Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Happy Halloween....

I snapped this image...last year...of The Most Wonderful...Old House...
It was tucked into the Woods...up...high..on a Hill.. and..I could have Happily Moved Right In!!!
It's...Beautiful!!!!
I sat thinking this morn...about what I have...that would be.... fitting...for a Halloween Post....
I thought...I don't have anything...'Halloween'....
{I don't do much...for Halloween}
but then...I thought... Hmmm... I have Everything...'Halloween'... if it's set to the right... 'Light'...or...'Darkness'...
{That's Scary...in Itself!!!! oh my...}
I began flipping through my photo gallery... and tweaked a few images... and yes...
It Is...a Little...ahhhh...Spooky!
I sat here..and thought....
The Beauty...I find in all of these images.... can be twisted...into a Darkness...
Kind of like...people...
If one...chooses...to see the Darkness... then...most....Anything...
can seem frightening... scary...intimidating...
But...if one...Chooses...to see the Brightness... and Light, what a different...image... one will have....
Tho...these are  fun....
When I captured them...this...is not...what I saw....
It was The Light... The Beauty...
{Except...for the one...of myself... I see how many pounds..I have put on..in the last year...since I captured this image...now that..is Horrifying!!! YIKES!!!}
{Too much Wine... Cheese...and... Stress...the last year... oh my...}
Hope You All...Have a Safe...and Fun...Halloween....
and...Have Much...Light...in Your Day!
Love to You...
Barb C.
{Thoughts...and Prayers...to Our East Coast Friends...and Neighbors... : ) and to...
All who Suffer...today... : ) }
The Lady of The House.... {Yikes!!!}
'At Rest'
Love These! {well...these Old Plaques...are...ahhh...a bit Dark..but...I still..Love 'em!}
 and...so Look Forward...to 'REST!!!' always...

This is actually...a Fun Sculpture... but set in the right hue... well...it is a little...'Spooky'!
The Concrete Children...
They are Darling...but in this image...they look like an Old Witch...has cast a Spell... and turned them into Stone...
{only...at Halloween'... : ) }
I Love this Angel...
but... in this image... he looks  a little...'Spooky'...
Ahhh...but he's Not!
He's One...of Many...'Shop Angels'... They all keep guard...over the Rabbit Hole....
Guardian Angels...are....Priceless... : )

{I just had a visit...from The Jehovah's Witnesses... I do...Love those Folks... We stood outside... {I caught them...as they were leaving...and ran outside...in my stocking feet...} We visited...for a half hour... It was Cold...but...visiting with them...about the Lord... was Wonderful...and I forgot about the cold... until I came inside...then...I was Shivering!
 I so...Appreciate what they do... tho...as I told them...I don't belong to any 'Organized Religion'.... {I studied with them...years ago...along with many others...} They are such amazing people... and...I am Thankful...for All that they do... Helping Folks... and ... if they can help...one person...'Look Up'...{as they did...for me...as did all of the other Organized Religions...as well...on my Personal...Journey...with God...} What a Gift... they are... Blessings..}

Monday, October 29, 2012

A Weekend...Down The Rabbit Hole....



The Shop...was Open...this weekend... tho...it was pretty quiet...
A Good Thing...
It is a Mess... and..the furnace is out... so...it was chilly....
It was nice...seeing those who braved their way through... and visiting with them...
Such Good Folks... I am Blessed to have around me... : )
I worked...straightening things up... but...seemed..I just made more messes...
It was like Christmas...going through things...tho... and..when I get my steam built up again..
It'll come together... I have some Fun Ideas...
Today...it's getting caught up...on everything...oh my...
Tomorrow...back to Jan's...to help her move...
Then... back...to work...
I didn't get to the Mid West and Collector's Eye Shows...
Too much to get done, here.... then...I was Open...
I heard..it was Stunning...
I'm sure it was.... without a doubt....
Hope you all have a Most Wonderful Day...
and..Prayers...go out... to Dear Friends...
and those...on the East Coast...
Love...to You...
Barb C.




Spent the weekend...hauling in recently gathered Treasures...
This Old Yankee Coaster...found a spot...atop...the Old Pie Safe...I use for display...I bought...from my Dear Friend...Jerri...years...ago...
{sure do miss her... : ) }
Tho...it's only October... I feel The Holidays...sneaking up...
My...How Time...Flies....

I picked up several boxes of Vintage Christmas... a few days ago... It's always fun...sorting through it... I found many Old Ornaments... like I have never seen before... : ) I kept saying to myself..." Ooooo!!!! I Don't Have One...Like This!!!!"
{I can see Peg...Roooolling her Eyes!!!}
Went through Piles..of Vintage Textiles... I had bought a few weeks back.... Love... Love... Love the Feel of Them...
Ahhhh.... Victorian...Christmas....
This is an Amazing...Early...Shawl... it's a bit tattered...but...sooooo Beautiful!
Gathered all sorts of Vintage Hats...and Velvet Boxes... oh my...
It was...Good... finding my way Down the Rabbit Hole.... again... tho...I am sooooo tired...it's hard to function... As I worked...{was spinning...} I kept reminding myself... "It Is....What It Is".... and couldn't push too hard.... I even sat down...in the Green House...for a bit...and flipped through some books...Manley's had given me....and relaxed...
The Shop...will come back together... Peg is thinking about coming up...for The Holiday Open House...
{oh...my...that's just a couple of weeks away.... }

 
I unpacked... many boxes...I had gathered..over the last few weeks... It was like Christmas Morning!... I have Many More...to get through... The Rabbit Hole... will be Bursting at The Seams!

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Mid West and Collector's Eye Shows! Today! 10 - 4 !!!

Don't Miss 'em!
Located at Hawkeye Downs Fairgrounds!
{On 6th Street S.W. Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Just off Hi Way 30!
Easy to Find!}
I will be OPEN...Here in Fairfax...
from 12 - 5
The Rabbit Hole Is...What it Is!
{a mess... }
The  Furnace...is Out...Folks are picking up things...from The Fall Harvest Sale...
and...It's A ZOO!!!
So...if...You're Adventurous....
Slide on In!
Come Dig!
I'll Be Here!
Hope you have Great Fun..at The Show!!
{I have heard...It's The Best One To Date!}
Don't Forget... Great Antiquing...Throughout The Area!!!
Cedar Rapids... Amana...Mt. Vernon... Iowa City...Anamosa...Marion... Cascade...Dyersville...Kalona...
and...Fairfax...
EVERYWHERE!!!
Love...to Ya!
Barb C.

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Craaaazy... oh my... ahhh...Mary....

Seriously... This...Has Been a Craaazy...Frickin' Night!
But...then...when ever...Mary...{Dark Horse Antiques}...rolls in...LOOK OUT!
Holy Smokes...
Mary...had popped down The Rabbit Hole... to visit....
I said..." It's Pizza Night...at The Star!...Let's Go!"... we did...
We walked in...and a Man...sitting at the bar.... said..."How's the Antiques Business???"...Holy Smokes... This was a Sweet Man...I met...over 30 years ago...at a Farm Auction...and...he remembered me.... I about...Dropped!!! He's a Farmer...from near Oxford, Iowa...I was...Floored.. {still...am... }  {No...he's not in an image...I was sooo stunned... I forgot about my camera...oh my.... How he remembered me...I'll Never Know...??? }
Mary and I...cut loose! Folks started rollin' in...and these two Boys...took a Shine...to Mary...: )
{Who Wouldn't...?...She's...Craaaazy!}
I forgot...it's Halloween time...
{actually... it all seemed...'Normal'... to me... but...that's just me...: ) }
What Fun...we had!
I Love...Mary...She is such...Light... wherever...she goes... { Bless her Heart....}
{Mary...is a Cancer Survivor.... and...has been through...Hell... I Love... and...Admire her...Sooo...}
Bless Her Heart!
{I am...still...nearly rolling off my seat...just Looking at These Images!!!
Wish Ya All...Could have been There!!!!}
Dear Lord... Life is Short....
Thanks...for These...Most...Wonderful...Moments....
Love to Ya...
Barb C.
{Crowbiddy....here's a couple images...for ya... : ) Wish You Canadians...could have been With!!!}
Seriously... The Frickin'...Tooth Fairy... Mary...and... Me... {and the Guy...with the Garter....ahhh...Seriously!}... Life...is Good! {after...the last...10 days... ahhh......Wish Jan was here....{and...Pegadoo...} because...We All......Need This...
This...Was...PRICELESS!!!! : ) }


OPEN TODAY and SUNDAY! 12 - 5!!!

OPEN TODAY and SUNDAY!!!
12 - 5!!!
I Popped Down the Rabbit Hole...Briefly...Yesterday...
and Started putting New Arrivals In!
I'll be Working on it All Day!!!
Picked up some Great Vintage Christmas...Yesterday Afternoon...!
Have Loads of Vintage Rugs...Ladies Hats...{Great for Photography Props!}
and Who Knows What!
Hope to See Ya!
Barb C.
{Make Plans to Attend the Mid West Show and Collector's Eye Show...
at Hawkeye Downs Fairgrounds
Located on 6th Street...Just off of Hi way 30
{Easy to find...}
SUNDAY!!!
10 - 4
{Only 8.00 to get in!...Two Great Shows...for One Price!}
Don't Miss It!!!
Then...come only 7 minutes...away... {take Hi way 30 W. to 151 S. to Fairfax...
I'm on the Curve of the Hi way...
{Look for the Old Gnarly '49 Ford Panel Truck!
 {on the right...just after the speed limit drops to 45...}
Call me...if ya get Lost! 319 241 1348
{Amana and Mt.Vernon...are also...Minutes Away! Great Antiquing in Cedar Rapids...and Marion...Too!!!!}
 


Friday, October 26, 2012

Give Me a Shoe Horn... and a Gallon of Vaseline!

The Boys...and I...unloaded everything yesterday... from the Sale...
Got everyone's storage items secure...and the few things...I got... had to find a spot here, in the Shop...or..in the House...for.
The Big Drysink Cupboard..had to come into the house...
Nowhere Else for it to go!
I had No Idea...what a challenge that was going to be....
I asked the Boys... to just get it in the door... I could surely find a spot...for it...myself...
{I am the Queen of  "Tight Spots!"}
Oh...My...Gosh...
I worked 7 hours...pushing every piece of furniture...around the kitchen...and dining room...
What was worse...I had to unload...some of them...and Everything...needed a Bath!
I saw...when I moved things...how dirty...so much was...
I had to scrub floors...and loads of dishes...and glass...
I was so tired...By late afternoon... John helped me move things...over and over....and OVER!
It Was Insane!!!
{I hate to admit this...as I sat...looking at the carnage...my head...in my hands... for a moment... a horrifying...moment..my mind...drifted...to the thought... "I may have...too many cupboards"... That...thought...has Never...Ever...crossed my mind... it was... Jolting...the thought... One...could...actually...have...too many cupboards... }
I kept thinking..."If I were setting a booth...how would I do it...I have had more stuff than this...in tighter spots!!! Think! Think!"
But...I couldn't think...
John asked what he could do...for me...I said...
"Light a Match..."
The Drysink...is back...where it started...in front of the Picture window...
It Can't Stay There!!!
but...I'm still...too tired to fix it....
It's Mid West Show Weekend... {at Hawkeye Downs, in Cedar Rapids... Don't Miss It!!! It's Sunday Morn!!! {Collector's Eye Show...as well! Two Great Shows..in One!}
I already have folks calling...making sure I'll be here... I will... but...barely!
No Party... {sorry}...just Old Stuff!
So...The Drysink...will have to be put on 'Hold'...
I hate...looking at this Mess....
But...until I get me head back... it's just going to have to stay...where it is... : (
I have a Desk...plopped in front of the Bedroom and Bathroom door...I have to move...every time I need to walk down the hall...
It's Ugly!!!
oh my...I have no Idea...where It's going to land...
My friend, Wanda said..I could.... get rid of something....
ARRRRG!
No Way!!!
I Love...Every Piece...in here!
Peg said...I could redo the Breeze Way...
I said..."ahhh...Pegadoo...The Breeze Way is FULL! Those Pieces...are all Keepers!"
{Soulful...Old 'Keepers' }
I know...I sound like a 'Hoarder'...
The Fact is...
This House is Simply Too Small!!!!!
I'll figure it out...
I Will Not Rest...until I get it!!!
Love to Ya!
Barb C.
{P.S. One Can Never...Ever...Have Too Many Old Cupboards!!!!!!!}
 

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Leaning...On... The Rest...of the Story....

I had noticed this Sweet Little Concrete Heart....in Jan's Yard...before the Sale.... She said it wasn't for sale...and...it was going with her... Then...near the end of my days...there... next to my 'Smoking Chair'....as I was groping my way to my Stogies...bright and early...in the morn....I nearly tripped over it... with the darling little note...tucked under it....
I melted....
Jan, and her Darling Granddaughter...Maddy.... Jan was showing her the Beautiful Writing...on an Old Wall Paper Box... Maddy was Very Impressed... Maddy is Much...like her Grandmother... An Artist... she has an Artists Soul... It was Wonderful sharing time....many days...with Jan's Family....
I included these images...of Jan...from the days..prior...to the Sale.... She won't like them...but...This...This...is the 'Jan'...I got to know...and Love.... We Worked...So Hard... then...in the Evening...we'd sit on the Porch...and she'd talk about her Beloved 'Doc'....The Wonderful Home...that she and Doc built...together... The Hours... and Sweat....and Blood....they Both...had Poured into it.... Jan stenciled all the floors... while working for a Restaurant....as well... Her hands hurt so badly...from all of the painting...she had to wear braces...on them...at the end.....
There were times...we both...were so Exhausted...and...we shared...all the worries...of the World...we just sat...and wept... Then...one of us...would say something off the wall.......we'd laugh...until...we cried....
This is the Porch...where I became a 'Squatter'....and went through..a carton...plus...of stogies...!!!!
{Thanks...Lea...for running to get me more...It was getting Ugly...when I was running out! I hadn't packed nearly enough...of Everything...for the Extended Stay!}
 It was...a Lovely Stay...tho...... Jan and I shared many Soulful Conversations...there....
I really didn't take many images of the Wonderful Folks...who came through...{too...busy...or...too...tired...} but..I had to get this one...of Susan... She wanted that Rooster...soooo Much... and it was Truly a Twist of Fate...that she got it... We were Very...Happy for her....
Tears...
And...Joy.... Miss Scarlett....absolutely...Loves...Jan...
Jan...has an Amazing Way...with Children... I was...Impressed... Very...Impressed....Every time a Child came through the door...Jan would run...and get a Huge Barrel of Toys...she kept tucked away in the Pantry...for when she had Little Guests...Dump them all out...all over the floor...and would sit on the floor....and play with the kids... oh my...
This is not a good image...of the Sunday Auction...my batteries..were about drained... {seems...fitting...all of our batteries...were...DRAINED!}
Doc had built a Darling...Log Cabin....not far...from the house... Jan... had went out...one last time...to get some images... The above image...of 'Tears'... was after...her walk... This...has been a 'Journey'....
Jan and Vikki... Angels....
Vikki had made Jan a Beautiful...Memory Book...
 Jan...was Blown Away....She Loves It!
Jan...was Blown Away...by ALL of the Angels...that came through the door... That is all she talked about...
 How Wonderful...Kind...and Caring...Everyone was...
I feel...Very Blessed.... because... It never surprised me...one...bit....
The Folks...who made their way to her Home...
Are...The Best....of The Very Best....
 
The Journey...
The....Rest...of the Story....
A couple of months ago...my friend, Jan...called... She had decided to sell her Iowa Home... that she...and her beloved... late husband, Doc, had built...19 years ago...
Doc passed away...suddenly...at home...six and a half years ago....
I had visited with Jan...two years ago...concerning her living alone...there...
The home...is very secluded...and was full...of amazing treasures...which...sat...several months out of the year...by itself....
Jan had collected...for 50 years...
{I couldn't believe it... she doesn't look old enough...to have collected...for so long....}
Tho she made the final decision...to sell her home...a couple of months ago... we all thought it would be on the market...for awhile...giving us ample time...to have a sale...incredibly...the house sold...within a week...
PANIC!
Everything was put into Fast Forward...
The timing could not have been worse...I had my Fall Harvest Sale...and a Wedding Reception...scheduled...all within that time frame...{thankfully...the Wedding Reception....was let go...by the Bride...she decided to do it herself... with help from her friends! and...I was Happy to loan...anything they needed for their Event... YAY!!!}
Jan and I tore into the house...Much...was packed away...for the 'Staging'...and...Much...had been stored...over the years....
Holy Smokes...
We worked...Days...and Nights...pulling this together...
Jan worked...tirelessly...while I was away... She flipped the areas...over and over...
Then...I worked with Peg...here at home...on The Fall Harvest Sale....
I had to be...very...discrete...about Jan's Sale....
She was living there...all alone...and for her safety...I had to be very careful...who I shared it with...yet...I had to begin...inviting folks... They would need time... to make plans...to attend...
Initially....I was going to tag things...{like an Estate Sale...} but...folks began asking how many days...they would have to wait...in line...to be number one....
My heart sank....
I knew...this wasn't going to work....
Jan is very private...and having folks...camping out..in advance...for days...No...Way....
{I have camped...for days...at a Sale...for far less... : ) }
And...having folks...rush through her home...as we all do...at an Estate Sale... would... be a terrible situation...for Jan...
I really wanted her there...Understandably...She...did Not...want to  be there...
This was 50 years...of her Memories... going away...
But...I explained...I didn't know the 'Story'... the 'History'......on her pieces...and without her there...most of the provenance...would be lost...
I explained... she owed...her beloved Antiques...that much... and not let their 'journey'... be lost...
She agreed...
I thought...by conducting this...by sealed bid...it would take the 'Rush'...off the table...Everyone...would have a chance...
Tho...I also knew...it would be difficult...for the buyer...
I have attended Sales... by sealed bid...and I like it... I bid...what I am comfortable with...what I get...I get...what I don't...wasn't meant to be....
I also knew... this Sale...had to be Fun...
I told Jan...many folks are travelling... a long distance...and it will take them several hours...to get through...we were Thankful...to those who made the trip...and sure wanted them...to feel...Welcome...
We knew...we needed to have food....and drink...for them...throughout the three days of bidding...
That was...Wonderful! It was like a Party...! That ran for 3 days!
We didn't know when Folks would be coming.... we gave them...a wide time frame....anytime...from 9 a.m. 'til...7....in the Eve..{many were there...til after 11.... and we Loved it!}
We served food morning...noon and night!!!
{Night...was Great! Wine...Shrimp... Meat Trays...that we made....and Liz helped with! Party!!!}
But... mostly...this was done... for Jan...
{Antiquers...are tuff... we can go without food...and water for Days...when Tracking...Great Stuff!!!}
This was going to be very difficult...I knew for her...
But... If we made it Fun...had Fun...Caring...Respectful Folks.... and...a Party!!!
I knew..it would be much easier...for her...
and...I think...she'd tell you...it was...
She had an Amazing Time...Loved..all of the Wonderful Hugs...and Kisses...She made Many...New Friends!!! Some will be visiting her in Arizona...She, and Allyson....are planning Big Trips!
So many folks complimented her...on her Amazing Home.... It was Perfect!!!
Until...we started on the books...
oh my...
Everyone...except...me...thought using the computer...and downloading all the bids... would be much quicker...
{I wanted to play 'Bingo'...with a group of people...and do them by hand...}
ahhhhhh...Not...So... Much!!!
It took 13 hours...to download them...with Amazing... computer whizs' at the helm....
Then...if a dash was in the wrong place...or a number was reversed....or a description was off...the computer created another item...for one item...
In other words.... Several folks...had the winning bid...for the same item...
Oh...My Gosh....!!!
We didn't catch it...at first...some folks had picked up their items...and they hadn't been the winning bidder...
Tho...we had Them...as the Winning Bidder! Many Folks were Winners...for the Same Item!
We stopped calling folks in...and started going through every bid sheet...by hand...then...went over them again and again...then...once again....as they came to pick up...
It put us days...behind...
but..I gotta tell ya...
Tho I was running around...in circles...saying.."The Sky is Falling!!! The Sky is Falling!!!"....
The Bidders...were Amazing!!! Everyone...was so kind.... and understanding....even those...who lost...a few items...were AMAZING!!!! Never got upset.... and..after all of the dust settled.... most all of it worked out....!!!
Jan...was my Rock...through this... She kept saying..."Don't worry...it's all going to work out...."
 I, on the other hand...was pulling my Pin Feathers Out!!! I Hate...Mistakes!!! I Hate Disappointing People.... and I was afraid...it was going to get very bad...
but... It actually got Better!
We found most items..that were missing...and things...we thought..had left the first day...by mistake...were still there!!!! I don't think...Jan and I slept..for more than 4 hours...every night... and when we'd meet in the kitchen...in the morn...at the crack of dawn...we'd start on the books...and gathering...we were walking in circles...passing each other...and both, wondering why...and where we were going....
Oh My Gosh....
Thank You...to All...who were so Gracious....Thank You....
I told everyone...We were sick...that it happened...but...I knew...every single one of us....worked around the clock....for days...and did the very best we could...to make it right....
In my heart...I knew...we did our Very Best...and that's all we could do....
We didn't want to disappoint...anyone...
They all...Understood...
Angels....: )
After being held back...by the books... it put us way behind...on folks coming to pick up....and...I had to be there..when they did... to make sure..they got their correct items....
I couldn't leave...{I had fallen asleep...one night...with my contacts in...when I went to clean them...in the morn..I found...one was gone...it had come apart...in my eye...but...I couldn't leave.... because people were coming...thankfully...my eye stayed calm...and...when there was a break in visits...Jan's friend, Larry...took me to the Optometrist...a couple days later...and got me fixed up...oh my...}
I felt like I was a Squatter...in Blue Grass, Iowa... and should get a P.O. Box!
Holy Smokes!!!!
After most everyone...got their items picked up...., Friday...we gathered everything that was left...throughout the house...and piled it in the basement....for the movers...
Jan...was going through the things...I had told her to set back...before the Sale... that she had second thoughts...of letting go of...{Once it's gone...it's gone... I told her to keep things...she wasn't sure she wanted to part with...she could sell them at a later time....} She wound up...with a Pile...of things...from her storage...that had not been on the Sale...she was willing to part with...so...
Rather than pay storage on them... we decided to have an Auction...a private auction...on Sunday...
Holy Smokes!
I called Liz...and had her pick up more Food...and Beverages!!!
Another PARTY!!!
{Jan said..."I'll get more Hugs!" }
I began calling in only local Folks...
that had been at the first Sale...and on Sunday.... I was an Auctioneer.... {not...a Good one... }but...Everyone...was Great!
Lynn and Lea came in Early Sunday Morn...and helped Lug things...and sort...and set up... LIFE SAVERS!!! Dale...and Bill...were ring men... Liz...was the Clerk... and...Thank God...for Karen A. for being the BOOK KEEPER!!!! {THANKS KAREN!!!}
By the time I had muddled my way...half way through...Barb and Dan O. asked...if Dan should take over...
{I was about to drop....and...I think they knew it...before I did.... I couldn't think straight.... oh my gosh..Dan...saved me...}
I Was Thrilled to Hand it Over!!! He was Amazing!!!
Then...Everyone...chipped in...and started helping....Dan A..Mark... Larry...Bob...Bill...Steve...Jo...
Everyone....
 was the Wind Beneath my Wings!!!
We got the basement...Cleaned Out!
What a RIDE!!!
All that was left... was to have Justin, Josh and John... come with the trailer...to pick up my out of State bidder's items...for storage...and the things...I had purchased....
I finished up..our books...and the auction receipts...on Monday... then...
finally...finally....left....
This...has been quite the Journey....
I am going back..with the Guys...and they are loading up...Jan's personal things....next Monday....
After all of this...I have had people ask...if I'd do it again...
The answer is "Yes"...
The reason...I can answer...so quickly...is because....of...The Journey...
I had the best time...with Jan....
She is an Amazing Woman....
We helped...each other...
I only knew her... in business....
She...is an Incredible...Human Being....
We spent weeks together...and not once...even under...extreme pressure....did we ever have an issue....
To Me...That...is Incredible....
I think...at this time...in both of our lives...God put us...together...and we both...learned..and grew....
All Junk...{Treasures..} aside....
It's going to take me a long...long time...to figure this entire experience out....but...it's something...I'll never...ever...forget....
In closing...I want to say I'm Sorry...to those...I didn't get called...
Time...was not..on our side....I had to be very..careful...about the location...for Jan's security... I tried to think of Everyone... who would like...Jan's type of things....and...Know This.... I would Never...Intentionally...Not...Invite....Anyone....
Thankfully...those who came to my Sale...jogged my memory...and many were invited...through that.... and...I asked others...I had invited...to help me....think of folks...I may have forgotten....
I had to keep the number of folks down...as there was Very Limited Parking....
If..I have hurt someones feelings...I am...Truly...Truly...Sorry...
I tried to send images to folks...via e-mail...but could only send 4 images at a time...or...I'd get them back...so...had to post images on my blog...
{I know it was confusing...for my bloggers... but...I had wasted nearly 2 days...e-mailing...and couldn't waste another moment...hope...you understand...: ) }
We all...did the Very Best...we could....
I would like to Thank...Everyone...who drove...many..many miles...twice.... and attended...
Jan...wanted me to BE SURE...to Thank Everyone...From Her...as well...
She had a Blast...
{I stood outside her door...smoking...one of the nights...Jim and Melanie...had just arrived to pick up....we watched...the Festivities...through the glass...and wished I would have had my camera.... Jan was having so much fun...with everyone....Laughing...and Dancing....and at that moment... it struck me.... This...could have been much....different...I could have been helping her daughter, Tiffany...with this...if Jan...was gone....
 How somber...it would have been... I truly don't know how...we could have done it...without Jan....this was an Amazing...and...a Happy Event....a Blessing....}
I am so Proud... Humbled....really...of Everyone.... Mark....who spent 2 days...helping with the books...Tiffany..and her Darling Husband....with the computer...{Tiffany...and Liz...worked so hard...grocery shopping...and helping prepare...food...Wonderful...Dishes...oh my... : ) }Jan's friend...Larry.. who I told to "RUN!!! Run Fast!!!"...everytime..he popped in... but...he didn't... : )...Folks....who had pages...that weren't correct...those...who waited and waited...on us....My Family....
Dan and Barb....Dan..and Dale.... Tom.R. {for helping out...in the very beginning} Lynn and Lea.... Rosie...and the Girls... {They helped...so much...lugging...and laughing... : ) } I so appreciated...Tom V.'s... Kind words...they..meant...much...very...much...Bob T. I want to Thank...as well...for the Lovely...Compliment...and Hug... {even tho...he's not a Hugger...: ) I feel Honored... : ) }
I knew...if Jan stayed...for the sale... and met the Wonderful People...that would be purchasing her treasures... it would help her...get through this... and..it did...she said so...
She is excited for them... and hopes they all do well...and enjoy the pieces...as much as she has....
Once...again...I know I'm forgetting... The Most Wonderful Folks... So...I Thank...
EVERYONE!!!!
Thank You....
You...All...Were Our Bridge...Over Troubled Waters....
Without You All....I could never... have been The Bridge... for Jan...
I would...have collapsed....
I was her strength...You...you...were...mine...
{but...then...you all knew that... : ) }
and...I Thank The Lord....For Carrying Us Through...and Sending His Best!!!!
Love...to You...
Barb C.
I looked down...beside my stool... next to my computer...tonight...it's nearly...11:00...I am in the same clothes...I wore...on Sunday... I am...so weary...tired.... but... something...caught my eye...
 Lying next to the Boots...Jan gave me...{ right where I had left them...Monday night... }
 is a leaf... in the shape....of a Heart....
It seemed to be shining...almost...glowing...
I had not seen it earlier... when I swept...
If...you have followed me...for any length...of time... well...ya know...
That...to me...is My Dad...Winking....
 and...I weep....
Life...is...All...about...The Journey...
And...The Bridges... Over...Troubled Waters... : )
{it's now..in my collection..of 'Winks'... : ) }
Love...to You....
 
 


Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Home.....

Home...
Got Home....Late...last night....
As...I made my way... through the  Mist...and Fog...
it seemed...a fitting way...to end...this Chapter...
My mind...raced....as I was driving....about the entire...experience...
What...a ride...
I truly...could write an entire book...about this....
What...an Amazing...amazing...ride...
Love to you...
Barb C.
{I need a day...or several...to sort...everything out...in my head...
and...simply....rest...
 then... I'll share it with you....}
When I pulled out of my Friend's drive...last night... this was the song... that was playing...
"Lean on Me"
 I broke down....and wept...
I took on this Journey....to help her...she...needed someone...to lean on...
What I didn't...foresee... is...how many...Amazing People....throughout this journey...would be coming to My...Rescue....
and Carry...Me....
as I sit here... writing this...I weep...
My friend...said...God...sent me...to her...
He didn't send me...alone....
He sent.... a Flock of Angels...
that...truly were....The Wind...beneath...my wings...
{Including....my Friend...who...needed me...to 'Lean On'....
She...was My Rock....again...and again....}
God Bless...Everyone... of Them....
 


Wednesday, October 10, 2012

The House...is Done...

Well...the House...is Done...
{almost...there are a few things...I'll be working on...in the morn...}
Friends will be arriving...early...and staying late... the next several days... for The Event...
We bought groceries...today...to feed our Guests... and...are looking forward...to their visit...
As difficult...and Grueling...this task has been...
It has been...such a gift...
As I visited with friend, Ed...a while back... he said... and I agree... It's been such a good experience...for me...and my Friend...I am helping....
It's all about the Journey....and...I have...learned...much....
Not...so much...about the Old...and Most Wonderful...Antique Treasures...
but...about...myself... and people...
It's been...All Good....
The timing...has been a bit...ruff... I feel like I'm running on fumes...my Sweet Friend...I am helping...would whole heartedly...agree....
{She has worked...non stop...me...the 3 hours...on the road...everyday... that has been the tuff part...as much as I love to drive...knowing...there is work to be done...and having to sit still...has been...well...trying...}
I have to be up...by 5.....to hit the road...back...then am staying...for three nights...
No Internet...
So... I may not see ya...for several days....
But...I'll have One Heck of a Story to share...next week....
Love...to ya...
Barb C.
 
There are 4...Beautiful Bedrooms...in this Amazing Home... But...I Love...this one ...best... and I'll be sleeping in that....Beautiful...Tiger Maple...Canopy...Rope Bed... for my stay... Love...IT!
As I placed the Wine Glasses.... atop...the dated, 1826 Drawered...piece...near the end...of the Evening...I stood back...and paused...for a moment......What...an Amazing...Gathering... 50 years... my Friend...has gathered... oh my...  What a Journey...
{I So...look forward...to using those Wine Glasses... over the next, several Evenings...and sharing time...with good..folk....
 I Truly...do... : )
Wish...You All...could be here...with.....

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Staging...for my Friend's... Event.... oh my....

Sorry....but I was asked to show more images...of my Friend's...Special...Event... This will be the last time... I post so many...of this home...{ahhhh Lovely...lovely....Home... } This is it...in a Nut Shell... I'll have images...during the Event...this week... : ) We have found...more Treasures... oh my... : )
Love...to ya..
{I'm...on OVERLOAD!}
Barb C.
{To my Friends...who wanted to see these...if you scroll down to 'Older Posts'...at the very Bottom...of the page...{not the side...}and go back a couple...you'll see...many...many...more images...Thanks!}