the one that got away

On Saturday, I saw a tray like this one (below) in an antique shop. I wanted to confirm that the price was fair before I bought it so I left it in the cabinet and decided I'd come back on Sunday.

I found it online and it turns out that it's worth a LOT of money and would have been a great steal. So I ran back to the shop after lunch on Sunday and someone had bought it. Ultimate sadness.

And I know you're thinking "who cares about a stupid TV tray?" but here's why it's special: it's a Disneyland souvenir, featuring the original park map. The park has grown and changed over the years, and I have never seen a "Disneyland" TV tray before. Sure, plenty of Mickey or other Disney characters, but not one from the park. *sigh*

Luckily, I didn't leave the shop empty-handed. I found a vintage tea pot that was a Disneyland souvenier from the late 50's/early 60's. I found a picture of the full set, but so far I only have the tea pot. Isn't it so cute? It's even stained inside from some little girl having a tea party with her friends. Awww!

I also found an old dollhouse/shadow box that was in a bad state of disrepair. At one point, someone lovingly hand made this house and put in dollhouse wallpaper inside. But it looks like it's been living in the back of a garage for a decade. I scooped it up for a couple of bucks and have already re-painted it and bought new paper for the walls. I'm going to use it for a display at craft fairs. The little cardboard one that Ryan made me for last year's craft fair was the envy of every kid in town! This one is going to knock 'em over dead!! ;-)

Before the vintage shop, Kate and I went to a craft fair and I scored a Tiny Tim prayer candle (so that he will bless me in my ukulele lessons!), a brooch of Bob's Big Boy achieving enlightenment, plus a Ouija board candle for Ryan. After that, we went to Tall Mouse craft store which is deadly on your wallet. I bought several ADORABLE fat quarters of fabric and also more peg people and somehow escaped without having to sell my soul. It was an accomplishment, let me tell you!!

That evening, I got to spend the Border's gift card that my mom gave me and was able to get FIVE. NEW. BOOKS. [insert audio of angels singing] and then we met up with Ryan to go see Up in 3D. Up was just as sweet and cute and funny and sad as everyone said. I just wish that people could admit that cartoons don't have to be for kids. The theater was packed (seriously, every seat was taken) full of kids, most of whom seemed pretty bored or were crying and squirming. It's a very touching story of an old man living his life's dream before it's too late. Clearly written for an older audience (I feel the same way about Wall-E and Cars). But it was very sweet and silly and the kid (Russell) adds great comic relief. I laughed, I cried, I ate Whoppers. It was a great night.

Afterward, Ryan was in a hurry to get back to work, so he suggested that we grab a quick cup of tea and debrief about the movie... which, of course, turned into at least 2 more hours of chit-chat (interrupted once by a guy in a bowling pin costume - you can't make this stuff up!) during which I told a bunch of embarrassing stories about myself (sorry Kate!).

Needless to say, it was a fantastic day and I was exhausted when we got home.