December 2, 1941

Many of my family members served in the armed forces in the 1940's. When Fran and George became engaged, Fran wrote to her brother Bill, who was stationed at Fort Knox, for his blessing. Fran's Father had died many years prior in 1934 so it makes sense that she would then ask for her brother's blessings. I don't know as much about Fran's brothers as I do about her sisters. In the picture above,
I'm not sure which one is "Bill" but I know that Agnes was a WAC during WWII.

Hq. &Hq. Co.

19th Quartermaster Bn.
5th Armored Division
Fort Knox, Kentucky

December 2, 1941

Dear Fran:

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Your letter telling me of the "main event" at the Weaver home came to me yesterday and I dare say that even though the family may suffer the loss of you, someone else will be the gainer of something which all the gold at Fort Knox, could buy, -- Happiness-- So for your sake and his too, I hereby send my consent and best wishes, for I feel that a "George" such as "yours" will be an asset to our family tree. Yes, Fran, I suppose we have room for another "George". And for myself, I suppose that I, too, will have to wait the Governments verdict before I can start to worry about whether I'll be on hand for the "Big Day".

I dare say that the news did not take me completely by surprise since Pud said in one of her letters that you would write, since you had a surprise for me and wanted to tell me yourself. Right then I suspicioned news of this sort, and your letter was a welcome and pleasant verification of my suspicions. Yes, Fran, I think you two will do all right and rest assured that you have my blessing and best wishes.

I have applied for a Christmas furlough to cover the entire Christmas week. It was approved by Lt. Armstrong, and I think by Company Comander, but has to be approved by two more people before it becomes official. So if it is rejected I might only get the four days. However I am quite sure at this time I will spend Xmas at home.

For right now I think I have reviewed the news and with love to the rest of the family, I remain, as ever,

Your loving brother;
Bill

I'm not sure if this is Bill or not but I'm fairly certain that this is Fran and George's first born son Jimmy who also later served in the armed forces.

Bill was later killed in Korea in 1950.

Not Vintage

I don't wear vintage all the time. I don't do my hair or makeup all the time. I'm not a vintage elitist. I have all kinds of interests and hobbies that have nothing to do with my passion for mid-century things. Granted, I do have more vintage items then modern but I don't think any less of a person who's furnished their home with Ikea items. I don't judge here people. I love you all no matter how far into the vintage time warp hole you each fall. Most of my friends in real life don't give a hoot about vintage... but they know how to make me laugh when I need it most. Plus, I don't have to worry about competition from them at auctions! My friends, they don't always get me but they love me anyway.

Dear God MaryDeluxe...are you wearing flip flops!!! Why yes, yes I am!
I don't care what you think...my feet feel FREE!

My hair also gets curly ALL by itself!

So, let me see em. Show me your non-vintage selves out there! Post those pictures to your blogs...I dare you! I double dog dare you!!!

*****I wanna know....who wears abercrombie and fitch?? Or perhaps a tie dye or two?? How about 80's hair band t-shirts....go on, I'm waiting!!!

In The Garden...

My favorite place and Milo's too!





A before picture of my back garden...august 2005. My ex-bf and I had just put the other side of the fence up and I was super excited to make garden plans!! Why the pen in the yard??...I had found a wild baby duckling that summer and was rehabilitating him. He was a very cool little guy and my ex-bf even trained him to do jumping duck tricks??

No really see....piece of lettuce in ex-bf hand + one determined duckling = jumping duck tricks!

I have no idea what this has to do with my garden???

A Letter to Fran

The DeVine Family Celebrating 50th wedding anniversary.

George and Fran on the left...My Mommy is front and center..love the glasses Mom!!

It's been so long since I've posted anything in regards to my grandparents love affair before they were married and I would really like to get back to that as I know my family reads my blog. Hi Family!!

Okay according to the next letter in the pile, George and Fran became engaged sometime in November of 1941! Go Grandpa...a cad no more! Fran received a letter from George's Mother...my great grandmother. George's parents resided at 612 Linden Avenue in York, Pennsylvania. Hmmm, I wonder who lives there now?? I should check into that!

My Dear Frances-

George has given us a bit of information that makes us very happy for of course his own great happiness in winning your consent to become his bride, is ours also.

He loves you very much Frances, and we sincerely trust he will always truly merit the precious gift of your heart. You have gained an influence over him, which I hope will be a God-given link that will carry you both through sunshine and shadow.

We would like to have George bring you to see us as soon as your convenience permits.

With love to you, I am
Sincerely-
George's Mother

Dec 1- 1941

Punk Rock

...in the closet! That's where I keep my little disgruntled punk rock self. I only let her out to clean the house!

What alter egos do you have?? Where do they live?

Things to Think About While Driving

5 things I hate right now...

Seeing that kid who assaulted me in class, walk past me every day in the hallway. Someone dropped the ball on that one. But I did press charges and will see them in court this summer. Assaulting a teacher in the classroom is considered a felony in my state.

Having the neighbor kids who are 3, 4, 5, throw my landscape rocks on my plants crushing them ...all because their white trash welfare mother can't sit her ass on the front porch to watch them. She simply opens the door and out they go into the street. Did I say they were 3,4,5. I also hate I had to call the police to have a "talk" with them to stay out of my garden. She didn't like that either....went irate about it actually.... all I have to say is....most words have little power when wielded by the ignorant and the unenlightened.

The crazy amount of work I have yet to do, in the next 13 days before school ends.....extremely overwhelming!

People who prejudge me before they really know who or what I'm about.

People who think just because I have 3 cats, it makes me a crazy cat lady. I guess it would work better for them if I had 3 children to 3 different men. Oh yeah, that's so much better buddy! I'll put that one on the top of my agenda and get started right away....stop back in 3 years okay!

But 10 things I love right now...

Only having 13 days left of work before summer va-ca!

The good kids that I get up every day and go to work for. The ones that make me laugh and try even though they have such tough things to go through in their lives.

All my other neighbors on my block! Really, it's only the trashy people at the end of the block we all hate!

Oatmeal with blueberries.

How the air smells after it rains in the summer time.

Watching Milo get bigger....he's such a little charmer. He still flushes the toilet!

My garden.

My up coming road trip with my gal pal Kelly! I'm coming along to give moral support as she finally closes the door on one really bad bus!! Go Kelly!!!!

Good music.

People who take the time to know me for who I really am and not for what they think I might be.

Take a Deep Breath...

I'm off to meet a bus for a drink or two. Nothing major....in all honestly, I think I would rather stay home. Staying on the sofa is so much safer. But lets face it, I can't hermit myself for the rest of my life...can I???? For all intents and purposes, this is a starter date only...kinda like a test to see if I'm ready....just to get my feet wet again. And no, it's not the guy from the gym.....epic fail on that one people...he's got a cute wifey though! Hmmm, I think I'll change my shoes to my nice white canvas wedges before I step out the door on my adventure.

EDIT: Home again, home again, jiggity jig. Sometimes men are nothing but pigs! All I could think was...
DING DING DING....pull the bell....pull the bell....Dear God MaryDeluxe, pull the bell and get off the bus...he was so not going in the right direction for me! Does my outfit say slut??? hahahaha

The 400 Follower Giveaway Winner Is.........

I did this drawing the most "official" and fair way I could think of, I let Milo pick the winner! He was more then happy to oblige! Note that both Bosch and Remy were there to make sure everything was on the up and up and that Milo wasn't playing favorites. Milo had the most marvelous time, he dove right in, picked a name and then promptly ran right under the sofa with it! I had to move the sofa to find the name before he decided to eat it! Oh what fun we have at DeluxeVille!

What the hell is this?? Is this for us???



Remy is just to old for these shenanigans!



Milo jumping in!

Please excuse the Milo drool.......
CONGRATULATIONS ANNIE B!!
You lucky girl, Milo tried to eat your name first!

Annie B....contact me with all your info....marydeluxe53 at gmail dot com!!!

Hey All

I know, I know....I said I would draw the winning name yesterday eeer...well, I got busy! I know right, how dare I have a life not related to blogging!!

Please send all your angry email to..... Idontgiveadamn@youneedtogetalife.com! Thanks!

I will do the drawing soon..promise! Until then take some time to stop and smell the flowers would ya...I know I need to! I am great, I can do good things, I love my whole house! Cheers!

I have to edit my post here to add the front garden at Deluxeville too! My iris out front has simply out done it's self this year! Simply stunning. I love coming home and seeing my front garden and I don't care what the neighbors think...getting rid of my front lawn=best idea ever! I only wish I had more room so I could plant more!

Jessica's "Daily Affirmation"

I saw this video on facebook and LMAO because Jessica is so ME! Every morning I tell myself the same things...er except I don't do it standing on my sink counter! I like my house, I like my hair, I like my school, I can do anything, I like my whole house, My whole house is great, I can do anything good..... yeah, let's all do this tomorrow when we look in the bathroom mirror...don't forget to do the little dance too!

Mellow Yellow

I've been getting a lot of questions recently from people asking my advice on where they can look to find auctions and estate sales in their own areas to find cool stuff like I do. Since estate sales and auctions are run in a variety of different ways across the United States, finding them and attending one is going to depend on where you live.

My best advice...

• Check on auction zip to see if your area uses this website to list their auctions.
• Check craigslist in your area for estate sales/auctions/yard sales
• Read the paper and look in the classifieds.
• Look in the phone book and call auction/auctioneers in your area and ask if they have sales.
• Become a patron of goodwill, salvation army, and thrift shops. They have cool stuff there too!
  
• Volunteer at a senior center and become friends with old people, get invited to their homes, and ask to buy their things! Example: I had a friend who volunteered at a local nursing home and a resident had given her a bunch of vintage hats one day because she knew she liked them. She then gave them to me!
  
• Start your own junk hauling business. You would be surprised the things you could find when relatives call you to clean up a deceased family member's house. Better yet, become friends with people who are junk haulers! Example: my kitchen light fixture above my table came from a guy who was friends with a junk hauler.

• Be a trash picking dumpster diver. I've found many things this way!
• Put an ad in the local paper saying that you'll buy such and such vintage item.
• Work for a vintage dealer/store owner. I did this for a few years.
  

Which one of these suggestions will work best for you? I don't know. Like I stated above, each area of the country is different and each person is different. I will say this though, if you don't enjoy the trill of the hunt for the item, you better just stick to buying on ebay and let someone else do the dirty work. Also remember, patience is key. Decorating your home from top to bottom with vintage items is much harder then decorating your home using things from Ikea! My suggestion is to mix vintage inspired modern pieces with actual vintage pieces. Hey, I'd rather come to visit and sit on a vintage inspired sofa from Lazy-Boy that's next to a 1950's lamp then on the actual floor! I'm just sayin, I'm not gonna think any less of you. I will however think way less of you if you make me sit on the floor.

I hope this has been a bit helpful. Keep the useful information and throw the rest away!

Best of luck and happy hunting!

~MaryDeluxe

400 Follower Giveaway

To celebrate my big 400 and to purge myself after my recent lamp/lamps purchases, I've decided to giveaway one of my children. hahaha No, I don't mean human children (that would be so illegal and hard to do since I aint got none!) I mean, one of my lamp children!

A 1950's ceramic Asian themed little beauty with red venetian blind shade! Perfect for on top of any dresser, stand, or table! Even has a dish in front to hold loose change, keys, tampons, pocket lint, condoms, ya know whatever...I'm not judging here people put what ever you want in it!

To enter my giveaway......

• Leave a comment telling me what your most favorite vintage possession is!
• Post about me on your blog and I'll enter you twice! (Just make sure you leave me a comment telling me you did that so I know!)

Contest is open to ANYONE who reads my blog...even if you don't blog yourself and are not an "official" follower over there on that list! You still count!! Just make sure you leave your email addy so I can reach you.

Contest is open to ANYONE living anywhere! As long as the mail will deliver, I will send!

Contest ends on Sunday May16th 2010. Winner will be announced on Monday May 17th, 2010.

Good Luck Everyone & Thanks For Reading!
*hurry someone enter quick before I change my mind!*

Got Lamps??

I do! I've got a serious problem here people.

Drum Roll Please....

After much waiting....My Ebay listings.....Take a look if you like!

Top Secret Auction

I almost fell off my chair when I came across this upcoming auction! OH GOODNESS ME!!! So many amazing things all in one auction. These are just a few pictures I've picked out to show. Look at that lamp, all that heywake, 50's cateye glasses, mid-century modern galore, and they also have box lots!!! I love box lots. I think I've died and gone to heaven but will need to sell my soul to the devil for some extra cash!

The lamp of my dreams!

Heywake

Bakelite radios, desk lamps, dresser sets!

Heywake!!

Tulip chairs...I wonder if the table is there too??

Lamps, Jewelry, glasses, purses!

So many cool things, I don't know what to try to spend my money on first?? I think it's gonna be the lamp! :) I think I might need to rent a truck??? Gosh I hope they're not selling with two auctioneers...it's so freakin hard to make sure you don't miss things when they do that. But I'm guessing with the amount of stuff, there will be two auctioneers going in different places. I better wear my running shoes!

Nicole Kathrine Reproduction Clothing

Hi All! Here's a new website to checkout if you haven't yet.... Nicole Kathrine Designs. Check out her website! I'm very much in love with her reproduction dungarees and overalls. Does anyone have a pair? I'm interested to know how they fit and what type of fabric is used?

Nicole Kathrine Apparel also features a plus size line called Betty Buccaneer. Check out the amazing Hawaiian style dress above!

And what girl doesn't love a cute sailor outfit with wide leg trousers. Love the side button details and petite sailor top with bow!

Happy Shopping!
MaryDeluxe

Oh btw... please forgive me, I have not listed anything for sale yet as I have been insanely busy with work stuff! Haven't you noticed with my lack of posts?? Will let you all know when I do, soon I promise!

Lets Go Pole Dancing

errrr, not that kind of pole dancing! Geezz, get your dirty minds outta the gutter! I happen to mean, the ancient tradition of May Pole Dancing. That's right everyone, today is May 1st so, Happy May Day!

So, put on your flats, grab the ribbons, grab the flowers, find your favorite gals and get to it! No need to celebrate May Day in a political way, I like to celebrate May Day as a day of Spring and the coming of Summer! This year, I am also celebrating the fact that I survived the month of April. April was HELL for me and I'm not sad to see it go but just so you know, I'm feeling very optimistic about May and getting back to normal!