Say Hello To.....

MY BRAND NEW TOY!!!

Courtesy of HSN, aka Home Shopping Network,

it was last week's

TODAY'S SPECIAL VALUE.

Now THIS WEEK, it's sittin' on my desk!

Makes being stuck sick at home for the umpteenth consecutive day a bit more bearable! 

Check out the spec's....

A cinematic 17.3" high-def widescreen LED backlit display

Windows 7 Home Premium

AMD dual-core processing

ATI Radeon HD graphics

Dolby Surround Sound and extras to keep you productive, you will be able to do things quicker and enjoy more of your entertainment wherever you are.

• AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core Processor QL-65
  Offers 2.1GHz speed, a 667MHz Front side bus, and 1MB L2 cache 
  
• 4GB of DDR2 Dual Channel Memory @667MHz
  Handles multimedia and multitasking
• 320GB SATA hard drive, rated at 5400rpm speed
  Stores up to 90,000 photos, or up to 79,000 songs, or up to 38 hours of HD video
• SuperMulti Double-Layer DVD burner
  Plays and creates CDs and DVDs in a variety of different formats
• 17.3" HD Widescreen CineCrystal LED-backlit Display
  1600x900 resolution, 16:9 aspect ratio
  ATI Radeon HD 3200 Graphics with up to 1919MB of HyperMemory supporting Shader Model 4.0, Microsoft DirectX 10.0. HDMI video allows you to connect to an HD TV.
• Wireless WiFI & Wired Gigabit Ethernet port
  Connects to a broadband modem (cable or DSL) or a network supporting 10/100/1000Mbps.
  802.11 b/g & N wireless LAN, connects wirelessly to a network, hotpost or broadband router.
  
  Additional Features
  
  
• 56k Modem for Dial up connections
• Integrated Webcam for video chat with family or friends
• HDMI HD Video Out to connect to a HD TV
• Dolby Optimized Surround Sound System with 2 built-in Speakers and SPDIF out
• Multi-in-1 memory card reader to download your files from your digital camera
• Dedicated Numeric Keypad with fullsize keyboard
• Multi-Gesture Touchpad for scrolling, zooming and page flips
• 4 USB 2.0 ports, Headphone and microphone ports, VGA-out ports
• 6 Cell battery for an average of 2.5 hours of battery life
• 7.1Lbs system weight.
  
  Software
• Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit edition. To learn more about the features of Windows 7, 
• Microsoft Office Home & Student 2007 60 Day Trail Edition.
• Microsoft Works 9
• McAfee Internet Security Suite 2009 Trial Edition
• NTI Media Maker
• Norton Online Backup
• Acer Backup Manager, Crystal Eye, eRocvery Management, GridVista, & Launch Manager
• Adobe Flash player & Reader

I've been needing a laptop for FOREVER, so this one will fit the bill quite nicely. It was a great price, and it'll finally free up the main computer so that my poor husband can have his turn at it more than once a week, poor man!  ;-)

I also needed something to take with me to Warrenton for Antiques Week, so if you happen to be there shopping or selling, come on over to Bar W Field and say hi to both of us!

Happy Friday!

The Origins of Peculiarity

I've always been a little "off".

Those who know me best will attest to this fact, and for those who do not, well....strap yourself in, the funhouse ride is about to start!

Is weirdness learned behavior? Is it by nature or nurture, or a combination of both?

Whatever the answer, I am in possession of more than my fair share of idiosyncratic behavior, some of which dates back to my childhood.

That's me and my mom.

We both look normal enough, but those are the ones you gotta watch out for, everybody knows that.

Ever since I was a tiny little thing, I've had to raise my feet up every time I go over railroad tracks. I'm not sure why, but I'm fairly certain that some heinous tragedy will befall me if I do not.

Same for those Emergency Broadcasting System tests. As soon as they announce it, I have to run to the nearest bed, chair or sofa and make sure my feet aren't touching the ground until the test is over. I'm fairly sure I've saved y'all from a national nuclear catastrophe more than once with this particular move.

Awwwww, ain't I cute?

You'd never suspect what oddness lies just beneath the surface!

Here's another.

Somewhere along the way during my childhood, it became a matter of grave importance that the phrase

"Hot diggity dog" MUST be followed by the words"it's a junkyard."

Hey, waaaaaait a minute....that one's not so crazy after all! ;-)

Definitely prophetic, wouldn't ya agree?

Oh, yeah. That's me. Sad to say.

I'm not sure what's more pathetic, my ensemble or my rockin' curly hairstyle.

You're probably asking yourself, just how does one attain such perfect ringlets?
Look closer, I'm wearing pink, spongy curlers. The SHAME!

Not enough for ya? Behold, child abuse in action....

Not sure if you can make it all out clearly, but that's me.

Wielding a sword.

In curlers.

And a hair net.

Out in public!

And all documented for posterity by my clearly sadistic mother.

And she looked so sweet in that first picture, didn't she?

My weirdness extends to my pets.

Havok

Belle

Winnie

I've always given my animals middle names, as well as the baker's dozen assortment of quirky nicknames, too.

Let's just do the middle names today, shall we?

Winnie came to us as a Winnie. She already had her name, as she was a shelter kitty.

For some reason, she promptly became Winnie Bagel, I'm guessing because it sounds so much like Winnebago. Not so weird.

Then there's Belle.

My husband already had Belle when we met, but she too came with the name.

Very princess-y, and seriously devoid of personality.

I'm a big fan of Indian food, and there's a great South Indian dish known as Bhel Puri.

So, no brainer! She will henceforth and always carry Puri as her middle name!

And lastly, we have Havok.

Whenever I call the dogs, because we live on over 4 acres, I tend to summon them as a unit...

"Havok and Belle! Come, Havok and Belle!"

Ooooo, you guys are gettin' good, you already guessed it!

Havok's middle name is "AndBelle"!

And yes, my husband does look at me with the same bemused sense of "whaaaaa?" you guys have plastered across your faces this very moment.

I've got enough weird to fill another post or three, so don't worry, I'll follow this one up with some of the better stuff in the days ahead. This was just a whet-your-appetite sorta deal here.

In the meantime, what's your particular brand of weird?

I, for one, would LOVE to know! ;-)

Recent Finds and Acquisitions

It's been a good while since I've posted a collection of my recent treasure hunting finds, so since I'm pretty sure you're sick of my recent forays into Photoshopping, here's some pretties to feast your eyes upon!

Would ya believe me if I told you that I got this at Tuesday Morning?

I know, isn't that just lovely?

I normally only go to Tuesday Morning for craft supplies, but while venturing down the home decor aisle, this beauty stopped me in my tracks. If you haven't given Tuesday Morn a look lately, you might wanna look again.

Elsewhere, in my Etsy Shop, here's some of what's currently for sale, what's recently sold, and what's coming soon...

Rock-a-Bye Baby Vintage Doll Stroller

SOLD!

The Object of His Affection Vintage Tole Tray

 

Luminous Candelabra

SOLD!

Glam Vintage Candelabra

SOLD!

"Protected" Figurine

 

This Little Piggy Went to Market Coin Purse

SOLD! 

(to a notorious, hog-wild fellow blogger, no less!)

  

Chunky Vintage Gold Frame

And coming soon to my Etsy...

SOLD!

 

Vintage Silver Name Cups

Madonna and Child Vintage Print
( STYLE TIP: absolutely perfect for the Jeanne d'Arc look! )
SOLD!
(Thank you, Kathleen!) 

 

And from the "mine-all-mine" files, a couple of recent Etsy purchases...

Vintage Paris Business Card Holder, purchased from my friend Troy and the good folks at Junk Exchange.

And then there's this. Y'all are gonna be kicking yourselves that you missed this.

Vintage Clipboard with Calendar, stolen from Michelle at Vintage Junky.

Here's a tip for ya....if you go to someone's blog, love their style, love their junk, nose around a bit...chances are, they either have an Etsy shop or an online store where you can purchase a little piece of their style for your very own. Which is how I scored the last two killer objects!

The only other Etsy news I have to report is that I'm still mulling over selling my photographic art prints in the near future. I've had lots of positive feedback, and for that I thank you all. It'll happen, I'm just not sure when.

And for all those who have sent me get well wishes, thank you! I'm still dragging, but expected to live. ;-)

Until next time....

oink, oink...


Be sure to visit Cindy at
My Romantic Home
for
Show and Tell Friday !

White Wednesday....Behind the Veil

 "Behind the Veil"

2010 Fiona & Twig

Be sure to visit Kathleen at  

Faded Charm

where every Wednesday is 

White Wednesday 

 

Nesting

"Nesting"

by A. Lorys, Fiona & Twig Photography

Nesting.

That's what I'm doing today, unfortunately laid low by what feels like the flu, but fingers crossed, is hopefully just allergies. Still, it's been hanging on for about 4 days now, so lots of fluid and bed rest is the order of the day. Y'all know the drill.

Thank goodness for my new Photoshop Elements, though!

I've been playing around a bit this afternoon, as the entire morning was spent horizontal in bed.

I was inspired to create "Nesting" while I was picking up the living room a little while ago.

As I was picking up an errant sock, I spied my lovely little ceramic bird and nest, found at a weekend estate sale and just crying out to be incorporated into an art project.

I opened up PS Elements, played around a bit, layered my bird image with that of the back of an old frame and there you have it....

I'm still looking into selling my photographic art in my Etsy Shop sometime soon. Once I figure out exactly what sort of paper I want to use to print them on, pricing, etc.

It feel so weird to be talking about "my art"!

I have NEVER been that girl, ya know? I have always stood from afar, admiring those of you far more artistically gifted than myself. Perhaps it's even chutzpah to think I'll be able to sell my creations, but hey, at least my mom will buy one, ya know?  ;-)

Off to the bath now, as my achy joints need a bit of relief.

From my nest to yours,

Anne

The Virgin

Prayers for a hurting world, a world in chaos.

My image above relates directly to the gospel reading at Mass today, from the Wedding at Cana, where Mary tells the servants "Do whatever He tells you."

I cannot help but think that, given the events of this past week, He is telling us to reach out in compassion and love to those devastated by the earthquake in Haiti.

Do whatever He tells you.

I'm trying, Mother Mary.

Silver Sunday with Sylvia

It's Silver Sunday again at Gypsy Fish Journal, so allow me to once again introduce you to another member of my family....

Say hello to Sylvia, so named because she is, in large part, silver.

I rescued her from an estate sale garage two days ago, and told her not to get too comfortable, as she's headed to the booth next week!

 

 

Why, she even came with her original instructions still in the box!

This brings the body count to four in my house.

Four dress forms, that is.  ;-)

Beauties one and all, but Sylvia holds the honor of being the only silver one, and therefore the only gal invited to this lil' Sunday soirée.

Be sure to visit Beth at Gypsy Fish for links to all the other SS participants!