Off to do a Presentation....For the Love...of Old...

I was invited to speak, at a PEO Meeting...today at noon....

How Exciting....!

I have done presentations, in the past...and I so enjoy sharing...

My Love...of Old....

I struggled for years...putting my Passion... into words...and exactly.... what...and why... I love... what I do ....

Eclectic?

Hmmm...not exactly....

Then...several years ago, Barb H. { www.sistersgardeniowa.blogspot.com }

gave me this Amazing Book....for Christmas...

She said...it was totally ME!

She was so right! { Love Her! it's So Her...Too!}

I knew it when I saw the cover...

"For the Love of Old"

"Living with Chipped, Frayed, Tarnished, Faded, Tattered, Worn and Weathered Things

That Bring Comfort, Character, and Joy

to the Places We Call Home."

Written by Mary Randolph Carter

I had defended my Love...of Old..in the Antique World..for Many Years....

Seems...Perfection...was what everyone was striving for...

If...it is chipped... cracked...or stained.... it was worthless...

To me....it was all about The Journey....

 the Soulfulness....not...about the monetary value...

so...I was known...as The Junk Dealer..in Fairfax....

and...having a Woman...like Mary Randolph Carter... author it...

{Pollo- Ralph Lauren}

made my heart swell...

I had an Ally... an Amazing...Ally...

I had shared a conversation with her...several years ago...Thanking her...for being my Suit of Armor....

I told her...she had no idea...how very much.... she, and the Book...meant to me...

She was delighted....

Since then...things..have softened a bit...

When Libby Kramer { Heart of Country Nashville, Tennessee} Was open, 12 years ago...to allow...our.."Diversity" into the Most Prestigious Antique Show...in the Country...

That...also... made life a bit easier....

I have to move...

I have nothing ready...to go...

and...thankfully...I always speak...straight from the Heart...so....no long notes to prepare...

I just need to slick up... {not a Flannel Shirt Event...}

Then...walk through...and gather... my Most Favorite....

Chipped...Faded...Mossy... Worn....Mended...Most...Soulful Treasures.... and Let Them...do the Talkin' for me!
They Speak...Volumes... when they say...Nothing...at All....

Hope you have an Amazing....Day!

Love to Ya!

Barb C.

Birthday....49er....

Enough...said....a Long...Day.... Cheers!
{Whew...when...I Ride Around Sally....I forget...how TWISTED my Hair can get...whew... I had it pulled back...Tight...when I got home...I may as well have had Bubble Gum...in my Tresses! LOVE IT!!!!!}

Yes...the Rabbit Hole....Welcomed me... this eve... {it...Always...does...}

Sally...and I took a stroll...way up...North...and brought...this Amazing Cross.... Home...Late...this afternoon...Thanks...to The Sweetest Auctioneer...and Friends...for helping me Load...in Old Sally!

I sat...for hours...this Eve...taking...in...The Rabbit Hole.... oh my....

I was Moving Fast...and Furious...this morn.... soooo much work...soooo tired.... It was a Landslide...from the moment my eyes opened...

But...had a good day...filled with  Good...friends....{old...and new...} Kids...a Very Nice...Auctioneer...and his Darling friends.....and...Solitude.... down the rabbit hole....

 a Martini...or two.... Patron....and...Blue Moon....Wind..in my Hair.... and...Sweet Music....

ahhhh....It's...All....Good....

Love..to Ya....

Barb C.

{the wind in my hair...came long...before the Patron...no worries... : ) I saved that Sweet Birthday Gift....for the Rabbit Hole!}

It's Not...the Years... It's the Miles...

It's not the Years..it's the Miles....

and....I feel every bump...from the Millions of Miles... I have travelled...this morn...

I'm 39, today...

{if you believe that....I have a Magic Bean...I'd like to sell ya...}

I have had some Birthdays.... that I have looked forward to...

My 10th... I remembered thinking...I was One Tenth of a Century Old! Wow...and Mom had a Birthday Party for me....

My 14th...when I could finally...drive...partially legal...{I have been driving alone...since I was 12...}

I remember... always...worrying...every time I saw a Policeman... Thankfully...I have been 5'8 since I was 11...and always...looked much older...

My 16th... when I got my Licence... and...was...legal...

My 18th... so I could Party... legally...

I guess... age really shouldn't bother me...I have been...'old'... my entire life...

I was at a Horse Sale....when I was 16, and a couple of Old Men...I had known for years...asked me, how old I was...

I said...16..... They laughed....and said... " You have been 21... for Years".... They didn't believe me...

I used to Babysit... to make a little money.... beginning...at 9....

I was Babysitting...kids...several years older than me.... their parents...knew... how many years old I was.... but... they wanted me... to take charge of their kids...

Guess...they knew.... I was 'Old'... even then....

and...the kids...knew it too... I never had any problem with them....

Birthdays...don't mean much...to me...

I do...like to sneak away.... and gift... myself...to a day... that is all mine...

but... it won't happen...this one...

Too much work...to be done....

Maybe...I'll put it in a little box... and unwrap it...

when things...slow down... a bit....

Give myself...a 'Birthday...Rain Check"...

{What am I saying.... I have Celebrated.... A Hundred...of 'em...Already!}

Love...to Ya...

Barb C.

{ I remember...the very first time... I heard this..." It's not the years...it's the miles..."...I was a waitress..at Happy Chef... I was 27.... and my co-worker, Kathy...asked me...in front of two regular customers.....{I called the 'Hecklers'......} how old I was... {she was 35} I told them...and they roared! Kathy is a very...Catholic Girl.... very sweet...had 5 children... She said...laughing..."Your not either!!! Really... How Old Are You?!" I said...TWENTY SEVEN!!! {had to go get my licence!} Her face went white...she was sooooo sorry!} Then... One of the "Hecklers" Sniped... " It's not the Years, Barb... It's the Miles"!!! I SMACKED HIM!!!!

But...the older I have gotten...the more I realise...

a Truer Statement...was Never said....

and... I had been 21... since...I was 5....

Maybe..that's why...I am 16...and...Crazy... now...and then...!

That...Inner Child...

That Crazy...Inner...Child....

She's here....

Always....

Love..to Ya!}

{The Funny Thing Is....Everyone....Older...Always thinks...I am am their Age! My Dear Friend Jeri...said... referring to a woman..." You Know Her Barb...She's Our Age"... { I am younger...than her youngest daughter}...she caught herself...and we Roared... oh my....The Miles!}

It's been a 'Landslide'...this morn....think...I'll jump down the rabbit hole...I need it.... then...maybe...jump in Sally...and Drive...just...drive....

Happy  Birthday...to...me....

HOME!!! With....Soulful Treasures....

I bought this Wonderful....Early Iowa Crazy Quilt.....The moment I touched....I knew....I had to bring it Home.... oh my....

Lynn, Lea and I had a Very Great What Cheer!

Holy Smokes...Almost Every Single Piece We Had There....Went to New Homes!

I got to bring home the Wonderful... Massive ....Grungy Stepback...Built In! Love It!!! It needs a Back.... and the Darling Little Chimney....also came Home...and I'm Glad!!! They will be Wonderful for Gold Rush!

I can't Thank Lynn and Lea Enough...! It was Great Spending a Little Time with 'em!

Liz....Nick and Miss Scarlett came to the Show...and helped load....I took them to a Great Supper...at Phat Daddy's in Marengo...on the way home...a Very...Very...Good Day!

I Loved The Flea Market! Had the Sweetest Neighbors....and it was Soooo Laid Back....!

Thanks again...to Pat...for letting me use her space....: )

This Old Darling...came Home...from the load...last night...I wish the image was better...It Is....Incredible....

I scoped out an auction...around midnight...last night...and was leaving messages with the Auctioneer...at 6, this morn....I had no idea...how I was going to be at the auction...60 miles north...and do What Cheer...60 miles South...But I Did!

Oh my...I was Spinning...this morn...had Everyone...Twisting...before 7 a.m.!

I am Beat...

I have to be in the shop...early...

Folks coming...

Then...I have to get some things gathered up...for a Presentation...I'm giving on Monday...

"For the Love of Old"

Inspired by Mary Randolph Carter's Wonderful Book...{Titled the same...Love It!}

Then...I have to get the FUSO Loaded...and all the Projects DONE...so I can be at Gold Rush in Rochester, Minnesota...to unload...Thursday afternoon...WOWZA!!!!

The Fun Never Ends!

It was Great Seeing so many Friends....

What...a Lovely Weekend!

Hope...You...had a Most Amazing One...as Well!

Love to Ya!

Barb C.

This....this...is one....of many....darling reasons....The Old Crazy Quilt....fell down The Rabbit Hole....oh my....

I found this so...worn....so...gnarly...so...old...and much loved...Mohair Bear Riding Toy....while I was frantically searching for furniture....yesterday.....It was...Love at First Sight! I'm going to....someday... fashion some ears....and button eyes for him....someday...

My friend, Gerald, had this Old...Old Tin Horse Wind Up Toy....once again.....it was all over....the very moment I laid eyes on it! {KEEPER!}

When the Amazing...Old Blue Stepback sold...this morn...I wrote on the tag..."Amazing Farm Cupboard....Sold".... Two Girls walked up...shortly after I tagged it....touched the doors...and said..."Amazing"... turned the tag...to see the price...then burst out laughing...saying..."What Did We Just Say!!!! This is AMAZING!!!"...and....sold...: (

Part...of the What Cheer Day....

This is my friend Dean's Van....that was parked next to me.... oh my....When I saw his side mirror...I LOST IT!!!! Crazy!
I had to show my friends...Danny....and Lynn!
Then...Lynn Roared! "Better be Careful...about laughing too Hard!" as he pointed out my front licence plate...on the Ford... WIRED On!
OOOPS!

See my poor little Wired on Plate...oh dear....

This is my Long Time Friend...Dan...He has been on 'The American Pickers'...a couple of times...I Love...Danny.... A Good Soul!

We Sold and Sold...today.... The Fords tires were rubbing...All The Way To What Cheer....40 miles an hour...with flashers on... AIR SHOCKS ARE COMING!!!!! MONDAY!!!!!

Bought this Old Farm Cupboard from Lynn and Lea...this morn...it sold...this morn....

This one...too....

I was frantically...attempting to find FURNITURE...after we sold out....There was NOTHING for me!.... I was going to pack up...tonight and head home.... Then...at the end of the day...a Dear...friend stopped by my booth...and showed me A TRAILER FULL....he hadn't unloaded.... HOLY SMOKES!!!! I Bought a Ton of Great...OLD...Old....Mid 1800's Furniture...from him!!!! Wowza ! The Booth will be FULL...in the Morn! If it doesn't sell...I'll have to have John Bring The FUSO!!!! Yay!!! {Gold Rush...Here we Come!}

There are Two Tables... a Pewter Cupboard....an Early...Huge Grungy Step Back...a Dental Cabinet...and an...Amazing...Missouri Step Back.... Yowza!

Thanks to Sweet Cynthia...This Amazing Sign...sold to the Historical Society...in Sunbury, Iowa! AWESOME!
I saw so many friends...so many...it was a Grrrreat Day! I'll be there bright and Early....
Love to Ya!
Barb C.

Thanks...So Much...to Lynn and Lea...for all of their Help.... Love 'Em!

What Cheer Bound!

Well...

I'm Ready!

Got a Nice Load on the Ford...

Plants...From The Boys...

Those little Ferns....were at The Amazing Botanic Garden Show...

in Their Stunning....Booth...

Now..they are headed to What Cheer...Flea Market...

I think...they are gonna LIKE IT!!!!

I have Tons of Grungy Concrete...

From Statues...to Bunnies!

Old Windows...The Sunbury Sign... and all sorts of  Fun 'Stuff'....

Tucked in...the Ford....

I'm Looking Forward...to seeing Everyone!

Love to Ya!

Barb C.

Oh My...Fun Stuff...Headed to What Cheer!

Oh my...

I have the Ford....LOADED!!!

Lots of Gnarly Fun Stuff!!!

and...Friends...meeting me...with a Load!

{ a couple Old Cupboards...and...More...Fun Stuff!!!}

I picked up this...AMAZING....Old...Old....

Sunbury, Iowa Bank Front!

It'll be at my booth... WOWZA!

I am Loaded with Concrete... and Garden...

and...am looking forward to seeing everyone!

Come Visit Me!

Love...to Ya!

Barb C.
{ I worked...hard...today...it was in the mid 90's...and I stripped down...to a muscle shirt....{on the top...fitted with jeans...and the trusty old Cowboy boots... but...still a bit scary...} oh my... I haven't sweat this much...in a long...time...
Now...as I sit here writing... It's Pouring rain...and...I thought this song...was perfect.... The Thunder...Rolling.... soft...gentle...Lightning...in the distance.... my sister, Merry Jo... always said...this song...reminded her..of my Dad....He was such...a Gentle Soul....
It reminds me...of when I lived...in the little tin garden shed...with Dolcy...my beloved Dane...
I was 15...
There is nothing...like rain...on an old tin roof...
 Life...is Good...}
yes...it's a Rainy...Night...in Iowa... and no matter how you look at it...or think of it...it's Life...
and ya just gotta...play the Game....
It's...All...Good... : )

Gathering for What Cheer!

I scrounged around the Rabbit Hole...last night....thinking about what I am going to take to the Flea Market...had to capture another image of the Gnarly Old Chandelier.... It's not going anywhere... but it always Fascinates me... it truly does...

I'm throwing on this old Bike...and the Calf  Bucket works perfect....for a basket...it has a metal hanger on it....so it can hook on a fence....or....Handlebars!

I Love this arrangement on the door leading into the Rabbit Hole... The 'Confessions 5 - 7  Daily'.... is a Keeper.... I have had it for Years....and...just seems...to belong...
{ I used to have it hanging on a nail...on the door.... until a group of women...driving a Mercedes...came up to me...as I was working in the yard... one with it clenched in her hand...in her other hand...was two dollars... she attempted to shove into my hand.... she said ... "Here...I'm buying this...."...I looked at what she was holding... then...the money.... {the little plaque wasn't then...nor has it ever been priced...or for sale... }  I was in shock....I looked at her...and all I could muster was....
"No...your not.... : ) " she said.. " YES I Am! My friend will Love this!!!".... I gently took it from her hand...and said..."Ahhhh....No...your not..."....walked directly into the Rabbit Hole...Grabbed my Handy Dandy Drill...and SCREWED that Puppy to the Door!!!!
oh my..... the fun...never ends...: )
Some folks say...in an Antique Shop....everything should be for sale.... well... if the Rabbit Hole...wasn't so much a part of who I am... I could do it.... but...it is...
When I have an open house... people refer to the shop...as "Your House"... I think....they think...I Live There.... and... That is correct...
The Rabbit Hole...is where I 'Live'....
After all...where else...would The Mad Hatter...reside?

I picked up the Huge Cupboard... yesterday... it's Lovely...and placed...in the shop..Need It!

It's going to be a permanent fixture...for awhile...

The Queen...will also be staying with me...until her New Home is ready.... so...at least...I have that....

I'm going to pick up windows...and load all sorts of fun dibby dabbies...for What Cheer....

I'm Really Looking forward to it... {my back...not so much....at least with my back aching...my foot doesn't seem to hurt...quite so bad...}I'll be setting up...in the Morn...

I've got some Cool Stuff Going! Loads...of Statuary! {oh boy...! }

{I'm popping Aleve...yes....}

Love..to Ya!

Barb C.

The Queen...is leaving the building....

Yes...

She is Sold...

and...my Heart Aches...

Tho...She will be going to a Wonderful....

Home...

She...was so perfect...

here...

I wish... so... wish...

I was a Wealthy Woman...

I truly....truly...do....

Love to Ya...

Barb C.

The Queen....

Yes....

The Most...Beautiful....Gnarliest...Grungiest...

French...

Pier Mirror...

Has Fallen Down...

The Rabbit Hole...

{ I know how Ralphie's Dad, in 'A Christmas Story'...must have felt... about his 'Major Award'...

The Risque' Leg Lamp...

Holy Smokes!!!!

and...it's already on hold...for a private Home....

I stood there...and did my BEST...to talk her out of it...

but...I know...if it will fit...where she needs it to go...

The Queen....is gone....

I had the Boys...gently...so Gently...carry her in...

I stood there...in Awe...

I badly...wrenched my back...yesterday...Stacking concrete bird baths...up high...one on top of the other...guess...I went one, too high...

so...I'm useless...today...

Soaked in a Bubble Bath...for 2 hours...this morn....

and ate a lot...of the Crazy Antiquers Best Friend....'Aleve'...

but...can't lift...much...

{tho...I did drag in a Big Victorian Door...I keep telling myself...it's better to keep moving... and not get completely frozen....oh....dear...}

I can't begin...to tell ya...How Much...I Love...This Old Darling....

I Truly can't....

Love...to Ya...

Barb C.
{ My Friend...Ray...had stripped off...a lot of the gold paint....but he didn't do the base... so...I took a broken shard of glass { my 'scraper, of choice'...}...and gently scraped the base...'til it matched his work....yes...The Queen and I...have...Bonded...
Love...Her...}

{I had to ad these images...again...of the Incredible....Detail...of the Queen... oh my...I Melt...}

{I had to put...The Queen of the Silver Dollar on...for this...somewhat...Tarnished...{to some} Old Beauty... She truly has had quite a 'Journey'...  Bless...Her Heart...she is ...Loved.....Accepted....and...Welcomed...Down the Rabbit Hole....always...} {there is...something...about a 'Smoky Kingdom'....: ) oh my.... }