Rascal Flatts - Life Is a Highway (From "Cars"/Official Video)

Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya, P!nk - Lady Marmalade

Workin' on it.

Helper, Brandon...

called me at about 10 a.m. this morning.

We had Big Plans for today.

So Much...to get Done, here.

: )

Brandon, sounded pretty weak...on the phone.

He asked...if we could take on the mountains tomorrow.

: )

Told Brandon, I was on The Same Page.

: )

Would've stumbled along...today, but...

thought we could both use a day at rest.

; )

We've been Runnin' Hard, for Weeks.

Many, Many...Weeks.

; )

While visiting with Son, Justin... this afternoon, told him...

"I feel like I've been beaten with a rubber hose, from the bottoms of my feet...to the top of my head."

The best way I could describe it.

oh my.

; )

{So Grateful...to have Justin's... Ford Truckasaurus, Pullin' The Trailer.

like...it's Nothin'. : ) 

<3 <3 <3 

Liz asked me...today...if I'm going to be driving back, and forth from Des Moines, for Junk Jubilee...a week from now, for set up.

250 miles a day.

Diesel...at 5.39 a gallon.

or...

stay in a hotel, 125. a night.

hmmmm.

: )

As much as I LOVE....Driving Justin's Ford, POWERHOUSE...

well...

who needs sleep????

: )

Think...I prefer to 'Drive'.}

: )

After a LONG...LONG...Hot...Soaking...Bubble Bath, this afternoon...

began writing a post about The Midwest Show.

; )

What...a Story.

<3

So Many...Blessings.

: )

What a Ride!!

I'll finish it up, in the morning.

November 1.

; )

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers, for All.

Barb C.

{Workin' on a little more.

 Read some documents, that we received last week...as we were Loading...for The Midwest Show, that made me smile.

 ; ) 

Hope to be sharing them All, with You, soon.

 ; )

'Life'...is Truly, a 'Highway'.

oh my.

; ) }

The Tokens - The Lion Sleeps Tonight.mp3

Home.

Just...pulled in at Home.

; )

The Midwest Show...

is in the rearview mirror.

Done...and, done.

: )

It was Such a Beautiful Event!

<3

oh...my Goodness.

Can't tell Ya...how WONDERFUL it was, seeing So Many Folks, I haven't seen, in so...so...

Long.

<3

: )

Many, Many....

Hugs, and Kisses.

<3

: )

Chicago Ray...Gloria, and Bernard...Cathy, and Bill...Susan, Emmet...I, could go On, and On...and On.

<3

Received so many compliments...on the booth.

: )

Folks give me the credit.

no...no, no.

The Old.... Souls, deserve All of the credit.

<3

'Soulfulness'

<3

Grateful...to Liz, Adam...and Helper Brandon, for helping unload.

What Fun We Had...Dancin'.

; )

It was just me, and Brandon...tonight, loading out.

We completely Gutted the trailer, before we started loading out.

I wanted the Junk Jubilee Load set apart from this load.

It was a Long...load out.

oh...my.

: )

My...body is feelin' it, this early morning.

oh my.

; )

I'll write about it all... tomorrow.

: )

{later...today. ; )}

It was a Great Show.

<3

So, Grateful...to Thom, and Cathy...for the invitation, to be part of it.

: )

When I stumbled in the door, this early morning...

made a beeline for my big, heavy...old flannel shirt that could wrap around me twice.

Comfort.

<3

'The Lion'...is Gonna Sleep, tonight.

; )

Love to Ya.

Prayers...for All.

Barb C.

Elvis : 'Merry Christmas Baby' with lots of rare footage from the fifties

Almost...Set!!! This Is an Amazing Event!! Come Visit Us All!!

The Simply Iowa Booth... is about 99% Done.

; )

The Booth is 10x16.

Folk's told me today...I get 'The Award'.

; )

Hahahaha...

The Award...for Cramming So MUCH...into a Booth!

Yeah....Boy!!!!!

: )

{a...'Snippet'...of 'The Rabbit Hole'. <3 }

Go BIG....or Go Home... Baby!!!!!

; )

Hahahahahaha!!!

Takin' a few more things in, in the morning.

Have to be there...by 7.

Show Opens to The Public...at 10.

; )

It's SUCH a BEAUTIFUL...Event!!

Hope to See 

YOU!!!

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers, for All.

Barb C.

Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya, P!nk - Lady Marmalade

Set Up Day!!! Midwest Show...Here We Come!!

Had a Grrrrreat! Day, Loadin' Yesterday!!

; )

Moved many mountains.

{The Truckasaurus looks like he's sinking...in that Awful....Driveway....IDOT District 6 left us with...and never bothered to make right, like they said they would.

; )

Bless their hearts.

No Worries. That Ford can Pull the Trailer, out of This Mess!!

; ) }

Liz, Adam...and Brandon will be helpin' me, today!

YAY!!!

<3

Blessed.

So...

Blessed.

Better Get Movin'.

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers, for All.

Barb C.

{Oh My!!! 

Liz, and Adam...just walked in!!

I was listening to 'Anything You Want'...by Roy Orbison.

Liz...said, no...

This One!!

: )

and we started to Dancin'... through the House!!

Hahahaha!!

That's My Girl!!

; ) }

It's Gonna Be a Crazy....Day!

; )

Davina and the Vagabonds - Lipstick and Chrome

The Old...Souls.

Got The Ford...pretty much Loaded, for The Midwest Show, yesterday!!

So Grateful...The Boys got his brakes fixed.

; )

<3

The Trailer...is loaded.

Picked up a 6 inch drop hitch, and ball...for The Truckasaurus, yesterday.

Started cleaning things up...a bit, for the event.

{No worries...there will Still be Plenty of Dust, and a few...Cobwebs. : ) }

Several of my Favorite Old Soul's are heading there.

They all date from the mid, to last quarter of the 1800's.

To most...they'd seem incredibly rough.

; )

They ought to. They've been through Hell.

As I was cleaning them up...after being stored in the Gazebo...for years, for the recent Sales, told Pal, Mark...

that They...were my Most Favorite Pieces, most Soulful...Pieces, on the property.

<3

Told Mark...how very much I enjoyed setting a display with them.

Helping them Shine.

: )

If I had a place for them in the house, like...so many other...Old Souls, here...they'd be there.

I only bring things Home, that I Love.

things... that I'd Happily put in our Home.

<3

Captured a couple images of the drawer, in one of the pieces.

All...hand dovetailed.

It has amazing turnings...on it's legs, and stretchers.

It's an old, old...Game Table.

<3

I'd knocked off some of the cobwebs, for the Sales, but...did a bit more cleaning on it, and the others...for The Midwest Show.

<3

Maybe...could've spent my time...more wisely.

; )

I'm probably the only one on the planet, that can see their Beauty, and Soulfulness.

appreciate...

their 'Soulfulness'...and, so called...'imperfections'.

{Battle Scars. <3}

In the 'market'...they have little monetary value.

to me...

they are Priceless.

<3

Someone...was quite an Amazing Artist, building....creating....such Soulfulness...

back, in The Day.

<3

When I work with these Old Souls, it's not work.

It's Therapy.

<3

Did a little gluing, here, and there...on the pieces.

Gave them a quick, warm....bath, with Murphy's Oil Soap, then...put a little furniture oil, on their dry...dry...surfaces.

They Soaked It All In!!

<3

: )

This morning, while headin' for the day old coffee, in the maker...

noticed the cupboard doors were open, on Dad's Old Cupboard.

I have to smile...when I see them open.

: )

There's NO Way....those doors should Ever...be able to open...on their own.

The latches are pictured above.

They latch tight.

When I see them open, every now, and then...I, know...it's a 'Wink'.

; )

This morning, for the first time Ever...

Both, the Top...and Bottom Doors were Unlatched...and slightly open.

<3

That... made me not only Smile, but...take a peek inside.

: )

Haven't taken a look inside that Old...Cupboard, forever.

Thought to myself...

There must be Something inside, I'm supposed to See.

<3

What I saw...besides dust, : ) were Old Friends.

<3

So Many....of the objects in Dad's Old Cupboard, are Gifts, from Dear Friends, past, and present.

<3

Was just talking to a Friend, the other day... about Running Away!!

'New Orleans'!!! 

Hahahahaha!!!

There It Is!!

: )

That Ironstone piece, probably dates from around The Civil War...era.

: )

oh...my.

{I sometimes threaten...to Run Away!!

 Hahahaha!!

but, anyone who truly knows me, knows...

I'm not much for Runnin' Away, from anyone, or...anything.

{I, uh...have been know to RUN From, a Rogue Rooster, or two... however.}

; ) 

If I were...inclined, to take a little trip, 

Yeah...Boy!!!

New Orleans would Be The Place!!!}

Have a few projects to get done, today...

Pack a few more smalls.

Load...a few more pieces.

The Simply Iowa Booth, at The Midwest Show...will be a little sample of The Rabbit Hole.

: )

It won't be like any of the others.

Never...is, at any Show.

<3

{Hahahahaha!!!}

Certainly...not everyone's 'Cup...of Tea'.

; )

but...

By God, It'll Be Soulful!!

<3

Grateful, to Thom, and Cathy...for the invite, and....for promoting such an Amazing...Event.

: )

It's Truly...a Gift, to our area.

Beautiful...Beautiful.

<3

Love to Ya...

Prayers, for All.

Barb C.

Macy Gray - Beauty In The World

The little things... that are actually, the Big...Things.

Was up bright and early, this morning.

Have many things to get accomplished today.

I'll do my best... : )

Back in March...purchased several little Shamrock plants.

Had left them outside...sadly, got busy, and forgot about them.

When I discovered them, many...hadn't survived.

I scooped the ones up that had a little life left, took them in the house... have kept them in the kitchen window, and...nursed them back to health.

<3

As I was preparing for the Sales, noticed the ones, that hadn't survived, under the potting table, outside.

I hadn't thrown their pots away, figured I'd use their potting soil, for other plants.

To my surprise...

those, I'd left for dead...were Flourishing.

They looked healthier than the ones I'd been nursing.

: )

<3

Truly...a Miracle. It's been so incredibly dry, and hot...this Summer.

I repotted them, and brought them inside, to join the rest of their Family...so the frost couldn't get to them.

<3

They are All...Blooming.

<3

These little Shamrocks, make me smile...every Morning, and Evening.

In the morning...their leaves are Wide Open...reaching for the Sun.

In the evening, they are closed up, at rest.

<3

Told a Friend, the other day....my Faith...has never steered me wrong.

but...

sometimes...I forget, Who's Truly...in Charge.

Make no mistake, I'm in a battle.

and...I won't lay down my sword.

He wouldn't want me to do that.

but...

He...wouldn't want me to lose my joy, either.

He wants me to Count The Blessings.

oh...my, there are So Many.

He's sent some Amazing People, into my life.

<3

: )

He...sends me Shamrock's...too.

: )

they...stand for Faith, Hope...and Love.

Talk about a Blessing.

; )

While having the Sales, here...I, was very frustrated, at first...because, I...just couldn't get things done, like I used to be able to...'before'...the 'wrongfulness'.

Beat myself up, pretty hard.

then...

I remembered a conversation...I had with my Dad when I was a little girl.

I used to buy Day Old Calves, bottle feed them, and pray they'd survive.

I lost one....he got scours.

I did everything to try to save him...to no avail.

I was absolutely heartbroken.

"Have you done your best?"...Dad, asked.

I said Yes. I did Everything, I could...but he...still died.

Dad, put his hand on my shoulder, and said...

"If you know in your heart...you've done your best, that's all you can do. You should have no regrets."

As I stood in the garage, while preparing for the Sales, I was reminded of that conversation, again.

I was doing my best...but, it just didn't seem to be good enough.

then... I tuned in, to what I was thinking.

I 'Was'...doing my best.

That's All... I can do.

<3

To my surprise....the Folks, who stopped by, seemed to overlook, what I felt was left so undone.

So Many...truly enjoyed being here.

Friend's I haven't seen, in so long, came...visited, laughed....oh my.

; )

It was so great, to see Sandy.

She's made the long haul...and, well...I Love Her So.

<3

All we can do, is our Best.

Other's...might think our 'Best'...isn't good enough.

That's their problem.

: )

because...

if you know in your heart, that you've done your best, Dad...was right, you'll have no regrets.

: )

We never walk alone.

Sometimes...I forget that...too.

The little Shamrock's, are Living Proof of that.

: )

<3

Love to Ya.

Prayers, for All.

Barb C.

{Just saw The Ford roll in the back Drive!!

The Boys Got His Brake Lines FIXED!!

YAY!!!

God Bless Them!!

<3

Now...I can Load Him, along with The Trailer, for The Midwest Show!!

 YIPPEE!!! }

<3 

I Got A Brand New Girlfriend lyrics

Blessings!!

Indeed.

<3

The other day...pulled out of what's left of our mess of a driveway, 

IDOT left us with...after their wrongful accommodations, for Fairfax's Bike Trail...

that, uh...They All Swore to my Face...{and...in writing.} 

'wasn't'.

 Over, and over.

: )

Looks like a 'Bike Trail'...to me.

oh my.

: )

Bless their hearts.

<3

{this is how I have to pull out of our drive, now. It's pretty Tight, and...dangerous.}

but...

I gotta tell ya, after looking over 'Everything'...

I can't help but feel Blessed.

<3

Blessed.

After these last Sales, visiting with so Many...Many, Wonderful Folks.

oh...my.

<3

: )

and...sadly, losing...Some Wonderful Folks, well...

I realized, how incredibly Blessed I Am.

<3

This...

All...of this, is in God's Hands.

<3

; )

Can't tell Ya...how Grateful I am, for these difficult times, and the difficult...people.

Without them, I wouldn't have been So Blessed, or, have even...met, Some of The Most Amazing Folks, I've ever known in my life.

<3

: )

in a small...way, 

even having The FUSO down...

has been a Blessing.

: )

My Brand New 'Boyfriend'.

: )

Son, Justin's Ford.

<3

: ) : ) : )

Just got off the phone, with Justin.

Told him...how surprised I am...that he still has a Driver's License.

: )

That Truckasaurus...Is Quick.

{That's coming from a woman... who Knows 'Fast', and Torque. 

Jethro...

'Mustang', will Wrap Your Face around Your Neck.

He's Quick.

Very.

; )

I've driven every Fast Car Imaginable... from Cobra, and Mach Mustangs...Torinos...to Trans Ams.

Nissan Z's...

Firebirds... Camaro's....

to 

Freightliners.

; ) }

I asked Justin... if The Truckasaurus has a chip.

"Well, Yeah."... he said.

: )

"It's got about 750 Horse's...under the hood."

NO WONDER I feel like I'm FLYING Through SPACE when I Drive Him!!!!

Hahahahaha!!!

WOW!!

: )

Love It.

All of It.

<3

: )

So Many...Many, Blessings.

oh...dear.

Grateful.

So...

Very, Very....

Grateful.

<3

oh..my.

: )

Can't Wait...to See what The Lord has in Mind, for The Rest of This Journey.

; )

It's In His Hands.

<3

He's 'Got' This One!!

<3 <3 <3

: )

{He's Got Them All. 😉}

Love to Ya.

Prayers...for All.

Barb C.

Midwest Antique & Art Show!!! and... The Collector's Eye!!! We'll Be There!! Make Plans to Attend!!! It's an AMAZING Event!!

So LOVE...The Midwest, and Collector's Eye Shows!!!

They are AMAZING!!

Grateful to Thom...and Cathy, for inviting us.

; )

<3

My New Boyfriend.

; )

<3

It's nearly a three foot Stretch, climbin' Up...Into.

: )

I'm gonna have to start workin' on Yoga Exercises, if I have to drive Justin's Ford...for any length of time.

Stretch!! Stretch!!!

Hahahaha!!!

; )

Grandma...doesn't look Nearly, as Elegant...

 Climbing Into Justin's Ford Super Duty Truckasaurus...

 as Miss. Scarlett did, climbing in The Gypsy Ford.

oh...my.

; )

The Gypsy, is actually Much Taller than the Truckasaurus.

but...

She has that little stirrup to help ya Up.

The Truckasaurus does not.

Son, Justin... is 6'3.

His Mother...is 5'8.

Justin...doesn't Need...that little step.

Mama...does.

I'm sure it's quite a 'picture'...watching me climb in Justin's Truck.

; )

but...

By God, I Make'er Happen.

Pretty...or, not.

; )

I gotta tell ya, I'm In LOVE With Justin's Ford.

<3

Holy SMOKES!!

He's a Neck Snapper!!

He's Like A ROCKET!!!

Whew!!!

He'll get Away from Ya...

Quick!!

: )

Whew!!

<3

: )

It's like Driving The Smoothest Tequila on The Planet.

Oh...My!!

: )

Gave The Truckasaurus a Bath, inside...today.

; )

When Justin get's him back...he'll be Clean.

and...

Full of Fuel.

; )

So Appreciate Justin loaning him to me...for the Shows, while The FUSO is down.

<3

{It's gonna be Difficult... handin' The Keys..Back!! Oh MY!!}

That Truckasaurus...

will pull The Trailer, like It's Pullin' Nothin'!!!

: )

I...Dig... That!!

: )

{I'm Surprised Justin has a Driver's License.

I've NEVER...Driven a Vehicle, of Any Kind, that...can Get Away From Ya...So Fast!!

LOVE IT!!

Thank GOD...for Cruise Control!!}

Mark Your Calendars....

Midwest Antique & Art Show...

October 30!!

Junk Jubilee Jingles, in Des Moines...

November 11 thru 13!!

Fairgrounds, in Des Moines!!

Anamosa Antique & Vintage Market!!

Lawrence Community Center

Anamosa, Iowa.

January 22!!!

Stay Tuned for more Information, and Updates!!!

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers, for All.

Barb C.

George Strait - Troubadour (Closed-Captioned)

Fairfarren... Ed.

I was fighting the wind...yesterday morning...

the tent, in front of the house...was trying to take flight.

oh...my.

Was working on trying to take the top of the tent off...that, was trying to make it's way to the next county...East...

when I heard the news.

Friend, Ed Wilson...had passed away.

He, and Friend, Dwight Craft...

own 'Wind's Reach Antiques'...in Urbana, Iowa.

<3

I've known The Boys...for decades.

<3

Two of the Best Folks...I've ever met.

: )

The first time...I went to their Wonderful...Old, Farmhouse, they were restoring...

we sat in their Kitchen...talking 'Antiques'.

; )

{They are True Artists...when it comes to Restoration.}

It wasn't long...before Ed, and I...started talking...

'Horses'.

<3

Ed, and I...shared much more, than the 'Love of Old', it seemed.

: )

<3

Ed, raised...Showed...and Judged...

Quarter Horses.

<3

He Was So Proud, of His Babies!!

<3

I called Dwight, when I heard the news.

Really...didn't expect him to answer.

Just...wanted Dwight to know...that I was thinking about him.

To my surprise...Dwight, answered.

I...just, listened.

I know exactly where Dwight's 'at'.

The first morning...waking up, thinking..."What a Nightmare. Horrible dream."

then...realizing, the 'nightmare' began when you woke up, and faced reality.

Dwight...talked about everything...that was hittin' him...in the face, all at once.

Ed's obituary, to write...

The paperwork, that won't wait.

being bombarded...

from every side, while feeling so lost, and broken.

Feeling so blindsided...and, numb.

I...had no words.

Just...an ear.

<3

The last time...I visited with The Boys, Ed...wasn't feeling well.

but...

he came outside, sat...in his Truck, and visited with me.

<3

I...Loved Listening to Ed's Stories.

; )

He...lived such a Colorful Life.

<3

Ed, was such a Kind...Caring, and Gentle...Spirit.

; )

Ed will be Deeply Missed, by Many.

<3

Praying...for Dwight.

<3

I, understand...every step, he'll be taking.

They won't be easy.

Hope, You'll keep Dwight...in your Prayers, as well.

Love to Ya...

Prayers, for All.

Barb C.

{The George Strait Tune, I posted above...reminds me of the last conversation...I had with Ed. 

Listened to it...a hundred times, yesterday. 

<3}

Old Troubadour.

 It's been a long day.

I'll try to write a long post, tomorrow.

Love to Ya...

Prayers, for All.

Barb C.

Miranda Lambert - Old Sh!t (Audio)

Old... Sh!t.

Spent this day... getting the garage finished.

Oh...my.

Worked on it, yesterday...as well.

Sorting, and repacking.

It's amazing.

Still have some things in it, for the Spring Sale, 

Memorial Day Weekend, but...wow.

It's nice to have it mostly back.

The Gazebo...is also, 90% empty.

We'll be unloading the Trailer, tomorrow, and reloading...for The Midwest Show, at Hawkeye Downs, 

October 30th!!

; )

I don't often do The Midwest Show.

It's so close to The Rabbit Hole, it makes more sense...for me to be open, and not have to haul.

They had a cancellation at the last minute, and called...to see if I'd like to join them.

I know how difficult it is to fill a show, at the last minute...the Promoters are such Wonderful Folks, and have always been so kind to me...I agreed to take a space.

; )

It's a Such a Beautiful Event.

<3

Always Enjoy Shoppin' It!!

; )

I'll pull some things from the house, and dig through More Christmas!!

; )

{Found Another Awesome Tote Full of Christmas, Today... in the Garage!!

Don't know HOW...we Missed It!! : ) }

I'll be taking several Cupboards, that date from the mid 1800's.

I'm sure I'll be packing smalls all week.

; )

then...

I'm headed to Junk Jubilee Jingles, in Des Moines!!

November 11, thru 13!!

Busy...Busy!!

; )

That Anamosa Antique, and Vintage Market...will be on Deck!!

January 22!! Mark Your Calendars!! 

; )

{Iowa's Best Kept Secret!!}

oh...

my.

; )

Had a Lovely...Lady, stop by with a Load....yesterday.

She brought the Soulful, Old...Dolls, above.

<3

and...the above Mission Oak Clock, that was her Grandfathers.

He worked for the Railroad, it was his retirement gift.

It Works... Beautifully!

She brought Ton's....of her Family Pieces.

<3

They'd all went through, and kept what they wanted.

She's hoping these things will find Loving Homes!!

We'll See To It!!

: )

<3

While I was sorting in the Garage...today, found the above...

Beautiful...Old, Old Fork, in a box of Tools!!

???

It was bent in half.

: (

Sat down...and gently...bent it back, into shape.

<3

It's Stunning!!

It found it's way to the House.

; )

Just as I started writing this post, the house phone rang.

I looked at the name...on caller ID....

 oh my Lord.

It was my Old...Pal, HARRY!!!

: ) : ) : )

Blast From The Past!!!

: )

How Wonderful...it was to hear Harry's Voice!!

He, and his Lovely, Lovely...Wife, Cindy...are downsizing.

They'd like me to swing by...and take a look at what they are letting go of.

<3

Harry...used to stop by, here...after his graveyard shift, for the RR.

: )

Long...before 'The Rabbit Hole'.

Many early mornings, we'd  sit, and visit...here, in the house.

Harry collected Graniteware at the time.

I was pretty good at Scrounging Up....Old Graniteware.

{Amongst... other things. : ) }

Harry told me, today...one of the things he admired most, about me, was...

 I wasn't afraid to Dig!! 

Get In Those Barns, and Chicken Coops...and DIG!! 

Hahahaha!!!

That's...a fact. ; ) }

Harry...was on his way Home, to sleep.

I...was just...starting off my day.

: )

Can't Wait...to get together with Harry, and Cindy... again.

They moved to Boone, Iowa...decades ago, and are now back, near Anamosa.

: )

Told Harry...I'll take a Stroll, with them...and figure out what their Best Plan of Action...is.

; )

Harry, just wants to put his Collections in the Hand's of Folks...who will Enjoy Them, like he has.

; )

We...can make that happen.

<3

I warned Harry, the next several weeks, are gonna be tight.

; )

Harry said...no worries.

; )

We'll get together...between The Holidays.

; )

Told Harry...

I'd Bring The Wine!!

; )

Can't Wait!!

: )

For The Love...of Old.

<3

Love to Ya...

Prayers, for All.

Barb C.

{Harry...brought up the IDOT, and wondered where we were at. I, was surprised...Harry knew about it. Filled Harry in, a bit. 

but...

I, couldn't let This IDOT Mess...screw up such a Wonderful Day!!

They've Taken Too Much, wrongfully, I can't give them another moment. Not now. ; ) }