Hello Darlings!!
I know Just where Have I been?? Busy My Dears, just simply Busy.
The Holidays were fabulous, but then being with my family is always fabulous.
Juanita and her family are doing just fantastic, the baby is growing, discovering things, and is just so beautiful.
I have been busy with the Holidays, Taxes, and house hold repairs---the roof for one, it developed a leak over the kitchen so it was decided to replace the whole roof instead of layering over it, which I could have done but I wanted to see if there was any serious structural issues. Of course the heating bill went up until the work was completed, but the good thing is that during that time we had a wonderful window of opportunity to get the work done.
Princess is trotting around with her new hair do and pedicure from the Doggie Salon, I’ve found a wonderful one that also is a day care center for dogs if one has to be gone for the day. And yes she is spoiled.
My brother Tom and his wife Lois are making plans to “attack” the Oakland Museum White Elephant Sale, they’ve already made early purchases by donating some goodies, mostly for their newly build cabin---and yes Darlings it DOES look like the Ponderosa, with 4 bedrooms on the second floor, the master bedroom has it’s own bathroom, walk in closet and a small fireplace, the two smaller bedrooms share a bath, and the 2nd largest bedroom has it’s own bath.
There is a half bath down on the main floor, and off the main living room is a Library and it too has its own fireplace for heating, although it is propane driven.
Towards the back of the house is a two car garage that has a door that leads into the hallway of the house, separated by a mud room which will hold boots and such.
Some of the trees that were close to the house had to be cut down, they were so badly burned that there were deemed a danger, so my brother got some plantings to replace the burnt trees.
Lois is going to plant red geraniums around the grounds for color. The furniture from the original cabin has been installed and already Lois is thinking of changing some things, the painting that she saved has been placed in the Library, and she’s think of having a rotating collection of books there, although bound volumes of the Louie L’Amour westerns will have pride of place, as well as a thesaurus, dictionary and a Encyclopedia.
Now there is another room just off the mud room on the way to the living room and it has a pool table in it, all knotty pine, Lois is going with the Western Victorian theme, she also wants to put a pot belly stove and a card table like you see in the western movies, but in much better shape.
Right now the snows are much too heavy to go up there, but earlier when there was a nice break in the weather they were able to get much of their things up there.
Their dog Smoky, that they rescued a few years ago has settled in with them just fine and seems to have his own routine, Tom and Lois love taking walks with Smoky, but being a Cattle Dog he needs extra mental stimulation, Lois said that Tom is looking far more trim than ever thanks to Smoky.
And for myself, well for the last two days I’ve been putting together all that needs to be done for our annual “Oscar Party”. A number of friends including my “Ladies who Lunch” came over for the festivities; Costco has such wonderful bargains for entertaining. And passion was high between “Black Swan” and “The King’s Speech” not having a chance to see either of them I couldn’t make a choice, so I will have to wait until they are out in DVD, ***sigh*** “such is life” (I’m joking of course). And, of course, “The King’s Speech” won.
And where is all the snow that we were promised??? Although I do remember it snowing in 1976 and even earlier, but we really don’t need it now.
Now on entertaining---Darlings it’s always best to do it at home and have your friends get involved as well to bring over goodies. Being a member of Costco is very good if you can afford the annual membership, but it really only works if you entertain a lot, have an at home business and/or a large family. But for a number of people that I know the annual fee seems worth it.
Right now gasoline prices are devastating, I don’t need to tell you that it’s nearly at $4.00 a gallon. My Ladies who lunch are being Frugalistas by taking the bus or other public transportation, even car pooling if need be. One of my Ladies took advantage of an offer at her job, they are offering in conjunction with the local transportation organization bus passes that she can use unlimited, coming into the city, going around the area. She even uses it to help with shopping. By doing that is has lowered the mileage on her car and she is getting a break on her car insurance.
Some of my ladies are trying to see if they can take a tax write-off by using public transportation to get to work as a work related expense, if they have to pay for their passes. Always check with your tax preparer to find out if you can.
In the Feburary 26, 2011 New York Times, a short article by Floyd Norris talks about the prices for oil and natural gas and touches briefly on what is driving the oil price up and what could bring it down. He mentions that Libyan production was falling (as we know because of the rebelling that has been happening) and has influenced the rising of oil, but since Libya produces only 2 percent of the world oil and the United States does not buy Libyan oil that should not drive up the prices---it is what is called “panic pricing” being done by those who are investing and manipulating the upward oil prices.
The United States needs to look at its untapped oil fields that are in the Rocky Mountains and also back in the outlying areas of Los Angeles, we have vast oil pool reserves that have not been tapped, and there are better more eco-friendly ways of getting to that oil, if anything it will give the United States a chance to get back on top again, have prices based on the U.S. dollar, between that, budgeting on the Federal and State Level, bring back manufacturing to the U.S. and stop selling our patents to foreign countries the United States can be back at the top of the mountain where it is now topping from.
If the U.S. doesn’t, we will be taken over by China and the U.S. will be made a “slave.”
Am so sorry to give one those bits of bad news but one has to face facts, but by being frugal, and by slowing down oil demand it will make the oil rich countries have a hard time and only if the Asian markets (China ) stumble and decrease their demand for oil will we have a chance to truly recover and give our manufactures a chance to develop a fuel that is not dependent upon corn or any other high-end product, so that the U.S. can be independent again.
Again my Dears be Frugalistas’ to be Divanestas.
More later.
Until Anon. Kisses Darlings.
Showing posts with label White Elephant Sale. Show all posts
Showing posts with label White Elephant Sale. Show all posts
Monday, February 28, 2011
Saturday, March 7, 2009
The Economy and hardships~~a brief note~~~
Hello Darlings,
I know --- it has been a long time since I’ve last posted but, well darlings, with all the sudden changes in the stock market, the economy worsening, President Obama’s stimulus package, the foolishness being done at our State Capital (God Bless you, Maldonado), I just could not fathom what was going to happen.
My “Business Ladies Who Lunch” and I have been having meetings every Sunday just pouring over what is happening, two of the dear ladies have been downsized and are now seeking new employment.
My father once said that “We are not in a depression unless it has gone for 36 months, if it has gone that long and there is No sign of improvement, then we are in a depression.” But I fear that my Father’s assessment time frame may have been a bit too long, with employment in California at 10% and possibly going higher, the threats of furloughing workers and thereby shrinking their pay check will not stimulate the economy. And this has happened very rapidly, almost at the time the housing market had burst.
My ladies and I agree that the worst culprits are the CEO of major corporations, and banking institutions for unsecured loans, outsourcing jobs to other countries, taking huge payoffs, bonuses and separation packages and well as ridiculous spending has placed the economy in dire straits.
Then to discover that some of the higher positioned California State Staffers have used tax payer money to travel to things like a Justin Timberlake concert is completely reckless and reprehensible, I and my Ladies have written and sent a group letter demanding that the Governor force those who have done that illegitimate spending to completely repay the monies that they’ve illegally spent. To put it simply we are furious!
The best way to start improving this situation is to bring back the jobs that have been outsourced overseas, to encourage manufacturing in the United States, to inform the Unions that they cannot demand higher wages but can encourage safety procedures and legal conduits if there are improper situations, to demand higher wages would imperil the businesses, that banks work with homeowners to renegotiate all loans are a much lower and properly affordable interest rates. And banks should be the ones to encourage people to buy
Of course it would be best for people to spend less and more wisely, and to cease being a throw away society. Being “green” is fine, recycling is fine, being thrifty is fine, but not at the cost of businesses, and jobs. Also make our goods absolutely highly desirable by foreign countries so that we are selling much of our goods overseas, but keeping them very affordable here.
The March issue of U.S. news and world report has several articles that are worth reading and Mort Zuckerman’s editorial is well worth reading---his comment that “it’s a chicken and egg problem: the banks aren’t lending because of the weakening economy, and the economy is weakening because the banks aren’t lending” is really part of the crux of the problem.
And the only one who can break this cycle is really the banks, they need to lend to start the healing process but they need to do it at low interest rates to make the loans affordable and worthwhile. People are really seeing what they can and cannot do but they have to remember that they can’t spend like they use to, but only the banks can start the healing process and the CEO’s need to see that, forget what the stock holders want, get the healing started.
I for one have always thought that the way the stock markets were climbing was another bubble that would burst, so instead of buying the stocks when the rates were climbing to exorbitant rates I instead took the money and put it into high earning bank accounts, now the earnings have dropped but I have not lost my cash, it’s still there, maybe earning much less but there and I’m still have enough to cover all my expenses.
So I’ll be spending less, so what darlings, so what. I can still live.
Now my two ladies who lunch, one has moved back with her parents and has put her condo on the market, now she bought it a long time ago, so even what she gets now will still be more than what she paid for it. And she saw that her aging parents did need her, so she is looking for a job that is part time to cover her medical and dental costs and insurances, she did pay off her credit cards and is avoiding using them, she has also done other cost cutting measures so she is doing well.
My other lady who lunches has also done serious cost cutting measures, manage to sell off some property and used that to pay off the balance on that property and her credit card debt, she currently has COBRA on her medical, her working daughter has moved in with her and gave up her apartment, it was good really as her mother’s house is much closer to her work, and her mother’s house loan is fixed and affordable. My lady is also looking at various jobs and other options, and is being very creative. She has 5 interviews lined up and granted it will by at only ½ to 2/3 what she was making originally, but that is not an issue for her and any of the jobs are really a good fit.
It really being able to pay the bills and buying groceries and with the two of them living together it is really more viable by pooling their incomes together. As a matter of fact many families are doing that now and it is paying off for them as well as being supportive. In many ways we are returning to the solid roots of our grandparents of the early 1900's to 1930's, where every penny counted.
Really a attitude that should be regenerated into our young people all over again. All those old addiges "Waste not, want not", "a penny saved is a penny earned" and many more which our young people have totally disregarded which they are finding out to their own sorrow. "WAKE UP PEOPLE---THIS IS REALITY HITTING YOU ON THE HEAD".
So we shall see If our young people learn from this or will they go back to their "bad habits".
For now I’m going to the White Elephant sale today with my family and Juanita, who knows what items I will find, but it pays to be choosy Darlings and remember, it’s a tax write off.
Until anon, kisses Darlings.
I know --- it has been a long time since I’ve last posted but, well darlings, with all the sudden changes in the stock market, the economy worsening, President Obama’s stimulus package, the foolishness being done at our State Capital (God Bless you, Maldonado), I just could not fathom what was going to happen.
My “Business Ladies Who Lunch” and I have been having meetings every Sunday just pouring over what is happening, two of the dear ladies have been downsized and are now seeking new employment.
My father once said that “We are not in a depression unless it has gone for 36 months, if it has gone that long and there is No sign of improvement, then we are in a depression.” But I fear that my Father’s assessment time frame may have been a bit too long, with employment in California at 10% and possibly going higher, the threats of furloughing workers and thereby shrinking their pay check will not stimulate the economy. And this has happened very rapidly, almost at the time the housing market had burst.
My ladies and I agree that the worst culprits are the CEO of major corporations, and banking institutions for unsecured loans, outsourcing jobs to other countries, taking huge payoffs, bonuses and separation packages and well as ridiculous spending has placed the economy in dire straits.
Then to discover that some of the higher positioned California State Staffers have used tax payer money to travel to things like a Justin Timberlake concert is completely reckless and reprehensible, I and my Ladies have written and sent a group letter demanding that the Governor force those who have done that illegitimate spending to completely repay the monies that they’ve illegally spent. To put it simply we are furious!
The best way to start improving this situation is to bring back the jobs that have been outsourced overseas, to encourage manufacturing in the United States, to inform the Unions that they cannot demand higher wages but can encourage safety procedures and legal conduits if there are improper situations, to demand higher wages would imperil the businesses, that banks work with homeowners to renegotiate all loans are a much lower and properly affordable interest rates. And banks should be the ones to encourage people to buy
Of course it would be best for people to spend less and more wisely, and to cease being a throw away society. Being “green” is fine, recycling is fine, being thrifty is fine, but not at the cost of businesses, and jobs. Also make our goods absolutely highly desirable by foreign countries so that we are selling much of our goods overseas, but keeping them very affordable here.
The March issue of U.S. news and world report has several articles that are worth reading and Mort Zuckerman’s editorial is well worth reading---his comment that “it’s a chicken and egg problem: the banks aren’t lending because of the weakening economy, and the economy is weakening because the banks aren’t lending” is really part of the crux of the problem.
And the only one who can break this cycle is really the banks, they need to lend to start the healing process but they need to do it at low interest rates to make the loans affordable and worthwhile. People are really seeing what they can and cannot do but they have to remember that they can’t spend like they use to, but only the banks can start the healing process and the CEO’s need to see that, forget what the stock holders want, get the healing started.
I for one have always thought that the way the stock markets were climbing was another bubble that would burst, so instead of buying the stocks when the rates were climbing to exorbitant rates I instead took the money and put it into high earning bank accounts, now the earnings have dropped but I have not lost my cash, it’s still there, maybe earning much less but there and I’m still have enough to cover all my expenses.
So I’ll be spending less, so what darlings, so what. I can still live.
Now my two ladies who lunch, one has moved back with her parents and has put her condo on the market, now she bought it a long time ago, so even what she gets now will still be more than what she paid for it. And she saw that her aging parents did need her, so she is looking for a job that is part time to cover her medical and dental costs and insurances, she did pay off her credit cards and is avoiding using them, she has also done other cost cutting measures so she is doing well.
My other lady who lunches has also done serious cost cutting measures, manage to sell off some property and used that to pay off the balance on that property and her credit card debt, she currently has COBRA on her medical, her working daughter has moved in with her and gave up her apartment, it was good really as her mother’s house is much closer to her work, and her mother’s house loan is fixed and affordable. My lady is also looking at various jobs and other options, and is being very creative. She has 5 interviews lined up and granted it will by at only ½ to 2/3 what she was making originally, but that is not an issue for her and any of the jobs are really a good fit.
It really being able to pay the bills and buying groceries and with the two of them living together it is really more viable by pooling their incomes together. As a matter of fact many families are doing that now and it is paying off for them as well as being supportive. In many ways we are returning to the solid roots of our grandparents of the early 1900's to 1930's, where every penny counted.
Really a attitude that should be regenerated into our young people all over again. All those old addiges "Waste not, want not", "a penny saved is a penny earned" and many more which our young people have totally disregarded which they are finding out to their own sorrow. "WAKE UP PEOPLE---THIS IS REALITY HITTING YOU ON THE HEAD".
So we shall see If our young people learn from this or will they go back to their "bad habits".
For now I’m going to the White Elephant sale today with my family and Juanita, who knows what items I will find, but it pays to be choosy Darlings and remember, it’s a tax write off.
Until anon, kisses Darlings.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Have Been Busy---White Elephant Sales and all~~~
Well Darlings,
You are just going to have to forgive me for not posting for so long, but I have been very busy.
First of course, were the taxes and fortunately they were exactly as I had expected. My tax preparer is always so happy that I keep excellent records; well it does help to work with him throughout the year, especially if one has any questions. When I was with my friend Michelle in Reno, I did have some substantial winnings, but they will be for the 2008 taxes.
Then the garden, while we had some good weather I had my gardener work on the garden to make sure that I would have blooming flowers all year round and right now the plum and cherry trees are in magnificent full bloom, but it does aggravate one’s allergies, but I’m a bit fortunate in that regard, just some sneezing and sniffles and it’s worth it to see all that beauty.
I hired Manuel, Juanita’s son-in-law to work on the platform dock that I have to make sure that it is solid and to upgrade it so that when the weather is fine one can have coffee or cocktails without it sinking into the water. He did a wonderful job, and I was surprised to discover that he is such a fine craftsman with wood furniture, an artist really; I’m going to recommend him to a number of my friends who are doing some remodeling in their homes.
And I’m still decorating my home, well Darlings it never stops. I had a spare bedroom that I had not furnished yet, I wanted to continue my art deco/art moderne theme, but it was finding the right bedroom set. Now my house has 3 bedrooms, mine, and one that I converted for Juanita’s use and one spare bedroom but it wasn’t ready when Michelle stayed a couple of nights earlier this year.
But finally I found it and could get a nice tax write-off, The Oakland Museum White Elephant Sale, my brother Tom and his wife, Lois and I never miss it and this year we were prepared as always, Tom’s two sons and their wives were also coming with us and we had their trucks with rented trailers attached for our haul.
I asked Juanita if she wanted to come with us and she did. It was there that I found it, the perfect bedroom set, it had that wonderful round vanity mirror with the vanity and matching chair, two night stands, a dresser, double bed and an armoire with a mounted mirror. And a bonus, I also found the perfect table that would go with my Bogart Lux Dinning chairs; I just could not believe my luck with all of that.
My brother found some furniture to go into his cabin to replace some odd pieces that were there and that would match the décor a bit better and Lois, the girls and I found some jewelry we couldn’t live without (I know it sounds so, well you know, but it was fun). I also found a statue in the art deco style, my sister-in-law Lois came across a painting of an old western town street scene and we agreed that it was perfect for the cabin, Tom and the boys fell in love with it.
Juanita was also very lucky, she found the perfect chaise lounge chair and reading lamp that she had been looking for her room, just right to rest in with one’s feet elevated to read or watch T.V. and also a good sturdy table for her T.V. and DVD player.
So with all the loading and unloading we were delightfully tired, but it didn’t end for Tom and his boys, they all were going up to the cabin at Donner Lake to take the furniture and to check on the Cabin for needed repairs. So after a late lunch off they went while Juanita and I dusted and polished our hard won prizes.
But poor little Princess was feeling a bit neglected so I moved her little bed into the spare bedroom while I polished and cleaned everything to my satisfaction and she had the fun of trying to curl up in my lap as I sat on the floor cleaning every single bit of carving on the furniture. She even fell asleep. Juanita came in and laughed at the fact that I dared not move with my little darling sleeping in my lap, but move I must much to the little darlings’ complaints.
Juanita was very proud of her finds and they fitted into her room just perfectly.
Just when we took a break to have a bit of coffee the door bell rang and it was my sweet darling Kenneth, asking if he could treat me to dinner and an auction preview and I said only if I could go casual.
Then I took a look at Kenneth’s shirt and it was the exact type that Charlie Sheen wears on “Two and a Half Men” (well I do like the humor in that show), so with my (dare I say it) jeans, flannel shirt, tennis shoes and my hair it a cherry print scarf, and his Dockers and Charlie Sheen bowling shirt if that is not casual, then we don’t know what is, so off we went. But I had to sneak Princess with me; she had been neglected enough for one day.
Juanita was fine as her daughter called and she and Manuel were coming to pick her up to go to a relatives house for dinner, so freshening up my face, bundling Princess in her carryall off we went and had fun at the auction preview and made plans to come back the next day for the auction itself.
All in all it was a wonderful weekend, Tom and his family arrived at their cabin just fine without any problems and would be staying there for the week I had asked my friend ‘Mean Kitty’ if she had wanted to go with us to the White Elephant Sale but she had to work that day and hoped she would be lucky on Sunday.
I got lucky at the Auction as well and was able to purchase some jewelry at below their value. And here is where there is another lesson for all you Darling Diva’s.
Jewelry is also a good investment, no matter what, the value of gold and silver is always going up, so are gems, there is only a finite amount to go around, the only one that can be manufactured is pearls and to a certain extent coral, but if the seas or waters are not the right temperature then even pearls will not be available.
There are two prices to look at in terms of jewelry, their cash value (that is the amount of gold or other precious metals or gems) and their design value (that is the design if it is unique and by a well know company or designer) the second can be more valuable than the first.
I have a friend of mine and she will buy what she calls “casual jewelry” at Mervyns or T.J. Max, and sometimes at Macy’s on sale---what she does is takes photo’s of the pieces, puts them in a catalogue binder, tapes the purchase price and what was the original price next to each picture of each piece, this way when she plans to sell them she’ll know what to ask for it. And she has always made a profit.
But this is also true with your good pieces as well, always keep the receipt for the purchase price on file, and then after 5 years get an updated appraisal on it as well.
And all you Diva’s out there who get engaged, remember this---there are several rules about the engagement ring, one of which is traditional, if you break off the engagement you are suppose to give the engagement ring back, if he breaks off the engagement you can keep the ring because it is also a gift or promise to be married.
The only time I would absolutely give the ring back even if it is he who breaks the engagement off, is if the ring is a family heirloom from his family, even if you are the one who breaks the engagement off and the ring is a family heirloom return it, since it would not have any sentimental value to you, by giving the ring back (since it’s an heirloom) you would be looked upon as being an honorable person. If you keep it then be prepared to be sued in court for the ring or its value. A true Diva does not wish to have the head ache of going to court. But always find out first if the ring is an heirloom or if he bought it.
Now there is a gray area here, if he bought the ring and you break off the engagement, then you should give the ring back, but sometimes the ring is kept by the ex-future bride, in that case one of two things will happen either the ex-groom will demand the ring back and even go to court (so be prepared to be sued) or he will walk away and forget the whole thing, the latter rarely happens so it would be best then to give the ring back when you break the engagement, but anything else he gave you (and make sure even in writing) that these are gifts, so you may keep them---if he includes a card or something that indicates it was a period of gift giving, write on the card the date and what he gave you, this will be at least limited proof of his gift giving. Whether this will hold up in court will be up to the judge, but by having the gift cards with the dates it could help your defense. If he asks any questions just say you’re sentimental and also for insurance purposes.
If you do go ahead and get married and then eventually divorced, the rules are this, if he bought the rings you keep them. If they are family heirlooms give them back, it is so much simpler that way---but any jewelry that he buys you or you buy your self---that is yours, only family heirloom jewelry that is from his family should go back. Unless it is stipulated that it is to go to your daughters, in this case it would be best to be magnanimous and speak to your mother-in-law in regards to the heirloom jewelry without interference from your soon to be ex-husband and let her know that you wish to know her feelings on that matter. She will look upon you in a different and positive light, even if her feelings towards you maybe hostile and she acts like a witch, she cannot deny that in regards to the matter of the family jewelry you were honest.
But if you are single and having fun and your man of the hour gives you “bling”, then be calm and collect it, and make sure that the gift card lists the date and the item he gave you and then lock it up in a bank safe deposit box where he can’t get his hands on it.
Just on the news last night, I heard about gold going over $1,000, of course weakening the dollar, but I knew that was coming, since I follow the business and stock news. That is why I have been looking at stocks with growth potential that can weather this unsettling economic situation so remember even jewelry is going go to up in price , don’t waste you money on something that is 10k unless you regard it as just above costume jewelry, make sure it is at least 14k or 18k.
And also about all those little doggies that were going to the Marin animal shelter being rescued from an elderly couple that had over 800 dogs in their home!!! Well I wrote out a check as a donation to help out with the feed and care of those poor things.
Now before anyone thinks that I think more of animals than of people, I do think of people, there is this one charity that I donate regularly that supplies wheelchairs to needy disabled people, I also donate to a women’s shelter and several others that help women in need and children. Women, Children and pets are the one’s that have no voice in this world.
Of course some of you are going to say to me, “but you don’t have children” I have nieces and nephews so I know how it’s like for a child, I am a woman so I know how it’s like for a woman. And yes I do eat meat and I do wear fur, but those are from animals that are specifically bred for that, but even then I do believe that when an animal is made for human consumption it should be done humanely. And I will make no further excuses. Diva’s never make excuses Diva’s just do it.
Well Darlings, it is now Friday and I have plans for this weekend, so Until Anon, Kisses Darlings.
You are just going to have to forgive me for not posting for so long, but I have been very busy.
First of course, were the taxes and fortunately they were exactly as I had expected. My tax preparer is always so happy that I keep excellent records; well it does help to work with him throughout the year, especially if one has any questions. When I was with my friend Michelle in Reno, I did have some substantial winnings, but they will be for the 2008 taxes.
Then the garden, while we had some good weather I had my gardener work on the garden to make sure that I would have blooming flowers all year round and right now the plum and cherry trees are in magnificent full bloom, but it does aggravate one’s allergies, but I’m a bit fortunate in that regard, just some sneezing and sniffles and it’s worth it to see all that beauty.
I hired Manuel, Juanita’s son-in-law to work on the platform dock that I have to make sure that it is solid and to upgrade it so that when the weather is fine one can have coffee or cocktails without it sinking into the water. He did a wonderful job, and I was surprised to discover that he is such a fine craftsman with wood furniture, an artist really; I’m going to recommend him to a number of my friends who are doing some remodeling in their homes.
And I’m still decorating my home, well Darlings it never stops. I had a spare bedroom that I had not furnished yet, I wanted to continue my art deco/art moderne theme, but it was finding the right bedroom set. Now my house has 3 bedrooms, mine, and one that I converted for Juanita’s use and one spare bedroom but it wasn’t ready when Michelle stayed a couple of nights earlier this year.
But finally I found it and could get a nice tax write-off, The Oakland Museum White Elephant Sale, my brother Tom and his wife, Lois and I never miss it and this year we were prepared as always, Tom’s two sons and their wives were also coming with us and we had their trucks with rented trailers attached for our haul.
I asked Juanita if she wanted to come with us and she did. It was there that I found it, the perfect bedroom set, it had that wonderful round vanity mirror with the vanity and matching chair, two night stands, a dresser, double bed and an armoire with a mounted mirror. And a bonus, I also found the perfect table that would go with my Bogart Lux Dinning chairs; I just could not believe my luck with all of that.
My brother found some furniture to go into his cabin to replace some odd pieces that were there and that would match the décor a bit better and Lois, the girls and I found some jewelry we couldn’t live without (I know it sounds so, well you know, but it was fun). I also found a statue in the art deco style, my sister-in-law Lois came across a painting of an old western town street scene and we agreed that it was perfect for the cabin, Tom and the boys fell in love with it.
Juanita was also very lucky, she found the perfect chaise lounge chair and reading lamp that she had been looking for her room, just right to rest in with one’s feet elevated to read or watch T.V. and also a good sturdy table for her T.V. and DVD player.
So with all the loading and unloading we were delightfully tired, but it didn’t end for Tom and his boys, they all were going up to the cabin at Donner Lake to take the furniture and to check on the Cabin for needed repairs. So after a late lunch off they went while Juanita and I dusted and polished our hard won prizes.
But poor little Princess was feeling a bit neglected so I moved her little bed into the spare bedroom while I polished and cleaned everything to my satisfaction and she had the fun of trying to curl up in my lap as I sat on the floor cleaning every single bit of carving on the furniture. She even fell asleep. Juanita came in and laughed at the fact that I dared not move with my little darling sleeping in my lap, but move I must much to the little darlings’ complaints.
Juanita was very proud of her finds and they fitted into her room just perfectly.
Just when we took a break to have a bit of coffee the door bell rang and it was my sweet darling Kenneth, asking if he could treat me to dinner and an auction preview and I said only if I could go casual.
Then I took a look at Kenneth’s shirt and it was the exact type that Charlie Sheen wears on “Two and a Half Men” (well I do like the humor in that show), so with my (dare I say it) jeans, flannel shirt, tennis shoes and my hair it a cherry print scarf, and his Dockers and Charlie Sheen bowling shirt if that is not casual, then we don’t know what is, so off we went. But I had to sneak Princess with me; she had been neglected enough for one day.
Juanita was fine as her daughter called and she and Manuel were coming to pick her up to go to a relatives house for dinner, so freshening up my face, bundling Princess in her carryall off we went and had fun at the auction preview and made plans to come back the next day for the auction itself.
All in all it was a wonderful weekend, Tom and his family arrived at their cabin just fine without any problems and would be staying there for the week I had asked my friend ‘Mean Kitty’ if she had wanted to go with us to the White Elephant Sale but she had to work that day and hoped she would be lucky on Sunday.
I got lucky at the Auction as well and was able to purchase some jewelry at below their value. And here is where there is another lesson for all you Darling Diva’s.
Jewelry is also a good investment, no matter what, the value of gold and silver is always going up, so are gems, there is only a finite amount to go around, the only one that can be manufactured is pearls and to a certain extent coral, but if the seas or waters are not the right temperature then even pearls will not be available.
There are two prices to look at in terms of jewelry, their cash value (that is the amount of gold or other precious metals or gems) and their design value (that is the design if it is unique and by a well know company or designer) the second can be more valuable than the first.
I have a friend of mine and she will buy what she calls “casual jewelry” at Mervyns or T.J. Max, and sometimes at Macy’s on sale---what she does is takes photo’s of the pieces, puts them in a catalogue binder, tapes the purchase price and what was the original price next to each picture of each piece, this way when she plans to sell them she’ll know what to ask for it. And she has always made a profit.
But this is also true with your good pieces as well, always keep the receipt for the purchase price on file, and then after 5 years get an updated appraisal on it as well.
And all you Diva’s out there who get engaged, remember this---there are several rules about the engagement ring, one of which is traditional, if you break off the engagement you are suppose to give the engagement ring back, if he breaks off the engagement you can keep the ring because it is also a gift or promise to be married.
The only time I would absolutely give the ring back even if it is he who breaks the engagement off, is if the ring is a family heirloom from his family, even if you are the one who breaks the engagement off and the ring is a family heirloom return it, since it would not have any sentimental value to you, by giving the ring back (since it’s an heirloom) you would be looked upon as being an honorable person. If you keep it then be prepared to be sued in court for the ring or its value. A true Diva does not wish to have the head ache of going to court. But always find out first if the ring is an heirloom or if he bought it.
Now there is a gray area here, if he bought the ring and you break off the engagement, then you should give the ring back, but sometimes the ring is kept by the ex-future bride, in that case one of two things will happen either the ex-groom will demand the ring back and even go to court (so be prepared to be sued) or he will walk away and forget the whole thing, the latter rarely happens so it would be best then to give the ring back when you break the engagement, but anything else he gave you (and make sure even in writing) that these are gifts, so you may keep them---if he includes a card or something that indicates it was a period of gift giving, write on the card the date and what he gave you, this will be at least limited proof of his gift giving. Whether this will hold up in court will be up to the judge, but by having the gift cards with the dates it could help your defense. If he asks any questions just say you’re sentimental and also for insurance purposes.
If you do go ahead and get married and then eventually divorced, the rules are this, if he bought the rings you keep them. If they are family heirlooms give them back, it is so much simpler that way---but any jewelry that he buys you or you buy your self---that is yours, only family heirloom jewelry that is from his family should go back. Unless it is stipulated that it is to go to your daughters, in this case it would be best to be magnanimous and speak to your mother-in-law in regards to the heirloom jewelry without interference from your soon to be ex-husband and let her know that you wish to know her feelings on that matter. She will look upon you in a different and positive light, even if her feelings towards you maybe hostile and she acts like a witch, she cannot deny that in regards to the matter of the family jewelry you were honest.
But if you are single and having fun and your man of the hour gives you “bling”, then be calm and collect it, and make sure that the gift card lists the date and the item he gave you and then lock it up in a bank safe deposit box where he can’t get his hands on it.
Just on the news last night, I heard about gold going over $1,000, of course weakening the dollar, but I knew that was coming, since I follow the business and stock news. That is why I have been looking at stocks with growth potential that can weather this unsettling economic situation so remember even jewelry is going go to up in price , don’t waste you money on something that is 10k unless you regard it as just above costume jewelry, make sure it is at least 14k or 18k.
And also about all those little doggies that were going to the Marin animal shelter being rescued from an elderly couple that had over 800 dogs in their home!!! Well I wrote out a check as a donation to help out with the feed and care of those poor things.
Now before anyone thinks that I think more of animals than of people, I do think of people, there is this one charity that I donate regularly that supplies wheelchairs to needy disabled people, I also donate to a women’s shelter and several others that help women in need and children. Women, Children and pets are the one’s that have no voice in this world.
Of course some of you are going to say to me, “but you don’t have children” I have nieces and nephews so I know how it’s like for a child, I am a woman so I know how it’s like for a woman. And yes I do eat meat and I do wear fur, but those are from animals that are specifically bred for that, but even then I do believe that when an animal is made for human consumption it should be done humanely. And I will make no further excuses. Diva’s never make excuses Diva’s just do it.
Well Darlings, it is now Friday and I have plans for this weekend, so Until Anon, Kisses Darlings.
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