Some Updates

First off, I'd like to thank everyone for hanging with this blog through the silly season of this past week.  I'll go ahead and warn you that there will be some more of the same coming up in the weeks to come, but hopefully not as constant.  There's something wrong with my head in that I kind of like doing that sort of stuff, but it also buys me some time to get some longer pieces written (or, as in the case of this week, work the booth every day).  It's not easy being me, but, apparently. someone has to do it.

We interrupt this update to being you a picture of a cute blue birdhouse.

 
That little "thank you" you're hearing right now is coming from your soul.

Sunday, in the Mazda post, I promised cuteness and awesomeness in the Monday Rambles post, but there was no post on Monday.  (Boo, me!)  Let me make up for the lapse now.  Also, let me assure you that there will be a Ramble this coming Monday.  I'm not sharing everything in this update to make sure it happens.  Sneaky me.

Anyway, as to cuteness and awesomeness, prepare to be blown away.  I hereby present:

KAWAII

The idea is get you to look up nerdy Japanese terms.

KAIJU AND SENTAI  (AND MECHA)

SUMO BUTT

This whole set folds up into its own little carrying case

There was a lot more of each, but I think you get the idea.  The most unique church sale in town happened last week.  It's not one of my gold standards, but it is one of my favorites.  One of the churches in town also sponsors a Japanese church, and that Japanese church has a fund-raiser sale every year.  It's a really fun event, complete with food, music and cultural demonstrations.  Also, great stuff for sale at great prices.

It can be a really good source for manga and anime, both untranslated and translated, which is one of the reasons I like to go.  Another is the availability of really cool imported toys (like the above) at not imported prices.  It was well worth going.

I've been doing more diving into the renovation dumpsters up and down the street. Well, except for the one that is too tall to get into.  I mentioned this mirror before, but I wanted to share a pic after I got it cleaned up.  It's a beauty.

It's also quite heavy.  And was found at the bottom of the hill.  The cool, heavy stuff is always at the bottom of the hill.  The dumpster was full, but this mirror was laid neatly on top, as if the demo folks wanted someone to find and take it home.  Glad to accommodate.

I found these counterweights at the same house on the way to the bus yesterday.  I also seem to have a knack for finding awkward heavy things when I am on the way to catch the bus.  All I had to try and carry them in was a plastic leopard print bag.  If you can't be practical, be fabulous!

As I mentioned above, I have been working pretty much non-stop for the past week re-doing the booths.  After seven days, four of which were entire days, I am still not done.  I needed a break, however, so I stayed home today.

Here's a preview.  More pics to come when I'm done.  In the back on the right, you can see the new Wall of Canisters that I created!  It's been an exhausting week, but I've had some interesting meetings with some of my regular customers.  I'll write more about that on Monday.

A little girl of about eight or nine pointed to this Raggedy Ann doll and yelled:  "Hey Mom!  Look at this clown!"  What are they teaching kids these days?

More to come! 

Until then:

Super-Freaking-Cute Man!

I totally love finding cute super-hero toys!  Dig these fellas:

Aren't they totally adorable?  I love these dudes!  They're "Super Tots" which were premiums at Sonic a while ago.  I found them at a thrift at the beginning of the year and set them aside with a bunch of other small toys until I felt like pricing smaller stuff.  I bought a storage crate full of action figures and Matchbox cars the other day, so I had a small toy pricing spree.

By the way, if you deal in small toys, keep your eyes out for Beanie Baby storage cubes when you can find them cheaply enough.  They're one of the best ways to make a set of small things I've found.  They can't be busted open like plastic bags and they don't break when dropped like glass jars.  It will add a bit to your expenses, so look for cheap ones and price accordingly!  (I admit that they may not make the best display for your old marbles or vintage buttons, but they are dandy for little plastic army dudes!)

Anyway, these guys popped to the top of the pile and called out to be photographed and blogged.  I thought I had a Wonder Woman as well, but I didn't find her.  I did find Hawkwoman:

Say it with me:  Too. Freaking. Cute.

If I don't have a Wonder Woman floating around somewhere, I really, really want one.  And a Batman.  Those two would not only totally rock, they'd be total keepers. At least for a little while.

Universal Pick Me Up

No matter what is going on. 


No matter what is going wrong. 


There's always one sure antidote:



Cat videos!

The universal pick me up!

Check out Cole and Marmalade on YouTube and Facebook.

Presenting.....

A BOWL FULL OF CUTE!

Would have been cuter if those damn tags had cooperated and stayed out of the way.