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Sunday, September 23, 2012

Fashion Faux Pas

It was a gorgeous, sunny, 69 degree day today for my sweetie's birthday! Jim had requested to go to his favorite Chinese restaurant for their awesome Sunday brunch, so I agreed. He hasn't been to too many places other than doctor's offices since his foot surgeries (first one was in February) so a nice little outing on a beautiful day to honor his birth seemed appropriate. I figured 69 degrees would be a little chilly, so I opted to wear some short boots instead of my usual flip flops. Now, if you know me, you know that I rarely give up my flip flops, ever, not even in the winter with snow on the ground, unless I'm going outside and then, I go for my next favorite type of shoe, boots. However, I didn't have any flippy floppies to match my black leggings and shirt with mixed shades of greens and brown in it and these little boots are a muted olive green fabric with cool brown buckled straps running up to the ankle, so I figured I'd be stylin' and profilin' LOL!
 We enjoyed the drive of about half an hour, basking in the sunshine and breathing in the fresh air. Jim thoroughly enjoyed his meal and was all smiles on the way home. I noticed, however, that the car was a bit warm when we'd stop at a traffic light, but didn't want to turn on the air conditioner. I made a quick stop at the grocery store and it too was a bit warm for me in there. Here's the thing. If my feet get hot, I'm hot. Not sure why there is a connection there, but the same goes for the cold. Like last night, my feet were freezing and so was I. Yeah, I know. I'm weird, but I'm very good at being weird, so it's OK.
 
As soon as we got home, I ditched the leggings for my Capri's and the boots for my pink flip flops. I'm sorry my lovely rubber footwear goddesses! I'll never leave you again!
Thank you for stopping by to witness my silliness today! Hope you're having a wonderful weekend! Happy Birthday to my sweetie!
Hugs, Leena

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

My "Type" Of Yard Sale!

With fall creeping ever closer, the number of yard sales in my area is dwindling. This is such a sad time of year as I know that soon, not even the die-hards will be offering their wares and I, once again, will be in yard sale withdrawal. Having said that, you would think that I would jump at the chance to attend ANY sale in the area, but I remain picky. If the ad says "children's clothing, toys, baby equipment" or other items I'm not interested in, I just can't convince myself to get up at the crack of dawn to drive around looking at items I'm not interested in. Before my grand babies were born, my daughter and I would flock to these types of sales, but the kids have outgrown all of that equipment and paraphernalia, so my interest has wained. However, on this particular Saturday, I had nothing to offer Jim for breakfast and I have to make sure he eats to maintain his blood sugar levels, so I hopped in the car to hunt down some carry out.

The junker in me just couldn't help herself. As long as I was out early, my car instinctively drove towards one of the sales I'd seen listed in the paper. As predicted, the offerings were slim, but I did find a pretty pink table cloth and the back yard of this residence was gorgeous! There was a pool with a deck, a gazebo, flowers galore and, my favorite, a pink Victorian-style, two-story playhouse! Oh if only that was for sale! Anyway, I made my purchase and headed towards another sale, which wasn't worth getting out of the car for, then finally decided to take in one more. I almost didn't, but something kept telling me "turn here! turn here!" so I did. What I found was.......

...a 1938 Underwood Citizen typewriter, made in New York! Squeels of delight!!
 
It's perfect, in the original case and even has a wood-handled cleaning brush!

I have wanted one of these most of my life. My uncle had two old typewriters on his farm and he used them when I was a kid. I was rarely allowed to practice on one, so was thrilled when he gave me permission!

There's just something about these old utilitarian treasures. The look of the crinkled metal finish, the ink ribbon that has black, red and correcting strips, the cute little round keys, the sound it makes when typed upon and, since this is so old, that wonderful vintage smell! To some people it may be yuck, like that smell of your high school friend's parent's basement, but to me, it's childhood, on the farm, looking through all the old things my aunt and uncle had. It's treasure hunting in my grandma's wood-floored cellar, discovering treasures in her old trunk. It's comforting.

As I was admiring the typewriter, I noticed two things: 1. the $5 price tag (squeel again) and 2. the "lurker" who was attempting to reach over my right shoulder, fingers pointed at "my" typewriter. I solved that problem real quick-like by picking up the lid to the case, asking the seller if the lid went with the typewriter, re-attaching it, locking it down and picking it up while telling her that I'd take it. Yard sales can be rather competitive. You have to be on your game at all times in order to beat out the lurkers, vultures and sprinters. I think they should put on a "Yard Sale Wars" show, but that's another subject.

Anyway, I am so delighted with my new treasure! It is down in my office and I'm planning on fixing up a special place for it to sit so I can admire and play with it!

Is there a special treasure you've been hunting for? I'd love to hear what it is. I may even have it waiting for you in my stash of stuff! LOL! Thank you so much for stopping by, have a wonderful day! Hugs, Leena

Sharing with: From My Front Porch To Yours: Treasure Hunt Thursday
              Ivy and Elephants What's It Wednesday
              My Romantic Home Show and Tell Friday
              French Country Cottage Feathered Nest Friday

Thursday, September 13, 2012

"Windows" Of Opportunity

This is what I was working on today:

Sometimes, the best curb shopping scores come when you least expect them. I was driving to get some dinner one night, when I spotted what I thought were windows piled on top of a trash can. "Were those windows? I think those were old windows! Oh my gosh, those were windows!" I thought to myself (I get a little excited sometimes). Instinctively, I hit my brakes, threw my car into reverse and went back to take another look. Yes, they were indeed, old windows!

All kinds of thoughts ran through my head at this point. "How do I get them without being seen? Is it late enough? I wonder how heavy they are? I could do so many things with those!" I decided to pull into a parking lot across the street and check out the scene, to make sure that I wouldn't be spotted. Sometimes the "cloak of darkness" isn't enough to keep my snatch and run private and I'm always afraid of meeting with resistance from the home owner. I mean seriously, who wants to have a perfect stranger yelling, "Get outta my trash!" at them? However, there are times when I don't care if I get seen and brazenly hop out of my car to load the treasure, acting like I'm invisible. Determining that it was safe, I pulled my car around to the curb, jumped out, grabbed all four windows at once, loaded them into the back and took off with one of those giddy grins on my giggling face.

They are so cool! Each one has six panes and all of the glass is intact!

Today, I took one of the windows out of my garage, aka the evil vortex, and down to my work space to start tinkering with it. I'm thinking cherubs, lace, some ribbon, maybe a little mosaic, roses - I haven't quite decided yet. I did, however, realize that I need a bigger work table! I cleaned it off and then I took some pictures to share with you. Look at all of that glorious chippy goodness! I took out a bunch of doo dads and started messing with the design. As soon as it's complete, I'll post the finished project.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day! Hugs, Leena

Linking up to:
Lavendar Garden Cottage - Cottage Style Linky Party
From My Front Porch To Yours - Treasure Hunt Thursday

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

September 11, 2001

May we never forget.
God Bless America!

Monday, September 3, 2012

Market Monday!

Don't miss Market Monday, presented by Etsy Cottage Style! Numerous online vendors accessible in one place! Have an online business? Link up! Shops and web sites will be signing up through-out the day, so check back often! It's never too early to get a head start on your holiday shopping! Click the link below and have fun!
http://www.etsycottagestyle.blogspot.com/2012/09/happy-labor-day.html

Thank you for stopping by and have a wonderful Labor Day!
Hugs, Leena
Let's Go Shopping!!
 
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