People Helping People - another reason to shop at the Salvation Army

A friend of mine's daughter and her husband had time to grab their pets and some underwear before the Texas wildfires consumed their home. The only organization in the Austin Area that helped them in their time of catastrophic tragedy and need was the Salvation Army. They invited them to their stores to pick out clothes (for free) so that they could continue to go to work. 

Please shop at and donate to the Salvation Army - people helping people in need.

Like It or Not, It's Fall!

It's Sunday and it's September 11, 2011 - 10th Anniversary of our national Tragedy. I've spent hours watching TV specials on the event. I've cried and smiled, been in awe and angry. I think the memorials are beautiful and I will definitely visit them. I need to do something creative or I might lose my mind.

So, I turned to one of my favorite sites, Better Homes and Gardens, and found their Fall Decorating page. I found this quick, fun, awesome idea. They show, photo at left, a paper mache letter with autumn leaves glued on and used as a very cool front door decoration, in lieu of the all too ordinary wreath. I LOVE non-traditional front door decor and this is a real winner. Click on photo to enlarge, but know that they went a little initial crazy. Double 'M' sidelights, 'M' doormat and 'M' door decor? We get it - 'M' people live here... One initial for the front door is quite enough.

Now, just because they used a paper mache letter, obviously store bought and adding to the American Waste Problem, I am choosing to use cardboard from a shipping box that came to the house earlier this week. Will it look as good as the 3D store bought base? We shall see! But, regardless, the cost will be some Aileen's Craft Glue and my time. And right now, I need to get up and do something productive and welcoming with my time, to celebrate the fact that I am an American - to create, to dream. Because my freedom is protected by the best fighting force in the world. THANK YOU U.S. ARMED FORCES and GOD BLESS all whose lives were lost and those they had to leave behind to keep calm and carry on...