It's Tempting!!!

I'm enthralled with the crazy lady on the Target Black Friday commercials!!!  The arm curls with the shopping basket, the thigh workout on the treadmill and, just saw this one last night, she's lying in bed wearing a million alarm clocks so she'll wake up in time for "The Big Sale".

I've never ever braved the crowds on Black Friday and in no way would I wake up at some crazy oh-dark-thirty time so I could cram into a store with a bunch of crazed people - but I have to admit these ads...and the downloadable store shopping map...are tempting.

You'd think I would know better - wish me luck!

M

So much to be grateful for.....where do I begin?

My health, a loving husband who keeps me young and inspired, a big silly hound dog who loves me (ok - probably cuz I give her cookie bones, treats, basically whatever she wants), an interesting and challenging job with an amazing company, a beautiful home which offers me sanctuary when things get too crazy, beloved friends - the list is endless.

Not to trivialize any of those things which I hold dear - this year in particular I'm thankful that we had the perserverance to complete our AS renovation, the financial wherewithal to fund the renovation, the openness to respect and consider each others' creative input and the sacrifices made by our friends who devoted countless hours to work on our beauty.

I'm also incredibly grateful to the members of the Oregon Unit of the WBCCI who welcomed Doug and I into the group with open arms, who never judged nor critiqued the work we had done in rescuing our AS and who've become very dear to us through their kindness, generosity, humor and true commitment to maintaining the vision and spirit of Wally Byam.  

Wishing all of you who stop by this blog a peaceful and relaxing Thanksgiving filled with the love of friends and family.  

Cheers...and safe travels...

Mona

Things I Like....Confessions of a Happy Glamper

So....it appears that my WBCCI Unit Prez has decided that I should write a column for our newsletter.  Sounded like a good idea to me since I don't seem to be at a loss for words!!  Right now I have enough columns ready to publish to take me into calendar year 2011!!!

Attached is my first column, scheduled for publication in the next week or so. Hope you enjoy!!

THINGS I LIKE....

Confessions of A Happy Glamper

Hi...for those of you who haven’t met me, I’ve been a member of the Oregon Unit for almost three years.  I’m the girl who showed up at rallies for the day, without an AS, waiting desperately for the time that our renovation was complete.  My husband Doug & I, along with many friends & an incredibly skilled craftsman, lovingly restored a flood-damaged ’69 Trade Wind Land Yacht.

I love taking our trailer out, love being able to fully participate in a rally & not leave when the fun was just getting started, & absolutely adore the members of our Unit.  But I also have another love - filling our lovely AS with very fun, colorful, sometimes functional   & sometimes not, things - lots & lots of things!!!

This is the first of a series of columns where I’ll share with you some of the Things I Like - from the perspective of a woman who never in her wildest dreams imagined that she would own an trailer Airstream, much less  count the days until she could hit the road again!!!    Welcome to my happy & sometimes over-the-top world of Glamping (Glamour Camping). 

I realize that when you camp things get dirty - particularly in the NW with all of those pine needles & a hound dog that sheds constantly.  I was driving myself crazy constantly sweeping &, while that foldy Swiffer thing is nice, it’s a pain taking it apart & putting it back together.  After much research (ok, I knew what I wanted - just needed to make it appear to be Doug’s idea) I purchased the Dyson Animal Hand Vac.   So sleek, so progressive & so perfect.   At $270*, it’s so not cheap & some would think its 6-minute charge is too short - but for me Doug it’s absolutely perfect!!

*I’ve discovered a way to purchase it a little cheaper - send me an email at hipvintagefusion@gmail.com if you’re interested.

Happy travels - 

Mona

Isn't She Lovely...Isn't She Wonderful....

....isn't she precious...less than one summer old....I never thought AS owner's we'd be....Saving one as lovely as she.....But isn't she lovely made from love?

I hope Stevie will forgive me for some slight modifications to one of his beautiful songs...it just kept playing over and over in my head as I was thinking about this post.

I just started a Twitter account for our WBCCI Unit and, while looking for people to follow I came across several which were accounts of AS renovations.  In each one it was clear that the owner's had a clear vision of what they wanted their AS to look like when the work was done, were passionate about doing the job correctly, and...although I'm sure they were anxious to get out on the road...didn't seem willing to rush and/or compromise their vision.

In preparation for a photo shoot with our friend Taylor, we gave our beauty a good cleaning (like she really needed it since I'm compulsive about keeping her spotless!).  The weather didn't cooperate - to be expected in November in the Pacific NW - but oh, does our AS look lovely:

Always the Glamper Girl

Our new 75th Anniversary screen guard

Hmmmm....cover girl?  someday!!!

The view from the bedroom 

The "Bed Pod"

Oh yes I did mix my designers!!!

Cocktails, anyone? 

These vases were our color inspiration 

Mid-century modern at it's finest

and just for the fun of it...a little reminder of where we started:

And we were thinking what exactly???

I think I need a drink....NOW!!!

Cheers to all of you out there committed to your vision...whatever your beauty!

M

Introducing.....Miss June

Wow - it's been forever since I updated my blog....coincidentally the last time I did was right before our AS renovation was complete.  Since then it's been a whirlwind - we introduced our beauty with a Trailer Warming Party at our home; co-hosted our first Unit Rally and had an incredible opportunity to have our AS featured in a photo shoot for a pin-up girl calendar!

Talk about a small world:  I meet an incredible woman named Janele at the Nordstrom Mac counter...she stays in my life and does my makeup for our wedding....she has a friend Taylor who needs to use a vintage trailer for a photo shoot and just like that...our AS is participating in her first - and hopefully not last - photo shoot!!  

The location Taylor picked was pretty cool with an abandoned industrial feel, the model was stunning (and of course another Nordy Mac girl), our AS seemed to sit a little more confidently...particularly after we installed her WBCCI numbers,  and my husband Doug and I couldn't have been more proud of the work, creativity and commitment it took for us...and our beloved friends/contractor...to bring our dream to life.

Take a look at images from the photo shoot (attached)...plus a silly photo of my husband running through the shoot.   For the 2011 Dogs & Kittens Calendar click here.

Stay tuned for updates on our Glamping adventures

Mona