Yep-my roomies watched it, so I got parts of it here and there. It was like a pep rally.

Off to a kids homeless shelter in Indy this morning. I have a feeling I am going to learn a lot. And I have a feeling it is going to tear me up. I will probably write a lens about it tonight just to work through that. This has been a topic close to my heart for a long time, but this is the first time I am up close and at an actual shelter.

They want me to donate something for their silent auction. I am taking the poetry book I illustrated and am going to enquire as to what else I can give since that won't bring in much.

Hey there! Big day and I am finally back and ready to unwind.

This shelter is a bit different than the one you probably were working with. This one is faith based (no gov't involved). It is associated with a church that runs a thrift shop (every item is .25!!!) and a food bank.

They have an after school program with rooms for the kids to do their homework and then play.

They have another room dedicated to the homeless kids. The kids live on the streets but they can come here and work with the social worker to get their ID, GED, back into school, jobs etc. They can shower and eat from a fully stocked freezer any time they want. (Average age is 9!!!) They have support meetings etc., clothing, tons of resources.

It was not at all depressing other than the fact that you have to face it that there are kids out there like this. Often with parents on drugs or alcohol and the home becomes unbearable. They have been open for 9 months and have 32 homeless kids that drop in. They are pretty high profile, I guess. Politicians, news media...hot topic.

So...they are having a silent auction buffet ball Nov. 1 and I am donating items. Remember my rocking whale? That and our book will be donated to raise money. Now...I did not do this for publicity, but that will happen because of who is on the attendance list. That blew me away. I was thinking I was working with a much smaller project.

Whew. Emotional day...even though I was very business like with my information gathering etc.

Also, my poet friend has a poem that we are looking at donating to the cause...which means I get to illlustrate it. So there may be a poster in the works, or note cards etc. that can be sold to make money for them. We have started discussions about that.

I think my art career is taking off...it seems to be. In spite of myself. Last night we were in a workshop run by a huge national children's author, Rebecca Dotlich. She is interested in my furniture and we talked to her about doing some of her poetry and I will illustrate it for her granddaughter. Wow. What a thing! We will follow that up later this week.

I am just in a state of being a bit overwhelmed. So am going to chill a bit, then work on the Squidoo page for the shelter.

Easy way to support

American Express is funding this Members Project. However, you can register and nominate a project, even if you are not an American Express customer. Cell Phones for Soldiers', who provides calling cards for deployed military personnel, is one of my favorite charities. Help support them by nominating them for the American Express Members Project. And turn in all your old cell phones to any AT&T cell phone store for further support. AT&T also supports Cell Phones for Soldiers!
Thanks, Penny
http://pennysantiquesandwedgwoodpantry.chshops.com

To nominate, go to: http://www.membersproject.com/project/view/CR1QEM
For further info go to: http://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com

Thanks copperpenny! Just got a new cell phone (the palm centro -- oooo!) So have been thinking about what to do with my older but still good Razr. (I got tired of walking around with a phone, a palm, and my planner - trying to get it all onto one now.)

Oh...and the cool thing, if you are on Verizon and your contract is up for renewal, this expensive phone/palm can be obtained online after rebates etc. for only $50 and free shipping!!!! That was waaaayyyy cool!

I just remembered, in the past we have donated our phones to a local battered women's program.

Now I am torn. I will probably go with the battered women because of the need.

Not much on TV... other than (of course) "you know what".

And then the other potty (exceuse me, "party") does their thing next week.

Back in Washington DC until Saturday morning. From the sound of "the buzz" here, one would think that the Election is over.

But it ain't. *sigh*

Agree, Kenzy!!!

I live with 2 other gals and they like to watch the stuff. I feel like it is all a lot of blabber! I do read about it...but I can skim the reading. Don't like the hype and promises since they invariably get broken.

Ok...so I am cynical.

Anyway...working on a squidoo lens for my art work. And put my head set on so I couldn't hear the rah rah.

hey all...I did watch the convention...yup it was a pep rally...I still think Obama is the lesser of two evils...but that is just my 2cents.

As for donating we usually dontate lingerie to women's shelters and bras to Bras for a Cause...to raise money for breast cancer research...Besides that I just give clothing, household stuff to families in the community that need it. Then i know its getting to the right people. In calgary I find even thrift stores are getting too pricey for families who need the basics...so I would rather just get it to the family for free.

I am half done my fence....wooohooo...going to get outside and take advantage of the sunshine to get it finished...hope everyone is doing great!!

Good for you, Lori!!!! Good to see you pop in here!

I give to a women's shelter all the time. I live too far away from the children's shelter in Indy, so that is why I am doing distance support. However, I have found out that many of these organizations work together. And the community center that works with the kids, they switch over from shorts to winter clothing here shortly and donate all the summer stuff to Goodwill to move it out!!! I never knew that!

And they sell all of their items for .25 and still bring in around 1000.00 a month from that store (which takes care of the property costs since it is all volunteer.) Amazing to me. I had no idea. They also change out their stuffed animals and other items that might collect bugs if they sit too long.

Hey, Elgato! There is always some classic comedy movies on TV, such as the Three Stooges:



Hiya, Lori! Can we "borrow" some politicians from y'all? We seem to be scraping the bottom of the barrel.