Gold Rush... August 2012... History...

Gold Rush...2012... History..

Oh My... What a Ride...

What a Frickin' Roller Coaster Ride!!!

When Laura....e-mailed...and said she was in the ER... that's when the the little Coaster Car....began.....on it's 'Journey'...

I was worried sick...for her... and...Thankfully....she is home...from the hospital...and sounds like is perking along...: )

{She was Missed by All...at Gold Rush!!!}

My head...always races... before a Show... anyway...

Thank God...For Peg....

I had to load another truck...fast...to fill Laura's space....and...as much as I Love to drive...

I knew...I couldn't drive two trucks...at the same time....

Thanks to John...and the Boys...for helping load! In a Hurry!!! oh my...

I was Leary about having Peg drive the Fusie...{driving the Ford...wasn't an option... it's a stick...Peg...doesn't 'do'..a stick}...

But...she assured me..she could handle it...

and...By Gosh... She Did!

She should get her CDL...and we'll go Over the Road....
Truck Drivin' Mama's!!!

When we arrived... to set up...it was all I could do...to get the Bigs off... Thankfully....I found Porters...later...{thanks Cindy B. } and...Peg did more than she should have...then....Lynn and Lea... arrived... That's when it all started coming together! Holy Smokes! Bless Their Hearts!!!

But...I gotta tell ya... I was whipped...Don't know what I would have done without all of them...

This was a Load... a Big...Big...Load!

We worked on it all day, Friday... and it was Wonderful...seeing everyone...the Customers....{friends : ) } who make it a point...to come see us First! What Angels....

That is why...out of all of the Shows... I do... 'Gold Rush'... has always been the one... I will keep...no matter... I have such a Loyal Following... Wonderful People...

and...the other Dealers... in our Building...Bruce...and Nancy... across from us... I Love those two...{Sorry, Bruce... I wouldn't Dance...on the table..at Michael's...for ya....: ) I have to try and behave...after last year's..."Incident"...it's too soon...for doing that...Last years...episode..is...well... a bit too fresh...in their minds...: ) ahhh...I'm...Walkin' The Line...at Michael's...for a while...oh...ya...: )}there are some Great Folks..in our building... who have been there...forever...

I had a Wonderful Surprise...when Nancy S. and her Darling Husband....Walt...came to visit us...I now have their Old Booths.... We were neighbors... for Years....

When they left Gold Rush...for good... it was a Huge Loss... Every time..I pull in...for the Show... I think of them....and miss them...so....it's not the same...without them....

The Show...was Very Good! Friday and Saturday...We Smoked...
Sunday...was quiet...

It was so nice outside...I think the Customers....shopped outside....in the Sunshine!

We spent two...Lovely...Evenings...at Michael's...

Folks always tell me about other places to go eat...when in Rochester...

My reply...

"there...is only...One Restaurant...in Rochester...and...that is Michael's...."

Love it!

Thanks..to Mary...Kevin...Lois..Chery...Sheryl...Terri...Sarah...Kelsy...Mark...
Lynn...Lea...Allison...Shannon...
and...Pegadoo

For making it Fun....Evenings...

{sorry about my 'melt down'...Friday... I received...some bad news {heartbreaking...}...over dinner...and couldn't seem to pull out of it... a 'Mad Hatter'...thing.. wearing...my emotions... on the surface....}
Sunday...was a Tuff day....
I was carrying a Heavy...Heavy... Concrete Bunny... to a Sweet Girl's car...my foot twisted...on the Large...Lava Rock...beside the building... and I fell...I knew....I didn't dare drop the Rabbit....so...my legs...and feet... took the brunt...but...the Bunny...survived....
Then...an hour later...as I was sweeping the Fusie out... in preparation...for Load Out... I scooped up my pile of dust....and was going to step out of the truck.....and dived face first.... out of the back...
Poor Peg...{and  Customers...: ( }Just stood there in Shock... as they watched me dive....like I was jumping into an empty swimming pool....
oh my...
I got...pretty tore up...
and...am pretty sore today...
I kept loading...and moving... knew...if I didn't...oh my... I'd be frozen solid...today....
{ don't know why...someone...didn't have a camera... I'm sure it looked....Hysterical!!!!!! If not...taking an image of me....take one...of the expression...on Peg's Face....oh my Gosh!!! It was Priceless!!!! I thought she was going to Pass Out!!! {she said..."all I could do...is stand there...in Shock...and was thinking to myself..."Barbara...What The Hell..are YOU DOING!!!"... } {The others...that saw it...too... They were in  Total Shock!...stood there...frozen...jaws...dropped...when I picked myself up...off the ground....I think...they expected me to Stay There!!! What a Frickin' Ride!!!
{That's why...the 'Calamity Jane'...pin...is sooooo perfect!!!!}
just...call me.. " Grace"... : )
I think...I just get so...tired...and my mind...is miles ahead...of where my body is....I get myself...into trouble...oh dear...
We need someone..to follow us around...with a video camera.... what a Show.... : )
Thanks...to Everyone...who came by to see us!!! Blog Friends... {Kari...it was great meeting You!!}
and...for All of the Angels... Lynn...Lea..and of course...My Peg....
I have to get busy...
This Fall... is Going to be CRAZY... BUSY!!!!
Love...to Ya!
Barb C.

Walt...and Nancy...Lord...I Love These Two....and....Miss them So....as my Neighbors...at Gold Rush... Wonderful...Wonderful...Folks... : )

This is the Sweet Couple...that bought the Old Rolling Tool Chest!!! I told them about the Amazing Preston Auction...and the Sweet Family....It's going to a Lovely...Lovely...Home...Inside...and Showcased!!!

These Little Darlings...were a Joy!!! They were having a Great Time...at Gold Rush...They Cracked Me Up!!!! They hauled off...the Wonderful...Old Primitive Cupboard...they are posing in front of.... We Had So Much Fun!!!!
When their Sweet Friend...came to haul..it for them...She..Bought the Massive Amish Cupboard!!!! They already had a big cupboard...on their truck...but...thanks to some fancy strapping...we got 'em All On!!!!
Yeeeee Haw!!!

I always thought....skinned.. hands...knees....elbows...heels...and toes.... were for Children....oh...my..
Guess....some Kids...never Out Grow...this kind of stuff... oh dear...: ) {Guess...me, and 'Ol Jethro...have a lot in common...these days!!!}

Sunday....Last Day...

Come See Us!!!

Have a Great....Day....

Filled with... Insanity!!!

Love to Ya!

Barb C.

A Smokin' Show!!!

My Angels!!!!

Peg...Lea...and Lynn!!!

We Have Rocked!

The booths...are lookin'....mighty...SPARSE!!!

YAY!!!

I can't Thank... these Darlings....Enough...

I was Whipped...after Unloading....These Sweeties... Carried...me...

I am...Blessed!

I'll have a Full Report...come...Monday!

Love to ya!

Barb C.

{We had some...Major...'Bigs'... go Rollin' Out The Door! YAY!!! and...met...some Darling Folks! What a Riiiide! Still Tons...of Great Stuff... Waiting For You!!! }

{ahhh....my new Theme Song... "I've Always...been Crazy...but.... It's kept me from Goin' Insane...." ahhhh...yep... : )

Hope to see ya...

We're....Baaaack! : )

We Made it to GOLD RUSH!!!!

Peg drove the Fusie!

and...me...the Ford... {it's a stick... Peg doesn't drive...a stick...}

We were loaded Heavy..

Made one stop...on the way...and gathered some Goodies!

{A Darling...Vintage Dress Form...and a couple Sweet Children's Dressers!}

{amongst other 'Treasures'}

I had most of the concrete out...Jelly Cupboard...and Tables...before the Porters arrived....

I was Glad to See Them! Whew!

Still had Three... Big Cupboards...to get off...{ One...is a Huge...Pine... Farm Cupboard... all square nailed... and... HEAVY!!! {it looks Amish...}

Peg wanted to help...more... but I told her to BACK OFF!!!!

I'll be needing her today... to get the totes...unpacked.... and decorate the Booth!

Lynn and Lea...helped out...a lot...as well...

Whew... it was so good...to have some helping hands!

{Heavy...Load... : ( }

My Little Friend...who couldn't come... was admitted to the Hospital... Our Prayers are with...her...

Peg looked at the Booth...as we were leaving the building...last night...

and shook her head...

What a Flippin' Mess!!!

Holy Smokes...

But...it will come together...

Hope to See Ya!

Love to Ya..

Barb C.

Holy...Monkeys....I'm....Walkin' The Line....

The night...before a show...

is always... a restless one...

Did I get everything....

What am I forgetting...
Do I have enough...
Did I pack enough supplies...

My mind is racing...

I had a call...yesterday..to do The Most..Amazing...Event...I have ever been Blessed to be asked to do...{and...a Huge...Undertaking!!!! I am Over The Top Excited!!!!}
We set the dates....for mid October...
I thought...
Great...after The Fall Harvest Sale...
Smooooth Sailin'!
then...about 3 a.m.
my eyes  popped open...
I remembered... I had agreed to do a Wedding Reception....in mid October...
Holy Smokes!!!!
There is No Changing the Wedding Reception...date...
{another....Huge...and So Very Important Undertaking!!!}
I'll figure it out....it's gonna be a Craaaaaazy October!!!!
But What FUN!!!!! {The Fall Harvest Sale...alone...is Huge....as Well!!!}
I couldn't sleep...so checked my e-mail...at 3:30....there was one...written...just moments before...from the ER... from a Sweet Pal...who is my neighbor...at Gold Rush....she is very ill...
and may not be able to fill my third booth.....
{Prayers...to her!!!! Bless Her Heart!!!!}
So....Peg is going to drive a second truck...and we'll keep loading...this morn....
It's pouring down rain....
and...I'm dancin' on a Razor Blade....
With help...from Gut Eating....Coffee... Strong...Stogies...and my Trusty Aleve...
I'm...Steadily...Walkin' the Line.... : )
oh dear....
The Fun Never Ends!!!!
See Ya At Gold Rush!!!!
With Frickin' Bells On!!!
Love...to Ya!!!!


Espresso Ground Sumatra...Stogies...and Aleve.... The Breakfast of Champions.... {and...Crazy Antiquers...: ) }

Barb C.



Cupboards...Farm Tables...Sofas...Oh My... : )

Spent the Day.... Running...and Loading...

and...

We Have...a Load...: )

Thanks...to The Boys...for helping so...

{and...another...Very...Sweet Friend...for helping me...pack...: ) }

We had many deliveries...early this morn...

then...turned our attention...to The Gold Rush Load...

I still have to try and cram more in....

Peg and I are going to try and fill...every nook...and cranny!!!

As I sit here...tonight...at the Old Farm Table... {only Harold and I could love....{ and...Ed}...}

glancing over...'treasures'...

It's so hard to decide...which to pull ....from the house....

I see... the kind faces...of friends...and Folks...I met along the way...

with each item....

There is a story...with everything...a fond...memory...or..it wouldn't be here...

Maybe...just the Auctioneer...and the day of the Auction...drifts through my mind....

a good...day....

and...a 'keepsake'... from...that day....

or...maybe...the memory...of the Friend...who was riding with...when I gathered a treasure...

The conversations...we had...

It's not...just the treasure...but....the fond memories...they each hold...

Even...as I sit here...running my hand...over the Old Table....I remember the day...I bought it...so vividly...

It was so...Decrepit...and Forlorn....

If....I would have laid a 2x4...over it's top....there would have been an 18 inch...space...between the board...and the top....it was soooo sway back....

The tin straps...were put on...decades ago...when they braced the table...again...and again... Harold said....someone had a Massive old printing press...atop...the Old darling....for years...

The poor old Harvest table...was never meant...for such things....it was built...around...1840, or so...from walnut....stout....but....very refined...not...made for industrial...uses....

I thought....'Why...do I Love that table so?'.... The prior owner, Harold...loved it too...an had it priced that way.....

I didn't know...who was more...insane... Harold...for asking so much for it...or me...for buying it....

oh my...

John....somehow...got the sway out....and...we put it in the house...

{When John first saw it...he about dropped....and said...

 "What the Heck...do you expect me to do with THAT ???!!!"

I roared... and said... not to worry...if he couldn't get the bow out... I'd use it for display...{I thought it would be Wonderful...layered with old wooden bowls...} and...I'd just Love It...As Found....}

I thanked...Harold...every time... we met....for this table....

I do...love it so...

I wish...he could have seen it....before he passed away....

I Loved...Harold.....

and sure do miss him...

I get...feeling so...melancholy...

Peg is meeting me....in the Morn....

We'll finish packing...and do some shopping...on the way to Gold Rush....

Tho....I don't know...how we'd ever squeeze...another thing on...

But....if we find something...Amazing....we will ....: )

we...always...do... : )

Hope to See Ya...There!

Love to ya...

Barb C.



Selling....my Treasures....

Due to my very own....stupidity...

{I have learned...'Ol Jethro...is not an ATV ....oh...he can perform like one...but...his body...doesn't look too hot...afterwards...}

I am going to have to part with some of my Personal Treasures....

I'm pulling some things...from the house.... for Gold Rush....

So...come visit me... {and Pegadoo...!}

I want them to go...to Loving Homes!

I'm not sure...what they will be... I'll know that...when I take my last walk through...

but... they are good...

well...they are...to me... : )

I have to get goin'!!!

So MUCH...to Do!!!

See ya...at Gold Rush!!!

We're in Gram Arena North

{on the back wall}

Opens Friday Morn...at 8 and runs through Sunday!!!

at The Fairgrounds in Rochester, MN.

on hiway 63

Hope to See Ya!

Love....to ya!

Barb C.



Loading for Gold Rush!

I had a Wonderful Surprise...This Morn!!!

My Peg is Riding Shotgun...to Gold Rush!!!!

She called and asked if I had room for her...

REALLY!!! REALLY!!!

I am Thrilled!

I haven't begun to load....

am running out the door...now!

I have soooo Much to do!!!

It was a Great Surprise...and one...I Truly Needed...

After all the Surprises...from Yesterday...

oh my...

My Friend, Linda...gave me these old ledgers... I Love 'em! They have Old Recipes...Scrap Booked...in them... Too Cool!

The Fun...Never Ends...

Love to Ya...

Barb C.

The Preston Auction!!!

I took off....EARLY...Saturday...as the Sun was shedding it's light...over the fields... I knew parking was going to be a Big Problem...I needed to get as close as I could....because...I usually buy...Heavy Stuff!!!

I had perked some....Gut Melting Coffee...{I was soooo tired....too many irons...too many fires...} and put it in my travel mug... which...immediately....on my first left turn....flipped...and spilled all over the floor of the Ford.... I could Smell....the Wonderful Aroma...the entire...40 minute ride.. but...that was all I could do... {One of the Daughters...at the Auction said...I should have had a straw! Dang!}

{I won't tell ya...where my pack of cigarettes landed...on my visit to the porta potty...EEEEWWWW!!!} {It almost ended my smoking days...EEEEWWWW}

The Family...was Wonderful... They brought me coffee...and kept bringing it...as I sucked it down....We all visited...throughout the day... My Heart...went out to All of them....I wanted to stay upbeat... and kept telling them..to 'Chin Up'... while...knowing...in my heart... I wasn't sure...I could...if I were in their shoes...

A Very...Difficult Day....for Family....

I assured them...I wouldn't bid..on anything they wanted... 

 Mark...got a mirror...that the Granddaughter...had wanted...he let her have it...when he found out...

Family...should always..have first chance....

{I wish...at Sales...whether it is an Auction....or Tag Sale... the Families..would have a private Sale...between themselves....The money...is usually divided...or is needed for the surviving spouse...so...'Giving'...it away..may not be an option...or...simply...drawing numbers....if two or more...want the same item...I know...it may bring more money...when the public is involved...but...money...isn't everything...and...things...could be appraised...first...}

Dwight and Junell Duwa, and their Staff... did an Amazing Job....This was a Huge Sale....and...The Family...{Daughters...and Granddaughters....worked their Tails off!!!}

This Auction...was in all of the papers.... Mr. Preston, had been on Johnny Carson... many years ago...talking about his collections.... Folks came from near and far.... it was Amazing!

Prices...were...HIGH!!! and it was a Battle...All Day!!!

But...it was a Fun Day! Filled with Great Folks!!!

I had agreed to haul Signs home...for Jerry...but..asked Mark...if he would...My Truck was so loaded....and Marks Van...was a Much...safer place...for Jerry's signs....

We all helped each other load...

and...at the end of the day... the entire Bunch of us...The Auction Family...Friends...and Staff... sat down...and visited...

It was Lovely...

I have got to work... and work fast...and furiously...to get the Gold Rush Load...together...

I received a call...from a friend...yesterday...who needs help...on the Mississippi.....NOW!!!

How in the World...am I going to get Everything....done...????

I have Major Deliveries... in the Morn...the weather...isn't cooperating...and...time...is Marching on...at a Very...Fast Pace...

oh my...This Week... is going to be....CRAAAAAZY!!!!

Love to Ya...

Barb C.

I hit this old Scalder....Hard... to no Avail... it sold for 1350.00.... It was Sure...Cool! ahhh and...Heavy!

The Wheels on the Bus...Go 'Round and 'Round...oh my....I didn't see any of the Machinery...Wagons... or Model A Trucks sell.... {I hate 2 rings...}

I didn't see this sign sell...but....it was one of my Faves....Toooo Coool!

The Preston Grand Daughters....
I took this image of them...when Liz and I previewed...the Auction...Thursday... The Girls...are about Liz's age....they were so much Fun... But...during the Auction...it hit them...so hard....seeing their Beloved Grandfather's...and Great Grandfather's....treasures....walking away... We visited...throughout the Auction.... I know...all too well... how this feels.... My Heart...went out to the Girls...

Mark and I both wanted this...so...we decided to join forces...and buy it...together... To No Avail... I hit it Hard....for us... but...not hard enough...to get it bought... Yowza!!! BIG MONEY!!!

These are Old Store Coffee Grinders.... They sold.... very good....

I captured this image...before the Auction...in hopes...I could get this Clock bought... It's a Miniature O.G.
Very....Old...I so Loved the Glass...with the Children... I got it bought...

Awww....Carole...and Jerry.... I Love These Two!!! Jerry had a Great Day...at the Auction....and was so kind...to help me load...after....

We all...were sooo attracted to this old Rolling Tool Chest! It was on my 'List'...I had to pay up...for it...but...oh my...It Rocks!!!!

These two pieces...they say...are for making Brooms.... I don't know...what it is...but...it's Funky....and Primitive! I could see the larger part...in a Kitchen...as an Island... and the other...as a sign holder.... They both have Wonderful Old...Paint!!! Never seen anything like it... Tooooo Coooool!

This is a Darling Piece...that would have set atop a Barrel...it's a Sifter of sorts... it looks Great...just sitting....as found...Love the great stenciling! I was happy to get it bought!

This Old Feeder...was something...I was really going to try  and get....and did.... I had to step up... but...I have never seen one like it....and...my Booth Plan...for Heart of Country...in February....will be...{at this point} "Iowa Farm Style"...if it makes it...that long... I could see it hanging...as a Chandelier! It's....Amazing! {ooooohhhh...maybe to hold...Wine Glasses!!!}

It was a Clock Day...for me...I bought...two...out of 4 or five... Love....Old Clocks!!! : )

Don't let the empty seats...fool ya... This was Early...before the Auction...I believe...there were around 500 Bidders.... It was Awesome!

Calamity Jane...{a.k.a. The Mad Hatter}...at The Auction!

Love This Pin!!! It works Great...to hold my bidding number! The Auctioneer...has no problem seeing it....{I usually use...a safety pin... but...this is Way....Cooler! : )} {oh dear...an Old...Hippie...Thing...: ) }
{Liz says...Auctions...are like watching Folks on Wall Street...The Stock Exchange... ahhh...yeah...there were around 500 bidders...and Two Rings... {2 auctioneers...selling at the same time} oh my...: ) I think...Wall Street...would be a Walk...in the Park... I Truly Do! {paper...is Much...Lighter...at the End of the Day!}

Oh...My... : )

It was an Amazing...Auction...

The Duwa's Auction Service...put on an Over the Top...Auction!!!!

I saw sooo many Great Folks...{The Family...having the Auction....were Incredible....we became Fast Friends!}

This Auction...itself...was a Once in a Lifetime....Experience....

and...I had....Awesome Help...Loading!!!

{I didn't get all I dreamed of...{The Prices...were...also...Over the Top!} but...had an Amazing Day!}

I am Whipped... I have helped with two Sales... the last two days...then...worked hard...at this one...{Stress!!!} {good stress... but...Stress!!!}

I'll have a Full....report...with images...in the Morn...

What a Day!!!

The Ford...Has a Very Respectable Load....Thanks...to All of The Wonderful Folks...for Helping Load!!!!: )

{I gathered...some...very Cool...Treasures...like I have Never Seen... : ) Like It!!!}