Recycling.....we do it more than we think!

I was pondering the whole recycling thing I do.  Of course, I toss in the green bucket just like everyone else, but I started thinking out-of-the-box a bit......where else do we recycle (on an unconscious level?)...well for one, think about remodeling.  Instead of "dumping" your house, what do you do?  You fix it!  Re-paint, re-carpet, re-plumb, re-roof.......re-whatever you can. 

I've been through a couple of remodels......goodness!  That will try your patience on a whole other level. 

 

Where else?  Zoey gets 3 or 4 new toys a day....they are called water bottles!  Here's a look inside her basket of toys.  Note:  the basket was purchased at a garage sale for 50 cents.  Good thing I didn't buy it new because she promptly chewed the sides of it!

Yes, that's right.....water bottles and a fabric softener bottle (almost chewed to death).  Of course, I washed it out thoroughly.  She seems to love that big bottle and it's soothing her need to chew. 

 

Do you know what this is? 

It's the local McDonalds in Lake Forest, Illinois.  Hard to believe, huh? 

I love that the city preserved this building and that McDonald's moved in.  When my children were little we called this the fancy or rich McDonalds.  They have a fireplace inside and play classical music!  Such a proper way to eat McNuggets. :)

 

Here's one.....Zoey on my estate sale find!  I love, love, love this chair.  It's velvet and such a pretty color! 

 

Technically, Zoey is recycled too!

These are going to Half Price Books - I love recycling there!  It's nice to find a new book or two or grab the cash and go!

 

 

Here's some random photography- it's garbage, but could well be art in some circles!

Don't forget to recycle!!!! 

Halloween, Christmas, Zig-Zags and Monica Lewinsky

It's almost Halloween here in the U.S. Yet as I shopped for "things" to send my mother for her birthday, I saw lots and lots of Christmas stuff.
Do we experience each holiday, or just look to the next? Fall just "fell". I personally would like to take a breather and relax with each wonderful event.
I've always liked Halloween, but I am not a huge, huge fan. I think the most fun I had was when I was about 19 and decided to dress in black tights and a leotard and took 2 orange poster boards and recreated the Zig-Zag logo. It was another one of those "inside" jokes because it was so not me.

The other time I had loads of fun is when my youngest daughter was about 8 months. It was during the height of the whole Monica Lewinsky thing and I happened to have a green beret and one of those ridiculously oversized cigars. I know....I know....I tricked and treated in the city of Chicago with my 5 year old and "Monica". I got loads of laughs and "oh my god's that is so funny but yet...how could you do that???!!!"

I guess I've had more fun than I remembered. I went out to dinner the other night with a very good friend and her daughter and they were talking about the time I showed up at my daughter's school (on Halloween) with just one tooth blacked out - regular clothing and all...just one tooth gone. Yeah....that's my twisted sense of humor!
Back to holidays......I used to have a favorite store in Deerfield. It was called "Romancing the Home" and it was a wonderful cornucopia of pure delight for the eyes. I thought they went out of business, but just discovered they moved to the next town over!!!! Yay! So happy they are still around.
A couple of weeks ago I was at Goodwill with (the above mentioned daughter) and found this....

for two dollars! I think I have about 35 pink, light pink, hot pink, scarlet, red and fuschia globes....vintage....1970ish?

Then I found this at Romancing the Home...

I not only found one, but about 8 and each bag was $2 each....and filled with amazing vintage things!

Okay.....so you get it, right? :) Stay tuned!

I teach a recycling class for kids at the local art center.

Here's a tiny creation.  He stands about 2" tall and is made of the inside

of the computer, an old phone (desktop) and a pop top!!