ORDINARY DAYS and how SPECIAL THEY CAN BE!

                                        Ordinary days.  

                     

Extra-ordinary days happen in even the most ordinary of days.  

Recently, I took my car in for an ordinary oil change.  We have our cars serviced and repaired at this location.  It is a small business that belongs to a wonderful family.  We feel fortunate to know them---not only because we trust what they say and do regarding our vehicles, but mainly because they are just honest, decent, hardworking and kind folks. 

               

You feel that kindness when you walk in the front door.  They have coffee waiting for you and they have a special little corner devoted just to the wee ones who are waiting for their cars to be serviced.

           

They also have two adorable kitties who call this place home. 

This beautiful feline is CLIO.  I was told she was given the name of the "Greek goddess of reproduction".  You see Clio appeared at the home of Karen and Butch (part of the family owners) and soon afterwards gave birth to five kittens!  They ended up bringing Clio and her brood to the shop and eventually all of the babies were placed in homes except for one.

 

              

The one that stayed with her mom is ZENA, the warrior princess!

 

                           

Clio makes certain a customer is OK as he waits for his ride to pick him up.

                            

                                             Zena tells it like it is!

         

On my way home that day, I hit the brakes when I saw this sign and it's a good thing I did!

                             

For five dollars each, I purchased a great little vintage bench and piece of an old cabinet topper. 

I had to sneak these things in to the house, because my husband doesn't always share the same great "vision" I have about such terrific bargains!  BUT I think I might paint the old oak topper (yes, black---we're all doing it!) and hang it on a wall in a grouping.  The bench will look great repainted and recovered---there's always room for a sweet little bench. 

Yes, an ordinary day!

      

A few days later, I found myself out and about on another "ordinary day" when I decided to check out one of our Thrift Stores----clever name, wouldn't you say?  If I owned that, I would at least try to give it a bit of distinction-----like "Nifty Thrifty", or "Thrifty Finds", or "Come on in, Sucker!"  Something to grab a bit of attention.  On the other hand, it is simple and straight to the point--nothing really wrong with that, I suppose.  Heck, it got me in there!

Actually, what got my attention was the large number of white vehicles (including mine in the foreground).  Was there a special price on items if you owned a white car?  Was it a convention?  Were we all a bunch of color impaired car buyers who couldn't make up our mind as to a color, so we all said "Just give me a white one"?  

I decided to check out the offerings at this spot and came out with this--a little lantern.    

                        

When I bought it, I actually thought it was a light fixture used in an outdoor spot. But when I got it home, I realized that it was a "pretend" lantern/fixture object.  It only cost $2.50, so I figured I could incorporate it in something-----like a centerpiece!

Decorating is not my claim to fame, but I do love to find old castoffs and use them in unique ways.

I knew I wanted to use the lantern in a centerpiece and therefore I needed to place it up on something for a bit of extra height.

       

So I pulled out an old silver casserole server (holds a Pyrex dish---about 9 X 15) I had found at a garage sale last Summer for one dollar---I had to sneak that in to the house, too.  I have become very good at sneaking bargains in over the years. 

            

To that casserole server I added a really scratched up silver platter I bought some time ago at a flea market----for $1.00!!!!  Yep, it was brought into the house disguised as a bag of food from the store!  He never knew the difference!

         

This is where this ordinary day got really fun!    I placed that lantern on top of the platter---adding a battery operated candle, too! 

       

Finally, I plunked a Fall wreath over the lantern and BAM----a thrifty centerpiece! 

          

On another ordinary day, I was heading to the store and saw this scene in a yard.  I was so thrilled when I realized I had my camera with me I just had to stop and take a picture!  Bet this was not an "ordinary day" for Amy.  She evidently had a birthday and someone had her yard plastered with pink flamingos!!!!

                     

This is a glimpse I my back patio from the dining room.  It was an ordinary day and I was taking a picture for a post to join in with several other bloggers about "sharing a window scene from our home".  By the time I put it together and took the photo, I had to leave and I ran out of time to get it posted.  However, I love that picture.  It's a reflection of the end to a wonderful summer day. What a peaceful feeling ---relaxing on the patio with my plants now that they are looking "summery-good"---- with the glow of a little lantern, a glass of wine and my favorite concrete bunny.

The best things happen on ordinary days.

In this frightening time for our nation, I pray that our leaders can pull together and act quickly to save our economy.  Furthermore, that precious time will not be spent tossing "the blame" around,  but will be focused on quickly solving the problem at hand---then making certain it doesn't happen again.  If ever there was a time for us to come together and work as one---it is now.  We all want to enjoy many more "ordinary days".

 

DANA

Comments

[Nola of Alamo North]

Adorable cats! I think animals are better judges of character than we humans, so I always like to do business with people who take their animals to work. It tells me they are probably good people, or the animals wouldn't be there.

[Darlene]

Ah, yes those "ordinary days". Looks like you have some great ones!! I absolutely love your new centerpiece...FABULOUS!! I have become the queen of sneaking things in...lol

Beautiful pictures and great post...as all of yours are.

Oh, and by the way, we did not end up going to the theater production of Mamma Mia (conflicting things) but it is finally at our old little movie theater and I am DEFINITELY going to see it!!

[Kim V]

Great centerpiece! Funny how our hubbies don't have our vision! The little bench is really cute, what's not to love!?!

This was a great post of ordinary days!

Praying for the crisis too!

Have a great day!
Kim

[Ceekay]

Hi Dana...great finds...your centerpiece turned out lovely and I am anxious to see what you do with the decorative molding.

[My Petite Maison]

Hi Dana,
I love ordinary days too. You really snuck some wonderful things into the house. I love the Fall decorations the best. Probably because now I'm waiting for Fall again - too warm here. Your window photo is so pretty (better late than never!).
I have watched GH but I haven't seen yesterday's show yet either (think Sonny & Kate are getting married this week??).
I agree with you, we all need to come together during this rough, scary time and have lots & lots of ordinary days together.
xo~Tracie

[Brenda Kula]

You got that right, Dana! The ordinary days to me are the best days. I don't need theater in my life. Just simple little blooms in my garden; a cup of coffee. Sitting down in my garden room and being thankful for ordinary days such as today.
Brenda

[My Petite Maison]

Thanks for the reminder, by the way - my white car needs an oil change itself ;)
Cute kitties too.
xo~Tracie

[Tamara]

Love the centerpiece idea! It looks like your patio is a wonderfully relaxing place to sit and contemplate.....but don't contemplate the economy too much. It'll just make it hard to enjoy the scenery :)

[Margie]

Wow! I LOVE your centerpiece, it's really beautiful! (it doesn't even need any dentures added to it, it's perfect just the way it is!)

I also love the sign "the flock is in shock" tee hee hee!

My thoughts were running along the same lines as yours this morning. We've been told for so long that we're not even in a recession, now all of a sudden, we could be in a depression tomorrow, that could be worse than the first Great Depression. HUH? So my thoughts were running along the lines of how much I truly enjoy my "ordinary" days, and how my days might change if our country goes into a worse Depression.

Not that any of us were fooled, we're all smart enough to know that we have been in a recession. But it's time to stop all the petty bickering in Washington, get past it, work together, and come up with a solution we can all live with. Enough already!

[Brenda Mercado]

Count me in among the ordinary day lovers! I really think nothing beats a day of just being happy that all is NOT in chaos and your life is NOT in shambles. It doesn't need to be perfect or full of adventure, it just needs to be ordinary and I am good. Thanks for reminding me of that, Brenda=)

[Wonders Never Cease]

What a gorgeous centerpiece! You have great vision!

[Wonders Never Cease]

What a gorgeous centerpiece! You have great vision!

[Wonders Never Cease]

What a gorgeous centerpiece! You have great vision!

[Viv (VivLyn)]

I totally agree with your last paragraph!! Your centerpiece turned out really cute...I was beginning to wonder! LOL

[nikki]

What a wonderful post! And that centerpiece turned into a masterpiece! And the stone bunny looks like he might have been stealing a few sips of that wine!

[SherryB in AZ]

Hi, Dana!
I stumbled in from Filegirl's site.
I LOVED my visit to your place...this post about an ordinary day was so relaxing! Gotta love 'ordinary' days!!!
I'll be back again!
Sherry
http://www.youravon.com/sherrybeeson

[SherryB in AZ]

Hi, Dana!
I stumbled in from Filegirl's site.
I LOVED my visit to your place...this post about an ordinary day was so relaxing! Gotta love 'ordinary' days!!!
I'll be back again!
Sherry
http://www.youravon.com/sherrybeeson

[Diane@A Picture is worth....]

Hi Dana,
Love this post. Your husband and mine must be brothers. I sneak stuff in too! Do you really think we're fooling them? LOL

[Nancy]

Love your centerpiece and what a wonderful ordinary day. The whole nation needs more days like this (and our government should consider shopping at Thrift Stores).
Seriously though - the real problem looming over us is immensely disturbing to me. I have been so worried and concerned this past week but I suppose in a couple of days we will all know the outcome....did I win your Pink giveaway or not???!!! Heart you friend :)Nancy

[Donna]

Dana, you are anything but ordinary...you rock!!!
I love your blog and your bargains!

[Melissa]

Those kitties are adorable and what great finds that you picked up.

[Darlene]

Hi Dana,

GUESS WHAT??!!?? My daughter and I went last night and saw MAMMA MIA!!! We both LOVED it!! What a fun, feel-good movie!

[Lynn@thevintagenest]

Hi Dana, Happy Friday and weekend. I love "ordinary" days!! I stared at that photo of the Nifty Thrifty shop of all the white cars wondering if you had doctored up the photo or was it for real, then I read on down to see that it was for real...weird. lol

[My Petite Maison]

Dana,
Just came by to see if you're dressed for The Wedding~ ;) Do you think it's a sign, ravens in the bell tower? I had to share it with you (hope you don't mind...)

Happy Weekend!
xo~Tracie

[Vickie]

Is Miss Izzie a Rat Terrier?

[Jean]

Great post Dana! You have such a creative mind that I just love reading your posts!
On the serious side, I'm with you when you say we need to have things settled in Washington so that we can have many more "ordinary days."

[CurtissAnn]

You have the most wonderful creative ability to make something lovely out of next to nothing! What a gift!

[Jen]

Happy pink Saturday, you post was so entertaining! Love you table scape!

[Jeanne]

I can't believe I missed your ordinary day post. I loved it all. As usual you capture me from the first line. I would say your ordinary day resulted in some extraordinary purchases and photos. I can't wait to see the wood cabinet topper and the bench. Your lantern is just lovely. I don't believe you when you say you are not much at decorating.

Love your ordinary day, I want one too....Hugs, Jeanne

[Pat]

Lovely post Dana! The ordinary days is what life is all about isn't it?

I had root cana l today ...dopn't get more ordinary than that ...lol!! OUCH!!!

But then tonight we got to watch my daughter in law's 3 D sonogram on our computer! What a thrill!
The baby to be looks like my son!
Hugs, [pat

[An Enchanted Cottage]

Well those two guard kitties are just too cute! Sounds like a great place to have a car serviced :) I cracked up at the photo of all the white cars/vans because it brought back such a memory! Back when the girls were young, I took them to a Spice Girls concert. But during the Spice Girl's last song of the evening, I dragged the girls out so we could beat the mad rush of cars leaving the concert. However, when we got out to the parking lot, there was a sea of white minivans! I swear, nobody drove anything BUT a white minivan to that concert... Needless to say, we were still walking up and down each aisle looking for OUR white minivan when the concert got out... So much for getting out ahead of the crowd! ha ha...Donna

[Paper Doll]

I found your site by going through Deb Olsen's. I am a stamper and go through her list alphabetically. This time I started at the end of list. I am so pleased I did.
The wheat dishes look like the same design as a set my mother was collecting for me. I remember she got them from a detergent box, I believe was Tide. She collected the entire set for "me". Then one year a family at Church hit some hard times and she asked me to give up my plates to them. She said we could start over collecting them. I really hated the thought of it, but mom had those eyes and so I did. I had forgotten the design, until I saw the photo. The table setting is beautiful!
Thanks for sharing.
P.S. They stopped putting those in boxes and I never did get them "replaced". Paper Doll

[nancy clifton]

Dana;
Just read your blog about ordinary days. They sure are the best! Your mind must work even when you are sleeping!!!!
Nancy C.from Ole Raytown