The Tallest Man On Earth...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HANDSOME!

hi there.  it's been a while.  we've been busy.  time is flying by.

to prove this point (much to our chagrin) lil'man Otis turned FIVE years old today, he has grown so much since last year.

the time between then and now has been laden with struggles and challenges so milestones like these often present themselves with especially bittersweet emotions.  

thankfully, Otis has always been filled with a unique energy that sets people instantly at ease - he is a master of putting things in perspective, his eyes and smile can melt away any fear, doubt or insecurity. we are lucky to have him.

as often as i feel that fate gave me Ethan to teach me patience, i think i was given Otis so he could help me learn to enjoy the little things in life.  here are some photos of my favorite "little thing", who refuses to stop getting bigger...

of course everyone goes crazy over such and such and such...

why hello there!

we've been busy little bee's around here preparing for a flea market this weekend.  it's a pretty exciting new gig in town because our (sometimes socially challenged) city is lacking a good vintage and handmade flea. i am so hopeful that this concept catches on because, well, it would be really freakin' cool if it did!

so if you're around this Saturday stop by the Funky Flea between 10 am. and 4 pm. we'd love to see you!  

we're pulling our inventory from the shop and hauling it down, as well as LOTS and LOTS of other goodies we don't have online including but not limited to: vintage typewriters, fans, lamps, bikes, luggage and  turntables!  we will also be bringing a mother-load of clothes, hats, ties, cameras and records that are also not currently on Etsy.  

all you locals better stop by because if you don't you'll need to be looking over your shoulders from now until eternity cuz i'm gonna find you and kick yer ass. 

seriously. my kids gotta eat and i'm holding you personally responsible if they can't.

how can you say "NO!" to these faces?!

see you there! ;)

all things gonna come back around...

after a day spent in a mountain of Q-Tips (and leaving our house soaked in the smell of rubbing alcohol) jesse was able to turn these neglected gems into functional beauties.  he has patience beyond anyone i have ever known and that, combined with his meticulous attention to detail makes for a stunning finished product.  these will all be hitting the shop this week, with many more to come!

stop breaking down, baby, please, stop breaking down...

i am officially ready for May to end.

to say that is has been a shitty month would be an understatement.

i am sick of dismal skies and stressful situations.

last weekend we headed to Buffalo to help our friends with their 2nd annual 5K race for their charity foundation and although the event was a huge success, it was pouring rain and 35 degrees the whole time.

we also broke down on the thruway so a drive which is normally two hours ended up taking eight.

i am pretty sure it was illegal but the tow truck driver had us ride in our car as he towed it! i was terrified but Otis seemed to think it was the coolest thing ever.

the view of the back of the flat-bed as we embarked on our very scary ride to the next exit.

this photo sums up how Otis felt about the trip.  

his naturally adventurous spirit was mildly confused as to why i was squeezing his hand so hard the whole time.

we are slowly but surely updating the shop with vintage goodness, including a new load of sunnies.

jesse also hit the jackpot at an auction and has been weeding through dozens and dozens of cameras.  this is a pretty accurate depiction of how our library looks on a regular basis.  as soon as these are gone, i am sure a new haul will  arrive and destroy any hope of order i dare dream of.

your hand in mine...

print available from barnowlprimitives on Etsy

i have an amazing support system.  
i just thought you should know that.
Ethan took me out for lunch this afternoon (okay, so i gave him some money and THEN he took me out to lunch! :),  Otis spent the afternoon with the Grandparents and got me a super-secret Mother's Day gift at a garage sale (that's my boy!) and Jesse bought me four Artichokes at the store.
these may all seem like silly and inconsequential things to the average person, but they are the little things that remind me how blessed i am.
they can tell when i am sad and they all, individually, know what i need from them in order to set me back on the tracks.
i love those dudes, they are my saving grace - they never cease in their unconscious efforts of reminding me to stay present.

cause what is simple in the moonlight, by the morning never is...

i have found myself at a loss for words over the last few weeks.

i have been absent from the interwebs due to some family drama and the subsequent "sorting" of my Mothers meager estate.

quite often, i've found myself staring at images of her, as if they will give me some sort of counsel as to how to process and proceed in this unwanted obligation.

you see, i am the executor of my Mothers estate.  technically, i am the "executrix" because i am female.  wtf?

it sounds glamorous doesn't it?  well, it isn't.

it is a mountain of paperwork, files, debts, assets and emotions and i am hating every moment of it.

combined with the natural disasters and token assassinations swirling around the news, my faith in Mother Earth and humanity in general has faltered. 

i am exhausted with talking to lawyers and filling out forms - i am tired of doing laundry and blubbering alone at night about the fact that Mothers Day is this Sunday.
thank goodness the sun came out because i think one more day without it would have pushed me over the edge!
i am slowly working on restocking the shop which has proven to be therapeutic on many levels. 
i thank you all for your patience and encouragement as i wrangle my way through all this bullshit!

in the flat field...

it never ceases to amaze me when something trivial completely ruins my day,
then i realize... it can't, unless i let it.
man, the psychological responsibility of rejecting negativity is a weighty one!
thankfully, through all that i have experienced in my life, both good and bad, i have managed to survive and take away a little something from it.  
sadly, sometimes the thing i take away is bitterness or resentment but that is life and it can't all be sunny and sweet.  usually at such times, i return to my mantra illustrated HERE in an earlier post. 
this weekend was one of those times and i chose to not only "go to my happy place", i decided to stay a while :)
we spent both saturday and sunday out at the in-laws, there was grilling and salads and motorcycle riding - on sunday morning there was a fruitful trip to the flea market as well.
this is my favorite score of the day:

i have an affection for anything relating to carnies so this was an exciting find!  just look at these guys, how much more sinister and melancholy could a group of clowns look?!

 jesse was pleased with the little haul of vintage cameras and film he acquired

as well as a sweet portable typer in the most brilliant shade of teal green

i often wish i had these keys on my subconscious... 

and as i said, there was a bit of motocross action as well.  check out Captain Cool (a.k.a. Otis) taking a rest in between laps on the track.

this was taken moments after he took a horrendous spill - flipping his dirt bike over on top of his wee self and then (after i threw my Nikon in the weeds in order to drag him out from under the damn thing!!) got right back on it and rode away.  he always manages to take shit in stride and to not be scared of getting hurt.  i should really try that more often.