#whyIstayed #whyIleft

Hello from BeaverCleaverville!
I had hoped that my return to these pages would be because of something happy calling me back, but unfortunately it wasn't. Such a serious issue has come up in the past few weeks I felt the need to speak and to get my story heard so that if even one life could be altered from it, than what I experienced would be worth it. By now I know most of you have heard the chilling news story of NFL player Ray Rice and his now wife Janay. Even more I am sure have watched the nauseating video of this adult "man" punching the "love of his life" directly in the face and then coldly dragging her body from the elevator. As I watched I became nauseated because the story was all to close to home for me, but what sickened me more was the victim blaming stories that followed in the days after. "Well if it really was so bad why would she stay?" "She's only after his money that's why she married him!" "Well if he was THAT abusive she would just leave!"
Let me say for the victims of domestic abuse, once you have reached the stage of public displays of physical violence to this degree, leaving is rarely an option that crosses your mind. You think that an abuser like that starts out a relationship by smacking a woman around? No way because nobody would stay around to put up with that! They start so much smaller. These "men" start as class acts, they hold the doors, sweep you off your feet, and overall are your knight in shining armor. Then one day, they say "are you really wearing that shirt tonight?" And well geez, it's just a stupid shirt right? So you quickly change and go about your night as if nothing happened. Then it's "are you going to wear your makeup like that" or your hair or whatever else they choose. So you change it because it's simple and you don't want to fight.
Then comes the harsher ones like "you know you'd be really pretty if you lost like 10 pounds right?" So you go on a crash diet for him. Then your friends notice and comment and suddenly he doesn't like your friends....so you drop them. That's when your family notices. Then he doesn't like your family so you stop talking to them because clearly THEY just don't understand him! Then he stops trusting you with money or anything important so you have no control or choice.
Then one day you say something to make him mad, maybe something you've said before and suddenly the "man" you live hauls off and hits you. You stare in disbelief at him and then he begins to cry "why would you make me do that? I'm sorry it will never happen again I promise!" He weeps....but it does again and again but now....you are alone with no options and no one to tell.
How do I know? Because I'm a domestic abuse survivor and because he would have killed me is why I left!
Leaving was the hardest decision I ever had to make. My family had no idea what had been happening, I felt like I had no options, I felt like no one would ever live me again, but then I realized HE had done that to me. That's exactly how he wanted me to feel. So slowly I rose above and today I am still healing but I have learned from a wonderful man TRUE LOVE DOESNT HURT and REAL MEN DONT HIT!!
1 in 3 women will suffer from domestic abuse in their lives. 1 in 3.
Don't suffer in silence, you are not alone!!!
All my love,
Mandy

He wasn't "a coward"

Hunter Patch Adams: You treat a disease, you win, you lose. You treat a person, I guarantee you, you'll win, no matter what the outcome. - Robin Williams "Patch Adams"

I awoke this morning like so many others stunned by the news that we had lost the great Robin Williams. More shocking than that was the way in which people were describing his death. He "committed" suicide, he's "a coward". Well murder, rape, adultery, theft those are things you "commit" not suicide, suicide is a decision made by those that literally feel like they have no other place to turn. They are trapped in a world so dark and so lonely nothing can reach them any longer. 
While suicide is devastating and horrible for those left behind and should NEVER be the option chosen it does not make one a coward for choosing it. That has to be the hardest decision ever. Sitting there alone, coming up with the idea that your life is so meaningless that this is truly the best option for everyone around you. 
Mental illness is very real. It is not made up, it is not "fun", it is not something people use to get things, it is a disease that people suffer from and it can be very life threatening.  People that suffer from often don't speak up because of the stigmas attached to it or fear they will not be believed. 
Then there are some that reach such a point of darkness and despair that very little can penetrate the sickness. Please believe me when I say that each life on this earth is precious, that each of you matter.  
It is a sad day today, we lost the man that made the world laugh, and we will never be the same! I hope Robin that you have at least found some peace! Rest easy my friend.
Forever stuck in the 50s,
The modern Lucy Ricardo

A little romance can go a long way.

Good morning from BeaverCleaverville!
I know I haven't been around for awhile and I apologize. My health has been up and down since the line insertion. I thought on my first day back I would discuss something near and dear to my heart : romance from the 50s and how to cross it over to today.
In the 50s romance was alive and well. Men took the time to grab flowers on the way home. To bring home a tiny gift for the wife. Wives appreciated their husbands and were excited when they arrived home. In some ways it was as if the newlywed vibe never left.

In the day and age of text messages, emails, face booking, tweeting, and whatever other electronic way of communicating that removes the personal touch romance seems to be a lost art. I'll share a story to close and make you think. I worked at a local retail store. A gentlemen came to my register to check out. In his hand were comfy pjs, slippers, chocolates, a girly movie, stuff to make dinner, flowers, and a card. I smiled at him and said "ah must be someone's birthday!" He replied simply "nah it's just Tuesday!" I stood there in shock and melted at the thought of this amazing gesture. So make sure those around you know how much you love them, not because it's a holiday...but just because "it's Tuesday".
Forever stuck in the 50s,
The modern Lucy Ricardo

Finally

Good morning from BeaverCleaverville!!
I wanted to bring you guys up to speed with my insurance saga! I finally got the call!! My PICC line will be done tomorrow!! When the nurse on the other end told me I broke into tears as I have been pretty ill these past couple weeks. I am so very thankful that I have such good insurance, they may have taken forever but they did come through for me in the end. While I'm extremely nervous about the procedure I am looking forward to possibility of living nausea free for the first time in a loooong time! I thank you all in advance for your good vibes, thoughts, and prayers you are sending my way!!
Forever stuck in the 50s
The modern Lucy Ricardo

Little angel smiles

Good morning from BeaverCleaverville!
I know I haven't been around consistently and I apologize. Blog posts are going to come as my health is good. I'm still waiting for my insurance company to come through on my iv line so needless to say I'm not feeling all that great but my littlest angel seems to be going out of her way to make me feel better.
My daughter CJ is only 16 months old but sometimes I wonder if she is a tiny guardian angel in hiding. Anytime I am feeling especially ill she will wander over with a tiny kiss and a hug. Then she wanders off giggling. I got to tell you sometimes that is better than any medicine I've been given. Other times when I am in a lot of pain she seems to sense it. She will slowly scooch over on the couch and then cuddle up on me and sit there quietly. Let me tell you this is a child that NEVER sits still typically but there she will sit.
My four year old Zachary always has what he calls "a two thumbs up" hug for me. (two thumbs up means a great job for him. He's autistic and needs good descriptions to let him know he's doing good or bad) as sick as I am these kids are my angels keeping me going and I love them more than anything!!
Forever stuck in the 50s
The modern Lucy Ricardo

New oddity

Good morning from BeaverCleaverville!
I'm sorry I haven't been around much this weekend but I've been pretty ill. I'm still in a holding pattern for my picc line and trying to eat food on my antibiotics neither are going well. So to take my mind off things the MIC took my out for a little oddities antique hunt and boy did he help me hit the jackpot. I can't even tell you how excited I am with the item we took home!!

Finally after talking about wanting one...forever...I finally have a beauchene skull! This particular articulation is done with two (naturally deceased) bobcat skulls. One is completely intact end and the other is broken down along its natural seams and put on wires to create the "exploded" look. 

I'm so thrilled as this has been one of my obsessions to find! We found a few other bizarre items this weekend that I will share over the week but I just had to show off this one!!! 

I know the simply aren't for everyone but to me it's art and beautiful!!

Forever stuck in the 50s,

The modern Lucy Ricardo

So I have a confession....

Good afternoon from BeaverCleaverville!
So I have this confession to make to you all.....I am addicted to really bad movies. You would think they would be easy enough to find in this great bid world of cinematic garbage but the MIC and I have gotten highly selective in the viewing of these "cinematic gems".
For me the love of bad movies started with a gem entitled "Death Becomes Her".

Trust me, as "great" as this cover looks, the movie is even worse. I spiraled on a hunt for bad movies even if they didn't mean to be. Another personal favorite is Dragonball Evolution:

Painfully this movie attempted to turn anime into a live action film, and let the hilarity in sue. This movie was bad, from start to finish, but hilarious to watch.
Then there are the classics of the bad movie aficionados:
SHARKNADO
Sharktopus
Two headed shark attack
Mega shark vs Mecha shark
Jersey shore shark attack
Sand sharks
These movies are delightfully aware of just how bad they truly are and don't go out of their way to 
hide it. We call them the "self aware" category because they are playing to the audience of movie goers like myself that just love a bad monster movie. 
Then there are the hidden gems. These cinematic hunks of garbage were never intended to be on the best worst ovine list but boy do they make a strong go of it:
Prisoners of a Lost Universe with such catchy lines as "Kleel's laws are hard, but just!".
Stanly which is about a Native American who befriends a rattlesnake, names him Stanly.....and trains him to kill on command. You can't even make that up its so bad!
And just so you don't think the vintage films have been skipped the 50s gave us some GEMS!!
This Island Earth
I Accuse My Parents
Monster on Campus
The Fly
Plan 9 from Outer Space I'm still slowly delving into the world of the truly bad film but I am so excited for July 30th:

SHARKNADO 2 aptly named "the second one" hits SyFy!! I'm extremely excited!
Well that's all for now! Go enjoy some movies!
Forever stuck in the 50s
The modern Lucy Ricardo 

Norma Jean lives on

Good afternoon from BeaverCleaverville!
I've been spending a lot of my sick time reading and watching biographies and documentaries. I guess I have never realized even in my own life how much of an impact Norma Jean had on me and my fashion. Of course when I refer to Norma Jean I am referring to none other than Marilyn Monroe.

Born in 1926 Norma Jean had no easy life. She was in and out of foster care and orphanages most of her early life leaving her with the feeling of never truly being loved or wanted.
In 1945 she went to work in a munitions factory where she was discovered during a shoot for a pro-American advertising. She was later introduced to several agencies and in the 50s her career took off' with two major events: she signed with MGM studios and posed for Hugh Hefner in a Playboy magazine.

(Iconic image from "the seven year itch")

During what would be the hay day of her career Marilyn suffered multiple tragedies in the form of her marriages, first to baseball great Joe DiMaggio and then playwright Arthur Miller. Unfortunately these men couldn't cope with the sexual caliber of Marilyn's personality and how brightly she shone in public. To these men they simply wanted a wife, but the world wanted their Marilyn Monroe.

Unfortunately like many who are thrust too quickly into fame and want so desperately to be loved tragedy struck the world on August 5th 1962 and as the famous song goes "her candle burned out long before her legend ever will." 

There is a lot of mystery and theories surrounding the death of Marilyn Monroe. I say she was still little Norma Jean looking to be loved. Well we love you now! You were and are one of the greatest icons to ever walk this earth! 

Forever stuck in the 50s

The modern Lucy Ricardo 

New project

Good afternoon from BeaverCleaverville!
Seeing as I am about to have my PICC line placed next week sometime I have been on the hunt for some covers for it. I found a few on etsy and eBay but I wasn't wowed. I decided that I would take it upon myself to make them. Here is the material I found:

They should go over the line and keep all the extra tubing in place....then again I have never sewn before so this should be interesting lol!

I'll keep you posted on my progress! 

First I measured my bicep and then added 1 1/2 inches to each side so I could have overlap for the Velcro. 

I decided it would be 15 1/2 by 5 inches. I also decided to also work with my snowflake material first that's way if I mess up I have my nicer material left over.

I began by checking he length and the width twice before cutting.

Then I began to hand sew the pieces, which us no easy task!

Hopefully I'll show you the finished product tomorrow!

Forever stuck in the 50s

The modern Lucy Ricardo 

Health update

Good evening from BeaverCleaverville!
I apologize for not being around this weekend but my health took a bit of a turn this weekend. I've been extremely ill since Brimfield flea market weekend and been going downhill. My nausea and vertigo have made even the simplest tasks almost impossible.
Today was my second appointment with my Lyme doctor. It was determined that I had lost ALOT more weight than I had thought due to my insane nausea and my hair loss had increased. after much discussion (and mind she has tried me on several antibiotic treatments now) it has been decided that we will now be going the Iv antibiotic route.
Next week I'll have a PICC line inserted in my arm for up to three months. The Iv line will go directly to my heart and will be a feed for the antibiotics for my treatment. To say I am not nervous would be a lie, but to think I will have some relief from the excruciating stomach pain and nausea, at this point I am willing to try anything.
I will keep you up to date as the procedure date comes closer and show pictures when it is done.
On a happier note this weekend was spent celebrating my aunts birthday with a good old fashion barbecue. While my nausea did interfere in some ways it was wonderful to be around my family and have time to relax. I hope you all had a wonderful weekend as well.
Forever stuck in the 50s
The modern Lucy Ricardo

De cluttering

Good afternoon from BeaverCleaverville!
Did you ever notice (either if you can remember) or if you have seen photos from the 50s their houses were so neat and tidy and never cluttered? I often wonder how to go about doing that in my own life. It's a seemingly overwhelming task indeed to declutter your life, and for someone like me, that sees memories in everything, it is even harder. More and more though, things have begun to overwhelm instead of me enjoying them.

(Not my house!!!!!! Lol just a fear of what I might become some day lol)
So I've begun to come up with a philosophy that I think may just work. If I haven't put it to use in the past six months and it isn't of deep emotional value....chuck it or donate it. I am quite fond of donating things that others can use. As I have stated before I get quite a bit of my vintage clothing from second hand stores and to repay them for getting my clothing at a bargain I often donate my gently used modern clothing or household goods right back to the same stores I shop at. I personally use Salvation Army but I also recommend Goodwill or something new in our area is one called the ReStore. It supports Habitat for Humanity which is a really good charity and the store will actually come and pick up your furniture and household goods for you.
I hope this has gotten you thinking. I'm certainly off to start some of my projects!

Forever stuck in the 50s
The modern Lucy Ricardo

Biker......Gentlemen?

Good afternoon from BeaverCleaverville!
So today for the first time in awhile I got to go out to lunch with my family. It was quite enjoyable and my son was quite excited as well. Well Thursdays for us is "clam box day" so off we went to our favorite seafood restaurant.
Once we arrive Zachary went off to "help" grandpa and I agonized over the menu to find something gluten free (no easy task). Behind me strolled in a group of three burly typical older "biker guys". Rags on their heads, cut off tops, and my son was fascinated with them. I'm never one to judge so while I was watching carefully he chatted with them and I told them a bit about the restaurant and that was that. Them seemed nice enough but a bit on the rough side still.
Well boy did they prove me wrong outside. Outside when we were leaving my son Zachary spotted those motorcycles and went crazy wanting to see them. Those three "tough guys" turned into teddy bears and goo cooing and oozing wanting to be the first to reeve their engine for him, which only got Zachary more excited. Then one kindly offered "do you want to honk the horn?" Well Zachary marched right up and pressed the button and the other two obliged with allowing him to as well.
My son didn't stop talking about it the whole way home!! "Mommy I honked the motorcycle horn! I honked it!"
I know those three gentlemen will probably never read this but I can't thank them enough for making my son's day! You truly were my sons heroes today!
Forever stuck in the 50s
The modern Lucy Ricardo

Happiness is a warm cat

Good morning from BeaverCleaverville!
Finally I find myself fever free! I woke to my 20lb Maine coon curled up and purring on my chest waiting to be scratched. While Oreo had always been a cuddly boy he had never been THIS cuddly. I enjoyed this fluffy warm ball of love while I woke up and thought about why anybody wouldn't want a cat.
Egyptians had worshiped cats as gods. Anyone who injured or killed a cat was themselves murdered. Cats were given places of honor on homes and treated royally in homes. Proof of this was shown I. The jeweled mummified remains of cats found in royal tombs in Egypt centuries later.

Siamese cats were considered royal creatures in Thailand and also treated like gods. (And in my humble opinion one of the most beautiful breeds)

Even the famous Russian royalty of the Romanovs (Anastasia's family) had many cats. So maybe there is something to owning a cat...seems to me the royals thought so. I personally own three very lucky black cats including my rare tuxedo Maine coon 

So if you would like to feel like royalty own a kitty! 

Forever stuck in the 50s

The modern Lucy Ricardo 

Recipe from gluten free on a shoe string

Good afternoon from BeaverCleaverville!
I realized I haven't shared a gluten free recipe in awhile and I found a delicious one from gluten free on a shoe string so I thought I would pass it along:

Gluten free lemon pudding cake

Prep time: 10 minutes       Cook time: 35 minutes       Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

Zest of 1 lemon
3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar
1/4 cup (2 fluid ounces) freshly squeezed lemon juice (1 big, juicy lemon should do it)
3 eggs (180 g total, out of shells) at room temperature, separated
1 cup (8 fluid ounces) milk, at room temperature (any kind of milk should be fine, just not nonfat)
2 tablespoons (28 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup (70 g) basic gum-free gluten free flour blend (46 g superfine white rice flour + 15 g potato starch + 9 g tapioca starch/flour)
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting

Directions

• Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease 6 small (about 6-ounce) oven-safe jars or ramekins and place 
  them in a large pan with at least 2-inch sides. Fill the pan with water that reaches about 1-inch up the sides of the greased jars or ramekins. Set the pan aside.
• In a blender, place the lemon zest and granulated sugar. Blend until the zest is fully integrated into the sugar, and is very fragrant. Add 3 tablespoons of the lemon juice (reserving the final tablespoon), egg yolks (set the whites aside), milk, butter, flour blend and salt, and blend until the mixture is smooth. It will be a relatively thin liquid. Set the carafe of the blender aside while you beat the egg whites.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (or a large bowl with a handheld mixer), place the egg whites. Beat on medium speed until the egg whites become frothy. Add the remaining tablespoon lemon juice, and continue to beat on medium-high speed until stiff (but not dry) peaks form. The addition of the remaining tablespoon of lemon juice to the egg whites as they beat creates fluffier and more stable whipped egg whites. Slowly pour the blender mixture of the other ingredients along the side of the bowl of whipped egg whites, and carefully fold the mixture in to the egg whites until few if any white streaks remain. Divide the mixture among the prepared jars or ramekins in the water bath. It will be very pourable. Open the preheated oven and pull the lower rack out about half way. Carefully place the pan on the rack, and pour about another inch of water into the pan to bring the water bath a total of about 2-inches up the sides of the jars or ramekins. Push the oven rack all the way, close the door and bake until the cakes are puffed and very pale golden (about 35 minutes). Remove the pan from the oven, and transfer the cakes to a wire rack to cool for about 10 minutes before dusting lightly with confectioners’ sugar and serving warm. The cakes can be covered and stored in the refrigerator, but they will shrink a bit as they chill in the refrigerator.
• 
  
• Happy baking!!
• Forever stuck in the 50s
• The modern Lucy Ricardo 

Mr. Mom

Good morning from BeaverCleaverville!
Unfortunately I am in day four of being ill. I can't seem to shake this one and it has started effecting the house work and what not. Fortunately for me I have the BEST MIC in the world and he has really stepped up as mr. Mom and mr. Housekeeper. Lol!
After working hard all day he came home yesterday to treat me to a sparkling clean kitchen, dishes done, laundry done, baby put to bed, floors clean, and bathroom clean. I stood there mouth agape watching him go. After he finished he brought me some crackers and soda to ease my stomach and tried with no avail to sort through my pills (to his credit I still have trouble sorting through them). I was them treated to a back rub and a night of watching our favorite show "Oddities".
The MIC and I are currently in the process of putting together a "cabinet of curiosities". A modern day cabinet of curiosities is where a collector puts their most prized oddities. Currently the MIC and I have a antique doctors traveling apothecary, a mini apothecary we believe to be carried by a GI, a laudanum bottle, and a religious relic. I'll post photos as soon as our cabinet is put together, for now I'm going to attempt to fold some laundry and take some of the load of Mr. Mom lol!
Forever stuck in the 50s
The modern Lucy Ricardo

A history of compacts

Good morning from BeaverCleaverville!
Unfortunately my adorable one year old decided to share her illness with me and I am sick sick sick!! So while she happily watches Handy Manny I'm trying to eat some light breakfast and possibly  do a tiny amount of house work.
I had mentioned that we had a pretty great haul from Brimfield. I wanted to show another piece that I picked up that is more in the vintage vibe!

 This is an all in one compact! On the left you would store cigarettes. Then you had you comb, lipstick and powder on the other side. This particular piece is from Saks Fifth Avenue! It's absolutely stunning and in full working order! During the 50s makeup became a huge passion because there had been such a shortage during the war. Once the war ended women left their "butch" work positions as men and became obsessed with everything feminine. Anything that made them feel more like a woman they wanted to get their hands on. Compacts became more and more glamorous like the one you see above you. The other emphasis was showing how feminine they were to attract their men because we needed more babies after the war. So everything was about showing the attractiveness of the woman! 

Well there is your history lesson for the day!

Forever stuck in the 50s

The modern Lucy Ricardo 

Brimfield day!

Good morning from BeaverCleaverville!
I have collapsed into a chair here in the house after NINE straight hours at Brimfield!!! I was determined to see al the fields, but we made it to the heart of the mart at about 12 miles and that's when realized we were only half way done!!! I gave up there. I am still estimating resale costs and putting together photos of everything but I'll show you my obsession and favorite finds.
I have a very strange obsession (besides vintage clothing) it's also vintage but waaaaaaaay older:
( what I'm going to describe some may find this very disturbing read at your own risk)

during the Victorian period, especially the civil war the upper class wanted more elaborate ways of memorializing their dead. Due to the fact that hair never faded away they would take hair of the 
deceased and turn it I to beautiful art by weaving it into textures.......like you see in the three pieces above you. These are Victorian mourning jewelry.....made with human hair encased in glass and gold. I had picked up two of them and had passed on the third. Passing on the third was the stupidest thing I had ever done and I kicked myself all day and cried about it all the way home. While unpacking all our finds the MIC unloaded this tiny blue bag I hadn't seen. "What's that?" I asked. He smiled and handed it to me. Low and behold he had gone back for the third mourning piece for me. I freaked out! I had never seen one I. Such good shape or such intricate pattern!
I will say besides the amazing finds the other thing I truly enjoyed was the deep appreciation for em effort I put into my daily appearance. I was stopped by dozens of people asking for my photo, complimenting my hair, dress, glasses, it was wonderful how much they appreciate the time I took to get each step right! I enjoyed spending time naming people that didn't think I was...odd
 I'll be posting more and more images as the week goes in but boy am I exhausted!!
forever stuck in the 50s
The modern Lucy Ricardo 

Take a moment

Good afternoon from BeaverCleaverville!
While out shopping today I was greeted by an elderly gentlemen. Naturally I was dressed "to the nines" as per the usual and he broke out into a huge grin. He stopped dead in his tracks and just stared at me. After a moment he finally spoke "forgive me for staring miss but gosh darn it if you don't look just like one of them sister singers from back when I was a kid!"
I smiled gently and added "You mean the Andrew Sisters?" He nodded "You must get a lot of gentlemen callers on a Friday  night!" he chuckled. I laughed "Well since the my boyfriend would prefer me to only see him, not so much anymore!" we both had a laugh. "I'm sure that broke a lot of hearts!" he laughed "Does my heart good to see a lady dressed like that again!" he smiled and with that he left.
I have to tell you if I wasn't already sold on my vintage apparel .... that moment did it! Having such a sweet gentlemen take a moment to make me feel beautiful for no other reason than he felt like it, made me feel very happy! I appreciate the little moments that my vintage clothing allows like that (as this has not been the first time I have been approached) These men and women of the era will never know what their compliments due to encourage my choice of fashion but I thank them and salute them!
Forever stuck in the 50's
The modern Lucy Ricardo

USO girl!!

Good morning from BeaverCleaverville!!!
It's been very hectic over the past few weeks as Brimfield has ramped up! Last night we hit our favorite antique store and WHAT A HAUL! I'll post photos of our entire Brimfield week haul all together but I HAD to show this hat:

My new USO girl hat! Naturally it's a WWII military hat and quite possibly we bought it for the MIC....but none the less...lol
I've paired it with my nautical pants and new high collar shirt...and c'est magnifique!
I am so thrilled to be going to Brimfield tomorrow so I'm off to throw the final touches on my outfit for tomorrow!!!
Forever stuck in the 50s
The modern Lucy Ricardo

Jam success and Brimfield week

Good morning from BeaverCleaverville!!
Yesterday I wound up making TWO batches of jam!! The MIC was thrilled to come home to find more peach raspberry jam and peach Bellini jam!! I had a breakfast of peach Bellini jam and YUMMYgood!! Delicious and still fizzy from the champagne!! I'm very proud of how my canning section in my house is turning out! It's almost full with my homemade jams, applesauces, and granola! Even the MIC opened it and smiled saying "I have a regular Suzy homemaker here!"  It makes me very happy to give him and my family simple pleasures like home made jam and fresh ground coffee (yes we are now grinding our own coffee) in the morning.
On the other front it is Brimfield week here in Massachusetts which means everyone else in every other state has descended upon our small town. The MIC and I are hoping to go friend on the hunt for shaving gear and good vintage finds. Naturally anything we find I will post here for you all to see! Well I'm off for grocery shopping and a few other things!
Forever stuck in the 50s
The modern Lucy Ricardo

A day in the Lyme life

Good morning again from BeaverCleaverville!
I just wanted to show you what goes on in my daily Lyme life!
This is a shot of my morning pills:

This is a smaller amount than a lot of my friends. It is made up of prescriptions and supplements that keep my body well balanced during this battle. I take a smaller amount but different pills at night! It's a lot but it is going to help me win this battle!
Forever stuck in the 50s
The modern Lucy Ricardo

The jam goddess

Good morning from BeaverCleaverville!
When the notion to make homemade jams and jelly struck me I figured I would struggle through the first batch, end in failure, and give up! Instead I have successfully made raspberry, raspberry peach, and strawberry rhubarb jams and the MIC can not get enough, he is constantly asking me to try new recipes and find new favors to make or "did you make more 'insert favorite flavor'?"
Through my pain and illness of Lyme I am not able to do all the things I truly want to do but jam making is me of those hobbies I've managed to hold onto. It's relaxing and the smells it creates relaxes me. (ever smelled boiling fruit? Try it some day...you'll think you died and went to heaven)
On top of all this my family has gotten wind of my new talent and now I am the "jam goddess" it is now my sons favorite food. He wants "mommy jam" in the morning for breakfast and that makes me proud. My daughter loves a spoonful of mommy jam as a treat mid day right after I'm done making a fresh batch! The fat that people love my jam so much makes me so proud!

• Today's jam recipe is a peach Bellini jam:
• 4 pounds frozen peaches, defrosted
• 1 cup decent quality champagne
• 1 pound white sugar, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3 tablespoons juice from 1 to 2 lemons
• 1/2 teaspoon butter

Sounds good no?

Well wish me luck!!!!

Forever stuck in the 50s

The modern Lucy Ricardo 

Fourth of July weekend

Good morning from BeaverCleaverville!!!
Sorry for the delay but unfortunately this weekend was crazy!!! Spent the weekend both with family and antiquing! This weekend by tradition is always my family cookout and boy do I love the Fourth of July so my outfit could not disappoint!! I took my inspiration from Rosie the riveter and here is what I came up with:

  
Over the weekend was so spectacular! We got to "light up the lake" with my family once again! Both my children got to experience their first s'mores, and it was me and the MIC's first Fourth of July together!! Overall just a red white and blue spangled weekend!!!
Forever stuck in the. 50s
The moder Lucy Ricardo

Happy Fourth of July!!!!!

Well happy Fourth of July from BeaverCleaverville!!

We are being slammed by a hurricane here so unfortunately all of our plans have been moved to tomorrow. I'll finally be able to reveal my AMAZING outfit then!!!! Y'all are in for a treat (even the MIC was impressed!) the Fourth of July has always and will always be one of my favorite holidays! I'm just a girl who loves fireworks!

So I hope that you all have an amazing, rain free, s'more filled, SAFE Fourth of July!!!

Forever stuck in the 50s,

The Modern Lucy Ricardo 

MICs birthday

Good afternoon from BeaverCleaverville!!
Well today is my MIC's birthday!! He woke up to a delicious homemade breakfast and some wonderful vintage gifts!!

This vintage travel shaving case was a beauty!

This blue flare tip razor

This never used gem razor and 1880s silver shaving mug. He also has a couple more things being sent to him but they are being customer made. I'll post pictures soon. Tonight he'll be making steaks and corn on the cob...then some bad movies (which we adore) and just some us time before this hurricane hits tomorrow!

Happy birthday baby!!

Forever stuck in the 50s

The modern Lucy Ricardo 

Did I just get upstaged by...a lunchbox?

Good afternoon from BeaverCleaverville!
So in a previous post I discussed the MIC's lunchbox.

I mean it's a cool lunchbox don't get me wrong, but I think it's just that...a lunchbox. Well apparently I've been proven completely wrong! 

For the third time I have brought the MIC his lunch at work and for the third time the discussion oneI left was not what I was wearing (today was my high waisted nautical pants, Peter pan collared blouse and Rosie the riveter hair do) but that darn lunch box. (note I'm note revealing my outfit until the fourth of July) his coworkers sat there raving about "how cool his lunchbox was" but we're completely unphased by the fact that's looked like I had stepped out of the war factory line of the 1940s! Lol

Who would have thought... Upstaged by a lunchbox?!

Forever stuck in the 50s

The Modern Lucy Ricardo 

Revisiting pants?!

Good afternoon from BeaverCleaverville!
So I went for another great Salvation Army thrift run today!! Picked up a couple dresses for the baby, a shirt for the MIC, and a hunch of pieces for me. Included in mine were two pairs of pants, one pair of high waisted nautical pants which I'll be showing off for the Fourth of July and a pair of side button 50s jeans. I got home slipped them on and didn't know what to think. Pants should be comfy right?  I sit here wondering what on earth is going on and then I realize I haven't worn pants in.........well atleast two months!
So here I sit in a pair of jeans wondering why on earth people wear these every day and thinking there is no way I'm normal! Jeans were created to be everyday pants and simply that is NOT for me lol! I never thought wearing skirts would have such an impact on me until I slipped these jeans on today and realized (I can't believe I'm about to say this) I'm a dress and skirt kind of gal. Now due to all my meds being covered up is the best option and sometimes pants are just going to have to cut it....but Lordy do I love skirts and dresses....praise The Lord and paise my dress folks!!' Jeans just aren't for me!

Forever stuck in the 50s (and dresses)

The Modern Lucy Ricardo 

The lost art of Politeness!

Good afternoon from BeaverCleaverville!
So after running into quite a few shocked people on the other end of conversations either in person or on the tellie I figured I would address something that apparently is a lost art: Politeness (or at least my perception of what it use to be). My mother was raised partially down south but always in a southern minded household, so Sir and Ma'am was a way of life. Please and Thank you was never left behind or you were quickly forgotten when anything was coming your way. I distinctly remember my mother going to hand me a candy, toy, book, etc. and hanging on to it with her grip of death. I would stare at her as if she was a crazy woman until it finally clicked "thank you" I would mumble and finally she would release the pit bull lock on my item of desire and off I would scurry.
I tried to get items from my aunt and the same pit bull lock! I remember thinking "Are you kidding me?! this again!?" eventually pleases and thank yous became a way of life. Another one of my friends mothers taught me quickly the difference between "may I" and "can I". I remember saying "Can I please have a drink of..." and she would say "I don't know... Can you?" I would roll my eyes and say "FINE may I?" she would then say "of course dear help yourself"
What I thought to be some of the most obnoxious lessons of my life come back now to help me later in life. You know those phone calls to the doctors offices, health insurance,  or whoever else YOU hate calling? Come on, I know you are thinking of them all right now! The ones you hurry to get through so you can just get on with your day. My mother always said "You get more flies with honey than vinegar!" and I use to laugh and laugh because "Nobody got time for that!" am I right? But one day it honestly clicked for me. I picked up my phone calling my Doctors office *ring ring* "how can I help you" "Oh yes Ma'am I'm a patient of so and so and I'm hoping you could possibly help me with a little question if it wouldn't be to much trouble please".......
There is a long pause on the other end of the line "did you just call me ma'am?" I hear on the other end of the line. I chuckle "yes I did... my mother was raised in the south" I respond "well aren't you the sweetest....how can I help you!" I can hear her audibly smiling on the other end. Let me tell you a little Sir/ma'am please/thank you goes a long way in this day and age of hurry up I got places to be Jerk!!
It may seem old fashion but I miss the good old days when a little respect went a long way. Yes Sir or Ma'am give me the good old days Thank You Very Much!
Hope you have a Wonderful Day and Thank you for reading!
Forever Stuck in the 50s
The Modern Lucy Ricardo

Vintage darling I missed you!!

Good afternoon from BeaverCleaverville!
Had to actually leave the house today. When you are on Coumadin you must get your blood checked regularly so off I popped to the lab, which means I must get dressed. Wow that was a process! I felt as if my body was stuck in wet cement but I did finally manage a simple skirt, sweater, and stylish hairdo! Unfortunately on Doxycycline you can NOT be in the sunlight for long (I call it the vampire drug) or else you will receive a nasty burn so I strolled out in a nice sweater to boot!
After the lab work I went to my local super for some groceries and a few other necessities before coming! I was absolutely shattered!! A quick Lyme update: due to the severity of my Herx reaction it was determined a change in meds was necessary, so I'll update you all on that as it happens.
While I was getting groceries I received such nice compliments once again on my vintage get up, made me feel good to be out and about even thought I was in pain. I have missed being dressed and done up!
I'm very excited about my current order on its way!! High waisted palazzo pants like the 40s!! If I have to be covered I'll darn well do it in style my dears!! I'll follow and take a page from the great Katharine Hepburn:

Hilariously enough her fashion was considered quite the scandal in her day. How dare a LADY wear MEN'S pants! But boy did she ever! Only hope mine look half as good on me!! I'll post photos as soon as they arrive!! Manage to snag them at a scream three pair for thirty dollars!!!!

Well dearies I'm off to attempt some housework before I'm completely done for the day!

Forever stuck in the 50s

The Modern Lucy Ricardo

Return to normal

Good morning from BeaverCleaverville!
Day four of treatment and I still can't talk. The MIC says this is the quietest he has ever heard me. I communicate with him on my iPad but last night we found humor that I was still able to interrupt him even when typing.
During treatment I'm going to have more bad days then good but que sera sera! I'm a warrior and I desperately want to get better! These symptoms will ass and eventually I'll be loosed for. This prison that is my Lyme disease! Due to the immense pain in my joints standing, getting dressed, and styling my hair haven't really been options and the MIC hasn't quite been trained in the art of thrower feet victory roll (bless his heart) lol so I figured I would show you a purchase from last week that never made it here!!

This vintage smoking box we got for a steal and now we store cigars and what not in. It was the last piece we needed for our beautiful 50s serving bar! We also managed to find the MIC this beautiful 

pipe and tobacco holder!

One last comment:

One of the things that amazes me with this blog is seeing where my audience is actually from. I have members from the USA all the way to India and Serbia. That amazes me that my words make it that far! I would love if you all would take a moment and comment where you are from and say hi because it just floors me that my blog is making it all over the world!! Thank you thank you thank you for the support!!!
Forever stuck in the 50s
The Modern Lucy Ricardo

Life on pause

Good morning from BeaverCleaverville!
I discussed the other day how I have begun treatment for Lyme disease. A lot of people really feel that Lyme disease can easily be treated with "take this pill for a week" and you are fine, but nothing could be further from the truth. Depending on how long you have had Chronic Lyme disease determines how long you will have to be on meds and how severely you will react to the start of treatment.
It has been determined that I have most likely had mine Lyme since I was a kid so starting my treatment has been a painful experience or what is referred to as "herxing" (getting worse before you get better) when you start taking the meds you release all of the dying Lyme disease and toxins rapidly into your body and all of you symptoms come out raging at once. Sometimes it also starts to show what other coinfections you are,dealing with. I am currently dealing with bouts of extreme pain in my joints, headaches, tremors, muscle spasms, weakness, dizziness, inability to walk or speak at times...it's very confusing, I thank God every moment for the support of my amazing family and wonderful MIC, and new friends who are Lyme experts during this process or else I think I feel I would be losing my mind.
My blog will try to follow everything as I can but sometimes finding the right words is very difficult right now. Your good thoughts, your prayers, and good vibes are all greatly appreciated. I'm sending all my love to you all.
Forever stuck on the 50s
The Modern Lucy Ricardo

Health update and Lyme awareness

Good morning from BeaverCleaverville!
I would like to take a moment out of our regularly scheduled vintage programming to discuss something very important! It's an odd moment, when you are sitting inside a doctors office crying out of joy because she has just told you you have a disease. It's definitely not the standard reaction to be sure, but when you have spent the past year noticing your health rapidly declining with no answers and thinking you are losing your mind, relief comes with answers. After spending years feeling like a prisoner trapped inside my very own body someone offering you the keys out is a God send and it hits you like a ton of bricks.
After my daughter was born I could never stay well for longer than a few weeks, I constantly had low grade fevers, joint aches, infections, and I was in and out of the hospital with bizarre issues! I had fully expected another dead end appointment, another doctor who wouldn't listen, another brush off, another deaf ear, and another slamming door. I went in there ready to go twelve rounds with another doctor only tonbe greeted with "I believe you", and honestly I broke down. After dozens of tests, labs, and dead end doctors appointments I FINALLY have a diagnosis:
I have chronic Lyme disease!
Chronic Lyme disease is extremely difficult to diagnosis. It is a great mimic of many other diseases such as MS, meningitis, malaria, ect and often gets diagnosised as one of those.

Many people think of ticks as the large version on the left....but many people don't know about the deer tick on the right! It is the size of a poppy seed when fully engorged with blood from its host and the largest carrier of Lyme disease. So if you are outside for long check yourself, check your hair, check places carefully!! These little buggers hide easily!!!
The most complicated part is those with Lyme disease most often are infected with coinfections from the tick. (Other diseases coinfecting the body with the Lyme disease ie Babesia, bartenella)
http://lymedisease.org (one of the best web sites out there)
So educate, be aware, check yourself, check your kids, get tested!!!
Forever stuck in the 50s
The Modern Lucy Ricardo

Vintage household appliances

Good morning from BeaverCleaverville!

i had court yesterday and doctors appointments today so I thought I would quickly show you two of my awesome household appliance finds!!!

This wall mounted coffee grinder!! We just couldn't pass her up!! Between the see through front and glass cup to catch the ground she was a beauty and complimented our percolator perfectly!!

 This vintage ice crusher. Note the pea green color and vintage lettering!! While we don't crush ice we simply decided we MUST display this in the house!!
hope you enjoy!
forever stuck in the 50s
The Modern Lucy Ricardo