I Need A Change

I want a new job. Scratch that. I need a new job! I need a job that helps people. I need a job where I can see smiling faces. I need a job where people treat me like a human being. Ugh.

After some intense research into Elementary Education in Oklahoma, I have found that it is now impossible to pursue that as a career option unless I had gotten my undergrad degree in the field. I could get a Masters Degree in Elem Ed, and still not be hired because that is not how it goes any longer. Boo.

So, I have started looking for something better than what I have now. I complain constantly about my job, but now I'm serious. I am no longer happy there, and desperately need my smile back.

Even though I cannot afford new clothes right now, I think they may bring me a bit of a smile. At least a smirk. Instead of buying new clothes, I will look at these. And perhaps smirk a bit.

Little Secret About Myself

Have you ever read The Five People You Meet in Heaven? I read it when I was a teenager. It was good. A bit of it that I particularly liked has really been a part of me lately. In the book, on his journey to heaven, the main character meets other people, who died before him, in their own personal heaven. He meets his wife at one point, and her version of heaven is one of weddings. Wedding after wedding after wedding. The weddings are all different, different couples, different religions, different times and places.

She explains to her husband that she always liked weddings because there is so much optimism in the air. "The truly believe their love and marriage are going to break all the records," she says to him. Except for some exceptions, most people believe their marriage will last forever because they love each other like no one has ever known.


I, like the character, love weddings. I love being there, seeing the couple's faces, feeling love in the air, watching them hold hands as they walk down an aisle together, etc. I love looking at photos of people's weddings and seeing every bit of what they decided would be part of the day they would remember forever.

DIY Belt Footstool

Recently, I found this pic on a design blog of this footstool. I really liked it and remembered that I had an old bag of scrap leather from pre-vegetarian days. I figured that since I already had the leather scraps that are literally sitting in a bag, somewhere in a closet...I could be okay with using them and not feel bad about the leather in the house.

My grandma gave me this old footstool when she moved out of her house, and honestly, it was looking a little rough.

 Then, the other day my mom asked me if I wanted any of her old belts. The light bulb in my head turned on. I took the whole stinkin' box.

 And recovered the footstool with the belts instead of the leather scraps. It is so colorful and great. It only took about 20 minutes and it was free. 

I had to iron out some of the belts to straighten them out since they'd been in that box so long and were all crunched up.

I ironed them, stretched several over one end, and attached with wood working staples, and then attached more on the adjacent side, and started weaving. I did leave the old cane on there to strengthen it up under the belts.

I am very happy with it.

 Sorry these photos are so dark. It was super late, and my camera is very old. But, look at those gorgeous wood floors! Man oh man are they pretty!

Its a Good Thing There Isn't an UO in OKC

I love Urban Outfitters. I typically only shop their "Apartment" section. Well, I'll be honest...the "Sale" part of the "Apartment" section. I have purchased several of their tapestries over the years and used them for chair upholstery, curtains, bedspreads, and even a canopy once! They're really versatile.

Here's a couple of things that I'd like to own from their current collection, but I know I'll never buy any of this stuff. Well, maybe the map chalkboard. I like that one a lot.

From the "Things to Make" File...

Here are some various arts and crafts that I need to make. I love making things, and love being fairly crafty. My computer file of "Things to Make' is too large. I just need to make these, already.

This would take me forever to make, I just know. But I would love to have one.

I have the perfect frame for this project, just no chalk board paint...yet.

This bench is adorable.

On my thrift store "to find" list: hard suit case. Let me know if you have an old one I can have, please :-)