Patio Umbrella Pole Problems

It seems as if every week I am on here complaining about the umbrella pole on my patio table.  We use this table year round here with our mild weather so it's not just a seasonal problem with me. Sometimes I have used 2 table runners, other times just used placemats.  I came up with this great idea that I could buy one of the round outdoor tablecloths with a hole in the center and a zipper and came home with several.  I was so proud of myself thinking this would look good. It  just needed to hang over the square edges and look great.  Nope, didn't work!  This table is too big.  Of course I wanted it big. And the square shape is great for socializing.  It came with 8 chairs and we've even been able to add a stool or two if needed.   I can't help it though.  I still felt slighted by the patio linens manufacturer's!

Then this week I wandered into Home Goods (my happy place!) and after looking through the runners came across this one.  Great idea!

 

It's a table runner made of outdoor fabric that has a hole in the middle with a zipper.  Genius! Obviously I was not the only one who had this problem.

I had to lift up the cardboard thing to make sure I wasn't dreaming and there it was.  A hole in the center with a zipper.  Just like it should be!  Even the colors were good for me and since they only had one I grabbed it quickly and through it in my cart.

I was so excited to try it out, I didn't bother to iron it first, so please excuse the creases.

I  placed a few candles on it to make it look better (probably would have taken less time to iron it!  Oh well!)  It's long enough so that hangs down on both sides and I'm sure it would look great on a long rectangular table.  Problem one solved.  One to another one.

We don't have any electrical outlets on this corner of our lanai yet (hint, hint if my husband reads this!) and if we are sitting here after the sun goes down we have 2 choices.  Drag out a bunch of candles or opt for the motion sensor lights (I call them the prison lights) mounted on the back of our house for security. Not happy with either of those options.  I came across this candle holder on clearance at Ross for less than $4 and thought it would help with our lighting needs. The umbrella would protect it from the weather so we could leave it there all the time.   I saw the same thing at Home Goods for $14.99 so it was a good deal.

The pole needs to be taken out and then the candle thing goes on and the pole goes through it.  Our pole weighs a ton so I had to wait for my husband to get home and pull it out.  He was so excited and couldn't wait to help with my latest project (don't believe this for a second!).  After some grunting and complaining the pole came out, candle thing went in and looked pretty nice.   I was busy deciding if I had blue and green tealights to place in the glass cups.   Until...

we tried to open the umbrella.  The handle couldn't turn because the candle thing was in the way.  Instead of putting our thinking caps on and figuring out a solution, my husband was ready to give up and relax on his Saturday afternoon (the nerve of him!).  So I will put my thinking cap on at a later date and try to come up with a solution.  After all, under $4 is a hefty investment!

Next house I will have a covered part big enough for my outdoor living room AND an outdoor dining room!  No more umbrella!

I would love to hear if you have any solutions for my problem or just leave a comment to show you care!  Ha!

Visit my sister's blog at Creating Wonderful Spaces and see what she does with burlap!

I will be joining the following parties...

Overflowing with Creativity at It's Overflowing

Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper

Masterpiece Monday at Boogieboard Cottage

Motivate Me Monday @ Keep It Simple

Met Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

Wow us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

Show and Tell at mrs. himes class

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

Show off your Cottage at House in the Roses

Show and Tell Monday at The Delectable Home

Thrifty Thursday at Thrifty Decorating