Manic Monday - May 16, 2010

Welcome to Monday Mayhem.

This week's meme is called "What are you thinking"?
For each scenario, give your interpretation of what the person may have been thinking.
Have fun!

1. The person with 40 items in the 12 items or less line.

, "I am so so busy. I just know that I am the busiest person in the whole entire world. Not only that I am most special in everything that I do. I know that the 12 item rule does not apply to me. Who would deny my the fast lane? Silly me. No one would!"

2. The driver who is smoking and talking on a cell phone while driving.

" Look at me I am multi-talented. I can talk, smoke, and drive all at the same time. I don't need to flick my ash or even put the cigarette out while I drive because I will just throw it out the window. I don't need my hands to be free to hang onto the steering wheel because I am that most talented person. I can steer with my knee."

3. The father with 8 children and a TV show who cheats on his wife...over and over again...

"I have heard the phrase sex addiction. I am not a sex addict. I am a cheating addict. "

4. Facebook and their security features.
"If security is necessary, we have enough features to make even the most paranoid person feel secure."


5. Heidi Montag
"I love myself. And it shows."

6. People who attempt to sell Viagra via spam comments.

"To quote P.T. Barnum, "There is a sucker born every minute."

7. Those wonderful shoppers who catch up on their phone calls while shopping.

"Why are all these people looking at me?" I am speaking as quietly as I can. If they don't want to know about Jasen's problem they should not listen in on a private conversation."


8.People who find themselves on the People of Walmart website.

"Darn I look good ....today"

Britney Spears let herself go…….again.

Kentucky (photo from People of Walmart.com)

9. People who just can be stupid....

"I didn't see a weight restriction for this bridge. What gives?"

From Whitetrashrepairs.com




10. People with multiple-multiple piercings.



" I think I have problem. I wonder if there is a 12 step program for people like me."

11. Blog Stalkers
"I am such a chicken. I should really take my talent out into the real world and do this for a living." "I could teach a class."

12. In-laws who are controlling or bossie.

"She just doesn't understand my son. She doesn't know that he needs to have his tidy whiteys ironed. If she didn't work outside the home she would have time. She is not the one for him. I will have to see what I can do to get him to change his mind about her." I am such a good mom"


13. People who use or wear items and then attempt to return them.

"Oh my!" "What will I do now?" "I knew grape juice left a stain. How can I return this now?" " I should never have agreed to hold that baby." "Maybe if I dye the entire gown purple they will never know that It has been worn.' "Yep that's what I will do. And if they question it I will make such a scene that they will pay me just to get me out of the store." "I'm so clever."

14. You share one with us :)

"Today would be my daughter's birthday. She would be 35. I can not tell anyone because what would they think. They would hate me and turn their backs on me. They would not understand that I loved that girl more than life itself, that I didn't want to do what I did, but that I had no other choice." It is a choice I made that I must live with forever and a day."

Garage Sale Season

I don't know about you but during the winter months I anxiously await Spring. Not just for the warmer temperatures and the lovely flowers, but because it is the start of GARAGE SALE SEASON!!

I would like to take this opportunity to share my vast experience with all of you. I have been garage saling for over 40 years. I was doing this long before any of my friends realized what a gold mine was to be had for a paltry few dollars. Today I am going to discuss going to the garage sale, what to expect, what to look for, how to ask for help or a better deal. Soon I will discuss with you how to hold a successful sale yourself.

I get breathless just thinking about the treasures that await me around the next corner.

I look in the paper each Saturday to plan my garage sale excursion for the following weekend. When there are a lot listed for one general area I take a highlighter and mark my path. I also make a big red X through any sales that do not appeal to me. I mean because really a girl must have a plan when it comes to garage saling.

The first thing you have to do even before you read the ads is to figure out what you are looking for. If you can think it, want, dream, wear, read, cook with it, you can bet it can be found at a garage sale. You need to make this decision before the ad reading because it will aid you in making a list of priority sales.

For the sake of this tutorial we are going to minimize what it is I am looking for. Normally I have a long list of things that I am dreaming of taking home with me, but for this I am choosing to need a footstool, hassock, or ottoman. I know they are all the same thing but the ads may call this item by any of those names. So that is the first thing. Know the name that your item may be called. You don't want to miss the perfect sale because you didn't know that a footstool was also called a hassock.

OK, now for the ads. I recommend several different colored highlighters. Depending on how many ads there are I use either 3 or 4 different colors. One color for sales that match your criteria exactly, another for almost a match and another for maybe. Once you have figured out which sales match perfectly plot your travel course. You know your home as of course the start point and work your way out from there. [I wish I had a map to show you what I mean. ] Now you need to number your sales. You need to do this because it will tell you at a glance where you are going next. There isn't any point is worrying about the sales you aren't going to go to so just put them out of your mind. As you are driving to the sales on your color coded list you will most assuredly find sales that were not in the paper. Stop if you want, but keep in mind that the longer it takes you to get to the next one on your list the more likely it is that your perfect item will be already sold when you get there.

At a sale if you are looking at something electric, ask if they will plug it in for you. You want to know if it works. I have yet to be told no.

When you do find the item of your dreams don't be afraid to haggle with the seller. If the seller is having a garage sale with the idea of clearing out and making room for what ever they should be willing to come down in their price. If not well then it is their loss for your not buying it and they may be stuck putting it in the thrift store box.

I always ask if they will take half of their asking price. Sometimes they say no, sometimes they come back with a counter offer. One thing you should decide is what is the MOST you will pay for it. If you will pay full price, ask for a better deal anyway, but if you really want them to come down then be prepared to put the item back.

One time I had a lovely set of bath towels, a couple of pieces of crystal stemware, a picture frame, some clothes, and a mink coat. Yes, a mink coat! It was old, but the pelts were in good shape. Anyway, I asked if they would take $10.00 for all of it. They hemmed and hawed, but them agreed to $12.00. If I had not asked the whole stack would have been closer to $30.00. That's the rule don't be afraid to ask.

Take some refreshments in a cooler with you. It will save you money and time. And put some snacks in the cooler also.You won't have to stop somewhere along the way.

Armed with knowledge of what you are looking for, a good idea of where you are going, the savvy to ask questions, and haggle for your price, you should be ready to have a great time out doing the garage sale circuit.

I wish you good luck on your travels and with your quest for the next great garage sale find.

P.S. When you get to a sale make sure to put the car in park and turn the motor off before exiting the car. It works best this way. One time I was so excited to be at a sale, after I parked the car I just jumped out. My SIL screamed at me to STOP! I had not put the car in park or turned it off. I shudder to think what could have happened. I might have missed out on some real treasure if i had hit another car.

Random Dozen - May 12, 2010

1. Please share one memory of your high school graduation. Pics would be great!

Are we talking the ceremony or the parties afterward? I have one of each. Before the ceremony I was worried about forgetting to turn my tassel. My last name was at the end of the alphabet, at the end of 968 students before me. I kept saying to myself turn the tassel, turn the tassel. Well, I remembered to turn the tassel, but then I fell down the steps as I waved to the crowd. I left the city to go to a party way out in the country on a lake. Right in the middle of the party, when things were really starting to rock, we were informed that a tornado was sighted just across the lake from us. At that very moment the power went out. Here were about 50 kids all jittery, in the dark, with what we thought was a tornado bearing down on us. Turns out the parents of the kids whose house we were at thought they were playing a good joke. That is until we girls (of course) became hysterical.
2. What is one "emergency use" item you keep in your vehicle at all times?

I always always carry blankets. Usually two but sometimes three. I figure in the winter I might need them for extra warmth and in the summer someone injured in an accident might have need of one.
3. In your region, do you celebrate graduation open houses? Addendum: (If so,) how many open houses/bridal showers/weddings are on your upcoming events calendar?

Yes, we have open houses for the graduate. I don't have any open houses, showers, or weddings to go to this summer.
4. Tell me one truth you believe about motherhood.

It is the hardest job ever, but also the most rewarding. And one that never ends.
5. What was the last thing you broke?

The ring fingernail on my left hand.
6. On average, how many pieces of junk mail do you receive daily?

Today I received 3 pieces of junk mail. I don't consider the catalogs I requested as part of that total. If they are then I received 6 pieces of junk mail today.
7. Do you like to shop by catalog?

It is almost the only way I shop for close and yarn. I bought practically all of my Christmas gifts from catalogs.
8. Is lawn maintenance at your house a "his job," a "her job" or "his/her job" or "that's why we have teenagers" job?

Totally a man's job. He won't teach my how to use the riding lawn mower so it has to be his job. I was trying to put in a new garden, which is totally woman's work, gardening that is, but I have had to stop because the problems I am having with my arms.
9. Which room would you like to redecorate in your home?

That would be my bedroom. I would like it to be a retreat, but right now it is a catch all for things we don't know where else to put them. I would like soft lighting and lighter colors. Lots of pillows.
10. Do you read a newspaper regularly, or do you read most of your news on line?

The only paper that I could get out where I live is a 10 page local paper that is really not worth the paper it is printed on. So I get my statewide news online from the paper n the city.
11. Do you believe everything happens for a reason?

As in Destiny? I don't know. I don't like to think that I am destined to make the mistakes that I do.
12. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?

Doing the right things.

Ten on the Tenth - May 10, 2010

I have been trying to do a post about my mom since April 12, but never could make it a manageable post for readers. It was always too long. With being limited to 10 things about my mom I can finally tell you almost all about her.

1. My mom's name was Margaret. Her nephews called her Aunt Marge. One nephew and only this one was allowed to call her Maggie. If anyone dared to call her that other than this one nephew there was hell to pay (sort of).

2. My mom was a career woman long before she was a mom. This was practically unheard of in the 40s. She even transferred out of state with her job. She went into a new state knowing only her boss and his wife. The following picture is of her in her career woman days.

My mom wore a mink coat in her career days. She played golf (does a person play golf?), she went dancing, and was on several bowling teams. My mom once bowled a 300 game. That is a perfect game that many professional bowlers never get. It is kind of like the whole in one that golfers dream about. Even after my mom became a mom she continued to bowl, just not on so many leagues. Her average was something like 256.

3. In 1955 my mom became a mom (with me). This was a huge turning point in her life. One I have never been sure she didn't regret. She moved back to our home state and got married. It wasn't being a mom so much that I think she regretted but the marriage part of the whole equation. Her choice was not ideal. But she stuck it out as long as she could, about 15 years.

4. My mom could do the New York Times Sunday edition crossword puzzle in ink in under 3 hours. She took the Mensa test, passed, and was asked to join. She declined. She was a voracious reader. Her bookshelves were lined with the classics, with modern romance, Stephen King, and many biblical study reference books. She loved the opera. She loved classical music and Willie Nelson. My mom could type 65 words a minute on an old Remington typewriter and when her place of employment updated her with an electric she went up to 150 words per minute. Makes me wonder what she would do on a keyboard like we have now.

5. My mom was the most generous person I have ever known. She gave of herself and of her time. Even when she was just weeks from death she went to her volunteer job at the Courage Center. I don't know how she managed. She made the holidays special for the entire family. I mean entire family, brothers, aunts, cousins, everyone. One of my cousins has said that her heart was as big as she was.

6. My mom played the piano. One of my best childhood memories is of sitting on the piano bench with her and singing sill songs. She gave piano lessons to one of my cousins. He later went on to other piano teachers because my mom had taught him all she could. I think she probably didn't realize what talent she really had.

7. My mom was a teaser. She teased and teased and teased. Fortunately, she could take as good as she gave. She went every week to get her hair done at the beauty shop. When she would return home my husband would comment, "I thought you were getting your hair done." Her reply, "Go to hell." She would grin real big at him then. There was their weekly routine.

8. The following is the last picture taken of her. It was taken Christmas 1990. She went home to heaven in April 1991.

Yes, she is sticking her tongue out at me. I love this picture so much because that is who my mom was. She thumbed her nose at convention and had a career when women were having babies and she stuck her tongue out at anyone/thing that she felt like.

9. My mom loved cats. Growing up we always had cats, always plural. Yes this cat is sitting in a cupboard in the kitchen. My brother and me (is it and me or and I ? I can never remember) were not spoiled as kids because the cats got all the spoiling.

10. My mom loved to dress up. I mean all the way up as shown in this next photo.

That is me with her. The reason for the celebration was my uncles 70th birthday or maybe his 25th wedding anniversary. I can't remember. It was in the late 1970s. See the hair?

That is my mom. I miss her everyday. It seems like I should just be able to pick up the phone and give her a call. I wish I could.

Six Word Saturday - April 8, 2010

Snow is May is not right.

Yep we had snow yesterday. It started snowing yesterday afternoon abut 2 and didn't stop until this morning. Fortunately, the ground has thawed so only 2 inches stayed on the ground. Most of that is gone now but still...It's not right. Even in Minneosta.

Random Dozen - April 5, 2010

Random Dozen
April 5, 2010


1. What was the last thing about which you procrastinated?
I usually have company come in May so my Spring cleaning has never been an issue. I just have always gotten it finished early. However, the is year my company is not coming until July. I have not even started with Spring cleaning. And I am regretting it.
2. How long does it take you to fall asleep, and do you sleep through the night?
I usually fall asleep reading and wake up for a second when my husband turns out his light.
3. Which decade would you choose to exemplify your favorite fashion styles?
I still like the comfy style of the 70's. All except for the mini skirt and hot pants...my legs are not what they used to be. But I won't give up my Birkenstocks.
4. What is your personal best dish to feed a crowd?
Hands down it would be my chili served with popovers or corn bread. Cheese, onions, and sour cream on the side.
5. Are you an impulse shopper? What was the last thing you bought on impulse?
Oh my yes. I am a sucker for check out aisle cookbooks.
6. What is one wish you have for your own funeral?
For Josh Groban to sing. And no flowers. I figure that if people want me to have flowers they should give them to me when I am alive and can enjoy them. I don't want them when I am dead. My family has instructions to return any flowers that are sent.
7. If it's true that joy is in found in the simple things in life, what does your joy look like today?

8. What is your favorite type of bread?
I love Ezekiel raisin bread, but only rarely because it is so expensive. Otherwise Whole Wheat is fine with me.
9. What trait do you fear developing the most? (Laziness, greediness, grumpiness, etc.)
My husband is angry all the time. It is part of his illness. I am so afraid that it will start to rub off on me. I don't want to be angry all the time at the world.
10. What trait would you like most to develop?
Thriftiness. I spend way too much money on needless things. I try hard not too but I end up doing it anyway.
11. Which room in your house best reflects your personality? Why?
I wish I had a picture. We redid my son's room after he moved out. We painted it a very light yellow with white trim. I have a white storage cupboard in there, my Grandma's rocker, a bed, and bookshelves. There are blue and white accent pieces. A yellow and white quilt is on the bed. Right after we finished I commented that it looked like a cottage room. I love the freshness of this room. It is crisp and warm and inviting. I like to think I am inviting and warm. And I know I can be crisp at times.
12. How do you maintain balance in your life regarding, work, family, church, other organizations
and activities, and blogging?
I am the least busy woman you will ever meet. When making arrangements to meet someone for let's say lunch, I always let them name the date and time. I am always open. I have no commitments. So maintaining a balance is not a hard thing for me to do. I have no balance to maintain.

Ten Things Tuesday - May 4, 2010

Kathy at Reflections by Kathy is hosting a Ten Things Tuesday.
Here is my list . I hope. It is 2:18 AM so I may lose count and get too many or lose count and not finish. If there is a long line of some letter or number you know my head has hit the keyboard as i fell asleep, finally.

Onto the list:

Ten Things Tuesday
Things About Spring I Like

1. The freshness of the air as it comes through my open windows. I can never wait for truly warm weather before opening my windows. I want that air right now. Just as the snow starts to melt. I like to air the house out and let Springtime in.
2. The birds when they return to the bird feeders. We have seasonal birds here. Birds like robins, red-breasted grosbeaks, orioles, and hummingbirds. I know it is Spring when the birds have returned. Not all of them are here yet but it has been a cooler than normal Spring start and I figure that they know more than I do about the weather.
3. The wild flowers coming up in the woods. The trillium and forget-me-nots are the first to bloom, The scent of the beautiful forget-me-nots is simply divine when it comes wafting in my open windows. I will post a picture of them later in the week when they really get into bloom.
4. Traipsing into the field to find the wild asparagus . This tastes so much better than store bought it is amazing. We love the store bought but this time of year the wild asparagus is a true feast provided for us.
5. Watching the animals making new homes. I was watching a squirrel today. He was housecleaning. He went into the hole in the tree and started throwing out old stuff that I guess was what made him comfy this winter. He was too far away to tell what exactly it was but there was a lot it being tossed out. After he finished that he scurried down the tree, was gone for a few minutes, and returned with a mouthful of something. He went into the hole and came back out a minute later and repeated the same process. This lasted for more than an hour. (I didn't have anything going on except to watch him build his 2010 home)
6. Watching and waiting for the trees to green up. It is a daily happening. You get up in the morning and the trees leaves are just so and later on they are maybe a bit bigger. This is so true after a rain. You can almost watch the greening up as it happens.
   
7. The transformation of the woods as Spring takes hold. The ground is no longer brown from all of last years leaves, it has started to also do it's greening up. The wild ferns are starting to show their stuff. They will be unfurling in the next couple of weeks. Once the ferns unfurl it seems like the woods comes totally alive and every where you look is green. It is hard to imagine but some of these ferns are almost 4 feet tall!
8. Even though the animals that frequent our yard in the warm months are wild and therefore dangerous I still like to have them come in for a visit. Well maybe the skunks can stay away. We had a raccoon in the other night at about 6:oo pm. He was fat and sassy. We have heard a report from the neighbor that there is a bear in the neighborhood so I guess we will be seeing him soon too. Scary but exciting and exhilarating all at the same time.
9. This is harder than I thought or maybe I am finally tired. Oh! The beginning of the garage sale season. We love to get in the car and just drive around looking for signs. We make a day of it. We take a thermos of coffee for in the morning. We stop for lunch most of the time. My husband takes his strong medication and can get in the car then and we always take extra in case he gets panicky being away from home so long. He is kind of stoned, well no kind of about it, he is flying high but this is the only way he can leave the house. But, oh how we love to go garage saling.
10. I love that the sun comes early. My bedroom faces east and the sun wakes me every morning when it comes in my window. It is the best way to wake up. I also like the fact that is stays light longer at the other end of the day. I like that my days last longer in the warm months.

OK that is my list and unfortunately I am more awake than before. No fair. Some nights are that way.
Thanks for stopping by,