Time, Or Lack Of!

Where does it go? The time for me has disappeared this summer! I have missed so many things and family that I normally have fun with during the summer months. I had a "whole" day off this past Tuesday and made the decision to spend it with Riley. It had been awhile since her and I had a day together, which we both missed! I picked her up from pre-school and we went over to Brande's apartment to water her plants. You know, the plants I was supposed to have watered three weeks ago! Sorry Brande, blame it on the evil time stuff!! While there, Riley helped herself to some apple juice and played Brande's guitar. Then I asked her what she wanted to do? Did she want to get lunch at Ruby's, which sits on the end of the Seal Beach pier. At first she said, "it is such a LONG walk". I looked at her and said, "you are a kid and you are talking like an old lady". After that, she stuck out her little hand and said, "let's go Gramma"!! I can't say this enough, it was an absolutely perfect day out with weather to match!As you can tell from the first picture, the Seal Beach pier is "really" long, especially if you are a little kid. It was nice to stop along the way and take breaks here and there. Riley and I watched the pelicans dive into the water, and I told her to watch close and she could see them grab fish. There was so much to see, and I watched her big blue eyes take it all in! Through the eyes of a child, life doesn't get much better!! Finally, we reached our destination! Ruby's sits at the end of the pier and it was time to eat! We couldn't have asked for a better table. A booth right at the end of the pier so we could take it all in! After me and my little girl placed our lunch order, Riley's milkshake arrived first. She couldn't have been happier. A great view, a milkshake, and alone time with me, which in turn made me happy. The fresh air must have made her a bit hungry as she did end up eating most of her lunch which she usually doesn't. Half of Riley's time at Ruby's was spent watching the fishermen catching fish. She loved it and I loved to watch the excitement in her eyes each time a fish was pulled out of the water! And it was such a beautiful day out here. There is something about the beach, the ocean and the feeling it gives you!For those of you that love the beach and the ocean like I do, you know what I mean! After the beach, Riley wanted to come over to my house. It had been awhile since she just "hung out" as she likes to say. Plus, it had also been awhile since Riley and her cousin Morgan got to play together. When it was time to take Riley home, she was almost in tears, which made me almost in tears. There is something special about the first born grandchild. There is this special bond that I can't explain and it doesn't mean I don't love Morgan and Bo just as much. I think it is just that Riley and I have had so much one on one time for so long. It broke my heart to take her back home, but I know she understood, or at least I hoped she did. And she missed her new baby brother, so with tears in her eyes, and a few in Gramma's, off we went. Bodhi is one month old today. I ask myself, "how did that happen"? It seems like only a few days ago we all spent the night at the hospital waiting for his arrival! And now I look at him, and it seems like he has been part of our crazy family forever. I have a gut feeling little Bo is going to give Riley and Morgan some "fun" times. You know, the kind of things Bryce use to (and sadly) still does to his sisters! So, with that said, I'm looking at the "time" again. I can only dream today of the beach and the ocean breezes as I give directions to the bathroom at Country Roads. You know, "the key is under the fire extinguisher on your left, no not on top of the fire extinguisher, below it"! Then I give them another direction. "End of the aisle on your left, no your other left" and off they wander aimlessly never to be seen again!

The "Art" of Display

As you know, we have many, many different "looks" at Country Roads. But the ones that always "pop" or stand out are the ones that are like art. The dealer has emptied their space, looked at the blank canvas and basically "painted" their own masterpiece! I have many vignettes in the store that have great little masterpieces. But I have to say, today this space really caught my eye! Look and see what you think and take some time to really look at all the detail that is involved in these displays, these vignettes. I love the lighting, the textures, the way ordinary objects like old paint brushes take on a whole new look.









This area of the store belongs to Tim & Lisa. And it is an area that is always changing. I first met Tim back in 1992 when I had a little store called the Battered Barn. Tim had come in with these awesome, detailed birdhouses which actually were more like folk art. And then years later, here he is still painting masterpieces at Country Roads. Each of my dealers have their own sense of style and talent and I'm very blessed for this. Check back later this week and see what Cindy Finch has "painted" on her canvas! With several spaces, and antiques, she too made these areas of the store "pop" as well. I am very grateful for those that are able to do this. They are the ones that make Country Roads the store that it is today, thank you!

White Wednesday

Here we are, our first "White Wednesday" in August! The passage of time continues to amaze me! It goes by way too fast these days. This "White Wednesday" I wanted to share a little of this, and a little of that, which we now have at Country Roads!!








I'm always amazed after I download my pictures at how cool some of our stuff at "the store" really is! It truly is a great environment to work in!! Please stop by and pay a visit to Kathleen, the one that is responsible for "White Wednesdays"!! She has only the best of the best to share with you. Hope you all are enjoying your summer days, take care!

R & R

I've been working a lot this summer. Yesterday I finished working a six and half day work week at Country Roads. Not including the work I have to do at home in regards to the store. I work with all "kids" as I refer to them. I'm not sure how they all can work this much! Anyway, with only a little time left after I got home yesterday afternoon, I decided or should I say, I "forced" myself, to sit out by my pool. Our weather here has been wonderful. So, outside I went. Here are some of the things that helped me relax for a few hours.






When you work at something you love, it really doesn't seem like work. I think the important thing to remember though is that no matter how busy you are, no matter how many days you are working, you have to grab a few hours for yourself. And after doing that yesterday, I feel so much better today. I hope you all find just a little bit of time for yourself today! Take care.

Family

I've been listening to Zach Gill's song "Family" a lot lately. Zach Gill, in case you don't know him, plays in Jack Johnson's band. I so appreciate MY family and never for a minute do I not know how lucky I am to have the life I do. Here are the lyrics and some pictures of MY family!

"She was feeling Yuletide burn
Cause her family was wearing on her nerves
She was tired of fighting and feeling frustrated
Finding it hard to relate to those of whom she was related

You know we all sometimes say things we don't mean
But that don't mean that we're not still family

Generation to generation it gets passed on
And then one day those who were passing while they passed on
Holding back the covers her heart would start to shudder
when she realized just how deep it all went
Tried to forget what we said but was never really meant

Girl you know we all sometimes say things we don't mean
But that don't mean that we're not still family

Pull out of the shadows and find that eventually it's all bad it's all good baby can't you see
That we are what we are and what we are is still family

I was there from the moment that you were born
And I've loved you since I heard your first cries
And I know we won't always be getting along
But I promise you that I will always try

You know we all sometimes say things we don't mean
But that don't mean that we're not still family"
You know, life can be so short and I know so many families hold grudges. Let it go because it isn't worth it. I've said this many times, we are a family that works, lives, and plays together. So we more than have our share or arguments. But what I love most is these mini blow ups are over almost as fast as they began! Trust me, live is way to short not to appreciate and spend time with those you love!

Bryce & The Alameda Flea Market

The first Sunday of every month there is an awesome flea market up in Alameda, which is in Northern CA near San Francisco. From what I "hear", since I'm always at Country Roads and don't get out much, this is suppose to be one of the BEST monthly flea's we have out here. I watch Bryce work his butt off all month preparing for it. I know he has to be exhausted today. He got a late start yesterday loading the truck and left late for the road trip up North. But when I look at these pictures he sent me this morning, I can definitely see his hard work has paid off!


When I was married to Mr.Wonderful, we use to always talk about the kids and their futures. He was insistent that each of them have a college degree. It wasn't that I didn't wish that too but I use to argue with him telling him that I wanted each of MY (sorry, he wasn't of great assistance as the kids grew-up) kids to be happy with their lives. Brande has a couple of college degrees. A BA in film from USC and a Masters in American Studies from CSUF. But even Brande is still involved in this business of ours. My kids when they were younger were always re-decorating their bedrooms. I remember when Brande was old enough to drive she would take Bryce with her to the Vet's flea market here in Long Beach. And at about eleven years old he became pretty good at asking for better prices and picking up some pretty cool stuff. Katie's house is filled with great vintage stuff as she began working at the store at a young age too. And Riley already has been hanging out at the store and her room at home is filled with great vintage stuff too! All three of my kids have learned the "value" of hard work!! And I just have to say when I look at all of Bryce's displays above, it really makes me PROUD of him, and his two sisters! I've truly blessed to have such a wonderful family, and I never, ever forget that!! And before I leave for Country Roads, Bryce just sent me a couple of pictures of Tim & Lisa's stuff. They too are at Alameda. I'm not quite sure what Tim is actually doing in this picture, but it's Tim, so who knows! I guess we can focus on the displays, which are great. But the pictures remind me of that old song, "Baby's Got Back", "Oh, my, god. Becky, look at her butt." In this case, it would be "his" butt! More "power" to ya Tim!!