Vintage Junk in My Trunk

Oh, Yard Sales, Yard Sales, Wherefore Art Thou, Yard Sales?

I was really looking forward to the first Saturday in April, and the plethora of yard sales that usually come along with it. I'm not really sure what's happening, but there were only a couple of sales listed.

The weather has not been cooperative, as it was still chilly and extremely windy, but the sun was out! I suppose the cold days are keeping folks from going through their things and making piles -- I know it's stopping me from organizing the Clover hoard on my enclosed deck -- but I was really hoping for a long day of sales.

 

Instead I got this one lonely purchase. Oh, well, it's better than nothing. I plan on painting it shabby chic white and hauling it with me to Clover Market. Which is next Sunday, by the way. Have I mentioned the hoard on my deck?

 

 

Fortunately, Thursday was a better day, and I scored a bunch of fine vintage items  (suitcase and yellow box are my props) during my Flea Market visit. I know this Halloween cat would score me some big bucks -- perfect vintage condition, and a rarity -- but I sort of love it. So it's a keeper. I also bought the "18" for myself, since it's my lucky number, but upon reflection, a little too "racecar" for me. I'm on the fence about the scale too. There are only about twelve of them right here in my general vicinity, but the color is divine.

 

I may have gone a bit wild with the vintage figurines, but the price was right and I see them flying off of the Instagram sale pages. The iridescent birds are Enesco (Japan) with original label and the fuzzy cat is a Josef Originals, but the pink and black cow sugar bowl is my favorite find of this lot. The pink porcelain bell around her neck sealed the deal. I probably paid more than I should have, but I think she's REALLY old. I can't find anything like it online. Anybody have one?

 

More figurines, some ironstone, and a giant squirrel cookie jar. All for sale except for the Japan deer planter, of which I'm very enamored. I am going to hold on to her until the holidays and see how she looks with my reindeer gang.

 

 

Because I knew I would be heading to the flea market on Thursday, and in anticipation of lots of yard sales on Saturday, I tried to keep my thrift store shopping down to one day. Finding all of this on Tuesday -- some Christmas, a green metal toolbox, black Couroc skier plate, even the trolls -- made that decision easier.

 

 

Off to make some roasted asparagus and a big tray of pineapple stuffing! Enjoy the holiday!

 

Reindeer, Bottle Brush Trees, and Dress Forms

Well, the junking around here has been extremely limited for the last several weeks. I feel like I have nothing of interest to show you!

I did go to my local antique center to take advantage of the after-Christmas sales. I should probably make another visit to see if things have been reduced any further.

The large aqua Western Germany ornament broke about 18 seconds after I got it into my house. I put it on top of a cupboard with my other seasonal items -- and then the vibrations of my daughter running through the house caused it to teeter off and smash into smithereens!

So I thought I'd show you some of that seasonal display (you've already seen Bob the Elf). Here is my reindeer collection. Last year at this time I only had about 10 of them. I am at a loss to explain the population explosion.

My bottle brush tree collection also expanded…

… but it is nothing like the collection of a friend's mom (who wishes to remain internet anonymous). Love her display!

Scary santas, courtesy of Mr. VJIMT. They are almost as bad as those elves.

Stella chose to hang out by the aluminum and pink ornament tree most of the season. I'm glad she liked it; my son proclaimed it "an eyesore". Gotta love those teenagers!

Luna preferred the real thing as well.

You know I like to decorate my dress forms. 

The one with the apron just sold this morning in my Etsy shop -- and now I am in a shipping terror frenzy! And kind of sad that she will be leaving us.

{EDIT -- Customer requested transaction canceled, and I'm glad as I was having major seller's remorse! I've decided my full-figured gal is no longer for sale, and will now be occupying a space in my bedroom where a fourth, foam-covered-and-not-as-old dress form resided.}

Speaking of Etsy, my friend Carolyn has opened her own shop full of holiday wreaths -- she was quite the productive little (not scary) elf this season -- click here to see them all!

Luna in Da House

Equal time (see Stella here).

Stella in Da House

Remember that giant doll house we liked?

Someone else does too.

Both girls are enjoying spending some time in the rooms, but Luna is a little camera shy.

While Stella enjoys her closeup.

Box Lot Treasures

Went early to the auction house tonight just to see what was to be had. I knew I couldn't stay long because I had to get Nick to his school's Science Fair. Sophia and I ran in to peek, heard some strange sounds, and found a box of these at the counter:

The sweetest kittens! Only a few days old. Think Leo is sending me a sign?

Goodbye, Old Friend

Leonardo (Leo). July 4, 1996 to April 4, 2010, after brief illness. Dear brother of the late Michelangelo (Mickey). Catcher of mice, fetcher of balls, and chaser of laser pointer lights. Loved freshly roasted chicken, spareribs, and bird watching. Sadly missed by Mom, Dad, Nicholas and Sophia.

Even Our Cat is Vintage

(Warning--graphic cat health issues to follow)

I think the reason it took me so long to get that last post finished may have had something to do with the two emergency vet visits that took place this week. When we got back from Rhode Island, Leo was moping around, not eating, and his hind legs were weak and wobbly. Now he's not really THAT vintage; when you've had a 20-year old cat (the lovely diva-like calico, Newt), 13 doesn't sound incredibly old.

 

But Leo has had a long history of medical issues, and is literally on his eighth cat life. I don't even want to guess at how much those eight lives have cost me. (Sigh. And I was thisclose to that brand new Apple laptop. Again.)

When he was two, he ate all the thread off the spool of my sewing machine and had to have part of his stomach removed (#1). (I used to refer to this as the Carnie Wilson surgery, as he would vomit if he ate too much, keeping him from gaining weight. I think it's irrelevant now though)

Between 2002 and 2003 his urinary tract got blocked -- three times (#2, #3, #4). The fourth time (in 2004) his male appendage had to be removed as the vet could no longer "unblock" him (#5; he actually crawled into the sink at the vet's office to die). 

When he came home from the animal hospital (and I was nursing a colicky newborn) he managed to get past that crazy head cone and rip out his stitches. I found him bleeding profusely all over the kitchen floor (did I mention the colicky newborn?). The vet took him back to perform emergency surgery as he was bleeding internally (a big #6).

No more illness until August of last year; there was blood in his urine. He was so traumatized when we got home from the vet's that he was panting and gasping for breath. (His brother Mickey had a similar reaction three years prior and died within minutes of being in the vet's office, which is why she now does house calls). I was sure that this was it. Miraculously, it wasn't (#7).

Now I know all these medical problems sound exhausting, but after he passed through each crisis he was none the worse for wear. No lingering side effects or debilitating consequences. Like a kitty reborn.

So now this (#8). In addition to his pre-existing heart murmur and hyperthyroidism, he has a bacterial infection, potassium deficiency (may be kidney disease) and is dehydrated. His blood glucose level is normal, so at this point it's not diabetes. I think a diagnosis of diabetes would have been the clincher; I don't think his little body could take the stress of twice-daily insulin injections (not to mention MY stress level). Hopefully the antibiotic and potassium supplement will make him feel well enough to eat and he will perk up soon.

It's not looking good, though. I feel at this point that we've done all we can, and I don't want him to suffer through anything more. I will give him the medication (squirts in his mouth so not so traumatic) through the weekend, but if on Monday he still looks the same I think he's telling me it's time to go.

(Please excuse the dark photos from my iphone. It was the closest thing on hand and I didn't want to disturb him).