It’s only within the last – oh – three or four months that I realized I’m a perfectionist. I would often tell people I like to do things really, really, really well – but I wasn’t a perfectionist and you’d only have to take a quick look in my refrigerator or open some of my drawers to think that not only am I NOT a perfectionist but I don’t even do stuff really, really, really well!
But then several months ago I had an issue with a close friend and – using a third friend – went through a guided process to try to sort things out. I won’t go into tons of detail – but you start with the facts, move onto stories you’ve made up, your judgments of the other person and then how those same judgments are true of you. The friend guiding the process then delved further into where those judgments of myself stemmed from (almost always from some emotional wound) and how I learned to compensate. It was during these final questions – and my answers – when I realized I believe I need to do things perfectly in order to be loved and accepted.
Really, Susan?
Nothing at Jubilee Furniture is ever perfect. Customers routinely find things I’ve missed when pricing, there are always more questions than I have answers to, volunteers forget to get key information from customers and it’s almost always because I forgot to tell them to, and for the life of me I can’t figure out why people who’ve signed up to get notified whenever there’s a new blog post aren’t (though I think it has something to do with having too many photos in my posts).
Yet here’s the beauty of realizing something about yourself – self awareness helps you choose different ways of thinking and acting. Ain’t easy – but day-by-day (sometimes even moment-by-moment) it can be done.
And here are some of the beautiful things which were donated this week. Our store hours are Fridays from 1 to 8 and Saturdays from 9 to 4 and EVERYONE is welcome and encouraged to shop here (I had a conversation on Sunday with a friend who was worried that if she bought something at Jubilee Furniture – when she had the means to shop retail – she’d be taking away something that someone else with fewer funds might need/want – which is not the case. Please consider stopping here before heading to a retail furniture store. Please.).
this is a really unusual piece – it’s actually two pieces (top lifts off the base w/legs) – looks hand painted, has two drawers and is possibly hand-crafted – priced $295; black chair next to it is from a couple of weeks ago and is priced $35
gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous (and did I mention it’s gorgeous?) wingback – love the color, in excellent condition, priced $145
this is that “new” table from Hekman that I posted last week (priced $595 – retails for $1,900) – this week I’m showing you the six micro-suede chairs around the table. The donor told me they paid $150 per chair – there are some minor spots – and we’re selling all six chairs for $360 (that’s $60 per chair – what a deal!)
this is an amazing teak dresser/secretary that’s in great condition priced $295 – The Danish Control Furnituremaker stamp was a Denmark quality control agency
beautiful Nichols and Stone rocker priced $85
lovely painted rocker for $65
this leather sofa has fantastic lines and – depending on your taste/style – might be just fine as is. The seat cushions are highly distressed (leather wearing off or intentional? You decide) whereas the rest of it isn’t – which makes me think the seat cushion leather is not supposed to be so worn looking and impacted my decision to price it $165 (instead of oh probably around $700 – this is a seriously fabulous sofa). The last photo is with my flash on and the leather color is not accurate (the other photos better represent the lovely dark brown of the leather)
these two pieces don’t look too bad in these photos – but there are a lot of issues with them (rips, recliner handle missing) the reclining loveseat is priced $50 and the sofa is $25 (obviously it’s in worse shape of the two of them)
two wonderful ottomans priced $30 each
Tell City manufactured these lovely maple chairs – we have three of them, one with arms priced $50; one armless in good condition for $40; and another armless one which has an issue with the seat rushing which is priced $30
sweet swivel rocker with a washable slipcover – priced $65 (would be perfect in a nursery!)
Bernhardt made this four piece sectional (we have it displayed with one piece as an armless side chair – but it could be a super long sofa) and it’s in so-so condition and is priced $55 for all four pieces
nice coffee table for $40
these made in Italy chairs are stackable and the fabric needs to be cleaned – otherwise they’re very nice – priced $150 for all six. The butcher block table they’re around (and they look really nice with the table – I think) has a self-storing leaf and is priced $135
we received a number of amazing chairs for donation this week (you didn’t forget about that gorgeous wingback you already saw, did you?) – this retro chair is missing some decorative pieces on each side – but with lines like that – who needs ‘em! Priced $75
rolling bamboo and wicker cart priced $35
lovely dining table with one leaf and six chairs (there are mirrors on the table top and there’s a crack in one corner) priced $225; matching two piece china cabinet for $275; decorative statues on table are $2 each
large, very nice Drexel coffee table – missing pulls on each side – priced $55
funky and fine armless side chair for $75
mid-century side chair by Knoll (note rip in arm – otherwise it just needs to be cleaned really well – grime in all the seams) priced $75
very nice FIVE piece sectional (three of the pieces recline!) seems to be a leather/pleather mix (leather where you sit – pleather on arms and back) – priced $245
lovely retro sofa in excellent condition priced $125
here’s another wonderful chair – also vintage – fabric is worn/needs to be cleaned – priced $45
I’m also totally in love with this incredible retro chair (you would feel like royalty sitting in it!) – priced $95
fun, comfy loveseat priced $45 (donor also gave us some neutral slipcovers if you don’t like the floral)
table with two leaves and six chairs (one chair has a rip in the caning) priced $125 for all
final neat-o chair – this vinyl recliner is a great mustard yellow with an oak frame priced $115
Honestly, I think the desire to do things perfectly (which – as we all know – is impossible and the very idea makes me laugh – yet…) will probably always be my default. Yet armed with the knowledge that flawed, imperfect me is dearly loved – by my family, many friends and God – helps keep this need in check and gives me the freedom to relax and let go of unattainable expectations of myself and experience peace, satisfaction in the many ways I do my job – and life – well and much joy.
May you too, dear reader, know peace, a sense of deep satisfaction and great joy today (and tomorrow and the next day…).
