Spray Paint Might Save the World ~ Bookshelf No. 1 November 2020

  If we've never met, you may think I'm a bit shallow. But once you run back through a few posts, you'll  realize I'm not shallow, just layered. Picture the layers of the ancient city of Troy, Trojan horse and all. I  don't pretend to be as capable as many of my peers. But I have my skills, like-- I can see through a pile of fabric anywhere and spot the block printed French cotton a mile away. Yup. I'm a #wickedthrifter over at #littlebirdtextiles

So when I say,  spray  paint might save the world, take heed.   I was old(er) when I had kids, through adoption, and much like that, nothing has gone according to plan, in my unique universe, or in the world at large. And there is nothing a good dose of green (my preferred color) spray paint can't redeem.  For example, the basket from Goodwill that will hold a variety of things. It could have been trashed- yet, for .99, I have a new catch-all basket to make my activities more efficient as well as colorfully encouraging. 

Before you start to trip out on Goodwill--  I'm also a capitalist. Do you know the  cashiers at your Goodwill? I do. Somebody had a good idea. Donate stuff. Employ people to organize and shelve it. Sell it. 'But what about those bad folks up at the top who make the big paychecks?' Those folks are the risk takers who invest in the rehab of the big-box stores that nobody uses anymore(our local store was a Best Buy.) So now, the once empty big-box store employs folks who work hard. Often they are folks who might not find a job elsewhere. And you know the bonus? They actually have an employment office in the store. Dang. Can this get any better? While I didn't look at the yearly statement for this company, I don't lose sleep over it, because I know the lady who checked me out today, who often shares her happy experience with me, and she will receive a paycheck in a timely manner. And that was enough for me. I left with a .99 basket that is now green that will  hold my dishtowels(I have many green baskets), while I make brownies for my kids.  And I will think happy thoughts about the redeemed item that was not put into a landfill.  Yup. Even recycled.  And even more about the happy lady who has meaningful work. 

Sounds like a win-win to me.  #green #recycle  #community

Which of course leads me to a book. It would seem that such an insignificant experience might not be worth the recounting in such a jaded, confused time in our world. Yet, for literally centuries people have been waking to the same sunshine to decide how they will live out their day. I have a favorite author whose books don many of my shelves. Alexander McCall Smith. He is my go-to for book recommendations because he introduced me to Mme Precious Rmwatswe. I believe everyone should know her. She determined herself to be the proprietor of  The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency and therefore, Smith wrote at  least 15 books about her and her community. Her stories are filled with gentle appreciation for her modern culture in Africa, with a regular glance backward to her most noble father who is 'late,'(passed.) (My own introdueced me to these stories.<3) But one I found on my own after meeting her(and her writer) was of another unique period of time and is a stand alone worth every minute. La's Orchestra Saves the World,* asks exactly the question that every person must ask themselves when they wake each day. Is what I do really meaningful, does it matter, and consequently, do I matter. I love the action she undertakes to  move forward in an uncertain time. In a twist of irony, I have had a student who plays French horn, a featured instrument in the book, and a very unique instrument, one that if played well takes one to another level of orchestra and appreciation of the world of music. He, my student, is that type of person and is equal in exceptionality as the instrument of his choosing. His mother commented one day, after lesson number 595, about whether the  playing of the French horn really could save the world-- and I replied, I believed so. For it is is the learning by heart 'something' which trains our minds to seek excellence-- yes, to sense that traction of success, and therefore propels us to hope. And having hope is the essence of that which will truly save the world. 

The books I've mentioned have links to Goldberry Books, an independent bookstore in Concord, North Carolina. The proprietors have opened a brick and mortar store I can't wait to visit. Visit their link to support small business! Their opening in Fall 2020 is the definition of Hope! <3 

 

Finishing Projects around the House

I am working on projects that seem to have dragged on all through the academic year. They are big, messy and need full attention.
1st. Painting the walls of the interior. (Mostly done).
2nd Pillow covers (done).
3rd Painting a wicker chair (done) whose ottoman is meneded, painted and already in use.
4th Strip a 'new' thrifted chair, CLEAN, recover along with it's friend the $6 wingback from our homestudy re-do from America's Thrift Store.  She's been waiting for 5 years for new life.

I've already got the education plans printed and books ordered, received and waiting, so I'm taking a break from swimming this morning to literally -- get this house in order!

Most everything I know about the plans-- buy the paint (done). Put on junky clothes (done). But I'm going to need to follow a pattern for my chair re-covers. I can easily cover a cushion, but a chair has 'shoulder's. But this one looks like it's very doable. and the original from Miss Mustard Seed.
Like 2-day doable.

But life happens... kids need structure, projects, lunch. Cat comes in & 'finds' and adds new feature to said new cushion... now cushion needs 'deep cleaning'. Husband calls, asks 'are the bills & budget ready for me to look at?'
Stinky laundry from father's day family campout needs doing. Yes. Real life happens. And it is good.
Pictures to soon to follow.

December 26

Traditions. Moments. Christmas.

New traditions, moments you know you've passed a landmark. No highchairs, actually documenting the cookies that Nana made. Remembering a special book, and reading it with the boys. Actually realizing the book is Ukranian, Eric's ethnic heritage. Letting it go, when the plan to do all the Jesse Tree, just right, doesn't go as planned. But knowing Christ is in their hearts, and will only more fully develop His place through the years. Blessed.

Medieval Costumes

Which would you pick? I think I'll go with the red tunic/gray skirt & yellow feather in my proper hat? I see some costumes on the horizon... I just can't help myself.

Typewriter's and Post Offices

Sunday afternoon, the air is fresh, there is hope in the wind. The sun is not painful. It's refreshing. Fall, blessed fall. Thank you Lord, for this day. We are having quiet time. Husband sleeping, Jack playing legos, Henry playing trains. And me. I'm not in a swivet over houses, or other uncontrollables. My well(quite literally) has been low, and it has changed the status-quo in a few ways. When circumstances shift, when there is a sudden, unexpected alteration, a variable in the equation--

--- the perspective changes. (The well being low is only the beginning of 'variables' around here...just an excellent example... it effects everything we do.)

I enjoyed a visit to the post office the other day, learning from the clerk & one of the carriers in the office that the acres at the end/or should I say at the beginning of our route off the main highway, isn't going to be a new neighborhood, but a horse pasture. Cleared entirely for horses, not for tree-less 'mc-mansions'. Remember those days? When you would pass a cleared field and know within 2 months there would be 20 houses where the oaks of 'Oaklawn Subdivision' used to be? Those days are gone folks. The recession is here. Now those houses are going for nickles on the dollar. While shopping for houses, we see empty leftover beautiful homes, all the time. That's not even talking about the forclosure market. I'm just talking about the bank-owned builder leftovers. It's sad. And factual all at the same time. It's what happens when we want more. When a typewriter isn't good enough, and we have to be able to send our words to millions, much more quickly than a letter used to travel. When we want more than we need.

So I'm crafting a set of typewriter keys on a wooden board today. (a Pottery Barn Knock-off, plain & simple) remember I have lots of bare walls & my sister-in-law, Heidi, has already supplied the board. Just got to do it. She followed Susie Harris' instructions HERE. It could be said, I'm juse perpetuating the continued obsession with commercialism/ie: all things pottery barn, but I really, really like typewriters. And I think there's just alot of cute, homey things in pottery barn. I love their style. There, I said it.

Like most mom's across America/the world, I'm trying to reconcile dreaming & wanting with contentment, recreation, and doing one's very best. And often times, one's past just creeps up and creates a whole nuther set of expectations or guidelines you weren't expecting.

Back to the post office. There's a part-time fill in position available at the local post office. You know you are becoming your mother when a very spookily similar job comes available at about the same place in your life. You see, for a time my mom ran the small library in the train depot when we lived in Cordova, part-time mind you. At least that's what I remember. I just remember lots of hand stamps and cards, and the train depot windows. Here's the connection, or unexpected memory--all my life, I've wanted to work in the post office. Just ask my family. I participated in a field trip when I was a kid to the post office in Bowling Green KY, and that was it for me. I loved all those letters and stamps. the slots, the paper, the stacks of mail. It makes me think, at least of my Mom's part-time job. Of all those compartments, books, paper & stamps. Maybe not, maybe..

But there it is. That big temptation, to step back into the work world. The world where it all makes sense, order, cooperative people to work with. A function to perform that will be appreciated immediately, with a pay-check to boot!

You see this home-school, home-maker mom dreams of the outside world. And she knows herself a little too well, to think that it will only remain 1 day every 2 weeks. or so. ? Crack me up tho... it's not an interior design firm in Athens that's wooing me... it's a local small town post office. A simple ad in the local paper. And they don't even know how strongly I'm comparing them to the Sirens that tempted Jason.

Perhaps something will come of it, & I'll learn my community better, get to know people faster, have a morning or 2 off now and then. Off from my full-time job of wife & mother. The one that only I can do. It may not seem like much to you, perhaps, dear reader, this seems like an obvious no-brainer to you, but it's not for me. Some dreams don't make sense to others (the post office???)- yet, on a more serious note, a job outside my home for me is a slippery slope, -- what may be meat offered to idols, may be just meat to others. Just a window into the simple, yet surreal life I seem to be living right about now.

Well, must finish the typewriter key art before everyone wakes up!

photos: linked from 'Cordova, TN' found on Wikepedia.com

Cordova Elementary, where my brother attended before integration & busing changed our world.

Cordova Train Depot, where I played while my mother was part-time librarian.

A Foothill Home Companion: Haiti

I can't watch. I just got a handle on 'my world'.
Feeling helpless, but wanting to offer hope?Go here:
A Foothill Home Companion: Haiti to read what see what she's doing & visit the Etsy Store using the cute button on the right.
She said it well, go to Craft Hope for something crafters & lovers of crafts can do.

I'm Making These Tomorrow

Tomorrow I get to make these with my kids. We've been looking forward to this for about 3 weeks. We scoured neighborhoods looking for good pinecone's not squished and useless but perfect in everyway, ready to become elves. We'll see whatelse we make. But thanks to Martha Stewart, as mentioned in this article from The Inspired Room, a few of these little elves are comin' home with me. Might even take one to the ladies ornament exchange. Visit over at the 'Room' for 6 ways to simplify and refocus from the holidays. I like hot chocolate idea & Christmas Music myself. Check out Pandora.com for a personalized selection right from your own computer. I love using it to find music I never knew I liked. It's also free.

Silhouette Project - Ornaments

I have been contemplating how to do this, whether in a framed format or this ornament style. Found this at an on-line crafty party at Just a Girl(she's over in my favorite's list). This example seems to provide the detail I've been missing-- how to get the actual picture into profile format, to create the silhouette. Can't wait to give these a try. Thanks Roots and Wings for this idea.

Easy Halloween Costume

I'm not a Halloween enthusiast, by any stretch, but dressing up... I'm all over that. The boy's are into superheros, Jack was a knight at fall fest, and H was Batman (the pre-made version), but I dressed as the Hungry Caterpillar.(the easy costume I mentioned above)

I sewed straps on the shoulders & took the smily face ends (that come with the crawl tube toy) & sewed them together to make the head. Took about 5 minutes. Really. The boys wouldn't let me cut holes for arms so I had to make it a little shorter. But little kids enjoyed, and big people got a laugh. :) I'm sure if I'd spent a little more time, I could have come up with a better 'head'. Maybe you can come up with an easy idea for improvement! I'd love to hear it.

Tonights our Trick or Treat in neighborhood, so I'm deciding whether to stay at house or make the rounds, decisions, decisions. Either way, we'll light the pumpkins(that we carved & Henry promptly rolled off porch & cracked), and be prepared with candy!

Happy Halloween!

Making kids clothes last a little longer

I found this idea looking on rocksinmydryer blogspot... she's got some great links at the beginning of her usual posts. This one was found on one Betz White's site, she is a felt designer, and I'm sure has numerous other fun projects you might be interested in.
This is a great idea for that super cute t-shirt that you just can't part with yet. Right now, Henry gets the handme downs, but I find Jack can be particularly attached to certain shirts.
Anyhow, knit is very forgiving fabric... give it a try. I have a few shirts in mind for fall that I just might use for this project. This is one of her books, you can find on Etsy.
Had a wonderful ladies day, with so many people participating. I am so thankful for the wonderful sisterhood at church. I am encouraged & uplifted. Worn out, but encouraged and uplifted.