Sunday, December 15, 2024
Christmas... Everywhere. Always.
Didn't get much done... today.
Pretty Icy out, yet.
Sure need to get to the store, but... the Ford 'Fleet'... is encapsulated in Ice.
yeah...
Stayin' Put, seemed more inviting.
; )
Took a stroll upstairs, into Daughter, Liz's... old room.
: )
When Liz moved out... on her own, John, and I... repainted, turned her room... into, what's become...
Another... Year Round, 'Christmas' Room.
: )
We used to wrap 'Christmas' there.
well...
John... wrapped most of 'Christmas', over the last several years, before he went away.
: )
He was a Much Better Wrapper, than me.
John had Much Experience with Paper, and Tape.
; )
Wouldn't Even venture a Guess.... at How Many Vehicles John, masked off... over the years.
He was an Artist.
: )
Love... Vintage Christmas.
<3
Bought the above... turn of the last Century... handmade Christmas Stockings, many years ago, at an Auction.
I don't... usually... allow 'want', 'desire'... to get in the way... of Business Sense.
but...
when it came to this Darling Pair of Vintage Christmas Stockings....
with All of Their History, documented, and attached, also... 'vintage'.
; )
Yep...
my
Bidding Number, Stood Very Strong.
; )
Some, would probably think I lost my mind,
{many.... most likely did, that day... at The Auction}
with my Winning Bid.
: )
Here's the deal... I've Never Once Regretted the Price... paid, for those Christmas Stockings.
<3
Folks spend a lot of money... on things, I can't understand, either.
I... don't go to the Casino... or, require 'New'... anything.
; )
Don't drive fancy new cars, or wear fancy shoes... clothes... or have collection's of jewelry.
I, don't pay to get my hair, or nails done...
so...
every now, and then...
I... may have stepped over The Line, at an Auction.
; )
{Old...'Soulfulness'... is my weakness. <3}
There's So Much 'Peg'... in The Christmas Room.
<3
again...
So Many Faces.
<3
The Kids...
John,
Dear Friends, and Family.
<3
So Much... of Peg's Amazing Art, is displayed in Liz's old room, with Christmas.
: )
<3
Christmas...
Everywhere.
Always.
<3
Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.
Barb C.
{Love... The Betty Garrett, and Red Skelton version... of
'Baby, It's Cold Outside'.
<3
It makes me Laugh!!!
: )
Can't wait... to post it This... time of Year. <3
Heard a couple of years ago... the other version's of this tune, were being pushed to be banned.
: (
oh my.
Wonder if 'They' saw 'this' version? }
<3
?
: ) : ) : )
Love It!!
<3
Saturday, December 14, 2024
Little... by little.
Little... by little, 'Christmas' is coming together.
<3
Kinda like... in my opinion...
Hall & Hall.. 'enginering'.
The Ice Storm... has arrived.
Heard ice covered branches hitting the roof, while playing with 'Christmas'...
this morning.
Hopefully... they haven't done any serious damage.
I've been updating Pal, Bill's Estate Sale, this morning... as well.
Hopefully... he'll be able to OPEN, by 2, today.
: )
Climbing that ladder... gads.
: (
I've Never... Climbed It 'Well'.
: )
Me, and 'Heights'...
not...
a Good Combination.
; )
but...
'Christmas'
brings out 'The Brave'... in me.
: )
Hahahahahahaha!!!
: )
oh dear.
as...
Thought's... like,
'They're gonna find my body, on this concrete floor... in a couple of days,
Under...
'The Tree'.'
as...
'The Tree' sways...
back and forth...
while I'm teetering on that HUGE Ladder... placing those
Precious...
Vintage Ornaments...
'Memories'.
; )
<3
Hahahahaha!!
"Merry Christmas... : ) Everybody Say 'Cheese!!' "
; )
Love to Ya...
Prayers, for All.
Barb C.
Grateful... for Family.
<3 <3 <3
Friday, December 13, 2024
Grateful.
Indeed.
: )
The Junk Jubilee Family, posted the above... today, on FB.
<3
So Perfect!!
So... True!!
: )
We have a possible Ice Storm coming through, tonight.
I'm gonna fill the tub with water... just in case we lose power.
We have a Well... so, if we lose power, we lose water, too.
The Old... Kitchen Stove, will keep the chill off of the house, should we lose power.
Won't be comfy... but, She'll keep the pipes from freezing.
: )
She's had to 'Step Up'... before, many years ago... during a February Ice Storm, that took power out, for many days.
<3
Had a pretty big scare, last night.
Was trying to pull on to 151, from the front drive....
looking both ways, over, and over...
pulled out, right in front of two vehicles in the 151 Southbound lane.
I didn't 'See' Them... until I DID!!!
HOLY SMOKES!!!!
GADS!!!!
So Grateful... those Driver's were Skilled, and Jethro is Quick.
<3
My life, and Theirs... flashed before my eyes.
: (
I'm still...a bit rattled.
bet, They...are, too.
: (
Way... Too Close.
: (
Had we connected, oh my.
Jethro... would've been T-Boned,
the Car that would've impacted Jethro...
would've also been rear ended, by an SUV that was on it's tail.
: (....
Feeling Incredibly Grateful... today.
'This' day... could've been a whole bunch different... for Many, in a split second.
That 'Bridge'... oh my.
The way it's bowed, now...
Getting out of the Highway 151, side... drive, is beyond difficult.
The visibility... now, is horrible.
Horrible... for us, and Horrible for those travelling South.
Ya can't 'See'... our drive, or... Stallman Dr., {Dollar General's 'Turn'}
Until Southbound Driver's are On Top of Them All.
: (
Had this 'Accident' actually 'connected'...
It So Would've been My Fault.
: (
I... couldn't see.
: (
Didn't 'see' them... until They Were Nearly... Knockin' on Jethro's Door.
: (
Not near enough...'Visibility', now.
: (
Sure wish... the elevation of that 151 Bridge, hadn't been raised 3 feet for Fairfax's Bike Trail, and... wish...
The New... IDOT Stallman Drive, would've went further to the South.
{Newman... IDOT District 6 Engineer, at that time... smiled, and nodded... when I Begged him, to put Feet on The Ground, here.
Study This Area... 'before' IDOT spends Millions.
Looking at the public records, over the years... Lawyer Meardon has collected...}
oh my.
: (.....................
So Grateful...
for...
'This Day'.
; )
When sorting through 'Christmas'... I see so many Faces.
<3
So Many Blessings.
<3
Grateful... to Pal, Charlie.
<3
Charlie... gifted me with the Lovely... little Tree, long ago.
<3
Charlie, rescued the tiny old tree... at an Auction, he was cleaning up, after.
The tiny... old, bottle brush tree...
had been long, dismissed.
Charlie discovered it, in the mud, probably had been trampled on...
at Least a Hundred times.
Charlie... rescued It, and Saved... It, for me.
<3 <3 <3
Charlie... knew, I'd Love It!!
; )
Indeed.
{Family <3 }
Grateful.
Grateful for So Much...
and...
So Many.
<3
Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.
Barb C.
Thursday, December 12, 2024
Indeed.
Indeed.
; )
So... True.
Love Patsy.
<3
Yesterday... was a crazy day, filled with conversations... with Neighbors.
They don't quite know what's unfolding, in Fairfax.
Who Does???
Hmmmm.
{Just looked up Fairfax's Recorded YouTube City Council Meeting, for 12/10/24.
It was published... today.
seems...
'The Camera'... at Fairfax, Iowa... City Hall...
'malfunctioned'...
yet again.
4th. time.
No audio.
: (
As my Mother... would say,
yet... Again,
"Worthless as Tits on a Boar"
Transparency... Is Everything.
Sorry... I don't believe in this many...
accidental...
'malfunctions'...
especially...
when certain project's are being discussed... maybe??}
Oh dear.
: )
bless their hearts.
; )
Haven't Touched 'The Tree'.
: (
Too many other obstacles...sadly, this week.
On a Happier Note, Dear Friend...
Rob, sent me the Crazy Link, below, on FB.
<3
Rob has shared it with me... for over a Dozen Years, just after
Thanksgiving.
: )
When Rob first posted it, long ago...
I NEARLY Died, laughing... watching it.
<3
I've actually... attended a few of 'those' Christmas Parties.
: )
but...
I Gotta Tell Ya,
when Robert Earl Keene, mentioned...
in the video... I'll post, above..
"A box of {feminine products } and...
Marlboro Lights"
Dear Lord!!!
Hahahahaha!!!!
: )
I'm kind of a 'Prude', some might say.
: )
I can count the times John shopped for groceries... over the decades on one hand.
<3
John... despised 'grocery shopping'.
: )
I never minded Huntin' Groceries...
; )
was
Always Grateful, John... made sure I could Hunt them.
John... was a Working Man.
Hard...
Working Man.
<3
{a Man... I'd NEVER ask to gather 'feminine hygiene products' from The Quik Pac Store!!!}
Hahahahahahahaha!!!!
Over the years... shared Rob's 'Share'... with Peg, and John.
Gads!!!
: )
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
Chippin' Away... at 'Christmas'.
Noticed, yesterday... the little old Christmas Cactus,
that sits in the kitchen window, decided to Bloom.
<3 <3 <3
Friend, and... my Middle School Home Ec Teacher... Donna, gave it to us,
11, or 12... years ago, when she brought some of her Teacher Friends, to visit, at Christmas.
<3
Spent this afternoon... chippin' away, at 'Christmas'.
Worked on The Tree.
: )
Should have it done... tomorrow.
The House looks like a Christmas Bomb Exploded in the 'new' side.
oh my.
; )
BIG... Messes.
When Brandon and I... were going through totes, on Sunday...
ran across some Lovely...
Vintage Christmas Wrapping Paper.
<3
Mom... NEVER threw away Christmas Wrap.
{ribbon, or... bows}
<3
Mom would carefully gather the paper, ribbons... and bows, save them... for 'Next Year'.
<3
: )
{John's Mom... Vivian, did the same. <3 }
Don't know... where I gathered the 'saved'... Christmas wrap from, but...
Know Exactly 'Why'... I saved it, 'rescued' it.
; )
Monday, December 9, 2024
After all... Tomorrow Is... another day.
Brandon and... I, spent about 7 hours,
yesterday...
pulling EVERYTHING from under the landing.
then...
scrubbed the floor, and walls... where water now comes in, thanks to IDOT, and Fairfax.
: (
Lost a few things, that... I thought... I had protected, from IDOT 'The Mess'.
: (
Sentimental things... that don't have a lot of monetary value....
just things, that only meant a whole bunch, to me.
Me, and Brandon... got The Horse... and Sleigh, secured on The Balcony.
The Bell...
is hanging from The Chandelier...
that John created a Special... 'Bell Hanger' from an 1800's Dinner Fork,
to Hang that Massive Bell!!
; )
{Someday... someone will look up at that Chandelier... and wonder....
'Why... is there a contorted old fork, at the base of that chandelier???'
hmmmmmm???}
: )
We got The Christmas 'Bones'... set.
: )
but... oh my.
All of those bags, are filled with Ornaments.
I bag the ornaments, after taking them off of The Tree... then... carefully place them in totes.
Many... Many... Many... totes, that fit under the landing.
John... actually built that area, under the stairs, for 'Christmas'.
: )
When I saw how much SPACE we were Losing, for the Stairs, and Landing...
when we were building...
GADS!!!
Told John... We Have to Figure out a way, to utilize that Space!!
: )
John... figured it out!!
John created a sliding panel, that came from an Old Bank... with barn door track.
Looking at it... you'd never know... it's not part of the wall.
It's a Secret... Christmas Room.
: )
{That, thanks to IDOT, and Fairfax... now... gets wet. : ( }
While going through everything... 'Christmas'... ran across the Cool Old Box of Ornaments, from Woolworths.
: )
They... made me Smile.
: )
I remember walking 'Downtown' {Cedar Rapids}... when I was about 9, or so, when me, and Mom... lived on 8th. Ave. and 6th. Street S.W.
'Downtown'... Cedar Rapids... was Wonderful.
Loved... Woolworths.
<3
They had a Restaurant... that served pretty good eats.
: )
Woolworths even sold Goldfish... and all Sorts of Everything.
Things... a Kid, could afford... with Babysitting money.
; )
Was going to work on The Tree, and 'Christmas'... today, but
couldn't quite find my feet.
Going through... Everything Christmas, yesterday... salvaging what I could, that... I truly thought, was bulletproof, from 'The Mess'...
oh my.
My Christmas... Heart, simply.... wasn't in it.
Had to laugh, when FB memories... from Daughter, Liz...
and, my own posts... on 'This Day', popped up.
oh my...
: )
{What I say.... after Every Single Fairfax, Iowa.... City Council Meeting, and after Every Meeting with IDOT {Iowa Department of Transportation} District 6... Engineers.}
; )
bless their hearts.
Not that I'm a 'Lady'. : )
but...
I've always been respectful.
Try to be... even when I know, folk's are Peeing on my Boots, assuring me, 'It's Rain'.
Difficult.
Grateful... for 'Josey Wales'.
Lawyer Meardon.
He doesn't mince words.
Indeed.
Nope.
One Day at a Time.
Grateful...
beyond Measure.
Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.
Barb C.
Sunday, December 8, 2024
Christmas... begins. Updated. Long Day.
Spent the afternoon playin' in Christmas... down The Rabbit Hole.
Wasn't Open.... have so much to get done.
The Boy's have piled things inside... after the shows, and sales.
Gads.
: )
Pal, Shelly... {Hoppy's , La Porte City, Iowa}
sent Angie, and John... above, last week.
Angie called, as I was driving to 'Thanksgiving', last Saturday.
Told her then, I'd planned on being Open... this weekend.
This week, completely got away from me.
: (
Been struggling... on so many levels.
: (
When Angie called, yesterday... told her, I'd meet her at The Rabbit Hole.
: )
but...
It Is... What It Is!!
Hahahahahaha!
She, and John... were Great!!
<3
Glad she called, made me get busy.
; )
Gonna keep Christmas up, year around... in this little niche, in The Rabbit Hole.
Started resetting it, during The Fall Harvest Sale...
It'll be Fun, when it's done.
; )
I have a Sickness... when it comes to Vintage Christmas.
; )
Pick it up year round.
I'm not the only one, so... figured The Rabbit Hole should have a permanent niche...
for
Christmas.
<3 <3 <3
<3 <3
Believe... we're putting The Tree up, today.
: )
Helper, Brandon's been itching to help with it.
: )
Grandson, 'J'... was going to help, but... something came up....
so had to back out.
Busy Kid!!
: )
Usually theme The Tree, every year, with something a little different.
One year put a sheet metal Running Horse Weathervane Directional in it.
Violins, and like above... a Cello, a few times.
Above... I think... was my Favorite.
2013.
Don't know... how much more, than The Tree, I'll be doing this year.
If we can get The Tree up, and... The Bell, up... and, the Sleigh, with The Horse, on the Balcony...
that'll be enough.
: )
The Tree, would be enough... but, have to pull everything else out, to get
'to'... The Tree, there's no way... I could put it all back, once it's out.... that, would be very sad.
Nervous about what we're going to find... under the stairs, where 'Christmas' is stored.
Haven't been clear back under there, for 2 years... didn't put The Tree up, last year... but, definitely had to clean up flooding.
IDOT has never fixed the drainage... that they Destroyed, and encroached upon us... for, for Fairfax's Bike Trail...wrongfully, in my opinion.
{Sure wish IDOT... {Iowa Department of Transportation}would've kept our...
Signed, Recorded... Agreement... instead of
Breaching It.
: (
Wouldn't be writing, or thinking about... 'This' now. : ( }
there's been big water problems since... under the stairs, and basement.
: (
We've Taken In Water, 17 times, since IDOT's last 151 'Project'.
: (
{if ya think... I'm angry... You're Right.}
; )
Mess.... Mess.... Mess.
Heartbreaking Mess.
: (.....
It'll be mighty Interesting to See, how....
Fairfax's... West Cemetery Road Bridge...
'designs',
tie into...
The Highway 151, IDOT... Wrongful... in my humble... opinion,
'Bike Trail' Accommodations.
Basin... Basin... Basin.
: (
bless their hearts.
{There's a Huge part of me... that doesn't want to 'bless 'their' hearts'.
: (
make no mistake...
I'm beyond... Angry.
; (
I'm Counting... on 'The Law', and.. Josey Wales,
Charles Meardon....
to explain...
in, and to...
The Linn County District Court, and Jury...
exactly...
what Fairfax, and IDOT,
have been 'up to', over many years....
in my opinion.
On a Happier note, just found that Alison Krauss will be in CR next year!!
GADS!!!
<3
Alison Krauss... is The Voice, of The Rabbit Hole.
Play her there.... most Always!!
Wish she had a Christmas Album.
; )
Dwight Yoakam, will be in CR next year...Too!!
GADS!!!
GADS!!!!!!
Hopefully... I'll be able to attend both concerts.
They are Amazing.
All of Them!!
Better get Crackin'...
It's gonna be a Long Day.
Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.
Barb C.
Saturday, December 7, 2024
Indeed.
Yes... as a Very Wise, and Wonderful... Friend, said...
long ago,
"It's all... about 'The Journey'."
: )
Yes... Indeed.
<3
Thursday, December 5, 2024
For a moment.
Took me a long time... to post the link, above.
Ask Pal, Bill... about my computer 'skills'... when it comes to 'Copy and Paste', and... sharing links.
: )
That... being said, when I'm determined.... I will find a way.
: )
The Garth Brooks, link... I'm Hoping... I shared, is one of the Most Beautiful Tunes, in my opinion, that was ever written... and delivered.
It's about life.
<3
'Living'
One of my favorite quotes, has always been pasted to our Old Faithful...
Refrigerator's door.
{For Decades}
: )
<3
"Life is not measured by the amount of breaths we take...
but, by the moments that take our breath away."
'Living'
<3
Better Late... than never.
Indeed.
Long ago... images are all over my Moto g... phone.
; )
Above, was many years ago....
Guessing over a July 4th. Weekend.
Before the 2020 Iowa Hurricane.
: )
'Before'... many things.
Spent yesterday... in a Puddle.
Couldn't get my mind off of The Kids.
Sent Justin... some images of Bear, this morning... told him... what a Blessing Bear was to us all, and what a Blessing, Justin was to Bear.
<3
Bear had a Wonderful Life, and made all of ours, Wonderful... as well.
<3
Bear...was a Good Boy.
<3
Headin' to The Rabbit Hole, today.
Still... have a Thousand things waiting there.
I'd planned on being Open... today, but... that's not going to happen.
Have a few Mountains to move, first.
Really should've found my way there, yesterday.
Just 'being'... there, is so comforting... even if, no 'progress' is made.
That crazy... upside down, inside out... this way... or that....way,
'Rabbit Hole'...
where Nothing makes sense,
yet... It All... makes Perfect sense...
oh my.
: )
Reminds me of a very true...
quote.
"Normal is an illusion.
What is normal for the spider...
is chaos for the fly."
Morticia Addams
Indeed.
<3
I'm runnin' late, but...
better late, than never.
; )
Enjoying looking at those 'Before' images, in a way.
A bit, Painful... too.
Was thinking about another quote... this morning.
One, that Daughter, Liz... called me about, one day... as a Teen.
"Mom... what's that saying, you always quote, when we lose someone we Love??"
said...
"You mean...
'It's better to have Loved...
and lost,
than to never have Loved...
at all.' "
???
Liz, said... "Yes!! That's It!!"
<3
{what I didn't know... Liz was asking,
because she was having that quote tattooed on her wrists!!"
<3 <3 <3
We'd just lost our Beloved... Black German Shepherd... Molly.
Liz, and Molly... were Tight.
Best Friends.
<3 <3 <3
Over the years, especially... the last 10, I've struggled with that quote.
: (
Is it Really... better, to have 'Loved'... and lost??
I... Know, in my heart... It Is.
but, oh my...
make
No Mistake,
There's a Painful Price that ultimately must be Paid, for Loving Deeply.
somehow...
can't imagine, glad I can't...
imagine...
never loving at all, and be spared the pain... of Loss.
Seems to me, not loving...
would be a lifetime of emptiness.
'that'...
would be, in my opinion...
the ultimate...
'Loss'.
<3
Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.
Barb C.
{I'm going to try to post the video of Eric {Taylor}, Son, Justin... Bear, and little Willow, when the Bees took after them!!
Hahahahaha!!!
Eric used to help out... So Much!! Eric, and Justin... were The Best of Friends!!
I Thank Eric, to This Day... Every Single Time... I use the sprayer on the kitchen sink.
He fixed so Much!!
Such a Good Kid!!
Hard Worker!!
Kind!!
So Funny!!
; )
Every time... I saw Eric, as we parted, I also Thanked him, for that 'Bee' Video!!
: )
Told Eric, and Justin... Numerous Times,
"When I'm havin' a really bad day, I watch that video... of You Boys...
; )
{and Bear.... who Stirred The Bees Up... as a Pup!!! : )
Miss. Willow didn't get hurt. <3
Shouldn't laugh... at their Pain... but, my Warped Sense of Humor... Can't Help It!!!}
THANK YOU!! <3"
Eric, would say....
"glad for you." }
: )
Hahahahahahaha!!!
<3 <3 <3
{Eric Travis Taylor
June 6, 1985 -
January 10, 2023}
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
Unconditional Love
Had a thousand things... to tackle, today.
but...
when Justin 'J', came to the House... this morning, early...
and told me, his Dad, Justin... was taking Bear to the vet...
things started to go South, in a hurry.
Bear... has been suffering from seizures, for a year, or so.
He's had watchful... eyes, on him... along with the Best... of Care.
<3
While celebrating Thanksgiving, on Saturday...
Justin, expressed his concerns... about Bear.
Justin thought he seemed a little bloated, tho... I couldn't see it.
I, did notice... Bear seemed very sleepy.
but...
the vet, had Bear on a couple of new meds.... so... figured, he was just a little 'sleepy', from them.
: )
By the end of 'Thanksgiving'... Bear, was Up and Happy!!
: )
Miss. Meadow... and me, were Spoiling All of Our Beloveds.
<3 <3 <3
Especially...
Bear.
<3
Justin... couldn't believe Bear's turn around.
<3 <3 <3
{So... Incredibly Grateful, for That. <3 }
then, Bear... went back and forth.
Nobody... Knows Bear, better than Justin.
He's been worried sick, about Bear... for a long time.
: (................
Bear... passed away, in the Shop, this morning.
: (.......................
Bear... jumped in Justin's Ford, this morning...
he seemed weak, but... would Never let Justin out of his sight,
or let him go to work... 'anywhere'.... without him.
<3 <3 <3
Justin... was taking Bear, to the vet... this morning, to be cremated, after he expired.
'J'... didn't know that, when we spoke, early... this morning.
: ( : ( : (
{It's All... So Incredibly Heartbreaking. : (.....}
'Family'
I refer to our Beloved... 4 Legged Loved Ones, as 'Family'.
<3
<3 <3 <3
<3 <3 <3
<3 <3 <3
<3 <3 <3
<3 <3 <3
<3 <3 <3
Bobby, Bear... and Gizzy.
<3 <3 <3
So... much Loss, this year.
: (.....
<3 <3 <3
So Incredibly Grateful... for 'Thanksgiving', when...
for a bit,
Everything...
seemed right with The World.
<3
: )
Wanted to post Many Images, especially ones, with Justin, and 'J'... but my new... phone...
is a mess.
{Most of them... I've posted, on this blog. <3}
Sorting through 20,000 images, in no certain order... was a Mess. Way Too Many Fairfax/IDOT Wrongfulness... Images.
: (
But... was good, seeing images I'd forgotten, yet... so Sad... to.
: (
Had to stop.
<3
The above... made me smile.
: )
I... remember the day... John stood in the middle of Stallman Drive, the street behind our Home, and his Shop.
{25 mph.}
Smoldering... Lucky Strike... stogie, in hand.
John... stopped a Kid, that was using Stallman Drive, as his personal 'Racetrack', on his Crotch Rocket.
basically...
the above,
is what John told the young... man.
: )
Kids... and Critters.
<3 <3 <3
'Pure of Heart'.
<3
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