What's more fun than a bucket of baby toads?

Guess how long the oldest known toad lived?

36 years

Short version: I drove up to Summit Lake Park today (about 110km from my house).

A whole bunch of us collected baby toads in buckets, had them checked,

and counted, then we delivered them to the other side of the Highway,

so they can continue their migration safely.

NOTE: I thought that with all these little toads around, it would be easy to get

a good photo of just one... wrong!

They are adorable, but I couldn't get even one to hold still long enough

for a descent photo,

( we didn't want to handle them more than necessary).

If you're so inclined, they'll be doing it again on Thursday (Aug 25/11).

These little guys are free again, to continue their way up the mountain...

Good luck little dudes!

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So... "What's more fun than a bucket of toadlets?"

Well a tub of them... of course!

A little surprise on the bulletin board

While on my lunch break at work today, I stopped outside the Touchstones Museum -

to see what's on their bulletin board.

There was a lovely little surprise, and I had to take a closer look.

It was a little brown furry thing.

Yup a little bat, sleeping the day away in a cool shaded nook,

with a thumbtack for an anchor.

Sweet dreams cutie.

Finished my big painting

Today I finished a painting I've been obsessed with for the last month or so.

It's called "Sanctuary from the shadows" (click to see photos of it in progress).

It's the 1st really big painting I've done, and I'm quite pleased with it, so of course I want to show it off a bit.

Finishing this painting, is like finishing an engrossing novel. It's bittersweet. Glad

it's done, but now that it is, I miss the characters I've gotten to know so well. Guess it needs

a sequel.

Another awesome Etsy buy

My "hippy fish" tote bag has arrived! I'm thrilled and it looks even better in person :)

Shopping- for a new purse.

Long story - shortened…

I splurged and bought a new, unique, handmade purse from GreenBeezArt on Etsy -for less than $40.00, because the handle broke on my 6 month old,

cheap purse. ------>

Here's a Treasury of some awesome purses I found on Etsy.

NOTE: (I'll add a photo of my new purse when it arrives.)

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The "I have a bit of time to read" version:

Don't you just love a good deal? I've found many at garage/yard sales, 2nd hand stores, bargain shops, or the sales section of any given store and even the occasional auction.

It's not often that I buy myself new things, or pay full price. I guess I'm just cheap… or financially challenged, or the to use the popular word "frugal". Whatever you call it, it's a way of life for me. "Re-use, re-cycle, re-pair" is my mantra.

I don't follow trends, I do my own thing and sometimes it becomes popular (trendy), of course by that time I've often moved on and am doing something else. Not sure if I'm ahead or behind, the times, and don't really care which.

Purses are on my mind theses days.

In the past 10 years I've had 5 purses: 3 black, 1 brown (tapestry) & a white one that I did some beading and embellishing on.

I know most girls like to have several purses for different occasions, or to go with different outfits. Not me. I have one purse and it is used mercilessly until it's so worn looking or starting to fall apart, that it's almost embarrassing. Then I usually spend days shopping for the perfect one- that looks new, at a thrift store, or like the last 2 … on sale at Walmart. I don't think I've ever paid more than $20.00 for a purse AND they usually last a year, two or sometimes more.

About 6 months ago, I bought a new purse (a black one with lots of sections) on sale for $10- at Walmart, and last week the handle broke. Luckily I was able to put it back together with a safety pin, but that's not going to last long, so I've been on the hunt for a new one.

Maybe it's the crappy weather, or the fact that I've got a bit of $ in my Paypal account (from some recent sales in my Etsy shop), anyhow I decided to buy one on-line… brand new & less generic than plain black or brown. It needs to be big enough to hold my wallet, camera, books, ladies stuff and the kitchen sink, should I need it.

I googled "Purses"… endlessly looking at photos and decided I should narrow down my search. Since I adore Laurel Burch designs, I was on a mission- searching on E-bay, Zibbet, and Etsy and so many sites that use her designer fabrics. I couldn't decide what I liked best… the Mythical horses, adorable cats, dogs, birds. OMG! Too many choices, it was overwhelming.

Well, I drove my husband crazy, becoming yet another plug-in to my computer. I got vertigo from endless scrolling up and down, looking at so many photos, styles, colours, designs, PRICES. I was getting downright obsessed, and with such an amazing array of purses at my fingertips I realized I could be shopping forever, and my safety pin wasn't going to last that long.

So, I narrowed it down some more: under $40.00, handmade, unique… and it's gotta be from another Etsy shop. Oh let's not forget it's gotta be already made, so I don't have to wait too long…there's that safety pin to think about, and shipping time to consider too.

Finally, on Saturday night I found a purse that I adored. Not wanting to make a rash decision, I got ready for bed & was gonna sleep on it.

Laying in bed, it occurred to me, that it was the only purse like it. I wouldn't be able to find one similar- anywhere! and if someone else bought it during the night, I'd be back to where I started! So I snuck out of bed (without waking Dave), and bought it.

Dave doesn't understand WHY I would take the time to write a blog about a purse, let alone shopping for one, but he's a man and has a different way of seeing things I guess. BUT he has a great way of calculating things…

so, at $36.00 (including shipping), if it lasts just a year, it only cost me 10 cents/day! For a purse I'll use everyday, all day, to work, to play. What a bargain! Besides, I think I'm worth it ; )

Now…. waiting & wondering if my safety pin can hold on for a few more days…

A white spider in my garden

About a month ago, I found a little white, crab spider on a rhododendron flower, in my garden.

I don't think it's an albino, but here's a link with lots of albinos.

I've never seen a white spider

before, perhaps they aren't very common?

I've checked on her/him a few times and she appears to have acquired pink markings, (if it's the same one) and stayed on the same bloom.

Then I found another one, on another bloom, so I know there are at least 2 of them in my garden.

I haven't seen the 2 spiders lately, but then my rhododendron has finished blooming,

and I can't find them there, maybe they moved?

UPDATE:

I was pleasantly surprised today, when I found a little white spider with pink markings, on my favourite roses.

A perfect opportunity for a photo shoot, featuring awesome coloured roses, and a pretty, little white spider.

I wish I had a better camera, but I'm still happy with some of the photos I took.

I know that many people hate spiders, so maybe I'm being optimistic, hoping you enjoy my pictures.

I think she's a beauty, just like this rose.

I think the other one has moved into my peonies now, or else I have

more white spiders than I thought.

How to make yourself feel good...

IMHO (In My Humble Opinion), one of the best ways to make yourself feel good, is by helping someone else and there are so many ways to do it. Open your eyes and look around… hold the door for someone, smile, say "hello", pick up a some litter, drop a quarter in an expired parking meter, save a hurt bird, help out a small local group with a donation of time, money, expertise or by telling others about their group! Here's some things I've done that make me feel good.

Let someone else go 1st. When I do a major grocery shop, I'm rarely in a hurry, and my cart is fully loaded. If another shopper gets behind me in line with only a handful of items, I often let them go ahead of me… I've done it many times. It makes me feel good, I don't have to rush and they're usually so pleasantly surprised… I know there's times I wish someone would do that for me, when I've only got a couple of items. Maybe it'll catch on?

This Thursday (June 30th), a small local group "Circle of Habondia Lending Society" is having an art auction fundraiser in Nelson, B.C., so I'm adding my support by donating a painting, and hope to attend the auction- our MLA Michelle Mungall will be the auctioneer!

(Update: July 1/11- the auction was a success, beautiful artwork at great prices!

I was thrilled that my little painting sold for $80.00, a nice contribution to a good cause.

A gentle, elderly lady bought it,- she looked so pleased... I know I was :)

My "Tulips" painting- up for auction June 30/11

I hope my little write-up here will help bring a few more people to the auction, or at least give some more exposure to them, and all the other small groups that help make our Communities... wherever they may be.

I've made signs for a small local event in Proctor for the past couple of years.

Every time I sell something in my Etsy shop, I donate a bit to our local SPCA - via the little cans at many local shops. No one even knows that I do that, but I know, and even though I won't get a Tax credit for it, it makes me feel good, and helps our no-kill shelter.

Twittering in the trees

I made my 1st donation of a painting, to B.E.A.K.S. our local bird saviours, when they had a silent art auction. That one cost me quite a bit, because there was a painting there I wanted so badly. But I was thrilled to win that painting, just like the lady who won mine!

Everyone wins in this kind of fundraiser. The buyer gets a work of art (usually at a great price), the seller gets more exposure (maybe even a Tax credit for the donation) and the group gets some hard to come-by funding. Everyone wins by participating.

So be a little selfish, make yourself feel good, and help someone else, every chance you get.