Creative Precautions

Here's my latest project:

1.  Ugly thrift store mirror.  $4.95

2.  Halfway through makeover!  Classing it up with some Shakespeare clippings.

3.  Add some adhesive chalkboard (who knew?) and some scrapbook paper embellishments, and we now have a place near the door to jot down where we're going and when just in case of mishap.

(Remember, if something happens while you're "running errands," and no one knows exactly what that entails, the police may have nowhere to start the investigation.  Seriously, leave a note.  It takes two seconds.)

I really wanted to try the chalkboard paint, but it doesn't adhere to glass.  We'll just have to save that for another day.

Stress

They're right.  I've spent most of my life being stressed over nothing.  You imagine stress taking a physical toll, but we don't generally realize that chronic stress actually damages brain cells responsible for memory and unravels your chromosomes.  There are some things that will just have to start taking a backseat from now on while I find some time to unwind on a daily basis.

Runaway Slave

More documentaries!  "Runaway Slave" by Rev. C. L. Bryant focuses on the detrimental effects of the welfare state on African-American communities.  I love productions like this, because they say everything that I think but am not allowed to say, or that would never be taken seriously if I said them.

Summer Legs!

Now that it's time to pull out the short pants, the last thing I want to see is dry, scratchy legs covered with last week's razor burn.  Fortunately, I've found a new best friend in the shower.  What is it?

I know I've probably reinvented the wheel, but olive oil is the best multitasker I've been able to find.  Not only does it facilitate a close, smooth shave with even the cheapest disposable razor, but it heals old razor burn and acts as a great natural moisturizer.  Rinse, but don't wash it off.  I'll be keeping a little travel bottle of it in the shower caddy from now on.  

Money and Medicine

I'm watching Netflix again.  At 2:30 in the morning, I'm too tired to do much else.

Today's recommendation, "Money and Medicine" by Roger Weisberg.  More interestingly to me, they didn't talk about the cost of heathcare so much as the much pooh-poohed risks and side-effects of unnecessary treatment.  It's a worse problem than I thought.

Because of my bicornuate uterus, it has been medically recommended that I get a CT scan to investigate whether or not I was born with only one kidney.  The impetus behind this recommendation seems to be no more serious than curiosity and general information, and after hearing what sort of radiation punch those machines are packing, I think I'll pass.  My kidney(s?) has never bothered me in the past, so I really don't see the urgency.

War On Debt IV

Time for a family debt report.  Unfortunately, it's been harder than expected to stick to our 3.5%/month plan.  We always seem to fall short a few hundred $$$, but we do have a decent tax return coming which should make up some of the difference for the year so far.  Part of what seems to be dragging us down is our membership fees at the Krav Maga club and the seed money for my Etsy shop.  But, at long last, the warmer weather has arrived, meaning a brief respite from the energy bills, and we're also working to pare down the grocery budget.

So, here are the current numbers:  27.2% paid.  I believe our last report in December was 14%.

(Almost) Everything Wrong With The Hobbit

He hits on several points I noticed, and skipped several others.  But, for what it's worth, it's still funny.  *Language warning.*

Reverse Engineering the Dog

My sister came to visit this weekend, and she brought her dog, Zoey ("Zozo").  We've been trying to parse out her lineage ever since she was adopted.  We always knew she had some Beagle traits, and through a chance discovery of the Australian Kelpie dog on Pinterest we finally think we've discovered the right equation.

Zozo!

Whatever the breed, she's the sweetest, most well-mannered dog I've ever met.   There's apparently supposed to be some dingo in the Kelpie dogs, but you'd never know it.  I only hope we can be so lucky when we finally go dog shopping.

Etsy Picks - Personalized

I.  Love.  Etsy.

I think I'll be doing all my gift shopping on that site from now on.  No more aimless wandering around Target for birthday gift ideas and finally settling for a gift card.

I really like the personalized pieces.  I hate giving some faceless mass-produced trinket that anyone could get anywhere.  These are a few pieces that jumped out at me lately, especially while they're emphasizing mother's day.