Thursday, December 25, 2025
Wishing All... A Very Merry Christmas!!
Wishing All...
A Very Merry Christmas!!
<3 <3 <3
Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.
Barb C.
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
Merry Christmas... Eve.
Merry Christmas Eve...
to
All.
<3
I've been running since 5 a.m.
The Holiday's... are Wonderful, but...
a little Exhausting!!
; )
Grandson, Justin... rode with me today, Shopping.
; )
At the last store... he said,
"I Can't Take This!! Way Too Many People!! I'll wait in the car."
: )
Tis The Season!!
; )
It Ain't for The Faint of Heart!!
Hahahahahaha!!!
Glad Justin joined me.... we had a Lovely Lunch, and he found Cranberries for me.
Every Single 'Big' Store was Sold Out!!
We called them All!!
: (
but...
Justin found a Tiny Neighborhood Grocery Store, that had some.
<3
What a Cool Little Store!!
When we got Home... Justin helped carry everything inside.
<3
He's a Keeper!!
; )
<3
Found The HUGE Grinch Balloon at Target.
5.00.
Couldn't Pass Him Up!!
; )
The Kid's will Like Him!!
<3
Heading to Pal, Allyson's tonight.
<3
She's invited her Pals, and Family... over.
Allyson Creates Such a Beautiful Christmas Eve Dinner for us all.
<3
Celebrating 'Christmas' on Friday... with Son, Justin's Family, and Friends.
<3
I'll be spending Christmas Day... Baking Pies, and making Food.
; )
Making a Dutch Apple, and a Sweet Potato Pie.
: )
Oh Boy!!
; )
Wishing All...
a
Merry, and Peaceful...
Christmas Eve.
<3
Hope Santa's Good to Ya...
; )
Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.
Barb C.
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Memories.
Busy... Busy, today.
Spent a Bunch of time... with Grandson, Justin.
<3
: )
Shared Many Stories... with him.
<3
Justin... Laughed, and Laughed.
; )
<3
{yes... 'Grandma' has a 'Funny Bone'.}
; )
Many FB Memories... popped up, today.
: )
below... are a few.
Seems, maybe... I was a little smarter back then.
yet,
not much has changed, in my mind...
So incredibly True.
<3
Hahahahahaha!!!
Just Sayin'!!
; )
<3
Indeed.
; )
The Iowa Department of Transportation...
1990's first Condemnation of our Land.
: (
Bless their hearts.
They taught me 'much'...
back then.
: (
Sadly... I couldn't 'see' it... this time, like in the 90's.
I believed...
foolishly, like all the rest.
: (
; )
Indeed.
Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.
Barb C.
Monday, December 22, 2025
Tik Tok...
Christmas is Fast... Approaching.
Oh... My!!
'Time'...
oh my.
The 'A' Team... and I gathered yesterday morning to Move a Dear Soul.
: )
I was so worried about the parking.
: (
Nightmare.
We opted not to take Dale's Trailer.
{Good Thing!!}
The Move was only half of a block... but there were some BIG...
Heavy...
Pieces, that were moving.
Pals... Dale, Bill... and Jay, met me yesterday morning, in Fairfax. I drove The Ford, they followed in Dale's Van.
Pals... Steph, and her Hubby... Marc, joined up with us at 'The Move' site.
We knew it was going to be a difficult 'Move', for many reasons.
It was a sad... 'Move'.
: (
We all hated that part of it.
We've all been 'there', knew... it wasn't going to be 'easy'.
but...
once the 'A' Team Pulled together...
we made it the most
'Fun'...
we could.
<3
We shared a Lot... of Laughs.
Humor... can turn around an ugly situation... pretty quick.
; )
{Trust me... when We All Get Together, it's like a Comedy Show!!
: )
We've Got to get a Tik Tok Live Stream goin' so You Can See!!}
We, also... opted to not use the vehicles.
We Rolled Everything Down The Sidewalk!!
Many Trips.
; )
Perfect!!
The Weather was Great...
{Blessing}
What wasn't so 'Great'... was moving Everything up two flights of stairs.
: (
The Fireproof Filing Cabinet... and a Massive Three Part Desk, was a Challenge.
: )
The 'A' Team... Made It Happen!!
: )
{I... never had a doubt. I... 'Know' These People!!
'Failure' is Not an Option!!
EVER!!}
: )
Jay, and Our Dear Soul's Brother in Law... Jeff, took the Massive Desk completely apart.
Without those two...
: )
well, Steph said...this morning,
"We all would've been 'Cowering in a Corner' with This Move!!"
Hahahahahahaha!!!
; )
The Move... is Done.
Steph... re-measured, we got the Entire 'Family' Desk... in the new space.
; )
That... was HUGE.
Lightened my heavy heart... concerning this 'Move'.
<3
So Incredibly Grateful... for Dear Friends.
<3
'Mountain Movers'.
<3
Steph referred to us as a 'Motley Crew' yesterday.
: )
that...
we are.
<3
A Motley Crew...
that gets Sh!t Done.
; )
The 'A' Team... pulled together for
The Dear Soul,
because they Know...
He's One of Us.
<3
When people tell you...
'You're Crazy'...
'That can't be done.'
'It'll Never Work.'
; )
remember...
All of The Best People Are....
a little...
Crazy.
; )
{just... don't get in their way.}
; )
Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.
Barb C.
Sunday, December 21, 2025
Indeed.
Up early... this morning.
Threw in a load of Laundry... last night, went to throw it in the dryer, a bit ago...
: )
Seems the washer... decided to die, in the night.
: (
It took me a long time to get the washer's lid unlocked.
; )
Great way... to start the day off.
; )
Hahahahahahaha!!!!
Handwashed what I needed...
threw it in the dryer.
now...
COFFEE!!!
I Got My 'Game' On...
; )
Yeah Boy!!
Sunday Mornin'...
; )
Some days... there isn't enough coffee on The Planet.
Away We Go!!
Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.
Barb C.
Saturday, December 20, 2025
The Memory Tree.
Oh...
Christmas Tree.
<3
Already gettin' a little melancholy... thinking about taking 'The Tree' down on New Year's Day...
even tho...
it's been Standing for over a year.
<3
In the last two years... I've struggled with two 'Firsts'... in my life, since I moved away from Home, concerning
'Christmas'.
The First, 'First'... was two years ago, when I didn't put up our Family Christmas Tree.
The Second 'First', is when we didn't take it down, on New Year's Day, last year.
Left it 'Standing'...
the entire year,
because I believe It Deserved to.
<3
Make up...
for
The 'Lost'... Christmas.
I've Truly... Enjoyed 'The Tree' every single day, this year.
<3
It's a 'Memory Tree'.
: )
All of our Loved One's... are represented on 'The Tree'.
<3
Friends... 'Family'.
: )
Loved Ones.
<3
If ya look close, at 'The Tree'... there's many 'Ornaments' that aren't a vintage...
'Shiny Brite'.
: )
There's Cards... Pictures... Letters....License Plates... Old Farm Toys, a Cello... a Violin, and So Much More.
; )
'Memories'.
<3
Tomorrow, me... and Many of my Pal's.... are helping a Dear Soul, 'downsize', of sorts.
Thinking about that 'Move', made me think... of a 'Downsize' here, at Home...
long ago.
I'd gratefully stumbled across The Most Amazing 'Harvest Table' I'd ever seen, years ago.
It came from a Catholic Church.
It was Older than Dirt.
10 1/2 feet long.
Pegged together.
Trestle Table.
: )
'Beyond'...
; )
It was like a Landing Strip... in our dining room.
; )
No Matter.
It Was 'Beyond'.
; )
<3 <3 <3
Times got a little Tuff, some Dear Friends, 'Buyers' came through, they made me an offer I couldn't refuse, for The Harvest Table.
Sold it.
thought...
"I can live without it... I'll just pull up the little side table, sip my morning coffee from it... like I did, from The Harvest Table. : ) until I find something else. Make my morning calls... No Worries."
: )
Pulled the 1840's 'Side Table'... to the center of the dining room.
Poured myself a cup of coffee...
my knee hit the leg of the little table,
Coffee went Everywhere...
: (
"I Can't Do This!!!"
: (
I was Sobbing!!!!
: (
Missed That Old Harvest Table... So!!!
: (
More than That....
I Missed The Morning Rituals,
me and That Old...'Landing Strip'
shared.
: (
Sitting at the end of it...
Visiting with my Friends Every Morning.
<3
Called John, asked him about The Old Harvest Table...
he'd been working on.
{That Old Table... had a Sway Back. Big Time, that John, Miraculously made Straight.}
John said...
"The Round Oak???"
No...
the one... with the 'Sway Back'.
: )
John said...
"You can't want to bring that old table in the house."
Yes...
I Do.
: )
Asked John... to please have The Boys, bring it up.
: )
When John saw it, that night... after The Boys set it...
: )
he...
had to admit how perfect it was.
; )
I have to admit... how Perfect it is.
As much as I despise...
'Change', well...
; )
Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.
Barb C.
Friday, December 19, 2025
Christmas... Comin' Quick!!
Can't Believe...
Christmas is Less than a Week...
Away!!
Oh My!!
Love...Love... listening to Christmas Music, that plays 24/7 on the radio.
<3
: )
Heading to The Hiawatha Estate, in a bit...
Folk's are Picking Up... a Bunch, today!!
; )
Had to laugh... during The Sale, Pal, Dale... was there every day.
Bill... brought several DVD's to watch.
but...
we played only One, during The Entire Sale.
'A Christmas Story'.
<3
Dale... had Never Seen It!!
{Nor... did he Want To!!!
Bah Humbug!!!}
Hahahahahahaha!!!
We Tortured Dale...with It!!
; )
however...
after he actually started watching it...
oh my.
; )
He Roared.... at some of the scenes!!
: )
Pretty soon, Dale would say,
"Oh... here comes my Favorite Scene!!"
{When Ralphie's Mom... Breaks The Leg Lamp!!
the
'Major Award'!!}
Hahahahaha!!!
; )
When The Kids were little, we watched A Christmas Story, non stop.
They Loved It!!
Me Too!!
<3
My Favorite Christmas movie is
'The Walton's Homecoming...
a
Christmas Story'.
<3
Always think of Dad... while watching it.
<3
He would've been the same age as John Boy, during The Great Depression.
Dad would say... when we watched The Walton's... how True it was, to the way things were when he was growing up, in Derby, Iowa.
<3
<3
Minnesota, Friend, Rhonda... posted the above... on FB.
So
Beautiful.
<3
Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.
Barb C.
Thursday, December 18, 2025
Christmas...
<3
<3
Near... Christmas, 2014.
I'll never know... how Jethro and I, found our way to Peg, and Michael's...
that Dark, Dark... Night, but...we did.
<3
Peg, and Michael... lived Way Back In The Missouri Woods, yes, I swear... Ya Could Hear Banjo Pickin' on those dirt roads!!
; )
Michael, and Peg...
<3 <3
by
The Christmas Tree...
<3
Peg... passed away, April, 2016.
Christmas...
is always a time to reflect.
<3
A Time to be Grateful.
<3
Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.
Barb C.
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Run... Run... Run!! It's 'That' Time of Year!!
Between wrapping up things at The Hiawatha Estate, yesterday...
and keeping appointments, today...
well,
it's been a little
CRAZY!!
<3
The Estate business... went very well, yesterday.
<3
Met with Folks... who ultimately purchased what I'd listed, that didn't sell, during The Sale.
: )
Good Homes.
<3
Many will be picking up... everything, on Friday.
{That'll be another... Crazy Day!! ; ) }
Had an appointment to meet with Dear, Renate, this morning.
{Renate's Antique Gallery, Amana, Iowa}
That went Very Well... then, Renate asked me to Lunch, at
The Ronneburg Restaurant, also, in Amana, Iowa.
<3
It's Always Such a Treat... to go there.
Bud, and Renate... have Treated me many times...
there, over the years.
<3
Renate, and I...
shared many stories...
and Memories...
of
our
Dear...
Budwardo.
<3
We Miss Bud, So.
Wanted to see the progress on The House.
Renate... has done Such an Amazing Job,
designing it.
<3
I See Both, Bud... and Renate in 'The Bones'.
<3
I'm Certain... Bud is Guiding Renate.
Certain.
<3
{Images at a later time. Renate asked me to keep the progress private, for now.
<3
all I can say is...
WOW!!
It's So 'Them'!! }
<3 <3
We enjoyed a Lovely Lunch, and shared a piece of Chocolate Silk...
Pie.
; )
{Starting a diet... on January 1. : ) The 'Holidays'...
have been very...
Good.
Very.}
; )
Grandson, Justin... pulled The Ford into The Shop, today... to see if he could find the leak in the power steering line.
I've been driving The Ford with no power steering for months.
: (
Trust me... Ya Get a Work Out, in Tight Spaces, with no power steering.
; )
It's not like the Old... Trucks, that were built with no power steering.
Those... had front ends that could be greased, to help them steer easy.
The Newer, no can do.
: (
While backing in at JJJ, with The Ford... next to the building, asked a Guy who was loading next to me... to please be patient.
: )
<3
Told him, it might take me a few 'Bites'... to get The Ford 'Cranked In'.
: )
He was Fine, and... Impressed, he said.
: )
"No power steering, and...a Stick Shift. I'm Impressed!!"
Hahahahahahaha!!!
; )
Justin sent me images of Gizmo...
on the Bed of The Ford, this morning.
<3
Gizzy Loves SNOW!!
; )
Loves The Ford, Too!!
He's Always trying to Climb Inside, and on The Bed!!
<3
The Ford, was parked back in the drive, when I got Home...
a bit ago.
<3
Hopefully... The Boys located that evasive leak.
; )
We'll soon find out!!
; )
Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.
Barb C.
Monday, December 15, 2025
Thanks to All...
Thanks To All Who Attended The Hiawatha, Iowa...
Estate Sale!!
The Weather... was Frightful,
but...
it kept few...
away.
; )
{Simply... 'Iowa'}
<3
We weren't really surprised by how Busy... we were.
Others were, but... Bill and I have conducted Sales, and have done The Anamosa Show, in January...
{Below}
during
Blizzards.
; )
Daughter, Liz... was following me, in The Ford...
with a Load, to Anamosa one year, I was driving The FUSO, Box Truck...
{Hog on Skis ; )}
Liz called me, and said...
"MOM!!! I'm NEVER Doing This Again!!!
I Actually HAVE Something to LIVE For!!"
Hahahahahahahaha!!!
<3 <3 <3
One year, Bill and I conducted a Sale... in Cedar Rapids, we were Hit by a Snow, and Ice Storm.
We couldn't make it up the steep Hill, where The Sale was.
Had to park a block away, and have the Gentleman we were doing The Sale for, come get us in his Jeep.
{The 4WD wouldn't engage in The Gyspy, and Bill's Front Wheel Drive Van, wouldn't cut it.}
We figured it would be a very quiet day, at The Sale.
Nope.
; )
Folks Walked Up That Hill!!
WOW!!
<3
The Gentleman we were doing The Sale for... instructed us to give each Shopper a Five Dollar Bill, for Their Endurance!!
: )
<3
The Hiawatha Estate Family, went Above, and Beyond... keeping the drive clear, Snow, after Snow.
: )
Pal, Dale... picked Bill, and I, up... every day, which was AWESOME...
!!!
Climbing into a Warm Bronco every morning, and being 'Chauffeured'...
was a
Gift, to me and Bill!!
Grateful!!
; )
The Shopper's were So Amazing!!
<3
The Best... of The Best.
; )
Meeting with The Estate Family, tomorrow, to get settled up, then...
we'll get The Clean Out scheduled.
The Sale... went Very Well.
There's a few things, we have on line, that we were surprised didn't sell.
The Beautiful Bed, Dresser, and Power Recliners.
but...
have Folks coming tomorrow, and Friday, to look at them.
: )
We're starting on another Estate Sale, that will be in Cedar Rapids mid January.
; )
Stay Tuned.
Son, Justin's... Sweetheart, Christy... sent me the above image, during The Sale.
<3
Romeo, all Nestled in a Haystack.... by The Weeping Willow, with The Chickens.
<3
{yes... They have Barns to shelter... but, Seriously??
What could be Better than Sleeping in a Mound of Hay??
Those Chicken's knew where to be.
Romeo... is a Wonderful 1500 Pound Foot Warmer!!}
<3
Miss. Peanut... doesn't like it when I work long 'Sale' days.
: (
so...
I spoil her a little more, at 'Sale' times.
; )
Some of my Pals... who have lost their Beloved Pets, have decided to not bring 'another' Home.
They say... they can't travel, and are tied down... by having them.
I... understand.
but,
for me, well...
: )
It's Sure Great Having Someone Who Loves Ya....
Waitin' at The Door, after a long day.
<3
and...
Spoiling Them,
for their
'Unconditional Love'...
as
They Should Be!!
<3
Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.
Barb C.
Sunday, December 14, 2025
50% OFF Today at The Hiawatha, Iowa Estate Sale!! {'Bundling' from 2 'til 6!! }
The Weather was tuff yesterday, but It Didn't Keep Folks Away!!
Grateful to All Who Visited!!
; )
Half Off Today!!
There's Still Tons in The Garage... and Throughout The Home!!
Lovely Beds, and Bedding... Adjustable Beds, Queen Bed, Dressers...
Sofas... Dining Table... and Chairs, Bar Stools.... Records, and MUCH MORE!!
Cool Old Iron Grates!!
These are Super at an Entryway!!
Two Power Recliner, Lift Chairs... Like New!!
; )
Everything is very well cared for.
We're Gonna Blow It Out...
Today!!
; )
Don't Miss The Deals!!
Entrance Order Numbers at 8:30, this morning...
Open at 9!!
From 9 - 2 EVERYTHING is 50% OFF!!
; )
at
2 p.m., we'll have Folks Settle Up, for the 50% Off items, then...
they can begin making PILES!!
; )
One Pile/Bundle...
One
Money!!
Oh Boy!!
Away We Go!!
; )
See Ya There!!
Barb C.
Friday, December 12, 2025
Steady Day Two... at The Hiawatha, Iowa Estate Sale!! 25% Off Saturday!! Come Scoop Up The DEALS!!
We had a Very Steady Day Two!!
; )
There's Still... So Much Good Household, Tools... Home Furnishings, Vintage Farm, and MORE!!
; )
25 % Off...
Saturday, December 13!!
Oh BOY!!
Come Scoop Up The DEALS!!
: ) : ) : )
Thanks to All Who Attended, Today!!
Barb C.
{Have heard a LOT... of 'Boo Hooin' concerning The Anvil being Sold, over the last two days.
: (
The Time to Buy something That Good, is when Ya have The Chance.
Ya can't 'think' about it. You have to Pull The Trigger, when you are given the opportunity,
like The Mom 'Did', for her Son.
; )
When I told all of 'The Boys', that are so sad, about procrastinating...
'Who'
The Anvil went to, they were still... a little sad, but... Happy, The Anvil found The Right Hands.
; )
<3
'Old Souls'...
always, always...
find their way to
The Right Hands.}
; )
Always.
<3
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