Chew Tobacca....Chew Tobacca....Chew Tobacca...Spit... : )

Yes...those are the lines from the New...Blake Shelton Song...

'Boys 'Round Here'...

It's not on Playlist....but...I posted it on FB....

I gotta tell ya...

I must have heard it....a 100 times....

as the Ford and I bounced....down the Dusty Iowa Back Roads...

By the time I heard it...for the 99th...time...

I nearly stopped...and picked up a can...of Chew...: )

It was a Craaaaazy...day..... and...the Load... was...nothing like what...I had...imagined.... when I left home....

by...a Long...Shot....

My day started out... by finding...the roof had leaked in my shop....

I had to be on the road..to pick up...the Gnarly Old Cupboard....

but...had to pull rugs up.... first...

{I also...discovered...our Washer...had been running all night...and the laundry room...was full...of water...: ) }

Then...a Pal popped in...she bought some things..I had on the Ford...so...that was Great!

but...I was running...late....

I got to Iowa City... and picked up...the AMAZING...Old...Cupboard... and a darling...Shelving piece....

Then.... I had to run...up North... to get a Store Counter....

I thought I'd call some of my Shop Owner Friends... that were on my route...from South...to North... to see if they had anything...I needed....

As I was flying down the Hi Way.... Chatting Away....

{Chew Tobacca...Chew Tobacca...Chew Tobbaca....spit....: ) }

I missed my turn... : )

So... went to an Old Friends...Shop...that was a bit...: ) out of my way...: )

I was Blown Away...by His Shop!!!!

He....told me...of another...

I went....

and bought...some...more... Gnarliness...

Then...the Proprietor...at that Store...

Told...me of Yet...another..Place....

: )

a Great....Place!

oh my...

It was a Great...Day...Gathering...

{I'll be posting about these...AWESOME Places.... after I get back...from Gold Rush!}

Then...I popped in... and visited with Alice....

MORE...Gnarliness!

I had a Mountain...of a Load....

Dry Sink...Piled...on top..of the Old Gnarly..Cupboard....

A Big Colonnade...Flankin'...That...!

Shelves...and Stands...

oh...my...

and...time was slippin'... past...

Yep...I was doing a lot...of...

'Chew Tobacca....Chew Tobacca...Chew Tobacca...spit...: )'

When I finally...arrived at my Northern...Destination...a Girl...was interested...in the Counter...I was to take...on Consignment....

I told her...

"You had better...Buy It...Girl...

She won't...be coming...Home...: ) "

She did...

Smart Girl....: )

I bought...More...Gnarliness....

but...then...I Sold ...and Traded...half...of my Gnarliness... for...

other...Gnarliness...

We unloaded...and reloaded the entire...Ford!

I was dripping with....Sweat...

Chew Tobacca...Chew Tobacca...Chew Tobacca....spit....

oh my...

I was supposed to deliver...a Load.... when I got home...

but...I was an hour...from there...

and frankly....whipped...

So...I'll be doing that...this morn...after I unload....

Then...I have to Load...the Big Truck... I'm pulling out...in the Morn....

for Gold Rush!

My Friend...I did all the Swappin' with...and I...went for an Ice Cold...Drink...and Supper....

while doing so....

The phone rang...

it was John...

Scout...had Escaped....

Fence...was Down!

oh my...

I was an Hour away...

Between... John...and Liz...they got everything...handled...

but..I gotta tell ya...

It was a MESS!

Chew Tobacca...Chew Tobacca...Chew Tobacca...spit....: )

I'm Off...and Running...Today!

It's gonna be a Long...Day!

A Long...Several...Days!

Love to Ya!

Barb C.

 

 

 

 

A Fun....Load of Gnarliness....to Add...to The Load!
I'm picking up...a Load...of Concrete Statuary...{Big Stuff} tonight...to put on the End...of the Big Truck....
Have No...Idea...how I'm going to get...the Truck....unloaded...and booth set...alone...
But...
I
Will...
: )
It's gonna...be...Interesting...: )

This...is a Tall...Old Gal...I traded for...{I don't have the Heart....to show ya...what..'was'...on the Load...}
Chew Tobacca...Chew Tobacca...Chew Tobacca....spit...

I captured this image... on  my ride Home...
oh my....
I heard the song...lyrics...in my head....
"Up...Up...and Away...in My Beautiful...Balloon"....
naw...
I'm Bouncin' down the road....
Chew Tobacca....Chew Tobacca...Chew Tobacca....
spit....
: )

Thanks to All...Who made my Birthday...So....Beautiful!!!

Thank You...to All...

who Called... sent Lovely Cards...Stopped By....Face Booked...Texts... Brought...Flowers...

and sent...E-Mails...

With Such...Lovely...Wishes...

: ) : ) : )

Mother Nature...Blessed me...with a Beautiful Day....that I spent...Scrounging...

Second Hand Shops!

I found a Darling...Pair of Shoes!

Was Blessed with some Great Antiques...and a Wonderful...Old Cupboard...that I had tried to buy...years ago.... that was already sold...when I first, saw it...

: )

Thanks...to Donna...who came by...and brought a Lovely Gift...and Card...

and...

The Secret Birthday Fairy...

who left me a Wonderful Bottle of Wine....

in the Green House...

that was a Lovely Surprise...this Morn!

I am...So...Very...Blessed!

Thank You All!!!!

I'm picking up...and loading today....

so...Have to Fly!!!!

Love You!

and...

Thank...You!

Barb C.

 

What a Wonderful Gift...seeing this...Mama Robin....Nesting...on the Old Out House Door...
Next...to The Rabbit Hole!

Thanks...for the Beautiful...Touching...Cards...
: )

Thanks...for the SURPRISE!!!!

Blessings!

Simply...Iowa....

 

 

 

This....

Is what is...Important....in Life...
'The Good....Stuff'

: )

I deleted...my 'Cry Baby...Pee Pants'... Post....

{a sweet...friend...told me...to 'Suck it Up'....}

Thanks...So Much...to All... who...had  Softer...Gentler....

Words...of Wisdom...

and...Janelle...
{your comment...was deleted... with the Boo Hoo...Post...}

But...I Sure...appreciated...the Kind...Thoughts....

Love You....

I just got off the phone...with Pegadoo...

She...told me... I was toast....

and...all it took...was a tiny match...to make me...Burn...

She...was right...I am....'Toast'....

and...am getting...Crispier...by the minute...

She thinks...I should quit...the shows...all together....

but...

I can't...

yet...

I have to do...Gold Rush....I can't let...Kay down...or...my....True...Blue....Friends...

that count on me....being there....

So...

I'll...get the truck...loaded....for this....

but....

I may....drop...all the rest....

and just do...my Monthly....Get Togethers....

and...as Peg says..."Stay...Down the Rabbit Hole...You're...Safe...there...: ) "

It has...been a lot...lately....
The Old...Evil One...knows...exactly...what buttons...to push...
when...I'm at my weakest....
He knew...if someone...spit in my face... it wouldn't have hurt me....so deeply...
{But...we'd be Wearing Big Old...What Cheer Mud Suits!}
No...he...tapped 'The Old...Soulful'...button....
The Fact
 is...
I glanced around the house...today...and visited...with...
The Old Souls...
They all....have had...quite a 'Journey'...the last couple...hundred years...
yet...somehow...they found their way...to me...
I Trust...they will...as they Always... have...
find...the 'right'...hands...
They are...'Survivors'...after all... : )

I am...So....Thankful...for all...the Amazing....Angels...that have been....so Close...at hand...

and...What Cheer.... was....Wonderful....

It was a Ruff...road...with the weather...

but...the People... were...Amazing....

I...was Blessed....

Love...to you...

and...Thank...You....

Barb C.

{a.k.a. "Cry Baby....Pee Pants"... : ) }

 

 

 



Heading To What Cheer.... Directly....: )

It's Not Raining!

It's Warm!

See ya...at What Cheer!

{be there...around 9 : ) }

Love to ya!

Barb C.

Whoooops! : )

Well...
When I heard...this Morn...that the Weather Guy...Lied...and it was going to rain...all day....
I almost... stayed Home...
There hasn't been much What Cheer Traffic....with the Wind...Cold...and Rain....
But then... I thought....
All of those Folks...My Neighbors....who...were sleeping in their Vans...
 and Fought the Cold...and Wet...They would be there....
I...had better go....
but...I Fiddled around....getting there...
Stopped...here and there....
Antiquing all the way...
Taking my...Sweet Time....
Do Doo....Do Do Do.... Mahna Mahna...
{I find...the older I get...
 I am...
My Father's...Daughter....
A Man once said... about my Dad...
"If...Marion Conner says...he'll be back...on Tuesday....
You'd better ask him...of What Month....and...What Year"...
The Man said it...with a Smile...on his face...: )
He...knew...Dad...always had...The Best...of Intentions....
Somehow... The 'Journey'...and...the Wind...in our Sails...
 can take us... Miles...off Course...: ) }
Whooooops!
{After all...it was Pouring Rain!}
I was on the phone...with Mark...when I pulled in front of my Booth...
all I could muster.... into the phone...was...
"Whoooops!"
There were Paths.... like a Cow Paths....through my Booth....
The Big...Mounds of Straw...I had Fluffed...all over the Ground...
Were FLAT!!!
I Knew...
I was in BIG Trouble...
I told Mark...I had to Go!
I was met at my booth... by my Sweet Neighbor...
who looked Exasperated!
He said...
"Where Have YOU Been!? I Could Have Sold Your Booth Out!!!! It was Packed....with People Who Wanted To BUY!!!...."
YIKES!!!!
I apologized....over and Over...
He wasn't mad... he was sorry.... I didn't have some of the treasures priced... and he didn't have my number....
to call...
{I'd told them...where the key was...to the FUSO...but...forgot to leave my phone...number...}
Oh My!
Oh Well...: )
I'll be there Bright and Early... in the Morn...
I left my number....
We'll be ...packing up...around 4... I want to have Sunday Supper...
for the Kids...
It was a Great Day... even tho... I missed some sales...
I Shared a Lovely Supper...with Gerald....He and Darla... are such...
Genuine...Folks....
And...visited...with some...very...Fun People!
It's All...Good!
{Sorry...to the Folks...I Missed..: ( }
Love...to ya!
Barb C.

This...was what it looked like..all day.... oh my....
The Weather Guy...said it was going to be better...today...he lied...
oh well...
It was a Great Day!
Tomorrow...it Is...going to be...Much Better!
Warmer...and little...or no rain!
Liz and I...are going to start loading out...around 4:00 Saturday...
: )
I want to have the Kids...over for Sunday Supper....
 

This is...Snow...on the FUSO.... Dang...
It Rained...and Rained...all day...
Snowed...in the night....
 

Found this...Well Loved...Red and White Quilt...at Gerald's Booth...at What Cheer....
My booth is so wet... I can't put any Fabric...out... It sure doesn't feel...as Cozy...without...Textiles...

It was Great Visiting with the Amana Folk...at their Garage Sale... {The Ford...STOPS...at All...Garage Sales....: ) }
 where I found these...
{I'll...Blame...The Ford...for my Tardiness...: ) }
These are...Original...to The Amana Colonies.... mid...to last quarter of the 1800's....
Love...Love....Love...
'em!

This is all...Hand Worked... and...all the Ferns...are real....
Beautiful....

I picked up this Old...Wire...Heart Shaped Lamp Chimney Cleaner.... at The Williamsburg Antique Mall...as I was heading to What Cheer....Guess... I should have went....Strait....to What Cheer... Whoooooops!

Loved these Books...when I saw them...today....at What Cheer... They are Filled...with Wonderful Stories From...the early...to mid 1800's... The Covers...are...Beautiful!!!

When I got Home...I began going through...PILES..of the Most...Wonderful Old Post Cards...Photos...Tin Types...Hat Pins....and Calling Cards...
I Get Lost...when I Play...with these....Toys....

I spotted this...Old Book... on a table... amongst...a Pile...of others...
I'm always drawn to these...Old...Gnarly...Grungy....Books....
I expected to find a Spelling... or Arithmetic...book...inside...
But...to my surprise... it was an 1877....
"The Adventures of Tom Sawyer"
with Samuel Clemens holding the 1875 copyright...
I have never held...a copy...of this book...that is this Early....
It's in 'Well Loved' condition... but...that doesn't bother me...
in fact... it makes me Smile...
Thinking...of all of the Children... who checked it out...for the very First...Time...from the Keokuk Library....
back...in the Day...it First was written!
What a Journey...They must have Taken...while reading...this Novel!!!!

It's The Simple...Things... That Mean... the Most... : ) yes...These Are...The Good Old Days... : )

I just...snapped this image.... right outside...the door...
The Tulips...are Loving The Rain...
It's All...Good... : )

 

It's Raining...again...today...

I thought... maybe...I'd just not go...to What Cheer...

After all...

not too many Folks...will be there....

It's Cold... and...Wet....

Then...I got to thinkin'...

It's been raining and windy... the last two days...

and...I thought...

What a Gift...that has been....

: )

No...there aren't Crowds...of People...

Things...aren't being Sold... Left...and Right...

and...I thought a little more...

about... the Gifts... I have been Blessed with...

because...of The Rain...

If it was Beautiful....

I'd be running Hard....

Focused...on my Booth....and Selling...

Instead...

I have had Time...

to meet...with my Neighbors...

Visit...with Them....

Be...Inspired..by Their...'Journey'...

and Devotion...

to these...Old...Soulful Things...

Not...Beat the Ford...down the road....

take it...

Slow....and Easy....

and...Enjoy...The Journey...

See...and Appreciate... The Blessings...in my life...

That...all too often...become a Blur on The Fast...Track....

Yes...there is a Season...for Everything...

Why...in The World...Wouldn't I go back...

Today...

Just Think..

what Gifts... may be waiting....

in the Rain...Today...

: )

oh my...

Love to ya...

Barb C.

 



Thursday...at What Cheer... : )

 

I arrived...late Morn...

The wind...had blown a few things...around...but...it was all Good!

It was Chilly...

and...Windy!

had Folks...pop in... and Visit...

Everyone...I Mean...Everyone...was Up Beat... and Cheerful!

It was raining... yet....Dealers are still pulling in...to set up...Tomorrow...

{The weather sounds...better...and Saturday...sounds...Good!}

YAY!!!

Some of them...from Northern Iowa... still had several inches of Snow...on the Roofs...of their Vehicles!

Bless Their Hearts!

They had to wait...to be Plowed...Out...before they could get on the Road...

oh my... : )

I Fluffed...and Kicked The Straw...around...in my booth....

Forgot my tags...so will be doing that...Bright...and Early...in the Morn....

: )

I Bugged out...around 4...

{Everyone was soooo Excited about The Spaghetti Dinner... they Feed...The Dealers...at 5....

and...several Folks...wanted me to stay...

but...I had put a Roast on...this morn....

and...my feet were wet....

Thought I'd better get some rest...

It's an hour...each way....

The next two days... are going to be...BUSY!!!

Then...I have to Throw It...Into Overdrive!

Set Up...at Gold Rush....One Week From Today!

{Rochester, MN.! }

Oh Boy!!!!

: )

 

 

There is...A Lot...of Stuff.... There!!!...
Once the Weather Breaks.....
It's Gonna Be...GREAT!!!

This...is a Glimpse...of my booth... from the Driver's Seat...of The Ford...
as I was leaving....
It is....Sweet.... but...not done...
My feet...got wet...and when that happens... I'm Done...for the Day!
{Unless...it's over 60.... then...Who Cares!!! The Shoes...Go Off!!! }
I'll get better images...when the Wind...stops...Blowin'!

Headed Back...to What Cheer!

I'm dressed...Warm...and Headed back...to What Cheer!!!

There were Lots of Trucks and Trailers....Rolling in...last night as we were leaving!

Can't wait to see what's New!

and... get my Booth....Pulled together!

See ya...There!

Love to ya...

Barb C.

What Cheer.... oh my....

 

oh my...

Just got home...from setting up...at What Cheer...

Liz...and Miss. Scarlett....{who was feeling Much Better!}

 insisted...on bringing The Ford...

We arrived in the early afternoon....

it was...Beautiful...out...

but...as the day went on...

The Wind...

began to Howl!!!

I Mean...HOWL!!!!

{I watched a Ken Burns Documentary...last night...about the 'Dust Bowl'...

I felt....like...I was Living It...Today....}

We are in a building....that is open...on all sides...

with a roof....

Liz and I...framed up a wall... and covered it...in heavy plastic...

That...didn't last long....

The Wind....

The Howling....Wind!

Then...Lynn and Lea... showed up....

{ I had visited with them...earlier... said if...they were headed What Cheer....way... bring a Drill....

Mine...Died... and no electricity to recharge...: ( }

They helped us unload...and run more boards...and plastic....

oh my...

Then... I decided...when we were getting ready to head home...to block the North Wind... with the Box Truck....

Snug him in...Tight....to the overhang.... at the front of our booth....

I Jacked the Truck in...Tight....

but...after doing so... I found...the Truck...stuck out...a bit too far... into traffic....

so...thought... I'd better move it....

but... The Truck... had dropped into a rut... and...I couldn't get away...from the building... without hitting the Gutter...

{I had it...TIGHT!!!

Yes...I was in a VERY Tight...Spot!!!!}

I called Lynn... and said..."WHERE ARE YOU????"

I knew... I was going to have to have someone...on the ground...

with...'Truck'... experience... guiding me....

{I couldn't see the entire top of the Box...in my Mirror...}

Just then...my neighbor... walked up...I asked him...if he...could guide me...

{It was funny... He was pushing...on the side...of the Heavy...Monster Truck...

Trying...to open the sliver of a Gap... at the top...

I suppose... it's one's first instinct...

It...Didn't...Move...: ) }

But...we... inch by fraction...of an inch.... got it out...

Everything...Unscathed...: )

oh my..

I...Miss. Scarlett...and Liz... are Covered in GRIT!

I just took a sip...of The Queen's...Wine...

and...I feel Grit... on my Lips...

In my teeth...

oh my...

All the Furniture...is Covered...in Fine...What Cheer... Dust...

oh my...

oh...my...

Liz...reminded me... on the way home... {She was Squeezed into the Tiny Back...of the Ford...That is...Loaded...with Stuff! } so Scarlett could be in her car seat...}of the statement...she had made...as we were loading... this morn...

"When You Die....I'm NOT doing...This!!!"...

: )

I feel...very Guilty...about leaving...my Old...Soulfulness... to fend for itself....

at What Cheer...

so much so...

I told...Liz... I should just keep the Old Corner Cupboard...it deserves...Better....

I bought...a Great...Walnut Fireplace Mantle...and a Darling...Early....little 5 Drawer piece...

{The Drawers...are all hand dovetailed... LOVE IT!}

and...some other...Sweet... Dibby Dabbies...: )

The Booth....is in a Pile...

I'll deal with it...in the morn...

All...in All...

It Really...was... a FUN Day!

and...yes...

I...am... CRAZY!

and... so...VERY... BLESSED!!!

: )

Love to Ya!

Barb C.

{There are a Lot...of Folks...set up...at What Cheer.... Lots of Great...Stuff!!! }

I'll have images...tomorrow.... WAY to...Crazy...Today!

 

I sampled this wine... yesterday... at Frond Design Studio...
{She Carries...some...Amazing...Wine!}
Holy Smokes... Love It...
The Proprietor... Stephanie... said...it was The Queen's Choice...
for her
Diamond Jubilee...
It's a White...French Wine....
I thought...
"If it's good enough...for the Queen...."
: )
I bought two bottles...
and...
Cracked...one... Tonight....
Here's To Ya...
: )
{Who would have thought...while attending The Queen's Diamond Jubilee....sipping...this wonderful Wine...
that...someday... some Crazy Woman...in Iowa... Covered...in Grit...
{Inside...and Out...
My nose feels...like I've been Snorting Concrete Dust...all day...}
after...being Blown...Away... in a Dust Bowl...
All Sweaty... and Dirty.... after
Loading...Unloading... Old Trucks....
would...also... be enjoying...the very same...Wine...: )
I doubt...they could have...enjoyed it...then...any more...than I do...this...very...moment...}
Life...Is...Good... : )
{I just pulled my Pink High Tops...off...
and they went...
'POOOOOF!"...
Dust...Rolled...off of my pants....and Shoes....
oh my...
: )
What Cheer...is a Great...Time...Amazing...Finds...
and...
a lot...of...Dust...
but...
It's Worth It!
: ) }
 

What Cheer Flea Market....

As I sit here...this Morn...

I'm trying to decide... if I'm Crazy....

or not...

The weather sounds UGLY...

Miss. Scarlett... a bit... under the weather...

so told Liz... They'd better stay Home...: )

so...I won't have any extra hands....

and...

I'd have to unload the FUSO...

then come home....

and bring

 the Ford...in the Morn...with Garden....

oh my...

hmmmmm.....

On...the other hand....

The FUSO...is Loaded....

and...I'd have to unload it...somewhere....

in storage...

before Gold Rush...to reload...for that...

So...

Bring on The Rain!

{After all....we had a Drought last year...

I'm not going to complain... about Rain...: )}

I'm gonna Have Fun...

Visit...with Folks!

Find some Homes...for the Old Treasures....

Packed in the FUSO...

maybe... Provide a Home...to some...as well!!!

and Have FUN!!!!

and....be Thankful...

for All...of The Blessings....

in my life!

Hope to see you...There!!!

Love...to ya!

Barb C.

{and yes...I may be...a little 'Crazy'...

but then...All The Best...People Are!!!}

: )

{You can shop What Cheer... all week.... I always go on Thursday and Friday...It costs 2.00 a day....to attend... 1.00 on Saturday and Sunday!

oh my...

it's always...Fun....No Matter! }