I’m not sure I ever posted this picture of me and my nephew, Scott. (Who is now ELEVEN!!!!) Its not the greatest picture of me, I know, but I LOVE Scott’s expression. Thats one of my favorite memories about living with him - He is SOOO ticklish! Its great fun. The picture is from last Christmas at my mom’s house in CA. She bought me that sweater that year, and I loved it. I think mostly because I thought I was getting away with hiding something when I wore it.

I thought it flattered and all that good stuff. Until of course I saw pictures of me in it. Not so good. (Why didn’t anyone tell me you could see my bra through it?!) I will refrain from much more detail since I know there are some readers who would probably blush and look away at some of the things I shotgun spray out of my mouth - hurdling that “Yeah, you probably shouldn’t say that out loud” filter. So, needless to say, I didn’t want to get rid of the sweater cause it really is a very cute sweater, but just not on me. Plus, in a few months, i will be in dire need of sweaters when I actually need to step out of my house in something other than a t-shirt and jeans. So I did what any creative pack rat does. Finds new things in old things. I made my turtleneck into a cardigan. With lots of buttons.

Its still not the greatest fitting sweaters, but i like it sooo much better now. I just have to remember for future reference - Old teenage, skinny, long blond hair Carol - good with turtlenecks. New mommy-with-no-time Carol- not so good with turtlenecks. ok, done.

I am having a blast with this Pledge of not buying anything new for a year. It has really given me the opportunity to open my creative flow again. Making cards for people out of scraps of paper (Yes I keep paper scraps - as long as they have REALLY cute prints on them) making dresses for Neela out of Ethan’s old button down shirts and making much needed pj bottoms out of old sheets. This bathmat will be one of my next projects: (Click on the photo to see the quick process)

Anyone have any good ideas of what to do with Formula cans so I dont have to feel like a jerk for throwing em out twice a week?