Gifting with Heifer International

Heifer International helps build communities and self-reliance in impovershied areas all over the world. This program allows anyone to give the gift of animals, insects and trees to help others receive livestock and training for food and income. Since the 1940s, over 8 million families have been helped.

800-422-0755

Pass on the gift. Many recipients, later donate -- passing on rabbits to others in nearbyvillages.

winter

winter |ˈwintər|
noun
the coldest season of the year, in the northern hemisphere from December to February and in the southern hemisphere from June to August : the tree has a good crop of berries in winter | [as adj. ] the winter months.
• Astronomy the period from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox.
• ( winters) poetic/literary years : he seemed a hundred winters old.

Well, even in Texas we are feeling some hints of winter.

Great idea

This year when you send out your holiday cards why not send an extra one to healing American soldiers? Many of them do not get hom to see their families for the holidays and a small effort on your part could help brighten their day. Here's the address if you'd like to participate;

A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army MEdical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue, NW
WAshington, DC 20307-5001

New Shoes for Esmerelda...

I took my car, Esmerelda (she's green), to the shop to renew my inspection sticker. I was told I would be there less than an hour. I needed new wiper blades -- I seem to need those every year. Is this a scam cooked up by the inspectors and the wiper manufacturer?

AND I needed new tires! OUCH! Two hours and several hundred dollars later, I left the shop in my newly shoed, happy, inspected car that had just had a bath. She rode so much smoother than before -- the new tires and alignment really had made a difference and she was so twinkly and shiny in the sun. Ok, it sounded like a chunk of $$ for tires but it will affect the safety and gas mileage on my car and it was surely worth it.

Does your car have a name?

recycled paper lamp shade

This lampshade lives in my home and I made it out of repurposed magazines, unwanted mail and other bits of paper my friends have saved for me. I love the fact that it's one of a kind and it looks different from every angle. The paper is cut folded and woven together in studio space and then ovingly attached to a lamphade frame.

This year I have been really focused on repurposing things and recycling everything I can.I recently started posting some of my last recycled creations. There's lots to choose from including; ornaments, garland and other goodies.

13 days to go...

until the Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash! Hope to se you there!

Smiles are free...

As I went through my day today, I noticed that no one seemed very happy or like they were enjoying what they were doing. I smiled at a woman and she didn't smile back. That was odd. I felt like I needed to wear a t-shirt that said "Smiling is Free".

To me smiling seems to be a way to say "I'm ok" and a smile in return is a way to say "me too". I know there have been some topsy turvy things going on in the world but smiles are free -- share one with someone today! :) Please?!

Flu season...

So many people at the office where I am working have had a nasty run in with the flu already. There has been a nasty respiratory strain going around that makes people sound like they will cough up a lung. As if that wasn't enough...there is another strain rampant around the area that is of the digestive tract variety. Why people come to work sick, I will never understand. Sharing the germs with others is not a desired office behavior.

I got my flu shot early this year and thankfully haven't had a personal experience with either strain. If you haven't received the shot yet, here is some great information on the Thimersol/Mercury free shots available. Also, there are tons of places where it is available. Most drug stores have a window of time when they administer the shots. Just do an internet search on your "zip code and flu shot" to find locations close to you. Also, you can check out FluShotsUSA for dates and locations in your area. For the needle-haters, FluMist is thankfully available -- no drama needed. The last thing any of us want is to be sick over the holidays.

To your health!

Maybe we all need one these days...

“A holiday gives one a chance to look backward and forward, to reset oneself by an inner compass.” -May Sarton

Shaw on holidays...

“A perpetual holiday is a good working definition of hell.” - George Bernard Shaw

Really? Do you agree? What are your thoughts?

Don't Forget to Vote Today!

For heaven sakes we are all busy bees this month but make sure you take the time to vote today! I wouldn't dare to tell you WHO to vote for -- just get out there and VOTE!!

Russell on holidays...

“If I were a medical man, I should prescribe a holiday to any patient who considered his work important.” - Bertrand Russell

Longfellow on holidays...

“The holiest of all holidays are those Kept by ourselves in silence and apart; The secret anniversaries of the heart.” -Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Dia de los Muertos - Day of the Dead

The Mexican celebration of Dia de los Muertos is November 1st and 2nd. It is a time to remember family members and friends who has passed on. There are sugar skulls, patches, cards, and the list goes on and on. Read more about the celebration here.