* IT'S A TEA CUP TUESDAY *

Hi Everyone! I decided to participate in another Tea Cup Tuesday.

I'm linking to Martha's Favorites, Tue Cup Tuesday! It's only been about oh...a couple of years since I joined in the fun! I'm posting a partial repeat of an earlier version, because many bloggers may not have seen this particular one; and I don't think seeing the same tea cups and tea pots can be a bad thing, either!

This photo is of the plates, teapot clock, and "half" tea cup & saucer, that I hung in a random way on a wall in the dining room. (of our previous home) Two of the larger plates were my grandma's. The other plates were single purchases at various consignment stores. The "half" tea cup set is a one-of-a-kind I found at a gift shop in old St. Charles, Mo. I've never seen another one like it. The back of the cup and plate are flat, so it fits neatly against the wall. The teapot clock was purchased at Dillard's quite a few years ago. It's the Royal Albert, Old Country Roses pattern. (These all look like miniatures in the photo, but they are "regular" size...and as always, you can click on each photo and enlarge them 2 times)

A wall of loveliness!

This is a close up of the teapot clock.

 

 

This is a teapot I purchased at Dillard's about the same time as the teapot clock.

The tea cup and saucer were bought at one of the local consignment shops.

This cup and saucer is not a set. The cup belonged to my deceased sister (Jo Ann) when she was a little girl. It's smaller than regular, but it's also not miniature. It's just kind of "child-sized". It has a little chip at the top on the right, which is visible. (I can't imagine giving a young child a CHINA cup!) I don't know exactly how it came into my possesion, but I'm so glad I have it, and I really do cherish it.

This is a darling sugar bowl and creamer set I bought at Home Goods a couple of years ago. It's so cheery and spring-like, and just makes me smile to look at it.

 

~~~

I still have all of these lovely items, plus others that aren't shown here. Most are packed in boxes which haven't been opened since March 2013! I will be going through those boxes this spring/summer, though, and deciding what I MUST keep and what I can give away to family/friends, or take to Goodwill.

 

I've learned so much during these past few years of moving/downsizing...what is important and what isn't. And most "things" are definitely not important. One of the things I learned, at least about myself, is that having a photo or photos of those much loved items, makes it so much easier to say goodbye to them, and send them on to a new home...where someone else will love them!

 

Thanks again to Martha and all the Tea Cup Ladies!

 

 

"Come, let us have some tea and continue to talk about happy things." -- Chaim Potok

* NOSTALGIC SUNDAY *

It's Time for Another Nostalgic Sunday

Where has the time gone? It's been four weeks since my previous Nostalgic Sunday, and seven weeks since we moved. Along with the unpacking and deciding what goes where, The Ronald and I have also come across items that we "brought along" that really "don't belong." So....more trips to Goodwill. (I really like the newest one in our area. It has a Drive Up & Drop Off Door!☺)

It's been interesting how I've felt about giving away and/or selling furniture and decorative items that used to mean a lot to me. This move has been much more than just a physical move. It's also been serendipitous.

I've taken time to sit on our deck, enjoying the beautiful trees and flowering bushes as they sway in the breezes.......and the birds chirping back and forth with their loud conversations.....and to almost meditate about life....the past, present, and future. 

And that, of course, brings the memories from the past, and thoughts about my memoir. I still have no definite publication date, but I can assure anyone who is interested, that it WILL be sometime fairly soon.

I've always proclaimed that patience is not one of my virtues, but during the past couple of years, I've learned to at least accept the concept of patience! 

Ahhh, and here's a bit of nostalgia to share!

Seen on the Adair County Free Press facebook page

"My favorite weather is bird-chirping weather."-- Loire Hartwould

* IT COULD ONLY HAPPEN TO ME *

I didn't plan on writing another blog post so soon, but something happened shortly after noon today, that I just had to share.

* I swear all of the following information and photos are real *

Vern had a 1:00 pm appointment with his favorite vet: Dr. Brister. (Actually he only has one vet, but she's the best around in both our opinions!)

Okay, SO....since we're still unpacking and finding things that we really don't need or want, I have quite a few items in my car to take to Goodwill.

As I opened the door on the driver's side of my PT Cruiser, I noticed The Ronald had put two large, decorative plate holders in the back floor, on the passenger's side. As I held the door open,Vern jumped into the backseat and settled onto his pillows. Right away I could see he didn't like the looks or the rattling of those metal contraptions. SO......since I didn't want Vern to be traumatized on the ride to the vet and back....I closed my door and walked around to the other side to pull them out.

I could only open the passenger side door a few inches because stacks of boxes were in the way. I still easily reached in and grabbed both at the same time and began to pull. I had to walk backwards a bit, as I tried to yank them out at a 90° angle, which obviously didn't work since they were hard metal and not flexible.

Somehow during those few seconds, the black plate holder got stuck in the one and only crevice that was there. Plus, by that time, the gold one had latched onto the black one and they were both stuck, and I do mean stuck.

* SEE PHOTOS BELOW *

View from the front of the car

View from the side

View from the back

Another from the back and side

Close up view: Look a little below and to the right of the red piece of fabric. The  black part that is stuck is hard to see....it's kind of horizontal, right under a large, funny looking, kind-of-a-"C".

I yanked and pulled and cussed as poor Vern watched from the back seat. So, I put his leash on him and we went outside for a walk. I called the vet's office and told the receptionist I couldn't make the appointment and that she would NOT believe my excuse. She and I both laughed as I attempted to describe it all to her.

I also called The Ronald to see if he was anywhere near home, but he wasn't. I kept explaining the situation and he kept saying he couldn't visualize it. I don't blame him! He said he'd come home as soon as possible and take a look at the situation...Hmmm.....

Thank goodness the car is in the garage because it's been raining off and on all day. BUT, since the car door obviously won't shut, my battery may run low.......

* Tuesday 4/16/13 Addendum: The Ronald and I both worked together to get the tangled mess untangled, and I was able to drive Vern to his rescheduled vet appointment! (Also, since I changed my template back to a Blogger design, I'm now able to reply individually to comments. I love it!) 

Ahhhh.......Life is full of fun and surprises! I had a very good laugh today, and at my own expense!
I leave you with two quotes from one of my favorite comedians.....



"You can't have everything. Where would you put it?" -- Steven Wright

"Is it weird in here, or is it just me?" -- Steven Wright

* Various Thoughts on a Friday Night *

I've had a very productive week, in spite of negative things being thrown my way, testing my fortitude. My optimistic, bliss-following self disappeard for awhile, but I'm baaaccckkkk, stronger than ever! Look out world, I'm ready to kick some butt! (and I mean that in the nicest, kindest way possible!)

* I sat in my local Bread Co. for a while one day and got a lot of editing done on my book.
* I totally de-cluttered and cleaned up our spare bedroom.
* I cleaned out closets and drawers of clothing that hasn't fit me in at least 2 years, and I know never will again! I have a bagful to donate to Goodwill and a bagful to donate to a friend.
* I started the de-clutter and clean up of our loft, which had turned into a large junk room.
* I baked a homemade apple pie today.
* I worked quite a lot on some Saturday Writer stuff. (one of the local writing groups I belong to. I'm the president for 2011, so there's been a lot to do before our first meeting this month)
* I've been reading a memoir by Cynthia Kaplan called Leave the Building Quickly. This book has really helped me zone in on my own writing style and voice. Parts of it are truly "laugh out loud" funny! Just tonight I used up the last of a Barnes & Noble gift card I got for Christmas, by purchasing her first book, Why I'm Like This,  another memoir.

Oh, one more thing. I had a light-bulb moment the other day and decided that I will purchase one book a month, from my blog writer friends who have a book published! My first one, for January, is Katie Gates' The Somebody Who. Katie has posted chapters from it on her blog from time to time and I know it'll be a great book.

I have a note around here somewhere, with the names of two or three others whose books I want to buy, but I can't find it at the moment! Don't worry, I'm sure it will turn up before February rolls around.

Happy reading and writing everyone! What books are you reading now? What are you writing?
"I am not the only person who uses his computer mainly for the purpose of diddling with his computer."-- Dave Barry