This past Friday Dad found two estate sales close by. No real good stories to tell. I didn’t recognize any of my favorite estate sale companies. Yes, I am known by a few estate sale people, 1. either I’ve had a family member in my class (true story) or 2.  I chat with them about the story behind the estate sale. I love the story behind the items I buy.

If you go to enough estate sales, you end up knowing all the people who run them. It makes going more fun when you see your friends. I think a lot of estate sales took Easter weekend off.

The garage was packed. I think I overheard this was a former school teacher’s home. I found a lot of evidence to support that fact. Things shaped like apples with #1 on them.

Seriously, the estate sale people should just throw this Hummel out. I hate finding broken items.

This lady had a TON of beanie babies… these were the cutest of them all. Ok, I admit, I bought a beanie baby that was a Poodle and looks just like Lucy.

Dad bought this Elvis CD collection. We listened to it on the way to the other estate sale. Plus, every estate sale has an Elvis something…

This lady must have LOVED rugs. They were everywhere. Cute little kitchen and living area too.

I had to laugh at the Donny & Marie DVD. I would love to go to Vegas to see their show. I used to never miss their show as a little kid in the 70′s. No, I did not buy the DVD. I was tempted for fun, but I have so much stuff laying around that I said that about that I now try to censor my buys.

The best part of going to garage sales and estate sales are the people you meet. Dad had his Air Force cap on and was approached by a WWII vet. I LOVE the stories people can tell you about their lives. I should start recording the stories.

The second house wasn’t that exciting. Just very very high prices.

Oh, let there be silver!

And, Easter Bunnies…

I thought this was a cool radio… but not for $200.

I loved this bar. It was sold and I could see why!

I thought this chair was kinda cool too. It could be redone and spiffed up. They only wanted $24 for it.

No great finds. I will have to post my London picture that I found for $80 that they originally wanted $200 for at an estate sale. It hangs in my office. Our couch and chair  are the best find of all. I will post a picture of those too. I just thought of a post I’ll work on… my favorite estate sale finds.

Ok, so my brother turned 50 today. A lot of milestone birthdays for us this year, I turned 40 and my brother always is 10 years ahead with another big number. Always larger, the way I like it.

When I was younger, my mom would put me in the high chair and I would always get to blow out the candles the second time. Yes, mom would always light them again just so I could blow them out. This is why there are several pictures of us always together on his birthday.

Hi everyone! No, I haven’t dropped off the face of the earth, but if you keep up with my blog, it might seem as if I did. I’ve been busy with school and with a research project that I’m very excited about. And, I just wanted to take a blogging break. Lately, I have felt as if I’m being pulled in several different directions and I haven’t really been able to focus. I’m sure a lot of you can relate to that feeling.

Here’s the most exciting thing that has happened recently. My sister adopted a new dog. She named her new Chihuahua, Bella.  I named it Bella Ethel. I thought since I had a Poodle named  Lucy, she should have an Ethel, but my sister disagreed

When Lucy met Bella Ethel, well, it didn’t go so well. Lucy was afraid of Bella Ethel. It was really funny to watch what a wimp my doggie is. Bella Ethel tried really hard to make friends, but Lucy was a bad host. No, no barking or growling with each other, Lucy hid behind everyone and asked for me to hold her. It was amusing. Maybe next time she encounters Bella Ethel, Lucy will want to be more friendly.

Bella Ethel on Lucy's favorite blanket

Lucy's first meeting with Bella Ethel--Lucy was afraid of her.

Brenda and Bella Ethel

I promise I’ll try to update more often with more pictures. I have several I took to share that are on my phone. I will post them soon.

Today was the first day of classes for me. Here’s how the day went:

I found my plants survived and even grew while I was away.

I found that I needed a bit more coffee than usual to stay awake.

My window is still awesome!

All my classes were fun!

I get to use the skywalk to get to my third class of the day on Tuesdays. I have to walk from Jonsson to the Engineering building.

I kept running into scary signs on my walk.

After the first day, a glass or two of wine is relaxing!

Overall, a great first day!

Thursday, I went to an estate sale at this house.

They had a box of personal photos for .50 cents each. I’m wondering why anyone would want to sell personal photos. I find it sad.

This little girl’s picture caught my eye.

I turned it over and found this message:

It reads:

Myself. 10 yr of age. I really thought I was the bell of the school in that old time middy-blouse. Was a blonde with brown eyes until I was 12 yr old, have began to turn dark.

Please do not let anything happen to this one. Only one I have of me. Has been in family 24 yr. & I hope to keep some 24 more yr. 

I just find it sad that this little girl’s picture, whoever she may be, is now in a box for .50 cents. She’s unwanted now. I find myself wondering and hoping that she had a good life and that she felt important because today, she found herself in a box with strangers looking at her picture wondering how her life turned out and reading her plea on the back of the picture. I pray she had a blessed life and she felt she was worth more than .50 cents.

Since, Theresa at Red Oak Lane invited me to participate in Thankful Thursday, I decided it sounded exactly like what I needed to do to turn the negatives into positives. I believe a grateful heart is an open heart and when you are grateful, you can see circumstances and things we take for granted in a positive way.

1. I am thankful that the holiday season is over! Whew! Just to survive is good enough for me.

2. I am thankful for my little poodle Lucy. I will probably say this EVERY Thursday! Today, Dad was going for a walk in the park and wanted to take Lucy. Dad led her to the car when he noticed she was gone. She was sitting at the back door waiting for ME to come out. I wasn’t going for a walk, but she wanted me to come too. It was the most loving and cutest thing I had ever seen. Dad let her in the house and said, “She won’t go with me!” She eventually went with Dad only after she kept jumping on me and in her way telling me, “C’mon, C’mon, let’s go for a walk!”

3. I am thankful for friends who know exactly what I need. (like a last minute lunch date at a place that serves beignets)

4. I am thankful for reconnecting with friends  this Christmas season who I haven’t seen in a long time.

5. I am thankful for a job I LOVE! But I still don’t feel like going back yet!

6. I am thankful for friends who had me laughing until I was crying last night. I adore Sharon and Carie. They make me laugh and laugh and laugh.

Thanks for inviting me Theresa!

I don’t know why I like this picture. I think I like the shadow of the hand on the table.

A quiet spot to reflect