Catching up, trips to Goodwill, a funny story, and a project in progress

I'm sorry that I haven't been on here much lately, as I have been "under the weather". I am supposed to be resting right now, so I have time to catch up! Not to whine, well maybe, but I have a throat infection and my first case of laryngitis and it is SO frustrating. I thought my firefighter man and my kiddos would be happy with my loss of voice, but I'm not sure. My dear firefighter man keeps saying "WHAT?!" with annoyance and my kids claim to not hear me when I don't have laryngitis, so they probably do like having another excuse for them not hearing me when asking them to do something with laryngitis. Anyway, I got a penicillin shot this morning, so it has to get better, right?! *I don't normally feel sorry for myself, but I have to say that it really sucks not having your voice and now I know how Ariel felt!*

I have to tell you a funny interesting story about something that happened today... and I have to say that I am like a magnet to situations such as these.


So, I have laryngitis today, right? Yep, and I never know if my words will come out as barely a whisper or as a pubescent boy, so while I was waiting in line at Goodwill today, (I had 45 mins. to wait for my Amoxycilin and I just happened to be right down from Goodwill) this nice woman with her grandaughter starts asking me about my goodies in my basket. When I started answering (in a strained cat dying kind of whisper/croak) I also said to her, "Excuse my voice, but I have laryngitis". She says, "Oh I'm so sorry...I WOULD have to ask you a million questions, right?! *laughing*. She says, "I hope you feel better" and turns back around. Not 30 seconds later, she turns back to me and starts spewing information about her bone density test today and how she's going to be going through menopause FOREVER and also how her uterus was dislodged from her body when she was in a car accident...yikes and then had to have it cut out! I just kind of listened making strange facial expressions while she went on and on. Oh, how do I get myself into these situations?! So to beat all, when she was done with her story (thank goodness it was her turn to pay), she says "Isn't Goodwill so much fun?!". I just nodded and jumped to the next cash register as quickly as possible. Ugh...

Ok, so here are the goods that I have bought in the last month or so that I haven't posted until now. Here is the first haul:

I can't remember now how much everything cost, but just know it was a good deal! I do remember the green coat, which is brighter than this pic shows, was half price, so it was $4 and it had it's new tags on it!
I loved the top 2 white and red balls, they are vintage and have glittered children in ice skates.The black ballet Crocs for my daughter were $4 and the Lilly Pulitzer starfish jeans were $7 (and they fit me!). I love the crab embroidered Lands End shirt for my oldest and I re-did the pumpkin to look a little cuter for our store.The tops for my 2 daughters were $3 each and the handmade firetruck jon jon (for my friend's son) was $2!Here is another haul:
This quilt was $7 and like brand new. It just happens to be perfect for my daughters' room that is pink, purple, and orange!

And here are 2 Lilly Pulitzer dresses for $3 each to add to my collection!And this is my haul from today:
The most expensive thing was the Lilly Pulitzer pants for $8 and the cheapest was .22 for one of the candlesticks.The Southern Living "dress me up plate" was $3.25 and the Magic Treehouse collection of 4 books still in the packaging was $2.25!
This vintage housecoat was $4 and in my colors! Maybe I should wear it as a smock when I paint furniture!
I have always loved these wall quotes and they were only $2.25 (look for a giveaway for one very soon!).I bought the big glass thing in the middle to put a pumpkin in and decorate for Halloween! The misc. candleholders will be painted black and will have mini pumpkins on them. The crystal candleholders will be the base for cupcake stands (like the one mom did at the top of this page) to put in The Porch for sale. I thought these old Noritake plates would be perfect for this project as well!
Oh, and here is a cute fabric Halloween tablecloth ($3):

So, here are my Halloween projects in progress. I have been so inspired by so many of you in blogland who have given such great ideas for Halloween decorating! I will, of course, show you the final result and will give credit to those who deserve it for inspiring me!

Stay healthy!

Labor Day Weekend

I hope that the Labor Day weekend was wonderful for all of you! It was another beautiful weekend at the river for us. We visited with many friends & family and had excellent weather including somewhat of a sweet Virginia breeze.

I didn't do much thrifting, but did find 2 yard sales where I bought some old bottles, comics, etc. and many nice fall clothing items for my 7 year old.

I couldn't have asked for a better end to my summer vacation!
The girls started school today and I was a tad teary eyed when I put them on the bus (I love having them at home during the summer), but they got off the bus this afternoon saying that they had a fun day at school and that's all that matters!
So here we are back to, as much as possible, a routine.
Where does the time go?

July at "The Porch"

I hope that everyone had a wonderful July 4th weekend! We certainly did...our families were at our river cottages for a long weekend. We always look forward to the good old fashioned parade with a calliope leading the way and tractors, wagons, bicycles, and now golf carts and boats (pulled by trucks). It's just a fun tradition for our family, if we're not in the parade, to stand and wave our little flags as the parade passes...it lasts about 2 minutes, but well worth the wait! After that, the nice man driving the tractor in this picture, serves snow cones down the road at his house which is great because it's always so hot and everybody loves snowcones!

Well, now that July is here AND we sold the pink antique couch (yay!), mom and I thought that we would rearrange and add some more merchandise to our booth at Through the Garden Gate. Here are some updated pictures...

Thanks for taking a peek!

Mother's Day

I hope every mother out there had a wonderful Mother's Day! Mine was a perfect day...starting with breakfast by my oldest daughter along with cards made by both girls and my husband. My mother was able to join us for our breakfast of cinnamon buns which was wonderful.

Then came about 30 minutes where I just sat by the river with my coffee and magazine.

And look what my mom & dad gave ME for Mother's Day...
...many, many treasures handed down from my Grandma Claire and my mom, along with a few things found in thrift shops. It was so special and so much fun to go through! The tin and box also hold little saucers. It's so beautiful all put together in the metal tub that I kinda hate to "undo" it. At least I have the pictures, right?!

A great picture of my Grandma Claire & PawPaw.

And you just have to see this sweet little cupcake plate that my mom made!
She took a votive holder (upside down) and glued it to the bottom of the glass plate and added a cheese dome (the glass domes that come with the cheese boards). Too cute!

Here I am with my mom and dad.

This is what we gave my mom for her porch at the river.

What a wonderful and relaxing Mother's Day!