Happy Friday Flea Market!

Today get 10% off your entire purchase at The Pink Rose Cottage

Just type in coupon code “FFM3-27-09” at the check out.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Please stop back soon. I’ll be adding new items to the store on Sunday. Goodies galore!

Don’t forget to visit all the wonderful sellers at Friday Flea Market

THE BIG REVEAL!

It’s finally here! The first full day of spring and my long awaited “Big Reveal.” After a few months of ~well worth it~ stress my new website is finally open! Although I’m sad to see The Cozy Cottage go, The Pink Rose Cottage is just as cozy!

Please stop by for a visit!



There are a lot of new items throughout the store with more items on the way. And you’ll see new lower prices in every category. Hope you find something to make your home a little cozier!

And while you are checking out the new improved cottage, make sure you stop by our Friday Flea Market.

Don’t forget to check out all the wonderful sellers at Friday Flea Market

HAPPY SPRING!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

I almost forgot it was St. Patrick's Day! Maybe because it's sunny and warming up here. Usually we have a traditional St. Patrick's day snow storm. I don't miss it!

Hope you all have a wonderful, safe St. Patrick's Day!

Decorating for Saint Patrick’s Day is challenging!

There really isn’t a lot out there for those of us who like to decorate for St. Patrick’s Day. Of course, it could be said that I tend to over-do. But if it’s green, I’m going start grabbing it so I can add to my decorations for next year.

I found this cute vintage planter at a local thrift shop. It was a must have. I also have picked up a few Lefton Leprechaun figurines over the years and these darling Irish children dancing a jig.


And last summer I picked up these sweet vintage chenille shamrock pins at a church rummage sale. I got a bag full. I have them scattered around the house.


We have a local winery that makes Saint Patrick’s Day wine. I’m hoping to get out that way to pick up a bottle. But my husband grumbles, “that’s just apple wine with green food coloring.” I’ve got a few drops of Irish blood, so it’s Irish wine to me!!

Oh, I missed blogging!

And I missed reading all my favorite blogs the most! I can’t wait to catch up with everyone!

I was away from the blog, ebay, and my website to work on a special project that unfortunately didn’t go as smoothly as planned. I had hoped by now I’d be able to share it with you. But nothing is ever easy it seems. It became bigger then me, so I had to get some help, and it all goes well from this point, it will be done it in a few weeks. Despite all the bumps (boulders) on the road, I’m very excited about my project!!

For sanity’s sake I snuck out to a few thrifts and antique stores. Oh, how I’m looking forward to the weather breaking and garage sale season starting!

I found this cute compact. I love the little bird, and of course that it’s from the Toronto Exhibit. Not sure what that is and I hope to research it soon.



The inside is real interesting as it the mirror swings out to reveal the rouge.



I picked up a sweet Saint Patrick’s Day find that I’ll share with you next time. I’m off to start catching up on your blogs!!

Love is in the Air…..

Valentine’s Day is on a Saturday this year, making it a perfect day for a wedding. But I’m excited for Friday the 13th. My husband and I were married on Friday the 13th (but in October) so when ever the 13th falls on a Friday we have an excuse for a nice dinner out. I guess we have a two-for weekend this year!

And because I’m thinking about Valentine’s Day and Weddings here are a few compacts for the occasion.

Here are two oversized compacts in red called flapjacks (as in pancakes). The locket like hearts on the one on the right are raised, making it three dimensional.



And what is more perfect for Valentines Day, or a wedding for that matter, then a beautiful red rose? This compact is by Stratton of England.



And from the moment I got this compact, it reminded me of bridal lace. Also made in England by Vogue.



One of my favorites is the enamel compact from Elgin American. I love it’s shape, but the blue birds with the rings and the wedding bells are just the sweetest!



This compact was lovingly used, but still so charming. Another Elgin American with a beautiful Victorian bride and her groom.



This last compact was a gift given to a bridesmaid. For Sue and Dick’s wedding, August 10, 1957. By Elgin American. Apparently both the bride and the bridesmaid were named Sue. Neat bridesmaid gift if you ask me!!

This post is not about collectibles or vintage items. Unfortunately it is not a happy or fun post, but one I feel in my heart is very important and I urge you to continue reading.

I’m sure those of you who follow my blog have noticed the link on the left to website Children With Diabetes. I am part of the group because I am a mother of a child with Type 1 Diabetes. There was a post yesterday on parents forum about a death of a four year old little girl from undiagnosed type 1 diabetes. I know nothing about her other then she is from Alabama. But my heart is broken. This is not the first time there has been a post about a child dying before being diagnosed. And many of the parents I know on that board have had extremely sick children before their diagnoses. A few of the children have been in a coma and it was touch and go.

I know from my own experience that I initially ignored the symptoms because I could explain them all away. Pediatricians and doctors sometimes don’t see it at first either because the symptoms can present like the flu or a very bad virus. In our own case, they thought my daughters symptoms were due to a urinary track infection. I asked them to test for diabetes too because it runs in our family and honestly, I knew in my heart.

I don’t know the whole story of this little girls death. But I don’t think there is any fault to the parents or the doctors. Sometimes things just happen so fast, and not all the pieces of the puzzle are together. And had I not known just a little bit about type one diabetes, I’m sure I would have missed all the signs and our outcome could have been very different. Even knowing what I did, I waited to take my daughter to the doctor, not realizing how life threatening diabetes is.

So I know I posted the symptoms before, but I feel compelled to do it again as knowledge is power.

Type One diabetes use to be called Juvenile Diabetes because it was believed that only children from about 5 to 12 got the disease. It is now called Type One as it known to strike anyone at any age. (My niece was diagnosed at 18 months old and my nephew at 7. My friends mother was diagnosed at 44 years old.) This can happen to anyone at any age. We happened to have a family history of it. But many don’t. You can carry the gene, but never get type 1 or you can get type 1 and not have the gene.

Type 1 diabetes does not have much in common with Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 is an autoimmune disease where the pancreas is attacked (possibly by an outside virus) and the cells stop producing insulin that is need to convert food to energy. It does not happen because a person is overweight or eats too many sweets. Most type 1 diabetes are extremely thin upon diagnosis.

When my daughter was diagnosed with Vitiligo at a young age, our doctor told us to watch for other autoimmune diseases. Since then, she has been diagnosed with the type 1 diabetes and with Hashimotos. So having another autoimmune disease can increase someone’s chances for getting type 1 diabetes.

Symptoms too look for include:

Frequent urination (in babies the diaper may have an odd sweet odor)
Extreme thirst and a dry mouth
Weight loss and increased hunger (my daughter had a huge weight loss and was eating so much it was unbelievable)
Fatigue
Oddly sweet smelling breath
Yeast infections
Irritability and moodiness
Dry skin
Blurred vision

If Type One diabetes is left untreated it can lead to Diabetic Ketoacidosis which can cause coma and death.

Some have a slow onset, others it happens very quickly. And it can go from bad to worse rapidly. So never hesitate to check things out either with a doctor or go to the ER. The worst you can be is wrong, and that’s a good thing.

Thank you for bearing with me and reading this long post. My hope is that you somehow file the information back in your memory but never have to use it. I’ve struggled with the “why God” gave this disease to my daughter. She didn’t deserve it. No child does. After the anger passed, I realized maybe we’re supposed to learn something from it. Or do something with our knowledge. I don’t know Gods purpose. But on the off chance that this silly little blog can educate someone and the information is passed along in a time of need, if feel I have to tell our story again. Maybe it’s as simple as that.

Please pray for that little girl’s family.