Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Consider Me a Southwest Junker

Continuity gives us roots; change gives us branches, letting us stretch and grow and reach new heights.
~Pauline R. Kezer


I am happy to share one of the reasons my posts have been so sporadic lately. After nearly forty years as an Ohio girl (from birth), my family and I are moving to the southwest! Specifically Arizona, baby! My husband recently accepted a new position within his company that offers great opportunities. Relocating our family to the Chandler, Arizona area is part of the deal. Knowing how thorough my husband is regarding the purchase of a new toaster, I knew what a move like this would entail for him (thankfully). He and I would gather every bit of information we could regarding the area and the new position prior to his offer acceptance...hence our trip to Chandler this past weekend.
We enjoyed staying at the historic Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort in downtown Chandler for the weekend. A simply gorgeous place and just steps away from great shops and restaurants downtown. It's funny I had the misconception I wouldn't see anything but a bunch of cacti in the landscaping!

While Hubs spent Friday getting familiar with his coworkers and his new position at work, it was my job to cruise the local areas with the relocation specialist assigned to us. However, I found myself with three hours to kill before meeting her. What to do?...What to do?

I know what to do! (You can see where this is going, right?)

Of course I went in search of the local thrift stores, antique, and junk store hot spots. I mean, really. If I wouldn't have come across any...well...that would have been the deal breaker for us relocating for sure. Certainly you would agree.

Thankfully I came across a few! One in particular was called Merchant Square Antiques & Home Decor. Allow me to take you on a little tour of it...
This place stopped me dead in my tracks at times. So much to see...yet not enough time!

Old jars and wooden spools...

This pretty little red and white display of chotchkies.

The most perfect chippy and rusted iron gate...


An array of fans...


Touches of old white enamel all around.

And then of course, you're in Arizona, so cowboy boots are a requirement, I do believe.


I am so ready to build my brand in these parts and it looks like I can do it easily.

So as you can see, I didn't struggle very hard with trying to feel right at home. (Having fabulous views in the neighborhood isn't half bad either.) I gave my thumbs up...it matched my husband's thumbs up...so we'll be on our way to Arizona sometime very soon...

Although this midwesterner will miss so much about her home state, she knows deep in her heart that...

change is good.



13 comments:

  1. Congratulations Candy...how exciting for you and your family! Glad to see you got the junk spots all mapped out :) I assume you'll be taking us blogging friends...I am one now ya know :)...along for the adventure???

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  2. So near and yet so far. I'm sorry I never got the chance to meet you. If you have a garage sale I may meet you then.
    As Always
    take care
    karen

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  3. How exciting! We anxiously await seeing your new home...decorated with Arizona "junk"...inside and out! :)

    Best of luck and have fun!

    Andrea

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  4. Candy,
    This is really a wonderful time for you and your family. Congrats to Chris. I know the girls will be excited if not now soon. The adventure begins!
    We will all be thinking about you and your family travels.
    smiles, alice

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  5. Congratulations to you and your family on the new job and the move! We moved four times in a span of 10 years (all different states) and I always found it to be an exciting time discovering what our new locations had to offer. Looks like you already found the important stuff :-)
    Good luck with the move.
    Jane

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  6. Congratulations , Candy! Good luck with the move and can't wait to hear all about it!

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  7. What an adventure! I'm sure you'll soon 'be at home' in Arizona.
    Glad to see that you have your priorities right sorting out thrift, junking and antiques! Looks like some great things on sale too - love the Ball blue jars and the brands. Looking forward to hearing about more of your 'adventures' :o)

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  8. Wishing you all the best in your new adventure! Good for Chris! And how could you say no to a store that had such cool branding irons.
    Midge

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  9. candy welcome to az ;). we use to live in mesa/chandler area.[now in flagstaff area] its way different than the midwest weather. kids thought they were on vacation until about christmas time. the shopping is great wonderful thrift stores and goodwill ect. the things i missed the most were homegrown tomatoes and the people. the things i dont miss are flys mosquitoes and the humidity icy roads.

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  10. How exciting! The next journey of your life. Keep us updated.
    Brenda

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  11. Hi Candy,

    Wow, when you leave the great state of Ohio you really do! Twenty years ago half of my dad's side of the family moved from Ohio to Arizona and they never looked back!

    I love when a door opens and people step through to the other side!

    Good luck!

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  12. Oh my, oh my, what junking fun is to be had in Arizona apparently!! Thanks for sharing the pictuers, and all the best on your move!
    Hollie
    funky junk

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  13. Hey, welcome to Arizona! I've lived in the valley forever and must say I have got a pretty good feel for the decent places to shop. Merchant Square is one of my fav's but a little price. There's a great fabric store close by there called Zoe's trunk. Moda, Amy Butler and the like.
    There's a place in Scottsdale called Steampunk Az that's AMAZING and an entire shopping mall of antique stores in Phoenix that has a really fun one called Not Too Shabby. They have tons of architectural salvage, rust and ruffles. But honestly, I score most my fun things off craigslist.
    If you have any questions or need info, feel free to ask me!
    4sweetpeasinapod.blogspot.com

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