So, it hasn't been a picnic I tell you, since I've been smoking since I was (literally) a kid. Back in those days no one had any idea this crappy habit could kill you. Nupe. Oh, I remember whispers starting in the early 60's about the lethal results but as a teenager the flip attitude was, hey, by the time I get cancer from it they'll have found a cure. Hahahaha. Very funny - NOT. But that's how it was. So, I'm giving it my best college try. The first two weeks being near devastation with physical & emotional trauma. I know this sounds way dramatic, but when it's embedded in your every cel since "kidhood", it's a habit that's extremely physical as well as emotional. I can't explain it further but those who don't smoke can't know, and those who do or have, DO know. That's all I can say for now. I haven't reached total success yet but I am trying harder than ever before & feel quite proud of my progress, but won't call myself a winner until I am totally smoke-free. Wish me luck & send me your best STOP SMOKING karma.
And, the "I give up" part? I GIVE UP ON ALL SPRAY PAINTING restoration projects! After many years of trying to master the successful use of spray paint I throw up my hands and give up! I have no idea how to achieve a fine, smooth finish with spray. Here's the straw that broke the camel's back......I recently had the great luck to find an Ingrid Party Ball which I was very happy about - however, some WEINER HEAD had marked on it with a permanent marking pen. What else could one be but a WEINER HEAD to mark on plastic with a permanent marker?! I guess one might call me a weiner head for not testing to make sure before I bought it, but honestly folks, I give people more credit than I should. If you own a thrift store you SHOULD know NOT to use permanent marker on ANYTHING. So okay, I decide to get some Valspar Paint For Plastic (I always buy Valspar now cause that's what Hepcat uses & HIS stuff comes out perfect every time). So, except for the permanent marker on the back, here WAS my lovely party ball
And my lovely results....
Are you feeling real sorry for me yet? Thank you. But on to other, more pleasant things - which in spite of all the above, has occurred since we last met here. First off
Yep, the beautiful north shore of Lake Tahoe - got to run away with Big Daddy & my darling little sis-in-law who was visiting from Maui. We spent days PICKING Tahoe AND Reno, NV. We picked em clean & I came home with a great booty of treasure. Nearly had to send Big Daddy home on the bus so we could get the treasures back home. But we squeezed him in the trunk - naw, just kidding. All made it home safely & comfortably. Here's a pic of one of my favorite "sites" at North Shore, which I'm sure will unfortunately be gone in the coming years
The once great Tahoe Biltmore hotel & casino. Once partly owned by the Chairman of the Board, the great Old Blue Eyes himself - Frank Sinatra. It's still open and this iconic structure still stands but it is totally built of timber & is already being anchored for safety. Oh the glamor stories this place could tell in the glory days. But it's days are numbered I'm sure & it will be a sad day in my life when it is shuttered and taken down. Anyway, thought you'd like to see it if you haven't before.
Another fun place we visited was in lovely Truckee, California (did some pretty good pickin there too)
And believe me when I say, the food is gennnuine scrumptious, 1950's artery clogging GREAT!
So that's were I've been, what I've been up to & how I have suffered since we last met. Oh wait, there's that treasure of GREAT booty! Way too much to inflict upon you all right now, but here's a few of my fav finds (aside from the dearly departed Party Ball)
great gorgeous old copper light fixture!
the flea market
friend Frank
AND.........
Tons & bunches MORE! (I KNOW if Heidi Ann stops by she is going to covet those MOD bed sheets I found! ;- )
But that's all I will bore you with today. Just wanted to let the world know I did not EXPIRE, I am still amongst the living & will try to stay in touch a bit better than I have done. I have been keeping up with all your wonderful blogs but due to evil WITHDRAWALS, a busy schedule (bringing my gorgeous back home from college in San Fran), taking care of my beautiful granddaughter, the lovely Tessa Bella, playing housekeeper to this honkin old ranch style house I call home, the store in Folsom, and Etsy, and well.........maybe I DID expire! Haha!
Love you all & hope you won't forget me, even if I DO expire :- )
~Vic~
