Shopping Memories

It is great to shop with a close friend who also likes to search for great finds and bargains. We had a memorable day last Wednesday. I'm still reliving the fun time we had.

Love the name of this store.

 We saw all sorts of  decorative items. 

This little wren came home with me.

The first green bottle on the left was a freebie from this second antique shop. Because it had no price tag the owner didn't charge for it. That's the best kind of bargain!

 I liked this barn painting.

Two small purchases at this third store - the white wreath and Merry Christmas sign ornament.

This display with the painted suitcase was at another delightful gift shop.

Our final stop was at a Goodwill store. This jar with the deer lid was too pretty to leave behind. Only five dollars!  

I wanted to do this post to save our wonderful day.

Thanks, Mary, for a splendid day!

Inspired

Thanks to a dear friend's phone call, I am feeling much better about life in general. She has inspired me in many ways throughout our long friendship. 
She reads my blog faithfully and knows me very well. Today we discussed health, children, changes in education, high school days, plans, etc. It was a long conversation. When we talk the years melt away. We feel young again.

A New Treasure

There are friends who just get you. My friend Mary is one of those. She knows me well.  After all we met in eighth grade, and our friendship has endured through the years.

Today we reconnected. What a pleasure it was! We both have a love for old things and have collected special finds over the years. Our home furnishings have stories that go with them.

Old books appeal to me and have for a long time.

When I was a little girl I was fascinated by the books stored in an old shed on my grandmother's farm.

When teaching became my career choice, an interest in textbook copies grew.
I have a small collection of children's schoolbooks, mostly English, spelling, and reading.

So getting back to my visit with Mary...
She presented me with a special gift. Like I said she knows me well.

Not only does this book have old textbook pages, it is designed to hold journal pages in the back. Plus there's Mary's inscription on the inside cover...how special that message is to me. What a treasure to cherish the rest of my years! 

 I love that the school pages deal with grammar. My favorite subject to teach was Language Arts, and explaining and drilling parts of speech was a welcome challenge.  

To write or not to write inside this unique book???

Thank you, Mary, for this book and all the wonderful times we have shared.

Friends forever,

Love, Sandy

Sweetest Visitors

Sometimes it's easier to let photos do the talking. But I will say this. Brooklyn and Elli-J couldn't have been any sweeter. Both were playful, affectionate, and delightful.  

 

 

 

 

 

One highlight of their visit was the discovery of four precious kittens. The mama cat finally revealed the hiding place for her family. Brooke and the girls chose the little black one to take home to Kentucky.

  

 

Time Out

 

Sometimes you have to stop the regular routine and tend to other business.

 

 

Wednesday morning I had to keep an appointment with a very nice periodontist. Thanks to one pill and some gas I barely remember the surgery. The procedure went well and hopefully has saved three of my teeth from falling out. Today I'm resting, reading, and posting.

 

 

By the way, my Saturday shopping day with Kaye had everything - beautiful snowflakes, lively conversation, fun shopping buys, delicious lunch at Marlo's, and a promise to do it again soon.  I totally forgot to pull out my camera...too busy chatting and browsing. Kaye found an old -fashioned Easter scene that I wish I could show you.  These two bottles were my only finds. We will long remember our December day in March.    

 

 

 

 



Friend to the Rescue

Mary and I worked on our booth space today. We had fun trying to squeeze in lots of good junk. But this post is about the neat stuff Mary gave me.

This tin had just what I needed to finish a project.

This gorgeous butterfly was another item from Mary.

She also brought me a set of six magnets with vintage designs. These are two of my favorites. 

Mary is generous, fun-loving, creative, and loyal. She's the real deal...a true friend.  

Special Hours

On Saturday I met my friend Kaye for shopping, lunch, and more shopping. Of course, the whole time we were talking...catching up on each other's lives and reminiscing about the days when we were young teachers and young mothers.


Today I have been reliving those hours and thinking about all the things I forgot to ask or share. But most of all I have been thinking about the blessing of this special friend. 

At a flea market we visited I bought this book for three dollars. It has 349 pages packed with old illustrations, poems, excerpts from stories and plays, entries from letters and journals, recipes, and songs. Below is a quote from this little big book. 

Life has  taught me that love

does not consist of gazing at

each other but looking together

in the same direction.

- Antoine de Saint Exupery

Son Jo did this pencil sketch of Cork and me years ago.

Old and New Memories

Light breezes and fluttering leaves made for a delightful walk this morning. During that walk I relived my pleasant hours yesterday with longtime friend Mary. We looked through scrapbooking albums, enjoyed an alfresco lunch, relaxed, and talked and talked. After viewing her amazing family albums I wanted to start a photo/journaling scrapbook of my own.

  little red barn birdhouse

handcrafted by Mary's late father

I am the very proud owner of two of his creations. 

 Thank you, Mary, for these special gifts.

  

Right beside the flour canister and brightening up that corner
is the other birdhouse. 

I wish I had pictures of Mary's lovely home. Each room is decorated with beautiful and unique objects. Because of Mary and her talents I came home wanting to decorate, create, and scrapbook. Thanks, dear friend, for the inspiration, conversation, and nourishment.

A Treasure of the Heart

Last night I lit a candle for my friend Mary. She had surgery today. Hopefully she is on the road to recovery.

et cetera

These two bears sit in the windowsill of my mom's room.

She won them at Bingo.

I told her they represent her and me. She has had a good week.

This is a work in progress at the school where I used to teach. Gee, after I retire the school gets an art teacher and now has beautiful murals inside and out.

These are staples around our house, especially when the grandkids are here.

This light gives off a nice glow near my writing desk.


This is my latest journal that I came across at Big Lots.

Older journals inside my desk

I am loving my desk!

Thanks for dropping by. It seems life is a big ETC these days...so much I want to do but lots of obligations and errands take precedence. Just the same I'm counting my blessings and praying for a special friend this week. May the doctors find answers to her health problem.