Sunday, September 28, 2014

Yes... It's Harvest Time....in... ' Iowa'... : ) {Don't Miss.... This...Sale. : ) }

See More Sale Details...
Below... 
and in the Calender of Events...
: )
{ also check out simply iowa... on fb. : ) }

Fall Harvest Sale!!! October 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th!!! 8 a.m. 'til Dusk...Daily!!! Rain or Shine!!! Wear Your Grubbies...and Bring a Truck!!!


Simply Iowa!!!
Fall Harvest Sale!!!
October 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th!!!
8 a.m. 'til Dusk Daily!!!
Rain or Shine!!!
Located on Highway 151 Fairfax!
{101 Williams Blvd. Fairfax, Iowa 52228 }
Friends and Neighbors have Gathered Loads of Neat Old...Gnarliness.... Together!!!
There is Something for Everyone!!!
{you just Never Know.... what may turn up here... : ) }
Lots and Lots... of Old...Old... Soulfulness.... 
Old Iowa Farm House Cupboards...!
Tables... of Every Shape...and Size!
Chairs!!!
{From Mid Century.... Back! }
Grungy...Gnarly... 'This and Thats'... along with Fragments... of Cool Things...
to Feed the Creative Soul!
Quilts...Linens and Lace....oh my....
Old Tools.... and Farm Stuff!!!
Crocks...and Jugs... 
Goopy...Prismed... and Tasseled...  Treasures...
Mirrors and Frames... Doors and Windows!
oh my...
I could go on...and on!!!
there is..simply....
Everything...one would expect...to find...
 while Falling Down.... a Rabbit Hole. : )
Don't Miss This Sale!!!
{new Items added Daily!!!}
Wear Your Grubbies and Bring a Truck!!!
Call Barb... for further details.
319 241 1348
See Ya This Weekend...!!!
{no early sales... : ) }

Friday, September 26, 2014

It's Beginning to Look a Lot... like... Fall.


Miss. Scarlett and I.... bailed in the Ford... yesterday.... and went to The Pumpkin Farm....
Picked up a nice load... of Mums...Pumpkins...Gourds.... and Straw!!!
It wouldn't be a Fall Harvest Sale.... without a little...
Fall Fluff... : )
Liz... came and joined us... later. : )
My Little Friend, Sheree.... stopped by.... and I gave her the task...
 of creating a 'Driver'... for The '49.... Ford.
: )
{can't wait to see...what she comes up with... : ) }
Bringing in another load...of treasures...today....
then... I have Got... to start getting the rabbit hole.... put together!
{It's gonna be a Full... House! }
oh dear...
 : )
{Thanks so Much... to Marc B. for turning me on to the Awesome Music from 
Davina and the Vagabonds...
Sweeeet! 
Hope you take a listen. <3 } 




While working in Wally's old...Amana Home...the other day... cleaning things up... after The Sale....
My Favorite Teacher, {6th Grade} popped in....
Scott... : )
I had shared the story...of why... 'Hearts' and I... have such a connection.... as we examined the little paper, Heart Box... at the sale.... a week prior...
He knew... how much I had wanted it... and knew... it was beyond my reach..... ultimately.
{it found loving hands.... as all 'old souls'...do. <3 }
He handed me a package.... inside...was a Beautiful Card... with a Horse... on it.... and... this hand made...
Amana Cookie Cutter....
He said... "This is for the one, you didn't get... "
: )
oh my....
: )
It was made...exactly the way John...would have made it... with the curl...on the tail....
: )
I told him so.... as I held it in my hand.....
Then...Liz walked up...and said exactly... what I had said.
another 'wink'...
I... am so...Very.... Very... Blessed.
: )
That was so Kind...of him....
He...and Donna Young... are my Two...Favorite Teachers... from my Childhood....
Donna... lives just up the road.
I sure have been Blessed.... with some Beautiful... people... throughout my life....
I Truly... Have. 


When I walked back... inside the house... yesterday morning... I saw this... 'wink'... at the step.....
oh my....
We never... walk... alone.
<3
Miss Scarlett..... cracks me up....
: )
The Poor Little One... has been battling a Summer Cold... the last several days. : (
She won't let us 'help' her... with her 'leaky faucet'... period.
So.... she Sports a Kleenex on her nose... everywhere she goes....
{she was quite a 'hit' at the Pumpkin Farm... in her pretty dress...  Tap Shoes.... and 'Nose Muff'... : )
 {Liz says, she won't take the shoes off.... she even sleeps in them... oh my....
 She loves her Dance Classes... : ) }
Liz said... when Nick and Scarlett went to Target...the other day.... Scarlett began dancing...at the front of the store....
He knelt down... and watched her..... {she Loved...the Floor... of the store... her Tap Shoes... really Clicked.... there... : ) }
Soon... a crowd...gathered...around her....a dozen people...or so....  they all...stood and watched her...
 'Performance'... : )
They all Clapped for her... when she... did her...
 "Ta Da!"
oh my....
Nick says...he's going to have to get her a Hat... for Tips!
: ) : ) : )


Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Hmmmm.... they really do... exist.

In the midst...of everything... 
these last many weeks....
Between...and during... 'events'....
I am still... working on Medicare... for John.
Several weeks ago... out of desperation... so many doors... shut in my face....
I sat down... and wrote a letter to The President.
: )
I told him... I couldn't understand... that, John was eligible and entitled to Medicare....
{because of his age...}
Only because...he filed late... they wouldn't cover any of his bills...until July.
{which meant...they would cover nothing.... he was sick...and hospitalized in March, April and May. I filed for him...in February. }
I filed for him, before... we knew... how ill he was... before... he went to the hospital...when we were struggling to pay office visits...
I...really didn't expect to hear anything....
it just felt good... putting it all down... in writing.
This morning... I received a call... from Medicare.
They had received a letter...from The White House....
The White House... wanted them to address this 'situation'....
oh my...
who knew?
: )
We are still... at a stand still.... but... I feel... the wall crumbling... just a little bit.
If...I can't get things changed... to save us...
I am going to continue to fight... for others.... hitting the same... wall...
No One... No Family... should have to go through this... only because of a 'waiting period'....
It's wrong... 
Thanks...Mr. President. : )
John... Loved You... 
and...
so do I. 
{no matter...how this all.... boils....down.  : ) }
I can't tell you... how Good... it feels....
just to know...
you have been...
'heard'.
: )
Love...to ya...
Barb C.

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Autumn...

This may be...
my favorite image....
of the 'rabbit hole'....
I have ever captured.
Polly {my 4 legged best friend} and I....
had just turned out all of the lights....
after... working there, all afternoon.
It was more difficult... than I had imagined.... being there.... today.
oh...my.
{haven't been there.... really... since May. }
Memories... are strewn...throughout....
It's like a little Jewelry Box....
filled... with the Most Precious.... Gifts.....
one...could ever...hope...to gather.....
<3
I...see John...
 Everywhere.....
He...Built This Structure.....
and... made it.... what it is.
oh my.....
My Peg....
oh my.........
she...is here... at every turn....
: )
I...was...
am...
so....
 Very ....Blessed.
yet...
 as I cleaned.... and worked... unpacking....
it was a most... difficult... 'journey'....
When I looked at the images.... tonight, I realized....
The Rabbit Hole....
 still....
Stands..Tall.
I, may be weak...at the knees....
but... the rabbit hole....
my....
Sanctuary...
Stands...Tall.
and...embraces me....
yes...
I, am....
Blessed.
: )
and... this Image.... puts it all.... in perspective....


Love...
the Gnarly... Over the Top... Goopy... Insane....
4 and a 1/2 feet Tall.... Table Lamps...
Got one... cleaned... and lit.... : )
Beautiful.

The White Rabbit....
holds....
'Autumn'....
in His Hands.... : )
this....
Fall Harvest Sale...
is going to be...
the
 Most...Soulful...
event....
I have ever been Blessed...
to have a part in.
Hope... to see...
you.
Love...you...
Barb C.



Monday, September 22, 2014

oh my.... How Time...Does Fly!!! : ) 'Fall Harvest Sale'... in little more than a week. {how did that happen? }....

Love... Playing with the Gnarly Toys... : )
This old...old.... well worn... little Amana Basket, I was told... was for a child... to carry to and from the Garden....
I watched it... throughout the Estate Sale.... even tho... I priced it... at only a few dollars.... everyone passed it by.
So... it has now... found a 'Home'...atop..the old Amish Table... John patched... a couple of years ago.... : )
 {and Jan... sold back to me... a few weeks ago... <3 }
I purchased the contents... left at the sale... There are some Wonderful...Treasures.... still....
I... believe... they wait.... to find the perfect hands.
Some.... will find a spot.... in the rabbit hole... some... will be on the Sale... outside.
The little Basket... stays...put. <3
{there will be some Great Treasures... at this Fall Harvest Sale.... Mark Your Calenders... }

Fall Harvest Sale!
October 2nd thru 5th!
8 a.m. 'til Dusk Daily!!!
Rain or Shine!!!
The Lawn and Buildings Will Be Brimming!!!
oh my... : )
{there is Even MORE Awesomeness.... finding It's way here... This Fall!!!
Just got the call... this Morn...
 : ) 
Don't Miss This One!!! }

Located on Highway 151
Fairfax, Iowa.
{Look for the '49 Ford Panel Truck... on The Curve! }
{101 Williams Blvd. Fairfax, Iowa 52228 }
Wear Your Grubbies...
and Bring A Truck!!!

Call for further Info.
319 241 1348
or...fb : )





Friday, September 19, 2014

No... I'm Not... in Manila. : )

My little laptop... was hacked...
If you received an e-mail from me....
saying I am stranded in Manila...
disregard.
If... you get one... from Fairfax, Iowa...
send the Cash!. : )
Just Kidding.
Trust me... I'd be Pounding on your Door....
or burning the Phone Line...Up!!!
: ) : )  : )
I'd never... send an e-mail... ever.
It appears I have lost all of my e-mail contacts....
{I'm sure they are here...somewhere...
so... call me, if you need me.
{I like that... better...anyway. <3 }
319 241 1348
I think...I have the laptop all cleaned up....
found the hacker.... he hacked around 7 this morn.
Changed my password... three times.... and locked my mailbox up.
We'll see. : )
Sorry... for any inconvenience....
Let me know, if you get anything, after 9:00 this morn.
Thanks...
Love...to you.
Barb C.
{you can also find me on fb 'Simply Iowa'
or Barbara Conner Fairfax, Iowa. }
I've been getting some... 'Fun'... comments.... about my 'trip' to Manila....
It made me think of the above tune. : )



Thursday, September 18, 2014

Anyway.

You can spend your whole life... building...something...from nothin'...
One storm can come ...and Blow it All... away...
Build it...
anyway.
You can chase a dream...that seems so out of reach...
and you know it might not ever come your way....
Dream It...
anyway...
: )
God is Great....
but...sometimes Life.... ain't good....
and when I Pray...it doesn't always turn out...like I think it should....
but...
I do it...
anyway.
I...do it...
 anyway.
This Worlds gone crazy....
and it's hard to believe... that tomorrow, will be better than... today....
Believe It...
anyway...
You can Love someone...with all your Heart....
for all the right reasons....
and in a moment... they can choose to walk away....
Love 'em...
anyway....
: )
God is Great...
but...sometimes... Life... ain't good....
and when I Pray...it doesn't always turn out... like I think it should...
but...
I do it... anyway....
: )
yeah...
I do it... anyway.
You can pour your soul out singin'... a song.....
 you believe in...
that tomorrow they'll forget...you ever sang...
Sing It....
Anyway...
: )
I Sing...
 I Dream...
I Love.....
Anyway...

{This may be... the best song... ever written. oh my....
I posted it above... Hope you take a moment... to listen.....
if...you don't have a moment....
Take It... 
anyway. <3 }
Love to ya...
Barb C.






Monday, September 15, 2014

Thank You.

Thank You...
To Everyone... 
who made the Amana Estate Sale... such a Success...
{it realized 25% better, than I had estimated... wow...}
: )
From the Beautiful Family...Jon, Heather, Joyce...and Little William... <3 
 I was so Very Blessed to work with....
along with
The Amazing Helpers....
Liz...Miss. Scarlett...Brandon... Buddy.... Mark... Cindy... Tom.... Kathy....
and...all of the Prayers....Angels... sent by many... to 'Keep' me... and mine....
without them....
this mountain... would have been.... pretty 'tall'...
The old Home... was little more than pathways.... when we found it....
now.... after cleaning...and staging.... it has nearly sold down to the walls....
and is nearly ready...for someone... to begin a New....Journey... within. 
: )
Thanks so much...to Amy...for bringing us Refreshments.... 
Neighbors... for being so...kind... Dale..for lending tables....
and...to Everyone... who bought... 'supported'...this Sale....
Thank You...
Thank You. 
: )
I'll be writing about this incredible journey.... in days to come.
It could be a novel..... : )
Thanks again....
Love you....
Barb C.
{Thanks to Julie...{the little 'Light' Girl...} for showering us...with Light.... 
Polly, Sarah, Lynn and Lea...... for Popping in.... : )
 Colleen .... for helping and bringing... Treats!.... 
Cindy, {Smokehouse Square Antiques... } for being such a Kind...and Helpful Neighbor...
 'The Collector's Journal', {Rita} for doing such a Great Job...for us....as always...
A Special Thanks...to Renate... and Bud...for feeding me Beautiful..Late...Late...Suppers....the nights before the Sale... oh my.... what a Gift...they are in my life....
and so many more... Thank You... Thank You.
 I can't tell you what it means... to see...and feel... the positive... presence of all the above....
 when...
 The Race...is On.....
 : ) Blessings.  : ) }


Wednesday, September 10, 2014

AMANA ESTATE SALE {160 years Accumulation!!! } Opens 9/11 at 5 p.m. {numbers at 4 } {Through Sunday!!! See Details on the Event Calender!!} Wear Your Grubbies! and Bring a TRUCK!!!

This is a FULL HOUSE....Basement...Garage....and Tent!!!
{see details on the Event Calender at right... }
Make plans to spend some time.... there are MANY 'Littles'.... Lots...and Lots... of Paper.... Lots and Lots... of Glass.... {Some Newer...Much...Old....
There are some Funky Mid Century Items.... {paintings, books... lamps...pins...games...comics... airplane kits in their boxes...  etc...etc...}
This is just a sample.... {scroll down the Blog to see more images of the Amana Furniture...}
There is MUCH... I didn't capture....
There are Many Early Amana Ledgers...Photo's... and Postcards...
These, along with a few Rare items will be offered by Sealed Bids....
accepted from the first day of the Sale, through Saturday, the 13th at 5:00 p.m.
They will be opened that evening....
Everything Else...will be Priced.... if it isn't... I'll price it on the spot.
{there is MUCH to Price... Much! }
Be Patient... : ) Have Fun.... and... come Dig. 
There Truly....Is...Something for Everyone....
: )
Wear Your Grubbies.... : )
Bring a Truck!!!
Love to ya...
Barb C.
{Please park on 'F' Street... Business Parking Lots...are for Local Business.... 
There is MUCH Great Shopping in the Amana Colonies!!!... and Wonderful Food!!!... come spend the Weekend!!! Be here for the Last Day... 50% off... Most Everything at The Sale!!! }























Wednesday, September 3, 2014

A 'Snippet' of The Amana Estate Sale. Sept. 11, 12, 13 and 14. {see details in the 'Calender of Events' on this page. }



















This... was the One Thing.... I wanted to buy... from the Estate.
{Oh... I LOVE... Most Everything... here....}
Liz found it, in a box, in the attic... and knew... I'd Love it.
{reminds me of my Dad... and John. : ) Hearts... Hearts... Hearts... : ) }
I Never buy anything..... before the Public.
I thought I'd ask the owner... if he'd sell it to me.... {just... one... thing.... }
but... when a friend, came through... helping... and spied it....
He said... it was worth a lot....
I knew.... I couldn't ask....
We are taking 'sealed bids' on this Old Heart... Wallpaper Box.
Then... I can have a chance.
a slim one....
but... a chance. : )
Whoever gets it.... Should.
and... It's All... Good. : )
This Old... Soulfulness... Always... finds it's way... to exactly... where it belongs.
Always. : )