More Memorial Day Bargains

Happy Memorial Day!

I wasn't sure if I was going to go out and traispe around today at yard sales but decided to go to a couple of them.   I didn't get as early start as I wanted but did get out a little before 9:00 and it was already a scorcher out there!  I live near the Perkiomen Sale and Auction - an antiques flea market and auction that is held every Monday.  Any holiday you can find yard sales up an down the roads around the "The Perk" - so i really didn't have to venture too far today.

Stopped at a few and nothing really knocked my socks off - I did see two old rug hooks but they were pricey (this is a downfall on a holiday yard sale near an antiques flea market - people think everything should be marked up - LOL) They looked like they were made from old tool handles and were cool but I wouldn't have liked to use them - the shanks on them were about 4" long and the handles about the same - so too big - I talked with the gentlemen selling them and he said his grandfather used to hook rugs - Well that explains the "tool like appearance" - Fun how everyone has a story.

Then I went off the beaten trail and saw a sign that didn't say "Garage Sale" or "Yard Sale" but "Used Crap" - I thought this was pretty original and just had to stop - So glad I did!  I found this old Deacon's Bench and just had to bring it home!  There is a rung missing (which is an easy fix) but other than that it's in great condition!   Must be the weekend of $5 deals - that's all I paid!  Found these old glass lid ball jars and agate pot with lid at another yard sale - so the total I spent for my deals today was $8!  

Oh and I don't have a clue where in the world I'm going to put it - Might have to get rid of my old wooden wash tub holder where I have the plants and put it under that window!   Oh well - something to decide another day - right now it's in the middle of the living room and Riley has decided to claim it as his - he's been stretched out on it all afternoon.   I'm already thinking of what type of hooked rug to make as a long chair pad runner!

I fogot to mention my other bargains from Saturday.  A local cross stitch store had a "stash" sale.  A few months prior in her newsletter she asked if anyone had anything to donate for the sale to bring it by.  Then on Saturday she had tables set up inside - all the donations and some of her old stock was placed there and you were handed a bag when you walked in.   Anything from those tables you put in your bag were yours and the only thing you had to do is make a donation to the donation jar (they were donating it to St. Jude's Hospital).  What a bargain.  The place opened at 10:00 - I didn't get there until 10:30 and the place was full (not that big of a place) Anyway - I managed to fill my bag - someone actually had a Fredericksburg Rug Hooking Kit of Betsy Ross' Flag with everything still there and a hook in there to boot! (This may be either sold or given away - at the time I didn't realize it was on burlap - it's a nice burlap but I'm allergic) , I got a couple of patterns and about 4 pieces of dirty linen (some of this is for Kathy - I was shopping for her too! LOL), and some floss.    I really could have probably could have gotten more but I get a little bit of the "claustrophobia" feeling in a small crowded area and just had to get out of there!  So I made my donation and left to go on to the yard sales. 

I know a few of you left comments about yard sales being mostly baby clothes - believe me it's like that around here too - All those yard sales with baby clothes and that big bright plastic furniture and playthings!  It's just this weekend (because of the Perk) there are more "antique" type sales.  Some of the dealers set up along the route.   I know if I could have gotten out earlier (they start at around 6:00 a.m. round these parts - and at the Perk - people actually go with flashlights to see what's on the tables!) then I may have found more treasures but I really can't complain!

We just had some severe thunderstorms and the kinda rain that is like a firehose being held to your house roll through here!  What weird weather!  Then it cleared and now it's "darkening" up again - just in time to send my husband out to the grill!  Hope it holds off until dinner is grilled!

Have a great day!

Catching Up - Cleaning - Yard Sale Bargains and More!

Time flies doesn't it! I didn't even realize it has been so long since I posted!   No excuses and nothing really too much going on.

I'm finally about 97% over that cold - it lasted way to long and drained too much of my energy - I hate just laying around and doing nothing but felt awful and that's all i did for over two weeks.  I did manage to read a bunch of books so that's something but it certainly doesn't get the chores done!

Without going into details, for the past couple months been dealing with some issues other than the cold and was really getting down about it.  Things however are looking up - finally had an appointment with a specialist and feel things are getting back on the right track.  I feel so much better about things  - actually feeling really good about it - nothing to complain about on my end (except dealing with the damn insurance companies - that's another story for another day!) and that being said, moving on...

This being Memorial weekend, there are always a lot of yard sales and flea markets in the area - so the past two days decided to get up early (courtesy of the "wet nose" Jonesy - better than an alarm clock) and go out and enjoy the sunshine and treasures to be found!  Thought I would share some of them....

An old child's blackboard - it does stand alone but i decided to hang it on the wall - just need to get some chalk to hang on the end of the string!  The front door is right there too so will be good to write things down to "remember"! This was a $5 find. (Oh and that's the shelf I got at the Cinnamon Stick (Spice Cupboard Blog) I think Judy said it was made from a tool box????  The items on the shelf are gifts from friends which I'm sure I shared previously).

I hardly ever find anything rug hooking related but found this old book for a whopping $0.50!  Most of the rugs in it are not my style but will be fun reading through it.

Love when I find stuff like this - found these two old quilts for $5 each!  The one on the left is bright and vibrant and all hand quilted - all those little squares to sew together (machine sewn however) It's a lightweight quilt with just a backing and in great shape.   The one on the right - the red one is more a "cutter quilt" some damage in some of the fabrics in the blocks and also some fading here and there - it has batting and a backing - it's all hand stitched and quilted but the binding is machine stitched! Probably will just fold it and stick it somewhere as it still has enough character not to cut apart in my opinion!   She had about 4 other quilts and quilt tops but they just didn't "sing" to me - The colors were unappealing (to me at least)  May have to stop back tomorrow - she said she had more to bring out!  These are hanging over my railing on the deck drying as I just washed them.

Just had to buy this small "machete" - My husband was joking he needed a machete to get thru the weeds and grass outside after all the rain - it was always too wet to mow - Anyway - got each of these for $0.25 a piece.  I bought the little saw for ME!  Everytime I need to saw something small my husband hands me this huge saw!   So I told him to keep this somewhere in the basement I have access to it!

This 'find" I was tickled pink with - A child's size table and chair. I asked the man how much the table and chair was and he responded he hadn't a clue as his Dad just dropped it off  and he said "Well it's really old" - so i'm thinking it's going to be way too expensive.   Don't you just love when they say "Well's it's really old"!  So he asked how much would I give him for it.  I'm thinking oh here it comes i'll say something and he'll say something higher.  So I told him I really don't know and continued to walk around - he comes over and says I can have it for $5! Woohoo! I said SOLD! (And secretly felt bad for thinking he wanted an arm and a leg and then felt guilty like I was getting away with something! hahahaha)   Love it - I actually have an old chair from  my grandparents house that is full size (without the brace) that looks like this chair.   Well I brought it in and put it in the living room.  On top is a gorgeous penny rug that my friend Debbie (Woolensails blog) gave me a few years ago and the hooked cat is from another friend Cathy (Hooked on Primitives).  I also picked up the basket underneath from another yard sale and the little mustard colored box for $0.25.  Those probably won't be staying there - just trying out different things until I get the look just right! 

I love to read and please remind me to never buy books for more than $0.25 a piece - just wait for Yard Sales!  I tell you - I went to this one community yard sale in Stonersville - and I swear it was like visiting the library - everyone and their neighbor had a ton of books for sale.  I could have saved myself a lot of money if I didn't already have or read some of them!   (normally I go to the paperback trader and it's half of the cover price) They had so many good books in this community and new ones too boot!  LOL   Anyway got a pile of books to add to the pile I already have to read!

I also found some different odds and ends, like spools of thread for my sewing machine (3 for $0.25 - you can't beat that),, a crock, a ginger beer bottle, a DVD for my husband, and more - I don't think i even spent $25 this weekend  on  treasures - I so love a bargain!

Lots of roadside stands with fresh veggies and fruit too which is nice - As they say - buy from your local farmer! 

Oh and did I mention I won the jackpot this week at Bingo! Yes I did!  I won $500 and also did I mention I won the jackpot last week too (but had to split it with someone so only won $250!)  It's funny whenever I win a bingo game one or two other people usually yell "BINGO" at the same time so it gets split - so last week when I won 1/2 the jackpot,. I was so happy even though I  had to share and then lightning did strike twice - I won ALONE this past Wednesday!  What are the odds two weeks in a row!  

Wishing everyone a nice, relaxing Memorial Weekend!

Down and Out...

Well I certainly didn't mean to not post for over a week but just been down and out ...with a bad cold!   Last week my husband was home from work ALL week with a bad sinus infection/cold - He had it for about 2 weeks and still does - he decided to share I guess - I did my best to not get it but it found me! 
I can generally tell - always starts out the same - runny nose and sore throat and then gradually gets worse and worse.  Well most of this week has been lost because of this and the only thing getting any activitiy is my tissue box (and i've been thru several boxes) and my cough!  I haven't picked up a hook or anything and I'm so itching to start on an order I got - to design and make chairpads - 10 of them!  I have the basics of what is wanted and since she likes my "style" - I have free reign pretty much - So i'm anxious to get started on  first getting them drawn up, wool dyed and then hooked!  But like I said haven't felt like doing much of anything!

Anyway - last Saturday I spent the afternoon with 5 other members of my guild demonstrating rug hooking at Mercer Museum in Doylestown, PA.  It was a great day - lots of people seemed interested and I brought in my frame and Cheryl had a piece of Monk's cloth so we let people try their hand at it - if you ever do demonstrations this is a great way to help - people just love to try it!  We were inside the museum and missed the wind storm outside that went through and knocked out the lights (ours just flickered!) Then it was just windy and sunny, but who knew being inside the "castle"!  (You can check out the museum at http://www.mercermuseum.org/)

Here are some random pics of the day - most didn't come out too clear...

Dee and Joyce taking a break from hooking and Carol sitting in front of the frame trying her hand at hooking (she works for the Museum).  Dee was working on a large rug that her hooking group is making as a friendship rug - wish my pic would have come out - it was really interesting - there is a large circle for all  members past and present of the group and then some working around the entire thing).  Joyce was working on a rug that was given to her by a family whose mother had passed and she was finishing this rug.   Again not all my pics came out so none of them.

Annie talking with a guest and Cheryl cutting some wool (check out our Guild's website http://www.hcrag.com/ and under Hooker of the Month you can read about Cheryl - she is this month's hooker!  She has some great rugs she brought to display and was working on a very interesting one for a chair cushion and back of rocker set.  Oh, and in case you are interested  I was October 2008 Hooker of the Month)

Here's Karl talking with someone - Karl does a lot for the guild and you can often find him demonstrating the craft and/or teaching.  People really enjoy talking with him and seeing a "man" hooking.  He's very versed on the history of rug hooking and always has a story with his rugs. 

After I came home I just knew I was coming down with this cold but Sunday I had given my word that I would help out at the store where I sell some rugs since the Village was having their "Spring Fling".  I spent a few hours passing out some "wine slushies" to the adults and talking with people.  And then came home and crashed.  Monday I didn't feel good at all  and to top it off I had an interview to go to - I drugged myself up and went - I mean really, how do you call in sick to a job intereview??? Truthfully I felt so bad but made myself go since jobs to apply to are so few and far between.  They did tell me that over the weekend they had over 700 applicants for this position come in via email - Things are really bad in Pennsylvania!  Can only image going thru that many resumes.

The other night I was tired of being cooped up in the house so armed with tissues, cough drops and dauber decided to go to bingo - It was worth it - I won $263 - LOL - I did have a minor coughing spell but the embarassment of that was over by the time I left that evening with more money than I came in with!  Plus it was good just getting out and seeing friends and laughing.

I did miss going out to Grant Street on Thursday - just didn't want to "spread" the joy of this cold that seems to think it's found it's permanent home (NOT!).

Today I had all these grand plans of getting out my linen and to start "designing" but just couldn't do it - still have that heavy headed clogged up head and coughing so just been reading and watching TV.  The weather got really muggy after some chilly weather (i keep hearing how people lost vegetable plants and spring plants in the frost the other night).  This weather is crazy. And once again - it's taking a toll on the kitties..

"Jonesy"...can't you please turn on the AC instead of that darn ceiling fan - it's just blowing the hot air around...

Well guess I will just nap the rest of the day...

And then the same thing from Riley...

Can't you see I'm melting here...

And of course it never seems to bother the Bean (Miles) - he was on the old bed which is higher and closer to the ceiling fan comfy as can be..

 

Well a storm blew through and it's still hot but the a/c isn't going on yet! I do believe it's supposed to cool off a bit tomorrow - at least we are hoping!

Wishing everyone a great weekend! Tomorrow my plans are to wake up "cold-free" and get things done for a change! (Hey, I'm trying to think positive here!)

Moving Things Around

I hate moving clothes around.  

We have three bedrooms and each has one closet - the master bedroom is a little larger than the others.  Still I need to keep clothes in tubs under the beds and change them around each season.   The one bedroom doesn't count as that's my craft room so no storage for clothes in there.  That makes the two closets to hold everything.  Not that I have a "ton" of clothes but there are "work clothes", things that need to be hung up, and the shelves and floors for storage of things like the luggage, shoes, filing cabinet, etc.!

Anyway - back to my tubs -  some of the things I don't change around - but why am I holding on to some of the stuff?  I don't know!  Wish I could just purge and get rid of the things I don't wear or things that just do not quite fit, or things that I just don't need right now - but I can't.  I have thinned it out quite a bit but I still have that tub filled with  the heavy sweaters (in case I ever work on a jobsite that it's way too cold again, or I go sledding again (haven't done that in over 20 years), or what?), that tub filled with t-shirts (favorites like concert t's I just can't get rid), a tub of pants that are just a tad too big (but what if I need them again, after all they are all still in good condition!), and on and on?     Why is it so hard to part with some things?  I have decided that I'm going to keep a bag or a box in the bedroom to dump those things in I wear and just am not comfortable in?  Anyone else have clothes like that - that everytime you wear them - you just don't feel right?  Well I've decided this year they are getting kicked to the curb!

Actually with "things" (household items, knicknacks, etc.) I have done really good and downsized a lot in the past few years and have donated a lot (tired of holding yard sales too - donation is the way to go!)  but just have a few tubs of things I can't get rid of!  Just can't!

Took most of the morning and afternoon - but the shorts and summery things are out, in the bureaus and hang up and the the heavy wintery stuff is put away and safely tucked under the bed in tubs -  So that job is DONE until the fall!

Before I started making this mess of pulling out clothes and tubs I went for my morning walk - it was an absolutely beautiful day, the neighborhood and woods were so quiet and when I started out it wasn't too hot and a nice breeze!  When I got home, I found Jonesy and Riley here (in a sunbeam of course)

and Miles here (had to check for a pulse - he was out!)

These boys certainly know how to find maximum breeze and beams!  Of course later they were ALL hard at work - afterall someone has to inspect the inside of the tubs, the underneath of the beds where the tubs came out of, the pile of clothese for softness,  etc.! 

Now they are all napping again before dinner!

Wishing everyone a good day filled with cool breezes and sunbeams!

When you are having a stressful day...

Breathe, Relax, Nap