Monday, July 8, 2019
On the eve of a big trip
On the eve of a big trip is not the best time to sit and try to figure out how I did this blog stuff 5 years ago and begin blogging again. Me, procrastinate packing? Why yes, yes I am.
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Found Mom's shells!
I just knew there was at least one more box of shells to stub our toes on, and lo and behold I found them! Luckily, without having to stub my toe. Bonus.
And double-bonus...they're mom's shells! How do I know? Well, for one, the box has a shipping label sent from Milwaukee back in Feb '97 addressed to Karen Fredrich in Avon Park.
Two, there's a smaller box (I use the term "smaller" loosely) which was put into a brown paper bag, written with mom's writing marked...get this...DIANE'S SHELLS! Well, Diane, after all these years, you can finally be reunited with all your long-lost shells and assorted rocks. We'll give you a moment to wipe away the tears. Now, wouldn't you like them back so you can hand them down to your grandchildren? (wouldn't James be thrilled?? lol)
And thirdly I know they're mom's because no Floridian buys a netted bag of shells (see pic). That's like blasphemy, I think.
The fourth reason I know they're mom's (aren't I the big detective, eh?): they're unorganized. All of Karen's shells were divided by size, shape and color; were labeled with a label maker; and were stored in all sorts of plasticware and containers. Mom's are all lumped together in big plastic bags. I'm sure she had every intention of sorting them...someday....
Oh, and the fifth and last piece of evidence that this box came from mom's....drum roll, please....it's got a piece of driftwood in it!! Aahhh...sniff...mom and her driftwood. I love it, too. Can you inherit love of driftwood? Seriously?
Ok, so there you have it. Mystery solved thanks to super-sleuth Kris.
Although I probably just dug my own grave here. Someone's gonna make me haul these 45 pounds of assorted pieces of shells to WI, aren't they? Who's it gonna be? Maybe I can sweeten the pot and lighten the load by offering to cull the best shells and leave the rest to the ocean. Yes?
And double-bonus...they're mom's shells! How do I know? Well, for one, the box has a shipping label sent from Milwaukee back in Feb '97 addressed to Karen Fredrich in Avon Park.
Two, there's a smaller box (I use the term "smaller" loosely) which was put into a brown paper bag, written with mom's writing marked...get this...DIANE'S SHELLS! Well, Diane, after all these years, you can finally be reunited with all your long-lost shells and assorted rocks. We'll give you a moment to wipe away the tears. Now, wouldn't you like them back so you can hand them down to your grandchildren? (wouldn't James be thrilled?? lol)
And thirdly I know they're mom's because no Floridian buys a netted bag of shells (see pic). That's like blasphemy, I think.
The fourth reason I know they're mom's (aren't I the big detective, eh?): they're unorganized. All of Karen's shells were divided by size, shape and color; were labeled with a label maker; and were stored in all sorts of plasticware and containers. Mom's are all lumped together in big plastic bags. I'm sure she had every intention of sorting them...someday....
Oh, and the fifth and last piece of evidence that this box came from mom's....drum roll, please....it's got a piece of driftwood in it!! Aahhh...sniff...mom and her driftwood. I love it, too. Can you inherit love of driftwood? Seriously?
Ok, so there you have it. Mystery solved thanks to super-sleuth Kris.
Although I probably just dug my own grave here. Someone's gonna make me haul these 45 pounds of assorted pieces of shells to WI, aren't they? Who's it gonna be? Maybe I can sweeten the pot and lighten the load by offering to cull the best shells and leave the rest to the ocean. Yes?
Shells, ad nauseam
Sigh.
Shells. And more shells. And what do we have here? More shells. This box is sure heavy...what's in it? Oh look, yet more shells. I kid you not.
Please do not make me drag up 400 lbs of broken pieces of shells. Well, ha, you can't because I've already herniated my garbageman's back when I put them to the curb on Thursday. But look at the photo below, and if you want any of these different variety of shells, which are mostly whole and somewhat unique, add a comment below to let me know which ones. Click on the photo below to enlarge it.
There was no way to tell which shells were "Mom's" vs. Karen's. Nothing had mom's handwriting, and although I sort of know which shells came from west coast where mom and dad mostly hung out and shelled, there's really no telling which are whom's. ("...which are whom's"??? It must be getting late!)
Although have no fear. I still have not opened all the boxes yet, so there's a good chance I'll come across yet some more shells!!
Want them all or just by the pound or piece?
p.s. Don't let the picture fool you. The shells on this table probably weigh 20 lbs!
Disclaimer: Must have a good strong back to accept any and all shells.
Shells. And more shells. And what do we have here? More shells. This box is sure heavy...what's in it? Oh look, yet more shells. I kid you not.
Please do not make me drag up 400 lbs of broken pieces of shells. Well, ha, you can't because I've already herniated my garbageman's back when I put them to the curb on Thursday. But look at the photo below, and if you want any of these different variety of shells, which are mostly whole and somewhat unique, add a comment below to let me know which ones. Click on the photo below to enlarge it.
There was no way to tell which shells were "Mom's" vs. Karen's. Nothing had mom's handwriting, and although I sort of know which shells came from west coast where mom and dad mostly hung out and shelled, there's really no telling which are whom's. ("...which are whom's"??? It must be getting late!)
Although have no fear. I still have not opened all the boxes yet, so there's a good chance I'll come across yet some more shells!!
Want them all or just by the pound or piece?
p.s. Don't let the picture fool you. The shells on this table probably weigh 20 lbs!
Disclaimer: Must have a good strong back to accept any and all shells.
Mom's Singer sewing machine
Now this one is a whole 'nother story! Dan said that Karen used this puppy to do all her sewing. I don't even remember Mom having this Singer in a box. Does anyone? And why is my memory so bad??
This compact and cute black beauty has the serial number AJ920547. It is a Centennial anniversary model 221 Featherweight made in 1951. My handy-dandy research into all things Singer leads me to believe that this machine might be worth $100-$300!
Many people use these machines today because of their portability and ability to sew precision-straight stitching, as well as sew through leather, canvas and other thick material that today's machines just can't handle. All these old Singers, like Grandma's too, are made from cast iron and were built to last for eternity, with proper oiling and some TLC. I DO remember Mom oiling her machine! (and cursing at it late at night....darn tension controller...and Allene: pants legs sewn together. Bwhaha)
Like with Grandma's machine, Dan gave me the the original Singer sewing accessory box that goes with this machine, but I need to dig them out of the fray.
Again, the cord on this machine is starting to get crumbly, but the belt is supple, and it too was threaded and ready to stitch some saddles, so I'm sure the motor is still strong. Hubby is eager to replace the cord and shine this baby up, but I'm all for selling it as is after a little spit-shining.
Thoughts? Ideas? Comments? Bids?
This compact and cute black beauty has the serial number AJ920547. It is a Centennial anniversary model 221 Featherweight made in 1951. My handy-dandy research into all things Singer leads me to believe that this machine might be worth $100-$300!
Many people use these machines today because of their portability and ability to sew precision-straight stitching, as well as sew through leather, canvas and other thick material that today's machines just can't handle. All these old Singers, like Grandma's too, are made from cast iron and were built to last for eternity, with proper oiling and some TLC. I DO remember Mom oiling her machine! (and cursing at it late at night....darn tension controller...and Allene: pants legs sewn together. Bwhaha)
Like with Grandma's machine, Dan gave me the the original Singer sewing accessory box that goes with this machine, but I need to dig them out of the fray.
Again, the cord on this machine is starting to get crumbly, but the belt is supple, and it too was threaded and ready to stitch some saddles, so I'm sure the motor is still strong. Hubby is eager to replace the cord and shine this baby up, but I'm all for selling it as is after a little spit-shining.
Thoughts? Ideas? Comments? Bids?
Grandma's Singer sewing machine
Apparently this machine used to be Grandma's. Can anyone vouch for this? Karen used it as a entry table (see house listing photos) and never sewed with it, as far as I know.
I looked up the serial number: AJ665564 and did a little online research about vintage Singer sewing machines. Turns out this one was made in 1950 (64 years old, for those math-challenged). It's a Model 66 with a Filigree pattern. Thousands and thousands of these were made, so the value now isn't great. About $30-50 with the cabinet. It probably works, but I'm not about to plug it in because the cord is crackling and disintegrating. I'll make my hubby do it. LOL.
This ol' beauty would need a lot of restoration to get back into working order, assuming the motor works. But it must of worked for whomever used it last. There was still a spool of thread and bobbin threaded in the machine when I opened it.
The cabinet is missing some wood laminate (notice on front), although I think I have the pieces that need to get glued on. The top has some water damage, but that's what doilies are for, and boy did I bring back the doilies!! ...see Doily post, when/if it gets written.
Does anyone want the cabinet or sewing machine or both? Or does it go on the auction block?
I looked up the serial number: AJ665564 and did a little online research about vintage Singer sewing machines. Turns out this one was made in 1950 (64 years old, for those math-challenged). It's a Model 66 with a Filigree pattern. Thousands and thousands of these were made, so the value now isn't great. About $30-50 with the cabinet. It probably works, but I'm not about to plug it in because the cord is crackling and disintegrating. I'll make my hubby do it. LOL.
This ol' beauty would need a lot of restoration to get back into working order, assuming the motor works. But it must of worked for whomever used it last. There was still a spool of thread and bobbin threaded in the machine when I opened it.
The cabinet is missing some wood laminate (notice on front), although I think I have the pieces that need to get glued on. The top has some water damage, but that's what doilies are for, and boy did I bring back the doilies!! ...see Doily post, when/if it gets written.
Does anyone want the cabinet or sewing machine or both? Or does it go on the auction block?
K&D's house listing
Here is the house listing in Middleburg. Scrolling through the pictures might help you get alternate views of some of the things I brought back (once I get them all posted).
Sales and management
Most likely, I'm waaaay overthinking all this, but that's just the way my brain works, so humor me, people.
I've been wanting for a long time to try and start selling things on eBay. I've got an account and am all set to go. I just need to pull the trigger and start listing things. I've had success with Craigslist in the past, and that is definitely a viable selling venue. However, eBay gets a wider audience with the chances of sales rising exponentially (along with higher selling prices).
With the things of value among the "stuff I brought back," I'm willing to try to sell them (Craigslist, eBay, etc.) and put the money into a pool to be equally shared among the remaining 8 siblings. That is, if an item isn't spoken for or if people vote to sell it for some pocket change. Write a comment below to let me know what you think of this idea.
I have a feeling I'm forgetting an important piece of this idea, but can't think of it right now. What am I missing? Oh, yeah, I will need to cover my costs in selling items, so I'd take a small commission on every sale. A small percentage perhaps? What do you think is fair?
I've been wanting for a long time to try and start selling things on eBay. I've got an account and am all set to go. I just need to pull the trigger and start listing things. I've had success with Craigslist in the past, and that is definitely a viable selling venue. However, eBay gets a wider audience with the chances of sales rising exponentially (along with higher selling prices).
With the things of value among the "stuff I brought back," I'm willing to try to sell them (Craigslist, eBay, etc.) and put the money into a pool to be equally shared among the remaining 8 siblings. That is, if an item isn't spoken for or if people vote to sell it for some pocket change. Write a comment below to let me know what you think of this idea.
I have a feeling I'm forgetting an important piece of this idea, but can't think of it right now. What am I missing? Oh, yeah, I will need to cover my costs in selling items, so I'd take a small commission on every sale. A small percentage perhaps? What do you think is fair?
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