Home Decor Tip - Redi Shade

I have an old house with large narrow casement windows, which means they leak heat, I also have a house close to my neighbors, and sometimes I never pull the curtains back (because I don't need to see my neighbors grey siding as a view. Getting custom window blinds is out of my reach, but I found a great site online for inexpensive but great looking pleated and celluar shades that you customize by trimming down with a large kitchen or utiility knife.



Designs are light filtering, or light blocking in natural and white, with custom options, but you can also customize your own shades by buying the most inexpensive style (starting at under $6) and using spray glue to attach papers, wallpapers or fabric of choice. Another great thing, most styles don't need any hardware, it's a very strong peel and stick, perfect if you live in rental housing, you can change out from the nasty old metal blinds (which are difficult to clean) and not have issues with your landlord on putting in nailholes.

If you have kids, most options are cordless, and the shades help insulate your windows.

I picked up four of the easy lift fabric shades, natural light filtering and it's amazing how much light they add to my space, plus the horizontal lines also help my small rooms to appear larger.

But here's the site, if you want to check them out. I'm gonna order the light blocking shades for my studio space (in a sunroom) and for the windows in the bedrooms of my house, eight windows for about $80!

Oh btw, also a green company, making it's products from sustainable sources, including recycled.

http://www.redishade.com/store/easy-lift.html

Willard Suitcases

Jon Crispin photographs suitcases left behind by patients who were committed into asylums (often for life) from 1910-1950



http://www.slate.com/blogs/behold/2013/02/25/jon_crispin_suitcases_from_the_willard_asylum_for_the_insane_photos.html

I'm makin jam

So I will let you know later how it turns out.

So much for personal freedom - if you are a woman in the US

Rep. Trent Franks, an Arizona congressman who introduced a House bill last week that would ban abortions after 20 weeks. His bill passed the House today -- just a few hours ago. Today's House bill won't pass the Senate and President Obama has stated categorically he would veto any bill that would ban abortions before the fetus is viable (at 24 weeks)

Republican-led state legislatures across the country are passing and trying to enact similar bills -- (which are being contested) Indiana, Arizona, Georgia, and seven other states.

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker signed a budget to strip funding from Planned Parenthood -- which for some women is their only option for preventive care like pap smears and mammograms. In their place they would direct women to fake pregnancy centers, that are not staffed by medical professionals, but funded by conservative and religious groups who pressure women, mislead them, and in some cases, threaten to tell family and friends about their pregnancies.

Ohio's Republican state legislature is considering a bill that would require doctors to tell their patients about a link between abortions and breast cancer -- which is never been proven.

122 provisions were enacted related to women's reproductive health and rights in the US 2012 alone.

Republican legislators ran on the promise of helping improve America's economy and job creation, yet are putting themselves to work in social experiments, limiting women's access to health care, and control of their own bodies, as well as stifling attempts for equal pay for women, and allowing loopholes for corporations to cite 'religious freedom' to deny their female employees (as well as State employees in Wisconsin) the benefits of full medical coverage, including abortion and contraceptives.