Donating Hope for the Holidays

H.O.P.E = Helping Other People Everyday
This organization was started by a couple of my good friends. It is a great way to help and make someone's holiday very special.

It's time for HOPE!

"As we enter our 5th year of preparing and sharing meals with our homeless population, we are looking forward to doing this with your help!" -Randy Bragdon

Please check it out.
facebook.com/HopeSanDiego

The Butterfly People Of Joplin

I read a truly inspiring story in the St. Louis Post Dispatch. It talked about butterfly people that were seen by children as the tornado devastated Joplin that fateful night. You don't need to be a religious person to realize that the stories are a positive way to deal with the magnitude of loss that affected so many people.

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/the-butterfly-people-of-joplin/article_cca48b1a-282b-587d-902b-cd5f09ca8516.html

Quote of the Day!!!

Never tell me the sky is the limit...when there are footprints on the moon.

Sorry!

Sorry, I haven't posted for a while. I was having some major issues with my computer so I bought a new one. Mine was a few years old anyways so I gave it to my son. Of course, I reset it to factory settings. He doesn't need to do that much on it, he's seven, but he can play games and use his learning programs. Now I have a new computer, I'm excited. =)

BE PREPARED!

My next door neighbor is a paramedic and today he got sent to Joplin, Missouri to help. The storms as of late have really scared me. I decided that I am going to be better prepared. I live in Missouri...it could have been my city that was destroyed, my family and friends that died or were injured. So much to think about and be grateful for.

My Checklist

• Devise a Plan for reconnecting family that is not together (kids may be in school, I may be at the grocery store, my husband may be at work, etc.)

• Gather Emergency Supplies and put supplies in basement. (bottled water, medicine, first aid kit, important papers, extra food, clothing, etc.)

• Make sure I have plenty of flashlights, batteries, candles, matches and lighters.

• Pack a bag for the kids with their toys, blankets, etc. These things will make them more comfortable. Anyone with kids knows this is important.

• I just bought some blow-up beds (Wal-mart/camping section) to put in the basement so if we are trapped, we have something other than the concrete to sleep on.

I know there is probably more, I just can't think of any at the moment. If you have any ideas, please let me know. I will hope for the best but prepare for the worst.

Positive Thinking

If you knew you could not fail at anything, what would you do?

Craftvism: Orphan Outreach

The creators of the Lark publication Craft Hope and blog have a new project in the works and are reaching out to DIY community for assistance. Each time pairing a project with a charity such as Doctors Without Borders or Audubon Nature Institute, Craft Hope has selected Orphan Outreach this time for Project 12, after learning the shocking statistics of the worldwide plight of today’s abandoned children.

“There are more than 143 million orphans around the world. The majority don’t live in orphanages, they live in communities. They live in extreme poverty and many are homeless.” –Orphan Outreach
This summer Orphan Outreach will be traveling to Russia, visiting orphanages in St. Petersburg and in the region of Leningrad to assist with children ranging from infant to teenagers that have been abandoned, neglected or abused. Craft Hope wants to send handmade bracelets to these children as a sign of our love and a small way to add some joy to their lives…universally loved, what child wouldn’t enjoy a cute bracelet?

If you would like to help, bracelets made of hemp, woven thread, beads or fabric will be accepted until June 15, 2011. Please mail completed bracelets to:

Carin Vogelzang
630 Griswold SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49507

www.handmadespark.com/blog/craftvism-orphan-outreach/