It's Deja Vu All Over Again

It was movie weekend at the ranch. We have been waiting for Mamma Mia! (relentless punctuation included) because Meryl Streep? Singing? Well, yes. Had to bow to the unstoppable force that is The Dark Knight, though, because we just had to see our hotel in the movie. We have a specific hotel in Chicago that is right across from the Trump building (the one that Apprentice #1 Bill Rancic allegedly was tapped to Project Manage) that we luurve. We stay on the 40th floor: the entire 40th floor. The room is completely round and spans almost the whole floor, less the stairs you have to take to get to the room, as the elevator only goes to the 38th floor or so. So although we have to haul our stuff up the wicked cool circular staircase, it is so worth the actual room, ginormous by downtown Chicago standards, that serves as our apartment on our Chicago trips. Which seem to be frequent, and must include stops in Milwaukee to visit Some Guy's family. So, tangent there. As we are crossing the river on our way to Mission Critical: Magnificent Mile and Michigan Avenue shopping, we are somewhat distracted by what appears to be a helicopter race taking place in the airspace dfirectly above us. We pause to take in the action, and realize that the helicopters are circling and are coming down pretty low. I mention to Some Guy that there was a movie being filmed and maybe this was part of the movie. We hang out, and watch the helicopter chase, and are rewarded by the sight of both helicopters (sorry, can I find a shorter way to type the word helicopter now please) racing down low over the Chicago River all the way down Wacker Drive. Racing right at us. And of course, I have my camera. Ninety bazillion shots of helicopters. Racing.
And easy to figure out the movie, once we spot this vehicle right outside our hotel entrance:
So we realize that the movie is being shot in the plaza directly below us outside our 40th story hotel room. And as we return to our room to watch the action, the helicopters make another round, this time right past our hotel room window. So yeah, had to check out the hotel in the movie. Appears that a lot of the interior stuff was shot in the Trump building, because we kept seeing our hotel room in the background.

Overall, even more exciting than watching for the 202 in The Kingdom, but then again, I am easily amused. And yes, that is my lazy fat rear end on the bed.

Everyone In The Pool! Unless You're A Tire!

If you happened to get caught in the Ray Road/I-10 madness this weekend, hope you didn't take a detour behind the Target on 48th St and Ray, make a quick left onto Ray headed west, and almost plow into the baby pool that flew out of the trailer right in front of you. Because, oops. Tires can fly. Especially when launched by a small, round, wading pool, purchased to keep the dog cool in the springtime heat.

It was secured in the trailer. By the tire. That we (he) figured would hold it there for the way short trip to my house. Mistake.

"Umm, there goes the pool."
Turn into next lot, park car, run across road, dodge traffic, grab pool, thank whomever you like that no one had an accident. In the pool. Heh.
"Where's the tire?"
OK, so we lost the pool AND the tire holding it. Found the pool.
"How do you lose a tire?"
"Maybe it flew out, launched by the pool, and rolled somewhere..."
Fifteen minutes later, as I am nearly back at Target, walking along the sidewalk. Looking for a random tire. Really.
"I found it."
Rolled the other way, fell into the brush along the road, hiding in the grass, tire retrieved.

So there was no pool party on Ray Road yesterday, and the tire's flying license was revoked.

Also, an extension cord is especially handy for securing a tire (and a pool) to a trailer. And driving 30 MPH the rest of the way home seemed to make all the difference. Apologies to the drivers who wanted to know why we were in their way.

By the way, the pool was a hit with the dog. Not quite as much fun as Del Mar dog beach, but in a pinch, it's a great place to hang out. And we did think to take out the tire (and undo the extension cord) before jumping in the water with the dog.

Time's Up!

Thanks to everyone for cleaning us out! I've called in Free Arts AZ and Treasures 4 Teachers to help me pack up all the items left for donations.

I do still have some wire racks for 12x12 paper, both 6-slot and 30-slot, so email to the address over on the sidebar if you have any interest in purchasing those items.

I have so much appreciation for all of those who have entered our doorway and touched my life. It was a wonderful experience, although as many of you know, there were certainly challenges from the very beginning. We tried to hold on to our sense of humor.

And the fate of the blog will lie in the hands of its readers. I have endless stories to tell, and although they might not end up being scrapbook-related, they certainly are scrapbook fodder.

Cherish your story.

No, This Time I Mean It, The REALLY Truly Last Day

OK, I admit that I just have too much to pack up and donate. (Sorry to the two agencies that I contacted!) So at the very last and late minute, I will reopen for one final day Monday March 24 from 2pm-7pm. If I can get staff in earlier, I will open the doors earlier, but the plan right now is to open at 2pm. And yes, this means great, fabulous, and fun savings for you. It has been thoroughly picked through, but you can take 75% off the retail prices of what is left. I have some wire racks left, and a few random fixtures and display items.

Also, if you can help me find good homes for this:

And this:

And this:

Those are 3 things that I would so choose not to have to move!!

See you Monday!!

60% Off Retail Price of Remaining Inventory: Final 2 Days

Items from:

Maya Road

Heidi Swapp

Cardstock

Scenic Route

Daisy D's

Making Memories

7 gypsies

Fancy Pants

Urban Lily

Basic Grey

Fixtures (Priced as Marked) Include:

Crop Tables $50

Wire Paper Racks $50

8.5x11 Wire Paper Racks $30

Clear Stacked Paper Tray Paper Racks $100

Custom Built Rusty Pickle Paper Racks 2 for $250

Desk/Secretary $200

Bookshelves Solid Wood $200

Bureau $50

Armoire $400

White Picket Fence Bookcase $50

Random Accessories/shelves $10 each

6 slot wire paper racks $10

microwave $35

Stereo system $50

Butcher Block Slab (about 10' long) $50

IKEA Child's Storage Slide (pictured) $25

OPEN Sat 10-5, Sun 12-4

FINAL 2 DAYS!!

The Madness Continues!

Hours this week:

Tues/Wed/Thurs 10-6

Sat 10-5

Sun 12-4

Final Days!!

Everything 50% off retail price! (Except fixtures and "garage sale" items priced as marked.

Cool, interesting, shabby chic fixtures!

Special: Open Monday by Popular Demand

Special store hours 2pm-8pm!

50% off retail on all inventory, excluding cardstock.

Lots of fixtures and garage sale items in crop area.

Come by for a bargain!!

Happy St Patrick's Day!

Halfway and Half Off Everything (Retail)

Come in Sunday 12-4 and receive 50% off the regular prices of our scrapbook supplies, excluding cardstock.

It's a bit difficult today, because the shop right next door is doing some major remodeling and is blocking everything. Including our closing signs. So tell a friend, come on down, and have some fun with us today!! Besides, you never know what might happen when I'm in the store...

Also, fixtures:
crop tables ($50)
wire paper racks ($50)
clear paper racks with 50 slots and rolling base ($100)
clear paper racks with 30 slots on stationary base ($75)
gridwall, and gridwall hooks ($25 per sheet, .25/hook)
and more...