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| Early morning in the Living room. |
HELLO OUT THERE IN BLOGLAND. First day of November was a busy and long one for me, but I felt like I covered a lot of ground and found a TREASURE TROVE when it came to finding Longaberger Baskets.
When shopping my favorite THRIFT SHOP in Topeka, I discovered 7 Longaberger baskets high up on a shelf hiding behind other baskets. There's one and over there's another one and there, there and there. It was a fun discovery as I looked them over and placed them in my shopping cart. Priced to where I could afford them made me smile really big. A jackpot for sure.
I have a history with these baskets. Back in the early 90s I went to a LONGABERGER BASKET PARTY where I couldn't afford the baskets. It wasn't a good feeling as I was saddened that I couldn't purchase the size I really wanted. Through the years I collected a few larger ones if I came across them at thrift stores. Since the Longaberger company is no more, it seems that the baskets are making their way to thrift shops and are easier to get.
A couple of the baskets I bought are dated 1994 and '97. Made well. I'll clean them and then put them to work for me at HOME. I suppose they have lost their popularity across the country since so many decorators are going bohemian using floppier baskets made in a variety of materials and colors. As for me, I will find a use for them in my HOME.
I have a large Longaberger basket to the side of my recliner that is filled with my calendar, notebook, address book, and bill book. Easy to get to. Another small one that holds pencils, ink pens and scissors sits to the left of me on a small table between my chair and husband's. Over at the COTTAGE I already transferred three larger ones. One is full of books, another has magazines and one in the Pantry is holding some small cook books. The ones I got yesterday will compliment my decor and I'll have fun using them for various purposes.
Recipe basket with wooden lid on top to place recipe cards on while preparing.
Small Market Basket with cloth liner.
One of my favorite sizes to have with secured handle.
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| Sewing basket with wooden lid, cloth liner and compartment divider |
THE WOODEN LIDS are a bonus as I didn't have any with wood lids before. The cloth liners can be removed if I decide to use an undecorated basket instead.
I had an awesome day THRIFTING. I do pray and converse with the Lord about everything. One day I was visiting with HIM about Longaberger baskets and how much I liked them and would like to have some more. Then there's the Jean Jacket conversation where I said I'd like to have one.
Yesterday, I hit the jackpot on the baskets. I also bought a denim jean jacket for $4.80 plus tax. $4.80 is fantastic price when jean jackets go for so much more. I was a happy camper. The jacket is made of a stretchy denim so I can put it on and take it off easier.
A Fossil black leather handbag came HOME with me and a gorgeous Blue Willow Tea Pot. Also bought a Depression glass sugar bowl and creamer in the Madrid pattern that matches some of my antique dishes. The Depression glassware was only a dollar each, but 20% off because it was SENIOR DISCOUNT DAY. SO that cost a whopping 80 cents each! Glad to get these pieces as I didn't have them before. My collection is growing very slowly. It is a treat to come across such thrifted priced glassware. It makes the money I do have to use go so much further.
Everything we bought was 20% off the regular price making the shopping even better.
Gotta have FAITH!
Oversized acorns to add to the Autumn decor.
Blue Willow Tea Pot that goes with my dish set.
Candle Jar to hang on Shepherd's Hook. I'll place a small battery operated candle inside of this for the yard.
Madrid pattern Depression Glass Sugar and creamer.
Primitive Pottery Pot
My SPOILS for the day:
7 Longaberger baskets...some with wooden lids, cloth liners and plastic dividers
4 oversized acorns
Blue Willow Tea Pot
Mother holding baby figurine
Fossil Handbag
Woman's denim jean jacket
Antique Depression glass Madrid pattern sugar bowl and creamer
Primitive looking pottery vase
Faith candle holder
Jewelry
Candle jar to hang on a Shepherd's hook.
Overall I felt like I had a successful THRIFT DAY and had fun at it. We sat at JUDEE's, the Coffee Shop inside God's Storehouse and sipped on green tea. No cookies today.
BACKING UP to recall the day. Here's where it got interesting. Some interesting things happened. Very interesting for an old married couple minding their own business out for the day.
We saw what we thought was a dead woman laying half way out of her car at the Taco Tico parking lot come back to life and a standing human figure covered with a white cloth by the side of the road as we were driving HOME in the dark. Let me explain.
We were off for the day to play and have fun eating out for lunch at Sugar Creek in Saint Marys, Kansas. I'd planned on getting my regular which is a Rachel sandwich turned into a salad. When we arrived they were closed for observation of it being All Saints Day. Shucks. So I went across the street to go look at 37 Pine. There was a note on the door about being closed November 1st as well, but as I was peeking in the window, the owner's husband was coming out of the door and said I could go inside. So I did. I LOVE THIS STORE as it has such a good feel to it with so much character.
I bought a tiny baby Jesus in the manger, some bumble bee magnets and a Christmas ornament. MJs was open so we went ahead and got a couple of steamers made with almond milk and added Macadamia Nut flavoring. Lower calories because of the almond milk. Delicious drink. It had been a while since having one.
With the almond milk there are only about 40 calories per cup verses when made from skim milk at 120 calories per cup. Better choice for me as I have cut back on dairy.
Off we went to TOPEKA sipping on our steamers. With the flavoring added it's more like a dessert. Decided to go to TACO TICO where I could get a TACO BURGER. I LOVE THESE, but the cars in the drive was too long so Hubby suggested that we go to a different TT. Since the House Mortgage business was across the street, I decided to go ahead and pay our monthly bill, but as I was circling the car in the drive, I noticed a parked car with the passenger side door open with a body hanging out of it. The person inside was face down with the upper body inside the car lying lifeless. The seat belt was attached. Thought it was a woman's body with the twisted feet awkwardly touching the pavement. She wasn't moving.
The body was lifeless so I parked our car and we observed for a few minutes. I told my husband, "I think that's a dead body." The inside of her car looked like she was living in the car as so much stuff was in it.
We watched for a few more minutes. The body remained lifeless hanging half way out of the car. Eery. Half way in and half way out. He called 911 to report this situation. As he was talking to the dispatcher, a arm moved.
Anyhow we thought the person needed some assistance. An officer was on the way. An arm moved again. We sat and waited for the officer when the entire body started to slowly move. Eventually, the woman managed to get out of the car and stand. The backside of her slacks were filthy. Obviously... seriously stained from human waste? She pulled her britches up and slowly got back into the car sitting upright this time. Closed the door and sat.
My first thought was the police may think we were a prank caller, but out of concern my husband called 911. Perhaps she was sick, asleep or passed out. Don't know, but it didn't look right. We did what we thought needed to be done. It isn't illegal to simply sit in your car in a parking lot minding your own business, but she was in a bad way LYING LIFELESS hanging out of the car seat face down feet first looking DEAD.
The officer arrived and talked to her for 5 minutes or so. Then he left. I felt like we did what we were suppose to do as she seemed dead as we observed for at least 10 minutes before the arm moved. Well that's that.
We drove back to TACO TICO and ordered our lunch. I was shook up. She wasn't dead, but she sure wasn't in a good way either. Better safe then sorry. It's not everyday I see a overweight body hanging out of a car motionless facedown. Eery.
It seemed like we had seen the dead come back to life. We ate and went on over to GOD's STOREHOUSE. We shopped for about an hour.
I have never been HOMELESS and homeless people have stories to tell as to how they got there. Not always their fault either. Doing the best they can. We all need help in one way or the other when it comes to LIFE.
I was on the search for Christmas ornaments for our grandchildren and some faux garland that doesn't look artificial. Went to 37 Pine, the Office Supply store, the Hallmark store, Target, Hobby Lobby, Michaels. Will try Menards, Walmart, Kohls, Marshalls, Walgreens, Kirklands on a different day as I was plum worn out when we finished for the day. Ate supper at Olive Garden so I could have a salad and hubby eat til he was full. Didn't eat all of my spaghetti.
Ghost Story.
On our way HOME, it had turned dark. The road we were on has been under construction so the outer lines are not yet painted on it so when it is dark out, it is extremely difficult seeing the edge of the road especially when traffic is coming toward you with their bright lights on. As I made the turn to travel in the direction we take heading HOME I remind myself to be on the watch for deer and cattle.
Going slower than I could have been going, I see a standing human figure with their head covered with a white sheet just standing there to the side of the road in the dark. This was an accident waiting to happen as it was extremely dark out making it difficult to safely see. I didn't stop. It was a close call as I could have easily struck him with my moving car. This shook me up as well. Why is a grown person covered in a white sheet standing in the dark close to the side of the road? LIKE A GHOST and it isn't Halloween anymore. It was like he wanted to get hit by traffic. I didn't want this to happen.
We figured that this is the HOMELESS man that walks the roads about the small communities wondering from place to place. He is often seen wearing a blanket on hot days. I don't know his name, where he came from or where he is going. Does he need medication, food, a roof over his head? Yes. Sigh.
One of my childhood friends would die HOMELESS. It isn't right. I will do what I can and go from there. Lord, What would you have me to do? Pause.
Today, I will rest some, do some laundry, dishes, tidy the house, sleeve some more greeting cards to place in a binder, make a bank deposit, go to Hobby Lobby, Menards and possibly go back to 37 Pine for garland. I will have some alone time today as my dear husband is working on the COTTAGE SHED. He is painting a wall and will be repairing some cement. Lord willing the floor will be painted this month and the shed will become a storage shed for Holiday decor and exercise space.
We are very blessed to be living in the United States of America where we have a house to live in which we call our HOME and can make decisions that we believe are best for us considering our health, wealth and well being. God help us to make the right choices and be all that you want us to be. God bless our marriage, our children and grandchildren, family, our health and wealth. May we desire a closeness to you and embrace your ways which will bless us all the more. May we live lives that are pleasing to you.
Dear Lord, I pray that I can make our HOME a place of peace and harmony where love abounds. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
~d
on the prairie
