"What is IT?" at Lake Cachuma

OK, so here it goes: Family and I head out and arrive at Lake Cachuma Campgrounds the 4th of July weekend. As soon as we pull in I notice a sign saying that there will be a garage sale the next day (Saturday)to benefit the Nature Center there. I thought, "Alright, something fun to do!" (All collectors and vintage enthusiasts get their kicks off of digging through stuff and finding great deals.) So, I set in my mind that THAT was what I was going to do Saturday morning. So, hubs was so kind as to come with me. He's one of those husbands who would be waiting outside a store while the wifey shops. So, there's a method to my madness. Look at everything to the right and go the perimeter. That way I shouldn't miss a thing! After all hunting and digging through stuff is how one finds things. First off I find this wonderful little sewing machine item. I did not know what exactly what it was. Through some research and a wonderful plethora of knowledge over at Etsy Vintage Lovers Team I got what I was looking for. Turns out that this is a Jewel Antique Hook Rug Needle Loom Shuttle, used for making rugs. Looks like now it would be a beautiful decorative object for that sewing business or sewing room. Finding relics like this makes me appreciate the rugs and carpet I have now. So I will be listing that later today at my shop site Holey Gwackamoley! Now here comes the interesting part. Now IF you were at a garage sale and there are mostly older men and women working it whom also donated items wouldn't you think that someone would know about one particular item? Well, as I neared the end of my garage sale-ing I saw guy things like tools and fishing gear. One item was just sitting there begging me to be curious. I thought, "Hum, I wonder what IT is?" Then after picking it up one older gentleman chimed in and asked, "So, what is IT?" I looked at him, shrugged my shoulders and answered, " I don't know. You mean you don't know?" Then another volunteer worked would ask the same thing of me. Then another, then another. Someone said, "Oh, that's the item everyone has been talking about and wondering what IT is. I thought that if so many older people don't know what it is then I was going to find out. I picked it up and proceeded to check out. (They had a wonderful organized set up that made garage sale-ing FUN!) Even the check out lady asked me what it was. I was laughing inside. Proud of myself and wondering what knew things I was going to find out about this item. I had some speculation. So, I buy the two items and hubs and we head off to the general store to get something to quench our thirst on that HOT day. As soon as we walked it (items in hand) the younger gentleman there asked me what IT was since he and the volunteer workers were talking about it the day before. I was amazed that it was such a conversation piece in such a small and friendly community. (I was so glad that I bought it!) I thought to myself, "Now I have to write about this in my blog" So, here it is. So, just after that the older gentleman who worked at the general store said, "Oh, that's a hod." What??? HE KNOWS WHAT THIS IS????? WHAT????!!!! So I asked more about it. He said that it is used to carry prepared plaster to the workers who actually plaster buildings. It totally made sense then!!!! IT is a "plaster hod" carried by plaster hod carriers who then hand it off to the plasterers, sometimes up a ladder or scaffolding. For some reason Popeye the Sailor Man comes to mind....(I think in one of his cartoons there was a plaster hod in it.).. I digress.....So, sure enough IT is a plaster hod. Looks good enough to use today but really it looks like it would make a great home decor planter inside or out in the garden. OK, so there you have it. If you want to check it out just click on this link to my shop: Holey Gwackamoley! I still have to list it.
Thanks for reading and thanks to the volunteers at Lake Cachuma Nature Center!
Julie~
Holey Gwackamoley!

Nope, I'm not going to any garage sales today!

Yep, that's what I thought as I headed out the door Saturday morning to get my weekly box of organic produce from Abundant Harvest Organics. Well, on the way I saw flags (like the kind you see advertising brand new homes) but these said "garage sale" on them. WOW, never seen that used as garage sale marketing before. So, as I searched  found that it was for a local storage facility. I thought, humm, must be like an auction probably only one or two units doing this. Got my organics box then pulled into the parking lot of this storage facility. As I went in found out that it was to raise money for a local adoption/foster home agency. Here is the article about it: Storage Express and Childrens Bureau The employees of the Childrens Bureau rented out spaces to bring their garage sale items but they kept their proceeds and the rental monies went to the agency. What a GRAND idea. Win win for all I say! And as one who really enjoys a good garage sale it was even better because it was a one stop shop or one stop garage sale- inside, AIR CONDITIONED, and organized! NOW I say that IS the way to do garage sales, no stop and go, stop and go, stop and go. Well, I had a fabulous time, but only found two items that I now have listed in my shop A Hoot in the Woods at Holey Gwackamoley!, a perfect item to get anyones day started. Ok, so where is that cup of coffee I need? Oh yeah, had one already!
Have a wonderful day!
Holey Gwackamoley!

Happy 2 days AFTER...

If any of you are like me I'm certain you are still getting back in the groove of after holiday stuff. I must eat humble apple patriotic pie and say, "I calculated WRONG on our countries Birthday." My youngest son says I'm not modern. So here I can honestly say I was fives years off on the date. (I cannot trust my brain the do math-mental note: MUST use calculator at all times!!) So, any of you reading my blog, thank you for not publicly humiliating me. I seem to eat crow all by myself! ;~}

Ok, so I'll be listing a couple new items later today on my shop site One item is a set of dove drinking glasses from Libbey. I always love the place I found these came from. The gentleman is a hippies era rancher dude. Always enjoy hearing his stories and about his lifestyle. Another item I will be listing is an old oil can for a SKS Russian Rifle. This one is interesting because it's Chinese and came from the Vietnam Nam era. Don't know if it was in the war itself. I'm sure some collector wants or needs it though. I scored that find from a yard sale close to my Moms house. The guy who sold it to me has had this sale at least twice a year and markets it as "Cool Guy Stuff". He's got mostly military and vintage car stuff-a collector just liquidating. He's another one I love to talk to because he has so much knowledge.

Anyway, well look out for those listings later today. Try to stay cool out there.
Julie~
Holey Gwackamoley!

Happy 230th Birthday America!

Yep, had to calculate that one up! I do remember 1976 and our countries Bi-centennial. Seems like yesterday. Our founding Fathers sure went through a lot to even get to the Declaration of Independence. Thank God for them and their families to state and live their convictions, even writing them down for this GRAND new world as they saw it. We need to remember why we have these freedoms. They, along with thousands upon thousands of citizens have defended those freedoms by fighting for us and the good of others to ensure it. To these brave souls, whether past or present, whether men or women, no matter what color, race or heritage, I give honor to. They enable this country to continue on. Thank them today, thank them anyday. Because of that we are able to take the day or weekend off. We relax, vacation, BBQ, go to the beach, swim, and play with our toys and kids. After this day is through it's highlighted and ends with a grandiose fireworks display. Let us not forget.

While I myself was away celebrating was able to sneak a Yard Sale at the campground I was staying at. Because it was at a dam they had a Nature Center there. This yard sale was to benefit that center, so I was even more happy to oblige! I scored some cool finds that I plan to share with you very soon. There was one find I wanted to bring home, but with all our camping gear it would not fit. So the items I have were perfect travel size. Keep posted and you'll soon see those very finds.
Well, happy 230th Birthday America! Be safe with the fireworks.

Holey Gwackamoley!