Back to Work....

I'm jumping down the Rabbit Hole...today....
Everything is settled... in my mind... It's been a rough journey.... I have created a lot of pearls....
I have never heard this song... by Johnny Cash... It made perfect sense... and pretty much says it all...it skips here and there... even this...isn't perfect... seemed fitting...for today...
Seems...when it's all said and done.... it all boils down to trust....
I run so fast... I can't have any doubts.... about the ones I hold nearest to me... so...I guess... that's where I leave it...
Like it says, on the Almighty Buck....that everyone seems to hold so dear.... I guess they see the dollar... as a way to get what they want...
I see what it says.... In God We Trust...
Ultimately...He is the Only One....
Love to Ya...
Barb C.

Listen to the Music...

I wrote a BLAZING POST...concerning...my trials...today...but decided... to wait to post it....The first two songs...touch on my SMOKIN' THOUGHTS!!! Liars... and Kerosene...{If I had brought a certain 10 drawer cupboard home, today...tho I own it...I would have had a MASSIVE WEENY ROAST!!!!} I am hurt... and The Truth Comes Out In The End!!!! Always!!!
Yep...I'm Creating a Mile Long Strand Of Pearls!
Love to Ya!!!!
Barb C.
Amy is coming out this eve.... and I have had LONG conversations...with my Friends.... {no...I haven't checked by blood pressure, Pattie... } Hand Me The Marlboro's.....

Ralston Creek Show

Allyson and I took off this morning...to go to the Ralston Creek Show...in Iowa City..... I had sent folks there, and everyone was happy they went...came home with lots of treasures!

Allyson helped me load...a bunch of Chalk Boards...then we had a Great Lunch after shopping the Fun Show!

Sweet Audrey...brought me a six pack...of Awesome Margarita Cup Cakes....{Yowza!!!!}{Sweet Cheeks Tasty Treats} John said he loved them! Said she must Love to Bake! I said...oh yea... her business is BOOMING! He said "she has a business, selling these? Hmmm...to pay for her Antiques?" I roared...{Dustin must have gotten to him!} I said....I had to write that!}I got the old transferware, piece...from pal, Polly...it works great...for a Cup Cake Pedestal!

It was a very relaxing trip... Allyson is such a calming spirit...It was great seeing everyone...and I found some really neat stuff....Allyson, found her treasures...here...at the Rabbit Hole... we had a Lovely Lunch.... a good day....
I got a little twisted... but...am really trying to keep the sand out of the shell.... {no more pearls...no more pearls...}
Talked to Pegadoo, today.... We've decided...the Rabbit Hole...is the Only Safe Place...for the Mad Hatter...and the March Hare.... I plan on spending a lot more time there... Dolly really likes it there... her little heart...is right at home...there... mine...too...
It was great seeing all the folks in I.C. Bill A., George...Sue...and her Sweet Hubby...Lou and Colleen... It was a Huge Group...and Everyone said they were having a Great Show!
I'm glad the weather held...actually...was Beautiful... we also stopped at Artifacts.... Todd was Busy...Busy....

I took Dolly to the shop, yesterday....she spent the night there.... She Loves The Rabbit Hole... and was received well.... Allyson sure loved her... and, Sherry, too... Funny...even Sweet Dolly....has a bittersweet story, with her... I shared it, with Allyson...another grain of sand....another pearl....but...none of it matters...down the Rabbit Hole....It's all good...

I have to pick up stuff...tomorrow... then...think I'll jump down the Rabbit Hole....and hide...for a while... my soul needs the solitude....
Hope Everyone had a Lovely Weekend....
Love...to You...
Barb C.

The Pearl....

I have been in a knot...the last few days...as you know...
Felt hurt...and betrayed... did something...I don't normally... called my friend, on it...
Usually... I am like an Oyster...close up...then fester...and stew about it...
But...when I confronted my friend...I didn't really feel better....
Maybe...because...he didn't get it.... or..if he did.... he wouldn't admit it... so...nothing, was truly gained...in my Oyster Shell... anyway...
I laid in bed, last night.... tossed...turned... channel surfed.... and, right in front of me...was one of my favorite Ministers... Joel Osteen...
What was he talking about?.... Oysters...and Pearls...{I had just put a new {to me} pair of Pearl earrings on...yesterday morning....I love Pearls....}
He explained...how a Pearl is made....by a grain of sand.... irritating... the Oyster... the Oyster keeps coating it... to make it smooth...until a beautiful Pearl, is the final result...
He said...if these irritating things...keep happening over and over.... in your life....it's not the Grain of Sand...that's the issue...it's the Oyster...
I am the Oyster.... I can't change the sand... but....I can change me....
Everyone has a Journey...
We are hit by folks... that irritate... cut us off... and do, naughty things...We are being tested... I have failed...these tests over and over...by losing my temper... or letting them, steal my joy....But...God doesn't give up...on me...he keeps sending...the sand my way....{no wonder I Love Pearls...I have a pile of 'em around me...}and is waiting for me...to Grow Up...and spit the sand out.... with a smile...on my shell...and see it, for the test...it truly is....
I can't change anyone else... nor...allow them.... to steal my joy... on their journey, either...
Things...are just Things.... This has been a real....Test....
and I'm spitting out the sand...I have too many Pearls...tho... I'm thankful....for each of them....
Have a Lovely Day....
Barb C.
As I was writting this...I went to take a picture, of my {new to me} Pearl earrings...to find, I must have lost one, last night...imagine that.... I must be pointed in the right direction...
Love, to ya...
The one thing I know for certain...Some of the lowest points, in my life...have turned around, to be the highest....
 Blessings...
I'm calling my friend... and telling him...nothing matters.... and I mean that...from the bottom of my heart.... this was all over principals... ethics....and doing the right thing...{and a Huge Grain of Sand...}
Some of my friends...will be disappointed, in me... but...I am tired of making Pearls...
It is...what it is....
Love to Ya...
Barb C.

I Found my 'Crap' Umbrella....

I finally spoke my mind... I usually clam up...when it comes to the ones I love...{I can always stand up....for those I love....not so much...when it's me...} But...thanks to a couple friends... who told me to get a spine.... I did.... I may be called a real Bitch...but...right is right...and wrong is wrong... So...if that's what it makes me... I'll wear that Badge...with Honor....{as the Mad Hatter would say.... I have found my 'Muchness'...}
I confronted my Dear Friend...who seemed oblivious... and also...seemed shocked... when I allowed him, to do the right thing....when he finally offered...{ I would accept, nothing less....}
I'm fighting...not feeling sorry for him..{cause I do Love him....} If I had shared this situation, with him....and another party, was the one who did this....he could Totally See it... Funny...it's pretty foggy...in his mind... being it's, him...and all....
There are ethics...in this business... at least...in my mind...I wouldn't treat anyone this way....and I don't want to be treated this way....I thought I was giving my friend, a great opportunity....I  also thought...he would look out for me...as I would have...for him....the tables turned...
Guess.... I was wrong....
Do I still Love Him....Yep....Is he Torqued...at me...Yep... Because...I called it exactly how it is... and...how it will always be.... Right is Right....Wrong...is Always....Wrong.... Any Way You Look At It....
Thanks Sherry....  Karen and John...they witnessed some of the Confrontation...{I'm pretty much 'out there'...when I'm...'out there'...oh dear...and don't back down...when I'm doing the right thing... I make no apologies.... just, a bit sorry...for the Drama...}
It was great seeing Karen and Rick...as well...they are such a Sweet Couple...
Thanks to Peg, Steph...and Gail... for the shove.... Love Ya...
Thanks Janet...and everyone...who e-mailed....I truly appreciate it....If my friend, can see this...for how it is...we will remain close... if...I hadn't said anything....I would have been done....totally done.... I'll let him 'Process'...if he doesn't come around...well... I guess...he wasn't as good of a friend...as I thought...{actually...I think it's because...he means so very much, to me...I was able to confront him....otherwise...I would have just crossed him off the list...we'll see.... how close...we truly are....}
Thanks again....
Love to You...
Barb C.

{The Shop Guardian Angel...was also witness...to the conversation....and made no objections... }

{I'm keeping the 'Crap' Umbrella, handy... and I'll pitch it back...when it's thrown...from here on out....{actually...I may have...yesterday... but there were too many innocent, in the cross fire....next time...I'll tell everyone to either.....Duck....or...Run...Fast... Road Apples... Incoming!} {I'm an exellent shot...with a Dark Green... Juicy Road Apple....bring 'em on...}{'Road Apple' if you don't know what they are...follow a Horse around...for a while... Doreen and I always won the Road Apple Fights.... our hands wash up...clean as a whistle! no worries... Better....RUN!!!!}

OPEN TODAY! NOON 'til 4!

Call me Stupid....

I haven't written about some of the crap...that's landed on my head... the last few years....not in detail... and I won't write about it...tonight...
One by one... the folks I have loved...and trusted the most... have dropped me...to my knees...{you see...only the ones I care about, deeply...could drop me...daaaang...}
This Business....makes me crazy.... to the point...I want to quit....
I would Never do...to these folks...what they have each done to me... one by one....
In fact... if any of them...was in trouble... I'd still drop anything...and help any one of them... with a call...
Just Call Me Stupid....
I'm hurt...this evening... very...very hurt...
God handed me a blessing....I trusted it...to a friend...a friend...who has always had my back...until...today...... Greed is an Ugly Thing...
I have learned a valuable lesson.... it cost me some money...today... but...ultimately...I'm sure...it saved me...in the long run... I'm very Naive... or...maybe...simply... Blind....or...just plain...Stupid when it comes to the ones...I Love....
I did have a Great day...with Liz, Katie, Miss Scarlett...and Justin J.... and...I gathered a few treasures...this afternoon...{tho...I was in such a daze...while gathering... I know I missed a lot...}
I'm sippin' a Blue Moon...tonight...and Processing.... {I could soooo easily smoke a pack of Marlboro's...oh yeah....baby...}
Someday...I'm going to write a book...about this Crazy Journey....
It Could Only Happen....

Down The Rabbit Hole...and to The Crazy Mad Hatter....
Love to Ya...
Barb C.
I'm Open, tomorrow...noon 'til 4. I always find Peace...Down the Rabbit Hole... my safe place... Hope to see you....
( you know....don't think I'll ever be able to get my dear friend's voice....out of my head....as he was fumbling...and stumbling...over his words...trying to excuse himself....and....attempt to justify his actions....this is a tuff one...I've handed it over...too much for me to digest....}
I read in my Streams....
"Sing...to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything." {Ephesians 5:19-20}
So...I am Thankful...even for this journey...I know...it is a Blessing....

On The Road Again!

I'm on the road...then...Home by noon or so.... I'll be putting stuff in the shop...
OPEN TOMORROW NOON 'til 4!!!!!
Have an Amazing Day!
Love to ya!

Barb C.

A Few More Gatherings....

Sweet Iron Settee....and a Very Cool Stand.... Love It...
and...of course....Sweet Nicky.... always has John within his sights....
Devoted....

The Red Blanket Chest...is all hand dovetailed....and has shocking blue paint, under the red.... very Old...{mid 1800's} The little tool chest is a Sweetie! Very Clean....and great for a Christmas Display....
The funky little stool....is from the 30's....and just FUN!

Well.. it isn't Louie... but it's a Dolly... I Love a French Style....

Found some gnarly rakes... and a Cool Silage Fork...{great for a Wine Glass Rack!}

This is an Old Hog Oiler...that is split in two... I put the spacers under the halves...and I'll have John put planter plates, for the foot...these will be AWESOME Urns!
{Love the writing on the underside... coooool!...actually....Gnarly....}

A Few of My Favorite Things....Always...

I actually used this little purse....while shopping, on Tuesday...
What a Cool Thing!

These are a few little treasures, I gathered, the last couple of days.... It's 95 out...and I really didn't feel like unloading...and wrestling with the big stuff...or...any stuff...for that matter...

Like Old Mother Hubbard....I also found our Cupboards...bare...

So...I hooked up with Liz...and Miss Scarlett...we ate lunch...and grocery shopped...

It was great seeing them...

I'll unload...first thing...in the morn...

Hope Ya'll have a Lovely...Evening...

Love to Ya....

Barb C.

{Liz just called...thanked me...for helping out...at the grocery store...

 since she's been home with Scarlett...times have been tight... One income... I was happy to help...

sooo happy...{she didn't ask....not for one cent....}

 It made me think...of all the folks...who make it possible, for me...to help....

 All the folks...who purchase...these well loved treasures...I gather.... and support...

We are so blessed...to be surrounded by the most Amazing People...

To Those Amazing Folks...I...Thank You.....Every One...of You...

Thank You....

and...I Thank God... For sending His Amazing Angels... Our Way...} 

You Know...Who You Are...

Thank You...

{The 'Always' thing... as some of you...may know... we are there...for you... no matter....Always...Always...}

Very Organized....sooo unlike me...

This was one of my most favorite treasures...yep...it's chipped...but...it's so sweet... love the chickens...and the plump little woman...

Found a Pile of these...for Lynn and Lea...but kept this one...for me...it was the Gnarliest one... fits in great...with all of the Gnarliness here...at home....