Showing posts with label Business. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Business. Show all posts

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Saturday Sales!

My daughter and I set out on an adventure this morning in Mount Victory, Ohio. The village was having their community yard sale day.

I love to yard sale, tag sale, estate sale, junk shop....if it involves finding objects that "tell a story", I am your girl! I love to repurpose or reuse.  My daughter and I wore our tennis shoes and hit the ground running. There were a lot of people out and about on this sunny, breezy Saturday in June. We also had the pleasure of watching hundreds of cyclists moving through Mount Victory during GOBA (Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure).

Not only was Mount Victory covered in yard sales, there are also many antique and odds and ends shops in Mount Victory. Everyone was in on the fun!

We saw some friends from church, met some store owners, and chatted with residents.

I had $45 to spend, money I had saved from a small job I had done...so, I was off to see what I could find within my budget.

Check out what I found...and by the way, I'm saving up for round two!

 



Please ignore the stack of magazines on the floor (I'm in the process of sorting those). I bought the chippy, shabby chic, green shelf for $12. It is the perfect size.

 



Yes, I love chippy furniture. Not dilapidated, but worn. If this shelf could talk, what would it tell me?



Vintage table runner...lots of embroidery. For 10 cents!

 



Wooden box with handle. No nails used in this box, only wooden dowels. It is very sturdy.



A friend was selling old geography books, circa 1902. I snatched those up for 10 cents a piece. They are nice pieces for my antique book collection.



Inside of book. I found an old test in the book...the student had been studying countries and their capitals.



Yes, these are old bowling pins. They are solid wood and obviously well used. Hunks of wood out of them!  I have good memories of bowling, and I  thought they'd make interesting conversation pieces. Plus if there is ever an intruder I could knock him in the head with one of these and he'd be out cold. They are heavy!!!



Vintage game board. I liked the color. Also just a few cents:)



These dominoes are old. Wooden. The paint is coming off in spots. The Statue of Liberty is on the back of each one. I wonder who played with these?



My daughter found this is one of the shops.  We came home and researched it. It is a medallion given to an Odd Fellow. The Odd Fellows are an international fraternity that has been in North America since the early 1800's. I'm not sure, but I think they might be similar to the Free Masons. We are using this medallion as a curtain tie back. Also another great conversation piece.



Now, this is not a typical candle holder. The base of the candle holder is made out of concrete. It is very heavy. I liked it because it was pretty, yet industrial...sort of.



Being a former public school teacher, I have a thing for old class pictures. This one is from the turn of the last century.



No, this is not a broken, warped fork. The owner of one of the stores told us the story.... some people had been doing some excavating work in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and came across several of these types of forks. Come to find out,  ladies had these type of forks made so that they could spear pickles and olives without getting messy. A crafter had copied those found forks, and made these. Now I have a very interesting fork to spear my pickles with. I can pretend I'm a Victorian woman when I use this. My husband thinks this looks dangerous.....it does sort of resemble a mini bayonet.



Vintage table cloths and table runners. 10 cents/ea.



Last, but not least...a beautiful floral print apron with a sheer overlay. I could so be a 1950's house wife if I could wear cute little aprons like this. Oh, okay....maybe not, but it was a thought. A fleeting thought, but a thought nonetheless.  It's still really cute.

 

 

Saturday Sales!

My daughter and I set out on an adventure this morning in Mount Victory, Ohio. The village was having their community yard sale day.

I love to yard sale, tag sale, estate sale, junk shop....if it involves finding objects that "tell a story", I am your girl! I love to repurpose or reuse.  My daughter and I wore our tennis shoes and hit the ground running. There were a lot of people out and about on this sunny, breezy Saturday in June. We also had the pleasure of watching hundreds of cyclists moving through Mount Victory during GOBA (Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure).

Not only was Mount Victory covered in yard sales, there are also many antique and odds and ends shops in Mount Victory. Everyone was in on the fun!

We saw some friends from church, met some store owners, and chatted with residents.

I had $45 to spend, money I had saved from a small job I had done...so, I was off to see what I could find within my budget.

Check out what I found...and by the way, I'm saving up for round two!

 



Please ignore the stack of magazines on the floor (I'm in the process of sorting those). I bought the chippy, shabby chic, green shelf for $12. It is the perfect size.

 



Yes, I love chippy furniture. Not dilapidated, but worn. If this shelf could talk, what would it tell me?



Vintage table runner...lots of embroidery. For 10 cents!

 



Wooden box with handle. No nails used in this box, only wooden dowels. It is very sturdy.



A friend was selling old geography books, circa 1902. I snatched those up for 10 cents a piece. They are nice pieces for my antique book collection.



Inside of book. I found an old test in the book...the student had been studying countries and their capitals.



Yes, these are old bowling pins. They are solid wood and obviously well used. Hunks of wood out of them!  I have good memories of bowling, and I  thought they'd make interesting conversation pieces. Plus if there is ever an intruder I could knock him in the head with one of these and he'd be out cold. They are heavy!!!



Vintage game board. I liked the color. Also just a few cents:)



These dominoes are old. Wooden. The paint is coming off in spots. The Statue of Liberty is on the back of each one. I wonder who played with these?



My daughter found this is one of the shops.  We came home and researched it. It is a medallion given to an Odd Fellow. The Odd Fellows are an international fraternity that has been in North America since the early 1800's. I'm not sure, but I think they might be similar to the Free Masons. We are using this medallion as a curtain tie back. Also another great conversation piece.



Now, this is not a typical candle holder. The base of the candle holder is made out of concrete. It is very heavy. I liked it because it was pretty, yet industrial...sort of.



Being a former public school teacher, I have a thing for old class pictures. This one is from the turn of the last century.



No, this is not a broken, warped fork. The owner of one of the stores told us the story.... some people had been doing some excavating work in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and came across several of these types of forks. Come to find out,  ladies had these type of forks made so that they could spear pickles and olives without getting messy. A crafter had copied those found forks, and made these. Now I have a very interesting fork to spear my pickles with. I can pretend I'm a Victorian woman when I use this. My husband thinks this looks dangerous.....it does sort of resemble a mini bayonet.



Vintage table cloths and table runners. 10 cents/ea.



Last, but not least...a beautiful floral print apron with a sheer overlay. I could so be a 1950's house wife if I could wear cute little aprons like this. Oh, okay....maybe not, but it was a thought. A fleeting thought, but a thought nonetheless.  It's still really cute.

 

 

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Things That Make You Go Hmm....

It's another rainy and gray Tuesday. It seems as if this is the way the entire Spring will be. On that note I've decided to go through my pictures, and pull out the ones that make me giggle, amuse me, or are just plain silly. It always feels good to laugh, doesn't it?



So, I walked in the bedroom yesterday and this is what I saw.  I told my husband that we now have "his and hers" foot warmers.



The other day I looked out my kitchen window...and this is what I saw.  I guess Fed Ex and UPS have to meet on back country roads to talk to each other. They just want us to THINK that they are bitter, package delivering, rivals. Now the truth is out!



Joe is our senior dog. In dog years he is like, eighty-five. He has arthritis and takes glucosamine & chondroitin daily. He still knows how to be silly and have a good time.




This picture of  me, always makes me laugh. I call this my Nanook  of the North picture. We were in the process of building our house, it was the dead of winter, and I wore that hat everywhere. No kidding. I looked like a citizen of Siberia, Russia. The shades were because of snow glare, not because I was trying to be "Hollywood". Just sayin'.



This is a neighbor of ours. He was out for his morning jog.

Saturday, April 2, 2011

The Road That Leads Home

 

[caption id="attachment_4689" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Home Driveway"][/caption]

 

I live down a country road.

There is not much traffic on the road. It is fairly quiet, most of the time.

After a short jaunt, or a long trip, it is always nice to see the road that leads to home.

Knowing I'm almost there...

 

This day I am reminded of another road that leads home.

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:20 NIV

I am just a pilgrim on a journey.

On the road.

On my way home.

 

 

 

 

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Basements Shouldn't Be Swimming Pools!



[caption id="" align="alignright" width="240" caption="Image by pennacook via Flickr"]rain down on window[/caption]


This morning I got up and went about my regular Saturday morning routine. I noticed, while in the kitchen, that the water pressure seemed sort of weak. I told my husband. He went down to the basement to check the pump.

Splash.

He found out that our basement had nearly six feet of water in it! Good grief.

It continues to rain. And the entire area is under a flood warning. The ground is saturated.

So is our basement.

What a mess.

Sigh.

I decided that I could worry and be upset about this whole occurrence...

It certainly would be easy to get angry...

But....I've been disciplining myself over the past several weeks.

Daily eucharisteo.

Giving thanks.

Is today's mess frustrating? Yes.

A pain in the neck? Definitely.

It could have been worse.  But, it wasn't.

Thanks on the good days. Thanks on the not as good days.

Each day there are things to be thankful for.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Cold Beauty



[caption id="" align="alignright" width="240" caption="Image by David Hepworth via Flickr"]Snow Globe[/caption]


Yes. This winter seems unending. It has been cold and chaotic since the first snow fell on December 1.

And yet...as I stand at my kitchen window, I am amazed at the beauty of it all.

I quietly sigh. I stare upward.

White gray.

Snow blowing every which way. A blur of flakes.

Each one different. Unusual.

The scene before me resembles a snow globe that has been shook hard.

A flake frenzy.

Cold beauty.

Dogs with snowy fur.

Schools closed.

Gray sky filled with flakes.

The roar of wind.

I feel the need to snap a picture. To remember.

To pull out on the hot, sticky days of late July.

A cool memory to ease the pain of the heat.

Lord, I am thankful for this day you have given me.

And for the eyes wide open...to see your gift to me.

 

 

 

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Moving Furniture And Other Big Stuff



[caption id="" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Image via Wikipedia"]sofa club[/caption]


I am a recovering furniture mover. I used to constantly change my furniture set up. I'd get tired of the couch being in front of the window, so I'd move it to the wall. The chair didn't look good in the corner anymore so I'd set it over next to the end table. It was an illness of which I could find no cure.

My late husband drove a truck. The hours for a truck driver are bizarre...sometimes he would get in, in the middle of the night. I'd be awakened by a bang and a thump and a few mutterings under his breath. Opps. I guess he didn't see that I moved the recliner over to the other side of the room. He never knew what to expect from me.You'd think he would have learned to flip on the lights to check out the layout of the room before preceding into the house.

The past several years I haven't had the opportunity to move furniture on a near monthly basis. Before we moved, the old house was stacked with boxes. No space to move anything. Once we moved to the new house and unpacked everything, rearranging furniture seemed a chore. The couch has stayed in the same place for the past year and a half. It makes me nervous. Sigh.I've worked more on accessories. Easier to move. Less back strain.

Last night I got a little twitch while looking at my library/office. I'm thinking that I want to move the sofa and desk and scoot a few book shelves around. This could be dangerous. It is driving me nutty. I'm not going to be satisfied until I do something. Anything. I'm becoming desperate.

Why must furniture moving be my addiction? I'm going to end up with a hernia and sore muscles.

Is there such a thing as furniture intervention?

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Everyone Has One...



[caption id="" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Image via Wikipedia"]Many dry cleaners place cleaned clothes inside...[/caption]


Everyone has one. A story, that is.

I've mentioned before that I enjoy a good story. Most people I encounter believe they don't have anything interesting to say. That's just not true. Don't argue with me about this. I'm right.

"Mom, I need to get a part time job. So does Betsy. We're thinking we could work together."

With that said, my friend, Betsy and I got a job, after school at a local laundry/dry cleaners. Our boss was named Bucky. Yes, you read that correctly. Betsy and I were assigned to the business shirts. We were 16 and 17, respectively. We still babysat on the side, but we were now working women. We had jobs. We treated stains on men's business shirts! The prestige of it all. Those thoughts lasted all of about 2 seconds. Then reality set in. Stinky, stained reality.

A laundry/dry cleaners is not a glamorous place behind the scenes. Just sayin'. In case you thought it was or anything. I felt the need to set you straight. On a positive note, if you want to lose weight, work at a dry cleaners. With all the steam and pressing going on, it get's hot in the back, like a sauna. Of course, all the weight loss is from sweating out all your bodily fluids. No kidding.

Betsy and I worked for about 3 hours each afternoon of the school week.  By the end of our 3 hours we were a little "loopy" from the solution used to get the stains out of the shirts. Even though the place was ventilated, I'm sure we lost some brain cells during our 6 month stint there. I remember thinking a few choice words to the business men that sent their shirts in to be cleaned with ink stains on them. Stop putting leaky pens in your shirt pockets!!! Don't you know how stubborn those stains are?!

The first thing we were told on the job was to put anything we found in shirt pockets in a little bag that would be returned to the gentlemen when they picked up their shirts. You know, pens, receipts, packs of gum, money...the usual pocket stuff.

One day, I was working, minding my own business, when I came across a business shirt that was different. The front pocket was full.....of stuff. Let me just say this. I was embarrassed. My face was turning pink. Um....this was not a pen and some gum. I will leave it to your imagination. Let's just say that it would put Victoria's Secret to shame.

I had to ask my boss what to do? Do I put the hotel receipt and um...stuff in a little white bag and return it? Boss said, "No. Definitely not."  To which I, in all my young innocence said, " But, his wife might want this back."  Boss said, " maybe it's not his wife's."  Then it hit me what he was saying. Oh, good grief!

For cryin' out loud! Who needed Days Of Our Lives, when I had the "privilege" of working at the laundry? Seriously. Who knew?

Friday, January 14, 2011

Blood Curdling Screaming Coming From A Cart



[caption id="" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Image via Wikipedia"]A shopping cart filled with bagged groceries l...[/caption]


I went to Walmart this morning. I had some grocery shopping to do. I don't really dig the grocery shopping part, but I love the people watching. That store tends to be a veritable petri dish of characters. Today there was a little girl who kept me entertained. She was a screamer. You know the kind I'm talking about. It started out as a whine. (bless her heart, she was probably needing a nap) Then a "Moooommmmmy!!!". Mommy ignored her while she attempted to figure out the best buy on breakfast cereal. Girl got louder. Mom, perused the sugar crunchies, and bran cardboard. Girl let it rip. "AAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaa". I have to say she had a healthy set of lungs on her. I'd say everybody in the entire super WalMart could hear her. She was that good. Such a loud scream wrapped up in such an angelic little face.

As I continued to shop, I periodically heard the "AAAAAaaaaaaa" from some other aisle. I smiled. I don't have young children, so I can.

I finally was finished with the buying of food staples. My family will be happy that they are not going to starve. I maneuvered my shopping cart into an available check out line--- behind two other people. I always pick the slow line. The cashier was personable, but slow. This always happens to me. I think it must be genetic. Can people have DNA that always, no matter what, attracts them to the slowest line in a store? Just sayin' that I am curious about that. It seems plausible.

Two lines over was harried mom with screaming tot. Girl was stuck in cart while mom unloaded groceries onto the conveyor belt. Girl yelled. Mom gave her "the look". Girl got quiet. She was probably thinking over her options. I had a feeling that little girl was going to get it when she got out to the mini van. Aaahhhhh.......the joys of parenting. Did I mention that I am glad to be past that stage? (Big smirk....I mean smile.)

 

Thursday, January 6, 2011

The Beauty Of Your Smile



[caption id="" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Image via Wikipedia"]When I think of all the times I've tried so ha...[/caption]


It doesn't matter if you have straight teeth, or if you ever even wore braces.  Movie star whitened teeth are not mandatory.

A smile is one of the easiest things a person can wear. It doesn't cost any money. Anyone can do it.

A genuine smile is a beautiful thing. A smile is the outward expression of a happy heart. That is what makes it so beautiful.

*The smiles of the young couple on their first date. The promise of what the future might hold.

*The smile of new parents who see their precious baby for the first time.

*The smile of a wife that makes her husband feel secure.

*The smile of a husband that makes his wife feel loved.

*The smile of a friend. So much to catch up on!

*The smile of a parent that sees their military child disembark from the plane, safe and sound.

*The smile of a child as he pets his new puppy.

The smile says so much, without saying a word...and that is what makes it so beautiful.

Will you share a smile today?

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Life Is Beautiful

There's nothing like a beautiful sunrise to st...

I'm beginning a new, week long series at my blog. One I hope you will enjoy reading.

My blog entry from yesterday was very true. Life IS unfair. There are difficult times that we all go through in this journey, called life.

BUT......this series will be different. This series will be about the beauty found in everyday life. The special moments-- that transcend the hard times. My hope is that  we can all take a moment to appreciate the things in each of our lives, that make life beautiful.

Beginning this series will force me to take the time to observe and appreciate the beauty in the every day. I will be more aware of the little things (or not so little things) that cause me to smile. I'm excited about it. I'm ready. Life really is beautiful...and I want to share it with you.

 

The sun was just creeping up over the horizon as I walked into the kitchen this morning. The blue, early morning  light made the kitchen glow. It is a beautiful, quiet time.  Soon the sky was filled with pinks, purples, blues, and reds. The sun never lets me down, as it shares it's painted colors, boldly splashed across a dark blue sky. At my house the sun comes up over the vast expanse of  a farm field that is busily "sleeping" this winter. I like looking at the space that surrounds me. It makes me happy that I escaped the close quarters of city life.  Even though the fields are brown right now, I know that there will be life in those rows of dirt in a few short months. It reminds me that life goes on.

The field across the road from me, and directly in my view from the kitchen window...are my neighbor's llamas. Life is new in that field. I see the small, baby llama with it's mama. He (or she) looks like a brown cotton ball with teeny stick-like legs.  There is something that mesmerizes me about the llamas. I could sit and just watch them all day. It is my little section of the animal kingdom to quietly observe. I hope my neighbors decide to keep llamas forever. I'd be so sad if they left.

I would love it, if my readers would take a moment to write down something that makes life beautiful for them...the comment doesn't have to be long....or it can be. It is up to you.  Help me to see life's beauty through your eyes.

 

Sunday, December 19, 2010

The Gifts That Keep On Giving



[caption id="" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Image via Wikipedia"]Courtney in Snuggie[/caption]


With the wonder of the internet, infomercials, and open 24 hour stuff marts.....we can all buy the niftiest gifts for those we love.

1. The Shake Weight......For all those loved ones that have under arm jiggle.

2. Pajama Jeans....because they are soft and cuddly and tons of people are already wearing their actual pj's to Wal-mart. So, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

3. Snuggie-- Why shouldn't we all look like monks? And while I'm on the subject, aren't Snuggie's really just robes turned around backward?

4. Slanket--- Which is really just another Snuggie, which is really just a bath robe.....so why not just buy a bathrobe?

5. The Potty Patch-- For all those pet lovers in your life. Who doesn't need to get an artificial turf square for their pet to "use" when inside? The great part is, one can wash it with just soap and water!!!

Who really comes up with these things? I mean, really.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Up To My Armpits In Mud

muddy_boots.JPG

Our yard is a muddy, mucky mess. This water line to the barn has become the bane of our existence. I'm working up my energy to go back out there again. I guess I need to go, since we are getting a storm (first rain/ then snow) tonight and deathly cold temps (16 degrees) with 40 mph gusting wind. Doesn't that sound fun? So....on that note....I guess I should go back outside and help my (very muddy) husband.
Oh, by the way, I'm loving the ideas for my blog title. Some people have left comments on my blog, others, where I post on Facebook. Fun! Fun! Fun!

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Flash Freeze

Hat & Mittens

Today's high is supposed to be 22 degrees. Last night the wind chill temp. was at 0 to -8. That is a bit nippy. Unless one is used to living in Siberia...than maybe not so much. Still. Cold.

1. The snow looks pretty on the ground.

2. Snow doesn't feel so pretty when it gets in one's boots.

3. The wind is blowing.

4. Blowing hard.

5. There is no chance of having a hairstyle in this wind.

6. If I go anywhere I usually look like cousin It, by the time I get to where I'm going.

7. Cousin It was not known for his beauty.

8. I need to dig out my scarf collection.

9. Maybe I can start a new trend.

10. Wearing all the scarves I own AT ONCE.

11. I'm all about being toasty.

12. Maybe a little weird, but a warm weird.

13. I hear that this winter is to have extremely low temps.

14. So much to look forward too!

15. I actually like winter.

16. When I don't have to be outside.

17. It's all in one's perspective.

18. Right?

19. Time for some hot coffee.

20. How come in the movies ,or on commercials, the girls always look so cute in their hats, scarves and mittens?

22. They never look windblown or disheveled.

23. Or have a red nose, or chapped hands.

24. So not fair.

25. Now where did I stash my scarves?

Thursday, November 25, 2010

I'm Goin' In!!!



[caption id="" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Image via Wikipedia"]A picture of a New Balance shoe[/caption]


I have been talked in to participating in Black Friday. Me and my posse' are hitting the stores at midnight.We're roaming the streets until the early morning hours. 'Cause that's how we roll.

1. Why I allowed myself to be talked into this...just proves that my mind is going.

2. I'm wearing my running shoes in case of any stampeding going on.

3. I hope I don't get beaten down by some big mama hyped up on caffeine.

4. I'm a little nervous.

5. People get crazy over a good sale. If I'm in the way of someone getting a big flat screen TV...I could get shanked at the Wal-mart and left to meet my Maker laying on the floor at Wally World, forced to listen to canned Christmas music as my life ebbs away.

6. Why am I being so dark and morbid?

7. I'll tell you why.

8. I'll be out in the middle of the night...in the dark and cold....with 90 bazillion other people, strung out on over doses of turkey and mashed potatoes.

9. Hyped up on caffeine.

10. It's a deadly combination.

If for some reason I don't blog tomorrow...you'll know why. I'm either sound asleep after my night life of shopping 'til I drop....or well, I'm dead. Run over by a mob of crazy Christmas shopping mamas-on-a-mission.

Saturday, October 16, 2010

I Need New Socks



[caption id="" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Image via Wikipedia"]Rainbow striped toe socks worn with thong sandals[/caption]


For those of you that are new readers, you aren't aware that I have an addiction to socks. You might think that is an odd addiction. True. I never said my addictions were run of the mill.

1. It's getting cold in Ohio.

2. I like this fact.

3. October is my absolutely favorite month.

4. I'm putting my flip flops away for the season.

5. I got into my sock drawer this morning.

6. I've noticed I've worn out a lot of my socks.

7. I need new ones.

8. Lots and lots of new ones.

9. Not plain white ones either....I like white, but I prefer a rainbow of colors.

10. And patterns.

11. I'm nuts. I know.

12. I aspire to be a sock fashionista--with warm tootsies.

And by the way...they don't have to match my outfits. I'm cutting edge that way.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Don't Underestimate Me



[caption id="" align="alignright" width="180" caption="Image by Infollatus via Flickr"]Cockroach vs Raid - First Round, Fight![/caption]


One should never underestimate a woman with a bad case of arachnophobia.

I got home today and there were at least 50 brown spiders crawling around the door to the laundry room. The door off the deck to my bedroom. Hanging on the window screens, crawling on the siding.... I freaked out. It was like a bad scene from the movie ARACHNOPHOBIA.

1. I decided this weather was making the spiders want to come inside.

2. Uh....I don't think so.

3. After getting a stick and flicking the spiders off from around the door....

4. I ran inside, hoping nothing with eight legs would drop on my head.

5. And give me a heart attack.

6. Right there at the laundry room door.

7. Not the way I plan on going.

8. So, I looked around the laundry room shelves.

9. Ah ha!

10. A can of Raid.

11. If it could work on flies and ants, by georgy it would work on spiders.

12. Poison is poison.

13. And those suckers were GOING DOWN.

14. It sort of scares me, the glee I had at coating the spiders in the spray.

15. And watching them shrivel up.

16. After a valiant attempt at crawling...

17. And trying to get the heck out of dodge.

18. My maniacal laughter ringing in their ears.

19. Do spiders have ears?

20. Just curious.

21. So anyway, I blasted them.

22. Every one I could find.

23. Big, small, brown, black...whatever.

24. I took no prisoners.

25. That's what they get.

Let it be a lesson to all critters...never underestimate a woman with a big can of Raid.