Repairs Around the House

In my jewelry case, I had a dozen or so small cosmetic pendants. None had chains so I wasn't able to wear the for years. At Christmastime my daughter mentioned that she misplaced her cross necklace, and I had a cross (sans chain) that my boyfriend had given me when I was 16. I gave the cross to her and we went shopping and she found a chain on sale. Since then she told me that she found her original cross necklace near where she kept it on a candle. Said that "an angel must have moved it, so that I could find it." After our shopping adventure, I considered how I could replace a dozen or so chains inexpensively. I searched online and finally decided that I would purchase some chains, rings and alligator clasps at a local craft store. I spend a couple days working with the jewelry. I wanted to hang the necklaces so that the chains would not get tangled. Many years ago my sister brought a small treasure chest from a souvenir shop. It was missing a hinge, the clasp was lost, and a stud that hold the chain so the chest opens only a certain distance, had fallen out. So I went to the hardware store and purchased a 3/4" hinge set, a decorative hasp, and some furniture brads (only needed 1). Very delicate work and it took forever until I figured out to use the vice on the workbench and my husband came home and got out his drill and smallest bit. I was struggling with my relationship with my sister and fixing the chest was symbolic of repairing that relationship. It all had to do with her perception of my parents' situation. She can't know the true situation if she hears what my brother and his wife feed her and only see my parents on holidays when everyone is drinking and tired. Of course I will deal with whatever comes up. Plan to visit with them today.