Random Thoughts 9/1/2012

Here is the floral bucket I finished recently. Read about it here.

There was a mother nursing her 4 year-old little boy on the cover of a magazine recently. I only saw it in the news but there was a big flap over her nursing and/or doing it on the cover of a magazine. I didn't read the article of course so I have no idea what the story was about but I do think the nudity on the cover of a magazine was inappropriate. Why would someone even think to "pose" for that kind of article? I believe our bodies are sacred and wouldn't want mine splashed over the world like that. I have absolutely NO problem if a breast-feeding mom would like to nurse at my home, even without a cover over her, but most women I know cover up. But, personally, I love watching babies suckle. It's sweet to watch their little cheeks trying to get their nourishment. My granddaughter would cover up when nursing here because of her grandpa but if he wasn't here, I didn't mind it. After all, I powdered, kissed and changed that little behind many, many times. I still love patting her 32-year old bottom!

I'm supposing it's just a sign of the times when nothing is sacred. Modesty is laughed upon and I know it's going to get worse. What some people do for notoriety just astounds me sometimes.
*

When hubby saw the feather boa on the refurbished lamp, he said it looked like it was going to take flight. Actually, when we turned the ceiling fan on it did blow feathers all over the living room for a while.
*

Pink has always been around. It's a color for men also. I've dressed my hubby in it for many years and he's gotten so many compliments on his wardrobe. Just lately it's been held in high esteem and we've become adventurous in displaying it. It's always been my favorite color, but I'm seeing it more and more in decorating than ever. I always look for pink shirt, ties, etc. for him. He loves standing out!
*

It is one of my goals to never desire a knowledge of other people's business. When I know too much, I'll start judging. And who am I to judge? I'm an imperfect human being who doesn't like being judged. Just stop it.
*

Today is the birthday of one of my grandsons. He's the youngest grandchild. He's so funny. He's a teenager now but when he was primary age, he said to me, "Nana, isn't it funny that I was born on Labor Day? Labor Day? Get It?" He was such a young age I didn't even think he knew about labor in connection with childbirth. He laughed himself silly over that one. Squirt! :-)

*

My favorite wall decoration—pink and white stripes, though this one does look more pink and darker pink.

Sweet window in an old stone house with white sheer curtains to let in light and bright pansies in the window for color.

An absolutely stunning display of ribbon work.

Sweet slipcovered chair. Almost looks like a doll house.

Another thatched cottage in a field of yellow daffodils.

I have a friend with chickens and a chicken coop. This isn't it, but she's going to photograph it for me to show you...real soon. Right, Stacey?!

A beautiful pink and white room. Love this one.

Simply a place to stroll I thought you'd like to see.

A neat little room with fanciful wall cubbies for displaying trinkets.

It doesn't get much better than laundry drying on the line for me. Reminds me of my kids' diapers billowing on the line while the sun bleached them white in the California sun while we mums sat in the cool shade of the grass watching the munchkins play on the jungle jims in military housing. Wistful memories.

I saw this dress and thought it was too beautiful to not show you.

Gorgeous display of crystal and beautiful deep pink roses.

A very neat way to store fabrics and art supplies. Mine will never look this great!

I swoon over this darling entrance to someone's home.

I just had cake and ice cream while creating this blog post. I think, however, you'd all like this cupcake above chocolate ones. ;-)

~*~

Read more »

Blue moon, Neil Armstrong and Jubilee Furniture?

August 31, 2012 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

This evening you’ll have a chance to see a blue moon.  Though the moon won’t actually be blue – when there’s a second full month in a calendar month it’s called a “blue moon.”  The last time this occurred was December of 2009 and – after tonight – it won’t happen again until July 31, 2015.  This infrequency is where the phrase, “once in a blue moon” comes from.

Since the moon itself will not look any different than any other full moon we typically see (except for those gorgeous huge, yellow, full moons often seen in the fall – a harvest moon – those are amazing) – what’s the big deal?

It’s a sweet coincidence – and worth mentioning since today is Neil Armstrong’s memorial service.  He died on August 25th from complications following heart surgery.  He was 82.  For you younger folk – Neil was the first person to set foot on the moon on July 20, 1969 (“That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,”).  Remarkable.

Though I regularly see the courage and fortitude of a Neil Armstrong in my position at Jubilee Furniture (from donors as they dismantle a home after a death to customers facing illness and job loss) our clients at Outreach Community Ministries are often facing overwhelming odds which make them feel hopeless and despairing.  Olga described herself as “being up against a wall” until she connected with our center in Carol Stream.

Knowing every purchase at Jubilee Furniture is helping to support programs and services for Olga – and hundreds of other Olgas – is one of the best parts of shopping at the store.  Of course, the amazing furniture – and never knowing what you might find – is fun too!

Speaking of which – let’s take a look at some of the new-to-us items donated this week.  Remember, the store is open today from 1 to 8 and tomorrow from 9 to 4!

gorgeous Hekman Repertory rectangular dining table with two leaves – never been used but came from factory with a couple of scratches – retails for $1,998 – Jubilee Furniture price is $595

very nice leather sofa for $165

cool church pew – there’s a cross carved into the wood sides (can see it faintly in second photo) – rip in plastic-y seat fabric – priced $175 (it’s actually fairly comfortable to sit on)

large round coffee table priced $35

here’s another large round coffee table (also $35) and then a two piece micro-suede sofa/chaise – which needs to be cleaned – priced $85

great lines on this chaise – but it really needs to be reupholstered (lots of fading and stains) priced $105

we got in a number of store fixtures that would make cool industrial looking furniture for the home – these are two separate pieces (the frosted middle glass is a crackled glass – all cracked looking) the taller piece would be a great kitchen island – it’s counter height – you could even pull stools up and under one side and is priced $125; the lower one a great rolling coffee table (?) priced $75

fabulous rolling storage piece – nice and narrow (sorry I forgot to measure – maybe 12 inches?) would be great for your flat screen TV – those are frosted glass doors – priced $275

here’s a couple more photos of the taller rolling piece that I thought would be great in a kitchen (or family room?) – there are three of them total – all are used but one has wood trim that’s damaged and is priced $95 while the other two are $125

this is a different piece – wood top with a metal shelf – tons of storage – priced $150; on top of it are three or four folding wooden shelves (legs fold in) priced $20 each

finally here’s a rolling wooden table that’s coffee table height – priced $75

wonderful pedestal oak table with one leaf priced $155; four oak chairs all for $100

gorgeous queen-size headboard, footboard and side rails priced $275

great older Ethan Allen sofa – orange and blue plaid – perfect for any U of I students! Priced $45

Worth brand chest of drawers (in great condition) priced $95; matching dresser with two great mirrors (dresser is missing one drawer pull) priced $125 (there are two matching nightstand too and I think I priced ‘em $40 each?)

nice sleeper sofa – but rip on side of the arm (the side you can’t see) priced $75

amazing retro pleather sofa and chair – some issues of missing buttons and tears in the pleather – sofa is $50; chair is $20

super sweet French Provincial bedroom set includes: desk priced $65; twin head board, foot board and side rails priced $50 (there’s a second head/foot but no side rails and is priced $30); dresser with mirror for $125; nightstand (only one) priced $45

nice gold velvet side chairs priced $35 each

neat older upholstered rocker priced $65 and there’s a rip in the fabric on the seat

Neil Armstrong’s family said recently, “While we mourn the loss of a very good man, we also celebrate his remarkable life and hope that it serves as an example to young people around the world to work hard to make their dreams come true, to be willing to explore and push the limits, and to selflessly serve a cause greater than themselves.”

Dear reader - may we choose to live courageous lives – regardless of our age – at all times and not just during a blue moon!

Read more »