It’s true. As hard as you try to stay ahead of the game and do good work and keep up with everything that’s important and all the things that you have to do… sometimes it’s just hard because life gets in the way.
This week has been one of those weeks that I didn’t come close to keeping up. Busy at work, insane weather, multiple power outages, stuff with friends…. I have done a terrible job keeping up with blogging and exercise and things at home and basically everything else.
As I hopped on the treadmill this morning, I contemplated the importance of recommitting to goals every single day. It has to be done.
But for now, I’ll just be over here digging myself out from under everything that’s gotten in the way. Happy Saturday, friends.
If you enjoy treasure hunting, the National Road in Indiana is rich with antique malls and nice local shops. In fact, there are two antique trails that start in Richmond – one that is largely in western Ohio and another that follows the National Road west to Plainfield. This is the route I followed, picking up a few other stores on the Ohio side as well.
The National Road is four lane through most of Indiana, meandering through small towns and burgs with quaint architecture, fun local diners and cute stores.
My favorite treasure hunting spot along the way was probably Cambridge City which is home to more than a dozen antique stores and malls. This is a friendly, tidy little town where you could easily spend a day or more depending on how serious you are and how quickly you shop. Nearby Centerville has a number of stores including a large mall where I found a great train case and a few other unique bargains.
If you’re venturing further west, Gilley’s Antique Mall in Plainfield is worth the drive. It’s a large antique and craft mall that’s packed with stuff.
Even further west, Shady Lane Antique Mall was perhaps my favorite store this trip. It’s in an old motel and filled to the brim with good quality vintage and antique items. The owners and the people working there were so friendly and helpful that I truly felt wanted and welcome in their store. More than that, I found bargains! Records, vintage jewelry, story books, small advertising pieces, linens – I honestly don’t even remember what all I bought here. They said the vendors are all good to rotate stock and make an effort to keep things fresh about every week, something you simply don’t see in a lot of these places. It was well worth the drive and I’m already plotting to go back this year.
If you’re thinking about doing these trails, my advice is to check out the Richmond/Wayne County Visitors Center and be sure to request the Antique Alley brochures. They were a huge help, easy to follow and mark up as you go.
Where’s your favorite antique store? Tell me in the comments – I’m always looking for ideas!
I’m incapable of walking past a great sign without whipping out my phone to take a picture. Hope you enjoy these signs from my recent National Road adventure!
One year ago, my world looked like this.
Yesterday was fifty degrees and sunny. You’ll think I’m crazy but I miss the snow and am a little sad that we haven’t had much this season. It’s supposed to be colder this week but there’s still no snow in sight.
Winter here tends to be ugly – muddy, dark and dreary. Nothing makes the landscape more beautiful than a blanket of white, sparkling snow. If you have some, I hope you’re enjoying it!
This sunset occurred on a wet and gloomy day. I had been out antiquing all day and it seemed almost miraculous given we hadn’t seen the sun at all. I was record shopping at the Goodwill and it was raining sideways when I went inside. This was the view when I came outside.
It doesn’t even look real, does it?
This was a stunning surprise after a nasty day and a fine reminder that the sun is still there – even when we can’t see it.
Luckily, the sun is shining here in Southern Ohio. Wherever you are, I hope you do something to enjoy this day!