into taking a class. I always just look at things and say...IF ONLY.
ReplyDeleteSo....yeah. lucky you.
Wow...you totally have the hook up. I am jealous! That is so cool, and very cool that it is something that you guys collaborate on. Bonding :).
ReplyDeleteAnn, you forgot about your connection in me. I have two walnut trees in my yard that sprout more walnuts in a year than a banana-nut-bread-aholic would know what to do with. You're welcome to them any time you're in Provo. I know a lot of people who would kill for this connection! Or anyway, at least three or four.
ReplyDeleteLucky.
ReplyDeleteAll I can claim on that list is getting to work for my dad (and Billy getting to work for his) but that's not to say we haven't both had jobs we had to apply for.
ReplyDeleteBut I have ALWAYS been jealous of your super cool decorating and the super awesome hookup you have with a husband who can build stuff. I would like to order an armoire myself. And some dining room chairs so I can quit using folding chair.
You sure do have connections. And I'm glad that I have a connection and know you, so that one day when I'm rich and have a house then I can pay you the big bucks to design and decorate my house and I can pay Brian to build my house and everything that's in it! Sweet! Now if only that day would come....... :)
ReplyDeleteP.S. Hope your sister/mom vacation was a blast! :)
Ann, I was just skimming through your blogs and I have to agree that taxes are crappy when you are self-employed. I think that they can make or break a company.
ReplyDeleteYou have one of the ultimate hook-ups! I am supremely jealous!
ReplyDeleteI'm jealous of anyone with a hook-up for woodworking, construction, building, etc...
My only hookup that my husband has to offer is security (and get out of speeding tickets).
Oh, and your armoire looks supremely similar to my mom's. HUGE compliment. You're getting yours for a fraction of the cost! :D HOOK UP!
I am excited for you! It sounds like your armoire is going to be gorgeous. You will have to post a picture when it is complete.
ReplyDeleteI don't want to make you totally jealous, but I'm going to brag a little. My husband can hook us up with a dirt discount. Some maybe if you are in town sometime I can give you a free baggie of dirt.:)
You guys make the best team! I wish I had even an inch of your decorating talent and Brians building talents. Check my blog, I gave you some much deserved props!
ReplyDelete