New Years Eve... Eve.

This time of year....

is such a 'reflecting'...time.

I, tend to look back, over the year, and...years...past.

So many...memories. : )

Some..make me laugh. 

Some...make me cry.

I, guess...that's true, with us all. 

: )

I walked through the house...this evening, went into rooms, 

I hadn't been in...for a long...long...time.

Memories...

Memories...

Memories.

: ) 

Went through some of the cupboards, and held....some Beautiful...

Memories...in my hands.

: )

Cards, and gifts...from Friends, that are no longer with us.

In Son, Justin's old Room, there's an early....early.... {1840's }

Empire Chest of Drawers.

It came from an Estate Sale, that was conducted for a Fellow Antique Collector, Ron.

He passed away, suddenly, several years ago.

He used to come to the sales, here, and....I'd see him, out...at all of the sales...around Cedar Rapids.

He, was such a Kind....Man. : )

On top of the Old...Chest, is a Drawered.... Empire piece. 

I bought it a few years ago.

It was at Verl Banowetz's Auction, in Maquoketa, Iowa.

I remember driving there, before dawn.

It was so foggy. 

There was So Much Stuff!!!

Inside...Outside....

Rows...and Rows...and...Rows....

Inside, Many Buildings....

Outside....

Covering Acres.

Oh My!

I visited with Verl....for quite a while. : )

Pal, Mark...followed me, to the Auction.

We Filled our Vehicles.

Many...Did. 

These....

'Old' Souls....

are Somethin' Else. : )

If, only...'they' could talk.

 : )

I, can...speak, a little...for them.

The Wonderful, 'snippets', 'moments'...of our 'Journeys'...together. 

Imagine...

The Stories...'They', could tell. <3 <3 <3 

I've met...so Many, Wonderful Folks....

who Share, this...Crazy, Love...of Old. 

: )

Memories.

oh...my.

Happy New Years Eve... 

Eve.

Love, to ya...

Barb C.

{I've told Folks....over the years,
'There's a reason, I don't buy things...from Folks...I'm not fond of.'
I 'see'...faces, 'memories'...'Friends'...in every 'Old Soul'. <3 <3 <3
I don't want to 'see'...anything, but... 'Good', and 'Happy'...when my eyes, fall upon them.
I, won't bring anything....'Home', or...to the rabbit hole, that doesn't have 'Good'...
'Soulfulness'...
wrapped around it.  <3 <3 <3  : )
The old...old....20.00, Drawered piece, rode Home...next to me,
in the cab...of The Ford. : ) <3 }

The Brockmeyers..... gathered a Huge Load...too. <3
They, also...helped me, LOAD.
Bless Their Hearts!!!

Don't know, who these Folks were, but....They got...a Nice Load, too. : ) 

Liz, and Miss. Scarlett, helped me unload, and clean things up....from that Auction.
The next day, all of it, went to the Midwest Show, in Cedar Rapids.
oh....my.
Long....Days. : )

Our Booth, at Midwest.
<3

I was sooooo Tired, as I worked on that booth.

I, was sooooo angry, when I was told, about 8, that evening, I had to quit....working on the booth.

They were closing the doors.

I, wanted to work...all night. 

Never...Enough Time. 

Never.

: ) 

I got there, at the crack of dawn...the next morning, and had a few hours, before the show opened.

Never...

Enough...

Time!!!

Hahahahaha!!!

The Empire, drawered piece, that I bought at the Auction, and visited...today...is sitting on the white pedestal, between the two Victorian Chairs.
It, nearly...sold, at the show.
When it didn't....I brought it Home.
: )
I've Never....seen anything...like it.
It's double sided.
Front and back, look identical.
One side, is false.
The other...has a drawer...that opens.
It also...has a 'secret' drawer, above the working drawer.
It's amazing.
All...hand dovetailed, construction.
It reminds me...of something...that would have been from the South.
Verl....had Wonderful...Taste, in Furniture.
He bought rare, and unusual.
<3
I was prepared to spend a bunch...on that piece.
I waited beside it, until it sold. It was so Crazy...with so many 'Rings'...going at the same time.
I, think...I payed....20.00 for it.
I, was Floored.
Most things, brought very Good....Money, at that Auction.
I was Happy for Verl. : )

Justin's old...Room.
The Empire, Chest.... is the one, with the white knobs.
Peg's Brother, Jerry....used to own the Old, Rocker.
It's probably....from the 1840's...too.
Jerry, passed away...many years ago. Peg, had many...of his things.
Jerry, loved...'Old', too. <3
Peg, gave me his Rocker...a long....time ago. <3
I see so Many... Friends, when I walk through our Home.
This, room....alone.... I see,
Jan, Peg, Jerry, Dick B., Cindy, Bill, Verl, Mark, Mary, Jim, Ron, Gail, Kevin, Jeff,  David, John,
Justin, Dave, Rick, Dick T., Gary, Tom, Paula, Colleen, Bart...
and, I'm Sure....I'm missing a few. <3
One....Room.
Little...
Room.
: )
Lots...of 'Memories'...in one...little...room.
<3

"Somewhere, My Love" (LARA'S Theme from Dr. Zhivago) w/lyrics ~ Andy...

DOCTOR ZHIVAGO ~ LARA'S THEME

Winter...Wonderland.

It looks like a Snow Dome, outside.

: )

I'll take a walk, a little later, and get some images.

: )

Here, are a few...

from 

'Wonderland Past'

down the rabbit hole.

: )

I, truly...do Love...the Snow. : )

I, don't like...the extremely cold....weather.

I, worry...so, about the Critters.

Wish...I could bring them All...inside. : (

The Snow, is so Beautiful.

: )

It's like...a Beautiful, Blanket.

Peg, and I used to talk a lot...about Winter.

She, didn't like it...one bit.

"Everything's Dead!!!"...she'd say.

: )

I'd remind her...."Everything...is 'sleeping', 'resting'...not...'dead'. " : ) 

It's tucked under....Mother Nature's...Beautiful.....Blanket.

: )

Without, this time...of 'Rest', we wouldn't be so Very...Blessed, 

with such Beautiful...'Awakenings'....in The Spring. 

There is Nothing...as Beautiful...as the First, Big...Snow.

with, the exception....

of the First...

Crocus, that pushes his head...through, the Snow...

in early...Spring.

<3

The 'Promise'...of 'Life'.

<3

I, so enjoy...walking into the rabbit hole, in February.

The old...greenhouse, shelters the Clematis...just....enough, that...the Clematis, begins sending out...little leaves. : )

It can be Snowing, and Blowing... like Crazy...just...outside of the glass...of the greenhouse, yet...there is 'Life'...

'Awakening'...

 just, inside. 

<3

'Promise'...

of

 Life.

<3

Love...to You.

Barb C.  

{If...you have a few moments...watch the Beautiful....
Dr. Zhivago clip....above. : )
I had the Pianist, play this tune...over and over....
at Dad's funeral.
It was the Only...tune, I directed her, to play...throughout.
I, know...she thought, I was crazy.
Dad passed away, February 13th. 1987.
It...was soooo Cold, and....Blustery, the day of his funeral.
He, left us...very, suddenly.
It was such a Beautiful...day, the day...he left us.
Then, 'Winter'...came back.
It was his Favorite....song. {and...movie. : ) }
: )
It, says it all... <3
When Peg and I talked about...'Winter', and 'Spring'....
she always said...
"The Lord, can't take me 'Home'...in the Spring. What a Cruel...thing, that would be....for me."
The Lord, did...just...that.
I remember...kneeling, beside her....just...hours, before...she went 'Home'.
I brought her Beloved...Mother's picture....to her.
Peg looked at it, and...wept. : )
Peg, Loved...and Missed her Mother....so.
 Like...I, Missed, my Dad.
{we talked about our Beloved... Parents, Often...over the years....
and, how Much...we Missed them. }
then...Peg looked out the window.....
and saw the Birds...building their nests, just outside...her window.
almost...like, they were Building Them....for Peg.
<3 <3 <3
She Smiled. <3 <3 <3
What a Beautiful...Gift, that was...for Peg. <3 <3 <3 }

Jamey Johnson - In Color

White Christmas...

We were Blessed, with a White Christmas, this year.

Some, more so, than others.

Some...up north, and out east....aren't very thrilled.

They, got...several feet, of snow.

We, here....in eastern Iowa...just, got a little.

It was still...slick.

and...

it's turned, so....very....cold. : (

I, always... feel so sorry, for the outside Critters. 

We had a lovely...Christmas Day.

Lots of Food...and Treats. 

Pal, Colleen...dropped off a big sack, of her homemade Peanut Brittle!!!

Delicious! : )

Katie, made Pecan Pie, Liz...made Peanut Butter Pie, and... Grilled the Turkey. 

All... Very... Delicious! : ) 

Son Justin, was having problems with Katie's SUV, on the way here.

He worked for hours, on it...at the Shop. 

The food was running late, but...the Kids, were getting restless, wanting to eat, and Open Gifts!!!

I, finally walked down to the Shop...to see how things were going.

: ) 

{Liz's 'Adam'...came down, with. : ) }

I, stood there....and watched Justin, work on the Truck.

: )

Adam, and I...had our heads... under the hood, listening to the motor.

It brought back, so many memories....of when I was a Kid.

Our 'Holidays'...when I was a Kid...were always...Interesting. 

: )

Like, I'd mentioned, in an earlier post, there were some...'Christmas Days'...that Dad, went to do the chores....

and, didn't come home...until dark.

He felt, bad...because, he didn't have any money.

{'He' was the Best 'Gift', in the World...to me. : ) As, was John. <3 }

Then, there were those 'Holidays'...a few, 'Christmas Days'...

that, I'd be with Dad, we'd go, to do chores.... {several miles, from home.}

and...our Truck, would quit. : )

It would be so Cold.

Dad, would work on it...for a while, then... he'd tell me to 'sit tight'....

and he'd start walkin'.

I'd watch him....until he disappeared....

then...

sit, and stare...'squint'...down those old...gravel roads,

 waiting to see his 'form', coming towards me. : )

He'd bother...some Farm Family, on their Christmas.

Sometimes...

I'd see Dad, with a Gas Can, in his hand.

Sometimes...

I'd see another.....old Truck, with a Bunch...of Folks, in it....including, Dad...pull 'Nose to Nose'...with our Old Truck...

: )

I'd get out, and watch the Men...work, under the hood...and...before long, we'd be on our way.

: )

It was Always....such a Wonderful....'Sound', when the Old Truck's Engine, would spin over...

and Start!

: )

We, were asked....several times, to come...and join...the Folks, and get warmed up.

: )

We rarely did. 

{Mom, was waiting at Home. She'd be wonderin'....where we were at. : ) 

So would everyone else, we were supposed to visit, and...was...most, always....late. }

oh...dear. 

As I stood in the Shop...'listening' to that motor, in Katie's Truck....

tho....it has more wires, and covers....than, any...of the Old...Trucks, we drove....

I could hear it, 'missing'...just.....every now, and then.

Justin said, it choked up, around 40 miles an hour.

He had his fancy tester, on it.

He'd changed two coils....

Took it out, for a drive...and, still...it wouldn't run right.

I looked at Adam....and said, 'Sounds like it's in the fuel'.

Either the filter...is dirty, or...there's moisture...in the gas.

I, told Justin, the same thing.

Justin went to the station...dumped some 'Heat'...in it, and...it came out of it.

{for now, anyway. : ) I hope, that's all it was....a little moisture, in the fuel. : )
 Justin said...it costs 700.00, in 'labor'...JUST...to change the spark plugs, in Katie's Truck.
I don't think...Dad, ever 'Paid'....near 'That', for any of our 'Trucks'!!! hahahaha!!!
{I, couldn't even 'See'.... the spark plugs... in Katie's Truck!!! : ( }

  That, got Justin...up to the House, so we could sit down, and eat....and...

The Kids....could Open Presents! YAY!!!}

: )

I told Adam, I so...enjoyed...being in the Shop, standing...under that hood, more....

than being in the house.

: )

Brought back, some Great Memories. : )

Workin' on...Old...Trucks. <3 

: ) : ) : ) 

They may not 'look'....the same, anymore.

but...

They 'Beat'...the same. <3

Hope, You...had a Very....Merry Christmas.

Love...to ya.

Barb C.

Merry Christmas, Darling - The Carpenters

Merry Christmas...to All, and....to All, a Good Night.

Did all of our Christmas Shopping, yesterday.

Visited with Our Eldest Children...and Grandchildren, this afternoon.

: )

<3

It, was Wonderful.

Made...2 quarts of Cranberry Relish...

Cooked the Sweet Potatoes...

and, Smoked Salmon...dip, this evening.

Wrapped...all...of the gifts, for the Kids...too.

oh my.

: )

The House...is a Mess.

: )

I'll work on that...in the morning.

Now, I'm sippin' HARD Eggnog.

: )

Sittin' next to The Tree, and...being so Thankful.

The Best...Gift, of this Season....was seeing little Kyler, today.

<3

Holding him, in my arms.

<3

He...was so sick...just a few weeks ago.

He's doing Great!!!!

Thank You, for Your Continued Prayers. <3  

Merry Christmas, to You.

May...God Bless You.

as always...

I, send my Love...to You.

Barb C. 

Merry Christmas...
my....
Love.
: )
<3 

Merle Haggard - If We Make It Through December (1974)

oh.....dear.

Oh Dear!!!

I haven't been able to get on my little lap top.....because,

when I clicked to watch a Friend's Video... about a little Squirrel, who knocks on a door, to get inside....

a POP Up.... froze my screen.

It said, my computer was being held Hostage!!!

Oh Dear!!! 

I Immediately Shut my computer down....and shut off all internet connections.

Oh Dear!!!!

I, was just sick. 

: (

I'd been thinking...that I MUST, get our pictures all backed up.

now, I was afraid....it was too late. : ( : ( : ( 

With advise, from our Neighbor, who is a Computer Whiz, and a Wonderful...Fellow, at Target....

who, was also...a Whiz Kid, {he thought, the computer, was probably o.k., since I didn't open any files, from the warning....and didn't click...on anything. }

Liz came over....and helped me load ALL of our images...to USB's.

All 35,000 of them!!!! 

I had NO Idea...I had that many pictures.

HOLY SMOKES!!!!

It, appears...the Young Man, at Target....was correct.

I, didn't get hacked.

: )

but....I wasn't about...to get on the internet, until All of the Images...were backed up.

oh....dear!!!

: )

While Liz, and Scarlett... were here, as the Computer was transferring files....

they started decorating The Tree.

: )

I...still....haven't gotten it done.

Too many irons, in the fire.

My heart...simply...hasn't  been there.

: (

I, did...however....have Much Fun.... playing with an Old....Crane, Pal...Mark...gave me.

: )

He said... he'd seen it, on his travels, and thought I might like it. : )

Indeed!

He apologized, because...he hadn't cleaned it up.

: )

It had dirt...packed...around it's wheels....and...inside,

remnants....from it's....

Long...Long....Journey. : )

Better!!!

: )

I knocked off...the loose dirt, carried it inside....

and put it Front, and Center, on the Old Harvest Table...

{Only me, and Harold...could Love. : ) {and, Ed. }

That Old....Crane, as I told Mark...brought back some Wonderful Memories!

I used to haul Scrap Iron, and Car Bodies....to Katz Salvage, in Marion, Iowa....

from the time I was 14.

Henry Katz...would Yell at The Boys, in the Yard...as I'd pull the Truck off of the Scale.

{Where they weighed the Trucks. }

"Get This Truck Unloaded.....for Marion's Daughter!!!!"

: )

He didn't have to have them, after all......I loaded it. : )

The Boys, in the Yard..were Always....So....Kind. : )

They could make those Old Cranes...and Magnets...do Amazing...Things!

Watching them....was like watching a Ballet! 

They could Unload...my Truck...in moments.

They'd Swing those Old Cranes...around, and....never...touch....the Truck.

{Or, me...or...the Many, who were Busy...Busy...Working, around them!!! }

They'd pick Every Single...'Scrap' out...of the Bed, come within a 'Whisper'....of the Truck, but...

Never....Touch it.

AMAZING!!!!

{I, always...felt...a little...uneasy, when they used the Big Magnet, tho. : ) 

It lifted the Truck up...a little. Yikes! }

: ) : ) : ) 

So....I filled the little Old Truck...on the Table....with Vintage Ornaments, and Beaded Garland....

then, situated the Old....Crane, dirt....and all... 

{just, like...the Old Cranes...at the Junk Yard. <3 }

and....put It...to Work. <3 <3 <3 

: ) 

Great... Memories!!!

Those.... were The Days!

: )

Henry Katz...called me, 'The Barefoot Princess'.... Hahahahaha!

I, Never...wore shoes... much...after the Frost left the ground...in the Spring!!!

Hahahaha....

oh dear. : )

I'm hoping...to get The Tree... done, tomorrow. 

Nothin' like...'Cuttin' It Close'!

oh...dear.

: )

Love, to ya...

Barb C.

{I played "If we make it through December"....above.

It reminds me so Much....of so Many...Christmas's.

I remember, my Dad....working...so Hard.

December....was always....always....so ruff. 

John, too. He worked...So Hard. and....

Christmas, was always....such a worry, for us.

But, somehow...we always...made it. : ) 

Dad, would many...times, go out...on Christmas, to feed livestock, and never come home.

He felt...bad, I...think...he couldn't do more...for the Kids.

: (

The thing...is, Just having Him, and John...was such a Gift, Every Day...of The Year.

Including.... Christmas. <3 <3 <3 

It's gonna be lean, around here....this year.

I've already...told the Kids. : )

I worked too many estate sales....this year. They pulled me off the road. 

I have to find...The Road, next year. : ) }

p.s.....

I, was just thinking, about how Very... Blessed, I was....

having Two, of the Most...Amazing...Men, in my life.

<3

I, honestly....don't remember....many, of the 'Christmas Gifts', they gave me....over my lifetime.

Here's.. the 'Gift' I DO...recall, that they Each...Gave me.... every single Moment...that we shared...together. 

: )

Such a 'Priceless'...

Gift. 

<3 <3 <3 

Old.... Christmas.

Had several Folks....pop in, Sunday....down the rabbit hole.

: ) <3 

It, was Great...visiting with Old, Friends. <3

I, met with a Friend, at the shop... around 9:00....Sunday morning.

She brought Coffee, and Danishes. : ) 

We sat, and visited....for a long...while. 

We always try, to solve the world's problems.... hahahaha. : )

Then, she gathered some Treasures...and went on, to hustle, and bustle....

like, it seems Everyone...does, this time of year.

Before long, others were stopping by.

: )

Mary, my Friend, from Janesville....came to visit. 

: )

{Dark Horse Antiques }

She brought some Lovely....Clothes, for me.

I, Love....her Clothes. <3

She... is Always... Stylin'! : )

We, also...sat...and visited, for a Long....time.

It was Great, catching up, with her. 

I, got to thinking, how Blessed....I am, to have such Wonderful...

Wonderful...

Folks, in my Life. <3

I, also...got to thinking, about...the years past, at Christmas time...

down the rabbit hole. : )

One of my all time Favorite...Christmas's there, was when the old, tin bathtub....

came to us.

I so enjoyed...setting 'Christmas', in....and around it. : )

The rabbit hole, used to be so Pretty, at Christmas. <3

This year, not...so much.

This year....has been so....overwhelming.

Christmas, will be here, and gone....in the blink, of an eye.

I have to make deliveries...this afternoon....and get book work done.

but, spent a little time, diggin' through some of the Christmas pictures, from a few years ago...

down the rabbit hole.

: ) 

Here, are a few.

Like, everyone else...

I'm gonna have to scurry. 

Hope, you...are having a Busy...

Season.

Believe it, or...not, 

'Busy'...

is a Good Thing. 

: )

Love, to ya...

Barb C.

This....was my all time....
'Old Christmas'
down, the rabbit hole.
<3