sleeping in an unmade bed

Top 5 Yard Sale Pet Peeves

2010-10-16T16:54:00.002-05:00

I had a very good day Yard Saling (yes that is a word. Just trust me) this morning!! I found LOTS of good stuff, met some really sweet, nice people, almost fell in a hole and got a wink from a Fed Ex driver. Except for the hole, not a bad way to spend the first 2 hours of a Saturday morning!

However, I did experience ALL 5 of my Pet Peeves. Now, I am not being a Negative Nancy. My concern is for the public. You have worked hard. You got up early. You probably fought with either your husband or your kids already this morning. You have decided that Today is the Day that “This crap is not coming back into this house” has been uttered for the last time this year. I am your customer. I get up each and every Saturday morning to come and find you, and to give you my hard earned money. So, here, for your education and information are:

“My Top 5 Pet Peeves about Yard Sales” OR “How to make me spend all of my money at YOUR Yard Sale!”

5. Too Much Information: Make your signs legible FROM THE ROAD! I can’t slow down enough to read little bitty words! I don’t know if you’re having a Yard Sale, you’re selling your house, or you’ve lost you cat. Just a BIG “YARD SALE” sign with an arrow will get me off the road and headed in your direction, I promise!

4. Too Little Information: Now that you’ve got a Great Big Sign, put some little ones along the way so I know I am going in the right direction! Nothing worse than getting down in a neighborhood only to find NO MORE SIGNS to help guide me! I really want to find you! Help me!! (it is inconvenient for the man walking his 3 dogs to be forced to tell me the way back to the road. How do I know? Because he looked at me like he was being inconvenienced while the dogs were pulling him along as he pointed north).

3. Price your stuff BEFORE I get there! It’s okay to say, “All kids clothes are a dollar” or something like that, but don’t say, “Well, just show it to me and I’ll make you a price.” I have 46 yard sales to get to, and exactly $37.85 to spend, so I need to know if it is worth my time.

2. This is a YARD SALE. I am not going to pay $10.00 for a pair of 2T pajamas. That kind of pricing is for consignment selling. Unless you want to tote most of it back in the house, price your stuff to MOVE! I will move it for you!!

And finally, #1. Don’t mislead the public. Do not say you are having an Estate Sale for me to drive all the way there and you have put out a Harlequin Romance, 2 toasters and a vacuum cleaner with no cord. Because, see, you’re my first sale of the day. You have made it sound as if your sale may be the only one need to hit. I am coming to you, first, Estate Sale, because you have made an impression. I really want to find a deal, give you my money, and make it McDonald’s before the 8:oo crowd hits. I’ve got 45 more sales to get to! Let ME give YOU my money!

Simple, see? Now, y'all do better next Saturday. I am busy selling those 2T pajamas for 9.99 on Ebay!

Finding Love at the Thrift Store

2010-10-10T08:08:00.004-05:00

Well, I was not looking for love, but I think he was. Now, hold on...I've got to set up the situation. THEN we'll get to him.

I had already been at the thrift store for about 2 hours. I was hot, I smelled like the thrift store, I desperately wanted to wash my hands, and I seriously needed some sweet tea. HOWEVER, I had not yet looked at the stuffed animals. The aisles are so little over there and my thrift store has these big 'ol bugggies that are used (sorry pre-owned) from various stores. So, usually one wheel is pointing in a different direction or there is an unknown substance on one of the wheels or you know, just a bad buggy, but it is still probably one of the best ones. It sort-of hops down the aisle. (For my neighbors who aren't blessed to live in the South, you probably refer to this as a shopping cart). Bless your heart.

Okay. So sorry. I get side-tracked. Okay: Little aisle, big broken buggy and me. I am, as I have described in another post, what the old folks in the South call "heavy-set", so I take up a little bit of room, myself! I was squatted down looking at all the butts of these stuffed animals. For you less seasoned TS shoppers, the butt is the main thing you need to look at. You are looking for a plastic heart, a patch from Walt Disney store (or just a WDW tag in general), or a tush tag that reads Gund. At my thrift store there is a aisle exploding with plush. EXPLODING. I mean, when your buggy bumps one of those bins, animals and baby dolls jump out on you. I am not complaining. Bruce the Shark from Finding Nemo hit me in the eye this week, so it's not always a bad thing. (Okay, I'm getting to the love story, hold your horses!)

I felt someone on the aisle. I get aggravated when someone comes on the aisle, because that means I have to push my buggy to the end, let them come by with their broke down buggy, then go back and try to find the last butt I looked at. He stopped and was looking at the FACES of the animals, so I knew he was not serious competition. I kept on digging.

"Look, this baby looks real, dontcha think?" he interrupts. (I wanted to say, "I don't know? Does she have an Xavior Roberts signature on her butt?", BUT I can't be rude to a perfect stranger. It is against the law in the South. I think there is a fine or a citation or something. I wouldn't know because I have never been rude to a perfect stranger.) So, I smiled and said, "She is a pretty little doll, huh?", smiled sweetly and dove back in.

"I hear that there are folks who buy these dolls, and put them in a corner, like they are in trouble." He was now holding a life size child-doll. OMG, a creeper. How would you know that information? I just said, "Lord, don't reckon I've ever heard of that", and looked down at my pile, hoping he will get the idea that I am busy.

"Look, I think these are real shoes she has on"...I look. Just in case they are Hanna's or Keens. (You gotta look at the toes). "Well, mercy I think you are right". Back to digging.

"I use these to aggrevate my dogs". Dang, he has found a puppet that I missed. (Puppets don't have butts. It's really not my fault.) "I make them bark. It really gets my dogs wound up". I say, "yes, my husband does that to our dog, sometimes." I want to add that my husband is in law enforcement, in the K-9 special task force or something. But, that is a lie. He is a nurse. Me: "Yes, I tell my husband; 'you are too big to be playing so rough with that little dog'! My husband is 6'3 and built like a right guard, so I have to remind him that he might scare our dog". (I lie again. My husband is 6'1 and he USED to built like a linebacker. Bless his heart.)

"Let me let you by, sir", I offer. "I am being so rude! I bet you have just been too nice to ask me to get out of the way!" I want to say something about the aisle and the pitiful buggies, and the exploding animals, but then I am afraid he may say, "So, do you come here often?", so I let it lay. He accepts my offer, and bids me a good day. I wave at him with my left hand, so he can see my wedding ring.

I go on to find several Care Bears, a Gund classic teddy bear, and a BIG Dan Dee Panda cub. (Rachel taught me to look for big stuffed animals!) After I am back in my car, hands washed, at the McDonald's drive-thru waiting on my Large Sweet Tea; I think back over the encounter. Am I so vain as to think that a perfect stranger was flirting with me in the stuffed animal aisle at the Salvation Army Thrift store? "You should have been nicer to him, Vicky", I think to myself. "No, I was nice enough. HE should have seen that he was interrupting a perfect stranger, which is rude. He will probably get a citation." I am satisfied with myself. I enjoy my sweet tea with a clear conscience.

You know what, I bet when he got home, he told his wife (who looks like Julia Roberts), "Today, I saw this woman with her chart jammed in the toy aisle at the Salvation Army. She was looking at the BUTTS of all the stuffed animals. What a creeper! I was nice to her though, so I wouldn't get a citation". ;)

Y'all have a great Sunday! Hope the weather where you are is a pretty as it is in Alabama this morning!

Football and Housekeeping

2010-07-31T10:38:00.003-05:00

SO SORRY I have been negligent in my posts. I had to fly down to Tahiti and help Ali with all that Frank nonsense….bless her heart, she was devastated. And of course, Chelsea Clinton is getting married, and they want me to do the floral arrangements. I declined to help out on the Mel Gibson situation because, frankly, I only have a bachelor’s degree in Social Work/Counseling, and he needs a PhD. AT LEAST. He is a wreck, bless his heart.

Just when I thought I could come home and relax, and try to lessen the prevalence of my seizures, everybody in the world is clamoring for my attention. What did these folks do when I worked full time? They made do, and although I would love to help, there is only one me. They will just have to understand! Wink!

I’ve missed blogging…but there is not much to blog about, I guess. I have been at home, doing the regular housework and anything else that comes up. I am trying to learn football basics because: #1 Emily’s cute boyfriend is playing offensive receiving lineman left rear end tackle, and I need to know all about that position, and #2. The ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE are the National Champions, and I need to learn why we are so dadgum good!

To that end, I have my housework divided into Offense, Defense, and Special Teams. Of course, defense is the regular day to day stuff that you must stay on top of or the house will take over. Example: Something is up with the dishes in the sink. Somehow, they crawl out of the cabinets and into the sink WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE or PERMISSION. I had really started to notice a pattern. When I go to bed, no dishes, when I wake up...dishes. So I set up video surveillance. The video reveals a rather attractive woman who leaves the kitchen, not even looking at the sink. So I think the problem is the night staff. She may need to be re-assigned, and the job delegated to someone else. It's a shame, really.

“Special teams” is the stuff I have assigned to Michael. He is very, very special to me.

Offense is when I have company headed this way. It is called, “Company in 15 Minutes!!” I get everybody busy (everybody meaning me, sometimes Emily, and Patch moving from his bed in the living room to his bed in the bedroom). There’s not too much to be done, usually. In the living room, I have the area under the couches already standing by at the time of such an emergency. Magazines, shoes in the floor etc get pushed under there. I have an ottoman that is hollow…well, made to be hollow--it has games and notebooks and other various and sundry things. That is where the pillows and blankets go. Sometimes, I have to take some of the board games out and put them under the couch so the blankets fit….but the offensive line coaches up in the booth make that call. I throw the remotes in there on top of the blankets. Straighten the picture frames, turn off the overhead light and use “ambient” lighting such as lamps or the sunlight through the windows to soften the overall look of the room. Remember, too much light highlights cobwebs and dust.

Here is the rest of my advice:

In the kitchen, the oven is the go to storage for any dishes in the sink. Banana boxes will work in a pinch. You shove the dishes in, and put the whole box on the back porch. Since they are waxed, they hold in the soap and watered down dishes well. Now, if said company heads out there, throw a sheet over it all and say “That’s the Yard Sale pile. Don’t you hate getting ready for a Yard Sale? And Mercy, in this heat? I don’t know WHAT I was thinking!” And that gives you time to make a diversion back into the house where the air is. (Keep ‘em moving!)

Oh wait, don’t forget the guest bathroom. Rookie mistake. I mean, if company comes in needing to use the bathroom right away and you have forgotten to straighten up in there, it is a dead give-a-way that you are a pretend housekeeper. Keep a bottle of Windex under the sink. Spray the toilet seat, the faucets, and the mirror. Wipe it off in the opposite order. Clean the mirror (bottom half will suffice), swish the sink and faucets, and then tackle the toilet. I know, this is why you don’t do it in the first place, but this is an emergency. Just close your eyes somewhat to make everything blurry and just clean it. It won’t take but just a second. Spray the shower curtain with Febreeze, and it’s good as gold. IF they need to pee and I have forgotten this room, I ask Emily to go make sure the guest bath has enough toilet paper. She knows the drill.

It goes without saying that you shut the doors on all the other rooms adjacent to the main Living area, and you’re done. Sometimes I let Patch come out of the bedroom just to create some home-y ambiance. Perk a pot of coffee, and lay out some Little Debbie’s. Done.

All kidding aside, my seizures are the same, but at least I can lay down when I feel one coming on OR lay down right away after one. That makes a difference in the postictal phase, it seems. At work, of course, neither was an option. I can’t talk about work, or I will cry. Wait, I think I hear someone at the door! Aargh, where is my banana box?

“Emily, make sure the guest bathroom has toilet paper! Patch, go get on your bed!”

Take care y'all! Love and joy!

~Vicky

2010-06-19T10:36:00.003-05:00

My new Button!

I’m Mad about My Hat!!

2010-06-15T07:37:00.007-05:00

As I have mentioned in previous posts, I am going to a Mad Hatter’s Ball to help raise money for the American Cancer Society in memory of my sister Pat, who died from acute leukemia. She was 15. That was 30 years ago, and the advancements made in research into that particular form of cancer has made great strides. When she died in 1980, the survival rate for children w/leukemia was about 15%. Today, it is over 80%. THAT is why I help in every way I can to help fund research. It saves lives.

Ok…on to the FABULOUS, beautiful, Can’t-Believe-I-Made-It Hat! (It’s not that I’m immodest. I’m happy and surprised and proud that I will represent Pat in this resplendent hat!)

It started out like this:

Please read this post that describes how special this hat is anyway…A lovely man had this hat in a yard sale, cleaning out his deceased wife’s things. Special story.

I wish I had taken pictures of the items I used, but you know me, impulsive. I just wanted to jump right in! I needed to find something that complimented the animal skin print on top, made it look more spring/summertime, and was under $10. Budget restraints and all that. Lucky, Hobby Lobby had all of their floral 50% off yesterday! I started to choose red, but when I saw this beautiful blue flower, I knew I had found my inspiration. I added sand colored feathers and stems to the mix to bring out the natural color of the cheetah print.

This is how it turned out!!

I want to add a bow to cover up all of the glue and “mechanics” of the construction. I am trying to find a burlap type ribbon to add more color and texture. Again, I just couldn't wait to share it!

joy!!

Vicky

I'm going to share my hat at Fireflies and Jelly Beans, Coastal Charms, The Thrifty Home's Penny Pinching Party and A Silly Little Sparrow,

Yard Sale Budget

2010-06-05T19:21:00.007-05:00

Yes. In order for me to go to yard sales on our newly-almost-one income household, I can only spend a set amount at yard sales. I can't count on BOGO's, or ECB's, or RR's, (or E-I-E-I-o's)...I can only spend an alotted amount that I set BEFORE I leave the house.

Today I had $9.75. That's right, I did not even round it up to $10.00. I could have probably found a quarter on the dryer, but I am committed to spending only what I have in my purse at the end of the week, AFTER Sweet Tea Friday. (That's another story.) Lately I've had luck selling my large flower pins, so I have "found money" to spend, not anything out of the actual household budget.

Today was a very good day. My sister/best friend, Betty, went with me. In a rare show of restraint, we decided to only shop one neighborhood sale. OMW! (oh my word!) our self-control was rewarded with an abundance of unreasonably priced items...by unreasonably I mean it was hard to reason why people were giving their stuff away!! I mean, I actually wanted to pay MORE than they were asking.

The fleeting moment of guilt was quickly assuaged with the thought that my attempt to stay on budget made the Lord happy. (He loves me so much...all kidding aside!)

Below are my finds. (Oh, and I bought a Coke Zero for a dollar from a sweet little girl raising money for Children's Hospital.) (Oh, AND Betty gave me $1.25 in anticipatory payment of my design of her hat for Mad Hatter's so I could buy Emily the cutest-dress-you-ever-did-see.) Ok. You still here? Your diligence will be rewarded my friend. If you just stick with me long enough I eventually get to the good stuff!

Break-down:

Large empty frame...$2.00

Large grapevine wreath...$3.00

hydrangea bush...FREE with wreath (I don't think that lady was awake yet. I'm telling you, I was pure-ol-dee ashamed not to pay her for those hydrangeas, but I could not insult her generosity. I am a lady after all!)

Oversized pickle jars....10 cents each

Vintage folding ruler...$1.00, (look close. There it is. It looks like cinnamon sticks!) and

Letter organizer .50 cents, hanging organizer, not shown, 50 cents., necklace, not shown, $1.00.

And, for the find of the day: A cloche hat for Mad Hatter's!!!!! And, yes, I WILL look like Audrey Hepburn in it, thanks for the compliment!!

Betty and I must have looked deranged when we found that pile of hats. Oh my word! There were 10-12 hats...all shapes and colors. Some were large brim, some were cowboy hats, some were caps, a few were ugly so we didn't try those on. Y'all, we put our stuff down and started trying them on. They were 3.00 each, but the sweetest man let us have them for $2.00. He either was tickled that we were SO HAPPY to find them, or he was afraid. No, he was happy! We told him about the Mad Hatter's Ball we are volunteering for to raise money for the American Cancer Society in memory of our sister, and he helped us pick one out!

We found out at the next house over that they were his wife's hats, and she died last year of cancer. How about our sweet Lord! We found that man and those hats, and now we ALL will get a blessing because we are all apart of raising money in memory of someone...I am planning on going back to show him when we get them all gussied up for the party! He was thrilled we were going to re-purpose them, and now we know why.

Whew! All in all, a very good day!

joy!!!
Vicky

Showing off my finds on Southern Hospitality.and The Thrifty Home's Penny Pinching Party

Alice in Wonderland Wreath

2010-05-31T01:08:00.008-05:00

I made this wreath for a good cause! My niece Melissa is the Developmental Representative for our local American Cancer Society, and they are having a "Mad Hatter's" Party the end of June. Since there will be a silent auction, she wanted me to make one of my book wreaths to donate. Of course, I said I would love to in memory of my sister Pat who died at the age of 15 from leukemia.

The book wreath idea sprung from this tutorial by Living With Lindsey. I have made several since, but this one needed to be extra special!

I knew I wanted to use "Alice in Wonderland" for the pages...you know, Mad Hatter and all...but I could not find a vintage copy. Melissa found these Easy Readers from B&N. I had to cut the pages in half to get the size I needed, but I love the way it turned out. I really like to colors for this one instead of the shabby chic look I had been going for. What do you
think?

I hope everyone LOVES it, and will bid high for a good cause!!

Joy!
Vicky

I am posting to Simply Designing's "What I Made This Week", BobbyPins Boardwalk Bragfest, Fireflies and Jellybeans Show off you Stuff Party, Life in the Pitts' Creative Therapy Session, Made By You Monday Skip To My Lou's,

Yard Sale Finds Add Chic Country Ambience to Local Woman's Home

2010-05-30T08:15:00.001-05:00

How do like that newspaper headline?!? Yeah, well is it fictitious. I made it up. I mean, the local news would not do that story, I am sure...and Southern Living has not discovered me yet!

I thought I would use this stormy, rainy day to highlight where I have incorporated my recent YS finds into my decorating scheme. The public wants to know! (Caveat: no one has actually ASKED me to share this, but I figured they are just too intimidated. I can't blame them. Genius is intimidating. I personally feel right at home in the pages of Country Living or Southern Living. They've not asked me either).

No matter...it's not a hill for a climber. If you've read this long, you probably are interested, right? Let's get going!
The horseshoe box is from this post... The rooster and table are redo's from my Rooster Design Days. So sorry I did not take before pictures. The table was green with a picture of a farmhouse scene on top. A rooster was figured prominently in that picture . I primed over all of that nonsense and then painted it off white. (I am sure the paint had a name, like Cloud White or Lambswool or something). I really like how it turned out. Then, I dusted over the rooster "Almond" white. (That is the actual name of that paint. I remember that because it hints at something you eat. Much easier to remember those names!) The wreath I already had somewhere else in rotation.

Now, in this configuration:I used items from the 5/1/2010 sale ...the pictures and the Milk Bottle. The bowl was bought at the 4-25-2010 sale.

Yes, you noticed didn't you! That is the table I now use on the porch.

Since this picture was taken, I have rearranged that wall. The refrigerator wouldn't open all the way which bothered the Head of the Household. I personally can suffer through for the sake of design. Whatever. He is the head of the household, and I never question his decisions. (Have you read this post? The one where I almost cut my toes off on the bathtub? Well, don't.)

Here is that wall now. That table is from a yard sale about 2 years ago. It had previously held a spot in my bedroom. There is the Milk bottle, and the bowl full of balls. (What? are you 14?) Also, I used the brown jug from the 4/25/2010 sale.

The churn and rolling pin belonged to my Granny Bonner. (BTW, she actually used these items. I don't cook, so they are most use to me in a display which reminds me daily of what a great cook she was!)

Actually, I like this arrangement better. I am glad I decided to redo this wall. The fact that the fridge door now opens all the way is a simply matter of coincidence.

Here are the lanterns from last week's sale, redone: Before and after, then on the porch:

Okay. I have used some more of the items, but the batteries are dead in my camera. The next demonstration of my decorating genius will have to wait until another rainy day.

Glad I could satisfy my public! Y'all take care!
~Vicky

linking to: Chic on a Shoestring Decorating, Thrifting Treasures at Southern Hospitality

Well, at least we had fun!

2010-05-29T11:08:00.001-05:00

First Yard Sale of the season accompanied by my sister and best friend, Betty. We struck out.

She bought a beautiful picture frame for Mo's upcoming wedding at a steal of $4.00, but then nothing else all morning! I felt soooo bad!

I found a few things...a bird cage (yeah, I don't where I will put it either, but I always find a place for things I love!)...a little green bottle for 50 cents...a large plate rack for $1.00.

The other things are from last week, but since I was too busy (lazy) to post this week, I figured I would throw them in, too. I got the large lanterns for $1.00 each (very Pottery Barn, dontcha think?)...and the wire basket for 50 cents...The small lantern is from 2 weeks ago, found it for $1.00, too.

I may paint the bird cage blue. Or red. I need a little color in my life!! I love my blue egg so much, that I am thinking of incorporating a little more robin's egg blue in my color scheme. However, I already have some red pieces that would complement the red. Decisions, decisions.

Here are the before and afters of my lanterns from last week...

I first painted them flat black, then added a liberal dusting of Rustolems's Oil-Rubbed Bronze. That way, the ORB lasts longer! Since it is SO popular, I can hardly find it. And you know what, I still haven't found any Heirloom White!

I couldn't hardly stand to paint over the red bird, but it just looked so dingy...Sorry red bird!!

I left the little windows without the glass...the glass was beyond cleaning! I also had a bonus Dirt Dauber's next in one of these!!

Overall, these are really good finds for the money, and they make a big impact. I will post this week about how I'm incorporating them.

Okay, now off the make the coleslaw!! (Michael is in charge of he peach cobblers!), then off to Betty Boop's! Life is GOOD!

I thought I cut my toes off on the bathtub.

2010-05-21T18:04:00.000-05:00

Well, God's been busy...and He's kept me busy! I won't go into the details, but when God says He is in Control, He is. He just needed me to get out of His Way.

Okay, so now is a good time to tell you the story I teased you about in this post. The one where I thought I cut my toes off on the bathtub. To refresh your memory, the post was about my impulsive nature. Again, I say serendipitous, Michael says impulsive. Tomato, tomato. Wait, tomato tamato...well, you know what I mean.

I once painted our guest bathroom red while Michael was at an Alabama-Tennessee game. A HOME game no less. (We live 20 minutes from the stadium.) THANK GOD it went into overtime...nick-of-time, I'm talking about...

I had been requested to:

1). not paint over the wallpaper in the guest bathroom, and
2). not paint the bathroom red.

So, I decided to paint the bathroom red. And, since I was in a hurry to not be apprehended mid-brushstroke, I really didn't have time to tear down the wallpaper. Okay, there are two separate infractions here. One, admittedly, was blatantly dismissive of my Head- Of -The -Household's request. The other was, really, just a matter of expediency.

Nutshell: I am a terrible painter, I am short and did not have a ladder. I was acting impulsively, I was in direct violation of my promise NOT to do what I was doing, and God got me back.

Expanded nutshell: I was almost home...the bathroom was primed, [lie. I didn't prime it. don't tell Michael], I had the first coat of red nearly finished, except for that narrow part above the shower surround. I decided just to stand on the edge of the tub and stretch to reach that area. Well, we have a fiberglass tub in there, and although I am highly intelligent and moderately good looking, I am what the old folks in the South describe as heavy-set. That said, I had no idea you could break a bathtub.

Just as I was reaching the tip-top of that area, the edge of the bathtub just popped. My foot went into the opening, and it cut my toes, just a little, but I knew I was injured. Well, at some point, I had stepped in red paint. Unbeknownst to me, that red paint was on my foot AND on the edge of the bathtub. I thought ,"I have cut my toes off, and I will lay in this bathroom and bleed to death." I did not panic, really I didn't. I just knew I had gotten what I deserved. I knew Michael would come home, I would be all pale and limp and pitiful and WRONG...and if I did survive my freak accident, he would not let me live down my near death experience at my own hand.

Luckily, I realized it was just paint, not blood. Whew! However, there was now a hole in the bathtub, and said bathtub was covered in red paint. Since I was listening to the end of the game on the radio, I knew I had precious little time to come up with a really good story that would just make Michael laugh and laugh about the whole situation.

I got nothin'. Not one good excuse. I was just going to have to bow deeply, apologize, and get a part-time job as a Greeter at Wal-Mart to pay to fix that bathtub, hire someone to re-paint the bathroom, and probably buy Season tickets to the Alabama home games as a penitence for my sin.

Let's just suffice it to say: my toes are still attached, I am happily married, and my guest bathroom is now a lovely neutral, boring tan. (but who knows, I am still serendipitous!)

i am sharing my shame at: A Silly Little Sparrow's "Toot Your Horn Tuesday's"
and Blue Cricket Design's "Show and Tell"

and then THIS happened.

2010-05-05T16:27:00.000-05:00

Hello, I'm sad. Nice to meet you.

Well, I was going to get my pictures uploaded to share in some linky parties today, and I was going to share with you how I am using my recent yard sale finds and my Red Bird Census art to solve a dilemma in my entry way nook. Then this happened...

I was shocked and saddened by the (surely) fatal sound that came from said entryway nook. I knew what scene awaited me before I ever got up from my chair. I'm not despondent, now, don't get me wrong. I'm just heartsick. (Totally different than heartbroken. I mean, I'll get over it.) I think it was "Novemeber's" fault. See the post here about that ugly picture. And I'm sure vanity played a part. I mean, just this morning, I found out my original artwork and crafty frame had been featured in "Shopping Your House" at dirty hands, beautiful life, and how proud I was! Oh how the mighty fall.

(finding the broom was irritating as well as it was not where it was SUPPOSED to be, family!)

Good news, Emily's picture is safe and sound, the picture did not fall on the dog, I did not cut myself cleaning it up.

Bad news: entryway nook is now, again, nearly naked. So, do you want to see what it DID look like? or do you think that will just make you sadder? Okay, if it is too much to bear, look away....

(I couldn't get the picture to focus, so that right there probably should have tipped me off.)

Close up:
Let's just have a moment of silence and move on.

Okay, so here is my second design dilemma I addressed with my recent yard sale finds...Since we recently remodeled, I have a big blank wall in my kitchen. The 1995 Rooster Decor days are behind me, and good riddance. I swear I could almost hear my cabinets crow when you opened them! (What was I thinking?!?!?) Anyway, my life is a progression through questionable design taste.

I used the botanical prints and milk bottle from YS 5/1/10, the green bowl with decorative balls from YS 4/24/10, Granny Bonner's rolling pin, recycled plate hangers from the rooster plate days, and green Cynthia Rowley plates I found for 7.99 at TJ Maxx. Oh, and the bench was re-done to get rid of more roosters. No before picture, my apologies.

So, not all is lost. Right? Thank you for your attention, and your kind words of condolence that I am sure will follow. (just post below, no need for a casserole or anything.)

JOY!
Vicky

linking to: Dirty hands, Beautiful Life, "Shop your House" party!

The Thrifty Home's "Penny Pinching Party"

Reinvented, "Trash to Treasure" Tuesday

House of Hepworth's HOH

Fireflies and Jelly Beans, "Show Off Your Stuff Party"

Oh, My Word!!

2010-05-05T06:41:00.001-05:00

Y'all! I have been featured in two different blogs!! I am brand-spanking new at blogging, so I am beside myself! No, I am so excited I am between myself!!

I am so new that I don't know how to add my "I've been featured" button. I got it, don't know what to do with it!!

So, you can find my well-deserved!*(...stop Vicky. Humility please) praise at Someday Crafts, and "Shopping Your House" at dirty hands, beautiful life

Happy Dance...doodle-doo-doo! doodle-doo-doo! (That is the music playing in my head...just hum along!)

JOY!
Vicky

(*attempt at humor...do not take me seriously. I am highly intelligent, and moderately good-looking, but funny, um, you decide. I am humbled to have been recognized!)

I am loving my egg.

2010-05-02T22:14:00.000-05:00

Never have much cared for blue in my overall decorating scheme. The main colors I use are green (green glass vases, pitchers, etc) and red. However, when I found this robin's egg this weekend at a yard sale, I just had to incorporate it some way. So, now I have the blues!

This is a terrible picture of my Granny Bonner's quilt box staged in my den.

I have my book wreath above it, some of my green glass vases on top, and the lovely egg perched right out front. I needed something to tie in the blue and green, and by searching to blog world, I found a fabulous source for vintage graphics, Vintage Printables!! I wish I knew which site lead me to them! I promise I will get better at remembering! (Well, i better not promise...sorry...I just have a terrible memory PLUS I get sidetracked so easily that I just click-click-click and before I know it, I have no idea where I came from.)

Ok...back on track...where was I? Oh! ROBIN'S EGG NEST PICTURE! I found the sweetest little robin's nest at Vintage Printables, and printed it. I cut it down to size, and framed it in the cutest little frame I ever did see! (Look at it good. Is it not the cutest little frame you ever did see?)

Look at the sweet little columns! I found this last season, I think?? Well, anyway, I am supposed to be giving all of my extra frames to my niece Melissa who will use them this summer in her wedding reception, but NOT THIS ONE, sister. I am going to act like I have already had this frame in rotation so I don't have to give it to her. That's not wrong is it? (Quit judging me! It's only a picture frame!)

Let me tell, you, this little tablescape is precious. It does not look as precious as it is, because I cannot take a picture. If the photographer for Southern Living came over here, it would look just as good as anything in their magazine. I am so sorry, I guess I should be humble but I am telling you, it is precious. Also, the book wreath is not as bright and fluffy as it is in real life; the green glass vases are a beautiful bright green and that lamp is, well, the lamp is pitiful. Southern Living Photographer would take it off and add something he brought in his truck, probably. Ain't nothing like the truth.

So, overall, I am loving my egg. The end.

I am sharing my egg at: Keeping it Simple, Motivate Me Monday and The Girl Creative, Just Something I Whipped up! and the DIY Show Off!

Yard Sale Finds 5/1/10

2010-05-01T12:12:00.000-05:00

Lucky Me! One of the big neighborhoods in town was holding their "1st Saturday in May Community Yard Sale"! I bet I hit 20 houses, (wait...that sort-of sounds like a robbery...I shopped at these houses) and some of the prices were INCREDIBLE! Now, some folks wanted $1.50 for Harlequin Romances, $5.00 for used picture frames...one lady was asking $60.00 for a queen comforter, used (and stained...omw*). I bid them a good morning, and kept on trucking.

Let me show you my finds! (Sorry...the color is not great. Trust me, these are FABULOUS in person!
Now for the breakdown: left to right...

Pillows, $1.00 each. I found the patterned ones at one sale, the solid at another, and they match perfectly! These will go in my bedroom...I'll get a picture!

Old Milk Bottle: .25 cents, marked "Southern Dairy Farm, Tuscaloosa, Al."

Picture frames: .50 cents each This will go to Melissa for her wedding reception tables.

Set of 9 Mark Twain Novels: $1.00 each...I may use some of these for my book wreaths, don't know. Not all of the spines match, so don't know if I will use all of them on a table scape.

Little green "Urn" looking thing, and green bowl, both "distressed" looking, .50 cents each

Vase with large ceramic egg and nest, $1.00. this was my favorite find!

Clear glass apothecary jar: $1.00 Hard to see, sorry!

Tall red glass bottle, $1.00

Large pink heavy tray: $2.00 will probably use this as wall art in my bedroom if I keep it pink, or as a tray somewhere else if I stain it brown.

(in front of tray), Hanging organizer things for Em's closet: $1.00 each (we were just looking at the EXACT same thing at Lowe;s last night, $12.99 each

Picture frame holder, again, for Melissa's reception, .50cents

Framed botanical prints, $1.00 each...these will probably go in my bare-walled kitchen!

Black lantern, .50 cents

Baptist Hymnal. .25...will use in a book wreath project.

Grand Total: $21.50 (not including Twain Novels, which was part of my B'day present to myself!)

PLUS, I had a BLAST, and nothing will need anymore work to fit into my overall design scheme!! SCORE!

Sharing my finds at Southern Hospitality's "Week of Thrifty Treasures!"

I Need to Quickly get to the Afters...

2010-04-29T16:48:00.001-05:00

...I think that is why I never take pictures of the befores.

Emily brought home an art project she's been working on, and I LOVE it. I decided to take apart a $1.00 frame that I bought at last Saturday's yard sale, and frame it. SORRY I did not get a before picture of it. Hasty, that's me. Impulsive, headlong, temperamental. Well, I wouldn't say temperamental, really. Passionate, effervescent, spontaneous. I mean, as soon as I saw the artwork, I immediately knew the frame to use, so I didn't really need to over-analyze it. Again, Michael thinks I am impulsive, I think I am serendipitous. You agree with me.

Now, go with me here...imagine a solid wood picture frame, already "distressed" perfectly, but it has a picture of something floral, and it is entitled, "November". Yeah, it was worse than you are imagining. You would have already re-purposed it, so that makes me not as impulsive as you. (Wait until I tell Michael how reasoned I am compared to you!) Have I mentioned that I get side-tracked easily? Well, I do. That is something you should know.

Back to said frame. Ugly, but in the hands of a talented, spontaneous, crafty person...I knew it could really shine. Until that person comes along, I decided to just pop out "November", flip over the green mat so the cream side showed, and reframe. I work quickly before anyone can tell me I should not do it like that. Quick = getting my own way. I once painted our guest bathroom red while Michael was at an Alabama-Tennessee game. A HOME game no less. (We live 20 minutes from the stadium.) THANK GOD it went into overtime...nick-of-time, I'm talking about...Mercy, a story for later. I thought I cut my toes off on the bathtub. I mean, it a story that needs to be told...you will LOVE it!

Okay, so here is the after: I was right, huh? Told you! Can't wait to hang it! (Gotta wait just a couple more days...ALMOST ready to "load" everything back into my "new" house!)

Joy!
Vicky

I am linking to the "Shop Your House Party" at Dirty Hands, Beautiful Life...fun! Also check out the "Show off your Stuff" party at Fireflies and Jellybeans...(don't you LOVE that name!)

1930 Census Red Bird Art

2010-04-27T21:26:00.000-05:00

I found the cutest little bird canvas at the Dollar Tree today! I love the little bird, but he is not really my "style". I do, however, love red birds. They hold a good bit of sentimental value for me, and are a bond I have with my sister Pat, who died at the age of 15 with leukemia. I decided to remake the canvas into something more along my "style", using red birds as a theme.

I painted over the canvas with Krylon Almond, and allowed it to dry. I then did a dry brush technique using brown and red. I left that alone to dry. In keeping with the family love theme, I used a copy of the 1930 Census that lists the household of my Granddaddy and Grandmother Noland for the background of the bird templates in the first one. The second one uses the 1930 census of my Granddaddy and Granny Bonner. I also used a very dry brush to lightly color them red. I then Mod Podged the bird cut-outs to the canvas.

I think they turned out great!

I am linking to Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays at Coastal Charm!
I am also partying at The Shabby Nest's Frugal Friday, Rednesday at It's A Very Cherry World and House of Hepworths! Wait, one more!! Tatertots and Jello!

I've been featured!! Someday Crafts was generous enough to feature me on their blog!

Yard Sale Finds!

2010-04-25T08:39:00.000-05:00

We had a slow Yard Sale day because of the weather, and let me first say that my thoughts and prayers go out to our neighbors in Mississppi. There was loss of life and terrible property damage...just devastating losses for those affected. I pray for God's Grace and Mercy for those folks.

A few of these things were from last weekend, but I am including them today, so they don't get left out! Also, let me apologize for my kitchen floor, lack of door facing, and sheet rock slung around. Remodeling, we are!

You'll have to check back to see where I use these things. Most of them I will use just as they are!

Solid Wood Table…$4.00

Horseshoe Box, Box Only….$1.00

Small Cross...25¢

Ceramic Bunny …50¢

Rectangle Candle…25¢

Jug…part of Barter for Wreath

Alphabet Charger Plate…$1.00

Green Wooden bowl WITH the balls…$3.00

Shadowbox frame…$1.00

Love Frame…$1.00

Old Wooden Frame…$1.00

30 old bottles and glass paperweight (on table)…$10.00

I also finished my Book Page Wreath! I don't know how to give credit, like a link back...(I am learning!! Baby Steps!), but I found the tutorial here: http://livingwithlindsay.com/2009/11/librarians-please-avert-your-eyes.html I LOVE it!

I made one last week from a dictionary...you will notice a pattern: i love words...and I sold it TO A LADY AT A YARD SALE for $25.00 and the brown jug! I only had a few dollars and time into it. I had it in my car, and we were talking about crafts...I told her about it, she wanted to see it, and she bought it on the spot! So, I had to make another one. I found this English Textbook at the Thrift Store for .50 cents (loved the Red accents on the pages), and spent about 2 hours yesterday afternoon finishing it. Love it!!

I hope y'all have a wonderful Sunday. I'll be going like something's on fire and I've got the water! Busy, Busy. Take Care, God Bless!

2010-04-24T18:25:00.000-05:00

Since this is my first post, and there is not enough room on the (Smarty pants Blogger) "About Me" section, I decided to introduce myself this way! BTW, you will notice that I love ellipses...and, yes, I know I do not use them correctly. Let's not speak of it again. Oh, and I know I am breaking the rules on the "25 Things About Me", but I really need to add a couple more. They will be located at the end, but without a number. (It will look as if I am NOT breaking the rules. It'll just between us.) Okay...let's get going!

1. Michael is the love of my life. He is funny, smart, compassionate, opinionated, has no sense of style. He really needs me. This house would look like something out of "Brother Where Art Thou" if it weren't for me.

2. Emily is God's sweetest gift. She is the most entertaining person I know! Clever and funny...witty beyond description. She gets that from me.

3. Michael and I met on a blind date...and he's been blinded by love ever since!!

4. I have a twin brother, James. Our birthday is 2/27. My sisters, Pat and Betty, were born 12 years apart on 2/11. So, Mama and Daddy had four children, with only 2 birthdays, and all in February!

5. I am writing a book..."Life in the Passenger's Seat"

6. I love to read. and write. Thank you, Carrollton High School!

7. I am blessed to be a Wife and a Mama, and I take these roles very seriously. God first, Family ahead of self. Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior, and without Him, none of these things would matter.

8. I have a goofy sense of humor.

9. According to several friends, I have the most expansive vocabulary of southern colloquialisms of anyone they have ever met, but then THEY swear they have never heard things like "even a blind hog can find an acorn every now and then". Honestly, do you have to be country as cornbread to know THAT one??

10. I either wear tennis shoes, or 3 inch heels. There's no in between!

11. I love old people. They are our country's greatest resource, especially now. We could learn A LOT about how to stretch a dollar if we would take the time to listen.

12. I love to sing, although I am not that talented. If I could REALLY sing, I would sing a solo every Sunday they would let me... I would sing at the grocery store, the bank, the post office...I would sing all day long.

13. When I am mad, I can clean the house in an hour. Unfortunately, I do not get mad that often. (Do not check this fact with Michael.)

14. My sister Betty is my best friend.

15. My Mama, my Daddy and my sister Pat are all in Heaven. Sometimes when I think they are missing something down here, I think, "Bless their heart...I wish they could see this"...but then I know they are thinking, "Bless her heart, I wish she could see THIS!"

16. I think smiling should be mandatory.

17. I don't like chocolate. I mean, I will eat it, but I don't love it.

18. I believe God has laid a mission on my heart that involves Mentone, AL. and a cabin for full time ministry leaders and missionaries.

19. I love sweet tea almost at a fanatical level. However, Since I am a diabetic, I am not supposed to have it. So, don't tell if you see me with a Taco Casa cup in my hand!! Thanks!

20. Emily is my heart walking around outside of my body.

21. My niece Melissa is one of the sweetest people I know.

22. I wish my twin brother and his family lived closer. I miss them so much!

23. My twin brother and I do not look alike. AND, we are not identical. (You would not believe the people that ask us that! Well, we do have a FEW things different!)

24. I try very hard to do God's Will in my life, and be a good witness for Him.

25. I hope I am a blessing to somebody.

26. I love red birds.

27. I collect green glass vases, and pitchers.

28. Joy is my favorite word.

29. I love Erma Bombeck

30. I love quotes.

Shoot. Well, I forgot to not number them. Well, I am not going to re-do it. If I get caught, I get caught. There I go again, flaunting danger in my trouble-maker kind of way. Living on the edge...

I think that is what the whole "unmade bed" thing is. It is my own personal passive-aggressive rebellion. I vowed that when I grew up, I would NEVER make up my bed. And I don't. So there...and I am still a happy, productive, stable citizen.

One last quote from Erma...probably my favorite...

"My second favorite household chore is ironing. My first being hitting my head on the top bunk bed until I faint."

I LOVE that woman!