Hmmmm.... they really do... exist.

In the midst...of everything... 

these last many weeks....

Between...and during... 'events'....

I am still... working on Medicare... for John.

Several weeks ago... out of desperation... so many doors... shut in my face....

I sat down... and wrote a letter to The President.

: )

I told him... I couldn't understand... that, John was eligible and entitled to Medicare....

{because of his age...}

Only because...he filed late... they wouldn't cover any of his bills...until July.
{which meant...they would cover nothing.... he was sick...and hospitalized in March, April and May. I filed for him...in February. }

I filed for him, before... we knew... how ill he was... before... he went to the hospital...when we were struggling to pay office visits...

I...really didn't expect to hear anything....
it just felt good... putting it all down... in writing.

This morning... I received a call... from Medicare.

They had received a letter...from The White House....

The White House... wanted them to address this 'situation'....

oh my...

who knew?

: )

We are still... at a stand still.... but... I feel... the wall crumbling... just a little bit.

If...I can't get things changed... to save us...

I am going to continue to fight... for others.... hitting the same... wall...

No One... No Family... should have to go through this... only because of a 'waiting period'....

It's wrong... 

Thanks...Mr. President. : )

John... Loved You... 

and...

so do I. 

{no matter...how this all.... boils....down.  : ) }
I can't tell you... how Good... it feels....
just to know...
you have been...
'heard'.
: )

Love...to ya...

Barb C.

Autumn...

This may be...
my favorite image....
of the 'rabbit hole'....
I have ever captured.
Polly {my 4 legged best friend} and I....
had just turned out all of the lights....
after... working there, all afternoon.
It was more difficult... than I had imagined.... being there.... today.
oh...my.
{haven't been there.... really... since May. }
Memories... are strewn...throughout....
It's like a little Jewelry Box....
filled... with the Most Precious.... Gifts.....
one...could ever...hope...to gather.....
<3
I...see John...
 Everywhere.....
He...Built This Structure.....
and... made it.... what it is.
oh my.....
My Peg....
oh my.........
she...is here... at every turn....
: )
I...was...
am...
so....
 Very ....Blessed.
yet...
 as I cleaned.... and worked... unpacking....
it was a most... difficult... 'journey'....
When I looked at the images.... tonight, I realized....
The Rabbit Hole....
 still....
Stands..Tall.
I, may be weak...at the knees....
but... the rabbit hole....
my....
Sanctuary...
Stands...Tall.
and...embraces me....
yes...
I, am....
Blessed.
: )
and... this Image.... puts it all.... in perspective....

Love...
the Gnarly... Over the Top... Goopy... Insane....
4 and a 1/2 feet Tall.... Table Lamps...
Got one... cleaned... and lit.... : )
Beautiful.

The White Rabbit....
holds....
'Autumn'....
in His Hands.... : )
this....
Fall Harvest Sale...
is going to be...
the
 Most...Soulful...
event....
I have ever been Blessed...
to have a part in.
Hope... to see...
you.
Love...you...
Barb C.

oh my.... How Time...Does Fly!!! : ) 'Fall Harvest Sale'... in little more than a week. {how did that happen? }....

Love... Playing with the Gnarly Toys... : )
This old...old.... well worn... little Amana Basket, I was told... was for a child... to carry to and from the Garden....
I watched it... throughout the Estate Sale.... even tho... I priced it... at only a few dollars.... everyone passed it by.
So... it has now... found a 'Home'...atop..the old Amish Table... John patched... a couple of years ago.... : )
 {and Jan... sold back to me... a few weeks ago... <3 }
I purchased the contents... left at the sale... There are some Wonderful...Treasures.... still....
I... believe... they wait.... to find the perfect hands.
Some.... will find a spot.... in the rabbit hole... some... will be on the Sale... outside.
The little Basket... stays...put. <3
{there will be some Great Treasures... at this Fall Harvest Sale.... Mark Your Calenders... }

Fall Harvest Sale!

October 2nd thru 5th!

8 a.m. 'til Dusk Daily!!!

Rain or Shine!!!

The Lawn and Buildings Will Be Brimming!!!

oh my... : )

{there is Even MORE Awesomeness.... finding It's way here... This Fall!!!

Just got the call... this Morn...

 : ) 

Don't Miss This One!!! }

Located on Highway 151

Fairfax, Iowa.

{Look for the '49 Ford Panel Truck... on The Curve! }

{101 Williams Blvd. Fairfax, Iowa 52228 }

Wear Your Grubbies...

and Bring A Truck!!!

Call for further Info.

319 241 1348

or...fb : )

No... I'm Not... in Manila. : )

My little laptop... was hacked...

If you received an e-mail from me....

saying I am stranded in Manila...

disregard.

If... you get one... from Fairfax, Iowa...

send the Cash!. : )

Just Kidding.

Trust me... I'd be Pounding on your Door....

or burning the Phone Line...Up!!!

: ) : )  : )

I'd never... send an e-mail... ever.

It appears I have lost all of my e-mail contacts....

{I'm sure they are here...somewhere...

so... call me, if you need me.

{I like that... better...anyway. <3 }

319 241 1348

I think...I have the laptop all cleaned up....

found the hacker.... he hacked around 7 this morn.

Changed my password... three times.... and locked my mailbox up.

We'll see. : )

Sorry... for any inconvenience....

Let me know, if you get anything, after 9:00 this morn.

Thanks...

Love...to you.

Barb C.

{you can also find me on fb 'Simply Iowa'

or Barbara Conner Fairfax, Iowa. }
I've been getting some... 'Fun'... comments.... about my 'trip' to Manila....
It made me think of the above tune. : )



Anyway.

You can spend your whole life... building...something...from nothin'...

One storm can come ...and Blow it All... away...

Build it...

anyway.

You can chase a dream...that seems so out of reach...

and you know it might not ever come your way....

Dream It...

anyway...

: )

God is Great....

but...sometimes Life.... ain't good....

and when I Pray...it doesn't always turn out...like I think it should....

but...

I do it...

anyway.

I...do it...

 anyway.

This Worlds gone crazy....

and it's hard to believe... that tomorrow, will be better than... today....

Believe It...

anyway...

You can Love someone...with all your Heart....

for all the right reasons....

and in a moment... they can choose to walk away....

Love 'em...

anyway....

: )

God is Great...

but...sometimes... Life... ain't good....

and when I Pray...it doesn't always turn out... like I think it should...

but...

I do it... anyway....

: )

yeah...

I do it... anyway.

You can pour your soul out singin'... a song.....

 you believe in...

that tomorrow they'll forget...you ever sang...

Sing It....

Anyway...

: )

I Sing...

 I Dream...

I Love.....

Anyway...

{This may be... the best song... ever written. oh my....

I posted it above... Hope you take a moment... to listen.....

if...you don't have a moment....

Take It... 

anyway. <3 }

Love to ya...

Barb C.



Thank You.

Thank You...

To Everyone... 

who made the Amana Estate Sale... such a Success...

{it realized 25% better, than I had estimated... wow...}

: )

From the Beautiful Family...Jon, Heather, Joyce...and Little William... <3 

 I was so Very Blessed to work with....

along with

The Amazing Helpers....

Liz...Miss. Scarlett...Brandon... Buddy.... Mark... Cindy... Tom.... Kathy....

and...all of the Prayers....Angels... sent by many... to 'Keep' me... and mine....

without them....

this mountain... would have been.... pretty 'tall'...

The old Home... was little more than pathways.... when we found it....

now.... after cleaning...and staging.... it has nearly sold down to the walls....

and is nearly ready...for someone... to begin a New....Journey... within. 

: )

Thanks so much...to Amy...for bringing us Refreshments.... 

Neighbors... for being so...kind... Dale..for lending tables....

and...to Everyone... who bought... 'supported'...this Sale....

Thank You...

Thank You. 

: )

I'll be writing about this incredible journey.... in days to come.

It could be a novel..... : )

Thanks again....

Love you....

Barb C.

{Thanks to Julie...{the little 'Light' Girl...} for showering us...with Light.... 

Polly, Sarah, Lynn and Lea...... for Popping in.... : )

 Colleen .... for helping and bringing... Treats!.... 

Cindy, {Smokehouse Square Antiques... } for being such a Kind...and Helpful Neighbor...

 'The Collector's Journal', {Rita} for doing such a Great Job...for us....as always...
A Special Thanks...to Renate... and Bud...for feeding me Beautiful..Late...Late...Suppers....the nights before the Sale... oh my.... what a Gift...they are in my life....

and so many more... Thank You... Thank You.

 I can't tell you what it means... to see...and feel... the positive... presence of all the above....

 when...

 The Race...is On.....

 : ) Blessings.  : ) }

ESTATE SALE!!! LAST DAY!!! 50% Off Sunday!!!! Don't Miss The Bargains!!! {Opens at 10:00 }

AMANA ESTATE SALE {160 years Accumulation!!! } Opens 9/11 at 5 p.m. {numbers at 4 } {Through Sunday!!! See Details on the Event Calender!!} Wear Your Grubbies! and Bring a TRUCK!!!

This is a FULL HOUSE....Basement...Garage....and Tent!!!

{see details on the Event Calender at right... }

Make plans to spend some time.... there are MANY 'Littles'.... Lots...and Lots... of Paper.... Lots and Lots... of Glass.... {Some Newer...Much...Old....

There are some Funky Mid Century Items.... {paintings, books... lamps...pins...games...comics... airplane kits in their boxes...  etc...etc...}

This is just a sample.... {scroll down the Blog to see more images of the Amana Furniture...}

There is MUCH... I didn't capture....

There are Many Early Amana Ledgers...Photo's... and Postcards...

These, along with a few Rare items will be offered by Sealed Bids....

accepted from the first day of the Sale, through Saturday, the 13th at 5:00 p.m.

They will be opened that evening....

Everything Else...will be Priced.... if it isn't... I'll price it on the spot.

{there is MUCH to Price... Much! }

Be Patient... : ) Have Fun.... and... come Dig. 

There Truly....Is...Something for Everyone....

: )

Wear Your Grubbies.... : )

Bring a Truck!!!

Love to ya...

Barb C.

{Please park on 'F' Street... Business Parking Lots...are for Local Business.... 

There is MUCH Great Shopping in the Amana Colonies!!!... and Wonderful Food!!!... come spend the Weekend!!! Be here for the Last Day... 50% off... Most Everything at The Sale!!! }

A 'Snippet' of The Amana Estate Sale. Sept. 11, 12, 13 and 14. {see details in the 'Calender of Events' on this page. }

This... was the One Thing.... I wanted to buy... from the Estate.
{Oh... I LOVE... Most Everything... here....}
Liz found it, in a box, in the attic... and knew... I'd Love it.
{reminds me of my Dad... and John. : ) Hearts... Hearts... Hearts... : ) }
I Never buy anything..... before the Public.
I thought I'd ask the owner... if he'd sell it to me.... {just... one... thing.... }
but... when a friend, came through... helping... and spied it....
He said... it was worth a lot....
I knew.... I couldn't ask....
We are taking 'sealed bids' on this Old Heart... Wallpaper Box.
Then... I can have a chance.
a slim one....
but... a chance. : )
Whoever gets it.... Should.
and... It's All... Good. : )
This Old... Soulfulness... Always... finds it's way... to exactly... where it belongs.
Always. : )

Amana, Iowa Estate Tag Sale September 11, 12, 13 and 14.

Wally Christen

ESTATE TAG SALE
509 45th Ave
 Amana, Iowa
52203

 Sept. 11th 5 'til 8 p.m.

{numbers at 4 p.m.

 We'll be letting 25 to 30 in at 5, then as quickly as we can, let more inside.}

12th 8 'til 7 

13th 8 'til 7

{25% off after 2 p.m. on the 13th }

14th 10 'til 6 

{50% off most items on the 14th }

This Sale is Full of Early 'Amana' Handmade Furniture, of every shape... size and condition.

It's been an interesting 'Adventure' pulling this Sale Together.

It's like a Time Capsule that holds items from the mid 1800's 'til... a few years ago.  

This Home is One of the First Homes {Handcut Sandstone} built in Amana, if not the very first.

It was a Bakery...
then
 'The Bachelor's House'....
before Wally's family moved in.

It was added on to in the 1950's.

It needs some work... and 'elbow grease'... but would make someone a Lovely Home.

It's situated in a Great Location, as well.

The Family will be considering 'Offers'...for The Home during this Sale.

This Old Home... is Beyond Full.

Wally was a 'Collector'... of 'Many' things.

There is everything from exercise equipment.... a '78 Fiat Bertone {complete, for parts only}, mid century Paintings and pottery to Hundreds of Angels. 

Things from the mid 1900's to modern that Wally had gathered.

There is also... Wally's Ancestors Furnishings...
Lots of It.

They didn't throw anything away.

We have been sorting for weeks. 

Here is a Partial Listing

Several Amana Cupboards

{from the mid to late 1800's, some with paint, most with original Finish}

Several Tables...

{Work, Dining, Side, and Stands.}
Rockers...
Sewing Machine...

Two Amana Work Benches.

{one is Very... Primitive.... Very Early and Wonderful }

Several Early Benches, of every size.

Early Crocks, Jugs and Storage Jars.

Loads of Paper Items.

We will have the Lawn Full... at Sale Time... Weather permitting.
There is Much.
We put up a Big... Tent... it...will be... Full, as well.

{Including Many Early Photographs of Amana,
 several stamped by the Local Photographer ' William Noe' }

Many Real Photo Post Cards of Early Amana 

{There will be several 'Groupings' of the images, that will be sold by 'Sealed Bid'

Bids will be taken through Saturday }

Amana Clothing, Bedding and Sewing Items.
Beautiful Parlor Stove.
a Dobereiner's Lamp along with two Early, Whale Oil Lamps.
1700's and 1800's German Books {loads of them}
Old Western Books, Paperbacks... etc.
Linens of all kinds.
Several Amana Wardrobes.
Hand Dovetailed Benches.

Several Amana Chests of Drawers.

Many Amana Woven Rugs, and Baskets of every shape and size.

Amana 'Sorting' Tray

Many handmade tin pieces, including an early Wine Siphon...

Very Early Heart Shaped 'Wall Paper Box' {sealed bids on this item }

Several Hand Dovetailed Trunks and Boxes.

Many Tools.

Dozens of Early, Unusual Bottles.

I could go on and on.

I'll be posting images on www.simplyiowa.blogspot.com until Sale Time. 

{ simply iowa on Facebook as well }

No Early Sales.
{Bring Boxes and Packing Material }

Everything is As Is...Where Is.

All Sales are Final.

We are not responsible for accidents or theft.

Cash, Credit and Debit accepted... Checks... with proper ID.

Wear your Grubbies... and Bring a Truck...to this one... : )

Be prepared to spend some time. 

There won't be many of these 'Sales'...ever... again.

Don't Miss It. 

{Call me, at 319-241-1348 for further questions }
{Come Early... there is Much Great Shopping throughout The Amana Colonies! }