Elizabeth Holcombe ~whimsies and words~

Getting Dusty and Dirty!

Hello, My Friends~~~

First of all a huge THANK YOU to all for the lovely and warm comments on my previous post. They mean so very much to me. I am doing very well these days, getting out and about, being my whimsical, normal self. Here is proof...

Yesterday I went to a fabulous estate sale in Lancaster, VA in the Northern Neck (near the family vacation home). It was run by the delightful Henry Lane and Lisa Hull of Commonwealth Antiques. Their children are wonderful helpers too!

The sale was held in an old home next to the old Lancaster jail house from the 1700's.

And when I say the house was next to the jail, I mean literally next to the jail. Here is the drive way and garage and the back of the jail...

And here is the house...

Now, see that middle part of the roof? That is actually a little attic space. I spent a lot of time in there in the heat, dust, and dirt plowing through boxes that I don't think had been opened in many, many years. I came out dusty and filthy, and with arm loads of treasures. On Saturday I found two boxes of cool stuff (which I didn't photograph for you, as it was all wrapped so neatly, I just couldn't open the boxes--I'm taking them home on Monday.) However, I went back today and found MORE goodies because I spent more time in that wee attic digging even deeper in the boxes. Here is my loot for just today and the second time around!...

Not bad for day too, hmmm? Here are a couple of close ups...

The red plastic poinsettias are new vintage stock with their GC Murphy price tags of 19 cents! I had to dig so DEEP for all of these goodies, down in the bottom of boxes, way back in kitchen cabinets and drawers. I found the adorable embroidered Scotty dog tablecloth there. The NOMA 1930's tin light reflectors were unearthed in the dustiest box on the planet!

The paper napkins with adorable vintage graphics were way in the back of large cabinet as were the other cute kitchen linens and gadgets.

Vintage chenille Santas, cupcake cups, bottle caps, and more. Oh, what fun!~~~It was dirty and dusty, but so well worth it!~~~Have a great rest of your weekend!~~~XXOO, Beth

Please, Allow Me to Confess...

Hello, My Friends~~~

Lately my life hasn't been as sunny as I would like it to be...

I am one of those folks that when I don't know what is happening to my body, I panic, then when I can't stand it anymore, I get things checked out, and then I relax.

As you may know from previous posts, I had to deal with health issues over the past 3 months: asthma, heart check, and weight loss. Having to deal with medical tests is not the way I want to spend an hour or a minute! But I am 49 years old (there, I said it) and it was time to take charge of my health. And I did. I listened to my doctors, nutritionist, AND lost the weight, upped the exercise, and am eating better than I ever had in my entire life. I recently reached my goal weight for a woman of my age and height (5' 5"), and I now weigh 135 pounds. However, peppered in all of that was an unsettled feeling from time to time. I would occasionally get a little dizzy, then sweaty, then panicky, and on and on until I was a mess and feeling flat and just not myself. Medical tests proved that I was fine physically. Then I wondered...

Oh heck yes! And for extra fun, in addition to hot flashes, I was having panic symptoms to go along with those flashes. If someone had only told me weeks ago that I was going through this and NOT a heart attack, I might not have let the panic get to me. And here's the ugly truth, but panic did get to me it did. For several weeks I avoided leaving my house unless it was with Hubby. Since I work at home it was easy. But it was torture. During those three weeks I went through hell not knowing why my body was doing this to me. When I found that my symptoms were perimenopause, I was relieved, but exorcising my panic demons required a visit for the first time in my life to a therapist. I am at the beginning of that journey.

And I'm not alone either. I read this lively lady's story, and was so inspired by her that I am starting something new and exciting in my life (more about that later)...

You may or may not know, but Paula Deen suffered from severe agoraphobia and panic attacks for 20 years! Her story was hilarious and inspiring to me, and made my 3 weeks of agoraphobia seem like nothing (but it was something to me!). Thank you, Paula!

And along the way in my life's journey I have to continue to keep my health in check and keep the weight that I lost OFF. This plucky gal's book, recommended to me by my BFF Suzy, is a MUST read...

I have never read a book that describes food so well! Jillian's book is well-researched and easy to read.

And I began reading this, and just love the stories within...

I really want to laugh through this! I am practicing everyday.

I sincerely hope you all don't mind such a personal post on my blog. It is therapy just to put these things in writing and share them. And I'm feeling better every day. These days, I am going out on my own and feeling much less panicky--I know I'm not going to pass out or have a heart attack. I also know that avoiding situations is NOT the way to manage this and get better. As I get used to this bump in my road, and shall I say it, my changing body, I acknowledge that my life isn't perfect and I'm not Pollyanna. But I am stubborn, willful and am not settling for feeling this way. I have always had things I avoid: flying, driving down I-95 on my own, snakes, etc. I want to come out of this therapy better than when I went in. I don't know how long it will take, but I do know that it is all up to me. And I will make good choices. I am good at doing that: Hubby is the BEST choice I have ever made, and that was over 25 years ago when we met, and 23 years ago this year when we were married.

Now, what am I doing new that excites me? Until everything is in place (and I'm thinking that may be in early August), may I just tease you a bit and say that Beth's Bagz is going to have a "partner in crime." And yes, Paula Deen inspired me. But much more will be revealed later. Until then, thank you so much for visiting today.~~~XXOO, Beth

PS: I forgot to mention that my wonderful gyno, told me to take OTC Estroven. It's all natural and she says it does work in her experience, it just takes a while (about 7-10 days) to get into my system. I am very happy with that option and now on day 7 of my daily dosage, I am feeling better, not perfect, but better :)

We Came In Peace for All Mankind....

Hello, My Friends~~~

Forty years ago today I was nine years old, sitting bleary-eyed on a sagging couch at our river place, watching history unfold on a 12 inch grainy black and white television.

What a wonderful late evening that was! Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were the first humans to set foot on the Moon. At that moment I wanted to be an astronaut. I believe that dream lasted the rest of that fabulous summer.

I saved these "artifacts" from my Apollo 11 obsession. I carried the coloring book everywhere!

I cut up newspapers and Life magazine and made my own scrapbook.

This is a reproduction of the plaque on one of the legs of the Lunar Module, the "Eagle."

I liked this photo from Life magazine of the crew, Neil Armstrong, Mike Collins, and Buzz Aldrin in quarantine after their historic flight.

Here is one of my favorite movies, that we will watch today, about the historic first moon landing and the wonderful dish in Australia which was responsible for getting us those great TV pictures!

It is hilarious and touching. Check it out!

For something more in depth into the human drama surrounding Apollo 11's historic flight, you may want to watch this:

Whatever you do on this day, take a minute to look up at the moon and know that the first step taken there was 40 years ago today!~~~XXOO, Beth

Another FUN Blog Yard Sale with FREE Shipping to the USA!

Hello, My Friends!~~~

Here I go with another blog Yard Sale! AND all USA residents get FREE SHIPPING! So, shop away, and pay via Paypal (this is the only form of payment at my yard sale--thanks!) All you need to do to claim your goodies is leave me a comment saying what you would like to buy. First come, first served! I'll write you and send you a Paypal invoice. Please pay the invoice within 24 hours. Thanks! My blog yard sale will last until Sunday evening EST, July 19th!

Welcome to my Yard Sale!~~~~

Four sweet vintage Shiny Brite angels! In lovely condition and perfect for your holiday cheer!~~~Only $12. SOLD

A set of three lovely vintage aprons in red organdy with lovely tropical fabric, white sheer cotton with pretty blue fabric pockets and accents, and crisp yellow organdy with a fun fabric pocket with jadeite green rick rack!~~~All for only $12. SOLD

A set of eight teeny tiny baby gift enclosures!~~~All for only $2.

A set of ten vintage BINGO cards with lots of wooden numbers and place markers!~~All for only $12.

A FUN 1976 Wilton Cake Decorating book with loads of wonderful colorful photos of gorgeous cakes and decorations!~~Only $6.

Ooh la la! Delightful vintage 1929 French Grammar book with fun black and white photos scattered throughout!~~~Only $5.

Three great vintage magazines!Dec. 1946 Family Circle. Dec. 1957 and Dec. 1960 Flower Grower magazines! Lots of great vintage illustrations, articles, and photos!~~All three for only $6. SOLD

A fun assortment of 9 vintage patterns for girl's clothes, Hawaiiana dresses for women, monogram embroidery transfers, smocking, and stuffed toys!~~~All for only $5. SOLD

Ooh la LA! Beautiful cobalt blue vintage Evening in Paris perfume bottle. There are a few drops of perfume still in the bottle!~~~Only $5. SOLD

A pair of pretty vintage cottage prints in lovely wooden frames and under glass. Measures 5X6 inches.~~Only $10 for the pair. SOLD

Three FUN vintage pom pom and crochet animal kits. Two white yarn poodles and one pink elephant. The kits are complete with yarn, ribbon, and google eyes!~~~All three kits for only $8.

Thanks for stopping by my blog yard sale! And remember there is FREE SHIPPING on all items in my etsy shop until July 31st. If you have a minute, please take a look at my one-of-a-kind handmade offerings on etsy!~~~XXOO, Beth

FREE SHIPPING in My Etsy Shop!

Hello, My Friends!~~~The mailman can be YOUR friend!...

...Because if you live the USA, I'm offering FREE SHIPPING until July 31st on ALL of the goodies in my etsy shop! With every order I'll toss in some fun treats too!~~~Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!~~~XXOO, Beth

Salt Water Hydrangeas and One Lazy Doggie!

Hello, My Friends!~~~

Today we returned from the family river place in Virginia's historic Northern Neck. One thing I adore about mid-summer at the river is the profusion of hydrangeas tucked here and there around the cottages. These plants enjoy salty breezes from the river and the Chesapeake Bay. I think the salt air is good for hydrangeas. Here is a sampling~~~

Gorgeous violet-blues...

Lovely papery whites...

Hugging a bay-side cottage...

Fading to soft hues beside a shed...

Curling up around the corner of a river-side cottage in the shade of a sycamore tree. I love hydrangeas!

And here is what a walk looking at hydrangeas does to our silly Australian Cattle Dog...

What a lazy doggie...

Sigh...now that we're home, it's back to home chores and crafting!~~~XXOO, Beth

Did I Tell You I Was A Girl Scout?

Happy Monday, My Friends!~~~

Well, did I tell you I was a Girl Scout? It's true. I was a Brownie in 1969, and in 1970 I was old enough to become a Girl Scout. I stayed in Scouting for five more years until I began High School. I was a Brownie, a Girl Scout, and a Cadet Girl Scout. And I have the badges to prove it~~~

Here is my uniform from Girl Scouts. As you can see the stars denote each year I was in scouting. The wings are my "fly up" wings from Brownies to Girl Scouts.

I had a knife just like the one here, but I lost it. However, at the Arlington Flea Market on Saturday, Hubby found this knife for me!
I remember which each patch I earned was for and they are in order from top from left to right: Health Aid, Camper, Dancer, Collector, Sculptor, Sewing, Water Fun, Toymaker, Cooking, Painter. Trefoil, Boating, Good Grooming, Birdwatcher, Seamstress, Traveler, Textile Craft, Geology, and...

...Journalist, Stamp Collector, First Aid, Astronomy, Weather, Writer.

Here is a picture of me in my Cadet uniform with my troop standing on the steps of the Juliette Low home in Savannah, GA in 1974.

Look to the far right, by the railing. I am the blonde girl second down from the top! I really hated wearing this uniform dress. My favorite part of scouting was the camping where I could indulge in my Tomboy self my chopping wood, whittling, and wearing jeans!~~~Have a wonderful week!~~~XXOO, Beth

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July, my friends!!!!~~~Hubby and I designed and made this silly Uncle Sam years ago. We brought him out for Independence Day! And he has a friend too!~~~

This is his sailor pal! Note the bell bottoms on the sailor!~~~I hope you have a fabulous Fourth!~~~XXOO, Beth

Happy Christmas in July!

Hello, My Friends!~~~

It is hot outside, but I have warm and frosty thoughts of Christmas in my studio!

Never one to shy away from going a little (OK, a lot!) over-the-top with my creations, I have dug deep into my stash of vintage glass beads and ornaments and made this~~~

This kitschy elf and deer corsage wall hanging is now available in my etsy shop. I am making Christmas creations and listing them in my shop periodically this month to celebrate Christmas in July!~~~XXOO, Beth