Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day

Pop on over to Joan's at Anything Goes for her Vintage Valentine Card Party.

To see the rest of my vintage Valentine Decor look here.

I prefer kid Valentine's like we exchanged at school when I was a kid. 

Remember decorating your box? 

Getting a card for that boy?  Swoon. 

Getting a card from that other boy?  Hurl. 

Going home with a Fruit Punch mustache?

Red sugar on your blouse?

Saving your Valentine themed napkin?

Wearing your red and white yarn doodles?

I have a bunch of vintage Valentine Cards that I bought at a yard sale (The "Sale of Sale" for those of you long time readers) for 25¢.  They had belonged to a teacher and was all the extras she did not use for her class plus all the "To Teacher" cards, because she didn't have a use for those since she was Teacher.

Here are a few of my Favorites:

"Oh Daddio!  We'll raise a Hullaballo!" 

Whatever that means!

Love those kids! 

Bouncy!

"Snow Kidding!"  This one is cute!

"Say You'll Never Wash me out!"

He is one "Hep Cat!"

I have a bunch of old Disney Cards. 

And, these are Dam Trolls from the 1960's. 

Love this sweet 1940's card, a gift from my friend Heidi.

An an old "To My Wife" Card complete with glitter and roses.

To: Margaret. 

All My Love, Harold.

So, to Harold and Margaret and all of you I say,

Happy Valentine's Day!

Thrift Therapy - It Will Cure What Ails You

This week has been so long.  So difficult.  So tiring.  The hospital, the Rehab Hospital, snow, ice, blah, blah.  I am just so sick of it all.  I was in dire need of some normalcy.  Today, I got it.

The Bean and I (Remember him?  Me, too.  Just barely) had tickets to a play at the Arts Center today for a Murder Mystery called "Laura".  It was set in the 1940's and the clothes and the set were wonderful.  This weekend are the actual dinner theater productions, but today was sort of a dress rehearsal with an audience.  The paper said it was appropriate for Grades 7-9, which I found interesting for a "Murder Mystery" in the first place.  Since it took place in the 1940's, everyone hit the Scotch pretty hard, they said "Damn" a few times and the leading lady said, "You must find me to be a bitch" one.  None of this bothered me, but when I was in the restroom at then end, some of the Mom's were hitting the fans at the "foul" language.  Frankly, I've heard worse on reruns of Friends, so it didn't bother me.  The Bean reads on a very high level and understands thing far beyond his age, so he enjoyed it.  And, I highly doubt he'll be throwing the "B" word in my direction any time soon.  Or hitting the Scotch!

After the play we went to the old timey Hospital Auxiliary Thrift store to do some thrifting.  Just what I needed!

I found a vintage PROBE game - I love these old letter cards.

Multiple copies of a bunch of old circa 1960 craft booklets featuring Ribbon Straw, Fun with Marbles, Flower Making, Chenille Stem Fun and lots of other fabulous 1960's crafts.  The Chenille Stem Booklet features how-to's for lots of chenille stem/spun head creations.  Hello?  I am all over that!  Most of these booklets are bound for my Etsy Shop.

A big vintage children's Book all about Hong Kong for 50¢.

A thick vintage book about all sorts of animals for 50¢

As I paid, the lady told me that books were Buy two, Get One Free, so I went back for another sweet vintage kids book.

I couldn't find one, so I chose this 1936 book about Syphilis.  The weird part about it is that it has a million handwritten notes in it and areas are underlined in red.  Someone had an overt interest in Syphilis!

A giant Ziploc bag revealed these two old molds and the two metal creme horn/ice cream cone forms.  The big cone maker is hand forged with really great patina.  I try to stay away from kitchen collectibles, but  am a sucker for the old hand made things.

Next we went to the new Goodwill.  It is gigantic.  Big as the local grocery store.  It was packed to the gills with stuff.  But, frankly, I was appalled at the prices.  I saw a set of four toadstool shaped napkin rings - not even old - just cute - picked them up, saw "Set of 4 - $10.00" and about died.  THAT'S TOO MUCH!  Even though it was full, I found hardly anything that appealed to me or that I was willing to buy. 

But, then I walked to the furniture area and sitting on top of a table was this:

*Pay no attention to my little helper*

A huge Redman Picnic Basket - the biggest I have ever seen.  You could pack a turkey dinner in that sucker.  It's BIG!  It still has the divider inside, which I always take out, but it's good to get it with it.  Now, I paid way more for this one than I have ever paid for any of my others.  I paid $15.00 for it.  I have been in such thrift withdrawl and had such a bad week that I decided I deserved it.  Poor me, poor  me.  I really do love it and it came to a good home.

Forget the Bean's video games in the background.  Here are my Redman baskets - all stacked neatly in the corner of the living room holding my craft supplies.  I'm still holding out for my holy grail - a Red Redman.  It will come to me one day.  I know it.  The top one looks red in the photo, but it's more of an orange-y brown.

One other item of interest at Goodwill was this box of Giant Sized Number Flash Cards.

Each flash card measures 11" x 14".  They really are Giant!  Wouldn't they be fun for altered art of hanging in a child's room?  There are four sets in the box.  I'll likely keep one set and sell the others in my Etsy Shop.

Getting back in real life - seeing a play, doing a little thrifting  - it was just what I needed.  (I won't let the fact that I discovered my beloved Taco Tico closed after 30 years, my favorite $1.00 Store went out of business and I had a dead car battery at the Rehab Hospital today get me down.) Today was a pretty good day in all.

Tomorrow is the Mardi Gras Parade.  Pretty much one of the best days of the entire year.  Yea, FUN!

Valentine Decorations

I decorated for Valentine's Day far too early this year and I am about sick of it. But, I am glad that I got it all out. I am looking forward to receiving my Heart to Heart swap from Sarah.  It is my favorite swap all year long!  The little girls I made for the swap are in my header. I forgot to make myself one, so I need to whip a little Valentine cutie up to keep too.

Everything crammed in the corner where I do all my holiday decorating.

This is the first time to use my white feather tree (I swapped Sarah for this too).  In the past, I used my skinny tall Christmas tree, but I wanted a lighter look this year.  I missed the lights of the big one, but I like this one too.

I decorate with hearts, of course, but also candy, cupcakes, cake, pies and sweets of all sorts.  I have "X's" and "O's" and other hidden surprises on the tree this year.

I have a lot of old kiddie Valentine's, but I never knew a good way to display them.  Finally, I took a cork board and just stapled them all over it in layers.  I tried to put the politically incorrect ones on top  like "Honest Injun" with a Native American.  So, not cool anymore.

My infamous shelf that I use for every holiday.  I can pack that sucker full.  Things I look for when thrifting:  Vintage heart shaped candy boxes (I had several and sent them in swaps, now I wish I had them back), old chocolate covered cherry boxes, vintage cards, anything with "14 on it", candy boxes and hankies.  You can see a lot of my prior Heart to Heart swap items mixed in here and there.  I made that little cone for last years swap.

Chocolate covered Cherry boxes, my I Love Lucy Salt and Pepper shakers (they don't fit into my house at all, so I made them fit in with the Valentine stuff, just so I could keep them!), a bucket full of sparkly hearts and a vintage Valentine vase that was last year's one and only vintage Valentine find 9at a thrift I hit three times a year, but am going to tomorrow!).

Kind ofold candy tins, a Dollar Tree wooden LOVE plaque and a funny fat spun head girl I made last year.

The vintage heart box, really isn't vintage at all.  I found a box that was sticky and ruined, so I salvaged off the ruffles and roses and put them on a Dollar Tree Heart box.  I just noticed I used a 4 of Diamonds, that should be a four of hearts, der.....

My apothecary cabinet that I lurve.  HTH items on the knobs.

Child's typewriter and flower frogs with vintage Valentine's and more HTH swap items.

This funny monkey gal was 25¢ at the Super Cheap Thrift.  Had to have her!  Had to!

Happy Valentine's Day...almost!

Things You May or May Not Want To Know

Or maybe not.

1.  It snowed again.  More coming on Friday.   Nothing like The East Coast.  But, we have set snowfall record for the most EVER. 

It looked like Powdered Sugar.

2.  My Grandmother got discharged from the hospital today.  They called to say they were discharging her and I said YOU ARE DOING WHAT?  We just freaking got her there.  Saturday night they said she could die, today they send her home? What the hell.  Begged, pleaded and cried a little bit and they decided to send her to Rehab (they initially said she could go home and "we" would need to stay with her 24 hours a day.  Oh no, oh hell no.)

3.  Took her to the Rehab Hospital.  They asked all these questions which led us to believe that most people "check in, but they don't check out".  If you know what I mean.  She is stronger and can take care of herself waaaaaaaay better than most people there that I saw.  So, maybe her stay will be short.  She has it in her head that she will be home by the weekend.  Oh no, oh hell no.

Duck that lives in the landscaping at the hospital.

 

4. They charge $140.00 per day per room with a room mate, so that is $280.00 a day), but you have to provide the TV, a phone, a cup, a blanket, a table and a chair.  I think we should have put her in the Holiday Inn instead.  I know she is getting care, getting medical treatment, getting therapy, meals, etc.  But, not even a phone or a  TV? Sheesh.

See?  A duck!

5.  I am really tired.  Tired to the bone. 

6.  I need to do some junking.  Some thrift therapy.  Something to clear my mind.

7.  Or maybe just get drunk.  I can't decide.

*I don't drink.  But, I might start.

**I kid.

Return to Sender Part II

I get some pretty important mail in my mail box.  Unfortunately, it's not for me.  In August of 2009 I received a letter to the Supreme Court of Virginia that was mailed from Norfolk, VA.  It should have traveled about 100 miles, instead it traveled 1,294 miles. It never should have left the state, let alone traveled halfway across the USA.

Today I got this in the mail:

To the Curator of the Contemporary Canadian Aboriginal Art at the Canadian Museum of Civilization. 

CANADA, my friends!  CANADA!

Yea, that's pretty close to my house in Arkansas. 

Not.

Mailed from California to Canada.  2,976  miles.

Went to Arkansas on it's way.  3,165 miles.  I guess that's not so much out of the way.

Return to Sender!

*I'm not knocking the Post Office, I just think it's interesting when something so incredibly bizarre shows up in MY mailbox.  I expect the right house number and wrong street or visa versa.  Not CANADA!

**Taking a Snow Day at home with The Bean.  Mental Break from the hospital/Grandma situation.  She's going to a regular room, so she is better.  They are setting up Rehab and a Home Health Care Service.  Thank heavens!  Thanks again for all the comments and the people that took the time to email me too.  And, yes, I am a clone of my Mom.  That is a good thing!

Grandma Update

I love you guys.  Sooooo many nice sweet comments on my last post, and not just for trying to win those silly Valentine's.  Really, everyone is so nice.  Thank you.

Grandma update:  On Saturday we finally convinced her to call the ambulance.  The first responders thought they would give her something for gas and send her home that night.  But, it ended up that she had a bleeding ulcer and was literally bleeding to death.  (Which makes me realize now that the ambulance techs must not have checked her out that good - they left without the lights and drive slowly.  Meanwhile, she was bleeding to death.)  She is very, very sick and would have died if not finally gotten help.  She is not out of the woods yet, though.  Having said that, I will tell you that she is being the most difficult patient ever.  She had a screaming fit at the two nurses last night and I was so completely overwhelmed by her loudness and rudeness that I broke down and started wailing.  The nurses thought I was concerned over Grandma (that is weird to say because I only call her by her first name, not Grandma), but I was crying for those poor nurses.  I know they are used to it, but it killed me to see them trying so hard to help her and she absolutely did not care at all.  Right before we left, she blamed my Mom for making her go to the hospital.  Guilt trip number three hundred.

Don't think badly of me for talking smack about my Grandma.  She is a different kind of person from anyone else on the planet.  Very difficult, very selfish, very much "her way or no way" and all that other stubborn stuff.  And, not since she got older.  From day one she has been that way.  She's not the "I made you cookies" sort of Grandma or "Here's a birthday card" Grandma.  So, not your usual Grandma.  In fact, is she knew I was referring to her as "Grandma' she'd pop me in the mouth.  "You don't call you MOTHER 'Ma' so don't call me Grandmaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwww." 

She's not out of the woods yet, the scope could cause heart failure, but they take precautions.  She is 84 and a diabetic.  But they think it will work.  She'll be in the hospital for days and days then to Rehab (or that will be fun news to break to her....) for a few weeks.  Then either home with help or somewhere where there is help.  She has a wonderful old doggie that is our concern - finding help with her and making sure she is well taken care of - she loves my Grandma and she is very sad that she isn't home. 

She is completely addicted and I mean addicted to Diet Coke.  Guess what probably caused her Ulcer?  Diet Coke.  Guess what she can't have any more?  Diet Coke.  Guess who isn't going to tell her that?  Me. 

Since no one likes a post without a photo.  Here's me, my Mom, Grandma in brown and my Great Grandma in purple on the left.  Four generations.

I'll be back when I can.  Thanks again everyone. 

To Blog Or Not to Blog...That is the Question

I love this silly little blog of mine.  I get a thrill with each and every comment that comes through.  Especially when someone new is nice enough to leave a comment and tell me that they like my blog.  With that comes some pressure and responsibility.  I feel like I need to blog about interesting things.  Things that I can write about an that people will enjoy.  But, lately.  Lately.  Lately life has been a real snooze fest.  Too cold to go out.  Too wet to go out.  Too snowy to go out.  And when  do get out..I go to the grocery store or to The Dollar Tree.  Sometimes..Both!  Woohoo.  Livin' on the edge.  Very little thrifting as of late.  I go sometimes, but I usually leave empty handed.  No one is donating because it's too cold to go out.  Too wet to go out.  Too snowy to go  out. 

My posts lately have been boring.  Boring.  Boring.  Boring.  Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.  Oh, sorry.  I'm back.  I'm awake.

There are things happening.  My Grandma decided it's time to die.  She's gotten her affairs in order, called the funeral home, amended the will and told us who gets what.  She got in bed and refused to get out.  My Mom is at her house round the clock.  Bringing her drinks, helping with trips to the bathroom, etc.  Yesterday she was very weak, sick to her stomach, moaning and absolutely refusing any medical treatment whatsoever.  But, today, she is better.  Demanding a meal.  Upset because "someone" turned the TV off "her channel".  Walking all the way to the bathroom (in  huff) because "someone" brought her a bedside commode and she is "NOT READY FOR THAT."  Sorry, "someone" thought you said you were dying.

*Sigh.  How do you take care  of an elderly veeeeery stubborn woman?  Where do you get started finding help for her at home?  How do you convince her that everyone cannot just give up their lives and move in with her permanently?  It is difficult. 

But, no one really comes over here to read a blog entry about my sick Grandma.  So, I try to think of other things to bog about.  But, with no journey's and no junkin', the ideas are slim pickin's.

I did find one really cool thing at the thrift yesterday.  It made up for all the other empty handed trips.

I spotted this great hand carved wooden owl and I picked it up, thinking I would sell it on Etsy.  Owls are easy Etsy sellers.  So, I pick up all the cool owls I find.  This one is about 8" tall and really awesome.  When I picked it up, it had a sticker on the top, so I peeked under it.  That's when I found the slit on the top and the hole on the back. I don't think the thrift ladies knew what it was.  I knew what it was right away because it is "one of the things that I collect but never talk about".  Do you know what it is?  Because I need some entertainment -  First person to guess will get an envelope full of vintage Valentine's from me.  Maybe it's obvious?  Surely, not!

*We have a winner!  It wasn't as obvious as I thought.  Congrats to Shanna - it is indeed, a whistle!  It is one piece of wood, hand carvedand hollowed out.  The plug on the top has a small opening for blowing and the sound comes out of the hole in the back.  It makes a very lovely "Hooooooooooooooooooooot" when you blow into it.  I ave a small collection, about ten, of handmade whistles in animal shapes.  They are all Native American made and animal shaped.  Please, send me your address Shanna.  Thanks!

**Thanks for the Grandma understanding.  She is something else.  That's all I'm ging to say about THAT.

Why I Can't Get Anything Productive Accomplished

Today was to be a day filled with schoolwork (we got that one done) and lots of photo taking for my Etsy Shop.  Let's see how that went, shall we?

Set up light box.

Take photo of Vintage Sewing Box.

Remove cat from light box.

Take photo of Vintage Mouse in the House Cookie Jar.

Remove cat from light box.

Take photo of Much Loved Vintage Doggie.

Remove cat from light box.

Take photo of Victorian Cabinet Photo Album.

Give up. 

Maybe tomorrow?

Things I Learned While Snowed In

1.  Don't get nostalgic about your teen years and attempt to Facebook that boy from high school that absolutley turned you knees to jelly when you saw him walk down the hall because maybe, just maybe now he has a bit of a potbelly and a receeding hairline and now you cannot get that image out of your head instead of the jelly knee image that you have had for 25 years.  I loved that boy.

2.  Don't go through boxes of old photos and find photos of you and your not-yet husband back when you were absoluely can't keep your hands off each other crazy about one another and you thought he was the sweetest cutest thing ev-uh, only to turn around and see him in his "I've been home for days" sweatpants, ratty "lucky" Razorback t-shirt, slippers and stick-up hair that hasn't been combed in days, because then you still have the moony-eyed love-struck cutie-pie image in your head but the actual "Holy Hell What Happened to Him" actuality staring you in the face.  (Yea, I know, I'm no beauty queen around the house either.)

3.  Do dig deep in your pile of stuff and start listng on etsy and donating the rest.  You might be surprised to find some really good crap in there!  Carp you forgot you had!  Crap you never remember buying!  Crap you've never seen.  It's like hitting a really good yard sale.  In your own house!  For freeeeee!