The past three

Well, I did the MDA Lock Up (www.mda.org) and I have to say...I'm not a fan of that type of fundraising. I called a bunch of people and actually got three on the phone - none of whom, after talking to them, could I ask for money.

One had just been to the doctor for carpal tunnell and I learned her mother had died a month earlier. The second regaled me with a story about having to go to the hospital by ambulance and discovered a bad infection in a very personal place plus my mom accidentally backing into another car at the mall. The third was so stressed about her current living arrangement a impending career change...well, there was no way. All told though, I earned about $200 - that's enough for six kids to get a flu vaccine.

Then there was bowling on Saturday. I was totally dreading that. I hate wearing those shoes! Well, I only wore them for one toss and went sock footed the rest of the time. We figured we'd pay our $20 to the Boone County Coalition Against Domestic Violence (http://mk-mk.facebook.com/group.php?gid=49763803906) bowl 10 frames and blow out of there. But OH NO...we ended up making it into the finals and finally coming in second place. It was pretty fun though...except when I slipped and bounced on the floor. My hip still hurts.

I also picked up some school supplies to give to a friend to put in a donation drive, but when she showed up Monday to donate them, the drive was over. I suggested giving them to Children and Families of Iowa. (www.cfiowa.org/)

Also just got the opportunity to help build baskets and work the Claws and Paws Auction for Animal Lifeline (www.animal-lifeline.com). That event takes place Nov. 7 at the Hotel Ft. Des Moines. (Finally I'll get to unload the silent auction item I "purchased". (I made the purchase but got the wrong basket.)

Until next time!

Come and gone

Well the birthday came and went but not without a few surprises. First, my younger brother informed me two days prior to the event that no one would want to go home after the officially end of the party at the Lagniappe, so I pulled together something at my house. Thankfully, the nearby neighbor girl (an entrepreneur at heart) helped me clean up the yard on Friday in exchange for a donation to her spending money while visiting Tennessee a bit later this summer.

Secondly, the weather was unbelievably gorgeous.

And last but not least, Mom arranged for my one of my favorite singers, Tina Haase Findlay, and her husband/guitarist, Brandon (http://www.reverbnation.com/bellasoulmusic) came and sang a few quick songs before their 8 p.m. show. Too cool!

Oh...and a small, very cook Korean bracelet/gift from Tierney's co-worker, Bo, reminded me that I had donated a bunch of small toys and books for her to take with her on her trip to Korea earlier this spring. She gathered a bunch of people together to take up a collection to deliver to the orphanage where she once was a newborn.