Have You Hugged Your Loved Ones Today?

Beings I create custom memorial quilts, I frequently talk to folks who have lost someone close - a parent, a spouse, a child. In an email a few days ago was a nugget of wisdom that I just had to share. We always assume we'll have another chance...and another...and another...but I'm reminded on a regular basis that time often runs out without warning.

"Heal rifts if there are any, and hug your loved ones. Tell them you really love them and HOW they matter to you. It is important, and you may never get another chance."

~ Mary S. 

So...

What have you left unsaid? Are there any relationships you need to mend? Do your loved ones know what they mean to you?

Clever Toilet Paper Holder

antique laundry plunger

What do you think? Is this clever or what? In case you don't know, it's a Rapid Washer laundry plunger. What's a laundry plunger? Well, it's a nifty tool to make washing your clothing by hand easier. Easier than what? Definitely easier than a scrub board! If you don't believe me, give each a try and see if I'm right.

Anyway, we just posted this beauty (sans tp, of course) to my SIL's Etsy shop and needed a place to store it until it sells. After seeing one holding toilet paper while researching antique laundry plungers, I decided to put this one to use. I do hope it sells soon, however, as it doesn't go with my upcoming beach cottage bathroom makeover.

But this did give me an idea...

Why not use your toilet plunger to hold extra toilet paper? Even more clever than using a laundry plunger, don't you think? I mean, really, everyone needs to have a toilet plunger handy but you rarely need to use one. It's also nice to have extra toilet paper close by. Why not pair the two?

I know - who wants their toilet paper touching their (potentially) nasty plunger? Nobody. But I have the answer. Without giving too much away, I'll just leave it at that and post about my solution at some future time.

In the meantime, if you find you just can't live without a truly rusty crusty antique laundry plunger for your rustic, country, primitive, cabin or farmhouse decor, head on over to Rough and Rustic on Etsy and we'll be happy to send you this one!

Very, very rustic!

And very, very rough.

Want an antique 'Rapid Washer' of your very own?

Beach Cottage Bathroom Decor

We're planning to update our bathroom soon and I've been all over the internet looking for ideas. I'm already set on the whole beach cottage feel and wanted to find a picture or two on which to base the new decor. I found a few professional photos and paintings that I really like but they're all a little pricey. Then I realize - duh! - I took some photos when I was in Hawaii several years ago. So...

Don't you love the color of the water? Now I just need to get these printed out and hung up where I can enjoy them while we continue planning.

What Have YOU Always Wanted to Do?

"One day you will wake up and there wont be any more time to do the things you've always wanted. Do it now."

~ Paulo Coelho

 

This is why we're driving to Alaska next summer...

What are YOU going to do while you still have time?

Affordable Care Less Affordable Under the Affordable Care Act

I just did some research and found that "affordable care" will actually cost me twice as much under ObamaCare. So...how is that "affordable"? In addition, not only is the cheapest plan available to me in 2014 more than double what I could have in 2013, I'll also have far fewer choices - from the current 27 down to only six! These screenshots from eHealth comparing my 2013 and 2014 choices tell the story better than I can.

2013 - 27 plans starting at $226/mo

2014 - 6 plans starting at $456/mo

But won't I get a tax credit to help pay for my health insurance? At this exact point in time, NO. Why? Because I live in a Medicaid-expansion state and my income is below 138% of the federal poverty level, so I DON'T HAVE A CHOICE - in my current situation, if I want to avoid Medicaid, I can either buy health insurance privately or pay the penalty for being uninsured.

Now let's do the math...

The lowest-priced plan available for me in 2014 is $456/month, which comes to $5472 per year, which is a hefty chunk of change for a couple with an income of less than $20,000. If I refuse to play and choose to pay instead, my penalty for 2014 will be about $200. Hmm. Nearly $5,500 or $200 - sure doesn't take a financial genius to figure this one out!

Let me be clear - I am not currently eligible for premium assistance because I qualify for Medicaid. Well, that's great! It's free health care, right? NOT! I will not be forced onto Medicaid for one very good reason that you can read about in a previous post.

So...what to do? Well, fortunately I don't have to decide today. In fact, this first year only, I have until the end of March to figure it out. And I do have a few ideas, which I'll share as they unfold.

Have you figured out how YOU will fare under ObamaCare?

What is Craftsy and Why Should YOU Take a Class Online?

What is Craftsy?
Craftsy offers online classes to a worldwide craft community. Craftsy also provides a marketplace where independent designers (like me!) can sell their patterns; a supplies shop so  you can get deals on yarn, fabric and class kits; and a section where members share pictures of their crafting  successes. Craftsy has over two million members and is growing daily. With classes in quilting, sewing, knitting, painting, photography, cooking, and more, there's something for just about everyone!

Why should YOU take a class online?
Online education is a great alternative to the traditional classroom and is undoubtedly the wave of the future! Craftsy courses give you world-class instructors right in your home, whenever it's convenient for you.

Busy schedule or unable to leave home? No problem - with Craftsy courses, you can learn at your own pace anytime you want. Want to learn a new skill? Online classes allow you to watch and re-watch as many times as you want to perfect a technique - and you can refer back later, if needed.

And Craftsy even has a variety of FREE classes! So...what are you waiting for? Head on over to Craftsy and find or renew your passion for crafts!

Finally Jumped on the Pinterest Bandwagon!

I may be sorry but I've finally joined Pinterest. Why did I join? Because my mom showed me all the cool stuff she's been pinning to her Cleaning Up After Myself and Nifty Tricks boards. Why might I be sorry? Because I just don't need one more thing to complicate my life - I'm trying to simplify and adding to an already full plate usually makes things more hectic and complex. But if I can use Pinterest to keep track of things I want to revisit, maybe it will simplify my life. Just think - no more searching for recipes or ideas I find that I want to try ... someday.

So I had my first real 'pin' today - something I stumbled across online that I want to try later but would lose  or forget if I bookmarked it or added it to my favorites or whatever on my browser. Now when I want to actually make 15 meals ahead, all I have to do is go to my Cool Ideas Pinterest board and there will be the link to the blog post with the directions. Well, I guess then I'll have to actually prepare the food for the meals but...

I'm hoping that I can use Pinterest to quickly and easily re-find things online rather than have it become a total time waster. So far, with the exception of the first day on the site, I haven't wasted any time just surfing pin boards - but I can see there's looming danger...

What's Your Personal Calling?

"I've come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that's as unique as a fingerprint - and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service, working hard, and also allowing the energy of the universe to lead you."

~ Oprah Winfrey