reusable

you know the feeling when you reach into that old pair of jeans that you decided to wear to paint the living room and you find a $10 bill. no matter that you had the money before, and it's still your money... so you're really no richer. that's not important. the important thing is - you found 10 bucks. today is a good day

kind of like when you realize that that old old shirt that your grandma gave your mom 10 years ago and is buried somewhere in a closet will be perfect for the craft project you are working on

or suddenly that old bench looks like a brand new one with a fresh coat of paint and a new cushion

there are lots of examples - the old wooden wheelbarrow that's now a garden object. your husbands old workboot that you've planted a flower in. a set of coffee tables you've stripped and re-finished. some old clothing you've reused to make the best. costume. ever.

yes - resuable things are a thing of beauty.

they bring about almost the same feeling as when you find $10 in your pocket. it doesn't matter what it was SUPPOSED to be used for. no matter that it's been sitting there, ignored, for wh0-knows-how-long. all that matters is that it's been found and can serve a new.... and glorious purpose.

why am i thinking all this?

my bridesmaid dress. i was in a wedding in May of this year(for my wonderful wonderful friend carolyn) and the dresses were beautiful. purple with a sweetheart neckline. the thing is - it's been sitting in my closet since May. and it's beautiful ... but it's long and fancy. so i've had no occasion to wear it.

until now.

last night my mom chopped off my bridesmaid dress. when i say 'chopped' i really mean - cut & re-sewed into a cute above-the-knee purple dress. yes i was poked and prodded. yes i was pinned in a number of places. and yes it was a "bit" of work for my mom.

but my dress sitting all alone in the closet has now been re-used.

say hello to the - i just found money in my pocket feeling!!