We've got the Fever - Gold Fever!

It's official.....we've got the fever - Gold Fever that is!!!

Steve, Rocky, myself and Steve's two brothers went to a dry creek bed near Temecula known for having gold claims and dug in the dirt and had so much fun collecting specimen samples....it was hot - look at Rocky!!!!

Later, after we had our 'samples' we took them back to his brothers house near Palm Springs and put them thru the processing......

We were just oh so sure that we hit a mini mother lode of gold flour, there was gold everywhere I tell ya! All over our hands and arms, in the pan, sparkling and oh so beautiful!!!!

We filled up the sample vile that said gold sunk to the bottom and our little chunks did! The other gold flour we tried to separate from our 'black sand' and put in baggies to take into the purveyors office, just like they say in the book.....then we toasted with some special wine I bought for the occasion 'Prospect 49 a Boom Town Red" pretty fitting heh?

The next day we drove by the purveyors with our gold flour....which turns out to be ***fools gold'....pretty fitting heh?

Jury still out on our little nuggets.....here's hoping!!!!

Gentle Signs of Fall.....

The annual Woody's Car show at Moonlight Beach....

always a fall classic favorite to look at these beauties....

Getting out the fall table setting.....love love love these colors....

Just adds warmth and comfort to the table.....

Last but not least, breaking out my Classic Coach Brown Bag.....it's official - even tho the temperature remains in the 70's and 80's Fall is on the way!!!

The beat goes on....and it is funk (not funky)

The beat goes on, no matter how I try to change it.....maybe this is just the funk I need to be in right now and embrace it and try to learn why I feel this way and the lesson that it is trying to teach me.....

A brief respite on Wednesday - a surprise call and invite to go Thrifting - fun things found for projects and play....(another chandelier for (hopefully) weekend project; new keyboard badly needed in my office, nerf arsenal for my boys, play house for Brody, wooden cigar box - really into those lately, round picture frame for future project, Fitz and Floyd Ho Ho Ho Christmas tray for only $2.00!...toal spend $30.00....now only need motivation.....

Off the Grid; On the Grid and big plans

Well, we survived the biggest blackout in SD history.....yes, one man alone brought down power from Yuma to Rosarito, Mexico to Palm Springs all thru San Diego and into Orange County and towards LA....never underestimate a man!

Having lived in Earthquake territory since 1980 and being evacuated twice for wildfires you would think we would be better prepared...we are usually all over preparedness but giving ourselves a C on this one. Had candles, water and flashlights, but no batteries and no smart phone with data access....I should know better!!! 'Sad News' as Dylan's kindergarten teacher would say...

Every source of communication was out, cell phone towers overwhelmed with calls, both Steve and I have emergency responsibilities at our work and it was one of the hottest days ever....I have to admit, being the week of 911 that crossed my mind as well....and once I heard from Steve and the kids and how proud I was of my kids being responsible I counted my blessings....also, I am grateful for the people that checked in on me and kept me updated to what was happening in the outside world....those people are my rocks....you all know who you are. Thank you Thank you

On the upside, saw stars from the backyard, first time in years as all the city lights were off and it was almost a full moon! None of the sirens I heard all night were for us or our family members...all the txt made me feel reassured and when the lights came on at 3:21 a.m. Steve and I collapsed in bed - a few txt later and up for the 5 a.m. office status call....

So a day of recovery and have to boil our water and throw a few things out of the fridge....communication is delayed but at least there....starting to let my mind drift off to some big plans for these thrift shop treasurers....

...hard to see but a shell of a chandelier.....

A wooden ladies cane....

wait and watch peeps!

Mini Staycation

In the past 26 years Steve and I have always been away on Labor Day....due to his accident and recovery and the dogs recovery we find ourselves at home and a rare Friday off together so we decided we would do a San Diego weekend staycation....we started the day taking the boys to school, taking the Pony in for some work and driving to my favorite area - 'OB' Ocean Beach to spend a bit of time before the crowds rolled in for the 3 day weekend....


This is the view out of one of my favorite restaurants in OB called Shades.....it is right at the base of the pier on Newport Avenue


The beach was pretty empty and the sun was shining and the waves were big....



I ordered my favorite Calamari Sandwich and Sweet Potato Fries


Steve opted for the Ham and Egg breakfast with home fries.....


Then we walked it off a bit by walking on the beach and up and down the shops on Newport Avenue

I have three must stops.....one is 'The Closet'....it is one of those beachwear cheapie places where you can find all kinds of stuff....I got a really cute pink rag sleeved overblouse thing (I am horrible at describing fashion!) for 6 bucks...picked up a few other things....next stop is Newport Antique Mall

I love the way the booths are displayed....each and everyone tells a story about beach life and bygone days...found some great unique gifts in here and got some great project ideas....

There is always this one with all the 1950's and 1960's kitchen stuff....love to look at this, and yes, have owned some of it too!

Wouldn't it be fun to have a Pink or Turquoise kitchen????

Another fave I have written about before - Vignettes - like being in a Paris Thrift Store

I loved all the jewelry and the bride and groom cake toppers....tres chic

Fascinated by the oval, round and carved frames displayed in an old fountain base....

Steve looks a little lost in this room....but I always drool over every chandelier!

After our fresh air and fun we came home, I watched old movies and Steve took a nap.....I could get used to this!!!

Flood of Memories

Since my dad has been gone I have had floods of memories....this post is dedicated to him, my mom, Auntie Gwen and Uncle Fred and my Illinois Cousins and Idaho family. My mom's family all came from Illinois. A short relocation to Phoenix is where my mom and dad met; after WWII my Uncle Jack was part of the GI Homestead Act and received land in Idaho and the family spread on there, which left my Aunt Gwen in Illinois on the first move and my mom in Arizona on the second move.....my mom and Aunt Gwen were so very very close. I loved my Aunt like a second mom. I loved my uncle and all my cousins too and our dads always made sure we had time together sometimes Arizona visits, sometimes Illinois visits and sometimes Idaho visits. Us kids would all get excited on Rt 30 to see the Stinker Station Signs and my dad would always point out this sign....it was part of Stinkers campaign (similar to Burma Shave) and very clever in that by all these rocks shaped like watermelons they put this sign up:



Pretty funny huh? Not only a good laugh but a sign we were close to seeing family. My special cousin Biz in our June visit made an attempt to 'pick' a watermelon but there was too much activity and it is now considered a no-no as it is some kind of historical site (no, I am not THAT old)....however, when I was up in August after Dad passed my sister and I made a run and we had free pickins'....I sent my cousins one (thank you USPS for your 'if you pack it we ship it' program as it weighed 28 lbs) anyway, I digress....so Steve and I drug ours home and I found a garden sign and printed the original sign and made a little watermelon garden in my back yard.



Here is a close up of my sign....

Sometimes I crack myself up!