What is a monkeybox?

When I was a little girl, we had a pet monkey named Amanda. My Dad worked in the produce business, so each night he brought home that days culls in a big box - spotty cucumbers, pithy apples, limp celery, moldy oranges and the like. We called it a monkeybox. It was really just trash, but my Mom would take each piece of fruit and trim it, pare it and cut it up to make a beautiful fruit platter for Amanda. Even though it was deemed trash by one, it still had life left in it and was good for the purpose we needed it. That's how I live my life - thrifting, yard saling, looking for another's trash to be my treasure.

Saturday, January 31, 2009

More Icy Photos and a Surprise at the End

The sun came out today and it got up to 63 degrees. Absolutely crazy after the week we had around here. There are still lots of power outages in the area. The lady across the street still has no power and I feel guilty over here living my normal life. She is 82, but very active, walks every day, gardens, etc. I think she just doesn't want to leave her house - I know she has plenty of places she could go to be warm and safe. With the temperatures warmer, being cold isn't that big of an issue anymore. But, being alone in the dark for a week is a major downer to say the least. I went to the store today and I definitely saw some folks that needed a good washin' and scrubbin'. I also saw some very interesting outfits. Me thinks folks are a running out of clothes and the laundry basket is overflowing. In fact, we drove past a couple Laundromats and they were packed.

While we were out today, we did see something that really got to me and made me have a little crying session in the car. We spotted a convoy of huge military vehicles coming in with pallets and pallets of bottled water and canned food. I've seen that on the news other places, but to see it in your hometown, well, that really got to me. Made me want to come home, put the flag out and realize how lucky we are to have gotten through everything okay and with minor crud to deal with over the next few days weeks.


Everyone in my immediate family has power. Most of us have phones, my Dad still has to use his cellphone. Internet and cable go off and on, but more on than off as of late. I suspect the grocery stores will get busier and busier as the weekend and week progress. As power comes back on, the refrigerators and freezers will have to be emptied and replenished. We were able to save quite a bit, but it isn't worth taking a risk when it comes to eating spoiled food. So, a lot had to go too. I swear, I have thrown out more food lately between this and the big freezer incident.

I know this is my blog and I have a right to talk me, me, me all the time, but frankly, I am a little bored with my own ice storm chatter. It's over, now the clean up begins. And, then it shall be a distant memory.

And, now since you have read this far and stayed with me this week, I want to tell you that this is my 600th post. 600! Man, am I gabby or WHAT? I see people mentioning their 100th and I feel like a real jabberwocky. So, I guess a giveaway is appropriate, right?????? What will you win? Hmmmmm....I don't know. But, it will be GREAT. I promise. It will hopefully be something that YOU WILL LOVE. I like to make my giveaway packages for the WINNER. So, don't mention it on your blog or click your heels three times or tag seven people to name their three favorite Brady Kids, just leave me a comment on this post no later than Thursday night at 9:00 Central. Please, leave me a way to contact you if it isn't on your profile. I will draw a name on Friday morning. I promise I will try to send you a box chock full of goodies that will make you go GREAT GOOGLY-MOOGLY or something like that. If you have a blog - make sure I can link to it so I can get super great ideas for you fantastic box of GOODIES!
How do you like my "Junk on Ice" photos? I like the eternal flowing bottle of water, myself. And, yes, I do have a shopping cart in the backyard. I got it for FREE at a yard sale.

Don't forget to leave a comment for the GREAT 600th POST EXTRAVAGANZA.

25 comments:

  1. Wow, 600 posts, I am impressed! That's not gabbiness, that's longevity! I would love to win your giveaway 'cause I know what cool stuff you're always finding. Pick me, pick me! ;o)

    And thanks for the easy giveaway rules. I can't make head nor tails out of some of them!

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  2. I think your photos are beautiful. I love the blue bottle one.

    Congrats on your 600th post! I hope you have many many posts in you.

    I would love to win your giveaway! The thing I love the most is no hoops to jump through. I hate when you have to do 10 things just to sign up. Simple and easy is the way to go so thanks for that.

    Hope things continue to get better for you and you are finished with having to throw out your food.

    Hugs,
    Joanne

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  3. Way to go on 600! Love those pictures.

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  4. I think I have been with you from the beginning. It was because of you that I started my blog.

    Seeing how I only post 3 or 4 times a yr., I will get 600 posts by.....NEVER.

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  5. You make 'Stuff on the rocks' look B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L.!! THANKS for sharing - nice job with the camera

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  6. Congrats on 600 posts! I love reading about all your thrifty finds.

    Your ice pictures are great. I'm glad you can see the beauty through all the destruction. What a mess! It missed us here in southern Arkansas.

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  7. I love the ice pictures! Ice can be a real pain to deal with, but it can also be a thing of beauty. Now that the power is back on, the grocery stores will be very crowded, you are right about that. There will be a run on batteries and basic supplies such as bread, also pet food and canned items. I'm glad you only had a short time to deal with it. It's not fun.

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  8. First time post, long time reader! Congrats on your 600th post. I so enjoy keeping up with your finds. Happy to hear things are returning to normal for you and your family. Best, Jessica

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  9. Anonymous5:54 PM

    I have been reading your blog for a long time but this is my first time to post. Congrats on 600 posts.

    loves2shop712@earthlink.net

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  10. WOW 600, that is amazing! I love the water bottle picture it looks like it should be framed art made into cards your photos are great!

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  11. Long time reader from Yard Sale Queen.

    Congrats on 600 posts, I've enjoyed them all.

    Didn't know The Queen of Fifty Cents until today when I found her from another blog and was surprised to see her mentioning you and here she is commenting! Small world even in blogs.

    dicity
    homeandgardenparty4u at yahoo dot com

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  12. Shara, I am so glad to hear that you are all doing better. I feel so bad for your neighbor. The thought of being alone in the dark is sad but who knows...maybe she has been through so much worse. I always love to enter your giveaways! I am on the lookout for some watermelon stickers for you right now too! So far they are all the ones you have BUT we will be going up north on vaca in a few months and I will look for you!

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  13. I love seeing the Vintage Junk that you find. Winters can be brutal We had two days of minus 27 real temp not including wind chill. Congratulations on 600 posts here is to another 600.

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  14. Anonymous10:26 AM

    Congrats on your 600th post. I love reading about the amazing items you find on your adventures.

    I am new to the world of blogs (I live in a rural area of KY where just getting dial up is a miracle). I would love to win your giveaway.

    Keep up the writing, for me, it's both fun and informative.

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  15. Anonymous10:35 AM

    Well Congratulations! You are a wonderful writer and I enjoy your posts so much so I am not surprised at the 600. I am new to this whole blogging thing and havent got my feet wet yet but would love to jump in with a surprise from my favorite blogger. However, I feel you sharing your life via this blog is a great present in itself.
    drumlinemom@swbell.net

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  16. Anonymous12:48 PM

    600? That's fantastic! Looking forward to at least 600 more! sueshay91
    ai2007fan@yahoo.com

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  17. Anonymous5:36 PM

    I love your blog and read it every day!! Thanks for all you share. HTH Janet

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  18. As long as you don't send me anything coated in ice, count me in! Congratulations on #600 - that's impressive!

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  19. Yuck - we had a bad ice storm (here in Texas!) nine years ago, and people still talk about it like it was yesterday. Love your ice pictures - everything is pretty covered in a layer of sparkling ice! I pop in here every now and then, but don't think I've ever commented. Definitely want to enter your giveaway though. I'm always jealous of all your garage sale finds! Congrats on number 600! :)

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  20. Congrats on 600 posts!!

    Love the pictures..especially the shopping cart one. I usually hate seeing carts out of the store, but covered in ice like that, pretty!

    Be interesting to see what you'd do for me if I won this! Maybe I'll get lucky! :o)

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  21. 600 posts??!!! and you've been blogging for how long? That's a milestone, no matter how you look at it! Love your icy junk shots...don't miss that weather at all...but I can appreciate a good snow or ice picture any day, and yours are awesome! So, Shara, enter me in your easy, breezy no rules giveaway! Happy Tuesday...warm up soon!! *elaine*

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  22. Anonymous10:39 AM

    Hi Shara,
    I have been admiring your blog for
    a while now. Congrats on #600! I had made a comment about collecting some watermelon stickers for you
    from Texas/NewMexico. I'll start
    looking as soon as we start getting watermelons here. By the way, I love your alabaster watermelon collection, lovely. You are hilariously funny!!
    Sela, Texas (no blog)

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  23. Anonymous5:58 PM

    Congratulations on your 600th post! I think I've read all of them, since I "met" you over at YSQ. I love all your photos, I know you find great stuff and give away great stuff, and that is why I am entering your giveaway! --Mary

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  24. I'm just catching up on some blog reading after being out of commission for a few months. I"m sorry to hear about all your damaage from the ice storm. Oops baby crying. Gotta go

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  25. congrats on your 600th post! I love going virtual thrifting with you!

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