Yesterday, my younger daughter and I took a rather short road trip on a pair of Interstate Hiways, to a city about an hour away. We used to live in this city, and headed there to visit a dear friend, who is rocovering from a heart attack and stroke. Our friend was quite happy to see us, and after visiting with her for about an hour, we cruised through a local Wendy's to pick up a couple of iced teas(sweet, of course!) for the ride back up I-95 and I-40.
We were scooting along the road, at about 70mph, chatting and commenting on what was on the radio, when I noticed a car, barrelling up the left lane, just behind me. I am known for rolling along with traffic, and rarely stay behind a slow car in the right hand lane. Still, I try not to tempt fate or the State Troopers by going more than 7-10 mph above the speed limit. Safety, not to mention, saving fuel, are pretty important to me.
I exclaimed to Annie B. that I had to get past this car quickly, and get into the right lane, because there was a "maniac" behind me! I told her that I bet her the car would have NY license tags. Ann said that she doubted that, so we had a bet going! I was able to pull over into the right lane, and the red Escalade blew past us. Guess what the license tags said? YEP! NY! It was followed in close order by another red car, also with NY tags. They were obviously traveling together.
Now I know that I am new blogger, so I may not have many folks reading this. But, if there is someone out there that would care to comment on this, please do. Each time I head out on the Interstates, I am constantly passed by cars with NY plates that are absolutely flying! I mean, these cars are exceeding the speed limit by 20 mph and more! What is it that these cars almost ALWAYS are from NY? I do not drive in that part of the country much, so I am obviously unaware, if New Yorkers are encouraged to drive that fast in their home state, or just what! I really am not the kind of person that likes to generalize or type cast others. But my observation of the driving habits of NY residents, really seems to hold true! Has anyone else noticed this? If you are from NY, why do y'all drive so fast? Inquiring minds WANT to know! Y"all may just want to slow down a bit, and enjoy the scenery!
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
Day3: A JUNKIN" adventure!
OK, Y'all. I MAY just be getting the hang of this blogging thing! I do appreciate all of the "WELCOME" from folks, near and far. Soon I hope to figure out how to post photos, just to make things a bit more interesting!
This morning, after an early a.m. workout at the gym, I headed home to freshen up a bit, and then to meet a couple of other moms of my daughter's friends for coffee. After a chat, two of us headed out for a favorite "sport" of mine, "JUNKIN"!" Actually, I think that it would best be described as a search for items to "adaptively reuse!" With a good eye and a creative mind, it is such fun to try to figure out many uses for odd combinations of items.
Our first stop was REVIVAL, which is an antique/junque furniture emporium. There, the owners scour auctions and tag sales, up and down the east coast, to buy things that others would put on the junk heap. They re-purpose those items to create new things that are both decorative and functional. Many items have been painted, or have new hardware added. All are reasonably priced and have been given new life.
My friend and I saw some pretty interesting things, including old lampshade frames, probably from the 30's or 40's that could be transformed into really cool chandeliers. There were wonderful reproduction hooks, that would be darling, used in pairs to hold a drapery rod or even to become towel racks. We left empty handed, but inspired!
Our second stop was the Habitat Re-Use Store. I have to tell you, that I have found WONDERFUL things here! You do need to stop by fairly often though, to find the best things. Otherwise, it is hit or miss. In the past, I found new light fixtures for an absolute song! Some of them were from "deconstruction" projects, where Habitat volunteers come in and take all of the usable parts out of a house, before it is demolished to build new McMansions. Barefoot is the proud recipient of one such find. It is an wrought iron, eight arm chandelier, that I repainted in an antique brushed metallic finish, and added shades to the candle bulbs. Gorgeous! The fixture was $30.00! Looks like about $500.00! Another favorite find was a set of old bi-fold closet doors, that we hinged together and painted to create a wonderful screen for a corner in out family room. It is a great way to hide "stuff" that needs to be there but I do not want to look at on a regular basis.
My haul today was not much, cost wise, but it will work well, I hope. I bought a long piece of molding that can be cut and mitered(by my clever hubby!) to create am inexpensive frame for a painting that I did to hang on our screened porch. When I say inexpensive, I really mean it! $2.14 for an 8 foot piece of molding! That was a deal! But my friend found an even better deal! She was searching for a pedestal sink for a powder room. There was a lovely one from American Standard for $15.00! She would still have to purchase the pedestal, because the bases there were too contemporary for the more traditional sink style. No purchase, until she checked out the pedestals at plumbing supply stores. Still, a good deal, if she decides that it will work!
Whenever I go junking, I feel as if I should be humming, "A hunting we will go. . ." ;-) By the way, I am ALWAYS interested in hearing of good places to find unique items that can be adaptively reused, so, please share sources!
Ok! Time to ready myself to watch Washington Week In Review on PBS. With the Dems just finishing up their convention in Denver, and the Repubs making a "surprise" VP announcement just before their big week in Minn., there will be much to learn from the tv talking heads! Lots of new fodder for the new season of SNL! And of course, lots of good material for future blogs!
This morning, after an early a.m. workout at the gym, I headed home to freshen up a bit, and then to meet a couple of other moms of my daughter's friends for coffee. After a chat, two of us headed out for a favorite "sport" of mine, "JUNKIN"!" Actually, I think that it would best be described as a search for items to "adaptively reuse!" With a good eye and a creative mind, it is such fun to try to figure out many uses for odd combinations of items.
Our first stop was REVIVAL, which is an antique/junque furniture emporium. There, the owners scour auctions and tag sales, up and down the east coast, to buy things that others would put on the junk heap. They re-purpose those items to create new things that are both decorative and functional. Many items have been painted, or have new hardware added. All are reasonably priced and have been given new life.
My friend and I saw some pretty interesting things, including old lampshade frames, probably from the 30's or 40's that could be transformed into really cool chandeliers. There were wonderful reproduction hooks, that would be darling, used in pairs to hold a drapery rod or even to become towel racks. We left empty handed, but inspired!
Our second stop was the Habitat Re-Use Store. I have to tell you, that I have found WONDERFUL things here! You do need to stop by fairly often though, to find the best things. Otherwise, it is hit or miss. In the past, I found new light fixtures for an absolute song! Some of them were from "deconstruction" projects, where Habitat volunteers come in and take all of the usable parts out of a house, before it is demolished to build new McMansions. Barefoot is the proud recipient of one such find. It is an wrought iron, eight arm chandelier, that I repainted in an antique brushed metallic finish, and added shades to the candle bulbs. Gorgeous! The fixture was $30.00! Looks like about $500.00! Another favorite find was a set of old bi-fold closet doors, that we hinged together and painted to create a wonderful screen for a corner in out family room. It is a great way to hide "stuff" that needs to be there but I do not want to look at on a regular basis.
My haul today was not much, cost wise, but it will work well, I hope. I bought a long piece of molding that can be cut and mitered(by my clever hubby!) to create am inexpensive frame for a painting that I did to hang on our screened porch. When I say inexpensive, I really mean it! $2.14 for an 8 foot piece of molding! That was a deal! But my friend found an even better deal! She was searching for a pedestal sink for a powder room. There was a lovely one from American Standard for $15.00! She would still have to purchase the pedestal, because the bases there were too contemporary for the more traditional sink style. No purchase, until she checked out the pedestals at plumbing supply stores. Still, a good deal, if she decides that it will work!
Whenever I go junking, I feel as if I should be humming, "A hunting we will go. . ." ;-) By the way, I am ALWAYS interested in hearing of good places to find unique items that can be adaptively reused, so, please share sources!
Ok! Time to ready myself to watch Washington Week In Review on PBS. With the Dems just finishing up their convention in Denver, and the Repubs making a "surprise" VP announcement just before their big week in Minn., there will be much to learn from the tv talking heads! Lots of new fodder for the new season of SNL! And of course, lots of good material for future blogs!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Day 2, in the Bloggin' Pool
Hey, Y'all!
Many thanks to the girlfriends of my "Barefoot" daughter, for your notes of welcome and encouragement! I'm getting my toes in the pool gradually, and hope to be happily splashing around before long!
I am off for a day in my "Community Volunteer" hat! In a moment of weakness last spring, I said "yes" to a position within the Parent's Assn. at my youngest daughter's school. This year, it is the VP. Next year, it will be the BIG KAHUNA of the group. Barefoot calls it the "Mother's Mafia!" She is probably correct on that. The group does a lot of good for the school, but sometimes, groups like this can get on a bit of a "power trip!" Not my direction, at all! After WAY too many years to count in the Junior League(which my family called the Junior Plague!) , I have had it up to my earlobes with the "Steamroller Women" who are ready to roll ALL over anyone who DARES to rain on their personal power trip parade!
Also, gotta gather up the snacks and drinks for the golf team at the school, since Annie B (B is for Bogie!) qualified for this match. They are playing against a public school this afternoon, and severe weather in the area postponed yesterday's practice. There does not seem to be an Annika or a Tiger type among them. LPGA hopefuls? Not so much! The results will have to do with how well the other team plays. Anything could happen, so stay tuned!
Many thanks to the girlfriends of my "Barefoot" daughter, for your notes of welcome and encouragement! I'm getting my toes in the pool gradually, and hope to be happily splashing around before long!
I am off for a day in my "Community Volunteer" hat! In a moment of weakness last spring, I said "yes" to a position within the Parent's Assn. at my youngest daughter's school. This year, it is the VP. Next year, it will be the BIG KAHUNA of the group. Barefoot calls it the "Mother's Mafia!" She is probably correct on that. The group does a lot of good for the school, but sometimes, groups like this can get on a bit of a "power trip!" Not my direction, at all! After WAY too many years to count in the Junior League(which my family called the Junior Plague!) , I have had it up to my earlobes with the "Steamroller Women" who are ready to roll ALL over anyone who DARES to rain on their personal power trip parade!
Also, gotta gather up the snacks and drinks for the golf team at the school, since Annie B (B is for Bogie!) qualified for this match. They are playing against a public school this afternoon, and severe weather in the area postponed yesterday's practice. There does not seem to be an Annika or a Tiger type among them. LPGA hopefuls? Not so much! The results will have to do with how well the other team plays. Anything could happen, so stay tuned!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Hey Y'all!
I think I may swoon I'm so excited! After having watched the Olympics, I feel as if I am one of those divers, standing on the edge of the diving platform about to take the leap into the blogging pool. This is a little scary because I am not a 20 something computer genius! Join me as I navigate uncharted waters. After all, its not the destination but the journey!
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