Pray and Relax, Relax and Pray...

I've been dreading a court date that I had yesterday.  Not because I'd done anything wrong, but I still just didn't want to go.  A month ago that dread turned into real physical symptoms and I was in excruciating pain.  My daughter went in for me and told the judge that I was sick.  I was relieved that she did this for me, and I enjoyed the next two weeks but by week three I knew I was looking at two weeks to go before the rescheduled date.

About four days before court I decided that I would in earnest, try letting go of my fear.  I prayed and read my Bible, and tried to convince myself that I was no longer concerned.  It wasn't until the night before that I really felt like I didn't have anything to worry about.  I spoke at length with an attorney friend of mine, who after all of the legal advice said "Girl, just pray!".  Okay, I think I'm seeing the light.

I actually went in very relaxed and confident.  I wasn't intimidated at all, and spoke up clearly, articulately and maybe a little loudly at times.  I wasn't going to be railroaded.  I had my facts and the judge heard them.  Her decision was based on those facts and good common sense.  It worked out as it should have, and though there really is no winner, if there was, it was me...!!!!! :)

A huge load was lifted and going out into the beautiful downtown Chicago sunshine was a bonus.  I didn't have my camera so I didn't hang around too long, but I did indulge in a couple of tacos at Millennium Dogs.  A girl's gotta eat!  I enjoyed the train ride home, even with the guy with the hairy ears sitting in front of me.

I babysat later for my favorite only kids that I still babysit for.  I still miss being with them every day, but I manage.  These two are the only ones that I never turn down because they are always coming up with something new and really keep me on my toes.  They're good kids too, and that's a requirement.  Last night, they introduced me to boiled peanuts.  I'd never eaten them and scarcely even heard of them, but they directed me on how to heat them in the microwave (90 seconds exactly, they told me) and how to eat them which means "don't eat the shell!"  It was a little weird for me, but they were actually good!  Tastes like chicken potatoes.  Seriously.  Removing the shells was more work than I wanted to do, but I would likely do the boiled peanut thing again.

We baked cookies too, which I ate too many of after the kids went to bed.  In the middle of a pretty good Lifetime movie, the parents came home with souvenirs from the wedding they'd been to.  I immediately opened the little mason jar candle to take a whiff.  "Oh you can have that!" Mom said.  The little mason jar candle was actually a little mason jar wedding cake, and after I'd stuck my nose in it, of course it was mine.  That worked out too, because I shared it with my daughter when I got home.  It was really, really good.  I should sniff people's stuff more often.

So I'm up and at 'em today, finally getting the kitchen ceiling painted.  I'm almost there and I can't wait to decorate for Christmas.  My decorations have been stifled for the past two years, being in an apartment for one holiday, and at my Mom's for the next.  I can pull out all the stops this year, although I still have way too much.  I've downsized into about 1200 square feet less than I used to have, so I'll have to figure out what to leave in the storage bins.  Or I could just put it all out anyway, but that might be tacky.  I try not to step into tacky-land.  I hope in my excitement, I can recognize the difference.

Okay, it's time to clean up and put everything back in place, now that the painters are gone.  Oh wait, I do need to explain about the cat. 

So, the other night my son came in about 40 minutes before curfew.  He stopped in my room to talk to me and just as I was sitting up he stopped talking and said "what is that?!"  I swear, it looked like the shadow of a man's head peering right into my bedroom window.  We waited a few seconds because we were both scared, and the "head" disappeared as soon as I said "that's not your shadow?"  I went to the living room and looked into the yard and saw nothing but a black cat on the sidewalk, looking at the house.  This was AFTER I called the police.  At least they know who I am now.  

First Line of Defense.

I hate pesky pests.  I'm hypervigilant about trying to scare them off before they scare me.  I've heard that strong smells will help keep them (by them, I mean mice, moles and shrews--rodents) away from my home.  I'm basically paranoid about this since I used to live on a wooded lot and would occasionally see a mole or shrew (something furry and fast) in the family room or the basement.  During my last year there, I started seeing them every few months.  I was terrified and couldn't wait to move.  I recently saw one behind the garbage can behind my house and got busy right away.  I do not want that thing in my house!  Nor do I want to ever see the skunk that spent about an hour rooting around my front yard a few weeks ago. I really didn't mind the fighting ducks (all three of them--I think it was a lovers' triangle) but for the fact that they were really loud and I was trying to sleep. I tried sprinkling cinnamon around the foundation of the house, but it just blew around and put brown marks on the sidewalk.  I thought about the cinnamon pine cones, but they're not too easy to find right now.  I guess the point is to make your house as unattractive as possible, i.e. no smells of smothered pork chops wafting under the door and through the windows.  Mask that smell!  Last week I read that peppermint oil works great, so I loaded up a spray bottle with peppermint oil and water and got to spraying.  Now, while entering my house is a peppermint-scented joy, the smell doesn't last long and I'm sure the neighbors were wondering why I was spraying the side of the house and the back door.  Several times a week.  Sometimes twice a day.  That, combined with the picture taking, outfit changes, placing flowers into old purses and bringing more and more furniture in has likely got them wondering just what the new neighbor is up to.  

I went to a garage sale last Thursday and found (of course!) lots of things that I "needed".  Like these tea bags.  At the time I wasn't sure what I would do with them, but making tea wasn't the first thing that came to mind.  Today, as I stared at the box, I had an idea.  And here it is!  

I put about two tablespoons of cinnamon in each tea bag, rolled it up, then doused it with peppermint oil.  

I forgot that the oil didn't have a shaker top, so I poured a lot of it.  Half the bottle, maybe.

After the first one, I just kind of rolled the cinnamon filled tea bag in the puddle on the counter. 

And I stuffed them around the foundation.  Voila!  We'll see how this works...

I also put a few on the windowsill outside my bedroom.  Apparently there's a black cat that likes my yard too.  (More about that tomorrow, but it involves the police.  That's all I'm saying.)

I love making stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Best Laid Plans...

I had my weekend all planned out but one look at Estatesales.net changed all that.  I saw a sale nearby that had an overflowing inventory of the most unique things I've ever seen.  I rearranged some stuff, got up on Friday morning, and for the second week in a row, my battery was dead because of something dumb that I did.  Not to worry, I said.  I don't have anywhere that I have to be.  It was overcast and chilly and I was happy to just huddle under the covers with my laptop and get some work done.  Around 1p and fellow vendor called me about a vintage flea and that's when it hit me.  I forgot about the sale!  Calling for road service was futile at that point because even though they get there quickly, I was looking at a 2:30 arrival for a sale that ended at 3:00.  I consoled myself with ice cream the thought that tomorrow was another day.  

This morning I was up early.  I had enlisted my sister to go to the sale with me and she was honking the horn at 8:30.  I was there just as the doors opened and for the first time ever, I waited in line.  Not like waiting because I showed up too early, but waiting because even though I got there when it opened, I was already 40th in line.  Wow.  I almost turned back, but I'd seen the previews, and this sale was worth the wait.  Or so I thought.  

I had fun joking around and trading stories and advice with the other people in line, who were mostly vintage sellers.  I keep thinking the market is going to get too saturated, but I guess if the fans and customer base keeps increasing, there should be enough business to go around for awhile.  Fingers crossed...

The antique phone booth was being loaded into a trailer when I arrived, as well as a few more amazing items I'd seen pictured.  So far, the ability to buy, transport and sell anything of this magnitude is way out of my reach and I'm not so sure I'm interested in selling on that scale.  But that phone booth would look absolutely awesome in a store so while I don't think I'd sell it, I could certainly use it someday.  Sigh...

But, back to reality, I did score some great things, which of course, I'm torn between selling and keeping.  That's the problem with only buying things that I love and would love to have with me for all eternity.  I just can't buy something that doesn't appeal to me, even if I know it has a high resale value.  I have to look at it until it sells, right?  So in keeping with my trend of finding amazing things that I want for myself...here's part of today's haul:

I love scarves.  I only wear them occasionally, or tie them on my purse because I really can't stand anything around my neck.  I used to be a headscarf wearer, then my head got bigger.  Someday I will return to my head wrapping roots.  Anyway, I bought quite a few.  Upon closer inspection of the ones pictured here, I discovered that one is a Versace and one is Salderini which the internet tells me is a big deal.  Salderini scarves are sold at the Art Institute's gift shop. 'Nuff said.  I just bought it because it appealed to me.  I should give myself more credit for having a good eye : )  The vintage sweater was just cute, the little boy's sweater is new with tags Munsingwear and oh so tiny and preppy. I think I have a nephew on the way, so that may have been a wise decision, not just an aesthetically-based one. The black and white scarf is signed, but I can't make it out.  Yet.  The baby kimono is one of two that I bought, and the slip is just because it Wacoal and Wacoal ain't cheap!  Except at estate sales.

Nice labels.  Not that I care.

Kimonos are hot right now.  I only know that because I follow a blog--Thriftanista in the City, and she says so.  So I bought two kimonos.  Not the swingy, smoking jacket type, but real "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" kimonos.  They're beautiful and that's my only rationale for buying them.  Mother/Child kimonos.  Somebody has to want them, right?

I was stoked, then saddened by my 4-part decanter.  Yep, store and pour four different beverages from one bottle.  Stoked!  Lost two tiny glass corks on the way home.  Saddened.  Went through the garbage with my bare hands and still didn't find them.  Maddened.  Disgusted.  Grossed-out.

The small platter (which I was told was Fiesta, but I can't find the pattern) was purchased solely for the color.  I'm a turquoise/teal fan, especially paired with red.  It has the tell-tale Fiestaware rings, so I'm hoping it's legit, but if it's not, no worries.  It's a keeper, as in I bought it to keep. 

I decided that these were banana split dishes, although they were in a cabinet with a collection of corn holders.  The shape could go either way, but those would have to be some enormous ears of corn.  I'm going with banana split dishes.  It sounds better when you're planning to give them as a gift.  What 20-something couple uses corn holders?  

These plastic snack dishes are clear and sparkly and plastic and come in their own box.  I love 'em!  Seeing them reminded me that I have a set just like this, in tortoiseshell.  Somewhere.  Oh bother. I don't entertain enough to keep them, especially when I already have a set, so Etsy anyone?

Never too many refrigerator dishes.  Well maybe that's not quite true,
but at this point, I only have six and that's not enough.  Lots of leftovers...

Delightful! Delovely!  As soon as I got home, I found a set of four matching plates to this cake stand set.  Now, do I buy the plates or sell the stand?  So pretty, but it doesn't match anything in my house and I eat my cake right out of the pan.  But I'm thinking that with the plates, this would make an awesome gift for someone who appreciates great quality and great graphics.  The plates are $40.  I see a barter in the works. 

 And then just to round it out, I found a few more things:

Longaberger.  I can always use another basket. 

The picks would look so cute in cupcakes placed on that stand up there!

I'm all about the vintage barware.

Silky, fringy, expensive scarves.  They just feel expensive. 

Oh yeah, they are expensive.

And yes, my thought was right.  This sale, long lines and all, was worth it, so much so in fact, that I returned a few hours later for a few more scarves, another dish and other stuff that I can't even remember. Phase II coming in November.  Apparently there are four storage units to empty.  If there was a phone booth in the house, whatever can those storage units hold????????

Oh yes, I just remembered.  I bought a toaster which I totally needed, and this gilded coffee mug, fit for a queen.  Oh yeah...that's me!

A Tale of Two Outfits.

Well, I'm really only excited about one, but to support the catchy title, I'll show you both.  First of all, I'm going to go ahead and acknowledge the wrinkles.  They are numerous and they are huge.  I get a little excited when  I envision an outfit and someone who can wear it (usually my daughter) is close by and pliable enough to get them to oblige me by trying on, taking off, trying again, and posing for pictures.  Today, in the middle of a marathon study session, she took a break and tried on some clothes for me.  This is completely harkening back to the days when I played "dolls" for hours, and started making clothes out of socks for Barbie (sometimes real Barbie, but usually generic) and her friends.  I should have gone into the fashion industry but didn't know I had any real interest until now.  Fortunately, I can still participate and not be the weird lady down the street who still plays with dolls.  I shop tirelessly for vintage and current thrift and estate sale finds, usually for the aforementioned daughter who, because of her size, lucks up on a lot more great outfits than I ever do.  Being her mom, however, I do get a lot of pleasure out of dressing her up and seeing how gorgeous she looks.  So on with the tale:

The jumpsuit has been on Etsy for a long time.  I get lots of inquiries, but so far no sale.  The measurements seem off because while the hips are pretty roomy, and the elastic waist can accomodate up to a size 10, this is still very much a size 6/8.  Sydney is an 8/10, and she's pretty much stuffed into it, so the label is correct.  It's made for a size 6 but the numbers just don't add up.  Until today, I had some bad photos posted of the jumpsuit on a hanger in my living room from last year.  The mannequin doesn't work with slacks, so anything pants-related was relegated to a coat hanger until Syd came home from school, lost a few pounds, and became my full-time volunteer living coat hanger.  These pics are SO much better.  I know the season is technically over, but hey, this is the Midwest and we could get an 80 degree Thanksgiving so I'm hopeful that this will still sell.  Besides which, not everyone lives in such an unpredictable climate.  And people who aren't me go on vacation to warm places.  

After doing an estate sale a few weeks ago, I was given the task of cleaning the place out to get it ready for a new owner.  As much as I sold, there was still so much there.  I resorted to giving things away.  I even called in a service which will haul away for free.  His payment is the "goods" he gets to keep.  Still, after at least five trips there with three guys and a truck, it seemed like I'd never finish.  I loaded up some bags for Goodwill and in doing so, came across this Jessica McClintock red taffeta skirt.  The Twenty-One dress is one that my daughter found early in the sale process.  It never made it to the sale because she "pre-shopped" and snagged about six adorable dresses for herself.  This one turned out to be a little too small but before she was able to take it off and toss it into the Goodwill pile I had an idea.  I'd been focusing on the gorgeous bodice all along, and while I don't personally do "layers" (they make me crazy) I know that they expand your wardrobe choices even further.  Being tiny means that you don't often feel or look overstuffed, thus, layers can be in your repertoire.  The dress worked fabulously as a blouse.  The belt is a match for the fabric of the dress, but I didn't understand the buckle, so I think it was just a coincidence.  While it doesn't work with the dress as a dress, it totally works with the dress as a blouse.  Voila!  

And there you have the wrinkles, which in my excitement, I didn't even notice.  The barely visible shoes are Style & Co., from the same sale.  Can we say under $20?  She's toting one of my finds from last year's "hoarder house" haul, a red and blue beaded bag, and wearing a pair of vintage earrings that I've had for a long time.  Like everything else, they're for sale, but they don't seem to want to leave me which is fine.  I get attached.  To everything.  Know what I'm attached to now?  This awesomely elegant look!  

Celebrate Me Home!

 Another Labor Day has come and gone, and with it, summer.  Sure, the weather is still brilliant, with temps in the 90's here, but the "feel" of summer pretty much ends when school starts, and is solidified with the last real summer holiday.  So what did I do to celebrate?  Absolutely nothing.  Well something.  A lot of things, but nothing celebratory. I didn't plan a cookout, and I was invited to none.  So, my kids and I putzed around the house, finally getting it in order and I can honestly say that I have Moved In and I'm LIVING in my new house!  

This has been a long process, but I wanted to take my time and make sure everything was right before we officially called it home.  In this past week I've had a ceiling crack fixed, stored our winter clothes in the attic and found bedroom furniture.  This alone is reason to celebrate.  I haven't had a bedroom set in a very long time.  I finally bought a bed, but still the right dresser(s) eluded me.  After taking my daughter to an appointment, she wasn't in the best of moods, so we decided to drive home through a neighborhood we hadn't been in for a while. She spotted it first--ESTATE SALE! My children usually try to divert my attention when we pass one, knowing that it means and impromptu stop that could stretch to an hour or more. But she knew  I was in need of bedroom furniture, so she suggested that I stop.  I got stuck in the living room as soon as I walked in because I saw nothing in particular, but I need to make sure I don't miss anything.  I almost missed this because even though my daughter had spotted it, and was trying to get me to come into the bedroom, I kept eyeing things I didn't need.  I took one look and in about 30 seconds it was SOLD!  I was just ahead of another buyer who had, unlike me, cash on hand.  Since this was a private sale, not an estate sale company, the owners didn't take credit cards.  I had to run to the nearest ATM and they were nice enough to wait for me.  It could easily have been sold while I was out because this is a beautiful set.  See??

This set was absolutely worth the wait!

  

The lamp makes the walls look smiley face yellow.  They aren't, really. 

Much needed drawer space and surface for all of my knick knacks.  I am still deciding what to display, but I couldn't wait to snap a few pictures of this beautiful vintage set.  Not shown are the two nightstands, the mirror and the bed.  I really want to use the bed, but it's full size and I just bought a new queen mattress.  And a new queen bed.  It was definitely a moment of mad splurging because everyone knows how much I hate the "R" word.  RETAIL.  A splurge and a treat.  But I like the vintage bed better, with it's very functional headboard that has shelves and doors so you can put important things,  useful things,  stuff in them.  It's so 1960's television and I've always wanted one, so I may be getting rid of a brand new bed.  We'll see.  But back to the pictures above, isn't it a beauty?  Even more beautiful is the "P" word.  PRICE.  I'm used to finding amazing deals, but even I was shocked and elated to find this six-piece set for just $75.  That's SEVENTY-FIVE dollars!  And now you know why I was off and running to the ATM.  For another five bucks I bought another vintage alarm clock (that makes 11) a vintage children's book (which I'll sell) and two amazing vintage wire record stands which I will need to part with, but I'm going to enjoy for just a little while.  

Speaking of enjoyment, I found this lamp at SA about two years ago.  I used it briefly in my old apartment, but since that gorgeous apartment never really felt like home, I didn't enjoy it.  Today, September 1, 2014, I am celebrating HOME and my vintage lamp never looked so good. 

At almost two feet and 10 pounds, this lead crystal lamp
was an absolute steal at $12.  One of those days
that I just felt compelled to make a pit stop at the
thrift store.  Somehow I always seem to know...

With my clothing finally in drawers rather than plastic bins, and the extras safely in the attic, I rolled out the yoga mat onto my newly found floor space and stretched.  I'd been waiting months to do that.  Home,Sweet Home.  And although I spent Labor Day laboring, it was so worth it.  

And just wait until you see the laundry room...Next Time!