Moving... Forward.

Met with Dear Friend...

Renate, yesterday, bright... and early.

Renate was asked by 'Service Master', the company who cleaned up after their horrific... tragic...

 fire, to come, decide...

what they could pitch of the Amana Furniture.

I... asked Renate, "Which piece's would Bud be o.k. with 'trashing'???"

We both agreed, in Unison...

'None of It'.

<3

; )

It's All Coming 'Home'.

<3

; )

to...

'Amana'

<3

What Renate doesn't 'keep', for her Home... will be sold, and placed in appreciative hands.

<3

That's how... Bud, and Renate... 'Roll'.

<3

It was difficult, for Renate.

Very.

She hadn't seen any of the above, since the day of the fire.

Bud... wouldn't let her close to it.

<3

Much... can be cleaned.

Surprisingly, none of it smelled of smoke.

We were both Grateful... for that.

Not sure... how much, Renate will want to keep.

She's so incredibly heartbroken, it's so painful for her to see their 'Memories', in such a state.

I... get it.

Guessing... most of us do.

: (

Renate treated me to a Lovely... Breakfast.

: )

The Server made a mistake, on Renate's pancakes.

<3

She brought Renate...

'Mickey Mouse'

Pancakes.

: ) : ) : )

Perfect.

Simply...

Perfect.

<3

{Loved to See Renate Smile, especially... after such a difficult morning.}

<3

I'm working at The Cedar Rapids Estate, today.

Shooting for Memorial Day Weekend, for that Event.

; )

Images soon.

; )

Then... I'll be setting my sights on 

The Rabbit Hole.

<3

Having a 'soft' re-opening over The Fourth of July... weekend.

The shop won't be 'done'... by July, guessing it'll take me a year, at best.... to get caught up... from the last many, many... many years, that Fairfax, and The Iowa Department have kept me 'away' from it.

'Consumed' my life.

{again... 'This' should Never, Ever... Ever... 'Happen' to Anyone, so incredibly Wrongfully.

Once I get my 'Life', and The Rabbit Hole in order... to The State Capital, I'll be headin'...

Lawyer Meardon's Incredible 'Evidence' in Hand.

; )

The Book... is Coming.}

; )

There's much I haven't shared, concerning this wrongful mess.

Stay Tuned.

; )

Want to Thank Everyone who Attended Vintage Market Days 'Eastern Iowa'.

It was Great!!

Wonderful Promoter, and Staff.

Great Fellow Vendors...

Super Shoppers.

: )

<3

Grateful.

: )

Better Git!!

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

One Day... at a Time. ; )

The Lovebirds.

<3 <3

<3

Bud, poured the water... on, what he believed, was a futile attempt, in saving them.

yet,

 Bud... Never Gave Up.... 

'Hope'.

<3

{You should SEE Those 'Plants'... 'Now', that Bud, and Renate... 'Saved'.}

<3 <3 <3 

It's gonna take another day, or two...

to

write about this day, and the couple... before, this one.

: )

Stay Tuned.

{may have to save this... for 'The Book'. ; )}

<3

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Pretty Day... in May.

Took 'The Day' Off...

Yesterday.

; )

Have a Busy Day... ahead.

I'll be posting this Evening.

Meeting with Dear Renate... {Bud} this morning.

It's going to be an emotional morning.

We're looking at what was 'salvaged' from Bud, and Renate's devastating fire.

Losing Bud... after the fire, and having to make so many, many... decisions, well...

I'm Proud of Renate, for her strength.

<3

I... know, Bud... is at her side, always.

Always.

<3 <3 

Above... are the Wild... 'Volunteer' Strawberries that have found their Home, at The Rabbit Hole's Entrance.

<3

They are Amazing.

'Nature'.... is Amazing.

Woke up in the night... to hear a quote, on an old... 

show.

Made me Smile.

It's So.... True.

: ) : ) : )

"Two Gypsies can't look each other in the eye...

without 

Laughing."

; )

Hahahahahahaha!!!

I'll expand on That... a bit later.

: )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Spring... Vintage Market Days 'Eastern Iowa'... History.

Arrived at VMD, around 8:30 this Beautiful... 

Mother's Day Morn, 

began Fluffin' The Booth.

; )

We'd left it in a bit of a mess, last night.

Was Grateful to see, Pal, Bill... and Steph had moved the Big Arch, front and center, while I was strapping down the Gazebo, on The Ford.

They Placed It... 

Perfectly!!

<3

Certainly not as Impressive, as The Beautiful Gazebo, but...

it was Much Better, than a Gaping Hole!!

; )

{LOVE Those Garden Arches!!}

: )

It was Pure Torture... setting up across from Our Lovely...

Paducah, Kentucky...Neighbors.

; ) 

Seriously!!!

???

: )

'Chocolate Moonshine'.

{seriously???}

They Have AMAZING Fudge, and Treats!!!

GADS!!

; )

Fun Folks!!

All of our Neighbor's were Amazing.

; )

<3

: )

Sold Many, Many... Mushrooms, of All Shapes and Size, over the last 3 days.

: )

The above, Young Man, Connor, picked my Favorite, today.

; )

Love That Teal Blue.

; )

Was Sooooo Excited to purchase the above, from Fellow Vendor, 

and Pal...

Dori.

<3

Have the Mirror image, of the above... 

Post Card... size.

The Post Card... dates from the early 1900's.

I've Treasured that old Post Card, for decades.

Keep it under a cloche, in the lower Bath.

<3

Don't believe the 'painting' or, 'print' of a painting, is as early...

No Matter.

Love IT!!

<3

Have a Perfect Spot, for the much Larger 'Painting'.

Love It.

<3

So Grateful...

Helper, Brandon, and Justin 'J'... were able to help me load out.

; )

Tho... there wasn't a lot left, it was still... a lot of work.

We got 'er Done.... Quick.

: )

<3

I'll write, in more detail... about VMD, tomorrow.

; )

I'm a bit 'Done'... for this day.

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

{Had an Interesting encounter, today... with a Gal.

; )

She stopped in front of the booth, and said...

"Barb!!!... Do You Remember Me!!??"

{always love it, when I'm asked that.}

; )

Uh.....

She said... "I'm Tina, from 'Linn Junction' days."

<3

{I... Lived on Horseback, in Linn Junction.}

{THAT WAS 50 Years Ago!! 

Several 'Lifetimes'... ago.

Miles, and Miles... and, Miles... ago.}

; )

Yes, I did recall... Tina.

; )

<3

then...

 I asked 'Tina'...

"How... in The World, did You... recognize me????"

; )

Tina's reply...

"Barb, you look exactly the same!! You haven't changed One Bit!!"

: )

Hahahahahahahaha!!!

; )

Bless Tina's Heart!!!

Hahahahahaha!!!

Apparently, to Tina...

I haven't 'Changed a Bit'... since I was 12 years old.

; ) ; ) ; )

Love It!!

<3

We Exchanged Many Hugs, and Memories.

; )

got... a little,

'misty-eyed'...

too.

Priceless.

<3

Always think of my Best Friend, Dorene, when I hear the above tune.

<3

Dorene, and I... Lived on Horseback, in the 1970's.

We were Inseparable.

: )

Dorene lived in Linn Junction, {N.E. Cedar Rapids} where I rented pasture for our Horses, Ponies... and Mules.

<3

We rode Horses... from Dawn, until Dark, every day we could.

; )

I was one of Dorene's Pallbearer's, in 1979, after she was tragically killed in a head on crash, on Highway 151, between Springville, and Marion, Iowa.

I've visited Dorene's Grave, most... every year, since.

; )

<3

so... often, wonder...

'Where', and 'Who'... She'd 'Be' 'Today'.

<3

<3 <3 <3 

Happy Mother's Day!!

We'll be Celebrating Mother's Day...

at

'Vintage Market Days'...

from 

10 'til 3!!

; )

Come... Join Us!!

<3

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Vintage Market Days... Eastern Iowa, was Smokin' Hot All Day!!

Didn't have time for images, today... but, the Sweet Gals, above...

asked me if I'd get a picture of them, together... in the Simply Iowa Booth.

; )

Of Course!!

<3

It was a Fast and Furious Day.

; )

Had to run Home... and Load More on The Ford, around Noon.

ZING!!!!!

; )

Thank God, for Pal, Bill.

; )

He watched over my Booth, and his... while I Flew Home.

{Gratefully, I'm only 5 miles from the Show.; ) }

When I woke up this morning, noticed I'd missed a message from one of the Gal's who measured 

The Beautiful Garden Gazebo, yesterday.

Called her, early... this morning.

She was So Funny!!

; )

She said... she hadn't slept all night, thinking about that Gazebo!!

Said... She Had to Have It!!

; )

Told her... I could deliver it, after the Show, today.

: )

Thanks to 'The Twisted Sisters'...

<3

Pal, Steph... and her Hubby Marc, who... Just... 'happened' to show up, at the end of the day,

{'Lucky Them'... Hahahahaha!!}

<3

and 

Bill,

we made Quick Work, of getting The Gazebo down, and loaded.

{Talk about an 'A' Team!!! Holy Smokes!!!}

<3 <3 <3 

Priceless.

<3

We Really Should have a camera at these events.

'Behind the Scenes'

; )

What a 'Show'.

; )

<3

What an Amazing... Group of Dear Friends.

<3 <3 <3 

'Family'

to

me.

<3

Bill, and I had The Gazebo... delivered before 5.

The Show closed... at 4.

That's Quick.

; )

Very.

Thanks... to So Many Helping Hands.

<3

Vintage Market Days... 

'Eastern Iowa'...

Day 3...

Here We Come!!!

<3

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

{I gotta tell Ya, I've sure met some Wonderful Folks, at this Event.

; )

Becky, the Promoter...

Awesome Vendors....

the 

'Customer's'

have been 

Over The Top, as well.}

<3

<3

The Love of Old...

runs deep.

<3

Vintage Market Days... Day 2, Here We Come!!

Sold the Beautiful Peacocks, yesterday... 

Glad they Stayed Together!!

; )

They've Found The Perfect Home!!

<3

Much... found New Homes, Day One!!

: )

Have several... Measuring for The Gazebo, and Arbors.

They are Absolutely... Stunning!!

<3

The Rabbit Hole... would Welcome Them, should they come Home.

; )

{already know Exactly... where they'd land. ; ) }

Hoping to be able to keep a couple Mushrooms.

These might be the last I can get.

: (

Better Git!!

Have to load, and restock... this Morn!!

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

: ) : ) : )

Vintage Market Days... Eastern Iowa, Day One. Holy Smokes!!!

; )

Bought that Lovely... Old Flannel, from Sweet Friend, Polly, yesterday...

during 'set up'.

<3

My washing machine is on the blink...

'Need Clothes'

especially...

'Clean' Clothes, until The Boy's can hook up the new washer.

; )

{the 'Life' of a Gypsy. ; ) }

{'Polly Ann's' Mt. Vernon, Iowa.}

<3

When I saw Polly's 'Creation'... well, ; )

<3

Sported her Creation, today...

will, all weekend.

: )

Had Many... Many... Compliments on it, all... day.

; )

<3

Day One...

at

Vintage Market Days, in CR, was Over The Top.

<3

Insane.

; )

The little Elf, along with many, many... much Loved, found New, Grateful...

Homes.

; )

When I walked past the 'Simply Iowa' 

ladder, 

where 

The Elf, had been...

thought of the Charles Dickens writing, about 

'Tiny Tim'.

; )

'a vacant seat'.

; (

That, it is... 

but,

that...

 little

 Elf,

 found

 The Best Home, today.

{even better, than mine. <3}

; )

The booth, is weary...

after 

'Day One'.

; )

That's a Good Thing.

; )

I'll 'Fluff', bring more in, in the morning.

<3

We All... will.

It'll be a 'New Event' in the morning.

; )

<3

Crazy... Wonderful, Insane... 

Day

at 

'Vintage Market Days'

{Eastern Iowa}

<3

Didn't have a Moment, to capture images.

{That's a Good Thing. ; ) }

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

<3

Vintage Market Days... Day 1, Here We Go!!

Ready to Roll!!

; )

Love... Love... Love...

this little Elf.

; )

If he doesn't 'find' a New Home, I won't be too sad.

; )

Hahahahahaha!!!

The Beautiful Garden Gazebo... breaks down to many pieces.

Easy to haul.

; )

Pal, Bill's Booth.

: )

He has some Cool Stuff. 

; )

We'll All... be Restocking Daily!!

Away... We Go!!

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Can't Imagine... what made me think of the above...

'Tune'

this

Beautiful...

Iowa...

Morn.

; )

Hahahahahaha!!

<3

{a little too much Cuervo, last night...

perhaps.}

??

: )

We're Ready to Roll... at Vintage Market Days.

You can 'click' on the images... to enlarge.

; )

The 'Market'... is Full of Energy, and Beautiful.

<3

Know... We'll All be Restocking... Daily.

; )

'Simply Iowa'... 

is

Ready to Roll.

; )

Have some pricing to do, before the Market 'Opens' in the Morn.

; )

other than that...

We're Ready.

; )

<3

<3

<3

<3

<3

<3

<3

<3

The above image, along with the two... below, are Pal, Bill's Booth.

<3

We're Side by Side!!

: )

Bill... has an Amazing Eye.

; )

Bill will be bringing Ton's More, Daily.

; )

Hope to See Ya!!

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

I always post a Tune... that 'Pops' into my head, while writing.

Somehow...

'Bad Co.'

'Ready for Love'... 

came to mind, while I was driving Home... from finishing up the Booth, tonight.

???

It kinda surprised me.

Haven't thought of that Tune.. for a long time.

Almost... posted an Alison Krauss 'Tune', instead.

{She's So... The Rabbit Hole's 'Voice'.}

<3 <3 <3 

Something... more, 'fitting' for the 

'Simply Iowa' Booth's post, perhaps.

; )

but...

that would've been against how I 'do'.

'Roll'.

; )

Love It.

<3

; )

{like, Patsy Cline, said...

"People in Hell... want ice water, that don't mean... they're gonna get it."

; )

I'm still chewin' with IDOT, and Fairfax, Iowa... City Hall...

along with a

 Beautiful...

Event.

<3

Gonna be leaning Hard on

Iowa's State Legislature...

very soon.}

; )

'Simply Iowa'

: )