Falling 2013

It's fall.  It's actually fall.  Leaves changing, crisp weather, my birthday.  I wish this weather lasted for half the year.  I love me some fall.  Not as much as this guy, maybe, but still a fair amount. (Warning, this link goes to a post that is mostly swears.  If you don't like swears, don't click.  If you are more of a pirate/truck driver lady like myself who enjoys a good swear or two, do your thang.)

The Snug Bungalow has been appropriately festivly decked.  Let me show you around.  First we have the mantel.  Mostly crows and owls with a smattering of bats.  Lots of black glitter.

This here is a real skull.  I think it is a beaver or woodchuck.  I found it at Letchworth State Park.  The best part about it is that it's been gnawed pretty good.  Teeth marks and gouges abound.  Some beastie or another had a right nice meal out of this here skull.  It's been sitting on the mantel since the spring just waiting for it's time to shine.

I love this little guy.  And I love that it doesn't say spooky.  Just one little spook, ready to haunt.

This is my Halloween Baby.  Have you met?  She hangs above my front window.  This is another time that waiting paid off.  I fell in love with her on fall at the Craft Antique Co-op.  I didn't have the money for her at the time.  I went back a month or two later and bam!  Half price.  Don't you enjoy a story with a happy ending?

The Fisher Price house is even getting into the swing of things.

Chubby Bunny (on right) and his marshmallowy friend.

A tiny haunted hamlet.

Shadowbox!  How many tiny trinkets can I jam into one small area?  Many.  The vampire on the bottom row is a finger puppet!  I got him from my mom when I was going through my vampire phase.  Which, incidentally, came about ten years prior to The Twilight Saga just in case you were thinking nasty thoughts in my direction.

Oooh, girl.  Esmerelda can't decide if she wants to sing something by Brittany Spears or something by Cher tonight at the drag show.

Jadeite cake plate!

Beakers for evil science.  I hope she doesn't blind you with it.

Black cats crossing your path all over the place.

Door one.

Door deux.

And three.

I'd forgotten all about this mask!  It was like a present to me, from me, sent through time in a silver Delorian.  See those huge candy corn up there?  Those were a birthday gift from my mom.  They are coated in glitter.  The woman knows her audience.

And the Martha stand.

Happy fall to yose and your'n.

Those Who Wait

You know what they say about those guys, right?  Well, it's totally true.  Remember those Converse I was stalking earlier this year?  Yeah, well.  As you can see I waited.  And they came.  Wait, am I mixing quotes here?  Seems to apply.

Guess how much I paid for them?  The correct and true price.

The inside is neon yellow! 

Life is good.

The Yellow House

 

If you say those words in my family, everyone knows which house you are talking about.  Although there were more than a few of us who lived in yellow homes at one time or another, there is only one Yellow House.

This house belonged to my grandparents, Gee & Papa.  It was my first house as my young mother still lived there with her parents at the time of my birth. 

Everyone in the family has fond memories of The Yellow House.  I can remember watching cartoons there, specifically The Smurfs.  My grandparents used to sleep with me on the fold out couch until I fell asleep, myself.  I have gorgeous, vivid memories of my grandmother doing dishes in the kitchen, late into the night with just one lone light on in the house.

The Yellow House was very large.  There were lots of bedrooms and plenty of places to stay when family came home.  There were Sunday dinners gathered around a large table, just inside the front door.  There was my grandparent's mauve bedroom with it's sheer curtains, looking out at the road.  The smell of my grandmother's jewelry box in that room is something I will never forget. The bedroom had pocket doors and a telephone that looked like something a princess would use.  I was allowed to call my parents on it, just to use it when I spent the night.  I didn't need to call my parents.  I didn't miss them at all.  They used to have to pay me to leave.  For real.  They paid me in pennies for my piggy bank.

I fell in love with the smell of Lily of the Valley at that house.  Just off my grandparent's bedroom porch they blossomed.  A lush carpet of them.  The smell lingered around that area of the yard and became part of my childhood.  Part of what connects me to this earth.

Most of the people in my family feel the same way and have their own beautiful memories of it.

I keep a picture of the Yellow House in my living room.

It was my birthday this past week.  And on my birthday I received a package from my grandmother, who happens to be my only remaining grandparent.  I'm sure you can now understand how happy I was to unwrap this:

It is a painting of The Yellow House that my aunt made, sometime in the 1980's.  My Gee put a special inscription on the back and it brought tears to my eyes and a smile to my heart.

I also got another awesome piece of art for my birthday.  I'm going to tack it on here, at the end of this sentimental journey so that you won't think I've completely gone soft.

A one-of-a-kind Kermit portrait!  My friend LuLu and her boyfriend Rob made it for me...out of Lego bricks!  Zoiks!

So, In Summary:
If you think this was bad, just get me talking about my Little Red Suitcase!
Yeah, I have totally talented friends!

Labor Daybor

Paying half price really is best. I don't care what anyone else says.  One of the thrift stores in the area had a half off sale to celebrate us woikin' stiffs. (as the Newsies would say) Let me tell you, I celebrated my ass off.  The American way.  Buy buying stuff.

 

This is an American Eagle dress.  So cute and made of a great light weight cotton.  Plus, IT HAS POCKETS!  How about if all dresses have pockets from here on out, mmmkay? $6. 

Take a look at the fabric up close!  It reminds me of Green Eggs and Ham.

This is a Kimchi Blue dress which is a brand sold at Urban Outfitters.  It's made of very, very, very thin polar fleece.  I can't wait to get this baby on with some tights and high boots.  Ooh, golden rod tights if I can find them!  $4.  Want to hear something weird about this dress?  Apparently it was made in the USA.  What is this, 1950??

L.E.I. skirt.  Cute butt pockets.  Very much looking forward to fall.  $2.

This is a seriously comfy looking JCrew shirt.  $2.  The cotton is a bit more rough than a normal t-shirt.

There doesn't seem to be a brand label on this purse.  But it's new, never been used.  And I love the crap out of it.  I'm making it my new regular purse.  It doesn't even have any military roots or a long strap to sling across my body!  This is called progress, people. $2.

These are seriously comfortable Land's End sandals.  Walking sandals.  Of course I'm thinking, "They'll be perfect for Disney!"  because that's where my mind automatically goes every single time.  I don't think they've ever been worn.  $5

These Predictions sandals are adorable, a bit dressy and super squishy!  They look great with jeans or a dress.  Mmm....jeans.  My dream of fall continues. $2.50

These Personal Identity sandals remind me of the 70's. They also look great with jeans or a dress. $2

Last but not least we have what I refer to as "porno pumps".  For obvious reasons.  They are platform in the front and actually, despite their looks, pretty comfortable.  Plus, they give me like five inches, which, us shorties know is an amazing feeling.  You feel like a different person!  "Oh, so this is how everyone else sees things! Incredible!"  The husband seems short when I wear these.  Needless to say, I hope I find many reasons to wear these babies in the near future.

Also, sling backs.  Can we just talk about high heels for a minute?  And how they don't stay on your feet, even if they are the right size?  I can walk in a pair of heels.  A very tall pair, provided they stay on my feet!  But, most don't.  Even when you add those things in the heels or (and no, I'm not kidding, sadly) try to glue them on.  But I've found that sling backs are my friends.  Also ankle straps.  Thank you and goodnight.

 So, In Summary:

WHEN IS FALL GOING TO ARRIVE ALREADY!?