Cold HERE….Still recovering: St. Paddy’s party last night.

It’s Friday, so it’s share my latest read with you: This week it’s J.D. Robb’s ( http://www.jdrobb.com/books/allbooks.php ) Concealed in Death, the latest in the Eve Dallas (Police Lt in the NYPD) series (there’s over 30 in series and no end in sight). Plot: When Roarke discovers two skeletons behind a wall in a long-abandoned building, he summons Eve who finds the remains of 10 more bodies, giving her 12 murders to solve.

This is my favorite series its in the future about 45 years and has a bit of Sci-fi, bizzare murder situations, great characters and an ongoing romance between Eve and her husband Roarke.

“Roarke is the best fictional hero ever with a face of a god and a great bod. “Irish-born Roarke is the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome. Before he was Eve’s adoring husband, Roarke was introduced to the reader and Eve as one of the murder suspects in the first In Death book, Naked in Death. A former thief and rogue, Roarke grew up in the slums of Dublin, Ireland, unloved and abused by his parents. This tumultuous childhood originally led Roarke to less than honest means of making money, and thieving around the world.

“Since leaving his shady past behind, he has become owner of a high-tech security firm, a dabbler in just about everything else: a legitimate businessman. Now in the year 2060, Roarke is one of the—if not the—richest men in the world. His personal expertise involves hacking into computer databases, so despite the questionable means of doing so, he often helps Eve with her investigations; both of them believe in justice.” http://www.jdrobb.com/fans/roarke.php

And that my dears is my favorite fictional hero ever: an Irish millionaire–Yummy

Irish Collectibles today. I have creamer, pitcher and cup from Baileys–cute they all have faces ($37 all three)

and Google has:

Irish Linen Tray cloth ($78)

Souvenir Irish Tea Towels (with everything from maps to Donkeys) for $15

Paddy Chalkware head wall hanger (1969) for $24.

Irish cottage figurine ($12)

Irish Bog Ebony carved oak snuff box (1870) for $131.

Irish Mist Liquer Soldier Decanter ($50-%76)

Irish Lass Boudoir Doll ($150)

My favorite an Irish Thatch Cottage tea pot for $25.

Weirdest: Irish Shamrock Ornate Porcelain Shoe Planter ($80)

We have two top money items today:
A 1930’s Irish Mail Pedal Toy
An antique Irish Volkstedt Dresden Figurine
both for $1,500.

PARTY IRISH STYLE THIS WEEKEND–adventure green.

Learn from your mistakes and rise on them to success.

Good morning, bright but chilly here today. Went to class last night but unfortunately it was rescheduled and somebody forgot to tell me. I did get some errands done on the way though.

For the rest of the week we’re doing a bit of the Irish.

I don’t know if you knew this but the Titantic (the unsinkable one) was designed by an Irish man and built by Irishmen in Belfast; even the carpets (made in Abbeyleix) were Irish and the ale and soda on their maiden/only voyage were supplied by a Dublin firm. (Ireland of the Welcomes, April 2012). Molly Brown (Irish-American) was one of the more famous survivors, but there were 79 Irishmen/women who died in the sinking.

We’ve all seen the movies and the hundreds of studies, TV show and assorted other trivia on everything from the passengers to the speculation on why and how it all happened. But I have a new one for you:

“Titanic II is a planned ocean liner, to be built as a replica and successor of the Olympic-class RMS Titanic. The project was announced by Australian billionaire Clive Palmer in April 2012, as the flagship of his cruise company Blue Star Line. The intended launch date is set in 2016, 104 years after the original voyage, and the ship will set sail from Southampton to New York within the same year.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titanic_II

Correct me if I’m wrong but doesn’t this sound like the plot of one of those spooky/tempting fate movies where you do something self-serving and it comes back to bite you?

There Titantic collectibles? I don’t have any–I’m waiting for the Titantic II disaster to get those.

So it’s on to Google:

Various documents and reproductions: $23 for a New York Times Portflio, $61 for replica documents and the Times Portfolio with a collector coin thrown in for $200.

Models of the ship $200 – $1,900.

Titantic Centennial Bear ($290 – $463)

Titantic/latest movie: Signed picture of the two main stars (signed by Leonardo only $229—by both $246)

Items from same movie framed ($328)

Movie music box ($100)

The weirdest is from the movie: Figurines of the bow scene, but the figures are skeletons. ($25)

My favorite is Titantic era and ship line: A White Star Line Hat box (early 19th c) for $1,950.

and the big bucks (other than skeletons this ship’s stuff is pricey) goes to an original Cut Away Diagram of the ship (piece of paper 9.75″ x 44.25″) for $5,995.

So don’t sink on me. Buy–Bye now.

Yesterday I did a Ladies only investment luncheon and ran some errands and stopped for a pizza and rum at a local watering hole. No work, nice.

On 3/9 Barbie celebrated her 55th birthday, grief do I feel old.

Who gave life to the famous American icon? Ruth and Elliot Handler founded Mattel Creations in 1945, and 14 years later, Ruth Handler gave the world the Barbie doll. When asked her relationship to Barbie, Ruth simply replied, “I’m Barbie’s mom.” http://www.barbiemedia.com/about-barbie/history.html (a good site for all things Barbie)

A bit about Barbie you might not know: Barbie’s full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts. In a series of novels published by Random House in the 1960s, her parents’ names are given as George and Margaret Roberts from the fictional town of Willows, Wisconsin. In the Random House novels, Barbie attended Willows High School, while in the Generation Girl books, published by Golden Books in 1999, she attended the fictional Manhattan International High School in New York City (based on the real-life Stuyvesant High School). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbie

1959-1965 THE EARLY YEARS ( http://www.dolls4play.com/barbiehistory.html ) I’m only doing the early years as Barbie has had so many pets, friends and family members that this blog just isn’t big enough–she seems to have managed to hang on to Ken, I wonder which of them is marriage shy?

BARBIE 1959-present

KEN 1961-present, Barbie’s boyfriend

MIDGE 1963-66, Barbie’s friend

ALLAN 1964-65, Ken’s friend

SKIPPER 1964-present, Barbie’s sister

SKOOTER 1965-66, Skipper’s friend

RICKY 1965, Skipper’s friend

Over the years, Barbie doll has always been a reflection of the times, whether following style trends or blazing her own fashion. Today, Barbie is the most popular doll in the world. She is a worldwide fashion muse and pop culture icon for girls of all ages. http://www.barbiecollector.com/collectors/barbie-story-how-fashion-icon-was-born

Everybody knows there’s Barbie collectibles–I don’t have any–not my style.

On to Google to see:

Barbies from a Solo in the Spotlight (1994/$21), Holiday Doll (1991/$28), a Dr. Barbie (1993/$60), 35 Anniversary ($22), to Barbie 4th generation/Nude!! ($149).

Wardrobe: Packaged red dresses–1978 ($50), 1980 ($40).

Trading Card ($3)

Friends: Skipper clothes (1 outfit/$25) and Malibu Ken (complete with tan 1988/$6)

Weirdest: 1969 Teen fashion sewing kit (really?) for $51.

My favorite (the picture shows a jumble of unidentifiable items on a couch) 1966 collection including 8 Barbies, 3 Kens, horses (?), clothes and carrying case (obviously to put the horses in) for $100.

Big bucks goes to volume: A collection of Holiday Celebration dolls (1988-2011/24 dolls) for $2,800.

So see where that old doll is.

If you can laugh at yourself, anything can make you smile.

Tuesday and I have a meeting today. This weekend got my nails painted purple–you can do that when you’re a diva!

For those Chocolate lovers out there good news: According to a study at Harvard University Hot Chocolate is good for your brain. They found that drinking two cups of cocoa a day for 30 days significantly improved memory in older adults. Dr. F. Sorond, said they found that cocoa drinking boasted blood flow to the brain, particularly in those with impaired flow.

AARP Magazine in December 2013 issue gave ways to make cocoa even better (is that possible?)

Adding cinnamon to moderate the Blood Pressure

Peppermint to aid digestion

and chili powder to calm arthritis (it may ease headaches and helps with insulin control in diabetics)

Recipe
http://une-deuxsenses.blogspot.com/2010/12/red-velvet-hot-cocoa-with-cream-cheese.html
Red Velvet Hot Cocoa with Cream Cheese Whipped Cream
4 servings
4 cups whole milk
1 dash water
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp. red food coloring
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 – 4 tbsn. whipped cream cheese, room temperature
In a stand mixer, combine the heavy cream and sugar. Whip on medium speed with the whisk attachment for 2 – 3 minutes. Just before peaks form, add the cream cheese and whisk for another 2 minutes. Taste and add more cream cheese to taste. Be careful not to over whip though, or else you’ll have butter! In a medium saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat. Add a splash of water and the chocolate chips, constantly stirring gently. When almost melted, add the red food coloring and stir. When the chocolate chips are thoroughly melted, pour the hot chocolate into mugs and top with the whipped cream.

So it’s chocolate items. My chocolate items include Oreo Christmas tins, M&M Halloween candy holders to name a few.

Let’s see Google:

Lots of old containers including chocolate packing box ($10); tall cardboard lithograph for $85 and tin box of lindt Swiss Chocolate for $290.

There’s also the more contemporary boxes (1980’s and 90’s) Cadbury for $5 and Hersey ranging from $8-$12.

Lots of antique chocolate molds with: Santa Claus ($45), Rabbit ($172), Hens–pewter (4/$225) and German Duck ($343).

Chocolate soda bottle (1960’s) by 7 Up/$8 (Orlando, Fl) to $10 (Pittsburgh, TX)

M&M Candy dispensers 1990’s (2/$32)

Weirdest: Old Tin Ex-Lax Chocolate laxative $5

My favorite: a Hummel Sister Berthal Chocolate Pot (think tea pot) for $32.

What you want to find in your closet: Ideal Cocoa Company tin sign (c1900) for $2,904!

Be brave, but cheerful, life has to be a combination of both to work well.

LOL

Friday met an old friend (also retired) for lunch in Sanford–Willow Tree www.willowtreecafe.com/‎ Nice extra day off.

While we were doing some walking around town we went into a book store—https://www.facebook.com/pages/Maya-Books-and…/152704731576‎ I noted a poster on the wall about Ma Barker and I remembered reading about her (she and her son Fred were killed in a stand off in OCKLAWAHA, FL south of Ocala). The house which still stands (and was reportedly hit 1500 times with various bullets) isn’t open to the public but you can drive by (ha ha) on Co. Rd 25–the house is on the Shore of Lake Weir.

That got me thinking what other gangsters decided to GET AWAY (moan) in Florida:

Here’s one you heard of: “Alphonse Gabriel “Al” Capone (1899-1947)…a gangster in Chicago during 1920’s and early 1930’s…In 1931, Capone was sentenced to prison for tax evasion. Suffering from a case of syphilis that left him too mentally ill to resume his previous criminal activities, he was paroled in 1939 and settled in Florida, where he lived until his death in 1947.” http://vault.fbi.gov/gangster-era There’s a Capone Museum in Miami Beach and check out their web sites for locations in the area: http://www.myalcaponemuseum.com/id180.htm where he lived and died.

We even had our own 30’s gangster John Ashley who was known as King of the Everglades: “South Florida’s most romanticized gangster. Long before Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow became America’s great anti-heroes, Ashley and his ragtag gang enthralled and infuriated Boom-era Florida with their robbing, hijacking, rum running and even murder.” http://www.historicpalmbeach.com/eliot-kleinberg/1997/03/the-legend-of-john-ashley/

Which leads me of course to some type of collectible we’re looking for today: How about 1930’s. None for me but you might have some hit (oops–hid) away.

and on Google search (all 30’s)

Theater Playbills/Movie Scrap Book for $249

Original art work from $109 for an Art Deco Nude to an oil pastel of Matlnomah falls in Oregon ($125)

A post card of Josephine Baker ($35)
Baseball gloves from a Hernie Manush ($280), Hernie Schuble Tigers Wilson Glove ($235) up to a Bobo Newson ($514)

There’s a bust of Lincoln (bronze-tone) for $25.

Many typewriters: Remington’s from $65 – $249 and a Smith Corona for $384

An Anti-war pin ($27)

Weirdest is a Black American Jig Dancer/folk Art–it just look so strange ($75)

and my favorite a hand made hospital gown pattern (there are also other patterns including one for an evening gown at $140) for $15

The real loot: Leather hockey helmet for $1,475.

Anything sound vaguely familiar?

Get going on that adventure.

TGIF (That’s good I’m Fine) any plans??? Yesterday was taxes and a stop by the Enzian ww.enzian.org/food/eden_bar to bother Andrew and Ashley.

Finished another series–Nora Roberts’ The Inn of Boonsboro Trilogy–The Perfect Hope. Series is a good romance about 3 men involved in re-habing an inn, the women who fall in love with them while they’re doing it and the mysterious ghost who seems to be over seeing it all. They were fun, light romances that Roberts does so well. http://www.noraroberts.com/books/allbooks.php#2011

So given all this what’s our interest today? How about vacations and/or vacation spots.

I have several old pamphlets from either sites in Florida that are no longer there (Brochure from Six Gun Territory near Ocala where Burt Reynolds got started acting which is worth about $7–sweet since it was given free) or ones that show changes (another brochure this one from Busch Garden from the 80’s again worth about $7). I also have a packet of the 10th birthday celebration at Walt Disney World (a rare free invitation only event where Disney closed the park to everyone but the invitees) including the invitations, the passes we wore and the program—and an ad for the event which I’m asking $50 for entire packet. Also several even older from Michigan (Greenfield Village and Ft Mackinaw) attractions.

Let’s see what’s out there on Google (and maybe in your closet):

Of course we need posters: 1969 Holland American ocean liner ($12), 1958 Grace Line ocean liner ($100), 1930 French Railway ($590), and 1939 Pan Am ($895).

Refrigerator magnet (100/$69)

lots of travel accessories:
Alligator suit case 1950 ($53)
Make up travel case 1940 ($65)
Bar travel set ($55)
Travel Iron 1950’s ($26)

The required:
Post cards one very vintage (New York $15) and a group (various destinations 47/$15)

Lots of Travel Desert Magazines (a full year 1940’s $39 and 1950’s $30)

Colorado pamphlet (2/$12)

Weirdest: A shot glass from Perham, Minn. with inscription (and a bulls eye) “Don’t shoot the bartender”.

My Favorite: A Key West (Fl) silver spoon ($20)
There were others with Seattle going for $15 and Buffalo $25.

but the Oscar goes to an 18th Century, antique (duh), wooden, Swedish travel trunk (enough adjectives already)
for $2,249–you could take a lot of vacations in the 18th century for that kind a dough.

Do you have any trunks (like I did) with old vacation items? Or really old wooden, etc, etc? Go check quick. I’m interested in helping you find the value and getting them listed for you.

HERE’S YOUR WEEKEND ORDERS: GO OUTSIDE AND PLAY.

REALLY!!!! Instead of my usual items and collectible info I thought I’d catch you up on me (stop yawning and read on please).

I have been keeping busy. Wednesday I joined Met Up Foodie Group in DeBary at The Genuine Bistro and Lounge for dinner (you can check out my review in Trip Advisor/should be done by 3/10).

The rest of the week it’s Tax Prep at my accountants.
Also meeting a friend that I use to work with—who’s also retired– for lunch and getting together with a few friends for snacks and a drink.
And then there’s an appointment for nails and pedicure and some time in there I have to pick up some stuff for the business and stop at some resale shops to look for more merchandise. Oh and also have to work grocery shopping in there some where.

As far as the business: I’m continuing to work on my inventory–getting everything numbered and prices estimated. Once those are done I’m going to start doing pictures (I have both my blog and now Facebook up) as I hope to have my sales site up in April.

Am also working on business and marketing plans which need to be done so I can apply for a loan by early August and be in a store by Sept. So I can do Halloween and Christmas with a store front. I also am finishing Small Business Administration Classes this month.

For relaxation I work in the yard for about an hour every week day morning–instead of walking its better exercise and more productive and clean house on Sundays.

In my spare time I’m accumulating info I’ve collected on Florida cities into computer files to get rid of all my papers as well as working on plans for our next London vacation in a couple of years. Oh yeah and I have a Texas buying trip planned –Already bought the Airlines ticket.

Oh and I’m on a over 50’s dating site and am on line with prospective dates almost daily—so far it hasn’t worked out but I keep hoping there’s somebody out there that can keep up with me.

Not bad for an old lady!!!!

I really do appreciate those of you who come back for my blog and hope that it’s good enough to pass along to your friends.

I have a dream (several) and I’m following them —how about you?

Tuesday: another nothing but work day–again got a lot done: even start of business plan.

As you’ve seen I make an effort to find new items for collectibles in an effort to get you to look around at what you have to see if its valuable and to possibly list it with me (when I get on line in April or my store in Sept)or someone else.

Today I was reading my book on nursery rhymes by Chris Roberts: Heavy Words Lightly Thrown and decided on pigs:

“…pigs…make numerous appearance in nursery rhymes…though there is a great deal of guilt in the human relationship with hogs…are frequently associated with unattractive human traits…pig(s) are demonized as a dirty animal…even in the Christian tradition.

This was not always the case: In Hinduism the god Vishnu took the form of a four-armed humanoid with the head of a boar named Varaha in order to save the Earth from a demon who had dragged it to the bottom of the sea.
In Buddhism the goddess Marici is often depicted riding in a carriage hauled by several pigs.
In ancient Greece, a sow was an appropriate sacrifice to Demeter and had been her favorite animal since archaic times. Initiates at the Eleusinian Mysteries began by sacrificing a pig. Pig were also sacrificed to Aphrodite.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pigs_in_popular_culture

EVEN many of our Celtic ancestors didn’t have an issue with them: Boars & Sows – The boar is a symbol of masculine power. Because of this, the meat of the boar was served at Otherworld feasts. The sow is associated with some Crone/Mother Goddesses, such as Cerridwen, and with Otherworldly feasts. The pig is the archetypal symbol of plenty, healing, and shape-shifting.

http://www.incredibleart.org/lessons/middle/animals2.htm

AGAIN I AM lacking in the topic department–no pigs:

on to Google:

Found the traditional 3 pig in a storybook/fairy tale board game ($20)

Figurines: 3 pot belly ($12), a gnome riding a pig ($30) and a signed Beatrix Potter Pigling ($176)

Lots of kitchen items: Paper towel holder ($40), 1940’s cutting board ($25), cookie jars ($38) and salt and pepper shakers ($19-$75)

Piggy banks: metal ($25) to ceramic ($129)

Pigs on post cards ($15), Canoeing on wall art ($46) and Pub signs–Pig & Whistle ($15).

For weird there’s a hog scraper (used in processing the hide) for $25

My favorite: the big bad wolf sans pigs for $295.

SO is there any pork in your place?

It’s not the mistakes that are bad, but the failure to learn from them.

Go with LOVE

ANOTHER cold front coming through. But no fear just dreary skies and a low of 57—but it is getting down to 50 on Friday night.
BRRRRR.

Yesterday was work, but I got some needed stuff done so while not a typical adventure it was steps to my business goal and remember I’m doing adventure in retail. What’s your excuse?

All the post-Oscar hype and all the movies being presented I realized that the days of the Cowboy movie is over (for now at least).

Despite how popular westerns have been only 3 have won best picture

Cimmaron (1930-31)
Dances with Wolves (1990)
Unforgiven (1992)
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_3_western_movies_won_Oscars?#slide=6

Personally I didn’t like any of them.

My favorite western was Tombstone (and Val Kilmer’s second best part Doc Holiday–first: Morrison in The Doors)
as well as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and Long Riders. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE?

I looked at a lot of lists but I thought the British one FOR BEST WESTERNS was interesting:
1. McCabe and Mrs Miller (1971) horrible
2. Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid (1973) Never even saw it
3. The Searchers (1956) Excellent John Wayne movie
4. Winchester 73 (1950)
5. The Outlaw Josey Wales never big on Eastwood westerns
Deadman–Depp’s weird saga (1995) came in 7th–even his Lone Ranger was better–and 7th is 13th higher than High Noon (20th)> Help!!!
http://www.timeout.com/london/film/the-50-greatest-westerns

AND OF COURSE THAT BRINGS US TO COLLECTIBLES:
I don’t think I have any, unless you count a Willie Nelson LP? (he’s been in bunches of westerns including The Journeyman–2000, Out Law Justice–1998–Electric Horseman 1979 to name a few)

So on to Google:

There’s a Gary Cooper Western Stein (made in Germany) $69

Lots of pictures: from one of John Wayne on The Searchers set ($5), of Noah Berry ($10), Dirk Jones ($20) ( the last two only known to old movie watchers) and Stills from Buster Crab and “others” (30/$500)

there are a surprising number of 8 mm movies including Ted Williams (Cheyenne Cowboy $13)and Hop-a-long Cassidy ($20).

Posters range from 1961 Purple Hills ($20), to Frontier Gambler ($80) and go up from there: Silver Spurs/Roy Rogers ($950), and 1935 Six Gun Justice with Bill Cody ($1,100) and the winner is 1920’s Between Men with Wm. S. Hart ($1,175.00)

There’s a western town motion picture play set (1950s–$125) and the mandatory Western hot (Gus Block $175)

and my favorite: PAINT YOUR WAGON movie sound track–featuring Clint Eastwood and Lee Marvin singing ($10) who could resist that?

Live for love, learn to live—you may not live forever, but the days you have can be worth a thousand life times.

ANOTHER one comes to the last episode end. Many of you probably don’t remember Jim Lang, but he was the first host of the original bachelor—THE DATING GAME.–sadly he passed this week.

STILL chilly here with a side of getting better for the weekend.

I noticed that AMC is doing a Rocky Festival next week (March 3-5 http://www.amctv.com/schedule#search/rocky). You all know that Rocky Films are: a boxing saga of popular films all written by and starring Sylvester Stallone, who plays the character Rocky Balboa. The films are, by order of release date: Rocky (1976), Rocky II (1979), Rocky III (1982), Rocky IV (1985), Rocky V (1990) and Rocky Balboa (2006). The film series has grossed more than US$1 billion at the worldwide box office. The original film and the fifth installment were directed by John G. Avildsen, while Stallone directed all of the others. (thanks Wikipedia). I think I stopped watching around 1983 too much macho, not much else.

And you all know Stallone who at 67 still insists on doing action movies, most recently with other over-aged action heroes like a former governor I won’t mention. “This athletically built, dark-haired American actor/screenwriter/director of European parentage may never be mentioned by old-school film critics in the same breath as, say, Richard Burton or Alec Guinness; however, movie fans worldwide have been flocking to see Stallone’s films for over 30 years, making “Sly” one of Hollywood’s biggest-ever box office draws.” http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000230/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm

Got me wondering–are there any worthwhile Stallone stock out there? Obviously I don’t have any but
on to Google:

No surprise the biggie is Rocky
Action figures (only 7″) $26
Knives ($380)
Signed pictures and posters ($179 – $1,180)

Rambo seems to be the next favorite
Kitty collar with picture ($8)
Sound tracks ($30)

There’s also
Cobra Stickers ($4)

Oscar DVD ($10)

Cliffhanger Photo ($5)

Get Carter art print ($15)

Paradise Alley photo ($13)

to name just a few.

There’s items on the man himself including a Stallone Hand Book ($15)

Weirdest: Resin Life Mask with eye sculptured open, done at make up department in 1985….kinda like a living death mask thingy.

And my personal favorite 2 DVDs (Rocky I & II for $25) with special note that Russia has to pay postage, who knew he was that big there?

So do you have any Super Sly stuff to sell?

FURTHER ON RUSSIA AND SLY–CHECK THIS OUT–ROCKY’S WORDS AND UKRAINE : http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/02/24/ukrainian-video-blogger-pays-tribute-to-protesters-with-help-from-will-smith-and-sylvester-stallone/

IF YOU DON’T GRAB THE OPPORTUNITY DON’T BLAME ANY ONE ELSE WHEN YOU DON’T SUCCEED!

WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH YOU THIS WEEKEND—A WONDERFUL ADVENTURE–ONE CAN HOPE.