Donating Items

I felt well enough today to head out a bit with boyfriend. He had cleaned out a closet and I had cleaned some stuff out of the garage and master suite and I gathered FIVE bags full of clothes and other stuff. Mostly clothes.

When I got Mel I was reminded that the Arizona Humane Society has thrift shops. And they take donations. Of your crap. And then they sell it. And the money goes to save animals.

Here's the unpopular truth. I like animals more than I like most people. They are honest and forgiving and loyal. Mostly. And they don't tell secrets. And they don't laugh when I try on pants and they are too tight. And they help me clean up messes in the kitchen. And Jeremiah, bless him, does NOT run around in circles and jump around with his tongue hanging out when I get home.

So anywho, our donations usually go to Salvation Army. Or Goodwill. But they get so many donations. Our donations this time went to the Arizona Humane Society. When we went in, it was super busy and it was in a needy area, so I felt good about making the donations.

Plus, I found a great board game, Lush shower gel (!), and a beautiful white dish with lid for a total of $2.75.

I mention this because I was thinking of my brother who recently moved and was debating what to do with his stuff that he wouldn't be keeping. He wanted a non-denomination type of center. As an animal lover, it didn't even occur to me to think that a shelter could use my stuff, but they totally took it all. If you are looking to donate some items, you might consider your local shelter. Even if they don't take clothes, they usually are in need of office supplies, blankets, cleaning supplies, etc.

Just a thought. Not trying to be preachy. Just trying to do some good.

p.s. Aerosmith on vinyl. AND we've been cleaning. We're having company later this week, so we've been picking up around here. Maybe a video house tour? Hmm...

Work It.

My mom sent Atticus a Valentine's present. With a face like this, how could you resist?

She repurposed a boy's robe (that she found at a second-hand shop) into this coat/sweater for him.

It fits quite well and Atticus makes a top-notch model.

Isn't he a cutie?

He likesies. He seems to think that while wearing it he possesses super-camouflage powers and can sneak up on kitty.

What do you think? Cool idea to repurpose to old clothes, right?

p.s. Please ignore the fact that our sliding door is covered with dog slobber and paw prints. We like to consider it frosted. And ignore the fact that trim is not up on the wall and you can see the brown paint from the floor. Jeremiah got halfway done with the trim and I decided I wanted a tile floor. So he stopped. And then we got the roof estimate. So no tile floor. Yet.

Yes, Michigan!

Okay.

We all know that I have a love for my home state that rivals...nothing. There is some pride going on here. The trees, the lake, the snow...

Then I saw this website that someone posted on Facebook:

http://michiganawesome.myshopify.com/

Now, for those of you that aren't from MI, you probably won't care. But I got such a kick out of their stuff. Totally planning an order.

p.s. Happy New Year, wherever you may be! 

UP

Several months ago (last school year) I was looking at a favorite blog and clicked on something. Then clicked on something. And again. And again. And I ended up here:

The Uniform Project

And I loved it. Like, really loved it. The idea that someone could transform ONE dress and wear it for 365 days? Fabulous. Right up my repurposing alley. I can completely get behind this and love the idea of making something new and different everyday. So I am now addicted and check in daily. I want to be the Uniform Project Girl.

They finished the year and now have girls signing up to do one month, one dress (with this month's girl (or her attitude, really) being not so fabulous).

Anyway, check it out if you'd like. Maybe it will inspire you.

The Indestructable T-Shirt, or The Shirt That Wouldn't Die

Jeremiah has a shirt. You know the shirt from Seinfeld, "Golden Boy"? Jeremiah has a golden boy. It's actually golden in color. He's had it for as long as I've known him.

It's the ugliest t-shirt I've seen. The color is all wrong for him (side note: boyfriend doesn't seem to care about this quite as much as I do). He should be wearing blues and blacks and greys, not a fleshy yellow color. Ick.

It's gotten to the point where he knows he can't wear it in public - it is strictly a lounging around type shirt (side note: there was a lot of wardrobe changes when I came into the picture). But my problem is, the flippin' shirt is still here. In my house. Hanging in the closet. I have to wash it and look at it. I hate that shirt.

Always the good girlfriend, I started by beating around the bush and hinting (that's the secret to all good relationships, right?). Then I told it to him straight. Still nothin'. And I don't have the heart to send it sleepin' with the fishes because I know that I have some ugly ass clothes that make me feel cozy (I used to wear a shirt that said "hugs, not drugs" and "just say no" with a bright yellow and red chicken on the front. I loved it so much that when it was time to say goodbye, I had to take a picture of it before I could let go. I rest my case.). So me sending it packing is not an option.

I've even plotted against it. Maybe it got lost in the move(s)? No such luck. Four moves, the shirt lives on.
I sent it with the dogs when we boarded them, hoping that they would shred it like they shred everything else. Rugs, blankets, whatever...nothing is safe. We got it back, folded neatly, in mint condish.

The darn shirt won't die.

But here is where my hope lies. The point of my whole story (took me long enough, right?). Jeremiah wore that shirt outside and took it off and set it on a chair in THE SUN! This was days ago and golden boy is still there. Fading. Weakening. Its essence being destroyed by the bright hot sun in Phoenix.

I'll keep you posted but I want you to know that things are looking up. Golden boy might have met his match.

By the way, we don't have random clothes strewn about the patio. Just the one shirt and some beach towels hanging neatly. We have class. Sometimes.

And again, by the way...about my chicken shirt? I never once claimed to be cool. And I NEVER wore drug-free chicken shirt out in public. And if I can find the picture I will totally post it because if you are still reading this, you deserve a treat.

Update: The sun wasn't the culprit, but the shirt has completely biffed it. Jeremiah needed a new car battery so we took the old one in Subaru to get it checked first. I made him put something under the battery and the only thing around? Golden boy. Goodbye, you ugly yellow bastard.

To all the men out there...

...and Annie Hall and Kd Lang - I salute you. How do you wear a tie and not get food on it? I wore a very cute linen scarf (from Spain) wrapped all stylishly around my neck and I swear I've tucked it into my undies, gotten yogurt on it, and closed it in the overhead cart. I am so not cut out to be a man.

Jeremiah will be so happy to hear that.

But the scarf looks bitchin'.