More retro refrigerator magnets

A lovely glimpse into my past

These tract houses had just been built; when my parents bought their first home, in 1956. I have fond memories of that little house on the corner.

Such a pretty dress

If only it came in my size.

The ties that bind

Years ago, I was driving my daughter and her friend to a middle school dance. I sat silent, listening to the conversation going on. Wondering if they were going to breathe between sentences. They, forgetting I was in the car. Ah, the plethora of information I acquired; by just listening.

Fast forward, to now. Once again I quietly sit back and listen. This time, a group of women and their views, on their candidate of choice. I always knew who I would be voting for. The plethora of information they provide, brings clarity; on why I won't, be voting for their candidate.

Today I turned a lovely shade of vintage green...

ABC Video

Magnitude 5.4 - GREATER LOS ANGELES AREA, CALIFORNIA
2008 July 29 18:42:15 UTC

Northridge, California 1994 01 17 12: 30:55 UTC (local time: 4:30 a.m.) Magnitude 6.7

San Fernando, California 1971 02 09 14:00 UTC Magnitude 6.6

I was born and raised in So. Ca. In 1971 I was 14. Then 1994, 23 years later; the memory as vivid as the first one.

Then there was today. You know when it starts a shaking, exactly what it is. Just as terrifying as the first one; so many years ago.

There is a whole new world out there

June 2007
Shannan on her graduation day, with Grandpa. Not Grandpas finest picture.

It's finally time, that I learn how to use the digital camera. Also I need to learn, how to import the pictures to the computer. Mind you this is not a picture, I took, as am I still learning. This was one that was already in the camera. It's a bit of trial and error, mostly error. Still haven't got the hang of it.

Refrigerator retro

I adore retro refrigerator magnets. Mind you they are not easy to find. These lovelies are porcelain and will soon have a new home.

Once upon a time, I was into stockpiling groceries. This was a good idea, when the kids were younger, as there was four little mouths to feed. The years have passed, but now I only have one 19 year old, left at home.

I started writing this post, a couple of hours ago. What is above is the original post. I left it for a bit, not sure of the purpose or where I wanted it to go. A few hours and many thoughts later.

Let me go back to the first part of this post. My pantries are full. Full of what I don't even know, due to plain and simple; buying and not using. Monday night I made a salad. All the ingredients had been bought recently except, the salad dressing, which was in the fridge. That night I suffered a really bad stomach ache. I took a look at the dressing and it had expired in 2007. I have no idea, how long it had been sitting in the refrigerator.

So today I decided to pull everything out of one cabinet. A very narrow, but very deep one. Can after can, box after box of very expired food. I am not going to take the chance of getting anyone ill. So there was no other choice than to trash it. A couple of large size trash bags full. It made me sick. Not physically sick, but sick about the waste.

The ties that bind, my thoughts was todays post on the blog; Down To Earth. Reading Rhonda's post earlier, triggered a connection. My awareness to be exact. The wasted food just a symbol. Simply, I need to be more aware of the choices I make; in all aspects of my life.

For if I want to live a authentic life; I need to weave these gentle threads of awareness and intertwine them, into all that I am.

More gratitude, than words can ever express

This is one of those days, that nothing can take away from the.......I cant even think of words, that comes close.

The chemotherapy ended two years ago. Then there was the three month check-ups and the CT scans; which always showed something. Then there was the waiting time between appointments, for the next CT scan, MRI or PET scan. Then the slow motion, tic toc, tic toc waiting time, until the results. I would hold my breath and wait. The anxiety always there, in my shadow; wherever I went. A spot on my liver, a lump in my breast, something on my ovaries; a biopsy, a ultrasound, another scan, a different kind of scan.

More waiting... more anxiety... fear... tears... and on... and on.

Then there was today. I had my six month check-up with my Oncologist. He went over the last batch of tests done and the recent blood work and he said...

Everything is normal and you are healthy...such sweet, sweet words.

I left with tears in my eyes. I hugged Shannan when I got home; held her so close. Feeling for the first time. in such a very long time; that this hug will be one of many, many more.

Fresh from the fields

I adore the lovely mini watermelons, I buy at Costco. I am never disappointed, as they are always sweet. Tonight's dinner salad with baby greens, carrots cucumbers, tomato, avocado and chicken. With a side of this sweet, red, juicy fruit. I also just learned they are full of lycopene, just like tomatoes.

Abundance of gratitude...

for Monday

To keep me grounded, is to remind myself, of what is truly important; gratitude for the simple things.

Today I am grateful for
... the upcoming milestones, that I will be so very blessed to see

Abundance of grey blessings

Its been a while since I last colored my hair. I use the kind that washes out. The only sign, that it is time to color once again; is the strands of grey that start to appear. Just recently, as I looked in the mirror; there they were. There was no urgency to hide the strands. Instead a moment of clarity. A lovely ah ha moment. For every grey hair that is blessed upon me, is one more glorious day, I have been given.

There are two things, that I am so sure of...

that to be 51, is the best of yet to come. Also that I am so elated, that my daughter wants to tell me about her day at work; her first job to be exact. Her perception is (key words, her perception) that I should come and spend time doing all the wonderful activities, that her place of employment (key words, senior center) offers.

Now age is truly, just a state of mind; and only when you reach that age (key words, her age is 19), do you understand that. So for now I shall listen to how her day went and take with a grain of salt; her ideas of how compatible I would be, at the senior center.

Maybe one day, but not anytime soon...

Yesterday cloth bags...

and as soon as I finish the last of the Windex; the journey into homemade window cleaner.

5 ounces of wintergreen rubbing alcohol

5 ounces of vinegar

Fill the rest of the bottle with water

I use Windex to clean just about everything. What I like about the homemade, is that vinegar is a natural disinfectant; something Windex isn't. I might just phase out all store bought cleaning products as I run out. The only item I don't think, that I will be changing is laundry detergent; fabric softener, maybe.

I have been washing more dishes by hand. I am sort of defeating the purpose of hand washing; as my dish drain sits in the sink. Thus I have to run the water while rinsing. Simple solution, is to buy a plug for the drain or a plastic tub.

I have just run out of the paper napkins. I do have one unopened package, but I think I shall save those, for messy meals. It is rather exciting, when all the things that months before, were just endless possibilities; now are woven into my daily life.

And the journey continues...

I've got 30 points

I had to pick up a few things at the market. So I took my cloth bags, for the first time. I even used the cloth produce ones. My daughter did not wither, nor was she as mortified; as she exclaimed she would be, when I used them.

Ralphs apparently gives you points, for bringing your own bags. Not quite sure what the points are for.

Tulle And More

I adore tulle.

I stumbled across Vintageous. Such gorgeous vintage dresses, tulle and all.

The lesser Of two...

I threw out a sheet yesterday, that had a few holes in it, today a towel. A thought crossed my mind each time, before discarding; that I should keep these and re-cycle and re-use them. No idea for what though. I have plenty of towels, cloth napkins, rags to clean the car. Trashing them would be wasteful and that is not the path I want to take.

On the other hand, keeping them on hand to to re-cycle and re-use "one day", is also not the path I want to take. "One day" can be as wasteful as trashing them, if there is no foreseen purpose; as "one day" may never come. More than not wanting to be wasteful; do I want piles of, "one day" clutter. So until I am so far down the path to simple living; I need to find a happy balance.

Expired ice cream bars...nah

My daughter and I, were driving home from Costco yesterday. She had the ice cream bars (delectable Haagan Dazs bars with almonds, I might add) on her lap, as it is hot outside; and it is the coldest upfront, where the air conditioning is blowing. She tells me, that the ice cream bars expire in May 2009 and that she didn't know they expired. To which I answered, "...never in our house. Out of all the food that might go bad, I would never worry that it would be the ice cream." That left us laughing all the way home, at the mere thought of...

P.S. what was lost.. is found

I never know how long to keep important papers. So I have years of bank statements and pay stubs all together; a big thick pile. I am constantly passing them, in the doorway to the kitchen. The cute burlap bag, that holds them is bursting at the seams.

Wednesday night, for some unbeknownst reason; I decide to go through the endless pile. As I am half way through the pile, hidden between bank statements and pay stubs; is this familiar Christmas card. I am thinking to myself, please let there be a address on this envelope. On the back of the envelope a partial address. In the letter, a email address.

Sadly the email address is not current. So what was lost, was never really lost. It was only put away for safe keeping. I just forgot where I put it.

I can envision a sprinkle of red, in my sea of vintage green

A lovely trip it was

What a gorgeous drive, up north I had. The trip back home was even more beautiful, as I took the 101, which takes you through Santa Barbara and down along the ocean. We stayed in Morro Bay, which is a small, sea side community. The time we spent together was deeply cherished, as I don't know when the next time will be. I didn't want to leave, but life can not stand still and it goes on.

Inhale life at every turn

So this weekend, I will be staying, in Central CA; surrounded by all those breathtaking vineyards. Hmmm, wine tasting.

Musings of this and that

When you work long days, vacations from work are such blessings, in so many ways. My job is not a physically strenuous one, but the hours, literally drain me; 10 hour days, 5 days a week.

Today is day 1, with 10 more glorious vacation days to follow. The thought of knowing I do not have to return to work, has filled me with much energy. Something I haven't felt in such a long time. This is a time to nourish my spirit, by simply enjoying the moments; that fill every one of these 11 days.

These will also be days to reconnect. When you have a mate, who is career military; and who is stationed over 4 hours away, those times are far between. This time, it has been 5 long months. I have gotten used to the month long separations, as it has been that way for the past 10 years or so; but 5 months is too long. It has never gotten easier, being separated for months at a time; only a way of life. One of the many bits of wisdom, that he has shared with me, is that no matter what life hands you; you do, whatever you need to do, and then you keep on going. I attempt to remember that, though there are times; when I miss him terribly, that the sheer thought fades away. Thursday or Friday, I will take a 4 hour drive to Paso Robles and spend 2 to 3 days there. What can I say about a man; whom after 20 years, still takes my breath away. A man who, when he embraces my face in his hands; life can get no better. A man who, when I lie next to him and feel his heart beat; time stands still. Did I say, that I adore this man.

My daughter got a job through the city, at a senior citizen center. Its a internship, though she did say, there was talk, about this being a paid job. The way her face lit up, as she talked about the possibility of her first paying job; filled my heart. Its been such a long time since I saw her face light up. My heart was so full.

So today I rested, ate chinese takeout for dinner and will watch a few movies; what a lovely first day.

Those moments that come out of the ordinary, that are anything but

I was getting dressed, to go to work, the day before last. I opened one of my dresser drawers. One that I rarely open. There peaking out, was one of the scarves; I wore to cover my head, when going through chemotherapy, almost three years ago. Even though I knew it was in there; the sight of it startled me. Startled me so much, to where I had difficulty, catching my breath.

Another gentle reminder, to inhale life and embrace with a passion, each and every day. For at any given moment that scarf might be more, than a gentle reminder.

What a lovely site

So many delicious things.

And what to my wandering eyes did appear

It's early Sunday morning, and I have come across this jade glass measuring cup set and lovely juicer; while window shopping, at Gooseberry Patch. One day they will join my jade glass butter dish, sugar jar and salt and pepper shakers; for now my wish list.

Feedsack fabric

I do believe that I am aquiring a, all consuming passion for fabric, feedsack and all.

A lovely alternative

The only down side is that you cant stack them. So lucky for me that I have a huge stand up freezer, with plenty of room.

This or that

I have been getting around 6 to 7 hours of sleep a night. Though if I do go to bed early, I wake at around 2:30 a.m., and have a terrible time falling back to sleep; only to have to get up at 4 a.m. This includes the 6 to 7 hours of sleep. The depression, has seeped back, though it is mild, but constant. The constant part is what makes it seem worse, than mild.

Today I was off from work, and my day went like this. Up for a few hours, then a few hours of napping and so on and so on and so on. I am not sure if it was from sheer tiredness or this cloud of depression, is making me physically tired.

P.S. return address...please

Thirty eight years ago, I was a 13 year old, who through letters; would make a life long friend. She lives thousands of miles away, across the ocean. Through the years; the many letters, became yearly holiday cards. Sadly, a few years ago, I misplaced her address and she no longer puts her address on the envelope.

Every year, I get a lovely holiday card, with family updates; but alas no return address.

Made for each other

Be still my heart, for lovely visions...

are dancing around in my head; of aprons, cloth napkins and clothes pin bags. The possibilities endless. I know if I pull out my sewing machine and learn to sew; I might acquire a serious addiction, to this gorgeous fabric. Robert Kaufman, Mary Rose fabric, to be exact.

Retro looking finds at a dollar price

My favorite finds, at the 99 Cents Only Store; are the ones that have a vintage or retro look. Yes, they can even be found there, though not as often as I would like. I have this Rose Brand Pear and a White Rose Pear label transferred on a 3 x 3 wood plaque. Some of my refrigerator magnets, have also been found there. There are the Animal Cracker ones and the Campbell Soup Kids. The last time I went, I came across these retro looking dish cloths. I bought 4 of them, but now I wish I had bought more.

To put off until another day

When I was sick, I acquired a negative personality trait, that I never had before; procrastination. It all started when I was going through chemo. The mail got dropped on the floor, where ever I was sitting at the time, including bills. This developed into endless piles of paper and the bills disappeared; into the endless mounds. It wasn't because I didn't have to resources, to pay them. It was a just because; it was honestly of non importance to me, at the time. It got so bad, that my sister would literally, write the checks for me, or the bill paying would be put off indefinitely.

I now have priorities when it comes to procrastinating. I still have a tinge of it, when it comes to bill paying, but they do get paid. There are no piles of papers lying around, much less anything else. I do still put off making appointments, returning items bought that need to be returned, making needed phone calls and calling maintenance to have things fixed in the apartment.

I don't know the psychological reason, of why I became like this. I definitely do know it has to do with the journey of cancer and chemo. It was life altering in more ways, than not. Some changes were a blessing and some just a glitch in life, that I must adjust myself too.

Abundance of gratitude...

for Friday

To keep me grounded, is to remind myself, of what is truly important; gratitude for the simple things.

Today I am grateful for
...a day off from work
...the joy my home brings
...laundry that is done
...the thought, that later this evening, I will be able to gaze upon fresh flowers in my home
...the blessing of feeling life is good once again; instead of feeling, the gloom of depression

This vintage toaster...

is what I envisioned, with its shiny chrome and cloth cord; when I was in the market for a new toaster. For some reason, unbeknownst to me; I have a vivid, fond memory of, cloth cord.

I looked at many and then I saw this one. As close to retro perfection, as I was going to get; for the price I could afford. Sadly, no cloth cord.

Cottage Flair...

one source, for that collection of mismatched vintage dishes, I want to to aquire

Cottage Flair

I stumbled across this...

vintage china; through a link from another gorgeous site, shabbyfabrics.com.

They have the most exquisite fabrics, I have ever seen. Visions of aprons, cloth napkins and clothes pin bags are dancing around in my head. I have a sewing machine, though sadly no skills to utilize it.

http://www.katiesrosecottage.com/catalog.php?item=1049&catid=3&ret=catalog.php%3Fcategory%3D3

http://www.katiesrosecottage.com/catalog.php?item=852&catid=3&ret=catalog.php%3Fcategory%3D3

This one took my breath away, as I know the perfect place to put it. I have a rather large wicker basket, that I have turned upside down; and am using as a nightstand. The only downside is that, what ever is put on it; doesn't always stay upright. I saw this and instantly, I knew where the perfect home for it, should be. I love to dream.

http://www.katiesrosecottage.com/catalog.php?item=908&catid=4&ret=catalog.php%3Fcategory%3D4

Lovely finds...

from a catalogue, named Tender Heart Treasures. This is one of a handful of catalogues, that does not end up recycled. I do not own any of these quite yet. Hopefully very soon.

A gentle reminder to myself,

to...



and that...

Victorian Trading Company

You never disappoint me, with the beauty your catalogue holds.

Back on path

The journey to cloth was put on the back burner, as my motivation for most anything has been; due to this stick with me like glue, fog of depression, that has been with me. Its rough at times; though only a little bump in the road.

The cloth grocery bags are on top of the refrigerator and they haven't made it into the store, quite yet. I think moving them to the back of the car, they will have a better chance, to get used.
The original cloth napkins, I had my eye on, were no longer available, so I bought some other ones. I soon sent them back, as the feel of material (not cotton), was not pleasing to the touch. I haven't found any others that, I thought were lovely until today. I can always count on finding just about anything I am looking for at Amazon.com and usually do. I was searching and found these 100% cotton ones, for a reasonable price, 12 for $15.99. I ordered 2 sets.
I don't know if I will ever completely go cloth for cleaning. I still use cloth dish cloths for washing dishes and flour sack towels for dusting. I recently found some very nice vintage looking dish cloths; at of all places, the 99 Cents Only Store. Paper towels are used for any other cleaning.

My heart was full

As a parent, there are times that our relationships with our growing children are anything but close. My first born, is 28. He was a child that when he turned into a pre-teen and then a teen, there were issues, that made him very difficult to love at times. I love him unconditionally, but there were more times that not; that I was so frustrated at his behavior and even more frustrated at my lack of parenting skills, to deal with such behavior. When he was 17 he moved to a different state, we saw each other rarely and spoke on the phone, every once in a while. Even though our relationship remained strained, through the years; my heart never gave up on him.

Its been a while since I have spoken to him. Last week, I did. It was one of those conversations, that as a parent you always hope and wait for. He is getting his life in order, his perspective on what is important in life, has changed. My heart was full and I told him so, over and over again.

When he was little I used to tell him he was my shinning star and that on some days he would shine bright and other days even brighter. This was one of those days that he shined like no other.

I used the last of the paper towels, last week. I did not like using flour sack towels for general cleaning. I do continue to use them for dusting. So, I am back to using paper towels for certain things.

Journal of purchase and waste

Sadly, I had to throw out 13 eggs the other day. There is also a whole bunch of salad vegetables, that just didn't get eaten. When I go to Costco and see all the lovely vegetables, visions of salads dance in my head. I must make a more conscious effort, to find the time to make salads or just don't buy the vegetables.

Just For Me

This evokes 1940's to me. I hope it fits as lovely, as it looks.

Aging gracefully...

in all actuality should be, living full of grace. What a blessing it is to be 50 years old. It is a number where life, finally makes sense. Life is now filled with a wealth of clarity. The clarity to see that 50, is not the end of the road; only the beginning. For now, my soul has purpose. A soul embraced with inner peace, self assurance and contentment.

When I was 19, I lived in a house in Berkeley; where there were many students, who were philosophy majors. There were many late night discussions, on the purpose of life. I could never conceptualize the word purpose, in a philosophical way; my purpose on this earth, to be exact. The mere thought of what was I here for, left me feeling uneasy; as it always seemed like a overwhelming word, of such enormity. Only when I touched one persons life, did I fully understand; what that word meant, for me. Simply, a small gesture with the possibility, of a ripple of impact.

Inner turmoil, was always my best friend. I allowed it to follow me wherever I went. The day that I grasped the understanding, that people only do to you what you allow them to do to you. The day that I embraced forgiveness, for that which it was. That it had nothing to do with releasing others from their actions; but had everything to do with releasing myself, from the paralyzing emotions, that were controlling every aspect of my life. Then and only then: did I finally know what inner peace, truly was.

To gain self assurance, I first had to understand; that others opinions of me, were simply that, their opinions and their issues.

Contentment, was not a easy one, for me to be blessed with. It took a deep pot hole in the road, for me to get it. Though it was always before me; only when I was faced with losing what I took for granted, did I get it.

My 50's is a rebirth of my soul, every year after, is the best of yet to come.

Do not only look at the beauty...but also hear to the message

The day before last, I was walking to my car; to leave for work. It was a ordinary cloudy day, with a light rain falling. Overpowering this gloomy, dark cloudiness; was the bright, crystal clear sunshine. The sunshine overpowering the clouds; even though the sky was not clear. Down the street this exquisite rainbow, in the horizon.

What a metaphor for life.

Wicker waste baskets and plastic spray bottles...these are a few of my favorite things

I don't like the look of plastic trash cans. I have a wood one in my kitchen. In my bathroom I have wicker. I have found the cheapest, most abundant supply of wicker waste baskets. Who would have thought that the 99 Cents Only Store would be the place. I use one for my bathroom, one to keep the kitty litter scoop in and a mini one to keep the handle of the toilet brush cleaner. Even though the baskets come lined. I keep a clear plastic bag in them to keep bacterial contamination down to a minimum.

I have even found a lovely looking, plastic spray bottle for my glass cleaner. Its not your average spray bottle. Its bigger at the bottom and narrows at the neck. I keep my window cleaner on the counter, as it is used constantly. This I found for a $1.

Lovely additions to my home, that cost a mere penny.

Musings for Thursday and tomorrows things to do

I planned to return to work today. When I called work yesterday, to see what my schedule was. I was told that I will have Friday and Saturday off and to come in on Sunday. Quite lovely. Today I cleaned my outside kitchen and living room windows. Shannan washed three loads of laundry. I am hoping to keep up on it; instead of having a mountain of laundry at one time. I wanted to take a shower before making dinner. I had a five gallon bucket, with the ironing board cover in it; soaking in Oxi-clean, in the bathtub. How heavy it was to lift. My thoughts wandered to, how different my life would be; if I had no running water, and had to haul all my water, from here to there. I take it for granted, for the fact; that I don't think about it. I know when I turn on that faucet water is going to come out. I know when its time to brush my teeth, wash my hands, wash the dishes, take a shower; that all I have to do is turn that faucet on and water will appear. Another blessing.

I have never eaten quiche. Shannan didn't like it, for me it wasn't the best thing I have ever eaten. Maybe it was how I cooked it, as I am not the best cook. Tomorrow we visit my mom. I am bringing the left over quiche and a loaf of the banana bread; that I baked the other day. We will see if it is the quiche or the cook. I also have to go to the dry cleaners, to pick up my two jackets. Sunday they are not open; and I need them for work.

I have found the perfect cloth napkin, its very lovely and has this vintage look. I had found some very lovely retro 1940s looking ones, that were more expensive; that I was indecisive about. When I first saw these I knew they were the ones. I believe the sage green color, will be more favorable, concerning stains; compared to other ones with white in them.