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.

Monday, August 10, 2009

700th Post - Framed

This is my 700th post. I honestly don't know how I've gabbed my way through 700 posts! I started this blog August 4th, 2005. Four years! It really doesn't seem like it's been that long. I wasn't until December 5th that I receive my first real comments. One from Carol (or Oliveoyl), who is one of my best blog buddies to date and Libby who was one of my regular commenters, but disappeared. I often think of Libby and wonder what happened to her. I miss you Libby (she was Pennypincher on YSQ). As I looked through my first six months of posts, I see that SvelteSTUFF and Heidi where among the first comment too. Thanks for sticking with me girls!

Along these years, I have met a bunch of sweet thoughtful caring people. I have been the recipient of surprise packages, cards, random watermelon potholders from all over the USA and wonderful comments and emails from so many people. I have more people that I consider to be friends in blogville than I have ever had in real life. When I didn't post during the ice storm, you guys missed me and worried. When I would up in the hospital this summer, I had so many lovely comments and well wishes. It really brightened my week! And, my blog buddies seem to know me better than my real friends. Probably because I have blabbed on and on for 700 posts.....
So, I have a prize for a lucky person on this, my 700th post. I will not us the "G" word, because there are people that just Google looking for free stuff on blogs. Did you know that? I only want my real blog buddies to sign up for this prize.


The prize? A digital frame! It has many features - you can see a new photo every week up to a new photo every 3 seconds! There is a calendar feature so you can have a calendar all the time with your photos changing in the upper corner. You can use a SD card or USB to look at your photos on it. Digital frames are really a neat way to enjoy your digital photos. I use mine to show photos to my non-computer savvy Dad. *I usually g*ve away vintage finds, but I wanted to give away something NEW this time.

All you have to do is leave a comment on this post before Saturday 6:00 AM CMT. I will draw a winner on Saturday, August 15th. (I like that day...) I don't want you to mention it on your blog (in fact, please don't mention it) or email three friends or jump through any hoops. Just leave a comment with a way to get in touch with you whether it be through your blog or an email address. If you don't leave a way to contact you, you will not be entered. That is my only rule. Please leave comment - I want everyone entered to win. Even if you have never commented before - please leave a comment.

Good luck!

39 comments:

  1. Awww, what a sweet thing to do!

    I am so impressed that you made it to 700 posts! I read every one, but don't always comment. Still, I love seeing what you get and where you go, and what's going on.

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  2. Anonymous11:30 PM

    Congrats! 700 posts! I hope I make it that far!

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  3. I am flabbergasted that you have had your blog that long and had that many posts - truly inspiring. I also agree with you about the wonderful people that one meets thru their blog...it truly is a community that I am pleased to be a part of. Congrats and keep on gabbing!

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  4. Congratulations on 700 posts! I have never commented, but read your blog faithfully. I can't tell you how many times you have made me laugh and your style of writing is just wonderful. Thanks for letting us "peek" into your life! Here's to hoping you make it to another 700!

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  5. SHARA! 700 posts??? are you serious?? I've been blogging for 2 years...750 plus days, and I was getting excited cause I was almost up to a paltry 100 posts! I enjoy your blog, love the goodies I've received from you, and wish you 700 more and more than that!! No links to you...too much competition when you do that anyhoo!! ;O} Congrats...Hugs *e*

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  6. YOU are ALWAYS so generous, I feel kinda guilty signing up, but I DO want to say THANK YOU for the last 700, and looking forward to years more!! CONGRATS!

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  7. Way to go! I'm suitably impressed, since I have yet to reach 100 posts (but soon!). Now go ahead and pick me for your "g"...I've been wanting one of these to demo how useful they are in libraries!

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  8. Anonymous6:41 AM

    Hi Shara - congrats on 700 posts! It's JessicaD, the one who was interested in your fun vintage clothes, but then went and got pregnant... I can no longer envision the day where I would fit into that amazing tennis dress. I think you still have my email address, but please let me know if you need it. Congrats again! Looking forward to the next 700! Best, Jessica

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  9. Congratulations! I've been following your blog for awhile now and always enjoy it when you write about different things. Your post about the squirrel and your Mom was one of my all-time favs!! Here's to 700 more!

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  10. Happy Happy 700th :) Here's to many more :))) Love seeing the Bean growing up !! Love seeing all your goodies you find! Thanks for a great blog :)


    Dana
    d09@goldingers.com

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  11. I am almost terrified to see how many posts I have... LOL

    The husband does want one of these gadgets though!

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  12. Wow, 700 posts, It will be a long time before I get there on my blog. Congrats

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  13. I love that you have made it to 700!! I have just started a blog, and haven't really been consistent at it yet. I love to look for bargains and finds like you do - and have visited several times, but not commented. Thanks for the opportunity! And CONGRATULATIONS - keep blogging!

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  14. I still have stuff to send you. But I keep finding new stuff and then forgetting to box it all up...lol...at this rate it will be a HUGE box! I'm throwing my hat in for the giveaway! I'd love one for pics of Coultergeist! you know where to find me...lol...YSQ!

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  15. Oh shoot, I tried to be the first commentor on your giveaway, but blogger wasn't being kind to me this morning. What the heck? I will just have to put good juju to #2.

    I can't believe I was one of your first ever commentors. How long ago was that? I know it has been more than 5 yrs.

    Thanks a million for always being there when I need an "ear" and for being my bestest online buddy. :)

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  16. Wow, loving your finds and your blog. Now don't worry that I didnt' make your cut off in time. I want not trolling for gifts. I can't belive anyone has over 700 postings. This is amazing. First things first, thank you for stopping by my blog and your interest in my Marie pot. Now, this is not a Marie, but one of her children's offering. I am like you, I have come across some real finds. I adore Native American pottery and although my collection is humble, the pieces are all authentic. Sea Witch

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  17. I love you blog and hearing about your and Bean's adventures. Can't wait to read about your newest escapades and treasures.

    ThriftAnnabellainla
    annabellainla@gmail.com

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  18. Anonymous1:38 PM

    Congratulations on your 700th post! I just found you about six months ago but you quickly moved up to #1 on my Favorites list. I love hearing about your thrifty finds but I really show up to hear about your life with the Breadman and The Bean. You have a wonderful gift and I appreciate you sharing it with us. Your gift of writing, I mean. But the picture frame is cool too. :)
    amyjgj@swbell.net

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  19. Woo Hoooo! 700 posts! I never heard of "blogs" 5 years ago. It's going to take me 10 years to get to that milestone! Well, I certainly enjoy your gabbing, and here's to many more years of your great sense of humor, and seeing all of your vintage finds!

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  20. Dh wants one of those so it would come in handy (and I swear I would not ebay it!)

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  21. You are so good about posting every day. I'm not surprised you're at 700. I really enjoy seeing all your scores from the thrift and garage sales. Here's to 700 more!

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  22. Janet K.3:21 PM

    I love your blog and read it every day. You are so real and down to earth. I wish I had someone like you to thrift with but that might cause some conflict as we seem to love the same kind of things Happy 700!! HTH Janet

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  23. Hey, Fellow Arky! (I live in Kentucky now but I am STILL an Arky!) I read you religiously and feel badly that I am just now commenting to enter your non-g*ve-a*way...but I am - since I would LOVE to have one of those frames! My sis has one and I have wanted one forever since I am 800 miles away from my favorite faces! You are so funny and love junking as much as I do! Thanks!! (My word verification is Martheta...it made me chuckle!)

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  24. Congrats on 700 posts. That is amazing! What a fun Prize:)

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  25. Anonymous3:35 PM

    Hi Shara,

    It's Tina, the one who wrote to you last year for the first time asking you about the Redman picnic basket. Since then I have e-mailed you a few times about other finds as well. I check your blog every day (sometimes more than once!) to see what kind of goodies you have found. I love reading about all of your vintage finds! Since I don't have a blog of my own, I will leave you my e-mail address (just in case)! Congratulations on #700 and I hope there are AT LEAST that many more!

    t.dobson@windstream.net

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  26. Congratulations on 700 posts! That is an accomplishment! Add me to the list that reads almost daily but doesn't comment nearly as often as I should! :)

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  27. I am amazed at the "junk" you find. I go to yard sales every weekend and never find the goods like you do.

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  28. Awesome! Congrats on 700, that is A LOT!

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  29. Anonymous9:38 PM

    Congrats Shara! You were one of my first blogs I started reading and one that I check back on all the time. You make me laugh with your colorful way of telling a story. I have enjoyed getting to know you "outside" of blog world too. It has been fun watching the Bean grow up. Time sure flies past! If I had a tiny toasting glass I would toast your 700th post!!!
    Here's to 700 more!!!

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  30. Congratulations Shara. Keep on blogging - it's how we thrifty folk roll!
    You are an original.
    Erin Toronto Yardsale Snoop

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  31. Congrats on 700 posts. I enjoy reading your blog so much and seeing the pic of things you and the bean have visited in your area and it reminds me of great times I have had at some of those places while up there visiting family and friends.

    loves2shop712@earthlink.net

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  32. Congrats on your 700th post. I pop in at least once a week to see all your thrifty finds, and I'm always jealous of your great junk - and especially of your super cheap thrift store. Thanks for all the laughs - love your style.
    Kristen

    krispiks@aol.com

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  33. PocketChange3:06 PM

    Shara, congratulations on your 700 posts! I love reading your blog, and am jealous of the many cool vintage finds you discover. I would love to go thrifting and yard saling with you (I do think we could agree on who gets what). I'm looking forward to reading 700+ more posts with your witty writing style. If I'm the lucky winner (I can't accordion fold a real-life raffle ticket because this is a cyber lottery), you know you can find me on YSQ!

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  34. Shara, Congrats on your 700th post. Your blogs are one of my favorites. I'd love to have a "super cheap thrift" in my town. I have them they're just not as cheap as yours.

    Yvonne
    The Indiana librarian

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  35. Anonymous6:26 PM

    700?! That is fab :)
    sushay91 from ysq
    ai2007fan@yahoo.com

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  36. I started reading you from YSQ when you had all your good bargain posts. I'm still reading you. Congrats for your 700.

    dicity

    homeandgardenparty4u at yahoo dot com

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  37. lunalissa at aol11:08 AM

    great giveaway!

    glad you made it to 700 posts!

    btw, the vintage doll has found a happy home!

    here's to the next 700!

    lunalissa at, aol (dot), com!

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  38. Anonymous12:00 PM

    Shara, I haven't commented before, but I read your blog several times a week and LOVE it. I love all the cool stuff you find, and just your take on life in general. Congratulations on 700 posts - it seems so many people start blogs and then abandon them, so it takes a real commitment. Here's to the next 700!
    Pat (a friend from yardsalequeen)
    dpjc80004@yahoo.com

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