The Wizard...Illuminating my mind.... {from...'Taxi'...}

As...I sit...this morn...

Sorting....through my thoughts...

Listening...to Harry Chapin..

'Taxi'....

 the..

Too Many Miles...

and

Too Little Smiles...

all...the

Fairy Tales...

oh my...

Life...

I feel Like a Walking Suit of Armour...

that's filled...with Marshmallow...Cream....

inside...

When I left the Hospital...night before last...

I was spinning...

The Nurses told me...the Dr. wanted me to meet with another Dr. and Palliative Care....

{in other words....he wanted me...to be persuaded to throw in the towel...let Mom...go back to the Care Center...and...die...}

I told the Nurses...

I was going Home....

Would be sleeping with my phone...

and....when the Dr. came in...to make rounds...to call me...

If it was at 5:00 a.m. I didn't care....

I could be there...in 10 minutes...

They assured me...he wouldn't be through...until 7:30...at the earliest...

so...

I was there at 7...

The Dr. had been there at 5:30

My Fist...Hit The Side of Mom's Bed....

I said...

I told You All....and Have it in Writing...for the Dr.

I Need to Talk...to Him...

and...Wanted to Be Here...

I was frantic...

and

Wept....

He had signed her release....to leave....

I said..."What You Don't Seem to Understand....is Mom Wants to Live.... Palliative Care...is Not an Option....Mom put me in charge of here care...and Trusted me...to speak...for her...Many...Many...Years Ago..

That is My Job....and Intend to Follow her Wishes...to the Very Best of My Ability...

{She doesn't want to be kept alive...by extraordinary...measures...just...whatever...would be available... to Folks...my age...}

 Her Wishes...for Now...are to Live....

When she's ready to Go Home...with The Lord....

 I'll Honor Those Wishes....as well....

" I Told them...I'm Tired of everyone writing her off...

and not aggressively treating her...with meds...

 that will help her....like they would do...for someone...younger...."

 {I had a List...of Meds... Liz gave me...for Folks with Congestive Heart Failure....

Mom wasn't being given those...}

and...what she was being given...wasn't being given...aggressively...

I asked when her other Dr. was coming....They didn't know...

I said...I'll wait...

and did...

He came in...around 11:00

I had never met him...but had visited with him...over Mom's stay....

He is a Young.....Caring....Man....

I said...to him...

"Sir....it was just yesterday...I was Your Age...I Blinked...

Now....I'm nearly 50....

Tomorrow...I'll be...Mom's age...and...You won't be Far...behind..."

I said..."When...I was Twenty...I thought...If I see Fifty...that will be good enough...a long...life... But...I have to say...I'm Not Ready to Go...Just...as Mom...isn't...at 92..."

Quality of Life...should be decided...by those...Living It....

I said...at this point...Mom wants to Live....

and...

I said...

"Sir... Make It Happen"...

I asked him...If this was his Mother...would he be sending her home...

They kept her....

and..have added some meds....

She is doing...much better...

and... I think... she may be going home...today....

Mom and I know...all any of us have... is this moment...we are all dying...from the day we are born...

But...

God...Planned...for each and everyone of us...on this Earth... a

 'Journey'...

Whether it be...for a moment... or...a Hundred Years...

We...all have something...to contribute...and...it may not be for our...benefit... it may be...for someone..we meet...touch...for only a Moment....

and...No One... should take that Opportunity...from us....

or...hinder it...

That...is For Our Lord... to decide....

Love...to You...

Barb C.

{I had parked Jethro...in a bad spot...so...while The Nurses...were helping Mom...I ran...to move him...When I rushed back...in the Hospital...a Lovely Lady...was stepping into the Elevator...I yelled.."Hey, Girl...Hold That Door!!! : )" She looked at me...as we were going up...and said..

"You have a Beautiful Aura,...You Really Do!

You...are a Good Person!"....

I was Stunned...Threw...my Arms Around Her...Hugged Her...and said...

"Merry Christmas!!! I Love You....You...are Just...what I needed! "

 {an Angel...}

 and...said...there was a Dr. on the 7th floor...who...may not agree...at this moment... : )

Thanks...so Much..To Don and Judy...

{my Cousin and her Husband...} for coming to visit Mom...

Mom Sang Czech Songs...for us...like Judy's Mom, Helen...{Mom's Late Sister}...

 used to Sooooo Enjoy Singing...

It was...Lovely...

Thanks...to Cindy N. who wrote me...the Most Amazing E-Mail...

When God...Dipped His Pen...in her Heart....

Thank You....

Love...to Them...

Much...Love...to Them...

{John...gave me...some very Bad News...when I got home...last Night...

His...Wonderful Cousin..Albert Avis...had passed away...yesterday...

What a Caring Soul...

He Helped...So Many....

{most Folks..never knew...what a Giving Person..he was..to Soooo Many.. : ) }

John...and Justin will be Pallbearers....Tuesday...

God Bless His Soul... Love...and Prayers...to His Family....}

 

 

 



Too Many Miles... Too little smiles...{ lyrics...from Harry Chapin 'Taxi'...}

After visiting Mom...in the Hospital...this Eve...

{I spent several hours...with her...}

Attempted to feed her...her Supper...

and... helped the Nurses...transfer her... from the potty...back...to bed....

she is so weak...

and...her breathing... is so...difficult....

{they are wanting to release her... in the morn...I took her...clothes...in...for the trip...}

oh my...

There is no...way...she should....go home...

another...'Bus Ride'...

I don't think...so...

I told the Nurses...

I will be back...Very...Early...in the Morn...

I want the Dr. to tell me... He...or She...

would put...their Mother... on a Bus...

in her condition...

I told her Nurse...I'd be sleeping...with my phone...

and Call....if they needed me....

If...I didn't answer...

Call...again...and again...

{I am...so...weary....}

I'll be there...

While I found my way...to the car...

my mind...racing...

I wanted to... escape...

just......sit...and listen...to Jazz...

Yes...

Escape...

{The Light House...}

Jethro... took....to The Highway....instead...

We Drove...and Drove...

{better...than 'Jazz'... on this 'Journey'...}

and...then...

Home....

I sat down...and searched...for 'Music'...

my...therapy...

when I got here...

and...landed on Harry Chapin...

"Taxi"...

There..is something...about...'The Journey'...

We...All... Have One...

Even...Harry...: )

It...was Good...

I sat...and had a Visit...with The Lord...this Morn...

and told him...

" I've had...enough....Lord...You're going to have to...carry...the Load...for awhile..."

{you see....there is Much More....to my...'Journey'...that only...He...and I know... : ) }

 I'll leave it...at that...

and...

Trust...

Yes...

There have been

 "Too Many Miles...with Too...little smiles"...

Love...to ya...

Barb C.

 

 

The Highway.....
Thank...The Lord...for...The Highway...
Yes..I do...

{Amy...Thanks...for The Wine... It's come in...handy...this Eve... : ) }

My Polly....
She Never...leaves my Side....
 She Knows...
She...Tries....to
 'comfort'...
She...Worries....
yes...
She...Knows....
My...Little...Angel....

{As...I sat...with Mom...tonight... I thought...

"This...is Out...of My Hands..."...

I felt...like... I was out of...options... for her...

such... a 'Helpless'......Place...to be...

for a 'Guardian'...

I have looked after...my Folks...

Forever...

Fought...Many...Battles...

and...have won...

With Dad... I couldn't be there... was not...aware...

but...with Mom...

I have been there... Every Single Step...

of the way...

but...

at this point...

I can't help her....

I can't...make her Heart...Stronger...

or...

Her Lungs...Breathe...Easier...

That...

Breaks...my Heart... 

it...Breaks...

My Heart...

{after I reread this...

 I want to clarify...

I will Stand...Tall...and Fearlessly.......

Against... Any...Person...Place...or..Thing...

that stands in the way...of Mom's...

or...The Ones...I Love...

Well Being...

but...

The Fight...we have now...

isn't as simple...as a Panel of Doctors....

or...any...'Authority'...figure...

It is Something...Much...Bigger...

I Encountered...this Evening...

That is what

Jethro...and I were Escaping From....}

yet...make...no mistake...

 I'll....Fight...for her...until...

she says...

"Enough"...

 

 



A Party...of Twelve...

It was such...a Wonderful...

Evening....

The Presentation...went...off...without a hitch...

It was...Lovely....

I Soooo enjoyed this Group....

My Sweet... 8th Grade...Home Economics...Teacher, Donna...

brought the Group...of Ladies....

They were...Darling...

It was an Honor.... Visiting...with them...

{they were all...Teachers...{Gifts...to So...Many...} 

Donna...is...One...of Two...Teachers...in my Life...

That...'Made..a Difference'...

yes...

an...'Angel'...

I think...they enjoyed...themselves....

We had a Lovely time...

after...

Everyone...went home....

I poured myself...a glass of Wine...

and...sat...by The Tree...

{Polly...too...}

These...are The Moments...

I So...Treasure...

So...Few...and Far...Between...

and...

I Savour...Them...

{I kept playing...'Merry Christmas Darling'... over...and over...

Love....Love... Love....that song...oh my...}

Love...to ya...

Barb C.

 

 

 

This...pretty much...says it all...
Merry...Christmas... : )

Polly...enjoyed...lounging on the Old Settee... while.... I...Reflected...
She...is such a Gift...

White Wine... and...Santa's Cookies... : )
 {I was...barefoot... during 'The Presentation'...Told the Gals...
"It Is... What It Is"...
 and...I'm 'Home'....for this one...
so...Here...My Rules...apply!}
 {They didn't mind...a bit! : ) Sweet...Gals...: )}
{yep...I like...'Bare Foot ' Wine...too...what can I say..? }

I Prefer...The Dark Side...

I Prefer...The Dark Side...

Well... maybe...not...

 "Dark"...

The Muted... Soft... Gentle....Side...

The Side...that doesn't have so much...'Light'...upon it...

That...it leaves something...for the Imagination...: )....

{I took images... both...ways...}

I worked most of the day...in the Bathroom... downstairs....

oh my...

It's still not finished...after 12 years...

I worked, mainly...on the trim...and cleaned...

and cleaned...and cleaned...

I covered the shower walls in concrete....

and...the trim...many years ago...

but...there is Much...that still needs to be finished...

a bit...less...after today... : )

The walls...still...need to be painted....

they...will be an off white....

Peg would have had a fit...

I use...my hands..as applicators...

{oh my...I do...make messes... : )

Everything...you see here... is a patching compound...that looks and feels like concrete...

all of the Floors...are Polished Concrete...

{I have had Folks..ask what our Floors are...

 I tell them...very...'Matter of Factly'...

"Iowa Marble"...

 They are Amazed...

"Iowa...Marble"...

"Wow!"....

Then...I tell them...

"Yeah...some Folks...call it.."Concrete".... : )

{it's always good... for a Big Laugh!}

 

Love...The Old Stained Glass Windows...I had John...build in...to the Shower Wall...
I wanted to be able...to look...into the Bathroom...from The Big Room...and have it Feel... like another room...
a Garden, type...room....
not...a Bathroom...

The Big...Mosaic Urn...was a Gift... from our Dear Friend...Jack Crock...
{The Mustang Man}...
 We So... Loved Jack... Miss Him...
{The Big Columns...are Older Than Dirt! They are made of Sandstone...
an Old Friend...called me...years ago...about them...
just as we were working on this room...
They ...are... PERFECT!!!}

Jesus....
There is a Long...Story...with 'Jesus'...
I spotted him... along with a Saint...I have outside... at a Concrete Business... on my way to a Show...Many Years Ago...
They are...Very...Very...Old... and the Concrete Man...was using these...to make a Mould...
to create New Ones...for The Cemetery...that had commissioned him...
I asked...if I could purchase the Old Ones...
{He was going to pitch them...}
He said....sure... But...Jesus... was falling apart...and...the Kind...Man...wanted me to know that....
I told him...I couldn't take them... that day... {Truck was...LOADED...}
But...I'd be back...the first of the next week....
I was sooooo Tired... when I got home...I called...and asked... if it would be o.k. if I came...in the Middle of the week...
He said... "Well...I didn't think you really wanted 'Jesus'... so...we threw him in the pit...He's Gone..."
ARRRRRGGGG!!!
I said....
"CAN WE GET JESUS... OUT OF THE PIT???"
He said...sure....but...He was in Really...Really... Bad Shape...
and...may have fallen Completely Apart...
I told him....I Didn't Care...
PLEEEEASE....GET HIM!!!!
{ I bailed in Great White Hope... {The Old Ford}...and We Flew!!!!...Immediately!!!!}
So...here He is...
Love Him...Just as He Is....
after all...
He Loves me...
Just...as I am...
: )

John...designed...all of the Molding...and created Flush Mounted Columns...to match the Sandstone ones... Yeah... He's...got it 'Goin' On.... : )
 

This is the wall...inside the Shower Room...with the Window....Love It...: )
 I covered...all the Shower Room walls...in Concrete...
Hope...to get This Room Done...Soon!!!
 The Old...Mosaic Bench... is also...from..Jack...He  was such...a Kind Man...
He was a Good friend...of Dad's...as well...
Jack...and I would sit...and Visit...about His..and Dad's Adventures... {oh..my...: ) }
He spent...his last...years...here..at John's Shop....
We So...Loved seeing him...pull up...every Morn...in his Old Ford...
He...Truly...Enjoyed...being a part...of 'Cars'...They...were his Life...
Ford... Cars... oh yeah...
Mustangs...oh....Yeah!
{I made this Bathroom...Handicap Accessible...
 Mom... was a thought... at the time... I was Hoping...she could...come...and stay...
but....that wasn't to be...
 I also knew....you don't have to be older...to have issues...
My late, Sister...Chery...had MS... She was very Young...when Diagnosed....
She was never Wheel Chair Bound...but...never knew... if...or when...she may be....
 and... I was Showing a Horse for a friend... he...reared over...backwards...on top of me...
 and knocked himself out...doing so...
many years ago...
leaving me...pinned...beneath him...
I couldn't walk...without a walker...for a couple of weeks...
{The Horse...was Fine...: ) }
 Getting in...and out of a bathtub...was...UGLY...and...painful...
One...never knows...what 'issues'...may be just around the corner...
 I wanted to be able get a Wheel Chair...in This Room...
We are Good...to Go! : )}

LOVE THIS STUFF!!!
{Messy...But...Gooood!}

With Love...from Lila...

 

As I was racing around.... just before Thanksgiving....

I received a call from Lila...

She had attended The Fall Harvest Sale...and had found an Early Etched Cruet...with Ferns on it...

She was hunting for such, items...for a Presentation...she was giving to her Questers Group....

{'Questers'... are a group of Folks...who research specific Antiques...

 then...as a group...discuss the findings...}

Lila...doesn't collect these, herself...so...I asked her...if...she'd rather... like to 'borrow' it...

than purchase it...then...return...after her Presentation...}

That...was agreed...

When she called...about dropping by...I was Flying!

{Mom...Thanksgiving....ect...}

So...said "Just drop it...in the Back of The Ford...and I'd get it...later..: ) "...

My friend, Patti, {Fern Hill}...had popped in...the next day...and I remembered...the Fern Cruet... that Lila... was to have left...

{I wanted to give it to Patti...for Christmas...}

I went to the Truck...and it wasn't there...

Lila..had put it in the Cab...with a Darling 'Thank You' Note...and...This Book....

Patti was standing there... as I unwrapped it....

Both of our Eye Brows...Shot Up!Then...we Burst out Laughing!!!

{Hmmm... wonder?....hmmm... : ) }

Lila said...in her lovely note...this was a Very Popular Book..in her store....

I can see why...it's been Much Fun... reading....

She was so... Sweet...to give this to me....

I Thank You...Lila... : )

Patti...Loved the Fern Cruet...and...I shared with her...some of Lila's...Research Findings...

Very...Cool... : )

Love to ya...

On Today's Journey...

maybe...

spend a little stretch of it...

on

 The Wild Side...

: )

 Barb C.

 

 

My...Favorite...Quote...in the book... : )
Thanks...for the Lovely...Gift... : )
It's been Great Fun...Reading... : )

Ginormous Cupboard...kits...oh my....

My First...Project...for the day...

Getting The Cupboard 'Kits'... figured out....

These Bad Boys...... are Massive....

4 of us....hoisted the tops...up on 5 gallon buckets... then...Lifted them... onto their bases....

oh my....

We had to get them together...to see how all of the Puzzle Pieces....fit...together....

These Cupboards...are Ginormous...

{did I already say that???}

Built... to Last!!!

Square Nailed...OLD....

They are Identical Twins...

and...Over the Top...Incredible...

but...they are...Killer...Heavy...

{I don't often...say that...trust me... These...are...Big Dawgs!!!!...}

The doors and heavy shelves...are off to the side...

and...It appears.... everything should go back together...

We're taking advantage of the Beautiful Weather... and getting them done...

I finished staining a Big Cupboard....and have one more to go...

but...that's in The Rabbit Hole... and warm there....

I feel...Much Better...seeing these together...

It was Driving Me Nuts!

Hope you...have a Lovely day...

and take advantage...of all the Opportunities...that come your way...

Love...to ya...

Barb C.

{I'm so glad...my Friends...that bought them...are as Crazy as I am...and Buy Things...by the Pound....

They'll.... LOVE THEM!!! {Crazy!} 

 

John is standing between the top...and base... trying to figure out...which moulding...goes to what cupboard....

Together... these are two inches shy..of Ten Feet Tall....and 7 and a half feet wide...
oh...dear....

The Guys...look pretty small....standing next to 'em... oh my....

oh...my.... : )
 

Halcyon Days....

 

"Halcyon Days"

I have this...Old...Old...Etching....

Hanging on the back...of mine...and Ed's Cupboard...

so it faces..into the kitchen...

It always...gives me 'Peace'...when I take...just a moment...to gaze upon it....

{ I didn't know...what 'Halcyon'...meant...so had a friend...look it up for me...years ago...when I brought it home...{before...'Google'...: )}

It means... 'Calm...Peaceful Days'...ahhhh yes....: ) }

I remember...so...the day I found this...Huge Etching...{It's 3 feet by 4 feet...}

It was... about this time of year...14 years ago...or so...

I was headed to a Shop...in Savannah, Illinois...

I was driving...The Great White Hope...

an 81 Ford One Ton Truck... with a Million Miles on it...

{kind of like the driver...}

But...That Old Truck...was a Runner! {Miss Him!}

I Hate this route...to Illinois...

I had to cross the Mississippi..on an All Steel Bridge...

that has holes in it...and you can see the water Soooo Far...below...

and...the Bridge...is Narrow... Very...Narrow...

{my palms get sweaty...just thinking about it....}

I had...an uneasy feeling...about this trip....it was strange....

but...The Thrill of The Hunt...well... That...Over Powers...most... Anything...

a Gnarly Old... Steel Bridge...doesn't stand a chance...

It's a two hour drive...or better...getting to Savannah...

and...as I approached the Old Bridge... I slowed....way...way...down....

There was a Mist...in the air... but..like today... it was warm enough... there was no ice...

Just as I was about to the other side.... {The bridge 'T's...at a cliff...where there is a Highway....}

I pushed in the clutch...

tapped the brake...

The Truck.... locked up...and slid sideways...about 30...40...or 50... feet....

{It seemed like a Football Field!}

I tried to correct it... to no avail...

{thankfully...I was alone...on the Bridge...}

The Truck....finally grabbed hold... when it hit real pavement...at the 'T'....as cars were going busily along...the highway...in front of me...

I just sat there...at the intersection...

My Heart...in My Throat...

{all I could see...as I was helplessly sliding...was THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER...

Soooo Far... Beneath...me...and The Ford...

and Cars....Flying down the Highway...in front of us....

I Thought....We're either...Going For a Swim...or...

we are going to be Sandwiched...'T' Boned...on Both Sides...

There was No Way...I could Stop...the Ford......}

{Thank God...for Angels...}

When I reached the Antique Store.... I put my purse...on the counter...

told the Lady...working...that all of my information...is in my purse...

should I have a Stroke... and Die...

{My Heart..was Still Pounding...}

{she found 'Humor'..in this...me... Not So Much!}

I purchased a Big Load...

Sections of Iron Fence...{long...they stuck 4 feet out of the back...of the Ford}

The Massive Curved Balustrade....{that's now, in the House}

a couple of Old Cupboards... a Stained Glass Window...and...

the 'Halcyon Days' Etching...

There was just an older Lady working...I didn't want her to struggle with my stuff...

so it took me several hours to load...

The Etching...also had to be put in the back...of The Ford...{Too Big...to fit in the Cab}

While I worked... it kept getting Colder...and Colder...outside..

and the Wind...was Howling...

It...was also..getting Dark....

So...I rushed...and rushed...

Said my 'Good Byes'...and...headed back...to the Dreaded Bridge...

My hands...where White Knuckled on The Steering Wheel...

Teeth... Clenched... and...

We Made It!

{SIGH!!!!}...

It was then...just as The Ford...got his front tires...off of The Bridge... 

I remembered...I had forgotten a Cupboard....

Oh...My...Lord...

It was minutes...from 5...

I had to drive a couple miles... to turn around... then...a couple..back.. Tic Toc!

So...I attempted to turn around... on the Narrow...Guard Railed...road...that leads to The Bridge...

This was before cell phones...and I Did Not...want the Lady to Close...before I got there....

I Jacked the Ford around... almost...made it...

Then...BANG!

I had forgotten...I had four feet of Iron Fence... out the Tail...Holy Smokes!

I had hit the Guard Rail...

I straightened the Truck around...and beat feet...to Sabula...to turn around...

Then...again...I had to Cross... That Dreaded Bridge...

I crept...across it...and made it....

{Sweat...was beading on my forehead....}

I ran to the Door...of the Antique Shop...and Thankfully...she was just walking out...

oh my...

I loaded the Cupboard...

and...headed back...to The Bridge....

{You'd Think...it would be Easier....By Now...to Cross...ahhh...Not...So. Much.....}

It had started to Snow...and the Wind...was Howling....

{it was Bitter...I was nearly Frozen...after Loading the Old Cupboard....}

and...It was Slick....

I locked the Ford...into 4WD...and...crept...

{Tho...4WD doesn't help...on Ice...it made me feel better...: ) }

When I finally...got across...

I wanted to Throw Up!

The Trip Home...was an Erie...one....

It's winding....hilly...stark...and was soooo Black...Out...

I felt...so Uneasy...

I worried about The Old Etching...

kept looking in my mirror....

I had it strapped tight against the Cab...and it was Cold...so I knew...the Snow wouldn't hurt it...

About an hour...into the trip... Something... went Flying...I don't know how...I saw it..it was so dark...but...I must have looked at it...just...as it took flight...I saw...something....leave...the back of The Ford...

I really can't explain how...it happened...

I pulled over....by now...the wind...must have been at least 40 mph...It was Insane... and Freeeeezing!

I ran around the Ford......searching for it...so afraid...of what I would find....

Some How...

The Etching....

Survived....and...was still in the Truck

The Backing...was Gone....

I looked for it...but..it was So...Cold....Dark...Windy...and Slick...

I thought...I'd better let it go...

But..The Etching...Survived....

I retied...it...and...we went...on our way...

oh my...

This was definitely...Not...

a 'Halcyon Day'....

: )

Love...to ya...

Barb C.

 

{I've spent sooo Much time...

Down The Rabbit Hole...

{and...Loved It!}

It seems strange...this Morning...to get back...

To The Real World!

Mom...is still in the Hospital..

But...Doing...Better!

Peg...is having a Blast...with her Family...

In Florida!

I am Bailing into Major Projects...

all...having to be Completed...in Two and a half weeks....

{would Love...to have them All Done..and Ready to Go...

This Week!}

I have to prepare...for The Presentation...here...

Thursday Evening...as well....

oh my....: )

Thanks...Again...to Everyone...who came...and Visited The Holiday Open House...

You were Food...for My Soul... : )

Love You!}

 



Holiday Open House....History...and...The Truth....

The Holiday Open House...

 is 'History'...

Another...Great...Day...

In So... Many Ways... : )

and...about

'The Truth'...

well...

as I sat...this Evening...by Candle Light...

I thought...

I am... much...like the Mad Hatter...

Wear my Emotions...on my Sleeve...

kind of like...

a 'Mood Ring'...

I share things...

Openly...

Life...

Honestly...

I Learned...'Sales'...Early...in my Life...

and...to be good at 'Sales'...

well...

 the way I go about it...

is...

Totally....Wrong....

I could Smile...Paint...a Most Beautiful Picture...

Sugar Coat...Everything...: )

 and Sell....

yes...I could...

{Truly...I Could...}

and be Very...Good...at it...

But...

That's...not who I am...

What you see...

well...

is what ya get...: )

The Truth...

{it is...what it is...}

After all of the Upside Downess...

of recent...days...

I wondered... who would... ever come visit...

Let Me Tell Ya...

I was... Floored...

Stunned...

and....

so Very Blessed...

The Folks...who came to visit...

Knowing...Full Well...What..and Who...

they were Walking in...to see...

Angels...

They...are Angels...

I didn't mention Chery T.

who...made a Point...of Visiting...yesterday..

She is a Dear...Soul...I have known for years...

Loved...Loved...Loved...her Mom...

who passed away...several years ago...

I think of her...Every Time...Chery walks through the door...

She didn't come...to buy...

she came...to see me...

That...Touches my Heart...More...Than...Anything...

Patti...from Fern Hill...

She couldn't come...during The Open House...but...came early...

and...we shed...tears...together...

Blessings...Blessings...

It's the ones...

that call... or visit...

Knowing...

It isn't going to be 'Pretty'...

{Any of It...Me...or The Store...}

oh my...

All I can say is...

I feel Very Blessed...

The Ones...

who stepped over debris...and the Shop Vac...

drove...for Miles...

and reset...displays... helped...drag things off of shelves...

and...simply...

Held Me Up...

well...

Honestly...

The Truth is...

I Feel...Mighty...Blessed... : )

Thanks...to Everyone...who popped in...today...

Angie...and Family....: )

Amy...My...Crazy...Fun...Soulful...Amy...

{they were Gifts... : )}

Jim...and Mike...

Mark...Shannon and Sara...

Cindy...and Tom...

Wanda and Terry...

What Wonderful Angels... : )

I could go on...and on...and...on...

{you know...I could...: ) }

LOVE...

To You All...

and Thank You...for Being Here...

Even...when...Life...isn't... "Pretty"...

Sometimes...'The Truth'...is...Ugly...

but...Angels...like the Ones...who Fell...

Down The Rabbit Hole...

This Weekend...

well...They aren't

'Pretty'...either...

No...

They are...

BEAUTIFUL...

Barb C.

 

Have had this Little Fountain...since I Opened The Rabbit Hole....
It Shined...Throughout The Weekend...
it...truly....did... : )

Called it a Night...around Six...The Party's Over....
The Candles...have all...burned down...
I Popped the Cork...on a Bottle of Champagne....
{The Cork...Blew...like it was coming out of a Twelve Gauge Shot Gun...
Flew 12 feet across ... the Green House...
and Broke...an Old..Red Christmas Ornament...
oh my... : )
The Party...is.... Over...
I shared the Champagne...with Amy....
and...what was left...I Hauled to the House...
and Drank...Straight out of The Bottle... : )
I am tired...
so...very...tired...
but....
Life... is Good... : )
so...Very...Good...

Ahhh...Amy...
She found the Vintage Leopard Collar...and Cuffs... Down The Rabbit Hole... this Eve...
She came walking out......into the Green House...
Sashayed... them...
 and...asked "How Much?"...
 I said..."Merry Christmas!"...
{They...are soooo Amy...oh my...}
She is such...Sweet Spirit...
{Crazy... : ) { but then...all the Best People Are : )}... and...so Sweet...}
{They Will...be Loved... : ) }

Finally....today...
Hung the Old Buggy Seat Back.... like I had wanted it...
Upside...Down... to Create a Shelf...
I Soooo Love It...
Knew....It would...be Perfect....
{This came from the Farm...Dad lived at... back in the '40's...
oh my....: ) }

'Simply... to They Cross...I Cling'... yes....I do....

This....Amazing Vintage Lamp...has a Bow on it...Year 'Round.... yes...it does... : )
 

Ahhh...Here's an Angel! I gotta tell ya... Cindy N. Is a Most...Amazing Woman!...
{and... she looks Damned Good... in a Hat!}
What a Blessing...she has been to me... and...So Many...
What can I say...
but...
"Love Her!"

My Two...Favorite Girls!!!!

'The Truth'... Pure....and Simple... : )

Open Sunday 10 'til 5...ish! Holiday Open House!

 

Sat...in The Green House...sipping Wine...'til around 7...
I so enjoyed... the Peacefulness...
The Candles... The Old Fountains...
I thought...I really should...do something...Monthly... here...
a 'Special'...Little Event....
It would be...a bit..Self Serving....
It's the Only Time... I really...get to enjoy... The Rabbit Hole...
and...be 'Grounded' there....
I'm going to have to Ponder...that Notion... : )

 

Had a Lovely First Day...

of the Holiday Open House....: )

It was Great...seeing Everyone...

It Truly Was... : )

Lynn and Lea...: ) 

Alyson...Rhonda... and Becky...

{What...Little Darlings!}

The Sweet...Cedar Rapids... Girls... {Angels...}

My 'Little'...Friend...from Northern Iowa...

{She Loves...'Littles'! Can't wait to see her Creations!}

AMY....and LYDIA!!!

{The Nest}

what a Wonderful...Gift..it was to see them!!!

{Liz even drove out...to visit with Lydia...They Both...are such 'Special'...Daughters...}

Sharon... What a Sweet Soul...with an Amazing Eye... she's a Photographer... an Artist...I love...the Images..she Captures...in...and around The Rabbit Hole... : )
Marian....and her Darling daughter...Anne... {with Sweet Friend...in tow...: ) } I so...Love Those Girls....Marian...is such...a Special...Woman... : )

Donna...{ Love Donna...always have...she was my Junior High Home Ec Teacher...{tho...you'd never know it...she never changes...Looks so Good! and is a Firecracker!}

She also...reminded me...about a Presentation...I had agreed to...much earlier..in the year...

Here...In My House... on Thursday Night... For her Teacher's Group!

Oh My!!! {YIKES!}

Had a Darling Girl...from Walford... come...and purchase Loads of Vintage Ornaments...

to Adorn her Christmas Tree...

like she remembered it...as a Child... : ) Love That!

Was Gifted...by my Old Friend...Barry...

hadn't seen him...Forever! 

He brought some Neat Folks... that are opening a Store in St.Louis...

 {Anthropology}

I have heard much about the one..in Chicago...

Friend, Jan...Loves It....and shops there often!

They gave me some wonderful compliments...

Kind...People...

{considering...I didn't get my shop vac. put away...until 1:30....

Friends...were stepping over it... and resetting areas... they had pulled items from......

The Shop... well... isn't at it's 'best'....

but...it was the best...I had in me...

and like Dad says...that's all you can do... : )

We opened the wine...around 3:00...and visited...

Then...my Little Friend, Brandon, popped out...

and...around 7... we went for Pizza...

It was a Great Day!

Hope to See You...

Today...

Love to Ya...

Barb C.

{I'm bringing in More...Vintage Christmas...today! oh my!}

I snapped this images...while sitting in The Green House...last night...

I had filled the Old Amana Cupboard Up...with Greenery..

{Thanks...Barb H. {Sisters' Garden...: )}

Big Silver Trays...and... anything...Old... Silver...

It seemed Happy....{dare I say...'Merry'... : ) }

Holding the Lovely, Old Gems.... it...Truly...did... : ) 



Open House Today! 10 'til 5 ish!

 

Holiday Open House!

Today 10 'til 5...ish!

Located on Highway 151

Fairfax, Iowa...

319-241-1348

I'll be Putting Out Vintage Christmas...all Weekend!

I'll have Treats...

{and...a Little Wine...

later...in the Day...}

Hope to See Ya!

The Rabbit Hole...Is...What It Is....: )

Come Dig!

{I don't usually say this...about the

 'Holiday Open House'...but...

Wear Your Grubbies... and Bring a Truck!}

Love to ya...

Barb C.

{Don't Forget! Prelude to Christmas!!!

In The Amana Colonies!!!

oh my...

That...is Always....

BEAUTIFUL!!!!

Lots of Great Antiquing!!!!}