Outside Fish Tank Idea

What do you do with no place for a pond, but a yearning for goldfish? Made due with what you got!
That's right- I bought a 10 gallon fish tank from Walmart last year for some fish. However, the tank got way too big for my tiny room, and I was forced to give the fish to a friend- all except four of my favorites. They are now in a little two gallon tank on my bookshelf. But, I just adore fish and I really have been thinking about how I could have more.
Well, during a cleaning of the garage last week, I found the long-lost fishtank and the air pump. I set it aside and thought to myself, "Okay, this is a good start!" Then, yesterday in the cleaning of my room, I found some extra plants and a ton of aquarium rocks that I'd saved from before. Anyway, with two dollars in my wallet, I got an idea!
I had cleaned out a shelf in my room that I didn't need anymore. I had no idea where to put it, and was just going to stash it away in storage. That's when the idea hit me- put the shelf under my window, put the fish tank on it, and have an out-of-ground "pond". So, I leveled the dirt, placed the shelf, cleaned the little rocks, planted the plants, and set the bubbler and air pump up. I ran down to the pet store and bought as many gold fish as I could with the $2.00 cash I had on me. After 20 minutes, the fish were ready to be released into the water. So, I let them go and oh, they are so happy! 15 little gold fish were adopted today, and are so happy in their new home!

Living in this part of California, I've learned that the weather is mild enough for anything to live outside all year round. I garden all year, so I know the fish will be so happy. Under the window is my garden area. I have all sorts of plants and flowers back there.
Anyway, I'm going to use the shelf for little knick-knacks I pick up, and potted plants.
So, if you feel like you are wanting fish outside, but don't have a place for a pond, get a shelf and make a spot for it outside, got a fish tank and set one up! 10 gallon fish tanks at Walmart are around $12. And goldfish, well, they are always cheap. Look at junk stores for aquarium supplies, aquarium rocks, etc. Fish are really an inexpensive pet to have, no matter if you buy your supplies new or secondhand.
To clean the tank, change out 2/3 of the water once a week. And, I'll be feeding these little guys regular gold fish food, but if mosquito's start to lay larva in the tank, I'm sure the little goldies will take care of them!
Fish are so whimsical and beautiful. They make me so happy and I can't get enough of them. I think when I graduate, I'd love to work for the Fish and Game right away, at a fish hatchery as a technician. Hands on, working with fish all day... I'd love it. :)
Thanks for reading! Let me know if you like the tank... do you have ideas of what other things to put on the shelves?
Slainte!
Blair.~

North Coast Decorating

Good afternoon from Northern California!

As I wrote in my earlier post, I am starting college soon. Next week, to be exact! I am in the process of completely deep-cleaning my room and redecorating for the new season. I have a new desk that I set up under my window, so that I could be able to do homework there, do my make-up, etc. I have gone through my belongings and decorated in a very beautiful North Coast fashion. Let me show you what I have done, and share with you what you could do if you are looking for a vintage, ocean, California themed workspace.

First off, I am in love with Cannery Row. Anyone read the old Steinbeck novel? Yep, that's where it all started for me. I love the story, and I adore the movie (With Nick Nolte)! Anyway, I also LOVE vintage things! Just love them... my mom knows about these loves of mine, and she told me she had been to Cannery Row years ago. She said that they had dishes with the logo of the sardine factory on them. I was all excited and set out on eBay and Etsy to see if I could find an old dish with Cannery Row on it. Sadly, I searched the internet over and could not find anything! I went on with my decorating, living with the fact that I'd probably never find a dish. That next week, a package arrived in the mail with my name on it. I opened it and WOW! There was this adorable Canny Row Sardine dish AND two unused lids from the factory that were ment to be sealed on a can of sardines. My wonderful mother had surprised me, and oh, how I treasure those items! So, my desk is now fashioned around my Cannery Row items.

In this dish, I keep my rings and my favorite hairclip. Also, a pendant with gold flakes is in there for when I feel like changing out a gold chain to wear it.

The next thing I got set up is a ships wheel (helm) earring holder. I don't know exactly what this was originally intended to be used for, but I use it now to keep the earrings hanging up nicely. I got it at a junk store a while ago. I kept it for a long time, not knowing what to use it for. I almost sent it back to the junk store at one point. Now, I'm thinking, "What in the world was I considering?!"  What a treasure, and so perfect for this spot in the room.

Next, I'd like to share this little whale. I don't know what she is used for, either! An ash tray, maybe? A place to put paper clips, or a place to put.... something? Her mouth is completely open wide, and hollow inside. I got her for 25 cents at a garage sale! Anyway, I just use her now for decoration atop my mini-cabinet. (The mini cabinet is used to hold special things- a mouse measuring tape from my grandmother, a glass dolly bootie I found at Glass Beach, a pin from the logging company that shut down years ago... and things like that.)
 

Underneath the mini cabinet is the Sardine dish, a green Shenango Railroad China butter pat from God-only-knows how old, an old Pyrex dish with a gren-blue rooster and scene on the front, and a tiny little wooden box my grandpa made.

In the butter pat, I put the earrings I wear all the time in the butter pat. I would put them on the helm, but most of the time when I'm getting ready, it's grab a pair and put them on it the car! Does anyone know what I'm talking about? :)
In the little box, I keep my bobby pins. And I haven't found a use for the Pyrex dish, but it's so cute and sweet, that I couldn't resist putting it out. I got that at a junk store, too. I'm sure I'll find something to put in it! Lipsticks, perhaps? Or a Carmex stick? Or hair ties? What do you guys think?
And then, there are my favorite necklaces. From left to right: A scrimshaw on bone necklace I got off of eBay. $20- an awesome find for the vintageness and the quality. Then, the circle of dolphins I found at a junk store (imagine that!) for only $10. It's sterling silver, which is really nice. The humpback whale is also .925 silver, and is something I got off of eBay. It was $30, but I LOVE the necklace. And the last one is a Russian Orthodox cross from the St. Seraphim of Sarov Orthodox Church in Santa Rosa, CA. My uncle attends there, and he bought me this beautiful necklace for my birthday. I haven't found a place to hang them yet, but I'm working on it!
I went to the beach and collected a bunch of driftwood. I'm thinking I can use that to make a sort of necklace hanger, but we'll have to see!
That is everything for what's on my desk. If you are here looking for ideas of how to decorate in a vintage, seaside chic fashion, I hope I have inspired you. If you just don't know where to start, look for anything that is in the cool blue hues, soft browns and deep reds. A pure, clean white is also really great to look for. Junk stores are treasure troves of vintage goodies. You just have to hit them on the right day, when you are suppose to be there. When you get there, you'll find just what you're looking for and it will be such a blessing! That's been my experience in the past. I've have days at the thrift stores where I don't find anything at all, but there are some days I go and I know I was meant to buy a little something or two that makes my heart happy.
I hope you can find treasures along the way- from family, junk stores, friends, or garage sales- and use them to make beauty in your work space. Every single item on my desk is important to me. I have aquirred many treasures for years, and it makes my heart so happy to be able to use them and look at the everyday.
I'd love to know your thoughts on this post! Let me know what you think.
Have a beautiful day, and thank you for reading!
Slainte!
Blair.~

 

College books... too expensive!

Okay, so any young college person knows that book are expensive. I mean, really... $500 for a calculus book is just out of sight. I did some looking around at my college bookstore and their prices were just outrageous. And, everyone tells you to go online and try to find the books cheaper.
So, I was off, clicking and searching like a mad woman for my books cheaper on Amazon.com. I am taking meteorology, oceanography, environmental science and business... and the books were STILL over one hundred dollars each.
Does anyone know what I'm talking about? :) College is so expensive. I have spent three years in college, and I'm going back now to finish it out and get that degree. I think I really get the concept of LIKING what you do for the rest of your life. College is truly an investment.
What is everyone studying and are you excited about going back after a long summer? It's been a year and a half break for me. Now that I'm in California and know what I want to do with my life, I've proven to the state that I'm here for good, and they granted me in-state tuition. The ocean is right here- only half a mile from my home- and I think it's the perfect time in my life to take advantage of the college here and get that degree.
I'm going to fly off on a tangent here... I was working 40+ hours a week here on the Mendocino coast, killing myself at my job to try to make enough to sustain myself- and it STILL wasn't enough money have even pay for an apartment! Not to mention food, electric, water, and everything else. Thank God for my precious mom, who is letting me live with her now. My point is, college is SO important for establishing a future for yourself. That piddly $9.00 an hour job was not going to support me. And I was just killing myself trying to make a few bucks.
Anyway, if you are feeling discouraged about college, know that you are not the only one! All summer, I spent thinking that I could take break from college for a little while longer, while breaking my back at a convenience store, until it just hit me that enough is enough and I need to get that degree. It's just an associates degree- but it's better than nothing! It shows potential employers that you are a dedicated person, that you have applied yourself and got through the classes, the homework, the grueling late nights studying, the horrid stress of mid-terms and finals, and that you have given your best shot to get good at something... AND spent your money for that degree!
Don't give up! Psych yourself up for the long-haul. Also, if I could give one piece of advice for college bound people, take a fun class! Take something that you know you can look forward to each week. I am taking a meteorology class for fun. (Sounds crazy!) But, I love that kind of stuff and I know through the sciences and other required classes that aren't the most fun, I can look forward to that meteorology class!
Anyway, back to Amazon for book buying! I am grateful that we have Amazon, because beggars can't be choosers when it comes to college text book prices. :)
Slainte!
Blair.~

Greetings!

Good day!
I would like to start this blog off with introducing myself and letting you know what will be coming in future posts. :)
My name is Blair McCann. I'm 21 and live in Northern California. I am an Irish musician studying oceanography, living with my family. I spend so much time playing music, going to the ocean, gardening, cooking (gluten free!), reading and writing. And, the occasional favorite movies when I feel that need to watch them! :)
I hope to share my thoughts and ideas with you. And poems, recipes, book reviews, and whatever else might be going on! This may be a small town on a big coast, but there is a lot that goes on here.
Please stay tuned for my next post!
Sláinte!