Tootin' my horn!

Happy to share that I have been asked to join the Design Team of an on-line scrapbook store based out of Calgary. You can visit me there at http://www.scrapshotz.com/ Do not blame me if you get sucked into the vortex.

Of course this will mean that I will actually have to tear myself away from the screens (both computer and TV) in order to actually DO some scrapping. Seems that after they send me a big box of scrapping goodies each month I am contractually obligated to produce something to inspire their members. My ever cheap practical husband was ecstatic to hear that I would be getting free stuff. I forgot to mention the little matter of "since the box is being shipped to me for free I'm taking advantage of this and filling it up with a few extras" to him.

Here is a wonky scan of my latest LO. I treated myself to a silhouette digital cutter back in the spring and I'm just now getting around to really playing with it. The title and the green florish were both cut using it.

FreeCycling is TMI

Are you a freecycler? In case you haven't jumped on this environmentally friendly trend let me explain. Most cities and large towns have an internet home where a couple of things happen. People who don't want their junk extra stuff anymore offer it up for free. People who might need said junk stuff (and I'm not sure why someone would need some of this junk/stuff) make arrangements to get it from you. It is all in the vein of being green, reducing waste in the landfill, re-using other people's junk stuff, etc.

I will be the first to admit that I am not terribly green. Sure I recycle with the blue and black boxes and I compost in the non-snowy months (hey, you wanna come over and trek through shoulder height snowbanks to get to my composter?) and we even use those curly light bulbs that are supposed to last for 7 years but we've already burned out about a dozen.

So, I freecycle. More to get junk/stuff AKA crap, out of my basement. Not sure how it all got into my basement but I'm doing my duty and getting rid of it in the responsible way.

My local freecycle site also provides me with a good giggle every once in a while. There is one particular poster who always describes her item up for offer and then says something like "Will only gift item to people who give a polite response." So, first, I think, "WOW!" Somebody actually writes back 'Lady, give me your crap. Right now!'" and then I go to the other extreme and think about a really polite response.

Dear Sir or Madam, It would add great pleasure to my day if you would be so kind as to gift me with your lovely (insert name of junk/stuff/crap.) I shall always treasure it and will be eternally grateful for your kindness. Thanking you in advance for your generousity. Sincerely yours,

Frankly, I don't care who wants my junk/stuff/crap, as long as they come and get it.

I also get a kick out of the TMI (too much information) posts.

WANTED: Rug Shampooer

My geriatric cat has diabetes and throws up all over my furniture. I could really use a rug shampooer to help get rid of the stains and smells.

WANTED: Household items

My girlfriend got angry that I cheated on her so now I need pots, pans, dishes, sheets, towels, a bed, etc.

OFFER: Couch

Sturdy, grey, has some cat vomit stains but smells pretty good.

And then there are the picky people.

WANTED: Area rug

Must be in good shape (OK, I agree with this.) Beige with burgundy, 5 feet x 4 feet, no fringe.

PEOPLE! This is free junk/stuff/crap that would otherwise go to the landfill. Take what you can get. If you want a fringeless, 5x4 beige and burgundy area rug on the cheap head to Wally world.

Don't get me wrong. I think it is a great service. I've given away lots of junk/stuff/crap that people are very appreciative of. And I've even gotten stuff in return (cuz I don't want any junk or crap), most notably, a dog. Now Freecycle rules say no autos and no pets but somehow, shortly after we had to put down our 9 month old chocolate lab pup there happened to be a listing for...you got it...a 9 month old chocolate lab pup. Not sure how it got approved by the moderators but it slipped by and we became the owners of a free to us dog. Of course Dan says "nothing is ever free" so the next day we promptly went to the vet and shelled out big bucks for a raging ear infection.

Here is Cocoa meeting her new girls for the first time back in April 2006.

Well, they're off!

And without any major incidents. They usually save the incidents (otherwise known as tantrums, attitude, etc.) for the other 189 days of school.

Here they are, looking all sweet and innocent, heading to grades 3 and 5 with their $483.97 worth of school supplies (OK, slight exaggeration, but I drove all over the city looking for the elusive grey duo-tang so if you figured in gas, wear and tear on the vehicle and wear and tear on the mom, believe me, it adds up!)





And here they are in the rarely seen "side by side" pose. Note that they are cleverly disguising their retractable claws and actually appear to like each other, or at the very least, aren't currently fighting and screaming.






And in other news...I've already confirmed that, yes indeed, there is absolutely no doubt that I really, really, really don't like making lunches. And I don't care if the girls don't like hot dogs, chicken soup or deep fried mystery road kill - if it is on the hot lunch menu (on the one freakin' day a week they offer it!) then they are gonna have it! Actually with all the new nutrition standards that hot lunches have to follow I'm pretty sure there won't be deep fried anything but somehow those hot dogs must have some nutritional value as they keep making their way on to the menu. I guess ketchup is made from a vegetable a fruit something that grows in the garden and if you present it in a whole wheat bun all the moms will nod their heads in approval (except me - I'm a white bread kind of girl) and all the kids will go "BLECH!"


Gotta go - I'm running out and picking up a bunch of grey duo tangs to save me the hassle (and at my age I can't take any unneccesary wear and tear) next year!