Uncertain and Irritated

I am seriously considering making Cul-de-sac Shack a private blog and then deleting all content.  I have recently come across articles online where people were paid for their submissions that have stolen photos I personally took and posted on this blog.  At the moment I am considering my options.  I have contacted the author and publisher but they will not respond to my emails requesting my photos be removed from the article.  As such, I feel that to keep ownership of my own property, I need to remove the blog and associated files.  I will make a final decision soon and let you know before I take the blog down, if that is the route I decide to go with.  Thank you for the over 4 years you all have made having this blog an enjoyable experience.  

Success!

I was up bright and early Saturday morning.  No, I wasn't going to an estate sale, I was presenting at a conference!  My coworker and I, pictured above, submitted a proposal last fall to present at the Missouri Write to Learn conference at the Tan-Tar-A resort in Osage Beach (right on Lake of the Ozarks).  We were shocked when we were notified that our proposal had been accepted.  There were some big names in education at the conference, including Donalyn Miller, Rafe Esquith, and Steven Layne.  Because of the big name people, we expected to have somewhere around 20-25 people in our breakout session, which we felt completely comfortable with.  A week before the conference, I received an email that there were 75 enrolled for our session, and that there may still be a few more straggle in at the last minute.  When all was said and done, I believe we had either 68 or 69 in attendance.  Anyway, we were shocked at the large number.  It made things a bit more challenging as far as the activities we had planned, but it went far better than I ever could have hoped.  We worked with a great group of teachers in one of the largest rooms at the conference for an hour and fifteen minutes.  I was incredibly pleased with how well it went in the end.  The icing on the cake came after we finished when a lady who was in attendance came up to speak to us, gave us her business card, and asked us to write an article for a Missouri teaching journal that focuses on communication arts!  I'm still feeling hyped up about how great it went.

Have a great weekend!

Michael

I'm Still Alive!

Long time no blog!  Sorry for the long hiatus, everyone, but I am not making any promises to be actively blogging again.  About a year ago, when I last blogged, I had been struggling for more than three months to feel upbeat with the blog.  However, it just felt like it was becoming a chore, and I wasn't finding enjoyment in it anymore.  That is when I knew it was time to set the blog aside for awhile.  Sadly, I have found that I haven't missed it that much.  Life has a way of filling in gaps that we create, and suddenly I discovered I went almost 6 months without even logging in to Blogger.  Anyway, I do want you all to know I am alive and as well as can be expected (that doesn't sound very positive, does it?).  

I have severely cut down on looking for vintage goodies, and when I do seek something out, it is either a new piece of Pyrex, like this rare duck 043, or a new piece of Heywood-Wakefield.

So, I am guessing you are wondering a bit of what I have been up to.  Or, maybe not.  Either way, I am going to share.  Last summer I was approached to teach an online course for the university I graduated from.  I taught the course during the fall semester.  It went well, but I don't care much for online courses, as I prefer to connect with my students in person.  I am currently in my 8th year teaching in a small rural school in Missouri.  I love my students, and after teaching the online course, I feel sticking with what I currently do is most likely my calling.  At least for now.  Last fall, a fellow teacher and I submitted a proposal to present at a language arts conference, and were shocked when our proposal was accepted.  We present next week.  A recent email from the organizers of the conference notified us that our breakout session has 75 people registered, and advised that this number could still grow.  We were shocked, since we were expecting 20 to 25 total.  Oh well, it will be a great experience.

I am still living in the Cul-De-Sac Shack.  I will have been here 8 years in August.   I don't see myself staying here much over the ten year mark though.  While I love the layout of the house, the many years it was a rental took its toll, and I feel I have repaired just about anything you could think of because it spent years being patched back together without actual fixes.  I was good with these repairs, until some things that have been repaired started causing problems.  I have everything fixed now for the most part, but I am ready to move on.  I have my eye on a 4 acre lot on the edge of town that I would like to build on.  I have looked at a house or two as well, but I haven't found anything I am in love with. Honestly, my hope and plan at this point is to build a replica of the Shack, with the amazing open living space that I haven't found in other houses on the market.  I do want to make some adjustments though.  I want a utility room, first and foremost.  I am sick of having the washer in the house and the dryer in the garage.  I want to increase the size of the kitchen and dining room.  I want a second bathroom, and finally, I want a two car garage.  I envision adding maybe two to three hundred square feet total the the square footage of what I currently have.  I am sure my contractor will be scratching his head when I have him install the vintage light fixtures from the Shack in the new place, and insist on mid-century design details throughout.  That is the plan at the moment.  I will probably continue to occasionally look at houses as they come on the market, but I have some requirements that I am sure frustrate my realtor.  I am done with old houses, as much as I love their charm.  I won't consider anything built before 1985.  I won't consider a house on a small lot, one with a single car garage, or one that is too large.  I find I live in one little area of my house, and the rest is ignored. No need for a large house.  The realtor was shocked when I told her the 1600 square foot house I looked at about 3 weeks ago was too large.  Oh, one other requirement, I must be able to hear the trains.  That really did get my realtor.  I want to hear the trains, but I don't want to hear the church bells at my church which ring on the hour throughout the day and then play songs.  She didn't understand why I would want the trains but not the bells. The reason is simple, every house I have lived in has allowed me to hear the trains, whether at home growing up, in college, or even at the Shack.  It was one of my requirements when I purchased the Shack all those years ago.  It all comes down to a comfort issue, I think.

Finally, about a month ago, we unexpectedly lost my grandmother.  She was my last grandparent.  Last August she moved into a residential care facility.  We went out to visit her one evening after the home called to tell us she wasn't feeling well.  It was a Friday evening and we decided to take her to the ER as we weren't able to get the into her doctor that afternoon.  She made it two more days and passed away that Sunday evening.  Grandma was 93 and a half, as she proudly told the doctor that last weekend in the hospital.. She lived a great life, and was part of the greatest generation.  She married my grandfather in Oakland, CA in 1943.  She was a one room school house teacher and taught in the school in her hometown about 17 miles from the town we all live in until she started her family.  She spent the rest of her life as a housewife.  I think she may be part of the reason I became a teacher myself.  I spent as much time at Grandma and Granddad's house growing up as I did at my own.  My sister and I spent our summer days there, and true to her inner teacher, Grandma had lessons for us to do each morning.  I hated it at the time.  What kid wants to do that during the summer vacation?  But now, looking back, I can see she prevented us from that awful backwards slide that many students experience over the summer.

Okay.  Enough rambling on my part.  Hope you all are doing well, and I will do my best to occasionally check in with y'all.  Hopefully having the Blogger App on my iPad will make it easier for me to blog quickly.  I rarely use my laptop since purchasing the iPad last fall and the little app icon will be a reminder to check in once in a while.

Have a great weekend!

Missouri Michael

A New Venture

Well, I finally got sick of all the stuff in my storage building.  When a new flea market opened up here in town, I rented one of the first booths.  My booth has now been open about two and a half weeks, and I am pleased to report that things are selling very well!  My whole goal is to get things sold, so for antique items, I research prices online and then take 10-20% off that and so far it has been working.  I can't believe how much has sold so far - all of it small stuff - mostly kitchen items.  I have had to take new stock up to the booth at least twice a week so far.  Can't wait to get all of this stuff cleared out of storage!

Mustang Update

Now that the bitter cold is leaving the area, and spring is starting to give us a little warm weather, Dad and I were finally able to have an opportunity to tow our 1967 Mustang fastback project out of the garage and tackle gutting the interior.  It's not completely gutted, but we made some excellent progress.

Check out the following pictures to see where we are at!

Lots of rust in that floorboard!  I swear, I don't know how the people at the factory were able to bend themselves all day to put some of those screws in for the back seat and panels!

Have a great weekend!

Happy Easter!

Did the grass sing?

Did the earth rejoice

To feel you again?

Over and over like a 

Trumpet underground,

Did the earth seem to pound:

“He is risen”

Over and over

In a never ending round

“He is risen, alleluia, alleluia!”

(Click through for video)

Perking Up

Has anybody else read The Perks of Being a Wallflower, or watched the movie?  They are both incredible (as well as the soundtrack).  If you aren't familiar with it, check it out.  

Anyway, with the way things have been going lately, I found these pictures to be incredibly helpful.  I hope that you enjoy them as well!

A Mid-Week Pick-Me-Up

This week has been, well, it's been... not my favorite, and there's still a long way to go.  Anyway, I was badly in need of something to cheer me up when I came across this.

How many of my readers are Big Bang Theory fans?  I absolutely love it.  It's my favorite American show since Will & Grace.  (My favorite British shows are Merlin and Ab Fab.)

Anyway, here is the Big Bang Theory flash mob for your Wednesday enjoyment!  Hope it gives you that much needed mid-week boost!  Bazinga!

600th Post!

Hey everyone!  I didn't realize that I didn't post in February until I looked at my last post last night.  Oops!  Anyway, things have been busy around here and estate sales and auctions have been slow, so I haven't picked up any new vintage goodies since that awesome Gothic porch light.

The school year has reached the point where it just seems to be flying along as the end draws nearer.  I can't believe that I am almost finished with my seventh year of teaching.  Where did the time go?  Wow.

I doubt that you really want to hear too much about what has been going on in my personal life, as I try to keep this blog focused on vintage stuff.

So, until I find another good vintage find, I just wanted to let you know that I am still alive and I haven't forgotten about my wonderful readers!

Have a great Monday!

ReStore Score!

I have been drooling over gothic / medieval light fixtures for a while now.  I've really been wanting a new porch light to replace the contemporary styled one I installed on the house when I purchased it.  This past Friday, I visited the ReStore closest to me to see what I could find.  Imagine my delight when I saw this on the shelf!

The style is exactly what I have been looking for!  It is heavy, I believe that it is cast aluminum.  The glass shade is yellowed seed glass.  It is marked "Thomas Industries" on the back.  After a little research, I believe this to be the company that manufactured the well known "Moe" lights.  Too bad this one isn't marked Moe.

Anyway, the light needs to be cleaned up and given a fresh coat of paint since the original has worn off in a few places.

Unfortunately, the flush to the wall mounting style will not work with the siding on my house, and the vinyl mounting box.  So, I'm going to mount it to a decorative piece of wood and create a sconce that I can hang on the wall in my bedroom.

Compared to the prices I've seen for fixtures that I like online, I don't think the $15 asking price was too bad!

Have a great Monday!

Blog Shout Out

Do any of you follow the blog We Like Her?  If not, you should check it out here!  She just crossed the ten follower mark, and I'm sure new readers would be appreciated.

In the Beginning

There was a mess.  Here's proof.

Not much has happened with the Mustang since Dad and I pulled it out of the pasture, the cold temperatures mixed with an unheated shop are slowing things up at the moment.  We have replaced the tires so that it now rolls easily and moved it from the trailer to the shop.

Here are a few pictures to document what we are starting with.

Dad and I pulled the motor and transmission a few years ago.  I guess that's one step down, now it's ready for a rebuild.

The car is a fastback, or 2+2.  The back seat folds down to make the car a two seater.  Put the back seat up, and there is room for four.

Have a great Monday!

First Thrifts of 2013

Last week, with a few days left before I returned to work this past Monday, I went on a couple of thrifting adventures.  As always, I found a few fun finds!

First up, I scored 5 pieces of Pyrex for just under $16!

A yellow loaf pan was picked up for $3.99, a Snowflake Garland loaf pan for $2.50, a large yellow fridgie for $4.50, a Forest Fancies casserole for $3.00, and an Autumn Harvest casserole for $1.75.  Can't believe I found so many nice pieces for such a great deal!

I also finally found a piece of vintage artwork that I think will look good just inside my front door.  This hand painted piece is dated 1927.  I love that it has a great vintage feel that also almost seems to be somewhat folk-artsy.  It was $7 and has the following hand written note on the back:

"Mr. and Miss (can't make out the name?),

Consider each stroke of the brush, each daub and smear, as the best of wishes for the coming year.

Frankie (?) Applegate"

The writing is really faded and hard to read.  At least the message was easy to decipher, even if the names weren't.

Lastly, I love vintage magazines when I can get a good deal on them.  I picked up two Popular Mechanics magazines and a Popular Science magazine for $1 each, and two 1942 editions of Life magazine.  These were a little higher at $5 each, but they are so interesting as they show the nation going into war, and the July volume has amazing war-time advertisements in it.  Plus, the July volume has a guy on the cover wearing a shirt for the Army Air Corp (the predecessor to the Air Force).  My grandfather was in the Army Air Corp during WWII.  As a side note, does anybody know when they first started screen printing t-shirts?  Thought that was pretty interesting as well.

Have a great Thursday!

Thrifting With Friends!

A couple of days after Christmas, I met up with Mick (from Everyone Goes to Mick's) and his girlfriend Patricia in Kansas City for an afternoon of thrifting fun.

Everyone went home with some fun treasures, and here are mine!

While it wasn't a successful day for opal Pyrex, I came home with a vast selection of vintage clear Pyrex pieces.  The Chemex coffee pot (second to right) is something that I ran across when visiting Mick in Texas for Thanksmass.  I was kicking myself for not picking it up, so Mick picked it up and brought it up for me.  The cheese dish on the left was $3, the juice carafe was $1, and the vintage teardrop shaped mixing bowl on the right was $2.

I love coming across colored anodized aluminum drink ware.   This pitcher was on sale for 50% off, so I managed to scoop it up for $1.50.  I really like the sherbet cups which have stars cut into them.  They need a good bath to clean them up.  The look like they sat in someone's display cabinet for 40 years without being moved.  They have great style though, and I picked the set up for $6.

I am a hopeless fan of Arthurian legend.  When I found this set of coasters with their holding tin, well, there was no question of whether they would be coming home with me.  $1 for the set.

Christmas stuff was on clearance, so I scooped up the blow mold Santa for $2.50 and the various Shiny Brite ornaments for 25 cents.

Lastly, I'm sharing one of the first things that I picked up.  My bedroom has an issue with circulation from the hvac system, leaving the room cold in the winter and hot in the summer.  I've gone through several different space heaters trying to come up with one that is effective.  I had been using an oil filled radiator, but when I found this infrared heater for a steal at the first place we visited, I knew that I have finally found the right thing.  I've gotta say, I love it!

You can check out Mick's successful finds of the day here!

Have a great Monday!

Music Evolution

Today's post is gonna be a bit of a break from vintage stuff.  I'm still a vintage loving fool, but I have been collecting much less lately.  Something about a problem with running out of space for goodies.  LOL.

I do have a post of some recently acquired vintage treasures in the works, but for today, I'm going to focus on something completely different.  Today I feel like sharing some of my current favorite music.

Am I the only person whose musical tastes seem to be continuously evolving?  I have always been a rock fan (surprised?  I prefer bands like Linkin Park, Staind, Chevelle, Shinedown, Halestorm, and Sixx:A.M. among others).  But lately, I've felt pulled in a different direction.  My current favorites include some Folk Rock groups among other genres.

Up first:  The Lumineers - Ho Hey



I'm thinking that these Folk Rock groups help appease my love for Rock music as well as my rural American roots.

Next:  Mumford & Sons - I Will Wait



When I looked up this next group, it appears that they are classified as Indie Rock, but they have a really folksy sound to me.

Imagine Dragons - It's Time



Finally, this group isn't folksy, but I absolutely love their sound and most of all, the lead singer's voice.

Last:  Alabama Shakes - Hold On



So, that concludes my list of currently trending music here at the Cul-De-Sac Shack.  I hope you find something on this list that brings joy to your ears.  What is currently trending with you?

Happy New Year!

Glory to God in the Highest!

On this, the day of our Savior's birth, I wish you a very Merry Christmas.  May you and your family know true peace and happiness today.  If you are traveling today, I pray for travel mercies for you.

Where ever you may be, Rejoice!  For today is the day our Savior came into this world to save us all!

Luke 2: 1-14 NIV

The Birth of Jesus

    ¹In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ²(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³And everyone went to his own town to register. 
    ⁴So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 

The Shepherds and the Angels

    ⁸And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ^[a] the Lord.¹²This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 
    ¹³Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 
    ¹⁴"Glory to God in the highest, 
      and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Merry Christmas!

Silent Night

I have made it a tradition here on the blog to share the same post each Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  Here is this year's Christmas Eve post, along with today's carol, Silent Night.

Tonight we continue family tradition, heading to church for Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion at 6:00 which always ends with the congregation holding candles and singing Silent Night.  Then we're heading over to Grandma's house for dinner afterward.  We have done this all of my life.  Grandma's now 92 years old, and we provide the food instead of her, but we still meet at her house. 

This year's beautiful version of Silent Night is sung by Jackie Evancho.  

Carol of the Bells

My absolute favorite Christmas song is Carol of the Bells.  This unreleased version, by the group Thrice, ranks right at the top of my favorites.

Confession time:  I love the song Carol of the Bells so much, that one of my favorite Christmas CDs that I burnt a few years ago is about 1/3 different versions of this song!

Have an amazing Saturday!

You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch!

 This is one of my favorites, and my Christmas ringtone on my phone.  I'm even wearing my Grinch face t-shirt to school today since it's the last school day before Christmas!  Have a great Friday!

Today's Christmas Song - Santa Baby - as Sung by Eartha Kitt

A true mid-century Christmas classic.  Have a great Wednesday!