Mr. Wonderful Once Again ...

Once again, my dear hubby pulled off a huge surprise.

Ichank, the manager of my favorite furniture store, had shown me an antique buffet-type piece a couple of months ago. It was from the first hotel in Indonesia -- way back during Dutch colonialism. It was called Hotel Orange (a Dutch family name ... not related to the color and not related to the Indonesian/Malay word "orang" meaning people/person. The word "orangutan" means "people of the forest!" Yep, and they're not near extinction anymore -- thousands live on this island, alone! Okay, back to the story!) The hotel is now named Majapahit Mandarin Hotel and you can find it on the internet and read the history -- including how it was used during the war when the Japanese occupied Indonesia. The hotel now has new, Indonesian/non-Dutch owners and wanted to get rid of the Dutch-colonial style so did a complete remodel.

Anyway, after Ichank told me about the hotel, I researched the hotel and found the piece of furniture becoming even dearer to my heart [insert violins and quiet sobbing, here] but we just didn't have the money ... no matter how great the price was. I talked with God about it, saying things like "I don't really need it but it would cause my other cabinets to be less crowded ... If it's sold before I can get it, that's okay ... I sure would like it, though. I might not ever find another piece like it ..."

When I was in the shop about a month ago, finalizing arrangements on the dining chairs, Ichank told me that the piece had sold. He said another woman had been interested in it, too. In my brain, my response was, "Bummer ... but at least I got to see it and learn about it's history. Okay, God, I'm cool with that." To Ichank I said, "Welllllll, my husband will be happy to hear that because we didn't have the money anyway!" (Ichank gave me a weird look but I thought it was cross-cultural misses.)

Later that day, I told Jim that he didn't have to worry ... the piece had sold to another woman. He thought I was strangely content so he was certain that I knew otherwise. (Now why didn't he trust my contentment??? :-) )

Time passed ... I thought of that piece often but never with any regret.

Then, on Wednesday, while Kartini was giving me a pedicure, Jim called and said that I needed to be home 'cuz a small anniversary gift was going to be delivered. Our 29th is this Sunday but we leave for Thailand on Saturday so I thought "How nice to give me flowers this early in the week so that I can enjoy them before we leave on Saturday!" I told him that he didn't have to do anything 'cuz we were leaving soon but that the thought meant a whole lot!!!

Just like low-budget movies that build up a story for a long time and then run out of money and have to end it abruptly ... here's the ending.

JIM, my husband, was "the other woman" who bought the buffet 4 weeks ago and asked Ichank to deliver it on the 2nd of December! Ichank and the delivery guys had some good laughs, enjoying my surprise and delight!

Now I cherish the piece even more!

Historical note: Antiques are cheap here for 2 reasons: the locals don't want to be reminded of the colonial days and they believe that spirits inhabit all old furniture and houses so they don't want to be near anything like them! Ichank and his wife and child live in a small apartment inside the furniture shop and his friends often inquire about what happens in the place during the night -- thinking that spirits play the two antique pianos and all ...
And, as mentioned in earlier posts, they harvest the teak trees too quickly, now, so the newer furniture is not one solid piece of wood. But with antiques such as this the top and sides are each one solid piece!! Beautiful!