Farmhouse Friday Week 14 "Tall Tales"

 Good Friday Morning!

I come from a long line of story tellers on both sides.  Scotch/Irish and Native/Potawatomi.  

My mom could spin a yarn like no other.  Colorful, made up little snip its on just about anything she set her mind to.  Mom collected (let's not lie, she collected alot of things...ahahah) old dolls.  In the extra bedroom, she had a shelf with many of the cute ones lined up.  Justine told me that she remembers when my mom would babysit her, while I worked.  Grandma would tell her stories for each one of those dolls.  One Christmas, just before she passed, she told the girls to pick something out from her house.  Justine picked a little doll and then shared that she remembered those days listening to stories.  That was gift for my mom as well.  

Now that I am a grandma and helping watch my little love, I try my best to make each of those days special.  I know that they are limited and go by so fast!  This week, I was thinking about tall tales.  So, I brought a Paul Bunyan book that we read and then came up with our own lumberjack "partners" like Baby, the big blue ox.  I'll admit, she wasn't as excited about lumberjacks as she is about horses...ahahah...but, she got into the story telling.

We made up our tall tales - I was Bird and Brenda the bear.  She was Lauren and Rainbow Gems the Alacorn.  For those not in the "know" an alacorn is a unicorn with wings (wink, wink).  We posted our posters in the "town square" to prove to the lumber camp we could do what we said and they would let us work.  We went for a walk in the woods, knocked down a million trees, made paper, made boards and then turned a huge mud puddle into our "pea soup lake" (in the book).  We actually came in and she helped make our lunch, a lumberjack size pancake each, which she ate the whole thing!  Lumberjacks work up an appetite.  She really gets into the stories (just like Justine did).

Next week it's on to Easter.  From tall tales to Jesus - if that doesn't sum up my mom's family tree to the roots (KY hillbillies) - for real!  

I worked alot this week too...not just fun and games....

Here is the building and address for the sale tomorrow.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wiscosnin.  

Moving On Vintage Pop Up Sale

 

One of my customers contacted me awhile back and wanted to know if I would be interested in buying or helping her sell some items.  She sent me some pictures and I thought, sure that would make some nice lots on Town Hall Trinkets On Line Estate Sales.  Well, between that time and now she had another baby.  They decided to move on for now from the "bar" business and let another person take it over.  

When we went to look at the sale and saw the setting in which we could use to stage it, we wanted to do a live sale.  The building is from 1880's, it has been a bar that whole time, hardward store, general store, butcher shop and those are only the ones I know.  I wish we could rent the room we are in - so cool!  Anyway, the sale is Saturday.  Here is the link to the event.   Moving On Vintage Pop UP  

More photos along with the address will be added Friday morning.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Tips On Tuesday - Picking a Partner

 Good Morning.  

I ended my Monday in a not so good way.  We were meeting customers for pickups on an estate and I got stuck in their unused driveway behind the garage.  It has an alley access and I thought it looked solid.  When I left, I literally slid down the side and buried the front tires.  I would share a picture, but I'm too embarrassed.  After like 30 minutes of trying, digging with my hands, looking for blocks or bricks to help me out, pushing front, back to no avail....I called Al.  I don't even want to call the family, it's bad....I may try to bring some dirt and fix it.  

Now, I should say, when things like this happen, my anxiety level are at a 20.  I don't understand mechanical, technical, all the "icals" that go with it.  I was thinking about that, this morning.  You know, I never had anyone show me the "why" or the "how" to, to any of this.  Even driving, I was the last of 6 and my mom didn't drive.  So, by the time I reached 16 all my siblings were married, families of their own...I was on my own...I remember my dad, bless his heart, getting upset with my driving skills and we hardly practiced because of it.  I remember my brother-in-law, Bruce trying to help me.  I went 3 times for my license!  First time, I broke the key off in the ignition - ya that happened - I put the trunk key in and not the car key and broke it in the ignition....my poor dad!  The second time, I made it as far as backing up....I've sucked at that from day 1....FAIL.  The 3rd time, I still made mistakes, but the driving tester had mercy on me.  This is why I have the anxiety.  It's like I "black out" and can't think when something stressful happens with vehicles, tractors, trailers, hay wagons, bailers, hooking up unhooking....all that!!!  Some hobby farmer I make!  Did I mention I backed into my sisters car 2 times in 1 week....there's that.  Oh and I drove up the exit ramps by mistake...I can't even do the highways because of it....my mind goes blank with "where do I get off....is that an on ramp?..."  Don't even get me started on the round abouts.  In Oshkosh one time I went round at least 3 times trying to figure out how to get off.   I actually HATE driving.  I can't even be a passenger sometimes, especially on those huge ramps, bridges....I just close my eyes or take my glasses off because what I can't see won't hurt me.  

So, as I laid my head down to sleep, I thanked him for helping and then he shared his not so nice evening....he came and helped me anyway....because he loves me.  I remembered what it was that made his evening not so nice - I was at the root of that too.....I forgot about something and it was my "mess" to clean up - he did it for me.  I will not start a million seeds this year, I will not start a million seeds this year, I will not start......that's all I'll say about that.  

So, my tip would be to find yourself a patner that will help you even when you drive them crazy.  Thanks Al, I love you.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

I Will Monday - Determined

 

Do you ever feel that way?  Maybe not even with a "problem" but just things in life?  I know I have.  

Thing is, when I set my mind to something - I do a really good job.  It's just setting my mind to doing it...ahahha.  

I've made lists, put motivational quotes on my refrigerator, set the timer, wrote in "ink" so it couldn't be erased, saved those TikTock songs (no one is coming) played them, told the "world" what I was going to do - all these things to keep me accountable.  Well, it's true...you can't teach an old dog....

For the love of....I can't stand this about me....I know it's all classic 7 issues....even at that....I don't like to hear or give excuses or complaints.  Ask my girls "well, I'm tired too and you don't see me complaining about it!"  (they "loved" that...ahahha).  

So, here I sit, looking at a list....I just don't wanna do some of it....it's all the "not fun" stuff.

Last week, while working on an estate sale, I said to Lisa "o.k. that was an not fun lot, now a fun lot" every other one....we were laughing because we don't like "glass."  Rusty, dusty, chicken poop covered....we're all about that!  

O.k. so time is a tickin away...wish me luck in crossing off some of the "not fun" things on my list....

This is my latest motivation...so true!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

April 2 is National Children's Book Day

 Did you have a favorite book as a child?  How about a children's book from your earliest memory.  Mine is "Where the Wild Things Are" 

It sticks in my memory because I was scared of the "monster" and the illustrations in the pages.   I also like Clifford he Big Red Dog.

I remember wanting a big red dog.  

Al said his was Curious George.  

For our children, it was any book by Mercer Mayer

Berenstain Bears

Little Bear

We also like Ronald Dahl

We read those when they were a bit older.  I better stop now becasue I can think of so many more.  So, today on this National Children's Book Day - read to a child, or just find an old favorite and reminisce.  Enjoy.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

April Interesting Facts

 Before the month gets away from me and I have a few minutes to share, here is the link to a previous post about April.  I forgot how cute I did posts back then...ahahah

April Interesting Facts

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Farmhouse Friday Week 13 - "Time to Reflect"

 Well, here we are again, another Farmhouse Friday.  I'm calling this week a time to reflect.  Here are a few of my thoughts.

A time to reflect - weather.  We have had a long winter here, this week we had an ice storm, schools closed, snow and very little sun.  Dreary and drab.  

A time to reflect - passing on.  This past week, my sweet friend, Sarah, passed on.  I will be attending her funeral today.  Totally unexected, I still can't believe it.  I also heard of 2 childhood friends that passed as well.  Then a family friend, actually better described as our daughters friend's grandma, passed on too.  She was such a giving and patient woman.  That's 4 in 10 days.  

A time to reflect - living your best life.  When my friend, Dawn, called to tell me of Sarah's passing she told me something her husband said that stuck with me.  It was something like, "well, that's it, time to live and not just exist."  I hope they don't mind my sharing that.  It is really insightful!  

A time to reflect - relationships.  I don't know what is going on...but, I've had some people reach out to me this week and share some very personal feelings with me.  Feelings they have of me....all were totally out of the blue.  I know some people post things on social media looking for "attention."  Come on...we all know that is true, we all have "those" on our feed.  Anyway, when I post something I don't even have that mindset that I'm looking for praise, sympathy, advice...I just share...no alternative motive.  I just like to tell my story.  Anyway, this reflection on relationships started with someone sharing a memory with me about a very hard time in life (we all face this time at some point) and she reminded me of how strong I was during it.  I didn't even remember and it really blessed me.  Then it just grew from there...the cherry on top, was a card I received yesterday.  When I opened it up, read it, I was crying because I had no idea someone felt this way.  It challenged me to send more cards to let people know what they mean to you.  It was pointed out this week as well, that I wasn't the best of friends to a childhood friend when we transitioned into young adults.  I am sorry she feels this way.  I saw our relationship differently I guess.  So, my reflection is....just be who you are, be present in today, learn from past lessons, let them go, move on, forgive, show love and kindness and for goodness sakes be honest and truthful with others and yourself.

Time to reflect - Town Hall Trinkets, LLC.  I had to say this to Al this week, "don't count me out."  In thinking on the "time to live" quote from above, I made some plans.  I've decided to do a few things on my "business bucket list."  I better do them now, while I am still physically able to.  Nothing that will change how I do things or even anything anyone would notice.  Just those "well someday I will..."  I'm not guaranteed someday. 

Time to reflect - Dicky Bird's Nest.  I still write this blog, because I like to write.  It's mostly for me.  It's been like my life's journal.  I don't expect followers, or comments, or any of that.  I would keep writing with none of that.  I am thankful for the couple of faithful blog friends who comment and encourage me.  I try my best to do the same to them.  In fact, this memory came up in my feed this week:   

I hope you all have a great weekend.   Until my next post...

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.