Treasure Hunt

Yes, Treasure Hunt!!
That's what we do (my parents and I) every Friday and Saturday morning. Those are our garage sale days, where we look for "treasures" for the store. Sometimes we will find a great sale first thing. Lots of loot, nice people, and good deals.
Other times we can drive around all morning and find very little to put in the store. But, we do almost always find nice people, and we have good visits wherever we go.

Now, I have noticed that most people treat you as you treat them. So since we are generally cheerful, ready for a visit, and my Dad ready to sing to anyone who will listen, most people are nice and friendly in return.

But, there are those people who, no matter how friendly you are, or what 'song' you sing, just aren't up for much of a visit, or poor things, don't even have a smile to put on their faces.

Now, we do try to keep in mind, that not everyone is as happy about what they are doing as we are. Some haven't figured out yet that it is a choice to be happy, give a smile, or say a kind word. So sad.

Choosing to be happy is a hard thing to learn. Some people are just born that way. (how great is that?), and others, like myself, have had to learn it (and are still learning it) over time. It is a day to day choice, a process.

It helps to have someone like my Mom around. She is happy, and always has a helping hand, and an encouraging word. She is a lovely person, with a sweet and gentle spirit. It's not because her life has always been a bowl of cherries or piece of cake. It is something she learned to do early on, and chooses to do every day. She's the kind of person you want to be around, need to be around.
That sweet spirit comes from her trust in the Lord. It's a deep peace that we can't accomplish on our own, but grows as we learn to trust the Lord, and see and know, to the depths of our soul, how much He loves us.

That's the kind of person I want to be!

Instant Pudding?

I love when I walk in the morning. It seems to be the time the Lord "speaks" to me the most. And of course He does it in ways I will 'get', (which isn't usually anything deep and profound, but through everyday things). This morning it was "instant pudding".

I was having trouble keeping my focus on the Lord in my busyness of mind about my business. You know, having to decide on things like Holiday Faire ads (yes, I'm having to make those decisions now!), new business cards, getting some new things done for the shop. I was frustrated about how long it takes me and how indecisive I am about figuring these things out and making decisions and how I was sure that others just figure things out quickly and move on. Why couldn't I be like that?
I was well aware I had lost my focus, and was asking for help to get things back in perspective. Thus, Instant Pudding. =0)

I was thinking about my friend who works in a very stressful office situation, and everyone was expecting her to do everything "instantly", and how she does the work of 3 peolpe most of the time. I thought of how much I wanted her to have peace of mind in the midst of life's pressures, and that people would realize everything can't be done for everyone at once, instantly!

I was thinking about how many times when we are in a hurry we have to stop for red lights, or the person in line at the grocery store can't find her coupons, or we can't find a clerk when we need one. And I was thinking about all the times when God has us in the "waiting room" of life. Waiting to get out of high school, waiting to get married, to have kids, waiting for retirement. Waiting to see the doctor, waiting for tests, waiting for answers.

Then I was reminded of what the Lord has been showing me the past few months that I had temporarily forgotten.

Life is a process.

Everything we do, everything we go through, everything that happens in our lives and the lives of those we love, every thing we struggle with, all the dreams we wait for, all the decisions we need to make, are all part of the "process" of life. There are no short cuts, no quick solutions, not even "instant pudding".

Is 40:31
"They that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." NIV

Pink

Here's another picture from the store. This is the "powder room" area. A sign for the door, old fashioned powder containers, candles, and a cute little dish to put your jewelry in while you soak in that nice hot tub of JellyBath. (weird stuff but great! I'll tell you about that later)

You can see I love bits of pink here and there, and there is another "pink area" coming soon. It will have little girls furniture, and pieces for her little doll friends too. Cradles, a high chair and even a little table and chair so she and her special doll can have tea. Let's not forget the miniature tea cups and saucers that will be scattered around, sitting on little doilies, of course. =0)

Speaking of tables and chairs, there is the cutest little white wrought iron table and two chairs as you come in the door of the store. It has pink cushions, and all set up with a tea set and cute little center piece. So fun!!

Better enjoy my "day of rest" now, where I catch up on laundry, and tidying up around the home front.

Enjoy the break from the hot weather, and remember to share your smile with someone today. =0)

Ordinary Day

When I started to write last night, I thought, "Well, what would I write about? It's just been an ordinary day". I started to ponder that as I was taking my tired body to bed, and again when I woke up this morning.

I was thinking how nothing exciting had happened that day. I hadn't met anyone new, hit any good sales, finished any huge tasks, listened to any one's problems, or even heard anything earth shattering from the Lord. It was an uneventful day.
No catastrophes, no disasters, no broken hearts, (at least none that called me to cry and ask for prayer), no bad news, no ill health, no flat tires, no nothing!

I had my same routine, my same time with my family, my same quietness with the Lord, the same consitency of His word. I had peace and joy, a song in my heart, and a desire to please Him whatever the day brought!! I enjoyed flowers in bloom and blue sky, my Dad singing, hugs from family, and a good meal.
I could walk and talk, touch, hear, and see the beauty around me. I prayed, thanked, and praised the Lord who gave all, and loves me, and keeps me under the shadow of His wing.
WOW!!!!!
If that's an ordinary day, thank you Lord, and give me more!!

Blessings, and may God give you an "Ordinary Day".

The Store

I keep posting bits and pieces about the store, and it occurred to me I haven't really ever told you the details. Well, this will be the brief version, as I haven't walked or finished devotions yet.

Treasures from the Heart opened May 1st this year, with much help from family and friends. It is the small gift shop I have always wanted to open, and now seemed the right season to do it.
(I love how when it is the right time everything just seems to come together). =0)

It is small, but filled with beautiful vintage, cottage garden, and hand-crafted gifts and decor.
We are open Thur.-Sat, 12-6. (Great hours huh?) There are a few reasons I chose those days and times. First of all, I like to say, "I have a life, and I have a store". I want to have time for the important things like family, friends and serving the Lord, (not to mention crafting and painting). Then, by opening at noon, I have time for garage sales Friday and Saturday mornings! That is where I get some of my "finds"for the shop, and have such fun meeting and visiting with new people. It also leaves me free when my husband retires (he's been talking about it for 2 years now) to go places on the 'not so busy days of the week'.

So, now you have the brief details, and I'll tell you more as we go.

Have a wonderful sunshine day. =0))

Work Day

Monday was a workday at the shop. Scott, my husband of almost 40 years, was back from a visit with his family, and he took an extra day off to get some of those "manly" chores done.
So, now we have better lighting in the garage and storage rooms (working with wirinig makes me nervous and not something I feel daring enough to try), and, my new sign is up!
I do need to say however, that it sure looks small, ( it looked fine as a sandwich board on the sidewalk, but on the 8' post it looks smaller). We are already planning a new one but it usually takes us awhile to get going on something.
Scott promises not to strangle me, although I'm sure he must be tempted. =0))

I also got a lot of sorting done, a couple more shelf brackets up, and some rearranging of furniture.

I have noticed one thing different about Scott and I in the area of taking on projects. He chooses a project and sticks with it till it is done. I, however, have 20 (at least) going at the same time, and never (well, I shouldn't say never, but it seems like it) get one whole thing done. I think it is just the difference between men and women. We are just wired differently. After all these years I am finally startng to learn some of these things, and it sure makes life easier.We read a book on that very subject some time ago. Sometime maybe I'll give you a quick recap and maybe it will help you too.

All for today. Need to get part of those 20 things done.
Blessings on your day. =0))

Exciting Day!

What a fun day today!!
Not only did we find some good loot at garage sales, (more about that later) but I had 2 of the nicest ladies come in. They are from San Jose and here visiting family, saw the article in the Country Register newspaper, and came to the store. We had the best visit. It was like we were old friends. They took a lot of time to look around at every little thing, and appreciated the hand crafted items and the way the store was set up. Of course we talked the whole time.
After, they went to lunch, and I wish I could have joined them! Alas, I did have a store to run. =0)

Afternoon was very productive getting the new room ready. I hope it will be open next week, but not rushing, as it stays fun that way.

OK, here's some or our good finds today: 3 pairs of lovely light green shutters, (will probably use those for display), a beautiful mirror with shelves, a corner table, more lace table cloths, and a lot of miscellaneous.

PS to my new friends: I'd love a copy of the photo Mom took of us. =0))

"Choices"

Have you ever noticed that when you learn something new, like an insight from the Lord, you get a chance to practice it right away?? Well, that was my yesterday.
After my wonderful blog on " Where your treasure is there your heart will be also" on Tuesday, I had the opportunity to make choices yesterday. I was in a bum mood. You know, one of those crying but don't know why, nothing is very fun, even a little irritable days. I really tried to focus on the Lord all day.
Nothing seemed to work. I just couldn't get to that " I'm close to you feeling", that I can enter into sometimes even on bad days. But, before you feel too sad for me, good news! After emailing a couple of friends for prayer ( especially that I could quit crying long enough to go to Bible Study) I recovered!! It wasn't an instant recovery, but it was a recovery. I had to take the first step and go, even though I might have cried with nothing traumatic to even cry about. (the worst kind of crying). At the beginning I openly shared my bum day. And what do you know, no one even said "wow, that's pretty stupid, and none of us can relate!" Then the Bible Study. It was uplifting and encouraging, and my heart was once again filled with His joy and goodness. Maybe more about that tomorrow. =0)

Have a super day, and remember, He is there even when you don't feel like it.

"Treasure" from Sunday

Matthew 6:20-22

20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

That was the basis for our message at church on Sunday, and it was more aimed at "things" making us happy, or not.
But between this and our Wednesday night study, the Lord spoke to my heart in a different way.

What do I think about the most?
Right now I have to say it is the store, and all the fun and excitement that surrounds it: the shopping, people I meet, all the ideas that flood my mind.

Now don't get me wrong. I really love the Lord, and seek His direction in what I do, and I know He wants us to enjoy life, and I know the store is a gift from Him. But I have noticed sometimes at the end of the day, that I have not thought of Him since morning!! That makes my heart sad.
The creator of the universe, my friend, and Savior, yearns to be with me. He waits for me each morning, and wants to talk, and walk with me throughout the day.

I know I do not have to be harsh with myslef, but recognize that it is a gentle reminder from a loving God, that He, and those around me who need him, are the true treasures.

So where or who will I chose to be the center of my attention today? It's my decision, my choice.

My Store!!!

My little gift shop is in a small house in an industrial part of town. This is the front of my store. We have made a little patio area where the garden decor "hangs out". It is now overflowing across the front too.

Angie came and took the photos for the Country Register article. (Oh, I did tell you they have an article in their paper about the store didn't I?) I just happen to have several copies available if you want to read it, and there are other great things in it too. =0) Great job on the photos Angie!!
Thanks!!

First Photo

OK, so it's only one photo, and I don't know how I did it, but I'm feeling some measure of success right now. =0))

About the store:
The photo below is of a child's cupboard. As you can see, I love pink!
It has doilies, miniature tea sets, vintage hand-crafted tea cozies, candles, and any other little things I can get in it. In the foreground (not in photo) is an adorable child's wrought iron table and 2 chairs, white with pink cushions).
I am having so much fun with all this!! It's like "going to work" in a little wonderland!

Next time I will try some close ups of things and see how I do. (guess I'd better figure out how I even got this photo on here first.)
Right now, better get ready for church, and a family picnic.

As a friend of mine tells me "Dream Big"! God has more for us than we could ever imagine.

My Store!!!

Garage Sale Day. Love it!!

My favorite days of the week, Friday and Saturday, garage sale days!!
Today my friend Sharon went with me. Weather was cold this morning, but once we got into the swing of things we warmed right up.
Not too many sales today, and we got lost a couple of times. (I should say the sales were not where they were supposed to be.) =0) We found a few *good deals, and had a great time.
* a vintage lamp table, and two sets of dishes for the store, and some odds and ends. Sharon found some huge glass containers for centerpieces for her home.
So, back to the shop to find places to store or display them, an on going task, but made easier with help from my Mom who is my right (and sometimes left) hand.

Maybe I never mentioned my newest venture. I opened a store last May! Might be less confusing if you knew something about that. =0)
It is a gift shop, with wonderful locally crafted gifts and decor, and repurposed finds, mainly in the cottage garden, and vintage line. Handmade candles, tea cozies, painted signs and boxes, sachets from vintage embroidery, and much more. I love roses and pansies and tea cups, so there are lots of those around. We are getting ready to open another room. Will tell you about that later, and also try to get some photos up.

Have a wonderful Sunday. =))

About me

With help from Scott, my husband of almost 40 years, we managed to get the photo on the "about me" section.

He is off for California tomorrow, so I'll see if I can figure out what he did.

Tomorrow morning, my usual garage sale outings, with friend Sharon in hand.

I'll let you know what great things we find.

happy day!!!

Photos Coming!!!

Experiment!
Will try to add some photos tonight and see how I do.
What an adventure!!