The Trip...

We started the day off...in Alpha, Illinois....What a Darling Show...I never miss! but....didn't get any images there...{This is the line at Bishop Hill...Holy Smokes!}When Wanda and I arrived at Alpha...we were late.... it opened earlier, than I thought...so we were running Hard...and Fast! We bought some Great Stuff there!!! Then...we beat feet...to Bishop Hill....Thankfully...we were in the first...20, or 30 people... Holy Smokes! What a Crowd! We had a Great time, there, too! Loads of Primitives...and Friends! Quite an Event!!!!

Ran into Soooo Many...Friends! This is Eva, and Mark.... I bought an Amazing Piece from them....

Awwww...Here's Sweet Pat.... She Always has Most Wonderful Treasures!

This was one of my Most Favorite Booths! Loved...Everything In It!!!

I spied this Darling Little Ironstone Pitcher...over the fence, at Bishop Hill...while waiting....bought it...first thing!

These Folks....had Amazing Treasures! I bought the Old Stone Fruit Basket....oh my... LOVE IT!!!!

Mary Ann, and Denny Erenberger...from Amana...was set up....They always....have the most unusual Primitives....

As I was paying for the Ironstone pitcher...the man I purchased it from, said his wife....was setting up...at 3rd Sunday, in Bloomington...{our next stop...an hour or so, away} He said they were opening Set Up...{Early Bird Buying...} Early...
OH MY GOSH!!! I called Wanda...said...Go! Go! Go!!!! We Gotta Fly!!!
Wanda wanted to run into Chery's Shop...at Bishop Hill...and there was a little Garage Sale...I never miss...that a couple of Elderly Folks...always have....that I hated to miss.... So...We Loaded..{thanks to the Helpers...at the Show...for helping us load!} I dropped Wanda off...then ran to the Sale...
I found a few little treasures.... but...spotted this...AMAZING...OLD Rooster...in their Yard!!! {that wasn't for sale...; (...} I visited with the Wife...about it... "No Way"...she said... "Everyone...has wanted that Rooster...and has attempted to buy it....for YEARS!....he'll Never sell it!"... about then...the Husband, asked what we were talking about.... I said..."That Old Rooster...I'd make ya a good offer...on that Old Rooster"... he said.."How Much???!!!"...I said..."What would it take...to make you Happy...???" He thought a moment... looked me in the eye....and shot me a price... I had one word for him...
 " S O L D ! ! ! !"
The blood drained from his face...{let me assure you...it was a lot....it wasn't 20.00....it was pricey....}
I looked at him... and said..."If you don't want to sell it.... I won't hold ya to it...you have had it ...for years...and I don't want you to regret it...." I told him...it was for resale...tho...I hoped...I could enjoy it...for a Long time...but...if he and his Wife...truly...wanted to keep it... No Worries!!! I'd be back...next year!
He said..."Nope! I Like it...but Don't Love It! {his Wife said the same thing...: ) } They had been married over 60 years! What a darling Couple! I have always...just loved stopping there....and visiting with them...and always...find Treasures there...I like going to see them...as much as the Show...: )
The Man...Grabbed that Heavy Rooster..{I BEGGED Him...to let me!!!! He's 82 years Old!!!} and carried it to the truck... {about 50 feet!!!!} Oh My! {They don't make Men...Like That...anymore!!!}
I was Delighted....to buy the Old Rooster... It was my FIND...for the Day! and Told them so!
I had visited....soooo long...Wanda walked...several blocks... to find me...{oh dear}
We Bailed in the Fuso...and Beat feet...Towards...Bloomington!
We Shopped 'til we Dropped...Saturday..at Bloomington.... Holy Smokes...Loaded Heavy! Got a Huge...Pine Cupboard...the 8 foot Drawered Piece... 6 Corinthian Topped Columns...Big...Cool Laundry Baskets...and Tons of Dibby Dabbies!Wanda...bought...Loads...of Great Smalls.... and I spied...the Best Birdbath... I have seen in YEARS!!!! With no price...and the dealers were gone...until, the next morning.... That...Drove Me Crazy! {all I could think about...all night...was that Frickin' Birdbath!} We had a Lovely Supper....at a Fabulous Italian Restaurant...and...threw back...some...Cool...Refreshing Beverages...that night...it had been a Long.....Hot....Day!
We arrived...at the show...at 6:30, the next Morn...and Hit It Hard!!!! I had left my name, with the Birdbath Owners neighbor...and kept checking back...every few minutes.... until...they arrived! And Bought It! Oh My! The owner helped us load it...and...so much of our other Big Purchases! What a Sweet Heart!
We were all dripping with sweat...by the time we headed out the gates... oh my...it was before Noon....
but a Real Cooker Outside!!!
Then...we hit the road...again! We were headed to Missouri...
The Fuso...was getting a bit thirsty...so we pulled into a Truck Stop...All the Semi pumps were down....so we were directed to where the RV's Fuel up... Diesel....There were six Diesel Pumps....and just as I finally got one started {they were a Mess! You had to lift two handles...on two separate pumps...to get them to work...}...filling the Fusie...Wanda said..."is that Diesel?".... OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!! CORRECTION! There are FIVE Diesel pumps....ONE that doesn't read...Gasoline...oh no....simply a little sticker...that says...'Ethanol Blend'....OH MY GOSH!!! I Whipped that Nozzle out of the tank....and was...HOPPING!!!!! I had just pumped in...1.7 gallons of gas...in my Diesel....Truck....
Got on the phone...called Justin...{who owns a diesel truck....and Mark, our other Mechanic....}...all the time...  wondering....how far I'd have to walk...to find a garden  hose...: ( : ( : ( {and...how much fuel...I'd have to drink...before...I got it goin'....I hate...syphoning gas...: (}
They both said....fill it up...and drive it easy....
Poor Little Fusie! I had POISONED HIM!!!!!
He ran...but...he was definitely...not...up to par....Very....Sluggish.... Kind of like me...when I take a Benedryl.... Sleeeeeeepy....: (
Colleen had told us...some places to check out...and to call...another friend...who knew the area...., about a place....on our travels...
When I talked to him...he told us...about a Shop...he really enjoyed....so, we headed there...
Oh My! It was Amazing! I Loved Everything! {and told the Owners So!!! Repeatedly!}
When we walked in the Shop... The Owner said.."You must have been at Third Sunday"...I said..."Yep....both days...and found some neat stuff..." I'd asked about a couple of things...and planned to make a trip back...in the Fall...I need some of what they have...then....{Big...Staffordshire Platters...and Compotes....}but...not on this trip....{had many places to go....and was keeping track of Funds...and Fragile Purchases...but...I thought...I WILL Be Back!!!}
Wanda found some things...and as we were walking out the door....Wanda asked if there were other stores in the area, he would recommend....{he didn't hear her...so I asked him...}
He said...."By the type of things I see you look for.... I would send you to..........{I won't say where.... but...it was a Store that carries mainly... Imports...from China...and Reproduction Antiques....It's not a bad place.... it simply doesn't have Antiques...in otherwords....it was a slam...a...Big...Slam...and...had I driven there...on his recomendation...I would have paid him a visit...on the way out of town...}"....
Have you EVER SEEN A VIPER SMILE!!!!????
I turned to him...Like a Cobra!!!! INSTANTLY!!!! {I even surprised myself....as Whipped as I was...I never thought...I could be that quick...} Ready to STRIKE!!!! And with a Smile on my Face.....I said...
"Wait a Minute...IS THAT..What YOU Think...We Buy?????!!!!...Is It...REALLY....???!!!!!" {my voice...always.....changes....and I sound like my Sister, Merry Jo...when she gets mad...I hate that...} {the man had been leaning forward...on his stool...behind his desk... but....by the look on his face....HE SAW A COBRA....ready to STRIKE...and tho... we were 10 feet apart....he leaned...WAAAAAY back..on his seat....and said...Sheepishly..."oh...you Know...that place..? "...
"Ahhhh...Yes...I Do...".... and walked out the door...and...will never...go back...
Look...I know...we looked a sight....and..probably...didn't smell too good...
But...I'll guarantee...I would have dropped A LOT...of Money....in the Fall....
I was SMOKING!!!! I Pulled in front of his shop...Laid oh the Horn...of the Tired Fuso....and Gave Them a Big Wave!!!!
Thanks Boys!!!!
That had me TWISTED...the rest of the day!
I called Peg....and said...Make Room...We Are Coming in...For a Landing!!!!
It was several hours...to her door...but...so worth it...
We had such a Lovely Visit.... Wanda bought Tons of Gnarly Gourds...that Peg can't use...because they are too thin, to carve.... and we all had a Relaxing...Time...!
I hadn't slept good...nor had Wanda...Friday night...I may have had 3 hours of sleep....and it was HOT....No Air...in 'ol Fusie....So...when I dropped into Peg's Feather Tic... that Sunday Night...I slept like a Baby!
We were up and running...Early...Monday Morn!
Hit Many Shops...Fast....
I found the Giant Swans...was hoping...they wouldn't accept my offer....when they did....I thought Wanda...was going to DROP!
The Nice...Man...at the Shop...helped us Load...
I still don't know how we got them in.... oh my...
Then...the next stop..I found a Cupboard.... and...a Kind Man..there...helped us load it....The Swans...filled the floor...of the back third, of the Fusie... so...he found cardboard...and we started stacking on top of them...Holy Smokes....
Then...we stopped at another place.... It Was So Hot...in There....I didn't want to ask for help...moving a Cupboard...The women working...were sitting in air...one was older...one was pregnant...and one..was a bit...shall I say...grumpy...: ){the Awesome Early Cupboard...we strapped on the back of Fusie} It was Buried...and I needed to see the back...I had to move a Canoe...off of it...and all sorts of stuff... I saw a sign...on the top, of it... and Wanda warned me....it could fall...but no...I slid the cupboard too far.... the sign fell...and broke...so...The Old Cupboard...cost me another 85.00.... Grrrr...Then...when I was moving a Grinding stone...for the 10th time...to make room...before we loaded.... the cupboard onto the back... I put the iron shaft...through my Tail Light!!!!
Oh My Gosh!!!!
It was 100 degrees out...and...I think...warmer...inside the building...yowza....
I was TWISTED!!!!
But...we got on our way...headed North... and hit...one last shop....where Wanda found some Awesome Treasures....!!!
A nice Man, there helped us...load...I loosened the ratchet straps...on the Cupboard... tipped it ahead...opened the door....and he climbed up...and fed things...on top of everything...he said..."Looks like things have shifted in here....there is a Cupboard....all sideways..." Wanda said.."No...we had to load it that way"....It was an Ugly...looking Load! I mean...Ug...Ly...! : ).... but...a Good One!
I missed our turn....and it took us a bit out of  our way...{Farmer Friend, Lynn... guided us...on an Alternate Route!} but...by then...who cares...
The Truck was running good...The Sun... was setting....
and we were in Iowa...
Holy Smokes!
What a TRIP!!!
It was great seeing Everyone...throughout the Shows...
Love to Ya!
Barb C

The Crowd at Bloomington...was Crazy! {this is nothing...I didn't think to get an image...until we were rolling out the gates...} I'm So Glad...we Shopped Early Bird...and with that ticket...we got in...before it opened...on Sunday Morn...It was a ZOO!!!

This Early Ironstone Piece...rode with us... in the Cab... It was Scary...in the Back...Whew...

Here's Colleen...! She and Daryl...set up at Bishop Hill...then Early Bird Shopped....in Bloomington...on Sunday....
We are All...Frickin'...Crazy! But...then.... All The Best People Are!!!!

There are Many Open Buildings...at Bloomington...and Inside..too!

These are Great...Old Laundry Carts! They Roll...so Nice...and I Love the Old Canvas...!

This is a Bad...image..of the Coolest Birdbath...oh my...

Awwww....Pegadoo...and Mike... What Lovely...Lovely...People!

Wanda was Thrilled with the gourds! Very...Gnarly!

PEG IS WORKING ON A GOURD!!!!!! YAY!!!! Please...keep her in your Prayers.... She Says...THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!!!! {and...so...do I... : ) }

I sat...on Mike and Peg's, deck...overlooking their Pond....and soaked...in The Most...Wonderful....'Peace'...It truly is...God's Country....

The Boys and John...unloaded....early Tuesday Morn....Wanda came...and gathered up...her Treasures....

Even...Brutus...lended a Hand...What a Good Boy!

Insanity....

Trying to get the house...pulled together, for Visitors...on Monday.

Seems...I'm getting pulled from every direction.

From plumbing...to outside work.

And...Everything, in between.

oh my.

Yesterday, Marilyn, {The Queen of Hearts} and her Beautiful Daughter, Lauren, called out of the blue.

They wanted to bring a few things out.

Told them I'm chained to the house, but I'd meet them at The Rabbit Hole.

So Grateful...They thought of me...

however...

it turned into a long day, and into the night.

Destroyed the front end of The Rabbit Hole.

The Fainting Couch, nearly did me in.

I, was Shaking.

A Wardrobe made it's way inside the front greenhouse, but...had to move a pie safe...and so much more...to make it happen.

We PILED the other things...in the back greenhouse, it's a MESS.

Mess.

It's gonna Stay That Way.

, 

I gotta tell ya, I...am exhausted.

Simply...

Exhausted.

still...

have a Million Miles to Go...in the house.

: (

Getting that Fainting Couch...in, having to move Mountains...to be able to get it inside....then, place everything that had been done, again...well....

yeah....

I was Shaking.

Now, not only had the House to get done...but the shop...too.

Too Much.

I'm Grateful.

<3

but...so, so....exhausted.

and angry.

'Visitors'...

are The Last Thing I Need, right now.

The Last Thing.

Seems I can't stay on a project without being pulled from it.

Daughter, Liz...calls this 'Shenanigans'.

Always Something.

She says... "Mom you're so good at Multi Tasking. You'll get this done"

Seriously.

Seriously.

This morning I feel like Rooster Cogburn, in True Grit.

{below}

The Gunfight scene.

Rooster put the bridle reins in his teeth...and charges into Battle, against 4 men, shooting with both hands.

"Fill Your Hands...You Son of a Bitch!!!'

If...I can just find my hundredth wind, and Charge...

One More Time.

Told the Kids...I can't celebrate Easter with them this year.

No way.

I'll be lucky to get much sleep, over the next 3 days.

Kept telling Marilyn, and Lauren...yesterday, how sorry I was...for my frustrations.

How...I Truly appreciated Them....but, The Heat Is On.

It's Overwhelming.

Seems, it always has been, since dealing with IDOT.

Exhausting.

That makes me angry, because...

It Shouldn't Be.

None of It.

Love to Ya.

Prayers...for All.

Barb C.

Thought of my Favorite scene in The Outlaw Josey Wales...movie, 

{above}

 this morning...too.

I've often leaned on that clip.

That's a Fact.

Sometimes ya gotta get 'Plumb...Mad Dog...Mean'....to git'er done.

oh my.

 

Back to Work!!

Back to Work!!

; )

Literally... 

my

'Back'...

is

Workin'!!

Yippee!!

<3

Amazing what a Day of Rest...

Hot... Bubble Baths,

and some old... extremely outdated, muscle relaxer's can DO!!

; )

Hahahahahaha!!!

: )

Workin' on The Cedar Rapids, Iowa...

Estate Sale

Today!!

; )

{Feb. 6th thru 9th!! Stay Tuned!!}

Received a call... yesterday, that... uh, made me Smile.

: )

Made me, somehow... think back to when I was about two. 

{???}

Sammy... The Spider Monkey, and a Mean...

One Eyed Rooster.

Long Story.

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Gatherings.....With Sweet Jo....

Jo and I had a wonderful. last couple of days... we shopped 'til we dropped! Jo helped me put a wardrobe together, for Nashville! She has always worn a 'Oilily' style... and I Love it! She helped me with a look that I like...'Anthropologie'... a free spirited, Gypsy Style! Lot's of hot pinks, lime green...Paisley...oh dear... Not a look I wear, when I'm out Gathering... but at a Show... it will be so fun! I have a look, forming, for Heart of Country... It's going to be...Way Cool!!!!! Jo has really inspired! 

We had great fun...

I found a jar of the coolest rubber balls... pastel thread wooden spools...a beautiful, Black Transferware Platter....very early...Lovely fragments. of hand made lace....just loads of great 'littles'... and...of course...another fricken...quilt.... oh my Gosh! Jo found some fun stuff, too.... she was very Happy!

She liked the Old Rope Bed...and said sleeping on the Old Feather Tick, was like sleeping on a Cloud.... and rested well...We had supper with Dale, and his Mom, Coletta, Tuesday night...it was great... Then, last night, we had a wonderful supper, with Liz, at Leonardo's... {my camera was dead! no images....}Jo is getting ready to head home...{she just said, she'd like to stay a bit longer...I would Love to keep her!!!} We are going to spend more time together...and that's that!

Hope You all have a Great Day!

Barb C.

{I will have to say...we Both Love that Golden...'Rooster'... he's, pretty much... Blow Your Mind!}

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.

The Princess turns 23.....

Here is Liz, around 9 years old, when we had our chickens... Our eggs were off the charts... It was Liz's job, to gather the eggs... But, we had a mean rooster, and brother, he had us all on the run... Those were the days...

My, my... 23 years ago, today, the caboose, to our family was brought to us.... My Sister, Merry Jo, flew in from Washington State, to keep an eye on 2 year old, and extremely active, Justin, while I was in the hospital... Back then, they kept us for 5 days... {scheduled C-section} She weighed 9 pounds, 6 and a half ounces, and was 23 inches long... { Just a little smaller than her brother, Justin} Merry Jo, my other sis', Chery, and Mom brought in all sorts of darling little dresses, to the hospital... I couldn't wait to play 'dress up', with my new dolly... She slept on my chest, in the hospital, almost every minute... She was a cuddler, since day one... She always wanted to be held, and was a wonderful baby... Slept through the night, soon, after we brought her home... She remained my 'side kick', until she was around 12... Then, the war was on... Me wanting to keep her my baby, and hold on tight, and Liz, pulling away, as hard as she could... We are so much alike, it's scary... I did the same thing... when I was 12.... I was scared to death, but my friends kept saying..."She'll come back to you"... I didn't believe it... but, they were so very right... She's my side kick, again, and I love it... and her... Liz has been part of the Antiquing, since it began... She's travelled all over the country, with me, and I visited with the school, and told them, {like my Dad told my school} She would learn a lot more, interacting, and helping with the business, than she could ever learn at school, during the same period... They agreed... Everyone loved her, at the shows... they couldn't believe, how hard she worked... Liz has truly been a blessing to us... She will always be our Princess...

Happy Birthday... Love Mom...

This blurry version, is Liz, at 18... Come to think of

it...

Those years, were a blur!

Here she is, today, in her little house, with her big dog, Maggie, and the cool piece she bought from Lynn, at my Sale... We got it to fit... She's a lot happier, now, than she was earlier... when she thought it wouldn't fit... My, my... Sooo much like her mother...

Oh dear...

Cock a Doodle Doo!!!!! Ya Hoo! A Fun Day with Jo!

Jo and I went Junkin'!!!!Found all sorts of Fun Stuff!!!!Lot's of images, tomorrow!!!
{I found this Amazing....mid 1900's Metal Rooster! Cool! Cool! Cool! It's Heavy, and Gnarly....Perfect!}{Did I mention...it's HUGE!!!!}

Barb C.

Vernon... The "Cell Phone Man"

I'll introduce you, to my life line... My little cell... It has traveled thousands of miles, and been engaged in millions, of very important conversations.... I love it... I get teased, by everyone, at my old cell... It's 5 years old, and I dropped it in the bathroom sink, under hot water, the first day I had it... I have never replaced the battery, and is the only phone, I know of, that has a wonderful 'Rooster Crow', for a ring tone! Perfect for an Antiques dealer... People are amazed, that it is a camera phone... They say, " a phone that old, is a camera phone?" You betcha! It's kind of like everything I own... and me, myself...pretty primitive.... Well, as I was visiting with a friend, this morning, my life line totally shut down! All it said, was something about a 'sim' card, and went totally black! Oh no...oh no.... My heart sank... So I hopped in the truck, and went to visit Vernon... Vernon was referred to me, 5 years ago, by the phone store, my cell plan is through...{ when the phone they sold me, bit the dust, minutes after the short warranty had expired!} His store, is not in the wealthiest neighborhood, in Cedar Rapids, and is kind of off the beaten path... I walked in, and Vernon had a welcoming smile on his face... I told him the situation, and I didn't want a 2 or 3 hundred dollar.phone, just one I can talk on, and not too many gadgets! He grabbed this one, out of the case, and it was a match made in Heaven! Vernon assured me, he would stand behind it, but it was a really good phone, and I shouldn't have any problems... He was so right! I reached for my check book, to pay him, then saw the sign, "cash only" Our eyes met, and he said, "I'll take your check..." I was so thankful, it would have taken me an hour, to get back, with cash! About 3 years later, my phone wouldn't charge... I thought, this could be it... a new phone... So, I ran over to see Vernon... I explained the situation, then showed him the phone... He burst out laughing! "You still have that old phone?", I was hurt, for a second... and replied, " I haven't been back to buy a new one, have I???" He looked it over, grabbed a new charger, and it took right off! I asked, "how much...{ with glee}", he said, ah 5.00. Wow, what a bargain, John had repaired my old charger, a year earlier, with an extension cord end, and it must have given up, the fix! Well, today, when my lil' pal quit, I headed straight to see Vernon... As I was pulling up, to his store, I saw a cross, in front of his place, with Teddy Bears, and all sorts of flowers and notes... I walked up, closer, and saw the sign... Vernon had died...about a week ago... My heart just sank... He was such a kind, gentle man... He was African American, and reminded me of Louis Gosset Jr. The picture of health, always a smile, even when he was very busy... He always made you feel like, he would take care of things... He did... He was a year older than me, which surprised me... I would have thought him to be at least 10 years younger... I could see, by all the Memorials, he was a loved Man, in the community... I got in the truck, and said a prayer for him... I'm gonna miss him... I sent Vernon a lot of customers... He was a good, honest, fair Man... I knew he would treat people right... and he always did... I went on, to see about my phone, at the 'strip mall', as I walked in the door, I saw the same charger, Vernon had sold me, for 5.00, there for 20.00... There were some young kids, running the store... They were very nice, but not Vernon... I asked, if anyone knew him, and what had happened, a customer, waiting, said Vernon had a heart attack.... My phone, only required a battery... After 5 years, it deserves one... I will always keep this little phone, even when it bites the dust... in Memory, of my friend, Vernon... Barb C.

Summer... down the rabbit hole.

I spent the HOT weekend.... working down the rabbit hole....
oh my...
it's quite a sight.
The last two sales.... took me in other direction....{Tents...Gazebo... Yard... and... several road trips... to gather things, that had to be gathered... THEN. }
 Thankfully Peg...and Liz.... {Katie, too...} did their best... to pull the rabbit hole up....  oh my.
{I nearly... locked the doors... but, I thought people would rather 'dig'.... than be locked out. }
yes....
It's quite a sight.
Indeed.
: )
but... little by little.... I'm gittin' 'er done. : )
The Currier and Ives picture, above.... always reminds me of this time of year.
'Little Daisy'... : )
I Love these Old... {late 1800's {1860's and 70's..} pieces.....for two reasons.....
One... They are all hand colored.
They came out... black and white.... then women, children.... and Folks... who couldn't work on their feet.... {older Folks...or...ones who had physical problems....}
would each have a color.... these would be passed along.....
One person might only paint blue.... another... red.
They are reproduced.... so.... you have to look closely at them....
If you see the paint.... outside the lines.... : ) then you know.... it was hand done. : )
<3
The 2nd.
My Friend, Eudora.... collected these too.
I remember visiting with her... about these. : )
There are MANY... Currier and Ives Paintings and Prints.
Eudora... collected 'The Littles'.... : )
Like... the one above.
They were all Children....
Very... Wonderful. : )
I...sure... Miss... her. <3
I'm working outside... today.
I took the day off... yesterday... didn't do a thing. : )
I...think...working in the heat all weekend... kinda sucked me dry.
oh my... I was wiped out... yesterday.
It's gonna be 'slow and easy'...today.
I'll do what I can do... then... sit under the Old Oak....
for a bit.
It's gonna be another Hot and Steamy one.
Love to ya...
Barb C.

Just brought in this Huge.... Cloche..
My Friend, Jo.... had it in her Home...for Years.
When I bought it from her... she said... "I've always Loved That... didn't think I'd ever get rid of it....."
{She's moving to Kentucky... }
I said... "I Love it too... ! <3 ".....
she said...
"You should... I got it from YOU!!!"
oh my....
my memory... is... Toast... : )
but, thankfully... not my 'taste'... in Good... Things! : )

Love This....
It has a big chip... in it... : )
but... it should. : )
It's a Child's Plate.... from the late 1800's.

This Painting..... is something I found for someone.... many years ago.
She had it in her home for a long time.
Then... a few years ago... she had a sale... and, to my surprise... was selling it.
I Bought it.
Had to... it fascinates me.
: )
This is a painting...done in the late 1800's using an 1850's Ironstone Platter... for the 'canvas'... : )
The platter... is cracked... and repaired.
Then... it was framed.
: )
oh my....
simply... soulful.
I, nearly brought it in the house... to keep... but... decided to offer it for sale... instead.
It's one of those things... like so many... down the rabbit hole... I really don't care... if it ever sells.
: )
{no wonder... why I struggle... : )  hahahahaha. }

It's such a beautiful... painting..... and... being able to see...the old platter.... through the worn areas.... makes it even better.
: )
I so... Love... Vintage... Ironstone.

This is a Majolica Rabbit. : ) {Match Holder... }
Seems I've had many Rabbits.... of every shape and size.... find their way...down the rabbit hole... of late.
: )
This Bunny.... and the Rooster, in second to the top photo... came from a Dear Friend's Collection.
These date from the late 1800's.... and are so.... whimsical...
I have had a Majolica Pitcher... for years... one, of the first pieces... I was Really Excited about....
I bought it at an Estate Sale... for 5.00 : ) {I was in my 20's.... }
Majolica.... is so Over the Top... and has so much going on..... : )
It makes me...smile. : )

I've also... been gathering late 1800's Children's Tea Sets....
Odd pieces... from here and there.
: )
They seem so Happy... when they are all... Piled together. : )

When Peg was here... in May... she set this display...
{one of several... : ) }
: )
 on 'Maggie's' Sofa.
{The Darling Little Sofa, I gave Liz... many years ago...
 it's a Louis the 15th Style...and sooooo sweet!}
One day Liz came home... to find... Maggie, her Beloved Pup...at the time...
had used it for a 'Chew Toy'.... : (
It had been in John's Shop...for the last few years....
We were always going to do something... with it.... : )
We never did... I couldn't bare... to pitch it... so.... now it resides... down the rabbit hole. : ) }
It was completely buried.... after the last two sales.
When I began picking things up....this last week....
I had seen Peg's recent 'Touches'... : )
{I worked everywhere... but... down the rabbit hole....preparing for the May Sale... Peg worked her Magic.... there. }
She'd taken the Nests... and put them in picture frames....
and... put the little Cow Bank... on the little shelf...
then, like Peg....
she...tastefully.... sprinkled everything..... in vintage lace. <3
: )
I had to preserve it.... : )
I called her... and told her... how... Much.... I Miss her. <3 and.. see her... Everywhere...
down the rabbit hole. : )

Just found these Darling... Teeny Tiny.... early 1900's Watch Part Boxes....
They have tiny little vials... inside them... with... even a few remnants....of Tinier... little watch parts... : )

I had...to work with The Elves.
oh my...
They have been so 'Gone Through'.... they looked like they had been in Miami on Spring Break!!!!
I helped 'em back on their feet again..... : )
oh my...
Those Elves... Do... know How to Party....
{Who Knew?... : ) }