So far today I’ve been in a parade, eaten barbecue and red, white and blue cake, and had a nap. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the Fourth of July than that. The only thing missing is fireworks, and I’m counting on that for tonight.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. You’re probably on the edge of your seats wondering what I’ve been up to lately. (And if you weren’t wondering, feel free to continue on with your day.)
Finding New Treasures
On one of my walks this week, I happened to find this jewel sitting abandoned on the curb.
It’s an old churn, minus the paddle. I have no need for a churn, with or without a paddle, but I couldn’t just leave it sitting there, could I? So I lugged it the remaining half-mile trek home. Those things aren’t exactly light, but it wasn’t as bad as the time I found the nightstand/printer stand.
I’m not sure how I’m going to use this treasure. For now it’s enjoying its new home on my front porch, where I’m thinking it might make a nice hiding spot for a can of bug spray. Or maybe a planter. I don’t know.
Parting with Treasures
I forgot to tell y’all about a treasure-hunting coup from a few weeks ago. Back when I was pet-sitting last month, I spotted a cute little table at the curb of a neighbor’s house and when I went to pick it up, I saw that there was a baby swing next to it and it looked to be in perfect condition! So, of course, I picked it up along with the table.
I’ll show you the table after its makeover is complete, but here’s a picture of the baby swing:
Turns out, it’s some kind of fancy pants Fisher Price Swing that retails from between $55-$75. And with a new set of batteries (cost: $2), it worked just fine. Since I didn’t need a baby swing, I listed it on Craigslist and it sold for $25! Woo-hoo! Cammy-the-Capitalist wins one!
Now, if I can just have the same luck with my other listings.
Long-Distance Treasures
On a day trip to Starkville, MS this week, I found a nice little fro-yo shop, Local Culture. I treated myself to a cup of peanut butter fro-yo, and I’m glad I did! The work assignment I was completing ran over by three hours, so I didn’t get to have dinner until almost 8:00. Considering I’d had lunch at 11:30 a.m. (Wendy’s, New Albany, MS, Apple-Pecan Chicken Salad), I would have been a raving lunatic had it not been for the fro-yo. This experience has moved fro-yo from the “almost healthy” category right up to “potentially life-saving” status. I can’t wait until the next emergency! 
Local Treasures
And that brings us to today. To celebrate the 4th, my neighborhood had a picnic with catered bbq and potluck sides. I took my Award-Winning Fruit Salad (yes, I pandered), which I would swear I took a photo of, but I can’t find it now. I probably ate it.
Anyway, people seemed to like it just as much as before. In fact, I’m pretty sure it would have won, again, if there’d been a prize. I added coconut flakes to it this time, and that made it even better. For a canned fruit pudding salad, that is. LOL
In addition to our meal, we had a parade of sorts. No floats, no band, no twirlers. Just a bunch of neighbors, waving flags at passersby and having a good time. The kids loved it (they were suspicious at first when they found out no one was going to throw candy or beads to them), and that’s what mattered most. We’ll work on making it slightly grander next year, but not much. It was kind of fun just the way it was.
As I watched the people around me laughing and enjoying their meals, and the kids playing tirelessly on the playground, I felt almost overwhelmed with gratitude. How fortunate I am to live in such an awesome little community in a truly great nation. (Not that there’s anything wrong with any of the other nations.)
To cap off this wonderful day, I’m about to go search for a vantage point from which to observe fireworks. And then the celebrating is over. Back to business as usual tomorrow.
How’d you celebrate the holiday? Or Thursday, if you’re in one of the other truly great nations in the world.
Celebrating Treasures is a post from: Tippy Toe Diet and is under copyright protection.
