Junking Finds. . . . . . . .3/31/17

March 31, 2017 - I was out and about last Wednesday when I ran across this artsy lamp.  He is ceramic and VERY heavy.  The bowl he is holding has holes and light bulbs so the light filters down on him.  I actually loved this guy!  However, I did not buy him. His price was only $49.99, less 30% senior discount + 7% tax  or approx. $38.  I am not sure he would have even fit in my car was reason #1 that I didn't buy him.  Reason #2 was I decided that it is time to stay out of my savings and adhere to a budget which in the very near future includes taxes and more taxes.
There is only one other time I remember really remember regretting not making a Goodwill-find purchase.  It was a really nice, large leather backpack - $4.99.  They are truly back in style now and I think about that every time I go into a Goodwill.  Of course, I have made a lot more purchases I regret than vice versa.

Also shopping the local Emporium Flea Market, I ran across this Oster "DoAll" mixer.  It is exactly like the one my mother left and I use now.  Mine is the great Harvest Gold color of the what...70,s?  This one was priced at $75.  Not all that bad of a price considering a new KitchenAid is +$300 now!  I think that is crazy!  Yesterday I ran across the manual for my mixer. 

In my quest to stay within budget, I applied for some jobs.  Yes, I think I am ready to return to work if someone will have me.  Last week I chopped, chopped, chopped my hair........a definite indication that I have too much time on my hands.

A little bird told me. . . . . .

March 28, 2017

Here is a little bird I knitted from the Ravelry Site, Bookmark Birds by Claire Garland.  Of Course, I received a good message from my random opening of the book:

Most of us believe that the freedom and power of adulthood is our due, but we have little taste for adult responsibility and self-discipline. 

I am certainly identifying with this as tax time approaches as well as the consequences I am now experiencing as a result of not practicing self-discipline.  Oh well, some of us work better under pressure.........................................  

Agenda - Mannequin Repair

March 22, 2017 - Plans for this year include refurbishing some mannequins from the barn.  I have been going around and gathering parts; i.e. fingers, arms, wigs.  This article from the Mannequin Queen has a lot of information and I think I will give it a try.  Also, all are in need of a little wig restyling. 

WHile researching this subject I ran across some other ideas of things to do with dress forms.  Such as the Christmas tree above. . . . and there are many more just a Google away!  I have a small dress form in my living room now.  I use it to hang some handmade jewelry, an old hat - and mostly top off the wooden piece my mother used as a stand for an Indian bust she had.  Mom did go through the Indian stage........I have lots of artifacts to show for that.   The amazing thing about those is that she found most of them right here on the farm!  In addition to finding them, she numbered, logged the date and field found, mounted them on poster board and displayed them !  I am still dealing with this 6 foot showcase in a tiny bedroom that I now use as my office.  One more note on the wooden stand - it is actually a part of the railing from the old Anderson, Indiana Court house that was torn down.  I am showing this dress form here and adding a note that a dear friend, Kenny Criswell, gave me this. 

Time for New Beginnings

3/20/2017 - I haven't been on blogger for a long time.  My internet through AT&T is working pretty good and I have been doing several listings on EBay.  Some of my latest sales included a Crow Loop Necklace I made when I lived in Friendship, Indiana. I think it was 1995 when I left there so it has been stuck in a drawer for around 20 years.  It certainly is time to start getting rid of things around here. 

I entitled this entry Time for New Beginnings.  I think it is also time to see about going back to work.  Several reasons for this....................... I believe there is some truth to the old Proverb The Devil finds work for idle hands to do"

I would love just to start working.  I hate the job application process.  I also still have this health thing where I need to go in for Kidney stents every 3 months.  That could be a problem.