Cool Earth-friendly Christmas Wreath Ideas

I have created 2 really cooool Christmas wreaths made of repurposed items.

The first wreath was my bright idea but I am sure that it isn't a new one. I used all the Christmas cards that I have been saving for the last 2 years and created a wreath. You are probably wondering why I saved them? I like receiving mail so for people to go out of their way to send me a Christmas card, I felt the cards were too special to chuck into the trash. You will need about 30-40 Christmas cards, a glue gun, ribbon (optional) and some double-sided tape. I created my initial freeform wreath shape with a few cards. Then I stacked the other cards on top slightly overlapping the first row so that you could see the designs on each of the cards.

Here is the final product:

My second wreath made of repurposed items came from a lunch and learn day at my local library. The wreath consists of several 4.25"x5.5" sheets of paper rolled into cones and glued (or stapled) to a 4x4 square cardboard base. Any kind of paper can be used: wrapping paper, craft paper or magazine pages. In my example, I used paper from an old book and old calendar sheets. You will need to make at least 40-50 cones to start.

Next, draw three equidistant rings on the cardboard base. The rings will determine where you start each layer cones. Once you have drawn the rings on the cardboard piece, divide the cardboard piece into quadrants. Start layering each quadrant by placing one cone in the center of each quadrant, starting at the outer ring. Continue to add more cones by further dividing each quadrant until you have completely filled in the first layer.

At this point, you add more cones on top of the first layer but at the center ring. So on and so forth until you reach the innermost ring. Now that the tedious part is over, the fun begins. You can customize you paper wreath with ornaments hot glued to the center (like mine). Use the wreath as a table centerpiece by adding a hurricane vase and candle to the center. The possibilities are endless and can be created for any holiday or special occasion!!! 

Final product:

All good things...

I had planned to keep my blog light-hearted and jovial but unfortunately, it is that reflective part of the year when I pat myself on the back for the things that I did right and try to improve upon the things I did wrong. So here goes...

All good things must come to an end... I was part of an amazing organization that lead me to meet people that I probably would not have met formally eventhough we had several commonalities and our paths crossed several times in the last 14 years. There is one bad thing about good experiences, they don't last forever. More often than not, they end miserably. Especially when you try to hang on because you had some really great times and you genuinely like the people that you have intimately grown to know and care about. Sometimes you have to know when to say when and leave the relationship in a respectable place, so that all parties involved can at least be amicable. The more I type about this, the more it sounds like a marriage that has went wrong ending in a messy divorce.

There is a point of no return in any relationship where you have invested enough time and if something goes wrong, you will be hurt. I am going to have to walk away from something I truly enjoyed because my feelings are now tarnished or crystallized. Crystallization is a term I learned from reading T.D Jakes' book, Reposition Yourself. Crystallization is the point where deterioration has taken its toll. This is where I am right now. I have to make my exit soon but this means that I will have to leave a few people behind because I have issues with them and the friendship didn't get a chance to flourish before the trouble started. So sad but true.

Let me briefly elaborate on the remaining stages of progression in any relationship or situation from the Bishop Jakes' book. First, there is revelation. This is the stage of discovery for new possibilities or potential . Next is inspiration, the point when you decide to commit or take it to the next level. Formalization is the next step and involves the acceptance of your decision. Basically, you sign on the dotted line. The step that comes before the final stage of crystallization is institutionalization. Here is where the trouble begins and the "honeymoon" is over. I am sure you are probably checking off every friendship or relationship you may have ever had and where they fall within these stages of progression.

I can say that I am thankful for the really great times because I forged great budding friendships that I pray last a while because quite frankly heart can't take another break. So the lesson here is... when something is really good, dive in and bask in the warm and fuzzy goodness. Cherish the friendships that you make because you don't know what may happen next (good or bad). This lesson is totally different from my basic instinct, which is steer clear of all human contact and say, "Why bother? Because I know where this is going." I will close with a quote that continues to come to mind. " 'Tis better to have loved and lost, then to never have loved at all" from In Memoriam: 27 by Alfred Lord Tennyson.

Who knew?

The Great Purge

Currently, we undergoing a massive undertaking at home.... purging things we no longer need or use. Don't cringe yet, just keep reading.

Here is the catch, it HAS to be done before the new year. I can be a little obsessive about timelines, so get over it. I have instructed the hubby but I think he isn't taking me seriously. My kids have noticed because their toys and clothes are disappearing every time they blink :). We already have a standing rule around here regarding toys: Every time a new toy comes in the house, one toy must be given away.

My reason for The Great Purge is quite simple... less is more (more in this case involves space) and plus I realized how much stuff goes unused, underused, ignored or even worse, saved for another time or place. I don't want be consumed with stuff. During the holiday season, irrational behavior sets in as consumerism rears its ugly head and devours the money of everyday citizens. Americans are consumed by having lots of stuff and this "recession" isn't going to get in the way of people accumulating more stuff, now is it? It doesn't matter what the stuff is along as they have IT! I could take the time right now to talk about my most recent Black Friday experience but that should probably be another post. Just for the record, I bought only a 5 items and slightly went over my $50 budget.

I have already tackled the "guest" bedroom, which is no longer a guest bedroom because no one comes to visit regularly enough to warrant an entire room for their use. I have taken the bed apart, it is waiting to be hauled away and I have organized the closet. There are a few more things left to sort through but it isn't anything major because the hard part is done already. I have changed that space into a multi-purpose room (crafts, sewing, play or workout), it just depends on who is using it.

Next, on the list is my hubby's closet, not looking forward to that battle. I see items in there that still have tags. I will save that joint task for last. Finally, the office file cabinet... Yikes! This task makes me itch just thinking about it because I saw papers in there dated 2003, which means that paperwork have been in there since we bought this house. I wish you could see the goosbumps on my arms.

I am determined to lighten the load around here just for the sake of having one less thing to think about or task that I wish I could have completed already. I am pushing forward into 2012 with an empty to do list in search of bigger and better things where I can devote my time. So as you take in everything I have rambled about in this post, consider joining me in The Great Purge and you can thank me later.

Image vs. Humanity

Image: a (1) : a mental picture or impression of something (2) : a mental conception held in common by members of a group and symbolic of a basic attitude and orientation

Humanity: a : the quality or state of being human

These are definitions that I pulled from Merriam-Webster.com. You are probably wondering why I have taken the time to define these words? Well, image and humanity were the first words that came to my mind when I had a chance to dig a little deeper into the sexual abuse scandal @ Penn State. The image of the school, the athletic program, the coach and staff, all had to be preserved at the cost of the stolen innocence and humanity of several young boys. I don't know all the answers and I am sure, as with all scandals, we have only scratched the surface. I am still trying to wrap my head around the fact that once certain individuals knew or witnessed the act, nothing was done to stop the perversion, only steps taken to preserve and protect an image.

My sister-in-law forwarded me a grand jury recount from the previous investigations and it is horrific to say the least! This is my opinion, Sandusky used his organization as a breeding ground for his potential prey for his somewhat insatiable appetite for little boys. So unfair! The boys already had difficult stories and background but now what... therapy and monetary settlements?!? Money can't heal emotional wounds, it just improves the exterior while the interior still suffers. How many young boys could have been saved from the physical and emotional pain if the assistant who walked in during an incident would have said something the moment he witnessed the act? He just walked out in the name of self-preservation and image... so sad.

I can't begin to imagine how hard it must be for victims and their families, my heart goes out to them as well as my prayers. As a parent, I can't promise I won't hurt someone for the smallest infraction against my kids, once the innocence of childhood is lost, it's gone forever. I say lock me up now, to prevent me from not giving Lady Justice her say. I would take matters into my own hands, literally.

As you read this, let's keep all involved lifted in prayer for healing, forgiveness, repentance and comfort.

Nomination for Favorite Costume

Makenzie and Payton have been nominated to the next round of the contest so vote, like or comment as many times as you can between now and November 20th!!!

Simply put, the more votes ("stars") and facebook "likes" they get - the higher the score. The more comments their costume receives - the higher the score. The more visitors I drive from Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr pages - the higher the score.


Vote here for Thing 1 and Thing 2!!

Book Review: Jesus Calling

I am roughly 24 days into this great new devotional given to me by one of my Morehouse brothers called Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. I am pretty skeptical about a lot of books that offer any sort of help or guidance. I have found in all the "self-help" type of books that I have read, with the exception of an elite few, none of the books actually provided any sort of tangible advice you can set in motion within one second of reading it.

Many who know me would call me a high-strung busybody always looking for something to get into. With this book I have taken time to ask myself, why am I always in such a hurry? Why do I overschedule and overcommit? What am I avoiding? Or why do I inadvertently omit God from some of my daily decisions or even my personal ambitions like He couldn't handle it? Before you call me a heathen, ask yourself if you include God in every single decision (minuscule or life-changing)?

In addition to this book and a conversation that I had with my aforementioned Morehouse brother, I have also learned that it is totally OK to continue on your journey with wounds or scars from life's journey because it causes you to lean on the Lord even more for the strength to continue. Previously, I have found myself trying to be okay with pain and trying to move past hurt because that is what everyone expects you to do. It is not socially acceptable to continue to talk about your battle scars...

Aside from the wonderful substance of the book, there are a few other bonuses: It is compact enough to fit into a handbag or the door compartment in the car. Translation: Great stocking stuffer!!! Give someone a gift that will last all year (it's a 365 day devotional) and it doesn't require an activation fee or batteries.

Disclaimer: I am not by any-stretch of the imagination a certified bible thumper, I just wanted to pass on what a great gift I received and how it has helped me so far.

Take your vote back!

I'll have to change hats here and add some seriousness to my tone. TAKE YOUR VOTE BACK PEOPLE!
After reading several articles and watching a few interviews about politicians who are "living paycheck to paycheck" on their $174,000+ salaries. When a person takes a political office or any sort of leadership position (paid or unpaid), it is a choice or calculated decision. We always have the right to walk away, if and when, there is strain added to your personal life and more importantly our well-being.
So when I enter my designated polling location one week from now as well as the next year, I plan to be very selective (as always) but I urge you to do the same. The general public has always been the X factor in any civilization. Once the people become restless because campaign promises crumble as easy as pie crust, true change is on the horizon. I say, POWER TO THE PEOPLE! We have two major avenues of power as a citizen, Our Money and Our Vote. For example, if you don't like the service you receive at a store or restaurant, what do you do? I tell everyone, who will listen, about my experience and I never spend one red cent at that establishment again!
Let us not forget (as well as remind others) that we elect these officials to speak on our behalf, by proxy, in Washington, at each State capital and every County/City seat. They work for us, not big oil companies, not big banks or the wealthy elite!!!! Seriously!! We cast our ballots for the fan favorite (GA voter info) and the lobbyists take it from there for the duration of that politician's term, offering money, favors and/or gifts while taking their souls in exchange.
The voice of the constituents isn't heard until time for re-election. But then the cycle continues because we are given more campaign promises during debates and interviews that start like this, "If I am re-elected, I will..." This prompts me to ask, "Why do I have to wait around for you to do the right thing next time?" The whole thing actually bothers me to the point of frustration. Here's a Robert Johnson article that echoes a similar sentiment.
So, what are YOU going to do because I know what I am going to do... TAKE MY VOTE BACK and give an opportunity to someone else who will hopefully get it. I know one thing for sure, I can't allow these political dinosaurs to continue to do nothing that counts (immediately) and to do everything that causes further damage to the deficit, constituent morale and international relations.