Whimsy On Wednesday, My Napoleon Dynamite Chair

Awhile back I posted about how much I love whimsy, and why. I meant to start posting about whimsical things sometimes, thinking "Whimsical Wednesdays" has a cute ring to it.

That was awhile ago and, well-- no more whimsy has made it’s way to this blog, on a Wednesday or any other day. At least not intentionally. But you can bet I have been collecting whimsy in real life. I like a little chuckle, something that tickles my fancy, every once in awhile. It sort of breaks up the monotony around here, the hum-drum of everyday life...because that really happens alot around here, as you can imagine.

One of my friends commented, “Unfortunately, that line between whimsical and tacky is varying widths, and some folks need glasses to find it.” Okay, THAT made me laugh because it is so true! I hope I don’t cross that line.

But you might wonder when you see my whimsy for today…

Since I referred to it last week, I thought that, today, I’d post about my cheerful and ugly whimsical chair.

Here’s the picture from Craigslist. It’s a little blurry because it’s a picture of a picture that I took to send to my niece. I knew she’d laugh.

This is my Napoleon Dynamite Chair. It’s a 1940’s chair with 1970’s upholstery. I bought it off Craigslist for 50 bucks. I love the eclectic, risky retro feel of it.

And anyway, it’s sort of a test piece. Right away I have a gauge by which to measure one’s likes and dislikes, maybe even personality or mood, based on their reaction to this chair when walking into our music room.

It sort of takes you by surprise when you walk by the door and ---WHOA! There it is!

I think that’s funny. I love seeing and doing the unexpected.

I’m not loving the area rug, so it will eventually be changed.

When I sit there, I am surrounded by things I really like, many of which remind me of people or events I treasure. I even love the french doors leading into the room.

Some people don’t like my silly chair. That doesn’t hurt my feelings at all. Because I know it’s questionable. Even my own sons don’t like my chair. I think that’s funny too.

Personally, I think it’s a hoot -- not to mention practical. It has really wide, flat arms where I can rest a book (or a magazine) or a cup of coffee. I keep a Bible which belonged to Grandma M, an adopted grandma of ours who recently passed away, on one of those arms too, where I can think of her often.

My sons say there is a floral couch in the movie Napoleon Dynamite which they think looks alot like my chair. They paused the movie at just the right moment and showed me which couch they meant. It was important to their emotional development that I acknowledge the similarity. And, being the caring, sensitive mom that I am, I went with it. And, ya, okay, I’ll admit -- it does have the same basic colors. But mine has a much denser floral pattern. It’s even a bit louder!

There it is, all situated and comfy. You can see how big and cozy it is when I curl up in it, cuddled up in the blanket the stewardess told me I could take if I didn’t tell because she isn’t supposed to advertise that we can take them I acquired from Lufthansa, once fall sets in. In a long, long time from today.

That blanket, though tucked under the pillow and not really a compliment to the chair, gives me something to snuggle in, and reminds me of the trip I took to India and the precious people there, who I will always remember.

The picture that hangs above it was left to me by Grandma K, another adopted grandma. She was our neighbor when we first got married. Her husband gave it to her when they were dating and he wrote on the back of it. I always admired it hanging on her living room wall. So here it hangs in our home, where I think of her every day. It is perfect for a music room.

Even the books and the plant on the table are special for one reason or another. The chair just gives me one central place where I can have all of that loving goodness in one very whimsical spot!

What whimsy do you have in your life that makes you chuckle, or think about those you love?

I love whimsy.

I’ve been saving it up so I have lots to share too!