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November 30, 2008 at 12:02 AM in Weekly Words to live by | Permalink | Comments (16) | TrackBack (0)
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I thought I'd share a picture of this sweet little trophy I rescued. I do believe she's one of the most charming and dear little treasures I have come across in a long, long time.
When I find things like this little trophy it just makes me wonder. Wonder who she belonged to. Wonder how long they treasured her, before casting her aside in the donation box with old shoes and pillowcases. Wonder why would anyone ever give up this rare little beauty. (It's a finalist trophy, after all) I mean, surely not everyone in the pageant got a "Top Overall Finalist American Coed Pageant" trophy, or it would have said "Participant American Coed Pageant"...right? And it's not simply "finalist" but "Top Overall Finalist" which makes me think that must mean first runner up..or does it? I guess I'll never know.
Anyway.
I just wonder about all of that.
*sigh* I think she's just stunning, this little bouquet toting girl perched atop a crown.
November 29, 2008 at 12:03 AM in Just minding my business | Permalink | Comments (11) | TrackBack (0)
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Mmm hmm. Sometimes I think I must be the only woman on the planet that has such..not-so-ordinary things happen to them..repeatedly. Seriously. Putting aside my suddenly single experience, and now my soon-to-be-suddenly-unemployed experience, many times, ever so slightly unexpected things just seem to happen where I am involved.
Last week, the other Tracey and I went thrifting for pieces for the expanded booth spaces at Junkees. Cruising past lots of stuff in the furniture area of the GW (That's what the regular shoppers at the Goodwill call it, you know...) we came upon a perfect large bookcase to hold merchandise and it was marked at a great price. It was painted black, which was even better, as that was what color we would have painted this treasure anyway.
We bought it and schlepped it home in the back of the other Tracey's truck, along with several other incredible finds.
Upon unloading this gem, I suddenly felt a moment of deja vu. What was it? What the..?! The bookcase we were unloading suddenly felt very familiar. The Ethan Allen stamp on the back. The small drip of black paint on the left hand side.... Upon closer inspection it was confirmed. I asked the other Tracey to look in the cupboard area of the bottom of the bookcase. If it was not painted inside, it was positively The old bookcase from the house I lived in before my cottage. Sure enough, no paint inside!
The bookcase in question was the exact one from my last house. I had left it in the giant pool table room. Obviously my ex-husband recently donated it at a drop off location near his house at the south end of Reno, and it somehow ended up at the GW thrift store in Sparks with exact perfect timing for the other Tracey and I to stumble upon it and buy it. (As for why I didn't recognize it sooner, I have no idea.)
It's a small world, you know.
I guess that's an example of "What goes around, comes around", huh?
November 28, 2008 at 12:05 AM in My not so ordinary life | Permalink | Comments (40) | TrackBack (0)
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November 27, 2008 at 12:02 AM in My not so ordinary life | Permalink | Comments (13) | TrackBack (0)
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...anyway, that's how I am choosing to look at it. Budget cuts and restructuring have now hit home for me, along with two of my co-worker friends. We somehow managed to hang onto our jobs after the first round of budget cuts a little over a year ago, but we were not so lucky this go around. I was given an advance heads up, but officially yesterday got the news.
My position at my grown up girl job of just barely shy of six years is going to come to an end on December 31, 2008.
I know all too well that I am not alone in this new situation. Each week I hear of more friends that have been laid off from their jobs, and I watch the news each morning while getting dressed, listening to the dismal economic situation in our country.
I am not at all sure what this will mean for me, but I do not doubt for one minute that I won't be okay in the end. (Remember, if it's not okay, it's not the end.) Maybe I am meant to try something totally new and different or maybe I am meant follow my bliss and stretch myself more on a creative level. Like I said, I'm just not sure of anything yet. All I know is that I am looking for signs of which way to go, and trusting the man upstairs. After all, the one thing I have learned over the past couple of years is that I am not the driver of the bus, and the sooner I take my seat by the window and let him do his job, the happier I will be.
If someone had told me twenty six months ago that I would still be standing two years later after my life fell apart, I would not have believed them for one minute, but here I am. Still standing and trusting God to keep me strong and safe. I am trusting Him to guide me through this new adventure coming my way now.
November 25, 2008 at 09:09 PM in My not so ordinary life | Permalink | Comments (87) | TrackBack (0)
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More pictures coming as progress happens...for now, here are a couple of shots of the progress in the new booth design at Junkees Antique Mall...We've even created new price tags to go along with our logo, but I still need to change my price tags out...so much still to do...
We should have everything ready by Thanksgiving, (we hope so, anyway!) just in time for the Black Friday bus tour to hit Junkees!
November 24, 2008 at 06:59 AM in Just minding my business | Permalink | Comments (14) | TrackBack (0)
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November 23, 2008 at 12:17 AM in Weekly Words to live by | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)
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Catch a little post of mine over at the HomeGoods blog.... leave me a comment there if you like!
November 21, 2008 at 09:55 PM in My not so ordinary life | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
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How darling are these treasures that will be making an appearance very soon in the new Tumbleweed Cotillion booth at Junkees? Mmm hmm, the thrift stores have got it all.
The bottle brush trees are one of my all time favorite Christmas treasures, and the vintage champagne glasses are absolutely charming. Even if you aren't into toasting with some of the bubbly on New Year's Eve, how about a little raspberry sorbet or a decadent scoop of Cherry Garcia ice cream in it, just to make all of your guests (or just you!) feel special?
Oh ya. That's what I'm talkin' about.
November 21, 2008 at 08:48 PM in Junkin', Just minding my business, My not so ordinary life | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)
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The caterer (who is also my Tumbleweed Cotillion partner) and I have been working towards growing the Tumbleweed Cotillion and part of our plan includes sharing an expanded booth (aptly named "The Tumbleweed Cotillion") down at the fabulous Junkees Clothing Exchange and Antique and Art mall. Currently we both have booths within the mall, but not anywhere near one another. Well, with any luck, by next week, we will have completed the move, and our booth spaces will be right next door to each other within the mall, allowing it to be one large booth, with all of our vintage creations co-mingled and renamed "The Tumbleweed Cotillion" and re-branded with our new logo of the bird on the crown. I tell you, it is going to be terrific.
We're doing Christmas up with a charming vintage feel and we've got so many great pieces, big and small!
Oh! I just know you're gonna love it!
November 19, 2008 at 06:39 AM in Just minding my business | Permalink | Comments (16) | TrackBack (0)
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I'm home from the women's retreat with my church, rejuvinated and ready for my week. The event was held at one of the most beautiful spots on earth, our spectacular Lake Tahoe, and the weather was perfection. Our speaker was great; it was like listening to a close girlfriend share the word, along with her life stories and wisdom.
I got to know several women that I had never met at church before (my church is large with many services, so it's impossible know each and every one attending) and it confirmed for me that every one of us has a story to tell, and we all have some challenge we are facing. We all have a prayer need and we all have some wisdom to share.
November 17, 2008 at 07:16 AM in Kindred spirits, My not so ordinary life | Permalink | Comments (15) | TrackBack (0)
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November 17, 2008 at 06:22 AM in Weekly Words to live by | Permalink | Comments (9) | TrackBack (0)
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I treated myself to some new pajamas for the retreat this weekend and I just had to share.(I got mine online at my favorite online place, Zappos, but I got the last pair in stock, so I am linking to another site here)
Now, I don't usually buy loud, cutesy PJ's, but when my daughter found these and showed them to me, we both agreed that they were too perfect to pass up. (especially since the bathroom at the lodge is down the hall.) They're really soft flannel and those big yummy cupcakes are just darling. Cute, huh?
November 15, 2008 at 12:06 AM in My not so ordinary life | Permalink | Comments (12) | TrackBack (0)
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They're baked. They're frosted. They're boxed and ready to go to the lodge up at Lake Tahoe. (At the very last minute I changed my mind from doing a blue color scheme to pinks, and so I am making new pink "embrace" flags this morning.)
All that's left is to load them in my car, along with the stacking trays, and hit the road for a great weekend.
November 14, 2008 at 07:48 AM in A girl and her oven | Permalink | Comments (16) | TrackBack (0)
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I'm baking baby cakes for the Women's Retreat I'll be attending this weekend with my church. (160 lil' baby cakes to be exact.) The theme of the retreat is "Embrace" so I am doing a few baby cakes with flags, and of course all of them will color coordinate so they look pretty on the stacked trays I'll be using. It's such a creative outlet for me, creating these yummy treats!
*sigh* You know, I do believe I could bake and decorate these sweet little cakes all day long and never grow tired.
November 13, 2008 at 06:49 AM in A girl and her oven | Permalink | Comments (13) | TrackBack (0)
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It's not fancy, and it wasn't expensive, but the rocker in the Peanut's nursery is the very one that I rocked my babies in. (which seems like was only a few years ago!) It was an unfinished chair that we bought at KMart of all places, when we were expecting our first Peanut. We stained it to match the dark wood crib we had chosen. It was a labor of love.
Oh, so many happy memories with this old rocker; of time alone with each of my babies in the middle of the night, nursing, rocking, singing softly, treasuring that moment by the soft glow of a night light. A lot of love went into this rocker, and just imagining my daughter rocking her sweet baby in this simple chair, making her own precious memories, brings happy tears to my eyes.
November 12, 2008 at 07:13 AM in It's all about family | Permalink | Comments (21) | TrackBack (0)
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We're stepping things up with the Tumbleweed Cotillion. We've got a new logo (which you saw in an earlier post on our fabulous sold-out-but-soon-to-be-available shirts) and now, we're going to have a nice big booth at Junkees Clothing Exchange and Antique Mall. Mmm hmm, the Caterer got herself a booth at Junkees and within a few weeks we'll be moving things around a bit in the mall so that we can share one large booth!
That's not all that's new. Oh no, not by a long shot. See the orange chair pictured above? Well, it's the official Tumbleweed Cotillion chair and it is getting ready for a face lift of sorts. While it may very well be a diamond in the rough right now, it will, in the not so distant future, be reborn as a true feast for the eyes...just you wait and see.
Our next Cotillion is in the works, and once we select a date (we're going to have our past vendors help us in choosing the right date and time) you'll be the first to know. We're also considering taking this show on the road, so if you live within a 3 hour drive from Reno, please, do let us know of your favorite upcoming fairs so that we might have a Tumbleweed Cotillion booth at an event in your town. (You know we'd love to meet you!)
November 11, 2008 at 12:01 AM in Just minding my business | Permalink | Comments (13) | TrackBack (0)
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I'm home from a whirlwind trip to PTown and to the baby shower for the Peanut. We had such fun! It was a family shower, hosted by the Daddy-to-be's Aunt and his sister and we had a great time.His side of the family is huge, and they all live close enough to one another to get together often, which is pretty special and kind of uncommon in these busy times. There were so many presents that it looked like Christmas, and all of the fishermen and boat enthusiasts in the crowd were quite taken with my little rowboat.
*sigh* Such a loving family this baby is being blessed with.
Mr. Peanut's nursery decor is moving right along...it's really looking like a true nursery these days!
We painted the green on the diaper changing hutch blue to match the bedding and the ceiling and it made all the difference in the world...calm and soothing, and so very sweet.
The Mama-to-be took photos of the Peanut's grandparents and great grandparents (and even a great-great grandparent!) when they were babies and made a family tree kind of grouping on one wall. It is the perfect vintage touch.
The huge ledge was the perfect spot for the giant bear (remember him?) and the rocking horse, until he is old enough to ride him.
Sweet vintage touches around the room make this room so special and dear.
Do you see the little rocker, there by the dresser? It was supposed to stay at my cottage, but the Mama-to-be wanted it so badly that I am letting her borrow it for now...after all, it looks custom made for this room, don't you agree? Oh! I almost forgot..one last shot of the room, with little Mona Fleasa in it. Can you find her? She's still not at all sure what big the fuss is about.
The sewing queen is finishing up the curtains and a little foot rest cover, and I still need to paint clouds on the ceiling, and then the room will be ready for his arrival.Oh! And we're doing the finishing touches on his bathroom and walk in closet. I'll share those pictures after we're done...you're gonna love them!
November 10, 2008 at 06:38 AM in It's all about family | Permalink | Comments (29) | TrackBack (0)
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November 09, 2008 at 12:06 AM in Weekly Words to live by | Permalink | Comments (9) | TrackBack (0)
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...or maybe it's rock, rock, rock your boat in this case.
Shhhhhhhhh! It's a shower gift for Mr. Peanut. (Still not sure how we're getting it to the shower without his Mama and Daddy seeing it...)
This adorable little "Gramma Cupcake foofifyied" boat is the surprise I mentioned a couple of months ago as my all-time-favorite-steal-of-a-deal-find-of-a-lifetime yard-sale-treasure. Wanna know how much I paid for this memory making little jewel? You won't believe me, but I will tell you. Fifteen dollars. (I know! I told you you wouldn't believe me!) The boat was originally a dark green on top (and you know, with the nursery being all soft blues and creams...well, that green had to go!) and I added my touches. Now, it's personalized for all of the little Roberts babies to have fun with for years to come.
*sigh* ...merrily, merrily, life is but a dream.
November 08, 2008 at 12:07 AM in It's all about family, Junkin' | Permalink | Comments (21) | TrackBack (0)
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I did a post over on the TJ Maxx/HomeGoods Blog and shared my tablescape ideas from last year's Thanksgiving. Check it out and leave me a comment over there if you like!
November 07, 2008 at 01:07 PM in My not so ordinary life | Permalink | Comments (13) | TrackBack (0)
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I was hoping that November would be my slow down month, but so far I have been so busy at work that it doesn't feel like it. Running and going, with early morning meetings and night time events.
One thing I am making time for is, slowly but surely, getting all of my things out for Thanksgiving.(and I had better hurry up. It's already the 7th!)
Thanksgiving is my most favorite holida. It's lacking the pressure of shopping frantically for that perfect gift,(and trying to find that one last parking spot at the mall) and it's a chance to try new recipes, while looking forward still to using the old family favorites. It's all about family and thankfulness and counting our blessings.
What's your favorite holiday?
November 07, 2008 at 06:59 AM in Homekeeping | Permalink | Comments (19) | TrackBack (0)
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Polly spotted this in yesterday's post, and I am thrilled to share the news. Yes, we have a new logo for the Tumbleweed Cotillion, and we had the most wonderful chocolate brown with creme print long sleeve shirts done up to celebrate it! (for some reason they almost look black in my photos) We sold out at this past weekend's faire, but more are on the way, due to arrive around the 15th of November.
They're fabulous and they fit great, because they have a bit of stretch to them. If you'd like to put in your pre-order for one, ($24.00 plus $6 shipping and packaging) simply email me here, and specify the size you need.(Specify S, M, L, or XL. They run a little on the small size.) I'll invoice you through Paypal and send out an email as soon as they are ready to ship.
So...what do you think of our new logo?
November 04, 2008 at 05:07 AM in Just minding my business | Permalink | Comments (19) | TrackBack (0)
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...was a success! We all had a lot of fun setting up, decorating our booths, and visiting and selling our treasures to old and new friends. The Plumas Gym proved to be our best venue to date, and we have already decided it will be the location of our next Cotillion for sure! Not only is it centrally located in town, with plenty of parking, but it also had the easiest access to load and unload of all the places we've held our event. The feel of the old gym was perfect, with the shiny wood floors and the golden walls.
I forgot to get a good picture of my reinvented sofa with the brocade fabric, but you can see a bit of it here....
The old fashioned bake sale looked cute in the center of the room, but in the end, it didn't seem that too terribly many people were after sweet treats for some reason, so I think we will be trying another idea, food wise, next time.
The vendors all seemed to have a great time as well, and the booth set ups (a generous 15 x 15 booth space) were the best ever! So many cute displays and products!!!
*sigh* I am already beginning to happlily plan things in my head for the fair we're planning for next March.
November 03, 2008 at 05:43 AM in Just minding my business | Permalink | Comments (14) | TrackBack (0)
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November 02, 2008 at 12:01 AM in Weekly Words to live by | Permalink | Comments (14) | TrackBack (0)
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