Easter... History.

The Ford... became a catering Truck, yesterday.

; )

The cab was Full... as well.

Always... always, Too Much Food, at Holidays.

; )

Miss. Meadow, and Miss. Willow, couldn't wait to show us all.... their New Chickens!!

<3

Priceless.

; )

Didn't have time...to make pretty deviled eggs, but... they got eaten.

; )

The Boy's will have Plenty to eat on, this week.

;)

It was a Pretty, and laid back... Easter.

Mostly.

Bare feet, and load's of Sunshine.

The Kid's all enjoyed Mom's Jell-O.

: )

I...shared stories of their Great Grandma, Rose... while  serving them all, her Jell-O.

<3

<3

Yes... 

Grandma brought Plenty of Whipped Cream.

Too Much Fun!!

; )

All of us went 4 Wheelin'...

 That 'Jun-Bug'... {Little Justin} is such a Hot Dog...on his 4 Wheeler!!

; )

Fearless!!

Oh My!!

Eeeeeek!!

; )

On the way Home...

stopped by my Favorite 'Happy Place', where Mom, Dad...and me, moved in, on my Favorite Easter, back in 1970/1.

I'll never forget that Easter Sunday.

That... wonderful... Old Farm.

<3

It was a sad day... that Easter Sunday, long ago... I visited it, and... it was gone.

Unimaginable... to my teenage brain.

Thought it would Stand There... forever.

Somehow, it still Stands, in my mind.

I...see it, just as it always was.

It's still there.

: )

I...can almost hear the old screen door slam, every Easter Sunday, that I visit.

<3

Walked down... to the little Creek, it seems smaller, and smaller... every Easter.

Remember making doughballs for bait, and catching Chubs, out of the little Creek.

Didn't see any Chubs, but... there were Load's of Minnows.

<3

It was a Beautiful Easter.

Hope Yours... was Too.

Love to Ya...

Prayers, for All.

Barb C. 

{ sadly, when I got Home, yesterday afternoon, things kinda fell apart, with a Family member.

It's probably been coming, most all of my life.

Somehow... we've never quite seen eye, to eye.

We grew up... living in the same situations. I... tend to see the Good, remember... the Good.

The Family member, was sharing the same situations... the exact same time... but, sadly...

 remembers things so differently.

{Always felt sorry, for that person. Must be Hell... living with memories like that.}

Over the decades, I...would simply shake my head, and walk away... when the Family member, would shoot arrows.

Things... were said, yesterday, that... I couldn't walk away from.

Guess...I'm done, taking 'Jabs'.

I...did, walk away, again.

This time, it's for good.

Simply... done.

Not angry.

just... done. 

Call it 'self preservation'. }

Happy Easter!!

Marion, Iowa Living Estate Sale... and... Easter Prep.

We worked at The Marion, Iowa Living Estate Sale... 

{ April 13 thru 16 }

until we had to leave.

All of us had Easter Prep, tonight...as well.

Click Here for Images and Details

Above is the link to estatesale.com

We'll be updating it again... April, 10.

We are Still... Finding, Unpacking...and Sorting!!

; )

Stay Tuned!!

; )

We've Been Hustlin'... Today!!

; )

We moved Mountains... at The Marion Sale, then...

I hit the grocery stores.

Flew Home...

and began Prepping.

; )

So Much Food...

had to clean out the fridge, and organize... before I could put things away.

Made a Big... batch of Strawberry Jell-O, like Mom...used to make.

Even used Mom's old Corning Ware Cornflower Blue 9x13 Open Roaster... she always made Jell-O in.

<3

: )

Put fruit cocktail... sliced peaches...and bananas in it, like she used to.

; )

Topped it with marshmallows.

: )

Making Deviled Eggs, in the morning.

Liz brought me 3 dozen Eggs...today.

: )

They are boiled, and peeled... just need to whip them up in the morning.

Making Strawberry Shortcake, in the morning...as well.

Just the Strawberry Sauce.

I, cheated... and bought the Cake. ; )

The Potato Salad...is done.

Everything is cleaned up.

Making my 'To Die For Baked Beans'....

at Justin's, tomorrow morning.

He has Farm Raised Bacon.

I use a LOT of Bacon... in my Beans.

; )

Thought about getting them going tonight... but, really need to have the Bacon...

to saute the onions in, first.

Going to Try... making a Big Batch of Skillet Braised Brussel Sprouts...

 again.

{in Load's of Bacon. : ) }

; )

Made a Nice Batch, last Thanksgiving, at Justin's.

Made the mistake... of leaving them on the stove.

Magnum, Little Justin's Great Dane, enjoyed them immensely, while we were outside for a minute.

: )

 Should've known Better.

I used to have a Great Dane... Best Friend.

Dolsey.

<3

Over the years...She... ate many Loaves of Bread, Apple Pies... a 5 Pound Roast, right out of an electric skillet, on the counter... when our back's were turned.

They...are Quick...Quick!!

; )

<3

What's Yours...

Is

Theirs.

; )

Period.

Fair Game...

if you walk away from it.

: )

<3

Magnum will have a run for his money, tomorrow.

; )

He'll get plenty of Treats, but...  he won't be left alone for a single moment.

; )

Making Cheese, and Veggie Trays, in the morning...too.

Whippin' up a few Dips.

Oh...my.

It's gonna be a Long Morning!!

: )

Today... was Nuts!!

tomorrow...

oh my.

; )

It'll Be Insane.

Hahahahahaha!!!

It was a Lot...Easier, doing everything at Home.

This... 'Catering'... business...

 is a Whole Other Story!!

; )

Timing... is Everything!!

{ask any Great Dane... they'll tell Ya. <3 }

oh my.

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers, for All.

Barb C.

Rascal Flatts - Life Is a Highway (From "Cars"/Official Video)

Where There's a Will... There's a Way. {Images of The Marion, Iowa Living Estate Sale {April 13 - 16} This Evening!! }

Worked at The Marion Sale, yesterday.

Pricing...Pricing...Pricing!

; )

Didn't take any images, will... today.

Full Sale Details, tomorrow. 

; )

Was looking back at FB Memories, this morning...

I'd nearly forgotten about the interesting Ride, after the surgery on my broken arm.

oh my.

: )

Liz had picked up my prescriptions... but, I never thought to tell the Pharmacist, to not put child proof caps on them.

: )

I tried Everything, Every Way... Imaginable... to get them open.

Finally...

Had Enough!!

yes...

Where There's a Will...

{and very sharp, vintage... scissors}

There's 

a 

Way!!

; )

After I get done working at Marion... tonight,

gonna get cookin' for Easter, tomorrow.

; )

Celebrating Easter with The Kid's at Son, Justin's... tomorrow.

Trying to figure out what to make.

Deviled Eggs... Potato Salad, Baked Beans...

maybe... a Lemon Meringue Pie.

?

Still seems strange, not celebrating Easter, here.

It's better... at Justin's, far away from 'Fairfax', and this 'mess'.

Used to be so Pretty... having Easter... here, 'before'.

Among other things, many, many...other things...

It's So Noisy.

Ya can't talk without yelling.

{We All learned that, at the Sale, last Fall. The first time we'd spent time... trying to talk to one another, since IDOT made wrongful accommodations for Fairfax's Bike Trail.

That bridge, and highway...is so much higher, and closer... oh my. 

In your face.... {and...ears.}

Will Miss...sitting under John's Old...Oak, watching the Kid's Hunt Easter Eggs.

Setting up a Big Feast, outside...on Beautiful, Warm... Easter Sunday's... like this Easter promises to be.

<3

Christmas... here, is much better.

We don't go outside.

; )

Justin, and Bobby... are Fixin' a Big...Farm Raised... Ham.

{Justin's Long Time...Pal, Bobby... has been staying at Justin's. ; ) 

They're both...kinda in the same Boat. }

The Kid's Adore Bobby.

We all do.

; )

John was good friends with Bobby's Dad, we've known their Family... for decades.

Good People.

Bobby likes to cook, and clean.

Enjoys taking care of the Chickens, Turkeys, and Peacocks.

They all go Fishin'... often, and are getting by, as best they can.

; )

Justin has some Wonderful Neighbor's... too, that will most likely be stopping by.

Close Knit Country Folk.

Grateful, Justin.... and The Kid's... have So Many, who Care...around Them.

<3

Liz, Adam... and their Kids, don't live far from Justin.

They'll be bringing Goodies, too.

; )

Liz...is dropping off a few dozen eggs, at The Marion Sale, today.

She FORBIDS me to 'buy'... any eggs, at the store.

: )

Her Chicken's, and Duck's are Laying A Lot...of Eggs!

YAY!!

: )

Pal's...Bill, and Gayle... will also be working at The Marion Sale, today.

: )

We'll Gitter.... Pulled Together!!

; )

Happy Easter Eve... to All!!

Love to Ya...

Prayers, for All.

Barb C.

Almost Famous Shovel Race 2009

Still Unpacking, and Sorting. Marion, Iowa Living Estate Sale!! April 13 - 16!!

Oh...my.

; )

As always... the closer we get to Sale Time... things keep coming, and coming.

; )

Bill found Ton's of Stuff in The Garage Attic.

We've been Busy... Busy!!

; )

The Pictures, and Music... was inside an old Piano Bench, in the House.

; )

The Cool Tins, came from the partial Living Estate, Lea's Mom's things.

; )

They brought some very Cool... things.

; )

The above Lamp... was found...yesterday.

So...Very... Cool.

; )

Very Cool... Salad Set, along with TON'S of Vintage Kitchen!!

Above... is one of my Favorite Finds, yesterday.

; )

Reminds me of Mom, Aunt Helen, Sister's, Chery...and Merry Jo.

; )

<3

I remember... as a little girl, watching all of them sit under a Hair Dryer... Just Like The Above.

<3

They'd have those Big... Crazy... Curlers... all Wound Up...in their hair.

: )

Hahahahahahaha!!!

Burst out Laughing, when I opened it up... and read,

"Do Not Use Dryer While Bathing"

yeah.... There's some Handy...Advise!!!

Hahahahaha!

; )

I plugged it in, it took right off.

; )

These are tiny Snippets, of The Sale.

: )

Headin' Back...in a bit.

Happy... Good Friday!!

<3

Love to Ya...

Prayers, for All.

Barb C.

{While driving Home... yesterday, stopped at a Hy Vee, I rarely visit.

Had to grab Critter Food, for Miss. Peanut, and Baby Cat.

<3

As I was checking out... spotted someone I've known for 50 years.

{fifty years!!! ???

How did THAT Happen?? All of those Years. 

The things at the House I'm workin' in... would've been Brand New... Wow!!}

Fellow Horse Pal, Ralph.

; )

He, and his Family... were Big in The Horse Show/Fun Show circuit. 

Ralph, and his Brother... Ray, used to run Games, {Rescue Race, Scoop Shovel Race, Monkey in a Tree... }

They were mine, and my Friend's... Biggest competition.

Oh my Gosh.

They... Were Great!!

They had two Horses, that were Tuff to Beat.

Misty, and Slippery.

<3

Ralph, is kind of a short, and stocky Guy.

Ray, was thinner, and muscular.

Ralph would come Flying in.... the Arena, with Ray... waiting at the other end.

They were like Greased Lightning!!!

Misty, and Slippery, weren't very big Horses... not much bigger than a Big Pony.

They Could FLY!!

Wow!!

Ralph, and Ray... were an Amazing Team.

Amazing.

: )

Ralph, said... "Yeah, those Two... Grade... Farm Ponies... out ran several $10,000 Registered Horses."

Yes...They Did.

; )

<3

We stood, and visited...for quite a while.

: )

Ralph told me his age... I, told him... I'm about 10 years behind him.

He, said... "You're Young!!"

I leaned over... and whispered in his ear, 

"Ralph... it's not about the

 'Years'...

It's about

 'The Miles'."

; )

He Roared!!! and, said... 

"You Ain't Justa Shittin'!!!"

Hahahahahahaha!!!

: ) : ) : )

That's my favorite 'line'... when anyone says...

 "Oh...You're still 'young'." 

: )

 use it often.

Truth!!!

; )

Guess... yesterday was meant to be a 'Horse' Day.

<3

Ralph asked me... how many Horses I've got, now.

: (

oh...dear.

That turned into Another... Conversation.

: (

Ralph...asked where I'm living.

Told him.

He said...

"Wow....!!! You're still living at the Same Place? You've been There... Forever!!!"

Told Ralph... the last few years have been like eternity.

When I die, Maybe... living in Fairfax, and dealing with IDOT, will knock off a little purgatory time.

It was Great... getting caught up, and... thinking about those... Wonderful, Fun... Days!}

; )

I'll try to find a Rescue Race Video.

; )

Sure wish we had camera's back then... like we do, now.

WOW!!

Those Boys!!!

They Were Amazing!!

; )

So Were Misty, and Slippery!!

Incredible... 'Ponies'.

<3

They ALL Are!!

<3

{Couldn't find a rescue race, that came close to Ralph, and Ray....

Misty, and Slippery.

; )

but... found a Scoop Shovel Race video.

; )

Insanity!

It's a miracle we're all still alive.

You were timed, and had to stay on the shovel.

If the barrel went down, it was all over.

That shovel got HOT!!!

oh...dear.

; ) }

Most Emotional Storm Chase Ever - Hedrick, IA EF4 Tornado

Lainey Wilson - Heart Like A Truck (Official Music Video)

oh...dear.

Yesterday...

was quite a day.

; )

 The ugly weather, night before last, missed us.

Grateful.

; )

Had much to get caught up on, at Home...yesterday.

Pal, Bill... worked in Marion, at The Living Estate Sale.

; )

I'm heading there... shortly.

{Marion, Iowa...

 Living Estate Sale runs April 13, thru 16!! Images, and details coming daily!}

We've had Horses here... always.

Since the 1970's.

Every now...and then, they'd decide to take a 'Walk About'.

Escape the pasture, and go Visiting.

; )

When that happened, we'd get a call from the Linn County Sheriff's Department.

That... hasn't happened for many, many years.

When ya get one of Those... Calls, 

no matter what time of Day, or Night...

Ya Hit The Ground...

Runnin'!!

; )

Last night... the phone rang.

It...

was One of Those...

Calls.

; )

The Sheriff's Dispatcher, called.

Asked if our Horse's were all accounted for.

Seems, there were some Horse's, not too far from here...

takin' a 'Walk About'.

: )

<3

For the first time...ever, I didn't go into 'Fireman'... mode, with 'The Call'.

Kinda... sad.

Told her, 'Yes... our Horse's are all accounted for.'

and...

Thanks to Fairfax, Iowa City Hall...

probably could take us off the list of Horse Owners.

: (

This is the first time in my entire life... I've been 'Horseless'.

It was a relief, not to have to Run...

but, kinda, sad...too.

Hope... they got the Escapees rounded up... Safely.

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers, for All.

Barb C.

{Dear Farmer Friend, Lea... sent the top video to me the other day. It's of the tornado that came Straight for Their Farm, and took out So Many, around them. It's unbelievable. }