Collectible or sellable?

In preparation for yet another garage sale, I am going through every box in the basement that I can get my hands on--some are too heavy to move, some covered in spider webs. I cut through the tape and tear open each box--as if it's Christmas!!--to see if its contents are garage sale worthy (not hard to qualify for, it seems.) However, most of these boxes are John's or rather, his Mom's, treasures. My dear husband has held on to so much of his Mom's things for so long and is just now starting to let go--difficult, I'm sure. I think the turning point came when we moved and he pulled it all out of the crawl space after 8 years of being in there (and a number of years stored up in Illinois before that!)

I am torn though... He has stated himself that we are not honoring his mother's memory simply by having her things in boxes in the basement. But is it disrespectful to sell some items? He emailed his sisters about his mom's spoon collection that used to adorn the walls of his dining room in the old house (that is, before I moved in and began redecorating) and they didn't bite.

He is partial to an old dish set that he asked I not "just give away," so I have found my way to a website that specializes in replacing pieces and parts to discontinued (or old) collections and dish sets, china, silver, etc. I have found that this website will set a cup and saucer set of China for $9.99 and gladly buy the same pieces from me for $0.50. <--NOT a typo. Hmmm... Craigs List here I come!!

But still, I'm torn. My own mom convninced me not to sell the few Hummels we have (a collectible), but the one Precious Moments piece will likely be on Craigs List soon. I have decided to hold on to the China set until furhter notice, but will try and get top dollar for the other dish set. While one small set of dishes will go in the garage sale, I have decided to keep a few other treasures:



They are darling!! My sister celebrated her daughter's fifth birthday last year with a tea party, and went all over town (so I'm told) looking for old cups and saucers. Who knew I had these right under my nose?! I think that if I have a daughter someday, maybe I could do the same... and how special would it be to use her grandma's pieces!





So for now, many of these delicate items will be wrapped back up and taken back down stairs...


P.S. I have vowed (as every other woman in my family has done) to not have another garage sale... Well, at least not for a few years. ;) You will not see neon signs with arrows pointing my direction next summer. Mark my words!!!

He's FREE!!! Look at him go!!

When we bought our new house, there was no fence. We knew that this was just one more expense in buying our new home, but one that had to be made. John got quotes from three different companies: $7,000, $6,000, $3,500. NO WAY. Surely we can do it for cheaper. Granted, if we had shelled out that much money, it would have been done faster and with much less work and stress on us... but there is a sense of pride that comes with building our own fence.

Yes, I hammered a few nails myself (the rest we did with the nail gun!) My dear old dad helped set the posts, and started the rails and pickets with John. I helped finish the pickets (finished one side solo, thankyouverymuch!) and nailing the mesh to the back split rail.

So with one VERY tired husband, we now also have one VERY happy puppy dog...

"Let me out, Mom!"


...And there he gooooooooooooooooeessss!!!!


At first he didn't know what to do. Before the fence was done, our poor pooch was sent outside on a 15 ft. cable tied to a stake in the ground. It broke my heart every time. When we finished the fence and let him go free, I had the cables all wrapped up so he wouldn't see them. I think he was a little lost, though. :)


All I had to do was yell, "Wrigley! RUN!!" And he was off...




He circled the yard, charging and darting every direction. He stopped to smell E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G, which was cute to watch.


Then he wore himself out pretty quickly:


He's a great dog though; I'm glad we could do this for him. We never expected to get Wrigley in the first place, but I do love having him for a pet... He's really part of the family, now actually!


(If you're lucky to hear it, John does a great impression of what Wrigley is thinking all the time!!)

OH WAIT!! I suppose I should show a picture of the finished product, eh?

Etiquette vs. Manners

Do you know the difference?


eti-q-uette (noun)
1. conventional requirements as to social behavior; proprieties of conduct as established in any class or community or for any occasion.
2. a prescribed or accepted code of usage in matters of ceremony, as at a court or in official or other formal observances.
3. the code of ethical behavior regarding professional practice or action among the members of a profession in their dealings with each other.

Examples: Table etiquette, social etiquette, wedding etiquette, dining etiquette, business etiquette, etc.

man-ners (noun)
1. the prevailing customs, ways of living, and habits of a people, class, period, etc.; mores
2. ways of behaving with reference to polite standards; social comportment

Examples: say "please" and "thank you", take turns, don't interupt someone's conversation, be a good sport, be on time, say "excuse me", bless someone after a sneeze, show respect and interest in a conversation, etc.


You can have one without the other, but the best kind of person has both. Do YOU have etiquette and manners? There are certain situations that require good etiquette and/or manners.

A few examples:
1) Resturaunts
- Always place your napkin in your lap
- Wait for everyone's food to arrive before digging in
- Excuse yourself from the table if you need to step away or take a phone call
- Don't monopolize the conversation (this goes for any social setting)
- Do not "primp" (apply lipstick, brush your hair, adjust your clothing) while at the table, excuse yourself to the bathroom.
- Always tip 15% or more depending on service (if the service is bad, don't just leave a bad tip, ask to speak with the manager... there may be other things going on that you are unaware of that lead to the poor service and it could be rectified before you leave.) On the same note, compliment great service!

2) Shopping at a store or at a doctor's office
- End your phone conversation before approaching the counter or register.
- If the person behind you has one item, and you have 18, let them go before you.
- When walking down and aisle or hallway, stay to the right
- Always be aware of your surroundings and other people in your area (this goes for any public setting.)

3) Bathroom
- ALWAYS wash your hands afterwards!!
- When possible, do not go in the stall immediately next to one that is already occupied, although sometimes this is unavoidable.
- DO NOT talk on your cell phone while in a public restroom (who wants to hear that!?)
- ALWAYS use the toilet seat liner when available (maybe not etiquette, but just good hygiene and it had to be said. Protect yourselves, people!!)
- Unless you really know a person, avoid carrying on a conversation while you're "taking care of business."
- Open the door with a paper towel, and hold it open (even with your foot) for the person behind you so that they do not have to touch the door.


There is much more to be said about this, OF COURSE, but do you have good manners?

I took a quiz on www.lifescript.com to see how well-mannered I am.

Here is my RESULT: Miss Manners Applauds You
Either you grew up in a household with parents who insisted you have good manners, or you simply have good taste because your manners are up to par. You don't buy into a mentality of "It's a new generation and things are changing." You always strive to be polite, considerate and look your best. You are aware that your behavior and actions can have a significant effect on many areas of your life, and you try not to do anything that will jeopardize your opportunities or reputation. Because you are so well-mannered, you probably receive more opportunities than others. Other people have a lot of respect for your social graces and admire you for them, and more people ought to follow your lead. Keep up the good work!