Ch...ch...ch...ch...changes (thanks, David Bowie, for getting that tune stuck in my head)

It's been a little over a year and a half since my mom passed away, leaving me and the dogs to our own devices.  Since then, I have tried my best to combine both houses of stuff, edit what I don't want, and make my childhood home into the current "50 year old me" home.  It hasn't been easy, surprisingly.  There are so many memories and emotions tied up in the things that inhabit my home(s); it's hard to let go when I can remember when, where, and even why something was purchased. 

 

Mom--and daddy, too--worked hard to make our home a lovely, comfortable, and interesting place.  We collected souvenirs and momentos from our travels.  The things that we brought home were never cheap, tacky, tourist-y junk.  I don't remember even buying a souvenir t-shirt until I was in college! 

 

Because my parent's home was lovely when I moved in, I was at first reluctant to make any changes.  I planned on bringing in the few antique pieces I owned and calling it a day.  But the longer I lived in the house, the more I realized that it just wasn't me.  My mom was raised in the 30s and 40s, a time when everyone's home was much more formal than those of today.  Each room's furniture matched religiously.  And it was expensive furniture, too.  Mom didn't buy anything until she could afford exactly what she wanted.  It seemed a sin to replace things just because they didn't suit me.

 

I felt guilty about replacing and redecorating too.  If it was good enough for my parents, it should be good enough for me too.  I've had several dreams in which my mother suddenly reappeared from wherever she's been for the last 18 months, and scolded me for changing "her" house!  In one dream, she just started moving things back to where they "belonged."  Now that's some powerful guilt!

 

Despite my feelings of guilt, I resolved to make some changes.  As I've mentioned before, the room I feel worst about changing is what used to be my mom and dad's vintage soda fountain.  I am selling almost everything soda fountain-related in my estate sale, to make room for my studio.  Ugh, even writing about it makes me feel a twinge of guilt.  They worked so hard at collecting the stuff, and in making the room so authentic.  I know in my head that it's okay; that they would want me to be happy, but I still feel bad.  I'm pushing on, nevertheless.

 

Stay tuned for a lengthy house tour in August.  And, then you won't ever have to hear about my house-guilt again!  I promise!

 

 

Big doings at the Parker house

Old bathroom light fixture

 

New and improved bathroom light fixture



The cheesy 1960s scrollwork from the lights

 

Completely new bathroom fixture, installed after I decided that "mid-century modern" just wasn't my thing, even though the light fixtures did look better without that tacky scrollwork

 

New light fixture in the guest bedroom.  It's a vintage-looking mini-chandelier. All the furniture in this room is antique, so I thought something vintage-looking would be pretty.  Real vintage is too expensive!

 

New drapes for the living room--to replace the "lovely" pink sheers in the background

More decorating "stuff"--new fabric for the living room chairs, a new pillow for the rocker in the office, and some other goodies

A vintage, purely decorative medicine cabinet for the bathroom

This poor broken thing is being replaced on Wednesday!

 

Yes, there are big doings at the Parker house!  I'm doing some renovations and replacing fixtures.  Look for a post on the completed projects--and a house tour--in August!

This is how we roll...

On a really hot Texas summer day, what do snow dogs do?

 

 

We nap in front of the fan! 

 

Poquito does too!

Juneau's "Gotcha Day"

Close on the heels of Sitka's "Gotcha Day" comes Juneau's. 

 

After eating his treat--and sharing with his sister and little brother--this is what he spent the rest of the day doing! 

 

Ah, the life of a dog! 

Happy Fourth of July!

I am thankful to live in the United States of America--let freedom ring!

The prodigal returns

When I started this post last night, I was too sad to actually do more than write a title and quit.  It was going to be called Vaya con Dios, Poquito.  On Friday evening, Poquito took a page from his sister's (the Princess of Mayhem and General Naughtiness) book and take off. 

 

Just before dinner, all the dogs wanted to go outside--so out they went.  Because it has been so hot, less than five minutes later, the big furries wanted in.  No sign of Poquito, but that's not unusual.  He likes to stay outside in the heat.  I waited about ten minutes and tried again.  No Poquito.  At that, I went out and looked.  And looked, and looked, and looked.  No Poquito anywhere!  Not in the backyard, not in the front yard, not in the alley. 

 

I got in the car and drove around to see if I could spot him.  Do you have any idea how hard it is to spot a tiny little brown dog in amongst the houses, bushes, and trees?  It's not like looking for Sitka or  Juneau, who are hard enough to find as it is.

 

Needless to say, I had no luck in finding the little booger!  I kept thinking he'd finally show up in a few hours, but by Saturday morning, I didn't think that was going to happen.  After work on Saturday, I checked the Garland animal shelter.  Lots of sweet babies there, but none of them were my baby.  When I got home, I looked everywhere again, even in my closets just in case he had somehow, improbably, snuck in and gotten himself trapped. 

 

We celebrated Sitka's "Gotcha Day" without him and by Sunday, I resigned myself to the unhappy fact that he was lost.  I spent the day moping around the house and trying not to imagine the possible array of bad things that could have happened to him. 

 

I went to bed around midnight and at three (which seems to be the magical hour for dogs returning home), Sitka woke me up.  She was fussing at the back door, and I thought she needed to go out.  When I got up, there was Poquito waiting to be let in. 

 

Both big furries checked him out like he was new to them all over again.  He ran to get a drink and I fed him.  He is in perfect shape except that it looks as though he lost weight.  When Juneau and Sitka were satisfied that he was still the same dog as before, and he'd eaten and drank, he curled up in my lap like nothing happened and went to sleep.

 

Someone is not going outside unsupervised anymore! 

 

Gotcha day!

For those of you that work in animal rescue, you are probably familiar with "Gotcha Days"--the day that someone adopts a animal.  Most of the time, those of us who adopt never know his or her true date of birth, so we celebrate the day we got them instead.

 

Today is Sitka's "Gotcha Day."  I got her six years ago--so I think that makes her about eight!  To celebrate, I got both she and Juneau treats.  Sitka got a toy too, but as long as there is food, she won't pay that toy one bit of attention!  I got them both "Busy Bones" and they do indeed keep the dogs busy for about an hour.  It's so quiet in the house I can hardly believe it!

Happy Gotcha Day, my dear, dear Sitka!

The demise of the basketball hoop

James Naismith would be so disappointed.  The once-ubiquitous home basketball hoop has all but disappeared from driveways everywhere. 

I noticed this as I was driving across town the other day.  One lone house had a portable hoop set up in the driveway.  It looked weather-beaten and unused.  I started looking for the old-fashioned kind--the ones hung over the garage doors.  Across town and back...nothing.  Not one other hoop of any kind did I see. 

I guess kids these days are too busy playing Wii basketball to play real ball.

It's a shame...

What are your treasures worth?

I frequently browse both Ebay and Etsy for three reasons--1) to see what cool things people have for sale; 2) to see just how much they're charging for said cool things; and, 3) to see how much people are charging for stuff I have and use all the time!

 

 

link to Etsy listing

For those of you who remember my Cleanup in the spice aisle post, you'll recognize the jars above as vintage McCormick spice jars.  Who knew that four of them were worth $15 on Etsy?  Guess I should go dig some of those puppies out of the "bin of random jars I've saved" and sell them, huh?

Or how about this set of restaurantware (china that was used in restaurants--heavy-duty, break-resistant, vitrified china)?  I have--literally--cabinets full of this stuff.  I never paid more than $15 per piece, and that was for the largest platters that I have.  This set is $115, also on Etsy.

 

link to Etsy listing

Or these two cute little containers: 

 

link to Etsy listing

I have ones just like them.  $37 on Etsy.  Someone else is selling the strawberry alone for $22.  That strawberry is particularly popular right now.  I saw at least three of them for sale. 

And this brown pitcher?  Yep, got that too!

 

Link to Etsy listing

 

My favorite find from this evening's browsing, though, is this:  an ice bucket (which I also happen to have somewhere)--advertised as a compost bin!  Oh, lord have mercy!  At least it was only $9.99.

 

 

Link to Etsy listing



What cool stuff have you found recently?  Have you found anything for sale that you use all the time? 

(please note that the images above are not my own and are from the Etsy listings)

Happy Father's Day!

 

To the best dad in the world:  I love you and miss you every day of my life!  Even though you've been gone for 24 years, you--along with mom--made the biggest impact of anyone on my life! 

 

I can still hear you sing those country western songs you loved so much.  Whenever I hear one of your favorites, I can just picture you strumming your guitar and singing along! 

 

I remember, too, how much we liked to talk about what we were reading.  Mom taught me to love to read, but you reinforced that love with your own.  We didn't read the same things, but that never stopped us from talking to each other about what we read.

 

In my mind, I see you dressed two ways--in a well-fitting suit, or in your jeans and cowboy hat.  Each were just as much "you" as the other.  You fit into both worlds so effortlessly, but I think you were always a country boy at heart. 

 

I'm glad that you were able to enjoy the good life that your profession afforded you, especially considering how difficult your early years were.  You worked extremely hard for everything that you had--and you were so generous in sharing what you had with those you met.  I still have the afghan that was crocheted as a thank you from an older lady whose surgery you did for free because she needed it and couldn't afford to pay.  I remember that it was always displayed proudly on the back of your office chair.  Now it is also proudly displayed in my living room. 

 

One of the best things you ever told me?  "If that's the worst that ever happens to you, you're doing pretty good."  I think of that a lot--and it helps keep things in perspective, although it was more comforting when you were here to say it to me!

 

Daddy, you were, and are, an inspiration to me and to others that were fortunate enough to cross your path.  You came from very little, but made yourself great.  Not because of your job, or the money you made, but because of how you lived and how you treated others.  You didn't go to church on a regular basis, but you lived as the Bible taught us to, without being "religious."  You were generous, loving, and kind--oh, you had your faults too, but I don't remember those, not like I remember your good qualities. 

 

I hope that you and mom are having a ball up in heaven--strumming your guitar and singing those songs you loved.  No angel could sing a song any sweeter!

Back to the grind--part one

Well, the company is all gone--Martha left this afternoon to visit her brother and his family in Indiana.  I did have to check her bag to make sure she left Poquito behind, though!  We are all sad to see her go--the puppies love her just as much as I do.

I just realized that this was the longest vacation that I've had since I began working full-time in 1987!  If I hadn't had to have those dratted tests right in the middle, I would have enjoyed it so much more.  But you have to do what you have to do, right? 

Not only was this the longest vacation I've had in forever--it was very busy and eventful.  The first week of the break, my cousin Kris visited.  Kris is from Oklahoma and is the only one of my Oklahoma relatives who is brave enough to battle the Dallas traffic to visit me.  If you aren't used to it, Dallas traffic can be quite intimidating.  We did some shopping, in which she actually talked me into buying some new clothes (I abhor shopping for myself!).  We went to a party where she was definitely out of her element, but she fit in like she'd been in the same situation a million times.  We visited some antique stores, ate a lot, and just generally hung out and talked.  Unfortunately, she had to cut her visit short due to some impending bad weather in Oklahoma.  The day before she left, I slipped in my kitchen and fell; I managed to badly wrench both of my knees when I landed quite awkwardly.  I've been hobbling ever since!

On the 31st, I picked up Martha from the airport.  We had one day of fun, and then I had to get ready for those dang tests.  Let me just tell you, I was a complete and utter cranky-pants!  Not being able to eat was bad enough, but then having to drink that salty, grape-flavored stuff was just awful.  Not only that, after drinking 16 ounces of that (two CUPS!), I had to drink four more cups of water over the next hour.  So I was slightly nauseous, bloated, and dashing to the bathroom every two seconds!  I give Martha credit, she's a real trooper, and was so patient! 

The tests themselves were no big deal because I was sound asleep before I even realized that I was about to be put to sleep!  I woke up and felt like I'd had the best nap ever! 

Stay tuned for part 2...

Getting ready for guests!

Next week, I will be playing host to my cousin, Kris.  She makes the trek to Dallas about once a year, assuming there are no family emergencies.  I am so proud and happy that she leaves her comfort zone of Oklahoma to come visit me.

 

I'm kind of a terrible host, though.  I never have food in the house, and try as I might, I'm usually struggling to get the house just clean enough not to be embarassed, let alone grocery shop!  When I visit her, her house is always clean and smells so good, and she has a pantry and refrigerator full of food. 

 

This year it's going to be different!  I have already been preparing for her arrival by starting to clean.  And my schedule will actually allow me to grocery shop as well!  Yep, I'm all about being prepared this time.  Not only that, she's going to be so surprised when she sees how different the house is from the last time she came! 

 

Doing the excited, happy dance!

 

And, as a bonus, my bestie Martha is coming the week after that.  I am very excited and happy to see her; however, I am not excited about why she's coming.  The doctor's keep finding (more)abnormalities in my blood tests, so I have to go in for some tests.  She's coming to provide moral support.  And probably because I cried on the phone!  She's amazing to fly all the way from Seattle to Dallas at the drop of a hat. 

 

I'm trying not to be too scared about the tests, and just keep thinking about how happy I'll be having my two closest friends and relatives coming to visit!  I'm sure there will be pictures!!

 

Happy Mother's Day

To all the mothers out there--happy Mother's Day!  You have one of the hardest, most thankless jobs on earth, and yet one of the most rewarding. 

 

I would also like to say a special thank you to my own mom, even though she isn't around to read this.  I like to think that somehow, someway, she knows what I'm saying and how much I still love and appreciate her!

In her honor, here are some of my favorite things about her:

1.  She was a talented quilter.  She had made a few tacked quilts before my dad passed away, but when he died, she started quilting in earnest.  She was a member of her church's quilting group, and entered several quilts in competitions.  For every competition she entered, she won a ribbon.  In one instance, she won Best of Show. 

2.  Not only was she a talented quilter, but she could also paint china, sew clothes, embroider, crochet, and carve wood.  Basically, everything she ever tried, she mastered!  Honestly, it was quite daunting growing up in her shadow. 

3.  A long-time smoker, she quit cold turkey in 1989.  However, she always kept a pack of cigarettes in the house, as though to prove to herself that they could be there, yet she didn't need them. 

4.  She was my Brownie (Girl Scout) leader--and was an amazing one (naturally).

5.  Most of my life, my mom was 6 feet tall and weighed 110 pounds.  By the time I was in middle school, I was too big to wear her clothes.  Obviously, I did not inherit her body type!

6.  She loved to clean house.  Yep, she loved cleaning! 

7.  She really enjoyed working in the yard too.  We always had the prettiest yard on the block.

8.  She loved dogs, and dogs loved her.  That was why I was so shocked that Poquito didn't take to her right away.  Of course, it had nothing to do with her, but it was still surprising.  I was so relieved when he finally cozied up to her.

9.  She liked to read, but she did not love to read, so it usually took a back seat to her other hobbies.  She much preferred to work with her hands. 

10.  If you can't tell from everything I've written, mom was pretty much a "Super Mom," and not only that, she was a super mom.  As I always used to tell her, "You're the best mom I've ever had!" 

 

 

Relay for Life

This past Saturday, I participated in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.  This is my third Relay, and the first where I was actually cold!  Usually, we are all burning up.  Not this time; by 9 pm, it was in the low 50s, which doesn't seem that cold until you're out in it.  We were all bundled up like a bunch of mummies!

 

It was gratifying to see the number of people wearing purple shirts (meaning that they're a cancer survivor).  On one hand, it's kind of depressing to know that that many people have or have had cancer, but on the other hand it's nice to know that they are still around to attend an event such as this. 

 

If you'd like to donate to this very worthy cause, it's not too late.  Here's the link:  Relay for Life--Garland--2013.  All money received goes to the ACS to find a cure!



Portrait of a malamute

I finally did it!

If you remember back to the first of the year, I told you about my resolutions for the year.  One of them was to finish reading the Bible.  Well, I did it--I finally did it!  I read it cover to cover, just as though it were any other book.

 

It was a powerful, interesting experience.  I also have to say, it was the most challenging book I've ever read.  The first five books--Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy--were fairly easy.  But then it became a lot less like a "story," and therefore much more difficult to read. 

 

The lists and chronicles were challenging, as were the Psalms.  Reading the Bible book to book is very different than purposefully studying it, I discovered.  I was relieved when the New Testament rolled around after the long hard climb of the Old Testament.  Again, the first four books--the Gospels--were a fairly easy read.  Then the "stories" gave way to letters, also not as easy to read as a straightforward story. 

 

Reading it, it becomes quite obvious that it was never meant to be read in this fashion.  This is not to say that I don't recommend reading it straight through.  I do--and I think anyone who does so will find it an educational experience.. 

 

More vacation pictures...

 

Cautious bovine--there was a longhorn here too, but he took off when I got too close.  This one was the bravest of the lot, and stood his ground to see what I was going to do.

 

Spring flowers in Waxahachie

 

Battle Creek Burial Ground historical marker off Highway 31 in between Corsicana and Waco

 

 

Detail of the fence surrounding the burial marker

 

 

Battle Creek Burial Ground grave marker (with a Texas flag)

 

I don't know what this piece of equipment is, but it was trucking down the road

 

The old Texas Texas theater in Hillsboro, Texas. When I was in middle school, I was staying with my aunt, uncle, and cousins in Hillsboro.  My older cousin told my aunt that we were going to a movie here.  My aunt dropped us off, and no sooner did she pull away, than my cousin's friends came and picked us up.  I spent the entire evening terrified that we were going to be found out and in terrible trouble.  But her friends dropped us back at the theater just as the movie was letting out, and my aunt picked us up, with no one the wiser.  I felt like such a bad girl!

 

 

Beautiful old home in Waxahachie

 

The 1926 Italy, Texas city hall--now their fire department

 

 

Waxahachie train depot

 

Caboose outside the Waxahachie train depot

 

Feed store in Waxahachie

 

 

Rogers Hotel in Waxahachie

 

I had a such a good time travelling around central Texas.  I love looking at historic places. And for the first time ever, I just took whatever road looked good to me.  Those roads took me to places I've never been, which was sort of the idea.  I had forgotten how much fun it is just to set out with no real purpose other than enjoyment. 

 

Because I was alone, I was free to do what I wanted, and I find myself just keeping up a rambling monologue with myself.  My cousin says I do that all the time.  Well, who else I am supposed to talk to?  I also amuse myself; I found myself laughing my head off a a billboard I saw advertising "fabric-free entertainment" combined with a steak house!  I also nearly fell out of the car when I passed a political billboard for a lady with the unfortunately name of "Molly Caudle."  Those two things were worth the trip all by themselves.

 

In my travels, I hit up every antique store I saw.  I found some items for my vintage desk, and I was able to replace the heavy, dark wood nightstands in my bedroom with two mini-dressers.  When I get everything set up, I'll post pictures.

 

I spent the rest of my time off trying to finish organizing the teddy bear room.  I have sadly overestimated the amount of room available, all the while underestimating the number of bears and other stuffies that I own.  Fortunately, they're soft and they sort of squash together!