Saturday, July 18, 2009

Dish Disaster

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     I know in many people’s minds it is just stuff, but I just lost a portion of my milk glass collection, including a large blue and white pitcher with this marking.

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     If anyone knows the value that this hallmark indicates, don’t tell me.  Just say:

I am really sorry Laura,” or

No big deal Laura, they have those EVERYWHERE.”

Then I will be able to read between the lines.

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   And just think…that pitcher may have survived some HUGE historical event but died in my house.

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     All I did was reach for something on the top shelf of this cabinet, which was apparently faking its stability. The entire shelf fell forward, emptying its contents.

     Everything came crashing down around me, shattering on the floor.

My husband, who was watching golf on television, started shouting,

Don’t move, don’t move!” He immediately knew that I was barefoot because I always am.

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     That top shelf held my milk glass creamer and sugar bowl collection, including two sets of Westmoreland. 

     One set survived. One did not.  I am choosing to believe that the set that survived is the set that belonged to my mother. Otherwise, I really wouldn’t be able to stand it.

     After seeing my face, my husband then said- “Well now you can start your quest to replace everything.”

     Bless his dear, sweet heart. He knows me so well.

     One last observation. 

In a real sense , it is just stuff. My mother was not sitting on that shelf in the form of a creamer and sugar bowl set. 

     All is right with my world today. As my husband used to shout at our girls’ high school volleyball games, when things went wrong,

Nobody’s hurt. Let’s go.”

 creamer and sugar

48 comments:

Terry said...

Howdy Laura
I gasp as soon as I saw the first photo.
I know they are just things but being such a softie I am crying I hope you don't mind a friendly tear .I have hankys :)
Your Mom was most likely the reason your hubby acted so quickly she nudged him right out of the golf game quick as a wink to protect your preecious feet .Moms are like that .
Your hubby is so awesome and so right Nobody's Hurt let's go.
Only this time Laura go shopping and see how much fun you can have building a new support for the shelf and filling it with even more wonderful treasures ,
after all you have blogging friends now who will be waiting to see all the neat and wonderful ways you recycle the bits and pieces
to accent your new additions.
All my best to you .
Blessings as you embark upon a new treasure hunting adventure.
Big big hugs
Happy Trails

Stacey said...

Laura, I don't know a thing about the pieces except they were pretty and I know you are bummed. I love that positive attitude though..the new search is on!

Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings... said...

OOOOHhhh! MY!! Laura!!! You could have been seriously hurt! I'm so glad your okay and the headlines are not..."Woman attacked by falling dishes" Lol...Seriously though... I'm so sorry... that must have scared you. Happened very fast I'M sure. You've got your work cut out for you now girl... Serious Shop-o-rama...Save all the pieces...You could do a Mosaic...and name it something to remember the event by...or....okay, I'll just quietly go home...xoxo~Kathy~ @ Up-North Mornings...

Jodie (everything vintage) said...

Laura! At least YOU are okay girl! The first thing that came to my mind when I saw the photos was "where was she!"
You are right...it's just a dish. Can't take it with you BUT they were beautiful and sentimental to you in some sort of way or they wouldn't have been in your beautiful collection. I know you must be sad.
But on the bright side, hubby has given you permission to replace them so yay!
***Keep some of the pieces to make jewelry for yourself!!!!! That way you can wear it and it'll always be with you!!!!! Go did them out of the trash girl without cutting yourself!! :)
everything vintage

Jodie (everything vintage) said...

I meant to say...Go DIG them out of the trash!!! ;)

susan said...

Laura- am glad you were not hurt! The same thing happened in my wet bar several Christmases ago. I lost some Waterford and things that had belonged to my grandmother. I know how devastating it is! I DID have to tell myself "it's just stuff". But it was MY stuff :)! The good news is I have replaced all that was replaceable and still do not regret using and enjoying my pieces instead of keeping them packed away...now go forth and shop!

Debra@CommonGround said...

Hi Laura, thanks so much for coming by and thanks for joining the "followers". I've been on your blog several times and enjoyed it so now I'm going to have to catch up with you.
I know what you mean about "stuff", but it DOES have sentimental attachments. I'm hoping you can find something even prettier. Glad you didn't break a toe, or worse!
Debra

Dawn said...

Oh FUUUUDGE!!!

I'm sooo sorry, Laura! I fell so bad for you!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

I know it is just stuff and it doesn't matter if it has any value or not. I get so attached to my stuff that I am like you, if it breaks I just want to cry. You do have a DH to try and console you. I know you can replace it all, but it is still sad. Big Hugs, Marty

Glenda/MidSouth said...

I am so sorry! First of all - glad you are ok.
Yes - just stuff, but it was stuff you cared about. Don't know anything about the value of the pitcher.
Glenda

Domestic Designer said...

Oh I am so sorry! I am relieved that you aren't hurt. Sounds like your DH has the right idea. Now you can have fun searching for just the right pieces to replace those that were broken. Once again so sorry.

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Oh I'm SOOOOOO Sorry! I know that you're really upset with this horrible accident "of things" yes - but still it's sad to see your memories and well loved items in pieces on the floor. So glad you're not hurt, and what a wonderful husband!

Tootsie said...

I know nothing about this stuff...but I am devastated by the loss of so many pieces! You poor thing! I can only imagine what was going through your mind when the first piece hit the floor!
I think I would have been in tears!

Carole and Chewy said...

Oh, no! I'm SO SORRY - I was just cleaning my own sentimental pieces this morning and congratulated myself on managing to do it without breaking something. Others are right -save the pieces - do a mosaic - maybe a picture frame for your mom's pictures - or a beautiful birdbath, so you can sit in your garden and watch them sparkle in the sun!

Rebecca Nelson said...

Laura...I'm sick for you and your treasures. I really am. I've been there I'm sad to say. I broke a vintage punch bowl that I'd bought on eBay that was just like my mom's. We all used hers at family weddings (starting with hers and my dads) mine followed, my sisters, etc. I decided to hunt down one for myself for fear one day we might break the thing. Right after my girl married I broke the one I had finally found. I was soooooo sad...had looked for one for years. I was just happy it wasn't the one that belonged to my mom... Still...like you said...just stuff. Still...it was special stuff! ;(

Get shopping! :)

xoRebecca PS: From what I can tell the things that fell and broke on the floor were all just JUNK! *wink*

blushing rose said...

Oh, that Rebecca is a KICK! I am so SO sorry about your loss. Been there & all I could do was say 'oh, dang!!' as I had lost 2 shelves of merchandise in the shop that was very costly.
Just makes you sick, regardless of the value ... sentimental, right! TTFN ~Marydon

Lynn said...

Oh, no!
Do you mosaic?
Do a frame around a mirror.
It will turn out great!
I can just see it now!

Jo said...

I'm sooo sorry...luckily you weren't hurt. How about making mosiac out of the pieces - maybe a side table or an tray?....Jo

Joan@anythinggoeshere said...

I know this is heart breaking. I am the break it queen. I just clean it up and move on. And try to forget. In your case, you did nothing wrong...I am usually hurrying or being inattentive. Just like a blogger, you had the camera ready.

Carol Murdock said...

Been there and it ain't fun!My things were also momentos of my Mothers.Glad you were not hurt and your Hubby is right, you have a new purpose! Antique Mall Shopper!

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

Oh, Laura, I am sorry this happened... I was thinking like Lynn that you could use the pieces for a mosaic project. They are lovely and not too hard to do.

Donna said...

Yikes! Sorry that happened. But I'm glad you have a nice, supporting husband to come to the rescue. :)

D

Beth in NC said...

I'm so sorry! That is horrible! I'm thankful you weren't hurt.

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

Laura: I am so glad you weren't hurt! Not just your feet, but you could have been hit (or cut) in the head!

I know is upsetting as I have done the same thing! But..now you have a whole "empty" shelf to fill back up!

The hunt is on girl!!

Lou Cinda :)

Debra from Bungalow said...

So sorry this happened. I bet you felt like crying. How fast can you fill up that shelf again?

Julie said...

Oh My...what a horrible accident! I would have to agree with the other girls...Mosaic it into something adorable and precious! jULIE

Cindy said...

You're in my prayers. Thank you for showing us some of the beauty of these pieces, regardless of their condition now.

Lin said...

Laura,
I was shocked as soon as I saw that first picture. I have no idea what any of your dishes would be worth, but know what it's like to break or lose something that you love. I'm so sorry, but do replace your things with others just as beautiful soon!
Lin

Elizabethd said...

I'm so sorry Laura, it is heartrending to break such a lovely colection.
I think the ideas about making a mosaic are very thoughtful.
But, no one was hurt, and for that we are thankful. Start again!

Karen said...

I haven't read the comments from anyone... since maybe I might then find a tear rolling down my face.. so someone else may have suggested this... I see a lovely picture frame made from these beautiful broken pieces. Would that help??
I'm so sorry.
Karen

Anonymous said...

I bet you just melted. I know I would have. Don't know what is worse, doing something like that myself or someone else causing it to happen. If we could just turn back time...hang in there. I like your hubby's idea!! Lisa @ Cranberry Flats

Kelly said...

Make lemonade out of the lemons and try the mosaic project. I just bet it would be beautiful. I saw a post somewhere where someone made a tabletop out of broken dishes. Jen at Dust Bunny Hostage made one. Here's the link.
http://www.dustbunnyhostage.com/2009/03/thrifty-thursday_26.html

And BTW, I'm sorry about your beautiful dishes.

kate said...

Oh I am so sorry, but like your sweet husband said , happy hunting....
kate

Poolside with the Girls said...

I'm sorry. That's heartbreaking. I lost my entire tea set that my grandfather gave me when I was a child. My brothers jumped on my bed when I was playing with it and the entire thing crashed to the floor. I have never stopped wishing I still had that tea set. I feel for you!!!

It's one thing to break this or that but when it's a treasure...well it stinks!

So sorry!

Linda (Nina's Nest) said...

Laura, yikes! I am so sorry, but it sounds like your hubby had the right words to say - how sweet....plus, he was concerned about you and your feet stepping on something! That is what is really priceless. Linda

Miss Laura Lu/RMS4291960 said...

If you've never tried tile mosaics...well honey, looks like a good time to start!! Oh sweetie I feel your pain!! My first tablescape was with my everyday china and I explained that I used to have alot more of it and some serving pieces but I like to display all my treasures and it was all sitting on a wall shelf in my kitchen when one day as I was mopping I came up and my shoulder hit the shelf and everything came crashing down! Only a few pieces survived and what I had in my cabinets! And yes I was barefoot too! I told you this story because you know what they say about misery loving company!! I loved your husband's quick response! God Bless! Lauralu

Lavender Chick said...

I am so, so sorry! What a wonderful attitude your husband has. I realize it is just stuff, but stuff with a story isn't really just stuff... Save the broken pieces - you might be able to do something with them: a tile mosaic or pieces glued to a glass vase that could create a beatiful piece!

Dixie said...

Save the pieces, do a nice moasic table for the patio, and then you'll be able to remember and tell the story over and over again as friends come and go from the garden... the "stuff" will still be with you, just in another form.

hugs. Dixie

Thelma said...

I am so sorry to see those pictures! I would have sat down (in the broken pieces) and bawled. What a great hubby you have.

Marguerite said...

I'm so sorry about your dishes, Laura. And so glad that you weren't hurt. I think that Dixie has a great idea with the mosaic and that it would make a very pretty patio table. Cheers!

trash talk said...

It'll be okay Laura...they really do have those everywhere! I'm just glad you weren't injured (BTW, I'm a closet hillbilly too...never wear shoes in the house!)
I sort of feel like it's my fault. I should have never asked where you stored all your wonderful glassware. The shelf must have heard my question.
What a sweet husband...go shopping. That will lift your spirits up super fast!
Debbie

Susie Homemaker said...

Oh Laura...I still mourn the loss of several teacups sent flying by the flick of my cat's tail (I know he did it on purpose)...but, that hunt to replace them your husband offered you can be verrrry rewarding in the way of new treasures you find along the way...

I am so sorry...
Susie

Sue said...

I hope that you will use the broken pieces to create something pretty out of them. Glue them to a pot or a table top, then mortar them in. At least you will be able to keep a part of them along with their memories. :-) Sue

Debbie@Mountain Breaths said...

"Nobody is hurt, let's go". Whew! Could have been worse Laura. I see a craft project in your future :-) What a sweet hubby you have. Thanks for your visit to my blog so I could visit yours.

Sewing-Chick said...

I feel your pain. A couple months ago, my parents were over and my dad was running around trying to suck a moth up with the vacuum. (I swear I am not making that up.) He bumped into the hoosier cabinet and out poured my china collection. Somehow by the grace of God, most of what fell out did not break. I lost a gravy boat and a couple saucers, including one that was probably worth something from Germany.
They went to an antique mall and bought me a new plate from Germany, however I winced at the price tag ($14). I bet I paid fifty cents for the one they broke and felt bad that they paid that much for one.

Betty's corner of the world said...

OMG! .... I truly feel your pain... My kids laughed when I saw Titanic and they were sinking and showed the dinning room and the china floating in the water .. I gasped and said .."oh no! ..not the dishes"!!! ...lol
I'm glad you were not hurt.. but now you can go hunting. :^)
Hugz ..Betty

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Oh, I am SO sorry this happened! Bless your heart. I know how I would feel if something like this happened to me (and I'm just waiting on the day that it does happen, since I have stuff piled on top of stuff in shelves at my house). I do have a box of broken china that I plan to put on top of an outdoor table at some point (of course I have been saving these broken pieces for about 10 yrs, so not sure what I'm waiting on). laurie

Tricia said...

I feel for you Laura- that is totally something that would happen to me but I definitely would have had bloody feet on top of the heartbreak and mess! I am SO sorry!!

 

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