Gathering up... The Treasures.... { Wally's Home... Estate Sale... in Amana, Iowa }

Liz and Brandon.... brought box after box..... of Beautiful... ca. 1700's and 1800's....

German Books...from the steamy... old attic... yesterday...

oh my...

Just holding them...in my hands.... was such a gift.

There are many... many more.... yet to come.

This Sale... really touches me.

I...get a little melancholy... at times....

while thinking... how long, these 'treasures'... have resided here... in this Old... Home....

maybe...the very first home... ever built here... in The Amana Colonies.

and...soon.... like so many others....here...in Amana... that have sold their original household contents...away...over the last many decades.... these, too will leave...forever.

{there are few... left.... }

The Amana Colonies.... remind me much... of the Shaker Community.

They lived Communally....

in 7 Villages...

They purchased...about 26,000 acres... of  the Most...Beautiful....Fertile... Iowa Land....along The Iowa River.... in 1855, or so...

{Wally's Home... was built before that date...with hand cut sandstone.... that was milled, near his Home...It was a Bakery at one time... and The Bachelor's House....it was added on to... in the 1950's...   }

They were self a sufficient ....Community.

Made their own Furniture...Baskets... built a Woolen Mill........and produced Calico...fabric, as well... they made all of their own clothing.... 

Bedding.... Woven Rugs....had their own Smokehouses... Dairies.... Vineyards... and Massive Gardens... Everyone did their part.... they all had 'duties'... assigned to them...for the 'Community'....

Some... were in charge of the livestock.... some... laundry... the gardens....

They Worshiped together.... and... ate every meal... together. {There were 50 Communal Kitchens...throughout the 7 Villages. }

Between 1865 and 69... I read, they hand dug.... a 7 mile canal...'Mill Race'... from the Iowa River.... to power the Woolen Mill...and other businesses...

throughout the Colonies... 

{Dad always... admired the Mill Race.... }

oh my...

They had their own Blacksmith shops.... Bakeries....Wash Houses...and Communal Kitchens... that they all contributed to. 

They never earned a wage.... they didn't need to... everything was provided to them... 

Some folks...confuse them with The Amish...

They were not Amish. They are also of German descent, but...not Amish.

I'm not a historian... so... I could be wrong on some of the details... I encourage you to read about them.... It's Good... Reading.

: )

I hope... these treasures...from Wally's Home.... will be remembered....

 and Treasured... as 'Amana'... pieces.

I was at a Show... several years ago, as a dealer bought a Beautiful... Amana Basket.... from another Iowa dealer... who had it labeled... {proudly} as 'Amana'...

Then... when I saw it later, at the new owner's booth... she had repriced and labeled it...simply... as an

 ' Early Handmade Basket'....

didn't mention...it's Amana History...

oh my.

It lost all of it's... provenance... with the stroke of a pen.

how sad.

Love...to ya...

Barb C.

{Estate Sale is Sept. 11, 12, 13 and 14. }

We found the Wonderful Old Shelf... in the Cellar. It's all hand dovetailed.... I would guess.... from the mid 1800's.... just like it's contents... : ) we piled in... yesterday.

I cleaned this old box... out. It was full... of Early... Woodworking hand tools....
Tiny...little ones... with hand turned handles...... hand forged.... iron ones......
oh my......

There are many.... Amana Rugs.... Liz and Brandon found the one.... we think... was original... or very early... in the house..... It's a bit rough.... but.... it has had quite a 'Journey'... after all..... : )

Liz found these old Amana Baskets... yesterday.....
They are wonderful...

There are a lot of linens... and some early clothing.... I have found...so far....

Found this Walford, Iowa... WATT pitcher.... in a box, yesterday...
Walford, is the town situated in the middle...of the 11 mile stretch between, Fairfax, {where we live} and Amana... !

We are finding some.... Amazing...Old...Bottles.....

Rock Island....  Love It!

This Bowl... is Stunning...... 

Amana... Baskets... Stand... and Tin.....
oh my...
all Made... right there......

Amana, Iowa... Estate Sale... in Progress... : )

Just getting started.... on littles....

The Big Room..... is cleaned up.... kitchen...is close.... bedrooms... have a long way.... can't hardly walk...through the garage... It's become a holding area....
The long porch was cleaned... but... we have moved the old painted furniture.... and massive...Amana Workbench... there, and...it's full...again.
I... LOVE the Old...Handmade Amana Sofa's.... there are three.....
Two... are from the 1880's or so.... the other.... is a bit earlier.
I never buy from my own sale.... until the public has had a chance.
If these don't find homes... in the first couple of days... I will buy them.
I'd love to be able to keep...one.
I...hope... they find good homes. They are something... else.

Liz found this... in the attic, yesterday.... oh my....
it is Insanely Gnarly.....
Don't know what it is... except a Wire Basket.... covered in stone.....
It was very special.... to one of the Family.... as it was carefully packed...in an early Amana showcase....
It's so fragile... and... wonderful. 

There are... HUNDREDS of old Books.
{along with...as many... newer... paperbacks.... Old Albums.... records.... many 78's...and 33's...that have the Neatest...Old.... Covers! It would be Cool.... doing a room.... with them.... and using the artwork... as a border.... very cool...

Found this tiny Chess Set.... tucked in a drawer...just as we were leaving...last night. It's so sweet. The tiny pieces rest... in an Old... wooden box.... with a slide lid... : )
I...wondered...as I held the little carved pieces...in my hand....
who won.... the last match. : )

Found most of this... in the cellar... and attic.... as we moved furniture....
oh my.... Love the old... 'sorting' tray.....

As we find stoneware.... that is tucked in the most...unusual places... : ) we gather it to the kitchen.....
There is quite a collection....
Love...the Big...Ovoid Jug.
There are Bushels of Old...Old... Bottles.... and Jars.....
oh my..... : )

The old canning cupboards....from the cellar...have filled the long porch..... little by...little.... it's coming together.....

We moved one of the stoves... {one is gas...one is electric... we kept the 1950's gas stove.... in the kitchen... : ) }out of the kitchen... and the freezer...  They both work... but.... we are trying to get the kitchen.... set up... a little.... better.

The Little... Porch.
: )
This looks so...much...better....
The old Amana Wardrobe... is Perfect.... by the entry door....
{It's like it has always... been there... we are using it to store the brooms... and sweeper, now. }
Love the Old Sofa... the Liz and Brandon brought up from the cellar.... The Wardrobe.... was in the attic....
oh my.
There is a darling.... hand dovetailed shelf...behind the door... it's one of my favorite pieces......
Ruff..... but.... so....Old.... {Love Hand Dovetailing!!! }

Some...will say.... we should leave everything in the old cellar.... and not struggle... to get it up...and cleaned....
I...can't leave it..... it deserves a chance.... to sing.... be presented... in a 'better'... way.
This...old cupboard.... was one piece.... I... was going to leave.... there.
It is coming apart.... from all of the years residing  in the old cellar...
It was Liz.... who Insisted..... it come up... : )
It's kind of a 'kit'... at this point.... but.... we set it up... on what's left of it's feet.....
put all of it's pieces...on it's top....
Most of the back is out of it... at this time.... but, all the pieces are there....
We took advantage, of that...and placed it in front of a window... in the Old...Long Porch!
It Sings!!!!
We are filling it up.... with 'littles'.... : )
such a Sweet...little...Work Horse!
The light coming through it... is...Perfect. : )

We are heading back.... today.
oh my....
: ) 

Visited with Peg...yesterday....

She had her first round of chemo...yesterday.

Please keep her.... and her Family... in your Prayers.

: )

Thanks...so much to Julie...{our Little Light...Girl} for stopping by.....

and bringing the beautiful.... Treasures... : )

Love...to ya....

Barb C.

Amana Estate Sale ... Sept 11, 12, 13 and 14.

We have been working non stop..... on The Amana Estate Sale.

We basically cleaned everything out... ripped out all of the carpet.... and... are now... resetting everything.

There were pathways... when we arrived.

The Early...Amana Cupboards... and tables... were in attics... the cellar.... and porch.

There are at least 10 cupboards... and... that many tables... and stands... along with chests...

We have several early painted pieces to pull from the cellar....yet.

Brandon and I...pulled the biggest one out... last evening....

it stood a fraction of an inch from the rafters... and was too deep to go between them.... 

We got it... but... it was a Trick. : ) {literally.... Brandon didn't think it could possibly come out.... he...even called me... 'wonder woman'....

: )

I liked that....

most folks.... just call me... 

'crazy'... : )

That cupboard... was a Beast....we had to move a Loaded Down... Huge....Amana Workbench... to even have room... to move the Big Cupboard.... then... getting it up...through narrow passages... with my right arm... still...not working... was, interesting... to say the least. : )

It was like having my arm... tied behind my back.....

yeah... interesting. : )

It was soooo hot....

oh my....

When we finally got it outside... a lady pulled up...

and just sat in her car...looking very... bewildered....at us...

I was covered...in dirt...from head to toe.... that was stuck to me... like glue.....

She...said... "can... I get you a towel... or something to wipe the sweat and dirt off with?".....

I said... "No.... : ) I'm Good".... : ) {a Mess...but...good. }

 {she just sat there... staring... then... asked me again... : )

 Nice Lady... : ) 

{clean... put together... Lady.... : ) }

oh dear.

Brandon and Liz...had a similar experience...the other day... with a Large... Amana Wardrobe... in the attic....

They had to shove it on it's back...through a crawl space....to the other attic...across the house 

{they fought and fought.... to get it down the closest staircase...to no avail...}

 then... take out a part of a wall...that had been built, after the Big Old Wardrobe... had been put in the far attic....

It was Hot.... and a Major.... job.

Then... it had to come down a loft staircase... through the mountains of boxes... in the garage... then...outside... then... through the front door.

oh... my. : ) 

We are trying to put it all back... they way it would have been... back in the day.

It's like putting a puzzle together.... with pieces that go together... strewn through several areas.....

We are cleaning everything... as we go...quickly....

The house...won't be spotless.... nor will the furnishings....

but... they will be... better.... : )

Happier.... : )

We have taken mountains of boxes out.... so, we can stage the house....

Now... we are almost... to the point, where we can begin bringing things back in.

I have many boxes to go through.... there is a LOT.... of... stuff.

Newer...

 Old...Old... 

and in between...

oh my.

Love...to ya.

Barb C.

This wardrobe...{I of 2 } that were on the long porch.....
{the other..is larger...}
the old wash stand...was in the attic.....

The white Amana Wardrobe... was near the cellar door.... the Big Red... Pantry Cupboard... with Screen... was the one Brandon and I... pulled out yesterday....
Brandon scrubbed the old linoleum.... yesterday.... on the long porch....
He said....
"Ya know...... this has been a lot...of work... but... it's looking so good.... I'm...kinda falling in Love...with this Old House....."
: ) : ) : )
He...couldn't 'see'.... past the mountains.... in the beginning...
but I did.....
I... always... Loved... this Old House.
 It has... Much... Muchness. : )

There are Tons...of smalls to get to... yet... oh my....
I took many images... with my phone.... yesterday... only to find...when I got home... I had it set on video....
I'll have more images tonight... : )

Unconditional... Love.

I have been struggling...so......

as most of you, who visit the 'Simply Iowa' page....
already...know.

Struggling... on so many levels....

I...have been Blessed... by your Love... and Prayers...

throughout...these difficult... and trying times....

Through Prayer... I have been sheltered....

Through gifts.... from Friends... and Family....

and The Lord... sending his Blessings....

and...

 work....

we have been sustained....

Tho... there are many mountains....to be climbed, still....

I know... I will conquer them.

I have struggled.... with which way to turn... which way to go.... for a Long....Long.... Time.

This morning... one piece of the puzzle.... 'fit' into place.

While I watched the above message.... from Joel...I was struck.... : )
{along with John 13:34-35 }

It made me reflect...upon my life...

I have been so very Blessed....

I was taught...from the time, I can first remember... the message of

'Unconditional Love'.....

oh my....

: )

My Father.... taught me that... by Example.

He worked so hard.... was always greasy... and dirty....

His boots... were always worn....many times... were second hand... his clothes... had burn holes.... from the cutting torch....sparks...

and... many times... had little money...

Yet... I saw how much, he was Loved... and accepted.... by Everyone.

Just as he... also... Loved and accepted... everyone, just as they are...

including... me. : )

John... was the...same way. : )

They had Friends... from Every Walk...of Life.

With so much... uncertainty... swirling around my head..... now....

mixed... with such... overwhelming...Loss.....

I... find it difficult... to decide which road to take...

and... have put it in God's hands....

When I saw this message, this morning....

things became much clearer.

Seems at every turn.... there have been Angels....

The Estate Sale, I did last year.... was Full... of Angels....

and Hearts... {Dad's and Mine.... little winks... : ) }

The Sale... I'm working on...now....

oh my...

I have Never seen so many Angels....

{It was an Angel, that sat outside, this home.... that took me to this door... two years ago... and introduced me, to Wally... {who's Sale...I am doing now....}

We visited... only for a moment... when Peg and I stopped... as we saw him working outside....

I asked if he'd be interested in selling his Angel....... He smiled... and said...

 'No... I like having Angels around me." I said... " : ) Me too... "

Peg asked if we could gather some pinecones... he was happy to allow us......

: )

Wally.... reminded me... on the outside.... a little of my Dad.....

I have heard from some folks.... they thought he was 'different'....and didn't have much to do with him.... I had a few folks...say the same...about Jackie..... the Beautiful... Spirit... I conducted the Sale for...last year....

oh my.....

Tho... I never knew her.... I got to know her.... through her Home...

She... was Beautiful... in Every Way.

God....

and

The Love...of Old.... brought these people.... into my life....

The Rabbit Hole... has Blessed me.... with so many.... that have found their way... to it....

and...to me...

From...Russian Ballet Dancers..... {in the Dead of Winter... many years ago... at 9:00 at night... when I happened to be working..... there...and they saw a light...what an...Interesting.... experience... that was...for all of us... that night.}

The Folks...from Iran.... just after 9/11.... when I thought... all Muslims... should leave our Country....

The next day... after making that statement... they walked in.....

I invited them...to our Home.... where we sat... and visited for Hours....

My mind... and Heart... was forever changed.....

Then... during a Sale... several years ago....

The Shop...was packed....

cars were lined up.... everywhere.....

I was running through.... stopped... face to face... with two young men....

heavily tattooed... and pierced..... {not typical... folks.... in the rabbit hole.... }

I welcomed them... with a Smile... {thinking they must be lost! } and asked them...if I could help....

They said... "No...we just saw all the cars...and wondered what was going on!"... : )

I said.... "An Antique Sale! That's What's Goin' On!!! Have Fun!"... and kept running....

When I met up with them... a bit later....

one had... a Beautiful... framed print... of Christ in his hands....

He asked me... How much.....

I looked in his eyes.... and said...

"I want you... to have that.... as a Gift.... : ) "

Without a blink.... our eyes.... locked on each others....

he opened his shirt....

to reveal...

the Exact... same Image.... on his chest.

oh my...

He had never seen this exact portrait... before....

both of our eyes... welled up...

I... could go on.... and on.... with similar stories....

When I say... The Rabbit Hole... is my Sanctuary...

I...mean it.

I'm not sure... exactly... how... I'm going to earn my living....

but... I know one thing....

The Rabbit Hole.... is going to take...

'The Lead'.

It Has To.

I'll Trust... what ever happens.... happens....

I....know... it's all Good.

I'm going to have it Open... More...

and Make It...Sing.....

like it has always... made me....

: )

and... many others....

Then....... let the Lord... guide me....

on whatever... direction... I need to go.

Love...You....

and Thank You...

Each and Every One... of You...

for...

Everything.

When I get The Rabbit Hole... and Myself....

on our Feet....

I'll be having a Grand....Re Opening....

: )

Barb C.



Home...

If You Want to Feel Rich....

Just... Count The Things....

You Have...

that...

Money Can't Buy.

there are.... Many....

At Home....
she's never more... than a few feet.... away. : )

oh my....

When the old truck.... and I... pulled in, last night....

Home....

it felt so good.... and....

so...empty... all at the same time.

It was difficult to stay awake... most of the way Home...

Liz was following.... in the Ford...

she was about as whipped...as I was.

I couldn't have done this show without her...

oh my...

I brought the Prime Rib... from Michael's {the best}

as I always have... after Gold Rush....

for Polly...

and John...

They'd be awake...no matter the time... and enjoy the food... as they heard all of the 'details'...from the show.

Michael's is my 'happy place' in Rochester.....

I didn't go... there in May....

wasn't going to go there, this trip...

but... Sarah and Kelsey {Mark's Beautiful Girls...} wanted to go... and... I knew Liz did too...

We have been going there... for over a decade.... during Gold Rush.... as a Special Treat... for our hard work... : )

This Gold Rush... was tuff....

We sold... well....

but... it was another...

'First'

So many Loving...Caring.... Friends.... {Gold Rush Family... Customers, and fellow...Dealers...}

throughout the four days....

inquired... how John was doing.....

hadn't seen them, since early May.... when we were Fighting such an ugly battle...

over... and...over...and over... again.....

I walked down that path.....

oh my....

Many... also inquired...about Our Peg...

oh my...

: )

Several... this Summer.... are also facing their own Battles...

that we didn't have a clue about... in May...

seems... so many 'Worlds' have been turned upside down.......

all I can say.....

"keep stomping those flames.... and... keep looking...Up.

 Live... for today... it may be... all we have."

{I'm tryin'... : ) but... the 'yesterdays'... are so.... powerful....and....  'tomorrows'... are always trying to worm their way...under my skin....}

I spent more time... pulled back... outside the door... on the bumper... of the Big Truck.... than I did...in the booth... {it became... my rabbit hole... away from the rabbit hole... }

The show was good.... {surprising.... as I really didn't do the best....

 but... it was the 'best'... I could do.... it truly was.}

Liz... was my Rock... I don't know how...I could have gotten it all done...without her.

She helped me.... so much.... as well as a friend... who had been in an accident, just before the show...

yet... The Show.... must go on...for all of us.... Liz made it happen.

I'm so Thankful...to Nick and Katie... who took care of my Polly.....

I worried about her....so....

She was Thrilled... when I walked in... with her 'treat'... from Michael's....

Liz and I...took two trucks.... to Gold Rush...

The Ford...was loaded light.... but we found some Great treasures...in Racine, MN.

{I Love Linda.... she always... has 'something'... that makes me smile.....}

I haven't been excited about much.... these days....

but found two... wonderful pieces... that really made my heart jump.....{along with many other treasures... Liz bought a Bicycle Built for Two... she, and other folks... climbed on it....and rode it all weekend... : ) }

One... that brought me back....was a Gnarly...Folk Art... Horned Piece.... the other was a Victorian Bisque... or Pottery Deer Mount... with Roses... it looked like a Black Forest Carved piece... Linda told me... it had hung... in 'my Happy Place'  Michael's...

{I have so many... wonderful memories... from Michael's.... }

oh my....

I thought.... if I have a good show... I'm keeping those...for the House.

John would have Loved...the Deer.... it wasn't a real mount...

{we don't like the real ones..... at all...}

they were the very first things... that sold...

This man.... bought the Horns....
I tried...and Tried... to talk him out of them....
as I saw I was losing the battle.... I picked up my camera...to get an image of them.... before they left...
as I captured this.....
he was saying.....
"I'm Sorry... but...
I Just Have to Have These..."....
I already knew.... that.
{Throughout my life... no matter how Much... I would Love...to keep something... I always... give it  a chance to sell....
{unless... there is a MAJOR Memory.... attached }
We...have Bills to pay.... many...
this is my job....
If... it sells.... I wasn't meant to have it....
oh my.

oh my....

Sold a lot...on Friday...to the point, I had to buy some pieces, to hold 'littles'....

It was so crazy... on Friday... we didn't get the smalls out until Saturday morning....

Load out... was long.... Liz helped our friend... that had mountains of furniture... then they helped me... it was late..... getting on the road... Liz...was Beat....so... was I....

It seemed like we drove 12 hours... instead of 3 and a half....

But...we made it.

I feel so very Blessed... to have such Wonderful....Souls... around me...

Lynn and Lea... Barb... Bruce and Nancy...Cindy B. {All of the Gold Rush... 'Family' )

Polly Ann.... Bob... My Wisconsin Girls... : ) The Little Canadian...Girl... : )... Janet... Lori and Janice... Doug and Rhonda...Sarah and Mark... Raynard....Tom and Cindy....Miccia...Walt and Nancy... Dale... Mark... Kelsey... Sarah... Steven...

Marlene... : )

Kay and Richard....

Jim and Jan...Gayle...

Laura and Andy....

Dan and Jo... Colleen and Daryl....

Beth... oh my... she is such a Little Gift.

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

My Little MN. Angel...
Barb. : )
She Busted her Butt.... helping Liz and I...get things arranged Friday Morn.....
My right arm... is still down.... Barb was a Blessing... : )
Just... showed up... and dug in....
yes... I...
am
 Blessed.
{Sweet Little Shannon... : ) a Friend and Customer...popped in... she is a PT. I asked her to tell me what to do... about my arm....
she said.....
"Get a Brace on It.... and No Lifting!"
seriously....
: )
I'll get a brace. : )
{the 'no lifting'... takes care of itself.... oh my.... 20 pounds.... is about my best.... and No Twisting! }
Zing!

I know... I have such Beautiful...People...... surrounding me.... and am so...

Very... Blessed....

but... I have never... ever...felt more alone... in my life.

I took a few images... very few....

Gold Rush...was Bigger... than I have ever seen it... and there were Crowds... : )

we came Home... with a much lighter load....

I'm getting back on the Amana Estate Sale..... {Sept. 11 through 14th. }

Then... The Fall Harvest Sale.... in October...

{either the first or second weekend in October..... }

Love to You...

and Thank You... to All... who came by.....

Barb C.

Liz and I... had a Load.... by the time we got to Gold Rush....
Linda's Store... is one of my Favorite Stops.... : )



Gold Rush Post.... coming soon... : )

oh my....

It's been a Lovely Event..........

Gold Rush...

is one of my Favorite Shows....

The Customers....

{Friends}

and Fellow Vendors....

{Family}

are... Amazing.

I have spent more time.....

sitting behind the booth.... on the FUSO's old Bumper.....

than in the booth.....

I Thank God....

for those....

who sat there.... right beside me....

My...

Angels.

<3

I....

am Blessed.

I'll have the stories... and a few images....

when I get Home.....

: )

Love... to ya.

Barb C.

Gold Rush... at The Fairgrounds... in Rochester, MN.....Opens 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.... morn....

Too.... Tired.... to post....images....

Thanks to all of the Angels... who popped in...today.....and last night...

 with Helping Hands.....

and... Loving Hearts..... <3

Sold...Lots... Bought Lots.... and Sold... more....

Never got the booth set....

It was so full....as we unloaded....last night...

 Liz, Lynn, Lea...and I.... had no idea where to put it all....

oh my...

{bought some Awesome Things... on the way... South.... of the show.... in Iowa, and Racine...

then... found...this morning.... after the show opened....we didn't have enough.....

as things were selling... as fast as we could set them.....

oh my.....

had nothing to put smalls on....

bought more.... to fill in..... then... they sold....

then... bought.... more.....

Haven't had a chance...  to get the smalls unpacked....

We'll get them...in the morn....

I took a few images.... I'll try and get them on...in the morn....

Details.... next week...

there are many.: )

Love to ya....

Barb C.
{I found some.... Amazing Things....on our way....from Iowa....
{Special Thanks... to Linda... in Racine... We Love.... her Store... <3 }
 I...would have sooooooo Loved to find a way to keep....
but... as we placed each of them....in our booth... at Gold Rush.... they sold......
within moments.....
: ( : ( : (
oh my....
I had people apologizing for buying them......
as they watched my face turn.... white.....
then.... green.....
but... they bought them....anyway....
oh my................  }

sweet dreams.......

: )

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Smalls... in the Morn... <3



Here's the Deal.....

Well....

Here's the Deal....

The fluid around Peg's lung... has cancer.....

She will have Chemo, again.......

The Barn Doors... have been found....

They were in John's Paint Booth....

No one... knows how they got there....

Are the trucks loaded for Gold Rush....

No....

Am I...

Yes.

It's been a rather...long day....

the next many... many... many....

Promise....

to be Longer.....

yet.

Keep Those.... Beautiful....

Wings....

Beating.

Love to you....

Barb C.

Kept gathering... and loading for Gold Rush.... as I waited for the phone to ring.... today....
I found this Old... Old.... Wooden Bowl.... in The Hen House....
as... I began to pack it... in a tote... headed for the show....
I flipped it over....
: )
See the Amazing.... Tin Patches... : )
Who do you think... hand cut... pieced... and... applied them....?
: )
John.
This...Old Bowl... will Never see a Show....
as long as I...have breath... in my body.
oh my......

yes....
we laugh....
priceless.....
I always comment... on how Peg... gives me...
 The Gift...
of Laughter.
I... think...
we shared that Gift....
I have seen Peg... Laugh... 'til she Cried.....
over some of my Insane... Stunts....
: )
yes....
We Love Each Other.... Heart... and Soul.
We...Are... Blessed.
: )
{this was taken... just a year ago.....
during Gold Rush......
why does it seem....
like.... a Million..... }

I've lost my mind........ oh my... {and...The Big White Barn Doors. }

As we loaded the FUSO for Gold Rush...yesterday.....

I realized...

The Big White Barn Doors....

I have used for Ever... are gone.

I had loaned them out...for a Wedding in Amana... over Memorial Day Weekend....

as we all know... that weekend...

was not a good one.

The folks returned the doors... I remember that....

they were sitting by the fence....

I had asked Brandon...to put them by the rabbit hole....

and... that's all I remember....

Brandon vaguely remembers them.... 

We were all... in a Vortex... over that weekend. 

I love those doors....

have used them at Every Show...for years....

They have never been for sale....

but...

did I sell them...?

did someone... borrow them....

{and I don't remember....}

were they taken...?

We looked High and Low... yesterday....

they are... gone.

I...am...sad.

The 'Simply Iowa' Booth... 

will never be the same....

but ... I already knew that...

: )

nothing... will ever..be the same.

{maybe... I knew that.... then.... and it didn't matter... if I let them go. }

If anyone knows... anything... please let me know. : )

Peg is getting results today....

Michael and their Daughter, Mel.... are with her at The Mayo....

She was going to Mayo...for a re check....this week...

they found she had a Lot of fluid around her lung...

The images they took... 'lit up'... one of the Dr.'s thinks it's cancer...in the fluid... the other doesn't....

They  drained it off, yesterday... the results will be back today....

I'll let you know, as soon as I can....

I' trying to get things pulled together.... for Gold Rush....

it's going to be... a little crazy...around here....

Keep Your Beautiful Wings.... Beating....

for Our Peg....

and...All... who suffer, today.

there are many.

Love...to ya...

Barb C.

Keep Those...Wings... Poundin'!!!!!

Our...Peg...

and Sweet Tommie, on the left....

oh...my... : )

Peg...is back at the Mayo Clinic....tonight....

Please.... Keep her in Your Prayers..

I... can't elaborate... any further...

not now....

maybe.... in the morning....

Just... Keep...Those Beautiful... Wings... Beating!

{as Peg says... 

{when I tell her... about you... and your...Beautiful.... comments....

{she doesn't have a computer...}

"Thank The Lord.. for Those Amazing Angels.....: ) : ) : )

You and I... 

{Mad Hatter...and Mad March Hare....}

are down to nothing... but...

 Smoldering... Pin Feathers!!!!" }

Yes...

We..are So Very...Blessed.....

We Truly are....

Thank You...

God... Bless...You.

Barb C.

{a.k.a. Mad Hatter.... 

and...right beside me... heart and soul.....

as Always....

The Mad... March... Hare. }

<3 <3 <3