Activism

“You’re either an activist or an inactivist. I want to stop this.”

-Ric O'Barry

I hate being an inactivist, dammit.

June Already

Phew! I can't believe that it's June. Where did spring go? The weather has been so strange lately - back and forth between super hot and days of rain - so summer was able to sneak up on us quickly this year. This weekend I've been lazy, next weekend will be Honfest, and the week after next I'll be home in Ohio. Time is moving so fast.

Unrelated, my hair is super long. I don't know how it happened. It's really too long for my taste at this point, but I measured it last week, and, well... I've decided to keep growing it all summer and then donate it to Locks of Love. I'm super nervous about having short hair once its cut, but most of the work is already done so it's silly to let that stop me. It will be a nice thing to do. It's all about the karma. :)

Speaking of doing good things, I think I've decided that all fundraisers will be delayed until I return from Ohio. I did two in a row, and the next four weeks are already looking pretty full. I have my next theme all picked out, though, so hopefully you all will be feeling generous by mid-July.

That's all. I'm off to eat, watch a movie and crochet. Now I'm working on two blankets at a time - with two (one for Cassie and one for Baby Prevatt) scheduled for the next few months. Anyone else need a blanket?

Oh... photos from today at the park.

BARCS Fundraiser

So this is it... my entire back seat is filled with towels and sheets for BARCS. There are so many back there that I honestly have no clue how many I have. It will be interesting to unload them... and, of course, present the towels and sheets with the check from Della Rosa's Tavern who also decided to support our little project. I've proud of you, friends! You came through! Woo-hoo!

BARCS Fundraiser

Major success last night collecting towels and sheets for BARCS Animal Shelter.  And what's better - there's still more coming because a number of people couldn't make it.  Thank you to everyone for making the night both fun and productive.  This city has a lot of stray and surrendered animals to take care of, and you should feel good that we're doing our part.

Note: If anyone has any donations, let me know ASAP, and I'll come pickup.

Tiffany and I - so good to see you!!

Casey and I

My BFFs - Jill and Rob

A whole backseat full of towels and sheets! So far, so good!

The 32 Project

I'm still at a loss on the last three... but I've been making progress overall.

1. Finish watching the Top 100 movies. 60 down, 40 to go.
2. Charity: April 17th Formal Wear Happy Hour DONE! 45 dresses collected!
3. Charity: April 19th March for the Animals DONE! $343k raised!
4. Learn how to drive stick shift. This one is on Casey.
5. Lose the weight. Four pounds down.
6. Volunteering: Habitat for Humanity Waitlisted for two dates.
7. Charity: Tree Planting/Trash Pick Up. DONE! 8 trees!
8. Volunteering: Pets on Wheels w/ Antonio?
9. Visit NYC/Have Jodi visit. Working on dates.
10. Meet Joey Mac. June 23rd Tickets obtained!
11. Try making crab bisque.
12. Organize an Ohio reunion. Email sent.
13. Go somewhere other than OH and NYC.
14. Read at least four books. Page 382 of 1014 in 'A World Without End' now.
15. Digi scrapbook something.
16. Buy fishnets (long story).
17. Try Yoga with my BFF.
18. See 'HEART' Live in Bmore! May 17th Tickets purchased!
19. Go through the stuff in my storage unit and SIMPLIFY. Flea market scheduled!
20. Go to an amusement park. Cedar Point, anyone?
21. Find somewhere to take voice lessons. Email back from one voice teacher with info on private lessons. $50 an hour. Yikes.
22. Choose an Armed Forces charity. DONE! My ABCs... fundraising happy hours to come.
23. Start hiking. This one is on Katie.
24. Visit Marie (and get the Taylors to come here)!
25. See the Orioles! One game for work in the works ~ June 17th.
26. Eat in Greektown. Recommendations? Volunteers? Jill?
27. Pick crabs! Six years in Bawlmer - it's about time I try. This one is on CJ.
28. Make more blankets! Of course, in progress!
29. Plan a Star Trek movie night! May 8th! DONE!
30. tbd?
31. tbd?
32. tbd?

The 32 Project

This project is still a work in progress, but I'm finding more things to do as my 32nd birthday nears.  Volunteers for activities welcome!

1. Finish watching the Top 100 movies. 60 down, 40 to go.
2. Charity: April 17th Formal Wear Happy Hour DONE! 45 dresses collected!
3. Charity: April 19th March for the Animals DONE!
4. Learn how to drive stick shift. This one is on Casey.
5. Lose the weight.With Jill's help.
6. Volunteering: Habitat for Humanity Waitlisted on two dates.
7. Charity: Tree Planting/Trash Pick Up. Scheduled for tomorrow.
8. Volunteering: Pets on Wheels w/ Antonio?
9. Visit NYC. Working on dates.
10. Meet Joey Mac. June 23rd
11. Try making crab bisque.
12. Organize an Ohio reunion. Email sent.
13. Go somewhere other than OH and NYC.
14. Read at least four books. Reading 'A World Without End' now.
15. Digi scrapbook something.
16. Buy fishnets (long story).
17. Try Yoga with my BFF.
18. See 'HEART' Live in Bmore! May 17th Tickets purchased!
19. Go through the stuff in my storage unit and SIMPLIFY.
20. Go to an amusement park. Cedar Point, anyone?
21. Find somewhere to take voice lessons. Email back from one voice teacher with info on private lessons. $50 an hour. Yikes.
22. Choose an Armed Forces charity. Information packet received and under review.
23. Start hiking. This one is on Katie.
24. Visit Marie (and get the Taylors to come here)!
25. See the Orioles! JJT?
26. Eat in Greektown. Recommendations? Volunteers? Jill?
27. Pick crabs! Six years in Bawlmer - it's about time I try. This one is on CJ.
28. Make more blankets! Of course, in progress!
29. Plan a Star Trek movie night! Facebook event created.
30. tbd
31. tbd
32. tbd

The 32 Project Semi-Complete

Okay - so this is my list so far. Things are being added and dropped so I think it's going to have to be a flexible list. I'm still short of my goal for 32 projects, but it's okay to add items as I discover them, right?

1. Finish watching the Top 100 movies. 58 down, 42 to go.
2. Charity: April 17th Formal Wear Happy Hour DONE! 45 dresses collected!
3. Charity: April 19th March for the Animals DONE!
4. Learn how to drive stick shift. This one is on Casey.
5. Lose the weight.With Jill's help.
6. Volunteering: Considering Habitat for Humanity
7. Charity: Tree Planting/Trash Pick Up. May 3rd 
8. Volunteering: Pets on Wheels w/ Antonio?
9. Go somewhere. PEI? Anywhere?
10. Meet Joey Mac. June 23rd
11. Try making crab bisque.
12. Organize an Ohio reunion.
13. Visit NYC.
14. Read at least four books (Reading 'A World Without End' now.)
15. Digi scrapbook something.
16. Buy fishnets (long story)
17. Try Yoga with my BFF
18. See 'HEART' Live in Bmore! May 17th Tickets purchased!
19. Go through the stuff in my storage unit
20. Go to an amusement park. (Cedar Point, anyone?)
21. Find somewhere to take voice lessons - it's time to get back in the game!
22. Choose an Armed Forces charity to collect for. Looking...

Ten more to think up... yikes.

March for the Animals: Year THREE!

This year was our third year participating in the SPCA's March for the Animals. The weather was great - overcast, yes, but bright, 65 degrees-ish and breezy. This year Antonio was lucky to walk with his Aunt Jill (thank you!), and I walked Rilee to help build my strong arm muscles. Not sure how much was raised yet this year (it takes a few days for them to know), but it really felt worthwhile, and the dogs are TIRED. Nicole and I actually dropped off Antonio at home and took Delilah and Rilee to Craven's Cabana so that we could have a quick beer.

So I have loads of pics, but I'm including the cuter ones here.

Rilee and Delilah getting much needed water at a water station.

Antonio when he FINALLY thought he made it to the front of the pack. You could just feel how proud he was!

Antonio and his momma (like my sunburn?)

Nicole and her girls - Rilee and Delilah (where's Waldo Antonio?)

The Prevatts - Rob, Jill and Rocky (AKA "Rockstar")

Formal Wear Happy Hour Results!

Congratulations, everyone! Last night we collected 29 dresses for the Junior League of Baltimore! 29! That brings up to a total of 42 dresses to date, with more due on Monday. WOW! Thank you to everyone who attended - I really appreciate your support (and it was pretty great to see you as well)!

"Look at all of these dresses!"

Partners in crime

Happy Hour is 24 Hours Away!

Don't forget about the Formal Wear Happy Hour tomorrow - we are collecting dresses for the Junior League of Baltimore!

Who: Me & Betsy
What: Formal Wear Happy Hour!
When: Friday, April 17th 6 PM
Where: Della Rosa's in Canton (21224)
Why: Fundraiser!

The Junior League of Baltimore is hosting “A Dress to Remember” Special Occasion Dress Sale for local teens and their parents preparing for proms, graduations and other formal events. For those of you unfamiliar with this organization, the Junior League is a volunteer organization for women interested in making a positive impact in their communities.

In order to help out my friend who is a member of the League, B and I are hosting a Formal Wear Happy Hour to collect donations. They aren't looking for money!! The Junior League of Baltimore needs donations of formal, prom, bridesmaid and white dresses, as well as shoes and accessories, so here's the deal:

In order to participate in our Happy Hour, I'm asking that each person bring one dress to show support. The MINIMUM is one dress - participate further by collecting dresses from your other friends and bringing them to the Happy Hour - I'll make sure my friend gets each and every one for the Dress Sale! Thank you in advance and see you there!

Reader Poll: Dress Count

Okay readers... I have ELEVEN dresses in my living room now (Thanks mom, dad and Cassie!). There are 11 confirmed attendees for Friday's happy hour, another 15 responded as maybe, and 3 guys at work that I'm harassing for dresses. How many dresses do you think we'll collect?

A. 25 dresses or less
B. 26-35 dresses
C. 36-45 dresses
D. More than 45 dresses

HINT: If you are reading this now, you can help me with this number!

Mark Your Calendars!

Who: Me & Betsy
What: Formal Wear Happy Hour!
When: Friday, April 17th 6 PM
Where: Della Rosa's in Canton (21224)
Why: Fundraiser!

The Junior League of Baltimore is hosting “A Dress to Remember” Special Occasion Dress Sale for local teens and their parents preparing for proms, graduations and other formal events. For those of you unfamiliar with this organization, the Junior League is a volunteer organization for women interested in making a positive impact in their communities.

In order to help out my friend who is a member of the League, B and I are hosting a Formal Wear Happy Hour to collect donations. They aren't looking for money!! The Junior League of Baltimore needs donations of formal, prom, bridesmaid and white dresses, as well as shoes and accessories, so here's the deal:

In order to participate in our Happy Hour, I'm asking that each person bring one dress to show support. The MINIMUM is one dress - participate further by collecting dresses from your other friends and bringing them to the Happy Hour - I'll make sure my friend gets each and every one for the Dress Sale! Thank you in advance and see you there!