~200th POST~ MANY BIG SURPRISES!!!!

LOTS OF PICTURES.....WOW WEE!!! Post #200 and the FIRST SURPRISE is that it was ONE YEAR AGO TODAY, I started my first chemo treatment. WOW, am I glad that is over and even more HAPPY I AM CANCER FREE!!!

With that said, My attitude towards life has changed dramatically and I am no longer going to wait for that "someday". I AM going to OPEN MY DREAM SHOP, I AM GOING TO USE MY "Special Occasion Linens", I AM GOING to ENJOY EVERY SINGLE DAY from here on out & FIND THE GOOD in EVERY SITUATION!!!

Three weeks ago, I talked it over with Bob and I told him I am no longer waiting to OPEN A SHOP........and guess what, IT'S HAPPENING!!! MY DREAM, MY BIG HUGE DREAM is coming true.

Bob and Nick went right to work and started knocking down walls.....You will see, in the pictures, what we did in the last 2 weeks. We were derailed a bit by the Flood, as Bob had to work at the Fire Station during the terrible flood of 2008.

Nick, Alex, Kristi, Alli and Maddi ALL HELPED and they continue to help make my dream come true. I HAVE 450 SQUARE FEET OF STORE/SHOP SPACE!!! All NEW PAINT, DRYWALL, ELECTRICAL,INSULATION,CARPET AND A FRONT DOOR TO THE SHOP. Also, BOB BRICKED IN A PARKING AREA and TURN AROUND for my customers. HOW COOL IS THAT???
Everything is now ready for me to start setting up (THE FUN PART and the PART I LOVE THE MOST) and I will be open April 1st through Oct 1st (maybe Nov 1st, dependant on the weather) And my hours will be Tuesdays and Thursdays 11am to 7pm (open late for those working girls who never get a chance to shop because they get off work the same time the shops close, I missed that working at the radio station, so that is why I am going to be open late)

ENJOY THE PICTURES....Many more to come as I work on the shop this weekend, It's MADDI'S 7th Birthday Tomorrow and we are having her party starting at Noon Today)

There's BOB and NICK......And the Walls Came Tumbling Down.....(I was singing that line from John Meloncamp all day)

JUST AS BOB FINISHED PUTTING IN THE FRONT DOOR (He knocked down the wall, ripped out the drywall, added the new door, and cleaned it all up ALL IN ONE DAY) the HUGE THUNDERSTORM Rolled in....that's what added to our already flooded areas)

There's Our Sweet Alex....She is such an awesome kid and a hard worker too, just like her Daddy!!!


YES, ALL NEW ELECTRICAL & MY FAVORITE, WAINSCOTING soon to be painted white by Kristi and Scott (they are on my blog for Kristi's Prom)
Do you see that old window paned door above??? I painted that white and Bob took out the old crappy 1955 hollow door that leads from the shop to our kitchen, and put that one in. I do have the option (when my house is messy) to add a curtain to it to hide the inside mess of the house.....LOL We found that door at Habitat For Humanity for $15.00
I TOTALLY forgot to get pictures of Kristi and Scott, painting the "new side of the shop" they did an AWESOME JOB!!!

I have always called these the "Servant Stairs" as they lead from my shop to the basement. Alli and her friend Kayla, painted it BEACH COTTAGE BLUE.....It was paint that I had left over from painting my bedroom. Anna, from California, bought me the paint for my BIRTHDAY......THANK YOU ANNA....I think of you every time I see them. (which is everyday) and the kids all want to take a dive as they say it "LOOKS LIKE A POOL". Alli and Kayla DID A FABULOUS JOB painting.

There's that $15.00 Door...it leads to my kitchen or down to the "servant stairs"

I Painted this DARLING Vanity (it has a HUGE ORNATE MIRROR with it) in one day, along with the mirror and one other vintage round mirror. The pink just made it I think and it still has it's ORIGINAL Label in the drawer from SMULEKOFF'S in Cedar Rapids. (they were hit HARD by the FLOOD, and I bought this piece in Springville, Iowa BEFORE the flood hit)

NOW THE FUN BEGINS.....

All my Love, Amy (who is THRILLED BEYOND WORDS that I am NOT going thru chemotherapy, like I was one year ago today)

~HAPPY TUESDAY~POST # 199

OLD PICTURES of WHERE I WORK....MY DISPLAY SHOP/WORK AREA FOR MY WEBSITE, EBAY AND ETSY. NOTICE THE WALL AS IT LEADS INTO THE GARAGE WHERE I SHIP ALL MY PACKAGES!!!!

WOW WEE.....I can't believe it, I am posting on post number #199.....I can't believe how much has happened in the past 18 or so months. I am so excited for LIFE......Each and Every DAY, I am getting stronger and stronger. Not to mention my energy level is far better than I thought it would ever be. Because of that, my weight is melting off.....I am PROUD to say that I have lost 23 pounds and still losing. All those chemo drugs and that back surgery had me pretty much down and out with any type of movement. WHEW!!!! GLAD THAT is OVER. I did have another shot in my spine last Friday in hopes it will help with the nerve damage I have suffered with since getting cancer.

Now, post #200 is going to be AWESOME!!! I promise you that.....

HAPPY WARM BRIGHT SUMMER DAY TO YOU.....GO OUT AND MAKE IT A GOOD ONE.

Hugs and Love, Amy

~WE'VE GOT MAIL~

YIPPY SKIPPY We have POSTAL mail service again.

Our Postal Gal said that she can pick up packages and deliver mail to us now as they are using the Side Post Office as their MAIN POST OFFICE until things are cleaned up downtown.

It's going to take a long time but they have HUGE SEMI-TRUCKS of FLOOD and DISASTER SPECIALISTS cleaning everything up. I have to tell you, I never knew something like that even existed, specific companies coming in just to clean up flood damage. Boy, am I not in touch with that. Also, because of my bout with cancer/chemo I am not allowed to help with the clean up. And, just this past Friday, I had another epidural shots put into my back as it was getting worst again.

On a bright note.......Bob and I have been working hard on THE BIG SURPRISE I have going. It's been my dream from day one and I cannot wait to share it with all of YOU!!!

Love and Hugs, Amy

(PS....you can go to YOUTUBE and type in Cedar Rapids Flood 2008 and you find hundreds of videos about our flood, some of them are INCREDIBLE to watch. I had to stop watching them as it just makes my heart heavy)

~USHWY 1 Mt. Vernon to Solon & Iowa City~

Do You See the Man in the Red Shirt walking down USHwy 1....

A friend sent this picture to me just a few minutes ago and I had to share it with you.....It is AMAZING what FLOOD WATER DOES to a bridge and a road.

This is USHighway 1....the road Bob takes almost everyday to get to work or to pick up the kids.

We won't be using this road for a very long time.......

As much as I am trying to keep a positive attitude, it's really starting to get to me, I had to run into Marion just a bit ago and on the way home I had to pull over and cry. My heart just breaks for all that we have been thru and all that our city has ahead. I saw FEMA Trucks, MORE NATIONAL GUARD Vehicles and their Semi's. The officials said today, "If this had been an earthquake, it would have registered a 9.5 on the Richter scale."

The damage is of epic proportion. My heart just aches for my city of Cedar Rapids and all of it's wonderful people!!!
Amy

~SOME HAPPY NEWS~

Just a quick post to let you know the waters are receding and they are trying to get the residence back into their home. It's not going so well as people are frustrated and tired because yesterday they said they could go back into their homes, then the postponed it until today. Then LATE LAST NIGHT (I was up and it was 12:30am) a BREAKING NEWS report came in that they CALLED OFF ALL RESIDENCE being able to get into their homes......This picture is worth a thousand words.......

An angry resident that tried to drive around a security checkpoint is stopped by law enforcement. Rick Blazek, 54, was arrested a few moments later. (AP Photo)

I have to tell you, with all the NATIONAL GUARD and MINNEAPOLIS POLICE here in town, it's a bit unsettling as it feels like a war zone. I took a little drive around town yesterday and it was EXTREMELY EERIE.

BUT.....ONE A GOOD NOTE....We will get thru this and I have a HUGE PROJECT that BOB and I are working on to keep our minds off the flood. I will be announcing that GOOD NEWS Soon.....and NO I AM NOT PREGNANT!!! LOL

Hugs and Love, Amy

~MY HOME TOWN~ FLOOD of 2008~

HWY 13, JUST ONE MILE FROM OUR HOME

With the flooding, today was the first day I was able to have Internet access. Please understand that I will get your orders to you as soon as humanly possible. We continue to have power, phone, and Internet outages. Also, our postal service is completely underwater and so we are not sending or receiving any mail or packages.
www.FourSistersInACottage.com has TONS of more pictures of the flood

GOD BLESS AMERICA and MY HOME TOWN CEDAR RAPIDS, WE WILL REBUILD!!!

SMALL STATUE OF LIBERTY GIVEN TO US BY PARIS FRANCE as their city is set up like our with MAYS ISLAND in the MIDDLE OF TOWN and the BRIDGES over the RIVER!!!

The flood this time didn't just break records; it SHATTERED them.

All my Love, PLEASE PRAY FOR US, Amy

~~No mail no internet~~!!

This is Anna in California and Amy wishes she was here right now!
Due to the floods in Cedar Rapids She has no Internet no land line phone and no postal mail going in or out for at least 7 to 10 days. Everything is underwater however she and her family are fine.See the post below and click on the link below to see the latest.I will check this blog daily and keep Amy informed of your concerns.Please pray for her and her family and all the other people affected by the flooding and other results of the weather conditions in the Midwest and surrounding areas. God Bless, Anna T

~WE ARE FLOODING~Worst than 1993 Floods

~WORST FLOODING than 1993~

HOW SAD....Linn County (my county) has just been declared a disaster area and a disaster emergency!!!! They have started evacuating PALO and others in the path of the Cedar River. Only ONE bridge remains open as they just closed the last of five of them this morning. Our smaller towns are surrounded by the flood waters and cannot even get in or out of town.

Check out this link Cedar Rapids Gazette for pictures of the floods. PLEASE PRAY FOR US and ALL OF THE FLOOD VICTIMS ALL AROUND US!!!! All my Love, Amy

MONTH #8 Cancer FREE & 150 NEW TREASURES @ FourSistersInACottage.com

Had my 8th month check up yesterday and I am STILL CANCER FREE!!! THANK YOU GOD!!!

And we have 150 NEW TREASURES on the website, just click here and the pictures below are just a small sample of what's to be had on the site. HAPPY JUNE EVERYBODY!!! It took me 2 and 1/2 days to go thru these vintage buttons. It was SOOO MUCH fun to see the old rhinestone, novelty and pearl buttons. I put them in vintage jars for you!!!!
I AM OBSESSED with SIGNS and WORDS.....I wanted to paint these old 1940's Raised Letter tiles & then add GLITTER to them but I never got to it. So, I am offering then to YOU instead!!!! There is even a Fleur de lis on the back of each one. TOO FUN!!!!
OF course I LOVE ROSES TOO and these Victorian CHOCOLATE and PINK CABBAGE ROSES Sandwich/Dessert Plates are no exception. TOO DIE FOR!!!!
Another obsession is old mirrors.....time to let some go to good homes!!!!
HUGS AND LOVE, Amy

~WHAT a Difference a YEAR MAKES & TATTOO PHOTOS~

Thursday, June 07, 2007
***Amy is out of surgery***
Hello this is Mary from IsabellasCloset. I wanted you all to know, Amy is out of surgery.When I know more I will post it.Thanks so much for all your thoughts and prayers for Amy.

WOW, WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES

AND I'M STILL HERE....THANK YOU GOD!!!!

Click here to see my NEW breast reconstruction photos and my NEW TATTOOS

THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU.....I LOVE YOU TO PIECES FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT, PRAYERS AND WELL WISHES, I COULD NOT HAVE MADE IT WITHOUT YOU.....

ALL MY LOVE, AMY

(PS....it's Saturday Morning and I sat with my hot cup of coffee and cried like a baby, you have no idea how excited and relieved I am that God wasn't ready for me yet, it probably sounds silly but everyone is still asleep and I am thrilled once again to be able to listen to the birds, train, cows and feel the sun come up)

......Do you wonder what I have been doing about this whole cancer thing??? Bob's Uncle has been diagnosed with Mesothelioma Lung Cancer and I have been helping him and his aunt with day to day activities. I am also his VA advocate so my plate is getting fuller and fuller as the days go by. At first, when I was all done with my surgeries and chemotherapy, I didn't want to think about cancer, let alone be around anyone who had it. I just couldn't bear to see or hear about anyone who had it. I had my fill of it, just losing my Dad to it and then getting it myself. Enough was enough.

But then, my Uncle Duane, was told on May 2nd, his 83rd birthday, that he had Lung Cancer due to the fighting on the USS Maryland as it was from the asbestos that was on the ship and I just kicked it into overdrive. I am working on becoming a "voice" for our veterans who were effected by this asbestos poisoning in WWII and as I research it, I find out that my Dad may have been exposed to it to, being he was in infantry and artillery in the Korean War. I guess it is giving me a validation for his death as no one should have to go thru what he went thru and to sit there and watch your Dad die in front of you over a 3 day period is something NO ONE should have to go through. I'm quiet a fighter when it comes to our vets and I will now get off my soap box.... WE LOVE OUR TROOPS!!!! ~Amy~

~MY KRISTI GIRL GRADUATED~

IT'S TRUE.....SHE'S OFFICIALLY GRADUATED AND 18 YEARS OLD~

It was a beautiful night and I didn't cry!!!! I don't know where the time went....makes me sad that she's grown so fast however on the bright side, look at all the wonderful times to come!!!!

She's off to AIB, in Des Moines, this FALL going for the 3 year degree as a Federal Court Reporter. She even got a scholarship for her grades!!!! YOU ROCK KRISTI!!!

Love you to pieces Kristi Girl....Love Mom

~STUNNING 1800's BEACH BEAUTY BELLES AND SHIPS SILK PICTURE~

I just listed this on eBay for $9.99/No Reserve, I believe that what a treasure is worth is not what the book value says it's worth, but what someone is wanting to pay for it on the open market. That is why my auctions are $9.99/No reserve so everyone has a chance to win.

KRISTI GRADUATED TONIGHT!!!! PICTURES COMING TOMORROW WHAT A WONDERFUL NIGHT!!!

Hugs and Love, Amy

THIS PICTURE IS ALL DONE ON SILK!!!! VERY RARE and GORGEOUS!!!

~IRS Tax Rebate Checks~I LOVE THIS!!!

How to use Your IRS Rebate check... As you may have heard, each of us will be getting a tax rebate check to stimulate the economy.
The only way to keep that money here at home is to spend it at Garage Sales, Tag & Estate Sales, Antique Shops and 2nd hand Stores, since those are the only businesses left owned by Americans !!!! PASS IT ON !!!!
HAPPY HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND!!!!
Hugs and Love, Amy

(WE LOVE ALL OUR TROOPS, PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE)

~MY FAVORITE SHOP in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD~

POLLY ANN'S ANTIQUES and THE WHIMSICAL COTTAGE LOVE LOVE LOVE the PINK POLKA DOT FRONT DOOR
THE FRONT ROOM
A CORNER OF THE FRONT ROOM all done in LAVENDER
MAIN ROOM
WHAT A CUTE IDEA for those OLD LAUNDRY MAT CARTS!!!

POLLY IS SOOOOO CLEAVER and her shop is my very very favorite!!! I didn't even begin to take pictures of the whole place but you can get an idea of all her goodies. I can't ever go in there and not buy something. I got the coolest CLOTHES and BAGS Department Store Sign yesterday that I will be hanging up in my shop. I will get pictures of it soon.

She also has a blog and a website if you want to check it out!!!

My sale was a HUGE SUCCESS. I don't have a whole lot left so that makes me happy.

I am going to try to get all new treasures on the website and etsy this week however, my back is still bothering me, to the point the pain is so bad it is making me puke and so I go in this Friday for exploratory nerve damage and see if they can shoot medicine into my spine, hip and left leg to make it better. I am SCARRED TO DEATH to have those needles pushed into me but they are giving me an epidural first so I don't feel it. (That in itself is scaring me because I have never had one). So, I am praying hard that it works, and that I will feel like a real person again. Chemo did a number on my nerves and we just need to get it fixed.

Have a BEAUTIFUL WEEK...it's going to be WARM with SUNSHINE HERE IN IOWA!!!
Yippy Skippy!!!!
Hugs and Love, Amy