Update from a Barkeeper

Hi there, folks!

Dang, I'm always bad about posting around this time of year. It is called BURNOUT!

Anyhoo, the reason for the title???

The Long Beach outdoor market at Vets Stadium again.

I went last Sunday and I was feeling all chagrined with my mental vacation self because I forgot my hat at school. I should buy another one and leave it in the car or something. I now find that since I used a hat and sunglasses in my trip in 2004, I feel a bit lost without them.

Then again, since I got my new glasses, I haven't gotten a desperately-needed new pair of sunglasses that will actually fit the frames.

Anyhoo!!

I bought some Pyrex. Of course. Because I am addicted to this stuff. There is one bowl I bought for $10 that is a darker blue, and I actually haven't seen too many of these so I don't know what the deal is. I'll either take a picture or snake one off the internet.

For those of you that love visuals, this was $10 also:

That is definitely not a great price, but I'd never seen it before and thought I would really regret not getting it because it is the shade of blue that I really like. I can always resell it, I suppose. I want to use more of this color in the kitchen. Have a Pyrex-themed/inspired kitchen and stuff.

So! I saw this one space that was nearly all Pyrex, and so tastefully arranged according to color. I chatted a bit with the lady and she was very nice and friendly. Their Pyrex was $25-$35, out of my range, and, in my opinion, out of the order of reason, basically. They had the dots Pyrex also, which apparently is rare and always goes for bigger bucks on eBay. I always love hearing about how to clean Pyrex properly since it's a collectible and I want to keep what I have in the best condition possible.

She mentioned this!

I remember hearing about this, probably when I was looking to remove the dingy rust marks in the white porcelain sink, but I was likely feeling all cheapskatey. Another very, VERY nice man that I met at Ola's Antiques who gave me a rare discount from his booth said he uses Softscrub to clean Pyrex. I saw him at a local estate sale last Friday, also. Just seeing him makes me smile, he is SUCH a nice older guy, retired, who just does this as a hobby. I LOVE NICE UNASSUMING PEOPLE! And he had pink glass, which I love. It was a pink Planter's jar. Hee!

So the lady mentioned that she found this Bar Keepers Friend stuff at Smart and Final for $7 a 3-pack, and I walked to the store up the street and got it this afternoon!

I tried it out on the sink and one rust stain it took out immediately, but the other one was stubborn even after three scrubbings. I think I will try some salt and lemon, because apparently that works.

Whee, we love chemistry. :) I should probably have tried this on my big rusty cheapo Kitchenaid ginsu knife before chucking it in the trash. Hmm.

As for the sink? Man, it does indeed look decidedly better. The friend of the keeper of the bar works wonders! I haven't tried it on Pyrex or my bathroom yet, though. But stuff like this makes me like, love cleaning, no easy task. Mmmm, cleaning. I love cleanliness, but not enough to do it every day, because I think I love laziness a bit more. I can't wait to try it on the bathtub, a household area with mondo scuzzy gross-out factor.

Before I hit Smart and Final, I also walked over to the thrift store up the street, because I've had my eye on some Pyrex plates. It is bagged in a set of 4 dinner plates, 4 salad plates, and 3 saucers. But no cups. :(

Originally? $29.98. Haha. Yeah right. It is now marked $18.98 but that is still too high for me. I have been checking for at least a MONTH to see if it will go down further because I can handle $10. These plates would go so well with my kitchen. They are not impossible to find but they aren't always as cheap as I like.

Basically, I was going to walk out with nothing, but I then spied a little mirrored vanity tray, EXACTLY to match the very, very, very first one I ever bought, which happened to be the very first time I went to the Vets Stadium and oopsy walked in through the back entrance and didn't pay the entrance fee. Heh. There was another vanity tray there, which I didn't like nearly as much since it wasn't as pretty, and it was also marked $5.95 instead of $2.92.

I ended up getting a mug as well, which I'd always seen but couldn't convince myself to buy, except that now it had been marked down to 90¢. It is red and it has a gold decal on it that says VIP! It is shaped like a beer stein and is rawther heavyish. Hee. I also hemmed and hawed and ultimately passed on the GREY glass dessert cups - there were two, and I think they were either $2 or $1 each.

And I just found the picture on eBay!



I love this listing, it's so funny. "Picture show 5, there are 8, other 3 did not make it to the photo session." What, were they held up in traffic or something?

Anyway, I did end up getting 4 adorable, dainty, little dessert cups for 60¢ each because they would make for an absolutely stunning berry/pudding/layered thing.

As I was checking out, one of the Japanese people I'd noticed walking in the store up and said, "You got a good deal!" She was looking at my vanity tray. She had picked up the other one, as well as a swirly candelabra. She asked about the price, since her tray was $5.95, and they called over another chick to see if they should both be the same price, but no go.

I swear, EVERY time I go to Vets Stadium I am seeing more and more Japanese people. I never encountered one in a thrift store before, though. I asked her if she was out here buying old stuff, and how long she was staying, and I recommended Vets Stadium to her, but she was only staying a week and the next one is on the 30th. She didn't seem to interested in hearing my suggestions for other local thrift stores, though. Her loss! She mentioned she's coming again in May, so I don't know WHAT is up with these Japanese people coming over and buying the stuff. They must be rich, firstly, to be all flying over here. Secondly - is it popular over there, coming to buy antiques?? The dollar is so lousy trash now, they may as well.

Speaking of which, I totally noticed a trio of Japanese women scoping out a white-painted foldable dessert tray server when I was at the antique market on Sunday. Jibber and jabber in Japanese, and they ended up not getting it, but one girl seemed to really like it. It was priced $29. I about died.

Because I got two of those at the big local thrift store for $2.95 each. WAZZAAAA!

The mark up I saw on stuff was seriously incredible this time.

There's a wire basket I use in the bathroom to hold extra toilet paper; it's on the toilet tank. I got it at about 30% off at Target, I think, for $6.98. On Sunday, I saw the SAME thing (I love to ask the prices of stuff for which I already know the ballpark price :P), finally found a little handmade tag, and it said "antique iron wire basket - $29.50". What on earth! No way.

It certainly isn't antique, much less vintage, and it's not even nearly as adorable cute as the other bigger one I got at the thrift store for $3.95. THAT one just has class and panache.

Later, I saw a cake stand. TOTALLY not old glass, NOT even that fancy, but it had the basic aura of old time with some glass beading along the edge of the foot and the plate. Made by Anchor/Hocking. $9.99 at Target. I bought it in December. SHE TOLD ME THE PRICE WAS $49, "And I believe it's [insert some random obscure American glassmaker whose name I don't even recognize but it probably starts with an H]."

Yikes, man.

Lesson? You now need to really know your stuff when you go to this market, or you will get totally hosed! :)

Lastly, there was the rag lady. Or, the rag couple. Except, the lady is the one that is really in charge and she basically calls the shots. They are an older Mexican (I think, but I ought not to assume) couple who buys rags, I guess, sorts through them, cleans them very nicely, and she has aprons and napkins and sheets and pillowcases and table runners and other nice linens.

I bought a beautiful redwork-type flat sheet (seriously, it was absolutely COVERED in gorgeous embroidery) for $35 in October or something. I was a bit pissed because the price tag said $25, but I have a feeling she changed it on me after I asked her to hold it for me. I got over it, though, because she charged me less than half on a couple other table runners I got, which were amazing french knots and stuff.

Anyhoo, she mentioned that she had matching pillowcases and I wanted to scream. Turns out she didn't bring them, but she said she would next time.

And I haven't been able to find these people since! They always have the same spot, and I missed a couple markets, but they said they at least hadn't sold them and would look again for them. They may be shams, because the lady said she separates shams since there aren't usually as many of those.

Anyway, the man was very nice, and ended up letting me have one pillowcase for $1 instead of $4 since it was fraying on one seam. It is basically a loss as a pillowcase anyway, but the embroidery is gorgeous and I want to use it on a craft or something.

What was a totally crazy altercation was this pair of women, and the guy/husband they went and got after spying a big crocheted bedspread. The chick with the Brit accent wanted it, they consulted with the guy after asking the price (which they thought was a bit steep), everybody was helping them with measuring, etc., I guess they couldn't agree on the price, and the next thing I know, there's this argument back and forth with talk of being "babied" and calling each other a-hole and whoa!!! Bad vibes, man.

But the man was nice to me since I am nice to him and I think I will keep doing that.

The only bummer in an otherwise lovely lovely day? I missed out on a Blue Willow (total reproduction, but still - I wanted it to match my cups and saucers that I have already!) teapot with sugar bowl. Missed out by 2 minutes. Walked up to the table just as another lady started looking at the teapot. :(

I walked away, hoping she would leave and I could come back, but she was thinking about it too, and finally, when I asked the seller about the prices, then looked at the sugar bowl, she decided to take it. Darn it! It was only $10, the bowl was $5, and they matched. Made in England. :(

But Marshall's and TJMaxx and freaking HOME GOODS are my new fixes for the pretty tea time pottery stuffs. Those will have to do.

Home Goods. Wow. Love that store. TJMaxx got me into the tea stuff (I should have gotten that pink teapot, darn it!! $10, Valentine's line), but now Marshall's and Home Goods are on my radar. I guess they are owned by the same parent company or something.

I DID find the teapot eventually, at Marshall's, on clearance, but it was missing the lid!! I bought it anyway, then regretted it and returned it. And it's still there at the Marshall's where I returned it. But after church the week before, I found the giant cake plate on clearance for $5. Yippee!!

When I checked eBay for the teapot, it was listed $9.99 with $7.40 shipping. Poo. I passed. Then it was relisted for $5.99. And I totally would have bought it, except I forgot to bid and be by the computer when the auction ended, since I was on the phone with my future sister-"in-law". Grr. And then it was relisted for $12.99 Buy It Now. Nooooooo.

I gave a best offer of $5 (hee, lowball), she's counteroffered for $8, and I need to think about it.

Not sure what to do.

Except go and watch Mad TV now!! Yippee.

Oh, yeah -

Happy birthday, Hillary!!!

Dang. We've known each other for over half our lives now. Hee.

I had a very nice time with her and the high school buddies Frick 'n Frack on Saturday!! :P

I think it's very good to get together with old friends on a regular basis. Keeps you grounded.

Here's to a great, monumental, watershed year, Hilby!!

Late night amusements.

Okay, so my sleep is totally off. I also had an unusually busy, albeit uber-social weekend (when I GENERALLY prefer to just SLEEP AND REST), along with the time change ... so I have been feeling wonky since like, 7:30pm. I really really really felt sleep at 9:30. And I just woke up at 1:30am. So, whatever.

I was trolling through eBay (again) for some old vintage stuff that I find very interesting. I AM trying to be more discriminating, since I have some things already, and of course space is an issue.

Anyway, in the last month or so, I have come across some listings that leave me utterly bewildered.

I don't know, I find them so hilarious. It's probably NOT nice of me because it falls into the realm of mockery and making fun of people. But it's not like I'm going to out them or anything. Some people that I encounter just make me wonder WHAT on earth they are REALLY like in real life. Also, I need to say -I HATE SPELLING ERRORS AND GRAMMATICAL INEPTITUDE WITH A FIERY, BURNING, PASSION. I just find them so entirely odious. And then I kind of hate myself a little bit when I see my own mistakes. But other people do it more. :P I swear I am not REALLY a grammar Nazi (half the stuff I do is done on PURPOSE, I SWEAR, because I am speaking in THE DIALECT I CALL TONGUE IN CHEEK), but on the inside, I'd be mighty chuffed if someone DID call me that in earnest. :)

In the end, I realize that people PROBABLY are not doing this on purpose and PROBABLY do the best that they can, but geez, would it hurt to be a little more aware of some of the basics? And spell check!! It's free!!! It's standard!! See, there's no excuse in that regard. "If you don't know, you better HIRE somebody who does, dammit."

Okay, so the first *disturbing* listing I found a couple weeks ago. I actually had it saved to post and hadn't gotten around to it until now. I just needed tonight's inspiration, I guess!!

eBay. I swear it just about does me in sometimes. Did you HEAR about the giant cupcake cookie jars that Target was selling for Valentine's Day for $14.99? Limited availability, VERY limited. Had I known, I'd gotten all 6 that I saw when they first came out.

BECAUSE THEY SOLD ON EBAY FOR $200 EACH, PLUS SHIPPING.

Even IF packing breakables is a pain in the butt ... THE RETURN ON THAT IS JUST INCREDIBLE!!! :( Yeah. Shoulda-woulda-coulda all the way to $1200. Ha.

:)

Are you ready for this???

Verbatim, except for identifying details removed, please - and the red is the junk that I found so strange, yet ultimately amusing. This woman had two similar products listed with similar listings. I took the liberty of replacing the name of the lotion with [THIS STUFF I AM TRYING TO SELL YOU] the name of the gel with [OTHER STUFF I AM TRYING TO SELL YOU].

Exhibit A:
Ladies and Gentlemen! This is the BEST BODY LOTION I have ever used! I use it daily! Its great to moisturize when traveling! I have searched long and hard for that unique body lotion that will absorb quickly and LEAVE NO OILY RESIDUE. This skin moisturizer is it! I absolutely love the smell. Its not strong or overwhelming. Its light scent is as close to the fresh fragrance of oceanside sea air as you can get! I use it on mostly on my extrimities including my arms, legs, hands, and feet, but sometimes when I'm in a rush will apply it to my face. I was always searching for that mystical amazing moisturizer that would replenish and rehydrate my skin, remineralize, calm, smooth, and rejuvenate my skin's surface without an oily residue that stays on for hours. I almost thought there wasn't such the perfect skin cream out there until I discovered [THIS STUFF I AM TRYING TO SELL YOU]. You just have to try [THIS STUFF I AM TRYING TO SELL YOU]. This is the best lotion out there.

I use this body lotion exclusively with my [OTHER STUFF I AM TRYING TO SELL YOU]. Together they make an incredible team. Mostly I use the [other stuff] at home and then this lotion when I go out shopping, dining, sports events, family gatherings, trips, anywhere really. It really absorbs fast, goes on smoothe, and gives my skin that simple shine. I would say I use the [OTHER STUFF] more often for my face and intimate places and the body lotion for my arms, legs, hands, and feet. You really have to try this lotion. The more often you apply the more amazing results!

There you have it. These are my testiments to why you should try [THIS STUFF I AM TRYING TO SELL YOU].

Exhibit B:
Ladies and Gentlemen! This is the BEST [OTHER STUFF] I have ever used! I use it daily! I have searched long and hard for that unique face and body lotion that will apply on smoothly and LEAVE NO OILY RESIDUE. This skin moisturizer is it! I absolutely love the smell. Its not strong or overwhelming. Its light scent is as close to the fresh fragrance of oceanside sea air as you can get! I use it on my face and on my body. On the bottle it doesn't say whether its for face or body, it just says its for skin. I have skin on my face and on my body...so it goes both places. What I have done in the past is use a face lotion for my body. I like doing this because they always seem to make the face lotions and moisturizers better and smoother. I care just as much about my body as I do my face, so I continued with this type of application. I was always searching for that mystical amazing moisturizer that would replenish and rehydrate my skin, remineralize, calm, smooth, and rejuvenate my skin's surface without an oily residue that stays on for hours. I almost thought there wasn't such the perfect skin cream out there until I discovered [OTHER STUFF]. You just have to try this [OTHER STUFF]. Its not a lotion. Its not a cream. Its not a butter. ITS A [OTHER STUFF].

I have classified skin care terminology into these four categories and rank them based upon my own experience and their actual performance.

Lotion: It just hydrates and smells sweet.
Cream: Its smooth, but still oily.
Butter: Its very smooth, hydrates, and soothes, but just isn't a SOUFFLE
SOUFFLE: This is the best of the best. It hydrates, smooths the surface, soothes the tension, remineralizes, AND DOESN'T LEAVE THE RESIDUE.

There you have it. These are my testiments to why you should try [OTHER STUFF].

Le sigh. Can we say hyperbole? Can we say TMI? Whyyyyyyyyy did I need to hearrrrrrrr t hissssssssssssssssssssss.

I don't NEED to hear about your "extrimities" and yer frickin' FEET (honestly, was that mention REALLY necessary???) OR EVEN THE GOSHDARN TENSION-LADEN REMINERALIZED "INTIMATE PLACES"!

Keep your intimates PRIVATE and to your own personal SELF, PLEASE.

*le huff*

At least she's consistent with her general lack of apostrophes, rather than the more commonly seen problem of it's it's it's it's it's ubiquitous frickin' presence everywhere!

Man, I'm getting myself all worked up over there.

Hee.

I will end with this -

Exhibit C:
I read a listing for a neat old photo album of some college students.

Maybe it was a special school.

You decide.

Because apparently, in the photos, "First 12 pages contains teachers and students with their signature below the pictures, I see one Black and Japanese Student the rest appears to be all male."

Gee, I didn't know those labels were mutually exclusive.

Au revoir.

:)