Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Do Not Piss Off The Hippo!




photos TS
Yeah yeah, you're sick of me mentioning Sifter but 
REALLY
you gotta hook up with this site!!!
Check out the angry angry Hippo Here

and if that's not enough


photo TS
Soap BUBBLES blown in Freezing Weather

Every day fall back in love with the universe

I signed up for daily email and adore the 
weekly Shirk Report.
OK there is nothing on here I don't really like.
How often can you say that?


Sunday, January 18, 2015

BYE BYE Books

I decided some thinning out was due
 with regards to the books that have been breeding
unfettered in the office.


I have had a life long love affair with books.
Although DD gave me a "Nook" that I use when I travel,
I love the feel of a book in my hand, while
curled up in the chair you can see a smidgen of here.
You've seen it before.
If one of you decides to zoom in
 you will see the complete collection
of Robert B Parker, a dear favorite of mine,
and DD's beloved Potter's from childhood.
Even though I check out several
 dozen books most months,
I still managed to accumulate a "couple."



The Utilitarian ones are kept under here.
DIY's, Grammar,  Classic Childrens' collected more for
their illustrations than stories at times, and classics from
school days many moons ago.



I ended up with four bags to be donated,
one is out of view, don't be snarky...hehe
I had grander intentions but DD called 
in the midst of the culling, and quickly said
"Don't be ruthless, I may want some."

sigh

If I must fail at a purge, it should be
a failure concerning books don't you think?
I believe I welcomed the 
request as an excuse to hold on a little longer
to a just a few more volumes.

A Happy Week To You Guys!

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Coming Down and Z Cozies Up


Christmas is coming down
and more things are headed 
out to the garage
on their way out of the house for good.



I found a few of these holiday end pics on the camera




Pay attention - this table has since moved.





Whoop! Table moved


Big white cupboard that was on this wall
has moved upstairs


More open - less stuff- loving it



Winter work days have slowed to a crawl.
This is when I hunker down, purge
 and clean, cozy up and hibernate.


Lots of candle burning,
napping and reading.





Last look at this year's tree


Special mementos from a dear friend




Reorganized all the cupboards after Dearest Son
cooked in here for a week
 and used everything I own somehow,
then Darling Daughter cleaned up
 and put everything away somehow.
Golly I miss them so...


Making soup day



A Happy WINTER Wednesday

We're approaching the 70's
sorry for you folks in the 2nd polar vortex
stay safe and warm

Sunday, January 4, 2015

DS New Home/ Some More Rants


Many of you asked about Hannah's sewing project:
here are the pillows she made for her big brother
for his new couch in his new apartment.
Their style will be Mid-century Modern meets
Turkish brothel?
Their words, not mine.
Actually I think they used whorehouse.
That part is about lots of bright colors not so much 
a brothel style, mama hopes anyway.... 

Gentrification

  1. Gentrification is a general term for the arrival of wealthier people in an existing urban district, a related increase in rents and property values, and changes in the district's character and culture. The term is often used negatively, suggesting the displacement of poor communities by rich outsiders.
Those of you in LA/NY/SF/NJ/more
have been aware of the issues of gentrification.
It is a tough issue.

Dearest Son was subjected to gentrification
 as his rent more than doubled in the area
 he had lived in for three years, 
and even sharing that rent with three others,
it was no longer possible to live there.

His new place is also a result of gentrification
in his new area and forced out folks resulting in 
DS getting a newly renovated affordable place,
 that they need not share with roommates.

Now these kids make a modest income for sure
but their new rent for 700 sq feet is far more than
the mortgage I paid here for 2,000 sq feet..
and DD's rent for 400 sq feet is 300 more a month! 

I became curious about the topic and did 
a little research 
and was surprised to 
discover that it was often untrue that
 masses of folks are displaced 
and that there are numerous positive
effects to gentrification.
Of course some do lose their 
ability to rent in the same area,
and they are the least able to adjust to
such life changes...
the very poor, elderly on fixed incomes.

Tough issue with rights and wrongs.
DS and his girl were affected both ways...

and then while researching I stumbled
across this article...
It's long, but read it anyway if you can.
Now this will start many good discussions,
with differing opinions
and the subjects are linked because
so much of the choices we now make 
are based in irrational fears and mistruths
fueled by dubious politicians and very bad
NEWS - (she says with absolute disdain)
Networks

Lots of us choose a word of empowerment
each year to inspire us, motivate us.

I want to go one step forward 
and suggest that we adopt not a word but
a mind set, if you will.

Can we put all the typical blog
fodder just a wee bit further back on the 
burners and bring to the front
our best self?
Can we shut off the STUPID 
tv shows we watch because
the good stuff isn't on that night,
and read and be enlightened
 about important issues instead?
How about just 30 minutes a day?
and I don't mean watch the morning shows
which are merely entertainment shows.
Though I do love Charlie Rose
but at NIGHT.

Let's explore more,
dare more,
volunteer more,
educate ourselves about the real issues,
relearn where the heck the countries in Europe are
for Pete's Sake!



How would you do?

We've been at war in Iran Iraq Afghanistan Syria
and thousands have lost their lives, 
and we ALL have our opinions about that,
 but can you find them on a map?

I am ashamed to say I got Syria wrong.
I have now decided to remember  SIIA
reading left to right



I love seeing all the decorating idea, great recipes,
and DIY projects, and I still will share those of mine
if I ever get the rearranging finished.
Currently the Family Room is going through 
a metamorphosis and ongoing purge-a rama
here at oldgreymare.
thank heavens the kids are hauling out stuff 
for their homes.

 BUT I hope we can stop being afraid to 
speak our minds, challenge each other,
and share more of the Life stuff.
Blogs can be a mix,
and it's Ok to have different opinions.
We need to be an example of
the power and intelligence of a woman's mind.

So show me some stuff,
what issue is important to you?
What rant do you wish to make?
Put it in the **** It Bucket top right.

If I cannot motivate you here,
 how about being frightened
 about what happens to your brian if you don't use
all those other areas?

"There's always room for Jello"
what your brain becomes....
and speaking of Jello...
how does everyone feel about Bill Cosby?

Rant Over-
Now where to put the huge white cabinet,
the cream wing back and drawer sets I removed 
from Family Room?







Friday, January 2, 2015

TS Update - A Wee Rant - Love You Guys





Map by eatrio.net via Reddit

Pangea was a supercontinent that existed during the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras, forming about 300 million years ago. It began to break apart around 200 million years ago. The single global ocean which surrounded Pangaea is accordingly namedPanthalassa.


SO if you read yesterday's post and explored a little,
you may or may not have noticed the link above.
I really explored them all today and WOW!

 Many of us have this sense
of the absurd..the world revolving around the USA
or the importance of the latest doo-dad,
or the nonsense of political garbage.

We are all in this together
even though we are no longer one mass.

It's the world of flora and fauna and people.
That's IT folks...
and we are doing a piss poor job of caring for any
of the three all over the world.
A few simple acts by each of us
could change the negative path we are following.

Recycle everything possible
Do not waste natural resources
Reduce your impact on the world.
Adopt at least 2 or 3 well rated charities 
and donate often, automatically each month is best.
Be kind, loving and tolerant of all.

Happy 2015

I appreciate each of you who
have followed along with me all these years,
tolerated my rants, my goofy stories, and 
understood my attempts to live a simpler life.
You've cheered on my kids,
tried recipes, and been so kind in your comments
and well wishes.
Blogging has changed a lot the past 2 years
but the friendships I've formed 
via this small forum have not.
They have continued to grow,
and they are real, and loving, and so important
to my every day existence.

I carry you with me everywhere I go

Z 

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Start 2015 Feeling Superior or Stupid


By checking out that link above.
How would you do on both maps?
I fear I would have failed about 50%- 60%
I love where the one guy says "glad to see college paid off".
I've mentioned Twisted Sifter before
and it never fails to enlighten and amuse me.
Sign up for a daily feed.
Better start to the day
than some of the morning junk "news".
Happy New Year chickadees!