Like I'd Even Wanna Rule The Air!

Has everybody else seen/heard the new Verizon ads? You know the ones..Hip cool morphing images, ending with this 'Rule The Air' slogan. I kind of like these commercials (not like like, just like). They fall into that whole catagory of ads where it really is never too apparent just what is being advertised, but you feel just a wee bit cooler for having seen the ad. All good, right? Except that, as a Verizon subscriber, I don't even receive all my calls from inside my own (small but charming!) house! I mean, 'It's Good to Be Queen', 'Home is Where The Heart Is', but 'Rule The Air'? Fah getta bout it. A guy at the Verizon kiosk did something to my phone that he said was an update, and should help, but Blogland, I have to stand near a window, downstairs, on one leg, with one hand holding a beignet, freshly baked, to get my calls! Ok, I'm exagerrating. We Texans, even the long ago transported kind, are prone to hyperbole. It's one of the very best things about us! I like to lump us all together, and my gift, it is a gift, of hyperbole was always attributed to my Texas birth by my family. Where was I? Oh yeah, ruling my air. Will I get fries with that?

Not Every Post Needs A Picture

So I'm up in Tacoma today, with family, that sort of a day. Nice. We'd originally planned to visit the zoo, and picnic outside, but it's raining. We decided on lunch. Indoors. On Ruston Way. At the Ram. I mean, there's a great view of the water, and a predictable menu for kids, right? Now, it's been over a decade since I was in this particular location. But, there was a time when I kinda hung out there. Sometimes. Good times, with many good memories; margueritas, playing Trivial Pursuit. Winning. One memory in particular stands out, like flashing neon sign stands out....but we don't need to go there, Blogland. Really. We order, we're laughing, talking, lunch arrives, and things are fine.

Then I break a tooth! Seriously. As I'm heading to the bathroom to survey the damage, some guy crashes into me, and totally crushes my foot. When I limp back to the table, my husband sheepishly tells me he sat on my glasses. I'd taken them off. They're pretty bent. We finish lunch. And I swear to you, Blogland, my credit card was declined! I get it, it's the universe telling me I can't go back there. Even more than a decade later.

Been Gone Too Long

I miss you Blogland, and wonder if anybody out there misses me. Life has been incredibly hectic since my family's return from our 'California Adventure'. Our trip was wonderful, and there's bliss in that. My sons turn 18 and 16 on their next birthdays, and Olivia will be 13 on hers. I was glad for this time together, because, you know, who knows? Right?

I made it over to Yakima for the Clayson Farm Primitive and Antique show. It is the only show I've been able to attend the whole summer! It was nice to shop, and connect with friends. I almost felt like an outsider.

I'm taking some classes, and working more than I usually do this summer. Add to that my 15 year old's driver's ed classes, driving practice, etc, and you've got most of my excuses for being out of touch. Over the next few days I hope to catch up on all the great blogs I've missed reading!

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.