Functional or fun or both!

Sunday, December 9

A sunny day allows Dennis and Gilbert to accomplish much on the fence installation.  They encounter a few challenges along the way and overcome them all.

I’ll write and show more of the fence in a future post.

This post is about bargains for the house!

I realize some of my readers have little interest in this.  However, several readers have expressed an interest in my thrifty shopping as I furnish and decorate our house in Arizona, so this is their turn.

Here goes!

This first photo shows one of my favorite and most-used purchases.  This chair is where I kick back to write this blog on my laptop.

Two large cushions add color to the corner by the fireplace.

When I purchased the wicker recliner, I thought I’d put it on the porch.  How nice to recline on a breezy porch while birds sing around the feeders and birdbath!

Well, it may end up on the porch someday.

Right now it’s too cold for relaxing on the porch, so the recliner has a place in the living room.

The loveseat across the room is comfortable, too, but that’s taken over by Reggie and Roger.

Finally a floor lamp to go with the recliner!

I searched for weeks until I finally found one I liked. Gee, there are some awfully ugly floor lamps in the world!

Next, a few functional items for the kitchen.

While living in the Best Little Trailer, I had a few dishes and a couple cups, weight and space always a consideration.  I want to leave kitchen items in the BLT to be ready for travel.

I had nothing for the house’s kitchen.  It’s been fun collecting plates, bowls, cups, and whatnot.

I’ve been fortunate to find really nice dishes, which I’ll show you sometime.  These mugs are great.  They feel good in the hand and keep coffee warm a long time.

The white crockery canister with blue stripe holds a bag of sugar (ha-ha, too bad, ants!) for mixing up hummingbird water.

Not everything has a practical use.

Some things I bring home for fun!  Like these plastic squirrels . . . .

I didn’t buy souvenirs for the states where the crew and I traveled and camped.  Yet, here I am, happy homeowner, compelled to purchase this little Arizona souvenir.  At one time it probably sat on a shelf at a tourist center somewhere in the state.

How can I resist this little, pink swan?  It’s a smaller, similar version of the big, pink planter I showed you in a previous post.

For weeks I shop for a bed.

The thrift stores have beds but not anything I want to bring home.  The resale shop has nice, quality beds in excellent condition, but not my taste at all.  I look online and the prices are way out of my comfort zone and that’s before buying a mattress.

Sheesh.

Then one day in a dark corner of the thrift shop I spy something interesting in a stack of headboards and foot boards.  I can’t get the thing out to look at it.  It’s really heavy wood!

I find two male volunteers to help me.

Ooh, I like this bed!  It’s dirty and scratched and has several nicks, but it’s exactly what I want!  I’ll do what it needs to make it beautiful again.  Eighty-five bucks?  I’ll take it!

Over the span of several thrifting excursions . . . 

A collection of assorted items comes together.  I don’t seek them out.  Yet they fit well in this odd place between the laundry, living room, and kitchen.

And each serves a purpose.

The mirror enables a view out the patio door while standing around the corner in the kitchen.

The little organizer at right holds snail mail, reminders, and pen with note cards.

The basket is where I keep recent winter wear handy before stepping into the back yard:  black suede gloves (50 cents), black knit gloves (50 cents), and an ivory knit scarf ($1).

These items sit on top of a six-drawer chest.  (Bad photo, but you get the idea.)

I hit a few yard sales, too.

A few weeks ago a three-family yard sale yielded this treasure.

The bowl is sold by a couple who traveled Central and South America, judging by the looks of their wares.  I don’t have a chance to ask about the origin of this bowl.    I touch up the rim with a couple dabs of paint where it’s chipped and it looks great!

Other stuff . . . 

Of course, you can’t get everything you need or want at a thrift shop, resale store, or yard sale.

Often it’s easier to go to . . . ta-da! . . .

Amazon!

Your product recommendations are appreciated.  I hope you will share with us why you are pleased with something you ordered from Amazon.  (I can no longer post links to readers’ purchases without a recommendation.)

What would you recommend for a great gift for someone on your list or for yourself?

Thanks for your help!

rvsue

READER PRODUCT RECOMMENDATION!

Suzicruzi on the road (with Larry and Kitty) recommends . . . 

MPOWERD 1023-002-001-002 Luci Outdoor 2.0 – Inflatable Solar Light, Finish, Adjustable Strap, 5 x 4.25, Clear

“I highly recommend the Luci Light available at Amazon.  They are really great, long lasting, little solar lights that charge easily and hold their charge for a long time (unused) so you can have them in case of power outages.

“They are small, waterproof, and pretty functional. One lights the interior of our Casita, two are almost as good as daylight! (Almost). Due to the cost and light weight, easy-to-use feature, they make great gifts!

“We first used them for backpacking as they weigh nothing, charge during the day on your pack, and stay lit a very long time. The directions say they stay on 12 hours, but we have found it’s more like 8-10 hrs on the low setting, which is still amazing. You gotta get a few! We have the original, but I’m kind of drooling over the newer colored ones for patio lanterns. Cheers!” — Suzicruzi

~ ~ ~

Amazon Fire tablets – Holiday Sale

Shop Amazon Devices – Save on Fire TV Cube

RVSue and her canine crew is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

~ ~ ~

THANK YOU FOR VISITING MY BLOG!

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85 Responses to Functional or fun or both!

  1. JoanneG from San Rafael says:

    Hi Sue, just saw a chance to finally be first! Happy Holidays!

  2. Suzicruzi says:

    Bargains are my middle name! Sue, you out-do the rest of us!!

    Love that nifty fence!! Now you can run around neked with those doggos of yours, barking and howling at the moon. Lol… 😜🤣

    Moving day! Ttyl…
    Suzi

  3. milliehubbard says:

    Beautiful finds! It must be so nice to be able to bring these treasures “home”. The advantage of starting “fresh”. I love thrift shopping, but lack the space to bring anything home unless something else goes. And I for one am enjoying your blogs about furnishing your new nest! Do the boys give everything the “once over sniff” to make sure the items meet with their approval? My little guy sniffs every new item that comes in the house…including people!!

  4. Laura says:

    Thrift shops are addictive! 😎 Happy shopping.

  5. Lee says:

    Hi Sue, just love all your thrift store finds. I am in the process of purging my home and would really love to go thrifting, but not now during the purge. I was looking at the bowel you showed, the one from South America, I hope you are not using it for food, lead contamination. I have several of them from my time in Arizona, I have them placed around the house for whatever. They will not be going in the purge. Glad to see the house is coming together for you.

  6. Mary Kellogg says:

    LOVE seeing your finds. There are people, like me (us?), that just will not spend a lot on things. Even if I was loaded I wouldn’t.

    You have great taste and love the way you put your goodies together. Great eye!

  7. Love the new fence and thrift store finds. I’m a thrift store hound too. I have been collecting old western theme xmas tree decorations over the years. Last summer I found four little Santa’s with cowboy hats, lassos, boots…they are adorable on the tree. I found roadrunner, quail, owl and cardinal birds in wooden, crystal, and ceramic. I also have the Native American story teller ornaments my niece made, a Hogan & sheep from sister Ann, and cactus and other desert plants ornaments from my daughter. These ornaments from niece and daughter go well with my collection. From the thrift store I found an ornament stand that I can set on a table and hang ornaments on. I also found a box of old decorative brass ornament hangers. The brass hangers are spun into very decorative design. I researched on-line to find other decorative ornament hangers to compliment my thrift store find. I found these in the middle of summer drastically marked down. What a find! I’ve also found two decorative metal strings with clips on them to hang xmas cards. They each hold about a dozen cards. I have to polish and soil the metal string when I put them away for fear they might rust or tarnish. Anyway, love the treasures you found…the squirrels look so cute outside.

  8. You have a good eye for finding treasures and your finds are awesome. I have to admit part of the fun of furnishing our Green Valley condo was combing garage and estate sales, and thrift stores (especially the White Elephant) for dishes, pillows, bedspreads, whatever. We still love going to sales at home in Oregon but don’t need much, but a week ago we went to a professionally organized estate sale and found the perfect area rug for our living room, a very nice Turkish made (we think) that was priced at $10. Based on prices for the other items, we think it was probably supposed to have another “0” in there but we weren’t going to argue.

    If readers care to check out book-ish or book gifts for loved ones, clicking on my name will take them to my latest blog post on lit gifts for the holidays, with books that can be purchased from Amazon.

    Happy Holidays everyone!

  9. Barbara (Nashville) says:

    Your thrift finds are amazing. I have winter items placed near the door for walking Angel. The thought of nice basket to keep them in never occurred to me until I saw yours. Thanks for the idea. Sure looks nicer than my hats and gloves lying on the table.
    The bowl for South America is really pretty. I love that bed you found. It’s style looks similar to the one Nancy put in your room. Hope that statement wasn’t insensitive.
    The chest and side table (previous post) look like they may have come from Pine Factory or Cargo Furniture originally. They look similar to some pieces I have. If so, they last forever.

  10. ApplegirlNY says:

    Your finds have just the right balance of function and fun! Love the spotted horse and the bowl with the parrot(?) in it. That chest of drawers is also beautiful.

  11. Annie/Oregon coast says:

    Love your thrift store treasures…they look great. And I think so much more fun..finding a bargain, upcycling, and being kinder to our planet!!

  12. Susan in the Pacific NW says:

    Perhaps it is time to slow down and remember how much you valued your trailer life for being able to clean your house in just a few minutes because it did not have a lot of objects in it. It is very easy to get caught up in the treasure hunting endorphin thrill of finding bargains and end up with way too many hours of dusting to do.

    RV Sue,….June 17, 2011 ” You mean nothing to me you useless piece of clutter! Get out of my life! Be gone forever! How liberating! I’m free!

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      Slow down? And live in cold, empty rooms?

      I understand your concern, Susan.

      Several things have changed: My home in GA was furnished with junk or stuff that I didn’t choose. I was at a different point in my life then: I had just broken free of the rat race, I had an urgent need to travel, live close to nature, and be free of my past. I wanted to be free to roam wherever the PTV’s wheels would take me. I’ve changed. I was younger, for one thing, and my wanderlust has been satisfied.

      I’m into my seventies now. I have a huge collection of memories that keep me content. I also need time to rest in a place that soothes me. Also, regarding my shopping, besides furnishing this house so it is transformed from an empty structure to a home, for the first time in my life I’m able to shop for the fun of it.

      I’m still free. I’m free to do what I want in the way that I want.

      BTW, I probably will have a yard sale once I figure out what fits and what doesn’t. Don’t worry. I’m mindful of the clutter trap.

      • weather says:

        Wow, Sue, I just love what you wrote in this reply! It pleases me ever so much to see how content you are with your home, this stage in your life, and finally being free to shop for the fun of it.

        Having been fortunate enough to travel, see a lot of this country, Mexico and Canada , while camping, visiting or living in many of those places I, also, am still free to do what I want in the way that I want. Because I may or may not decide to stay here long term I had been reluctant to improve some things in my home. While watching you turn your property into a home, and do a lot of it so affordably, I’ve been inspired. Why live here even another season without making a few lovely changes? So Monday I bought paint with which to make my living room into a more cheerful perfect back drop for a few pieces of art that I have. Thank you 🙂 !

      • Jan NH says:

        I also love what you said in this reply and mirror weather’s sentiments of enjoying the process as you find treasures and items to furnish your home. I so love a bargain and I love the idea that you aren’t too attached so that once you have the house just as you want it, you are content to sell off what doesn’t work. What fun you are having!

        I find it is so much easier to let go of those things when I know I’ve found it for a bargain price. For me it is often harder to let go of something if I feel I spent too much money in the first place…but I am working on changing that.
        I am working on adopting Marie Kondo’s philosophy from her book, “The Life-changing Magic of Tidying Up”….does it bring me joy? If not, away it goes! 🙂 It is just stuff and just because I was silly enough to pay too much for an item should not be a reason to hang on. I haven’t been purchasing as I’m in the process of purging so keep on keepin’ on and sharing your finds and your bargains…I”m living vicariously through you and also feel a thrill when you find a treasure for a bargain especially when all it needs is a little cleaning up and some TLC!

        The fence is looking very wonderful…what a great choice you made to install that.

    • jazzlover says:

      Don’t worry Susan, RVSue knows exactly where she is at and what she is doing at this time in her life. The BLT is just as Sue wants it and ready to go when she is, and the home will be when she finishes furnishing it to her tastes, which are nicely south western and fit right in. She has a handle on it, never doubt that. Take Care.

      • Susan in the Pacific NW says:

        I was just making a comment about having to dust all the chotchkies 🙂

        You are reading something into it that is not there…worry. Why in the world would I worry about her? She is not deathly ill or homeless. She certainly does not engage in risky activities.

  13. Columbus Calvin says:

    I particularly like the paper towel holder (I should get one of those), the squirrels, and the way that “odd area” came together.

    I’ll take another look at the Fire tablets. So far I’m not seeing one without Alexa, but I haven’t taken a long look yet. It’s a matter of time before I get enough of the tablet I have.

  14. Ruthie in Fontana says:

    Hi Sue, It would be so nice to be able to put things in a space and admire them. I live with my husband and it is a little off balanced because he has his stuff with very little space left for mine! I see a theme to your shopping. Birds. Reminds me of my Sister. Keep on shopping because you can thrift shop.

  15. Nora says:

    Hi Sue,
    Love your shopping tales. I am currently looking for a new home in Mississippi and fully intend to furnish it in exactly the way you are furnishing yours. Just hope the thrift stores are as prolific as yours have been. Starting out fifty years ago I wanted good furniture that would last forever but now I’ll just want something pleasing and comfortable – and inexpensive. Then if a hurricane comes and sweeps it all away I won’t have lost a lot!
    Hope the boys are enjoying the new finds also. I have one very sick dog (Dilla) right now. She has an intestinal tumor and is being sustained on Prednisone for now. Hate thinking of the inevitable outcome.

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      Hi, Nora,

      How difficult it is to watch our innocent pets who have medical issues. I’m sorry you and Dilla are going through that.

      Best wishes for finding the perfect home for you!

    • Cynthia in San Clemente says:

      Hi Dilla – so sorry to hear that your dog is sick. My dog just went through a lengthy treatment on Prednisone and if you weren’t aware, it makes them very thirsty and ravenous. He had never had accidents in the house, but started having them because he was drinking buckets of water. Just a suggestion that you may want to take Dilla out to potty more often. I hope the Prednisone helps her.

    • Denise - Richmond VA says:

      Hi, Nora,

      So sorry that your precious Dilla is sick. You all will be in my thoughts and prayers.

    • Jan NH says:

      Hi Nora,
      I’m so sorry to hear about your Dilla. I had a previous rescue with health issues treated with prednisone. He was a happy little guy and survived well for several years on the prednisone and believe me I was hesitant at first having gone through it myself years ago. Yes, he will be ravenous and thirsty…I was lucky as my Tate loved veggies so I was able to give him extra treats of veggies which prevented him from gaining weight. He was older and dealing with some incontinence but I used belly bands with feminine pads so if you find that a problem, doggie diapers for your girl are always an option….what we won’t do for our loving fur companions :). Hoping for all the best for you and Dilla.

  16. ReneeG from Idaho says:

    Hi Sue! What a great array of items you have purchased and without “breaking the bank”. That’s what I like too!

  17. Linda Sand says:

    We have two of those square wooden bowls. One sits by the front door and the other on my husband’s bedside chest. They are great for holding pocket litter.

    I love so many of your choices but I am glad you are wiling to part with things that don’t fit once you determine which things will stay. Cozy and comforting yet still easy to clean is my goal.

  18. Reine in Princeton, TX (when not camping) says:

    How fun to see the things you’ve bought because they serve a purpose and bring you joy. I see you making your home a welcoming place that provides a great retreat for you and the crew. Now you can travel when the mood strikes you and return to your home place when you want. With our new home we’re having the landscaping done instead of trying to do it ourselves. We decided that we’re too old to mess with digging and planting. We found someone with the creativity and vision to design a landscape that fits us so we’re paying his team do the work and we get to enjoy the results. It’s really fun to see the place looking way better than we could have done on our own.

  19. Carlene and Corky from central New Mexico says:

    Hey there Sue and Guys… I’ve been reading aka lurking for the last few months… I love the transition you are making, it’s in the back of my mind for a base camp also… AND your chest of drawer with rot-iron pulls is wonderful, I love that style.
    Corky and I are in central NM at Bosque del Apache NWR, 3rd year out of the last 4… So why would I want to buy a base camp if we keep coming back here… something to ponder.
    We want to wish Reggie and Roger and You too Sue a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in you new home, with family around I’m sure it will be memorable.

  20. weather says:

    Ya know how when you’re at a store you look at each item you like, then it’s price, then consider if it’s worth it? Well, that’s the way I treated each photo in this post of things you’d bought. Wow, Sue, you really have found very nice things inexpensively! I do like it all, and think the recliner and bed were especially great finds. The one thing I wouldn’t have taken time to consider before buying it is the carved spotted horse. I’d have put in my shopping basket right away (to be sure no one else could, Ha!), hoped it wasn’t much more than $10, and been thrilled to get it for only 50 cents.

    As you know, I prefer buying used furnishings, clothes, decorations, vehicles, etc. Even when I can well afford to buy new things, I’d rather not waste money that I, or someone else, could use for other things. My friends and family know that, and so sometimes that subject is part of our conversations. For quite a while I’ve wanted to buy a used washer and dryer, but hadn’t found anything nearby. Well, two of my friends were talking, one said she had to empty her father’s house so it could be sold, mentioning that among other things, a clothes dryer had to go.The other one said I might want to buy it. Then the one with the dryer said she would rather give it to me for Christmas.

    This little story gets even better. After the phone calls with those ladies about the dryer, I called a guy friend that moves a lot of appliances and knows a lot about them, to ask him if laying the dryer in the back of my jeep would damage it. He said it would be best to transport it upright, left work for a couple of hours, drove his pick-up truck to get the dryer, and brought it here. Then he said he has a spare old washing machine that he’ll bring over on one of his days off. I offered them both what old appliances are worth, they wouldn’t accept that much because we often exchange favors and gifts. So between them both, for a new-to-me washer/dryer set, my cost is $100.

    As I can’t post photos of appliances (or anything else) on here, I’ll give you “pictures”. Before-me carrying full laundry baskets through deep snow banks in wintertime, and sitting in sweltering laundromats in summertime. After-me doing laundry with my sweet kitties in our lovely climate controlled home .

    • Denise - Richmond VA says:

      Hi, weather,

      I loved the pictures you painted. Your new-to-you washer and dryer story is just another example of one’s kindness being returned 10-fold. 🙂

      Have a good evening, weather. Thursday night into Friday morning, be on the lookout for the Germind Meteor Shower. Peak viewing time is 2AM. One article I read suggested, “Pull out a reclining lawn chair, bundle up with extra clothing layers and a quilt. Pick a nice, dark spot, lean back and enjoy the show!” Sounds wonderful, doesn’t it?! I hope you have clear skies and might get a chance to see this light show. 🙂 The Christmas Comet will be nearby, too, but hard to see with the naked eye.

      • Denise - Richmond VA says:

        Geminid meteor shower…..darn auto correct.

      • weather says:

        Thanks for telling me about the meteor shower, Denise,and for remembering that I love that kind of thing.
        One recent morning around sunrise Venus was shining so brightly it was astonishingly beautiful.
        It’s been nice for you and Gracie pup having a couple extra days at home together. I hope the roads and your job are smooth the rest of this week.

    • jazzlover says:

      Good for you weather! What happenstance that was for you. I love it when that occurs, it’s like an unexpected gift. Totally understand the convenience of having your own washer and dryer in house. Now you can do the laundry and watch the snow fall. Enjoy!

      • weather says:

        Thank you, Jazzlover, it really was an unexpected gift that I’ll enjoy. When my son was an infant our apartment was upstairs. I pictured holding onto the railing of the outdoor stairway as I carried laundry and my baby up and down the steps, then decided washing everything by hand was safer, so did that. My mother came to visit and saw what I was doing, then bought me a portable Maytag washing machine and drying rack to use. Since that time I’ve always felt that having a washer and dryer is a luxury, privilege and gift.

    • Elizabeth says:

      Lovely how your needs are being met too Weather…well, you know I feel being able to do your laundry at home is a need, not a want. But that is because I still need to cart off the light colored things I have…the ones I really care about, to my daughter’s to wash due to the nasty water here. I still HOPE for a better setup…but am waiting till things settle down more for daughter and see how things play out…before we move again. Waiting….

      • weather says:

        Thank you, Elizabeth, it truly is lovely to share all that my friends and I do. I wish things were easier for you and your family, and I still hope that they will be, too.

  21. Alice says:

    Love the way your house is coming together. You are finding too many good things thrifting. Good for you ! Hugs to your boys

  22. Rob, in FL says:

    It looks like you’re having all kinds of fun!

  23. Cynthia in San Clemente says:

    Am I losing my mind? I noticed what looks to me like a new header photograph of the back of the boys heads, but before I commented on it I wondered, “Is it really new or am I just noticing it? Maybe I best go back a few days and check.” So I went back and back and back and then I went to January 2018 – when I KNOW this photo wasn’t the header – and there it was!!!! So when you put a new header on a post does it automatically update every former post? Inquiring (or senile!) minds want to know. Anyway, the photo is adorable, even without their big brown eyes!

    The fence is really pretty – I love the contrast of the dark posts and the lighter slats. Will it stay that way, do you think? And I really like the “vignette,” as interior designers call it, that you’ve placed on the chest – all the shades of brown look nice together and the different textures are inviting. The queen bed is great – have you decided what to do with it? Just clean it up or refinish it entirely? It looks like it’s in good condition now and a nice, neutral color to work with if you decide to leave it as is.

    Sammy got his stitches out yesterday and he is doing great. He is like a new dog and his energy level is back to what it was a few years ago! Hallelujah! I got an email this morning that the insurance company has put a check in the mail – they paid almost a full 80% of the $9,000 claim. I am very pleased at their quick response and fairness. If anyone is interested, the carrier is PetPlan. (Sue, if it’s not ok to plug a company like that, just delete.)

    • Denise - Richmond VA says:

      Hi, Cynthia,

      Double good news! Yay Sammy and the pet insurance company! So glad to hear that he is feeling better!

    • weather says:

      Great news about Sammy! Yes, changing the header photo on one post changes it on prior posts,too. Also,Cynthia,I love the tradition you started with a Christmas birthday cake.

  24. Denise - Richmond VA says:

    Hi, Sue,

    I love the header photo of the boys sharing surprised stares with a doe. I bet Reggie and Roger sounded the alarm and sent Miss Doe on her merry way. 🙂

    Your cozy home is really coming together! The pieces of furniture all seem to be made well and will give you many years of service. That La-Z-Boy rattan recliner was an awesome find! New, they cost around $500! Minor touch ups or “love” can make a find a treasure. I love the arched doorways in your home (reflected in the mirror). Everything that you have found seems to belong together, like a household of items that had been lovingly collected over many years. 🙂

    My road was plowed and salted/sanded late this afternoon. Yay! 🙂

    Have a good evening, Sue. Sending you, Reggie, and Roger lots of love and hugs from me and Gracie pup! 🙂

  25. Jolene/Iowa says:

    Hi Sue,

    I love them all!! We happen to be working far enough away from home that we had to get a hotel room for 3 nights last week and we are on our second and last night this week for this job.

    Well of course I had to check out the Goodwill store here! Loved it! Some towns have good ones and others just don’t get great quality stuff. Today I found a shirt, sweatshirt and a beautiful snowflake snow globe! Love thrift store shopping!

  26. rvsueandcrew says:

    Connection problems again. This is 3rd try. Sorry I can’t reply now although I want to! Great comments and updates!

    Love y’all,
    Sue

  27. Mel from NW Arkansas says:

    Hi there! Just LOVE all the info on thrift shop/resale store finds.. Mother and I love to hunt down fun stuff at a bargain.. please continue to publish the info even tho some blogorinos may not appreciate the effort and fun that goes into finding the perfect something at a great price! Mother is having a blast trying to figure out which stores you have been visiting.. after living in your area for 30+ years, She thinks she knows every thrift shop within a 100 mile radius!!
    Life is great here in NW Arkansas for us (don’t miss TX at all!) and we even have some thrift shops here to explore! Again, really enjoy reading about all of your “at home” adventures..thank you for taking the time to entertain and educate us…ps Gary says hello too !

  28. Nancy1340 says:

    I love the bowl from South America and the appaloosa horse. I have a friend that raises appy’s. I’d love to find one like your’s for her.

    Your house is looking homey and though different than your sister’s taste, sill lovely.

  29. Elizabeth says:

    I am amazed Sue at the prices you have paid!! I think we would never find any so reasonable here, for any of those pieces you bought! I am happy for you!!

  30. Eileen says:

    All your thrift shop treasures are inspiring, makes me want to visit the local ones here more often! Thanks for sharing.

  31. Dawn in NC says:

    Sue, I’m sorry that you are no longer able to post what readers have bought. I always enjoyed reading that. One thing I’m getting for Christmas from my sister, from Amazon is a WaterBOB bathtub emergency water drink container. It’s basically a huge water bladder, 100 gallons, made of food grade plastic. It goes in your bathtub and you can fill it up. I want it in case of hurricanes, if I am sheltering in place!

    • Lisa, Dad, Tommie and Buddy in FL says:

      what a great idea! I have also seen people put gallon ziploc bags in a box. Instant emergency water storage!

    • weather says:

      Gee,what a great Christmas gift that will be from your sister, Dawn. You are wise to want to be prepared in case you need to shelter in place. I’m curious about why you believe that Sue is no longer able to post what readers have bought. Perhaps I missed something saying that, I just thought she had chosen to do things differently for a while.

      Sue, the ASIN for that item is B001AXLUX2

      • Dawn in NC says:

        Hi Weather! Thanks for the ASIN number, I never know where to find it. In the above post under the “Amazon” title, Sue writes that, “I can no longer post links to readers’ purchases without a recommendation.” I assume that meant the purchase list of days past are gone. Perhaps I am mistaken. I would like to be, for I liked those lists. 🙂

        • weather says:

          Hi, Dawn,
          To know where to find an ASIN number try this- click on the solar light that Suzi recommended (above on this page)

          Scroll down the Amazon page with that product, near the bottom is the products details section. The 3rd line there shows the ASIN number. Those detail sections are where I always look for it.

          It’s really nice of you, and others, to recommend products to the rest of us. It can be hard or time consuming to find the item we are describing to each other sometimes. By typing the ASIN into Amazon’s search box, the process becomes much easier.

          • rvsueandcrew says:

            I didn’t see this, weather, before I wrote my other reply to you. You’re right, much easier with ASIN. Sometimes it’s the only way to find the exact same product.

      • rvsueandcrew says:

        Links must have a recommendation (Amazon rules).

  32. Becky in NJ says:

    Great post!
    I’m really enjoying seeing all of your “finds” from your various shopping excursions. The house appears to be coming together very well for you!

  33. Denise - Richmond VA says:

    🙂

  34. Denise - Richmond VA says:

    Hi, Sue,

    Gracie pup loves snow! When I got home from work tonight, she was happy to see me (and I her!) and could not wait to go outside. We have had some melting, but the snow is still deeper than her petite frame. That does not deter her. It is funny to watch her trying to run around in the snow, more like a clumsy hop. Her favorite thing to do is bury her nose deep in the snow. Seeing two little pink ears sticking up out of the snow makes me laugh every time! When one of my neighbor’s daughter was a little girl, she was worried that Gracie would get lost in the snow, with her being white. I assured her that we could find her by looking for her black nose and dark eyes. Love my little Westie girl! 💕

    Hope you had a good day! Sending you, Reggie, and Roger lots of love and hugs from me and snowbunny Gracie pup. xo 🙂

  35. rhodium in sw va says:

    As your house comes together, it’s nice to know that when you do go out on the road again there will be some responsible neighbors to keep an eye on things

  36. AR Rose says:

    Sue, when getting ready to buy mattress for that new headboard Amazon sells this:
    Sleep Innovations Shiloh 12-inch Memory Foam Mattress, Bed in a Box, Quilted Cover, Made in The USA, 20-Year Warranty – Queen Size
    I bought one of these in 2012, in a Cal King size and it still sleeps like and looks like new. Son liked it so well he bought one. Sister liked it so well she bragged about its comfort to my brother and he bought one. Best mattress I have ever slept on!

  37. ApplegirlNY says:

    Sue, Don’t know if this is how to post recommendations, but here are some. Please feel free to break them up and use them when you need. I’ll also send in a review of the Instant Pot I went ahead and purchased, once I see what that baby can do!

    Recommendations for Amazon Link:

    Lenovo Ideapad 330 – Unfortunately the screen died on my laptop and had to replace it with a new one – at Christmastime, no less. My previous laptop was a Lenovo, and it was great so I decided to go for it again The Lenovo Ideapad 330 was under $400 and is a great laptop. The set up was a bit of a drag, but getting new technology always is. I find the inexpensive Lenovos rival much more expensive laptops I have owned in the past. If you’re looking for new laptop and don’t want to spend tons, this is a good one.

    California Design Den 400 Count Cotton Sheets – Hard to find 100% cotton sheets, these are nice for the price.

    Amazon Fire Stick – If you’re an Amazon Prime Member, this is a great purchase. Plugs directly into the HDMI port of your TV. We watch almost exclusively on this devise. Lots of movies and TV series included, and quite a few monthly subscriptions you can also get. I love British mysteries and British sitcoms, and for $5 per month I can subscribe to those channels on a month to month basis and cancel anytime. So much better than depending on what’s on the major networks. We don’t have cable, so this is a good option for us.

    • weather says:

      Hi, Annie, I’ll be interested to know what you think about your Instant Pot, I only have crock pots, and you know how limited those are in comparison to everything you’ll be able to do with your newest cook’s helper.

      Sue, the Lenovo Ideapad 330 ASIN is

      B07GBJW7TS

      The California Design den sheets one is

      B06Y3TGYL3

      • rvsueandcrew says:

        weather, you are a dear! You’ve saved me a lot of time!

        I don’t know if I’ll be able to post today. I’ll try. The connection is fine for a while and then “poof!”

        BLOGORINOS: Thanks a bunch for the product recommendations! (To find the ASIN, on the product’s page, scroll down to “Product Details.”)

        • ApplegirlNY says:

          Will do in the future!

          Weather, Thanks for doing that. I’ll let you know how the instant pot works out. Not cheap, but hopefully it will be worth it. I do loads of soups and broths that can be on the stove for a full day at a time, so I’m hoping this will save $ in the long run. I love that it also can work as a slow cooker. I’m all about multi function, and the fewer things I have the better.

    • Columbus Calvin says:

      Thanks for the recommendation on the Fire Stick. I’m working toward streaming a very limited selection of content, and I already have Prime. That might be very helpful.

    • Denise - Richmond VA says:

      Hi, Applegirl,

      Which channel(s) do you find British sitcoms and mysteries? I love them, too! I have seen an ad in the Acorn catalog for AcornTV, which carries British programs. Have not tried it yet. Thanks for the info!

      • ApplegirlNY says:

        Hi Denise,
        I have found that Acorn and BritBox both have pretty good choices. I jump off and on depending on what I’m addicted to on any given month (LOL). That’s the beauty of the system, just one month at a time. So easy and cheap. Some of my favorite mysteries are Hercule Poirot (David Suchet, of course), Miss Marple, Midsomer Murders, Rosemary and Thyme, Inspector Lynley, Vera and on and on (some are light, some a bit darker). Loads of sitcoms, too. I am running out of shows to watch, however – the winter months are long.
        I find for the $4.99 per month for Acorn, it’s a great deal – the price of a cup of coffee. I think Brit Box is $5.99. Prime allows you do do a trial week on most channels, and it’s really easy to pick them up and drop them.

        Give it a whirl, and let me know what you think.

  38. I recently bought an adjustable pole with a hook at the end from Amazon. What for you ask? I use it to hang or retrieve items from my closet that is too high for me to reach. I’m short so it helps me a lot. I also used it to hang bird houses in my palo verde trees and hummingbird and bird feeders. It’s the same pole retail clothing stores use. I’m also taking this pole with me to a pecan farm in South Mountain to help me get nuts off the tree this Sunday. We also bought a 6′ tree saw to cut branches and/or trim trees. Very handy and have used it several times already. In addition, I bought a xmas card hanger with lights. It hold 20 cards. The card hold hasn’t arrived yet but hope it will be here soon. All this from Amazon!!!

  39. Barbara (Nashville) says:

    Wonder why Amazon won’t let you post reader choices anymore. To me it helps generate sales. I found several things in the purchases that I wrote down for future if I get to travel someday. Others I either purchased or wrote down for when I de-clutter enough to buy.

    Some of these companies have really stupid rules. I really liked looking at the items others purchased.

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