Runaway-

- someone who flees from an uncongenial situation

The Simple life????

Just spent about 9 hours without electricity and heat.  The first thing I noticed is how quiet it was.  Didn't hear the TV, on constantly in the other room, the humming of the refrigerator, the sound of the ice falling from the ice maker,  the clanging of the heater as the water passes through the radiators.  It's amazing the amount of background noise we have in our homes.  There I sat, what to do?  Can't wash the dishes, well if I did them by hand I could, I still had water.  Can't make coffee, warmed some cold coffee up on the stove.  Can't do the wash, could if I used a bucket and a wash board.  Can't vacuum, I can sweep with a broom.  Can't blow dry and curl my hair, no alternative there!  Ponytail????  Can't use the computer or TV, could read a book.  I came to the conclusion that I'm not sure I would have made it way back when.  I need electricity, gas and indoor plumbing.   So I did the only thing I could do, I took a nap.  "You just don't know what you got 'til it's gone!" Joni Mitchell was right.

Mama said never leave the house without your lipstick on

Somebody's in Trouble!

Have I found a miracle?

Stumbled across what is suppose to be the ultimate wallpaper remover.  I have struggled "forever" with removing both my kitchen and office.  The kitchen is finally down, but the office is a "10" on the frustration level as well as my ability to get it removed.  It comes off in dime size pieces leaving behind small bits of paper and adhesive that I have had no luck in removing.  No matter what I have tried it's still there.  I have gotten a lot of advice that just hasn't worked.  So I am keeping my fingers crossed that a mere $15.00 worth of  Safe and Simple Wallpaper Remover will do the trick.  Finally, one of those nagging projects that has haunted me, will finally be conquered!  I sure hope so. 

This and that-

It’s my baby’s  23rd  birthday  dinner and we are off again to celebrate…..and of course, the weather is true to form.  It never fails that we are traveling in some of the worse road conditions.  We  are off for Mexican in Rochester.   Ole to another year!

Just when we thought that Punxsutawney Phil not seeing his shadow meant something...NOT.  A little taste of Spring and we were all thinking the worst was over.  That Michigan Weather Gnome put the kibosh to our dreaming of sunshine and lollypops.  MWG always manages to stir up trouble.  I must say though, that at least he made things look a little better for awhile.  With last week’s melting of snow, it exposed the ugly of winter.  Traveling around on the roads revealed so much trash and litter that has been able to hide for so long.  It made me sad, I lacked pride in Downriver when I saw all the trash. Next time we get a melt, let’s all try to do a little clean up.  If you are taking a walk, bring a grocery bag and pick up the litter along your path.  Every little bit will help.  I remember several years ago when one of my children got into a little bit of trouble with mom and dad, part of her punishment was to walk the bike path with a trash bag and pick up every piece of trash she saw.  As I walked with her, she managed to clean up a mile or so and it benefited our community as well as teaching her a lesson (I hope).   

Just thinking about technology lately.  Having a conversation with some friends of mine who are grandparents but live a distance from their grandbabies.  I remember when we lived out of state in the 80’s, and to communicate back home I made the weekly collect call from my land line.  I took photos with my Kodak disc camera and  had them developed as picture/ picture, so I could share them with everyone back home.  I waited for them to come back from the drug store and had to put them in an envelope and mail them back home.  This process sometimes took weeks.  Waiting to take all the pictures, developing and mail.  Today I could simply call on my cell phone from anywhere, take a picture with my cell phone and send it immediately.  I can even take a video with my phone.  Several of my friends who have been vacationing in warm weather have not hesitated to send pictures to me.  Ahhh, feet in the sand, view of the ocean, sunbathing in Hawaii.  It’s cruel, but cool that you can do that stuff. 

One of my grandma friends said her kids have set up a baby cam in her granddaughters crib so they can log on anytime and watch her nap.  Along with Skyping, there is no reason you can’t watch all the important moments of a baby’s life.  It is just amazing!   The only thing missing is the smell of a dirty diaper! 

I read in the paper this weekend about a woman who opened up a shop at Eastern Market.  She is in her early 50’s and was doing what she was born to do.  It took her decades to get to this point in her life, and by all accounts it looks like she is doing really well.  I am going to make it a point to go down and check out her little French inspired shop one day.  I’m going to let her know that she has put a fire under me to decide what I want to be when I grow up.  I thought maybe it was too late for me, but she has made it clear that it’s not.    So thank you Karen Brown for the bit of inspiration.  http://detnews.com/article/20110220/OPINION03/102200304/Shop-owner-offers-little-bit-of-France-in-Eastern-Market

Well ,enough of my ramblings…. I’m going to use this snow day to clean up my surroundings….  Have a great week, stay warm and safe!

A visual fix

It's a good thing there are 8 states between me and this store!
http://shannonfricke.blogspot.com/2011/02/bountiful-booty.html

It's all how you look at it

I have been trying to make an effort to find things around town that I haven't seen or experienced.  There are so many special places, so close to home that we just are not aware of.  Now that football is over I can pry Les off the couch and we can explore.  He is happy to plug in his new GPS - A gift from Santa and set out to see where that bitch, with the annoying voice, sends us.  I have to argue with her all the time.  Sometimes we laugh at her roundabout way of getting us to our destination.  She is directionally challenged... but Les seems to think she is smarter than me.  Silly boy!  Since I drive, I win!
We ventured out to the Canton Farm Market.  Small, but we managed to leave a few dollars there and enjoyed the quaintness of it, and we got some goodies we prepared for dinner that night.  Since we were sooo close to Northville, thought we could extend our adventure to RePurpose.  After spending most of Saturday watching a marathon of American Pickers, thought we would check out Cari Cucksey’s new shop.  Cari has a show on HGTV called “Cash and Cari”.  A take off of AP.  But, I’m likin’ Mike and Frank a tad bit more, they are more my style!
So I took Les and Daddy Les along. tee hee  They had an old Harley there- so the boys were happy.  Lots of stuff to look at, taking it all in.  I walked around the store at least 3 times, seeing something I missed the last time around.  A few things I have in my collection.  A dresser that I also have the matching vanity.  2 pieces at a garage sale $60.00.  The dresser alone at RePurpose $499.00.  The circa 1940’s stove I searched high and low for (before craigslist existed) found in a garage in Dearborn a mire $250.00 .  RePurpose $1899.00.  Les started to see the benefit of my “hobby”.  I no longer have to see a shrink to rid me of this disease.  He now has me opening my own shop and selling my treasures.  He finally appreciates me and my faults,  I am no longer a hoarder or a trash picker.  How funny is that!  I was quick to let him know that on the American Pickers web site they have 2 chairs in Mike’s office that are just like the pair I rescued from Dump the Junk last year.  He knows those guys know their stuff and so now the “piece of crap chairs” in my living room are now “finds”.   Hmmmm, maybe a shop is in my future.  Habitat Enhancement will finally be official.  In the meantime, tomorrow is trash day.  Need to gas up the car…..it’s time to do some serious curbside recycling.  

 Sheeny

Spreading a little love

Happy Valentines Day!  Hugs and Kisses to y'all. 
Enjoy!

Sending lots of love your way!

xoxoxoxo