Feelin' Fruity

These were in a big bag full of cookie cutters that probably cost me 2 or 3 dollars, I can't remember exactly. These of course were my favorites; the others were a bunch more of the type at the bottom in Christmas shapes (boring) and a complete set of 1977 Wilton alphabet cutters. I have a partial set of these from another find; they were part of a larger Sesame Street set. I have the Sesame guys and now I have the complete alphabet! They're the type of plastic cutters that are really useless for cookies, but really great for using with Play-Doh, so they'll get stored in the closet until Maren is old enough to play with it and not eat it.

This last item will probably get me made fun of by my Mom and most definitely my husband. It's a necklace of plastic beads with little plastic fruit charms. I loved the little fruits and bought it with the intention of taking them off and using them for other things, but I'm almost tempted to leave the necklace as is and wear it when I'm feeling particularly brave and Carmen Miranda-ish!

I think I'm in a kitschy fruit state of mind since I've been obsessed with things like this on eBay lately. I caved and bought myself a set of the beaded fruit and promptly got a snarky comment about my fruit and velvet Jesus paintings from Quin. I don't care; I love it! I didn't realize until I got my beaded fruit that not all of it is sequined also, so right now I'm on the lookout for some of that type. If you're going to do kitsch, do it all the way!

A few more thrift treasures from the weekend spree. All of these were in big bags o' stuff that I bought at the thrift for a couple of dollars apiece. Most of the time there's one great thing in the bag and the rest is a bunch of junk, and I have a hard time spending 2-4 dollars for that one item when I know I'll just be donating the rest back. I got lucky this time and the bags had lots of good stuff in them! One bag had these vintage Jello molds and the vintage sifter with the painted handle, along with a set of Tupperwear S&P shakers that I'll try to sell, a set of interlocking travel toiletry bottles and this Rubbermaid thing that fits in the corner of the dishwasher. The little Jello molds look so cute when you put a lit tealight candle in them because the metal reflects the light and you get a really pretty, soft glow. I have them all lined up on my kitchen windowsill with little red candles in them and they make me so happy to see!
This next grouping came from 2 bags: the silver baby cup and the medicine spoon in one bag and the old packages in another. The silver cup was completely black with tarnish and I worried that the silverplate finish might be ruined, but a little silver polish and a lot of scrubbing took all that nasty tarnish off and there is a darling little cup underneath! Don't know that it's very old and it wasn't engraved, but I love it. The old packages were in one bag (at $6 my most expensive buy) and they are neat! There is a tin of Mirro coffee pot cleaner that is still full, a box of birthday candles, a Piper Heidsieck tobacco tin and an old prescription pillbox. There was also an old Army bandage I forgot to photograph.

The little birthday candle box is adorable! It even had a few old pink birthday candles inside, although they've melted into a clump. The box opens like a matchbox and has the most adorable graphic on the back. From the style of illustration it looks like maybe it's from the 1930s or 40s. LOVE IT. This would make the neatest little holder for a teeny tiny birthday card or accordion album.

This is the inside of the pillbox. It's from a pharmacy in downtown Denver, no idea if it still exists. I didn't realize that prescriptions didn't always come in bottles! Never thought about pills coming in little boxes like this one. It has a date of 11-17-54. This would also make a cute little holder for an album or a card, but I'm not sure I could bear to part with either this or the birthday candle box. I don't know what I'll do with them, but I feel the need to squirrel them away for a while until I decide.

In a little while I have to load up the baby and the dog and head to Petco, where Bronco has an appointment to be washed and brushed. He's shedding like crazy and he hasn't had a bath in the longest time so I'm glad to have it done. I vacuumed very thoroughly yesterday morning and there are already clumps of dog hair all over the wood floor and it's making me CRAZY. I love our dog, but sometimes I'd like to just shave him bald. Poor Quin, he probably thinks the same thing about me sometimes!

Thrifty weekend

Had a good weekend, thrift-wise. On Friday morning I had to get up early to run errands so I thought I might hit a few close estate sales while I was out. I went to the first one (run by family, billed as a 'living estate') and spent $2.75 on 3 books, a clipboard, and a vintage knitting caddy. I went to the second one, run by a professional company, and walked out empty-handed and disgusted. The pricing was outrageous! I always expect a markup at professionally-run estate sales, but $5 for a single pillowcase (not a pair, not vintage, not anything remarkable)? YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME. Really, it was beyond ridiculous. I saw many other people walking out without buying anything and I know exactly why. I'll stick to garage sales and thrifts from now on.

Saturday, I was near a thrift I don't normally shop because I think their prices are a little high. I was kid-less and decided to just run in for a second--famous last words--to look for a sheet for my guest room bed. Turned out they were having their monthly 50% off day. Normally those days are a mob scene and I avoid the stores at all costs, but because it was later in the day it wasn't busy. I bought a bunch of great stuff for $20 (some on sale, some not) and was thrilled with my finds! The picture above is a set of vintage spun aluminum canisters that was $2.00 with the discount. I love them! I don't have room on my countertop for them so I think I'll display them up on the soffett with the other stuff I love but don't have room for.

I bought lots more and will post it later!

Croc-a-doodle-doo

These are Miss Maren's new kicks. Aren't they adorable? They're tiny little (fake) Crocs. Quin went shopping for them on Friday and this is what he came home with. I think he chose well! They are darling, and with the variegated colors they will go with a good part of Maren's wardrobe. Here she is modeling them:

On being a Sloth

So remember in my previous post, when I said that I hate it when people flake out on things? Um, that would be me this morning. Ugh. A couple of days ago a lady I go to church with called and asked if I would help her pass out flyers for an upcoming church function. I said I would, because I figured I could put Maren in the stroller and get some much-needed exercise walking around, and also because I know how hard it is to get people to do stuff like this. I was supposed to meet at the church at 9:00 a.m. this morning to get my assignment.

I woke up at 8:45 a.m.

Oopsie. I didn't set my alarm last night, as I almost never sleep that long and Maren is usually up by then anyways. When I climbed out of the deep pit of slumber and opened my eyes and saw the clock, I honestly thought I could make it (despite the fact that it takes a good 10-12 minutes to even get to the church) and rushed around throwing clothes on and trying to get together a portable breakfast for Maren and me. At five minutes to 9:00 I realized it wasn't going to happen, and I meekly called and left an apologetic message for the woman who I'd flaked out on. I do have the chance to redeem myself, as they're meeting again on Saturday morning. I don't particularly want to go then, which is why I had chosen today in the first place, but I feel that I need to make up for my flakiness. Maybe if I ask nicely, Quin will join me with the hound, and if I get really lucky, someone will be having a yard sale along my route!

My late wake-up and the ensuing flake-out have totally screwed up my morning. I feel completely out of sorts and don't feel like doing much of anything besides staring at the computer and wasting my time reading blogs. In fact, I've already done about 2 hours of that and I'm not even tired yet! I put Maren down for her nap more than an hour ago which means I'm wasting precious Maren-free time that I should be using to get my mountain of stuff ready for eBay, but I just can't quite muster up the energy. I do have several errands to run this afternoon when Maren wakes up so I'm going to have to kick it into gear at some point, but that point is still a few hours away.

I have done one productive thing this morning--I signed up for the Red & Aqua Swap over on Swap-bot! I read about it on Jenny's blog, Allsorts, and immediately knew that I wanted to be a part of it. Red and turquoise are my favorite colors. It used to be separately, but this summer I've seen how they look together and I simply adore the combination! This will be my first time in a swap but I've looked with envy at the swap packages people have posted on their blogs and I can't wait to get in on that! It will be such fun to shop for Red & Aqua things at the craft store and while thrifting. I think I'll even stamp some goodies for my swap partner. I have a feeling this may not be my last swap!

25 Questions

1. If you could build a house anywhere, where would it be?

Somewhere in Utah, so we could move home and be close to our families again

2. What's your favorite article of clothing?

Currently--my white linen shirt. Nice and comfy and cool, and I've even gotten over the fact that it gets wrinkly the moment I put it on. Also LOVE the blue courderoy jacket I bought for fall.

3. Favorite physical feature of the opposite sex?

Shoulders

4. What's the last CD that you bought?

Disney's Greatest Hits. Had my eye on it for a couple of years now as I think it will be fun to listen to with my kids in the car.

5. Where's your favorite place to be?

With my family. :)

6. Where is your least favorite place to be?

In line, anywhere. I'm impatient!

7. What's your favorite place to be massaged?

Back and shoulders, but I like it kind of soft. None of that deep-tissue stuff for me. Ouch!

8. Strong in mind or strong in body?

Mind. I'm kind of a wimp!

9. What time do you wake up in the morning?

Between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. I try to wake up before Maren but don't always succeed. I wish I was better at getting up early because I'd love to get up and exercise.

10. What is your favorite kitchen appliance?

Dishwasher! I don't like washing dishes. Fave kitchen tool is my sharp knives.

11. What makes you really angry?

People who flake out on their responsibilities

12. If you could play any instrument, what would it be?

I played the flute in high school and really liked it. I wish I could play the piano because it would come in handy. I've always wanted to play guitar but I'm not willing to cut off all my fingernails to do it! Vanity takes over on that one.

13. Favorite color?

A tie between red and turquoise. Love the way they look together, too!

14. Which do you prefer...van or SUV?

SUV. We drive a Nissan Pathfinder now and love it.

15. Do you believe in an afterlife?

Most definitely.

16. Favorite children's book?

Hard, hard choice for me. I have always loved to read, and I don't think I have one single favorite. Love Make Way For Ducklings by Robert McCloskey, and can't wait to read it to my little ducklings!

17. What is your favorite season?

Right now it's Fall. I do love Summer, though.

18. What is your least favorite household chore?

Cleaning the bathrooms. No question.

19. If you could have one super power, what would it be?

Ability to stop time.

20. If you have a tattoo, what is it?

No tattoos for me. Not a fan of tattoos in general.

21. Can you juggle?

I juggle taking care of a toddler, a household, a husband, family and friend relationships, church callings, personal hobbies--is that what you mean by 'juggle'?

22. The one person from your past that you wish you could go back and talk to?

Honestly, don't know. No answer for this one.

23. What's your favorite day?

Monday, because Quin has the day off so it's like an extension of the weekend.

24. What's in the trunk of your car?

A stroller, the dog's leash, an old towel and a baby blanket.

25. Which do you prefer, sushi or hamburger?

That's tough! Probably sushi from Sonoda's, most specifically the Tempura Shrimp roll. YUM!

Well, poop.

So it turns out we aren't going to Hawaii next week after all. Seems the folks in Hawaii who would be paying Quin's way have spent all their money for this quarter, so it's a no go. They will get more money when the new quarter starts Sept. 1 so there is still hope that perhaps we can go sometime between then and the end of the year. The hardest part will be actually finding a time to go, as Quin has lots going on for work this fall. He'll be gone for 2 weeks each month in September, October and December, plus he now has drill weekends to work around, and my Mom and I have plans to go on a girls' weekend to New York City the last weekend of October or the first weekend in November. We'll have to get out the calendar and see if there's a week when we're free--I'm willing to squeeze it in wherever I can! Hopes springs eternal.

And she ran, she ran so far away

Can you guess Maren's favorite 1980s band?

If you said A Flock of Seagulls, you guessed right!

hello again

I've been a lazy blogger, haven't I? It was lack of sleep for 5 nights that did it to me. We never have gotten our smoke detector problem completely fixed. In my last post, we'd changed the batteries in all the units and were sure that would help--until approximately 1:30 a.m., when the alarms went off yet again, nearly reducing Quin and me to tears and successfully reducing Maren to screams and tears. Finally, at 3 a.m. when the alarm had gone off multiple times and nothing we'd tried had worked, Quin just unhooked all 7 of the units and we slept in peace.

The next day, Quin called the manufacturer of the smoke alarms and they gave him some long list of things he was supposed to do upon changing the batteries, up to and including standing on one leg and howling at the moon, it seemed. We haven't actually been brave enough to attempt putting them all back together yet, as it's going to take quite a while to do the complete process with all 7 units and get them wired and put back up. Also, I think we're scared that despite the manufacturer's assurances, it won't work and we'll find that out in the wee hours of the morning again. I just don't know that our sanity can take such a blow.

The fourth night (Thursday), we were looking to a nice, quiet slumber as the alarms were all unplugged, but for some reason I couldn't get to sleep and tossed and turned for several hours before making the questionable-but-done-out-of-desperation decision to take an Ambien at 2 a.m. I believe you're supposed to block off a good 8 hours for sleep after you've taken one of those, but Maren woke up far before I'd gotten in my full allotment, so I was a total zombie for a few hours that morning.

That night I was so exhausted that I was actually sick to my stomach but was also stressed that I might have insomnia again, so with much trepidation we got ready for bed. We were interrupted at 10:40 p.m. when my mom called to give us the bad news that my dear grandmother had been in a car accident. She didn't know any other details, so we had no idea how severe the situation was, but anytime your 80-year-old grandmother is in a car accident at night, you can surmise that the outcome won't be great. Oddly though, I wasn't worried too much, as we'd said a prayer for her and I felt calm. However, I still couldn't sleep and spent most of the night drifiting in and out of a fitful sleep on the couch and in the guest bed. So if you're keeping count, that's night #5 of bad sleep in a row. Thankfully, I was able to sleep well on night #6 and every other night since then.

My grandmother was hit by a drunk driver who was also high on drugs at the time. My Gram slowed way down and moved over in her lane just before she was hit, which surely saved her life. As it is, she has a broken wrist and hand, a large wound on her arm, and some severe damage to her eye that she already has very poor sight in. Things obviously could have been much worse--I could be preparing to go to Alamosa right now, instead of preparing to go to Hawaii, like I am!

Yes, that's right--Hawaii! There's a very good chance that Quin will be going to Hawaii next week for work, and Maren and I might be joining him! His trip will be all expenses paid, and Maren is under 2 so we don't have to buy an airplane ticket for her, so all we'd need to purchase is my airfare and of course whatever we do while we're there. We think it's just too good of an opportunity to pass up, plus NO WAY am I staying here with the Li'l Monster for a week while Quin whoops it up on Waikiki for a week. Forget it. Quin will hopefully find out today if he's going or not, so we can get the go-ahead to purchase my ticket and make hotel reservations.

So that's the update. The photo at the top is some stuff I picked up at a garage sale and a thrift store recently. The wooden bowl was $2.00 and I thought it would look neat with some silk leaves and dried gourds in it this fall. The vintage child's utensils were .25 and .50 and are too cute! The little pie server actually matches some forks and knives I bought at an estate sale a while back. I don't know what the 2 wood things are, but I thought they looked neat so I bought them anyway. They were .50 each. They look like some sort of spindle, and are about a foot tall. Thought they would make a good display item. And the quilt--that's my favorite! It was $6.95 at my favorite thrift and will be so great for Halloween decorating with the yellow, orange and black stars. It's very soft and a little worn, just the way I like quilts to be. I'm not sure that it's particularly old--the whole thing is sewn with a zigzag stitch--and in some places a bright yellow fabric has been used instead of the lighter color which looks weird, but I still think it's neat and was terribly excited to find it!

Mystery solved (we hope!)

As I had feared, it was a bad night again last night. The smoke alarm first went off at 12:36 am, and then again moments later. It woke us up with a groan rather than a frenzied leap out of bed this time, as we knew it was coming. It did wake up poor Maren though, and she was terrified. It's a horrible thing as a parent to hear your child cry those frightened, frantic sobs and grip you like her little life depends on it because she's scared. I got her back to sleep quickly, despite her terror and attempted to get back to sleep myself. This whole stupid thing has been like Chinese Water Torture--I knew the smoke alarm was going to go off again and wake us up, but I didn't know if it would be in 5 minutes or in an hour. So I just laid awake, trying to will myself back to sleep but waiting warily for that horrible screech to come again.

And come it did--this time at around 4 a.m. Maren slept through that one, but woke screaming and scared again when the alarm rang 4 times in a row at 6 a.m. Oy. Mercifully, we both fell back asleep and the alarm hasn't rung again since, allowing us to sleep in.

I finally called the Fire Department this afternoon and spoke with a man who said that they hear about this same problem all the time. Normally when the battery in your alarm starts to die, the alarm beeps to alert you to change it. Since all the alarms in the house are connected, when one unit's battery starts to go, they all go off. The thing about the particular brand of smoke detector we have is that if you don't use Eveready batteries when you replace them, all kinds of problems can happen because for some reason they aren't compatible with the alarms. I pulled the battery out of the closest alarm and it is a Walgreens brand, put there by the previous owners of our house. You're supposed to change all the batteries in your smoke alarms once a year anyway, and we haven't ever done it in the 2 years we've lived here and who knows how long they were in before that, so I guess it's time for a change anyway. Quin's going to pick up 7 new Eveready 9 volts on his way home and tonight we'll have a battery-changing party, and then hope like crazy for a silent, peaceful night.

Shadow boxes

Isn't this the cutest thing ever? Vicki from Turkey Feathers made these to hang in her kitchen. I've been collecting old utensils and cookie cutters from thrifting and garage sales lately, but they're all sitting in a pile on my kitchen counter because I'm not sure what to do with them. These are adorable! I don't really have much wall space in my kitchen so I'm not sure they would work for me, but it does at least give me some ideas.

Liar, Liar, Nothing's On Fire

I haven't posted much lately, I know. i have excuses: I was out of town for about a week and a half, and since I got home Quin has been gone quite a lot leaving me with lots of solo Maren duty, and it's hard to get much done around her with her running wild.

Long night for us last night. At a little after 4 a.m. the smoke alarm went off. Quin and I literally leapt from the bed--if I could see it on camera, it was probably really comical. I think that was actually the first time I've even heard the smoke alarm since we moved into this house 2 years ago, but it is unmistakeable. No danger of sleeping through that one, no sirree. Once we shook off the terror of being woken by a loud, high-pitched screech, we checked all around the house for signs of smoke or fire. We found nothing.

Remarkably, Maren slept through the whole thing. I went in to check on her and found her diaper and jammies, soaked through, so I decided to risk waking her up to change her. She woke up, but quickly fell back asleep once I sat down in the rocker and snuggled her. While I was sitting there, trying to calm myself down enough to go back to sleep, the smoke alarm went off again--twice! Each time (just like the first two times) it only rang for about 5 seconds, but long enough to jolt both Quin and me out of drowsiness. I put Maren in her bed and went looking around and even outside the house, again, for anything amiss. Nothing, thankfully, but at that point I was completely paranoid that there was a fire smoldering somewhere we couldn't see. I think if there truly had been smoke the alarm would have kept ringing, instead of just yelling at us for a minute and then going silent. All of the smoke alarms in our house are wired together and run off of electricity (with battery backups) so the only thing I can figure is that it might be an electrical short of some kind, and I have no idea how we're going to fix that.

After the second round of alarms, I went in to check on Maren again. She woke up again, and Quin took her and laid in our bed with her in his arms. I got her a bottle and blankie and she thrashed around for a while, sucking noisily, until I'd had enough and took her to her own bed. By this point it was well after 5 a.m. I finally managed to fall asleep sometime after that, and was unpleasantly awakened AGAIN by the smoke alarm at just before 7 a.m. It stayed quiet all day until about an hour ago, when it went off yet again. Ugh. Now I'm worried that we're going to have a repeat performance of last night's shenanigans. Tomorrow we'll call the Fire Department and see if they have any idea what's going on. It's a long shot, but we don't know what else to do. If any of you have suggestions or insight, please feel free to leave a comment! I don't think I can handle many more nights like last night.

Everybody's getting into the act

Pirate fever has swept the German household.