Friday, July 31, 2009

Another Goody From the Auction

It has been fun going through the things we bought at the auction! When I saw these, I knew they would be perfect for the cowboy bathroom!
How cool are they??!?
We are working on several projects and I can't wait to show you when they are done! Hopefully, within the next few days! So stay tuned next week for the finished projects!

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

The Magazine

In the midst of all the boxes of dishes, Tupperware, and cleaning supplies I bought at the auction, we found this magazine.


My mom was about to throw it away and I stopped her because Scot loves these old JB movies. I told her, he may get a kick out of looking at it. So we got it back out of the trash can!

I was right. He thought it was pretty cool. He also thought that just for fun, he would google it to see if it was worth anything. He found out that in mint condition it is worth......wait for it......


.....$110! Yes, I said that right....110 bucks!


Ours is in great condition, maybe not mint, but pretty close. He found that other people on eB*y are "buying now" for $95.


Either way, not too bad for something that was in a pile of stuff I bought for $5.00!

Monday, July 27, 2009

The Auction

I went to an Estate Auction over the weekend. I had a BLAST! Have you ever been to one? The excitement of bidding and the THRILL of winning is unmatched! Especially when you score as BIG as I did! (You have to go all the way to the end of the post to see a list and pictures of ALL the deals!)

I had my eye on a bunch of stuff, but my funds were limited. I had $20 that I just got for my birthday and so I set that as my limit. I cannot wait to show you SOME of what I got for just 20 bucks!

When I first got to the auction, I saw this bathroom cabinet in perfect condition and knew it would be a great deal for the house we are building. I called my husband and asked what was the most we could pay, he gave me a number and said he trusted my judgement! I was so determined to get it for CHEAP!





You won't believe how much I paid for it....I wrote about it on our home blog. Check it out to see what I paid.

I had gotten to the auction about an hour after it started. I looked around for a while as they were auctioning off things I was not interested in. I had plenty of time to watch, learn, and sift through boxes, and really get a feel for what I wanted to go after. After an hour or so, they came out from under the tent to start auctioning some of the big things.

There were coffee tables, bookcases, TVs, kitchen appliances (that looked brand-new, they were modern and clean - the people who won them got a steal!!!! ), LR furniture, yard equipment...even a car and dirt bike!

I wanted a few things - like the very nice wrought iron patio furniture, a small coffee table and a dresser - but they got way out of my price range! It was still early in the day so there were a lot of people there some of whom were dealers from the local antique stores.

Well, I was patient because there was a bathroom cabinet that I wanted. I stayed around for several hours, waiting and waiting. The crowd was very slim by this point. Which was just perfect for getting things cheap! There were several things left that I didn't have to have, but if they were cheap enough, I wanted to buy.


So here is the long awaited story with pictures!

For some reason, I was drawn to this ugly chair - well, actually there are 2 of them. I have high hopes that with a little TLC and a can of spray paint, they will turn into gems! I can always use extra seating on our back deck...hopefully, I can make them look cool. (I will be sure to show you when they are finished.)

Well, these chairs are what started the whole bidding thing for me. They started the bid where you win the bid for choice of the pile. A couple people did that and they got the one item they wanted. Then they divided all the stuff into 2 large piles. No one bid. I said $5. No one else bid. I won. He asked which pile. I said the one with chairs, he said is that all? I said can I get both for $5. He said yes. So for $10 I got 2 large piles of stuff.



This is PART of ONE pile!!!


Just to name a few things: 3 table lamps, (this is 2 of them)


2 floor lamps, dishes, including 3 of these green glasses (which you all know I love as much as the brown glassware)

pots, pans, Tupperware, small hand tools, an ottoman,



cleaning supplies, yard equipment, ant killer, fertilizer, vacuum cleaner, microwave, lawn chairs, (I already had the kids :)
rugs, toaster oven, clothes hamper, etc. etc, etc. I promise there really is too much to name. All for $10. Yeah!!!!


I also bought this bed for ...... $5.00.



It came with slats, rails, and even old nasty mattresses --which, of course, we threw in the dumpster!

Here is my other exciting story. I saw these pictures and fell in love!



There were 4 green matted framed botanical prints similar to the ones over at Kelly's Korner and My Sweet Savannah. I wanted them, but they had to be cheap! I only had $5 left of my $20 budget!


These prints were on a table full of paintings and prints of various sizes and styles. They were selling the whole table as one lot and kept adding to the pile. My prints were down at the bottom underneath a lot of ugly stuff. The bid started no one said anything. I said $5...still no takers...he said SOLD! I was stoked to get my 4 green matted frames and prints for just $5...and as a bonus I got 26 other pictures, paintings, frames, and even a couple of mirrors for free! Pretty neat, huh!




I guess the moral of this long post is that you never know what you will find at an auction. There are so many undiscovered treasures. If you are patient, you can find some really good deals.

Be sure to visit tomorrow. I will share the unexpected, hidden treasure from the auction that almost got thrown away! I will give you a hint...it is worth WAY more than what I spent altogether at the auction!

You won't want to miss this story..and I promise it won't be as looong of a post!

Want to see more thrifty finds? Check out Rhoda's Party to see what other people found this week!

Friday, July 24, 2009

The Sunflower Field

As we were driving home, we saw this beautiful field of sunflowers.



We could not resist pulling over and taking a few pictures. Isn't it gorgeous?








Thursday, July 23, 2009

My Little Readers

The last several nights E has camped out in S and B's room. They have had so much fun all being in the same room. We hear them in there talking, laughing, and being silly-- which, of course, makes this momma's heart happy! I love that they are building special sibling memories!

Besides, its the summer, why not camp out every night? why not stay up past midnight being silly with your siblings? That is what summer is for, right?

Well, this morning, all was quiet and I thought they were sleeping in because they were up past midnight. I finally saw B come get some juice and sneak back to his room. I went and peaked in and this is what I found................

they were each in their beds READING!


The girls were reading the last of their library books! E has finished all 18 of her books (in one week!) and was now reading the ones that S checked out. Speaking of S, no she does not hold the book that close to read, she was hiding behind the book so I wouldn't be able to get her picture! She is a stinker!
Here is B with his GIANT teddy bear. He was propped up on him while he was reading. It was so cute!

Tonight is their party for the Bucks for Books. They are so excited to get their money!!! I will be sure to show you tomorrow!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Summer Days with Friends

The kids were thrilled to have some friends come and play today. They have spent almost the entire day outside in their swim suits!



They climbed trees and played on the tree swings.


They took a break to have a backyard picnic.


They played on the see saw


and used their imagination creating an outdoor kitchen with all natural foods ..hahaha.


They finally came inside to eat brownies and play trains.


What a fantastic summer day!

Monday, July 20, 2009

More Brown Glassware

Those of you who know me, know how much I love brown glassware. I have been so excited to find some great things in the last few weeks!


I found the two large tea glasses for 75 cents each at the Salvation Army. Then a few days later at a different Rescue Mission, I found the smaller tea glasses for 38 cents each! I cannot tell you how excited I was to find more of the same pattern!!!

Although, I don't mind mixing and matching patterns either. So I also bought this one for 38 cents.


I found these juice glasses at an estate sale a few weeks back. They were $2.00 for 8 of them.


These other juice glasses were 25 cents at garage sales.

I found these candle holders at the same estate sale. They were $2.00.
I love the thrill of the hunt! It is so much more exciting to go to garage sales and thrift stores and find these beauties than to go to an antique mall and buy complete sets for waaaay more money!

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Lamps

Last week, I found some great things while out shopping at the local thrift stores.

I found this great lamp at an antique mall. It was only $3.00.



It was originally white. I spray painted it black which I think shows off the shape so much better.
Then, I found this lamp at a garage sale for $1.00.

That is why I love to shop thrift stores and garage sales. 2 great lamps for less than the price of a lamp shade!

Thursday, July 16, 2009

What a Cutie!

I had a spontaneous photo shoot with M at my mom's house the other day. The pictures turned out so cute! It helps to have a sweet, cooperative little girl!


Look at that smile...
This is so "M" ........


She is always putting her hands on her hips while she is telling us a story or when she does something that she is proud of.

And this face.....so mischievous....she is a mess!

I don't know why, but I just love this one. I just caught her being herself, looking up in the sky.


I had so much fun taking these pics - just letting M be the spunky, silly, little 2 year old that she is! These kinds of pictures usually are the best ones!

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

My Little Monkey

Do you see our little monkey in the tree?



How about now?

That boy loves to climb trees. I just couldn't believe how high he climbed in the magnolia tree! Whew...life with a boy!

Monday, July 13, 2009

Missing You....

No, I have not abandoned my blog. I am having some major computer problems. My sweet husband is trying to fix them as quickly as he can. He tells me it could possibly be fixed by tomorrow night, but we shall see....I will keep my fingers crossed.

I have really missed blogging and can't wait to get back to it. There is so much to catch you up on!

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Summer is......

What is summer without a weenie roast in the fire pit?


Isn't she adorable? She went and got her daddy's work shades so the smoke didn't get in her eyes.

Monday, July 6, 2009

Dreamy Bathroom

Don't you love this bathroom?!

I love the tall mirrors! Oh... and look at that vanity that looks like a piece of furniture...it is so beautiful! (A girl can dream....)

I saw this picture on the remodeling guy's blog. I knew it was a keeper for my house files! It has a lot of details that I hope to be able to incorporate in my bathroom some day.

For instance, do you see the top trim around the door?

That is EXACTLY what I have been wanting! Doesn't it add so much character? Love it!


The Remodeling Guy did a great post sharing 10 remodeling ideas from this bathroom picture. Check out his blog for some easy ways to create your own dreamy bathroom.