What is a monkeybox?


Monday, June 06, 2011

I'm Baaaaaaaack!

Did you miss me?  Oh, you didn't realize I was gone?  Oh.  Friday morning, my modem on my computer stopped sending signals.  Deader than a doornail.  I thought maybe it was the cable, so I let it wait until later that night to report it.  They said the signal was very weak and someone could come fix it on MONDAY.  Whaaat?  No Internet all weekend?  What would I do with my time?  The answer is clean the hell out of the house and send a (literal) truckload of donations to the Salvation Army. 

While sorting boxes in the closet - boxes that I honestly haven't seen or opened in about 12 years - I found the coolest stuff.  Things I didn't even remember ever buying.  Who would have guessed that I have pastel pottery, vintage tablecloths and an Annalee doll packed away?!??!  The things I did find made me so happy that it was easy to get rid of all the other stuff.  I still have a lot of sorting and tossing to do - but I am on my way!

I bought a few good things this weekend too. 
A lovely aqua Abdington Pottery planter.   $2.00 added this lovely to my collection. 

This little frame was in the FREE pile at a sale.  It had a faded religious print in it, but I swapped it out for a vintage photo.  The little drawers had lots of teeny things in them, but it was pretty much junk.

Thanks for all the comments on the lamp fiasco from last week's post.  Now I know why I didn't get the lamp last week.  It's because I was meant to have this lamp.  My Grandmother had a blue one like it that was in my Mom's Nursery.  When she moved to AR, it disappeared.  I always remembered that sweet lamp, so I was really happy to find one of my very own. Now, I just need to find a shade and this $5.00 cutie will be complete.
When I spotted this unused card of 1960's hair clips at a sale, I knew they could be used as hair clips and repurposed for all sorts of things - thumbtacks, frames, etc.  I picked up the card and the lady having the sale magically pulled out another card.  So, I grabbed it too. 
Then I noticed these larger bright colored flowers and picked them up too.  Once again, the lady pulled out a replacement.  I picked it up and she did it again.  In the end, I had four cards of the bright colored flowers and eight cards of the white flowers.  I will be putting them in my Etsy Shop (someday soon).

At one sale they had a big box full of Christmas stuff for $10.00.  It was really cheapy stuff and not worth much at all.  But, I did spot these two glass monkey ornaments and the pickle ornament in the box.  I took a chance to see if I could just buy those, but didn't know if it would be reasonable since those were really the only three decent items in the box.  I was happy when they guy said, "50¢ for them all".  Score!

My biggest purchase of the day, both in size and money-wise was this handmade metal wind yard ornament.  It was $15.00, but I thought it was worth it - very heavy and well made.  The Breadman said he couldn't believe I had paid that much.  I told him I thought it was worth it.  "Oh, it is," he said. "It's just you are so cheap!"  Uhm, thanks?

Anyway, it is neat and I like it.  Now I have to find the perfect place to put it so the wind turns it and it is safe from being stolen and safe from hands.  I think it is made out of old lawnmower blades and you could easily lose a hand!
Joplin Relief Update:  There has been a delay in my posting because there has been a delay in the acceptance of donations.  There was such a huge outpouring that the city of Joplin was overwhelmed with donations.  They have now put a hold on any incoming items into the city.  That's the bad news.  The good news is that I have signed up with an organization that is doing a program similar to the Salvation Army Angel Tree.  I will be assigned a specific family, they will send me a wishlist of items that I will purchase and mail to them.  I really like this idea the best of all.  We will be able to help a very specific person or family this way.  And, we can communicate with them, see what they need, hear their story, etc.  I am looking forward to getting our assigned family and start shopping.  Your money is safe and secure and just waiting to be used.  I hope that is okay with everyone.  If you have any questions or concerns, drop me a line!  Thanks!


  1. OOOO.. I need some of those flower clips... Cute in Scarlette's hair:)

  2. Hey Shara, They have them thar wind-mill thingy-ma jigs in the big city, too! LOL

    Our neighbors behind us have one that is right up against the back wall. We always know which direction the wind is blowing. It's nice. In my vision, it would have some black-eyed Susan vines growing up it.

    I know how you are about the summer heat, so I won't tell you that it's still in the low 70's here. Oooopppss! I guess I did!

    Since I am being so snarky...I bet you are envisioning a black-eyed Susan alright and it's not vines!

    Later my friend!

  3. Ooh, love the clip-ons! You always find the coolest things!

    Can't wait to hear about our family!! :)

  4. Of course you were missed! I still think about the windmill I didn't buy. You were smart to get it. Just watch out for those blades - yikes.

  5. Ha ha, I knew you were without internet right when it happened since you posted it on Facebook. That's happened to me a couple times and I swear it's like going through alcohol or drug withdrawal! Well, I wouldn't know that on a first hand basis, of course, but just sayin'. Glad to see you're back!

  6. I didn't know you were gone cause I was gone also! The internet here at camp was down until today and I'm busy playing catch up! Love your fund finds and the frame with the drawers is my favorite or is it the humpty dumpty lamp? oh well. I also like the idea of helping a family. I know you are going to let us know how else we can help. hugs, Linda



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