Happy Valentine's Day!!!

This Valentine's Day I will be happily clinking and clanking. I joined an Art Charm Swap Group... and obviously this month's swap was 'heart' related. 30 of us 'charmers' across the US made 30 charms and sent them to the hostess who sorted all 900 of them and sent each of us 30 back... all different. I decided to make a bracelet out of mine... and wear it in honor of St. Valentine.

Ohhh... Ahhhh... All so pretty.

As a general rule I am not a fan of Valentine's Day. I believe it puts un-necessary  stress on all the poor males on the face of this Earth. If you all need a specific date on a calendar to remind you to say, "I Love You"... then you are not saying it often enough throughout the year. According to the shopping guru gods, it is predicted that the average male will spend somewhere around $116.00 on a gift or dinner out... for a total of over $51 BILLION being spent on this Hallmark Holiday. Come on guys... keep your money in your pockets and show some creativity... Let your Valentine know how you feel WITHOUT doing the same old thing everyone else is doing. Feel free to help the economy by purchasing something else on another day with that money instead.

Valentine’s Day is named in honour of Saint Valentine, the patron saint of lovers who, it is believed, was murdered on Feb. 14 AD 270. During that time, the Roman emperor Claudius II cancelled all marriages and engagements in Rome, as he was having a hard time getting men to join the military, and he believed married men, being emotionally attached to their wives and families, did not make good soldiers.

However, Valentine secretly married couples until he was caught, then, refusing to renounce his Christian beliefs, was sentenced to be beaten to death with clubs and have his head cut off.

One legend suggests he left a farewell note for the jailer’s daughter before his death which said “Love from your Valentine,” the first Valentine’s card.

It was the pope who set aside Feb. 14 to honour St. Valentine in AD 496. However, the day was not often celebrated until the Middle Ages. Gift giving and exchanging of hand-made cards became common in England around the 18th century, while in the 1840s the holiday caught on in the United States.

This year I am giving Hallmark a break. They came out with a TV commerical for the holiday that I actually liked. It states... Valentine's Day isn't a day for me to say I Love You... it's a day to say I Love Us. Awwwwwww... How sweet is that???

The Discovery Channel just had this whole show on Love, Lust, Sex Appeal and such. The most interesting story was how the brain works when you are in love. Dopeamine is released in the brain when you meet someone and fall in love. Scientists put a happily married man in a brain scan machine and showed him a series of photos. After 20 years of wedded bliss Dopeamine was still released when he was shown a photo of his wife. Now THAT'S a Valentine Gift!!!

So... grab the one that releases your Dopemine and tell them how you feel. Give them a huge HUG and KISS and never let them forget you love them. Keep Valentine's Day in your heart and life each and every day. And for all of you without a Valentine... feel free to send any and all chocolates and flowers my way :-)

Poor As A Church Mouse

So… when do you really know when you have hit rock bottom? When I had to borrow money from my daughter to get my car fixed I thought that was pretty low; however that all went well. I still owe her the money… but at least I know it is coming and that debt will soon be paid.

Making daily decisions about what to (or not to) purchase is becoming fun. I make it a game. First I decide if it is something I really, really, really need… and then shop around until I feel I have gotten the very best price possible. Substituting store brands for comparable name brands is usually a ‘no brainer’.  Scouring store aisles for sale items is as fun as winning a contest. There are some things I simply won’t skimp on… take toilet paper for example. There is no way in the world I would purchase a cheaper quality of toilet paper. It has work to do… and it has to be soft.

Gas prices are rising so high that filling my tank has become a ‘luxury item’ purchase.  Going places further than my town requires thoughtful consideration. Can I afford the gas it will take to get there… or do I need to save my cash for monthly bills?  I am not always happy with the obvious answer. But that is not when I felt I hit rock bottom.

TODAY is the day. You might think this is silly… but the underwire of my very expensive name brand bra broke through the seam and is pinching under my arm. It hurts. I can’t afford to purchase a new one. THAT’S when I felt I hit rock bottom. Yes, I have other bras… but this one is my favorite. It fits well, feels good, and doesn’t show through my t-shirts. I have tried many other brands… they don’t even come close to my favorite. So the big question today is… where can I scrape up the $40 I need for a replacement?

I worked a side job this week and earned enough for 2 bras… BUT… the title to my car got misplaced during the move and I have to purchase a replacement… for $60… then re-register my car… another $70. Yet another decision made on the side of practicality and an empty bank account.

Please don’t think I’m complaining. I know there are many others out there in the world that would love to have a fraction of the things I do. There is a roof over my head, heat, lights, all the comforts of home. I have my health, my family and friends. Other than a non-pinching bra what more do I need?

On the bright side… by opting to stay home instead of running around I find the house is cleaner. Oh… and I have kept my windowsill herbs thriving for over 4 weeks!!! Generally plants have a life expectancy of about 2 weeks when under my care.

Parsley, Basil, Thyme, and Mint

Everyone has time tested cost saving tips. What’s YOUR’S??? Leave a comment and help me out.

Repetition Is A Good Thing

Learning something new can be exciting... or make you want to pull your hair out. I had an Asian Charm Swap that just drove me N-U-T-S! First... I couldn't think of what I wanted to do. Then, when  I finally had an idea, I couldn't think of how to 'pull it off'. So back to the drawing board looking for a new idea.

EUREKA!!! Or should I have said, "Ahhhhh Sooooo".  An idea came flying out of thin air. I knew what I would make... An Asian Locket. Do a little paper folding, add a cover and ribbon to keep it closed, throw on a jump ring and... Ta Dah!

No, of course it wasn't that easy. Why would I have thought that?? Nothing is ever as simple as you think it's going to be... at least not in my world.

I unearthed my roll of rice paper the other day... so that part went smoothly. Folding paper that was cut 1 1/2" square was a little challenging, but not difficult. The covers were cut and glued to card stock to make them sturdy... so far so good. Moving right along to assembling the charms (all 30 of them)... looking good.

Folding

In progress

Last is to insert a grommet and jump ring... UGH! They look B-O-R-I-N-G! Lacking PIZZAZZ! Hmm... they need a little glitz. Soooo... here comes the hard part... at least for me.

It's time I learned how to wire wrap. I have the beads, the wire, and the tools. Now, let's put it all together and get these things finished. Uh... I've never done this before. Never even seen someone else do it either. Where do I start??? I know... the Internet! After watching a few videos I feel I'm ready to take on the wire! It's only a spool of wire and some pliers. I'm not intimidated!!!

Thank heavens I had to make 30 charms for this swap. Wire wrap number 1 and 2 (the top 2 in photo) were AWFUL!!! By number 10 (third in photo) you can see I've made some progress... but number 16 (bottom one) is the winner!! Isn't it pretty????

I obviously got the hang of it. Of course I re-made number 1 and 2. There is no way I would have sent those out on something I made... ICK!

Ready to assemble

Finshed Charm!
The idea is to untie it, glue pictures of your loved ones  inside, or write and affirmation... then tie it  back up and hang.

I'm off to the Post Office to mail out my charms. Stay warm!

And She S-C-O-R-E-S!!!!

It all started with a red Turtle Neck sweater I purchased before the holidays. While grabbing a few odds and ends at Target... a display of turtle necks caught my attention. It was mostly the colors that intrigued me... but the red one stood out among all the others (maybe because that is Target's 'signature' color?).

Hmmm... I thought to myself. The Holidays are fast approaching, and I don't really own anything red. It looks well made enough to make it through the season without fading, pilling, or falling apart. My budget can handle a $10 purchase. OK... I'll buy it! And THAT should be the end of this story... but it's not.

A few weeks later, early January to be exact... I found myself back in Target (thank heavens it's only down the road). The turtle necks were on sale!!! Woo Hoo! I'll splurge and buy another one since they are marked down to $5 each. What a bargain!!! I can't believe my good fortune!!! The red one held up nicely, washed well, felt good... I could definitely use another one. Decisions, decisions, decisions... which color should I get this time??? HOT PINK! That should liven up my drab mostly black, white, and grey wardrobe palette. GO ME! I'm the greatest bargain hunter in the universe! Is THIS the end of the story??? NO!

New additions to 'work at home' wardrobe

It's now 2 weeks later... and I'm BACK at Target returning the item I purchased there the last time (no, NOT the turtle neck). I decided my paltry bank account could handle another $5 purchase so I saunter over to the clothing department. ICK! All the new Spring clothes are on display... oh well... you can't win them all. I'm thrilled with the 2 turtle necks I got already... be happy with that. As I wander around the store, killing time before I have to pick my mom up, I spotted the sweaters! They were thrown on the displays in the waaayyyy back. Goodie!!! I could use a black one... so I go to investigate. Yup... there is a black one in my size. I check the tag to make sure they are still $5. Nope... NOW they are $2.50! $2.50????? OMG!!! How can that be??? For $2.50 I'll take one in EVERY COLOR!!! I scrabble through the piles and come up with a bunch in my size. As I go to the register I am so pleased with myself!! New clothes!! Whoopie! I feel like I just won the lottery! SCORE!!!

Grey, Teal, Purple, White

My new favorite word.. Clearance!

Do you notice anything wrong with the picture to the left??? Let's see... so far I have red, pink, grey, teal, purple, and white.... something's missing. Hmmm... what could it be???

ACK! I know... I went back to the store the very next day...

And bought the BLACK one!!

NOW my story is finished!

Debbie Designs A Quilt!

Last summer I started a wall quilt with gold fish swimming around on it. During my move it got packed up and put away... somewhere. So until I can find it I have to move on to another project. I have joined an Internet Quilt Along!!! Let me explain...

One person signs on as 'host' and hundreds of quilters all around the globe follow the weekly posted instructions. All participants join a FLICKR GROUP and post their progress. The main objective is to STASH BUST... meaning you should use fabric you already own and NOT purchase any more. This is a quilt that fits my budget!!!

So far the instructions seem simple enough. Since it's a scrap quilt I get to cut up all the smaller pieces of fabric I have been hoarding over the years. Believe it or not I won a raffle and the 'host' of this Quilt A Long sent me a large gallon baggie of her scraps!! Too funny!!!

As I was slicing random colors the quilt began to form in my head. Dot dot dot - dash dash dash - dot dot dot.  SOS... Share Our Scraps. Dot dot dot - dash dash dash - dot dot dot. SOS... Share Our Scraps. Quickly my rotary cutter produced hundreds of 2 inch squares and 2 inch by 4 inch rectangles. Simple... right??? Ahhh... No.

When I began to lay out the scraps I realized I had OPTIONS. Out came the pen and graph paper. Next I began to play around with my options and took photos to compare. As I sleep tonight I assume the correct option will pop in my dreams. I'm already leaning in one direction... any one want to take a guess which one I like the best?

Controlled Chaos - Dots and Dashes in order and match.

Haywire - Still has all dots and dashes, but each 3 are different fabrics.

Scrappy Chaos - Creative license taken on signal by only using 3 dots and 3 dashes, each a different fabric.  Wondering if the SOS message will get lost without unification. Could possibly insert a solid square at the end of each segment.

Which one do YOU like best??? Why???

What a morning!!

Homemade Blueberry Scones

Yummmmmm... My morning started early with baking delicious Blueberry Scones using the recipe from America's Test Kitchen. I wish there were a way to send you the sweet scent of my kitchen while they were baking. Mmmmm... sugar, butter, and pastry with a hint of lemon. Add a cup of French Press coffee and my day is off to a great start! A friend and neighbor stopped by to pick a couple scones up to take to work. I hope he LOVES them as much as I do. It's difficult to stop at just one... but my waist line says I have no choice.

Flood!

My eye caught a glimpse of something shimmering on the floor. Uh-oh... the dog knocked over her water bowl. No.... wait a minute... Darla hasn't been downstairs yet this morning. Hmmm.... Upon closer inspection I see that I have a flood outside my back door and the water is seeping in the kitchen under the door seal. UGH! I guess I need to make a note of this to be fixed and re-graded in the Spring. Ahhhh... the joys of home ownership. I love this 90 year old house... it's never dull... there are so many surprises. (Yes, this is the same back door that flew open in the snow storm and had to be held closed with my mixer). Think I need a new door????

Dumpsters

While looking out the back door I couldn't HELP but notice the new private dumpsters... uh... trash cans provided by my new home's township. When I moved here a few short months ago I was stunned to learn that trash pick up was twice a week. The township fathers decided to change that to once a week, and provided us with special trash cans. Well... I don't know how much trash YOU guys generate in a week, but by the looks of these cans I bet I could do with a once a month pick up! These cans are so HUGE that I have no idea where to put them in my yard. They are way too big for the tiny little space where the old can was neatly tucked in to on the driveway. They are also too big to put in the garage... they would take up one fourth the available space. I guess another job to put on my Spring list is to create a space for these monsters where they are not an eye sore, nor compete for the landscaping space. Ideas anyone???

Clipped Wings...

A few posts ago I hinted I had a few 'issues' with car insurance and promised to tell you about it. Today is the day!!! Grab a 'cuppa', sit back, and read on...

Last night I had nice dinner with my daughter, her husband, and my sister-in-law. All was right with the world. I wasn't in a hurry, I wasn't tired, I wasn't driving recklessly. Actually after the hour long drive home I was sitting at a traffic light just a few miles from my street. When the light turned green I slowly pressed the gas pedal...  red and blue flashing lights began flashing in the rearview mirror . I pulled over to let the police vehicle pass... and instead it pulled up behind me!!! What???? Really??? Me??? What the heck did I do???

Because I was on a major highway I decided to S-L-O-W-L-Y pull in to the nearest parking lot... the police car followed. CRAP!!! It was the local Sheriff department... the officer was young and not too hard on the eyes (if you know what I mean). I handed over my license as requested, and since it wasn't my car I had to scrabble around the glove compartment HOPING that the insurance card and registration was there. I felt like I was intruding on the car's owner... hunting through his private papers. EEK! I handed everything I found to the officer and asked for an explanation. I was told that after he checked me out he would explain.

Apparently the car I was driving had a lapsed registration. Okay... not my car, not my problem... right? Wrong! I got the ticket... for driving an unregistered vehicle. UGH!!! That just didn't seem fair. To add insult to injury... he handed me another ticket for driving on a suspended license. What??? Not me!!! I paid restitution before the holidays... my license is NOT suspended!!!  Here's how that all happened...

My son was on my car insurance policy since he began driving at 17. Last year he moved to California and got his own coverage. I called the insurance company and asked to have him removed from my policy... and sent his coverage information. A few months later, my daughter received her car insurance bill... it was double what it should have been!!! Our agent took my son off my policy, but added him to hers. She called and complained, our agent took him off her policy... then for some unexplained reason cancelled MY policy!!!

So here I am driving around without a care in the world not knowing I don't have coverage. One afternoon I went shopping at a local mall. I parked legally in a regular parking spot... well within the lines. Nothing wrong here. When I come out of the store, there's a bright red ticket on my windshield. At first I thought it was some kind of advertisement, but as I got closer I realized it was a parking ticket... for parking a car with a suspended registration. Huh??? THAT'S when I found out I had no coverage!! I also found out that my driver's license was suspended!!!

Technology is a wonderful thing. It took just a few minutes to pay the fines to restore my license. I received a confirmation through my e-mail. Ahhh... at least I got my license restored. Next on my 'hit list' was to get the insurance back up. Not so easy.

The insurance company I have used for the last 27 years would not write me a policy!!! Can you believe that??? Their underwriters insisted that I had to have 12 consecutive months of coverage before they could write one. THEY are the ones that cancelled me!!! UGH!!!

A friend of mine actually had a spare car and offered the use of it until I could straighten out the insurance issue. How nice. I eagerly accepted the kindness, especially since it was the holiday season and I was closing down my bookstore at the same time. The loaner allowed me the peace of mind to get through this stressful time. I would concentrate on getting things straightened out after the first of the year.

Then last night happened!! The officer was nice, and believed me that I paid restitution... but since the computers still showed I was suspended he had to give me the ticket. After a few phone calls today I was told that I had to take off my license plates and turn them in to Motor Vehicles... get a receipt and THEN my license would be re-stored. Now... why didn't someone tell me that earlier???

Last night I went to bed feeling sorry for myself. Here I was, no license... sleeping on an air mattress that deflates in the night... no money in the bank, except for the upcoming mortgage payment... no job... a lawsuit pending... a broken heart... no car insurance and apparently no way to get some. I couldn't just get in the car and drive to the beach to contemplate the world. I had a toothache... and couldn't drive to the store to purchase floss and Listerine. My wings were clipped. My freedom as I knew it stripped out from under me. Life sucks at times.

The morning shined brightly. I made the fateful call that changed my point of view. There was a process to follow to straighten everything out. I now have a properly restored drivers license... and car insurance. Another crisis solved.