Ronald McDonald Sale 2013

It's for the kids.

If you keep repeating that mantra, you stop trying to judge if something is too expensive, if you really need it or if there is a fatal flaw in even considering owning an item.

It's for the kids.

And I mean, honestly, it really is.  It's a huge fundraiser and I participate in two ways:  I donate goods and then I go with a huge group of friends and buy other people's old goods.  For hours.  Sweaty, stressful,  adrenaline laced hours.  So many people do the same thing.  It's a beautiful thing.

Do you know what else is a beautiful things?  This here.

One dollar.  And quite a few fantasies.  Ah-hem.

Mooving right along to something a bit less...sultry. (Don't even pretend like I'm the only one.) 

From left to right: A vintage Scottie dog plush $3, which after purchase I found out has a squeaker in it.  Which makes me feel like it might be a vintage dog toy.  Apparently that's my thing now.  A tiny little bear dressed as a witch, because, you know.  50 cents.  And a DINOSAUR EARRING HOLDER.  Thassssright.  I'm gonna spray paint that dino cotton candy pank.  Not pink.  This here is gonna be paank.  I can feel your jealousy.  Don't give in to the Dark Side.  Unless it's the Dark Side of the Moon.  Because that's a great album.

Some lovely fall ceramics.  The piece on the left is a wall pocket.  A wall pocket is a vase that is flat on one side with a hole to hang it on the wall.  It has iridescent paint.  $2. Gorgeous. The creamer was 50 cents.  There is a tiny leaf on the other side, too.

This is a wooden Christmas tree candle holder.  $2. It has black glitter and was hand painted.  And this baby has a wingspan.  Probably like two and a half feet.  I plan to put it on the mantel.  

A stunning configuration of decorations that human go nuts over!  The vintage glitter bells were $1.50, the tree was $1, both of the Mary with baby Jesus icons were 50 cents together and vintage ornament...well, the vintage ornament is Hallmark.  From the 80's and super detailed.  One of those ones that you put a light in.  Can you tell I'm trying to pump it up?  So that you won't judge me when I tell you that I paid $8 for it.  A whopping $8.  It's for the kids.

Swiss cheese A-frame Christmas mouse house.  Oh yeah, I think so.  There is a rug, a Christmas tree, a mouse decorating the tree, a shelf with items on it, a stove, and a loft with a mouse sleeping in a bed.  Come on with this already.  I've told you before and I'll tell you again.  If I'm ever found murdered it was vintage Hallmark Christmas mouse ornaments that did it.

The only thing about this sale was that I didn't find any Muppet things.  At ALL.  Not even something I already have.  I'm not going to lie, it was a bit of a letdown.  Then at the restaurant we gather at after the sale my friend Heather threw this at me.  CAN YOU EVEN?

No. You can't.  I'm not altogether sure what little Kermit is supposed to be dressed as back there.  I'm leaning towards magician.  He's obviously oblivious to witchy Miss Piggy roofie-ing the punch.  Kiss Kissy Mix my ass.

So, In Summary:

Boba Named His Ship After Me (Yowza!)

Is Crazy Dog Toy Lady Worse Than Crazy Cat Lady?

Christmas Decorating Starts In 15 Short Days, Kids!

Put That Ham In The Slammer

Confessions Of A Creepy Collector

I love the Muppets.  

You know it.  It's no secret. That's not so creepy, right?  I mean, tons of people love the Muppets.

I collect Muppet (and Fraggle) items.  

Totally fine.  Lots of people collect things.  I mean, it's not like I have a fungus collection a la Gonzo. And the Muppets are super adorable, everyone had some Muppet toys as a kid and can probably relate to why they are so fun to find.  Right?

I have an entire room of said artifacts.

O.K.  That is a lot of Muppets.  But still, probably pretty cute and mayhaps a little impressive, even?? Creep factor starting to inch it's way up...

The Room of Muppets is in my basement.

...

Creep factor goes to 11.

But you know I can't help myself.  I am a born collector.  I love finding things, rescuing them from certain neglect, getting a good deal, data-basing them, ung.  I love the whole thing.  The entire chain of events.  

Tomorrow is the Ronald McDonald House fundraiser sale and it's starting two hours early this year.  TWO hours EARLY.  I'm trying to amp up my Muppet Grabbing Muscle by having a cathartic therapy session. And also I need to show you some really awesome Muppet stuff I recently found.

Item 1:

Fozzie Bear Latch Hook Rug $1.89.  Yes, that's right.  Less than two dollars.  Hold me.  This is the only latch hook rug I have.  There are so many Muppet ones!  I had a square green one when I was a kid.  It had Kermit's face on it.

And these guys.  Cute Halloween Muppets.

Confession:  These are dog toys.  I bought them at Petsmart.

Yes, I have a dog.  No, these are not for him.  He has his own toys.  THESE ARE MOMMY'S TOYS!!

They were $2 each.  They are Muppets dressed in Halloween garb.  Everyone is adorable, especially Kermit in his pumpkin outfit.  Gonzo is the weird one.  Obviously.  He's dressed as a pirate but that nose does NOT look right in 2D.

We also went to the Craft Antique Co-op where I found these delightful treasures.

A silver tinsel wreath, a silver star garland, a jadeite hankie with applique and a pair of silver feather earrings.

I spotted this lady and she was on sale!  It's a collage piece and I was just agog at it's beauty so I bought it right up.

Then I brought it home and showed the husband.  He said, "Oh, that's so cool...er...that looks like a dude.  I'm going to call that our Tony Kurtis picture."  Gurl, you better werk.

Last week we went pumpkin shopping.  One of the things that I love about this time of year is perusing rows of gorgeous pumpkins and gourds at the farmer's market.  Crisp fall air, the smell of leaves, choosing fry cakes to go with our apple cider.  Ah...fall.  Except this year it was 80 degrees.  Let me say that again.  EIGHTY DEGREES.  I don't love 80 degrees on a good day.  And I certainly don't want it to show up in the fall, while I'm picking out pumpkins.  

The sky was deadly overcast.  What I mean by that is it looked like The Nothing was rolling up on us.  Then it rained a lot.  But throughout, it was 80 degrees.  It was nasty hot and humid.  It was so hot I sweated through my bra.  See?  I told you.  Nasty hot.

I also got a new light for the pole out front which has been broken since about the second year we've lived here.  So like, seven years.  Then I painted the pole to match and repainted the numbers, too.  Check it.

I'm one of those sickos who loves a small home project.  Not a large one mind you, not something like remodeling the kitchen.  Oh, no.  Just a tiny thing, like picking out and hanging new shelves, or repainting a pole.  Small details make me happy.

I saw this next idea on Etsy.  I said, "I could make that!"  And then I did.  It's really that last part that is the clincher.  Because I have no end of "I could make that" moments.  It's the follow through that always gets me.  But this idea HAD to be done.  Just look at it!  

Primer:  Steal a bunch of vintage mask photos from the wide wide world of web.  Then print them out, cut them out (including eye holes) and string them up.  Two tiny hols per face works well for stringing.

So, In Summary:

Come Into My Basement, Children

What's Next, Cat Toys?

Lady Man Lady

You Should Make That