And Yet More

Here are a few more old vintage photos I've collected..these are not from my family. I do have quite a few more (family), I haven't gotten them scanned yet..

Ragtime Music

well..if you visit my blog on a regular basis, you will notice something has changed...I put on some good ragtime music for a change...I love the hymns but I do like lots of other types of music too and have found that Ragtime is a real kick...
if for some reason it doesn't appeal to you, just click on the stop button...but I hope you will enjoy it..let me know, okay? I am getting quite a few readers which I appreciate, I'd like to know you a little better so please use the comment button..let me know who you are...

Cat Prayer

Cat Prayer

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray this cushy life to keep.
I pray for toys that look like mice,
And sofa cushions, soft and nice.
I pray for gourmet kitty snacks,
And someone nice to scratch my back,
For windowsills all warm and bright,
For shadows to explore at night.
I pray I'll always stay real cool
And keep the secret feline rule
To NEVER tell a human that
The world is really ruled by CATS!

~ Author Unknown

I've Been Tagged!

Tag, you're it! One of my favorite games as a child was tag..I remember sitting on a summer lawn with my brother and cousins playing either tag or hide and seek...well...some years later I am tagged again! Linda of Linda Pinda designs has tagged me and I guess that means I am supposed to list 5 things about me...

1. Firstly, my relationship with God is the most important thing in my life...I've had a lot of losses, disappointments, ups and downs...ins and outs....I've spoken about some of them earlier in my blog...and I can see the Lord's gentle hand holding me up through it all....the good times and the bad.
2. The second most important thing is my husband and children..when I first came to the Lord, I asked him for 3 things...a godly husband, children and our own home..nothing fancy but ours.....He has been gracious and answered me in ways I wouldn't have expected..
3. I really enjoy learning.....I find learning new things a delight...just today I watched how the Great Wall of China was built...I love history and people....learning how people lived fascinates me...my dad asked me when I graduated from high school what I wanted to do and I said an archaeologist...Guess that is why I love the old vintage photos so much......
4. My absolute favorite thing to do evenings in curl up in my jammies, slippers and bathrobe and watch a good movie with my sweetie..after 34 years, he is still my best friend..
5. My dream is to be able to keep our house (we are struggling now and are a payment beind), and work side by side with Alan in our own locksmith store and sell a few of my creations on the side...

I don't know if I know 5 people to tag....ahhh! I will tag one for now...
Nancy of Inside Nana's Head

A Few More

Here are two more images...the young cowboy is a cousin of my mother's in Montana around 1930 or so...the family photo is of my great grandmother, her son, (my grandpa) who is holding his grandchild (my cousin) and her mother (my aunt)...its a generation type photo..probably taken in the early 1940s...I never knew my great grandmother but she looks not a little scary to me...I do have two quilts she made...made with feed sacks and dress materials...Grandpa was a great man, I have written about him before in previous posts..he had a hard life and a fiery temper ...you never wanted to cross him if you could help it...lived to be 93..my aunt is still living and is about 95 now in a rest home...she is a real sweetie and my cousin is in her 60s with great grandchildren of her own..

free photos

Linda gave me the idea of posting some photos that can be used for crafting, etc. so here is my sampling...feel free to snag these..

the school room photo is my mothers classroom in the 1920s and the pretty lady is a great great aunt of mine...Aunt Minnie..don't you just love the wicker chair? This was taken in Carrollton,Missouri in the late 1890s...click on the photos...my mom is the sixth girl back on the third row from the top with the chopped off bangs...the bowl cut..and check out my aunts shoes...!!!

Rainy Friday Musings

It never rains in Southern California? Well, that's not exactly true...we've had a good rain storm for several days now and our little Lazy Creek is full.....everything is soggy and wet...what a blessing! Rain here is looked forward to as we've been in a drought for several years......

The local water authority wants to put a moratorium on any new building because of the water shortage....this may be a good thing as there are so many homes empty right now, for sale and rent....it would bring our property values up some if there were not any new homes for a year or so...even things out a little..

In our locksmith business...we've been getting calls this last month from home buyers who are closing escrows soon. That is good news and a small indication that our housing crisis might be coming to a close...I hope so. Great time to buy..bad time to sell......we'd like to get a different home...with more acreage but not now as we couldn't sell our house for even what we paid for it.....

I would like about two acres or so....like to get a dog, have more fruit trees,...a pond, garden, etc....maybe even have a chicken coop.....a dream for now..we have a big yard now...our property is on a 10,000+ sq. ft lot. and we do have fruit trees and a rose garden with an arbor, large covered patio...I will be happy if we can keep this home ...we need more business!

This is my new Lovely Lady journal jar...I trimmed it with hand crocheted laces that I found at an estate sale, some vintage buttons and ribbon roses....the top is from a scrap of very old fabric that I tea dyed...looks like it could be from an petticoat or slip.....
I just put this and two other new jars in my store so take a look! I will be posting matching journals very soon...
I made this jar, thinking of my lovely mother...she was always such a pretty lady...even in her later years in the home...all the staff called her the "Lovely One"..as a young woman, she was asked several times to be a model but was always too shy....

journals

Here is one of the first of the journals I have made this week...what do you think? It matches a jar I've almost completed too....I have 3 other ones made and will put them in my store by the end of the week......love the old photos, don't you?

New Certificate

I just ordered artistan certificates from Linda Pinda designs...one of these will be included with every jar or journal order from my store giving the date the jar or journal was made....mine look a little different than the one pictured...they have fruit of the spirit angels on them.....
If you need any kind of auction template, banner, etc....I would highly recommend my friend Linda's work...she did my auction templates for Ebay also....they are very easy to understand and work with....you can find her work on the Linda's Web Design link.

Ebay

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I have sold and been involved on Ebay since 1999...lots of changes over the years mostly for good..I was just looking at our home and counting all the items I have
won in auctions....quite a few...
unfortunately with those changes...comes higher Ebay prices...now to sell anything up to $10.00 ebay charges the sellers .80 cents plus takes out a "final value fee" when the item sells......
that really hurts a small sellers sales, and why I don't sell much there anymore..
I will occasionally put some up for bid but mostly I sell out of my store...I only have to pay a yearly fee and that's it...no other charges.....I can pass that savings on to my buyers too and keep my prices lower......
in other ways, Ebay is still great...I find things I need to make my journal jars that otherwise I would have to drive miles to get...with high gas prices this makes sense....
Did you know that Walmart is taking out their crafting/fabric departments? just go to the nearest one and check it out....there is no more embroidery floss at our nearest local one...that means if I need one skein of a certain color I have to drive 20-30 miles round trip to get it....ridiculous...for a .35 cent skein of floss....I don't think so...I think our nearby one still has fabric but I don't know for how long...
I am going to put some links in the right hand side of this blog for some online stores for crafting items if you are so inclined.....I found ( through a ebay friend) a good online discount crafting supply house and their shipment is great...its called Sunshine Crafts..

Well, back to Ebay.....I think the greatest thing about Ebay is its discussion boards and groups...I have made some very special friends there who I would never have met if it wasn't for Ebay...and learned a lot too.....its a safe place to meet people with common interests...never had a problem with wise guys, vulgar talking, insults, etc..like other forums I have visited...

Boots

Here is a photo of Boots...he loves to hang out in our son's Matt's room.....Matt says Boots is "his" cat.....and his eyes are not scary looking like in the photo.....they are more golden than green....
Alan is starting a blog too! He wants to promote his locksmith business and has set up the blog + a website page....cool...Underdog is coming into the 21st century! Underdog is his screen name.....his blog is listed as Under Dog's Blog...he is just starting in this blogging adventure.
I have been working on the journal jars...made 4 journal covers also...I had to order some things for them as I was running low...I am making a child's set also with the journaling questions in a paper mache box rather than a jar....I have the journal cover made....this is for a little girl....hope to have a photo of it soon...the questions are for a 6-10 year old...

Good Friday Evening

.....we got a lot done today..I completed (almost) a journal jar and album....letting them dry tonight and hope to get photos done tomorrow...I told you about them yesterday so won't go into that now..
I also tweaked the music...there are some real classical hymns if you go forward a little....
hymns I grew up with in the Methodist church...they are full of worship and praise, and are food for the soul...I really miss singing in the church choir...did it all the time for years.....I hope to do it again when the Lord opens the door....I also sang in a girls glee club (middle school)as a teen...we went to nursing homes, VFW halls, etc. everyone seemed to like us....I am an alto soprano so have a good range....I do sing around the house!!!
Our oldest son brought home some wonderful catfish which Alan fried up using panko bread crumbs...soooo good...I love catfish.....so do our cats who hung around in the kitchen hoping for a crumb or two....we have two...guess I haven't told you about them..
there is Boots ,who is our senior cat at 8 years old...he was born under the deck of our condo with 4 little mates from a feral cat...we rescued them, tamed them , and found homes for the other four..kept one...He is very mellow cat, laid back, calm..
and very affectionate...he is gray and white with 4 white "boots"
then there is Smokie who is all black with a little white on his chest and tummy..small for a cat, and quick as lightening..very playful and curious. Donny found him wandering as a kitten in a field on one of the most hottest days
of the year...that was 3 years ago..he brought him home....I couldn't say no to him...tiny and so cute...
He really likes to get inside things and sleep....loves bags of any kind and boxes...
he also likes the printer and when it is on, he will sit beside it, you can just see his mind trying to figure it out...

journals

I am happy today....got some nice little journals and already decorated one to match the journal jars....I will post a photo when they are completed.....they will make such a nice gift for Valentines, birthdays, etc....a matching jar and journal...not going to
post much today...crafting instead....my first combo will be the (drum roll please)..the Lovely Lady jar and journal..can hardly wait to show you....!

My dear friend BJ posted this is our Glad Tidings group and said I could share it..




God is like.
BAYER ASPIRIN
He works miracles.

God is like.
a FORD
He's got a better idea.

God is like.
COKE
He's the real thing.

(This is great)

God is like.
HALLMARK CARDS
He cares enough to send His very best.

God is like.
TIDE
He gets the stains out that others leave behind.

God is like.
GENERAL ELECTRIC
He brings good things to life.

God is like.
SEARS
He has everything.

God is like.
ALKA-SELTZER
Try Him, you'll like Him

God is like.
SCOTCH TAPE
You can't see Him, but you know He's there.

God is like.
DELTA
He's ready when you are.

God is like.
ALLSTATE
You're in good hands with Him.

God is like.
VO-5 Hair Spray
He holds through all kinds of weather.

God is like.
DIAL SOAP
Aren't you glad you have Him? Don't you wish everybody did?

(that one is my favorite)
God is like.
the U.S. POST OFFICE
Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet nor ice will keep Him from His appointed destination.
God is like.
Chevrolet. . . .the heart beat of America
God is like
Maxwell House. . .
Good to the very last drop

God is like.
Bounty. . . .
He is the quicker picker upper. . can handle the tough jobs. . .and He won't fall apart on you

BLESSINGS FROM
MY HOUSE TO YOUR HOUSE This was so cute Hope it bring a smile to you as it did me

Good Afternoon

God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.

I had a dream last night....it looked like a bad storm outside and I was trying to shut all the windows...got all but one large one to shut but couldn't get the last one...the storm got worse and worse...I worked frantically trying to close it but for some reason...it wouldn't shut...I looked out and the sky was boiling with black clouds, lightening, wind and thunder...more like a hurricane...really frightening...I called for Alan to help me and then right before the storm hit, the window slid quietly closed on its own....(we have sliding windows) and I woke up...I can see where this dream comes from....

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in time of trouble, Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
Psalm 46


This has been a nice day....a Realtor called us up this morning saying "This is your lucky day"..he has put Alan on his team list for REO properties so now we have 4 realtors we are working with...he did a job today too with the first realtor and a call back on another...
Our weather has been nice too.....in the high 60s and sunny....the air is so clear...you can really see all the snow on the mountains....
I got two sales in my store of journal jars so have been busy making some up...they are fun to do...I am planning on making some vintage children jars and use plastic jars as I am leery of kids and glass...they would be lighter to mail also and save on shipping....
Last night we had tacos. Tonight spaghetti and meatballs....sometimes its hard to know what to fix with these boys...many times they are out with their buddies and its just Alan and me...previews of the future empty nest, I guess...the Lord has a way of preparing you, doesn't He? They are always home though, if I am fixing tacos...or pizza...tacos are better in the summer for me though as tomatoes this time of year look more like pink softballs and don't have much flavor...I usually always buy the kind that are sold on the vine as they are usually better but do cost more...

FYI>we used to live in the tomato growing capital and watched as they were boxing up tomatoes at a plant....they would lay the green tomatoes on a conveyor belt and run them through this gas..they would come out on the other end red...so what you are buying are green tomatoes that have been treated to look good..

this photo is of our youngest son, Matt....he and his dad had climbed up to the top of one of our local hills...hard climb for Dad...easy run for Matt...there is a pile of rocks at the peak and as the sunset came,he stood on top of it and was thanking the Lord....thought it was a great photo.....

This pitcher has been in my stepfathers family for many years....my mother remarried late in life and this was in his family....his first wife collected many fine antiques and collectables....I fell heir to them after he passed away as his family were not interested in keeping anything....I have enjoyed this lovely old pitcher and used it as a centerpiece on our dining room table with flowers....it is between 90 and 100 years old at least and in wonderful condition...the soft green with the violet, purple and pink orchids is a striking color combination....it is large also and an unusual shape....I just put this in my store for sale as well as several other pieces and will be adding more later....I put it up for sale reluctantly..
I think having these type pieces in our homes makes warmth that you don't get with modern decorating...history and romance.....

Valentines Day is coming

I made this frame last year at this same time and have always liked it....the vintage postcard is full of fun and love....I decided to have it in my store and share it with someone else perhaps.....I entitled it "Oh, You Kid!" as it looks like the photo was taken in the roaring twenties by the style of the clothes...
There are lots of things to explore on the frame from vintage buttons, to old monopoly game pieces....to the flying hearts at the top...
you can see it better in the store...so if you are interested, please take a look..this is in the China Lake Shoppe.

Alan's interview went very well....his only hesitation is the money isn't good to begin with but it does have benefits so we will keep it in prayer and see if they call back....he got locksmith calls while he was at the interview so he's working today...
I am making a carrot pie...cooking the carrots down like pumpkin...interesting..someone gave us a huge bag of chopped carrots so thought I would experiment...I froze the rest of them....
we are going to have some chicken tenders tonight with potatoes, broccoli, and a salad and hopefully the pie.
I ordered 3 more Annie patterns...two were on sale...please check out the All about Annies site for the cutest patterns....

My Annie Doll

well...here she is..the free pattern I got from Bowls and Annies....I had a lot of fun making her and she is a sweetie...had a few problems which I hope in the next one to overcome....I needle felted her hair and embroidered her face....she's a keeper!

Glad Tidings Picture Trail

Click Here To Visit Our Glad Tidings Picture Albums



Our Glad Tidings group has now a gallery of many of our members creations and sales...it's still being worked on but there are several albums to enjoy...with links to the different stores and Ebay

I am so happy to be part of this group....so uplifting and the fellowship is wonderful...we are from all parts of the US and all are very talented artists....please visit the gallery...my album is the China Lake Auctions

Wishing you all a wonderful Tuesday....serving coffee and pancakes....its cool and foggy out this morning and my youngest is home from school sick....he got the flu I had last week....he doctored himself up with cold medicine and fell back into bed this morning....

we are going out later to a place called Henry's...its a natural foods market with lots of fresh fruit, barrels of bulk goods, and wonderful natural baked goods...Alan buys his sugar free ketchup there and I like to stock up on walnuts and dates....plus we want to get some nice fruit...have to see what they are offering today.....its a fun ride also in a neighboring town with a ride out into the countryside...no rain today and it's supposed to warm up some...

I just wanted to list a praise report also...as many of you know...Alan has a locksmith business however it is kind of a hit and miss job...some weeks we do really well and then again, a week or two will go by with no business at all...hard to make ends meet....we've both been in prayer about it and before Christmas, Alan applied for a job he saw on Craigslist....we got a call yesterday and he has a job interview on Friday...the job is for being a school photographer....as Alan used to be a commercial photographer we thought it might be a good fit...plus he can do the locksmithing as a side job....we will just scale down the advertising expense...
the job center is located in Riverside, Ca about a 40 minute drive from here but he would be traveling all over the county and nearby counties to different schools...even as far away as the California border with Arizona...in that case, the interviewer said they would pay for an overnight hotel...it sounds good and has benefits also with a good health plan....we lost our insurance so really need that.
He will know more at the interview...he's been going through photos he has taken to show his work.....its a dream job for him as he loves doing photography...has taken classes and done lots of catalog work......
I got my Annie doll made and will post a photo when he has time to take it....she is cute and I am hoping someone in my Glad Tidings group can give me hints on improvements....I had a few minor problems making her....
that's about all for today.....glad you could stop by!

Happy Birthday, Alan

Today is my Alan's 58th birthday!!! Happy happy day, sweetie.....

Menifee, Ca

Brown-eyed Susan wild flowers, sheep and lambs, lovely snow covered mountains









Menifee, Ca

My cold/flu is about over, thank the Lord....just a little cough left but its leaving....flu is no fun.......
I did somewhat well on the auctions, sold 3 things...waiting on payment for two of them...and mailed out a package today...I also sold something from the store and mailed that out too....always like to get things out right away, asap.....

we worked this morning, cleaning out the gutters on the front of the house....they were full of leaves, ash and sand.....the ash and sand came from the fires that were here earlier....we were in no danger but the air was full of ash and it looked like snow coming down, plus we had several sand storms....there are 4 rain storms approaching and we wanted to make sure the gutters did their job...plus the downspout was clogged with dust too and Alan cleaned that out, washed it out with the hose..
I know its really nice living in Southern California and our weather is better than many parts of the country, especially in the winter but we do have our share of weather to deal with....here in this inland valley, we do have dust storms...the desert gets them too...they can be nasty....then when it rains the dust turns into a thick sticky clay.
I remember my mom telling me that the dust storms in China Lake were really bad...the dust/sand so fine, it came through the windows and built up on the window sills...she was constantly cleaning....when Dad got stationed in San Diego, she thought she was in heaven...that's when I was about 3 years old.
it is pretty here and rather rural...the above photo is of the mountains that surround our valley...

A New Year

Happy New Year!

Can hardly believe the year is so soon over and a new one started. 2008...remember just 8 years ago, everyone was so panicked that our computers were going to freeze and the world would end? and we are still here...I am a little tired to the news media who panic everyone with scary end of the world stories....the Discovery channel is one of the worst.....I think it started about 25 years ago when acid rain was supposed to destroy all living plants, then it was the new ice age was happening, and now its global warming...or a giant meteor is going to collide with the earth, or the volcano under Yellowstone will erupt or there will be mega earthquakes and tidal waves....sigh
and yet we are still here..

the Bible teaches that we won't know when the Lord will come,
2 Peter 3:2-4

I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through the apostles.

First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation."
We need to be ready at all times, because we do not know when He will come...
Matthew 22:44
"So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."

If you are ready at all times, you don't need to worry about all the panic stories that are all over the TV...

Are you ready? Do you know Him? In 2008, let us be ready for His coming!
Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!