GOODWILL HUNTING.. REALLY I DID

I went GOODWILL hunting for new things for my apartment. Sometimes people get rid of really good items or even NEW ones. On my budget this place is a real Godsend for many things. I decided my new bathroom was WAY too small so I needed a new look that would make it look bigger. I had a lot of dark towels and such that made it small. I changed my look to more of a beach style, lighter and brighter.  The very next week look what I found.. it started the ball rolling, from there I got shells, new towels and then I found ....several beach items that really helped set the tone.  Great prices and just what I wanted.. how lucky can you get.  It's a work in progress..I keep adding things. Another trip to the GOODWILL again and I might just get it all finished.. I won't stop looking there, you NEVER know what you will find!! ONE MAN'S TRASH IS ANOTHER MAN'S TREASURE!!

                                                   

This was marked down because the back had a small hole in it. $2.99

This was $1.99

Made a nightlight out of this. $1.99

GROUNDHOG SNOW STORM 2015

HE saw his shadow.. yeah right... they already decided before he was pulled from his nice cozy bed. All the snow that is here today is it any wonder we will see another 6 weeks of winter?  The storm lasted 24 hours. Non-stop wind and heavy snow that kept accumulating  at least 18 inches in places without the drifts.  By 2 AM on Groundhog day it had finally let up and the snow plow guys came and cleared off the sidewalks. So glad I don't have to do it all. It was enough to keep up with my own patio spot. 

I recall that back in the fall I saw at least three woolly worms and they indicated that at the back end of winter we would be in for some heavy snow. They were so right! I have been really spoiled this winter so far I guess it was time to bring the cold in.

We expect some more later this week, but not as bad as this storm was. Hope where ever you are you are staying warm and safe this winter. 

SPRING IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER...

2015 ..ORGANIZING ONE THING AT A TIME..

I am starting out 2015 organizing and trying to find SPACE. I never thought moving would be such a jumble. I haven't any idea how I am going to do it all but I guess I have the whole year to figure it out. I started in the kitchen. The garbage disposal went out and had to be replaced so all that stuff under there had to be MOVED out. Better now than if a leak occurs I guess.That all done I moved to the shelves and the drawers next. Progress and some things tossed out helped too. The shelves were a real problem but I managed to use every little space I could. Works for me..{note to self, don't buy any more of anything!! ;-) } 

A wise friend told me, "Whatever you buy and bring into your new place, you better have a place in mind where you will store it." So right she was. I got THREE Christmas trees of all sizes I had to find room for. I didn't buy them all at the same time, and I am still trying to find room for them.Tip: Don't wrap them up and throw them up on a shelf, they will find their way off the shelf in the middle of the night.. BOOM!! HA! Scared the beeeegeeeez out of me!!                                                 

 It got cold out and I looked for winter gear. WHAT?? I could not find any hats, scarves etc. even though I knew I had them. What I did find was only LEFT HANDED gloves,.. all of them. HOW odd. The right ones had just been placed away someplace in that maze of a closet. A disorganized mess. Yes I am still hunting the right ones, and still wondering HOW they got separated. Very ODD. 

MY winter will be full of hunting items and trying to label boxes and tubs..at least it keeps me busy on the many very cold days. My advice...when you think of moving please LABEL the heck out of your boxes..something I should have done better. 

HOPE YOU ALL ARE STAYING WELL AND WARM.. 

THE YEAR ENDS

I sit here and think of all the things that have happened in 2014 and just shake my head in disbelief. 

JANUARY we had the coldest POLAR VORTEX  winter we have ever had. It was brutal. I shoveled so much snow I just got so sick of it. Heavy, wet and cold all winter  long. I seemed to never catch up and never get warm enough. Glad it ended.

I ended up in an ambulance, for the first time in my life in late Jan., headed to the ER with my head so dizzy I could not stand up. I stayed 24 hours in the hospital and they found I had 

"Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo 

Sounds bad but it just is plain VERTIGO. I was remarkably healthy otherwise. I had many comments on how amazing my blood tests were.

FEBRUARY and MARCH  Came in with more health problems for family members and a loss of a child that we all were shocked over. I had my eyes tested and the Dr. told me I had Glaucoma..which later in the year was found to NOT BE TRUE. I was so relieved. 

APRIL  We still were having SNOW here in Michigan.. it just would not STOP Easter came and it was cold one day and warm the next. Mother nature just could not decide. 

MAY  Came in with another illness only this time my sister had kidney problems. They went from bad to worse and in 

JUNE  She landed in the hospital in another town for 10 days and one in ICU nearly dying. Very scary times and she still is using the drugs and has improved a lot, but is not stable yet.

JULY while Sis was ill, I received a call I had been waiting a long time for. A new apartment was available. I spent most of the month moving from one place to another in the heat of the summer.                                   

AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER,NOVEMBER and DECEMBER

I have been busy adjusting to my new place to live and gathering furnishings and celebrating the fall and winter here in a new town. Riding the bus to town, meeting neighbors, learning how to gather supplies and find places for all the stuff I have in such small surroundings. I purchased in December a painting that I thought was something I could look at for a long time. I love the waves and the ocean and always have. It will never be far from me.  So much happened this year with friends and family, I pray every day and night that several will be cured completely and permanently. I hope 2015 brings us all good health and happiness. 

DECEMBER UPDATE

SO December rolled in and NO SNOW, we have green grass and warm temps and it seems more like November weather. I like it one way and not in another. Reminds me of my winters in California. If we had some frosty mornings there it is all we could ask for.  Will it snow by Christmas, who knows. We just wait and see. In my new apartment it is really different because it is warm inside. Luckily, heat is free here so I am enjoying a nice break this year. 
                                                                

 I went on a search in many places for a 4 foot tree with NO LIGHTS. I had no luck.
I am still looking for it. Seems all the ones they have already have lights and cost way more than I want to pay. Whatever happened to simple. Well I bought a smaller one and I guess it will do for this year. I got rid of so many of our old things that I have not much left so am starting a new collection. I can't wait until after Christmas ornament sales. Know I will get some real gems. I went on a search through so many boxes looking for the stockings that my mother knitted back in the 60's. She took to knitting really easy I was told by the neighbor lady who taught her. I sure am glad that I found them.   These two were used just as decorations. 

One was really large, I don't remember why she made it that big but it sure has held up well all these years. The lady who taught mom made all us kids our own stockings and boy did we use them too. 

Starting my baking late this year, not sure what kind of cookies I will be making but I will be making them. Hope the neighbors help me eat them.  ;-)

WELL WHATEVER YOU ARE DOING ...

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON.