~A GARAGE SALE SURPRISE...AND HOME TOWN HOMES..~

Saturday morning as usual, we rolled out early, made coffee and filled out mugs and we were off!

We headed to our usual starting point of the "Wood Streets" and got quite a surprise.

Yep. The entire main street of our town was lined with these signs! We were, needless to say, SURPRISED! Apparently it had been written about in our newspaper and we didn't even notice it. A Real Estate couple set the entire thing up.
PLEASE ENLARGE TO SEE BEAUTIFUL DETAILS ON FRONT DOOR, SHUTTERS, ETC. GORGEOUS!
As we headed down the first street, beside ourselves at the many signs, I snapped a picture of this home. I thought the stone work was wonderful. These homes are very old. Over a century most of them.

These tiny homes are very common on the Wood Streets..but some of the owners are now getting older and I think we are losing many of them. Tiny weeds have popped up on this one that would have never been there awhile back.

I even wondered if they were alright or still there.


This is one of my favorites!



I have always loved this home. It has not changed for years. I picked up two newspapers in front of the gate and put them over the fence. I wanted you to see the nice brick work on the sidewalk outside their yard! How nice!

I trooped around the corner to get a better look. Usually I am in a car zooming by. Husband's don't usually want to slow down for a look, but today sweet husband was SO accommodating and I was delighted!

Those darling little flower baskets...SO cottage!
Yep...going home and planting more flowers!! :)

Remember the little home I showed you last week and I said I wished they would have a garage sale?? Well, I ALMOST got my wish. At least their neighbor gave one.

...and our garage sale day began!

Tomorrow I'll show you some more little houses and what we bought! Let me tell you, I hit pay dirt! :) What fun!!

Love and hugs,
Mona

~NOT EXACTLY A TABLETOP..CURIO TOP?~

I'm joining Marty @ A STROLL THRU LIFE so please go visit her and see some lovely tabletops.


I know this is not a "tabletop" but it's a "top" and I am sooo proud of it. You see, I used to have this ton of greenery on top of my cabinet...and I thought it was pretty...once.

It was good stuff..but...sometimes you stop seeing something when you have it around so long...then suddenly a sweet friend like Shelia at Note Song clued me in. Unintentionally she made me aware of that mess and I knew I needed a change! So yesterday it all came down. Thank you, Shelia!! :)



This is the mess that was stuck up there! It's going out in the shed!

Sweet #3 daughter gave me this huge white rooster and when I got home I walked around and couldn't find a place to put it. It's pretty big. Then it hit me! The top of the curio cabinet. It has a deeper top so my big bird fit perfectly. Do you think he is TOO big?

And here it is from across the room as you come through the front door. Yeah. I think I like it. I do! :) (I really do think that lampshade needs to go though!)

Hugs and love,
Mona

p.s. Marty, forgive me, ok? :) It's all I had that was new! Marty and I went to high school together...she won't hurt me. :)

~THE INNOCENT 50'S~

Sometimes it just seems yesterday when I looked forward to Friday nights at our local El Cajon Valley skating rink. It was small really and I was getting pretty good. I became what they called back in those day, a "Rexer" which was fast backward skating with a pattern. It was fast and when I finally mastered it..I was so happy.

El Cajon was a really small town at the time..just a main street..the usual. A drug store, gas station where Pat's brother Johnny worked. Bank of America, a JC Penny's, the Tasty Bake bakery, the Bear State Ice Cream Parlor, the local diner and of course the famous Oscar's Drive-in burger place where we visited from car to car.

There was also the El Cajon theatre.. it was every small town in the USA.

Enlarge this photo for a look at me, age 16, doing the "Hokey Pokey" at the rink on a Friday night. I am the third from the right. The girl to the right of me, Julie, is the one that sent me this picture this evening. She now lives in Oregon and we have not seen each other since 1954.

I had never seen the photograph before. What memories it brought back of my highschool years.

Hugs and love,
Mona

~HOME TOWN HOMES...~

Every Saturday when we go on our garage sale adventures, we pass this home and every Saturday I say "one of these day's I am going to take a picture of that house and post it!" But I never did, until now.


Saturday morning I dropped my camera into my purse...with intentions of following though this time. I love it when a home catches and holds my attention..like a good book.

The home belongs to friends of my son and is two door down from a home he used to own. I think I will post one of these interesting little cottages from my town from time to time. If I love them just maybe a few of my friends will too. :)

I hope they have a garage sale some day...but...I honestly doubt it! But hey, you never know...

Love and hugs,

Mona

p.s. Maybe I should cook something too...??? :)

~SATURDAY'S HAUL..~

A lady had these out by the side of the road. I thought they were so pretty and Howard picked this one out..

I love these little clay pots with cacti planted in them for just $1.00 each! I loved the South West flavor of them..so pretty!


Ah yes, another day in paradise! Up and out early in the morning...and the treasure hunt is on! Today was actually sweet Howard's day I think. He actually bought a great wardrobe.
All like brand new...from a high end store which was nicer than nice! These were things he would have never bought for himself. Brands you would recognize. Once again he grinned all day long! Lovely dress shirts for church, sweaters for next winter that were gorgeous! Like new sweat pants and 3 pairs of summer shorts.

Books. All hard back. I bought four of them for 50 cents. The rest for just $1.00 each. If I don't like them, and there is always that possibility, not a huge loss.

"THE ENGLISH PATIENT." I have been wanting to see this movie for a long time. I caught just a bit of it on television one night and could not get into it. It's because it is a film you must watch from the very beginning. What a tragic story. But war is always tragic!

The tiny bunnies only have an insignia on the botttom and the year 1997. That is the year I lost Patrick. These will stay on the shelf above my desk.

The tiny cross stitch pillow is for my favorite Aunt. It has a tiny tassel on the bottom that you can't see and it hangs on a door. It was free. The man handed it to me when I admired it and said "Here, from me to you. It's free!" What a sweetheart! Sometimes it pays to have gray hair.


Who knows why I bought the soap holder for the shower. Probably because it was ten cents. It didn't really work all that well..but I'm sure my sweet husband will figure out how to make it work. He is good at that sort of thing even if he has to resort to duc tape. :) (He wouldn't do that ...would he??)

The avacado's were almost free..and I needed that storage container not at all..but it was NEW! You know how it is...don't you? :)

I have to tell you...we go to the best place in Riverside for pancakes! Three large eggs, two HUGE pancakes and two sausage and two bacon for $4.15... I never can eat it all..and don't really try. It is our once a week treat.

Love and hugs,
Mona

P.S. You would have been so proud of me. A lady was selling a set of 12 silver plated goblets..I passed them up. I mean, really! When I am I going to use silver goblets. OH NO! Did I really do that???

~ME AND MY ...LAST BIKE~

This post will show how at times I am not always....there? :)

Enlarge photo for view of my pretty bike (and my wrinkles!) :)

This past Sunday sweet Howard went out and bought me this beautiful bike. (because I whined!)

I was a bit leary as I have not ridden a bike in some years..but as they say..you NEVER forget. In the store I stepped on the peddle and like a scooter tried to see if I could balance it. NO problem..so we added a cute little wicker basket..and a nice "foam" pad for the TINY bottom..and home we came.
I DID GOOD! Can you imagine an old lady like me out there on a bike once again. (now to just not crack my skull..OR break a hip! :)

You will pray for me....won't you? :)

Love and hugs,
Mona

~TABLETOP SILVER AND MY SATURDAY BARGAINS~

Here's the silver tray I found with my garage sale tea service on it. I love it...even if they are not matching. It doesn't matter to me one bit.


I am linking up with Marty's TABLETOP TUESDAY. Better late than never they say! :)

I found these Princess House (I think) crystal glass, 10 of them for six dollars. the sides are beautifully etched...so pretty...

On Saturday we were off to Garage sales as usual. I posted the pretty silver plated tray I found for $2.00.

Here is the tray with my silver service on it. I paid $8.00 for the teapot and cream and sugar. It is Gorham silver plate.

The yellow depression glass in the background I found the week before for $1.00. The crocheted doiley was found on ebay for a very small amount. Something like $1.98 starting price. No one bid against me and shipping was very little. Old fashioned or not..I do love crocheted pieces.

Quick story. I was watching that program "Sell This House" I think was the name. The woman had doilies on all her furnature. The filmed a couple that came to see the home..and I will never forget the young woman saying scathingly as she walked around the house.. "..good grief...looks like doily central around here!!" I never forgot that...nor forgave that young woman! (I'm kidding!) To each his own..

Back to Saturday's garages sales. I also bought this tidbit tray for a dollar. It's very heavy glass.

NO fleabites...I've learned to look for those.. :)

Lots of books out there and this one is brand new. I couldn't resist..but not sure if I will like it. I know the author and have read another book by her. "The Other Bolyn Girl" I believe is the name. Not sure if I spelled the name right. Fifty cents...so...what a deal! I buy nearly all of my books at sales and always buy the hard backs as I very seldom get rid of them ...especially if they are good. I read nearly all of my favorites more than once.

I fell in love with this sandwich plate. Hand painted...and I recognized the maker...so home it came. $1.00. :)

Back of the plate. Isn't that pretty? I seldom see plates that are decorated on both sides to this extent.

Beautiful etched glass crystal pitcher with silver top AND it doesn't let ice through! I loved that!!

Silver candy bowls...or whatever. The pedistal one is very heavy and by Wmn. A. Rogers. Not sure if it is real silver or silver plate. No matter, because I loved it. The little footed one with the sweet little scalloped edge is by Heirloom and I am fairly certain it is plate...just so sweet.

Not to mention tons of beautiful Barbie clothing and five perfect, like new Barbies. A working pin ball machine, a boat and GAME CENTER stand ..all Barbie. An adorable little shoe bag, tons of tiny things shoes of every description, bathroom sink covered chairs, slip covered chair, and five tiny matel Barbie tots...

I only buy things that are like brand new. My little great granddaughter in Georgia is going to love these. Even has a tiny fur coat!! Boy! Would I love to be Barbie...then again...maybe not.

When you do garage sales or Thrift shops you sometimes wonder why you would ever buy things any other way...however...there are those time...that you need just the right thing and there is no time for chance... I have a lot of those times. Shhhh... :)

Love and hugs,

Mona

~BUYERS REMORSE...and THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.....~

First, before I get into this ...I want to quickly thank all of you who have decided you would like to follow this blog! It's difficult for me to believe when I remember how tough it was starting out. Just ..THANK YOU! I never fail to wonder why...and my heart swells with gratefulness for all of you. Every single one of you!! I love you for it! I do!!
~~~~~~~~~

I've had them both. Buyers remorse AND sellers remorse. Buyers remorse when I have bought something I honestly didn't need...and wasn't sure if I even really wanted it all that badly after I left the store. Have you ever just stood in the parking lot of a ...oh...any store actually...and wanted to take something back? I have! Did I? Probably not...I'm wishy washy that way!


Sellers remorse. Yep, had that too. For instance when I sold our adorable little motorhome. The moment I saw those two sweet women drive out of the driveway in my little motorhome that Pat and I had loved...our dream...I cried half the night and on and off for a week..maybe more. The memory still hurts. (I'm sure you know it wasn't the "motorhome" but the loss and memories...)


My bike. I bought a lovely bike about six or more years ago, put an adorable basket on it, one with leather straps...woven beautifully. Then I got married and moved to a new home which took up lots of my time and my bike, my beautiful forest green and cream bike sat...and sat..and sat.
Finally I sold it at a garage sale...watched it loaded into a truck and driven away. All gone... I didn't cry but I wanted to. My throat hurt.


Same with my youngest daughters baby doll that her grandma gave her when she was just a tot. I should NOT have sold it. But ..that's water under the bridge, as it all is.

However...SATURDAY was a perfect garage sale day...and I'm wiggling in my chair to tell you my good luck! But...I will wait. This post is LONG enough......well..ok, ONE thing. :)






I have been searching for an oval footed tray for my silver tea set...and..






Saturday morning I found this one, all blackened, for just $2.00. I was concerned that the tarnish was beyond help..but..after a bit of elbow grease...it was just beautiful..


And would you just look at those adorable feetsies!! And...there's more. I'll share it with you tomorrow...ok?
Love and hugs and hope you had a nice weekend!
We did.
Mona



p.s. NO buyers remorse here!!

~A JOHN DEERE WHAT??~

Last Saturday we headed off to the garage sales..and sweet husband had a case of protruding lower lip from the Saturday before when he found NOthing! Not one single CD, not a book, nothing!

This Saturday though...with the day and breakfast at our favorite place behind us, we were headed home..and decided to stop for one last look...late in the morning...noon actually! And suddenly...there it was! HIS HEARTS DESIRE! The most perfect bike he had ever in his life seen....ever!

He was calm! Yes and he was cool...but he had begun to perspire! His eyes gave him away...they simply SPARKLED!

The price? NOT cheap but less than half the price if bought in a store...

He asked to take it for a short spin and left me as collateral. He hopped on and was gone like the Blue Streak...I mean Green Streak! I could see he was in love! Yes...this was a true case of "love at first sight."

He didn't have enough money, and of course checks were not acceptable, so off he went once again to get cash...one again leaving ME as collateral! I didn't mind. I was delighted for that man!

Is there anything greater than to see a really HAPPY to the core full grown man?

Here he is getting all decked out with his music...(gotta have music on a lovely Spring day!)

Yep...he ran out and bought a new helmet...gotta obey the law!

Ready for TAKE OFF! When I took this picture he had just said "Wow..but that sun is bright!"

Now every morning after breakfast...I get some "me time" while he puts the miles behind him.

And....he is 76 years old! :) Now that DOES make me smile!

Love and hugs,

Mona

Listen to ~Songs of my heart~

~TABLETOP TUESDAY and earthquake response..!

Once again it's time to thank Marty @ A STROLL THRU LIFE for hosting our opportunity to share a tabletop interest with others. Thanks, Marty!

On Easter Sunday my daughter Mary gave me this old nest she has had for years. It was abandoned and Mary finally decided to keep it. She gave it to me because I gave her my old vintage quilt I JUST BOUGHT! She thinks the Mother bird was killed by a cat or other animal as she never came back.

I had mixed feelings really, because it makes me sad. I know it happens in nature but it bothers me. In our way of seeing homes..this would be a palace. It's huge and yet these tiny eggs in it are so small. Those babies would have had so much room!

This isn't a good photo...but you can see the size of the nest compared to the eggs.

I nestled it into my silver bowl I bought for 50 cents a few weeks ago! I added a bit of fern and a tiny yellow flower.. What a lot of work that little Mommy bird went through to build this large strong nest. Obvious not a first time effort.

I noticed it even had a large piece of scotch tape or packing tape wedged into the back. I should have photographed that.... So sweet!

~~~I just wanted to let everyone know who commented, that Aunt and Uncle are fine. They are in their 90's so it was a concern. Just shaken.

October Farm...yep...you may just be right. I keep telling my sweet husband that we need to lay in a good supply of water and not just the 24 bottles (which are running low!) we keep on hand. Also some medical supplies and attach a wrench to our meter. The reason for this is that that we may not be able to get to tools and getting the gas off is of utmost importance!

This fault that runs up from Mexico comes very close to and may even be a part of the lower San Andres fault line. We are sitting almost directly on top of that fault line. On the way to Palm Springs we go through what is called the "badlands" and you can actually see the fault line...also on the way to Lake Tahoe. Other places as well.

I have lived all my life knowing that a HUGE earthquake, perhaps even larger than the 1906 San Francisco Quake, is possible

If you want to be riveted to a book about quakes..check out the book. I used to own it but not sure it is still around. The San Francisco Earthquake may be the name of the book and it takes you minute by minute through the quake. It is fascinating!! I would read it again but it would probably give me nightmares.

I just finished reading and refreshing my memory of the 1989 Cyprus freeway collapse and remembered the horrific television coverage of the disaster, watching it burn day after day in the news and how we all knew that people were in there dying.

I want to lay in a supply of water, medication, first aid kit, and food to last us awhile just in case.

Howard's of the opinion that he has lived here all these years and never needed it so why start now. We are at odds over this.

IF you are reading this Jane, ask Emerie to encourage Howard to take measures just in case.
He listens to his big brother more than anyone else on earth! Howard can be stubborn as all get out! Better to be safe than sorry.

Yes, I'm a little nervous about this. Not overly so, but I don't see why we shouldn't be prepared.

Let me tell you. Californian's are NOT prepared for what they like to call "THE BIG ONE!" Not at all. We would all run around like chickens with our heads cut off if it were to happen!

We would all hope our neighbors would help and expect them to if they had been smart enough to lay in provisions and take precautions as we have been instructed to do for YEARS AND YEARS.

I would just rather be safe than sorry! You know?

To all of you, thank you so much for your sweet and caring concern and comments!

As with any other place people live where there are risks....it's just a part of life.

Love and hugs,

Mona

~A LOVELY EASTER..THEN AN EARTHQUAKE~

I hope your Easter was as lovely as ours...however it ended with a quake. Still getting reports from relatives in San Diego.
I was on the potty when it hit. Not the greatest place to be...and for a second I thought..something was wrong with the toilet. I HURRIED out of there and the family was milling about or sitting stalk still with that worried look. Some were so busy that they nearly didn't notice it.
My sister, who lives south of San Diego said it terrified them..that water sloshed out of their pool and the children were screaming. Things fell in the house and her pictures on the wall were all crooked...
After shocks are still happening down in that area.
I have not been able to reach my aunt and uncle and they are right on the border of Mexico.
Gotta run...
All's well with me and mine...as far as I know at this time....
Love and hugs...
Mona

~SENTIMENTAL ME...~

I save everything.... even their tiny teeth they lost are in a little chest.



Cindy @ MY ROMANTIC HOME is the host of this sweet activity. I love it..

These little battered Beatrix Potter books are always displayed in my home. Childish things such as toy dishes, dolls, cradles, etc.. are beloved in my home reminding me of days that used to be.

Our little Dawn gave these books a work out, they were always in her little hands as she followed us around asking to be read to. It never occurred to me to take them from her and put them up if she had them on the floor and was pretending in her baby talk to read them.

When crayons were available..she did her practice writing as she grew older. She would say the letters in her little baby voice and too late, I found the scribbles. It didn't really matter but the lessons on book care began to kick in..gently. Take the little book, hand baby a piece of paper..

Eventually she learned..and she left behind her these memories that are so dear to me today.

Now her little ones are grown..and she is where I am...looking back with sweet memories.

It is a sentimental day for me to day.

Love and hugs,

Mona