5 Random Friday - Waco or Bust Trip

5 Random Friday pictures from our Waco or Bust trip

Several vendors at the Canton, Texas flea market had adorable campers.  I still want to fix mine.  

A taxidermy rattler I am keeping to add to my odd collection 

Mesquite wood Al wanted me to bring back for his smoker

While eating from the food trucks at Magnolia Market, this lady sat down next to me.  She mentioned she was from Wisconsin...really?  They are a part of a bus tour from Appleton.  When her husband sat down next to us he said..."well, what in the world...all the way in Texas and we meet someone from Wisconsin."  I was thinking the same.  

This is the roadside attraction on our agenda for today.  It was an adventure finding it - on a dead end gravel road next to some buffalo.  We had a long day of driving, now off to bed.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Linked to:  http://monroega.blogspot.com/2016/04/willy-nilly-friday-5-no-81.html

http://lovemademyhome.blogspot.com/2016/04/five-on-friday_29.html

Views of Two Bridges

We crossed the Mississippi River in Chester, IL.  The Chester Bridge is a continuous truss bridge.  It was built in 1941 and connects Illinois to Missouri.  

We also visited the historical Waco suspension bridge.  At the time of it's completion in 1870, it was the longest single span suspension bridge west of the Mississippi.  It served as the Chishom Trail crossing. 

These sculptures were on the grounds as well.  Branding the Brazos, by Robert Summers.  Beautiful!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Good Fences - East Texas

I'm on vacation....this fence was somewhere in east Texas.  Love all the fences in Texas!  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Linked to:  http://run-a-roundranch.blogspot.com/2016/04/good-fences-110.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheRunaroundRanchReport+%28The+Run*A*Round+Ranch+Report%29

Ringle, Wisconsin to Waco, Texas

Well, I made it.  I drove the whole way down from Ringle to Waco - about 1,260 miles (give or take a few).  I wanted to do this as part of my "50 things to do before I'm 50."  I will admit, my route by passed St. Louis and Dallas.  I decided on a more scenic route - some roads were actually only 2 lanes.  I am so happy we did too, as we found some interesting places to stop and met some really nice people.  

The picture above is actually the cock pit of a plane that was a restaurant in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas.  One of the roadside oddities we stopped at.  

I thought Missouri was the prettiest.  We drove through the south east corner on a twisty, curvy road with lots of views.  However, Texas is more my speed....fast...the speed limit is 75 on most roads - even the 2 lanes.  Well, they are 2 lanes, but have a wide shoulder of the road that people drive on too.  I tend to have a lead foot - so, I was in my element.  

Today, we happened upon the day before an absolutely huge flea market in Canton, Texas - First Monday Market.  However, the market starts on Thursday before the first Monday...confused??  Us too, but we drove in and shopped.  We found some great items.  We were a few of the early birds.  We had to unload and reload the van to make room for all our treasures.  

All in all, we are having fun.  Tomorrow we are going to Magnolia Market and Silos.  We also have a few other spots see in Waco too.  

Well, thanks for following along.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Paris, Texas

I looked under roadside oddities when planning our Waco trip.  Did you know that Paris, Texas has their own eiffel tower?  It will probably be the only eiffel tower I will see.  We were advised that night views are the best.  

When we arrived at the tower, there was a car full of girls hanging around and under it.  I asked them if they planned to be long...they said "yes, ma'am."(how polite!)   I told them I drove all the way from Wisconsin and made a stop in Paris, Texas just to take a picture of their eiffel tower.  Oh, were they excited..."really?!?" 

So, they were more than happy to take my picture.   I asked them where we could get some ice cream.  They chatted with me a bit.  As I turned to leave one of the girls said..."excuse me ma'am...but, can I ask one more question?  Do, I have an accent?"  I just laughed and said, "oh, yes, you do."  She said "so do you."   We laughed.  They told us to try a "water burger."  I said "what is a water burger"(Texas is known for beef)...after a few of them were trying to say it...one girl said "no, a Watta Burger" (she was spelling it out with her finger).   I said "you mean, what a burger?"  Oh, they all laughed.   I have a hard time understanding accents, I guess they do too.

Lord willing we don't have too many storms tonight...we will be headed to Waco tomorrow.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Waco, TX or Bust

My friends, Lisa and Jackie and I are leaving this morning for a trip to Waco, Texas.  Like many other HGTV fans, we are headed to Magnolia Farms.  Fixer Upper's, Chip and JoAnna Gaines along with their children, have captured many a fan's heart.  We have no reservations, no concrete plans - just driving the roughly 1,260 miles.  On the way down, we will be taking more back roads, hitting a few roadside attractions along the way.  If you wish to follow along, check out my instagram account.  It is a bar link in the header of my blog page.  Well, we are off...I will post along the trail.   I will be crossing off many of my "50 things to do before I'm 50" on this trip.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Language of Plants

I have to tell our customers this little story. As we were setting up last night, a tiny Asian woman was peeking in the door window. What sparked her interest was the flats if plants Kathleen the Hatley Pedlar was carrying in. This little lady opened the door and was looking at the plants, she pointed at them and was speaking in a language I can not even begin to type here. What was so nice, was Kathleen, with out missing a beat, carried on a conversation with this little lady. "Oh, these plants like sunlight...." The little lady nods her head, smiling, adding what she thought Kathleen would find interesting-in her language. Kathleen just kept on a talkin with this lady. If you know Kathleen, you know she has a heart of gold. These are the ladies I choose to surround myself with! Maybe it is true plants have their own language even if ours has a barrier. Love you Kathleen.

I posted this on my "It's all a Rave - Vintage Pop Up" Sales facebook page.  

Just had to share.  

https://www.facebook.com/itsapopup/

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Optimism - Learned or Inherited?

A customer at the estate sale this past weekend came up to me and said, "Oh, this is so sad to see someone's "life" be sold off like this."  I quickly corrected the customer by saying, "Ron and Ruth were blessed!  They worked hard, had a beautiful home, were surrounded by their sons and grandchildren - these items are just things - that reflect a life well lived."  

It had me wondering, why is it, some people seem to find the "silver lining" and others the "black cloud" in situations.  Is optimism learned or inherited?  So, what did I do, I googled it. 

This is what WebMD has to say:  http://www.webmd.com/balance/news/20110916/optimism-partly-in-your-genes

"Researchers have zeroed in on a possible genetic basis for optimism, self-esteem and mastery (the belief that you have control over your own life and destiny).  It's rooted in the hormone oxytocin, also known as the love or cuddle hormone."  

This little bit of extra genetic material on the oxytocin receptor gene may influence personality traits.  The lack of it or combination of this genetic material may also determine our tendency to be the opposite even depressed.  

"Genes predict behavior, but they are not the be-all, end-all.  There is a lot of room for environmental variations, like how you were raised and the life experiences that you have had."  

"There are genes that influence the way you process emotional information, and this gene affects the way you see the world.  But that doesn't mean you can't change the way you look at the world."  

I love that last quote from the article!  

Using my siblings as examples, I can come to a bit of a conclusion myself.  I am a firm believer in birth order in relationship to personality traits as well.  The 6 of us were raised in a Christian, loving home by the same dad and mom.  Each of us came at different "life stages" for our parents - which I do believe affects our individual life experiences.  I was the last and there is 7 years between me and my sister, Lori.  My parents were older and wiser in their parenting by the time I came along.  However, the basic moral compass we were parented with, was the same.  

I've noticed that the individual reaction to the same situation is different from each of my siblings.  The effect of or resolution, often times brings about a different response from each of us as well.  This leads me to believe that the gene receptor theory is true.  

Have you ever been told by the doctor, "you have a chemical imbalance" when prescribed anti-depression or anxiety medicine?  This must be the lack of or combination of optimism (oxytosin) gene.  Or that is my conclusion at least.

The article on WebMD leads me to believe we are all "prone" to be optimistic based on our genetic makeup.  We also can choose to be optimistic.  I know I've posted this over and over, but; each day we experience things that gives us a choice - choice to be happy or sad, bitter or glad - choices.

As I was writing this post, my phone rang.  It was a friend who said..."good morning sunshine."  I laughed and she said, "Jacky, you are the most upbeat person I know, even at the flea market and all those people are pestering you...you always smile."  What a confirmation of my writing this post.

Now, I may not always be willing to be upbeat, but it is my choice.  It is yours as well.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Your Eggs are TOO Small

My hens have been laying about 8-12 eggs a day.  I thought I would take a few dozen to the estate sale we had yesterday and sell some.  

I brought in the extras and put them in the refrigerator with an envelope...help yourself kinda thing...$2 a dozen.  My brood is a mix of banty breeds.  They lay cute, brown and beige eggs.  I saw these 2 older ladies looking in the refrigerator.  I went over to assist them.  One of them asked me to open up the carton so she could see the eggs.  She looked at her friend and said, "well, those are too small for $2, I get big brown ones for $3."  She turns to me and says the same thing - only with a pinched up look on her face.

If you follow along regularly, you know I've posted about "staying sassy and how I want to be 'bad'."  This statement really shocked me..."your eggs are too small...really?!"  People are so rude - if you don't like something, just say "no thank you."  But, "your eggs are too small" and stood there waiting for me to say..."well, you can have them for $1."  

I just closed the carton and put them back in refrigerator and walked outside.  I told Lisa and Tessa what she said.  Oh, Lisa had a good come back...I wish I would have thought of it!  Lisa said "well, lady, I'll talk to my hens about it."  

So, last night when I gathered the eggs, I announced to my brood in the coop..."ladies, your eggs are too small..."  Boy, you should have heard the all the cluckin about that.  Oh, they replied to the lady alright!  "Cluck You, we'll keep our eggs."  (Well, with that said, I can cross "being bad" off my list.)

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Clay House 4-H Project Night

We decided to do something fun and hold our monthly meeting at the Clay House in Weston.  http://clayhouseonline.com/index.html

https://www.facebook.com/clayhouseonline/

Gretchen offered 2 projects, ceramic and fused glass.  Each member has a $15 scholarship available from our club's educational budget (thanks to Ringle Harvest Day Flea Market - that we set up)  http://ringleharvestday.blogspot.com/

It is a wonderful opportunity for our members to complete a project that they can show at the fair.  It is also a chance for those members who normally don't mingle at the meetings to sit at a table and work on a project and build relationships.  

I made a fused glass suncatcher - kissing fish.  I can't wait to see how it turned out.  Overall, it was a fun meeting.  

On a side note...oh how I laughed after...about this little guy.  Remember from my post about our 4-H demonstrations night?  One of my cloverbuds said to me..."you could nail me to a board and I still wouldn't do it" - he sure had me laughing at this meeting too.  What a personality - he is going to keep me on my toes.   I sure enjoy being involved.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Estate Sale of Ron & Ruth Christiansen

We are doing the estate sale for Ron & Ruth Christiansen.  Their grandchildren were in our 4-H group.  Ron & Ruth, in my opinion, achieved the "American Dream."  They worked hard to establish a trucking and excavating business, they left that legacy to their sons and grandchildren.  Ron Christiansen trucking bought a fair share of our market animals over the years.  We appreciated that.  When Anna was diagnoised with cancer, Ruth gave her a special gift, which still hangs on her shelf.  They were a special couple.

This estate has many nice items.  You can read the craigslist ad here:  http://wausau.craigslist.org/gms/5533111823.html

Here are a few pictures - I LOVE the buggies.  

The sale is Friday, April 15 and Saturday, April 16 at 9 am.  The address is 3220 Kramer Lane, Weston, WI.  For more information you can go to our facebook page:  Estately Yours https://www.facebook.com/EstatelyYoursCW/?ref=settings

Thanks Randy, Rick and Ryan for trusting me with your parent's sale.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Sometimes...I just want to be "Bad"

Have you ever wanted to just be "bad?"

Maybe yell at the person in line ahead of you.
Flip off the driver who cut you off.
Gossip about a friend who really offended you.
Drown yourself in a glass of something...you pick your vice.
Buy one of those pretty cakes - eat it all yourself.
Order some new items on line and hide it from your spouse.
Just get in the car and drive away...a day, weekend..no plans.
Or maybe even something - worse.

I have been thinking about my "50 things to do before I'm 50."  You know, I have always been the "good girl", the one the teacher leaves in charge, the girl who serves punch at prom, the only one who stands up for the bullied, the one who wouldn't read a cuss word in an oral reading in class - just to have everyone laugh at me...yes, I am inherently good.  My religious background, faith, experiences at an alter, Sunday school teachings - keep me on straight and narrow.

Sometimes, I just want to be bad...

I'm not saying I've always made the best chioces...I've been bad on an occassion or two.  I did have a few years of rebelling after high school - hey, it was the 80's.  Even this past summer in Peru, I didn't know why I liked the coca tea so much (cocaine leaves) everyone was drinking it.  I just happen to drink a lot of it and really liked how it made me feel.

This leads me to a dream I had last night.  You now, I work out all my issues in dreams, I've posted about it before.  The jist of the story is this:  I was trying to round up some sheep that got out of a fence.  For some reason, mine where the black ones (go figure) and they were running from me.  Just as I was about to herd them in, a person yelled my name from our woods, I didn't know him.  He asked to shake my hand, so I did.  He injected me with something in my hand.  I yelled for Al to help me.  I remember thinking...I just need to get behind the fence.  Then I woke up.

So, I guess, what I got from this dream is...I need to stay within my own fence..dang it...I really wanted to do something "bad."

Now, my "bad" and your "bad" probably are two different things.  I don't do things or indulge in things others do because of my OCD issues and the fact that I have made some pretty high fences for myself.    

So, for now, I guess, I will try my hardest to be "good" and rethink my "50 things to do before I'm 50"  By the way, Al was going to be "bad" with me...so, I wasn't keeping any secrets.  He liked the "bad" me he dated....but LOVES the wife and mother I am now.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

5 Funny Facts Friday - Things Procrastinators Say About Taxes

I tend to procrastinate - I know, hard to believe...(smile).  It's not like I haven't been thinking about my taxes.  Hey, I have a week....

5 Funny Facts Friday - what procrastinators say about taxes.

1.  "I'll start tomorrow" - I've said every night for three weeks.

2.  "Well, I don't have everything I need to get started."

3.  "I just need to get organized, then I will start."

4.  "I can't be the only one who hasn't started."

5.  "I'll just file an extension." BTW, I've never done that.

Yes, O.K., I will get to it this weekend...oh, is that #6?

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Linked to:  
http://aruraljournal.blogspot.com/2016/04/random-5-friday_8.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FHloo+%28A+Rural+Journal%29

http://lovemademyhome.blogspot.com/2016/04/five-on-friday_8.html

http://monroega.blogspot.com/2016/04/willy-nilly-friday-5-no-78.html

Week 29 - Magic Cookie

Cookie of the Week - Week 29 - Magic Cookie

This is a super easy recipe.  These cookies are so rich and delicious!  If  you like mounds bars, you'll love these.

Magic Cookies

1 14 oz. bag of coconut (I used unsweetened)
2 C. chocolate chips 
1/2 C. chopped pecans
1 14 oz. can of sweetened condensed milk

Mix all together...it's that easy.  Preheat oven at 350, line a baking sheet with parchment and drop by rounded tablespoons.  Bake 10-12 minutes.  Makes 3 doz.  

Rather addicting.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Just a Bit of Sass

You know, not everyone can "pull off" polka dots and diagonal stripes.  That round faced, fashionista is me at age 10.  This picture was taken by my friend's mom on their front porch.  It was the first day of 5th grade, 1970 something, we were 10.  Michelle and I were best friends.  I walked to her house everyday and then we walked to school together.  Her little brother and sister were not too many steps behind us.  

I was blessed, really.  I didn't know it at the time.  I'm sure, I just came from a breakfast of french toast, a prayer, hug and kiss from my mom.  I am sure I was excited and was hopeful for a new school year.  I've always been optimistic.

Michelle posted this picture on her face book page quite a while back.  I had never seen it before.  I showed it to Al and he said..."yes, that sassy face is you..."  Then he said something like..."I know that look..." Sass runs in the family.  I am the last of 6 and I sure have a dose of it.  Maybe, the sass gene was saved until the end, or at least a large dose was.  

Is sass really a bad thing?  Maybe when you are little and sass your parents, teachers or elders - that is bad.  I can remember sassing my mom and running out the front door.  The whole time I was thinking..."oh, she is so fat and old she will never catch me...."  I was laughing the whole way, until I turned around and she was gaining on me.  I actually ran half a block and tried to crawl under some pine trees to escape.  Oh, she caught me, she grabbed the bottom of my foot and and pulled me out from the trees.  I don't need to tell you what happened next - it should have - that is what good parents do - they discipline.  Did my mom care she was in the neighbors yard, switch in hand?  No she did not!  She had enough of her own sass, and was wise enough to know "when" to use it.

My sass was and is a help, dare I say, a benefit even.  I know "it" has molded me into the strong woman I am now.  The wisdom on "when" to use it is coming along...slowly...but, Lord willing, I'll get there.  

I am thinking about this today because of something that happened to me recently.  I have to tell you that some days it is a challenge not to "use" my sass.  I have been thinking how thankful I am that my mom let me keep my sass.  Yes, she tried to teach me to curb it, mold it into something I could use as a benefit the best she could.  Now, I look at her examples on how she used her sass.  Boy, we sure have some examples! (wink, wink).

Some people have sass and abuse it.  They think they can use it to show "strength."  Bossy, using words to be a bully and be mean - that's not showing strength.  I laugh when I see or hear this.  I think, oh give me a minute with them, I'll have'em crying like a baby.   That is how confident sassy people are.  

It is a strong person who knows when to use their sass; how to use their sass.  If you were born with an extra dose of sass, use it as a gift, a voice - stand up for yourself and others around you.  Sassy people are noticed - good or bad.  Be good - good and sassy - I say.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin. 

Linked to:  http://timewarpwife.com/titus-2sday-link-up-party-43/

P.S. (a few hours after I posted this)  

A funny story about my sass.  My niece had a boyfriend who was quoted as saying..."there are only 2 people in Wausau I'm afraid of...one is your mom, the other your aunt DickyBird...and I grew up in the projects on the south side of Chicago"  - so, ya...I've got some sass.  By the way, he wasn't being "good" to my niece so I let him "know" how I felt about it!

What to KEEP, What to SELL, What to DONATE

I was asked to teach a class/seminar on antiques for a fundraiser for the HCE (Home and Community Education) Club a part of the UW Extension office.  I was honored that they thought of me.  This was a first for me, however something on my 50 things to do before 50 - teach a county wide seminar.

I was thinking on what to talk about - the session is 50 minutes long.  As my faithful followers know, I have been on a journey of letting go of things over the past few years.  So, I decided to talk about that.  I titled the class, "What to KEEP, What to SELL, What to Donate."

The above picture is hard to see, but I did a slide presentation to go along with my talk.  Thank you Anna Doll for helping me!!  

I won't lie, my anxiety triggers were starting to kick in...but, I relaxed myself and prayed...I was prepared, had lots of notes and things to share...after all, I am good at talking.  

As the ladies came in from their previous session, they all took my packet and commented on the first slide (my hoarded pole building - the before picture of my "It's not too SPOOKY - Vintage Pop Up" I hosted at our farm.  I heard lots of.."oh, that looks like my basement," - yep, these ladies are going to "get" this session.

As I shared, I asked questions of them and I was so pleased with all the note taking.  I had comments like "great idea" and such.  I will admit, having Anna there and her helping me with the slides was a calming reassurance!

I included in my session "Whatcha Got" - I did bring several items from home to talk about too.  I had each lady pick an item and guess what it was, age and value.  I shared tips on how to figure the age, where to research and how to place a value on their item.  I could have used another 30 minutes.  

I really enjoyed this!  I am considering hosting a seminar like this again.  I already can think of things to add to it.  I have a venue space in Wausau that I can reasonably rent - so, if you are interested, keep watching my pop up page:  It's all a Rave - Vintage PopUp Sales.  https://www.facebook.com/itsapopup?ref=hl

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Linked to:  http://strangersandpilgrimsonearth.blogspot.com/2016/04/the-art-of-home-making-mondays-please.html