Tis the season for flea markets and garage sales. If you've only read a couple of posts on this blog you know I am always up for antiquing and thrifting.

Recently I joined a group on Facebook that buys and sells household goods and antique or vintage items. It's great because you can sell exactly what you're asking for or close to it rather than completely giving it away at a garage sale.The best part is that there are also people looking out for what other members of the group want.

Just the other day I put out a call for vintage thermoses and within minutes I had a few people giving me leads. When I met the seller she said she hadn't even thought about listing them but then saw my post and remembered she had one that was exactly as I described. It made me really happy; how those little things fall into place.

So this week I put up a few items and had a good return on investment or ROI. They were: an old Kraft cheese box, a 1950's butter dish, vintage Pyrex and a globe. These items were literally sitting on a shelf in the closet. It was so much easier and quicker than Craigslist. So if you want a decent return or are looking for something in particular, find yourself a local group on Facebook and have fun!

*The pictures were taken with my phone which explains the quality. They sold so quickly I didn't even bother taking a picture with my real camera. ; )

We were hoping to strike gold

Last week I noticed a pretty little creek that sprung up in our front flower bed and trailed down the steps. Water was bubbling right next to the steps so we assumed there was a leak around so Jon started to dig. He dug a hole about 6 feet deep to repair it himself. The pipe was directly under the steps of course so he had to dig down and across. It literally took 9 hours but saved us over a thousand dollars. We were hoping to find gold or even something cool that fell out of the pocket from a builder a long time ago like on "If walls could talk" but all we found was the lousy pipe...

I shouldn't brag but the hubster has some strong arms and back. The water company guys were amazed that he dug it out himself. 

Just as he finished we went out back to hose off the shovels (and Jon since he looked like he had taken a mud bath.)

 I noticed the water pressure was low so I checked around hoping there wasn't another problem somewhere. Jon checked the garage and sure enough it was flooding. So now he gets to do more pipe repairs.  Luckily this time it won't require an archaeological dig.

Father's Day Scavenger Hunt

Every year we organize a scavenger hunt for Jon, combining little gifts with a fun-filled day of clues and destinations. This year it was almost stymied by him having to work so we just had to start later which unfortunately meant Blair would have to miss part of the day. She was heading to a birthday party complete with a bounce house and balloon animals - too good to pass up, and we were ok with that.

We introduced the day from the first note; "Let's start out with the most imortant meal of the day where you'll receive your clue and be on our way."

Clue #1
"Through the country we will go to get to the water's edge (or the G. McBride's) A little hike is good for the soul but you'll have to dig like a mole for clue #2 at the first bridge. A 'J' marks the spot."

This took him a few minutes to guess but he figured out it was the Conoy trail where we like to hike. Belén, Charley and I went out on Friday night with a shovel in hand to bury the clue. It looked a little suspicious that we had a shovel...
We ended up just moving some rocks and putting the clue in a baggie under the rocks. Things in baggies - a little suspicious too...good thing there were no cops around.

He searched for a while but it was actually Reese that noticed the "J" formed by a piece of wood and some rocks. Jon lifted the rocks and found the clue. We hiked the trail for about an hour before opening it.

Clue #2
"Now is the perfect time for a little treat. Just head up the street to a cool, little shop where our sweet, petite friend will give you clue #3."

He had no idea about this one so we gave him some hints. He guessed the only place on the street that served ice cream, Gigi's. It was reeally good. Old-tymie, serious over indulgance. We were the first ones there when it opened at 5 pm but then was swarmed right after. I guess it's the place to be in Bainbridge. So if you're in the area and want to go, get there early. The girl's friend, Jane, works there and we set it up to deliver the next clue.

Clue #3
"Let's pick up the pace and go on a race where even the kids can compete. Maverick & Goose said it best, "I feel the need for speed."

Jon was probably hoping that this was a flight of some sort because of the Top Gun reference but we told him (unfortunately) we were staying on the ground. He mulled it over and figured out we were going to do a little go-kart racing. So off we went to Adventure Sports near Hershey and they had a blast taking to the track. Reese was so happy he was able to drive by himself for the first time and Trae finally got to be a passenger. It was a long ride probably due to a few (3) crashes (ahem, no names).

There we gave him clue #4 which read:

"Head towards the smell of chocolate and there we will have a little lunch. Trae won't be worried because these bees don't sting very much."

Last week Trae man was stung twice so I figured he'd understand the reference. This took a few minutes as well and he guessed "Applebees" but we changed plans and went to The Pita Pit in our town instead. We ended the night by watching Monty Python's "The Holy Grail" that the kids got him.

It was perfect weather for a perfect day. Despite a few setbacks, including a pipe leak in the front yard, we just rolled with it and things always turn out. The kids love their dad a ton and this is a fun way they get to show him. I'm kinda fond of him too.

Teacher's gift/last day of school

This past school year I was a co-room parent for both my 5th and 1st grader. Luckily the 5th grade teachers do most
of the activities so I didn't have to plan much. 1st grade on the other hand, requires more work for activities so the teachers give you an idea of what they want and then you run with it.

The 1st grade end of the year party theme was a camp out so we had a few activity stations. We made bug jars, had a fireside reading complete with inflatable flames and a camp out sticker picture activity. We served hot dogs, trail mix, fruit, vegetables and a drink. Our final activity was making 5 minute ice cream in a bag which was kind of hilarious watching 20 first graders run around outside and shake their bags of ice. You can imagine the chaos. A few got a little crazy and broke their bags but luckily I brought extras with ingredients.

The teacher gift presentation always puzzles me. What do they really want? I mean they know we're going to do something but do they worry they're going to get another "Best teacher" mug??

So for this teacher we had the kids fill out a little card about what they learned from 1st grade, one thing that they'll remember about the year and one thing they loved about their teacher. I put them in a little album which wasn't fancy. At first I was going to design an album and go all out but then I thought that this was from the kids, not me and it should reflect that. There is beauty in the simple nature of things, especially in the way kids write and draw.

Along with the cards we gave her a gift cerificate for a one hour massage which she reeaally liked.

After a few activities throughout the year that I helped with, I was tired out. And that was just once a month or so. I can only imagine the day to day process of wrangling 20 kids and trying to inspire them. So we felt that she needed a little pampering and took her reaction as getting it just right for her.

I don't know if I'll be able to volunteer in this way again but it was fun and Blair and Reese were so proud. Their approval was probably my favorite part.

And now for some cell phone pictures...

Operation Brighten Up

I decided it was high time to lighten and brighten my surroundings. I have a few steps to this process but step one was the easiest:  just to add a few new pillows for the couch. I couldn't find anything local that satisfied my need for bold, high contrast patterns so I headed straight for the thrift shop, a brand new one in the area, and came back with a couple of stretchy tops. They're perfect for sewing a couple of pillow covers myself; made even better by the fact that they're stripes.

I had to hide them from Charley because she usually jacks my stash of clothes that I want to use for fabrics. I almost feel bad about not letting her see these. 

Last night I dreamt of my daughter; thoughts on depression

We were standing on the edge of the shore with our feet sinking into the sand as the tide rushed over them. The sea's foamy surf left bubbles on our toes. In the distance were big, crashing waves and white caps. Its sight along with the sound let you know of the sea's massive power. We'd walk a little farther into the ocean and run back as the waves got closer and flattened, laughing as we beat them to the shore.
I remembered in the last part of my dream thinking that the waves would not overtake us. They may always be in the distance but they're not coming close enough to suffocate.

And then I awoke and I wondered how my daughter slept last night. I wondered what her dreams were. This is her 2nd stay in the hospital and is being treated for depression. Like a freak wave in the ocean, it came out of nowhere and tumbled her to the ground. We had to deliver the news yesterday that she would not be involved in her high school graduation ceremonies.  Three and a half years of hard work and diligent studying seemingly washed away, she felt. Now we know this isn't true but in a teenager's mind the excitement of that day is all they think of. Her response was expected but through her tears she said, "I have literally been dreaming of this day with my friends. I should have done more."

It angered me a bit. Not at her but that here she is, fighting to get healthy and clear her mind and body of debilitating sadness and anxiety and even she falls into the culture so pervasive with mental health which says somehow she can prevent this. That somehow just thinking happy thoughts can take this away and she could have done more when she absolutely couldn't. By no means is this a choice, just as you wouldn't choose to have any other disease.

While I was visiting her yesterday, I counted 23 children at dinner between the ages of 4 and 12 in the child unit. 23 not counting those that hadn't earned a trip to the cafeteria and were eating back in the unit. And all those kids are the ones that are lucky enough to have people in their lives who feel that therapy is important and seek help or have the funds or insurance to place them in a mental health facility. It's time to deal with it as aggressively as we do cancer and other diseases. It's time.

We have decided as a family to be open with our experiences in mental illness. We're not ones to bring on the attention so you won't hear me talk about it a lot or reference it in everyday conversations. That tires people out. But we are not embarrassed because there is nothing to be embarrassed about and are open to questions of every kind.

As with pretty much everything in life, you meet challenges head on or you don't and just hope something changes. So we're going head to head with this sucker.

Catching up

I'm still here. Life just has a way of giving you that 1, 2 punch. But those complexities in life can enhance who you are and the layers of experiences only help you relate to others. This 1, 2 punch is a lesson in life and I expect great things from it.

I'll be back soon for what I haven't blogged about, like:

Cramming into a photo booth with 3 friends and a baby,

Making the waiter take an anonymous vote for your dessert.

The mother-of-all thrift store scores for my kitchen and how I have to reconfigure it which is what I wanted anyway.

Prom and the dress alterations that made it a little
more modest. Call me old school but Prom dresses should be elegant but my kids also want to fit in and be stylish without having their dress scream, "Hey, can you direct me to the pioneer dance?" I can't discount how important that is.

And my thoughts on the power of friendship and motherhood and the ever-evolving role in it.

Have a great day!

L