Recycled Christmas Countdown Part III or what to do with those empty bottles

This is the third part of my weekly series on some recycled and repurposed Christmas gift ideas- things that are easy enough to make fairly quickly, but still look like you put the proper time and thought into them.

This is a modern take on the romantic cut flowers in a recycled glass bottle that we have all been doing forever.

You will need a bottle of something as a gift or an empty bottle you have on hand (wine, classic soda, some special something), a 3/4" galvanized split ring hanger (plumbing department), a 3/8" galvanized ceiling flange (plumbing or electrical department), 3/8 threaded pipe cut to size (store will cut), #12X1" screws.

These parts are actually pipe hanging gizmos and come in copper and galvanized steel and a mix and match assortment will look great.



This one is actually too easy for step by steps. The pieces all fit together neatly into an adorable little industrial hanger. They also come in different sizes for different size bottles and jars. You can fill an entire wall with these and it would look amazing!







Once again for some easy packaging grab a few of these larger size lunch bags (found at Target) that you can run through your inkjet with some clever wording.

It's Whining Wednesday or a real wine whine this time

The best thing about weekly whining is that when something disappointing happens I can pull out my little notebook and jot it down for my whining post

(not really, but if I actually did do this, I would write about way better stuff, because my memory is pretty much gone these days)

and then go back to being that glass half-full kind of girl that I know I really am down inside

(deep down inside)

Next week I am thinking it is time for Thankful Thursdays thru Christmas- 5 weeks of thankfulness can offset 47 weeks of whining, right?

Whine 1: This is an actual wine whine and even though it is a little lame, I have been on the lookout for one of these since I started whining because an actual wine whine, well you really can't ask for more than that, you know.

So anyhoo, the liquor store in our town has recently expanded into a liquor block (almost) - good to know at least one industry is thriving these days

and is all clean and shiny and new and I hadn't been in there since the grand opening, so I wandered in for some (cheap) white wine to make a chicken dish.

I plunked the bottle down on the counter and the counter girl who had been busy admiring the gigantic housefly tattoos on her very skinny arms in a bottle of white zinfandel muttered, "I'm gonna need to see some ID."

"Rad," I said.

(because when I'm happy, I sometimes talk like that annoying guy you hated in middle school)

The counter girl, sensing just a touch too much happiness in my 3 letter answer said, "Oh, I know you're old enough. It's for the computer". She slowly pecked my birth digits into the keyboard. "Because it can't see you."

(impressing me by knowing the cash register is not actually 'alive' and depressing me -just ever so slightly- that my carding days are way, way behind me, but mostly that this had just been pointed out to me by someone whose tats and tude made me want to roll up one of the newspapers on her counter and give her a swat)

But with the words, "that Cat- she wouldn't hurt a fly", ringing in my ears - I decided to let it go.

(plus I've been watching the Biography channel in my studio while I work these days and had seen Gandhi just that morning and felt inspired)

Now this wasn't a particularly interesting whine, but still a wine whine has to trump a regular whine any day plus I need to preserve this memory in case I ever run into horsefly girl again.

(like in a dark alley carrying a fly swatter)

Whine 2- I am noticing my vocabularly is getting very, very pathetic.

(and when I say pathetic I mean- small and repetitive and boring)

Back when I had a real job and was out in the real world with real people all day I could hold a fairly decent, smart and quick witted, conversation on some pretty involved subjects without sounding like a blabbering idiot.

But now that I work from home I am noticing my vocabularly has taken a step (or two, or maybe a couple football field lengths) backward.

Here are the things I find myself saying most often in no particular order:

1. Dammit!
2. You're fine
3. OK seriously
4. God I hate you
5. I can't believe that (insert name of item here) is on the front page
6. I seriously don't have time for this
7. That will be $50.00 - now get dressed and get out (just kidding)

(it's way more than $50.00)

Other than the word seriously which I am clever enough to use in multiple situations several times I day - I am pretty much a 3-4 letter word kind of girl now, which I am thinking makes me about grade two.

I need one of those word a day calendars and someone to require me to use those words in real life situations daily.

(like a vocabularly coach ... hmmm - this may be a new industry created especially for the work-at-home sector ... and remember to give me credit and cash, if you start doing this ... or, at least, free mentoring)

Using dictionary.com's word a day calendar flashcards, this is how my new and improved 'things I say most often list' might sound:

1. Exegesis = Exegesis!
2. Hoi Polloi = You're hoi polloi
3. Fungible = OK, fungible
4. Truculent = God, I hate truculent
5. Sycophant = I can't believe that sycophant is on the front page
(hey that one might still work once in a while)
6. Galump = I seriously don't have time for this galumping
7. Scuttlebutt = That will be scuttlebutt- now get dressed and get out (just kidding)

(it's way more than scuttlebutt)

Or I could just settle for my declining vocabularly and ability to talk to seven year olds and of course with my memory pretty much gone, I may have to.

Looking at the bright side (that half-full thing again, remember) a seven year old vocabularly sounds pretty youthful to me and I may never get carded (for real) again, but at least I still have my flashcards.

GIVEAWAY Sherry Truitt Twilight NEW MOON Earrings! CLOSED

AND THE WINNER IS: chosen by random.org Min:1 Max:396 Result: 117 = Fennofashion! Congrats and thank you to everyone who entered!

So, even though she has been famous since her earrings were selected by PEOPLE magazine for their Twilight edition last month, Sherry Truitt is still the same level-headed Jersey girl she has always been!

Sherry creates the most amazing jewelry pieces working with the most amazing materials!





Sherry loves the juxtaposition of mixing every day working objects like a spirit level, a magnet or a compass with sterling silver into pieces of jewelry you will absolutely treasure.

She embraces the Japanese concept of wabi sabi, the beauty of imperfection. (YES!)

It's what makes each handcrafted piece different from the next. Her work is stunningly original and totally unforgettable!


Sherry's amazingly clever and original Twilight pieces will give both Team Edward and Team Jacob something new to fight over!

And to celebrate the release of the 2nd installment of the Twilight series, New Moon, opening this Friday, Sherry is giving us the chance to win the most famous and sought after piece in her collection!

WHAT YOU GET:

One lucky winner will receive her People magazine selected TWILIGHT EARRINGS!

Forks, Washington, "it rains on this inconsequential town more than any other place in the United States of America" - home to Edward and Bella

Port Angeles, where the adventure begins ....

The maps are vintage and cut from different vintage atlases, preserved and copied to archival paper, therefore the colorways vary. They are set in sterling silver 15mm cup bezels, with hand forged sterling earwire and forever preserved in resin.





HOW TO WIN:

Visit SherryTruitt and leave a comment below letting Sherry know which item is your favorite or something you would like to see her create!

For additional entries:

(5) Twitter this post
(5) Blog about this contest; linking to this post
(5) Follow my blog

Let me know if you have done these things so I can give you additional entries. This contest is open to everyone.

DRAWING:

MIDNIGHT on Friday, NOVEMBER 20nd - the night of the new Twilight movie premiere! CLOSED

Recycled Christmas Countdown Part II or start saving those coffee cans

This is the second part of my weekly series on some recycled and repurposed Christmas gift ideas- things that are easy enough to make fairly quickly, but still look like you put the proper time and thought into them.

This makes a great gift for the coffee fanatic on your list and you can make the same style clock for a tea lover, too- the tea tins are sometimes (often) better than the tea.

You will need a coffee can, coffee scoop, clock hardware, hanging hardware and a drill.

I cheated a bit because I already had these great magnetic hooks that I got at Staples (which I used for the bottom to hold the coffee scoop), but you could definitely screw an eyehook into the bottom of the can very easily- just start with a tiny drill hole.

1. Clean out the can- although leaving a little of that coffee smell in there could be a good thing

2. Drill (or drill and punch) a hole in the can for your clock gizmo (empty side of can on top)

(a word about clock gizmos- they are super fragile- so be careful- I immediate bent my second hand into something that resembles the state of Rhode Island, but since this gift is recycled and the recipient just happens to really like Rhode Island, not sure how I know this about him, it is ok ... probably)

3. Insert the gizmo through the back- you will probably need the directions to figure out the order of the little parts- and if you are like me and tend to toss them before you start- this step may take awhile

4. Screw eyehook into can bottom

5. Add hanging hardware to back of can (I suggest 2 sets of hardware - one top and one bottom, so when the person grabs for the coffee scoop they don't pull their clock off the wall)

6. I love packaging things in these larger size lunch bags (found at Target) that you can run through your inkjet with some clever wording.

I Know It's Veteran's Day but I'm gonna whine anyway...because it's Wednesday

This weekly whining may be getting old, but now that I am becoming more alert for things to whine about

they are everywhere

Whine 1 - I've talked before (I think) about wanting a new bike and my run ins with the 'twig man' - our local bike seller and mechanical guru who has 'classic' bicycles all over his front yard (ie patch of dirt in front of his house).

I finally got up my nerve to approach twig man again. I had questioned him once before about his bike prices- but he just kind of muttered, "What do you want to spend?" between spits of the twig he was chewing on which made me realize I never think in terms of how much I can spend.

(probably why I have no money)

Anyhoo, I've been eyeing a green one-

(I guess it had a make or model of something or other, but more importantly the green one would kind of match my new scarf pattern and I could kind of picture myself riding around on it.)

So, twig man breaks off a new piece of branch for our walk and we head over to his 'bicycle testing area' which is an empty parking lot right in the center of town that has been roped off, so people can't drive through it or park in it - yes, I live in a town that does stuff like this

and I am riding back and forth, but feel I need to take this little baby out on the open road so I head out of the 'bicycle testing area' and onto a back street.

Suddenly, I hear a car coming up behind me and for reasons I can't quite remember, I feel I need to get out of this car's way- probably because

1) it was going roughly 10MPH and
2) there was literally no other car for miles

I went up onto the curb.

(and when I say I went up onto the curb I mean I, the bike stayed on the road)

I have no idea what happened, but I couldn't get up over the curb. Aren't you supposed to be able to ride up over a curb? I mean, I know you're thinking of course not, but this was a little, bitty driveway curb that I am fairly certain I have seen 3 year olds tricycling over while I've sat in the bank drive up line.

I started wobbling, I thought, "OH NO this is it. I'm going over." And WHAM - I was on the ground.

I landed with full force on my right knee, elbow and both hands. Here are the thoughts I had in the order in which I had them:

* Holy crap, Cat!

* Holy crap that car is going to stop and check on me, aren't they?
How embarrassing- this is horrible!

* Holy crap where is the car? Oh - it turned before it even got to me.

* Holy crap did anyone see me?

* Holy crap my knee hurts. I don't know if I can get up.

* Holy crap did I rip my jeans?

* OK, I didn't rip my jeans. Thank God. These are the ones that fit me.

* OK, get up, get back on the bike and ride away like nothing happened.

* I want my mommy.




It was kind of like this -----> but without the actual race and the racing equipment and the racers chasing me



The bottom line is that twig man is now fixing up this bike for me- the crash may have done a little bit of damage and I still don't know how much it is going to cost me

(but like I said I don't think about things like this anyway)

Hubby, of course, asked why I wasn't wearing my helmet

(as if I was going to run around with helmet-hair for the rest of the day, for pete's sake)

of course, I don't have a helmet yet because I don't have a working bicycle yet

He said twig man should supply them to bicycle testers and he got kind of a far off look in his eyes when he said this - as if he was picturing a lawsuit payout where we win a collection of 'classic' bicycles and twig man's tasty maples.

I am remembering Sherry Truitt's post about a spill and her later triumph behind the handlebars, so I am hoping the same will be true for me when twig man gets my bike to me- in the meantime my knee still hurts but I am trying to be nonchalant about the whole thing

(hold me)

Whine 2- I'll keep this one short since if you are still awake after my bicycle whine you probably want to get out of here by now.

Hubby blew our chances for any more free food at Chipotles, like forever.

I love Chipotles. I know it's a chain and chain's are bad (usually), but I just can't help it.

(even though they do make this big deal about recycling those little baskets- that we would never throw out anyway and they allow everyone to toss the plastic silverware- what's up with the plastic silverware Chipotles?)

We sometimes go on Tuesday nights and if we get there very late the guy there gives me free food. And I say me because when we walk in, hubby heads to the napkin/condiment bar and gets our supplies

(I swear he is about 2 years away from sitting on a mall bench with two guys named Arthur and Harry and holding my handbag while I shop)

and then he grabs a table

(this is the way- he puts it- grabs a table- although there are usually 3 other people in the place and about 50 empty chairs)

so anyhoo, the guy there always gives me free chips and guac and last week hubby totally blew it because instead of grabbing a table he got in line with me and before the guy had a chance to give us any freebies George said

"what- no freebies?"

and the guy just gave us a blank stare and no guac and chips and then again this week 'no freebies'

which hubby claims is ok because he didn't feel comfortable with the guy giving me free stuff anyway

(as if we were going to owe this guy a very big favor and he would oneday come to collect on our 62 free guac and chips that had accumulated into the exact value of George's dirtbike)

so I am left forking over $3.99 for the guac and chips

(not that I think about such things)

and feeling irked that George couldn't have just grabbed us a table and let me keep on getting my freebies

(like forever)

or until I get sick of bringing home my dirty silverware.

GIVEAWAY - Gorgeous BONSPIEL Change Purse! CLOSED

AND THE WINNER IS MEG - who has a great Etsy shop, too!

Chosen by Random.Org True Random Number Generator Min: 1 Max: 428 Result: 38

Ellen Box lives in Victoria on the west coast of Canada designing and sewing the most beautiful silkscreened bags and wallets in her amazing shop
Bonspiel!

Her work is totally unique and amazingly well-crafted. Ellen makes everything herself and treasures the "holy crap, this is the best thing I ever made!" moment.

(looks like she has that moment ALOT)

She loves simplicity, clarity, texture, charm, cuteness, strangeness and complex color combinations.
Bonspiel has the most beautiful and unique bags and wallets that you will just have to own!


WHAT YOU GET:

One lucky winner will receive a totally amazing Bonspiel bird change purse!



HOW TO WIN:

Visit BonspielCreation and leave a comment below letting Ellen know which item is your favorite or something you would like to see her create!

For additional entries:

(5) Twitter this post
(5) Blog about this contest; linking to this post
(5) Follow my blog

Let me know if you have done these things so I can give you additional entries. This contest is open to everyone.

DRAWING:

MIDNIGHT on Sunday, NOVEMBER 15th! Good luck! CLOSED

Recycled Christmas Countdown or if we are going to eat this sugary stuff let's recycle the boxes

My plan is for a weekly post on some recycled and repurposed Christmas gift ideas- things that are easy enough to make fairly quickly, but still look like you put the proper time and thought into them.

Now I know we shouldn't be eating this stuff, but some of us do have a collection of these cereal boxes from overnight guests

(uhuh)

and I especially love the little mini assortment packs.



1. Glue the top flaps open. For stability you want to leave them on rather than rip them off- a glue stick would probably work just fine for this.

2. Using a razor knife or scissors cut a larger package (carnation instant breakfast packaging show here) open and glue the flaps back

3/4. Add little scrapbook doodads to the sides of your boxes- there are tons of variations here, so just use things that you have when possible.

These cereal boxes could also be made into little books and albums in this same way. Large cereal boxes also fit nicely into those plastic crates in your kids' rooms.


Mini Cereal Box Storage Unit (especially great gift when paired with one of the amazing Etsy finds below)


1. Hawaiian Coconut Bowl by Glazed Over
2. Favorite Plaid Shirt Print by LittleBranches
3. Coffee in Color Notecards by ThingsThatAreMade
4. Rice Cereal Upcycled Journal by IvyLaneDesigns.
5. Vintage Recycled Quilt Coasters by RikRak
6. ID Bracelet by Spoonerz
7. Fork Shirt by Xenotees

It's Whining Wednesday

So ... before I abandon another 'series' of posts after just one post

(and because this series is just so easy to write)

I think I should whine another Wednesday.

1st whine- Hubby got sick and blew off both our Halloween invites. He made an amazing recovery the very next day and I think his "24 hour (ie collapse on the bed and shiver) flu"

had more to do with his total lack of pop culture references and insistence that he has never heard of Kanye West or Taylor Swift and that I could be making the whole thing up so I would get to wobble around in heels and carry a soccer trophy

(well, that did sound like fun)

2nd whine - I hate this whole daylight savings time thing. I do like getting up in the morning when it is light out, although it has been pretty much cloudy here for a month so the only light is the compact fluorescents in the bathrooms

(btw- if you have one of those bathroom mirrors surrounded by light bulbs and you only screw in every other bulb you will have yourself some very flattering lighting and in fact will never need any anti-aging cream because you will have an anti-aging mirror, at least in my opinion- every couple years you can just unscrew another bulb)

I hate that it is dark out so early at night now ... and cold ... I hate that it is dark and cold so early. Because to me dark and cold means the day is over - grab a blanket, hunker down.

(and yes, I have been known to take down the phone number for the Snuggie ... every time it is on)

I don't get much done at night now and I really just want to drink hot liquids and read my library books. So, because my day ends earlier it needs to start earlier so I can squeeze everything in which means I have to get up at 5 and that means I am getting up in the dark ... again.

Final whine- I love Williams Sonoma - I don't always buy anything there, but I like to make some pre-holiday visits and see what kind of goodies they are cooking up with their mixes and sauces and dips and such.

But this little guy has made me question their product designers.

I mean, they were considerate enough not to add a face that you would have to smash down on a hot casserole dish, but I'm wondering if they actually put one of these to use before the big roll out-

(or is my mind the only one going to these places)

to actually use Mr. Gingerbread Man (and I am assuming a male here because the alternative would be even more upsetting to me) you need to seriously violate his no-no place.

The bad news is that I burnt the cookies. The good news is that his prostate is just fine.

GIVEAWAY 3squares AMAZING Champagne - Sterling Silver and Copper NECKLACE CLOSED

And the winner is THE BLUNT FAMILY (chosen by random.org) True Random Number Generator

Min: 1
Max: 588
Result:
575

My favorite piece of jewelry (an amazing moo card holder necklace) was created by the gifted metalworker Jean Cameron of 3squares.

Jean is a mostly self-taught metalsmith whose work is crafted from a mixture of metals with a variety of finishes. Her eclectic creations are some of the most stunning and original work I have ever seen!

Jean dropped out of the corporate world (lucky for us!) to keep her sanity and focus on the things that she's most passionate about.

Aside from her family, that includes creating jewelry and cooking, so it’s no surprise that most of Jean's designs are inspired by (or at least remind her of) something edible.

Her pieces have names like French Toast, Oysters Rockefeller, Cinnamon Poppy Bagel and Squid Ink Fettucine and my all time favorite Milkshake (the moo card necklace!).


WHAT YOU GET:

One lucky winner will receive 3Squares piece - CHAMPAGNE - a totally gorgeous sterling silver and copper necklace!





HOW TO WIN:

Visit 3squares and leave a comment below letting Jean know about your favorite item on her "menu" or something you would like to see her cook up!

For additional entries:

(5) Twitter this post
(5) Blog about this contest; linking to this post
(5) Follow my blog

Let me know if you have done these things so I can give you additional entries. This contest is open to everyone.

DRAWING:

MIDNIGHT on Sunday, NOVEMBER 8th! Good luck! CLOSED

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Hoping everyone has an amazing Halloween this year!

Hubby and I are going to be Kanye West and Taylor Swift - he is going to wear a tight t-shirt and sunglasses

(this is about as much costume as I can force on him and still get him out of the house)

carry a microphone and be rude.

I'm going to wear a long dress (if I can dig one up), carry an award (soccer trophy actually) and look confused.

(in other words no big stretches for either of us this year)

My daughter is going to be a Price is Right contestant.

(with a guess of $701.00 - you know the annoying contestant who always guesses $1.00 over the last guesser)

She has had a Price is Right obsession for years.

Hoping to post pics- we'll see how that goes!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!! Go Yankees!

It's Whining Wednesday

Maybe if I set aside one day a week to whine, I really will become the glass half-full kind of girl that I've always wanted to be (they live longer) for the rest of the week ...

1. First whine- the plumbing in my house stinks. One faucet after another has started to drip, one toilet handle after another is not even jiggle-able anymore. Handy hubby told me this morning to flush the downstairs toilet "very slowly".

When we first bought this house- we were just so happy to be out of our crappy apartment and excited that someone would actually sell us a house that we overlooked a few things.

I remember the realtor turning on every faucet, smiling that happy realtor (ka-ching) kind of smile and handy hubby and I (he was handy boyfriend in those days) smiling and nodding as if we had never lived in a place with running water before.

Later, George and I had a good laugh about happy realtor's faucet olympics - but now that I can appreciate the beauty in a sink that doesn't have an endless parade of potted plants sitting in it to catch the drips, I miss those days when we were young and stupid

(and had empty sinks and toilets that could be flushed fast and thoughtlessly like they are supposed to be)

2. 2nd Whine- someone stole gas from my car in my driveway and no one believes me about this.

My proof of this is:

1. I put gasoline into my tank
2. I went to sleep
3. I woke up to no gasoline in my tank

(and I think, even on my most distracted mornings, I would notice a 10 gallon puddle of Amoco unleaded in my driveaway)

But apparently this is all something I must have imagined because after hubby analyzed my gas cap for "pry marks" - and found none

(and I was unable to produce a gas receipt, although I am left asking what kind of man would even ask his wife for such a thing- where did the trust go?)

he did, of course, find some orange paint on my side mirror and asked who I'd hit - assuming that I had hit someone and not that someone had hit me (this paint is actually from a very poorly placed pole outside of a drive thru window that I had hit, but his assumption totally irked me and so I said)

"it must have been the gas thief"

as you can imagine, this line has now become the family joke line and every misplaced set of keys and sunglasses is blamed on the "gas thief"

so, anyhoo, yesterday I decided to talk to a NJ State Trooper about this (our town has no police department, that's right, no police- probably the main reason for the rise of gas thievery in our driveways) and a small handful of state troopers have moved into the municipal building across the street from our house.

The trooper looked at me a bit strangely (hubby may have been giving her a cuckoo hand signal behind my back, although he denies this) and said that maybe it was "a friend playing a joke"

which is totally ridiculous because

1. I don't have any friends

and

2. if I did, they would be the kind of friends to autograph my side walls with deep key scratches not steal gasoline because they know how much I dislike the oil companies

Well, I could whine all day, but I am off to Home Depot to buy a new toilet handle and ... of course, I have to get gas first.

GIVEAWAY Mod Mobile Trash Bag from Allyson Hill CLOSED

AND THE WINNER IS - SAVING IN STYLE! Chosen by random. org
True Random Number Generator Min: 1 Max: 387 Result: 282

One of my first Etsy purchases was an Allyson Hill trash bag for my car. I thought they were so cool and clever and since then she has sold thousands!

(mine is still good as new)

Allyson has a degree in Woodworking and Furniture Design from RIT in the School for American Crafts. Her trash bags (her own innovative design) and tissue holders can make even the messiest driver's car

(not that we know any of those, right?)

super neat and organized!


WHAT YOU GET:

One lucky winner will receive your choice of an Allyson Hill mod mobile trash bag!


HOW TO WIN:

Visit ALLYSON HILL and leave a comment SELECTING THE BAG you want to win!

For additional entries:

(5) Twitter this post
(5) Blog about this contest; linking to this post
(5) Follow my blog

Let me know if you have done these things so I can give you additional entries. This contest is open to everyone.

DRAWING:

MIDNIGHT on Sunday, NOVEMBER 1st! Good luck! CLOSED

Friday Fanatic - INDIE FILMS coming to a theater near you

Now that the summer blockbusters are over

(I love me a blockbuster once in a while, but I love me an indie anytime)

it's time to get back into the good stuff!

Movies are no longer a cheap night out, so check the previews (forget the reviews) and get there early.

The one thing we are (almost) never late to are movies because we really, really love the little previews. Hate the commercials though, so you have to time your entry just right!

Here are a few little previews that might get you into a theater over the next few weeks.

No Impact Man is out now and is a good choice for 350 Action Day (tomorrow) if you can find it. It's a documentary about one NYC family's quest to leave no carbon footprint for a year. Am hoping my Indie cable channel which has indie in theater movies has this one for tomorrow.



A must see for music fans is Davis Guggenheim's It Might Get Loud. He brings together three guitar gods— Jimmy Page, The Edge and Jack White and listens to their stories and their music.



Before she was a famous couturier, Gabrielle Chanel had lived a whole other life. Coco Before Chanel starring Audrey Tautau (love her) is a must see for me.



Zombieland with Woody Harrelson looks like a hoot - I couldn't grab the trailer, but you can watch it here.

My sister and I watched the roller derby on Saturday afternoons and knocked each other around on our skates in the driveway afterward so I've always been partial to roller derby movies and this one has the totally amazing combo of Drew Barrymore and Ellen Page so Whip It seems like a must-see!



Psychic soldiers, George Clooney and Jeff Bridges - I'll definitely be seeing this one - The Men Who Stare at Goats!

Precious cleaned up at Sundance this year, winning both Jury and Audience Awards. Clareece "Precious" Jones is an overweight, illiterate African-American teen in Harlem about to have her second child. Precious gets into an alternative school where a teacher helps her change her life. Love the power of the teacher!



There are at least a dozen other great indies hitting the theaters within the next few weeks that you might not want to miss!

Uh, Does This Look Safe To You? or if you are our insurance agent please do not read this post

My hubby is actually quite a handy guy and I am pretty handy myself, but lately things around here have begun to get a little out of control...

and maybe even a little dangerous

(which hubby denies)

and since I can't get Sparky the fire safety dog

(I tried)

out here for a proper inspection I thought I would see what everyone thinks of this and if anyone has anything like this going on in their house

For a little background- we have an extra room upstairs that has been my mother's room, my daughter's room, my studio and now it is our "gym"

(ie the room we never use)

which means it has some exercise equipment and some tacky plastic wall mirrors that tend to give you a funhouse kind of body

(well, at least it gives me something to blame)

Back when it was my studio and I needed a particular kind of light, in a particular space, hubby installed a particularly outdated ceiling light from our garage.

Somehow and for some reason he wired this light into the ceiling so that when you want to turn the light on you stick this little plug to nowhere into the outlet below the light


(yup, you heard me right)

plugging this little plug into the outlet causes the ceiling light to light up



(try to ignore the beautiful popcorn ceiling surrounding said light and stay with me here)



So anyhoos, about a week ago hubby and I were having some kind of little to do while "working out" in our "gym" that resulted in my saying how things around here never get done and hubby saying

"like what- what doesn't get done around here?"

and me looking at the plug and then the light - plug, light, plug, light

"what, you want that fixed?"

"yes, I want that fixed- I'd like to go to bed at night knowing we are not going to burn the house down. "

"you'd like to go to bed at night not worrying about the house burning down?"

(hubby loves to mirror my issues back at me in an argument - for years I've wondered if he secretly sneaks home in the afternoon to watch Oprah - this does not make me feel better, this only makes me want to jump off the treadmill and stick the little plug to nowhere ... somewhere)

so tonight at dinner he lets me know that he taken care of our little "problem" with the disclaimer that there really is no "problem"



(not sure this is quite the same as a properly wired plug or a properly installed fire alarm, but you can see why I keep him around)

GIVEAWAY Xenotees Amazing NEW Scarves CLOSED

AND THE WINNER IS: JOYFUL GIRL NATURAL PRODUCTS! She has a great blog! Winner chosen by random.org Generator Min: 1 Max: 727 Result: 543

The girl who put the Tee in eTsy has added some AMAZING new soft-alicious scarves to her shop!

Noelle of the awesome shop XENOTEES has the most amazingly original t-shirt shop that you will just love!

Her designs are Noelle's own original creations (she is a clipart free kind of girl) and she is one of the most generous, kind-hearted and funny of all my Etsy buds! Her tee's are whisper soft, beautiful and totally addictive.

Xenotees added totebags this past summer and a gorgeous new scarf collection just last week!



WHAT YOU GET:

One lucky winner will receive your choice of a XENOTEES whisper soft SCARF!






HOW TO WIN:

Visit XENOTEES and leave a comment letting Noelle know which scarf you want to win!

For additional entries:

(5) Twitter this post
(5) Blog about this contest; linking to this post
(5) Follow my blog
(5) Follow Noelle's blog

Noelle is also offering 15% OFF non-sale items in her shop if you mention Polarity or Uncorked in the comments to seller section of your order through Oct 31- just pay for your items and she will refund you!

Let me know if you have done these things so I can give you additional entries. This contest is open to everyone.

DRAWING:

MIDNIGHT on Sunday, October 25th! Good luck! CLOSED