It's a Stone Project, For Crying out Loud!

HAPPY PALM SUNDAY

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, 'Why are you doing this?' tell him, 'The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.'"
They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, some people standing there asked, "What are you doing, untying that colt?" They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,
"Hosanna!"
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!"
"Hosanna in the highest!" Mark 11:1-10

The whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen. Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!"
"I tell you, " he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." Luke 19:37-40


And have a blessed Holy Week,
Midge

I'm linking this up to Donna's Saturday Nite Special #23 over at Funky Junk Interiors. Be sure to head over there and check out all the great projects.

Tool School Tuesday -- Confession Time!

Okay, so I have a confession to make (actually two).
Anyone who's read even a little of my blog quickly learns how much I LOVE using my tools. But the truth, I realized the other day, is that I don't really love using my tools.
Don't get my wrong, I don't dislike using my tools either. It's just that many people think I'm a "hands" person. You know, one of those people who learns best by doing something with their hands, or who is always "tickering", or dreams of retiring so they can spends their days knitting or whittling. THAT'S NOT ME.
Truth by told, I'm more of a "word" and "idea" person. I love learning, I love the sound of words, and I LOVE thinking up fresh ideas -- whether it be business ideas, house remodeling, event activities, etc., or (you guessed it) junk projects. But what good is it to have ideas if you do not have the means to make them a reality. And THAT'S where the tools come into play. I don't have a problem learning and trying new things. And having the ability to use my tools, opens up a whole world of possibilities for home and junk projects -- without having to ask someone for help, or wait to get it done, or pay someone to do it. I can just do it! -- and just the way I want it done too. So maybe you could say I love having the ABILITY to use my tools.
The reason I'm telling you this is because I don't want anyone to feel that they can't learn to use their tools because they're not a "hands" person. Anyone can learn to use tools! Desire is the number one prerequisite.
Which leads me to confession number 2:
Despite wanting to be more disciplined about posting my Tool School Tuesdays each week, I had nothing planned for today. So I am making this up as I go -- I'm winging it! And here's what I got for you:
I would love to share with you anything I've learned through my years of working with tools. So I welcome any questions you might have. They could be about home improvement/repair, tool use, or whatever. Or if you have a certain topic you would like me to post about, I would welcome your suggestions. Free feel to ask/suggest away in your comments. I certainly don't know everything (I learned in my own way what works best for me), but if I can be of help to anyone in anyway, I say "bring it on!"

That's what I got, fire away!
Midge

P.S. Please don't ask any questions about welding -- also if you'd read even a little of my posts, you would've quickly learned that I don't yet know how to weld but want to very much -- just waiting to get me a welder (the machine, not the person).

It was FREE!

I picked up this great croquet set this weekend...

And the best part was.... it was FREE!

I've picked up a LOT of free things over the past few years. You can do some amazing things with free things.


I've grabbed a lot of these.....

and made things like this......

and this.....

I found this....

and turned it into this...

I've gathered up many, many,many of these ....

and made many things (but this is probably the biggest)....

I was given bunches of these (by the high school janitor, nonetheless)......

and came up with this.....

Believe it or not, I been given 3 of these (so far)...

and I've come away with this....

and these.....

and even this....

No one wanted this....

but now it looks like this....

Picked up this (along with 2 others).....

and it became this....

Came across this....

which gave me the opportunity to make more of these....

BUT...... the BEST thing I ever got for FREE was......

In Jesus Christ, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace. Ephesains 1:7

and because of that

to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, you may know that you have eternal life. I John 5:13

Midge

Have you met Alice?

Have You Met Alice?

Does this look familiar?



Well, if it does, you've probably already stopped by Alice's blog at yesteryearsjewels. And if not, you need to get on over there and check out this and her other great posts.

Who, you might ask, is Alice? Well, Alice is a dear friend of mine, which seems funny since I've never even met her. But I've gotten to know her through JunkMartketStyle, our blogs, and Facebook. So I guess I shouldn't have been surprised to discover her the winner of my little challenge a couple weeks ago -- she KNOWS how cheap I am. The challenge: to guess the total amount spent on my trip to the Goodwill. The prize: a feature post on this blog. So here goes!

This post will be presented interview style based on Alice answers to questions I asked her. Sit back and enjoy getting to know Alice just a little bit better, then go check out her blog.

Midge: I know you live in Texas, but tell me a little more about where you live, why, how long, etc.
Alice: Very Boring. Born, raised, and always lived in Ft. Worth. Thirty-three years ago we moved to the burbs which has now become the city of Benbrook. So to sum it up -- 60 (YIKES) years!

Midge: Are you married? If so tell me a little about your husband. Do you have children/grandchildren?
Alice: My husband Darrell is from Austin, MN, home of Spam! He took me to the Museum -- WAY too much fun!! He says once he learned there were warmer places he never looked back. He has 2 children. I have 1 daughter. My/our daugher is always looking out for us. She has the most adorable son. Hunter is six. He has his own room at our house. We have lived in the same house for 33 years. Hunter calls me "Ghee" and calls Darell "Pops". In his room we have an antique four poster bed. He wanted a tent so we have clamps with a green sheet attached to the posters with an eye hook in the ceiling. We have Christmas lights around his mirror. We really enjoy him!!!!
Our oldest granddaughter, Sarah, is graduating from A & M this year (the week before the big event with Sue ). Sarah's brother, Spencer, is 16 and in high school. He got his drivers license this year -- YIKES! He is raising a pig at his school. We have 4 more grandchildren that we don't have the chance to see very much.

Midge: Besides junking, do you or did you have a job? What kind of work do/did you do?
Alice: I worked a real job for 2 years in an office. It was NOT me! In '78 my mother and I opened an antique store -- Yesteryear's Leftovers. Darrell was so supportive. In '79 we went to the Dallas Market with old quilt bears. That was a wild ride for sure. We were in every major store in NYC. We were featured in numerous magazines -- Country Living, Smithsonian, etc.
When Darrell retired he wanted me to, too. So in January of 2001 we did. I also did patterns for Butterick. That was really fun!

Midge: When you're not junking, what kinds of things would I find you doing?
Alice: Having my grandson Hunter, reading, making jewelry, blogging, painting, working at my church.

Midge: If I bumped into you in the grocery store, what would you be dressed like?
Alice: Summer -- crop jeans, flip flops, t-shirt. Winter -- jeans, sweats, tennis shoes.

Midge: What is your favorite restaurant or food?
Alice: Italian or Mexican.

Midge: Tell me about your upcoming trip to NYC?
Alice: My friend's son lives there. My friend's husband died sudenly in November so we started planning a trip. We are really going just for pleasure.

Midge: Where else have you traveled to? If you could take a trip anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Alice: I've traveled to the Carribean (E., W., & S.), Baltic countries, South Pacific, Canada, Alaska, England, Europe (Italy, France, Luxembourg, Germany), and Mexico. I think I would like to explore New Zealand. Of course, I really want to go back to Italy and stay another 3 weeks!

Midge: Tell me about any of your favorite books, music, movies, or t.v.
Alice: Right now I am reading Susan Wiggs. I enjoy country music. I like the movies Blind Side, Sound of Music, South Pacific, and Miracle on 34th St. I also like the t.v. shows NCIS, Mentalist, and American Pickers.

And now the good stuff.....
Midge: What is your junk "specialty"?
Alice: Good question! I really enjoy the architectural pieces, can't see to get enough of them. I like making different things with them.

Midge: How long have you been junking?
Alice: Well, off and on (mostly on) 50 years.

Midge: Do you junk for yourself, or as a money-making venture?
Alice: I wish I was making money because I could buy more junk! I do sell some of my creations -- it's my jewelry that sells (some ot the time anyway). But I junk mostly for pleasure and fun with my chums.

Midge: What was your favorite junk find or purchase?
Alice: There are so many I will have to think a bit. The kitchen sink! We got it at a salvage store. It is 52" including the drain boards. And all my architectural pieces.

Midge: What was the project of yours you were most pleased with?
Alice: My red cabinet.

Midge: Do you have any junk goals for 2010?
Alice: I would like to go to Oronco Gold Days. I would really like to organize my studio. We have a 30x50 barn FULL. It would be really good to clean and organize it.

Midge: What is your favorite tool?
Alice: Well, it depends on what I am doing. My hand sander for wood. Otherwise the drill press and all my jewelry tools.

Midge: Since you've been junking, what has surprised you the most in some way?
Alice: What people will throw away, what they charge for the "Uglies/New", and how cheap the good cruddy stuff is (Yea).

Midge: What's your favorite thing about junking?
Alice: Meeting new people. That is what to me is so great about blogging and JMS!

And there you have it! I hope you enjoyed the chance to know Alice a little better as much as I did.
Midge

Totally Random Post

I just spotted a flyer that reminded me of last week Friday, so thought I'd post. During the day last Friday I mentioned to my husband that I should figure out something for dinner and head to the grocery store. He said "Oh, I forgot to tell you. One of the guys in my Bible study group is having a fundraising pasta dinner tonight. He and his wife have 2 little girls and are in the process of adopting three little boys from Ethiopia. He handed out flyers." So I said we should go, as I love pasta and I'm a softie for anything adoption related (and I'd be off the hook for making dinner!).

As I was out and about running errands I started to have second thoughts. I didn't even know these people. Chris barely knew the guy. It would probably be a lot of family and friends -- we would be out of place and look awkward. And besides, I knew that Chris didn't really want to go, he would rather just chill after a hard week of work. So when I got home I told Chris we didn't have to go. But after a few minutes, he said "No, we probably should really go. How could I look that guy in the eye each week if I ducked his fundraiser." Okay, not totally enthusiastic, but it was decided we would go.

When we got there, we were warmly greeted by THE GUY (I don't even know his name) and directed to the tables of food. We waved to one guy we happened to know who was helping in the kitchen (turns out he and the guy are best friends). Throughout the room were balloons, photos, facepainting, and maps and trivia about Ethiopia -- a real celebration feeling. There were people everywhere, many young families and lots of kids. We found a spot to park ourselves and quietly ate our meal -- we didn't recognize a soul.

AND THEN....I looked up and standing and talking to someone a little ways in front of us was my good, good friend Ann -- a big smile on her face as usual. It took a little theatrics to finally get her attention, but she spotted me and made a beeline right over. "We really don't even hardly know these people," I sheepishly told her. "We just thought we should cause the guy's in Chris' Bible study. How are you connected to this?"

(AND HERE'S THE GOOD PART!) Ann says "Oh, we don't know either of them at all. Never met them." HUH?....."In our small group, we were talking about random acts of kindness and decided not just to do them, but to do them for complete strangers. Someone in our group knew about this from their adoption support group. So here we all are." UGGG.... My friend Ann is SOOO awesome!

So what about you? Have you been involved in any random acts of kindness? I'd love it if you'd share. And I know we can often be hesitant to talk about things we've done. So here's the deal, feel free to phrase it as "I have this FRIEND who....". Chances are you really DO have an awesome friend like I do, so we won't know the difference. And you even have permission to embellish with any fun details you wish (my husband says the key to believable lies is in the details you add -- WAIT! how does he know so much about good lying, hmmm.....).

So, anyway, I have this friend who....

Midge

Tool School Tuesday -- Sawzall

I decided it was time to resume Tool School Tuesday. And what better way than with one of my favorite tools -- the reciprocating saw, sometimes referred to as a tiger or saber saw, but usually just called the sawzall. And it's called THAT because that is exactly what is does, it SAWS ALL! That's why I love it! And it's very easy to handle. You hug it using two hands with your right hand in the back operating the trigger and your left hand holding the front -- kind of like holding a rifle (I imagine). This gives you a lot of control, and the weight is distributed (unlike the heavy saws hanging at the end of your arm.) It also gives you a lot more safety as your hands are holding the barrel and don't go near the blade.
The reason it's official name is the reciprocating saw is because that's how the blade works, it reciprocates (back and forth) instead of going around like many saws. It's kinda like the action of cutting bread, actually that's EXACTLY what it's like -- a glorified electric carving knife. Because of this it can accommodate a long narrow blade that can bend and curve somewhat. This lets you get into many places you normally can't with your basic arsenal of saws.
The blades are also VERY easy to change, something that I can't say about other saws (okay, I confess, I don't even know how to change other saw blades, I always have my husband do it, OUCH!, that hurt to say). So you could be cutting some wood and then easily switch blades and cut some metal. The sawzall can easily handle both. Chances are you probably won't run out and buy one of these as it is a bit pricey and you probably will have little opportunity to use it. It is used mainly in remodeling work for demolition and that's how I came to get and use ours. But it does come in handy on occasions when you just can't do the job the commonplace ways. And it's so fun! It is powerful and it can bounce around the piece you're cutting up (especially if the piece is smaller like paneling), so don't plan on precision work with it. But those times you can use it, you sure are glad you have it.
Now go have some fun with your power tools!

Midge

Just a little hint on when you might use this (and what I might be posting soon), the other day I was dismantling a piano. Some sections needed to come apart and I couldn't get to certain places with a conventional saw or, for instance, as I cut the back away from the front I didn't want to use a circular saw. It was already a little dicey with a lot of reaching so I pulled out the sawzall instead -- viola! It cut easily, with a decent cut, and not at all scary. OOOO, I love the sawzall!

Hey, A Bird's Gotta Live Too

Okay, you got me! These aren't new pictures. Some of you might recognize these unique birdhouses that I made last year. But I think I'm ready to make some more. I definitely have birds on the brain right now (does that make me a bird-brain? maybe I should say even MORE of a bird-brain). Like most of you, I am beyond anxious for spring. The snow here is melting, the sun is shining and every morning I wake up to the sound of more and more birds singing. So I say "Bring it on!" or "The Bird's the Word" or "WOO HOO" or........

"Look at the birds of the air, they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? .......So do no worry, saying,"What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?"..... But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:26-33

Have a great day,

Midge