Hospital Misadventures

I have been going through a time of considerable fatigue. After  huge amounts of planning for special birthday events, much company, some travel, and six months of hives, I couldn't muster the strength to write even the simplest of blogs.

Finally, things calmed down and I found myself suffering from severe pain on the left side of my body. There is nothing more boring than being awake at all hours of the night and not being able to concentrate on reading, writing, or any other time passing activity. I played Candy Crush and some other mindless games to try to distract myself.

It was a long weekend and I needed to visit the hospital. Immediately, they hooked me up with stickers, wires, and machines before abandoning me in an emergency room. Eventually, I was informed that my heart was fine The doctor examining my level 9 pain diagnosed a pulled muscle. "Take Tylenol", was the suggestion. Only problem was, I had participated in no known activity that would pull a muscle.

Fast forward a few days and nights. The days were bearable, the nights were level 11 pain.  I know, the scale only goes to 10 but this was definitely level 11, allowing  me to sleep about an hour or less per night. Tylenol didn't do much...well, it did something that caused confusion on my next hospital trip.

I hauled myself and my "pulled muscle" back to the hospital. This time, I was x -rayed, had an ultrasound, and was once again hooked up to the heart monitor. The doctor noted a small rash and went on to tell me I was constipated. I was baffled as I sat in agony and was prescribed a laxative.

My daughter (a med student) looked at my rash, followed it around my body and immediately gave me a lecture about derma, nerves, and other complex vocab that |I didn't understand. Then she made
the pronouncement "You probably have shingles. That would explain the pain and the rash."

I had heard about shingles and the associated pain, but on the other hand, I had the vaccine. How could this be?

My appointment with my doctor confirmed the diagnosis. Zostovax is only effective in 80% of the population and I was one of the lucky 20%. I discovered that there's antiviral medication which, if taken immediately at the beginning of symptoms, would shorten the term of the suffering. I was now too late, having been told at the hospital that  I had a pulled muscle and was constipated.

Armed with a prescription for an arsenal of drugs, I left the doctor's office. I am now able to function....not fully, but somewhat. I need to rest...no problem now that I have stronger meds.

So I ask you...how is it that a medical student and a family doctor are more readily able to diagnose something so simple and two doctors at emergency at the hospital could not? Shingles is a common ailment particularly in an area where the population is on the "elderly" side of the spectrum.

I believe I would be very concerned were I in a situation where I had an actual emergency and had to rely on this facility. On the other hand, perhaps they're experts in trauma, wounds, vehiclar accidents, just not common, almost eradicated diseases. Who knows?

Thank You. That's All I Need to Say or Hear.

As I sit here writing a thank you card, I have to wonder how many people actually still do this on a regular basis. This particular card is not for any kind of a celebratory present, although I certainly consider his efforts a gift. It's for someone deserving who has been extremely helpful to me over the past six months, going above and beyond his basic job description. After all, we all like to be recognized and know that we're appreciated don't we?

I'm not saying that people can't forget, or that occasionally, there might be an oversight when it comes to thank you responses. It just doesn't seem the same as it once was.

I recently found notes my children wrote to their grandparents thanking them for a variety of reasons....grandma's delicious capon, a shared experience, a gift. I taught them from young on to be grateful. The number of times they still do this in the form of a card or note is probably much more limited these days. What I do know is that they at least know how to say the words, "Thank you." Whether it's in person, on social media, in an email, or texting, they say, "Thank you."

One thing specificlly that occurred to me is how weddings have changed over the years.  I'm not saying there's anything wrong with how they've changed, they're just different in so many ways.

At one time, people would receive an invitation, respond whether they could attend or not using the little pre-stamped card inside, purchase and wrap a gift, dress up nicely, attend the wedding. The first thing after the bride and groom would do after all the festivities ended, was write a little note of thanks to everyone. Sometimes, it would take up to a month if they waited for a photo or specialty card from the overpriced photographer. I've read in Miss Etiquette that up to a year is even acceptable.

Not so anymore. I speak from experience when I say that this has changed a lot. First, a "save the date" notice arrives. Later, there's an invitation in some form or other. Often there's some kind of online information which gives you details of the wedding, the venue, the ability to respond as to whether you're coming, and what to buy from the happy couple's wish list. There are pages of merchandise, prices, and stores for your online shopping and shipping convenience.  In fact, you can purchase the item, have it sent to them, and never find out if it arrived.

Gone are the days of tirelessly handwriting thank you cards, with or without a photo of the bride and groom. Gone are the days of carefully selecting and wrapping gifts. Gone are the days of acknowledgment as to whether the present has been received. Gone too are the thank yous, either written or verbal.  Not gone however, is the credit card receipt for payment of said gift, which we can only hope got to its intended location.

Time for a Change? Royal Caribbean, Where Art Thou?

There are people who dislike change and who have difficulty accepting change. This characteristic is often assigned to older people or those with specific disabilities eg. autism, anxiety and so on.

I have no problem with change as long as it's for the better. If it's change for the sake of change, I say why? I know, we've all heard "in the olden days...." from our parents, and perhaps these words have even emanated from our mouthes from time to time. The next generation, or perhaps even the one after that (yes...I'm that old), think they've created something new or had a profound idea, when in fact we older folks have seen and heard it all before. We know what has worked in the past and what hasn't. We know why we make certain choices.

There's an expression that goes, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".

After seeing some of their more recent t.v. commercials, and having cruised on other lines, I wanted to get back to Royal Caribbean International.

I have always raved about this line and have probably gone on at least five cruises with these folks. What was so special? Apart from the fact that I found the ships beautiful and spacious, the staff more than willing to help and accommodate travellers, the food outstanding, it was the added extras.  I loved how there was an air of elegance without pretentiousness. There were active extras such as inline skating, ice skating,mini golf, basketball and rock climbing...interesting to try at age 60, and I did. Everything about this cruise line was relaxing, not frenetic.

There were scrapbooking classes, trivia, cooking, and towel animal making demonstrations. Crown and Anchor members received little bonuses like hats or tote bags and were recognized and welcomed back with a captain's cocktail party. There was constant entertainment and the shows were phenomenal. There was little added cost...only drinks, gratuities, excursions, and of course, shopping down the "Main Street" of the ship, should one opt to do so.

I recently suggested that members of our family (12 in all) go on a cruise with this line. It would be convenient and less time consuming and lower cost for all to meet at Galveston even though the cruise itinerary wasn't great. It would be so much fun getting together with everyone to celebrate several special events. For the most part, it was fun...but it was the people in our group, not the cruise line that made it so. There was so much aggravation and so much time spent at the customer service desk by most of our members, that we are all ready for another vacation.

Without going into detail of our individual serious problems (there will be reviews and letters I assure you), there were other issues. The ship was overcrowded and I couldn't understand how this could be one of my favourite ships, until someone told me (rumour as yet not confirmed by me) that an extra level of cabins had been added to the top of the ship. The fact that there were 800 kids on board, several new sets of water slides and kidzone activities suggested that they were attempting to cater more to families and the younger crowd. I suppose that's not a problem for everyone. For me, it's the reason I stay away from Carnival cruises and now possibly RC if this is the new normal.

There was standing room only in what I remembered as once spacious swimming pools, and almost no place except in ones cabin to get some quiet time. The overcrowded dining rooms now allowed people in shredded  shorts and baseball caps to dine beside cruisers who opted for the suggested formal wear on specific nights.Why have a formal night at all? Scrapbooking classes still exist but now require payment. There were towel folding lessons if you wanted to watch them on tv...no personal attention at all. Several restaurants had added cost so why bother to go there? In fact, almost everything required added payment. If you wanted a kitchen tour,  the galley on the ship, it cost $30. The shows were free but mediocre...except for the phenomenal ice skating show (still free at this point). Crown and Anchor members were supposed to get a book of coupons but instead were handed a sheet of paper with a few perks listed. The problem was, staff had no idea about these perks when I tried to claim them.

Where was the ice sculpture carving demonstration? Where were the  fruit carvings and flower arrangements. Where was the the lovely art and the scultpures that graced all the other RC ships I've been on. Instead, there was a giant red plaster dog on one of the levels.

I can only liken this cruise to a 2 star all inclusive resort someplace. Even at that, it would be cheaper at a resort since it would be "all inclusive".

So, what will I do after my letter and review writing campaign? Well, for one thing my next cruise is on Holland America. The most exciting thing I'm likely to experience on that ship is a lecture on the depth of the ocean, but at least there'll be space, air, met expectations, respect,  and consistency.

Goodbye Garb and Magnificent Memories

I recently lost a few pounds. It was about time. As with all weight loss, both the skin and the clothes got loose. Ok...so both got loose and wrinkly. I've retired some pairs of pants after friends said I looked as though I had droopy drawers...not a good look on a senior. People might get the wrong impression. We elders have enough embarrassing issues.

I don't think I'm a very vain person. I also don't think that I'm terribly materialistic, but then everything's relative isn't it?

When it comes to clothing, I have a decent wardrobe. I like clothes. There was a time I barely had two outfits to wear to work (insert tiny violin playing here). There was also a time when I wore clothes out. That is now beyond the realm of my comprehension, but then, vinyl, barkcloth, terylene, crimplene were all the rage. Who ever thought those were a good idea and did they actually wear out or just disappear as some fads and fabrics should?

Now, rather than wear clothes out,  I eventually get tired of seeing the same outfits. It's like looking in the mirror every day and seeing the same old thing, but at least with clothing, we have a choice. We can get rid of the 80% we don't wear and the 20% we wear far too often. (a statistic I recently heard)

So it has been necessary to downsize my clothing along with my girth. I spent a few days test driving a lot of pieces to see what fit, what was still borderline, and what was unacceptable. I found a lot to give away. I also found some items that still work plus a few from a previous diet, an earlier size, and so on. Then there were a few....just a few that I know are too large, but went back into my dresser drawer. It made no sense, but there they are.

I think that most people who hoard "stuff" which they consider treasures do so because of the memories they stir up. The clothes that went back into my drawer had memories, fond memories. As I put each thing back, I had flashbacks of friends I was with, events I celebrated, and trips I went on while wearing the piece. I was not yet ready to say goodbye to everything.

There's a quote by Rachael Taylor that goes like this. "For me, clothing is nothing without the story behind it. Everything I own evokes some kind of memory."

Whereas Petticoat Lane and Diabetes Society have been the beneficiaries of much, my dresser drawer still contains a few....a few good memories of times gone by.

Let There Be Blogs

I know, I know. There's been a blog drought yet again. On the other hand, those who know me well, also know why. For the past six months, I have been working on a few major projects. By major, I mean so large that no one human being my age should be attempting this. In fact, no human being half my age should attempt same.

People have said things like "I don't know how you do it all."

Ok, maybe I've just heard me saying that very loudly to myself. Although in fairness, people used to say that to me when I was younger and accomplished three times my current range of activities while working and raising a family.

Anyhow, for someone who was going to retire, read, write, paint, and travel...well. There's been evidence of a few of those activities but not to the extent that I had once imagined. Sometimes, in life we take detours. We make choices. Sometimes, we garden when we don't enjoy gardening. We cook when we thought we'd given it up. We do housework when we have no further need to waste our remaining time on earth on such trivial activities. We plan parties and celebrations when we need to honour one of the important people in our lives, despite our age and energy level.

On May 22, 2011, the occasion of hubby's 75th birthday, I wrote about "Papa's Progressive Parties".
http://rockinrobinsramblings.blogspot.ca/2011/05/papas-progressive-parties.html
He likes parties. He likes celebrations. He likes receiving attention. He likes cake. He likes presents. He admits it and does not pretend otherwise or try to demonstrate false modesty. I admire that.

Everyone knows that when one turns 80, it's even more special. What a milestone! And...if one turns 80 and around the same time celebrates the 50th anniversary of a very special career choice, well, there's a bit of wifely pressure to perform a few miracles of her own.

Before Christmas, the planning, organizing, and scheming began. What would be the best weekend to combine two celebrations, for maximum impact and attendance? Mother's Day, the date closest to his birthday would not be a good weekend choice. Victoria Day, not good either but the weekend in between seemed ideal. May 14/15, 2016 it would be.

This year in May, we marked another month of celebrations. The eventual upcoming blogs this time shall be entitled, "Adam's Awesome Adventures".

What I Learned from the Computer Today

It's amazing isn't it? Computers and all things technological have become such a part of our lives, we can't imagine living without them. Not a day goes by where I don't learn something new, whether by accident or by choice.

Often, I'll be researching, writing, or reading something, and quickly "google" information that has come from that. It's a phenomenal way to extend knowledge. I suppose, sometimes, it can also be troublesome . Computers are a way to connect with people that we may or may not know...through common experiences or troubles. Computers can make us feel that we're not alone, or conversely, as if we're totally alone.

I rarely forward email jokes, verses, memes, posters, and the like. I don't like to clutter peoples' mailboxes with such silly stuff. On the other hand, every once in awhile, there's something that speaks to me or that I find fascinating. The following is such a thing, so I'll share, just this once. I'm not certain of its origin although I did see one place where it says it's from missmentelle. Even if you don't know all the people listed (and I don't), the point is clear and the content of some value. I have a few of my own which I'll add after the finish. The ending is a bit trite, but nonetheless....here goes.

At age 23, Tina Fey was working at a YMCA.

At age 23, Oprah was fired from her first reporting job.

At age 24, Stephen King was working as a janitor and living in a trailer. 

At age 27, Vincent Van Gogh failed as a missionary and decided to go to art school.

At age 28, J.K. Rowling was a suicidal single parent living on welfare.

At age 30, Harrison Ford was a carpenter.

At age 30, Martha Stewart was a stockbroker.

At age 37, Ang Lee was a stay-at-home-dad working odd jobs.

Julia Child released her first cookbook at age 39, and got her own cooking show at age 51.

Vera Wang failed to make the Olympic figure skating team, didn’t get the Editor-in-Chief 
position at Vogue, and designed her first dress at age 40.

Stan Lee didn’t release his first big comic book until he was 40.

Alan Rickman gave up his graphic design career to pursue acting at age 42.

Samuel L. Jackson didn’t get his first movie role until he was 46. 

Morgan Freeman landed his first movie role at age 52.

Kathryn Bigelow only reached international success when she made The Hurt Locker at age 57.

Grandma Moses didn’t begin her painting career until age 76.

Louise Bourgeois didn’t become a famous artist until she was 78.

Whatever your dream is, it is not too late to achieve it. You aren’t a failure because you haven’t found fame and fortune by the age of 21. Hell, it’s okay if you don’t even know what your dream is yet. Even if you’re flipping burgers, waiting tables or answering phones today, you never know where you’ll end up tomorrow.

Never tell yourself you’re too old to make it. 

Never tell yourself you missed your chance. 

Never tell yourself that you aren’t good enough. 

You can do it. Whatever it is. 

Although I'm certain there are many more, I would add people such as ....

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos who was flipping burgers at McDonalds in his 20's.

Mark Cuban, businessman and entrepreneur was a bartender living with six roomates.

Ralph Lauren was a sales assistant.

Tim Allen was arrested and spent two years in prison.

Howard Schultz ,Starbucks CEO, was a Xerox salesman.

Garden Shows

Sometimes, when I think I've arrived at that point in life where my world and my activity level is starting to shrink, I panic. Then, after giving it some further thought, I realize it really hasn't. What has occurred is that I've become more discriminating and selective. This is possibly a good thing. After all, we want to make sure we use all remaining time on earth wisely don't we?

It's that time of year again, Spring. I'm grateful for each new one I get to experience. Although the threat of forecast snow for today does not thrill me, I know that there are those obsessed gardeners who are getting very restless if not frustrated. I'm not one of them. That's not to say I don't enjoy and appreciate pretty yards and flowers because I do.

Last month, I attended Canada Blooms at the CNE grounds in Toronto. Since I went with a friend, we had a wonderful time as we always do, taking advantage of photo ops with giant costumed bees and and staring at each other with curiosity and puzzlement over the garden club creations. Our enjoyment had little to do with the show. In fact, we found the exhibits to be huge, over the top, and unrealistic for the average home gardener. It seemed more suited to owners of greenhouses, lawn care specialists, landscape designers, and people with their own professional gardeners. Then there was the amount of walking, walking, and more walking...a huge facility with lots of trees.

On the weekend, hubby and I attended the Peterborough Garden Show. We've been in the past and have found it to be compact and useful. It takes place in an arena and all space is used efficiently. One of us cleverly suggested purchasing advanced tickets so we did so at a local flower shop on our way to the show....a wise move. We got in quickly at opening time and avoided long lines waiting to purchase tickets. http://www.peterboroughgardenshow.com/

We moved through the facility easily, finding many fascinating displays and people more than willing to answer questions. There was something for everyone...exhibits for the beginner and for the avid gardener alike. There were displays of vegetables, flowers, garden ornaments, conservation, and much more. It was terrific and it was manageable. There was even a man dressed in lederhosen to advertise the upcoming OHA convention taking place...where else?...in Kitchener.

Even the food, in this case cupcakes (second last photo), looked like lovely flowers. The socks, were colourful and the pairs did not match...loved them so much I bought a some. Wish I'd purchased more. I laughed at the whimsical items that make people happy. The floral arrangements were colourful, simple, and obvious.

Finally, there were the signs. There were indoor signs and outdoor signs. Signs seem to be the modern way of expressing one's opinion and of sharing truths without really saying anything. These two signs caught my eye. One reminded me of a family member, and the other is obvious. If I am available in April, the Peterborough Garden Show will definitely become an annual event.

Hangin' In and Where I've Been

For the one of you that still looks at my blog from time to time, yes...I'm still here. I don't have that much to say these days. Unusual for me. I have several projects on the go, both real and imaginary and as such have lost my will to write. Wait. That would never happen! Perhaps just my motivation, inspiration, and energy have temporarily gone in other directions. For example, I have been planning ahead (far ahead I hope) and have been composing the story of my life in three pages. I decided three pages will suffice to give an overview, and give me the last word. After all, people will be wanting to rush to get to the funeral sammaches.

I've also been studying our house to see what I might do to brighten and refresh the place. It's too beige and too boring. It makes me sad. I don't like boring and beige is so 1990's. I must say though that the modern florals and stripes with florals on florals and more stripes are not going to happen in this house.

Here's a follow up to my hive blog. I have hives. Did I mention that? I have had hives since the new year. After endless doctor visits, it has been determined that I have hives and am fortunate that they have improved slightly. "Some people have them for ten years," I was told by the allergist, in what she surely thought was a reassuring voice. Then she added, "You've only had them for 3 months." Wow...I felt so much better. Clearly I had won the hive lottery in some way. Or had I? After all, I still have them and now we're heading into the fourth month of 2016.

Tonight as I was bathing, I decided that I had probably sung and danced to Elton John's "Crocodile Rock" once too often. My decollete area (this word sounds better in French and the area looks better on a 25 year old), felt as if it were covered in scales. I keep thinking if I ignore the hives enough, they'll give up. No such luck. In fact, they rather multiply and become more persistent when I do that. They clearly demand attention.

A few weeks ago, at Easter time to be exact, we were in Germany. Their spring season has been delayed much as ours has, but nonetheless, it was a wonderful trip. We had great, albeit short visits with family. Here are a couple of my favourite photos. The first is the historic house in which I was born (historic because it was built in the 1500's not because I was born there). The second is a picture of the Schlosspark. On the hills toward the back of the picture lie two castles Windeck and Wachenburg. Hubby mentioned he'd never been up there despite previous visits. I was surprised, so we travelled to both castles, partial drive, partial climb. Needless to say, my knees launched a protest and the fitbit easily hit 13,000 steps that day.

Here's a view of my birth town looking down from one of the castles. Pretty isn't it?

I was fortunate to come away, as always, with some decor ideas, a few new recipes, and an idea of what hubby would really like for his birthday this year.

Aiglets, Eyelets, and The Rest of the Lengthy Lace

There are still some things in the world that haven't warranted great improvement, and have not been replaced with newer inventions. I'm sure you can name a few. What immediately comes to my mind are shoelaces. Shoelaces, the bane of every kindergarten teacher's existence. Shoelaces, the things little children struggle with on their hockey and figure skates. Shoelaces, such a simple design, pieces of fabric woven into long strips, tipped with the clever but equally aggravating aiglet.

Shoelaces have no doubt looked very similar since they first originated. Oh sure, they've become fancier in pattern and colour, but nonetheless, shoelaces are shoelaces.

I remember a lot of shoelace adventures from when I was a kid. Besides the fact that my shoes were generally ugly, brown, and laced, there were the other issues involved with sporting such shoes.

 Back then, when we owned a pair of shoes, we owned a pair of shoes. The shoes would generally outlast the laces. We'd get the shoes resoled, as long as they fit, and the toes didn't protrude. Oddly, I have a vague memory of some people back then walking around with portions of their shoe soles separating, often in the toe area...a rarity nowadays.

Then, there were the laces. When that tell-tale weakened, and thinned portion of the lace began to unravel, we knew it was time to prepare for the worst. If they broke at school, you'd invariably be forced to tie a knot in the broken lace to tide you over until such time as it could be replaced. The lace then needed adjusting so that the knot fit between and not atop the eyelet holes or that would create a whole different problem.

The aiglets were another issue...that lovely little piece of metal, later plastic, at the tips of the laces. The aiglet would often disintegrate, sometimes with the help of our ***fingers, leaving a frayed shoelace tip. This would require spitting and twirling a now soggy end to create a point and get it to thread through the eyelet. If you were very lucky, it would all go through. At home, mom would trim the end to make the frays more even, but that didn't help the situation much since there was no longer a point for threading. Instead,  the spittle would just cause a large drooping mass of lace parts that would barely fit through something as large as a donut hole.  Hadn't scotch tape been invented yet? If you were lucky, a portion of lace might feed through the eyelet leaving the rest of the threads to dangle vicariously and fend for themselves. This would soon after become part of aforementioned breakage requiring a knot.

So this brings me to a question. When was the last time you changed a pair of shoelaces? Of course, many shoes don't require them any more, but there are still the athletic shoes, and some dressier footwear, and the latest styles of ladies' shoes.

It's unlikely though, that as an adult, you have changed any laces in any shoes in at least the last ten years. If you're a senior, you may have removed a pair and replaced them with the nifty-difty elasticized laces which never require untying or retying.

Whether we like it or not, whether we agree with it or not, we live in a disposable society. Things have changed. Laces just don't get replaced with the regularity they used to. 

In this day an age, we all own several pairs of shoes for a variety of different purposes. They rarely wear out before we're tired of them, outgrow them, or give them away. This goes for the ones with laces as well any other styles. Yes, there are still a few shoemakers around, but people with that skill and those searching for someone with that talent are few and far between. We rather tend to toss out, or hopefully, recycle.

So, when I recently came across this stash which seems to have taken up residence in our house, I had to think. When was the last time anyone changed shoelaces? What would I do with all these laces?  Should I keep them along with the myriads of other "stuff" just in case of a world wide shoelace shortage? 

I asked hubby to have a look before I tossed them. Clearly horrified at the thought, he sought out shoes and frantically replaced their laces, The pile immediately decreased by half.  I laughed. Now I know exactly when the last time was someone changed laces in our house.
_________________________________________________________________________________
***Methinks the aiglets were the bubble wrap fun of the 50's.

Do It Myself Projects - The Beginning

It occurred to me that there are a lot of things that bug me around my house. Why do they bother me? They're either ugly, boring, or not useful...not necessarily old, just wrong for whatever reason. Feng Shui philosophy would suggest disposal or changing of anything we don't love or isn't useful.

Some would argue that as long as things are functional and not broken, there's nothing wrong with them and they should be retained until death. Others replace the entire contents of their homes and redo their decor far too often.

Sometimes, we get help. Not that long ago, I had the good fortune of disintegrating living and dining room sheers. I went to wash them and as I removed same from their pocket rods, I found myself holding tatters. This was a no brainer. I soon replaced them with gorgeous, clean, new, semi sheer, slightly patterned curtains. I needed tie backs and couldn't come up with anything that didn't look like the "mature" person I am. Then I saw some great little glasses cords (also old lady...the kind that hang around your neck) at the dollar store. I brought them home and voilà. Here are my sheers and tie backs.

I looked around the house and determined what things bothered me most. I made a list. My plan is to begin small, so small, that hopefully, it will be barely noticed except as an improvement. This is a laundry hamper, mid century modern. I checked Google and similar hampers were made in the late 50's and early 60's. No real value...$20 on pinterest and perhaps slightly more on ebay. It also weighs more than one frail, senior woman can lift. Fill it with laundry, add additional obstacles (dogs, stairs, etc) and it's pretty much an impossibility to transport to the basement laundry room. It's dirty and faded, but in relatively good condition....and sturdy. I would like it to look clean, tasteful and modern.

The internet is of no help. All their hampers and redesigned hampers look sterile...wooden, metallic, or white. I want some pizazz. I want style. I want... well, who cares? Anything will be an improvement over the current look.

So far, I've decided to paint the bottom, recover the vinyl lid, and replace the braid and rusted hinges. Wish me luck. I'll report back.