Thursday, April 12, 2018

What we did on our Spring Break vacation... Continued

Last week, I left you at the point where we were on our way home. We met my mother and her friend, Jerry, for breakfast at Bob Evans. We were packed and ready to go as soon as we were finished. 

Instead of going straight to Wytheville, VA where we had a motel room waiting for us, we had a detour to make, so our first destination was the South Charleston Antique Mall to meet Rita C. of Panopoly.

On her blog post of January 22, 2018, Rita made a loose proposal about a Lenten giveaway in the form of 40 boxes in 40 weeks which is usually done as giving away 40 bags in 40 days. You can read about it here. 

As the plans progressed, and Rita and I talked back and forth, I came up with a general list of things I like and like to collect. 

Then, things got really interesting when I realized we were going right by the town where Rita has several booths in an antique mall. So, our conversation turned to discussing a visit. We decided that the best time for us would be on our trip home, and Rita was free to meet then, too. We kept in contact during our trip south, so Rita knew our estimated arrival time, and we were right about on time!

The mall looked very interesting, so Katie and I started looking right away. Soon, Rita found us. She walked and talked with us and told us about some of the booths as we looked. She looked right along with us. She left us to look around on our own at times, and one time Katie sent her a phone message with a photo of a majolica piece that Rita had just finished telling us that she liked to collect. Rita came running down the stairs and was enamored with the piece. {Hey! Katie should have collected a finder's fee!} Soon, the piece was whisked away, and Rita had a happy smile on her face!

We collected a few things:

A collapsible ruler.

Iris Lace

Vintage lace, buttons, and a set of fish postcards.

Ceramic Wade figures.
 We made plans to go to a restaurant called Happy Days. It was a diner that was across the street. I had an excellent chicken salad sandwich, and Katie had a very tasty cheese steak sandwich. Rita had a small salad. We learned more about each other as we ate. We had a great time. Too soon, we had to leave to get to our half-way-home point in Wytheville, VA.

But wait!!! I forgot something!!!

Rita brought my package that she put together for the 40 boxes, 40 weeks giveaway. Once we got to our hotel, we opened the boxes. The first box contained a rather large bird nest. I think that was the first thing on my list. 


The other box contained all of these treasures:

This frog has an unusual texture.

This is a donkey bottle opener.


This is a table runner. We are cat lovers!


A collapsible ruler. I love them!
 
Rita included this specifically for Katie, as she collects Madonnas.

We had some happy smiles after opening those boxes. A very special thank you goes to Rita C. from Panopoly for thinking of us!

So, we went to sleep knowing we had a long drive in the morning. At about 5 am, I woke up, and so did Katie. After a short discussion, we decided to hit the road and grab some breakfast down the way later. After packing everything into the car, we were heading south at about 5:30 am. We arrived at home before noon. We unloaded, and Katie went to pick up Tan-G at the vet where he had to be boarded. I took a much-needed nap. Vacations do that to me!

Showing off here:
Share Your Cup #288  

From north to south, from family to friends ...and everything in between.

14 comments:

  1. What a fun stop! I love everything that you found and that was in your boxes! I need a road trip!

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    1. Road trips are fun! We turned around and went out of town this past Thursday/Friday. My wife had a conference, and I went to a bunch of thrift stores. Either I'm getting picky (probably), or they were just a bit boring (yes, they were)! We were in Lillington, NC this time. On the way home, we found a quilt store. Lucky us! Not lucky for our wallet!!! Thank you for visiting!

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  2. Thank you for taking us along on this fun road trip - the best kind of trip!

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  3. Fonda, thanks for the recap of your shopping trip. It was a fun afternoon. My husband & I most always do the same thing as you two did when we are on the road - up early and want to get on the road! And yes, vacations can wear you out!
    I'm happy you received things you'll enjoy, and I love that iris print you picked up. Tell Katie her finder's fee is what got negotiated from the price of my purchase - didn't they send it to her??! hehe

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    1. I think not being able to sleep and getting on the road that early make our trip home not feel so long. I don't know how that works, but it does! I'm glad you were able to negotiate a better price, although I don't think I even know what the price was!!! No finder's fee for Katie, but she said she was happy you saved that amount! Thanks for the wonderful time!

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  4. How fun and you got some great treasures!

    Tania

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  5. It was weird to be home so early from a vacation...Like really weird. Like we didn't even travel that day (we did, believe me...I drove!). It was good fun meeting up with Rita and seeing the cool stuff that people collect is always fun.

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    1. I know what you mean about being home so early. Weird is the right word! We couldn't have planned that better! Yes, it was fun to see Rita! And, you enabling her to buy the bunnie compote! Priceless! Thank you for stopping by, sweetheart!

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  6. That sounds like so much fun!!! Love that huge birdsnest.

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    1. It was. Have you met a fellow blogger? Rita is the second. Distressed Donna Downhome was first. I am very lucky to have met the two of them. Rita is right on the way to Ohio where I have family, so that will be easy to do again!

      That bird nest is a big un! I happened to have a large glass canister for it. I'm going to make some eggs and find an appropriately-sized bird to fit in with it...hopefully. Thank you for visiting!

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  7. Sounds like you had a blast! I took part in the purge too but I am so jealous you got to meet her. She has such a generous heart and I have been following her for years. Love the treasures you received. Such fun!

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    1. I've followed Rita for years, too. Luckily, she is on my way to/from Ohio where I have family and a reason to pass through. She precious. I was so lucky to meet her. It was a fun experience. Her generosity was overwhelming! Perhaps someday you will get to meet her, too. My time was the right timing. We had fun. Thank you for stopping by!

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