Flea Markets, Thrift Stores, and Friends! Oh, My!

Boy, I'm gonna tell you what!  I'm a good friend--I don't care what anybody says.  Only a good friend would get up at 4:45 AM to drive over an hour to a flea market.  Especially in the south.   In the summer.  When the temperature gets to be over 90 and the humidity is almost that high.  When my good friend Liz called Monday to see if I wanted to join her for a trip to the Greenville, KY flea market, what could I say but HECK YEAH!

So off we went without makeup or breakfast, but with high hopes, lots of $1 bills, and our mutual good friend Eva.  Trying to travel light, I forgot my camera!  Drat!  But we'll be going again soon and I promise to take it along.  Some people--you know who you are--say that nothing is worth getting up so early for.  But the thrill of the hunt is oh so worth it.  And when you find a great deal on something you didn't even know you wanted--well, that's just the cherry on top.

Here's some of my loot:

Old picture frames $6 each

The lady wanted to sell me the whole lot of over a dozen various sized frames for $60, but we didn't drive the truck and had no room in the car :-(

A galvanized wash tub $5

Blue Ball canning jars $1 each

If my searching is correct, these date from 1910-1933

And today I discovered a new thrift store nearby!  The cashier said it's been there 4 months--how could I have missed it??  I managed to spend $11 in the half hour I was there!

Saturday Shout Outs

Leave a Teachable Moment Alone -- just cuz it's funny and I've been in a similar situation

Down With Negative Emotions!

Gooey Upside Down German Chocolate Cake -- the title speaks for itself!

Strengthening Homes and Families

Eighty-three Percent

Calm Your Storm

20 Indoor Activities for Kids--Besides TV

Early Bird Gets the Worm

Or in this case, the first pickings of a yard sale.  It's not quite 8am and I've already been to one down the street.  Spent $11 and this is what I came home with:

a bin full of legos for $5

a pair of tab top curtains for $1, a UT purse for $1, and 4 books--yep, $1

this lovely bowl for $3

stamped on the back: Sole di Toscana

handpainted and made in Italy

here's a terrible picture (sorry)to show you the size--that's a ruler laying next to it

I'm one of those annoying people who show up half an hour or so before the sale is supposed to start, so they weren't finished putting stuff out.  Think I should go back in a bit?

What's your plan for the weekend?

Finished! Or Not?

Remember this corner of my living room?  I had an idea in my head and put this stuff here so I could get a feel about whether or not it would work.

Here's what it looks like now.  I'm happier, but still not quite finished. Does the chair need a pillow or throw?  I'm thinking yes.  The ottoman under the buffet is there till I find another place for it.  Is the table too small?

Buffet -- free (gift from friend)

Chair and ottoman -- $35 (thrifted)

Table -- $5 (yard sale)

Lamp -- ?  (Goodwill a long time ago)

Tree - $75 (Sam's Club)

Ottoman under buffet -- $5 (yard sale)

I'm So Blue

But this time it's a good thing!  Look at these beauties!  I have nine hydrangeas in my front yard--seven of them were given to us when our daughter died.  This is the first year they've bloomed this much.  I've always heard that the soil determines the color of hydrangeas and I'm thinking that must be true.  We planted blue, pink, and purple.  So far we have five blue, one purple, and one sort of in between.  No pink anywhere--but two haven't bloomed at all.  Ever.  So time will tell.  Enjoy.  Oh, and the cicada?  I left his corpse on a stump and he was gone this morning.  Guess a mama bird took him home for her babies.  Bet they thought it was Thanksgiving!

I Don't Like Spiders and Snakes...

...or bugs!  Yes, I'm in the Southeast.  And yes it's 91 degrees outside with a heat index between 100 and 105.  But I still felt the need to work in the yard this morning.  Something about getting sweaty and dirty appeals to me once in a while--maybe it's because I feel so good when I get cleaned up afterward.

One of the things I did was prune back some roses.  I tried cramming the trimmings into a box (bags don't work so well with rose clippings), but they were too green and wouldn't cooperate.  I piled them up to dry out a little bit--or to teach them a lesson--whatever.  I'm boss no matter what those roses think.  But I digress.

About an hour ago, I went out to see if the clippings would be more obedient.  As I started to pick them up, I heard this weird buzzing noise.  Not wanting to aggravate a hidden wasp or bee, I quickly dropped what I had in my hands.  Looking nearby, I spy movement in the grass.  What in the world?  This is what I saw....

Can you see it?  A cicada!  And a big one.  It wasn't even out of the ground and was already eating what it could reach.  Can I just say that Spectracide Wasp and Hornet Killer works on more than just wasps?

Good Hunting Today!

After a brief hiatus from yard sales, I couldn't resist a nearby neighborhood sale this morning.  I mean, come on, they were advertising 15-20 families!  So, off we went about 7am.  I think we done good!

A couple of easels--$2 for the big one, $1 for the smaller

50 cent candle holder, 25 cent planter, and $1.50 for the large pitcher

$1 for the 5 kids' books, 50 cents for the Portuguese book, 50 cents for the box of cars, and a dime for Donatello

$2 for the Cozy Coupe and $1 for the helmet

$10 for a portable basketball goal!

$20 for a brand new CamelBak!

$5 for a new in box ice cream freezer which will be used tonight!

Got a few other things, but these were the deals!  Too bad it was so very hot or we might have stayed out longer. Hope your hunting was just as good.

Saturday Shout Outs

What He Sees

Comment Love -- good tips for blogging and commenting

Fish Bowl Theology

Lemonade Pie -- one of my all time favorite summer desserts!

The Work of All Kids 

5 Secrets to Make a Marriage Last

Unforgettable

Thanks For Voting

Don't know what happened with the poll.  Half the time it wouldn't work.  Anyway, thanks to those who were able to vote.  The last time I could access the results, leaving the cabinet alone and painting it black were about tied.  Right now, I'm feeling lazy and am leaving it as is.  But one day it will be black.  I think it will look so much better and more up to date.

Saturday Shout Outs

Refuel

Choosing to Be Led 

Beauty and the Beast 

Stylish Shorts 

How to Yard Sale

Dressing Tips For the Large of Boob -- something I'll never have to worry about unless I win the lottery and can finally visit that plastic surgeon who keeps advertising on TV

You Do the Math

Last December, I decided I wanted some kind of hutch to show off my Christmas village--and to keep it away from little hands.  I found this on craigslist for $35.  So excited. While not real wood, it suited my purposes and fit where I wanted to put it.

A week or so ago, I decided I needed more storage in my kitchen.  I have a beautiful display cabinet that is probably my favorite piece of furniture, but it stores pretties and not much else.  What if I had a real china cabinet that had doors underneath and glass doors above?  Yeah, I think that'll do the trick.

So, after stalking my BFF craigslist, I found this for $25:

Today I sold the white hutch for $50.  I'm not sure, but I think that means I actually paid $10 for the china cabinet!  

Sing with me:  Oh, happy day!

I think it would look fabulous painted black.  
Darrell wants to leave it as is.  
What do you think?  Take the poll.

**Some have suggested I change out the knobs as well, but I don't think I can.  On the bottom are rings, not knobs--and fit into the craving around them.  But I will surely change the knobs at the top!  Good idea!  And I don't know what's up with Blogger and why my poll is sometimes messed up.  Sorry if you haven't been able to vote.

Things I'm Loving This Week

Quaker True Delights Sea Salt and Cracked Black Pepper Rice Cakes
Have you tasted these bad boys?  They are soooo goood!  After our recent trip, I had put on---ahhh---a few pounds.  These were suggested as an alternative to chips.  It works!  They have so much flavor that you really can just eat a handful and be satisfied.

L'Oreal Sublime Bronze Self-Tanner
Like this reviewer, I've tried most of the affordable sunless tanners on the market.  Some do okay. Some aren't so hot.  Most smell awful.  This one works quickly and smoothly.  And doesn't smell half bad.  Plus it lasts several days.  Try it--I think you'll like it. 

Sketcher Shape Ups
While I'm not crazy about the size of the sole or the weight of the shoe, I have to admit these things do what they claim.  The day after buying them, I wore them all day--and the day after that, my legs and rear were sore, as though I had worked out the day before.  I'm thinking of getting the sandals, too.  (Which Shoe Carnival has for about $35.)

L'Oreal Lash Serum
I have probably the skinniest, stubbiest eyelashes around.  This stuff really has helped with bulk, if not length.  Has to be applied twice daily and can be slightly irritating if I put on too much.

Miracle Gro LiquaFeed
Shhh, here's the secret to my flowers looking like they do every summer.  It's not really anything I do--other than buy the stuff and apply it.  But no one needs to know that, right?

And last but not least this face.  This little guy is spending the week with us and we're having lots of fun together.  His presence explains my lack of blogging.

Saturday Shout Outs

There didn't seem to be much interest in my Saturday links, so I didn't do it last week.  But I've decided to keep sharing these links with you regardless.  I read way too many a few blogs and come across so many great posts.  Being the truly giving person I am--I want you to read them, as well.  So here ya go...

Putting a Bullet Through His Phone

Attention Shift

Take My Advice

States I've Visited

Saw this on my DIL's blog and thought it was cool.  I copied her and didn't list the states where I've only sat in an airport waiting for a flight.  If I include those, add in Nevada and Arizona.

visited 30 states (60%)
Create your own visited map of The United States