Hello Catch-up

(Ok, not sure what the connection is, but I like the images from The Graphics Fairy!)

I think most of the folks that read here do so on Monday Thrift Share days, but for those who read other posts I thought I would do a little catch-up of all the little ends I leave here. first, I got my lab tests back and I was not crazy on feeling how I have for the past few months (fatigued, dizzy, nausea, anxiety, tingling of the arms/legs...)...hmm, I have felt this way twice before (Hint: S8 and L4).

Um, no, this is not the case this time (BIG sigh). It seems I have depleted a very good portion of my B12. Typical lower limits of normal are 200 pg/ml. My levels are below 100. The weirdest part of all of this is I was a vegetarian for more than 13 years and never had this problem. I eat tons of eggs because I have a rather large flock of chickens and they are laying like crazy. Around lent, I did decide to lower my meat consumption and have only been eating meat a couple of days a week (if at all). I suspected I might be anemic (bruises and dizziness), but I would have never guessed B12 deficiency! I started muscle injections (because I am way below normal) and have to take two children's vitamins a day (I get horribly ill after taking adult vitamins). I feel so much relief that I truly was not going crazy (besides being apart from my children, there is an actual physiological reason for my anxiety).

I have also cut myself off from thrifting. Yes, you heard right. I am spending too much money and an expected, yet unexpected debt has come due and we need to get it paid. I am not happy about it, but that is life. I am accumulating too much crap anyway. I am not a ReSeller because I don't have the time. I would love to have a booth at one of these great flea markets in KY, but not in the near future (I really need to get family moved first, LOL!)

So, I am giving myself a 2nd quarter New Year goal: Use up what you have, read your thrifted books, and create instead of accumulate. In other words, I have stacks of books and magazines, I have tons of fabric and crafty items and I need to find ways of displaying my lovely treasures. I also need to purge or store (If I can't part with it right now).

I will still share on Mondays or other linky days because I like to be part of those parties. It's just that my finds will be past finds (I could share for the next three years without setting foot into another thrift store or flea market!)

If I find myself jones-ing for some thrift, well, I'll set myself a limit, take out cash and have at it. It will be a challenge to spend only what green I have on hand (and not be tempted to take out a debit card). I have never had a shopping issue, but I go through stages where I think I "self-medicate" my stress by thrifting. I think right now Flintstone Vitamins may be the better way to go.

Husband is on his way down to KY as I type. We are going out to eat (Bardstown Road area if you are ever in town for the Derby or whatnot is an interesting Indie-ish part of town with local restaurants, pubs and shops) tonight and tomorrow night (if it is not rained out) we will be at the Decemberists concert.

Oh, here comes the rain again...

Thrift Share Monday: If I Had a Boat

Louisville is threatening to float away to the Gulf of Mexico via the O-hio River. We have had rain upon rain upon rain with a forecast of more rain. Nevertheless, I found some things to share this week:

Dollhouse! I bought it because 1) I have wanted one since I read the Tasha Tudor books in the '80's and 2)It was only $5. I love the wallpaper with teeny birds and butterflies. It needs a few repairs, but all the parts were included. I actually have one of these kits that my mother gave me years ago, but I confess it is still in the box and packed in the attic. I mean I have only had it for about 13 years-when was I suppose to have time to complete it??? ;)










Vintage souvenir pillow covers for the old canned ham 1956 trailer I have (and will photograph once the winter tarps are removed). Niagara Falls and Puerto Rico (there was also a Great Smokey Mtns one, but it was more than twice the price of these two).

Cute Boston terrier (I dropped my bag just as I was about to the porch. I heard the unmistaken sound of breaking ceramics...:( You will note his chipped ear (that I will soon fix), but wait until you see the (once) gorgeous pink swan planter below...Soy muy graceful.


Well, that is all for this edition of Thrift Share Monday. I am linking up with usual links full of wonderful thrifty and flea markety goodness: Apron Thrift Girl and Her Library Adventures.

Boo Hoo

Sorry for how crappy this post looks tonight-Blogger is being a B*tch tonight!

(Some more nice treasures from YS to balance out the melancholy in this post)

Yes, I feel like crying. I am still having housing troubles here in KY. Apparently, the housing crisis did not occur here. Houses are flying off the lots here in KY. Seems, everyone is migrating to the great forgotten North South, South North commonwealth.

(Ransburg Canisters made in Indianapolis; Dick and Jane readers; and two little Xmas elves)

First, let me tell you about my apartment. Now I am not a neat freak by any means, but I am a law abiding citizen (generally) and everyday when I return home to my apt I cringe at the sight of grass up to my knees. There must be grass police in Louisville. It is warm here. It is summer like here. The grass is growing. Where the h--l is my landlord??? Last fall she blamed me for a city notice (I swear it wasn't me that complained-I was traveling!), so I am guessing this is a common occurrence. I think I mentioned that my ceiling in the kitchen is sagging due to a leak in the roof, right? How does one spell s-l-u-m...

(Man, I miss these funny boys!)

I cannot wait for this lease to be up (JULY!!!)

So, today I took a different route to Frankfort (where hubby will be working) and I found myself in the quaint, charming town of Waddy, KY and I found The House! Cheap; 5 acres; old house with porch, wood floors and a fireplace, everything that resides on my list of wants. Oh, and a barn and paddock were present as well! The town is close enough to walk to, but still a rural property. Perfect!

And, I had it on my original list I sent to my "buyer's agent" (quotes on purpose). She never looked into the house and I was sidetracked by the awesome mountain property. Well, house is under contract by someone and a closing is eminent. Boo hoo

Meanwhile, Buyer's Agent decides to call the realtor on the first house we lost because it is still listed. It seems the buyer cannot get financing. They will take an offer from us...

Good news, you say?

No! They want no contingencies and a closing in 30 days. Um, we would struggle if we still had our IN home on the market and had to pay both mortgages. No thanks.

So, back to the drawing board. Renting is still seeming like the most logical option. I hope we can find a house/farm that will let us have our 3 (very good) dogs.

Thrift Share Tuesday: YS Saga Continues

OK, here is another shot of that lovely little MIJ puppy! The Yard Sale was worth it just for this guy. He makes me happy. I was looking through a bag of sewing notions and these patterns and she says, 'I'll give you the entire bag for $1.' SOLD! These are the toy and doll patterns. There are also a bunch of transfers in the bag. Yes, I am a 'dog person', but I have loved my share of cats in my life too. I also love and cannot resist old animal planters (I've been thrifting them since the late '80's!) She cost me a quarter. Bottom of neat vase I found. Made in Italy for Rosenthal Netter it says. Here is the cheerful front. It is good size and will look great with some calendula flowers this fall. If you look really close one of the petals has a tiny white spot (at about 10 o'clock). This is not a chip, but some sort of imperfection in the glaze. Maybe this is why it was so cheap ($1)? Gorgeous green glass swan and a spin head angel friend (one of many found among the Christmas junk.) Just can't resist the animal planter. Love this yellow, long-necked doe. Yellow is my favorite color. See what I mean about breaking my "No Smalls" rule. Yeah, when I break a rule I really rebel! OK, enough photos for tonight. Oh, there are more...lots more!* *Please mention when you've had enough!! :)

Thrift Share Monday: First Yard Sale 2011

This post will require few words. I have to confess I broke my "no small things" rule with the first yard sale visit of the season, but this was a yard sale of all vintage small things. how could I resist? I mean, just look at this puppy's expression. I found him in one of the Christmas box lots she sold me for $2 (four huge boxes of mostly crap, but many tiny treasures buried under garland and plastic greenery too!) The puppy is my favorite item out of the 100's of treasures I bought at this sale (and I barely spent anything!)
Have you ever seen cookie cutters like these? The box is unused and even contains a recipe booklet inside the box. On one side is a guarantee you will love these CC, but if you don't, there is an address to return them. Oops, apparently I photographed the wrong side of the box. Take my word for it!
Salt and pepper shakers are a dangerous addiction to start in the hoarding collecting world. There are so many and a seemingly endless design line. One could build a path to the moon with a collection of S & P shakers. I try to resist their devilish charm. This sale had thousands to chose from and in the end I could not resist the charm of these snails. OK, that is all I am sharing today. Tune in tomorrow for more of the treasures from the one and only yard sale I have been to in 2011.

Linking up to Her Library Adventures and Apron Thrift Girl!!