May is my favorite month!

Today is the first day of my favorite month. Growing up we had a great time making and delivering May Baskets. They were made out of plastic or paper cups, the plastic green baskets that strawberries came in, whatever we had on hand. The handles were always pipe cleaners. We filled them with popcorn, m&m's, gum drops, sprigs of lily of the valley, lilacs and any other goodies. The simple joy of delivering them was so great. Last year, Sheri and I made them out of scrapbook papers, filled them and delivered to several of the elderly ladies she cleaned house for. The conversations with these women were remarkable.
There is quite the fury going on in the barn. Displays torn down, switched up a bit, painting furniture and finding treasures that I had forgotten about.
We get so excited seeing our old friends and making new ones. Mary Nesset will be joining us this month. She will be sharing her spa products. And, she will be bringing her friend, Sarah, that has just began her own line of jewelry.
Between the weddings, graduation parties, mothers day, birthdays and anniversaries we will try to keep our sanity. (We all know better than that!)

Happy Monday!

I am forcing myself to do a quick post here this morning. I have grounded myself to the garage for creating and the barn for displaying! We have some tables, a beautiful wooden shadow box, and lots of window projects calling my name. Gotta get it all prettied or junked up for the opening of Barntiques. I am going to get fliers created and printed up this week. Can't believe how fast May 8th is approaching! Time to fly...fill ya in on the days progress!

IT'S A GIRL!

Yep, it is a girl. A five month old, blue merle, Australian Sheep Dog puppy! I really don't know what the hell I was thinking but when the grandsons asked if they could bring us a puppy. My heart melted, the brain went to mush and all of that even smoodged Papa Vern. He is the one that said,"Absolutely no more dogs." That turned in to "ok, but she has to stay outside!" The first two nights she slept on the deck. Then, we started introducing her to the resident k-9's. She started melting our hearts and on the third night, we both told her it was time to go to bed. She marched right behind the two little dogs that sleep in our bedroom and we both said "Good nite Maisy." She really slept well on the floor at the bottom of our bed! And, has continued to sleep there! So, we are now in the midst of puppy world. The common words are "no-no biting" (on my sleeves), "Maisy, come!", "Oh man, how am I gonna explain the shredded atlas? the ripped coffee table book that we had for three days? the foot cushion (which did have a tiny hole in it)? and a cleaning rag (didn't get into much trouble on that one, didn't really want to clean any way! And of course the positive lines like "good girl maisy (rhymes with daisy), nice poopies!" I am sure there will be more Maisy stories, but hopefully some successful stories!
We worked in the barn yesterday and had a great time. Gale (our photographer has many talents) moved a wood pile into a lovely stack. We made about four extra feet on each side of the hay loft for more display room. Worked on a couple of areas of garden-ish, pretty dishes and some mantiques displays. Pretty much tore up the whole up stairs. But, it is gonna be awesome when we are done.
Willie, the junk carpenter, worked his magic on a dining room table for my house. It is made from the barn door that was removed from our "brooder house" before my dad tore it down. Four fence post legs with spindles nailed on for trim. Yep, it is awesome. I white washed the legs and am ready to put a sealer on the table to keep the rest of the paint chippiness intact. I LOVE IT. Gale will be posting photos on here so keep checking back.
I think that I really get the best end of our bartering system. Actually, I mention an idea and before I know it, Willie is here measuring and scratching his head saying "yep, I can do that", and Gale is the hands on laborer. All I have to do when she says she "may want this or that for this or that", is say come and get it.
Great day of good hard work. Can't wait to get back out there. Gotta get, Maisy is pacing, that means gotta potty!

I am so excited!

I have been very busy out on the junkin route. Our junky photographer has snapped some shots and will follow. Here's a teaser...windows, banisters, trellis',rusty tools, a set of wagon wheels on the axis, cast iron skillet, old metal bucket, 2-3 shelves, really, really, really old rusty fencing, lead glass vase, 3 small metal tool boxes,tables and desks to die for. It has been so fun and so innocently acquired. Gotta love life when you can do what makes you happy.
The business cards arrived this week too. I love them, but wish I would have put "second Saturday sales". But, word of mouth, blog and facebook will get the word out.
I am going to go price some of the items now. Can't wait till May 8th! Hope to see you!

We Made It! We finally made it!

We made it! Yes, we finally made it. We made it to the barn and shoveled and picked at the snow and ice. And, we opened the door far enough to gain access. Kind of access. Seriously, we were in snow drifts up to our wahtoosies! But, we did it! There was only a small bit of snow in the hay mow. The barn kitties have done just a few minor repositioning of the displays. Brenda from JBknacker, in Gilbert, just a short jaunt away is having her big shabang on Saturday and Sunday. Go check her out at www.jbknacker.com. I have to say she has the goodies. And some came from Barntiques! It really felt wonderful to be back in the barn. It is filled with junk, pretties, garden items,windows, tables and desks, glassware, mantiques such as vintage camping chairs, rusty tools, shabby chics and the best thing, memories. Memories of mine from my childhood and also the stories that we are told about other precious moments of our customers. I have lots of new fun things for the Second Saturday Sales starting in May. All for now, gotta work on the new (old) stuff! More to tell you about in the next post. Maybe some photos too!

Snow, more snow, wind...

I think I am going to take up a collection, go to Pennsylvania, reach in the hole and pull that damned ground hog out of his hole to show him what he has gotten us into! Seriously, we have set the records for snow, missed work days, missed school days, roads closed and the bill for the nice man we pay to clean our driveways out have hit the high note too! I realize the winter has been tough on everyone. And I believe that God only gives us what we can handle, but even with prayer, I am ready to scream. Good thing about it, I don't have any reason that I have to get out in it. Cleaning houses don't rate real high on the "don't travel unless it is an emergency" list. I love cleaning with my Barn Buddy BFF, but we are fair weather girls! And last nite one of my Barn Buddy BFf came over and we rolled balls of yarn. Yep, doesn't get much more fun than that. I have the pot of beef stew on and it is smelling marvy! And, my table is full of projects. The bowls and blue ball jars of skeleton keys,vintage jewelry, tiny padlocks,tokens,vintage tags, birds nests, old frames, an old bread box that is being painted, and some pretty silk flowers are all calling my name. I have priced and boxed things headed to the barn. Wish I could get out there. There are sooooo many snow drifts and some as high as the garage roof that it would be impossible to get there. Now, that was an unusual comment from me. The idea of not being able to get to my junking? I better go drink some tea. I must be getting sick!

Living for the ones who have passed.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer one month to the day that my husbands sister died after her very valiant fight to this demon. It was 2006. I have swore to do all within my power to raise money and awareness so others don't have to die. Early detection saved my life and I want to save others too. I chose to have a double mastectomy. My medical team was aggressive. Fortunately, I did not have to have chemo or radiation treatments. Sometimes I feel guilty to put myself in the survivorship club. I did not have to bear the pain and agony of what many others have gone through.
My best friend, Kyla lives in Boston, Mass. She saw a commercial advertising the Breast Cancer 3Day Event and she immediately called and said we needed to participate. Boston was one of the twelve cities for the event. My husband, myself and Kyla formed Team Wicked Pink. The planning, preparation physically and mentally was a challenge. Each person had to raise
$2,200.00 to qualify for walking. We all made our commitment and more. I must say that it was challenging, amazing, gruelling, fun, emotional, exhilarating, did I mention amazing, fulfilling and many other words. I have never trained for a three day, sixty mile walk. Again, I will say it was amazing. We camped overnight in a sea of pink tents. Took showers in a semi truck. Ate better than any family picnic I ever attended. Walked side by side with survivors, family member, fighters of the disease while just taking chemo. Talking all the way about each of our stories. We carried penants with Andrea's photo specially made for us through one of my husbands co workers. There were men dressed in pink tutu's and fish net hose. There was one team that attends yearly and they carry back packs with first aid, vaseline, lip balm, tampons and pads! Signs along the path. Horns honking! I get goosebumps now each time I hear the advertisement on tv. And for our surprise 50th birthday party, the guests were asked not to buy the silly black, over the hill, run of the mill gifts. But, to make a donation to the Susan G. Komen foundation. What a lovely gesture.
Barntiques is a blend of many people that have felt the pain of cancer. Cancer is not picky. It attacks young, old, strong, weak, rich, poor, nice or mean. The pain is felt in so many ways. So, this year instead of raising the money solely for breast cancer, we will be donating it to the American Cancer Society. I am not sure what all we will do, that is what the planning committee will handle. (I hope there is a planning committee!)
So, here it goes. Barntiques will be accepting donations and marking those items for a portion of the sale to go to the American Cancer Society. Wish me luck, I think I can smell a taste of victory. Please pass this on to others that may live near or far that would like to participate. I KNOW that we will be able to make a difference. Everyone deserves a lifetime.