The Girl From Bow?

Do you even know where Bow Washington Is? 

Most people don't

Bow is about an hour north of Seattle and right off one of the most beautiful drives in Washington State Chuckanut Drive.

This is where I grew up...

Farm Country!

The type of farm life where we named our cows

T-Bone

Roast

and

Hamburger

A farming community where the day after school was out for the summer, the kids went out and started working in the fields.

Strawberries, raspberries, peas, cucumbers, blueberries, and corn.

If you didn't work in the fields then you helped your folks on the dairy farm.

The girls in my neighborhood rode in posses on horseback.

We rode to the little grocery for soda and penny candy, bare back, in cut off jeans and halter tops. We rode as soon as we could get out the door in the mornings until it started getting dark.

It was the 1970's man!

I've made it no secret that I wasn't the best student in school.

I did however do really well in socializing, and penmanship. 

I had teachers tell me that I should learn to measure well because all I'll ever be doing is cooking for all my kids.

Well  I still don't know how to measure very well, and

I don't have any kids, but I can do retail math quickly in my head.

You know... % off, buy one get one free, average sales, total sales, and that kind of stuff.

I can also do Fakebusy like nobodies business

 and throw one hell-of-a party!

Those are my skills and that's how my resume reads.

 

A few months ago I got an email from a really nice lady in New York City

asking me for my phone number because she wanted to talk to me about an opportunity.

I was like

Yeah right! 

She probably needed me to send her a $5000 Wal-Mart money order!

You know one of those scam emails.

Well I looked at the bottom of the email at the company name and it looked interesting so I did a google search.

HOLY SHIT!!!

It was legitimate!

It was a TV production company!

So of course I had to call and find out what she wanted to talk to me about.

I called and chatted with the nice woman

who talked to me for a long time about Come Junk With Us and my blog AGirlNamedTimi.

Then she told me about a new TV show they were producing.

They asked me to audition for a new TV show!

Now this was exciting but yet super scary all at the same time.

ME?  Timi?  Really?

So PJ and I worked on an audition tape for what seemed like forever.

This was the hardest thing I have ever done in my entire life!

WORSE than math problems in 7th grade on a chalk board in front of the entire class room!

Not only was it  hard to do, but it made PJ and I fight more than me making sneaky trips to the casino.

Those people in front of cameras on your favorite shows make it look super easy

It's not!

And.....................

I sucked!

 But I sent off my tape anyway. I didn't get the job, and I was totally ok with it.

It was just really fun to get asked.

It was like getting picked first for kick ball teams knowing full well that you SUCK the worst at kick ball.  It was just nice to not be last picked for a change.

THEN...................

Last month I got asked to submit some information to a magazine about myself and my little company

Come Junk With Us.

So I did.

Thinking...............that's cool but magazines are for other people.

I once had a guy friend (whom I thought I loved more than breathing) Paul Williams tell me that if I wanted to impress him I would have to be published first.

Well SHIT!

Guess we are going to have to break up (even though he didn't know we were dating, only I thought that) because that was never going to happen.

Being published... that's for... well educated, talented, pretty people.

Not girls from Bow that don't know how to measure properly.

GUESS WHAT????

Here it is!

September 2010

A Girl Named Timi on the pages of Romantic Homes Magazine

I KNOW!

Shit!

Who would have guessed?  Not me!

Now  I know you are all thinking

Oh this is great.

This is going to go to her head and she will forget where she came from and who she is and it's just going to be a freakin nightmare next time I see her.

PJ won't let it happen.

When I opened the package I got with the magazine in it I was jumping around all excited.
What did PJ say?

"Hey, you need to go pick up dog poop so I can mow!"

He handed me a shovel.

I know there was that story I wrote last summer that was published in the Paula Deen online Magazine last year but this is totally different!
This has pictures and everything!

Now, to all of those who offered no encouragement, (including you Paul...)  I'd like to quote the great comedienne Kathy Griffin (my idol) who said "SUCK THIS!"

I have lots more exciting news, but I'm going to have to run to town right now to buy up all the copies I can find!

Thank you Tres Birds Photography for the fabulous pictures submitted to Romantic Homes Magazine!

I Need To Be Two People!

There is so much going on this weekend that I wish I were two people.

Donna and I are going to take off today and headed over to The Vintage Barn

I have heard so many wonderful things about this sale and when I finally met Rolane at Farm Chicks this year I knew I had to make the trip over to Idaho.

How cute is this?

Rolane's new truck

You will find Donna and I here bright and early Saturday morning

Then after that...................

We are headed to the Latah Summer Market

Where we will find some more friends

June Bug

Funky Junk Antique Show girls

Celeste from Chaps

and the list goes on and on

I do love a road trip!

If you're going to be in the Seattle area don't miss

2nd Saturdayz Market

Held at The Warren Magnuson Park aka Sandpoint.

Now I know there has been some confusion about the Sandpoint Sale

Let me see if I can clear it up

There has been a sale at Sandpoint for years held on Sundays

it's called Sand Point Antique and Desgin Show

It's still happening

BUT

In addition to that sale there is NOW the 2nd Saturdayz Market.   Held on the 2nd Saturday of each month.

This is a GREAT SALE. It's fresh, it's got some great vendors, and it's TOTALLY different from the other sale.

If you haven't been able to attend I suggest you make this Saturday the day!

Why you ask?

Well I heard that Top Pot Doughnuts will be there

AND

It's BUY ONE GET ONE FREE weekend!

Print off this coupon and take a friend for free

Imagine how impressed your friend will be when you call and say "Let's go, it's my treat!"

Another  event happening....................

Miss Julie has been getting ready for weeks for a big sale this weekend

and I bet for this one you will have to wait in line just like we did last time

Glitter and Ivy in Monroe

is having Christmas in July sale today Friday July 9th

Glitter and Ivy in Monroe Washington has the biggest selection of

Christopher Radko ornaments you have ever seen

I loved these travel ornaments

There is always really good food and drink at Julie's open houses.

I have some insider information that this open house is going to be

REALLY REALLY GOOD!

There is always discounts, free stuff , and food!

This is the perfect recipe for an event.

Can't make the sale?

You can always order on line

Glitter and Ivy

Glitter and Ivy is also an official Come Junk With Us ticket outlet.

You can purchase tickets for Barn House or Clayson Farms at the store.

Don't miss this sale!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Why You Should Listen

Everyone once in awhile I catch my self not listening to what PJ is telling me. 

 Ok, lots of times.

The other day he came home from work yammering about something he heard on the Don and Ron radio show. I only half listened but it was about something with the Department of Revenue and getting unclaimed money. 

I was thinkin "yeah yeah yeah, another scam  "I'll see you on the news with Get Jesse, trying to get your money back...nobody ever gets money from those things"

After he told me this big long story that he heard on the radio while on his way home from work (me not listening) he said "what do you think?" 

Me: "great! You should do it"

I have no idea what I just agreed to but off he went to his computer and me........... able to play Family Feud uninterrupted.

Have you tried Family Feud yet on Facebook?

It's really good!

Anyway........................
Back to my story

About a half hour went by and he was yelling at me from another room to confirm my social security number, asking me some former addresses where I had lived, quizzed me about some places I had worked. 

I'm thinking "great now he's going to drag me in to his big money scam"

About a week later Charlie and I walked out to get the mail

Look what came

That's right checks!

Apparently I had some money from an old job back in the early 90's that I had a stock option in.

Who knew?

NOT ME! 

I don't listen!

PJ apparently missed an escrow check getting to him while out to sea on an aircraft carrier

BT............ Before Timi

I guess I should start listening a little better.

CHING-CHING!!

Now I'm off to town!

Let's Play A Game

It seems lately I am playing the CATCH UP game more often than not. 

If it's not planning for the upcoming Farm Chicks Junk Junket in June, it's laundry, dishes, finding the dining room table under all the mail, trying to get taxes done (which by they way, they aren't), figuring out what to do with my overstock of buttermilk from our milk deliveries, or trying to remember what I'm suppose to be doing and where I'm suppose to be at on any given day. 

So today..............

As I consume Peeps, cookies and Diet Coke I'll be dragging you with me in my game of CATCH UP

So let's catch up on blogging................

Last week Tiffany at Shabby Scraps hosted a weekend crafting retreat that I have heard through the grapevine was FABULOUS!

You should go visit her (and scroll through a weeks worth of posts because she's NOT behind) and take a look at her pictures and read about it.

So Friday before all the guest were to arrive at Tiffany's, Donna and I met up with Lisa and Isabel for a little junkin and luncheon in Sumner.

It was so much fun to shop and visit with them for a little while. 

Thank you Lisa and Isabel for asking us to come meet you.  It was fun and we have to do it more often!

Go check out Lisa and Isabel's blogs also for great stories and pictures about their weekend in Washington.

Taken at Today's Country Store

One of our favorite places in Sumner. 

On the way home from Sunmer Donna and I swung into Kirkland to the new of home of Haley's Cottage for a grand opening party.

Have you been there yet?  It's down on the waterfront on Parkplace next to Cactus Resturant.

Lunch and Haley's sounds like the perfect plan to me!

It's a beautiful store! 

If you haven't been in there yet, go see Cindy and her fabulous new space.

You will love it!

After all that running around on Firday,  I had to stay home on Saturday to at least get PJ's skivvies washed.

BUT THEN....................

On Sunday...

I was honored to have been able to go help Deb and Bob Kennedy of Retreat Style.

They were having a private opening at their fabulous little farm on Camano Island

called "Petite Retreat".

They will be holding sales here throughout the spring and summer starting May 8th.

They have truly outdone themselves!  Everything was just beautiful

Lots of beautiful custom furniture pieces

Now you know my pictures aren't that great but if you go over to

Deb's blog  and again.............scroll through a weeks worth of posts (because she isn't behind) you will find some fabulous pictures.

No detail was missed!

Marybeth and Julie

The lovely ladies of Poppyseeds in Stanwood

When planning your trip out to Petite Retreat this is right on the way.

You will want to be sure and stop in and say hello to them.

Join Poppyseed's fan page on Facebook.

The parking lot help trying to warm up

Be sure to join Retreat Style fan page on Facebook for updates on upcoming shows and events.

After leaving the Petite Retreat Sale, PJ and I headed to my parents house for an early Easter dinner and egg hunting.

Since PJ and I had planned to be gone over Easter, we thought this would be a good day to do it and Princess Spoiled Brat was available for egg hunting.

This was a special egg that Princess Spoiled Brat made for PJ

Let's not tell him that the egg and his head look alot alike.

Just sayin.....................

All the eggs were collected and accounted for

then it was time to let the deviled egg makin begin!

It's not a party until the deviled eggs come out!

Then last week it was a week of still trying to play catch up and getting ready to go over to

Pacific Beach for Easter.

Lots going on with Come Junk With Us

Did you know that there are only 25 days left to buy tickets for the Junk Junket?

That's right!! April 30th is the cut off date for ticket sales.

Did you see The Farm Chick blog ?

She's giving away a seat on the bus

 A $625 value

Also.......................

Saturday April 17th

I will be co-hosting a sale at Annie's in Snohomish

Annie is having an Anniversary Sale and I will be there selling tickets for the Farm Chicks Junk Junket.

I'm working on a little something for those of you who come down and buy your tickets that day.

Stay tuned!

Have a great day!

Smokin Deal

Bargain Hunting 101

Not everyone is a bargain hunter.  Some people don’t have the patients for it. Some think it’s unnecessary and some like it, but just don’t have a knack for it, so they give up.

I became a bargain hunter because…… well……….I was always broke. I usually still am, but it’s not as tough as it once was.

I enjoy the thrill of the hunt.

To be a successful bargain hunter you have to be patient.  You can’t just go out and buy something because you want it right now. 

That my friends will get you FULL PRICE!

I have been looking at the Pottery Barn Basic chair and ottoman for years. 

I’ve always had a vision of my living room looking like this 

for the last 4 years.  It’s been a dream

But it hasn’t happened yet and probably never will. 

Also I’m just too thrifty of a shopper (or calling me cheap is fine) to spend that kind of money on chairs.  They are stinkin expensive!

I know, I know, you get what you pay for.

You’re right!

Which leads me to the next part of this story.

When I started filling up our living room with furniture, I took another route because I couldn’t find Pottery Barn Chairs reasonable… or something similar.  PJ kept saying “Just go buy them” but I was too thrifty (cheap ) to trot my happy ass down to Pottery Barn and pay full price.

I found this cute little couch (bottom right) on Craigslist and had a slip cover made for it out of an old chenille spread. I loved it, but it just seemed like we had too much furniture in the living room.

Now mind you , we seldom use this room.  As you can see Charlie uses it to look out the window most of the time.

This year during our Ugly Christmas Sweater Party we had to take furniture out because of the amount of guests we were expecting

So we edited.

I ended up really liking  just having the big couch in front of the window and the couple chairs with the little table. 

But then PJ said “can’t we get some comfortable chairs?”

Guys!

They so don’t get it!!!

So the search was back on!

I got rid of the couch and started looking for some chairs. 

Yes, THE chairs.

The Pottery Barn Basic Arm Chair and Ottoman!

Now…way  back when… When I was looking for chairs in the beginning, I used to go visit IKEA about every 6 months looking at the EKTORP chairs and ottoman.  Very similar to the PB brand, but less than half the price.  Every time I would go there I would leave thinking

“those are so cheap that they are going to fall apart”  

Then the other part of me was like

“you never use that room, who cares?”

So again  I would let go of the idea.

After I got rid of the little couch I made PJ take me IKEA again where I revisited the EKTORP chairs and ottoman.

Again I left IKEA with no chairs.

During all these trips to IKEA  past and present, PJ is saying

“ Just go buy the damn chairs at Pottery Barn”

I refuse!

I decided to stop Farkling (stupid game on Facebook for those of you not addicted yet) and get diligent about finding some chairs.

SCORE!

Craigslist

2 very similar chairs that the owner says are from JCPenney  and  look to be in excellent condition. 

Email ASAP

Set up a time to go take a look

BAM!!!!

I’m the owner of two like new Pottery Barn similar chairs!

One problem…………….they have beige slipcovers on them. 

No problem I’ll call my slipcover lady to come make some.

PJ suggests I see if the Pottery Barn slipcovers might fit before I go contracting custom made ones.

What PJ fails to remember is that custom doesn't always mean expensive.  In my past experience custom was a lot less expensive than purchasing ready made.

BUT…..I’ll look

ARE YOU KIDDING???   $450 for just the slipcovers.  NO %#$*ing WAY!!!

So then I get to thinkin…………………………

I wonder if that EKTORP slipcover will fit on them?

PJ and I do a little measuring, get dressed, jump in the car and head back down to IKEA to pick up a couple slipcovers to see if they really will fit.

SHAZAM!!!

They fit almost (you wouldn’t notice) perfect!  $29 each!

So now PJ is lovin these new chairs as well as I am because they are super comfy.

We need an ottoman!

So back to craigslist…………….

I find an EKTORP ottoman with a beige cover on it for $80.  Owner say “ used in house for staging” 

Ok, that means it should be in fairly good shape.  So I email them.  Yes, she has it but she won’t be available until tomorrow or the next day.  No problem.

THEN…………………..

Donna calls

Not kidding……….right after I got off the phone with ottoman lady.

She wants to know if I can take her to IKEA in the truck to purchase a coffee table that wouldn’t fit in her car.
”of course!” “ I want to go down and get a new white slipcover for an ottoman I’m going to go buy on Craigslist  so let's go!”

So we head down the road to IKEA.

We get Donna’s coffee table, we pick up my slip cover, I price the ottomans ($139) and think…….the craigslist one will be fine. I’ll just go get that and save myself about $40.

Donna and I are on our way to checkout and we decide to stop and look at the “AS IS” section just for fun.  Well on our way there we see a pallet of EKTORP ottomans with no covers. Brand new $80.  

Donna and I decide it would be better to just get one of these, not mess with the Craigslist one and be done with it. 

PERFECT!  Load it up!

Then when we get to the “AS IS” section.  There in the back is another pallet of EKTORP ottomans, only these are marked down to $40!

"Get me someone that works here" I shout at the top of my lungs in the middle of IKEA.

Not really, but we did go chase someone down.  Then we asked “so what’s the difference”  The guy says “nothing actually."   Some random company sent them ottomans and corporate said “no we don't want them, so half price them”  So same as the $80 one,  just from a different company.
SHOOT! I don’t care. 

So we unload the $80 one and load up the $40 one.

We are standing in line to checkout and Donna says “Oh hey, I signed up for IKEA discounts to receive on my phone let me see what coupons I can get today”  So she downloads her coupons, goes over to the coupon reader and ……..

DING DING!  Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

25% off all AS IS items!

IKEA was very good to me!

Donna and I were so excited that we immediately had to call everyone we knew and tell them.

It was the deal of the day

What do you think?

I’m lovin my new chairs and slipcovers

I’m having a hard time trying to decide how to arrange them. I do love the fact that I can sit and read, talk on the phone, use my lap top and look out the window.

I know your sitting there wondering……………………….”so how much did you get these little gems for?”

Well let’s just say………….I got both chairs, ottoman and slipcovers for almost half the price of ONE Pottery Barn slipcover.

So what’s been your best deal of the day? Let me know.

Happy Hunting!

Have You Seen It?

Have You Seen It?

EXTRA EXTRA EXTRA!!!!!!!

The new Flea Market Style is out! 

It’s fantastic!

Inside you will find a fabulous article with some of the most beautiful pictures of  Barn House. 

Yes, our Barn House right here in the Pacific Northwest.

I have a special place in my heart for the guys of  Barn House.  I had loved reading their blog, attending shows, and met them a couple times, but didn’t really know them, nor did they know me.

I was just one of their many fans.

But then one day at one of their shows , I got my nerve up and approached them with a crazy idea of bringing a bus load of ladies to their next show. They said “Yes, let’s do it! Here is what we can do…”

Not only did they “do it” but they went far beyond my expectations and Come Junk With Us was born!

They once again set the standard on a old idea and helped make it new and fresh.

Here is a little insider info on that photo shoot that is in the magazine………………….

I (along with a bus load of my friends) were there just hours after they had done the photo shoot for the house.

Yeah I know!

Very cool!

The magazine pictures are lovely, but they only show you a small little tidbit of how gorgeous and serene Barn House really is.

Joe and Jermonne took an old farm house and transformed it into a beautiful home.  They not only have a  talent for decorating with junk,  but they also have a talent  for inspiring people.

Congratulations Joe and Jermonne!

It’s a beautiful article.

Another friend has big news too!

I love it when people have worked so hard and get recognized for it.

It makes me giddy for them!

Deb and Bob Kennedy of Retreat have been featured in Porch Magazine.  Now I haven’t got my hands on one of these yet to see all the funktabulous myself.

I’m sure it’s lovely!

Has Deb and Bob ever done anything that wasn’t funktabulous?

Go check out Retreat for yourself and get back to me.

They have also been very supportive of Come Junk With Us.

These two have given me business advice, talked me out of arson, and…….well they have been very good to me.

They welcomed me into the community of junkin and decorating and said “you run with it and we will be there to help!”

I’m so happy for them to be featured in PORCH.

Congratulations Deb and Bob!

Yes funktabulous is a word!

WSU Laura and I made it up and are trying it out.

Funktabulous; a little funky a lot fabulous!

We suspect it will be in the dictionary like HOT, PHAT, or EVOO soon and you will be able to say

“Hey I know those two fools!”

Have a wonderful day!

Come Junk with us has new blog buttons! 

They are super cute and will look FUNKTABULOUS on your blog!