Playing with the Cards that are Dealt You

Living life to the fullest with whatever the day brings

Saturday, January 26, 2013

An [almost] Perfect Day.

Like most blogger ladies, I am uber busy. So, when I get a free day, I make the most of it. I had a job interview (hoping for the best!) in the morning, in Carlisle. I decided to make a trip to Miss Ruth's and Georgie Lou's while in the vicinity. I did my best to look professional...

The suit coat and dress was only $3.19 at Ross and the Guess bag $7.50. After the interview, I went to the business district and had hot chocolate and a scone at Helena's Chocolate Cafe' and Creperie.


I spent a fun time talking to Georgie Lou at her candy shoppe

If you've never been here, you have to check it out. Old time candies and novelties, and she ships too! You facebookers can go to her page and like her too.

After Georgie Lou's, off to Miss Ruth's to check out coats.

The remodeled shoppe is so much roomier that before. There were a lot of coats I wanted, but I needed an every day, warm coat since temps are below freezing now.

I decided on this one. I don't know what vintage it is (I'm guessing 80s) but it's comfy and warm. I never leave before looking through the $2 bin, and it paid off! I found this 1940s Plasticflex purse.

I couldn't believe nobody had snatched this darling up!

Miss Ruth's cutie shoppe girl


I said almost perfect, because while I was having fun talking and shopping, the meter maid gave me a present...

Oh well, it was only $5, well worth a day out.

TTFN

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Pickle Nickel

I'm taking a break from school work to post. When it is just me and number 3 son, I can bribe him into spending time with his mom by taking him for something to eat. We went to the thriving metropolis of "Dill"sburg to the Pickle Nickel for a burger and shake.

The tables have game boards painted on them. No. 3 creamed me at checkers. I wanted to play snakes and ladders.


Andrew is an everything burger, I am just cheese, ketchup and french fries on my burger. The french fries on the burger are a Pennsylvania coal region thing I picked up as a kid.

Contrary to the news, burgers and fries alone, do not make you fat; just look at Andrew.

You won't find this sign in a franchise burger place.

 I don't always buy vintage. If I find something I like retail and can get a good price, I am all for it.

I liked this basic dress I picked up for a fin ($5)


and my red shoes with Nora Battey stockings


Number 3 son got me this watch for Christmas this year.


Back to my lectures now...TTFN.


Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Domestic Goddess

I finally have a few days off in a row and I should probably be cleaning, cooking and blah, blah, blah. I'm not, of course. I've added a few new items to my Etsy Store. Played around with updating my BLOG look and sort of baked a pie.

I say sort of because it was a frozen pie and I just put it in the oven. I don't know if pumpkin pies are popular around the world, but do try it if you ever get the chance.

It's so cold here, hence the big comfy sweater. We're keeping the heat turned back because fuel is so expensive. I'm trying out my new tripod. I bought it on the cheap, at work because it had a broken piece. I emailed the company and sent pictures of the broken piece and they sent me a new piece. I ended paying under $5 for the tripod.


I'm wearing my paisley midi skirt that I found at Community Aid for a couple of dollars.

I still have boxes I'm trying to find homes for. I figure I'm going to be unpacking for at least another year yet.

If you're feeling ambitious, here is my mom's pumpkin pie recipe.

2/3 cup sugar
scant teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 cup cooked or canned pumpkin (mashed or pureed)
2 cups warm milk
2 eggs slightly beaten

Combine ingredients and beat until smooth. Pour into prepared crust (a store bought crust is fine if you're not a baker). Bake for 10 minutes at 425 degrees F then lower heat to 300 degrees F and bake for about 45 minutes. Center may still be jiggly but a knife inserted should come out clean. This is a custard filling and will firm up as it cools.

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Back from my walkabout...

I don't know why I haven't posted lately. Maybe because with the part time job I have, I can only wear black slacks and a blue top. Not very exciting. I've managed to go a few places, but not many. I am still looking for a regular job that fits me, and I started online college. I've decided to get my psychology and counseling degree, finally! I've been a volunteer counselor for about 13 years now and decided to make it official. Here are a few of the more interesting outfits I've managed between the black and blue.

My skirt was a gift from the lovely Peanut of Miss Ruth's Timb Bomb

I wore this for the yearly Sunday service they do in old German for Heritage Days.
I decided to wear a tux for the Adult Prom this year.  It's a good thing my husband loves me!

One good thing about where I'm working now is I get first choice of all the discounts first. This cardinal sweater was perfect with my beloved Mode Merr skirt.

We had a tiny little Christmas tree this year, to be planted outside now.

Denise and I doing Karaoke and butchering "Respect" by Aretha Franklin.
My apologies to Aretha!
This year's resolution is to BLOG regularly.

PS. I made the Dean's list!!!

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Big Bird!

I took a suggestion from Misfit's Vintage Blog and bought a YELLOW dress! The pictures do not do the yellow justice. I thought I looked a bit like big bird. I got a lot of ladies telling me they loved my outfit. but that is probably because I stuck out like a "zoot suit at a Shaker's funeral".

We went to the Dill Tavern to listen to the Big Band.



I found this watch pin at Marjorie's Gems. I had to have it because my Dad's first job when he was 13 years old was working the ice truck.

This alligator purse is from Cuba and belonged to my husband's Mom. The little guy still has his very sharp little teeth. When my hubby was little, his mom had this in church and he sat down on it and yelled out in the middle of service "It bit my butt!". It has since drawn blood from all three of my boys who felt the need to stick their
finger in it's mouth.

I need a name for my purse. Any suggestions?

Next day...Same dress...Different look





Dress, belt & Shoes - Goodwill $10 total
Hat & gloves - Thrifted $12
White earrings, cape and purse - inherited
Ice watch pin - Marjories Gems $10
Green necklace - Gabriele Brothers
Bangles - Gifted from Sarah of MRTB
Green earrings - I bought in the 70s

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Helliconia Spring 2012

For any of you Science Fiction fans out there, this has been my Helliconia Spring. The book is about a Planet whose orbit is so elliptical that the Winters last more than a generation.  So an entire generation of people have known nothing but severe Winter and then...something strange begins to happen. As the Planet orbits closer to their Sun, everything begins to change and they don't know why or what is
going to happen next.


That has pretty much been my life of late. I am still job hunting, as are many of my friends. Our economy is in the tank and businesses and corporations are tossing us old squaws out of the teepee to let the elements finish off the weak. I do my best work when things seem the bleakest!

We did manage a short Vacation at "the Shore"

I still think this is the best way to go.

A sand sculpture of Joseph reuniting with his brothers.

A local gave us a great tip for dinner one evening, The Tuckahoe Inn. It was off the Island so it was affordable and had a lot of atmosphere.






And of course, I found a local Thrift Shop called "The Crooked Tail". All proceeds benefit the local pussies.
 

I found some pieces for my 70's Corelle Ware set of dishes


Proprietor and Cat Lady


I didn't get any pictures of me while at Sea Isle City, so I'll pop in this one the day after we got home.

I bought this dress at the beginning of Summer at Gabriele Brothers for $12. I was surprised it still fit! The sweater came from the same and I redecorated it with vintage rhinestone buttons.
 
Thank goodness for rose colored glasses (Big Lots $3) or I might really be depressed!