Guilty Pleasures

The act of collecting stuff you don't need is what is called a guilty pleasure, especially in "these hard economic times" (and if I hear that phrase being uttered on "Antiques Roadshow" one more time--just before they appraise a vase at a trillion bucks--I shall surely scream).  Be that as it may, there was a time--and not THAT long ago--when I merrily spent our money on stuff I TOTALLY didn't need but wanted so desperately that I just couldn't imagine living without it.

THAT sure did stop!

Most of the world poo-poo's the work of Thomas Kinkade but for awhile there he was really hot stuff.  I became addicted to the Bradford Exchange's Hawthorne Village series and own their "Seaside Village" set, the "Village Christmas" set, and the "Village Summerfaire" accessories set.  I managed to collect MOST of the first two but my husband put his foot down when I subscribed to the "Village Summerfaire" offer and said, "If I see ONE MORE of those damn styrofoam boxes on the porch, I'm going to drop kick it into the pond!"  I don't listen to him much anymore but when he threatens violence against my stuff,  I do.

(Note Mr. Kinkade himself hawking his wares at the Summerfaire.  The lady with the flowers in her hand has just told him, "Tom, I love your work but it is freaking EXPENSIVE and I can get it on eBay for cheap if I wanted it but I don't because you let them produce waaaaaay too much junk".  Since Mr. Kinkade long ago made that trip to the bank laughing all the way, he really doesn't give a crap).

 This is part of my Victorian-inspired guest room.  The little house under the rocking chair is NOT Victorian, of course--it's one of a bunch of Plasticville buildings I've collected.  Most of them are in the shed in plastic bags, awaiting that magic moment in time when I say, "Today I'm going to put together all those Plasticville houses and gas stations and radio stations and grocery stores and . . ."  Hahahahahahahaha!

(I like the giant rat outside the door, which I think is very '50's "Attack of the Giant ____"-ish)

This is my favorite spot in my house, partially because it's actually tidy and doesn't have a bunch of unrelated junk around it.  The Kinkade print is "Sweetheart Cottage", my favorite. 

I'm at the point with this blog where I'm not sure it will continue much longer, mainly because I'm doing things that keep me away from the computer.  Like trying to eke out a living when we are making 75% less than we did last year.  It'll be back to the flea market this weekend--the weather is getting bearable (barely).  

We are one of those families who were directly affected by the BP oil spill and the government's subsequent moratorium on drilling/exploration/maintenance.  Anyone who says that moratorium has been lifted is full of s**t--the permit process has slowed to a crawl and things aren't expected to get better anytime soon.  Getting mad at the government over this is very difficult for me as a liberal and an environmentalist, believe me.  Oh, and don't suggest we apply for BP money--we did and were turned down.  

I'm not feeling sorry for myself quite yet--we still have a roof over our heads, our bills are nearly paid off, and we have health insurance courtesy of the company my husband's employed by (although they haven't worked him much since he was hired a few months ago).  Also, I know that there are a ton of people out there who are doing much worse than we are.

It's just that things don't seem to be improving much, do they?