i'm at a crossroads in my blog life. and i need a vote from my followers.
been weighing the options of posting only once a week. gather all my thoughts, happenings, insights, junking expeditions and just plain life in general into one post. some of my days operate in vaccuum mode. and somedays i'm literally ready to explode.
been weighing the options of also delving more into my original reason for starting the blog: more pics, more info on my "awesome antiques" that are available in country roads antiques in orange, serendipity in temecula, precious times in redlands and moras in lake elsinore.
if i go with the once a week option, i'd like to name it "blue mondays". obviously, i could not post only blue items - that would be almost impossible. mondays are special days: the death of the weekend and the beginning of a new work week (for most folks). the day to dabble on the internet (on your boss's dime) while adjusting to the cubicle.
what do you all think?
Friday, March 26, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
driving home from orange this afternoon, the usual occurred. no matter how fast you drive, the guy behind always thinks it too slow. so he passes and as he does, makes a conscious effort to glare at me. i shrug knowing he's not going anywhere. red taillights appear in his lane, i smile.
knowing the world is full of kooks, i try my best to control myself on the road. never know when stir-crazy-charlie might pull out a loaded gun. but satisfaction got the better of me and i stared him down as my truck passed his wagon.
back and forth. ahead, behind. slow and fast.
waiting in line at the 99 cent (what happened to the "cent" sign on the keyboard??) store, in riverside, the guy behind me looks awful familiar. as if reading my mind, he comments likewise. realizing who/what/where at the same time - he apologizes for his behavior on the freeway. explains his reason for the rush. then conceeds the impatience he exibited got him nowhere - obviously . . .
a couple jabs later, we smiled, and back out into the traffic we went.
knowing the world is full of kooks, i try my best to control myself on the road. never know when stir-crazy-charlie might pull out a loaded gun. but satisfaction got the better of me and i stared him down as my truck passed his wagon.
back and forth. ahead, behind. slow and fast.
waiting in line at the 99 cent (what happened to the "cent" sign on the keyboard??) store, in riverside, the guy behind me looks awful familiar. as if reading my mind, he comments likewise. realizing who/what/where at the same time - he apologizes for his behavior on the freeway. explains his reason for the rush. then conceeds the impatience he exibited got him nowhere - obviously . . .
a couple jabs later, we smiled, and back out into the traffic we went.
Friday, March 19, 2010
the ups dude
last night my adrenaline rush was settling down. could not write. the calming down was surreal. ever get that?? get so high off that internal drug release that you feel like like you could kill godzilla?? then you crash and everything is hilarious??
ordinary start of day - coffee, planning, kick-starting the body. began working like crazy on projects in the backyard. "THE PILE" was getting processed. sorting, painting, fixing, stacking for a later day, trash.
i'm sweating like hell and look like i need to be buried.
my neighbor needs a ride to retrieve his car at the repair shop. no problem - happy to accomodate. in order for him to sit in my truck, i need to rake off the passenger seat. stupidly, i put the cell on the top of the cab. rushing - he needs to go - i forget the damn thing.
after dropping him off, i start to search for the phone. breaking out in a cold sweat, i hope against hope that what i am thinking is NOT. traffic is horrific. backtracking mentally i'm almost sure my link to the world is lost. after much cursing and praying simultaniously, i arrive home. it did not fall into the bed of my truck. it is not in my driveway. it is not on my cul-de-sac. making my way to the busy cross street, i see it, part of it. ph-uck! with each part i found, the ph-uck! got louder. almost in tears, i crawl home. this puppy cost quite a few bucks. and, no, i did not take out the insurance.
today, i waited all day for my new phone to arrive. the crushed glass touch screen - now held together with packing tape - allowed me to answer calls only. all other options, kaput. the topper, no access to my contact numbers.
personally, i never thought those brown outfits were attractive but today around 4:30 . . . . .
ordinary start of day - coffee, planning, kick-starting the body. began working like crazy on projects in the backyard. "THE PILE" was getting processed. sorting, painting, fixing, stacking for a later day, trash.
i'm sweating like hell and look like i need to be buried.
my neighbor needs a ride to retrieve his car at the repair shop. no problem - happy to accomodate. in order for him to sit in my truck, i need to rake off the passenger seat. stupidly, i put the cell on the top of the cab. rushing - he needs to go - i forget the damn thing.
after dropping him off, i start to search for the phone. breaking out in a cold sweat, i hope against hope that what i am thinking is NOT. traffic is horrific. backtracking mentally i'm almost sure my link to the world is lost. after much cursing and praying simultaniously, i arrive home. it did not fall into the bed of my truck. it is not in my driveway. it is not on my cul-de-sac. making my way to the busy cross street, i see it, part of it. ph-uck! with each part i found, the ph-uck! got louder. almost in tears, i crawl home. this puppy cost quite a few bucks. and, no, i did not take out the insurance.
today, i waited all day for my new phone to arrive. the crushed glass touch screen - now held together with packing tape - allowed me to answer calls only. all other options, kaput. the topper, no access to my contact numbers.
personally, i never thought those brown outfits were attractive but today around 4:30 . . . . .
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
chippy peely white garden fountain
picked up this way cool fountain a couple of days ago. been driving around with it since then in the back of the truck trying to decide where to take it.
country roads won out.
without bryce, i could have never wrestled this monster into my spot. but we did. and here she is:
country roads won out.
without bryce, i could have never wrestled this monster into my spot. but we did. and here she is:
she is solid cement with chippy, peely, old white paint. she needs a yard to "strike a pose" in.
country roads antiques
chapman ave
orange, ca
Monday, March 15, 2010
taxes, telephone, towels, three speckled hens
tonight i spread out all the stuff i needed to work on starting to prepare for filing my income taxes.
did you catch the procrastination in that sentence??
paper work is right below my desire to pump septic tanks.
a glass of wine later, i telephoned (my, my, what an old expression!) a friend to discuss plans for the three speckled hens antique show. feeling creative, full of fun ideas, the task of tackling taxes is slowly starting to ebb away . . .
another call to another friend to catch up on the success of her open house. while chatting about the barn sales we might piggy back together on this weekend, i spilled a glass of wine. those carefully laid out papers were now drowning on my rug. tons of paper towels later, the task of tackling taxes is on it's way downstream . . .
had the telephone (cell) calls not entered the evening, i would probably have not spilled the glass of wine that drowned the papers that needed the towels . . . .
did you catch the procrastination in that sentence??
paper work is right below my desire to pump septic tanks.
a glass of wine later, i telephoned (my, my, what an old expression!) a friend to discuss plans for the three speckled hens antique show. feeling creative, full of fun ideas, the task of tackling taxes is slowly starting to ebb away . . .
another call to another friend to catch up on the success of her open house. while chatting about the barn sales we might piggy back together on this weekend, i spilled a glass of wine. those carefully laid out papers were now drowning on my rug. tons of paper towels later, the task of tackling taxes is on it's way downstream . . .
had the telephone (cell) calls not entered the evening, i would probably have not spilled the glass of wine that drowned the papers that needed the towels . . . .
Saturday, March 13, 2010
another major earthquake - indonesia - just heard it on the news. what the hell is going on? don't remember, in my lifetime, there being so many, so close together and so big.
the world has gone crazy. murder is rampant. greed seems to be the current rage. a war is always on somewhere with someone.
should we start building an ark??
the world has gone crazy. murder is rampant. greed seems to be the current rage. a war is always on somewhere with someone.
should we start building an ark??
Thursday, March 11, 2010
an ultimatum
An ultimatum is a demand whose fulfillment is requested in a specified period of time and which is backed up by a threat to be followed through in case of noncompliance. An ultimatum is generally the final demand in a series of requests. As such, the time allotted is usually short, and the request is understood not to be open to further negotiation.
i don't like getting one or giving one. this morning it appeared that one was being issued to me.
my house operates on the cooler side. don't like forced air heat for a variety of reasons. on the positive side, the cold puts a spring in my step and keeps the bills down. unfortunately, the other occupant does not share the same feeling.
this morning, it appeared the conflict was getting serious. as i ran about getting ready and the truck loaded, i was stopped short.
it was hilarious. almost as if she was saying "i just can not take another day in this frigid environment. turn on the heat or i will suck the gas fumes out of the range top!"
while i was boiling eggs, she was eyeing the flame. when i pulled off the pot and the range barely cooled down, she figure she'd capitalize on it. with paws in the boil-over-catch pan she dropped her nose clear down to the jets.
i didn't cave.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
feel like sharing . . . .
as a little girl i was the poster child for "tomboy". loved climbing trees, catching lizards, playing tackle. dresses were relegated to easter and christmas. shorts and t-shirts (when not in catholic school uniforms) were my staples. barefoot and tanned. 4 older brothers were my idols. my younger sister was a pest. "playing house" was poisonous activity. and every night - as a little girl - i secretly prayed i'd wake up as a boy. pretty stupid stuff, huh?
don't remember at what age i was thankful that my prayers were never answered.
teenage years, young adulthood, marriage and motherhood. loved them all - loved being a female. still do. but that tomboy lies right below the skin. it surfaces almost daily.
today as i sanded and waxed a fine old dresser, i found myself humming away. last night, as i steamed and pressed vintage bed linen, i muttered and swore.
the other morning at a girlfriend's house, her young grandson was talking about lizard hunting. smiling and reminiscing, i instructed him on the proper way to catch one without getting bit.
still feel more comfy in shorts and t-shirts. seeing a large lizard will still make my fingers twitch. a can of wax and a pack of sandpaper sooths my soul. i guess a tomboy i'll always be.
as a little girl i was the poster child for "tomboy". loved climbing trees, catching lizards, playing tackle. dresses were relegated to easter and christmas. shorts and t-shirts (when not in catholic school uniforms) were my staples. barefoot and tanned. 4 older brothers were my idols. my younger sister was a pest. "playing house" was poisonous activity. and every night - as a little girl - i secretly prayed i'd wake up as a boy. pretty stupid stuff, huh?
don't remember at what age i was thankful that my prayers were never answered.
teenage years, young adulthood, marriage and motherhood. loved them all - loved being a female. still do. but that tomboy lies right below the skin. it surfaces almost daily.
today as i sanded and waxed a fine old dresser, i found myself humming away. last night, as i steamed and pressed vintage bed linen, i muttered and swore.
the other morning at a girlfriend's house, her young grandson was talking about lizard hunting. smiling and reminiscing, i instructed him on the proper way to catch one without getting bit.
still feel more comfy in shorts and t-shirts. seeing a large lizard will still make my fingers twitch. a can of wax and a pack of sandpaper sooths my soul. i guess a tomboy i'll always be.
Monday, March 8, 2010
academy awards
30 slots for the obituaries at the academy awards.
how did they settle on that number? what if only 24 actors/producers/directors/etc die in one year? how do they fill the time allotted for 30? there must be a plan - then a plan should exist for overages. seems callous to omit someone's loved one.
read the explanation on the web. but i didn't buy it.
odd, michael jackson got mention - no movie career.
ms fawcett was fabulous in "the burning bed".
how did they settle on that number? what if only 24 actors/producers/directors/etc die in one year? how do they fill the time allotted for 30? there must be a plan - then a plan should exist for overages. seems callous to omit someone's loved one.
read the explanation on the web. but i didn't buy it.
odd, michael jackson got mention - no movie career.
ms fawcett was fabulous in "the burning bed".
Saturday, March 6, 2010
cherub bed and french mirror
pics of building one spot. did it pretty. my definition of pretty.
the most fabulous bed ever! cast iron - cherub heads both headboard/footboard at top. brass balls. solid. heavy.
rectangular mirror - french - gesso over wood - barbola like roses in all 4 corners - 1/4 plate glass - heavy - gorgeous.
bed and mirror are all original.
they are the stars of the redo.
if you see anything you must have - stop by/call:
country roads
chapman ave
orange ca
Friday, March 5, 2010
research and development
another r & d day. every now and again, this is needed - in every business.
it paid off. ran into a lady/colleague who gave me a few tips and destinations for cool stuff. funny thing about this business: there are the folks who are willing to help you succeed or those who want you to fail. everything seems black and white. gray areas are not allowed. she is all into the antique/vintage circuit/business. obviously secure in herself. very refreshing.
dropped into a couple of my shops to pick up checks and info blossomed there also. must be out and about - no one will knock at my door. found out the skinny of the high-end super pretty store opening down the street in temecula. opened tuesday and wednesday - odd days? - was closed today when i got there but is supposed to open tomorrow again - for good? i peeked into windows and i was salivating. madison manor. main street, temecula.
new dealer in lake elsinore at mora's antiques. cottagy. 1st spot as you walk in the door. very light, bright and airy. good representation for the store.
must get some sleep. tomorrow is another business day.
did i mention i found 2 fabulous old iron beds today? very early 1900 - north dekota farm family - was the grandfather's of the guy holding the sale. the guy holding the sale was 70. don't know yet where i will display these for sale.
serendipity in temecula, ca
country roads in orange, ca
precious times in redlands, ca
mora's in lake elsinore, ca
i will let you know.
it paid off. ran into a lady/colleague who gave me a few tips and destinations for cool stuff. funny thing about this business: there are the folks who are willing to help you succeed or those who want you to fail. everything seems black and white. gray areas are not allowed. she is all into the antique/vintage circuit/business. obviously secure in herself. very refreshing.
dropped into a couple of my shops to pick up checks and info blossomed there also. must be out and about - no one will knock at my door. found out the skinny of the high-end super pretty store opening down the street in temecula. opened tuesday and wednesday - odd days? - was closed today when i got there but is supposed to open tomorrow again - for good? i peeked into windows and i was salivating. madison manor. main street, temecula.
new dealer in lake elsinore at mora's antiques. cottagy. 1st spot as you walk in the door. very light, bright and airy. good representation for the store.
must get some sleep. tomorrow is another business day.
did i mention i found 2 fabulous old iron beds today? very early 1900 - north dekota farm family - was the grandfather's of the guy holding the sale. the guy holding the sale was 70. don't know yet where i will display these for sale.
serendipity in temecula, ca
country roads in orange, ca
precious times in redlands, ca
mora's in lake elsinore, ca
i will let you know.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
my evening has taken a turn for the better.
had plans to blog but a dear friend called. 2 hours later and a dead phone, i am so content i can't stand it! she is the poster child for a "valued friend". simple, kind, devilish, trustworthy, humble, spirited, someone i would (have) trust my life with, and a great drinking buddy to boot! only see her once a year but it's like we were never apart when that visit comes. ex-sister-in-law.
spent the whole day at country roads, again. got the front spot done! "pleased" is not the word i'd use to describe the feeling. "dripping with satisfaction" is more like it. planned to make it pretty and, by god, i did. check it out. had pics to show you tonight but my phone died (as mentioned above), i am in bed and the charger is in the truck. it's damn cold, it's late, and i'm lazy as hell at the moment.
so take my word for it. pay a visit and you will not be disappointed! fabulous stuff.
country roads antiques
chapman ave
orange ca
but do not go to the 3rd building back spot - what a disaster. still working on it.
had plans to blog but a dear friend called. 2 hours later and a dead phone, i am so content i can't stand it! she is the poster child for a "valued friend". simple, kind, devilish, trustworthy, humble, spirited, someone i would (have) trust my life with, and a great drinking buddy to boot! only see her once a year but it's like we were never apart when that visit comes. ex-sister-in-law.
spent the whole day at country roads, again. got the front spot done! "pleased" is not the word i'd use to describe the feeling. "dripping with satisfaction" is more like it. planned to make it pretty and, by god, i did. check it out. had pics to show you tonight but my phone died (as mentioned above), i am in bed and the charger is in the truck. it's damn cold, it's late, and i'm lazy as hell at the moment.
so take my word for it. pay a visit and you will not be disappointed! fabulous stuff.
country roads antiques
chapman ave
orange ca
but do not go to the 3rd building back spot - what a disaster. still working on it.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
perspective
BSC people are not exclusive to country roads antiques.
as my girlfriend/fellow dealer and i pulled away from a serious junking adventure very recently, my cell phone rings out. a customer is pacing at one of the shops asking if i can do better on a 29.00 hat and a 29.00 hatstand . . .
mind you, i am wa-a-a-a-a-a-y happy to get each and every call from whichever store whenever. i am never upset with the personnel calling.
. . . that said - i okayed 10% off on both. slightly snarling, i explained the call to my passenger. we cleared the gate and got on the road with over a 1000.00 worth of new, fabulous stuff to sell.
. . . better on 29.00? . . .
do our customers have any idea what this stuff costs us? in addition to the actual purchase price of the item add time/energy to the hunt. no breakfast & newspaper in the a.m. - we're up early and out - sometimes spending hours waiting in line for the sale to open after driving over an hour to get there. snuggling on cold, wet mornings is not allowed! believe it or not, inventory does not hatch on the back of my truck.
then consider the fixing/storing/hauling/rotating stock/decorating to present wonderful treasures for their viewing and shopping pleasure. manicured hands - a dream. fixing supplies jump into my cart at home depot. my homestead most times resembles a junk yard and squeezing through doorways is necessary when the newly staged redo is stacked at the entry for loading next day. i would just adore a tidier, sparser abode. and after days like today, i feel like 150 years old (p.s. check out my bigger, better, bursting back spot at country roads!!)
and the horrible unmentionable, this is a gamble. should no one like/fawn over/purchase the tantilizing treasure . . .well, let's just say, lots of dealers land up owning lots of stuff.
we love what we do. but it's a business - a primary living for some.
if we can't make a profit, we can't continue to bring our customers the best.
as my girlfriend/fellow dealer and i pulled away from a serious junking adventure very recently, my cell phone rings out. a customer is pacing at one of the shops asking if i can do better on a 29.00 hat and a 29.00 hatstand . . .
mind you, i am wa-a-a-a-a-a-y happy to get each and every call from whichever store whenever. i am never upset with the personnel calling.
. . . that said - i okayed 10% off on both. slightly snarling, i explained the call to my passenger. we cleared the gate and got on the road with over a 1000.00 worth of new, fabulous stuff to sell.
. . . better on 29.00? . . .
do our customers have any idea what this stuff costs us? in addition to the actual purchase price of the item add time/energy to the hunt. no breakfast & newspaper in the a.m. - we're up early and out - sometimes spending hours waiting in line for the sale to open after driving over an hour to get there. snuggling on cold, wet mornings is not allowed! believe it or not, inventory does not hatch on the back of my truck.
then consider the fixing/storing/hauling/rotating stock/decorating to present wonderful treasures for their viewing and shopping pleasure. manicured hands - a dream. fixing supplies jump into my cart at home depot. my homestead most times resembles a junk yard and squeezing through doorways is necessary when the newly staged redo is stacked at the entry for loading next day. i would just adore a tidier, sparser abode. and after days like today, i feel like 150 years old (p.s. check out my bigger, better, bursting back spot at country roads!!)
and the horrible unmentionable, this is a gamble. should no one like/fawn over/purchase the tantilizing treasure . . .well, let's just say, lots of dealers land up owning lots of stuff.
we love what we do. but it's a business - a primary living for some.
if we can't make a profit, we can't continue to bring our customers the best.
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