Happy Mothers Day

Yesterday Mason and I tried our hand at the local garage sales. Unfortunately, most of them turned out to be a lot like the picture below. A total dud. So bad that I felt guilty just driving past without looking at least a little interested in their rubbish (like I do when I take a free sample at Sams without appearing to seriously consider buying thier demo. James thinks I'm a kook).


Do you recognize the hopeful business woman in this picture? It is my mother back in 1986. I LOVE this picture! Without fail, this pictures sends me into fits of laughter. I look at her expectant face (which you can't really see in this scanned version) and crack up! I can't help but wonder how long she sat out there waiting to strike gold? What in the world was she thinking? I don't think even D.I. would haul off any of that junk (well, maybe the pleather bean bags)! I love how spread out everything is so as to apear like there were more treasures to be had. So funny....

But then, after the laughter subsides, I think about it all even more. About my mother. Why was she doing it? Was it to get some extra cash to buy another beloved book? Most likely it wasn't even for her. She was probably just trying to make ends meet for her growing family.

In 1986 my mom was 32 and about to have her 5th child and had just moved to Thousand Oaks. She had graduated college but decided to stay at home and raise us kids while my dad worked hard as a new Professor nearby. They made enough to live rather comfortably if it weren't for choosing to have a large and happy family instead. What a wonderful example she is to all of us 7 children. I look at this picture and think of all of the sacrifices they made for us and feel so grateful. I had a magical childhood, largely thanks to my mom. I hope I can always be as creative, spirited and loving as she has always been to me.

Also, here is a shout-out to mothers everywhere. I hope James and Mason got me a pair of these. Enjoy!