Support Saving Shelter Pets

Saving Shelter Pets is a wonderful organization that works super hard to rescue and place those wonderful dogs who find themselves in a Shelter through no fault of their own.

Starting today, October 27, they are holding an auction to raise funds and one of my necklaces is on the auction block for you to win!!!

Bid on goodies through November 21 and get them in time for Christmas. There's even a diamond pendant!!!

Their goal is to raise $2,500 and I hope we can help make it happen. I've already started bidding ... don't outbid me okay? *grin*

Saturay - Stamp Out Hunger

Mark your calendars! This coming Saturday, May 10th, in the U.S. the National Association of Letter Carriers with USPS will be collecting non-perishable food items for their annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive.

Place your food donation at your mailbox on May 10th before your letter carrier arrives and the food will be delivered to local food banks. No expired items or glass containers though.

I did this last year and had so much extra food that we just did not need that I had to drive my donation to our post office. There was no way to leave it all out for our postal lady. Plus I think it was raining...boxed goods and rain do not mix.

Ideas for food to donate:

• Canned Soup
• Canned Meats and Fish
• Pasta
• Canned Vegetables
• Cereal
• Rice
• Canned Milk

I tend to always buy more than we need, especially when things are on sale so this is the perfect opportunity to clean out our shelves and help others. :) Especially now-a-days when food banks are so low on supplies. Things always seem to fill up around the holidays but folks still need to eat during the rest of the year. =)

Challenged

Well, the challenge has been thrown down! And I think I may just accept. I love my local shelter - I adopted three cats and a dog from them back in the day (of the four...two are still with us!). I have some food in our garage for cats and dogs that they aren't eating. I wonder if they'll take opened food bags.

Absolutely True blog is challenging everyone to donate their weight in food to help animals in shelters.

In honor of my cat Sherbert who jumped from his shelter kennel onto my shoulder and demanded to be taken home! He escaped one night (he was smart...he OPENED the freaking screen door!) and we think he got eaten by a hawk or owl or some sort of animal. We only found fur. I cried for two weeks.

Fire Scares Me!

Of all the natural disasters out there that could affect me, flooding and fire scare me the most. Earthquakes I can handle. Windstorms, fine. Even a volcanic eruption wouldn't scare me too badly unless it actually caused a fire.

The fires in California freak me out and I feel so horrible for all those affected. I cannot imagine being so helpless and unable to defend my home. I asked my hubby yesterday, "can you imagine losing this?" pointing to our home and all our comfort. We are so blessed.

In my inability to help, I found a fabulous person who is selling donated items to raise funds for those in need affected by the fires. I donated a pair of my earrings...

As soon as the link to purchase them is up I'll add it. In the meantime, here is Merimello's Etsy shop with a couple of other donated items up for sale.

I know that some of the folks in Cali are well off financially, but I don't care how rich you are - losing your home like this is devestating and traumatic. Even the smallest kindness means so much. I hope that my donation can help provide a little comfort.

Honoring the Bracelet Lady

So, I ranted yesterday about the whole pink and breast cancer awareness as an ad gimick thing. But I really do care - honest. Not because it's breast cancer but because it's cancer at all. My father died of colon cancer which had then spread to his whole body. Cancer is an ugly and painful invasion for all involved.

While I won't be making things to sell, I am going to participate in a bracelet making project. And you can play too!

Cagey Crafters is an online forum for those crafty jewelry types among us. One of our wonderful moderators found this story about a woman, Lisa Fewox, who started a bracelet campaign in Jacksonville FL. She didn't have cancer and noone in her family had cancer but she felt compelled to do this. Her efforts touched people's lives and made them better.

Then one day...ironic tragedy struck. Brain cancer. Violent and harsh reality.

But her spirit lives on! Our group is making bracelets in Lisa's name. Our donations will be sent to the news station and distributed as per Lisa's legacy. Will you contribute?

Starting to Hate Pink

It's October. I think of Halloween - orange and black. But it's turning Pink! I know what I'm about to say is completely politically incorrect and probably will horrify at least half of you. Sorry bout that.

I am sick of Breast Cancer Awareness. I'm just tired of seeing ads. I'm sick of companies trying to convince me to buy something because it's pink. I saw Campbell's Chicken Noodle soup in PINK yesterday!!!

Let me clarify. I think my reasons are logical.

Cleary, any kind of cancer is horrible, sad, and a tragedy for all involved. But why is breast cancer so much worse than any other kind of cancer that we need a whole month devoted to it? Is it because it involves women? More women die of heart disease than of breast cancer - heart disease is actually the #1 killer of women. More women die from lung cancer. More women die from Digestive system cancers (stomach, colon, etc.).

Heart disease is actually the number one cause of death for all Americans - male and female. And I don't think there's a whole month devoted to heart disease (is there? edit - there is...it's February!).

So there's that. But also, I just have issues with all the "buy this item and we'll donate" marketing. I realize that it's a feel good way to get people to buy your stuff - "buy my item and you'll be happy with the item and even happier because some of your money will go to a good cause."

That's great - but can't I just give my money directly to the cause and it will have an even greater benefit? Plus, how do I know what organization you're giving to? It could be one with 90% overhead!

*sigh* I know...some of you are probably screaming at your computer. Please relax. I'm not trying to belittle the tragedy of breast cancer. But it's no more a tragedy or life altering experience than colon cancer. Both are going to change the lives of all involved.

And lest anyone accuse me of being insensitive (which happens a lot) I do donate to Susan G Komen foundation every year. But I don't sing it from the rafters because I have issues with people / organizations who "brag" about their donations. I feel it's a private matter (more on that someday later).

So go shop...but at least support small and indie businesses. They seem to give more per $1 spent than the big corporations.

Women Of Hope
A Planet 4 Creation
ZeVin Creations
Anna Bella
Rotem Gear

As for me, I'll be making some breast cancer specific jewelry - but I'm not selling them - they'll be given away. So you can't buy them from me. Sorry. :)

Be Healthy!