The $1300 Bowl

SO here it is! I got my retirement gift!

P&G allows retirees to select a gift from a wide variety of items. There are clocks, and golf clubs, and jewelry, and home decor things, it's a lot to choose from. 

I chose this Lismore Diamond Waterford Crystal Bowl. Here's a link to the Waterford home page, https://www.waterford.com 

I LOVE it. When you tap the edge with your fingernail it rings in such a pretty musical way.

It weighs a lot...probably 10-15 pounds. I'm thinking I'll fill it with ornaments at Christmas time, and then become one of those people who decorate for the seasons. Easter eggs, flowers, flags, fruit, I can fill this big bowl with all kinds of things! 

I've been telling my family, "When I die, don't sell this at a yard sale for 50 cents. I have plenty of 50cent glass, but this is NOT one of them!"

Now if I only knew what to do with this thing! It's huge too! About 8"X10"...and stands on a little stand. 

 

Week One-Retirement Part One

 So, I don't have a retirement plan at this time. But I do know that home repair continues...it never ends.

In this picture, you can see, I replaced the top drawer rail bracket in the kitchen, it was broken, just like the one below it....I ordered a replacement plastic rail holder part from Amazon, and it worked great!

SO, now that I know the part fits and works great, I ordered more. In the meantime, I pulled out the broken part and just screwed the broken one back in place, it'll hold until the new parts get here. 

On day two, I went shopping with my DD. I told Hubs, a couple of years ago, that when I retire I want to get a big ol diamond ring. He said, you better go look and find something you like! So off DD and I went. 

That one on the far right, with the two big honking European cut diamonds, is a vintage ring-waaaay out of my budget, but I sure do like the setting. 

We went to, I think, 6 jewelry stores. I figured out what I don't like and what I do like and there is just so much to consider!

I didn't buy a ring yet, but it was so great to spend some time with Darling Daughter, and to narrow down the field. And I did buy this.....

It's a 2.36 carat Emerald cut diamond.

I can't get a good photo of it, but boy oh boy does it sparkle. I can see why there are diamond heists in the movies. It's just a really beautiful stone and I got a really good deal on it too! There's an "event" at the jewelry store in May and I'll look for a custom setting then. 

There's more to come. Wait till I show you what's next!

Odds and Ends for the Weekend

A local bar in our town is converting in to a restaurant, it's being called That Place..on Augusta. Crappy name in my opinion, but whatever. Anyways, I stopped in to see what was good. I ordered a breaded tenderloin. It was pretty good, not too thin, not too thick, very light breading, and the best part, to me anyway, is it's served on toasted Texas toast instead of a bun. Perfectly grilled toast-really a good thing. Also the fries are crinkle fries., always a better choice I think!.

DD and I popped over to the Kiwanis Antique Show & Sale at the fairgrounds on Friday afternoon. I've never seen a flour sifter collection before. 

One of my favorite rulers....

And I bought a picnic basket, I don't have one like this. Then on Saturday morning I went to the Shelter House Booksale. This annual event is a big deal. It benefits the local Shelter House and attracts a huge crowd. 

I had to laugh at this one.......

I got a few good quilter/craft books

and a small pile of books for various kids. I love to have books around for any occasion. 

I also finished a festive little project for Easter.  I picked up this pattern at the I-80 quilters shopping spree a few weeks ago. 

This little bunny table runner is just right on top of the desk. 

Easter will be here before we know it! And I'm on my last week at work! Retirement, here I come!