The Jewelry Box (Part 2)

I began sorting, ended up with it all over the bed. What a mess! I really can't remember when I packed up that tote, must be a couple of years or more. I forgot about some of it. Some of the boxes were taped or glued shut. I haven't looked at about half the stuff yet. It was time for bed and I had to pack it up again. I need a bigger room or an addition. There is a narrow path now to get to my computer. Yes, I about time for me to do something with this stuff and not put it all back into the closet. What, I don't know. The last time I gave any of it away, the guy was supposed to send me the cost to ship it. He didn't, he never thanked me either, but had the nerve to ask me if I had more! Jerk!

Just a portion

Some bits and pieces for repair and recreate.

One of the reasons crafters don't tell their husbands what they spend.

As yet untapped. Thinking maybe bead and chain curtain?

I know the little wicker box has real cheap rings, not silver or gold, mainly junk, but new junk. Haha. I know there are literal pounds of old earrings, some clip, some screw, some for pierced ears, some nice and some not so nice. There is a box of pins or brooches. Of course, there are the beads, some glass and some plastic and maybe some wood. (They are at the bottom of the tote.) There is a box of tacs ... from new to old, also a small box of Avon jewelry. 

Maybe I should start gluing all this up for Christmas presents for my kids?

 There are so many dainty things. Would be a way to use up some of those earrings too!

To be continued ...

The Jewelry Box (Part 1)

I like pretty things, shiny things, old things, and am drawn to the stuff like a crow. About 15-16 years ago, I talked DH into funding me a little 'jewelry store' at the indoor flea market not far from our home. I wasn't real sure he would be hot for the idea, as I had tried to have a T-shirt shop a couple of years previous. The T-shirt shop was a losing proposition by the time we invested in the stock, the equipment, and rented a small storefront. Put it this way - We lost our shirts! So when I got this new idea, I was kind of prepared for a heavy boot pounding the floor, but he surprised me and I was able to rent a space by the month.

I had learned about ebay. Using the new computer from the T-shirt shop and hooking up to dial-up, I was able to buy vintage and other jewelry. Here are pictures of the first week we set it up. 

Sorry they are so small. I managed to lose the original sized photos when I changed the last 3 computers. The kids belonged to another vendor.

At first I was worried that my 'stuff' would get lost in there. I brought in some of my artwork to help fill it up. By the time I was ready to close up shop, my artwork was already at the house, and every wall was covered with necklaces, beads, and earrings. The two benches

and display case were loaded. 
I did a pretty good business, although I didn't make a living, haha. I made enough for the cost of my 'stuff' and my

rent and gas. Of course, the name of the place was called The Jewelry Box. It was quite popular and I had a following or whatever you call it, in a short time. 

 My fun lasted from late spring until the weather got cold in October. The owner of the building decided he couldn't afford to heat that big place and said if we (the vendors) wanted to stay open, there would be no heat.

 I packed my broom. I knew I would end up with pneumonia or worse. In the spring, the owner sold out and it became some kind of game spot. Well, it was fun while it lasted!

To be continued ...

Blueberry Summer?

Not so much. My poor blueberry bushes aren't doing well. I wonder if they are just done completely. The one in the front is completely dead now. From what? Nary a clue. The bumper crop we got last year is not repeating itself. DH picked a couple pints to take to his sister's house and there isn't much left. Not sure if I should get him to plant a couple more bushes or just forget it. It's getting to be too hot and too hard for me to go out there and pick. I don't know.

 DH has taken a couple days off from my nagging and bitching companionship. He's gone off to visit his family. Ah.

The heat and humidity is on it's way once again. I did so like the few days in respite. I can see the air already, ugh.

I can't seem to find my marbles beads. I thought I wanted to string some up for a faux curtain in here. I have a full tote of them - I thought were in the closet. Been dragging 'stuff' out of the closet and haven't found them yet. Thought I'd terminate each strand with a silver charm. I found the charms - most of them anyway. I really could use a strong boy to help me haul all this 'stuff' out of here. I can't seem to coerce get DH interested in helping me.

What an opportunity, no DH to distract me ... I'd love to get a few 'projects' done while he's gone. Thing is, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Biggest thing happening this afternoon is a nice nap after I drag another tote or two out of the closet. Sigh ...

Lazy day, Sunday

Spending most of my time just enjoying the pleasant day outside. It's about 10 degrees cooler than normal, with a most lovely breeze and low humidity.

Curious?

Thought I would post a picture of what the kit looks like for 23andMe. Our kits came today. We'll do them in the morning before we eat or drink or brush ...

 I hope it's clear enough for you to read it. Says it takes 2-5 minutes to get enough spit. Sounds like fun, will have to look at a cookbook or something. Ha Ha!

The Buzzards are Invading!

We have a metal roof. I was sitting here this morning, quietly trying to clear the cobwebs from my head, when I heard something land on the roof. I could hear the thud through all the insulation and thought, wth? I heard several more thuds and got up to see if I could see anything. The thuds came from birds that are the size of a wild turkey landing on the roof.

There was a dead armadillo laying out in the yard. Several buzzards were there. One was trying to tear the animal apart, while several of his gruesome henchmen skulked around the yard as look-outs. Guess one or more of the neighbor's dogs had killed it. 

This was not our first rodeo with dead varmints in the yard. I kept an eye out until DH got home to dispose of it. We don't want another pile of ick for J n J to roll in. 

Feast anyone?

The look-out

 Charming characters, eh?

Cleaning up ...

This post is probably going all over the place. Sorry.

Cleaning up after the mice - again! Dishwasher installer sort of left a hole for the nasty things under the sink when he added another hose. Why? We have no clue, maybe his hose was shorter than the original and he had to jury rig it in. All I know is that the hole under the sink is like the doors to the grand ballroom of mousedom. They made tracks to get in and start families again - under the sink, in the buckets, under the stove, and in my lower cabinets. I won't be able to walk tomorrow from crawling around on the floor. I vacuumed up a sh--load of mouse turds and insulation, literally filling the vacuum cleaner! 

So ... The dogs have fleas. DH gave Jill a bath today. Jack got his last night. He brought the vacuum in here to clean out Jill's corner after he sprayed her bed for fleas with Bengal. (Best I know of)  Well, bless his heart, he didn't think to empty the bag and bleep near killed me with the stench! I screamed and got him out of here. Shortly after that, I heard the vacuum in the living room and immediately smelled the stench again. 

DH was vacuuming the double recliner. I admit, I am a bit short fused when it comes to not paying attention ... I flew (as well as I could) in there and shut it off. Then I grabbed a new bag for the vacuum. He was all, "Wha ..." I opened the bag door, and thick wads of mouse stinking insulation 'fluff' began pouring out. I showed him how full it had gotten. He's like, "It was still sucking," and I just blew as I tried to pick up the mess oozing out of the hose. Then, yes, then, he blew the hose clear in my face! I simply must learn to have more patience ... 

One of the local cousins is coming tomorrow to fix one of the outside faucets. DH can't get to it now with his knee problem. We need to run a hose to his little veggie garden and my blueberries. Carrying water is not an easy thing. My fingers are crossed - I would love to have all new plumbing put in under there, it needs it.

The whole day was exhausting. I must say that DH is not the village idiot. He is bored and was on a roll, thinking he was helping. I seriously am worried about how long I will last when he takes his retirement. I don't know how some of you retirees do it. He should be able to back to work the second week of July, sigh ...

Work for Nothing

Trying to save Tim. What is the matter with me? I feel as if I need to 'save' the 'life' of every unhappy thing I try to grow. Tim was supposed to grow to a foot tall. He got to be a rangy 3' tall and had to be moved. I re-potted it after it twisted and fell over, then DH put it on the porch, where it got heat exhaustion and half the leaves shriveled. So much work and it is probably going to die anyway. Ugh! When will I learn? My good at gardening days are over. I must say - I don't believe the seeds were true Tiny Tim. Ruth says the one I gave her doesn't look like it either. $8 for a few seeds was too much for bad seeds!

Big Foot

I'm being literal here. I've been having a lot of problems with my edema. No idea what is causing this, but  - maybe the prednisone? I got the RX from the Dr. last week and yesterday I weighed myself to see just how much I had gained in water weight. 12# in a week! Mostly in my left foot and leg, I'd say. Sitting and standing are bad for that, so ... I've not been on the computer much. The new water pills aren't helping much. Back to doc!

 Have considered getting the Highlander series. It's a lot of money, so figured I would watch the movies first. Don't think I want to go the extra expense ... I do like sword fighting and all that, not the rest of that noise. I ordered 9 as a distraction - I like some animated movies on occasion ... Not for small children, that's for sure. Think my kids would have all had nightmares if they had seen it before they were 9 or 10. It's about machines having taken over the world and killing all humanity. Good graphics!

Almost wordless Wednesday

DH first tomato

DH Garden Tomato and banana peppers.

DH Yard tomato - yeah, we had a handy hole.

Bedroom planter seen from the yard through the window.

Reflection of across the road and yard.

Tallest stuff (dim) is mint that hasn't fallen over yet.

Can't really see Tim.

 

Doctor visit

I went to see my pulmonologist yesterday. Yes, it's been a while. He seemed surprised to see me, like he thought I had died or something. I suppose I look a little like death warmed over. I was shocked to see how old and worn he looked, as if he bore all the sorrow of disease in all his patients. Sigh. We all get old ...

Had x-rays, 3 breathing tests, and blood work. Guess I will get results when I go back in a couple weeks. The technician did say that one of the breathing tests showed that I am breathing out nearly as much o2 as I breathe in. My exchange jobbies aren't functioning.

New drugs to try ... We'll see. The office visit was like forever and I was totally exhausted by the time I got back into the car to come home. Slept like the dead last night. I hope I don't have to do this very often.
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The new dishwasher is wonderful. So quiet, we don't have to turn up the TV! 

Have bud thoughts on my mint, finally.

Lawn needs mowed, it will not stay dry long enough for him to do it. The humidity is high and you can see it. Dew is heavy in the morning or it rains ...

Currently watching One Step Beyond. (In spurts) DVD player in TV is dying.

That's it for now, I need a nap. Have a good day!

Up-date and June 1st Birthdays

Up-date: DH is getting around a bit now. Went to physical therapy today. The surgery went as well as could be expected. Next time (and it does sound like there is a fair possibility) they will have to do a knee replacement. They did what they could do with the miniscus mess and took off some arthritis damage. He's not sleeping well, even on the good drugs ...

June 1st is a big Birthday day for me. The littlest one of Grandma's Darlin's is a year old today! She is a true ray of sunshine - get a load of those smiles!

Not sure when I'll be back, I do read your blogs. I have my plate pretty full right now. Will see my pulmonologist on Monday. Time to do something about the insurance. Squash died, Tim dying, Mint is running rampant. Extra with DH's garden right now. He's got tomatoes set and the beginnings of pepper blossoms. So many Morning Glories need to be pulled. (Somehow I knew it would be me doing the pulling ...) Ugh! 

Take care, folks!