Fall is in the Air

Yesterday I felt a definite chill in the air..something I hadn't felt in months. I had the doors open and the fresh breeze coming into the house...It was delightful. Last night, when I let the dogs out for the last time before bed, it was almost chilly. Had I been out walking, I would've needed a jacket! I just LOVE this time of year, even though I know deep down that there's a good chance it might get hot again, it is the flicker of hope that right around the corner is cooler weather, crispy leaves falling from the golden trees, children looking forward to choosing their pumpkins, and spicy apple cider.

It has taken every ounce of willpower to not haul out my Fall decorations up until today. Many of my primitive friends have been busy filling their homes with gourds and pumpkins and deep orange bittersweet, but I have resisted. Fall is my favorite time of year, the time of my birth (don't ask how many years ago THAT was, just know that it is October) and the season I look forward to the most. I enjoy every breath of Autumn, and the first drive to the apple orchard gives my skin a good goosebumpy cover.

Yesterday, I took my long jaunt to the mailbox at the end of our country driveway much slower than normal. The cool breeze was so refreshing and the fields beyond the houses up and down the road have taken on a noticeable golden haze. In the mailbox I found my Fall issue of Midwest Living, and the cover was glowing orange...the photograph of a hollowed pumpkin full of Fall foliage and the title above read "A Perfect Autumn!" I couldn't help myself from skipping back up the driveway like a schoolgirl.

Speaking of school, my children enjoyed their Back to School Orientation last night, and received many high-fives and hugs from friends they hadn't seen since June. My oldest is now officially a high schooler, and I'm trying to be excited for him, though deep down, I wish I could hold on to his childhood just a little longer. Jillian proudly graduated from kindergarten last June, and now she marched into her school as a first grader, just brimming with excitement to find out who her teacher would be. We found her new classroom and greeted her teacher, and once Mrs. Kleinert invited her to look around the room, Jillian found a wonderful bucket of seashells and a magnifying glass. She studied those shells intently for 15 minutes, the only child in the classroom. I had to pry her away at 8pm because the orientation was officially over. She was sad to leave. She can't wait until the first day of school and every minute it seems, at home, she is carrying around her new lunchbox! I will have to shop for the rest of our school supplies in secret, because otherwise little Jillian will insist on using them. Is there not a happier mother, than one who has children excited to learn?

This morning I was awakened by the dog who just HAD to go outside before 7am. I was so sleepy and didn't want to make the trek downstairs and out the door but knew if I didn't, I'd have to deal with the consequences later. (ha). So, I made it to the door with Drake (our labradoodle) and oh my goodness, it was so chilly that I almost swore I saw frost! It was MIRACULOUS! I stood there in my pajamas and watched the morning sun for just a moment, and ran back inside because I was frozen! I love to be frozen in August. And I decided, the bits of chill that greet me in the morning and lull me off to sleep at night, are just the push I needed to start decorating for Fall. It will be slow going, I'm not even sure where all the decorations are. Last year we moved in August and I wasn't able to do anything other than pumpkins on the porch because the house was so upside down. This year, I'm afraid the house just may be dripping with leaves and bittersweet and pumpkins and wonderful spicy candles burning.

Please enjoy ever second of this changing season time...it is a glorious gift we have from God and I wouldn't give up having four seasons for anything. Well, unless I could delete summer all together or shrink it down to just a week or two...;-)

Memories...

During the last few years, I managed my blogging at multiply.com. I actually got a lot of writing done while I was held hostage by the State of Wisconsin after my husband's work transfer over there. (ok I wasn't held hostage, exactly, but it often felt like it and I don't have many good memories of my time there and soon you'll see why...) Anyway, while I was blogging on multiply, I wrote a blog detailing how my husband and I got married--we eloped--and it was like something from a movie. I wanted to share the story with a friend of mine without rewriting the whole thing, so I just went over to my multiply site to copy it. I wasn't sure how far down the blog list it was hiding and as I was skimming over several blogs, I came to one that I decided to actually READ. I'm glad I did, because it truly sums up my daily life in Wisconsin with a 2 year old. I hope you find a few laughs or at least understanding, when you read it. I will repost it here.

And It's Not Even Monday...

Posted by Rochelle on Jan 16, '07 12:49 AM for everyone

I was greeted early this morning with a runny nose. With all the colds and flu going around, even though I was eating vitamins like potato chips and even trying to catch a few extra ZZZZs, I still caught a cold. After the hectic morning of trying to get the boys out the door and to school, I decided to take Jillian out to the store to pick up some cold meds and maybe a few days worth of groceries.

Well, as soon as I went to get Jillian out of the car, it started. She got mad over the fact that I wouldn't let her carry in all of the winter hats she's stolen from her brothers. I told her she could have one on her head and that was enough. She hung from me like a sack of potatos as I hauled her into Wal-Mart. Even the cart lady noticed that. I just chuckled it off like I always try to do, and managed to get her seated in a cart. Not knowing how much time I had for a full blown explosion, I headed straight for the medicine aisles, grabbed my Tylenol Day and Night Severe Cold and Flu (nothing wrong with planning ahead) and so far she was being okay. I noticed a whole rack of pretty hair stuff for little girls on clearance, and grabbed a few and handed them to her, figuring it would give her something to play with. Boy was I wrong. Here came more wailing, since I refused to open the package of elastic headbands! I am such a bad mother! I continued to keep my cool, even though I was not only putting up with her screaming, but also the loudest, sqeakiest wheel'd cart in America (I always end up with the lousy carts!) And as I continued down the end aisle, scouting out more clearance items, I noticed a worker glaring at me. It was all I had to snap at her but I ignored it, and then it hit me, I had forgotten to throw on some jeans before I left the house and I was still wearing my ultra-comfy flannel pants. Not that I looked completely as if I'd fallen out of bed--my shirt actually matched and my hair was done and I even had make-up on! But I guess the worker thought I didn't belong there with my loud toddler. I grabbed a few extra hair pretties, thinking they might change Jillian's mind about hair care-I'm probably wrong, I get that--but to brush her hair I actually have to chase her down and, while her head is on the floor upside down and she's screaming, I manage to put a brush through it. It's a wonderful experience, I assure you.

Her crying slowed long enough for me to make it over to the children's department, I decided to pick up a few things there and of course Jillian noticed a lion stuffed animal. Whether or not she deserved it, I handed it to her in a brief moment of insanity, thinking it would buy me some more shopping time. Boy was I wrong, AGAIN. She wanted the whole selection of animals, not just the lion. I refused, and here came the wails again. Quickly I grabbed what I needed (if you MUST know, a Dora the Explorer Potty Seat--we are working up to the attempt to use the potty, another glorious parenting moment) and headed to the cashier area. She was crying the whole way. It was more aggitating than embarrassing. I could feel my blood pressure rising with every squeaking turn of the cart wheels. Times like these, it's so hard not hear the little voice in your head that is chanting, "Now, why did you have children again?"

Once at the cash counter, I opted for the 'self check-out" thinking it would be faster and I wouldn't have to involve another human being in this little circus show. Besides, I never made it to the grocery side of the store. I quickly scanned all my items and went to pay with my debit card. Of course, even though were four other self check-out lanes open and three live cashiers, two men decided to wait behind me. Why, I'll never know. Jillian screaming, and me trying to swipe my cracked debit card (it's old, and well-used) through the machine. I scribbled my signature across the screen and thought I could hit the highway---but OOOH NO wouldn't you know it, the robot woman decided to shout "CARD DECLINED PLEASE USE ANOTHER FORM OF TENDER" I couldn't believe my ears. I sifted through my purse looking for another card, since I didn't have any cash on hand. Stupid cracked debit card. It expires in February, I sure hope they send a new one. I swiped my Wal-Mart card, signed the screen, and here comes the robot voice: ADDITIONAL APPROVAL NEEDED. What the???? A cashier woman came over the typed in a bunch of numbers on the keypad and told me to have a nice day. Oh yes, of course I'll have a nice day, along with my cracked debit card, squeaky cart, flannel pants, runny nose and my screaming toddler. Thank you so much. (Notice there were no quotation marks in that---it all remained neatly typed out in my head, my mouth stayed closed, I assure you!)

So, I took my screaming toddler outside, put her in her carseat and shut the door. I didn't hear any screaming from outside the car, and it was so tempting to just stay outside. I put the cart in the corral and walked slowly back to the car. Opening the door, the screaming flooded the parking lot. I was frazzled by this point. I managed to drive home with the radio on, but barely disguising her screaming. By the time we got home, she had run out of tears. I took her in the house and hoped she would run off somewhere and play quietly so I could medicate my cold and calm down.

I opened the child-proof packaging and noticed how few pills they give you for your buck. Thinking, "what a rip-off," I went to pop out the two little tablets, and guess what? ONE OF THE EXPENSIVE LITTLE BUGGERS FLIPPED RIGHT OUT OF MY HAND AND WENT DOWN THE DRAIN OF THE SINK!!!! I had to open another package and take one out so I'd get the full dose.

And, it's not even 10am. I just can't imagine I still have an entire day ahead of me. Wherever you are, I hope you will think of my little excursion, and please enjoy every second of peace and quiet offered to you. For me, please, don't take it for granted...

*****
I will have to remember to reread that every time I'm having a bad day here. I will be thankful for how far we've come in our life's journey, and thank God that my beautiful daughter has stopped the incessant crying!! LOL

What a Weekend!

I was already looking forward to the weekend because of the primitive meeting on Saturday---but Friday turned out to be just as exciting! My online friend, Josie, who I have gotten to know through the Country Sampler magazine forum, invited me to join her at her in law's family farm, which is only five minutes from my house, to tour the old farmhouse and barn. What a RIOT! Not only was it delightful to meet her husband and his parents and aunt and uncle, but Josie and I hit it off and had a royal blast together! I hadn't laughed that hard in a long time! We started out nosing around the old barn and shrieking over all the rusty treasures we were discovering---most people would call it old junk---but we were in seventh heaven! I think her husband was a little surprised to hear that there yet another woman on earth that loved primitives as much as his wife! We just had so much fun. I guess our laughter carried so loudly through the farmhouse that it was heard even outside where the rest of the family were gathered! I'm sure they thought we had just lost our sanity that day as we dragged our old rusty treasures out of the attic and the basement and into the kitchen into a big pile. We even discovered an old fire extinguisher on the wall outside the kitchen door to the basement, and we had one heck of a time ripping that thing off its nail! Oh was that hysterical!! And such a sweet family, to welcome me in and let me treasure hunt with Josie. That is one day I'll never forget!




Saturday was our first chapter meeting for A Primitive Journey (where members from around the state meet on the third Sat. of every month to enjoy a day of antiquing, chatting, touring and of course, eating, with other primitives loving friends). The plan was set to meet at the Pride and Country Village in Saginaw, MI at noon for lunch and then shopping. You can check it out here: www.prideandcountry.com.

Before I even left town, I had plans to pick up an old dry sink cupboard from a house in town that had been listed on Craigslist. It was so wonderful that I knew if I didn't grab it asap, someone else would, and Lord knows I've been searching far and wide for a dry sink FOREVER. This one had original mustard paint even! So I took my 13 year old with me to help load it into the van...I had to drop him at a friend's house before I left town for the meeting, anyway.

We knew the street that the house was on and we began watching mailboxes for the address. When we found the mailbox and looked across the road, I said, "NO way, that can't be it. No one lives in that old house!" It looked like a real haunted mansion, with a tree lined little lane leading to it. Sure enough though, that was the house that belonged to the mailbox, so I pulled in up the lane and around to the back of the house. There was a back porch with an open door, but the inside looked pitch black. PJ said, "I'M not going to the door...." and I said, "Um, I don't think I AM either!" I'm serious---it looked haunted. I tried to call the phone number on the listing, but the number was having trouble and wouldn't connect (ironically.) I just kind of sat there in my van, not knowing what to do, when all of a sudden, a woman walked out from behind the garage. She was human, no ghost as I kind of was expecting to see!! So I jumped out of the van and greeted her, she called me by name and asked if I was there for the dry sink. I was so relieved!! Here is what the house looks like:


And this is the dry sink now that it is all cleaned up, waxed, buffed, and decorated!


She told me to back up to the garage and when I did and got out to see the dry sink in person, I was in LOVE with it! It was filthy but awesome. I told her that I didn't realize anyone lived here and she started to tell me about the house! You could tell by the light in her eyes that she is in love with the property. It's always fun to meet someone like that! She told me that the house was built in 1832, and it was the oldest house in town still standing. It originally had 2800 acres! A blacksmith shop, a livery, and several other outbuildings which had been torn down over the years as the property was sold off or bought by the growing community. They even found the original deed and map to the property! I can't wait to see the inside of the house....I was in a hurry to get on the road because I had a 1.5 hour drive to the meeting, but when she told me she had two other primitive pieces for sale, I knew I'd be back. Lucky for me, she was going on vacation and wasn't going to advertise them for sale and she promised to contact me when she got back. The dry sink was loaded up, and we left. I hit the road for the APJ meeting!

I hit traffic on the way there and thought for sure I'd be late, which would be awful for the Director!! By the hand of God, I walked in right at noon and the Phyllis and Jim Wenzel were already there in the wonderful, antique filled deli at the village. It was like we were instantly old friends! I sat with them and started gabbing as we waited for other members to arrive. They own Creekside Country which sells handmade wooden primitives and their work is amazing!! They were just the featured artists in the new ezine, Down the Primitive Path.

Not long after, Tasha Posey arrived, and again--it was like meeting an old friend! There is something special about primitive loving people. They are like an old soul, and you immediately connect with them. We ate lunch, which was wonderful, and shared lots of stories about our homes and where we come from. We enjoyed meeting the chef of the village, John, who often came out to check on us. Had we had more members at the meeting, we would've had our own private vintage dining car from an old railroad to enjoy our lunch in! Maybe next time...that would've been so cool!

After lunch, our little group headed out to explore the village. It is composed of several old buildings, most of which were moved to the property, and they are filled to the brim with antiques and primitives, quilts, homegoods, furniture, clothing, purses, garden decor and candles. It just feels like it is never ending! I found myself even taking pictures when I went to use the bathroom! It was adorable in there!



I really enjoyed spending time with our members. We had so much to talk about and so much to laugh about! It truly was like finding out you had a twin and that you were separated at birth. Having so much in common allows for such enjoyable conversation! Tasha and I were sharing stories and laughing so hard back in the deli when we took a break to get a drink later in the afternoon, that one of the workers even commented about how nice it is to see old friends get together for fun. We tried to convince her that we had JUST met that day for the first time and she couldn't believe it!!

I tried so hard not to buy anything because I blew my spending money on that great dry sink before I had even left town, but in the end, I couldn't help myself. I found a homespun curtain for our master bath, a wrought iron reading lamp for above our pencil post bed, and a quart of Old Forge Mustard paint by Olde Century Colors, which is a paint company I'd always hard marvelous things about but never had a chance to try it, as it isn't sold near my home. OH and an antique cutting board that Tasha found in the 'warehouse' ...only $1! It's kind of like a garage sale back there, mixed with discontinued items and antiques that they didn't seem to find room for in the rest of the village. I got there a moment too late...only to see a wonderful old red cash register go out the door---would've look perfect on my kitchen counter underneath my big Mercantile sign---it sold for only $25!! Oh well. Can't win em all!

Overall, it was a wonderful weekend, and I can't wait to see my prim friends again!! Next month our APJ chapter will meet in Holly, MI for day of antiquing in a vintage little downtown. Sounds like fun to me!

Just for Laughs

I just had to share these obscure thoughts with you...I cracked up....Hope you find some chuckles, too. Have a great day!

1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.


2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.


3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.


4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.


5. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?


6. Was learning cursive really necessary?


7. MapQuest really needs to start their directions on #5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.


9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.


10. Bad decisions make good stories.


11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.


12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.


13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page research paper that I swear I did not make any changes to.


14. "Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash this -- ever.


15. I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello? Damn it!), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voice mail. What did you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away?


16. I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.


17. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.


18. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.


19. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.


21. Sometimes, I'll watch a movie that I watched when I was younger and suddenly realize I had no idea what the heck was going on when I first saw it.


22. I would rather try to carry 10 plastic grocery bags in each hand than take 2 trips to bring my groceries in.


23. The only time I look forward to a red light is when I'm trying to finish a text.


24. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.


25. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said?


26. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!


27. Shirts get dirty. Underwear get dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.


28. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch three consecutive times and still not know what time it is.


29. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I'll bet everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time!


30. My check engine light has been on for three months now and nothing's happened. I'm starting to think that my car is just an attention whore.


31. I don't understand the purpose of the line, "I don't need to drink to have fun." Great, no one does. But why start a fire with flint and sticks when they've invented the lighter?


32. Sometimes I pretend not to remember details about people because having a good memory apparently equates to creepiness.


33. My GPS says "Estimated Arrival Time." I see "Time to Beat."


34. Whenever someone says "I'm not book smart, but I'm street smart", all I hear is "I'm not real smart, but I'm imaginary smart".


35. My keyboard needs a removable crumb tray like my toaster.


36. What would happen if I hired two private investigators to follow each other?


37. I wish it were appropriate to say to a complete stranger, "Excuse me, would you like me to show you how to discipline your child?"


38. I never understood why the Lions and Cowboys always get to play on Thanksgiving. Shouldn't the Patriots play the Redskins, and then steal their stadium afterwords?


39. Double-Stuffed Oreos should just be called Oreos, and regular Oreos should be called Diet Oreos.

The Master Bath

One of the last rooms in the house to decorate is our master bath. When all the other rooms were at least painted, this room stayed the old flat white it came with. There was no door on this bathroom until recently, and truth be told, I pretty much hated the room. Other homes we had didn't even always have a master bath...I should've been more grateful to have it. But without even a door?? Husband often asked when I'd be decorating in there...as much as he isn't into the whole "home decor" project, he does appreciate what I do and obviously prefers that it gets done.
Other than no door and flat white paint, the room has a walk-in, roomy shower, a vanity which is dark cherry, and dark cherry Pergo flooring. The focal point of the room is the gigantic jacuzzi tub, which could easily fit six people (why I don't know, in a bathroom...) and the tub surround is also, brace yourself...dark cherry Pergo flooring. Yes, that's what I said. Pergo flooring surrounding the TUB. All of the wood in the entire house is honey oak. Floor, doors, trim, cupboards...except all this random dark cherry in the master bath. Oh. Forgot to mention, the trim around the window and doorway in the master bath, is honey oak. Which really looks weird paired with all the Pergo cherry. Overall, I was just completely blocked.

The tub area takes up half the room. As much as I liked the idea of having a huge jacuzzi tub when we bought the house, I have found that I use the main bathroom tub way more often--it is a jacuzzi too, just a normal sized tub. This master bathtub takes FOR-EV-ER to fill up. If I had my way, I'd prefer a clawfoot tub in its place, with room for a large, antique linen press or cupboard. Oh well, I have to work with it....there is no way to get it out in one piece and it seems like a sin to smash it into bits when tubs like this cost thousands to buy.
I finally got so tired of the blank walls that I picked a color. I knew I wanted some kind of mustard and after spending hours pouring over paint chips, I went with something called Fall Leaves. It's a gorgeous color inspired by my favorite time of year, and I figured it would work well with the adjoining master bedroom which is a subdued sage green. But when I got it up on the wall, I wasn't so sure. It really is a pretty color, but it is really kind of bright. At first it looked more like tangerine than mustard. Once I started putting a few things around the room, it did warm up a little. I'm still not in love with it for this room but I'm working with it for now.


It is slow going. I have a tin colonial chandelier to put up over the tub, and I need to do something with the tub surround to cover up the cherry. I have since painted the vanity black and I found primitive star drawer pulls to add to that. There are large cut-out areas which were never finished by the previous owner in front of the tub surround that have to be covered up, too...but until I make a decision about what I want to cover all that with, I've opted to keep decorating so the rest of the room feels cozier and more enjoyable to be in. We moved the oak door from the downstairs laundry up to this bathroom, so at least there is a door, now, too.

Most recently I have decided to put a Shaker drying rack around the tub to create some privacy from the rest of the room. I added several pieces of vintage undergarments to the rack, and I have more in transit from eBay. I love the way it's turning out, though again, it's far from finished. I'm hoping to find some vintage soap cans and/or bath oil bottles to fill the empty shelves with and more vintage undergarments. I also have a larger washboard to add in. What do you think so far?

New and Ongoing Projects

Here are some photos of my latest projects and Craigslist finds. The cupboard out of a butler's pantry of a house built in 1890, Pennsylvania. Probably not in its "forever' spot in my house, but I'm love it already! The trade sign is original, from 1914. I only know that because I researched it online, and was able to track down an article in a 1914 Veterinary Medical Journal stating that Dr. Cribbs took over a practice in Kalamazoo, MI when the previous veterinarian passed away unexpectedly. It's a large sign--6 ft x 2 ft! Even better in person.
In my living room, I'm having a faux wall built to house our TV and electric fireplace...the photo with the yellow cupboard is what the room looked like before the new wall. Amazingly, the room now feels so much larger with the new wall, even though a foot of space was taken to build it! (I'd have taken a larger room photo for ya, but the little girl has taken it over with a giant pretend dinosaur and stacks of blocks and boxes!) The TV and section with the DVD/cable/boxes will be covered by doors, so when not in use, nothing electronic will be visible. It's coming along nicely and it adds so much to the room.

I've also been working to collect things to fill up my master bath ...there is a huge garden jacuzzi tub and surround that takes up half the room, and I have to say, it's one of the biggest primitive decor challenges I've faced yet! I'm searching for vintage undergarments to hang from a shaker drying rack ...which will take up a good amount of space. I actually posted a wanted ad for 'old cotton underclothes' on freecycle, and luckily I haven't gotten any offers for everyone's old ratty underwear! LOL I did get a few Civil War and Colonial repro pieces from a friend of mine that will fit in nicely, and I won an auction for a turn of the century (1900) chemise and petticoat with handmade lace....can't wait for it to arrive. I'll post pics of the ongoing master bath project soon.

Taking it Easy is Hard to Do

I had surgery two weeks ago yesterday, and I'm supposed to be laying low for six weeks. This is so hard for me to do. I have the best intentions, but things around the house need to be done, and I found out yesterday, that even though I'm TRYING to delegate tasks to the children, they don't always get them done the way they need to be. I wish I wasn't so OCD (ha) that I have to go back and redo them. In fact, had we not had company coming yesterday, I would've just let it go. But seriously. Vacuuming twice and still not getting the dirt? Is vacuuming (with a Dyson, no less) REALLY that hard to do? Hard wood floors and two dogs...sorry. I had to go back and catch it all.

I do have a stack of new primitive decor books to keep me dreaming, and I did pick up a good stack of books to read. But I have such a hard time concentrating on reading when the kids are loud and there are wars being fought (on Xbox of course)....**sigh** I know there have been days when I've begged for downtime, but seriously, two weeks of downtime and I'm flipping out!

I did manage to go on another Craigslist run. I found a wonderful trade sign, that reads "Dr. E.E. Cribbs, Veterinary, Surgeon and Dentist." I wasn't sure of the history, and the seller didn't know either, he had had it since 1971. I did a random Google search for kicks, and actually tracked down info about Dr. Cribbs! It was printed in a 1914 Veterinary Medical Journal, that Dr. Cribbs took over the Veterinary practice in Kalamazoo, MI after the sudden death of the previous doctor. It also listed Dr. Cribbs as being responsible for the control of contagious diseases within the county. I can't wait to have it hung (since I can't lift it, I can't hang it)...it's six feet long by about 2 ft wide. It's two sided as well. If I could figure out a way to post pics here on my blog without screwing up the entire thing, I'd show ya!

I'm looking forward to next Saturday. It's the first monthly meeting of A Primitive Journey chapters. Our chapter will be meeting at the Pride and Country Village in Saginaw. It's a fascinating village full of old buildings just bursting with antiques and collectibles, and a whole lot more! Check it out: www.prideandcountry.com If you haven't joined your local chapter yet, you should! Chapters meet every month at different locations for shopping and learning and touring, and once a year, there will be a national convention so we all can get together from across the nation! Head on over to http://aprimitivejourney.proboards.com for more info and to sign up.

Hope the weekend was a good one for ya! I'm desperately looking forward to Fall. Not only for decorating and enjoying the outside weather, but because I will be getting back to my normal self after this darn surgery! ;-)

Thanks for stopping by!

Frustrated Blogging!

I am having one heck of a time with Blogger. I really messed everything up earlier today, trying to figure out why half my words are overlapping eachother, and also overlapping my comment area. I apologize to those of you who are reading my blog and seeing it such a mess! I did try also to add some pics to my last blog but that really messed up the spacing too. If any of you can help me fix my mess, please let me know what to do! Thank you in advance. I'm hyperventilating now so I will sign off before I throw my computer out the window. ;-/

A Boring Week Turned Around

This past week has been a long one. Monday I had surgery, which went very well--I had Novasure ablation, D&C, and LEAP done. I won't go into details but it was outpatient and after I finally came out of the post-op groggy stage, I felt fine. Way better than I ever imagined. I didn't even have to fill the pain meds prescription. The problem is, I have to take it easy. I can't lift anything heavy for six weeks. SIX WEEKS!! If you know me, you know that that's enough to send me to the loony bin. I am always moving furniture, hauling treasures from craiglist ads, painting, rearranging...**sigh**. Anyway, the day after surgery, I felt SO good that I decided I could at least go shopping at Hobby Lobby to pick up some dried flowers for my master bath and some of my favorite Fall candles.

I was wrong. (hate to admit that...)

Half way through the store, I felt as if I had just run a marathon. I was weak and sweaty and thirsty and just felt exhausted. I was so mad at myself. I should be able to walk through one store!! And then it hit me, yes I had SURGERY yesterday. I get it now. I understand what "take it easy" means. And I left the store. From that point, I did do bits of things around the house but made sure I took lots of breaks and put my feet up as much as I could stand. My mother and my husband were calling me every hour to make sure I was ok, and that I wasn't lifting. My husband called to remind me not to carry laundry! I really appreciated everyone looking out for me, but by Friday, I thought I was losing my mind. I felt so edgy. I was tired, but I was bored and even though I had a huge stack of new magazines and six primitive books (which arrived in the mail the day of the surgery), I just couldn't sit still!

I finally hit the road and ended up at my mom's, and she and I went out to some resale shops. It felt so good to get out! I picked up a few odds and ends, including a wonderful comb back Windsor chair, which has a very old label on the bottom, I'm still trying to date it. It's reproduction but I found out that reproductions were being made in the 1800s so who knows!
I also picked up another old Calumet baking powder can for my growing collection and some wooden spoons, as well. Overall, a very enjoyable little shopping trip.Saturday morning with my coffee, I perused the 'net, made my regular rounds between email, the primitive forums I enjoy and of course, Craigslist. I found many treasures I could die for, however, most were out of state, and right now, out of the question. I did manage to find a cupboard taken from the butler's pantry of a house built in PA in 1890, for only $75! I had to sprint for that. But what an adventure it ended up being!

Usually when I go off chasing CL ads, I drop off the kids and pick up my co-pilot (my mom) and we head out. But this time was different, since I am not supposed to lift anything. I had to take the kids along. My dad was at a tractor show so he couldn't stay with Jillian, and my mom knew the area of Detroit better than I did so I wanted her along (besides, she's too much fun to leave behind)...so we left town with a full van before we even GOT the cupboard. I knew it was going to be interesting. We made it to the house and I went in with the boys and saw the cupboard, and immediately loved it. But it was heavy .... and I could do nothing to help it into the van! My oldest is a brute, but the younger one, God love him, has spaghetti arms. Even if he HAD muscle, he'd deny it. He just does not like anything to do with any kind of work. I already promised the boys extra in their allowances to do this for me. But oh my goodness. What a circus. The two sisters ( older retired women) who sold it to me were trying to help the boys, they were the tiniest women I've ever seen and one had had back surgery! PJ was doing all he could but he's only one kid, and Ethan was pretending to help. Finally they managed to get the cupboard to the door of the house, but there was a big step to the porch and three big steps to the ground level! One of the sisters decided to get a big piece of cardboard to put under the cupboard so the "team" could try to slide it out the door. You have NO idea how hard this all was for me to watch. PJ and I could've had the cupboard in the van and been down the road by then!! But I couldn't lift it. Ugh!! Well, the cardboard helped to get it down to the porch and down to the ground. Then they used it under the cupboard to get it across the lawn ...That was hilarious. PJ was pushing, the ladies were "guiding", and Ethan was on the ground pulling the edge of the cardboard. Oh my goodness! Finally got it to the van, and PJ and Ethan somehow managed to get it IN the van. I'll never know how, other than a band of angels helping out invisibly! It JUST fit in, too...with Jillian still in her booster seat and all the other seats in the floor. Before we loaded ourselves up, the sisters offered that we see their garage sale leftovers. Most of their prices were quite high. I did buy an old sugar sack and an old coffee can for my collection. They showed me some handiwork from their uncles, items they were not selling ...how I wish I had taken photos! They built a little wheel chair out of old fruit crates and two wheels from a little bike. It was hilarious! Then they built a storage table, looked something like the shape of a desk, from old fruit crates, and the drawers were made from big olive oil cans cut in half and stuck in the cubbies. It was amazing. True "make-do".

Anyway, we decided to hit the road after that. Ethan climbed in first and sat on the floor, and then PJ climbed in. I drove away...to the tune of PJ moaning. He is bigger than me now and really had very little room to sit. In fact, he ended up trying stand up, bent over, behind me as I drove. It was awful!! Ethan and Jillian were play fighting loudly over some toy, and PJ was moaning and uncomfortable. Turns out he hadn't eaten yet that day. Unbelievable. He begged for Taco Bell, which I didn't mind, but trying to find one was another story. We drove almost a half hour like that before we found one. Before we finally did stop though, Ethan strangely lost control of his arm which 'accidentally' hit PJ and then PJ LOST IT! He hit Ethan and spit at him, which makes me INSANE and Mom and I proceeded to tell both boys off all together. It was just ridiculous! My kids can't manage to ride together for a half hour. I know these were uncomfortable circumstances, but they have it so easy compared to when we were kids. My gosh. My cousins, all five of them, had to ride with their parents in a VW Bug!!! Now THAT, my friend, is close quarters! We finally all ate and managed to find our way home. My husband and PJ carried in the cupboard and we all finally got back to normal! What a ride.

I love the cupboard... I did decorate it a little last night because I just had to see it with something on it before I went to bed. I'm not sure it will stay that way but for now, I'm enjoying it!

Life around here is always an adventure!