That may be a topic for another day, but we wanted to celebrate Jesus coming into this world and focus on sharing that joy with our friends and family. Seriously, I have enough furniture to refinish filling my home; I don't need stuff to fill my life. I have joy to fill my life!
So, in lieu of a gift that Brett had picked out or written a list for, I have been paying close attention to something that he had mentioned long ago. He really wanted to buy a chainsaw someday. Not just any chainsaw, a Husqvarna 372 XP...golly. Is it just me, or am I the only one wondering what in the world he would need to saw anything with that kind of power in our small city lot?
Planning went into place, and I began scouring Craigslist.org for the prized model. Little did I know, this 372 XP model is the tiramisu of chainsaws. My Paul Bunyan could saw down the Mackinaw Bridge with it. Through careful research, I sneakily found out that a 350 would probably be enough raw power without the fear of him loosing a limb. Another positive side of this was it was way more affordable as a newer used model.
When I pulled up to the lister of the saw, he looked a little surprised to see me looking for that kind of equipment. Not wanting to get scammed, I made sure he started it and let it run in front of me before I started negotiations. I walked away with the saw, less $50 the list price, and he threw in a blade cover since I 'was so sweet'. Well, I won't complain about that; a smile really does go a long way.
As I tucked the saw away in the basement, I could hardly contain my excitement for surprising him on Christmas morning! If you know me at all, you would know that I am a terrible secret keeper...especially when it comes to presents. In this proud moment, I can say that he had absolutely no idea until the fateful moment when he went looking for his lost camo and stumbled on his 'epidermal tissue disruptor' (Rescuers Down Under reference). We laughed about it, but he was absolutely tickled with excitement. In his elatedness, he even convinced me to let him start it in the house. The look on his face was priceless.
Two days before Christmas is also Brett's birthday. That day, I took vacation to ride around with him at work. This day we also went to pick up his Christmas present for me...a piano! While it seem like he might have gone against our agreement to do an extravagant gift, he actually found this piano on Craigslist.org for FREE. We just needed to pick it up ourselves. Challenge accepted.
With a few hiccups with getting it up the 4 concrete stairs into the house, the ivories now sit in out dining room until we move Big Mossy out of the living room for deconstruction. The over 90 year old piano is the bee's knees. Since the age of 5, I have enjoyed plunking away on a piano; I always imagined having one in my own home. This one was just beautiful!
My lumberjack and his keen eye for a beautiful wood grain, picked a dark quarter sawn Chicago Cable Company player piano. In case you need clarification, this instrument will play on its own with paper rolls while being pumped by foot pedals. While researching this magnificent machine, I found out the Euphona model was made in 1907 until 1929. At the time the Cable Company was the largest piano maker in Chicago. After further research on BlueBookofPianos.com, I found out the serial number from the inside of my player coordinated with the year it was manufactured. This particular piano was made in 1919! For being nearly 100 years old, there is only one sticky hammer in the lower octaves and there is not one chipped key.
After seeing the price of a 1914 Euphona model, my jaw dropped to the floor. If this piano's player is still fully functional, its estimated value is between $12,000-$18,000 restored (which can cost a pretty sum to do). Not a bad day for getting it free from Craigslist! The old sound and beauty of this piece was breathtaking to me. Probably one of the most meaningful gifts I have ever received.
Sorry for the photo overload, but hopefully these document all of the majesty contained in this wood box of hammers and strings.
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