I Got Invited to the Party!

Guess what? Guess what?  Guess what?  

I have hit the big time!  I've been featured on House of Hawthornes today for my vintage Halloween decorations.  Here's the thing though - the list includes Laurie @ Magpie Ethel and some of the other BIG NAMES in vintage Holiday decorating.  I can't believe that I am included with the other vintage collecting bloggers.   I kind of feel like the ugly half sister that got invited because the Dad said I had to be included.  :)  But, I am honored to be a part of it!  

Check it out here.

If you don't already read House of Hawthornes - well, what is wrong with you?  Pam has great style, lots of cool vintage junk (that's a good thing) and a witty sense of humor that I just love.  You will too!  

Thanks for inviting me to the party, Pam.  I'll try not to spill my drink on the tablecloth or peek in you medicine cabinet while I use the bathroom.  

Trick or Treat Smell My Feet

Or something like that.

We don't really do much for Halloween anymore.  Saturday night we went to the Haunted Battlefield out at the local Civil War Battlefield.  It's not scary BOO haunted, but more about who it was back in the Civil War and how they didn't use antiseptics when they hacked off one guys leg before they hacked another guys leg off.  And how they would just throw the amputated legs in a pile and leave them there on the street then dogs and pigs would come along and eat the amputated limbs.  Then, the dogs would get sick and the pigs would get sick and if it was a pig that someone ate, well, then, that was a whole 'nuther ball of wax.  I guess it is kind of scary now that I read what I just wrote.  All I know is thank goodness for hand sanitizer and antibiotics and all that other awesome stuff.  There are paranormal investigators that spend the weekend out there and they found all sorts of figures, smells, sounds and other paranormal activity.  I don't doubt it - that place was pure hell during the war.  

 Now that I have you properly disturbed, let's take a look at my Halloween decor, shall we?  No severed legs, I promise.

Miscellaneous Halloween goodies.  I received the SPOOKY banner in Sarah's Halloween Swap.

One of my most favorite things that I ever made.  I made the felt pumpkin and the doll and the little clay pumpkin in her hand.  That was several years ago, but I still really love her.

I cut a slice out of the pumpkin stem to hold a photo.  That's my Mom when she was little with her little brother Bob.  Isn't she cute with her bustle?  Diggin' his 'stache too.

Giant sticks (to put in a cake) in a vase, funny plate I picked up at Target last year - love the turquoise for a different *pop* of color and a Dollar Tree crow I embellished.

The top shelf consisting of the Oujia Board, the bottle of poison and The Vampire Bean photo is about as scary as I get in my decorating.   

I have coveted this box of Cooky Cutters (love the spelling) on other blogs for years.  I found these this summer at Goodwill.  They were $6.00 in the glass case and I hemmed and hawed about it for about fifteen minutes.  But, I had just scratched a lucky $50.00 lottery ticket, so I treated myself and never looked back.

Beistle Jack 'O Lanterns, a giant Witch Flash Card and some other odds and ends.  

I found this old fortune card online, so I printed it out, glued it on some scrapbooking paper, added a cloth "Happy Halloween" label and threw it in a glittery frame.  

I thrifted this "BOO" years ago in my country stage *puke*, but I still like it.  That Jack O Lantern and Skull are from the Dollar Tree and they dance when the light hits them.  I am not a Dollar Store decor buyer, but these are cute, so I decided to spring for them earlier this month.  Big shock when I unpacked the decorations and discovered that I have already bought them last year.  Whoopsie.

Giant Jack O' Lantern Flash Card.  Back when I bought that big pack of cards, I let myself keep the two Halloween cards by telling myself someone might be offended by them.  I doubt they would have offended, but I wanted them!  :D

WARING: This display may cause convulsions.  

There's a lot to see!  

Vintage blowmolds and lots of other vintage and vintage inspired things including costumes and Trick or Treat pails.  

More costumes, Gurley candles, Cupcake picks in an old Brach's candy jar, silhouettes and other goodies.

I found the tapers in the box this year.  Love the box of old Jack O' Lantern candles.  I have never seen another box of those anywhere.  I remember the exact yard sale I bought them at (went to one there this weekend again) and what I paid (10¢).  Can't remember to buy milk, but this, well, this I remember.  

Gurley candles, an old skull squirter from my childhood and some funny plates I found at T Maxx (that store looks worse that any thrift I have ever been in  - it is a huge MESS).

Black cat and witch vintage costumes.  The scarecrow and the witch were some of the very few decorations I had in my apartment in the good old days before I was married.  

My feather tree is filled with lots of fun things that I have gotten in swaps over the years and that sweet friends have made me.  The Bean won that demented pumpkin jester in the crane machine this weekend.  

The kid may be a bit old for it, but we still enjoy reading this Jerry Seinfeld book every year.  

It's a tradition and you are NEVER too old for family traditions!

I love that pumpkin wearing a hat on the stand.  I saw him at Hobby Lobby many years and LOVED him, but man, was he expensive.  I waited it out and got him for 90% off one day near Thanksgiving.  He still one of my favorites.  As you can see, I have a thing for little stuff hence all the wee pumpkins and such at the bottom.

When The Bean was six weeks old, I took him to a Fall Festival (because six week old babies LOVE Fall festivals, that's why).  A lady gave him a wee tiny trick or treat pail with some candy in it.  I kept it and every year I try to find a new tiny pail to add to my collection.  I know these are just little treat buckets, but I think they are super cute.  Plus, they remind me of my super cute baby Bean.  BOO HOO.  I put them all on my miniature hutch this year and I think it's adorable.

Now, here is my favorite Halloween decoration.  For real.  I have had this since I was about eight years old.  The Mom holding the candy is about an inch and a half tall and the little trick or treaters are about a half an inch tall.  There is a little ghost girl too that somehow didn't make it out of the box this year.  I hope she isn't lost.  :(  I'm pretty proud of the fact that I have kept track of them all these years.

It seems like I just got all this suff out and now it's almost time to box it up and throw out the turkeys.  I know everyone says it every ear, but I really cannot believe that Christmas is on the way.  I kind of lost my last year, so it really has snuck up on me this time.  

I ALMOST FORGOT!

Here's Hazel in her Halloween clothes.  She has a costume too, but I doubt I will get her in it this year.  

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So, that's it - Have a safe and Happy Halloween!

If you are dressing up - who are you going to be?  And if you aren't  - who would you be if you were?  

I'll have to think on that for awhile myself!

A Thrifting Tri-fecta Plus One

Today I felt a certain thrift store calling to me.  I didn't have plans to go anywhere, but then again, I didn't really have anything else pressing to do - so I decided to make a quick dash.  You just can't ignore when you get that feeling.  There's something there -  you just have to find it!

On the way there, I stopped at a yard sale that I go to a couple times a year.  They never have a lot that interests me, but they are good country folk and nice and have low prices.  So, I usually go.  I once bought a $4.00 Longaberger Basket that I sold on ebay for a Buy It Now of $104.00 FOUR MINUTES after I listed it.  My fastest sale ever!  Of course, whenever I see that yard sale, I remember that and have to stop and see if they have any more Longaberger baskets......they never do....:)

Among the newer knick knacks and the piles upon piles of fishing items, I found one thing to buy.  

This sweet old piece of pottery fit my bill of things worth buying.  It was $1.00.

As I went to pay, the lady said, "Did you go in the Christmas shed?"  THE WHAT?  She pointed to a shed with a propped open door and told me it was all full of Christmas.  I could barely keep my knees strong enough to get there, I just KNEW it was going to be a kitschy vintage dime store mercury glass Shiny Brite rubber faced Santa spun head angel nirvana.  

It wasn't.

Not one single thing to buy in there.  It was all new and just not my kind of thing.  At all.  

Booooo.

When I was shopping I did notice an old Royal Glass keyed typewriter sitting on a table but it wasn't priced.  As I was leaving, I heard myself ask, "How much is the typewriter?"  Then I started hearing "Oh, what would you pay for it?" and "That's an antique" and "I'll have to ask Mama".   I kept on heading towards the car when the lady yelled into the house at her Mama - "How much for that old antique typewriter?"  and she said, "Ten dollars."  That wasn't a bad price for a glass keyed typewriter, but since I already own three *cough typewriter hoarder cough*, I didn't need another one.  But, then the man yelled at me - "Give me five bucks and get it out of here!"  I told him Mama wasn't going to be happy and he said, "Mama doesn't need to know..."  So, as you can see, I bought the darn thing.  The case was super beat up and really filthy.  I looked at the typewriter and it was dirty too - some keys were stuck, there was some sort of a paint over spray on it and it kind of smelled weird.  

So, I did what I have always SWORN I would never do.  

I cut off the keys.  I CAN"T BELIEVE I DID IT! I am SO against taking apart old typewriters.  But, I think I did the right thing since it was in bad shape.  At least I saved the keys, is how I will look at it.  I will use them in some jewelry projects.  Do you know they call that "raping a typewriter"?  That's why I have never been able to do it.  (Those tin snips I scored a couple of weeks ago for 50¢ did the trick!)

On to the thrift store where I saw this scary ass nutcracker.  There is just something about her head that freaked me OUT.

Also this cape to be Bibleman.  I don't know- this was weird to me too.

And someone had donated hundreds of Little Golden Books.  There were multiple copies of every book and the were all used and read.  I don't know where they got so many though.  They all had UPC's so they weren't old copies, so I passed.  

This thrift has a revolving color coded system that changes every week.  The have these huge signs on the wall in front of the store, but because of the way the store is laid out (and the fact that I am short), I can't  see the color chart once I get past the second aisle.  The reason I am telling you this is because today I had THE BEST IDEA EVER!!!!!!

I took a picture of the signs so I could refer back to it while I shopped.  I know it is an idea that I should have had ages ago and you probably already do this - but I was pleased as punch at myself for figuring it out.   You would think I could remember the colors and percentages while I shop.  But, you would be wrong.   

I bought this bird cage which had reached the end of it's time at this particular thrift and was in the 50¢ color code.  I know I saw some sort of a project using an old round bird cage somewhere, but I honestly don't remember where I saw it or even what the project was - but by GEORGE, I have the birdcage now for if and when I ever find that darned project again.  And, if I don't - well, I'll just get a bird!  (Not.)

This tiny pair of shoes was 91¢ minus 25%. So, like 68¢ or so?  (Eddie????)

Cute metal sand pail for 50% off - not old, but cute.  I'll put it in the booth next Summer.

Three old books for 50¢ each.  Such cute graphics in these old books.  

These will go in the collection that I have apparently started for my grandchildren.  

*sob*

An Annalee witch!  

I think this is what was calling me as it was the first thing I found and one of the things I always WANT to find.  Shes fits right in with my Halloween decor.

I spotted this nice old Redmon Bassinette in the kids section.  I was $9.99 and a green tag, so I got it for $5.00.  It is in perfect condition.  

 I want to use it to display linens, quilts or pillows when I do sales.  

It's in such nice shape.  Usually they are all warped from being in the attic or have holes in them.

This one even has wooden legs and wooden wheels, so I know it's old.  I had one before, but it had plastic legs and wheels.  I think it will be great as a display piece.  

On the way home I stopped at a different thrift that I have only been to a couple of times.  I used to go, but they moved and I don't like it much anymore.  But, today I felt the urge to stop.  

I knew why as soon as I spotted the beautiful vintage tablecloth peeking out of the linens.  

It's absolutely gorgeous and it is perfect.  A shining jewel in my tablecloth collection.  It was at the high end of my tablecloth pricing - $4.00.  Yes, I am cheap.  But, I usually do find them for a dollar or two.  This one is a beaut, so I had no problem paying the $4.00.  

Pottery, a basket and a tablecloth - that's my thrifting tri-fecta.  Throw in an Annalee doll and I just had the best thrifting day EVER!  

A Good and Well Behaved Find

Thanks for all the great comments about the Rummage Sale.  I know it was silly, being so excited about seeing my self on TV.  But, it was fun!  Also, thanks for understanding my comments at the bottom of the post.  I didn't have a single hateful Anonymous comment!  *Yet anyway.  I think my oh so clever use of asterisk may have been my saving grace.  Anyway thanks you guys!  

We ran errands today.  All errand days start with a drop off of a box of random "stuff" to Goodwill.  And, of course, a quick walk through.  "Don't go home with more than you left with" is my motto when it comes to Goodwill.  But, you just never know why you will find.  I'm hopeful that the vintage Christmas will start eeking out at the thrifts soon.  Goodwill sells holiday things all year long, so I don't have high hopes to find much there.  But you never know.  In fact, some of the more kitschy things that I left at the sale where I got all the vintage Christmas things this weekend were on the shelf at Goodwill today.  Since none of it's kitschy-ness spoke to me at 50¢, it certainly didn't appeal to me at the Goodwill price of $3.00.  

I strolled the aisles looking for something that spoke to me.  I knew I would know it when I saw it.  

Then I saw aomething.  And, it spoke to me.  "BUY ME."  And I spoke back, "Please be a dollar."  And, it was.  So, I bought it.

So, what do you suppose the story is behind this box?  Someone had to make it, then they had to pick each one of those insufferable stickers off a page and apply it to the front.  And, why did you get a lollipop?  Where was it?  And why wouldn't you be good and well behaved?  

I picture it in a small Mayberry-ish town with one old man doctor that does everything from birthing babies to bandaging toes.  His cranky old nurse/receptionist had her husband handcraft the box for the lollipops as per the doctor's suggestion.  But, she has seen too many unruly kids in the waiting room throwing toys and having tantrums, so she went to Ben Franklin and bought those stickers and put that on the front "Only for the good and well behaved."  Because she is just positive that no self respecting child that has been misbehaving would EVER take a lollipop.  

Yep, I think that's the story.  And, I'm sticking to it.  

I like it.  

THAT Rummage Sale I Told You About

So, the big Flea Market Episode was on TV tonight.  They filmed for six hours at the sale and condensed it down to about twenty minutes of actual footage with most of that being mostly Jim Bob, Michelle or one of the kids being on camera.  The odds of seeing ME was really, really, really slim.  But......

Darned if I didn't see that lady appear on the TV and I remembered seeing the crew interview her when I was looking at books.  So, I was watching her and then a flash of PINK caught my eye and TA DA I appeared over her shoulder for almost two seconds.  I started yelling, "There I am!  There I am!"  (which is a really odd thing to hear yourself saying....).  Thank goodness for DVR's and rewind and slow motion, I have seen it many many times.  Silly, I know.  But, that is a Nationally Broadcast show!  Woo hoo!

Look - here's a picture I took of them interviewing her!

Here's the post I wrote the day of the sale:

Today was the D*ggar Flea market and Auction.  It was advertised on Craigslist as just that and the news kept saying they were taking donations, so I envisioned it as a Rummage Sale.  They won these big huge warehouses on the edge of their property and I assumed the sale would be inside on of the buildings.  I pictured me and a handful of other people along with a few D*ggars in there looking around since I wasn't getting there until about 11:00. 

 Imagine my surprise when I came over the hill towards their house and saw five hundred or more cars parked in the field with police directing traffic.  It was huge and it was crazy and it was awesome!!!

We parked in the pasture across the street from their house.  Isn't it lovely?  I'd like to have a house like that for just the three of us.  

When we got across the street, there were D*ggars a'plenty scurrying around in bright blue shirts that said, "Buy Used" on the front and "Save the Difference" on the back.  There's Jeremiah dead center in the photo.  In this area there was Dunk the D*ggar Dunk Tank, Inflatables, Carnival Food and activities for the kids.  I didn't expect all that either.  

I knew that the camera crew from "19 K!ds and C0unting" was going to be filming, but I thought they might be done for the day.

But, right inside the main tent, there was the crew interviewing a customer.  If you watch the show, you'll see Jim the Sound Guy holding the boom.

Part of me said, "Oh, crap, I hope they don't interview me!"  The other part wanted to jump up and down and say. "Over here!  Over here!"

The sale was HUGE.  This must have taken them a year to get ready to do and to accept donations.  This was not a D*ggar Yard Sale, I hope you understand that.  This was a huge fundraiser that they sponsored and had on their property.  People had been donating for months.  It was huge!

Racks and racks of clothes.  Clothes were clean and priced 50¢-$2.00 each.  

Three rows of twenty tables each lined up and stocked full of merchandise.  It was full and the place had been opened for three hours and mobbed the entire time.  I cannot imagine how much stuff they must have had.

More clothes.  Jinger Duggar to the far left.

I did buy some things, but I really got overwhelmed by the crowds, the sheer volume of stuff and the overwhelming heat.  It was so humid, we just poured sweat and downed bottle after bottle of water.  I decided to just enjoy the experience of it all and not get wrapped up in buying things.

Shocking, I know. :D

The Bean in front of the house.  This was right before we went into the tent and I visited with Michelle.  We discussed out upcoming High School reunion and agreed that we both still feel about twenty years old.  She still looks like she did in High School, I swear.  It was nice to see her and get a hug from a friend.

Check out area from the yard sale items.  The tent back there was the auction that was running.  This was an actual auction of donated goods including vehicles, a cherry picker, Vending Machines, Grocery Carts, Floor cleaners and household goods.  

There's John David loading up auction purchases for customers on the forklift and loading them into the back of trucks.  Grandma D*ggar and Anna were under the shade running the Bake Sale portion of the event.

Some of the things in the auction.  Wouldn't it be great to have your very own Lowe's cart?  They had mannequins, clothing racks and wheeled carts and I assumed they would go for a lot of money, but they sold so cheap!  $2.50 for the carts and $5.00 for the clothing rack.  I was sick that I hadn't even gotten a number yet.  I did right after that, but I never bid on anything.

Camera guy also holding the boom.  Not sure where Jim went.

I had myself parked by these croquet sets for most of the auction.  I was only interested in the one in the front with the old metal wheels.  I waited and waited, but the auction kept moving in the other direction.  I was about to give up, when a young guy came over and picked up the croquet sets.  "Are they going to sell those now?" I asked.  He told me that he had already bought them.  When I told him that I had been waiting for them to come up for bids, he offered to sell me a set.  I paid him $12.00 for the set I wanted, which I am sure is way less than he paid for both.  But, I got a good deal and he had a little more pocket money.  Worked for me.

I was also strangely attracted to this gigantic pair of old rusty pliers(?).  They were about four feet long.  Wouldn't they just be awesome on a wall?

J!m Bob was into the auction scene.  He bought a lot.

Here he is bidding on those Vending Machines.  

He won four of them at $350.00 each.  

Josh was back in town for the big event.   They all wore shirts that said, "Buy Used" on the front.

And "Save the Difference" on the back.  That's their family motto.  

More film crew.

J!m Bob crushing on his new vending machines.

Hey!  it's Jim the Sound Guy, back on the job!

Drive by shots as I was leaving.

People and stuff.

Lots of stuff.  I bet they made $30,000.00 for the NICU.  

Here's a link to what I bought: Flea Market Finds. 

Now, I am going to climb up on my soap box for a minute.  I've know Jim Bob and Michelle nearly my  whole life.  They are good people.  They do tons of charity work around my area.  They did this fundraiser to raise money for the NICU in Little Rock.  The did all of this as a family project along with the help of a lot of other people.  They didn't do it for fame or a pat on the back.  They did it because those are the kind of people they are - kind and giving.  If you don't agree, that is your right.  But, it is my right to not share your thoughts on my blog.  I'm not talking to my regular readers here.  I am talking to the people that hate this family.  People that spend hours upon hours scouring the internet to trash this family.  They do not know them.  How can they say the rudest things you can imagine.  No one knows how another family runs without being in those four walls with them.  This world has too much misguided hate in it.  It just isn't right.  I have altered the names a bit to keep the haters away.  The few times I have mentioned this family, I got inundated with comments  - MEAN bad HATEFUL comments from people that have never been to this blog before. 

Climbing down now......Thanks for coming back to read about the sale and for thinking it was cool to see me on TV.  'Cause it was!  :)