Buh Bye

Can you say Road Trip? I sure can, and it is one of my favorite ways to travel. With kids! Love all the interesting things to see along the way, and playing ridiculous car games. I'm fairly certain that we're leaving for southern California tomorrow, for some sunny skies, and an In & Out Burger! I am 500 miles away from my nearest In & Out burger, so I don't have an opportunity to be sick of them, or to realize, as some members of my clan might say, they're not that good. I love 'em, and look forward to having one in Redding on the way down.

Destination is a bit up in the air. Some want to visit Yosemite, others want to see the aquarium in Monterey, and almost everyone wants to see Goofy again! Yes, Blogland, I am talking about the Goofy...the one in Disneyland. Don't like to brag when it comes to celebs, but we're pretty tight. Like big PDA tight; hugs me everytime I see him, and doesn't care how many pictures are taken. We just roll like that. And I hope to hunt down a certain Blue Canoe, if you get my drift. Canoe, drift..oh yeah, I think I need me some time away!

After my last client meeting this morning, I have to get our house & pet sitter situated, finish up the last days of school, and pack. Car needs an oil change, and I have to see the dentist. Other than that, we're good to go, baby!

Back in a week or so, Blogland. I'll miss you!

Well Heeled

I really miss shoes, Blogland. For decades (and 20+ pounds ago) I was a bit of a shoe junkie, and the higher the heel, the better. I especially loved high heeled boots. Worshiped at their church loved. At one time, I owned over 20 pair of boots alone. This may seem unlikely to those of you who know me from the shows, and believe I live in Sketchers, and usually the same pair, but it's true. Perhaps it was all those years of wearing 3-4 inch stillettos that caused the bunions I now sport on both feet. Yes, surgery is an option, and something I may do at some point...like when I can be off my feet completely for whatever the more than a week time frame the podiatrist gave me was. On the good side, I don't have any pain..as long as I don't wear heels! Once in awhile I sneak a pair of modestly heeled boots out for a couple of hours, and relish it mightily. But I will (probably) never wear shoes like the pair pictured above again. Yes, I realize there are attractive shoes, boots, with no heel. I own some of them. If I'm going to be on my feet (weird expression, am I right?) for a lengthy period, like at a flea market, I have a couple of pairs of shoes I count on to see me through! And they do. Maybe in my next post, I'll cover vision as we age..another reality I haven't quite adjusted to.

New Digs

I'm now a vendor at a new shop in Centralia, called The Shady Lady with a wink and a nod to the builing's past as a "Gentleman's Sporting Club" as this type of establishment used to be called. The wonderful owners are anything but new to me, and certainly not to retail! Holly Phelps and her totally fabulous mom Shannon are the proprietors. I've traded with, consigned at, and shopped from Holly, and her mom for years here in Lewis County, and it feels almost familial to be with her again! We've watched each others kids grow up and have comforted one another when our husbands have been seriously ill. The shop completely suits our demographic, and is a blend of antiques, great vintage finds and gently used furniture and decor pieces. Like my house! Probably like a lot of our houses, right Blogland? Up the winding staircase, and on the other side of the main floor is a women's clothing boutique, selling used clothes, shoes, purses, and jewelry! It's been packed. That's a comforting feeling.

I'm still at Cattywampus, with no plans to leave. Being in both places gives me flexibility on what I can offer, and I like that. Hopefully I can keep up with 2 spaces, and make them appealing and profitable.

There's Always Next Year

I am not going to Farm Chicks afterall. Following much deliberation, and whining about all I'd be missing, I made the (right) decision not to attend this year. It wasn't easy to call and finally give up our reservations at The Quality Inn, where Timi's junkers, Linda, Kirk, and more, were staying. The desk clerk did a little happy dance..must be a waiting list. No surprise as it's the closest (I think) hotel to the fairgrounds. Farm Chicks is fun. Farm Chicks is fantastic. Lots of people I adore sell there, and more come to shop and play. That Serena really knows how to put on a show! It's about a 6 hour drive, without stops, from my house, and I have to work on Monday. When I truly lost all hope of leaving Friday, I cried. I pouted. I might have stamped my feet. And then I let it go. See? I am an adult afterall.

I'm consoling myself with the possibility of two, maybe three, flea markets this weekend. Seattle's Georgetown area is having their first (I'm pretty sure) market on Saturday, and I can always go to Sandpoint and/or Fremont on Sunday, right Blogland? Tell me you'll miss me. Tell me it won't be the same without me. Tell me (especially) that I can go next year! And take lots of pictures.

We may finally see some sunshine tomorrow here in the Pacific Northwest. It cleared up nicely today, (finally!) and I was able to tend to some badly neglected plants outside. I have strawberries on my plants, and the tomato hasn't floated away. Good news all around. Hope to get a little more done tomorrow; like planting the few flowers that are still lingering in jiffy pots. I may make it up to the Fremont Market in Seattle. Did the big Packwood Flea Market Friday with the hubs and one son in tow. It Never Stopped Raining. And, what seemed like at least half the booths, never opened up at all.

Hope you have fun, maybe get the chance to cook outdoors, or whatever pleases you most, Blogland! Pause to remember those who gave so very much this Memorial Day. xx

A Shed That Junk Built

Isn't this a cool potting shed? I saw this in front of a shop in Centralia, already sold. I love that it's made almost entirely of salvaged materials. I want to build one, or rather, convince my husband to build one! I have several old doors and windows I've been saving for this project. My 12 year old thinks we should build a chicken coop. We are allowed to have up to 3 chickens within the city limits, as long as they're hens. I must admit; I adore the idea of chickens, scratching for bugs in the yard, but think the reality of caring for them is more than I want to add to my already full plate! Any thoughts, Blogland?

My Daughter's Work

Since several people asked me to post pictures of my daughter, Jada's, cigar box alters, I will happily oblige. Jada has always been artistic; at 7 she had a drawing published, and it just grew from there. She attended Pratt College of Fine Arts, in Seattle, to learn jewelry design, and makes incredible pieces. She's done watercolors, stained glass (teaches a class in this), and has more recently begun doing work with henna. There are more examples of her work in this medium, and lovely pictures of her, on her website,
Blessed Henna. It's been wonderful to see her receive good press for her art as well, most recently in The Tacoma News Tribune.

I raised Jada largely as a single mom...she was almost 17 when my next child was born. He is now 17! So I've been at this parenting thing awhile, Blogland, and this makes me an expert. HA! Everyone asks if Jada's talent comes from me. I want to take all the credit, really I do, but cannot. I am artistic, in my own ways, but cannot draw, paint, make jewelry, etc. If her gift is genetic, she channels my Mom, or her Dad, an incredible artist and musician. Most of what she creates, she's taught herself to do.
This is an example of designs she does on recycled clothing. Needless to say, I am extremely proud of her, love her tremendously, am in awe of her talent, and still can't believe she's mine!