A New You by Shari!

Well as everyone knows gift giving is getting out of control.  It seems like I shop all year long now to find just the right one.  Not to mention that the gifts are more and more hi tech (code for expensive).  And you never know if that person actually likes the gift, much less uses it.  I decided to put a stop to it all.  Don't get me wrong, I still give gifts.  I love giving, but I just want my gifts to be more meaningful. Something that shows I put time and effort into it, not just something I picked up, usually at the last minute.  I love to sew and crochet.  They are two hobbies of mine.  I don't sew as much since it's not as easy to transport a sewing machine, as well as, all the necessary supplies, everywhere I go.  I love being crafty and artsy, in my head, but my artsy skills usually don't turn out as I planned.  But I can crochet (which is very travel friendly).  I first learned when I was 6 and my grandmother taught me how to build just a basic chain.  It was mostly to keep me busy and out of her hair while she did other things.  I picked up on it quickly and before you knew it, eveyone had a chain necklace, braclet, and anklet (even my grandpa and uncles.)  I didn't do much more with it again until last year.  You see I have many nieces and nephews so I couldn't really afford to spend a lot on presents for them ( I come from a big family).  I was the one that always bought them a book or craft/art type project for the holidays or birthdays.  Well, that started to add up too, so I thought, "Why don't I just make everyone something?"  I have a client (I'm also a hair artist) that crochets things and I loved her stuff.  I already knew how, I just needed a refresher course.  She suggested I get this simple book that broke down all the different stitches and was very simple to follow.  Well, I did and now I'm on a roll.  Some might even say obcessed with this crochet hobby.  I've made scarves, hats, pot scrubbers, face scrubbers, wash clothes, koozies and much more.  While my stuff is not as terribly elaborate as others, I do love the results and everyone is so appreciative of their gift.  I've also found yarn, cotton, and wool that is organic and made from recycled material.  I get all my patterns free off the internet from very talented people who are generous enough to share their ideas.  The main website I use is www.crochetpatterncentral.com .  If you need to you can just google free crochet patterns and it will be one of the hundreds that come up (it's towards the top though).  In my discoveries of free crochet patterns I came across the best site yet.  I haven't made any of it so far, but I'm super excited and here's why.  This company has the patterns for free or you can purchase the products if you like.  The website is www.myrecycledbags.com .  It is by far the best site I've see yet.  This company uses the plastic bags from grocery stores and old t-shirs to crochet the most awesome things.  They make scrubbies, purses, totes, bags and more.  And they have their patterns online so that you can make them too.  I love it and can't say enough great things about them. I look forward to making my own recycled bags.  So maybe you can't crochet, knit, or sew.  You can always learn.  It's super easy and their are plenty of resources out there to help.  Some are pretty cheap and some even free.  But maybe these aren't your kind of thing.  Think about something crafty that you might be into and google ways you can turn that hobby into gifts for friends and family.  Everyone loves getting gifts, but handmade ones are even more special.  Most of the time you can turn everyday household items into a work of art.  You'll be helping to save the planet and making someone's day all at once.  Now that puts a big smile on my face! ;-)

Have you seen these two amazing items?  They float, fly, and have amazing acrobat abilities that keep them from staying in recycle bins or trash cans.  On any giving day I know that I can be entertained for hours by the plastics grocery bags that are cunning enough to escape.  I watch as they glide through the air with the greatest of ease.  It would be the most beautiful thing to witness if I didn't know that that plastic bag would go on to pollute my neighborhood, town, waterways, roadways, landfills and eventually the world.  You can go into any store now adays and purchase a reusable bag and a totally resonable price ($.50 to $3.00)  Even the dollar stores have them.  You don't have to coordinate your bags with where you are shopping.  I use whatever bags I grab to for whatever store I'm going into.  *Just a little tip...When you get home from shopping with your reusable bags, be sure to unload all your loot and then immediately put the bags back in your vehicle. I am known for leaving my bags in the house and not realize it until I'm already on my way.  So, I get frustrated with myself but I go on with my shopping but I buy new bags instead of using plastic.  You may not be in a position to do this everytime so that's why I made sure to include the tip.  If you DO get in a position that you just HAVE to use plastic, then please please please take these bags back to the store on your next visit and recycle them.  Most stores have this option and if they don't, do like me and take them to a store that DOES recycle the plastic bags.
Now, onto the amazing item number 2, tumbleweed trash.  They are the acrobats of the street.  It's almost a performance worth paying for, but yet again these once wonderous products pollute our planet.  Let's stop turning a blind eye to the problem.  It may not always be pleasant, but when you see some trash along your path please just go pick it up and discard it appropriately.  Leading by example I too practice what I preach.  I frequently take walks in my neighborhood and on nice days even walk to work (approx 2 miles one way). I started to notice all the trash along my path.  YUCK!  I wanted to do my part, so I started by taking a bag (old plastic one I had before I switched and eventually a reusable one) with me on my walks.  As I come across the dicarded rubble I just bend over and pick it up.  It's ridiculous how much yuck is out there.  No one has the right to just toss something out into open environment .  Come on guys, just take a few extra seconds to put trash where it belongs....mostly in proper recycle recepticles and at last choice a trash bin.  Also, another great tip I took from my grandma is to keep a small trash bag in the car and throw your trash in there during car rides and then afterwards dispose of it properly.  This is so much better for you and the environment then just tossing it out the window.  For those of you who have children, please remember that they are watching your every move and will follow your lead in how you live.  Show them that you care for the environment and also encourage them to do their part too!  With small  burst of effort we can all make a BIG difference.  Thank you all for your future efforts!

Ok.  So a smile might just be a little nothing to some, but to me it's the ultimate accessory.  You just can't be upset with a smile on your face.  You can fake it, but just try keeping a smile on your face without being in a good mood.  It just can't be done and shouldn't.  For many days I have been walking back and forth to work everyday.  I get my mp3 player booted up and set off on my destination.  Some days I am tired and worn out or maybe I had a bad day and have to walk with a poor attitude.  I noticed all the people passing by me in their cars as I walked on and noticed that I would get weird looks from them.  I couldn't understand why they would look at me this way.  I didn't even know them and definately never did anything to them to warrant such rude looky loos.  Then it occured to me that my sour face was the problem.  From that day on I made a point to keep a smile on my face.  It takes much less mucles to form a smile than a frown anyway.  I smile all day at work why wouldn't I just keep it up on my walks.  So I did!  And guess what?????  It totally worked.  I did still get slightly off looks from some, but probably because I DID have a smile on my face and they might have wondered why I was sooooooo happy.  (It was very hot for the last few days and my wardrobe it mainly black!)  With others that I passed on foot or by bike, I noticed that they weren't smiling until we came into closer contact.  My good mood and smile then transfered to their face and being.   This made me very happy with myself.  It also make my walks more enjoyable and seem much shorter than before.  I was able to really enjoy the neighborhood and my surroundings.  I look forward to my walks now and am sad when I have to drive.  So, I urge all of you to be contagious with your smile.  Give it to everyone.    A smile is the cheapest and best gift you can give to anyone and everyone.  I hope we all catch one!!!!  Have a great day!  Thank you for all your future efforts.