Brickworks - A Brick Looks At Life

Yours Truly's In the Carnival of Retirement!

2012-02-13T13:23:00.000-08:00

Whoo hoo...one of my entries, on how much you should save for retirement, got picked up by the Carnival of Retirement! Take a look here; there are a number of interesting posts, including one on money hoarding.

Should You Allow Your Teenager to Have Sex At Home?

2012-02-13T11:41:00.000-08:00

With our daughters in their twenties, this is no longer an issue -- they're old enough to decide.

But a parent actually encouraging their daughter/son to 'do it' at home, because that's safer and more pleasurable?

Yep. Read the Huffington Post article here.

Thankfully, I'm not the only one who thinks this is totally nuts. Not to mention an open invitation to raise the grandchild that results from this new 'freedom.'

Monday's Stuff on the Way to Other Stuff

2012-02-13T11:33:00.000-08:00

It's a gray day. The clouds are glowering over the mountains, wrapping them up in a thick batt. Snow? Maybe. Or just gray skies...unusual for us here in Colorado. I'm used to blue skies and sunshine pouring through the window.
No matter. I've got things to do. So do you. Let's get on with the Interesting Stuff:

*Get a free box of Quaker Oat Squares. Free is good! It may not last long...so jump on this quickly.

*Or buy your sweetie a Caribou Coffee -- it's BOGO on Feb. 14.

*Last-minute Valentine crafts here -- five pages worth-- and some strategies, if you'd rather not whip up a paper heart or two.

*Looks like Whitney Houston died from drugs, not drowning. Ya think?!? What an incredibly sad ending to a talented person. Her song, "I Will Always Love You," gives me chills.

*Ruth Madoff's been spotted in New York. Those Who Know think she's probably staying at son Andrew's place. (I couldn't find any direct links on this, only comments from people who had spotted her there.) Ruth was living in Florida for a while...but not at her palatial residence, shared with husband Bernie. That's been sold, to try to pay off some of the billions of dollars owed to people he flimflammed.
I've been researching Bernie Madoff and his scam for a post I'm writing for my other job, at TightFisted Miser. Publicly, he's been repentant (sort of); privately, he's bragging about billions of dollars he hid away before getting busted. And his best friends are Jonathan Pollard, a convicted spy, and a Mafia don. Go figure.
The saddest item in this whole sordid story is not Bernie and his family -- but the many people, more than 13,000 of them, whose life savings he stole. Some of those victims are writers...and their books are the subject of my upcoming post. One person's take on the subject is here. After two-plus years, the victims are finally getting paid a little of what they invested...but attorneys' fees and Bernie made most of it disappear.

*Could a Siberian woolly mammoth still exist in Russia? The engineer who taped this says it does:

*Dave of 'Storage Wars' shares his biggest regrets -- and best buys. This series on A&E, about those who bid on storage units (and what they find), is surprisingly entertaining. The concept's a little silly, but the stories are fascinating. Good for research.

*MysteryGuitarMan's latest:

*An interesting new frugal blog. Preserving Pennies covers everything from mortgages to saving on baby food, and does it in an interesting "friend, I'm telling you about this" manner. Well worth reading.

*The Piano Man -- our friend Mark, a bass player, raves about Victor Wainwright's Youtube videos. The filming is crappy, but the music is incredible, especially if you like jazz and the blues. Here's Victor's take on Half-Ton Boogie Woogie:

Enjoy. Hopefully it's sunny, wherever you are.

Valentines, Part II

2012-02-11T10:55:00.000-08:00

I haven't stopped thinking about Valentine possibilities yet, and today's post on Get Rich Slowly fanned the flames a bit.
The Brick suggested going out to eat. But every single time we've hit a restaurant on Valentine's Day, we've had to beat off the crowds. And the Mama will be with us -- not exactly a romantic occasion. So it's back to planning dinner by the fireplace: lobster ($4.85/pound, stashed in the freezer), jumbo shrimp ($6.99/pound, also on sale), wild rice and veggies, and the deepest, chocolaty-est tart I can make.
Plus a goofy, lacy heart full of chocolates.

Besides, the Denver, CO area has this incredible promotion on 'Restaurant Week' (Feb. 25-March 9): $52.80 for a multi-course meal for two, at any number of gourmet places that normally go for much, more more than that. Hmmm. A romantic meal for less? That hits the spot.

Frugal Thoughts for Romantics..and 'Hiyo, Silver!'

2012-02-10T13:40:00.000-08:00

It's the loveliest, sunshiny-est day, and would make you think spring's coming -- except there's a thick blanket of snow still piled up, and storm clouds are hanging over the mountains. They're supposed to make their debut tonight or tomorrow -- what a way to start the weekend!

I've mentioned before that I regularly write posts for Andy Hough, whose websites include Tight Fisted Miser.com, InvestorzBlog, and My Retirement Blog. Today, you'll find me suggesting elegant (but frugal) ways to say you care on TFM, and advocating investing in silver on the Investorz Blog. The silver post will be part of an ongoing series called "Investing On A Shoestring." I plan to mention lots of ways to increase your investments, including books, art...even textiles! Keep an eye out at Andy's site for upcoming posts, as well as his -- he's got some good advice.

Meanwhile, I've been brainstorming for something special for the Brick who, Lord love him, stashes an engineer's heart right behind his pen-in-the-shirt- pocket. (If he wears a sweatshirt or t-shirt, it's clipped to the collar.) You can take the man out of engineering (he's currently a trainer for schoolbus drivers), but you can't take the engineering out of the man. He's a wonderful guy, and a terrific husband, but most of my attempts at Romantic Gestures have been greeted with a snort and a raised eyebrow.

Nonetheless, I make the effort -- supper on the coffee table by the fire, a mushy movie (I cry, he isn't sure what to do). And sometimes I even buy him flowers. What, surprisingly, is hardest for me? To put my feelings into words on paper. I make much of my living by writing...but somehow, it's difficult for me to write my deepest feelings down. Doesn't make sense.

So here, David, this is for you:
a bouquet of love and soft kisses for my dearest Valentine.
Now, come collect!

Getting Things Done

2012-02-08T23:48:00.000-08:00

It's going to be a beautiful day around here, with a few days respite before the next snow. I plan to spend it getting some restoration jobs done, and maybe cleaning up a pile or two. (The stairs are getting mighty crowded with boxes to go down in the basement.) Maybe I can actually cross some items off the to-do list!
Meantime, here are three odd things to consider:

*A Florida woman is currently suing her lender, JPMorgan Chase, after the bank mistakenly declared her deceased in 2010, which she claimed ruined her credit score.(Guess the whole dead thing didn't bother her as much as her credit.)

*The woman who really was dead -- but no one noticed for three years. And when they found her body, the television was still on. This is a long story, but worth trudging through.

*The discoverers of a sunken Spanish galleon are being forced to ship all the coins they found back to Spain. As in $500 million in silver and gold. The Supreme Court is getting ready to decide whether Spain can even claim a part of the treasure, but a judge ruled they had to go there, nonetheless. The divers, however, are skeptical whether they'll get any of their hard-earned money back. (I don't blame them.)

Happy Birthday, Charley!

2012-02-08T12:04:00.000-08:00

I'm a day late, but it's well-meant...

Well-wishers in Great Britain and elsewhere celebrated the 200th anniversary of Charles Dickens' birth yesterday, with parties and services and all sorts of pomp and circumstance.

Which, being a private man, he would have absolutely hated.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Dickens. You and your books changed my life.

'Collecting' -- Or Something Else

2012-02-08T11:21:00.000-08:00

I just closed the covers on one of the most maddening books I've ever read: The Man Who Loved Books Too Much by Allison Hoover Bartlett. It's the profile of John Charles Gilkey, a guy who 'purchased' more than $100,000 of rare books, using stolen credit cards.
Gilkey was eventually caught, but only served a few years before he was back out on the streets, doing his thing. While writing the book, Bartlett met with him on many occasions, several times accompanying him on hunting expeditions to see how he did it. But "stealing??" He wasn't doing that -- he was 'collecting.' (Not to mention getting revenge on booksellers he disliked -- because they'd caught him -- or just The System.)
The book isn't just Gilkey's story, but an overview of valuable books stolen, many which have never been recovered. (Or if the thief was caught, charges were never pressed.) Many times, the thief's guilt is explained away (or at least assuaged) by saying, 'Well, they loved books and couldn't afford the best ones.' Or... 'They were basically honest, but tempted too much by working with valuable pieces.' (One wonders whether Barry Landau, a "presidential expert" recently convicted for swiping all sorts of historical memorabilia, used this defense.)
    Thankfully, Gilkey will be looking at a trip back to the slammer soon -- he was just caught stealing two old maps last December, from a collector who didn't hesitate to press charges. (Gilkey's photo is here as well, for the aid of sellers and bookstores. No doubt, if he's posted bail, he's out there, looking for good stuff to defray the costs of a lawyer. All part of the game.)
    Gilkey's laissez-faire attitude and cheerful superiority bothered me. (His escapades are catalogued here in shorter form, by Ken Sanders, the man who helped catch him.) The resigned attitude of the booksellers, libraries and institutions who had things stolen -- yet refused to publicize their losses, or even worse, let the thief get away with it. Their attitudes drove me absolutely nuts.
     The Island of Lost Maps by Miles Harvey catalogs this educated indifference, but from the world of maps -- and another thief, Gilbert Bland, who got away with it. ( I mentioned this terrific book in a previous post.)
    But what bothered me most was the attitude of the author, Allison Hoover Bartlett. What, someone gives you a very old book that you know was stolen from a library, to hold onto for a while? Does she feel guilty, ambivalent about it? Sure...but it only seems to add to the fascination. In fact, this ancient copy of the Krautterbuch is still on Bartlett's desk, three years later.
Her attitude about Gilkey is equally nauseating. He shows her a first edition of a library book he's obviously planning to steal -- she dithers about it, but doesn't do a thing. He gives her useful hints about other books he's stolen (or is planning to), other places they're stored -- she mentions them in the book, feels guilty, dithers some more, consults a lawyer...and does nothing about it. Sure, that information is in print now. But now is too late.
   I wonder...if Gilkey had filched from her beloved shelf of books, would her attitude have been any different?
     By the time I finished the last page of The Man Who Loved Books Too Much, I didn't know whether to cheer, weep...or go take a bath to wash off the slime.

I love books, too. In fact, I love old things in general -- and the more rare and unusual they are, the more I'm intrigued. But taking things without paying for them? Helping yourself to items that are not yours?
that's S-T-E-A-L-I-N-G.
And if you know, and don't do a thing about it, you're helping. (It's called being an accessory, Allison.)
     No ifs, ands or buts.

Multiple Lives...Lived

2012-02-08T10:42:00.000-08:00

If you're curious about all sorts of people, famous or infamous, try Biography.com . It has the most amazing lists, including people who were murdered, You'll be surprised at this batch, which has several unusual inclusions, like Joy Adamson of "Born Free" fame -- killed by a disgruntled employee.
The lists are nearly endless, including saints, jazz and blues singers...even celebrity ghost stories!
Don't expect to spend just a few minutes on this site, though; you can wander around forever, reading profiles and wondering.

Tuesday Stuff...On the Way to Other Stuff

2012-02-07T14:44:00.000-08:00

Yes folks, it's time for another look at what people, cats and other creatures are capable of. Like:

*The eighteen-year-old who described murdering her 9-year-old neighbor as "ahmazing" in her journal, then tried to overscore her words with blue ink. She didn't get away with it: the ink, or the murder.

*Remember the guy whose wife disappeared mysteriously in Utah a few years ago? She's never been found, although he insisted he had nothing to do with it. His house blew up -- just as his sons were brought back for a visit by a case worker, who had the door slammed in her face. The authorities say he chopped his sons with a hatchet, then set the house on fire. (The full story's here.) Yep, murder/suicide. Way to solve your problems...and prove your innocence.

*M.I.A. flips a bird at the Super Bowl. Apparently it was unplanned, unlike someone else's wardrobe malfunction. (I am not even going to dignify that tasteless gesture with a link.) The Powers That Be are talking about suing the NFL and NBC for millions of dollars. Shoot, M.I.A.'s a British singer. She makes money. She knows better. Why not just sue her, instead?

*On a lighter note, what would happen if cats grew thumbs:

*More than fifty wonderful (and frugal!) Super Bowl food recipes, plus a link included for 'cheap healthy' party food. (Thanks, Cheap Healthy Good!) Plus a good one for baked potato soup. We need something around here -- it's snowing. Again.

*And someone's found a purple squirrel in Pennsylvania...on the Jersey shore. He's not the first -- the article mentions another was noticed in Great Britain in 2008. Is this a sign of nuclear waste...or a Really Big batch of spoiled blueberries...being dumped??

Stay tuned.

Super Bowl? What Super Bowl?

2012-02-05T11:59:00.000-08:00

Fine. I'll admit it. I do know that the Patriots and the Giants are up for today's slugfest in Super Bowl XLVI. The thing is: if you live west of the Mississippi (and/or root for the Broncos, as is our case), do you really care? (Len Penzo's Magic 8-Ball predicts the Pats are going to win...we'll see.)

The side stuff is fun. Like parties...we're headed to one this afternoon. Last year, people talked, with occasional cheering and booing, until the commercials -- then everyone, men and women, stopped to listen. Like this Jerry Seinfeld Acura commercial. (Jay Leno makes a surprise appearance at the very end!)

And an even funnier one, thanks to Chevy Volt, and unexpected visitors:

I just enjoy the party. These are feisty friends, who revel in a good discussion. No doubt one guy will come up with some hairbrained argument why the Giants will win, or vice versa, then the others will enjoy arguing with him. As Arlo Guthrie used to say, "Thass America."

It's not too late to have your own Super Bowl celebration. Or at least, use 'party posts' to gather ideas for your next get together, like these ideas from The Simple Dollar. I'm bringing 'pigs' to ours -- 'Pigs in Blankets' are frugal, easy to make, and tasty when dipped in mustard or barbecue sauce. Cocktail franks are good for appetizers, but I'm going for the gusto this afternoon, and using hot dogs.

PIGS (IN BLANKETS)
1 cup water
1/2 stick (1/4 pound) butter or margarine
1/2 cup milk (dried milk & water works great)
1 tablespoon yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
2-2 1/2 cups flour
1 package hot dogs (if using bun length dogs, cut them in half)

Microwave the water and butter/marg for 1 minute, until butter is melted. Stir in milk, and check -- mixture should be warm, but not hot. Add the sugar and yeast, and let stand for five minutes.

Add flour gradually until you have a soft dough, then turn out and knead for a few minutes. Dough can be used right away -- or let rise for at least an hour for puffier 'pigs.'

When you're ready to bake, turn oven to 425 degrees. Grab a small handful of dough and wrap around a hot dog, then place on an ungreased cookie sheet. (Keep it up until you're done -- you can also add a slice of cheese or cooked bacon before wrapping the dough around.)
Bake approx. 12-15 min., then serve. Makes 16 half-'pigs' or 8 full-sized.

There are other wonderful things to take advantage of on a Super Bowl afternoon, like SALES. We quilters know, for example, that the fabric stores usually have great specials today.

And, of course, there's always The Puppy Bowl.

Blizzard! And Bunnies

2012-02-03T16:25:00.000-08:00

It is snowing like crazy here in Colorado.

By 10 p.m. last night, nearly every school and organization had closed. By mid-afternoon, the banks were closing. We live high on a hill overlooking the highway -- and though I-25 is still open, very few cars and trucks are using it. (See for yourself here via live webcam.) I was supposed to visit Daughter #1 in Denver today...nope.

Just as well. After watching one set of neighbors get stuck, and another struggle to get out of their driveway, I think we're staying put. The Brick works for the school system in transportation (he's a trainer for bus drivers) -- so he got to stay home, as well.

Spaghetti sauce is bubbling in the crockpot, and we'll watch a movie tonight by the fire. Lovely.

In the meantime, thought you might enjoy some gems, including a Swedish sheepherder...who's a rabbit!

The Olivers find a $21,000 diamond at the Crater of Diamonds park.

A shipwreck, the S.S. Port Nicholson, is found off Cape Cod -- it's thought to contain a fortune in platinum bars. (Which the British government would love to get their hands on.) Read all about it here. (More news as the story develops.)
Incidentally, why are so many dolphins washing up on Cape Cod in recent months?
(More than a hundred in the last three weeks alone.)

Facebook stock is going public -- not that any of us are going to make big bucks on this.

Wanna go on a buffalo hunt? The Colorado Springs police department got to do this...again.

And one of the stupidest Bigfoot 'sighting' videos ever. Please tell me people in Osawatomie, KS aren't this dumb.

Have a good one...and stay warm.

Very (Woof) Funny!

2012-02-02T13:15:00.000-08:00

In honor of Groundhog (and other animals) Day...

This is what our Char l ey would be doing, if he could figure out the ignition switch:

oh, and here's Punxsutawney Phil's prediction for the next six weeks -- it ain't good.

If you love a good dog commercial, as well, try Volkswagen's Super Bowl teaser, 'The Bark Side:'

P.S. And don't miss my latest contribution to Tight Fisted Miser:
Starting out rich or poor - which is better?

Five Ways to Beat The Doldrums

2012-02-02T06:28:00.000-08:00

The skies are a heavy, brooding gray. Forecast here in Colorado: 8-12 inches of snow, starting tonight.

It's easy to get discouraged, about this time. The old year is past. (Did you do everything you'd planned? Ha.) The new year has progressed enough to fail at something. And gray skies are the norm, more than the exception.

Time for strategies to beat the winter doldrums.

*Light something. Regular exposure to 'natural' light, via lamps, is a time-honored therapy for depression, SAD (seasonal affective disorder) and a host of other mental issues. Light therapy can be implemented with specialty lamps, some which are reputed to help clear up wrinkles and acne, as well. Crafters swear by Ott Lites, which come in every size from desk to floor lamp.
      There's an easier way to get a dose of light therapy: spend some time out in the sunlight. It stimulates the production of red and white blood cells, gives you a healthy of dose of Vitamin D...and the UV rays in sunlight are a natural antiseptic, fighting viruses, bacteria...yes, even skin breakouts!
      Or light a scented candle, which brings us to the next point:

*Smell something. A study done in England suggests our brains "fire up"at the first whiff of cinnamon, giving us pleasant memories of cooking, apple cider and home. (The study also suggests cinnamon's odor also makes us willing to spend more money -- retailers like Trader Joe's displayed cinnamon-scented brooms at their store entrances during the holidays for just this reason!)
   Some herbs, like lavender and chamomile, are a calming influence. Try them in a scented pillow, or just spray some lavender-scented freshener in your bedroom, for a peaceful sleep.

*Plan something. Take a trip -- or research a destination. (The sunnier, the better.) Redo your living room, or update your kitchen or bathroom. (Websites like the Nester, Thrifty Decor Chick and Funky Junk Interiors will help you do it with minimum cost -- often without spending a cent.) Many gardeners use this period to figure their garden space, and order seeds. Ask friends over for a Super Bowl party, or just coffee and a snack.

*Write something. Start a journal. What, you're not the literary type? Write a quick note or two to your favorite people. Tell them how much they mean to you. (They'll be thrilled.)
   Or use your writing skills to:

*Save something. Start a regular savings plan, even if it means putting a fiver or your loose change in a mason jar every weekend. Get copies of your auto and/or homeowner's policies, and request some quotes. (One of our local insurance companies is offering $10 gift cards, just for letting them do this!) Save even more by joining Swagbucks, which pays you with 'Swagbucks' for requesting quotes -- as well as chances to accumulate more while doing your regular work. (Join by using the Swidget at right.) In a typical month, you could easily earn $5, $10 or more in Amazon and other gift cards.

And really...spring is not that far away.

Oh, For A Knight in Shining Armor...

2012-01-31T23:20:00.000-08:00

Fred Goodwin's lost his knighthood.

The former head of the Royal Bank of Scotland goofed up -- bigtime. The bank's in trouble. Goodwin retired quickly. (And got his 600,000 pound-plus pension cut in half. Poor guy.)
And now, thanks to the brouhaha from customers and deposit-holders, Her Majesty decided to take his knighthood back.

He joins a small list of other 'formers,' including a race car driver, Anthony Blunt (a well-known art historian and distant relative of the Queen, who just happened to be spying for Russia), a former world boxing champion... and the president of Zimbabwe. All had royal honors stripped away for untoward actions.

Makes you wonder what Her Highness would do to Newt Gingrich, Joe Nacchio, Rod Blagojevich or Bill Clinton, if only she could get her royal hands on them.

Dreaming About Homesteading

2012-01-30T21:37:00.000-08:00

Okay, I'm not thinking homesteading for us -- right now, at least -- but it's fun to dream about possibilities.

Like thinking about chickens (again). I still haven't talked the Brick into these, but Daughter #2 has her own 5 hens. And if I'm lucky, now and then I get a dozen eggs. This chicken blog is lots of fun.

And following Surviving the Suburbs.
(She's talking about maple sugaring right now. She does slip a tad more philosophy and ideas she doesn't always support with evidence -- but hey, that's what a blog is for. To express your opinion. And I enjoy following her progress.)

Or my favorite -- Living the Frugal Life. (Her photos are as beautiful as her prose. Patterns sometimes show up, like fingerless gloves. And she has chickens.)

Or watching this wonderful documentary on Dolly Freed, the original Possum Living girl.
(The link will give you the whole thing -- the imbedded video below is Part 1 of 3. More on Dotty today here, plus links to a longer interview.)

It sure beats scraping walls downstairs in the basement. (sigh)

Animals, Animals, We Got Animals...

2012-01-29T22:56:00.000-08:00

Like this slide show -- with animals doing what nature intended! (Including being silly)

or videos of 13 confused dogs. (Hey, this stuff is too weird to make up.)

Have fun...woof!

Resting on a Sunday Evening

2012-01-29T20:18:00.000-08:00

The Eco Cat Lady posted an idea: it's okay to do nothing. No New Year's resolutions, no depriving yourself of that luscious chocolate pudding just because you suddenly feel 'fat,' no forcing yourself to Go Do Something because that's what normal people do.

My Grandma Cumings would be horrified at such a turn of events. She raised 8 children, cooked for the hired men and threshers, and had her own chickenyard business, to boot. She also walked half a mile daily to cook, clean and care for her in-laws. Rest? You did that while the canner of tomatoes was boiling. Or while sitting in the sunny window seat in her living room, the latest in a series of Tweetie birds swinging in his cage overheadt. You mended socks, and embroidered dish towels when the mending basket was empty.

I have noticed, though, that:

*some of my best ideas come during 'restful' moments: in the shower, late at night in bed, staring at the sunset after supper.

*if I don't take some time off, my brain turns into a hamster wheel of ideas, voices and self-criticism that are hard to live with, let alone respond to.

*without some deliberate time for reading and thinking mixed in, I cook only basic food, enough to get us by. I clean only when forced to, and the ironing sits around for weeks.

*I will use my 'busyness' to keep from facing problems, deadlines and people I don't want to deal with.

"The way I see it," Eco Cat Lady says, " people pretty much always do what they want to do...And until you uncover what that purpose is, there is just no way that you're gonna be able to muscle your way into changing your behavior."

So if you're finding yourself " too busy," take some time to think why. You may well need a chance to just rest.

Road to California Quilt Contest Prizewinners

2012-01-27T23:29:00.000-08:00

Boy, they're beautiful!

You can see the whole list here, photos included. I was especially taken with

Sherry Reynolds' AMERICA, LET IT SHINE
(Mark my words -- you'll be seeing this one win elsewhere. It already has, in at least one venue.)

Mary Kay Davis' A SPRINKLING OF STARDUST (what lovely colors):

and Kumiko Frydl's MISSION: IMPECCABLE:
(Can you believe this is only 19" x 19"!)

The Road to California quilt conference is held in January of each year in Ontario, CA; I've been fortunate to teach a few years there, and hope to do more. It's a wonderful time of classes, lectures, exhibits, and one of the best merchant malls in the country. Don't miss it next year! Go here for more information.

Mega Swag bucks Day - Today!

2012-01-27T14:06:00.000-08:00

Yes folks, it is once again Friday...and in SwagbucksLand, that means mega bucks. Literally. Instead of one or two codes a day, there will often be five or six!

I've mentioned the Swagbucks program before -- but it really is something you should consider joining. Do just the regular searches you normally make during a day -- and you can easily earn your way toward 450 points -- the amount it takes for a $5 Amazon gift card. I don't do much beyond searches and inputting the daily codes, and I can easily earn $10 or more in gift cards a month.

Couldn't you find something useful to do with $10 on Amazon monthly? (They have many other gift and reward cards, too.)

Here's what you do. Click on the 'swidget...' that weird-looking numbers thing on the right of this blog. You can sign up for an account, and earn 30 bonus points in the process. (You'll also give me a little bit of reward points, too...thank you in advance.) You get 50 bonus points on your birthday -- and as mentioned, you can earn all sorts of points easily during the normal course of your online time.

The nice part about this program: they don't share your name and contact info. They don't put irritating 'cookies' or other intrusive items on your stuff. And they offer plenty of freebies, including points when you sign up for Groupons, get auto quotes and other such goodies.

Try it. You'll honestly like it.

Appraising: Hands-On Advice From An...Appraiser!

2012-01-27T10:08:00.000-08:00

Snowing like crazy today. Good...I'm up to my hips in finishing up paperwork, mostly appraisals.

If you're a big fan of Antiques Roadshow, the word "appraisal" probably brings some 'expert' to mind, looking at a person's item while they register shock on how much it's worth.

Well, yes and no.

Appraisers do this, certainly. But the value they set on the piece is their best educated opinion...and may not be what the items go for when they're sold. Case in point: the top item on the list of Antiques Roadshow's most valuable items, a group of jade pieces collected by the viewer's father from WWII China. The appraiser valued them as 18th century, extremely rare, and worth more than a million dollars -- but they sold at auction for $494,615. (Oh darn.)

There's no doubt in my mind that the appraiser knew his stuff -- but what must be remembered is that prices are affected by other things than just the quality, age and workmanship of an item. Is that style popular right now, for example? (Blue and white quilts consistently outsell yellow and white quilts, partly because they fit in more decorating schemes -- and partly, I believe, because the staff at Country Living magazine is partial to blue and white.)
Another issue is the current state of the economy -- antiques took a header when the stock market crashed a few years back, and are only starting to crawl back up. (The obvious exceptions are classics, like works from artists that have remained of great interest to the public. "The Little Model," a Norman Rockwell painting, was just appraised on AR for $500,000... probably not that far off the mark.)
And finally, it's not uncommon to see auction houses, including online sites like Ebay, finish up at 'wholesale' prices: approx. half (or less) of what the retail price of that piece would be. Sure, some things go for breathtaking prices -- and they're generally exceedingly rare, and in outstanding condition. But there are always bargains to be had, if you educate yourself and bid carefully.

There have been 'professional' pikers, as well -- take the case of Russ Pritchard and George Juno. They ran an antique business together, but also appeared as experts on Antiques Roadshow. One episode showed Pritchard examining a Civil War era sword the man claimed he used to cut watermelon. Turns out the "watermelon sword" story was bogus, and the man had met with the pair beforehand.
Even worse, though, is this (excerpted from Current.org):

Pritchard and Juno are controversial figures in the small world of military antiques. Last summer, their company, American Ordnance Preservation Association, was found liable in federal court of defrauding George "Ed" Pickett V, descendent of Gen. George Pickett, a Confederate commander renowned for his bravery. The general led the ill-conceived Pickett's Charge, the Confederacy's desperate last assault at the Battle of Gettysburg.
According to published accounts of the case, Russ Pritchard III went to great lengths to befriend George Pickett V and convinced him to sell his famous ancestor's numerous artifacts for $87,500—less than 10 percent of their market value. AOPA promptly sold the items to the city of Harrisburg, Pa., for more than 10 times what Pritchard had paid Pickett.
A federal jury ordered AOPA to pay Pickett $800,000, and a judge last August rejected the defendants' request for a new trial. Juno and Pritchard dissolved the company, and Pickett never received the money.

There are ways to protect yourself and your collectibles.

*Research your piece. The Internet makes it so much easier, nowadays.

*Research your appraiser. Are they experienced? Have they published anything? Have any certification? (They should...my own comes not only from AQS and PAAQT -- both specialize in textiles -- but USPAP.) There are excellent appraisers out there who are not certified; I know several. But they should have a number of years of experience, as well as other skills, to prove that. And every appraiser, regardless of their past exploits, should be continuing to study and research Ask for credentials.

*Don't make a quick decision to sell. Stop. Think about it. If you're not sure, get a second opinion. No one is infallible, no matter how good their intentions.

Finally, take a leaf from poor Mr. Pickett. Never ever sell items to someone who's appraised them for you. It's not only unsavory -- it's downright dishonest.

Update: for another appraising story, go here.

The Easiest Fashion Tip Ever

2012-01-25T21:53:00.000-08:00

Want to give yourself a classy new look, with little effort?

Exude more savoir faire?

Have people comment, "Wow, that is a GREAT shirt!"

This trick comes courtesy of two friends: Pepper Cory, a fellow quilting teacher...and my dear buddy, Jo Julian. Buy a plain-colored outfit, best fabric you can afford. (My favorite is a black velveteen long-sleeve shirt, courtesy of the Salvation Army in Boulder. Cost: $3.)

Now exchange the buttons for the best-quality ones you can afford.

I put Czech glass iridescent dragonfly buttons on the black shirt. A buck apiece: $6 for shirt front and $2 for the cuffs. I have never worn it when someone didn't comment on it!

Jo mentioned this afternoon that she tends to judge all her clothing by the buttons -- if the buttons aren't high-quality, she doesn't want to wear the outfit, no matter how nice it looks. On an earlier visit, Pepper had said the same thing -- except she was talking about freshening up thrift shop purchases by changing buttons on them.

Try it on just one clothing item -- a dress or shirt. You'll be amazed at the difference.

Snowy, Gray Day

2012-01-24T11:19:00.000-08:00

...and boy does it bring out my green urges!

Thus, this educational video on "the exciting new advances in flatulence technology" -- from cats.

See what you learn from hanging around here...

Monday Stuff on the Way To More Stuff

2012-01-23T13:40:00.000-08:00

Boy, it's been a strange few days, from being shouted out by another blogger (warning: don't ever skim your e-mail and figure you've caught everything) to the current Interesting Thing: having two guys wandering around in the attic overhead. I hear bangs, burps, odd snippets of conversation. And the house is freezing from having the doors open so much. (They're rewiring the bathroom and fixing a hole. Sigh.)

I also had a weird experience at DIA (Denver International Airport) -- which has its share of weirdness, thanks to the rampaging blue mustang (that killed its creator), and the odd murals that some people are just sure are go-to instructions for landing aliens. Really.
    Anyways, I was at DIA last Tuesday night to pick up the Brick from his trip to Washington. I pulled into the '45 minute wait' lot, and noticed a cute Westie in the car next to us. Charley, who had come along for the ride to see Dad, was fascinated -- and the two exchanged woofs.
Wednesday morning, I was back again to get Daughter #1, from her trip. Pulled into the wait lot again -- and there, I could swear, was the same dog! Turns out it was: Milo's owner had been picked up by a friend the night before, with Milo in tow. That morning, Milo's owner was there to pick up her nephew: different car, same dog! (Charley was thrilled.)
   Talk about canine deja vu.

     New things to report:

*There's now an easier way to follow my blog! You can get the posts via e-mail; just use the convenient 'follow by e-mail' submission at top right. Hint: there are going to be several giveaways this year, and this is the easiest way to get in on them!

*You thought Earth only had one moon? Unh-unh. (But if you're hoping to stand on any of the #2 moons, think again.)

*Bonnie and Clyde's tommy guns sold -- for $210,000. The news was passed on, fittingly enough, in Joplin, Missouri, part of their old stomping grounds. (Maybe it helped pay for someone's rebuilding expenses -- Joplin really got nailed last year by a huge tornado.)

* Australian meat pies -- boy, that sounds nice in today's chilly weather. These succulent little guys are the culinary equivalent of Upper Michigan's pasty. What - you can't get to New York to get your own? Try this delicious-looking recipe. (They're also great places to hide things.)

*Visit Charles Dickens's museum in your pajamas:

(Or see filmmaker Bruno Martini's version here.)

*Feed your family for $250 or less a month -- Stephanie at Keeper of the Home's got it worked out here. (And that's for five people.) Some great ideas.

*Check out this Very Cool 19th century cheater print I just found on Ebay-- is it Centennial? (c.1876) If so, it would be the earliest Crazy-related cheater print I've ever seen. Most probably, it's in that c.1884 sweet spot so many Crazy cheaters end up at. It's in great shape. Wow.

Yours truly has a new part-time job: you'll occasionally find me hanging out at Tight-Fisted Miser's site! I'll post once a week for Andy, and do some tidy-up work, as well. Come on over and say hi.