Thinking outside the Big Box Store...and a little retail therapy.

I spent a few hours browsing in one of those Big Box stores.
You know the ones that are bigger than a barn with harsh flourescent lighting and enormous carts which you have to pay a deposit to use...and people with vacant looks on their faces.

These stores are situated far from where I live, at least a 30 minute drive if you do not go in rush hour...which I did not, as I do not do traffic well.

I am challenged right at the get go...after reading and trying to figure out the cart release system I give up and go looking for help.

I need to get an assistant to show me where to put my loonie in the keyed contraption that allows the locked carts to be unlocked...it looked easy when she did it...will I manage to remember how to do it next time?

If there ever is a next time...(remember I still do not pump my own gas...full service is my friend)

The place inside is very quiet which is odd because the parking lot is full.
I suppose it felt quiet because there is a vast expanse of space...it's easy for people to disappear in the aisles.

I find the carts are large and unwieldy...I crash into the displays because the lower rack juts out farther than the top part. I persevere...and I am fortunate that I do not hit and injure any people.

It is amazing to me the variety of wares these stores offer...groceries, household stuff, cosmetics, clothing, plants, it's all here...one stop shopping.

I look for quite awhile before I find a few items to try on...I am focusing on inexpensive boaty clothes.
There is a margin of error within the same size items...they should all fit but they do not...what's that about? Some are too big, some too small, and a few just right.

I end up with a couple of tops, some knickers, a nightie...

Loose and cool

Hem detail

Sleeve detail

and just $19

I bought 2 of these cotton tops, simple, light and packable.

$10 each

These purple knickers made me smile...

when I wear them I think I'll feel very daring!

The 2 grey pair are decidedly more conservative.

I usually wear lacy Hanky Panky thongs but these wooed me by their price point...3 pair for $12.

One pair of HP cost $26...so this is an experiment in frugality.

I managed to lock the cart and retrieved my loonie without attracting any attention.

Who knows maybe I can pump my own gas...but not just yet, 

one embarrassing mishap is enough for one day.

Good grief...is there such a thing?

Good grief...is there such a thing?
I suppose it does make us grateful, and we come to treasure the memories and moments of better days.

 Stickley...

surveying the view from the back deck of our boat...

She didn't love boating but she made the best of it.

She would hunker down and sleep in the V-berth when we cruised

and after we'd dock or anchor she would venture out on deck.

She had her quirks too...

she liked to drink from a watering can on our sundeck...

she'd dip her paw in and then lick the water from her paw.

She loved a back rub and would run to the bedroom and "assume the position" and await the pats.

I am muddling through a bit of a fog here in the Bungalow.

I am forcing myself to go through the motions of domesticity.

 "Keep Calm and Carry On" 

On a brighter note...

Isla and her parents came over for a surprise visit and I got some quality snuggle time.

Dear Isla is such a sweetheart and she smiles now!

How clever is that?  ( a month old... I think she's brilliant)

She really doesn't need to do much to enthrall and entertain us...her presence is enough.

All four of us sat mesmerized, watching her snuffle and coo as she slept.

Mr. HB bought a movie camera a few months back to record grandbaby moments

and he has taken his first, in what will be many, short films.

Oscar worthy, probably not...but award winners for us here in the Bungalow.

Memories, moments, pictures and films conspire to remind us how precious life is...

A very sad day here in the Bungalow....

I weep as I type, tears that cannot be stemmed...
our most cherished cat Stickley has gone to kitty cat heaven.

Born May 28, 1993- Died July 10, 2010

She came to us as a kitten from the local SPCA.
She was part mainecoon, with a  tortoiseshell coat and she had a spot of orange on top of her head.

A furry and fluffy long haired bundle of love and sweetness.

She gave us many years of love and affection.

Here she is in the doorway this morning, Mr. HB took these...

Farewell my feline friend, I'll never forget you.

I may not be up to blogging for a few days...
I'll be checking in on your blogs to see what is happening in your neck of the woods.

I was not even looking for this, it found me!

Hooray!
The temperature has gotten very HOT, 30 plus...
I think we must be having summer weather!

I had a bunch of things to get done outside the Bungalow today...
I have an air conditioned car but I prefer to open the sun roof and the windows and feel the breeze.
If I was an equestrian like my sister or metscan I might choose to ride...metta has exceptionally good taste...she has horses, dogs, and a home and estate in Finland which will make you come back every single day...like I do...here.

I am wearing black Eddie Bauer shorts, my legs are so pale...
(I fear this must be a fashion No No)
and a white Eddie Bauer cotton sleeveless "Stand Alone Top"
(this is what  LPC at Privilege has called them lately)
I have on my old black Clarks sandals and my MK Santorini bag.

I powered through my list and had some time to spare...my car was parked in the shade and I was on a very trendy street lined with small specialty shops.
I embrace the small shops and shop keepers...so much more fun and such interesting wares.
I  browse frequently but I do not always buy.
I make it a habit to strike up a conversation and comment on what I like and it has been to my advantage as the owners know my taste and they have called me when something comes in that they feel I might like.

I wandered into my favourite country themed furnishing shop...it is very small, crowded and oozes charm.
The owner buys shabby distressed pieces and vintage accessories and I find that her taste and mine are alike.

I bought my country cupboard from her shop...I blogged about it awhile back.
You might remember I put the "unsightly" book collection in it closed the doors!

Today she had several garden urns which were old and heavy.
They spoke to me, but they were quite costly, so I looked away....
and spied this....

An enamel tin...totally useful, humble and deserving of a place in the Bungalow kitchen.

It is something that I could "hide my bread and bagels in!

Funny how seeing a loaf of bread in a plastic bag with a plastic bread tie can make me wince but it does...

I so much prefer to see the lovely homemade loaf of bread standing on end atop a pine bread board...

I read a lot of Country Living UK so that's where i am coming from.

oops I forgot to capitalize my "i"

I am going to leave it that way in honour of my friend Janet

...that's something she does,

and it's her blog birthday!

Go visit and wish her the best...

she has 70 Roses!

Anyhow I have gone sideways...and I am not usually so abstract tangental!

It must be the heat.

No worries, I am sipping homemade lemonade to rehydrate.

This enamel charmer is made in England, 

it has some chips to the lid but I feel that they add to the ambiance of the piece.

I wasn't even looking for this, it found me!

BTW Blighty rocks the bogosphere...see for yourself.

She is a great friend of the Fabulous Faux Fuchsia...she is very fashion savvy.

I also need to mention Tish, she's on the pulse of all things chic and French!

and I adore Deja Pseu...she knows what is hot and what is NOT!

I am so grateful to have the opportunity to visit so many blogs...

all different and very personal

each one has a distinctive quality....

I was not even looking for a new blog but it found me!

I have omitted many of the blogs that I follow 24/7...

see my sidebar I go and see them every day...

I comment and visit often...

you could too!

I blog from here....

This is where I sit to write my blog posts.

I am at the kitchen table beside the north facing window of the Humble Bungalow.

I have seen other bloggers who have captured the images of where they sit to write their posts.

Mine seems very pedestrian and utilitarian.

It suits me to a "T"

I peer out at the garden and listen to the birds.

There is a nest in the eave above the window, a birdbath below.

The pink rose is Gertrude Jeykll, the foamy chartruese green is Lady's Mantle.

I love the combination of roses and Lady's Mantle, if truth be told, I prefer it to baby's breath.

This wee vintage vase is made of glass which has turned to a soft blushing amethyst colour.

I found it in a thrift shop for $2.00

It's a very simple space

Honest

I am curious, where do you sit to blog?