Vintage Mop Bucket Water Feature

The day I took the pictures for the Vintage Mop Bucket Water Feature post was the most frustrating day. The kind of day that is just down right annoying because I do stupid stupid stuff all day long….

About once a month or so, I like to visit my local antique and thrift shops to look for deals and just get some inspiration. In fact, during one of those trips, I found this galvanized mop bucket perfect for making a little soothing water feature (like my vintage washing machine fountain). On this day, the day I took the pictures, I also found a large old mantle great for taking pictures for the blog. It wouldn’t fit in the car, but no problem, I’d just go home and get the truck. But first, I had to stop by the post office and ship Fix A Bra orders. Should just take a few minutes, after all I am starving and have to “go” really really bad. But, I can make it until I get home. Which I do… eventually….

For some insane reason, I decided to just take my orders and my wallet inside the Post Office. That’s it, no purse, no cell phone and no car keys. Oh and since all that was in the car, of course I needed to lock it! I actually thought about this as the keys lay on the seat.  As soon as I plopped those orders on the counter and looked at my lonely wallet, I knew what I done and said it out loud. The clerk asked if I needed to call someone. It was at that moment I realized that I didn’t know anyone’s phone number except mine and my husband’s, who was 45 minutes away at work. Geez Louise, what now? Thankfully, my son was at work within walking distance. I got the truck from him, drove to the house and got some keys, drove back to his work and left the truck, walked back to the Post Office and got my car and drove back to his work again and got the truck again, so that I could go get the mantle. And I wonder why I can’t get anything done.

I had set this up by the patio door when Spiffing up the patio, but I had the awesome idea to take it to the upstairs porch where I could “relax” and shoot some pictures.  So I emptied it out, cut some pretty flowers from my Crepe Myrtle, grabbed my camera and headed upstairs. All is finally well with my world. Yeah right! Before I go upstairs, I remember that I need to do a Neti Bottle Treatment to my sinus’s. So, I boil some salt water, wait for it to cool and squirt the stuff up into both sinus’s. I tell you this because the entire time I do what I am about about to write about, water is dripping/pouring from my nose and I have somehow managed to lodge a good portion of  it straight into my Eustachian tube. Ouch!

Once I am upstairs, the first thing I notice is that the Ivy Geraniums need watering and dead heading. So, I did that, and they looked so pretty that I decide to take a picture only to discover that my camera battery is dead.  Then I notice that the triple set of old wooden windows were fifthly and covered with spider webs. No problem. I will charge the battery while washing the windows. So, I head back downstairs to get my Washing Windows Like a Pro equipment and battery charger, climbed out on the roof and began washing. Things were going well until I decided to flick the water off my squeegee and it goes flying into the air and right off the roof like a super charged Frisbee. Now I have to climb back off the roof, go downstairs, into the yard and go get the squeegee, climb back onto the roof and finish. REALLY? Is this the theme of the day? At this point, I am ever more determined to set up the Vintage Mop Bucket Water Feature!

With the windows clean and shining I set out to style the area for the pictures. I am so happy that they showed up so clearly in the picture. (insert sarcasm here).

You only need a few things to set up a fountain. A container that will hold water and has something for the water to flow over, under or against. A pump with tubing and electricity. How convenient! I have an extension cord still plugged in from Christmas Lights! Finally things are going my way! Don’t get too excited because IT DOESN’T WORK! and it takes me 15 minutes of plugging in, resetting the outlet and trying the pump in other outlets to figure out the the extension cord is shot. You guessed it, I get to go on another hike to find an extension cord. But wait, there’s more…

I  ordered this pump from Amazon thinking that it was the same power as the one in the Vintage Washing Machine Fountain. Even went to Lowe’s and got this lovely tube to fit. When I installed it, all I got was a tiny trickle, so it was back downstairs to find the larger pump. Have you seen any degree of RELAXING here??????? Oh, it gets better. Remember that extension cord issue? Once I got back upstairs, eager to plug in my pump, alas I need a three prong extension cord and the one I have is a two prong-er. SILENT SCREAM AND RANT! Another hike up and down the stairs and I am finally all set!

Did I mention that this Mop Bucket is Patented! Don’t get any ideas on copying it! I remember a time when I thought these were beyond ugly and I would turn my nose up at them. Now, I think they are adorable and I am decorating with them? I am still trying to figure that one out! DRIP DRIP…

In the end, it is so pretty, soothing and nostalgic all the trouble and frustration just melt away. I just love water features, the sound just adds an extra layer of calm to any space.

Until next time, Keep Calm and Carry On!