Saturday, May 31, 2025
Estate Sale Update.
When pulling a Sale.. together, we do a LOT... of Movin' and Shakin'.
: )
Family... comes through before us, and remove what they want to keep.
That's all we ask of them.
<3
I encourage Family... to keep anything they might be hesitating about.
They can Always... sell it, or, find a Home... for it later... but, once it's sold...
it most likely won't come back.
Regrets... are painful.
We advise Folks... to leave Everything else, as found.
: )
Don't worry about cleaning, or going through cupboards.
We'll do that.
: )
and...
I can't Stress This, Enough...
Don't Throw, Give... Donate... Anything, until after The Sale.
Sadly... Folk's have made some big mistakes, by the above.
: (
When we hear about... 'things'... that were 'Pitched', before we arrived, well...
we never tell the Family, how much they lost.
Too late, and... going through the Loss of a Loved One, is
The Worst.
: (
When we come in...
we start putting the Home... back together.
Fill in holes, that 'Family'... created.
Bring in tables... to handle everything that's been stored in totes...
cupboards, dressers... closets...
attics... etc.
{I start to sweat... about now, when I think about 'my sale'.
Already told Pal, Bill... we're gonna have to conduct my
'Living Estate Sale'. : )
NOBODY Else... on The Planet, could Handle... THIS One!!
Hahahahahaha!!!}
Bill, and I... set 'The Bones'... 'Big Furniture', yesterday.
The Contractor... is done, so... that opened up the main floor, to us.
: )
There's more images... throughout earlier posts.
also...
if you're a FB person...
check out 'Simply Iowa', there.
: )
Many Images there, as well.
Jo Ann, and Bill... kept a Very Nice 'Home'.
<3
We explored, and cleaned out The Garage... Attic, yesterday.
; )
Stay Tuned!!
Had to Laugh... when I ran across the above.
It was in a box, looked like a little suitcase. Heavy, for as small as it was.
???
Brother in Law, Bill... was VERY Organized.
He was Geared 'Engineer'.
: )
A Battery Suitcase.
: )
GREAT IDEA!!
Bill even had a Battery Tester... inside.
Even Better!!!
: )
This Day...
May, 31... had some interesting memories.
Was taken back... by The Wolf quote, above...
looks much like the Beautiful Print, I'd just photographed, at The Estate.
<3
Indeed.
<3
Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.
Barb C.
Friday, May 30, 2025
Thursday, May 29, 2025
At The End of The Day....
Few, could sign a check...
like John Helm, could.
: )
He was quite the 'Calligrapher'.
'Artist'...
; )
Someone asked me for samples of John's handwriting, the other day...
prompted me to go through old cards, and cancelled checks.
It's funny...
{not, funny}
how going through old bank statements...
will take ya back to the very moment the check's were written.
That's a thing of the past, for many... these days.
Few... would know how to write a check, today.
Fewer... would accept one.
Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.
Barb C.
ESTATE TAG SALE!! June 5 thru 8!!
Sweet Cameron, from The Gazette...
{Penny Saver}
whipped up the above ad for Jo Ann and Bill's Estate Sale, this morning.
She's So Sweet!!
and...
Fast!!
<3
The Contractor will be Done, today... !!
YAY!!
Will be posting images, here, and on Simply Iowa FB, as we go, through Sale Time!!
; )
Scroll down through earlier posts for many images, or visit my FB page.
: )
Stay Tuned!!
Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.
Barb C.
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Workin' Away.... at The N.W. Cedar Rapids, Iowa... Estate Sale!! {June 5 thru 8!! }
Been working, mainly... on the lower level.
There's a Contractor remolding the upstairs bathroom, the entire main floor, is pretty 'Busy'.
The lower level, is finished, it's like an apartment.
Has a full kitchen, and bath.
When Jo Ann, and Bill entertained, we all gathered in the lower level.
<3
{Above are Jo Ann's Clothespin Bags. Handmade. I'm certain... Jo Ann most likely made them.
<3
I always smile... when I run across Clothespin Bags, like these.
: )
Simpler Times.
Some, still do hang clothes on a line. There's NOTHING that smells
Sweeter, than Sun-dried Linens... and Laundry.}
<3
LOVE the little Vintage Vac!!
It works like a CHARM!!
So Cute!!
Even has extra bags, and filters!! It appears Bill was getting them at a local Vac Store!!
; )
Spent yesterday sorting... and organizing.
I remember enjoying Homemade Ice Cream... at Summer Gatherings.
<3
Dad, had his own special Ice Cream recipe.
It was So Good!!
Wish I could remember everything he put in it.
Remember... it having Lot's of Peaches and Berries!!!
When I was little, we had a hand crank... Ice Cream Freezer.
That.... was a Job.
: )
then...
we Upgraded to an Electric one, like Jo Ann, and Bill.
; )
Jo Ann was Quite a Seamstress.
: )
Mom, Sister's Chery, and Merry Jo, were too.
<3
Don't know... if Sister, Joyce... liked to sew, but... know, I didn't inherit that Gene.
: )
When I 'sew'... it's with a Needle and Thread.
: )
No Machines... for me!!
; )
<3
Love That Rooster!
Bill is just starting to organize the garage.
The Contractor has much of his equipment stored there... until Tomorrow.
We'll be able to make Strides, when The Contractor is finished.
; )
There's some nice Tools, and Fishing gear... I've noticed.
: )
Stay Tuned!! More Images, and Details... Coming Soon!!
; )
Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.
Barb C.
So True.
; )
Attended the Fairfax, Iowa... 'Special' City Council Meeting, last night.
It was a mess.
As my Gut... was warning it might be, a couple of weeks ago, concerning the new city administrator...
The first... and last one, lasted under 6 months.
He resigned... in early May.
Fairfax gave him a 25,000. severance package, with a confidentiality clause.
: (
Made me wonder...
a bunch.
Others...
Too.
: (
???
The clerk, made some comments, last meeting... to the council... about changing the educational guidelines,
for the next 'city administrator'.
???
that...
really, made me wonder.
Said so... at that meeting.
???
The city clerk... has done a lot of 'guiding' our council...
over the years....
in my opinion.
That...
isn't her job...
in my opinion.
Like Mr. Krabs, from SpongeBob SquarePants... would say,
the last meeting...
my
nose started twitchin'...
got a
Whiff...
of,
'That Smelly Smell... that Smells...
Smelly."
{I know that 'Scent' Well...
from dealing with
Fairfax, and IDOT...
all of these years. : (
Mr. Krabs... smelled
'Anchovies'.
: )
somehow,
I have a 'nose'... for something else. }
: (
It was pretty 'Putrid' smelling, at City Hall... in my opinion... last night.
I, gave the Mayor, and Council... my thoughts.
The clerk, as well.
{my hands were trembling... at the podium. : (}
Ya know... many of us would like to know... if the former administrator was 'Bullied' out of his job,
and by whom.
They won't answer.
A simple 'No'... he wasn't... would set many of our minds at ease.
I've seen first hand, as have many others.... our Mayor Beer, be Bullied, at City Hall.
: (
Don't like it.
: (
I certainly Hope, as I shared with the council...
when they take applications for a city administrator...
they'll choose someone with No Ties to Fairfax, or Fairfax, Iowa... City Hall.
No Pals... No Family... No Friends of the Current City Government.
No current employees.
Told them, in my opinion...
Fairfax needs an administrator....
that's Honest, Free Thinking... Well Educated, Non Bias,
and...
not
connected.
Just... my humble thoughts.
Incredibly Grateful...
the council... listened to their Attorney's direction...
to hand the reins back to The Mayor, instead of taking the clerk's....
seemingly very thoroughly... extremely... well thought through, ongoing... 'direction',
and... filling that position in another direction.
oh my.
If the camera didn't 'malfunction', I'll post the May 27, 2025 Fairfax Special Council Meeting's
YouTube
video when it's up.
oh... dear.
{needles in my eyes}
By Golly!!! The May 27, 2025 YouTube Video... made it.
; )
If Ya have a bit of time, at about 1:15.00 is where The City Administrator...
'discussion'... began.
my...
my.
For the record... I've always thought, and... recommended...
Fairfax's hired Attorney should have a Place, a 'Seat'... at Every Meeting.
I, believe... in the long run,
A Lawyer...
Watching Over These 'Meetings'...
Would've Saved our Community,
'Fairfax'...
Big
Time.
BIG TIME.
Look at Fairfax's Engineering Budget.
then, think about how a Lawyer, maybe...
could've...
maybe,
; )
{in my opinion}
Saved our Community,
'Fairfax'...
a
Big
Bunch.
again...
my, humble opinion.
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Workin' on The Cedar Rapids Estate Sale... then.... yeah... Boy.
John's oldest Daughter, Andrea... and her Boys, stopped out yesterday...
left Beautiful flowers on John's Old....
Gnarly...
Lawn Chair.
; )
They never miss coming on Memorial Day.
<3
Sadly... I missed them.
: (
Had to run to CR, quick, forgot my phone at home...
so, missed their call.
: (
They were stunned, when there was no sale... happening.
Yeah.
Very sad.
Much... is changing.
No Scout a Roo... for The Boys... to Spoil,
no sale.
Everything... changes.
Supper.
First Sweet Corn, of the year.
Certainly not local, but... tasty.
; )
I'm trying to stick to an only fish, and veggie menu, again.
I've put on some pounds, since quitting smoking, last July...
mainly because I've been eating too much
Crap!!
: )
When I eat red meat... chicken, and pork... I don't feel good.
Some, like Pal, Dale... are Meat and Potato Folk.
: )
Not me.
Love a Good... Rare... Steak, but... gotta stay away from them.
oh my.
Made a quick spinach salad... to go with the Corn....
a few,
Smoked Oysters...
a few,
Kipper Snacks,
{Dad used to Love Those!!}
a few Anchovies....
and a few...
Sardines...packed in Olive Oil.
Tomatoes... Onions...
and a little Cheese.
; )
Delicious.
: )
Quickly lost my appetite, when a Neighbor texted the below.
Posted on FB, last night... that the Fairfax Citizens should pay very close attention, to this city administrator opening, and the West Cemetery Road Bridge 'project'.
Hopefully the council will hire someone for the city administrator that has Zero Ties, to Fairfax.
Someone... who can think, and work... independently.
Non-bias.
Then... I'll Pray for them.
I sure wouldn't want to work at Fairfax, Iowa... City Hall.
: (
I'd rather Stick Needles in my Eyes... just having to walk through the doors.
: (
{my opinion... and, a few others. ; ) }
A Friend posted the above, yesterday.
: )
So True.
<3
Heading to Jo Ann and Bill's Estate Sale,
{June 5 thru 8!!}
work until... I have to go to the 'Special' City Council Meeting, and...
Stick Needles in my eyes.
Yeah...
Boy.
Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.
Barb C.
Monday, May 26, 2025
Wishing Everyone a Happy Memorial Day.
Above is Miss. Scarlett, many years ago.
: )
Purchased the Patriotic Vintage Doll's Dress, from Dear Pal, Jo.
<3
It... 'Just' fit Scarlett.
<3
We're all pretty Patriotic Folks... around here.
: )
Never Forgot....
America Is...
The
'Land of The Free... Because of The Brave.'
<3
We, Americans... are Brave, I... believe.
Stand Up, when we need to.
; )
This Memorial Day Weekend, has been a very difficult one, around Home.
Had to deal with some major... thoughts.
Crossroads are never easy to deal with...
but... necessary, in order to learn, and grow.
'Live'.
Holding Patterns, get ya nowhere.
Going through Dad's pictures, visiting with Family,
and...
having the anniversary of John's death... 11 years ago... fall on a Sunday, like it did, in 2014,
oh my.
These last 11 years, have been quite a blur.
I've had so many Vivid Dreams, over the last several weeks.
Great Ones.
<3
They've definitely... 'directed' me.
The Past... is The Past.
<3
It's
'Time'...
to move forward.
; )
Wishing All... A Happy Memorial Day.
and,
Remember to be Grateful....
for
The Brave.
<3
Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.
Barb C.
Saturday, May 24, 2025
Smiles.
{Started this post... day before yesterday.}
: )
They Make Ya...
'Smile'.
<3
: )
Put the new crop of Mushrooms out, yesterday morning, before heading to Jo Ann, and Bill's Estate.
: )
Sold the one on the far right, last night.
Went to a Happy Home.
<3
Worked at Sis, Jo Ann's Home, yesterday.
{Estate Sale... June 5, thru 8. Stay Tuned!! : ) }
Working on getting through....
The above... was labeled,
'Bess and Bud'.
{paternal grandmother, and Dad.}
Somehow... I don't think so.
Dad... had a Definite Widow's Peak...
Long Arms,
and...
Big... Fists.
: )
We'll see what Cousin, Shirley Conner 'H'... has to say.
; )
She'll Know.
: )
Pretty certain... the above, I found in Sister, Jo Ann's Singer Sewing Machine's drawer...
was of her Dad, and mine... astride a Pony, with Uncle Ted... holding the reins.
<3
Behind... is most likely the Derby, Iowa... Farm, where The Boy's were born and raised.
<3
It's Such a GIFT to run across these images.
<3
I, have only a few images of Dad.
None...
from his Childhood, and Derby.
Tho... Dad had shared So Many Stories, of his Childhood, with me...
while Bouncin' down the back roads... to Farm Auctions, and Farms where he cut scrap iron, when I was young, it's Wonderful... having 'Pictures'.
: )
Dad's 'Stories'...
were
Always...
Positive...
Loving... Happy... Humorous....
'Stories'.
'Memories'
; )
<3
Folk's are doing some remodeling, upstairs...
at The Estate, so... I focused on the lower level, yesterday.
: )
Sorted, and went through... many, many... old vinyl records.
Above... is a Thimbleful.
: )
Brother in Law, Bill....
was an 'Engineer'... on Many Levels.
: )
Bill brought a 1964, and a half....
Mustang,
with...
a
High Performance 289...
{California Special}
4 barrel carb,
Way Around,
for me.
<3
Dad, and I... spotted the Mustang... for sale, in a yard near Collins Road, in Cedar Rapids.
$250.00
{a Lot of Money... for an old Mustang, like Dad was cutting up for Scrap, back then.
I used to save the Pony Emblems... from the Mustangs, he scrapped.}
I... was a Ford Mustang 'Freak', in 1978.
{most possibly, from the day I was born. ; ) and, 'til the day I die.}
That little Mustang, had been driven from California, by the Girl... who had it for sale.
No rust.
Sadly... the Mustang... hadn't run right, since she'd returned to Iowa, with it.
{In my mind...
'Trucks'... should be the Only thing on the road. Everything 'else', should be a Mustang.}
Dad entrusted... his Son in Law...
Bill, to rebuild the little Mustang's
4 Barrel Carb.
I'll never forget Bill, handing the Mustang's Carb, over...
to me.
: )
Rebuilt...
Perfectly...
Precisely...
by, Bill Ronnenburg Sr.
: )
<3
I...was 15.
and...
felt a little better about
'Bill'.
; )
see, before that, well...
I wasn't too fond of
'Bill'.
Noticed, when I was about 7 years old,
Brother in Law... Bill, stood a bit 'taller', than my Dad.
: (
Uh oh.
: (
In my eyes, back then... and, Always,
'Nobody'
should stand Taller, than
'Dad'.
: )
<3
Shared that Story... with Bill, the last time we visited.
: )
He Laughed!!!
: )
Me... Too!!
<3
: )
The image, labeled...
'Bess, and Bud',
well, I find...
'wrong'.
: /
?
Jo Ann's Family... hasn't decided to sell...
the Above, Amazing... Stove, that I'm Certain Jo Ann Loved to Cook On.
<3
{Jo Ann, was an Amazing Cook!! <3 }
<3
: )
Sold a Big... Mushroom, this evening.
<3
Who... couldn't Smile, looking at them.
??
: )
Priceless.
Love to Ya...
Prayers, for All.
Barb C.
Friday, May 23, 2025
Estate Sale... Comin' Quick!! June 5, thru 8!!! Stay Tuned!!
Above is Jo Ann, and Bill's...
{Sis, and Brother in Law}
Home.
<3
{Estate Sale... will be June 5 thru 8, 2025.
More details... closer to Sale Time. : ) }
Jo Ann, and Bill...
Married in 1959, moved into the above....
'Home' shortly after.
<3
Remember... as a child, visiting Jo Ann, with Dad.
We, over the years, when I was little, joined Jo Ann, Bill...
their Children... and The 'Millersburg' Conner 'Tribe', a time or two...
at Christmas, and... Thanksgiving.
<3
Their 'Home'.... was to me, like the
'Leave it to Beaver'...
'Home'.
<3
'Perfect'.
<3
{but... not for me...
I, always admired... but, knew... I couldn't 'live' that 'lifestyle'.
a little too structured, I guess.}
: )
<3
Jo Ann... was Blessed to get Dad's.... Shocking Blue, Irish Eyes...
<3 <3 <3
guess...
I was Blessed to Inherit Dad's Long Arms... and 'Crazy'!!! Hahahahaha!!! }
Jo Ann was pretty much, a 'Stay at Home'... Mom, until their Children were grown.
<3
Was telling Niece, Julie...
how much I loved listening to Jo Ann talk.
: )
Jo Ann... had The Conner... 'Gift of Gab'. <3
: )
When Jo Ann spoke, she had a 'lilt' in her voice.
: )
Friend, Marion Jacobs... did, as well.
<3
A subtle...
Laughter.
: )
Used to so love watching Jo Ann, as she told her stories.
: )
Sometimes... I, didn't hear a word, she spoke.
As I wrote... above, I... was too mesmerized by her eyes.
yes...
Jo Ann, was so Blessed to inherit...
our
Dad's Shocking Blue Irish Eyes, that Danced while telling Tales.
: )
I could See...
our Dad...
in her eyes.
; )
priceless.
<3
Jo Ann's Home... is Beautiful.
She, and Bill... Lived, Shared... a Wonderful Life, there.
<3
Sent Julie with The Millersburg Cookbook, and their Forever... Church's Cook Book.
<3
Simply...
Iowa.
: )
Jo Ann, and Bill... also, appreciated our Iowa roots.
Grant Wood.
{prints}
<3
Farm... too.
; )
Was Flyin'.... trying to make a 'Plan', for this 'Estate'.
We have Rules for these 'Sales'.
: )
{yes... even Old...Auntie Barbie, can become a Drill Sergeant.}
: )
Don't throw, donate... 'give'...
ANYTHING away.
but...
Take...
Everything 'Personal' away,
before we step in.
Take Everything... that 'Family'... wants to keep.
: )
Before...
we step in.
; )
We'll set personal items, and documents... aside.
We... don't throw any documents, family photos... anything, to a Fault...
that we feel are 'Personal', away, that we feel were 'Missed' by 'Family'.
<3
Uncle Ted.
{left}
the...
grandfather, I never 'knew'...
{center}
and...
The Great Grandparents...
Marion S., and Flora Belle {Shuck} Conner,
who raised
'The Boys'.
<3
Sisters, Joyce...
and,
Jo Ann.
<3
Julie had many boxes set aside to 'Take', she hadn't quite gotten to, I did.
: (
Seems, there's never enough time.
: (
Came down... kinda hard, on Julie, day before yesterday.
: (
Trust me... I know exactly, where she's at.
: (
Part of me... wants to Hold Her in my Arms, and Comfort... her.
<3
but...
there's another part,
that knows...
we Have to
Get This Done.
: (
Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.
Barb C.
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