Saved Money

 May 1

steps 12,000

The lamp on Tommy's table was acting up, flashing on and off, getting brighter and then so dim it was barely visible. I was alarmed. Tommy said it was not hurting anything. Finally, I had him tighten the bulb. That worked for about thirty seconds. All this really worried me. 

Finally, we changed bulbs. His bulb still did not work correctly.

All the while, I was making plans. New lamp from WM or used somewhere? Then, I hit upon the solution--have Tommy rewire. Now, he has no idea what to do. So, I was going to buy one of those kits that required little electrical skills. Before we did that, I checked the bulb and found the solid white piece was cracked in three places. A new bulb from our stash solved the problem. So, it was not the lamp after all. Thinking saved the day and $$$. 

The mower from last year came to mow and weed eat. The experience was cheaper and less upsetting to my stomach. In an hour he was done. He pushed a fallen-over dogwood tree to curb. One day, it fell over in a very strong wind. I hated that ugly tree. After it fell, the leaves budded. So, we had a lying down tree in our yard. Now, there is no greenery in our front yard.

Our mower works for a landscape company. We talked with him about planting trees. That will be a fall job. So, we will be blasted by sun and heat all summer. I have decided to plant crepe myrtle. LOTS! Plus, I want other flowering trees. I do not want a tall tree to eventually fall on the house. I have seen too many pictures of tornadoes' aftermath. We did get our last year mower to mow this year--less stressful. 

I have done anywhere from 5000 steps to 15,000 steps each day I have not reported, depending on how I have felt.

Tommy upgraded his wardrobe all on his own. He shopped for knock-off Crocs and a belt. I told him to get a leather belt which he did. 

We had a forecast of three days of bad weather. Today has been just fine here. 

Tommy had to pay $180 for one Dexcom G7 to stick on his arm because of some mix-up with his prescription. Usually, he pays about $35. 

My Mistake!

finally completed

$1 lamp

bit of spray paint

 

At this point I don't remember what I have told you. I took this rough lamp and used steel wool on it and painted it--Aged Copper, I think. This may look a little Early American, not my style, but it was the least offensive metal paint.

 

 

ready to spray

 

Above it is taped and ready to be sprayed. You can see it is not in really good shape. Maybe you can see the rust.

 

 

Today, despite feeling ill still, I decided I was going to take out the lamp that the on button failed (one below) and put this one (ab0ve) in its place so I could have light. I was getting really tired of the oppressively dark room in which I sit.

 

 

 

I have a lamp with three bulbs that sits about one foot to my left. There is another with three bulbs that sits about five feet to my right.The one to the left totally failed one day and about two days later, the one across the room failed. I was sooo depressed.

lamp across the room that failed

 

Exbf had asked if he could have one of the lamps in the basement since his bedside lamp had failed. Of course, I readily agreed. He brought up two, choosing one and leaving the one at the top of the post here with me. It was dirty and rusty and a horrid color. I cannot find the "before" picture.

 

Okay, back to the story. The lamp above that is inside and lit (and with milk glass) had to be unplugged to put in the one at the top of the post. This was a struggle because it is plugged behind the sofa. Not only that, but boxes were packed to be removed and were sitting in front of the sofa. There was basket of laundry on the sofa and another box of donations under that. Soooo, I got everything moved and reached behind the sofa.

 

WHAT?

 

The lamp was  UNPLUGGED! Was that all that was wrong?  grrrr I plugged it in and put a new bulb into it. It works! So, I have been in the dark for too long and worked to clean and paint the other lamp at the top of the post. Okay.

 

Now, I can pack it in a box, ready to store. Or, I can sell it. What to do? Okay, I made a decision. I will pack and store and maybe sell later. I think it turned out pretty decent. It is not shabby at all for a $1 lamp that had a portion of a $7 can of spray paint used. The only thing left to do is to find a finial that is cheap, like from a thrift store or yard sale, spray paint it to match. I even painted the rusty harp with it!

 

I cannot stand a huge, bright light in a room. However, one dim bulb doesn't work for me either. I like many dim lights all around: 40- or 60-watts. Some have just a 7.5-watt bulb!

 

Your turn

Have you ever assumed "broke" when plugging the appliance or whatever into power was all it needed? Usually, plugging something in is the first thin I check for, but this time I just assumed.

 



Half of My Half-done Day is Done

 

 

two half-done projects

 

Did I tell you? I had two lamps break within two days of each other. I cannot afford lamp repair or new lamps. I don't know anyone who would rewire lamps for me for free. (Do NOT tell me how easy it is. I put in a 220 outlet in the wall and put an element into the oven.) Both lamps were in the den/living room, and I needed them to see! The first quit with a loud pop and flash of light. Two days later, the second lamp switch kept turning and the bulb burned out but not so spectacularly as the first lamp did.

 

 

Above, I have assembled my items needed to complete the two projects. The planting bulb story will wait until another day. For the lamp project: lamp, steel wool, painter's tape, rag for wiping.  I could not find a paint I liked.

 

This lamp was one I acquired when I covered lamp shades. I could buy a $1 lamp and sell it with the shade faster than I could sell a lone shade. So, this has been in the basement for 20+ years. Several months ago, exbf asked if he could use one of the lamps from my basement since his quit working. So, he brought two up and preferred the other. This one works best where the one quit working.

 

 

taped lamp

 

You probably cannot tell, but the lamp is in rough shape. I would be unhappy if I had to use it as-is. Steel wool was my choice. I should have used sandpaper on the rusted spot that will end up being toward the back of the table. I taped the top electric thingy. I liked the base push-switch as is, so taped it too.

 

 

no felt on the bottom

 

The picture above is after I painted the lamp. The part that will touch the table needed sanding. I know I should have sanded it first. I won't put it on a table without the bottom being closed. I sanded the rim it sits on and painted it. 

 

 



I chose Aged Copper to spray the lamp. Since the bottom was open and I did not want to buy felt, I chose a white piece of cardboard. I painted both sides.



The cardboard was a mistake. The glue can be painted, but it pulled the paint off the cardboard, making a mess. However, that mistake will be remedied when I buy felt. in the meantime, the lamp is outdoors waiting for glue to dry and paint on the cardboard to re-dry.

Done for now

I removed and repainted the rusty harp which now lies by the lamp in the picture. But, because it was too tall, I had to use the harp from the old lamp. I took it outside for the glue to dry faster. Later, I will bring it inside and put it in place but with waxed paper underneath. Then I can see how this will work. At least I will have light.

Like it?

This is the lamp it will replace for a while

 until I can rewire this beauty.

Your turn
Do you ever salvage a lamp to use and spray paint or otherwise improve it? Both are salvaged lamps.