What I like...

I like strange summer rains that come and go like an old friend.



I also like wooden shutters when the light is just right outside.


I have a day off, today, so I might try to calm myself down a bit (from all the stupid stressing I've been doing, lately), enjoy the day, and maybe do some squash canning a little later. I might even work on my new vintage etsy shop, too. Who knows. I might do absolutely nothing but go outside and breathe and stare at the sky.

Oh, and my brother who is in from Los Angeles might be coming up to see me, tomorrow, so I can be excited about that.

Reuse/Recycle: Lens Brooche

I work in an optometrist office and when I found this tutorial on using old lenses from vintage glasses for making brooches, I asked the girls at the office to collect the plastic demo lenses that come out of the frames after the patients' lenses have been put in them. They have collected with a vengeance and I now have to get to work on some brooches and other crafts that I have in store for them.

First, the brooches I made...





The first one is made with decoupaged fabric and the second with a paper print from a vintage magazine. I'm so excited about reusing those demo lenses because I worried about throwing out so much plastic. Now I have a purpose for them. I might have some available in my shop, soon, so check back. Also, to go make your own, go take a look at the tutorial. You can also google the tutorial because there are other ones out there.

George Carlin

One of the funniest minds and personalities in comedy is dead. Let's just take a moment to remember.

People will miss your "devil-may-care" humor, Carlin!




BBC News story here.

I just have to say that the first time I saw George Carlin perform was on a special on cable when I was a wee one. My father let me watch pretty much anything when I was young. When I saw Carlin's performance, I was in aw. Here was someone who really didn't give a damn and wanted to speak truth, even though it was through a comedic outlet. I fell in love on the spot.

Trying to stay positive.

So, every year around my birthday, my car decides to act like a shit and do something annoying. A couple of years ago - some major shaking and jerking that no one could figure out; last year - flat tire; this year - yet, another flat tire. I've always had love/hate relationships with my cars, but this one has the best timing. It's like it's got a mind of its own and seems to be thinking, "Happy fucking birthday. Spend a shitload of money on me." To top it off, I had a big test in my class, today, that I had to miss.

Happy birthday week to ME!

Weekly Pimpage

*Durham Farms Tunnel Hill, GA - I just went and got some fresh eggs, naturally laid with no chemicals and antibiotics, from this farm down in Tunnel Hill, GA. The farm is only about a ten minute drive for me, so it's so convenient. I've been looking for a local farm with fresh eggs and I finally found it. They have a variety and they don't mark up an arm and a leg. I paid $3.61 for two... yes, I wrote TWO... dozen. I had to think twice when she told me the price. They have a little shop on the farm, right off the road, that is open until sundown. The girl actually said they close around 9 or 9:30 pm. That is late. The shop sells their organically grown produce (they aren't actually certified organic, yet, by what the girl told me, but they do grow their stuff naturally and organically. it's apparently a very expensive certification). If you find yourself down in the area, go check them out. Nice people, too.

*Caffeine Addicts Ringgold, GA - Another nice lady. She roasts her own coffee and the atmosphere in the shop is amazing. It is located in the heart of Ringgold - right off of Hwy 41. For those of you familiar with Ringgold, it is down from Don Lolos. The building is a historic building in Ringgold and the shop has a huge space with separate rooms and plenty of couches. They serve sandwiches, too. I haven't had the food, yet, but the coffee and chais are pretty good. Oh, and free WiFi is always a good thing.


*Simple Shoes (Eco Sneaks) - Simple shoes are not new to me. Tripp has been wearing them for a few years, but I just got my first pair. They are not cheap shoes, so that's probably why I never got any. I never have much money and take horrible care of my feet. My heel spurs have been flaring up, lately, and I've had a ton of foot pain. That's why I bit the bullet and paid out for a new pair of Simple shoes. I got the Women's Carousel in canvas/cub. They are very comfortable and I don't have foot pain when I wear them. I actually got mine from Zappos and they upgraded my shipping to 1-day for free. Awesome.

Simple Carousel stats (from website):

"Hemp uppers
Certified organic cotton knit linings
Ortholite/Recycled car tire pedbeds
Yes, that outsole used to be a car tire
Vulcanized rubber sidewall, toecap, and heelcap
100% post consumer paper pulp foot forms
Ships in our totally state-of-the-art/back-to-the-future post-consumer
recycled box
Part of the BETTER category"

-Stay tuned for more pimpage next week.

Lotsa PHEW!

This picture says everything about what kind of day it has been around the Sanders/Shelnutt home. Tripp and I both got out in the yard and did some work. I'm now exHAUSted. We went to Lowe's and I could barely make it out the door without feeling like I was going to fall over asleep. However, Two-Tone has not done anything, today, and he looks like I feel. I did pick up some Day Lilies, and those perked me up a bit because I think they are so pretty.

It's rare that I break a sweat, even doing something strenuous. I just don't sweat that easily. But it was pouring off of me today. It was soooooo hot. I did, however, get the weeds that were choking out my lettuce. That made me a bit satisfied. I'm now taking it easy and thinking about cleaning the bathroom. I was going to try to make it down to I.C.E, today, but there was so much stuff to be done around here that I have not been able to take care of. Maybe I can catch it next year. I was kind of disappointed, but I knew that I would stress if I didn't get some things finished around here.

Well, I'm off to either relax or clean. I haven't decided.

Coughing Man

So, anyone that knows me, will get this post. For those of you that don't personally know me - just know that I'm very interested and have had experience in the paranormal.

That being said...

Ever since we moved in, I've periodically heard a man cough when I'm home and the TV is not on or I'm not playing music. I don't hear it every day or every week, but it is an unmistakable sound of a man coughing. No one is ever outside the house (we live on 1 acre and someone would have to be close for me to hear it as loudly as a I do) because that's the first thing I check and no one is here, usually, besides me. I have heard it when Tripp is home, but it is not him. In the last hour, I've heard it twice. I actually had to pause after the first sentence because I heard it very loudly and thought that someone might be in the house. I was working in the garden earlier and I get freaked out by leaving the carport door ajar. I've checked every closet, the shower, and anywhere someone could be - even outside - and there is no one. The cat even looks up from sleeping when he hears it. He doesn't look alarmed, so I'm not that concerned that it is negative. Anyway, thought I'd share. I think I need to go put on some music now...

Bad Ass Bunny

Found at CuteOverload.

This bunny is awesome. I've never seen a domestic bunny dig like this. Determined little filly (I know - I know. Horses are fillies, but I thought the term was appropriate. Besides, rabbits and horses are pretty closely related - believe it or not).



I love the dog in the background. She/He is all, "Shiiiiiiit. I'm not doin' NUTHin'. Let dat crazy bunny DIIIIIG!"

Note: Oops! Just realized this "filly" is called "Howard." Determined little dude, then.