Waste not, want not

Since our condo is now officially on the market (the owner would prefer selling it to finding new leasees), we have started getting calls from the assigned realtors to schedule viewings. Yesterday morning after getting a request for a short-notice viewing later that day, I did a quick walk-through to determine how a stranger might perceive the place. What cleaning or re-arranging might be most useful at this last-minute stage? I asked myself. This lamp stood out to me during my walk-through. It was a bargain we purchased several months ago at the local thrift store, and at that time had a beautiful ceramic base--which promptly got broken through a mishap during the moving of our couch. As we Tams are not prone to waste anything that still has a semblance of useful life remaining, we found a way to make the base-less lamp keep functioning. It now sits on our bedroom dresser, balanced by a "cast" or splint of sorts made from taped pieces of cardboard, and a couple hand weights to keep it from tipping. Later we had to add string to balast the sides, so the whole contraption is currently quite a sight to behold.

I decided against dismantling it just to appease inspecting tenants or realtors. But I can imagine it might get a few raised eyebrows. Also, I am choosing to ignore the makeshift "curtain" we put over the window above the kitchen sink (duct taped washclothes hung by twine) and the cardboard box that functions as a wastebasket next to our bed. Instead, I will keep the counters wiped, the floors vacuumed, and the air smelling good, etc.--hoping that if the house is clean enough, our frugal decorating quirks can be overlooked.