Repurpose! Recycle! The new buzz words. Our great grandparents did it out of necessity, even our grandparents to a certain extent. However... our parents? They actually brought in the age of disposables, and "buy new when get tired of it" mentality. We, my generation, perpetuated it. It's how we were brought up.
I have made it my personal goal to repurpose what I have already. For example, I have never bought a complete bedroom set. My dresser came from my husband's childhood set. My bed was bought second hand for $50. My beautiful matching nightstands were found on Craigslist for $15-for both! The chair that sits in my room is a $30 Craigslist find. It is well made, solid and very comfortable. Next to it is a $3 occasional table I found at a garage sell. The TV armoire was bought new 19 years ago for my living room. Somehow it all came together and looks just fine. My son's room: Dad's childhood bed, the nightstand is a chest with 2 drawers that I refinished that came from his grandparents home. A desk I bought off Craiglist for all of $10 holds his computer with room to work, a pull out sofa that I bought used (that is in mint condition) serves as seating and room for company when needed. The chest of drawers belonged to his grandmother, and has been refinished by his mom (me). My daughter's rooms are the same. Repurposed furnishings that have been passed down, that I refinished myself, mixed with Craigslist and garage sale finds. It looks put together and just fine. Not hodgy podgy... not sure if those are real words, but I do know you know exactly what I mean!
The real story here though is this - when I look at decorating magazines or visit shops, the words Repurposed and Recycled make the product cost MORE! I would think that it should cost less. Am I missing something? The purpose in my mind is to be economically wise as well as ecologically wise. If the production and cost of recycling and repurposing is really that much more, is it worth it?
We should individually repurpose and recycle what we already have, or find, in an economical sense. When a business starts mass "repurposing" and "recycling", are they not expending just as much energy and waste the same as a company producing all new items? Just something to think about. Though it's all fun and quirky to see what is done with different items, I am having a hard time comprehending how the pricing seems so disproportionate to the product. Please feel free to enlighten me.
In the meantime, I am planning my next repurposing... I am taking a telephone table I bought for $30 and turning it into a nightstand for my middle child. How? By putting it next to the bed, and placing a lamp on top of it!
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Introduction
About me: I am 40 something...married only once, still married to the same awesome man, mother of 3 wonderful kids, all in college at this time. One will soon graduate and is engaged to be married to a lovely young lady. This time next year I can add mother-in-law to my many "hats" I wear. I love to spend time with my family and friends, love journaling, reading, gardening and observing wildlife, especially birds.
I am an RN for a home infusion therapy company presently. Prior to this, most of my healthcare experience has been spent in the surgery setting, as an OR nurse and a pre-op nurse.
I have a strong faith in God, believe that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to God, the Father without Jesus. I believe in the trinity, that there is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit - they are one manifested in three unique callings. A mystery that I believe in by faith. However, there is no mystery in this: If you seek God, you WILL find God. He is the Creator. He gives us choices. Just because you may not believe doesn't make Him any less real. I know Him, have seen Him in action, and have felt His presence. He is real. Observe a very ill person or maybe a frightened family member of a very ill person and note who is the first one they call for? Time and again, it is GOD. Who do those of us in the medical field seek and call out to when confronted with unbelievable situations? GOD
Be still and know...
I am an RN for a home infusion therapy company presently. Prior to this, most of my healthcare experience has been spent in the surgery setting, as an OR nurse and a pre-op nurse.
I have a strong faith in God, believe that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to God, the Father without Jesus. I believe in the trinity, that there is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit - they are one manifested in three unique callings. A mystery that I believe in by faith. However, there is no mystery in this: If you seek God, you WILL find God. He is the Creator. He gives us choices. Just because you may not believe doesn't make Him any less real. I know Him, have seen Him in action, and have felt His presence. He is real. Observe a very ill person or maybe a frightened family member of a very ill person and note who is the first one they call for? Time and again, it is GOD. Who do those of us in the medical field seek and call out to when confronted with unbelievable situations? GOD
Be still and know...
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Baby Girl Drives Back to The Dorm
It is always difficult when my baby girl of 19 heads back to her college town after spending the weekend at home with mama and daddy. We had a wonderful weekend: Family movie night with pizza and popcorn... Baby girl meets dad for lunch...Visit with Granny...
I truly feel as if I just came home from the hospital with her all wrapped up in a pink blanket. I held my baby girl for the longest, not wanting to put her down. Finally I laid her in her crib, only to stare at her. I was making sure she was breathing. From that day forward, I was her guardian. Of course, she calls it being a stalker. I call it being a mom.
Of course it's raining and the day has turned into evening when she finally backs out of the driveway. What if a tractor/trailor loses control on the interstate, what if she loses control on the wet pavement, what if a creeper decides to follow her car ... I could drive myself insane. I have prayed for my baby girl's safety, asking God to place guardian angels around her in whatever form He decides.
I held her for the longest, not wanting to let go. Finally I opened the car door for her, waved as I stared at her car backing out of the driveway. I'll be waiting for the phone call, the one where she says, I'm here at the dorm safe and sound stalker mom. I love you, Good Night.
I truly feel as if I just came home from the hospital with her all wrapped up in a pink blanket. I held my baby girl for the longest, not wanting to put her down. Finally I laid her in her crib, only to stare at her. I was making sure she was breathing. From that day forward, I was her guardian. Of course, she calls it being a stalker. I call it being a mom.
Of course it's raining and the day has turned into evening when she finally backs out of the driveway. What if a tractor/trailor loses control on the interstate, what if she loses control on the wet pavement, what if a creeper decides to follow her car ... I could drive myself insane. I have prayed for my baby girl's safety, asking God to place guardian angels around her in whatever form He decides.
I held her for the longest, not wanting to let go. Finally I opened the car door for her, waved as I stared at her car backing out of the driveway. I'll be waiting for the phone call, the one where she says, I'm here at the dorm safe and sound stalker mom. I love you, Good Night.
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