"Just Poppin' in to Say Hi!"

Well hello there!   You may have noticed, but I was absent again for a little bit.  I actually was on vacation.   Yippee skippy and lucky me!!  But I just had to pop in and say "hi", to let you know I haven't forgotten about y'all.  I was actually in Texas takin' in some of their good ole southern hospitality!  Loved Texas!  Hopin' I'll be able to get back there again real soon.  It was for the National Disabled Hockey Tournament and got to watch my daughter play with her team, the Minnesota Special Hockey Stars.  I didn't get any antiquing in (darn nab it).  But that's really okay.  It was a family affair, so they took precedence.

Stay tuned.  I've got a give-a-way in the works.  Keep your eyes pealed!

Until then,

April Fools or Happy Monday!

So maybe it's "late" April Fools, but I snatched this picture of our cat "Indy" in the only spot of sun he could find, bathing himself.  He even placed his paw in the appropriate spot so to be more discrete.  It was so cute, I felt it would give everyone a good "April Fools" laugh, or if you read this tomorrow, maybe just a Monday morning pick-me-up.  He's a strange creature and sometimes I can't figure out if he really thinks he's a dog, or perhaps even human.  And yes, I have caught him watching TV sitting like that!  Like I said, he's a strange creature.  April Fools or Happy Monday!  

Hey, Remember Me?

Wow, a lot has happened in the last few months.  You already know I worked a Christmas job (at Target).  And lucky me, they liked me so much they kept me!?  Oh joy?!!  Then I went road tripping to Nashville (for the Vintage Marketplace) with my gal pals Julie Broshat of JULZ, Annie de Jongh of Grace and Corazon and Sue Whitney of JUNKMARKET.  That's a story in and of itself (always is with Sue)...and it was an absolute blast!!  Then...I quit my job at Target (happy, happy, joy, joy, happy, happy, joy!).  Can you say relief?  Let's just say it wasn't my dream job.  But in Target's defense, it's an Amazing (with a capital A) company with amazing people.  That's why I stayed on after the holidays.  I just didn't want to say good bye to all my new friends!

Ok, now where was I??  I get so easily sidetracked!  That darn A.D.D.!  Oh yes, just some little thing I was doing next.  Nothing big.  I was just co-promoter with Sue Whitney for  JUNKMARKET Under Glass "March Madness".  Did I forgot to mention that???  It was really, really exciting (and a lot of work).  Needless to say I have been a busy girl!  And now I'm on to my next adventure.  And with Target behind me, back to blogging.  Yeah!!!!

So where do I go from here?  We'll it's off to Ohio in May, for The Vintage Marketplace that's part of the "huge" Springfield show.  I am so excited for that!!!  I'll be back on the road with my gal pals.  Yippee!  And I'll also get to go hang out with Lisa from Urban Farmhouse (love her!), and meet more fun an exciting people.  Wow, life is good!

I've got tons of pictures from the past events and will be posting them bit by bit.  Guess I wasn't too busy to take pictures :-)  I've really have missed my blogging friends.  Can't wait to get back into the swing of things!

Where Have I Been and What the Heck Have I Been Doing?

So some of you have been wondering where I've been and what the heck I've been up to lately.  Actually, something quite crazy overcame me (and I mean crazy)! My husband was complaining (what?...a complaining husband??)  That never happens now does it?  Ha!  Anyways, he was complaining that all I did was go out for lunch (who me?).  So I sat down at my computer and applied online for a job....at Target.

Mind you I hadn't applied for a job in over 30 years so I really didn't think I'd get it.  And I know, like I really have the time.  But guess what?  They hired me!  Seriously?  It must have been my charming personality.  Or maybe it was my striking resemblance to that crazy lady in all the Target Christmas commercials (I even had a customer insist it was me...hahahaha  It must be my psychotic personality!)  But I have to say the extra Christmas money is certainly pretty handy (let alone the discount).  Mind you it's only seasonal.  But it does seem like they've had me working quite a bit of hours.  So my time is definitely limited.  And let me tell you, for the fashionista in me, it has been a little bit of a challenge making khaki and red look chic!

But in all the craziness of my life, I've been busy working on a couple projects.  Seriously!  What is it with me and over extending myself!  But these are a couple of pretty darn big and exciting projects!  But you'll have to stay tuned.  In the meantime, I'm going to try to catch up on some project posts I've been working on.  Plus I have to get my Christmas decorating completed!  Darn it anyway.  Anyone want to help a girl out.  LOL!

Again, stay tuned......


 

Are Pictures Free for the Taking?

 
I guess I've got a bone to pick with someone.  I know the laws regarding the internet can be very vague, but I'm getting really tired of people taking my pictures and posting them on their website (or in a recent case in their newsletter) and using them for their own monetary gain.  I can't tell you how many times this has happened to me.  And I'm sure there are some I don't even know about.  Maybe I should be flattered by it.  But I only seem to find out about it in a round about way.  And I've only rarely been contacted for prior authorization.

I work really hard to produce the projects I do, let alone edit the pictures so I can bring them to you.  I really make no money in doing this.  My purpose for doing it is to inspire you and even be able to recreate it for yourself.  And I have no problem with that.  I think we all love to share ideas.

But my question to you is this.  How do you feel about using other's pictures or other's using yours?  I know some websites are totally made up of other's pictures, and none of them their own.  A lot of times they're from major magazines and store catalogs.  But this has really discouraged me from posting at all.  I think I'd feel a little different if I had been contacted in the first place.  If you know me, I'm really very giving.  But finding out after the fact just makes me plain old mad.

I do think this is a good discussion to have.  I'd really love to hear your thoughts on the matter.  Am I wrong? Please don't feel bad of me to bring this up.  I really want to know.  What are your thoughts?  My blog from the get go has tried to be totally original, and positive.  I want it to be, well....all me.  Not anyone else.  I want it to be a good reflection of me and my style.

So please, don't hesitate to comnent.  I'd love to know your thoughts on the subject, good and bad.



PS  The picture used in this post is free clip art.

 

Junking from J to K, and Everything In Between!

I have my second speaking gig!  Seriously!  And I have to say, I'm quite excited.  The first one,  a few months ago, was at a local thrift store.  And I guess it went so well, I was asked to do it again.  This time at The Loft on 2nd in Anoka, MN.  So if you're not busy on Thursday, May 12, from 6-7 pm, I'd love you to come on down and join me!  And it's all free!

What will I be taking about?  Why "Junk" of course.  My  topic, "Junking from J to K and Everything In Between" will hopefully inspire and entertain you with some of my experiences of taking what some would call "junk", and transforming them into amazing decorating accents. You'll also be able to spend time with other fellow "Junkers", and learn how you too can save money and be "green" at the same time.

The Loft on 2nd is located at 2005 2nd Ave, Anoka, Minnesota. Their phone number is 763.208-0589. For additional info head on over to their website at  http://www.thelofton2nd.blogspot.com/.  I'd be thrilled to have you join us!

Spring Time in Minnesota

Someone's playing a very mean trick on us here in Minnesota.  Seriously.  It's suppose to be Spring!  It is April 20 for goodness sake!  But we all awoke to a winter wonderland this morning.  And it may be gorgeous, but so is green grass and garden flowers.  I mean really?  I am so ready for Spring to come....please?  But in the meantime, here I am taking pictures of the snow.  Hopefully these will be the very last pictures we'll see of snow for this year.  And maybe the next outdoor pictures I take will be of my garden.  Here's to summer!!

Until next time,

Minnesota Special Hockey's Founder Get's Honored!

Every once and awhile, I share something besides decorating and "junk" when I feel it is  warranted. I think this is the case. My daughter was the inspiration behind the creation of Minnesota Special Hockey, a hockey team made up of special needs kids.  It's an amazing organization, and last week, it's founder, Susie Miller, was rewarded with the Eleven Who Kare award from our local TV station, KARE 11.  Rebekah and I also were featured in the piece (our 15 minutes of fame) and so I thought I would share it with you.  Be sure to look closely for Bek's goal, and her great pass!

I'm also working on getting pictures together from the Flea Market Under Glass.  It was a great event, and was a huge success.  Stay tuned for those, but in the meantime, enjoy the video.  And bring the tissues!  It really is an amazing organization.  Thank you, Susie!

I'm Back from a Computer (and maybe a little of my own) Meltdown!!

Yippy, skippy!  After two weeks of being without a computer, I'm back up and running.  And it was no easy task to get to this point.  My computer had a meltdown (and I think it gave me a little one of my own).  They had to replaced my hard drive (on a year old computer no less), and I had to reinstall everything.  Funny thing is everything seems to be a little different.  Go figure...  And not everything was running properly. But I think I got all the glitches out (cross your fingers). 

So I'm back up in blogger mode and I've got a lot of things coming up that I'll be sharing with you.  Next week it's the Junk Bonanza, and then in October another AAJMS show.  And a bunch of stuff in between.  Whew.  Better get producing.  Just so glad to be back (insert scream)!!! 

Does Life Ever Get in Your Way of Blogging?

I don't know if you're like me, but I have a pretty busy life.  

Sometimes too busy.  

Sometimes it get's hard to get in a post, better yet respond to comments.  

I'm here to apologize.  

Sometimes it looks like we don't appreciate your comments.  

I'm here to let you know I do.  They mean so much to me.  

Enormously.    

I know someone, though I honestly don't know how recent, left me an award.

Now for the life of me, I can't find it to respond.  

Darn nab-it (my version of a cuss word).  

Why can't I stay on top of things?  

 

My bad. 

So if I don't get back to you...

forget to respond...

and if  you were the one who gave me the award... 

I am so sorry.  I promise to try to be better.  

Honest. 

Where have I been???? (Continued)

So to continue my story, where have a been?  Does the picture give you any clue?  After a great vaca in DC, it was back on a plane and off to Phoenix!  I'm just a traveling gal, don'tcha know (and also from Minn-e-sota)!

The Phoenix trip was both a sad time and a joyous time.  You see, my cousin's husband passed away last winter, and because his business was taxes, his family chose to wait until the end of tax season to have the memorial service.  And so my three sisters and I traveled to Phoenix not only to celebrate his life, but to visit cousins who I had not seen in years.

Like I said, the memorial service we attended was with mixed feelings.  He had been in a wheel chair for the past 15 years, and had recently had both his legs amputated.  We were happy to know he was ready to go on to his next life, where there is no more pain, no more sorrow, and only joy.  But sad as he would be missed by all. His wife of over 40 years, and who is amazing woman, had been by his side through it all.  How blessed was he to have her.

We also took the time to have a sisters' bonding time.  And how fun was that!  My sister, Linda, has a winter home in Sun City West, so we had a blast shopping, eating, hanging out and playing Five Kings every night!  I wish I wouldn't have deleted all the pictures on my camera...thanks to Linda for sharing some of hers!  Enjoy what I have and stay tuned to the final post of what I've been up to.  I've saved the best for last!

The beautiful view outside my sister's place.  I could wake up to this every morning!

Or how about going to bed to this every night?

Another  beautiful view from her patio.

My sister Linda with one of her yard cactus' in full bloom!

Beautiful!

Here I am with my other two sisters, Lisa and Lori, amongst the Saguaro Cactus.

Just enjoying the morning on the back patio.

We even have a little bit of Minnesota with us!

Oops!  This woodpecker is a little too big for the hummingbird feeder!

Lisa just couldn't get enough of driving Linda's Spider convertible!

Here's my Mom and Dad who spend winters in Sun City West.  They can't handle the Minnesota Winter's anymore.  Do you blame them?

Out for lunch with some of the cousins.  Does it look like we were out to eat a lot???  So how much weight do you think I put on?

A visit with my cousins in Scottsdale.  Good to see them after so many years!  Amazing people!