OVER

There are no photos.

It would have been impossible for me

to stop for even one.

We hit the ground running,

and after the first 2 hours of shopping,

 we had them lined up,
around the first floor for checkout.

Now and then I would catch

a couple gals perched on the winding stairs,

catching their breath and visiting.
The treasures flew out the door,
and some very creative stuffing of cars
was witnessed.

Phase one is over,

the decision of what to keep and move, 

what to sell..

Phase two, I packed up most 
of what is going to the new house, and 

staged the rest for sale.

The sale is over.

Phase three is the prep for items to be

sold in other venues, and finish the 

packing for the move.

Phase four is overseeing the moving day,

and then it is over here in lala land.

The final goal is to safely 

and efficiently get this couple
to their new home

There are special circumstances
surrounding this move, and 
family and friends await them
 to help and support
them on the rest of the journey.

Once again I have to praise the 
unyielding strength of another woman
I am privileged to know.
A very private person 
who without fail has shown humor and 
love in the face of very difficult
times, and daily amazes me with her patience
in dealing with an insidious
disease that has slowly taken her 
husband to a place she cannot go.

ALZHEIMERS
(donate here)

Not sure what is next
here at oldgreymare.
I'll let you know as soon as I know.
Have a great week my friends.

Z

WE HAVE ORNAMENTS

Thousands of them....

and in two days 

they will be finding new homes

with our special shoppers...

so this is the last

post about the sale...

bet you're glad

unless I manage to get 

some frenzied shopper pics

OPEN OPEN OPEN!!!!!

and yes I got some bargains for myself...

In fact I traded several DAYS of work

for so many beautiful things for me and the kids...

Here are just a few:

A bouquet for DD'S patio

Vintage Dansk Cookware

I've wanted some since the 70's!

I can't put it away yet - I like seeing it 

and today I snagged these three MEGA baskets

(for size reference- that's a very large wing back)

and Howie

checking them out

See you on the other side

oh, how I wish all of you could come.....

Z

And Yesterday....

We began setting out the Serve Ware,

Crystal, China

There is another room full

in addition to what you see here.

Oh yeah, the giant mirror?

For Sale

A few gals from Ca asked if

they perhaps should make the trip up for the sale.

If I collected Fitz and Floyd, I would 

travel here from CA.

(It took me four hours last week from Culver City.

To get to sale location, north of me,

 would add another 45 minutes?)

We have nearly 100 pieces.

Many NIB

Once in A Lifetime Prices

and.....

It's Vegas Baby

SO much else to do....

For you local gals?

 If you haven't added your name to the list

time is running out.

Please also remember your friends

who may wish to attend this special event.

If you come home with all these 

wonderful things and they find out you did

not get them invited...

well, you're gonna be in 

T*R*O*U*B*L*E

lol

OPEN OPEN OPEN!!!

See you on the other side

of the NO SH** SHERLOCK SALE

You Gotta Peek At This

Short version

Estate Sale

Me

Client

Very busy

Went to CA Tuesday

to take furniture and stuff to DD

Returned Thursday

No time for pics or stories

She has promised to get pics of their wee abode

It's adorable

Back to Client today

Countdown to Sale

Here is just a wee fraction of what is for sale

Peek away

Yeah Yeah fuzzy pics taken with no light and FAST

Red Bins here and about 6 more

filled to brim with glass ornaments

Tables filled with serve ware

Hundreds of pieces - just a few here

1 entire garage bay filled with silks

 cookbooks

Hutch already sold

So, local gals....

If you are not on list you will not be able to attend

so email me to be added.

Deadline approaches.

Far away gals...so sorry you cannot join us.

and no we cannot take orders and ship.

We're feverishly setting up- 

we have much still to do...

This is one very tired

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Estate Sale Lots of Happy

This is my friend Ronda.

She is a happy shopper sitting here.

She just finished checking out from an Estate Sale 

I have been organizing for a client.

These are her treasures she is packing up.

She is also one of my

 two wonderful female bosses.

Lots of girls found lots of treasures.

Lots and lots of work involved for me and 

the client and we've only just begun.

This day a group was shopping

 by special invitation only.

Be not dismayed however,

 for there are still many rooms filled with 

glorious decor items, collectibles and furniture,

yet to be displayed and priced.

Another gal is stacking on the porch

 to load into her car.

This is the bed of a very large pickup truck.

One solid layer.

The BIG event is coming up later this month.

If you are local and on my "Gatherings"

 email list you will hear the details soon.

Email me quickly if you wish to attend, 

because you must be invited

 and placed on a master list.

I've told you gals of big sales in my past

at local events, and at my home.

This one will beat them ALL.

really - truly - no Sh** Sherlock.

It is NOT to be missed.

Darling daughter landed a job on a feature film,

WHOO HOO

 and is leaving earlier than we had planned.

Scrambling is the word of the day/week.

I'll come back up for air,

 sometime around mid - July.

See you at the NO **** Sherlock SALE!!

Z

IKEA Ektorp In A Box

The hardest part is wrangling the box.

It recommends two people.

I recommend two people.

Of course I did it alone 

because I could not wait, 

and I'm stubborn like that.

Six bolts and four legs.

Air compressed cushions that 

spring into shape and fill up the porch.

One box of tightly packed slipcovers

..and $399.00 and 30 minutes later 

I have a sofa.

Everyone has had a nap on it so far,

so we're good.

Damn, I wish IKEA would come

 to la la land.

It is only going to 80 today.

We're in heaven.

Hannah working on free lance job

 at dining table, with windows open 

and outdoor fountains sounding pretty.

I'm getting ready for carpet cleaners,

who are DESPERATELY needed.

Kitchen cupboards are painted,

just in time for 

party here Saturday.

Garage stacked full of Hannah's

 belongings for move.

I'm going to need air compressed

everything to fit in 2 cars!

Mattress ordered, fridge ordered,

base cabinets and counter top ordered

as this is the ENTIRE kitchen.

Can you believe - no fridge?

New 4' counter topping 2 cabinets will sit along the 

kitchen floor/carpet line.

Now they have 2 drawers also.

I found them unfinished at Lowes

for 97 each and counter top for 57.

IKEA had some more expensive and half the size.

They can resell these or take with them

when they move from here.

Couch will butt up against back of cabinets

Roughly 460 sq feet total

to work with.

(couch may have to wait- we'll see)

And yet they feel like it's huge coming from

NYC apartment.

I am going to try and photograph

our transformation if I have time.

We have great plans

and it should be charming.

Stay tuned.

Z

IT'S MAY? NO WAY!

Yes, I am alive and well.

Kids are fine. 

Hannah has a pit stop here for a bit before

the big move to LA..

Any of you folks know of some AD or PD or PA 

jobs in film available let me know OK?

to non film folks that's

assistant director

production designer

production assistant

Cannot hurt to ask right,

you just never know,

though I am sure DD will cringe reading that,

roll her eyes and think "MOTHER!"

Ben starts filming his independent film next week.

I don't think that boy sleeps.

I've been "playing" at two of my jobs.

That's what it feels like. 

Am I lucky or what?

Today I taught the boss my secret recipe for 

painting, and she learned what a horribly messy 

painter I can be.

I removed my gloves, and my hands

 were still totally blue.

Black feet and blue hands.

It's delightful!

I've been gathering supplies for darling daughter's

new abode and they are piled in the garage.

She sold off everything in NYC via

Craig's list and a stoop sale.

A caravan of two cars will get her down, over?

there sometime next month.

Culver City is her new hometown.

They have a rather small space,

 and nearly no funds. 

Funny thing it is nearly 3 times the space she

occupied in  NYC!!!

...and two full size closets WhOo HoO

 I hope to show before and after

on here after she and I create magic.

Thank you for all your kind words 

and wishes for Annie.

She and Grandma Ruth are well, and 

thanks to the garage sale they have already demo'd

the floor (Thursday)and tile will be on there,

 before you know it.

She chose a beautiful faux wood look tile,

 that is AMAZING!

Their home is darling and tiny and all white.

I plan to do a post on it as soon as floors 

are done and kitchen cupboards are painted.

She is waiting to see how mine come out..

yeah, yeah I know ..

I've still not started..

OK it's Thursday night,

I'm headed to bed.

I've scheduled this for tomorrow morning.

So Happy Friday girlfriends!

2 a.m. Sunday

I woke up about an hour ago, Sunday morning.

I went to bed limp as a rag doll 

5 p.m. Saturday evening.

I had been up since 5 a.m.  Saturday morning.

Saturday 6 a.m., headed over to help my friend Ann

"Annie"

with a garage sale.

A BIG ONE

She had been preparing for over a week.

She needs new flooring in her home,

and she also wanted to get some "order" to

her garage and storage shed.

Nothing special about that, but there is a special

back story I want to share.

This is the same Annie I asked

 you to pray for a while back.

Her husband Ron was ill and they were fighting 

a horrible battle with cancer.

They lost the battle a few weeks back,

Annie lost her husband,

and her life has changed forever.

I have watched my friend 

face these new challenges

with such bravery and grace 

and I am in awe of her strength.

She and her Mom Ruth,

forever more "Grandma Ruth" now,

worked themselves silly the past few days.

Annie made enough to make a huge dent in the project.

But there is more to the story.

I always send out alerts 

to local gals that a garage sale is

happening and the girls

turned up for the cause.

They came for the preview night Friday,

 bringing cupcakes and hugs,

opened their wallets and bought treasures.

They picked up unfinished quilts of the family,

and promised to finish them and send them photos.

They bought treasures from Annie

and will make them special in their own homes.

They tried on vintage glasses and hats 

and posed to make Annie laugh.

These other women have faced illness,

loss and tragedy in their own lives.

They've struggled and fought their own battles

and recognize a woman who needs

love and support.

I adore these women in my life.

Both my female "bosses" were there

and they are getting to know one another,

and lo and behold

the guy who owns the emporium

where our booth is, showed up by accident

and more hugs all around.

All these separate folks all intertwining

in work and friendship and love.

I looked up mid way through 

yesterday, I was fading fast,

and saw Annie bundled up in layers of 

her husband's clothes

borrowed from the racks, fighting the cold

and rain that lala land dumped on us yesterday,

and she was "merchandising" the tables, 

and shuffling in her fuzzy clogs and smiling.

Tired but always smiling.

I wake up this morning at 1 a.m.

and there is an email from Ann at midnight,

still up, still working I'm sure,

 thanking me for sharing my friends.

Annie, they are now your friends also.

Women brought together 

with shared experiences, friendship,

 and understanding of what it means to be 

a woman today, well, what it has always 

meant to be a woman.
The strengths we all have within us

to raise our families well, work hard,

love hard, be creative, nurturing.

We are by no means the weaker sex.

We "get it"

Oh yes, there are silly, selfish, even nasty

 gals out there,

always were, always will be,

but by and large I believe

in women.

I believe in these women for sure.

My friends.

Annie's friends.

Get some sleep Annie.

BROKECHELLA 2014 Recap

Ben and Anam 

are very active members of cARTel

Ben made video ( heylookamonster)

Why I never talk to him...lol

SOOOO busy 

but working busy

Give it a view and a Like if you do

20 days till the girl is home

Her bed is piled with surprises for new Apt.

I am having so much fun finding bargains and deals,

and I am scoring some major stuff.

Life is so damn good..

and just because I shared with a few gals already,

I thought I'd share this lovely pic of what part of me
 looks like after a day at one of my great jobs. ..and I mean

GREAT, as in LOVE doing it.

ready?

it's gross...

and those are not hairy legs,

 the dirt goes all the way up to my knees

(my nails are painted grey BTW

well of course they are!)

One gal said I looked like a cadaver

and on that happy note I leave you

to enjoy a great weekend.

I know I will.

Z

What The Hell Have You Been Doing?

Had a friend say to me

"What the hell have you been doing?

You haven't posted in two weeks."

well almost two weeks... 12 days

It's not that I have been uber busy, 

but I have been doing stuff.

I hate the glorification of busy 

some people practice these days.

"I'm sorry I didn't blog, tweet, instagram FB whatever,

 cause I am sooooooo busy"

Well maybe if you didn't do all that crap all day,

all the time, you might have time to do some other stuff.

DUH

I post when I have something to say, or rant about,

or maybe I'm excited about some one or some thing.

I don't think y'all need to hear my daily thoughts.

They might scare you, puzzle you or

tick you off politically anyway.

Like recently I am obsessed with household 

hints I've never heard before. Thank you Pinterest!

I love sharing them like I did today with Annie,

teaching her the right way to peel a banana. 

Yep.... doing it wrong most of you....

from the bottom ladies, no strings

I loved watching the Dave Clark Five and Hollies Specials

and Your Inner Fish. 

I relive and ponder stuff like that for days.

That then makes me relive

 my youth and travel down memory lane and then I veer off

into what was unplanned and sorrows and

STOP!!!!!

see you don't want to follow my daily thoughts

too often or too far. 

My brain and mouth often stop mid thought
 and careen into another realm.

see? scary crap

I am working several jobs, which I love, but

both are quite physical so this old gal is bushed 

when she comes home..and I rarely get anything else done.

Not even tv viewing of which I do very little anyway, 

except the aforementioned Specials.

That means on my days off I have to get everything else done. 
Never had a housecleaner, 
in fact I used to be one

when I first got married and we were dead broke.

I have a yard guy who comes 1 day in the Spring and Fall

 for major cleanup only.

So it's up to me to keep this house ship shape

and that takes effort and time.

Also been helping my pal Annie

 get ready for a big garage sale this weekend

and making stuff for my booth

and scrounging for stuff for darling daughter's 

apt soon to be in LA.

( fingers crossed - jobs needed)

( they freelance)

Also a couple gal pal lunches and visits.

so see? doing stuff....

just not posting

but I read you all

and love when you read me.

so the answer is:

Loving my Kids

Loving my Life

Loving my Jobs

and

peeling bananas 

correctly
like the monkeys do
not monkey see, monkey do

see monkey
do

60 years of doing it WRONG

now THAT IS really 

What the HELL?

THEY DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Project Funded!

 A BIG HELL YEAH!

THE PINK SORRYS

Rolling Papers And The Universe

Rolled papers all day yesterday

Taking these and others up to

Goat Feathers booth this week.

Today I think I'll paint some
word canvas, right after I go to market.

I've been out of staples for days.

No milk, juice, bread, eggs..zippo

Tried to figure out a dish made solely

from condiments, but....

I have an entire fridge door of condiments

and no bleeping food!

Anyone else hate market shopping?

I hate getting dressed to go 2 blocks.

If I look really bad,

sans makeup and wearing paint or food

 splattered clothes,

you can GUARANTEE I'll see

someone snotty I do not wish to see,

and word will spread that I really am unkempt 

unless at work..

At work, both jobs, I also get really dirty

 so 

perhaps I am unusually and frequently unkempt. 

Do I care?

Not a fig.

This week?

I'm plunging head first into painting 

my kitchen cabinets,

or should I say repainting?

I painted them about 15 years ago.

I have a week off from both jobs, so

I am going Grey!

I was thinking of grey but when I 

walked into Josie's shop Vintage Home

and met this lively, oh so friendly gal,

 and then spied a color 

Pittsburgh Grey..

"It's a sign"

I was hooked.

The universe was talking.

I stood there debating

and while listening to Josie give us directions and 

hints and ideas freely with none of that

other gobbeldy gook you get elsewhere in

other shops selling paint, I thought...

Even though it is NOT in my budget,

I am going to support this woman and 

her independent small business.

I gladly plunked down the cash

and I know I will be thrilled.

and THEN

quite by chance

and here is where the universe comes back in.

My First boss told me about Josie's shop

and that is why I stopped in.

I go to my other job the next day 

and tell Second Boss

about this great shop I went to,

 and about painting my cabinets.

Second Boss is doing an auction later that week,

 and meets a paint gal there and gives her 

her card as introduction.

The paint gal says she just met a Suzan 

who works at the auction place.

You guessed it!

Second Boss just met Josie!

When the universe speaks

Pay Attention.