Retro Y'all (Trip Edition)

I have had this stuck in my head all week.  It started playing while I was in the Goodwill at Haight-Ashbury, so it got good a lodged in there early on in the week. That's not a bad thing, since it is--hands down--my favorite Blondie song.  I don't think it gets as much recognition as some of the other, bigger hits in their catalog.

Anyway, about halfway through the song in Goodwill, realized that I was going into lip synch mode, complete with arm gestures.  I was about to be embarassed when I remembered that I was in San Francisco, so I just carried on.

Me and Debbie Harry, cruising the housewares.

What's Jesus Doing?

A recent find from a junk store run with my uncle.

It's going right into my collection.  I've always wanted a figure like this.  Why?  Well, let's take a look at what Jesus is doing.

First off,you really have to admire a kid that age who can balance a heavy crown like that on his head and still nurse.  Secondly, this is not some kind of hoax or practical joke.

Images of Mary nursing Jesus are referred to as "Madonna Lactans" from the Latin for "nursing."  There was a particularly popular Spanish devotion in the late Middle Ages to Our Lady of La Leche, from the Spanish word for "milk."

For me, it's one of those fascinatingly oddball medieval incongraphies that I just totally love. The image is supposed to portray Mary's maternal tenderness and humility, along with Jesus' humanity and vulnerability.  Of course, slapping crowns on both their heads kind of runs counter to that idea, but there are a good share of Lactans images that do not contain crowns.

Devotion to Mary as a nursing mother was popular among new mothers and mothers to be, so Madonna Lactans came to be considered the patroness of these women. During the relic trade of the Middle Ages, vials of Mary's milk were a popular item.

I found this item a couple of weeks ago, but saved this post for my vacation week.Hope you liked it!

BEWARE!

THE UNRULY EYEBROWS

ARE OUT OF CONTROL!

FLEE FOR YOUR LIVES!

THIS HAS BEEN PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT!  THIS IS NOT A DRILL!

Guessing Game!

What's this?

Answer below.

PONDERING SPACE







Hint: It's not a Pokemon!







PONDERING SPACE








Hint:  It's not a Digimon!







PONDERING SPACE







Hint:  It's not from Mario Brothers!








PONDERING SPACE







Hint:  It's not from any game, comic, cartoon or show!  Although, it would be way cool if it had its own cartoon.I'd watch.








PONDERING SPACE







Last hint:  Our bodies are FILLED with them. Only much tinier.








PONDERING SPACE







Give up?

I don't think they really have eyes.

This was a yard sale purchase from a few weeks ago.  I was saving it for my vacation fill in week.  Hope you enjoyed it.

Someone's Happy!

Yes.  Yes, she is.

I saw this at the Peddlers Mall a couple of weeks ago.  I've been saving it for this fill in while I'm on vacation week.

Monday Rambles

Well, it's so far, so good here in San Fran Land!  We had a good flight out and the hotel is really nice, except that the free breakfast is a little lacking.  Oh well, it is free, so that's something.  I guess.

We've been kind of kicking it back and taking it easy so far.  We have a loose list of what we want to see/do, but are not going to tie ourselves down to the dictates of a schedule. If we wanna stop and have coffee, then we're gonna stop and have coffee!

I did hit two Goodwills yesterday, including one that just might be the best GW I have ever visited.  Tons of great stuff, and for the most part the prices are good.   They have half off color tags and,at one store, everything I picked up was half price, making for some super deals.  I am limiting myself to what will fit in my carry on suitcase.  It was practically empty when we flew in, and what was in it will go into my checked bag or backpack with no issues, I think.  That leaves me a lot of leeway on smalls, if I'm careful.  If I'm not,I'll just UPS my dirty undies home.

We spent yesterday hanging out in the infamous Haight-Ashbury district and having fun.  I am saving all the pics (including the finds) for next Monday's Ramble, since we'll be flying back on that day.

Today, we're off to I don't know where, but I bet it will be fun. Last night, we had the best Thai food I've ever eaten in my life at a place near our hotel.  Keith predicted that we'll eat there a couple more times before we go.

Enjoy your Memorial Day, everyone! Travel safely, if you're going somewhere.   Be sure to wear your floppy hats and lots of sunscreen if you're having a cookout or going to the beach.  Have fun.  I know we will be.

More later.

What's This?

Well, it was supposed to be a Mazda shot,but we were in such a hurry yesterday that I had everything out of the van before I realized that I hadn't taken a pic.  Will you settle for a "(Part of) What was in Mazda?" picture?

Here's a hint:  Say "Yes."  It's all you're gonna get, and it's kinda cool.

If one's plane doesn't leave until 4 and one has to go to the post office to get one's mail held, then it is expected that one will stop at the yard sales along the way.  Isn't it?

Here's a hint:  Say "Hell, yes!"

There was this sale on a little out of the way, hard to get to back street in our 'hood that was loaded with goodness.  How out of the way?  We were the first ones there and stayed almost 45 minutes and no one else came up.

How much goodness?  Filled Mazda quick, simple and cheap. Lots of vintages. Lots of kid's playsets.  Lots of Melissa and Doug toys.  Lots of lots. That lava lamp is vintage.

The crowning jewel was this table.

I've never seen a metal top table with that color top before.  I'm kind of in love with it!

And you all thought you wouldn't have a Mazda (sort of) pic.  Who loves you baby?

Here's a hint:  Say "Eddie does!"  because I sure do.

Well, I'm still kinda lagged from the three hour time difference, but we've gotta hit the streets of San Francisco and wear some flowers in our hair. Or something.

I seriously could not wait a week to show you all that table.  Have fun.I know we will!

Retro Y'all!

One of my friends and I got in trouble for singing this in the back row at youth group in church one Sunday night.

This is most likely the only post for this week, so read it carefully and treasure it always

Happy...uhm...Thursday!

It's been a bit of a hectic and busy week or so around these parts, hence the lack of posts.  My brother was here last week, and I've been spending this week getting ready for something special.  More on that in a minute.

Before I get into the post, I do want to assure everyone that I am okay and things are going pretty well.  I didn't mean to worry anyone with the lack of content here.

I had a wonderful visit with my brother last week.  We just kind of hung out and ate and talked and stuff we never really get to do any more.  It was so nice to see him and just sit and talk for hours.  I am planning on making a visit down to see him in the fall.

We did a little junking together.  He's an eBay seller, so he's always on the hint.  I took him to the Peddlers Mall, plus the Goodwill and the Saint Vincent de Paul that are across the road.  He loved the thrift stores and made several good buys there.  The Peddlers Mall overwhelmed him with its size, complexity and selection, but he really liked it too.  There's nothing to compare with it where he lives, except for a couple of antique malls that never get a lot of traffic.

He also said that he liked my booths, which meant a lot to me.

Keith took some pics, but has not had time to download them off his camera yet.  He's getting ready for the special thing too.  When the pics are downloaded, I'll post one or two here.  In the meantime, just imagine two devastatingly handsome dudes with a family resemblance.

We also exchanged junk gift boxes.  Mine had a Hummel Madonna in it, which is something I have always wanted for my collection. 

Our Lady of the Dusty Knick Knack Shelf

We spent a lot of time talking about how to kick our respective endeavors up to the next level.  I think we need to move to the same city and throw our lots in together.

Saturday was about beating the rain for the yard sales.  We didn't do very well at it, because we got started very late that morning.  It was already sprinkling at the first sale we went too.  We managed to fill Mazda with the first three sales, so we had to unload at the house.

After that, we stuck with the indoor church sales on the list.  There were three of those.  By the time we got to the second one, it was pouring.  The rain and the rush kind of killed the Mazda shot potential for the day.  Many of the large items have already sold, but here's a shot of the smalls.  See if you can find Waldo. 

Just kidding.  He's not there.  But you might find Jack Kennedy and Jar Jar Binks instead.  The spirit of my grandmother took that pic, which explains why the top row is cut off.  I grew up believing that my grandfather didn't really have a head, since it was always cut off in photos.

This has been the most frustrating month for booth sales.  I'm selling every day, including some large items, but just not enough.  I've kind of structured myself price-wise to sell lots of small, under five buck, flea market style items every day.  The furniture, large stuff, and higher-priced smalls are the gravy that pushes a day from good to fantastic when the totals come in.  Since the higher-priced stuff doesn't always sell, that still gives me a chance at a good day on the smaller, cheaper stuff every day.

Except that here lately, the smaller, cheaper stuff has not been selling as well.  That almost never happens!  I've been selling shelves like mad again, but I only sell about half the typical cheap stuff, which drives my total down.  It's an odd kind of doldrum.  I am so far off target for the month, I don't know if I will ever catch up.  At least, I am still selling something every day. 

Tuesday was treatment number three.  I was scheduled early, so I was in and out before noon, which was nice.  It's getting to where the longest part of the day is waiting for the labs so the clinic can order the drug from the pharmacy.  The infusion takes no time at all.  After my next infusion, I'll have a scan, so we can finally see if this is working or not.

I've been rushing around a lot this week trying to get things done because we are going on vacation Saturday.  We're flying to San Francisco until June 1!  I'm pretty excited, as we've not been to SF in over ten years.  We used to go all the time, so I'm interested to see how things have changed.

We've got someone to take care of Chiquito and make sure that the bathroom faucet gets turned on for him.  We don't leave until 4:00 in the afternoon on Saturday, so I am trying to convince Keith that there's enough time for a yard sale or two, if there are any in our neighborhood.

I still have a lot to do before we leave.  Laundry and packing for one.  Or is that two?  I also need to get a prescription refilled before we leave.  I am trying really hard to get everything in the house that needs to be priced taken care of, so I don't have to deal with it when I get back.  Doing the comic books just about wore Chiquito out.

Tomorrow is booth day.  I'm gonna cram it full of stuff and pray that it holds until I get back.  I'm also going to try and sweet talk the manager into making sure that stuff isn't sitting on the floor while I'm gone.

I'd like to clean off this desk, as it is giving me a nervous break down, but I don't know that I'll get to it.  I also have to convince Keith that going to thrift stores is a thing real people do when they are on vacation.  He's afraid that I'll buy an armoire and  try to sneak it in my carry on bag.  Silly man.  Doesn't he know that's what UPS is for?  I'll just price it and have that sucker shipped right to the store!

On that note, I gotta run.  I need to get more price tags and Goodwill has been calling my name all week long.  I need to see what that's about.  I'm planning some short, silly posts while I'm gone.  And maybe one long one.  I might do a Monday Rambles, but I'm not sure about that.  I'll be posting pics to Facebook, so you can check out what I've been up to there, if you want.

Just so you don't forget what I look like:

Retro Y'all

BANG! BANG!

Not Sweating the Small Things

Like the old saying goes, I'm not sweating the small things.  Not when they're this awesome, at least.  Take a look:

That cake carrier has a few dings in it, but that (to me) just adds character.  Sometimes, I think it's nice to be reminded that these items were meant to be used in daily life.  Little dents are a reminder of that history.

 This little lady bug is not what she seems.

She's a vintage stapler!  The ladybug is made from wood.  Cool.

Gingham-lined basket.  Shara scream in 5...4...3...2....1.....   That Kentucky history book is an older edition of the one I used in the 8th grade.  It's written by a dude who taught at my alma mater back in the day.

These dudes were my favorite find of the day.  The lady running the sale where I got them remarked that everything that was selling belonged to her grandson.  Do you see the skeleton in the stocks?  Awesome.

A dude on a horse with a sword and a centaur.   Even without the itty bitty dragon, that's way cool.

And this guy has (count 'em) four arms!  Can't beat that, I say.

That's how I roll:  lady bug staplers to four-armed dudes in one post.  That's what happens when you don't sweat the small stuff.

Monday Rambles

So, I declared early on last week:

"I'm not going to any yard sales this weekend."

Very confidently, I stated:

"I have enough stuff for right now."

Then, I predicted:

"I'm going to spend Saturday working in the storage unit and pull stuff out of there to take over."

By Tuesday, I was remembering:

"Oh sheesh!  That one church sale where I got that awesome school desk last year is this weekend."

So, I decided:

"Maybe one won't hurt."

On Wednesday, I got an email from the comic shop:  Nerd Herd Sidewalk Sale on Saturday! 

And I thought:

"Really?  Right after Free Comic Book Day? C'mon!"

Thursday, I saw a sign for a fundraiser sale being held by the local funky puppet group.

So, I rationalized:

"Well, it's near the house.  And funky puppet groups = funky stuff for sale."

Finally, on Friday, I came to my senses made a total liar out of my self and checked Craigslist.

I am weak.

On the other hand, I have this to show for my moral failings:

So maybe it's not so bad being a total hypocrite.  I'm not even going to mention my declaration that it would be a short day out at the sales, so I could still work in the unit.  In reality, we left the house at 9, and I was walking out of the Peddlers Mall after dropping stuff of at 6.  I just ain't real good at these declarations.

There are smalls, of course, for tomorrow.  This haul doesn't include the two bikes we bought either or the TV I got off a curb in front of a church.  Or the shorts I bought at Goodwill.  I really needed those shorts.  It's already July hot here.  I think this summer is going to be a scorcher.  We've already put the AC unit in the window.

My brother arrives on Wednesday, so I am not sure what posting will be like after that.  I'll try, but no promises.  I want to take him junking, but he's only going to be here a couple of days, so I want to get him to the best spots in town.  He sells lots of clothes, purses, shoes and the like, which is so not my area.  He also does sports stuff.  We may go to the larger thrifts in the better parts of town.  The clothes are always better at those.  That's where I head when I need clothing anyway.  Fashion plate that I am.  (Ha!)

Booth sales have been in the toilet all week.  It is just so very weird that the best day I have had so far this month has been (of all days) Derby!  Somewhere pigs are flying and icicles are hanging in hell.

Yesterday really stunk, but it was Mother's Day, so it was kind of expected, I guess.  Just because I would (and did!) take my mom to the flea market on Mother's Day doesn't mean everyone else would.  Although they should.  I bet lots of moms secretly want to get taken to flea markets on their special day, but no one has ever asked them.  Maybe I need to start a movement.  

See ya!

Of Mothers and Mazda!

Happy Mother's Day!  I hope all the mothers reading this have been able to put their feet up and enjoy breakfast in bed and lunch at their favorite restaurant!  This is my fourth motherless Mother's Day, one of those days that I miss my mother more than others.

On the other hand, I can declare without reservation that I freaking love this woman!

That's Keith's mom--my mother-in-law.  She is without a doubt the most giving, caring person walking the earth today.  I have never know her to say "no" to someone with a need.  Her capacity to care for others is deep, profound and inspirational.  I am very lucky to have her in my life.

When she and I first met, we clicked right away. Keith and I were not seeing each other at the time, except as friends.  She immediately started asking Keith when he was going to get together with "that nice Eddie."  She's also very perceptive.

She has been beyond supportive of us, our relationship, and our life together.  One time she told me that I was her "favorite daughter-in-law."  I cannot imagine our life without her in it.

That picture of her is my favorite.  Keith makes her a photo calendar every year for Christmas.  When we visit each year at Thanksgiving, one of the tasks for the visit is to get enough pics for the calendar.  She spends a lot of time telling him to take pictures of this, that, or the other thing "for the calendar."  One year, it was pictures of her on her riding lawn mower. 

When he showed me the calendar for this year, I fell in love with that picture.  I knew I was going to use it for Mother's Day.  Happy Mother's Day, Mereta!  I love you!

Since it's also Sunday, that means it's Mazda shot day (when I remember to take it).  We had another day where we had to do a drop-off midway through.  We bought two bicycles (for us) at the first sale.  They took up a lot of room.  Then, Keith bought a chair for the backyard, so a clean out was necessary.

 
That TV was a curb pick-up.  The bags came from the comic shop, which was having another sale.  The rest is for you to pick out.  Until tomorrow.

Retro Y'all

Weekend Finds

I've already shared the stories, so today it's just the stuff.  But that's enough, isn't it?

The bunny is an old, hardened rubber toy that has cracked in several places, but is still sweet as can be.  The baby is my second Plumpee find.

Fisher-Price plane and boat.

The tag says it all.  Except that it leaves out sweet, sweet, sweet.  The sellers' mother made it.

Wooden pull toy.

Buncha small stuff.  I love the aqua dustpan, but it's filthy.  Well, it is a dustpan.  I'm not sure how much to clean it, since I don't want to lose any of the character.  The tall, thin Mary is plastic, but it is made to sit in a candlestick holder.  You can't go wrong with a bag of ornaments.

Three vintage aluminum camp sets.  Each one is full of pans, cups, utensils, etc.  The lattice work thing is a small shelf.  The black curvy things are wrought iron decor pieces in the shape of a knife and fork.

Tomorrow, I'll do the Free Comic Book Day run down.  I'm working in the yard today, trying to bring some order to the shed.

Monday (Tuesday) Rambles

Well, hello there!  How was your Derby?  Did your horse win?  If so, will you take me to lunch?  My horse didn't win.  Well, sort of.  I didn't really have a horde, but I did draw one in the Peddlers Mall Derby pool. Still, I didn't win.

Horses aside, there are some recent other winners of a sort who need to be congratulated:

Good blog friend Roger just celebrated ten years of his blog!  It's even more amazing when you consider that he actually manages to blog every single day!

Linda at A La Carte recently became a grandma for the second time.

Shara just expanded her booth space at one of her flea markets.  Long may she sell!

Distressed Donna also recently had a blogiversary.  I'll have some more to say about that in a longer post.

I'd also like to recommend a really good recent read at Things I Find in the Garbage, probably the best trash-picking blog out there.  I have to admit, he's got me checking to see when move out day at the local colleges is.  Free stuff is free stuff, after all.  I like this post because he touches on the issues of consumption and its environmental impacts, which are topics that I roll around in my head from time to time as they relate to re-selling.   There's a post for me in all of this that has needed to be written for a while now.  Maybe I'll finally get around to it now.

The post at TIFITG reminds me of the time that Keith and I were moving out of the apartment we had been in for nine years and into the house.  Our apartment was close to the University of Louisville, so there were a lot of students living in our complex, as well as the surrounding apartment buildings.  When we had gotten down to the things we did not want to take with us, we took three or four carloads to Goodwill.  That left some large items that we didn't really have room to haul in the car.  I had some boards and cinder blocks I was using as bookshelves and an old desk that was too small for my needs.  Instead of tossing them, we left them sitting beside the dumpster.  I figured that one of the students in the area might want them.  They were gone before we pulled out of the parking lot of the last time.  I guess the relationship between students and the trash goes both ways!

There wasn't a Mazda shot this weekend because we simply didn't have time to do it.  Keith had an afternoon commitment that meant we had to unload stuff quickly and get moving.  Let me tease you just a bit with the finds in anticipation of the full reveal tomorrow:

Croquet mallets all in a row

Painted child's chair

Audaciously ugly lamp.

That's what the tag I made for the lamp says!

Despite being Derby, there were a lot of yard sales going on.  This was largely due to the rain last Saturday, which cancelled lots of sales.  We hit the annual Derby street sale which is held by several dealers and their friends not far from our house.  Stuff is always plentiful and prices are generally good.  I was a little disappointed that the one guy that always has fun smalls had nothing I was interested in.

One of the sales I wanted to hit did not seem to be happening, but that just made more time for what turned out to be one of the best sales I've been to in a while.  Tons of vintage toys and really good prices.  Despite the fact that I had to work around a couple of guys and their constant eBay searches (Arrgh!), I got a lot of good stuff at this one.  I'll have pics of the finds tomorrow.

It was also a fun walk down memory lane.  There were so many toys and books there that I had as a kid!  I love it when that happens.  I heard the seller talking to one of the shoppers, and it turns out that she had conducted her father's estate sale about six or so years ago, which I had attended.  He ran a print and bookbinding shop, and there were massive amounts of all kinds of printed material at the sale.  I got a nice sized stack of vintage romance comic books and a bunch of religious tracts a that sale, which is why I remembered it.

Of course, the real highlight of the day was Free Comic Book Day.  I had planned to visit four shops, but only made it to two.  The reason?

 
Well, there were big crowds, which meant long lines.  But the sales were worth it!  I'll have more on that in a few days.  I also managed to get a hefty stack of the FCBD books.

I missed out on a couple of the ones I wanted, but I had the chance to get a few other titles, so I did.  You know me and free.  I'll end up passing most of them on in some way or another.

I did see something disturbing at one store.

"The Dark Avenger of the Night is not sweet and fluffy!"

My brother is planning to come up for a visit next week.  I am really excited for that.  I can hardly wait!  We don't get to see each other often enough, so we really have a good time when we're together.  I've got a lot to do to get the house ready for his visit, though.

Booth sales were actually good for Derby Weekend.  I had strong days on both Oaks (Friday) and Derby (Saturday).  I'm hoping that this is a good sign for the rest of the month.  I was working the other day when another vendor gave me a dining table, an end table and some other stuff she didn't want to move out of her space.  You know me and free!  I took it all, even the broken down pressboard writing desk that was ready for the trash.  I put the desk in my booth with a "free" sign on it and it was gone by the weekend.  Never hurts to repay the "free karma."

On that note, I'll say "Bye-Bye!"


   

Retro Y'all

This was almost chosen for the Chiquito post this month.



Too good not to use.  There's also a version of her doing this song in London the same year (1973), with almost exactly the same pre-song patter.

Your Chiquito of the Month for May

For May, we get another one of those reaching paws!  Of course.

When I was first looking through the calendar, Keith asked me if I thought he put in too many of the paw thing.  Of course not!  That is such an element of his purrsonality that you can never have too much of it.

All together now: