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White Wednesday
Here we are again! It's time for "White Wednesday". I took some time the other day while I was at Country Roads, taking some random pictures of different types of "whites" that we have in right now. That is one of the big pluses of owning a store like Country Roads. There is just always so much stuff to see! Of course, my very favorite "whites" are those that are those of a chippy nature, although I do love all the whites pictured below.!!
I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm so, so anxious for Spring to arrive. I can hardly wait and am hoping it brings back our California sunshine with it! I KNOW if you take the time to go visit Kathleen at Faded Cottage you will be amazed at the photos you will find!! Hope you all have a wonderful "White Wednesday"!
A Little Introduction!
I think by now the entire world knows that Katie is pregnant! Well, of course not the entire world, but a good portion of it thanks to my big mouth. I have told everyone, even "before" Katie was pregnant that it was going to be a boy, I just knew! And sure enough, as the tiny fingers above indicates, "you got it right Gramma"! Katie's defination of the ultra sound picture is a little different as in, her little baby boy is shooting her, poking her as he continues to bump around in her belly! In one of Riley's ultra sound pictures she has only ONE finger up in the air, and you guessed it, "that" finger! 
Technology just amazes me, the detail of the 3-D ultra sound images that technology is able to do these days. All of his tiny back bones, the little heart beating, toes, fingers and all the other things you pray to see. And for that, believe me, we are ever so thankful and blessed!! With all that said, before long you know it, you will see little grandson chasing "Gramma's Girls" around and torturing them just as Bryce did to his sisters. Or should I say, STILL does to his sisters! And as almost everyone in our family said, we need more boys!! 
Since we are on the subject of family, I am so excited that the new TV series "Parenthood" begins tonight!! I can't even put into words how much I loved the movie, Parenthood, back in the 1980's. I thought if ever a movie was made that portrayed what families are REALLY like, it was Parenthood! I also really like Peter Krause who is featured in the this new show. I fell in love with him on Six Feet Under. I can't wait to see the show to pick out all of the set props that came from Country Roads. This show has a really cool set designer that bought lots of things from our store for Parenthood. She also has great taste in what she purchased! I already have my DVD set, can't wait. With all that said, you have to know you will continue to see more and more "photos" of my soon to be grandson!
Monday Madness
Monday morning, running short on time! I've got lots to do today. In a few minutes, Riley & I are going with her mommy and daddy to take a peek at her baby brother. See how he's cookin' in the oven! We are going to the 3-D ultra sound then I'm off to work, a bit late though. I'll have to catch everyone up on our BSC Sunday later. Let's just put it this way. I watched part of the Academy Awards at El Torito. I needed to have a delicious Pomegranite Cadallac margarita! It helped me get over BSC Sunday! Also, I was so, so happy with all the winners of the Academy Awards. I love Sandra Bullock, Jeff Bridges, Mon'ique and to see the first female director EVER to win an academy was totally awesome. So, as I'm still trying to wake up and head out the door for a very busy day, I just wanted to thank all of you that shopped with us this past week-end. Even are favorite BSC customers. You never let us down!!
My Boy Bryce
Bryce "hit the highway" last night to sell at Alameda today. I look out my front window, his truck (that he just got out of the shop after weeks of repair) is loaded beyond your wildest imagination. It is raining, it is raining hard! I watch him pack for his trip. He comes out of his room with a lime green tote bag,which has a big cartoon panda on the front with green bamboo shoots behind the panda bear. I'm guessing it's Morgan's bag?? He fills the bag with several small bags of chips, water, soda, and I don't believe I saw anything resembling nutritional food get tossed into the bag. He grabs a few other essentials, and tells me his headed up to LA first to meet David (another young dealer at our store). They are following each other on theircaravan to Alameda, which for those that don't live here is near San Francisco. He tells me it should only take them six hours and he will text me in the morning. I watch out the window as he pulls away and I say a little prayer that he will arrive safely. He texts me a short time later to thank me for my help. I text him back and tell him to text me in the morning that he got there safely and that I love him. His text back, "K, love you too". I go to bed feeling somewhat better. I wake up this morning, and is there a text waiting??? What do you think? It's "my boy Bryce", off course not! I text him, he arrived safely, and sent me these pictures to share. I have NO idea why the pix's are tiny, damn iphones!!
He's learning this business well, and I know (hope) as he gets older, he will slow down a bit, take his time more, plan better, all the things that will help ME sleep better. I'm also a realist, so I don't count too heavily on this wish of mine!
When I look at Morgan these days, and I see so much of "my boy Bryce" in her. I say a prayer thanking God for giving him a girl!! I couldn't imagine what it would be like for Bryce to have a son! A "mini" Bryce might really do me in!! Bryce makes me crazy as is, although I've always had a bit of that craziness in me as well. Not like our "BSC" Sunday customers, just a little crazy! Oh no, I just realized what day it is. It IS the dreaded "BSC" Sunday!! Better savor my last quiet moments here at the computer before I enter the world of the "BSC's"!!!
Is Our World REALLY That Big?
It's funny how at times I think our world is huge, filled with so many people. But through blogging, I have found out that most of us have very similar interests, and need an outlet to express both our joys and a few of our pains as well. Country Roads has "allowed" me to not only meet so many people, but also the pleasure of getting to know them as well. Yesterday, we had a brand new dealer move in our store. Many of you may know her, Kate, who has the beautiful Salvage Dior blog! Kate's blog is as beautiful as the person she is as well! She joined our Country Roads family yesterday, and that is a picture of what she put together yesterday. Be sure to check back for more photos. 
I also have a favor to ask. Someone that is my friend, and that I really care about has finally started blogging. I'm sure many of you know Christie Repasy, but what I want to share with you is the truly beautiful, caring person that she is. Our paths in life these past ten years or so have been very similar, and all I can say is that I'm very honored to call her my friend. I don't have to tell you about her talent, you all know that already. But what I would love for you to do is go visit her Christie's blog, Chateau de Fleurs and leave her a nice comment, maybe sign up as a follower, and encourage her to keep writing. Our world these days isn't always the easiest place to live in, as it too is a bit "BSC"! But I believe in my heart that through all of our blogs, it encourages others, it helps them in times of need, and sometimes our blogs are good enough to make each other laugh! So, if you find sometime today, go visit those two blogs above. Me, I'm off to visit my friend, my companion, Country Roads. I'm hoping we are busy and the day is filled with "happy, shiny people" or whatever that Moby song was. And I think I see the sun peeking out as well. Have a happy Saturday!
Positivity
I've written about my mom before, and how her life wasn't always easy. She was born in Lubbock, Texas and lived there as a young child. Her life was simple, filled with challenges, and her family didn't have much. But she never looked back at her childhood negatively.
As a young teenager, her family moved to Temple, Texas. Things were a little bit better for awhile. Her mom worked as a waitress and her dad drove and oil truck. But, like many things in life, stuff happens. Her dad committed suicide when my mom was fifteen and her mom died of breast cancer a few years later. My mom ended up moving to CA and marrying my dad. My life growing up was pretty simple. My dad worked for Edison, my mom worked part time for awhile when my sister and I were teenagers. But the one thing I always, always remember about my mom was that she was such a positive person! Living through everything she did, including the Depression, she was a positive person. As a child she would sing all the time, stupid little songs. She always sang the song, "High Hopes", think Frank Sintra recorded it. Never did a day go by while growing up that she wasn't singing happy, positive little songs.
My mom stayed positive her entire life, even right up to the time she died. Never complaining about her pain, she just accepted life. Her love of music was passed on to me, and I try to pass that on to Riley & Morgan as well. Music and those that perform and write it is the very best dose of positivity I could ever ask for. I'm a big fan of American Idol. There, I admitted it. I like it obviously because of the music. But also love to watch it because it is about young people working as positively as they can to make their dreams come true! As I watched last night, I was really thrilled to see Danny Gokey come back and perform his new song. For us "Idol" fans, I think you remember how Danny had lost his wife at a young age. But instead of choosing to let life pass him by, he turned it all around. Here are the words to my new favorite song, "My Best Days Are Ahead of Me"!
Blowing out the candles
on another birthday cake
Old enough to look back and laugh at my mistakes
Young enough to look at the future and like what I see
My best days are ahead of me
Life hasn't always been a party
but mostly it's been good
There's only one or two things that I'd change if I could
I don't get lost in the past or get stuck in some sad memory yah
My best days are ahead of me
Age is nothing but a number
Sometimes I have to wonder
What does it really mean
But heeeey im still putting it together
I keep getting better
if I keep getting better
I can be whatever I want to be
My best days are ahead of me
Age is nothing but a number
Sometimes I have to wonder
What does it really mean
But heeeey im still putting it together
I keep getting better
if I keep getting better
I can be whatever I want to be
My best days are ahead of me
I've got sunsets to witness
dreams to dance with
beaches to walk on
and lovers to kiss
there's a whole lot of world out there
that I can't wait to see
My best days are ahead of me
My best days are ahead of me
To me, this was such a message of positive thinking! Life for so many of us right now is just a day at a time. But I promise you, if you add just a tiny bit of positivity into each of your days, every little thing will be a whole lot better!
The Good Old Country Stuff
When it comes to decorating my own home, it is truly eclectic. I mean after all, I've got vintage surfboards in my bedroom! But I've always been in love with the really, good, old country primitives. This old dry sink filled with all my wooden bowls and stuff is one of my favorite things. Plus the bottom is great for storage.
I love this old chippy white painted cupboard that hangs above my dry sink. It holds "a little this, a little that", all my stuff!!
We pretty much ripped out all the standard kitchen cabinets in this house. We still need to finish the walls, and the remaining only base kitchen cabinet I kept is to the right, I just painted it red for now. This awesome green and red old primitive cupboard is by far one of my very favorites. I shows the wear on the doors from being opened and closed so many times over the years. All my dishes and plates are stashed inside. 
This old, are very heavy, country cupboards holds all of our food stuff, or whatever is the correct term for "food storage". The old vintage "cocktails" sign above use to hang outside of a bar in Pasadena in the early 50's. It's one of my very favorite advertising pieces. 
I've had these old vintage crocks forever. You don't see them as much as you use to. I store random stuff in these too. They sit below a vintage stove from the 1920's that I have. You guessed, the ovens on the stove are used for storage as well! 
Here, again, are just some more of my little country cabinets I use instead of the "usual" kitchen cabinets. Still need to get some bead board up. When I bought the house it had ugly, dark paneling. Paint was a quick fix until I can begin to work on the walls in the house.
I put a few little vintage "wall banger" cabinets up in the kitchen where the ugly, dark oak ones use to be. 
Here's another one of those type of cabinets. This one is cool because inside it has little cubbies. My kitchen is still a work in progress as is most of my home. It is like when I finally finish one thing, I move on and want to change something else. I think that type of continuous re-decorating, and all of our vintage stuff is just the nature of this business. It is incurable!!
White Wednesday
With Spring only about a couple of weeks away, I thought I'd share some pictures of my sad looking winter garden on this White Wednesday. Although it isn't all a total loss. I've always loved to have fresh flowers in my house. Sometimes I'll pick up some cheap ones up at the grocery store, but as we get closer to Spring, I enjoy cutting them from my garden. I love when my lilies in the garden begin to bloom. The simplicity of a white lilly is beautiful.
I try to keep a vase full of flowers in my entry way and in my family room when I can. Not as easy to have that many fresh flowers during the winter months from my garden though. And I always have flowers on my nightstand, no matter what season! There is just something about fresh flowers in my bedroom that I love. And since lavender grows so easily and it makes any room smell great year round. Often if I don't have any flowers blooming, I will just cut a bunch of lavender! 
But my lavender, she thrives! She grows through the adirondack chairs and spreads herself all over the garden. And that reminds me that our winters are really not that brutal after all! We are just "weather challenged" sissy's out her in SoCal!! 
Out in my garden, my favorite old vintage mermaid has endured her share of abuse. She isn't use to the rainy cold SoCal winter we've had this year! She anxiously awaits the arrival of Spring! 
And my vintage copula hasn't fared much better. But of course, a bit more chippy, white paint will only make it look better.
Riley and Morgan's little chairs are cold and dirty. And my old french vintage sink is filled with weeds and crying for help each time I walk past her.
All my adirondack chairs are cold and deserted. The wet winter and weeds have surrounded them. But not too far away, the sunny days of Spring will change it all! Be sure to stop by and visit Kathleen on this White Wednesday. This girl has amazing stuff, trust me and stop by for a visit!
You Watch Them Grow
My little Riley started pre-school yesterday. Milestones, they come so quickly. At three years old, my little girl is growing up. Riley was really excited about getting to go to school, but you never quite know what will happen when our little ones actually get "to" school. Katie cried and clung to me until almost 2nd grade! So, I have to admit, I was a bit concerned over my little Riley. But after the picture above was taken, she kissed Katie good-bye, and waved saying, "bye Mommy"! When you are a Gramma, you KNOW how fast they grow. So this Gramma is determined not to miss any of my babies milestones. I get to pick Riley up the next two days at school, and I can't wait! It is bittersweet as we "Watch Them Grow". I love this song that Zach Gill wrote and sings. In case you don't know who Zach is, he plays with Jack Johnson's band. Here's the lyrics.
You Watch Them Grow
She's close to God, I'm sure of that
She sits him down, and they have a chat
She asks for sunshine, and he agrees
You see, for her, He'd do anything
You watch them grow, then you let 'em go
She is a monkey, and I'm her tree
And now she's climbing all over me
Swinging on my vines dancing on my limbs
Her monkey sounds sound like angel's hymns
You watch them grow, then you let 'em go
You watch them grow, then you let 'em go
She is an angel, she is an imp
She's got my big toe, and her mother's lips
She gives fishy kisses, and great big bear hugs
42 pounds of pure love
Then one day she'll be 17, feelin' too big for her home
Seems she was just only 3, oh how our children they grow
You watch them grow, then you let 'em go
You watch them grow, then you let 'em go
You watch them grow, then you let 'em go
You watch them grow, then you let 'em go
Then one day she'll be 33, maybe with a child of her own
Seems she was just 17, oh how our children they grow
He'll ask for sunshine, and she'll agree
You see for him, she'd do anything
He is her child, the center of her world
She is his mother... my little girl
You watch them grow, then you let 'em go
You watch them grow, then you let 'em go
A Busy BSC Week-End!
Usually, we are only fortunate enough to experience a BSC Sunday. But I'll be damned, we had our BSC customers ALL week-end long! And I want to give a special "shout out" to the moon that shined so brightly all week-end long! It really intensified the atmosphere for our BSC week-end. Yesterday we got a break from the rain and the sun came out for awhile. But it was still cold. I had stepped outside of the store to throw something in the trash on the corner. I noticed cars slowing down, my customers looking across the street and staring. As I turned to see what everyone was looking at, well, this is what we all saw! I'm hoping that this young lady was just enjoying our California sunshine! But, I have to say one thing. I do believe that even when tanning on a dirty city street, your legs should be together and less of your body should be in the gutter and street! Again, that is just a suggestion for the next time anyone decides to soak up the rays of the sun! And to the rest of our BSC customers that visited us this week-end, well, "bless your little hearts" and I apologize for not being able to sell you any and everything in the store for five bucks!
When I flew over to Maui last week, the surf was awesome! Actually, I went to Maui in my dreams. This is the surf down at Sunset Beach yesterday. AND, this beach never has waves this size! Go figure.
Brande has decided to go for an early morning bike ride before working at the store yesterday morning. As she peddled "down" to Huntington Beach, things were fine. However, when she turned her bike around to head home to Seal Beach, it was a whole different story as you can see. And what is always amazing in situations like this is when little cars think they can just drive through a flooded PCH like they are driving a Hummer or something!
This is the Seal Beach parking lot by the pier after high tide! All I can say is I'm glad I was on my way to work and not parked in this lot! So, all and all between the full moon, the BSC customers ALL week-end long, and the high tide, my days, as usual, are never boring!
The Art of Lori Hannah Gutierrez
What I love about Country Roads is the "variety" of talent that makes up our Country Roads family. From quality antiques, to awesome vintage displays, to artists, we have a bit of everything. These pictures are of Lori's work. She is in a very small area right now but will be expanding tomorrow to a much larger space. I can't wait to see it! 
Right now, she has a lot of mermaid paintings on display that are for sale. Since I'm such a beach freak, of course each of these appeals to me! These painted shells on old vintage bottles are over the top! The detail of the mermaids is incredible! 
Lori's work is very detailed and beautiful and colorful and most of all, original!
Another speciality Lori paints are crowns. This isn't the best example of what she does but all that she has right now. One of our customers cleaned her out last week. You can also find some great painted bracelets among other creations of Lori's!
This little painted mermaid suitcase found its way home with me a few weeks ago. Fits in perfect in my bedroom that is a bit tropical and beachy! I hope you find the time to stop by next week and see what Lori is up to with her new large area at Country Roads. You know, Country Roads. . . always your favorite, never the same!
A Little Bit of This & That!
One thing that never, ever happens in my life is boredom! I've always got something going on. This past week, Roger's Garden shopped with us. For those of you that live out here, you know how awesome their nursery and store is. Just look at their truck, the design on it, that says it all!!
The displays they do inside of their place are over the top. I loved their last Halloween display. I have a picture of it somewhere showing what they did with the stuff they bought from us. I'm very anxious to see what Roger's has planned with this load. And on top of it all, they are the best and easiest customers ever!! 
Speaking of customers, you know how very important customer service is to us. We even let people that aren't "exactly" our customers take morning naps in the driveway behind our store!
With closer inspection, Bryce verified that this guy was indeed alive and well. He was so comfortable they just let him continue his morning nap and sleep it off! I always say we are in the ghetto end of Old Towne Orange, see what I mean? 
I finally got a chance to have my Friday escape to the movies. I chose to see Crazy Heart, and I totally fell in love with it! I now know why Jeff Bridges is nominated for an Academy Award. As I've mentioned, I love to go to the movies by myself. It is "my" time, and it was nice to have some of that yesterday. If you are looking for a good movie to see, I really would suggest Crazy Heart. And by the way, Jeff Bridges can really sing!
My day ended with my "men" (Bryce & Matt) playing with Morgan in the middle of the family room floor last night. Matt had brought a big bag of clothes over for Morgan that use to belong to his baby girl, Hannah. I have to tell you,my heart still aches over Hannah's death this past Christmas. And the smiles on the boys and Morgan's faces were so beautiful but a little bittersweet as well. My boys may have become "men" but they will always be MY boys! Have a great week-end, and hey, stop by and see us. What better place to spend a rainy day than at Country Roads!
Changes
I've been "thinking" a lot lately, probably too much!! I've had trouble writing because my head has been so full of so many different thoughts. I think a week or so ago when I realized that people actually "read" what I write here, it pulled me back into myself a little bit. Not sure why I felt that way. Lately I've been thinking about "changes" in my life. I was like so many others, did the usual stuff when I was young. Went to college, got married, had kids, worked part time in a grocery store until I got robbed at gun point which ended that exciting career, all the usual things we do. I always thought my life would be "regular". I always liked "regular"! And "regular" means like everyone else, the usual stuff. You get married, you buy a house, have some kids and you live happily ever after. I did get married, and get a house, and have three kids and wanted a fourth but my Mr. Wonderful didn't want anymore, or so he said. And sadly, it wasn't always "happily ever after".
I loved being a mom, and spending time with my kids. Mr.Wonderful wasn't quite as excited about raising kids as I was, but I loved it, still do. When my kids were all in elementary school, "we" or more like "I" opened Country Roads back in January of 1993. And with that, those changes began. Money was better, vacations were nice, and we left our first home to buy a bigger house in a fancy neighborhood. It's a story that everyone knows all too well.
But like a lot of things, "change" does happen. Inside I was still humble, still pulling for the underdogs in life while Mr.Wonderful enjoyed completely different things. Money does things to people which was the case with him. So, as stories go, we divorced, it was ugly, and our "perfect" lives were turned upside down. The big fancy house was sold, and I was able to buy a house in a "regular" neighborhood which I love. And through it all, you somehow muster up the strength to pull yourself together and move on. 
My kids grew up just fine, even with a few stumbles along the way! And considering everything they have been through, I couldn't be prouder of them all. They have given me a couple of beautiful grandbabies as well, Riley and Morgan. They mean the world to me and I've got another grandbaby due in July as well! I like this role of "Gramma", it suits me well. I never understand when women tell me they hate to me called "Gramma".
Bryce, Justine and Morgan live with me. Years ago would I have thought about my kids having kids and living with me? Probably not, but actually I like it and they help me pay the bills. And Katie, Vinnie, and Riley are living in my parents house, in the house I grew up in, although its been remodeled. They bought it after my parents died. We take Riley "trick or treating" on the same streets I walked as a child her age.
Brande is living down in Seal Beach and gets to enjoy the ocean every day. She enjoys her nieces, her freedom, and always has a hundred things and projects going on at once!! I am blessed, I'm lucky to have "family" in my life, to have a store like Country Roads which is also a big part of my family! I'm also blessed to "accept" CHANGE so easily. You've got a choice in life when you get tossed in the ocean, you either sink or swim! I chose to swim and as I paddle along in this journey of mine, I accept CHANGE, I welcome it. I "think" it keeps you young. Tomorrow my kids are going to a birthday party. It is Mr.Wonderful's "baby boy's" first birthday! He re-married awhile back. Who would have thought at their ages they would have a baby. But who am I to judge, not my journey to travel, that is his and his wife's journey as older parents. What I love about MY family is they too "accept" change and just roll along with it as well. I think about Riley starting pre-school soon, Morgan's first birthday coming up in a few months, and about my brand new grandbaby due in July and I again welcome CHANGE! I loved when I was in my thirties, and I have to admit, I also love being in my fifties. Guess it goes back to that sink or swim theory, and for me, I keep swimming one stroke at a time. Here's the lyrics to Stevie's song that I've been humming to myself lately!
Landslide. . . .
I took my love and I took it down
Climbed a mountain and turned around
And I saw my reflection in the snow-covered hills
Till the landslide brought it down
Oh, mirror in the sky - What is love?
Can the child within my heart rise above?
Can I sail through the changin' ocean tides?
Can I handle the seasons of my life?
I don't know, I don't know
Well, I've been afraid of changin'
Because I've built my life around you
But time makes you bolder, even children get older
And I'm getting older, too
So, take my love, take it down
Climb a mountain and turn around
And if you see my reflection in the snow-covered hills
Well, the landslide will bring it down
The landslide will bring it down
Another "Take" on Country Roads
It is always interesting to me to see what catches other people's eyes at Country Roads. Steve Small, a dealer at Country Roads, took all of these photos the other day. And I do have to say, the one above with Katie and Riley is my favorite! As many know, we train our staff very young, and as you can tell, my little Riley already has mastered measuring!! Here a few more photos that Steve snapped at the store.
The time passes so fast these days. I look at Riley "working" with her mom above, and am amazed at the passage of time. I also look at the displays and merchandise above and now how fast that turns over as well. There are days, more lately for me, that I just wish I could slow things down a tiny little bit. Thanks Steve for sharing your photos!
White Wednesday
On this "White Wednesday" I thought I would post some of the varieties of "whites" we have here at Country Roads!
For more great "White Wednesday" photos, stop by our friend Kathleen's blog! Her picture alone are worth the visit! Happy "White Wednesday" to you all!!
A Busy Tuesday
I'm tired today. Sometimes working at my favorite place in the whole world, Country Roads, takes a lot out of you both physically and mentally. I'm dragging this morning, even though I've got laundry going, and many other things done all before 9am! Riley, my little three year old granddaughter will be here soon. We will have time to play for awhile, then off to the dentist I go to have a tooth pulled late this afternoon! So, sadly, I guess it isn't really a day off. I do however, have some random pictures to share this morning that I took at Country Roads yesterday. We have such a variety of things in the store right now, thought I'd share a few of those things!
While some stores concentrate on limiting their merchandise to a certain style, I have to say that I personally enjoy the diversity of Country Roads. We, meaning myself and my Country Roads family, not only have something for everyone, but we concentrate on display and vignettes and most important, customer service! I think that is what makes the store so much fun to shop in! And as always, thank you, for continuing to shop with us all these years and the really nice comments you leave me on this blog. It truly means a great deal to me!
"BSC" Sunday!
Well, yesterday, truly was another "Bat Shit Crazy" Sunday! What I've discovered is these types of Sundays, the BSC's usually occur under two situations. The first is my full moon theory. BSC's just come out of no where! It is like a bus full of lunatics pull up to the store and just go nuts on us! My second theory is the BSC's come visit us on Sundays that there has been a flea market! They feel that shopping at Country Roads is ALL about the "wheelin and dealin" accept they don't have a clue what comes out of their mouths. For example, my favorite BSC customer yesterday was one that started the conversation like this. "I'm interested in something over here". Of course I have NO idea where "over here" is. I follow the customer throughout the store because I know they are lost and don't have a clue in the world where they are. So, I just patiently walk behind them as they circle Country Roads!! Finally we find the space. What they are interested in is $200. The BSC customer starts the conversation like this, "I've been shopping in other stores in Orange and a lot of stores have stuff that is 50% off, is this 50% off"? I breathe deep and calmly just say, "no". Then it starts, you know the critical comments like "it's dirty" or "it's been here for awhile". etc. Finally the BSC customer TELLS me they would like to make an offer of $75 on the $200 item. Again, I breathe deeply and reply, "I really don't think that is going to happen, but I will call and see what their best price is". Which I do, and when the dealer asks me what they are offering, all I can tell him is "you really don't want to know, it's BSC Sunday"!! After THAT customer, I had to leave the counter without my "walkie talkie" and go to the garden! I sat on a bench and took deep breaths and savored the moment or two that I didn't have to answer a customer, or the phone, or anything else. Of course once I went back inside it all started over again, and my peaceful moment was long gone!!
After work, I met my family at El Torito to celebrate Justine's birthday. It helped me forget the BSC Sunday I just experienced. And when I ordered my big, delicious Pomegranate Cadillac Margarita, life was a little calmer. Damn, those BSC customers can really wipe you out. Thank God its Monday and I have a week to recoup!!
Just In!
It is always exciting to me to have someone new join our Country Roads family. Georgia moved in last week on the days I was off. So when I came in this morning it was a nice surprise, a really nice surprise!! And I really like the way all of her displays and vignettes turned out. Here are a few pictures of what just arrived!
I really enjoyed the "darker" colors that Georgia is using to display with. It is a perfect fit for the store, and everything looks absolutely awesome, thanks Georgia!!
My Old Neighborhood
I had dinner last night with Brande at our neighborhood pizza place, Marri's! It is just around the corner from my house and we could have walked but it was raining. I use to eat at Marri's when I was in high school! Yes, it's been there THAT long. They have great pizza, so-so service, and really, really horrible Italian music playing. My friend Ginny had emailed me asking me a question about how to do something on her blog, which by the way you should go read! I was emailing her an answer and also about the place I had dinner at. Still being amazed that I've eaten there since I was in high school. Actually it was our hang out back in the day!
Right next to Marri's is a dry cleaners, Montgomery Cleaners. That was my very first job, I made $1.65 an hour! But back in the day, it was enough to join my friends at Bob's Big Boy for a combo plate. And actually the building Bob's was in is still nearby, but is now a Blockbuster. I hated that job. They did the cleaning on site, and the smell was enough to make anyone gag. God only knows what chemicals they were using way back then!
I went to Millikan High School, and as you can guess, that too is just "down the street"! I was in a soriety, Tabu, and that is a soriety picture of me above (not sure why its so big though. I loved high school, but not because of the academics, but because of my friends and hanging out at places like Marri's and Bob's Big Boy! I ate meat back in the day, which I gave up a very long time ago!! Life seemed so simple back then. As many of you know, Katie and her family bought my parents house after they passed away, the house I grew up in, just a short distance from where I live now. Riley has joined us for dinner at Marri's, bad music and all. I love East Long Beach, the part of Long Beach I live in. Cal State University Long Beach is within walking distance. The beach is only a ten minute drive, a nice mixture of people in my neighborhood, and now my grandbabies are growing up in the old LBC too! I like simple, you know, it makes me happy. Here's a link to an article that was in our local paper this morning. Wilson HS was always a big competitor against Millikan's football team, "back in the day". This article is just another example of why I LOVE Long Beach!!
My One Day Off, Today!
I'm tired today, I mean really tired! Our little "summer" weather has passed, it's cold and overcast which is my least favorite kind of days. As I was sitting at my harvest table this morning eating my delicious bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal, I was looking around my house! I know I have too much stuff, that is the down fall of this business. I have a big collection of yelloware, and as I ate my cereal I was looking at the pieces and thinking about them. I know, lame, but when you are tired, you have no control over where your thoughts wander off too.
The little old "butter" crock above is one of my very favorite pieces I have. Why? It shows the wear and tear of actually being used. There is just something special about it that warms my heart. As I was eating my breakfast, I was "studying" my collection. Remembering how I started collecting the more common pieces in the beginning, to the more hard to find and unusual pieces later on. The other thing I love about my yelloware is I actually use it! Some of the bigger pieces are great for big family dinners or parties. Like a lot of my other vintage stuff, I incorporate them in my everyday life. And hey, it is like recycling as well. So, with breakfast finished, you know that gourmet meal of mine, I guess I best get moving on with my day! Sometimes this "one day to myself a week" isn't enough. I think I may be having that kind of day today!!
"Dandelion Wishes & Sunshine Kisses"
The weather here has been absolutely "PERFECT"! So, with the warm sunshine, Riley & I have been enjoying spending time outside. Lately, Riley has been into making "dandelion wishes"! She closes her eyes so very tightly, and pauses while making her wish, then blows on the dandelion. I always wonder what she wishes, but never want to ruin it by asking. It is though, a priceless moment!
Riley's shadow has also been fascinating her. And please note, I'm not tiny, but not nearly as huge as my shadow appears! Three years old is a trying age, but a magical age as well. Riley is learning so many new things so rapidly, and there are days I wish the time could slow down a bit, just a little bit, you know? 
She found some old, not so good, bubbles I had bought her awhile back. Actually, they were the worse bubbles ever, but she didn't give up.
No matter how much of the slimy bubble water rolled down her arms, Riley kept blowing and blowing through the sad bubble wand! This was a determined little girl! 
And finally "success", the bubbles magically began to appear. It takes so little to make kids happy, too bad some of the grown-ups around us can't appreciate that. These time are so precious to me. The time I spend with my little girl, knowing that she will grow all too fast and the day will come when she won't have as much time for her Gramma, are so heartfelt. And because of that, for now, I'm not missing a moment, ever!! And I know our weather won't last, as you can tell by my sad looking flower beds, you can tell it is still winter here in SoCal,and it will return soon. It's nice though to have a few "dandelion wishes & sunshine kisses"! I couldn't ask for more!
White Wednesday
We are having the most amazing weather here in SoCal on this "White Wednesday"! The temperatures yesterday got a little over 80 degrees, I love it! For this "White Wednesday", I have some pictures of "whites" that caught my eye. No particular theme, I just enjoyed looking at the things below, hope you do as well! 
For some more great "White Wednesday" photos, go visit our friend, Kathleen! She has some great eye candy to share with you. We've got our weather cooling down here day by day, so while I can, I'm going to continue to enjoy our California sunshine!
Steppin' Up Our Game
This year, I made the decision that all of us at Country Roads would be concentrating on "Steppin' Up Our Game"! Meaning, we would all work harder to concentrate on display, quality of our merchandise, customer service and making Country Roads a name to be remembered. This included my own kids as well, including my son Bryce, whose displays are in the pictures below. 
I look at the picture above of the "airline seats" and know that must sadden him a bit to sell those. He's always loved them, but I guess that's what happens when you have a baby, we can't keep all of our favorites. It has been so rewarding for me the past couple of months to here so many of my customers comment on how good the store looks! It DOES look good, and not just my son has worked hard on this, but everyone that is a part of Country Roads has really, really worked hard at "Steppin' Up Our Game"! I just want to say "thanks" and I truly do have the best of the best as part of my Country Roads family!
Country Roads Last Day of Our Big Sale!
Well, here we are on the last day of our Country Roads "big ass sale"! And it has indeed, been amazing. As I type these words this morning, my feet & legs are still tired, my hand is a little less cramped from writing up so many of your orders these past couple of days. All of you, our customers and friends, are just amazing! Country Roads will be open again in a couple of hours, and we still have lots of great stuff on sale. Below are some pictures of just a small sampling of what we have! 
I don't even know how to thank all of you that have made these past two days so successful for us. I've been very, very humbled by all of your kind words to me about this blog, our Facebook Fan page and just about "the store". Your "words" are what motivate me and my Country Roads family to bring you the best of the best. And for me, they encourage me to work even harder. Your support is unbelievable! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
A Valentine's Day Love Story
My day died three years ago today at 6:19 AM. Funny how you remember the exact times of certain events in your life. The phone rings, you are woke up from a sound sleep and automatically look at the clock. I wrote the story below a couple of years ago, and I like to read it each Valentine's Day, it reminds me of what real love must be like! I know if my dad were still here he would LOVE playing with Riley, and he would be thrilled to know "His Boy Bryce" has a baby girl, Morgan. And what would really make him happy is to know this summer Katie will be having another baby to join our family, and it just might be a boy. He would LOVE that!!
Grandpa, Valentine’s Day, and Barbra Streisand
“A Love Story”
My dad, better known as Grandpa, was the one that really perked my interest in antiques. He retired from Edison early, and began to pick up pieces of antique furniture and he would refinish them and my mom would do the re-upholstering on them if needed. They sold their furniture at Vet’s in Long Beach years ago, in the early days of that swap meet. It gave them some extra money to supplement their retirement and kept them busy. But like all things in life, they began to age and lost interest in the business. My dad use to have an old VW bus that he used for his antique business. My kids use to play in it, as if it were their own special playhouse on wheels. The day my dad sold the bus, I knew that part of their lives was over. And as they both were diagnosed with dementia/Alzheimer they pretty much kept to themselves the past five years, losing interest in so many things they use to love. It is a story we all know too well. 
My mom died at the end of August last year, a few days after my granddaughter Riley was born. Back then we all thought she hung on until Riley was born. She had been in poor health for years. Grandpa was never quite the same after he lost my mom. I would teasingly refer to him as “the bad boy of assisted living”. He would do everything he wasn’t supposed to! I would get calls about his bad behavior but had to admire his spunk! At the end of January he escaped from assisted living. Grandpa went out to buy a can of cat food and a snickers bar at 4 in the morning! He was so angry at himself because he believed that is WHY he had to be put on the dreaded second floor, the Alzheimer unit. I’d go up and have lunch with him, and in full form as Grandpa was most of his life he would tell me he hated everyone there and they better not mess with him or he would beat the hell out of them. I got a little concerned when the guy sitting behind him started to smirk, because I really thought Grandpa “would” beat the hell out of him. That was just the way my dad was, obnoxious! 
As his memory began failing, we would talk about who he remembered. Grandpa would always tell me he remembered “that baby”, Riley, his great granddaughter. He wouldn’t always remember exactly “who” her parents were but he remembered the baby nonetheless! Like all Alzheimer stories, the ending is never happy and the process reaching the end is even worse. But my dad, Grandpa, fought it the entire way, that was just him. And thankfully my sister and I were able to rescue him out of the hospital he hated, courtesy of hospice, which took him back to his room in assisted living.
As my oldest daughter Brande says, “random things always happen in our family”. It’s true, that is just the way life works for us. There is always “something” going on! Grandpa died early Valentine’s morning. Less than 24 hours after hospice brought him “home”. I think it was his Valentine gift to my mom. He just didn’t want to live anymore without her. I couldn’t image being married as long as they were, and less than six months after my mom died, I think Grandpa left to say Happy Valentine’s Day to the love of his life. He couldn’t bear a life without her anymore. 
Katie, my younger daughter, was working at Country Roads that day. Country Roads is our family business in Old Towne Orange. It was Valentine’s Day, and a little sadness in the air since Grandpa had died. All the staff at the store loved hearing “Grandpa stories” as my dad was always up to something. As the day drew to an end, Barbra Streisand came into the store. Yes, she just randomly walked in the door. She briefly looked around and left. After the store closed, there was a knock on the door, Barbra was back. As she brought her purchases up to the counter and walked away for a few minutes, Katie asked Sarah, who she was working with, “should I ask her for an autograph”. We never do that at the store since we feel it is kind of tacky, and Katie hadn’t really planned on doing it. So, Sarah told Katie, “go for it”. As Barbra came back up to the counter to pay for her purchases, Katie began her request saying, “I feel like a total idiot for asking this, and you can say no, but my mom, she owns the store, absolutely LOVES you, and she is having a really crappy day. Her dad, my grandpa, died this morning”. Barbara looked at Katie and began to ask questions, “how old was your Grandpa, what did he die from?” She shared with Katie that her mom had died from the same thing, but she was 96. She was interested in what had happened. Barbra could have just scribbled her name on a piece of paper, but took the time to write, “So Sorry, Best Wishes, Barbra Streisand”. Katie gave Bab’s a Valentine’s cupcake that one of our dealers had made that day. And off Barbra went with her purchases, a cupcake and husband, James Brolin, who thanked Katie for carrying out a chair his wife had bought. Barbra was gone but the memory of her kindness will always be remembered.
Like Brande says, random stuff always happens to our family. My dad, just an ordinary guy, dies and Barbra Streisand cares, go figure. We’ll all miss Grandpa, but find peace in knowing he spent this Valentine’s Day in a better place, with his wife, and is much happier now. I love Country Roads and not because it is “my” store but because so much random stuff does really happen there!
