I Will Monday - Self Employment

Good Monday Morning!

If you've followed for long, you know that I do estate sales for a living - well, that and other "things" that come with that.   I actually have been doing this my whole life.  I'm a 3rd generation picker, it's in my blood.  I officially went "Town Hall Trinkets, LLC" in 1994 when we first bought our farm.  During that time, I've worked on 100's of estates.  Over the years, what I do and how I do it, has changed and evolved several times over.  

I recently was asked and this happens several times a year to me, something like this:  "Could you answer a few questions about your business for me" and then a list of questions.  Some of them are reasonable and well, others more intrusive (how much do you make a year).  However, in all those years, 100's of estates - I don't have a standard answer for any questions.  No 2 estates are the same.  No 2 families have the same requests.  Nor do they have the same type of items.  I tend to customize my services, based on what my potential client is in need of after I meet them.  

This over the years, including last year, "need of" looked like Al helping haul many unwanted items for donation, landfill and here for burning.   Yes, we've even provided those types of services.  It also could look like, my dusting, sweeping, scrubbing myself out the door after a buyout.  Whatever it is I do, doesn't look anything like what others do.  They all are rockstars at their expertiese and I often refer when I think their services would be better.  

So, why this post on this I Will Monday - Self Employment?  

Well, truthfully there are less years of my "working" ahead of me than behind.  My body has been put through so much doing this that literally, I'm limited in mobility.  If you're going to be self employed and end up with loss of mobility, you better have loved what it was your doing or did.  I see farmers walking around hunched over from years of strain on their bodies - I think, yep, they enjoyed their "self employment" as much as I did.  That is truth right there!  I'd rather shovel out a stall of S..t than sit at a desk and listen to it!  Been there, done that!  

So, for me, this I Will Monday - I will appreciate what it is the Lord has given me talents to do for as long as I can do them.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

 

Farmhouse Friday 2022 - Week 8 - "Can we Skip to the Good Part"

 Good Farmhouse Friday Morning, February 25, 2022.

How was your week?  I've read some of your blogs and it sounds like many of you had a week filled with family, friends and creative projects.   The same was true here this week for me as well.  

Oh, I would also add food for me.  One was this steak.  We have raised our own here for years, but my friend Renee, is a professional.   S&R Angus is the name and click on the blue link to find out more about the farm and how you can purchase.  Our girls worked for her for years.  Now that it is just Al and I and most processing plants are booked 2 years out, we are just going to buy local.   Truthfully, her beef tastes the best!   

I forgot that I made herb butter and it was so good on the steak and potato.  

I guess, this sums up my thoughts here today on "can we skip to the good part?"  Do you all know that song?  It's used on clips for Instagram reels and TikTok.  Basically, the video shows something that is in a beginning state and then the songs plays and the video jumps to the end.  

So, we could raise our own beef, but - "can we skip to the good part?"

I said this phrase a couple times this week.  

We are working on an estate, we are on the "not fun for us stuff, tools (wink)" - I said to Lisa, "can we skip to the good part?"

I am getting excited for spring, but we are still in -degrees, snow and February.  I walked out in my greenhouse and said - "can we skip to the good part?"

Digging for inventory for the antique show, talking with my friend I said - "can we skip to the good part?"

Walking around boxes of sold lots in several rooms of my house thinking about loading up and meeting with customers, I thought - "can we skip to the good part?"

Thinking about setting up my studio/shop for a sale here and all that work! I said to my daughter - "can we skip to the good part?"

Working on weight loss and exercise (wink, wink) - "can we skip to the good part?"

Here is the link to the song on youtube:  Can we skip to the good part?

As I am typing this this morning, the radio on in the background, I could think this as well...."And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet" Matt. 24:6 - "Can we skip to the good part?"

Blessing from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Snow Days Fun

 First, thank the Lord we didn't get the 8" of snow we could have.  We did get a few though along with a bit of crunchy stuff, so roads were "slickery"...that's a WI word...we know what it means...ahaha

In my last post I was hoping not to waste my "free" days.  I did a bit if fun, relaxing and work.  I said I would share, so here ya go

I broke in my "new to me" dutch oven.  I made scallop potato, cheesy ham with yeast rolls on top (oh boy, I must be emotionally eating).  It was soooo good....I actually just had leftovers for breakfast.

On our last trip to Primitive Gatherings quilt shop, I bought these already cut squares to "play" with.  I have enough for 2 projects.  I have them all put together in the order to stich them in.  Now, I didn't get that far...

In celebration of 2/22/22 I did a 2 for $22 deal on my selling group.  QVC and HSN inventory estate.

Just a sample...

So, I'll be back at the other estate house making lots from basement and garage.  The realtor called and the house sold already, I knew it would go fast!  

Have a good day!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

I Will Monday - Ol' Mother Nature

 You know the saying, "the best laid plans...."  Well, Mother Nature....

Yep, "I Will" change my plans...ahaha

You know, I do over do things - right?! (eek!), I don't need to list off the things I was going to do today and tomorrow; because, you all know how I "operate."  Anyway, so today feels like a "snow day" from when I was a kid in school.  I'm almost giddy with thinking of things I can do insead of have to do....help me Lord to tone down my enneagram 7 personality and get something accomplished.  

Do I want to bake? clean? play in a new bunch of estate items dropped off? work on paper work? needle felt?  I hope I make good decisions people....I have been "gifted" these 2 days...in the past I've wasted days like this.  

Maybe I'll share with you later tomorrow what I did do.  Finger's crossed, say a prayer for me, it can be something I complete!  I don't need more 1/2 done projects either!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Farmhouse Friday 2022 Week 7 - David & Goliath

 Well I woke to an actual tempurature of -18...it's been so cold in the mornings.  As I made my way through the kitchen to the bathroom, Al was up and had the radio on.  The Pointer Sister's song "I'm so excited" was playing, I started dancing the rest of the way, stopped outside the door to shake it some more.....ahaha.   I forgot that I went to bed with a back ache, I twisted it wrong or something - I was so thankful, my back didn't hurt!  I didn't make it to church last night, but they prayed for me.  Yay!

There isn't much "farm" going on at the farmhouse this month either.  I need to look for my seed catalog and start dreaming and planning.  

My absolute favorite part of ANY week is my "Lauren Day!"  I am going to miss this when she goes to school in the fall.  Now any credit given to this little angel, has nothing to do with me!  Rather the amazing job Justine and Josh are doing.  I'm just Gramma Bird...truth, any little bad thing...teehee...she might get from me...like "butter makes everything better" or "desserts first" or "it's just a tistatee taste" (yes, I like food!  She does too!)

Here is what happened this week, I am still laughing about it!

Almost as soon as I got in their house, she was talking about David & Goliath.  She ran down to her bedroom and came back with her Bible.  I'm going to stop here, because, it was a dejavu moment for me!  Justine, when she was just like 2/3 had a tiny Bible she carried around with her EVERYWHERE.  I remember one time we went to a restaurant and Al said, "does he have to carry the Bible in?"  She did!  

So Lauren asks me "where is the story of David & Goliath?"  Oh boy..."Hey Siri, where is it found in the Bible the......(help)."  We found it.  I Samuel 17 - I said "it's kind of long, 60 verses"  she says, "skip to the giant part" (ahahah!).    As I read the story, changing my voice for each character, she sat watching me with her big eyes.  When I was done, I said, "Gramma Bird knows a song about this" and I started to sing "only a boy named David, only a babblin' brook, only a boy named David and 5 little stones he took, only a boy named....."  then she says "Gramma Bird, this sounds like a long song, don't sing it" ahahaha!!! she cracks me up.  

I said "do you want to make a sling?  We could try using your craft supplies."  So as we sat down, poking holes in felt, trying to find some strechy string for the sling I said "too bad we don't have some rocks."  I hardly got this off my lips and off she ran to her bedroom and comes back with a tiny tin.  Another dejavu moment as Justine had "treasure boxes" filled with all kinds of things as a child.  "I do have some rocks!"  So, I said "well, lets go look for a babblin' brook"  She quickly says "No Gramma Bird it's Babylon" I about lost it and I said "No not Babylon, babblin'" she said "it's called Babylon!"  Ok.....stop it...she is so smart. 

 "Yes, Babylon was a place" I said, but "babblin' is like water running over rocks."  So, off we went to the bathroom where we played in the water washing rocks and eventually her horses for a horse show we had after nap.  

She is just too cute for words!  

I don't know how anything else I did this week tops that!  And, truthfully, I've had an amazing week filled with many blessings!  God is so good to me!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

If for Girls

 

I found this little picture at a thirft shop for $2.  I didn't read it all while I was shopping, but I read enough to find it very interesting.  Truthfully, I've read it a half dozen times and find more meaning in it every time I read it.  It was written by J.P. McEvoy and it was "suggested by Kipling's If."  

A quick google search of his name and I found out he was best known for a comic called Dixie Dugan.  He wrote for many magazines of that day as well.  That search left me looking for a book he also wrote and illustrated by Johhny Gruelle (Raggedy Ann artist) called Dorothy Mary.  Something new to look for.

I think the gems inside this poem, are not "old fashioned," rather a moral guide to how we all can be better women.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

I Will - LOVE

 

I Will Monday 

Happy Valentine's Day!   Al bought me roses!   

I was thinking about "I Will" in regards to Valentine's Day.  Today we think of all the ones we love and show them.  I will do that!

Many of my Monday blog posts come from Sunday's sermon.  Yesterday, while I was listening, I was thinking about how I would use what he was saying in this "I Will" mindset I have.

Sometimes, we are in situations, have people who we are connected to, have a job, our health - oh, you know, all the things that we could say.....we DON'T LOVE.  However, our I WILL should reflect our determination to keep doing.

I don't love that it is snowing today, as I need to go into town, but I will enjoy this February day and drive slow.

I don't love that my stove is making a crazy noise, again, but I will continue to use it until it dies.

I don't love that (someone I love) is having a difficult time right now, but I will show them I care.

I don't love that my entry and living room are full of sold lots, but I will make arrangements for pickups.

I don't love that the realtor will be showing the house I will be working at, while I'm working there, but I will still work at it much faster now.

I don't love that this month is going by so fast and I have a show to get ready for, but I will keep track of my time mangement better.

So, when we find ourselves in a don't love - think about I will.  I know I will....lol.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Farmhouse Friday 2022 - Week 6 - Needle Felting

 It's an early, dark morning and Al is already outside moving the snow from overnight.  He decided to do this before work, as it is supposed to get cold and windy, It'll be easier to move it now.  

This week started with the QVC jewelry sale.  I had no idea of what to expect, but the estate did very well!  I was so busy, I didn't even get 1 picture.  During the sale, I did set up an open felting class.  I had 7 students.  

On Tuesday night, I taught needle felting at the Tigerton Library.  The project was a gnome, but several of the ladies have taken my classes before, so I told them to create what they wanted.  

Here is where you can see all the fun projects they created:  The Hobby Farm  So many cute things!!

This week and next will be all about the "QVC clean up sales" and I plan to do a "lot drop" on Sunday afternoon.  A "super bowl preview sale" ahahha!  We also booked our next sale that we will start soon too.  

This week we had 2 park committee meetings.  The official name of our park will be Ringle Town Hall Park.  We have been able to accomplish quite a bit in the past 8 months or so.  The town, with suggestions from our committee and approval at the general meeting, was able to acquire an adjacent piece of property to the town hall and property already owned by the town.  That property had an old brick house that needed to be taken care and it was.  So, yesterday we stacked bricks for a future memorial project.  

Ringle's claim to fame was our red bricks.  Many friends, neighbors and resident's historically come from generations of  those who worked at the brick yard.  Including Al's.  If you live in our area, you know that Ringle Brick are signature and were a staple here in north central Wisconsin.  You can even pick out those old brick homes made with them.  Ringle is known for it's clay soil and we also have been home to the Marathon County Landfill because of it.  Our park, some day, will have historical displays for all of this, a bog walk, pavillion, play area and more to be determined.  It will be a beautiful addition to the town hall area.  And NO...for those reading.....Jacky is NOT helping just becasue she want to put vendors there for the Ringle Harvest Day.  NO VENDORS will be set up in there.  Often times, I hear second hand all the "things" Jacky assumes about the town during the Ringle Harvest Day.  Small town problems...ahahah!

Today it's a deep tissue massage, tomorrow a general council meeting for our tribe in Crandon and Sunday...the lot drop...(oh and super bowl).  

Are any of you excited for the super bowl?  I guess, since the Packers didn't make it...no one I know is really talking about it.  Aaron Rodgers, yes...lot's of talk of him.  Will the NFL MVP return?  Let the conspiracy theories begin....

Have a great weekend and as always, Blessings from Ringle, WI

I Will Monday - Send a Card

 In my last post - February Interesting Facts Revisited, I noticed February 7th  is - send a friend a card.  

So, on this "I Will Monday" - I will send a card or two.  

I was already thinking about this the other day; reconnecting with old friends.  Do you have a friend, that no matter how long it has been since you've talked, you can just pick up like - well, years haven't passed.  I love that!  

I think childhood friends are especially that way.  My husband's dad was in the Navy, so he moved many times as a child.  We just saw someone the other day and I said "I went from K-12 with that person."  He said "I can't even imagine that!"  Then I was thinking about all the ones that I went to school with that live, work, volunteer, raised families, pay taxes in - you know all the things - in our same community and surrounding area, that we grew up in.  I know LOTS of them!  This always amazes him....but, I do know alot of people....(wink, wink - I'm a 7, that's what we do).

So, on this "I Will Monday" I hope you will think of old friends and maybe drop them a line or 2.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin. 

February Interesting Facts Revisted

 Here is a past blog post, worth sharing again:  

 Click on Link:  

February Interesting Facts

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Farmhouse Friday 2022 - Week 5 - QVC Pop Up Sale

 It's late in the day and this will be short.  

This week I worked on an estate.  I rented the Ringle town hall and will be hosting an QVC Pop Up Sale tomorrow from 10 -4.  I will also have "open needle felting" from 1-3.  As long as I was renting, I might as well take full advantage of the hall.  

Here is only a small sample of the posts I shared this week on my business facebook page and online estate sale group.  There were nearly 600 pieces of jewelry according to the family.  

Our 95 year old neighbor passed on and his family had me come over and walk through the house and give them prices for the family to buy.  I wasn't expecting them to pay me, as they were good neighbors, but they tried handing me some rolled up big bills.  I said, "no, I would rather have those 3 Pendleton shirts and that Hudson Bay blanket gift box."  ahahha....I got the better deal.  

I had 3 calls for possible sales.....Spring must be coming....

I hope you all had great weeks, have a wonderful weekend and I'll try to write more next week.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Links:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1914536328603700