FRIDAY FOTOS: Beth Says Good-Bye

FRIDAY FOTOS: Christmas with the Kids

My Changing FACE

BEFORE (January 2008)

I really don’t think I look that different. Sure, there’s less of me … and there'd better be. But clients keep telling me that they didn’t recognize me.

The people I work with went through this a year ago. They’d see me crossing the street or out of the corner of their eye and pause before they realized who it was.

We’ve been distributing Christmas gifts this week and I’m just dropping in without an appointment. Maybe it's because people aren’t expecting me. Often the source of the comment is a spouse or supervisor —not the individual who works directly with the advertising. Still, it’s been 3 I-didn’t-recognize-you’s this week, so there must be something to it. One specifically commented that my face had changed the most.

Now ( November 2009)

FRIDAY FOTOS: A Walk With the Dogs

FRIDAY FOTOS: FELINE FRIENDS

Jordan is my old man cat.  He's the black one.

Fiona is the calico.  She's full of energy ... most of the time. 

This is a peaceful moment.

FRIDAY FOTOS: Milkweed

I know.  It's an odd thing to take pictures of ... but I like the curved and twisted shapes.  The textures are good, too .. rough and brittle against soft and feathery.

FRIDAY FOTOS: FINAL FALL Leaves

FRIDAY FOTOS: FLEA Market FINDS

The Flea Market season has come to an end.  Here's how I did.

The Armillary (above) is a navigation tool. I got it in St. Louis, at a shop just outside the Botanical Gardens. The globe in the center still turns. It's about a yard high and I plan to paint it. I'm not sure what color, but I don't like the rusted look. Of course, it'll go outside - to add horizontal interest in a flowerbed. I paid $50 for it, which is more than I should have. I bargained down on Beth's stuff. Besides, cities are always more expensive. If you want antiques for less, go rural.

The 2 items above came from a shop on Seminary Street in Galesburg. Shops are more expensive than flea markets and you have less chance of bargaining. I just loved the detail, and figured I wouldn't find them again. The stove (all 16 pieces) was $35 and the sun was $12. When I remodel, the stove will go on my kitchen counter or table. I'm not sure if the sun will be indoors or out.

         

The 3 items above came from the Old Thresher's Reunion in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. Well, actually, I got them at sales approaching the event. I was really unimpressed with the Old Thresher's Reunion itself.

I got the 2 metal tractor wheels above and the birdhouse for $60 total. The wheels will go in the shade with a vine growing up the spokes. In the sun, they'd get too hot and the vine will suffer. (I like wooden wheels better, but they rot. Metal is more practical.) I have no idea what I'm going to do with the birdhouse, but I like the shape.

The table was originally $75 and I got it for $50. It's not in perfect condition, but again I like the shape.

Getting those wheels home was a job. They only 1/2 way fit into the trunk. We tied them in and drove slow.

Then I did "the Drive" and went crazy.  The Knox County and Spoon River Drives are the first 2 weekends in October.  In the first photo, the red bed frame will be painted and is again going in the garden for vines.  Pardon my pun, but I'll have a flower "bed."  I paid $20.  Later, I found another metal headboard for $5.  I didn't like it as much, but $5!  I passed, but now I wonder.  Could I use 2?

The flower box with metal work behind it (see picture with bed frame) and the 3 frogs with hooks came from a metal work guy in Farmington. I made a point of visiting him, because I liked what I bought last year. The 2 items were $40. I plan to paint the flower box and hang it outside … somewhere I’ll remember to water it. The frogs may go by the door for keys.

I've always liked tables made from old Singer sewing machines. Normally, they run over $100. This does not have the original cabinet, but those with the sewing machine aren't very useful as a table. This provides more useable space. I got it for $40.

Then, there's the painting. I really like it (not a fan of cute art), but it doesn't go with anything right now. When I get these kids out of college, I plan to remodel. I've been watching HGTV to get an idea of what I want. I think eclectic. I like unique things from all over. I'm thinking of browns with red accents in one room -- or maybe a lot of red in another. I'm not sure how to pull it off, but I have time to figure it out.

FRIDAY FOTOS: My Black Cat

14 years ago, someone dumped a black cat at my house. He adopted us. Make no mistake. You do not OWN cats. They allow you to feed and house them. Cats were once worshipped in Egypt. They have not forgotten.

When he was dumped, he was … maybe 3 years old. My son was into all things athletic at the time, so our new cat was named after the best athlete ever – Michael Jordan. Granted, he never had MJ’s hand time, but he used to sprint across the lawn after birds

Now he’s 17 – not a kitten. He naps all day. Over the summer, the vet said his kidneys are failing. He doesn’t act sick, but we know it’s coming.

Above he’s on the dog cushion with Fiona. Jordan is a social fellow. He particularly likes our dogs. Lightening, a terrier mix, was dumped 6 to 9 months after Jordan. The 2 of them used to sit on the picnic table and wait for me to come home. When Lightening died, Jordan quit eating for a week. When we got the Labs, Jordan was bigger … for a month … maybe. They would slobber over him until he was soggy. Puppy love is its wettest sense. In cold weather, Jordan likes to sleep on top of Toby. (Toby is calmer than Annie. She’s too wiggly.) It’s difficult to get a good picture, because they’re both black. I need more contrast.

Monday's FAVORITE Website : National Geographic

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/

Of course, they aren't going to give you everything that's in the magazines ... because they wouldn't sell any then.  But there are videos and GREAT PICTUES, like the ones below: