RIVERS and their care

We love the waterways of Georgia, and spend many hours in or near them. Conservation is very important. There are ways to get involved. 

Cindi with an Eye participated in the "Sweep the Hooch" event this year alongside Mr. Kip. It's run by the Riverkeepers. https://chattahoochee.org/sweep-the-hooch/ Our team collected over 40 bags of trash at the Island Ford hiking and biking area of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation area. Sweep the Hooch returns for the 16th year! This watershed-wide trash cleanup brings together hundreds of volunteers at dozens of parks, tributaries, and access points along the Chattahoochee River each year.

Eye am also donating an original painting titled "Walleye" for the annual meeting silent auction for the Upper Etowah River Alliance. All of the funds raised to purchase this painting will benefit river conservation. 

2026 UERA Annual Membership Meeting

April 11 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm at Jones Mercantile Building Downtown Canton

Upper Etowah River Alliance  https://www.etowahriver.org
Vision:
To inform, educate and partner with communities to work together to conserve, sustain and protect the environmental health and water quality of the Upper Etowah Watershed.

Mission:
Provide regional leadership, resources, consultation, education, training materials and events to protect, conserve, enhance and sustain the natural beauty, environmental and economic resources, and recreational opportunities of the Upper Etowah Watershed for present and future generations.

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Reclaim and Reuse - Art framing

Reclaiming Frames: Breathing New Life into Forgotten Pieces

There’s something deeply satisfying about rescuing an object that’s been overlooked, discarded, or forgotten. An old frame leaning in the corner of a thrift store. A stack of dusty pieces tucked away in a basement. A chipped, worn, or outdated object that most people pass by without a second glance. Where others see something finished, EYE see something waiting.

Reusing materials that still have so much life in them is more than a creative outlet—it’s a mindset. It’s about seeing potential instead of waste. It’s about honoring the history of an object while giving it a fresh purpose. And for me, it starts with the hunt.

The Thrill of the Find

There is an undeniable excitement in searching for pieces that others have let go of. Flea markets, estate sales, thrift stores, even curbside finds—these places are full of hidden gems. Old frames, in particular, are some of the most rewarding discoveries. They come in all shapes, sizes, and styles, often with craftsmanship that’s hard to find in modern mass-produced pieces. Mr. Kip and I love heading out on adventures to discover what is calling our names.

Seeing Beyond What Is

Reclaiming is an act of imagination. It requires you to detach from what the item used to be and envision what it could be. A dated gold frame can become a modern matte black statement piece. A damaged frame might benefit from repair or a cut down to a smaller dimension. A foxing fabric frame that is yellowing can be cleaned and painted (see the turtle frame, its painted).

The Process of Transformation

Breathing new life into an old item is both technical and intuitive. It might involve sanding, repairing, painting, or reconfiguring—but it also involves letting its character guide you.

There’s no single right way to do it. Each piece demands its own approach.

Why It Matters

In a world driven by convenience and constant consumption, reclaiming materials is a quiet act of resistance. It reduces waste, yes—but it also reconnects us to craftsmanship, to creativity, and to patience. Every reclaimed frame carries a story. When you choose to reuse it, you’re adding another chapter instead of closing the book. 

More Than Just Objects

What I love most about this process is that it reflects something bigger. It reminds us that things—and people—don’t lose their value just because they’re worn, outdated, or overlooked. With a little vision, care, and creativity, something once discarded can become something extraordinary.

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Painting my way back to myself

Life can be overwhelming. Not just too busy, or too expensive, or too demanding. or too much, but your body starts to revolt, and your priorities are blurred. Then all of the sudden you feel numb, hopeless, lost...

I turned 50 this year and had a revelation of sorts.

            some may say "mid-life crisis"

                        some may say "perimenopause"

                                   others may call it "depression"

                                                "identity confusion"   "loss of purpose"   "feeling less relevant"

DOES IT HAVE TO HAVE A LABEL?!

The answer is no.

DOES IT STILL HURT?

The answer is yes.

I quit my job. Took an ambulance ride. Stopped the world from spinning around me. Took a road trip. Reconnected with family. Went to too many doctor appointments. Breathed deeply. Read my Bible, like really read it, slowly and intentionally. I started therapy again. I slowly began to recognize myself again. Not the woman I was before I quit working, not the mom I was for the past 23 years, not the wife/partner I have been for close to 30 years. The person God created me to be. The person my family saw me as, not as I saw myself.

Now what?

I enrolled in a continuing Ed course at Kennesaw State University for Advanced Painting. The healing continues...

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Top 14 of 2014

Photography is still a passion and love of mine. 2014 brought some amazing images along with some new relationships with clients. Here's the top 14 of 2014.

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Cindi with an eye Photography receives "Best of Houzz 2014"

Cindi with an eye Photography receives "Best of Houzz 2014"

Feb 4, 2014

Houzz Announces “Best Of Houzz 2014” Winners

Third Annual Survey and Analysis of Community of 16 Million Monthly Users Reveals Top-Rated Remodeling Professionals and Design Trends

PALO ALTO, Calif., February 4, 2014 - Houzz (www.houzz.com), the leading platform for home remodeling and design, today announced the community’s picks for Best Of Houzz 2014, a homeowner to homeowner guide to the top home builders, architects, interior designers, contractors and other residential remodeling professionalson Houzz, both in the U.S. and around the world.

“By providing homeowners with the most comprehensive view of home professionals – from images of their work and client reviews to an opportunity to interact directly with them on the Houzz site and app – Houzz empowers homeowners to find and hire the right professional to execute their vision,” said Liza Hausman, vice president of community. “Each year, our community of homeowners and home design enthusiasts recognizes the home building, remodeling & design professionals delivering the best customer experience and the most inspiring and innovative designs.”

The Best Of Houzz award is given in two categories: Customer Satisfaction and Design. Customer Satisfaction honors are determined by a variety of factors, including the number and quality of client reviews a professional received in 2013. Design award winners’ work was the most popular among the more than 16 million monthly users on Houzz, known as “Houzzers,” who saved more than 230 million professional images of home interiors and exteriors to their personal ideabooks via the Houzz site, iPad/iPhone app and Android app. Winners will receive a “Best Of Houzz 2014” badge on their profiles, showing the Houzz community their commitment to excellence. These badges help homeowners identify popular and top-rated home professionals in every metro area on Houzz.

Top designs overall can be found here: http://www.houzz.com/user/bestofhouzz2014

About Houzz: Houzz is the leading platform for home remodeling and design, providing people with everything they need to improve their homes from start to finish - online or from a mobile device. From decorating a room to building a custom home, Houzz connects millions of homeowners, home design enthusiasts and home improvement professionals across the country and around the world. With the largest residential design database in the world and a vibrant community powered by social tools, Houzz is the easiest way for people to get the design inspiration, project advice, product information and professional reviews they need to help turn ideas into reality. For more information, visit www.houzz.com

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