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 08, 2011

It's Birthday Month

It's Birthday Month around here.  First comes my birthday, then three weeks later, it's The Bean's birthday.  I'm not overly happy about the age I will be turning this time, so I am just not going to mention it.  And, The Bean is going to be Sweet 16 which means driving, high school studies, studying for his GED (because he is Homeschooled), moving out, going to college, getting married, having babies and forgetting his Mama.  Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.  Okay, so maybe I am jumping the gun a bit on some of those things, but it feels like he is growing up just way too fast and I can't stop it.  *Sniff*

Oh, wait.  What was this post about - Oh, yes - BIRTHDAYS.  I remember! Any resemblance to a holiday is a good enough excuse for me to throw up some decorations and vintage stuff.  Today I gathered up all my vintage Birthday decorations and went to town. 

This isn't as perfect or as neat as I would like it, but I was putting it together when the washing repairman*** was here (YIPPEE - I can do laundry again.  My most hated job, but now I am thankful for it.) Anyway, he was giving me looks like I was weird for playing with old birthday stuff. Sheesh.  Doesn't everyone????

I'll have to fluff it and make it neater, but at least it's out.  That Happy Birthday book is one of my favorites.  It was the sweetest illustrations.
Cake decorations, vintage candle boxes, my beloved Toasting Glasses, and some other fun things round out this shelf.

Party picks, more candle boxes, Cake decorations and a sweet Annalee Birthday Mouse.
Even more candle boxes, a crepe paper hat like my Great Grandma always made and some other goodies.  I love old birthday cards and paper goods too.
Well. Somebody is not happy about having a birthday. Just sayin'.
I put up my Happy Birthday Banner that I won from Jerusalem a couple of years ago.  Below that are more cake decorations and party favors.

I love these old cake toppers - spun heads, pipe cleaner bodies, old beads - what could be better?

***I sent an email to GE Customer Service and voice my displeasure with my new GE washing machine quitting already.  I told them about my multiple trips to the laundry mat and the heat and how it had been three weeks without a washer, blah, blah, blah.  I really never thought it would amount to anything, but I have recently learned that it is good to vent and get it off my chest rather than holding it in.  Anyway, short story long (ha), I received a very nice email saying that the repair company would be there today and that I would be receiving a check for the laundry expenses.  Now, wasn't that nice? I wasn't even demanding, just told my story and had the right person hear it. 

P.S. It is raining right now for the first time in over two months.  I've never heard such a wonderful sound!

A repaired washing machine, rain and a birthday - Hey - this week is starting off A-okay!

6 comments:

  1. My Justin turns 15 tomorrow, I will be 45 on the 26th. I hate the boy getting older and the turmoil that comes with that, but it is inevitable. Now, pass the hair colour, I refuse to get any older myself!

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  2. Just keep thinking about the old Clairol commercial, "You're not getting older, you're getting better."
    Happy Birthday to you and the Bean!!!
    Venting is good, especially when you get paid for it...

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  3. Happy month o' birthdays! My dishwasher arrives tomorrow - I understand your bliss at having a working appliance.

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  4. Yippee for GE responding to your letter! I think it's important to tell them what we think! I understand how you feel about the birthdays. When my youngest turned 16 I freaked out. Now she is 29 and a new Mom....it does happen. Of course a Grandbaby makes it alllllll better! Happy Bday to you and the Bean. I love your decorations! Now this might be something new I start collecting...like I 'need' another collection.
    hugs,
    Linda

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  5. never seen that Annalee mouse! Love it!

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  6. 8-)
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY MONTH!!!
    ... and the countdown continues...
    8-)

    Glad you are f.i.n.a.l.l.y. acknowledging it!! Nothing like a little 'decorating' to get you in the festive spirit!

    ReplyDelete

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