Dashing through The Bellagio Las Vegas

Christmas Day is in 4 days or 3 evenings; the tree is full of dancing lights, stockings, personal cards, and well wishes from family and friends. Packages are gathering underneath in various array of colors and designs; upon the bright shiny bows are reflections of all the dancing lights.

Although, dashing through the snow for me the last 10 years has been somewhat a figment of my recollections, dashing through the neon lights of the #Las Vegas Boulevard -otherwise known as 'the strip'-is something of a no-brainer for a local during this most celebrated holiday!

This year, THIS year--my dash among the neon lights includes my mother.  Recently a narrowing escape from California, I fondly introduce her as a refugee from California....together we visited the #Bellagio gardens -- It did not disappoint.

Together we waltzed into the atrium to a sight of the most beautiful scene of winter wonderland.  We walked through the snow globe area into a make believe snow flurry flanked by wooden soldiers...and on the other side of this flurry, was the most beautifully decorated tree so huge, it was amazing at the thought of how it was brought in...amazing to think  how many hours were spent meticulously placing all the ornaments...but the trains!!  The trains whisked around the tree in their own little train world, among Poinsettias and Evergreens, over bridges, hills and dales--an occasional whistle topped off the storybook railways...  MUST SEE.........!

Not to be missed, was the full size Bellagio chocolate gingerbread house! Hard to believe, the entire house was made of chocolate.  I thought I might have died and went to chocolate heaven....before our eyes, were flying reindeer pulling a life-size sleigh also covered in some semblance of chocolate....for mom and I, the Christmas scene allowed us a little bit of child-like laughter, a minute or two of amazement and wonderment.....

the polar bears floating amid ice blocks and sharing their world with us added a dimension of playful joy as we pointed to the carnations, hundreds of them, which decorated each figure....(several floating).......

Christmas in #LasVegas at the #Bellagio is going to be a tradition of ours from here forward. Christmas in Las Vegas MUST be a dash among the neon lights...because we have no snow!!!

The presents have all been purchased and wrapped, the tree is decorated to it's full capacity, my house is over-packed with cabinets and chairs moved out of the way, my scale is put away until some time after the first of the year--lots of time I might add.

I have written and lost at least a dozen lists, I have declared "finished" a million and one times, I have added gifts to forgotten friends (I affectionately call "whoops" presents) and I have eaten two bags of chips promising to replace them....

At the end of the day, I am reminded Christmas is in 4 days or 3 nights....it can't get here fast enough...or is here too soon?....but however it comes, whenever it comes, it will be welcome....I can honestly say, Christmas for me, is every day with my mother as my cohort....and as soon as this Christmas has passed, I will be the first one shopping the clearance sales for next Christmas!!  and the both of us swearing off chocolates...and chips.

A MUST VISIT destination for your holiday pleasure...and it's FREE!!
Bellagio Gardens

Merry Christmas to all and try not to touch that chocolate house!! (almost impossible)
Cheers.  -=BW

http://www.bellagio.com/attractions/

BWs Vintage Collectibles...and so much more!
http://stores.ebay.com/bws-vintage-collectibles

A virtual shopping destination!

Sometimes it does not suck to be me -in Las Vegas

Some days are better than others when it comes to trying to find "new" items which are actually "old" items...but new to me! There are some weekends I drive -it seems-a hundred miles in and around estate sales, moving sales, garage sales, community sales...etc. back and forth, following signs blown backwards with arrows turned sideways...u-turns, accidental running of neighborhood stop signs...stopping to go potty in the fast food restaurants along the way...and getting more coffee...some days it just sucks to be me with a hobby I love...the hunt is somewhat similar to what a hunter must feel while bagging a duck, deer, pheasant....and sometimes going home empty handed.....BUT
but then there are the days when my first stop inside a thrift store will knock my socks off...tons of old, tons of mid-century, tons of history, and I remember back to a time of yesteryear and collect it, proudly display my finds to the cashier...pack it up carefully as if I had diamonds....bring it home and display my wares....catalogue, inspect, wash and dry....and I say to myself, "Yep, some days it just doesn't suck to be me!" 
-=brenda. BWs Vintage Collectibles.

http://stores.ebay.com/BWs-Vintage-Collectibles/_i.html?_nkw=fenton&submit=Search&_sid=179616923

ALEXLITTLETHINGS - FleaBids Auction House

ALEXLITTLETHINGS - FleaBids Auction House

New site I found!

Bling Bling Las Vegas shows no signs of slowin' down....

Earlier this week, my niece and her husband came to visit. It was a short stay and it was capped off with the last evening a trip to the Las Vegas Strip....I stayed home mind you....

A short trip went into a 4 hour journey to discover the Treasure Island Pirate ship is currently being defended by Bikini clad women and the walking among the other tourists is like swimming upstream for a Salmon who is spawning....a fight to the finish is the better man who lives after ALL THAT. Tired, exhausted for the most part, they eventually made their way to the Henderson area for rest and respite.

The last morning, during breakfast of peanut butter pancakes and apple juice, I was shocked to hear how many people were still visiting Las Vegas this time of year!  I would think it a crossed off destination as the school has started in many states across America.

Las Vegas, I suppose, is the convention center of the universe and is a main booking destination for many huge companies and training seminar ventures.  It is not only a destination for sitting by the pool in the summer, it is a destination where you are allowed to play inside or outside or both year round.

With children in tow or with grown children partying with you to celebrate a 50 yr anniversary...there is plenty of magic left in Las Vegas...whether school comes or goes, you can always count on the Las Vegas Strip to arouse your senses, burn your toes from walking long distances, or gently take your hard earned cash....and that is all before you get out of the hotel....

Here's my locals tip for the month: 
Buffet prices are great at the Fiesta in Henderson, so is the nightly stay.  $29.00????
who has a room for $29.00?  and a 2 for 1 buffet for $8.99?

A short drive from downtown Las Vegas, a quick jaunt over the 215 East, and you will be at the Fiesta enjoying an old fashioned local casino and old fashioned prices which made this area famous....

There are no signs of slowin down this fall for Las Vegas.  If you are waiting to give us a call, try calling before the holidays! Prices are enticing, and especially the Fiesta Resort and Casino in Henderson, you will thoroughly enjoy your stay.

Plenty of bling for everyone, anytime of year,

-=brenda
BWs Vintage Collectibles.

http://stores.ebay.com/BWs-Vintage-Collectibles/ELECTRONICS-Phone-NEW-/_i.html?_fsub=5283642013&_sid=179616923&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322

iPhone 5 bling bling...see all the colors....iPhone 4s, Samsung S4 as well...new inventory daily...check back often....stocking stuffers are pouring in...buy early for best colors.

National Night Out Tonight August 6, 2013!!

It couldn't be a more perfect night to enjoy a visit to your local community park where your Police Department and Emergency Services may be holding an awareness informational interacting night for the entire family.  SWAT teams show off their latest heavy metal vehicles and robots, Motorcycles are lined up and are shined to perfection, hot dog meals and ice cream are served...all to the band sounds of various local musicians...

Boulder City, Downtown Henderson, Las Vegas Boulder Highway & Tropicana and half dozen other locations are presently open to the public absolutely free.

Personally, I take this night, The National Night Out event held across America, to thank as many officers, paramedics, firefighters, State Troopers, any and every sanctioned personnel for their service to my welfare.  Without our emergency crews, we might not be able to sleep as faithfully when the skies turn dark...or have hope when we are stranded on the roadways...sigh of relief when our loved ones need medical attention and transport...or when our homes are burning......I thank them all.

Now, don't get me wrong, I like the hot dogs too.  Free ice cream is always welcome by me!  but seriously, I go to thank my heros.

THANK YOU to my first and second responders...and to all the responders far and wide, to those in dispatches, those support staff members, and to our service people in general....THANK YOU...and I can't forget the K-9s....I love them too.

GOD BLESS and may the angels always be guarding over you.

-=Brenda
BWs Vintage Collectibles

http://stores.ebay.com/BWs-Vintage-Collectibles/Las-Vegas-Collectibles-/_i.html?_fsub=3544472013&_sid=179616923&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322

Happy 4th of July in Las Vegas

Wow, it's hot here.  Add some humidity, maybe 24%, and we are melting down. The trim on my car has melted and pulled away from my window.  It is so hot, the water bottle I keep in my car has leaked all over the passenger side seat.... I can make hot tea with it. 107 degrees is a cold snap. Seriously.  We get excited if the temp goes under 110. 

But today, one of the hottest 4ths on record, hundreds and thousands of us will go out INTO the furnace of the desert to celebrate our freedom.  I am not sure how much celebration I can take though....like maybe one second....but I will be thinking of you out there.  I'm going out after the sun goes down for sure though....

As I watch the various news shows, I am glad to see an issue still present but unsettled to this day...for over 200 years it remains the overriding theme.....FREEDOM

Independence Day comes with a sense of freedom; however, we are all required to operate ourselves, businesses, relationships, and some everyday tasks within the confines of our laws and regulations.  We must remember throughout this day and others, to be thankful for what we have, what we have accomplished as a Nation and "free world". 

Freedom is not kept by fighting about which laws are right or wrong-freedom is kept or maintained by each of us striving to keep check on ourselves so we do not take advantage of this freedom and inserting what we typically want it to be to our personal lives. 

No document is perfect.  No law is perfect.  No ONE person or GROUP is responsible for the past, present or future.  

Freedom can only be felt by letting go of hatred, envy, and intolerance to gain perspective and love for ourselves, neighbors, and Country. 

You can only be free if your heart and head agree.  You cannot be free if your heart is heavy.

Let freedom ring today in our hearts and minds...and may we continue to be blessed by each of our Higher Powers. 

Feel freedom today, love today, that is my hope, wish, and prayer for us all. 

Happy 4th of July.

-=brenda

BWs Vintage Collectibles

http://stores.ebay.com/bws-vintage-collectibles

Give Me Liberty! : The Story of the Declaration of Independence

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Give-Me-Liberty-Story-Declaration-Independence-Russell-/181153511865?pt=US_Nonfiction_Book&hash=item2a2d9739b9

Las Vegas Fremont Street and Vintage Nostalgia

It's that time of year again, family and friends pack their swimsuits, flip flops, sunscreens, and bring their "party side"..to Las Vegas.  I guess I take it for granted because I live on the outskirts and see the strip every trip I make outside my home.  I literally can see the outline of the new strip and I think I am used to it...but for my family, it remains a city of lights and intrigued, Vintage and modern flair, excitement and enticement...so, I am the honorary guide at least once a year.

This year was a bit different!  I actually LOVED visiting Fremont Street!  Visiting on one of the hottest and record breaking days of the year in June, my daughter and son-in-law came to visit and we all went to Fremont Street, the old Vegas...

WOW, how fun was that?  New songs and patterns on the electric show ceiling canopy, new costume mimics, young dancing talent, a new and extended chair slide which sits above the length of the strip....snakes? we saw snakes...and people painting, drawing, dancing, singing, were just a few of the bits of entertainment available.  All for free.

We walked along Fremont Street to attend a new bar placed outside which served slushee slurpee daiquiri type drinks with dancing bartenders in bikinis....we pawed over t=shirts, feathers, jewelry, postcards and we were completely surprised by the various creatures, costumes, and bands playing, often we ducked inside the Vintage Casinos to cool off......it was a perfect night with so much fun I felt so guilty that I had not experienced it previous to my family's visit!  What's wrong with me anyway?

Fremont Street Las Vegas is a lot of fun, bottom line.  You can visit for a couple of hours while spending little to no money, every form of entertainment and people watching can go on for hours...you can get a sense of shock and awe at the light show at the same time feel the Vintage spirit which has been encapsulated within the length of this magnificent and exciting venue.  The hotel resort rooms are updated, clean, and among the best rates in Las Vegas.

If you visit Las Vegas, you MUST visit Fremont Street for the full effects of Las Vegas...without visiting old town Fremont Street, you would be missing out on the full appreciation of past and current which was put together artfully, carefully, and is possibly the best one stop entertainment spot in the whole United States...or at least that is my opinion....

here's a little local secret:
locals say the payout odds are much better on Fremont Street....won't you share YOUR story if you visit?  take care  -=brenda

BWs Vintage Collectibles

a virtual online selling venue open 24/7

http://stores.ebay.com/bws-vintage-collectibles

How to Package and Ship Fenton Petticoat Ruffled Comport and Vase

Ok, so you have just sold your large Vintage Fenton Comport and you are bitter-sweet happy!! As you congratulate yourself on a great seller's campaign social media quest, you go to wrap it up--and you quickly realize you forgot to add shipping and handling supplies!!  Darn, and THEN you realize your wholesale bubble wrap supplies are very low and the next best thing is the big box store at $16.97 a small roll....and then as you deflate and your bitter-sweet turns to DARN you realize selling your Vintage Fenton just sucks sometimes.  BUT, I have a solution I want to share with you!!!

Not that any of the above has ever happened to me, I did just have this little rear-end saving solution I devised a few years ago--and had to use again this week....

* I always keep a small stash of thin cardboard boxes on hand for emergencies.

1)  I wrap my comport or vase completely with tissue

2) I fold a small Priority USPS box in half or other pliable cardboard

3) Place my comport upside down so the ruffles are completely covered flat wise by the cardboard.

4) Fold over the remaining edges of the board around the ruffles and tape up  over the sides

5) Depending on the size of the comport, you may use 2 or 3 boxes bringing the cardboards sides up

6) I wrap bubble wrap around them two ways, but if I did not have bubble wrap, I could mail without it and use newspaper because the cardboard covered all sides protecting the ruffles.

7)  I am sure to soften the surrounding vase with all it's wrap into a box with at least an inch on all sides

I am sure all of you have your own double box systems (which I almost always use) or something similar and this information is not new to you.  BUT I have to tell you, the other day I ordered 3 glass and porcelain items from an experienced(?)  seller for my personal collection of Vintage Lefton and Fenton, barely covered with newspaper and thrown in with each other and a bunch of old peanuts...Needless to say, the Lefton 2 tier dish was chipped. The other items arrived safely only by the grace of my guardian angels.

Even if you do not have a box that will fit in another box (double box system) perhaps you have a box you can cut to use in the manner I have described, if not- use the small USPS boxes but be sure to use the USPS service as a token of appreciation. 

Of course, I always use Priority mail, either Med, Large, or generic Priority boxes with labels from home.

 I used 3 for this comport (pictured above)

Here's the finished product put in with ruffles down, packed with newspaper for shock absorption and will go out Priority mail, USPS.

It is far better to get creative with your supplies and use what is on hand than to throw something into a box and pray.  If you don't have the correct supplies, perhaps you can cut up a smaller box and use the regular box anyway!!

It is so nice to read a feedback statement, "Awesome seller! Packaged well! Will use this seller again! AAAA++++"

THAT is the payment I really want to see in my bank of scores of which I am collecting...100% feedback and counting...

take care

-=brenda

BWs Vintage Collectibles

stores.ebay.com/bws-vintage-collectibles

BWs Vintage Collectibles Figurine Samples

Lots of Vintage Figurines in BWs Vintage Collectibles' warehouse.......here's a sampling of what you might find:

http://animoto.com/play/CDdx8DqBD1S2HZ1qgLPsMg

You can find BWs Vintage Collectibles at:

http://stores.ebay.com/bws-vintage-collectibles

Spring Cleaning in Las Vegas

It's that time of year that I notice my carpets are dirty.  It's that time of year my windows on the house look like that of a cruise ship and they are portals with all those spots...and that's on the inside!!  It's that time of year I like to repaint a room, reorganize my glassware, buy new plates, take things to Goodwill and reassess my New Year's Resolution.  THIS year is the year I add a little more to my spring cleaning list:  cleaning out my virtual online collectibles store.  I have learned much about my hobby of collecting Vintage small collectibles, I have traveled many a road, had tons of adventure, and I have met lots of wonderful kind-hearted people.  One thing that really excites me is my itch for the niche to find more and more of the Las Vegas souvenirs, items Vintage and items new or Vintage Rising as The Vintage Village Community friends have labeled items not quite 20 yrs old...I am thrilled to find wine glasses from Casinos of yesteryear, ashtrays from Resort Lounges, and plush for the children left behind with babysitters....my spring cleaning is full swing and BWs Vintage Collectibles has sprung into action with several lots of China put into auction and mark downs on many of the Las Vegas Collectibles are front and center. I always used to think Spring Cleaning was such a horrible thing....but I know now, with my hobby of collecting Vintage, Spring Cleaning is just the beginning of my SUMMER MADNESS for more adventures and blogs to come....
-=brenda   BWs Vintage Collectibles   http://stores.ebay.com/bws-vintage-collectibles

http://animoto.com/play/mXj0iYn8TSgZmSG4jEayVw

http://thevintagevillage.com/profile/Brenda


Corelle ca 1970 Spring Blossom Dinner Plates Lot of 10 at auction

http://stores.ebay.com/BWs-Vintage-Collectibles/Lots-for-Sellers-/_i.html?_fsub=4639772013&_sid=179616923&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322

Excalibur Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas,

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Excalibur-Beer-Stein-Mug-Las-Vegas-20-oz-Large-Handle-EUC-/171034691013?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27d27645c5

HURRY for your best selections before the Memorial Day Weekend!   -=brenda

http://stores.ebay.com/bws-vintage-collectibles

Roses Galore

Roses Galore

Divine Intervention in Las Vegas (Henderson)

It has been a long while since my last blog.  I've been so busy, busy, busy.
I wanted to take a moment to blog out a confirmation story; something we could all use as a reminder of a higher power or presence in our daily lives.  Sometimes the little things mean so much:

For about 3 weeks, I had been hunting for Vintage brooches with silver or platinum metal and clear stones, prefered stone was Aurora Borealis or Crystals (on the cheap) ...my baby daughter- now in her mid-30s- is having a June wedding and needed more brooches for her jewelry bouquet.  Frustrated, of course, estate after estate sale, everything was so expensive...for seemingly days and days, I thought I was going to have tell my daughter I was failing miserably....every website, every moving or estate sale, seemed I was one step away or after the lady "who got there first" before me....but having tons of faith, although not thinking even my higher power could help me with this situation.......I only vaguely prayed a somewhat happenstance prayer while driving Saturday morning to a sale.....actually forgetting my faith along the way along the day....as it unfolded.....

Practicing my Christian faith religiously, often, I practice at home in my daily life while listening to Joyce Meyer and I fill my Sunday mornings with Joel Osteen.  Little did I know, my small happenstance prayer on Saturday morning would be heard in the most profound way-------

Rolling up to an estate sale late in the morning, I almost didn't get out of the car.  I felt like driving past it as it looked pretty much picked over.  With old beat up 8 tracks and VHS tapes, old shelving and the like, I did get out but cursed under my breath what a waste of my time looking in a place like this for brooches......!!!!

Walking slowly but resolutely, there would be nothing for my daughter's bouquet, I soon found myself inside the garage and noticed 3 very nice older ladies commenting on local happenings of the day, and I commented back. Eventually, I edged out as I had cleared the tables and looked right over the old suites and robes, etc.....but something struck me, I needed to give the largest table another look. Usually, I do not revisit a sale's items...Once cleared, I'm gawn......with a big G.......

Strolling over to the largest table, it felt right..my hand moved out and right there in front of me was nothing but a pile of rubbish jewelry.....but right in the middle of it was a beautiful 3 1/2" wide by 2" wide pin, brooch, in colors of red marquis, pink rhinestones, 60 stones all together and 10 pearls...beautiful. Completely intact!!

Stiffening myself before I turned it over to see the price, I held my breath as well.  AND THERE IT WAS, the price.  

WHAT????????   $1.00      ???????  

A stroke of luck hit me and I almost fell over or fainted.  Never giving up my poker face, I calmly picked it up and asked a bit of information about it....it was one of the lady's grandmother's pin.....and wow, was it beautiful.....

and just as luck would have it, I took one last glance at the books.....books?  me?
well, and there he was:  Joel Osteen "Your Best Life Now", hardback.  Like new condition....and when I picked it up, it was with a  50 cent price.

and as I was commenting to the nice ladies about my Christian faith and how I had loved Joel Osteen's sermons...and how I had always wanted this book but could not afford it.....they told me to give them $1.00 and call it even....so, they gave me the book!!

As I drove away, my first thought was, "wow, what a lucky break!!" and "Man, what luck!!"  but as I reached the main road, it hit me--this was not luck, it was DIVINE INTERVENTION.

God answered my prayer even when I only whispered it, before I prayed (what I thought) an insignificant selfish prayer.....that God would not care about such trivial things as Vintage jewelry bouquets.......and I confirmed the undercurrent of Higher Power intervention.  My lucky break was actually another Divine Intervention at a time I needed it the most......the way it was confirmed was even more precious....it was like God handed me the book as a special sign and confirmation to me, "I am watching over you and your family".

The moral I wanted to share with you is this: no matter what religion you are or need to have, you only need to ask and you will receive guidance and peace.  No matter how big or how small...sometimes answers take a long time!!  and sometimes, they take but a half an hour.... or 3 weeks....trust your Higher Power and have faith...for everything in your life...even if just to show you the next estate or moving sale stop.

In today's stressful news media, bullies at schools, aggressive drivers, angry neighbors, and uncertain employment, it is good to know there can be a certain level of peace in the middle of it all...if you only take the time to utter the words and feel the blessings....

take care ya'll.    -=brenda

BWs Vintage Collectibles...and more!

stores.ebay.com/bws-vintage-collectibles

http://stores.ebay.com/BWs-Vintage-Collectibles/_i.html?_nkw=poker+glasses&submit=Search&_sid=179616923

You NEVER know what you might see in Las Vegas...

Well, here I go again...describing yet another true life reality adventure....while I was lost driving around in circles about 2 weeks ago on a Saturday...during the high wind....following garage sale and moving sale signs blown upside down, ripped in half, floating through the air, landing on bushes...all the while me, trying to figure out what a right arrow is doing on the left side of the road.  Nothing upsets me more than a big bright sign and me racing to that lane....only to discover the sign actually points to the other side of the street where I originally was at......WHO THE HECK WRITES THESE SIGNS ANYWAY? ...and then puts them up with one piece of tape...in the wind..?  WHO DOES THAT?  but while I was cursing otherwise idiotom world (me being one of them for doing this in the wind) I was turning my car around in yet ANOTHER cul-de-sac....I looked up, something just struck me, and I don't know why I looked up.....but right there, on Sunset and Arroyo Grande and some street with a cul-de-sac.....was a large, very large bird.....with these two horns on it's head...or what looked like horns.   It just sat stoic and solid, high up on a chimney no less!!!!  This bird scared the heck out of me!!!  like an old haunted movie...at first, I thought it was a Halloween decoration which was forgotten about....but NO!!!!  I stopped to watch (remember I was in a cul-de-sac).  This bird by my guesstimate, in comparing it to the chimney for size, was about the same in width!   It was rectangular, or so it seemed to me.  During this high wind, he was just sitting....and after a minute or so, turned his around, just his head.  His body never moved....and it occurred to me, "An owl" an OWL?   here, in the desert?   WHAT?  in the middle of the day? I spent  half my life living near a National Forest, and it is here, in this desert in the middle of Nevada I see a Great Horned Owl? I couldn't believe it.  But I did see it.  And then, there were a few scattered pine trees here and there on this side of Henderson....so, it did make sense.

Little kittens could easily disappear with this old bird around....a great mouse haven, and small dogs too...all would be great food for this predator.  Never in my life have I seen such a large Horned Owl, so huge and magnificent....and if there was anything I remember that day besides all that wind, was the perfectly contented HUGE owl who sat on top of someone's chimney, scoping out his restaurant....watching me as I watched him or her....both respectful of each other and both wondering what the other one was doing...

I am pretty sure he was having more fun than me though......how fun would that be to  swivel your head completely around.....and not fall down.  When you are sober.

Henderson neighbors, please keep your kitties inside.  I personally know how fast small animals can disappear with a Great Horned Owl sitting in your backyard.  Just sayin......
-=brenda         BWs Vintage Collectibles

stores.ebay.com/bws-vintage-collectibles

Stop by and visit!   http://www.ebay.com/itm/Poker-Cards-Mug-Set-4-Boxed-12-oz-Royal-Flush-Designs-Novelty-Porcelain-/171018804086?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27d183db76

How to take care of Spring time weeds in Las Vegas

Well, it's been quite a winter in Las Vegas.  Winter does exist here, although some-what mild and forgetful.  After a week visiting relatives in Sacramento, California  (lots of BBQs and birthday cakes) I returned to my little nesty townhouse on the proverbial border of Henderson and Las Vegas. I live in Henderson; however, Las Vegas Metro will come out to an emergency call...that's after the dispatchers fight over who controls this address and street...I digress...I noticed the Spring weeds cropping up.  It had been a week since I tended them, so I cannot honestly say they popped up overnight!...I had a decision to make:  use weed killer or pull them?  What a quandary ..so, after a trip to the local pesticide department, I determined the old Round-Up I used last year would suffice and I immediately determined the expiration date was just fine.  Spending money on weeds is like me passing up chocolate cake...it's not gonna happen.  And to heck with pulling them...too much work.  In the depth of the night (9 pm my bedtime) I strategized to soak the enemy weeds at a time when no wind was apparent. I sprayed old Round-Up over every leaf, every stem, and then I did it again.  Mightily armed with my gallon of expired weed killer and it's gun in the opposite hand, I was secretive, stealthy, and calculating.  In the dark of the night, I sprayed down all the weeds lurking in the shadows and even those bits of crab grass where only Heaven knows where it came from.  There is no grass here, so how the heck crab grass grows here is a mystery.  I digress....again...

Fully satisfied and with my mission accomplished when the gallon of spray ran out, I called it a night and went to wash up.

Excuse me, I guess I thought it would work overnight. The next morning, it looked the same to me.  While drinking my coffee, I surveyed the situation, ran to the empty container and noticed the killing process might take a week?  WHAT?  I gotta look at this crap for another week while it turns colors?

So, there I was, at 6 a.m., pulling weeds out from under all those stupid little scraggly rocks...
and came to a conclusion: pulling the darn weeds is cheaper, healthier and gives immediate results. Never mind the embarrassment I experienced when my neighbor, while leaving for work, left me with this one memory which is burned into my brain, "can you pull mine too?"  boy, I left a clear line right up to his property...and that's where HIS weeds start....lol....lol lol        -=brenda

http://stores.ebay.com/BWs-Vintage-Collectibles

Happy Valentine's Day from Las Vegas

On most mornings, after I let the dogs out, feed them, then let them out again, I sit down with my well-earned cup (s) of coffee.  Today?   Same thing.  Nothing different.  I did want to send out a blog how thankful I am for my children, the grandkids, my hobby and social friends....I don't know what in the world we or I used to do without Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or unlimited minutes for a detached phone!!  Everyone I love is only a voicemail away.  By today's standard, leaving a message or email is the same as a contact, so I am going to leave messages around the family, send out my blogs and facebook messages and consider myself done.  I hope you too, have an opportunity to send out messages, reminding others you are thinking of them.  Valentine's Day is not only a day to receive goodies...but a day to remember all those who we love, why we love them, and the many shades of pink or red can be applied as one magical thankful day of lightness, laughing, and remembering special moments, blogs, pictures, endearing and comforting words by others...

Have a very wonderful Valentine's Day everyone!   -=Brenda  BWs Vintage Collectibles

http://stores.ebay.com/bws-vintage-collectibles

Chocolate Bear - inedible of course

Be Bear or Be Square in Las Vegas

As I was editing items in my Ebay store, stores.ebay.com/BWs-Vintage-Collectibles today, I noticed my bear collection had grown quite large!  Searching for "Bears" and "Bear" I pulled up my inventory...low and behold...there were my stuffed animals...ready for new homes...it had not occurred to me just how many I was rescuing while visiting estate sales and moving sales.....over the past year I had collected many fine, clean, and personable bears.  While clicking on my picture inventory, it looked like hundreds.....different poses, colors, bows, tags.....and then it occurred to me.....I am a rescue agency for abandoned bears.  There is no two ways about it, I am hopelessly the self-appointed queen and foster mother of a kennel of bears........Every sale I visit, there is usually a box full of stuffed animals...while I like them all, I gravitate towards those bears (or other animals) which speak to me.....soft, clean, like new, those with clothes, bows, or some I can add a little bow to make them feel dressed....when young while I acquired my love and passion to learn about the past and all things Vintage, I also developed a love of bears.....I cannot think of collecting Vintage without rescuing and collecting bears!.....my memory suits me well-----"I wish I was a Teddy Bear----not living  not loving not going no where...I wish I was a Teddy Bear and I wish that I  hadn't fallen in love with you".....and every time I see an abandoned bear that speaks to me, I just have to save it.  As I look at my collection, clean, fluffed, and loved again, as I promote them out to new homes.....I realized my relationship with my bears is temporary but I hope they will always remember their foster mom, the one who pulled them out of the heat (Las Vegas summer) out of the cold (Las Vegas wind chills) out of the darkness of a box and turned right side up.....dressed them up and made them special again.....I love my bears....-=brenda  BWs Vintage Collectibles

http://stores.ebay.com/BWs-Vintage-Collectibles/_i.html?_nkw=bear&submit=Search&_sid=179616923

Las Vegas just froze over....

Las Vegas Henderson update
Are you kidding me with this 24 degrees up in here  ?????

Hell just froze over.........

http://stores.ebay.com/BWs-Vintage-Collectibles/_i.html?_nkw=coca+cola&submit=Search&_sid=179616923

Come see the new store front and catch the newest sale...most everything is 10% off...a January Freeze Over Sale..........BWs Vintage Collectibles on Ebay

Come visit The Vintage Village http://thevintagevillage.com/profile/Brenda

a community full of honest, credible, kind sellers of small collectibles and Vintage items.....blogs, pictures slideshows, discussion forums full of ideas and comments, The Vintage Village will provide a one stop shop where you can feel confident to buy......

More coffee is needed...........brrrrr

-=brenda  BWs Vintage Collectibles