Baby, You Weren't Born This Way

I was so happy to get positive feedback on my Rescue and Repurpose blog. I really love to see things in a different, unconventional light.  Here are a few other favorite items  that will never outlive their usefulness in my house:     

                                                                                                                           

Who doesn’t love a little red truck? Put a candle or a small vase of flowers in its bed and use as a centerpiece. 

This little lamb planter is perfect to store cotton balls.

  

A former bathroom handle finds new life as a priority paperweight.

If people look at you funny, you can always tell them that you’re being green.

A Little Girl Named Betta

My dad used to captivate us with his WWII stories.  One in particular still haunts me to this day.

            In the small town of Ain Beida in North Africa where our unit had set up makeshift headquarters, we were required to hire local rail workers to aid us in the operation of our trains.  I recall most vividly an old Arab brakeman to whom we gave the nickname Pa-Pa, who had a young granddaughter who would bring him lunch most every day.  We soldiers more or less adopted little Betta, who I assume was about eleven years old.  She was a pretty little lass and, with her beautiful smile, charmed all who came in contact with her.  Betta was always showered with gifts from soldiers who thought of her as their family away from home.

            Then as if by magic, Betta did not appear at the Railroad station for about two weeks.  We surmised that she was sick or that something had happened to her, so we pinned Pa-Pa down with questions and after much avoidance to answering our questions, he finally told us that her father had arranged for her marriage to her future husband and she was to be wed in a week. 

            As little girls, we would often think about Betta and hope that she was ok. We tried to press my dad into telling us that she ended up happy and was married off to a nice man, but he never lied and sugar coated it.  He simply didn’t know and tried to explain that different customs exist around the world.  We would have to accept this as my sisters and I marched off to bed in our comfy, matching pajamas.

You're Never Too Old to Rock and Scroll

This past Mother’s Day, my siblings and I put together and got my mom a laptop. We were a little nervous bringing it over because sometimes she just wants to shun technology altogether and read a book or watch her beloved Phillies.

Surprise, surprise – she kind of likes it. She’s getting over her anxiety and can now play a few card games.  I guess her love of gambling overtook her fear of computers.

I snapped this picture to capture my two favorite women – my beautiful 88-year old mom, willing to try something new. And my savvy 14-year old daughter – showing grandma the ropes of a touchpad.

Buckle your seatbelt mom, next week we’re installing Scrabble. Next month, we may get you on email. When you’re 90, you’ll look back on this and laugh.

Rescue and Repurpose...

Welcome to my first blog. When I asked my son his advice on blogging, he said “mom, keep it to two paragraphs and a picture.” Hence, the name.  Nothing is off limits. I want to write about everything and I hope to make people laugh, smile, or at least provoke a little thought.

That said, I turn my attention to a few things that make me smile.  Rescuing and repurposing objects.  Some things are forced into retirement when all they need is a new lease on life.

Mini planters are perfect as business card/pencil holders.  They’re whimsical, yet very edgy and cool.

This old newspaper stand was destined for the landfill until I salvaged it as my towel stand.

OK, I already broke the rules and added three pictures, but you get the idea…

Let me know what you think.