Wrought Iron Chandelier

Update on Blogging Tutorial by clicking and go to the end of the Tutorial to see some new updates. You won't be sorry you read it but you CAN be sorry you don't. It's up to you.
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Hubby finally found this chandelier up in the garage attic. I bought it on a trip to Pennsylvania in the late 80s to visit his parents. Our son, daughter-in-law and grandson went with us. We toured the countryside one day because I wanted to visit a shop I had read about in a magazine. We found it and purchased several things and she graciously shipped them back for us. It was quite a unique experience and I truly loved it. I bought 2 of these and sold one on eBay for a song. But when I went to the Post Office to ship it, the shipping was going to be $100.00! I almost cried so the postal clerk looked at it again, remeasured and a couple of inches miraculously dropped off! (Now, from looking at this you can imagine what the packaging looked like as Love Bunny had to cup up boxes to make its own box. It truly looked like a space ship and got the most awesome stares in the Post Office that day. Hubs said no way was he going to the P.O. with it. He's such a sadist!) Then it was about $35.00 and off it went. I would have had to refund her money and tell her what happened. It worked out well all the way around and I was saved the embarrassment so I'm happy. But no way would I sell this one after that experience.

So I've decided to paint it white to go with the look of our house now. What do you think? Now for the froufrou-ing of it.

Okay, and now I have the candles in it but I've been so busy with a couple of other projects that I haven't froufrou-ed it up any further than this. And this is the safest place to keep it at this point. Soon!
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I'd like to thank the Academy

Chicago Reader's Best of Chicago 2010 lists Jubilee Furniture under the category of Best Thrift Store! On their website http://www.chicagoreader.com/ after you click on the 2010 Best Of Chicago title, go to Goods and Services and then The Reader's Picks and finally Best Thrift Store and you'll find the write-up about Jubilee Furniture! How cool is that?!

Though the Friday hours listed in the article are incorrect (we open at 1:00 p.m. not 11:00 a.m.) and technically the store isn't in a mini-mall (just one building sitting there all alone - though there are other buildings close by) and I'm not sure I'd call the building "desolate-looking" (drab? dreary? ugly? okay maybe it is desolate!) - otherwise Katherine Raz has a really nice write up (thank you, Katherine!). And in case you didn't realize it, Katherine writes that my blog entries are "sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes unexpected or hilarious." Huge smile over that one.

Katherine hit the nail on the head when she writes "the employees - many of them volunteers - not only love furniture but are deeply committed to the idea of helping others...". It's true - we do love both, but I know my volunteers would say helping others is the real driver.

So, for the wonderful recognition and fabulous honor and on behalf of my whole team, I say a simple yet sincere - THANK YOU!

Peace to you, dear reader!

Oh and have a nice day!

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Because Froufrou Counts!

I am going to start a Froufrou Friday on my blog. If you'd like to participate, just let me know. All you have to do is show something sweet, decorative and/or froufrou around your house or something you are working on. I think it'll be fun. I'll give the details in a few days. We'll start in July on a friday. I'll certainly let you know in a few days.
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By now you should know my philosophy: Roses in every yard and froufrou in every house. Uh huh!! :-) So with the sweet letter I got from my letter swap pal in Ireland and the letter written on beautiful roses scrapbooking paper I made this in remembrance of her letter. Isn't it sweet? Nuuuuu, this will never be in a giveaway; it's MINE.

Bottom is the paper she sent; top is a tiny scrap I had laying around here. I added all the trim of roses, garland, bows and I made a little door with a pearl door knob.

It was sort of funny but as I sprayed glue on the little rooftop of the birdhouse, the writing showed though. After I put the german glass glitter on though it dried and the writing was gone. I thought it would have been neat to see the writing through it. Alas, but no. Her paper is on each side.

The paper wasn't big enough to cover the back so I used a piece I had here.

The roof is her paper also.

Kathleen, thank you so very, very much for that lovely paper. I truly loved it.
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Roses Again and Some Random Thoughts for Pink Saturday 6/26/2010

Welcome once again to Beverly of How Sweet The Sound and Pink Saturday.
This past week I visited with Shirley of Shirley's World and Jenn of Whinenroses. Visit with them and tell them I sent you.
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Can you stand to look at more roses in my garden? I certainly hope so because I love looking at them. ;-) It's also a pleasure to be able to share them with you all.

This will be the 2nd year for this hosta and it thrives in this spot under my office window.

Our pathetic little rhododendron is finally starting to show some growth. It's been quite a struggle for it but maybe it'll survive.

A David Austen rose. My favorites.

I'm shocked by how gorgeous this is this year. The bush has dozens on it at the moment. Very prolific!

Aren't they simply magnificent?

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Random Thoughts:

I hear people on a regular basis say that actions they take don't hurt anyone but themselves. Wrong! In this world your actions affect everyone around you: family, friends, school mates. Selfish people consider themselves only; unselfish people consider others when they make unpopular decisions. Don't think I am wrong in this. It's very true. A ripple in the water travels the ocean, my friends.
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The best thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.
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If a guy tells you that if you love him, you'll "submit" to him then your answer should be: if you love me you wouldn't ask. Tried and true, chicks, tried and true. You have this on excellent authority. Me! If he loves you, he'd marry you. If not, he doesn't think much of you.
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Why is it that home always looks so good to us when we return from our travels? Home is comfort, familiarity and serenity. I love it when we hit the California or Washington state line because I know we're almost to our kids house or our grandkids' house, but when we are on our return trip, it's our own home for which we're longing. "Being home" is the secret.
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Jubilee Furniture a modern day Brigadoon!

Have you seen that movie? It tells the story of a Scottish village which appears out of the mist for one day every 100 years. Well, Jubilee Furniture is exactly like that - except for all the singing and running around in the gloamin' and we aren't enchanted (though some would say we're enchanting!) and we reappear twice a week. *Smile*

Because of our weekly disappearing act, it's not unusual to receive a call or two each week asking where we're located. Our address is 610 E. North Ave. Carol Stream, IL 60188. We're located in the Wheaton Christian Center Church building which is on the southeast corner of North Ave. and Schmale Road. The church purchased an old K-Mart - so you're looking for a large flat roofed building which is set back from North Ave. by a huge parking lot (which is filled with potholes - so drive carefully). All helpful information but if you were driving by on any day other than Friday or Saturday - there are no signs for Jubilee Furniture. None, except for the white lettering on our front doors. "But Susan," you're thinking, "I may not be a marketing expert, but everyone knows signs are key to helping people know about you." And you're absolutely correct. However, Carol Stream has an extremely strict sign law which only allows us to put signs out on day-of-sale. Being the law abiding citizens we are - we carefully put out three yellow signs along North Ave. Friday when we open at 1:00 p.m. , take them down Friday when we close at 8:00 p.m., put them up again on Saturday when we open at 9:00 a.m. and take them down again on Saturday when we close at 4:00 p.m. Did you track with all that put up/take down? Whew. We also have a sign which we attach to a column by our front doors trying to steer you to the correct entrance.

Jubileeeee, Jubileeeee, Blooming under sable skies. Jubileeeee, Jubileeeee, There my heart forever lies!


the heap of yellow on the floor are the three signs which we put out along North Ave. and the white sign is the one we put by the front doors


you know how we often say - you never know what you might find at Jubilee Furniture? - well it's never been truer. As people are moving and downsizing and all that - we often receive donations of some unique things like this gorgeous tapestry. Ginger thinks it's French and she marked it $125.

this beautiful carved table with inlaid wood on the top is another example of some of the unusual pieces we get in and it's priced $100

these two retro pieces have curved front and I love the hardware - the dresser (long, low piece) is priced $75 and the chest of drawers $95

maple dresser for $65

I love, love, love this three piece vintage sectional which is in perfect condition. See the clean, low lines and the muted floral of browns and tans? Price? $145

upholstered side chair for $60

This End Up sofa for $65 (and there's another one which looks just like it - some of the cushions are faded)

here's a photo as you look over dining room land. Remember when there wasn't much of a selection? Well not no more! What's interesting though is there aren't a lot of sets in the store (table with chairs that match exactly) - but lots of tables and lots of chairs to choose from - know what I mean?

here's a beautiful set though - table, one leaf and four chairs for $185

this table needs a good cleaning and it comes only with three chairs but it's a good deal at $75 for all four pieces

this is a gorgeous set with a slate top which is very similar to another piece we had in about 4 or 5 weeks ago. This table comes with six chairs and is priced $395 (warning - the table top is heavy)

wonderful desk for $75

plaid sleeper sofa for $40

quality side chair for $35 (can't remember why I priced it so low - needs to be reupholstered?)

GORGEOUS Mastercraft china cabinet for $225

beautiful love seat for $125

another beautiful love seat in perfect condition for $135 (it's green and black)

I love the square design on the side of these two pieces - sofa table is priced $45 (or is it some type of cart - because it's on wheels?); coffee table for $40

cool wicker desk for $95

here's an example of a table and chairs which did not come in together and technically do not "match" - but don't they look great together? For all four chairs the price is $80 and the table is $50

And that, dear reader, is all I have for you today! If you stop in the store tomorrow and wonder where I am - wonder no more! - I'll be at my husband's graduation where he's receiving his masters in human services counseling! How cool is that?! Yay Michael!

Let the world grow cold around us, Let the heavens cry above! Jubileeeee, Jubileeeee, In thy valley there'll be love!

God's grace and peace to you!

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Stephanie's Wedding Party and Bloggerette Sorority Debut!

It's time for Stephanie of Angelic Accents Wedding Party! Go over there and visit her and all the other participants to see their weddings.

Love Bunny and I got married back in the early 60s and we're still together regardless of what a nag I am. See, miracles DO happen, chicks. But I've since learned to treat him like a sweetheart and lover that he truly is. My best friend. I can go to him with anything and he'll tell me to either "suck it up, Connie" or "change your attitude." He brings me back to reality. When he calls me Connie and not Hon, I know I'm in trouble. ^0^

We had a small wedding in my home with just a few friends and relatives. Not an eloquent or gorgeous dress, just a white embroidered street length dress. But a few years ago I asked him what he remembered most about our wedding day, which was actually at night, and he said, "I remember how beautiful you were coming down that staircase in that white dress." How could I not love this man. I have no apparent beauty, just a heightened sense of humor and a lovely smile, which is usually on this old face. I'd known him only 4 months (do NOT try this or Dr. Laura will yell at ya!) and we knew we wanted to get married. We had very few pictures taken and went on a honeymoon to Pennsylvania to meet his parents—me—not him. I'd never met them before we were married.

On our honeymoon he locked the keys in our old Chevy and the next morning we had to break the window to get in and resume our travels. He was red-faced about that.

So here are 2 of our wedding photos. Can you believe those eyebrows? I've learned to pluck!

He has beautiful hands. Me? I tended to chew my nails. I don't anymore but I still can't grow nails well. ;-)

But since the lack of official photos I thought I'd share some of us through the years, and since we just celebrated an anniversary, I thought you'd get a chuckle. Why do the Mexican tour guides always put these silly hats on men? We went to Mexico a LOT before we moved here.

I always, ALWAYS have a book to read.

I told you I have a LOT of hair. I cut some of it out of the top of the photo also.

A Christmas with the 2 oldest grandchildren in 1986 probably.

Another wedding photo—I can't locate the photo, but have this newspaper announcement framed. I'm pitiful I know.—I have of this handsome young couple. ;-) Isn't he caauuuute?

Before I met him he had a lively, party lifestyle; can you tell? I've corrected that about him. Hah.

Can you see why I love this man so much? He was willing to fight for his country and is the finest example of a MAN I can think of today.

He even let his first granchild brush that afro hairstyle! Her newborn baby looks just like her in this photo from 30 years ago.

They truly don't come any more patient than this man. ;-)

He still looks like the man I married many years ago...less hair, of course!

This is us in the late late 60s in San Jose. Still s**y after all these years.

My wish for any of you newlyweds would be for you to have this kind of sweet man cherish the ground you walk on for all the years you are married to him and that it would be long and fruitful. He once told me that his aim in life was to make me happy. How could you NOT love a man like that?
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The Bloggerette Sorority Party

Okay, for the second part of this post. Karen at Some Days Are Diamonds has started a blogger sister sorority. One rule is that you have to take the image and make something out of it. Being the computer person that I am, I decided to do something digitally with my Photoshop.

Another rule is that we have to take a photo of ourselves with the project we made. I'm here to tell you, and you shall see in the photos below, that I tried. I really tried. (Evidence is posted below to support my case.) So showing you how I messed up trying to get my photo in the mirror, you'll understand why I had to do 2 photos to support my claim that I really did try. So, in the end, it ended up being 2 photos plus my goofs. And, yes, there is a cut on my lip from my No!No! I used earlier in the week. *Sigh*... Sometimes it doesn't pay to get out of bed!


See, I told ya so!


Here it looks like I need to clean my guest bath mirror.
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