Nah na, nah, nah, nahha, hey, hey hey......

Yeah, I don't know..... I read somewhere that when you endeavor to write, it is always best to write down what first comes to mind. Do you at least remember the song?

What made me think of it was simply a connection between the 10 vintage rock t-shirts I took into my possessions this afternoon and a true rock anthem. This brings me to my question of the day. Why is it so damn hard to get guys to part with their vintage rock t-shirts in the first place. Don't look to me for the answer, well other than, they hold memories - if you know how to get them out of their clutches though, please do let me know.

Here's another blast from the past. I've taken the notion that I would like to locate a bit of memorable from my youth. An vintage 'rain lamp'. They were either on the table in the living room or hanging in a corner. Made of brass with some sort of figurine in the centre. The heat of the light bulb warmed the oil which moved from one reservoir to another via dripping down a set of beads, into the base and being pumped back up. The lamps were never really a thing of beauty, but many people had them. I believe most of them hailed from the 50's as my memory would have been when I was in my early teens.

So, I am seeking a 'rain lamp', hopefully functioning. If anyone knows where I can get one - the real kind not the late '80's early 90's reproductions, kindly let me know.

Another quest high on my list is funky hanging lamps. Yep, right out of the 60's and 70's. Orange, blue, green globes, hanging from golden chains. They need to be glass though, not the plastic type. Oh and chairs. Big ole tulip chairs in all kinds of bright garish colours. Send them my way.

Now I know that most people find this retro stuff just pure junk and frankly, I bank on that. I was never a real fan of furniture when I was younger, it is a later in life thing. I did however have the most outrageous bedroom as a teenager. Bright purple with huge purple flower wall paper. I had a huge room too. Complete with a 'stereo corner' and a 'work area'. A double closet that you could never get the door closed on. You know the kind - hell you all had them. Oh and the best - purple shag carpet! My room rocked.

Come to think of it, the 70's pretty much rocked too. Yeah it was high school, there were always issues, always reasons to panic, but you know, looking back, life was good. As a kid I never wanted for much. My family worked on the basic principals - earn your way. I always thought we were hard done by, needless to say, I was delusional. As a teen I worked on the family farm and in town at the local (and only for 30+ miles) Canadian Tire.

My girlfriend got me the job, in the paint department. It helped too that a guy she was dating, was the owner's son. I worked after school and full time once I was out of school for the summer. My first year at the CTC was also the first summer that I had my driver's license and was able to drive on my own. With Daddy's car, which of course I abused the privilege of having. (after I took it to my ball game, headed off to 'party' with the group - yes with the boys - and 'forgot' to make it home)

My Dad was very fond of taking away privileges - he took away the right to drive. Grounded, I went to and from work and to and from the barn - for a whole summer..... my life sucked! Well except for sneaking out when the folks took a well deserved weekend away and left their 'irresponsible, not able to drive daughter' in charge of milking their 100+ herd of dairy cattle. Oh and I was allowed to play ball and hang out in town occasionally with my group of girlfriends - as long as I reported if I left their house..... yeah, as if.

Speaking of the farm. It was over 800 acres, 100+ head milking, calves, horse (which I worked my butt off to have), a few goats, a pig or two and assorted other critters my Dad had a habit of bringing home. (once again, I wonder where I got the 'collector' habits) I worked a crappy job, which I loved by day and most days when I got off I either jumped on a tractor or found my way to the barn to milk. Yes, I complained, yes life was hard. I remember one exceptionally hot Sunday. I'd been out - at a girlfriend's in town, watching tv, helping her babysit - all the night before and Mom had picked me up bright and early so I could come home and help with the hay. Did I mention it was hot. After a long day in the blistering sun, burning to a crisp and fighting an ever present hangover, I finish the field and headed for home. I pull my big mighty Case tractor up to the fuel pumps, passing by the front veranda. On it were my two good friends - guys of course having a nice cold beer with my Dad. Nice. I was very hard done by!

Ah yes, the 70's were pretty cool. I can't say I ever want to go back - though I do kinda wish I'd hung on to all of that weird and bright clothing I had. And the rock t-shirts.... oh my, what was I thinking. Those days were certainly the foundation of who I am today. They gave me structure, want and desire. I remember graduating from high school knowing that the future held opportunities that I could not even begin to understand.

I fondly recall a high school basketball coach - he was instrumental in keeping me on the straight and not so narrow. He was my coach from grade 9 until grade 13 grad. I was one of his 'chosen kids'. He was our mentor, our guidance councilor and our friend. He taught me about perseverance and tenacity. He made me understand the meaning of fighting harder and digging deeper. He still makes me smile today and I can still see him and hear his boomy voice. Mr. 'Buggsy' Stevens (Dave to those who were not his students) passed away the summer after I graduated. I called home from a weekend away with friends camping - it was May 24th. My mom gave me the news, it was sudden. I didn't go to the wake and couldn't bring myself to go to the funeral. I always knew I was one of his 'special students' I guess I just always wanted it to remain that way.

Ahh yes, life was bitter sweet and tragic. There were days that held no rhyme or reason. But over all, it was all pretty good.

The 70's gave us so much. Besides peace, free love and assorted wicked wild experimental drugs. It gave us the right to be who we are today. The freedom of expression and speech. The pride in ourselves and our country. Life indeed was good.

I've created a monster

How does it happen? One minute everything is normal, the next I have a bouncing 'Tigger' on my hands. Maybe I just shouldn't be complaining?

It all started about 14 years ago, I agreed to go out with a mullet wearing, holes in the ass of his jeans, rocker t-shirted guy. 14 years ago (or so) we got excited about one another - hyped on what the other was into adding to their energy. Despite ebbs and flows as all relationships have, the man who would not consider changing anything about his appearance - except for his colourful boxer shorts he wore under his saggy ass jeans - has adopted his wife's wacky appreciation for obscure fashion and style. Who would have thought?

We have a rule around our home, one of very few btw - if you believe in something strongly enough, I will stand by you. Well, I have always believed that there is always an abundance of opportunity and options in ones 'life'. I encourage my family and those around me to constantly be aware of this. Happiness for me is reducing and eventually eliminating the two words 'have to' from my vocabulary. To do this, I make an attempt to only do the things that balance with my way of thinking, my beliefs and my core values. As a result, my karma is far better off.


So when my wonderful spouse all of a sudden develops an addiction to eBay, what am I to do? After all, I am likely just a little bit responsible for the outcome. First I let (okay, encourage, maybe even bribe with sex... no,... not sex, that was two weeks ago when I didn't want to go to an all day auction alone) him come to the Vintage Clothing sale with me last weekend, then I tell him what type of 'things' are 'hot' in the vint world, then I tell him to check it out for himself, 'go on eBay' I say........

Well, my hubby likes clothes, adores funky shoes, but who would have thought - cufflinks. I too may have started that.... come to think about it, yep, I think I did.....yikes. You see, I picked him up two pairs of exquisite antique cufflinks a few years back, for Christmas. This spring I picked him up a couple more pairs. Each time I do this I of course have a story on how I acquired them. (cufflinks are collectable, certain ones hold very high values, the game, is to find the steals - standard seek and find stuff that goes with antique and vintage hunting)

Over the course of two evenings, my Darling has aspired to complete 4 eBay transactions, has 4 more bids in and has two more being 'watched'. At this rate, he is going to out do me by a long shot this month. Thank goodness we are out on Thursday evening!

Now on the positive side of things...... a fellow eBayer can not lecture his wife on the woes of her vintage clothing collection - now can he? Seriously, I'm happy when he's happy. I'm not sure why I just passed on my tricks to winning auctions to him though..... the whole tutorial.... 'Come here dear, watch while I out whit you opponent and win you these cufflinks.... Just what was I thinking?

In closing, yes, I stand by the 'I will support you' commitment, with my fingers crossed - perhaps he'll bore of collecting cufflinks and decide I need some help collecting clothing and boots - one can only hope. Oh and anyone one that reads my entries and knows my husband - you need not mention this little expose to him and you certainly do not need to encourage him any further with respect to bestowing the virtues of collecting men’s adornments - what will happen you ask - You know me... I will get even!

Have a wonderful Cherry Day all.

Fakes, Flakes and Fridays

Ah, the life of the 'Friday' - relaxed, optimistic, energized and spontaneous.

I wonder, how many women spend there hard earned shopping and self pampering dollars on Fridays? Personally, though I always seem to need to, I'd rather shop any other day of the week.

Have you ever noticed how down right nasty people in grocery stores get on Fridays? (not as bad as Thursday around 4pm - stay away at all costs!) They scowl, guide their carts around the store as though they were running on high octane. The drivers huffing and puffing as they go. If you ever want to get under someone's skin on Friday - lally your way through the grocery store.... it ticks all of the racing freaks right off.

Are you one of those freaks? Stop and think about it next time - life is too short to get too upset.

Today I'm headed out to find myself a couple of things. I need a headset so I can use Skype for some of my long distance calls. I'm not really sure what makes a good headset and I'm not sure where I'm going to find it - such is the challenge.

After I secure that little piece of necessary hardware, its off to Shoppers for a pick up of a quick list. Now I like Shoppers. The staff is usually friendly, informative and willing to help you out. The one thing I don't like about the drug mart gone general grocery is the need to constantly check their pricing. I often find that their prices are as much as $3 more than the product aisles in the grocery store - same items, same products.

Speaking of which, what do you think about the new 'Loblaws brand' Supper Stores? I really do not have an opinion yet, even though I've been into the new monstrosity near my home. There is just so much - everything.

I understand that it is the Loblaws agenda to beat Wal-Mart to the punch in Canada. In our region alone, there is talk of several of these super stores. Wal-Mart - the evil American converging on us Northern is in expansion mode. They are slated to bring a huge number of their own 'Super Stores' to Ontario within the next couple of years. The little town I live outside is even getting one.... life used to be simple.

That's it for my Friday goings on. Oh, for those who are not from Canada that read this - thank you and no, still no snow here.

Have a Hot Cherry Day and weekend. I'll be reporting back about this weekend's Vintage Sale in Ottawa.

Waiting, waiting, waiting....

Have you ever sent an email that you were really looking forward to a response to - only to go for what feels like forever without one?
Do you start wondering if your email ever got through? On the other hand, perhaps, for some reason, theirs couldn't get through to you?
Come on, you know the feeling.

When we posted last night's blog (Get Plucked) we also sent out an invitation to the contestants to write us and tell us more about the show. In particular, how they compete, what they win.
Now I know it is an insanely early time of time for would be stars and hard working musicians to be up - but......

Okay, I'll leave it be for a bit. Maybe. I'll keep you posted on what if anything comes through. Or, I guess you can do that too, by checking back in. Maybe I'll call an executive with CMT and see what I can find out. Hummmm, do we really care?

On other fronts while I have your attention.

Vintage Clothing freaks, fans and friends of freaky fans - This weekend in Ottawa is the Annual Vintage Clothing sale at the Chateau Laurier - I'll post details later on this week. If you like anything in Vint clothing, this apparently is a wicked sale to be at. Good prices, large selections, cool venue. (yes, of course I will be there - anyone want to go?)

On the topic of clothing. We are trying to get one of the coolest, hippest ‘Hot Momma Chicks’ we know to start contributing on our very own ‘oh my good grief, you can’t go out with that on’ once a week post. We’ll keep you posted on how that goes. In the meantime though, if you have a ‘can I really wear this and get away with it’ question fire it over. We are positive she will give her feedback.

I need to run, check my email for responses and see if I can’t find that CMT phone number.

Have a Hot Cherry Day!