High Chair Fixer Upper
Aug 16th, 2007 by admin
As I previously wrote about, my mother gave me a dresser and high chair that were used by her and her two siblings when they were all babies. The dresser has been refinished by my grandfather and uncle; you can read about that here. I am told that my uncle really did most of the work on the dresser, not my grandfather.
My grandfather and I each own a piece of real estate on the same block uptown. One house (a shotgun single, and the one CS and I now own) was purchased by my great-great grandfather over 100 years ago when my great grandfather married. The other (a shotgun double, and the one still owned by my grandfather) was purchased by my great grandfather, and my grandfather lived in one side when he first married. CS and I bought the single from my grandfather just before Katrina with the intention of adding on to it and moving into it. Katrina iced those plans for the time being.
Fast forward to last week. My uncle came over to discuss the tax assessment on my grandfather’s double with me. I am brought in on these types of discussions since I serve as the family legal adviser and since I too own real estate in the area.
While my uncle and I are sitting at my dinner table, he spies the high chair. I remind him that he used it as a baby. I ask if he has any recommendations for the top–it fits loosely and can pop off if you hit it just right, which I am certain little baby feet will do down the line. He looks at it like a cat looks at a toy–from all sides and all angles. He takes the top off and finally gives the diagnosis that the bracket is worn and needs a shim. Greeeaat. We locate a screwdriver (which is no small feat in CS’s toolbox) and he removes the offending bracket to take with him. He promises he’ll make a shim for it. Well, hell, if you want to come to my house and find things that need fixing and volunteer to fix them, feel free to drop by anytime!
So earlier this week, my uncle returns for me to notarize some paperwork related to this assessment situation. He comes with the shims. And his own screwdriver. And the high chair is now in safe working condition.
I LOVE my family! The next time he needs a notary, I’ll nudge him in the direction of my latest odd job that is needing attention.
Stumble it!
I guess that means it is not a death trap, anymore?
I still like it.
I have a very similar highchair that was my father’s and mine. (In fact my tray looks exactly like yours). Anyway, I saw your other post about sewing a strap. I wanted to tell you I got on line and ordered a replacement nylon strap and hubby attached with screw and washer to the highchair. It has lived through 2 kids now. Sorta like the kind found in restaurant highchairs. It come up between the legs and then I have the waist strap go all the way around the back rest and buckle it behind back rest. Kinda weird at first, but you get used to it and it works! I believe it was fairly cheap too. I would search under replacement high chair straps. I got brown to match the wood.