Yum .... Salt Water Taffy

Salt Water Taffy is a favorite treat of mine and my daughter's.  I have been known to make myself sick eating it!  When we were in Savannah, there was a neat candy store (Savannah's Candy Kitchen) that was making taffy while you watched (and giving away samples!!).  They also make pralines and give away samples of them.

Here is the machine that stretches and pulls the taffy.

Then it goes to this roller machine and rolls around and around until it gets long and skinny (with the help of this guy).  He then feeds it through this machine which cuts it into small pieces and wraps the paper on it and drops it onto the surveyor belt.

From the surveyor belt, it goes into these little Ferris Wheel containers which are on a type of pulley (like a Ferris Wheel!) and it goes up and around, dropping the contents at the top onto another surveyor belt.

Here is the surveyor belt with the taffy that runs from the candy making part into another room (like a little train.)

Then it drops out of this chute into the red bin.  See the piece in mid air?  Sonny was fascinated by the whole process!

The red bin opens up and the taffy goes into one of the sections.  We didn't figure out how they get the taffy into the bottom sections since they are pop-riveted together.  My guess is that they scoop it from the top bin to the ones below.

Pretty cool, huh?

Mrs Wilkes Boarding House

We had a great trip in Savannah this weekend.  Before we left today, our last stop was Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House. 

In 1943, a young Sema Wilkes took over a boardinghouse in historic downtown Savannah. Her goal was modest: to make a living by offering comfortable lodging and homestyle Southern cooking served family style in the downstairs dining room.  They don't take boarders any more, just serve wonderful Southern food.   Over the course of two-plus decades, the lines at Mrs. Wilkes' have grown longer, and the good press just keeps rolling in, even as other boardinghouses close up shop for the final time.

I had been told that it was better than Paula Deen's restaurant, Lady and Sons.  Since I didn't go to Paula's restaurant, I can't compare, but believe me .... it was FABULOUS!!  We arrived a little before 10:45 and got in line in the drizzling rain.  They started letting people in a little before 11:00.  They serve you family style and you just pass the bowls and fill your plates.

I took a picture but it doesn't do the table justice!  They served:  Fried Chicken (to die for), Beef Stew, Pork; Rice and Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Okra & Tomatoes, Cabbage, Snap Beans, Macaroni and Cheese, Butter Beans, Black Eyed Peas, Rutabaga, Squash, Potatoes au Gratin, Yams, Pickled Beets, Red Beans, Turnip Greens, Carrot Salad, Cucumber Salad, Sausage, Creamed Corn, Corn Bread and homemade rolls!  For dessert, Banana Pudding and Blueberry Cobbler.   Of course, I sampled almost everything!!  My Yankee husband was not quite as impressed as I was though.  He's lived down South now for almost 40 years, you would think he would be liking our Southern cuisine.  But, no, he won't even eat a grit!!

If you're ever in Savannah, this is MUST for dining!!  Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room is located on one of the most elegant streets in Savannah. Jones Street runs through the center of the Historic District lined with moss laden trees and paved with cobblestone. It wasn't until 1987 that Mrs. Wilkes consented to a sign out front. She made this place somewhat of a legend, and her family is keeping it a family affair.  They don't take reservations and are only open Monday - Friday from 11 - 2.

 

Flowers for You

I won't be blogging for a few days (except for Easter Sunday - I have something set in advance for then). We are going to Savannah Friday a.m. for a long weekend to celebrate Easter as well as our anniversary. We have never been to Savannah. I am looking forward to it. We already have our Easter brunch booked on a ship so I hope the weather is nice.

I will leave you with a few pictures of some of the beautiful flowers Ashley and I saw at the Botantical Gardens in New York.

36 years and going strong

Today is our 36th anniversary!  No big plans for celebrating today.  We will save that for this weekend when we go to Savannah.  Here we are 36 years ago in front of Myers Park Methodist Church in Charlotte where we got married on a very rainy April 7, 1973.

Good Morning America

While we were in New York, we went to a taping of GMA.  If you ever get the chance ..... don't bother!!  Our letter advised us to be in line by 6:15-6:30, so Ashley and I got up at 5 A.M (!!!) and left the hotel at 5:30.  It was still dark outside!!  We walked to Times Square and got in line.  Not bad - there were only about 15 people ahead of us.  We waited and waited and finally, about 6:45, they let us in.  After going through a metal detector, we were told where to stand (no seating available).  The show is on air from 7 - 9.  But, what they don't tell you is most of the show is done in another studio!  We stood around till after 8:00 when finally the weatherman, Sam Champion came down and did the "meet and greet" thing with us.  Several of the ladies in the crowd went "ga-ga" over him.  He was pretty fake looking and acting!  He did a weather segment and actually said "Happy 60th Mom" on air (Ashley had a sign!). 

The big guest on the show was Christina Applegate (tv show, Samantha Who).  They told us they always ask the guests to come in and see the crowd and you just never know if they will or not.  Well, she stuck her head in the door and waved and was there for about 2 seconds!  We were about 20-25 feet away so there was not a chance to really see her.  I'd hate to take up too much of her time!  Please!

Around 8:30, Diane Sawyer came down and talked to all of us.  She is beautiful and seemed really friendly (compared to the others!)  She's really thin too.  Then Robin Roberts came down and she was really down to earth.  She saw Ashley's sign and asked who was 60.  When I raised my hand, she told me I sure looked good for 60 and I shouldn't lie about my age.  Made my day, for sure!

We got to see one segment being filmed - about 8:40, they did a kitchen scene about how to make your food last longer.  After they were through filming, Robin, Diane and Bob Woodruff posed with each of us for pictures.  I thought that was pretty nice.

Academy of Country Music Awards .... and Easter cards

I just finished watching the Academy of Country Music Award show while making Easter cards.  It was very entertaining.  It was broadcast from Las Vegas.  Darn .... I was there last year this time!!

Here's a few of my thoughts on the show (if you care!)

• I loved seeing Heidi Newfield sing "Johnny and June" - love that song!  I didn't realize she was as old as she is ... figured she'd be another Taylor Swift. 
• Thought it was odd that Jamie Foxx was on a country awards show??  Guess it's just to make another point about Obama in office.  I like Jamie, don't get me wrong.  It's just odd.
• Cute Julianne Hough made Top New Artist.  She ripped her designer dress while going on stage!  Jack Ingram leaned over and tried to fix it!  I saw on some internet site some people discussing that she was still a virgin!  Where do people learn this stuff and why is it there business???
• Top Vocal Duo - Sugarland!  Yay!
• How much more mileage will Billy Ray be getting off Miley?  Think he'll still be introducing her as "my little girl" when she's 30?
• Top Female Vocalist - Carrie Underwood.  Yay!  Just love her.
• Trace Adkins sang "Til the Last Shot's Fired" with the West Point Glee Club.  WOW!   The performance is in support of the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), which is the charity selected by the ACM's charitable fund.  If you didn't get a tear in your eye watching the soldier who was missing both legs introduce Trace and Trace Adkins singing the song plus the West Point Glee Club performing, you aren't an American!
• Matthew McConaughey was a presenter.  That is one hot dude!  I could watch him all day.  He just seems so down to earth ... but sexy!   

                                       

 

 

 

 

 

Ok ... here are a couple of the cards I was working on tonight.  They both use the stamp set, A Good Egg.  This is my only Easter set so I use it a lot.  I used the designer paper from the Saleabration catalog and paper pieced the eggs.  I cut a slit to thread the ribbon through.

   

On this one, I cut the card 5 1/2" x 7 1/2" and cut the scalloped strip 3" x 4 1/4" and let it hang over the card.  I cut a slit for the ribbon.  I received a card that used this layout in a swap a while back and I've always like it.  This is the first time I've used it.

Did You Know?

•  It takes one ton of water to make one pound of refined sugar.
• A honeybee must tap 2 million flowers to make one pound of honey. A bee produces only one-twelfth of a teaspoon of honey during her entire lifetime.
• American and Russian space flights have always included chocolate.
• The best selling chocolate bar in Russia is Snickers.
  ~The Amazing Book of Useless Information by Noel Botham &
             The Useless Information Society

This is Sharon from NC - live from THE VIEW

OK ... I am in the bus now headed back to DC .... pretty tired!! We had a great time in New York and I'll be sharing lots of pictures and stories in the coming days. We were able to cram a lot into a few days.

The biggest news I want to share with your now is that I will be on THE VIEW on Friday!! Ashley got us tickets for the taping of Friday's show. We were VIP's of one of the producers. I was actually pulled from the audience before the taping started and asked to do the commercial break where they say "this is Sharon from North Carolina" and then I read the tele-prompter to tell what was coming up next. It was pretty cool! So ..... set your DVR's for Friday's showing of The View. (It comes on at my house at 11 am).

We had been told in advance that since we were VIP guests if they did any give-aways, we would not be eligible for anything over $75. Wouldn't you know it!! They had Mr Gadget on and he demonstrated a lot of new electronical gadgets totalling $1,300+ and everyone in the audience got one of each item!! Just our luck! Oh well, guess you can't win them all. Just think of the taxes I saved!

I'll be in DC until the weekend helping Ashley spruce up her condo to put it on the market. Sonny & I will be heading home Sunday or Monday.

Dreams Come True One Step At A Time

Dreams Come True One Step At a Time

When going through life
and traveling in the direction
of your dreams, the best way
to get ahead is the simplest way:
Take it one step at a time.
Don't look over your shoulder; if you do,
you'll feel the weight of all your
yesterdays upon you.
And don't worry about what lies ahead.
By the time you get to
the bend in the road
or the crest of the hill,
you're going to be better and stronger
than you ever were before.
Just go a step at a time,
one day at a time.
And you'll find a rich, thankful life
you never thought you could afford.

~A. Rogers

On the Road ..... and a little blog candy

Well, would you believe I am on the bus about an hour away from New York City????!! Yep Ashley is sleeping in the seat beside me and I am trying to figure out how to use her laptop so
excuse any "typos." We arrived in DC yesterday a.m (having to get up at 5:30 am to catch the 8 am flight!). We had to hang around Ashley's for a bit for her realtor to come by with her handy man. She is putting her condo up for sale (she's moving to Texas Sept 1) and needs a little painting, etc. done first. Would you believe the handyman wanted to charge her $600 to paint 2 bedrooms (and not even the ceilings) and she was going to provide the paint?? A shyster, in my opinion. So she will be looking for another painter or be doing it herself. Her dad is coming up on Thursday to do some of the minor repairs (and to provide a ride back home for me!) So, after they left, we headed over to a Burrito place and had lunch .... yummy! Then on to the metro for downtown DC. We went to a couple of museums - American History and Natural History. We were involved in a very interesting presentation at the Amer. History of a re-enactment of the Greensboro lunch counter "sit in" in 1960. Actually, Angela and I were two of the "sit in" actors!! They had the actual lunch counter and stools there and picked 4 people to sit on the counters and had all the rest of the people crowd around us. Then they asked us how it made us feel ... it was quite thought provoking.

We actually went to the Natural History Museum by mistake, but it was pretty neat. That's where the Hope Diamond is displayed!! Wow, it's hard to even describe how beautiful it is. We wandered around looking at displays of animals .... giraffes, hippos, monkeys ... al hard to believe they weren't real. Mom's favorite was the Orchid display. They were just gorgeous and I took a lot of pictures that I'll be sharing when I return.

Well .... gotta run - bus is making a pit stop!!

Here's the link to BLOG CANDY!!

Gym Terms

•  “I'm getting pumped up” - I'm standing in front of the mirror and flexing because I'm enamored with the way I look
• Getting ripped - eating miniature meals in an attempt to remove all of the healthy fat from my body
• Supplements - products with all of the calories and nutrients contained in food but which have no resemblance in taste, texture, or appearance to food
• 'roids - illegal drugs taken by people who don't mind the inconvenience of having to walk through a door sideways
• Aerobics - masochism with an instructor
• Stairmaster - masochism without an instructor
• Reps - the number of times you torture yourself by lifting a heavy weight off your chest
• Free weights are better than machines - I'm too stupid to figure out how to work the machines
• Machines are better than free weights - I dropped a dumbbell on my foot one too many times
• Bench press - a strength training exercise in which you lie on a bench and try to prevent a weight-laden bar from plummeting down to crush your chest
• Treadmill - a device which allows you to walk or run, much like can be done outdoors, but this way you get to pay $25 a month and a large up front fee for the privilege of doing it indoors

New York ... New York

I am getting excited!  I am flying to DC Saturday with my mom and one of my sisters.  After spending the day with Ashley and getting my mom and Angela acclimated to the metro in DC, Ashley and I are taking the bus to New York!!  Mom and Angela will be staying in DC at Ashley's place and touring around DC.

This trip is my birthday present from Ashley(from last October).  We have tickets to be in the audience of Good Morning America on Monday morning.  I don't usually watch the show so not sure about it.  They did tell us to wear comfortable shoes because there is no seating and to wear bright colors and bring bright signs .... still working on that! 

We have tickets to a Broadway show, In the Heights, for Tuesday night.  We are going to try to get tickets to see Chicago on Sunday or Monday. 

But the best is .... we have tickets to the taping of Friday's The View.  The View tapes live every day except for Friday which they tape earlier in the week.  So, we will be in the studio Tuesday at 11:00 for the Friday taping.  We are actually going to be guests of one of the producers!    Ashley met someone on her cruise in January that had a friend who is a producer (and won an Emmy) for The View and she was able to get tickets for us.  The only drawback is ... if they have a give-away that day, we do not qualify IF the prize is over $75.  So, let's hope it's a good give-away and is worth $74.99!!  I am ubber-excited!  I have watched The View for years - through the Star Jones years, endured Rosie (I was hit or miss then) and now with Whoopie (whom I think is great).  So, set your VCR's and see if you can pick me out of the crowd!!

If any of you have recommendations for restaurants, etc. in New York, please let me know!! 

Thank You

As a parent of children who served their country in the US Army ... my daughter is still in the Army .... I found this to be wonderful.

Recently, a gentleman from Seattle created a gesture using an ASL (American Sign Language) sign of “Thank You” (which is then being gestured from the heart rather than from the mouth), and has started a movement to get the word out. A Thank You from the Heart.

Please everybody take just a moment to watch.... The Gratitude Campaign; .... and then forward it to your friends!

THEN START USING THE SIGN.

Never Give Up .... Plus a little humor!

How do you find the motivation to ‘keep on keeping on’? Abraham Lincoln is an awesome example of NEVER GIVING UP. If you never thought you could succeed on this journey, ponder this:

Abraham Lincoln...

• Failed in business at age 21.
• Was defeated in a legislative race at age 22.
• Failed again in business at age 24.
• Overcame the death of his sweetheart at age 26.
• Had a nervous breakdown at age 27.
• Lost a congressional race at age 34.
• Lost a congressional race at age 36.
• Lost a senatorial race at age 45.
• Failed in an effort to become vice-president at age 47.
• Lost a senatorial race at age 47.
• Was elected PRESIDENT of the US at age 52!

NEVER, EVER GIVE UP!

***********************************************

And here is a little humor for you today -

A very weird thing has happened. A strange old lady has moved into my house. I have no idea who she is, where she came from, or how she got in. I certainly didn't invite her. All I know is that one day she wasn't there and the next day she was. She's very clever. She manages to keep out of sight for the most part, but whenever I pass a mirror, I catch a glimpse of her there; and when I look into a mirror directly to check my appearance suddenly she's hogging the whole thing, completely obliterating my gorgeous face and body. It's very disconcerting. I've tried screaming at her to leave but she just screams back, grimacing horribly. She's really rather frightening. If she's going to hang around, the least she could do is offer to pay rent. But no. Every once in a while I do find a couple of dollar bills on the kitchen counter, or some loose change on my bureau or on the floor, but that certainly isn't enough. In fact, though I don't like to jump to conclusions, I think she steals money from me regularly. I go to the ATM and withdraw a hundred dollars, and a few days later, it's gone. I certainly don't go through it that fast, so I can only conclude that the old lady pilfers it. You'd think she'd spend some of it on wrinkle cream. God knows, she needs it.

And, the money isn't the only thing she's taking. Food seems to disappear at an alarming rate. Especially the good stuff - ice cream, cookies, candy - I just can't keep them in the house. She really has a sweet tooth. She should watch it; she's really putting on the pounds. I think she realizes that, and to make herself feel better I know she is tampering with my scale, so I'll think that I'm gaining weight, too. For an old lady she's really quite childish.

She also gets into my closets when I'm not home and alters all my clothes. They're getting tighter every day.

Another thing: I wish she'd stop messing with my files and papers on my desk. I can't find a thing any more. This is particularly hard to deal with because I'm extremely neat and organized; but she manages to jumble everything up so nothing is where it is supposed to be. Furthermore, when I program my VCR to tape something important, she fiddles with it after I leave the room so it records the wrong channel or shuts off completely. She finds innumerable imaginative ways to irritate me. She gets to my newspapers, magazines and mail before me—and blurs all the print; and she's done something sinister with the volume controls on my TV, radio and phone. Now all I hear are mumbles and whispers. She's also made my stairs steeper, my vacuum cleaner heavier, all my knobs and faucets hard to turn and my bed higher and a real challenge to climb into and out of. Furthermore, she gets to my groceries as soon as I shelve them and applies super glue to the tops of every jar and bottle so they're just about impossible to open. Is this any way to repay my hospitality?

I don't even get any respite at night. More than once her snoring has awakened me. I don't know why she can't do something about that. It's very unattractive.

As if all this isn't bad enough, she is no longer confining her malevolence to the house. She's now found a way to sneak into my car with me and follow me wherever I go. I see her reflection in store windows as I pass, and she's taken all the fun out of clothes shopping because her penchant for monopolizing mirrors has extended to dressing rooms. When I try something on, she dons an identical outfit, which looks ridiculous on her and then stands directly in front of me so I can't see how great it looks on me.

I thought she couldn't get any meaner than that, but yesterday, she proved me wrong. She had the nerve to come with me when I went to have some passport pictures taken.....

Don't you love it?? Rose Mula wrote this wonderful piece. Her page is at: http://www.seniorwomen.com/rosestranger.htm

(borrowed from Copyright © DWLZ, Inc. - 2009, all rights reserved.)

Snow Day

Wippee!!  We have snow.  What is it about snow that make 60 year old women (and 50 and 80 ....) act like a kid again??!!  It's just so beautiful.  It started snowing here last night about 7:30 and was still snowing at midnight.  School closings were already posted along with businesses for Monday.  I just remember when I was a kid, I was so excited about those cherished snow days!!  Also, as an adult, I worked at our local high school and loved it when the schools closed and we got to stay home for snow.  (Although, living in Texas, it didn't happen that often!!)  These March snows always bring to mind 1960!  My sister was born in 1960 and it snowed every Wednesday that March ... yes, she was born on a Wednesday!!  But those memories officially make me an "old-timer!"  Yesterday's Charlotte Observer make mention of the 1960 March snow storms and said "old-timers in Charlotte always remember ...."  Old well ... guess that's me!

Here are pictures of our SNOW!!

Stamp TV

I've just discovered a neat site (thanks, Jackie!).  It's Stamp TV by Gina K.  It's pretty neat and has some good discussion groups, videos, a gallery and thousands of members.  Click on that "blinkie" on the sidebar and check it out!!

While I'm giving advice, thought I'd share this also.  I recently got the stamp set, Thoughts and Prayers and made this card with it.  The set is one of those double mounted sets from SU (that they are actually going to do away with!!).  Anyway, I also usually cut some of my stamps apart when I am mounting them.  This one was no exception.  Since I didn't have enough wood for all the sayings, etc.  I found a set of dominoes that I wasn't using and mounted the stamp on one of them!!

What I've Learned this Week

Musings of a Housewife sponsored a carnival about What I've Learned This Week.

Well, I don't know if what I learned this week will make President Obama stop and say, wait .... let's see what Sharon has to say, but here goes anyway!

• I learned Blissdom sounds like a lot of fun!!
• I learned that when it comes to blogging, some people (not mentioning names) think it's ok to blog about other people in a derogatory manner. They think it makes them look "cool". I do NOT!! That's rude and crude and probably reflects your up-bringing.
• I learned that you should not believe everything you read .... especially on the Internet. Especially if you don't know the full story!
• I learned that people who are not rational themselves should not call others irrational.
• I learned that it is good to have a lot of friends even if everyone does not approve of said friends.
• I learned that sometimes families can be very dysfunctional and there's not a lot you can do about it .... but wait it out.
• I learned that family members and good friends can come through for you and can be that shoulder to cry on to get you through the tough times.
• I'm trying to learn to keep my mouth shut and not be the bait for others to control.
• I've learned the Serenity Prayer this week BY HEART!!

Chocolate for Valentine's

Giving dark chocolate to your Valentine might be more than sweet; it could help guard your true love against cancer. Dark chocolate contains antioxidants that have been shown to combat cell damage that can lead to tumor growth. These antioxidants occur naturally in the cacao beans used to make all chocolate products. People should look for dark chocolate that contains at least 65 percent cacao, according to the American Institute for Cancer Research. Recommended servings for dark chocolate are seven ounces per week, or about one ounce per day.

Well, I bought a bag of Dove milk chocolates Sunday to use them for Valentine treats. Guess who's eaten more than she's given away???? Dove are my favorites!!! Maybe I'll put a few in Sonny's Valentine tomorrow.

Here's the Valentine my hubby's getting. We probably won't do a lot for Valentines - maybe go to the movies and out to eat. After 38 Valentine's together, we know we love each other every day!! He actually asked me last week if I'd just go upstairs and make a card for him!! He said he had a lot of money invested in my card stuff so it would be better than him going to Hallmark!! Of course, I suggested that I get all the supplies out and let him make his own. Don't think that's gonna happen!! Ashley, where are you when your dad needs you????

HERE are some interesting facts about Valentine's. Did You Know???

Hope your day is SWEET and you get lots of chocolate or whatever will make you happy!!

edited to add - Well, I got a beautiful card for Valentine's - not hand-made, but from Hallmark. I'm so bad - I always check the back to see how much they cost. $5.00!! That's highway robbery!!! Of course, he also gave me the Hallmark bag .... seems they're having a sale where you got 20% off everything you can stuff in the bag!!

MAYA ANGELOU'S' BEST POEM EVER

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
enough money within her control to move out
and rent a place of her own,
even if she never wants to or needs to...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
something perfect to wear if the employer,
or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..a youth she's content to leave behind....
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to
retelling it in her old age....
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .....
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra....

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who lets her cry...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems,
and a recipe for a meal,
that will make her guests feel honored...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..
a feeling of control over her destiny...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

how to fall in love without losing herself..
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...how to quit a job,
break up with a lover,
and confront a friend without;
ruining the friendship...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
when to try harder... and  WHEN TO WALK AWAY...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW....
that she can't change the length of her calves,
the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that her childhood may not have been perfect....but it's over...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...what she would and wouldn't do for love or more...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.. .
whom she can trust,
whom she can't,
and why she shouldn't take it personally...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
where to go...
be it to her best friend's kitchen table..
or a charming  Inn in the woods...
when her soul needs soothing...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
What she can and can't accomplish in a day...
a month...and a year...

I Love A Bargain!

Don't you just love a bargain .... or at least thinking you've gotten a bargain?  I think I got a couple of bargains today!  I taught my class this morning.  I had a full class of 8 ladies and it went a lot smoother than my Thursday night class - they're the guinea pigs!!  After class, Judy and I went to lunch which proved not to be an easy task.  We were trying to come up with something a little different so we decided on Chinese food.  Well, after going to 2 different Chinese restaurants in Mooresville and neither being open, we opted for the Sport Page and had burgers!  After lunch, my Michael's coupons were burning a hole in my pocket, so we headed over there.  Right in the front door, I found the bargains!!  I bought this for $3!  It had been $24.99!  The handle on one of the drawers was not attached, but when I got home, Sonny fixed it for me with pop-rivets.

Then .... I found this for $4.  It had also been about $25.  The middle handle is on upside down (who cares?) and it is a little warped, but for storage purposes, you can't beat $4!!

I'm not sure yet what I'll keep in the top one.  Right now, I have a catalog in the top part and some cards I'm making for a couple of swaps in the lower containers.

But, the 3 drawer container, I have all my Sizzix and Cuttlebug "stuff"  in.  Here's a closer look.