Everything turns...turns...turns...

I mentionned in yesterday's post that today is the 2nd month anniversary of my dads passing.

I have been greiving since we received word that the misdiagnosis of asthma was far more serious. Some days are ok, some not so ok, and I know things will never be the same. Yet, I also know that death is life itself. No one gets out alive! It's not the living part thats hard, its the waiting to be reunited that is tricky.

My dad was on my mind this morning when The Byrds song, "Everything (turns, turns, turns)" popped into my head. I always liked the song but never really paid attention to the lyrics so I decided to google them and see what the song is truly about. Boy, was I was stunned! This is my favorite part:

"A time to be born, a time to die

A time to plant, a time to reap

A time to kill, a time to heal

A time to laugh, a time to weep

To everything (turn, turn, turn)

There is a season (turn, turn, turn)

And a time for every purpose under heaven. "

I don't know why this song came to mind when I was thinking of my dad but I am so grateful it did. Maybe it was his way of saying this is natural, it's life. I believe in signs, in the afterlife. I believe those that have passed remain with us. I believe in things I cannot explain. So, for whatever reason this song popped into my mind it has helped me today.

So, dad, thanks for the song ;) I miss you so much. Ti Amo

~ Marcia

It's a hard day

I wanted to write about something witty, something that would make you want to keep reading. I thought about it all morning, trying to decide what I could write about. But my mind just wouldn't give. I know my blog is based on crafts, dumpster diving and anything frugal yet what is on my mind has nothing to do with crafting or decor. Tomorrow will be the 2 month anniversary of my dad's passing. I can't believe it's only been 2 months. It seems like a lifetime and yet at the same time, it hardly seems real at all.

I have been missing him so much these past few nights. I cry myself to sleep thinking of him and wake up with him on my mind. I miss his voice, the sheer size of his hands (he wore a size 13 pinky ring), his eye rolling when he would think we weren't paying attention. I miss his nicknames for us, I miss his arguements. I miss him so much that I can actually feel the pain in my heart.

I replay visits to his hospital room, conversations we shared, laughing through the tears.

I am sorry. I didn't mean to be so depressing. I was debating whether to blog at all. But decided the blog is about my little world and right now it isn't so happy. I know there will be good days and bad days and maybe tomorrow it'll get easier but today he is on my mind. I miss you dad and love you so much.

Dumpster Diva

Hi Girls!

Last evening we took the pooch out for a small walk around our area. As we headed out I grabbed our recycling to put in the bins outside. While I walked toward the garbage area I noticed a man putting two wing back chairs in beside the garbage bins. (I believe they are wing back, anyway). My curiosity was peaked! But hubby told me to hurry along as Cinnamon was starting to get antsy. I forgot all about them until on our way back I had to dispose of the pooch's droppings and decided to check in on those wooden chairs.

Hubby was horrified when I told him they were in perfect condition and would fit beautifully on our porch! (Ok, ok, so it's a tiny balcony but calling it a porch makes it so much more inviting). He refused to help me carry them back up to our apartment and just ran on up ahead of me with Cinnamon. So I grabbed one chair and then went back down for the other. When I explained to him that had I seen them at Goodwill I would've paid for them, he started to come around. He was then flat out impressed when I told him that the stamp on the bottom said "Ethan Allen".

With a little paint they will be as good as new!

Aren't they great?! I am so excited to get my hands on them! But it'll have to wait because today is sooo cold and windy. And I'd like to paint them outside so instead I will focus my energy on this little guy. I bought this awhile ago and it just isn't working out for me. So I want to paint it, add decoupage and some metal words. I want to put a picture of my grandparents wedding day as well as my parents. (The current pictures came with the frame).

I know some people would yell at me for painting over beautiful wood, but it's just not working for me.

Anyway, these are my new projects. I will show you the "afters" once they are done. This has been my first experience finding something out of a dumpster and I am hooked! Where do you girls find your best treasures?

~ Marcia

Good Afternoon on this dreary Monday....well where I am anyway!

I hope you had a great weekend. Mine was fabulous!

Saturday was winnnndy. So after taking the pooch out for a quick walk we decided to spend the rest of the day indoors, and stopped at shops we found haphazardly along the way. Yesterday was just beautiful. A perfect spring day. We took the pooch for a stroll through my favorite park and then went on to the Red Caboose Motel/Gift shop/Petting Zoo. It was adorable. You can sleep in a real caboose! Isn't it cute?

We didn't sleep over though, we just took a tour and petted some animals. Isn't this guy gorgeous? He certainly thought so!

Here's a closer look at his colors.

Here's another sweet face from the Motel.

We tried on some hats.....Hmmm, I'm not sure I can pull off this look...

And finally, we just enjoyed the views from this cute little motel.

I hope you had a great weekend too!

~ Marcia

Goodwill.....hunting

Last night I talked hubby into coming with me to the nearby Goodwill store. I had been there once before and couldn't remember my thoughts on the place. So after feeding him, off to Goodwill went! Oh my anticipation was high! After reading blogs on the treasures they had purchased and re purposed, I was anxious to get my hands dirty! Boy, what a let down. The clothing was priced to high for my taste. So I moved on to scout out some handbags. There was a great large brown purse that I was interested in until I saw a large tear in the bottom. So onto housewares I went. It was no better there either. I saw a cute angel figurine I wanted but then noticed she was missing an arm and she wasn't in a discount or "as is" pile either. Everything was either chipped or broken! It was by far the worst Goodwill store I have been to. Do you have a favorite Goodwill store? One that has never let you down? Mine is back in Hibbing, Minnesota. It was fabulous! I found many a treasure there that I will show you in upcoming posts.

Anyway, I left there feeling defeated while hubby suggested we walk over to the nearby Dollar store and see what we could find. I went in unconvinced anything could cheer me up from the Goodwill nightmare. Yet just as we walked in, hubby pulled out this little number and again my faith in cheap great finds was restored!

They had a few to choose from but this one just caught my eye. I love what is written inside.

Sorry its hard to make out, but it reads, "God is love, and he who abides in love, abides in God and God in him". - I John 4:16

I just think it is so well said. I loved it. Its a reminder that kindness truly does matter.

I hope you have a fantastic weekend!

~ Marcia

Good morning, all my two followers! lol.

The sun is shining, the pooch is dozing and my kitty is sitting in an open window sill smelling the fresh air. It never ceases to amaze me how weather truly affects my mood. I am more upbeat and optimistic when the sun is out and the birds are singing. Ahhh, spring. I had told my hubby that I felt guilty for being excited about spring as my dad won't be here to see a new one. You know what he said? He said, "Are you kidding? He's in Heaven! He's laughing at us for being excited for spring when he's experiencing so much more!" I thought that was so sweet and so true. He's a good soul my hubby, I think I'll keep him ;) So now I am guilt free and excited for spring!

I realized yesterday that my posts and my blog title don't really jive. I like the idea of writing about anything, day to day adventures, and posting photos of things I love. But the blog itself is about frugal living and well, to be honest, I haven't really shared with you anything "frugal". I do though have tons of treasures packed away in Minnesota. I promise to share with you my Goodwill finds when I get them here to PA.

But for now, how about some pics of the treasures hubby bought me at Cracker Barrel?

These little guys are salt and pepper shakers. I fell in love instantly and was thrilled they were priced at .99 cents/each!

They now reside very comfortably on my pig dressed as a cow spoon holder atop the stove.

My other great find is a tiny jewel box. It has a little bird atop an ornate circular box. It also came in blue, but I prefered the off white. It was all of $3.99! Cinnamon just so happened to come sniffing by just as I snapped the picture. I think it's so cute!

Here's another shot without Cinnamon's help ;)



This little guy is perfect to store hubby's wedding ring and necklace. He works with his hands and can't wear any jewelry. Before, he'd leave his wedding ring on the hand soaps pump handle! It almost fell down the drain a couple of times. And I don't know about your hubby, but my hubby's favorite words are "Babe, where'd you put my....." I put it right here babe, in this cute little jewel box.....

I loove Cracker Barrel. The food, the ambience and the treasures. One day I want to get me one of them their rocking chairs out front. Well, maybe two, one for hubby. I hope your day is filled with little treasures.

~ Marcia

Serene sights

Today is a little on the chilly side. It's windy, grey and threatening rain. The pooch and I already made it out twice so far but we nixed the idea of an early afternoon walk. Well I nixed it, she just put her head down and followed me back into the house. I know, I know I already feel guilty. But I justify it as she had three walks yesterday! She can't possibly be ready for another, now can she?! Even as I type this I know the truth and already realize I will succumb to a walk after hubby gets home. Sigh. But for now she's curled up on the couch and just let out a sigh of contentment, I am again happy. ;)

Anyway, I thought I'd share some pictures of serene sights on this chilly, grey day. So here they are I hope you enjoy.

I hope it made your day a little less grey.

~ Marcia