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Thursday, August 30, 2012

A Day at the Flea Market



Twice during the summer there is a small flea market in a small town a few minutes from my home.
In fact, there was a time back then when my kids were small that I had a shop with my best friend in the same small square of the flea market.

I miss my shop and my friend.

Anyway, I still try to go.

BECAUSE

I always manage to find a treasure or two or three or more!


I love these vintage suitcases.  
The vendor sold them together for a great price.
It helps when you know most of the vendors by name.
They know you know how much something is usually worth and how much they can charge.


and more!



I could not have found a more perfect chippy, white, distressed piece.
It was the first treasure I bought.
I am hoping it will fit in the kids bathroom as a vanity.


Beautiful ironstone double handled container.
Perfect for a plant.


A phone for Mr. M.
It works.
He says that he can never find a phone when he needs them.
What can I say, there are both good and bad aspects of cordless phones.


A great vintage black suitcase, just the right black for Halloween.



I love the worn look.

Even though the weather was perfect, there were not too many vendors.
I was happy though.
I even called Mr. M. to join me with the kids, they can handle a small flea.
You see, the little guy, he is just NOT a shopper!
I asked Mr. M. where he may have gotten that trait from.
Mmmmm...I know a certain husband who just rolls his eyes when I ask him to come shop with me.

Oh well, I enjoy my own company.
I can walk as fast or slow as I want.
I don't stop and look at things that don't interest me.

So do you take your Mr. flea marketing with you?
Does he like to go?
How about the kids?


Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful day.



Wednesday, August 29, 2012

On My Mind



Yes it is the last week of summer vacation for the little ones.
There will be lots of celebrations next Tuesday at 8:31.

BUT

I have other things on my mind.
Most would think it is too early.
Many may think I am MAD!

I
Have 
Thoughts 
Of
HALLOWEEN
On 
My 
Mind.

Picture from last year's Halloween party.

I have already been searching the internet looking for new decorating ideas.

This year we are going to try to have both a children's and an adult Halloween party.
The kids are almost excited as I am.

BOO!



Saturday, August 25, 2012

Bad Haircuts



As you can probably guess from the title.  
I got a haircut.

I have always had a hard time with getting my hair cut.
I have natural curly hair.
I hated my hair all through high school.
You know the drill, those with straight hair wanted curly and those with curly wanted straight.
Mine as far as I was concerned was just bad.
I had cowlicks I was told.

I had long hair when I was young until the day my mother had the neighbor, a  hair dresser give me one of those
 Dorthy Hamill haircuts that was in style at the time.
Of course, having curly hair, it did not look like everyone else's.
It wasn't until I was in my twenty's that I found out why.
Humidity, a girl's worst nightmare for curly hair.

The worst haircut I ever got.
I had hair around shoulder length.
I asked for it to be feathered.
You know, that Farrah Fawcett look.

OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!
I kid you not, my hair went from shoulder length to above my ears and as short as a boys.

I was sooooooooo upset.
I cried myself to sleep that night.
Even my best friend couldn't get me to come out of my room.
What could I do?
The person who cut my hair was another neighbor who was a hair dresser, and she was like a mother to me.
I was so mad, upset, devastated, just soooooo!

The only good thing about that haircut, it was so short I didn't have to do ANYTHING to it.
It was like being a boy, I could wash it and go.

BUT

It started growing out.
We women all know the horror of a bad haircut growing out.
IT TAKES YEARS TO FIX!

Do you think I let anyone cut my hair after that.
HELL NO!
I learned to cut my own hair for many years.
Even if it was bad, I had only myself to blame.

As I grew older I still hated my hair, but I just let it get long.
Put it in a pony tail.
I learned that I could delay the cutting by coloring my hair, red, brown, red again.
Just those temporary ones that last 24 shampoos.
I also let my bangs grow long, cut them short and grow back again.

It wasn't until I was in my twenty's that I really learned how to take care of my curly hair.
I learned that I had really curly hair.
So curly that I could make it into long ringlets if I just washed my hair and let it air dry.
Of course now I know why it was so bad when I was younger.
I learned to never comb my hair once it was dry or it would frizz like mad.
I learned that a bad hair cut could make my curly hair really stand out and look worse.

I didn't always want curly hair so I learned to straighten it.
I tried several different haircuts.
Only getting lucky every few years, I might actually like it,
or it only took 6 months to become the hairstyle I had actually wanted.
Only once a year, because then the hair would all grow out and I wouldn't hate it by then.
I let my hair get long.
Over the last 9 years, that once a year haircut, I always seemed to get the haircut for that year that I had asked for the year before.

I have even been daring and gotten my hair cut up to my ears.
That one I did kind of like, but it just took so long to grow back.
Hard to handle when it can't be put into a pony tail on those humid days.

I think the longest I let time go with out a haircut was three years.
I was not going to get my haircut and hate it for my wedding so I left it long.

The last three years I had been going to the same salon.
They actually did a good job the first two times, I liked my hair even though I still only got it cut once a year.

And that brings us to today.

I was excited, my daughter and I were going for our yearly haircut.
I booked the same hair dresser.
I knew how I wanted it to look.
I was very descriptive of both what I didn't like about the length now and how I wanted it to look after the haircut.

I even had her cut it TWICE, 
because I could tell it after the first time, it was not going to be the haircut I wanted.
Stop.
Enough.
I just let her style it.

Paid and left.

My daughter loved her haircut.
"BUT MOM, I THOUGHT YOU WERE GETTING YOUR HAIR CUT TOO!"

My husband knew.
He knew as soon as I got out of the car and my hair was up.
He knew.
He knew it could turn out to be a bad day.
He knew because when my sister called, she asked how's his day was.
He knew because he said we will find out when she gets home from her haircut.
He knew to hang back and ask quietly.
"Do you like it?"

I let my hair down.
DOES IT LOOK ANY DIFFERENT?

He knows.
He knows to be quiet.
He knows to keep the kids away.

MOM HAD HER HAIR CUT!

He knows that it may take weeks.
Even though he will say it looks great.
We know it does not matter how much they proclaim to like it.

WE KNOW.
WE KNOW HOW LONG IT WILL BE TIL THE NEXT DAMN  HAIRCUT!!!!!

The only good thing about this haircut.
Yes, even I can find the silver lining.
I already know how to style it!
I have been doing it for the last YEAR!

So tell me, have you EVER had a bad haircut?







Saturday, August 11, 2012

Better Than a Rock Star



This weekend we celebrated my husband's fire company field days.
It is something we look forward to each year.

Great food.
Fire truck parade.
Fried dough.

If you are lucky you might get to meet your hero.

I was sitting at a table in the fire hall waiting for Mr. M. to get ready to go home.
My oldest son Chase ran up to me.
He had a look on his face like he had seen a super star.

Like Justin Bieber, maybe.

No, even better.

"MOM," he said, "I am sitting next to THE DEPUTY SHERIFF!"

Story of picture found here.

The pure excitement on his face.
Well I had to do something about this.
I grabbed Mr. M. and told him to introduce his son to the Deputy.
Mr. M. and the deputy went to school together when they were kids.

Mr. M. introduced the Deputy to all three of our children.
You could just see the joy on Chase's face.

I was standing behind my son when he shook the deputy's hand.
With a grin so large on his face, he turned to me and said, " I am never washing my hand again."

Such a special comment, I could not keep it to myself.

I told the Deputy what my son had said.

He needed to know.

He needed to know he was my son's hero.

Not a rock star.
Not a sports star.
Not a movie star.

Even better.

A man who risks his life every day to protect those around him.

A Deputy Sheriff.



Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Pampering Myself



I decided to pamper myself and visit one of my favorite shops.

The Flower Barn

It is an indulgence for me when I visit.
I almost never leave empty handed.
Beth, the owner has everything wonderfully displayed, lovely smells, soft music and on a hot day like today she even brought me out a mug of cold water.
I enjoy myself so much when I come to shop, and really I feel like it is more like visiting a friend.


Today I was surprised, amazed to say the least when I walked in the door and what should greet me but.....

clothing by none other than


Magnolia Pearl

My jaw dropped.
You have to understand, this is a small suburb of Buffalo, not the big city, 
not even Buffalo has Magnolia Pearl clothing.
I am so happy for Beth that she has such a wonderful opportunity to sell this line of clothing.

As beautiful as the clothing is in the pictures, they are even better in person.
You have to feel the fabrics and see all the details.


Magnolia Pearl

Just look at all those ruffles.

Magnolia Pearl

These pictures are from Magnolia Pear Clothing found here.

I will have a post soon with pictures from Beth of the available clothing she is selling.
But, if you can't wait until then.
Stop by and visit Beth.

The Flower Barn 
7716 Rochester Road
Gasport, NY 14067
(716) 772-2099 or 800-231-0281

I could not resist, I bought myself another candle.
I can never have too many candles.

Snickerdoodle by The Swan Creek Candle Co.
They have the best smells.
A cute little numbered bucket.


And

A new line Beth is carrying, TOKYOMILK/DARK by Margot Elena.
I bought Tainted Love lotion.
I am absolutely sure Mr. M. is going to like how it smells on me.
She offers a variety of collections in lip balm, body souffle, shower jell, roller parfum.
I have a feeling I will be going back to get Bullet Proof for him, it has this smokey smell that I just loved.





Oh, yeah,
I also bought this AWESOME CABINET!


It is a vintage medicine cabinet


Look at that key hole.
DETAILS!

I have mentioned on several posts what a wonderful boutique this is.
There are none like it around in this area.
Not only does she make beautiful floral arrangements,
 Beth also offers such a variety of home and gift items that are both old and new and just so unique.


Thanks Beth, I had a wonderful visit today and I can't wait to come back.




Saturday, July 28, 2012

Are You?


ARE YOU?
HAPPY

Definition of happy

adjective (happierhappiest)

  • 1feeling or showing pleasure or contentment:Melissa came in looking happy and excited[with clause]:we’re just happy that he’s still alive[with infinitive]:they are happy to see me doing well
  • (happy about) having a sense of trust and confidence in (a person, arrangement, or situation):he was not happy about the proposals
  • (happy with) satisfied with the quality or standard of:I’m happy with his performance
  • [with infinitive] willing to do something:we will be happy to advise you
  • [attributive] used in greetings:happy Christmas
  • 2 [attributive] fortunate and convenient:he had the happy knack of making people like him
  • 3 [in combination] informal inclined to use a specified thing excessively or at random:they tended to be grenade-happy

Phrases

(as)happy as a sandboy(or British Larry or North American a clam or vulgar slang a pig in shit)

extremely happy.

happy hunting ground

a place where success or enjoyment is obtained:this should prove a happy hunting ground for those in search of a bargain
[originally referring to the optimistic hope of American Indians for good hunting grounds in the afterlife]


If you are not, why?

The other day, my oldest son said he did not enjoy going to bible camp that night.
"Why?"   I asked.
"It was boring."  He said.
I told him, "only you can make it boring, you bring the attitude with you.  Decide it will be fun and you will make it fun."

The next night, it was fun.
Amazing was actually his word.
He made a new friend.

I am happy, very happy.
No, my life is not perfect.

I am happy with me.
I am happy with life.

Are you?
happiness
noun pleasuredelightjoycheersatisfactionprosperityecstasyenjoymentblissfelicityexuberancecontentmentwellbeinghigh spiritselationgaietyjubilationmerriment,cheerfulnessgladnessbeatitudecheerinessblessednesslight-heartedness I think she was looking for happiness.
depressiondistressgriefmiserysadnesssorrowmisfortuneunhappinessannoyancedespondencylow spirits
Quotations
"Happiness depends upon ourselves" [Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics]
"Happiness to me is wine,"
"Effervescent, superfine."
"Full of tang and fiery pleasure,"
"Far too hot to leave me leisure"
"For a single thought beyond it" [Amy Lowell Sword Blades and Poppy Seeds]
"Happiness is a matter of one's most ordinary everyday mode of consciousness being busy and lively and unconcerned with self" [Iris Murdoch The Nice and the Good]
"To be happy, we must not be too concerned with others" [Albert Camus The Fall]
"I am happy and content because I think I am" [Alain René Lesage Histoire de Gil Blas de Santillane]
"Ask yourself whether you are happy, and you cease to be so" [John Stuart Mill Autobiography]
"Happiness does not lie in happiness, but in the achievement of it" [Fyodor Dostoevsky A Diary of a Writer]
"In theory there is a possibility of perfect happiness: To believe in the indestructible element within one, and not to strive towards it" [Franz Kafka The Collected Aphorisms]
"Happiness is not an ideal of reason but of imagination" [Immanuel Kant Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysics of Ethics]
"Happiness is in the taste, and not in the things" [La Rochefoucauld Maxims]
"Shall I give you my recipe for happiness? I find everything useful and nothing indispensable. I find everything wonderful and nothing miraculous. I reverence the body. I avoid first causes like the plague" [Norman Douglas South Wind]
"Happiness lies in the fulfilment of the spirit through the body" [Cyril Connolly The Unquiet Grave]
"We have no more right to consume happiness without producing it than to consume wealth without producing it" [George Bernard Shaw Candida]
"What we call happiness in the strictest sense comes from the (preferably sudden) satisfaction of needs which have been dammed up to a high degree" [Sigmund Freud Civilization and its Discontents]
"Happiness is an imaginary condition, formerly often attributed by the living to the dead, now usually attributed by adults to children, and by children to adults" [Thomas Szasz The Second Sin]
"Nothing ages like happiness" [Oscar Wilde An Ideal Husband]
"Happiness is no laughing matter" [Richard Whately Apophthegms]
"Happiness is enjoyed only in proportion as it is known; and such is the state or folly of man, that it is known only by experience of its contrary" [Samuel Johnson The Adventurer]
"happiness: an agreeable sensation arising from contemplating the misery of another" [Ambrose Bierce The Devil's Dictionary]
"Happiness makes up in height for what it lacks in length" [Robert Frost The Witness Tree]
"Happiness depends upon ourselves" [Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics]

I too believe that you are responsible for your own happiness.
If you are not happy, then what can you change to make yourself happy.

I am going to read and watch baseball with my favorite people.
My family.

Make your own happiness!