the circle of life...

The wind blew so hard this weekend that I think the house is about an inch more to the east than once it was.  The rain was pelting in sideways. The words 'cold, wet and windy' do not adequately describe yesterday.

Still, there's always an upside, and it kept some of the garage sale affectionados at home.  The ones who were out, however were overly keen and the term 'feeding frenzy' could be applied.  Last week, some chap tried to take an item out from under my foot (firm direct indication of intention to buy: put your foot on it) and I had to tell him that he was going too far.  He tried to say that he was standing on the shed floor, but didn't own it.  Luckily, I was feeling somewhat magnanimous and didn't treat him to some of the responses which occurred to me.  Suffice to say, he won't be doing that again.  He'd already lost two fingers in a hideous farm accident as a child and I pointed out that the others weren't looking like a long term option if he didn't back off.  Said while smiling nicely, of course. He thought I was joking.

Yesterday, I'd just agreed to buy a table when some woman hustled in, pushed me out of the way and started to check it out.  When I pointed out that I'd already bought it and was taking the things off it so I could move it, she said that she would buy it if I didn't.  Perhaps in her shadowy alternate universe, having agreed a price and handed over the cash doesn't actually constitute closure on a deal.

It's becoming a dog eat dog world out there in the garages of the burgh.


On the way home yesterday, we called at the local tip shop, where the sales assistant/curator appeared to be busy unloading stock for the shop from the back of someone's ute.  We were pleased to see someone actually recycling stuff, not sending it to landfill.  Strangely, most of it seemed to disappear without actually ever surfacing for sale.  My thrifting companion managed to grab a neat little fishing rod only because this guy was busy stashing everything else out of harm's (and the public's) way.  It's a bit like going to Myer and having to arm wrestle the sales assistant for your new dress.

Today we made our regular pilgrimage to the Denmark tip, where several bargains were snaffled in fairly short order.  I got a crockpot slow cooker thingy, absolutely mint with original book (not so much as a food stain).  Some good books, a nice little picture frame, and some other interesting bits and bobs.

The world over there is changing.  Things have been sorted and tidied.  There are signs up with prices (books 50c, picture frames $1 and so on). There is less of an air of adventure.  There were actual traffic cones which indicated you shouldn't drive over the television installation.  Traffic cones! (shudders).

While the rain rained and the wind - er - blew, I re-organised the kitchen/laundry/studio in preparation for  being able to find things.  I even threw some things away. And found some things I'd forgotten I had (including the washing), which of course led to thinking of some more things I want to make (instead of doing the washing).

The circle of life continues.

No, not that sort of Saki.....

A most pleasant week ensued, following firm direct action after a tedious encounter with one of those individuals generally known as an oxygen thief (see last week's post).  The sun shone, the birds twittered (in the original meaning of the word).  The thing about not bothering with bozos is that it does annoy them so.....if you ignore them you cut off their oxygen.  There's none left to waste in fatuous argument.  I yawn in their general direction.

A visit from a good friend from the big city was most enjoyable, we ate chocolate mousse in our jammies, watched Ab Fab and drank Port.  The garage sales and opshops were disappointing but we had fun looking. 

I've been re-reading  some short stories by Saki (Hector Hugh Munro), whose sense of humour was certainly well ahead of his time.  Mrs Packletide's Tiger, and Tobermory are classics and highly recommended.  He had a particularly wicked, black sense of humour.  A strange mix of  PG Wodehouse and Downton Abbey, with werewolves.

A quick trip to the tip shop yesterday yielded a positive pile of reading material - thank you, Kindlepersons, for donating your analogue reading material, it's much appreciated.  Today, we had scheduled an outing to the Denmark tip shop, where we were spoilt for choice in special acquisitions.  My co-shopper grabbed 6 matching dining chairs, a box of table legs, a table (coincidentally missing a leg), some brand new tools, and some other fab finds to fill up her newly excavated shed.  Sadly, the Albany tip shop remains positively dull in comparison.

We pondered briefly on the whereabouts of the missing leg.  Was it perhaps kept for sentiment's sake? 

I found some marvellous old panels at Denmark, which will make a folding screen.  I've been looking for something along these lines for ages and these are perfect.  I also got some tiny things in a nice pottery bowl, an Alice in Wonderland book for a special girl, a table base, a small wooden cheese platter, and some other odds and sods. I missed a fantastic white curly iron and wooden table by a whisker.  It was touch and go whether it would have fitted in the car, but it was so lovely.

I've been getting ready to frame some new drawings and prints, making some jewellery and getting ready for some more starships.

And another kind friend brought me the mummified carcasses of two tiny birds (I'm assured they died of natural causes).  My cup runneth over.  

"I've seen better tennis playing in a tampon commercial." *

I spotted this while in Denmark today with a friend.  I like it a lot.

We were on a tip shop trawl on a sunny Sunday and as always the Denmark tip shop did not disappoint.  Being that it was also the art market day in that burgh it was quiet at the tip but there were bargains to be had.  My friend picked up a metal based, solid wood topped table to use as a workbench and a solid wood table top for the stash.  I snapped up some mint Doc Martens, a lovely old wooden box, and a book.





Pausing for a pie from the less-expensive-but-just-as-good-bakery at the other end of town, we observed the native wildlife navigating for parking spaces - an endangered habitat on market day - amongst the introduced species (tourists) who overrun the natives at this time of year.

With room in the car we came home via the Albany tip shop, a poor sad shadow of it's country cousin. There's no real spirit of adventure at the Albany tip shop, and it's sad that so much goes through to landfill.  Kudos, however, to the enterprising employee who was doing his bit for the economy by transferring stuff straight from the incoming line to his own vehicle.  Firm direct action to reduce landfill.  Pity about the PR.

There's an enormous space which could be better used there, and it's a retailing adage that the more you have to choose from, the more you sell.  If stuff sits around and doesn't move, cull and get new bits in.  There's no cost for the stock and it's not like they have to go far to get rid of the stuff that doesn't sell.

We did manage to snag some bargains though, real wrought iron veranda lace and standard lamp base,  a vintage atlas, and various other bits and pieces.  End of the day, I think we spent about $10 between us. I also snapped up the following from various trawling hotspots during the week:

*Girlchild, Facebook status, this week.  Who knew she watched tennis? 

Those who are about to work, I salute you.

Now that was a holiday week!

The weather was beautiful, the company excellent.  A good friend was here from Victoria, it was brilliant catching up and getting together with other old friends. The kind of friends who are completely at ease in each other's company and laugh a lot.  They also truly appreciate ice cream. The five of us had some serious fun.

I had called on Saturday, when she was packing, and was assured that the suitcase was full, no room for purchases.  She arrived with a pair of shoes in her handbag, bought at the airport, and that pretty much set the pace. Getting all the extra shoes into the case paled in the face of the table and chairs, bought Friday.  In between we did lunch and dinner, were taken out and about by his Worship, watched Red Dog (and cried), went to William Bay, op shopping and garage saling, ate oysters and icecream, drank gin and tonics and a LOT of cups of tea and talked.  A lot.  All go but all jolly good fun.

I can say that the Butter Factory in Denmark has some really good handbags and sells (unexpectedly) Elk jewellery, shoes, and clothing. 

The whole thing was pretty special and everyone had a good, good time.

I still have two days before I have to go back to work, and lots of projects to finish.  But the house is clean and tidy(ish) and I've finished quite a lot of things - although I have a lot of new ideas. 

The fabulosity of the week was further enhanced when my baby was returned to me - a vintage diamond and pearl ring which had been misplaced almost 3 years ago while left in the care of a third party who shall remain nameless.  It turned up having mysteriously hidden itself but is now safe and sound - although the legend of the man look is confirmed. I'd missed it a lot, it was given to me by a special lady and it's value to me is much more than just it's monetary worth.

How sweet is a Sunday afternoon, when you don't have to go to work on Monday! Time seems to pass more slowly, in an exquisite way.  Made sweeter, quite literally, by fairy floss from the local agricultural show, and a new Jo Nesbo book for $2 from a garage sale.

A member of the Saturday saling triumvirate travelled from Geraldton for a spot of garage saling, tip shop trawling and a tiny chaser of opshopping. We did the rounds on Saturday. Amongst the finds, a restored 1950's desk, more books, some more old maps, chairs (various) and other treasures. Some nice chaps were selling up their grandad's house and shed, so there were lots of interesting rusty bits, including some interesting old keys in an old ammunition tin.  The visitor got some old maps of Yorkshire, and some lovely mid-century bits and pieces, including an unusual linen basket and a lovely bed tray.


Sunday was earmarked for a 'mega garage sale' in Mt Barker, approx 50kms north.  It wasn't necessarily 'mega' but it did have some lovely finds.  A deco mirror, in mint condition, a lovely metal folding outdoor table, a Dean Martin CD, a book about Hunter S Thompson, and a domed glass cake cover. And we sampled the scones with homemade loganberry jam - yum! We swept through the local Tipshop, more books,a sawhorse/plantstand/stool, more chairs, a 60's telephone table, AND just as we loaded the goodies in the car a local dealer was arriving - out of luck.  He looked so disappointed. There sure wasn't much left.


We found that we had a whole hour to get to the tipshop in Denmark, so we unloaded and headed over there, it was a hive of activity.  I found a lovely solid iron chair, crying out for an interesting makeover.  I spent my last $5 on a pie from the bakery and we headed home.  Luckily, a lot of the things were heading to Geraldton because space around here is at a bit of a premium.   


Today, we had time for a quick couple of opshops before a spot of lunch.  I got a nice gold (yes, gold) bangle for $3 and a sterling silver chain for $3.  Yup, a couple of books.


I have lots of work to do this week so I'll be sanding, oiling, sorting, pricing, making....2 weeks to go.