I Was Just Sniffing, And...

How in the world did this happen?!?

The cops had to get the pit bull puppy's head out of the wheel. Thankfully, they did.

Painting Projects for Summer

Interested in painted projects that aren't country or cutesy?

These are intriguing...and doable, too.

 

Go here for more. (Thanks, Thistlewood Farms.) 

Monday Stuff on the Way to Other Stuff: Let's Be Brief

I'm still here. Sort of.

The Mama is still recovering -- and I am staying in Michigan with her. But I leave Saturday to teach for a week at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, NC. "Pioneer quilting" is on the menu -- and we're going to have fun. More here if you're curious...there are still a few student spots, if you'd like to participate! This school teaches everything from blacksmithing to clogging -- many of them old-timey arts that need to be kept fresh. I'm looking forward to it. 
   Before I go, though, there are quilt samples to finish, an article or two to write, and final items for PAAQT's annual conference to finish up. (PAAQT is a national quilt appraisers group - head here, if you're curious about that. Yours truly is currently president.)
    Which makes me busier than, as the Brick says, 'A one-legged man in a butt-kicking contest.' But I did notice a few things on the Internet... (photos below, by the way, are from the John Campbell school)

Shakshuka recipes. If you haven't tried this Middle Eastern eggs-and-tomato-sauce dish, you're missing out. It's frugal as all getout, too. (From Livelovelux)

Two cereal boxes and a mirror. That's what you need to make this wonderful wall piece. (From Flimsy Pi)

Mentos. A tank of Diet Coke. Weird.

A mommy blogger, who chronicled her son's struggle with illness -- and his death. Now she's been arrested for poisoning him.

 How some people squander their wealth -- from the viewpoint of a financial planner and her nail polish-loving daughter.



Have a good week.

Seeing Is Believing

Emma Stone and Andrew Barfield, like other celebrities, are pestered to death while going about their everyday lives. So they decided to do something about it.

What a way to pass on your thoughts, while sticking it to the paparazzi! 

(Next time, though, use bigger lettering, so we ALL can see it more easily.)

What Were You Thinking, Hillary?

I have a problem with Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Granted, I wasn't too fond of her husband. (Having to explain the definition of "oral sex," as well as the Significance of the Cigar to my young daughters, years before they needed to know, probably had a lot to do with it.)

Yes, Hillary stuck by her husband then, at a time when any self-respecting wife would have kicked him to the curb. You have to admire loyalty.
    She's also a smart, clever woman -- well-educated and well-spoken.

But is she honest?

Although the Whitewater scandal barely peeps over the horizon nowadays, it was a huge deal when it first was revealed -- and Hillary's fingerprints are all over that particular issue. (Click on the link in the first sentence, if you don't know what I'm talking about.)

She has also been caught in a number of lies and half-truths over the years, including during her stint as Secretary of State. Here's the latest:

During an interview with Diane Sawyer, she all but announced that she and Bill gave their all for the presidency. How could she prove it? They were "dead broke" when they left.

Conveniently forgotten are the $8 million book deal (yes, folks, you read that right), two multi-million homes purchased, and the lucrative speaking deals both Clintons took advantage of as soon as they unpacked their bags. Yep, they were truly destitute.

 Here she is, trying to explain what she really meant:

 Hillary, you also understand what it's like to not be able to pay your bills. You know the heartache of being laid off, and the fear that you won't find work, especially if you're older. You know what it's like to scrape for every penny.
    Sure. Uh-huh.

It's no surprise, then, that pundits are asking, "Can you really trust this woman?"

I am all for intelligent, well-spoken women gaining a stronger public voice and influence. (I am a big fan of Elizabeth Dole, as a result.) And there are voices out there urging me to vote for Mrs. Clinton for president...because, after all, She's Female. (The implication, of course is that not voting for her would brand me as a bigot or a dupe. A traitor to my own sex, literally.)

What I really can't stomach, though, is a public person assuming I won't care about their reputation or morality. If someone says they care about the people they're supposed to be serving, can I feel assured that at the first chance to make a big profit, an 'opportunity' or bribe thrown their way, they won't cut and run?

In the case of Hillary Clinton... I cannot.


* * * * * * * * * *
Personal update:  Still here in Michigan, with The Mama. It's now been a little more than two weeks since her open heart surgery. She is doing really well. Incision's healing nicely, and she gets a little stronger with each day. In fact, she can now walk down the driveway and back without getting exhausted. I can leave her on her own for longer periods, as well. (Which is good, or you wouldn't even be reading this -- The Mama does not have or believe in computers and the Internet. I have to go to the library, where I am now, or my cousin's to get any work done. Thus the periodic silence these past weeks.) 
     But with her health improving, she gets more restless to be Doing Something. And a little crabby. I can't blame her. It's tough to be sick!

Monday Stuff on the way to Other Stuff: (Still) Taking Care of Mom

The Mama slowly continues to improve from open heart surgery. Meanwhile, I make the meals, run errands (easier to get away for a few minutes, now she's getting stronger), hang out when she's got company (a LOT), and act generally as dog's-body to her. 
     It needs to be done...but I've had jobs that were more fun. 

As she heals, the stitches are starting to itch and pull. Then she gets crabby. And I get crabby, listening to her be crabby. I don't have nearly as good a reason to do it as she does, either.
    Sigh. At least the weather's been beautiful and not too humid. (Easy to happen in Michigan.) The fresh fruit is starting to come in -- I'll go pick strawberries tomorrow morning. And life goes on. 
    Selections are a little sparse this week. The Mama does not believe in computers or the Internet, which means I have to go elsewhere for Wifi. But I couldn't do that much because 1) I didn't dare leave her alone too long, and 2) Not seeing that computers are of much value, anyways, she'll tend to call after 45 min. or so, asking where I am. That breaks concentration and messes up whatever I'm doing. Meanwhile:

Funny glimpses of a frugal family. If you live with people like this, you'll enjoy Miser Mom's take on the subject.

What should you do if you lose your job? (From Less Is More, via Moneysaving Mom)

Thirty summertime meals made and stashed -- in three hours. (From Who Needs A Cape?)

A very pretty 'Sashay' variegated scarf. Maybe it's time to start thinking about Christmas presents? (from Frugal Upstate)

You can also find several articles from yours truly on my other main blog, Midlife Finance:
      *Credit cards and other travel bugaboos (important, if you're planning on traveling anywhere this summer)
     *Advice to graduates
     *Copycat recipes (Cut out your regular swing by Starbucks, and save some $)
     *Completely foolproof investing (a clue here: it isn't)
     *Seven tips that don't make sense -- but are effective, anyways!

Back to Mom's...and work. Hope you're having a good week.

    

How to Adapt...

Better get started!