Friday’s Fundraiser

I did not have the energy to do errands today. So after my eye doctor appointment I came home and made a lot of earrings for the Friday morning fundraiser for Eric’s day program.  I only have 5 more pairs to make for my promised 2 dozen.  Let’s just say I really prefer more than 2 weeks notice for making things for fundraisers.

Also since I can’t  commit to a full day Friday, the fundraiser will end around lunchtime.  All my earrings will be priced at $5.00 and the bracelets at $10.00.  This will be a good time to pick up something for mom and help a good cause.

The fundraiser will be at the Tucson JCC at the corner of Alvernon and Dodge.  That is unless you come in on the back side and use River Road. There is not a hard start time, but around 8:00 am to noon.

Also Eric and his friends made some great greeting cards and other art projects to sell. So please try to stop by and make it a sell out.  Usually the money goes to scholarships and supplies.

As usual 100% of the sale price for my jewelry will go to the day program.  Also if you have any tabs for Eric’s charity project they can be dropped off too.

Creative Spirit

I have been working with some fabulous jewelry designers from the Taglit Group at the Tucson JCC. They get to rummage through some of my beads and designing earrings which I then put together for them. They are coming up with some incredible designs that I would not even have considered. I usually try to keep my earring systematical. They are going asymmetrical and in all different ways because they have not learned the rules. I think that after working with these creative young people I will try to throw some of the rules out the window too. In the past few weeks most have also been shown the basics of weaving and are busy making Mug Rugs. Over the summer they were busy making dog toys and greeting cards.

This is all in preparation for our big spring bake sale, car wash and craft sale. This will all happen on March 11, 2014 in front of the Tucson JCC starting at 8 am. and running until 3 pm. The money raised will cover projects not covered by state funding or grants. It also show the young adults from the Taglit Special Needs  Program for Young Adults that they can create things that other people had not thought possible from them.

So I would like to urge everyone to stop by with a dirty car to be washed. A shopping list of gifts to buy for people and pets and room for some bake sale goodies. I might even have a few hand crafted items available with the total purchase price of my items going to the Taglit Program.

If you can't stop by, but would still like to help this great group of young adults with special needs just follow the links and make a donation. For cash donations follow this link and indicate Inclusion on your donation form. If you can make an in-kind donation follow this link to Wish List. If you would like to order some Greeting Cards that are sold in packages of five, please use the link.

I would like to thank you in advance for your support. This means a lot to Eric and his friends.

A Poll

The World CP Challenge has given my body a kick start that it needed. I am finding that not only do I have to walk 10,000 steps a day but I need to add other exercise too, in order for the scale to go down and the inches away. In this challenge I am trying to keep up with a friends 8 year old son who does Martial Arts 3 days a week. As you might have guessed he is ahead of me. As of this blog post hes has 313,532 steps and I have 293,198 steps. So I am not that far behind him. Only 20,334 steps. We are at the end of week 3 and have one more week to go.

Since I have been really bad at fund raising for this challenge, I would like to run an informal poll. yes i know Polls are BORING. If you think my friends son will continue to out pace me and leave me in the dust, so to speak use the World CP Challenge button on the right side of this blog and donate $2.00 to Matthew's Team at UCP of Southern Arizona. If you think that I have an ice cubes chance of not melting on a typical summers day here in Tucson donate $2 to Team Eric.

As of this writing Matthew's Team has a fund raising balance of $0.00 dollars and Team Eric has a fund raising balance of $110.00. I will use these numbers as the virtual zero dollar starting point. We would like to raise at least $500 per team.  All money raised will go to help people with Cerebral Palsy and other disabilities here in Southern Arizona. So with 1 week to go do you think that I can not only catch up to my friends son, but also manage to inch ahead by a few step or do you think he will continue to leave me in the dust.

The voting is now open.

Busy

It was another busy day around here, with no stop action. The only time I had to sit was in class, making earrings and blogging. Everyting is just about ready to go to the JCC tommrow from 10 to  2. . I just have a few things to tag so back to work I go. TTFN.

A Very Busy Day

Well after another long night with Eric, it was nap time this morning when he went to his day program. After a few hours of really deep slumber it was caffeine with sugar time. After that kicked in, I spent the next 2 1/2 hours cleaning and throwing.  Finding a few things I needed but a lot that I did not. At least 4 loads went out to the recycling barrel today. Thank goodness the trash company emptied it this morning or it would have over flowed and they just don't like that. I even inspired John to add to his to do list getting rid of papers we don't need. He now has to keep up with me in the cleaning.

 After being married for so long I never thought it would happen. John has always been the neat organized one. I come from generations of pack rats. Keeping everything because you never know when you will need this gizmo or that empty jar. I am now finding that the neater and less cluttered the house is the more time I have to craft. Plus it takes me a lot less time to find things. I have more free time too.  I have not told John this yet but he is right and has been right all along.

I also had time for some finishing work today. I wove in and trimmed all the loose yarn. When I manage to get everything tagged and photographed I can add over 1,000 rows to my 1 Million Row Challenge.

I did find time this afternoon to start making the earrings for Wednesday. So far 4 pairs are finished. Since I will not have time to make all the earrings that I had hoped to, I will be adding a new component to Wednesdays fundraiser for Taglit. For a donation of $25.00 to the Taglit Day program, I will make you a custom pair of earrings on the spot. You will get to choose the components and no one else will have anything like it. So be sure to stop by the Tucson JCC on Wednesday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. There will also be plants for sale, along with Mothers Day Soap Bags, greeting cards and various hand made items. The majority of the money will help pay for the gardening and nutrition project. Any left over money will be used to cover things that the state does not cover. There is also a wish list of things that the program needs. For cash donations use this link. You can choose other and write Taglit in the box below.

Well there have been a couple of long days in a row. So hopefully Eric will sleep tonight or I will start the day with caffeine.

Getting Better

Well Eric is back to eating, so one more day home and he will make it to program 2 days this week. YEAH!!!! He is feeling much better and has not spent the whole day sleeping. He has a little more energy today.

Eric's Day program will be having a plant and craft sale on March 13, 2013. More details to come. They will be selling some plants they have grown. Also arts and crafts. I need to find out if they will be selling their greeting card packs also.  I am making soap bags, which the Taglit group will do the final assembly on. Since it is spring I will be making a lot of cotton things. There will also be some new earrings too. Since I still have 8 more soap bags to knit, it is time to go back to knitting. As usual 100% of the sale price will go to the Taglit Day Program at the Tucson JCC.  I will not be taking any money away from the program for supplies.

Please take the time to enjoy your families.

ML4

As a lot of you who read my blog with regularity know that my youngest child Eric has ML4. You already know that a considerable part of my time is spent caring for Eric. I never thought that in my life time let alone Eric's that we would be able to find the gene that causes so many problems for Eric. Yet through the ML4 Foundations funding of research has help make that dream come true.  It would be nice to dream that in Eric's life time there was a treatment to slow or stop this life altering disease. This is a copy of a mass appeal fundraising letter that is going out this week. If you can find it in your heart and budget any help would be wonderful.


A clear link to the letter is ML4 Letter
In case you can't read the mailing address checks can be sent to

ML4 Foundation
719 East 17th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11230

www.ml4.org

Please feel free to pass this letter on to anyone who might be interested.
Have a wonderful weekend with your families.

A Concert Benefiting Karla Ember

I am very sad to have received this e-mail today. Karla has been such an important part of our lives and has brought much joy to Eric with her wonderful voice. I ask that if you can not attend the concert to consider making a contribution to help her family with expenses and medical bills. Cantonial soloist do not have large incomes and do their job with the love of G'd in their hearts.

Please include Karla in your prayer's of healing.

Sheri.

This is the e-mail that I received.


A MESSAGE FROM CANTOR JANECE COHEN
Last Friday night, my dear friend Karla Ember, beloved Cantorial soloist of Congregation Chaverim and longtime musician of the Tucson Jewish Community was violently attacked and gravely wounded. She is now in intensive care fighting for her life.
Members of our Jewish Community are trying to help Karla and her family by raising funds to help with medical and living expenses during this dif­ficult time. We invite you to join us for a CONCERT OF HEALING AND HOPE to take place this Sunday night, September 12th, at 7 p.m. at the JCC, proceeds of which will assist Karla's family. Make checks payable to Congregation Or Chadash, with Karla in the memo line. Thank you so very much for your support and compassion.

Cantor Janece E. Cohen
Congregation Or Chadash
3939 N. Alvernon Way
Tucson, AZ 85718
(520) 512-8500 Phone


as one voice lies still...
a thousand take flight

A Concert of Healing and Hope
a benefit for and tribute to

KARLA EMBER

Sunday September 12, 2010
7:00 pm
at the Jewish Community Center
River and Dodge
suggested donation of $36.00

Performers Include:
Tucson Jewish Youth Choir
Jewish Community Choir
Shirim
Congregation Or Chadash Choir
On Broadway
Klezmerkaba

Organized by Cantor Janece Cohen and friends
please make check payable to:
Congregation Or Chadash

Bake Sale Announcment

On Wednesday, July 21, 2010 Eric's camping group Taglit will be holding it's annual Bake Sale.
It will be held from 10:00am to 3:30pm in the JCC lobby. The main parking lot is at the corner of Alvernon and Dodge it's big enough not to miss.

This year all the proceeds will benefit the Tucson Ronald McDonald House. This is a place where families can stay while their children are receiving treatment away from home, at a very nominal cost to the families.

In addition to the basket of goodies on the left, which is full of scarfs, bookmarks(the squiggly looking things) what nots, coasters and last but not least wash cloths. Yes the basket does look a bit empty and I am still making more goodies for it.

There will also be cookies, cupcakes, Rice Krispie Treats, brownies and lemon bars.

If you have any soda pop tops I will also leave a box for you to drop them off during the bake sale. Please put them in a clean Ziploc bag. The Tucson Ronald McDonald house uses the money raised from the soda pop tops to help pay the utility bills and other expenses. This is a year round project for Eric, he really does like helping the sick kids and their families.

So please stop by and get a mid-day snack or pick up something for a dessert treat for later in the day. While you are there you might want to also take a peek at the sculpture garden.

Please feel free to copy this post on put it on local bulletin boards.

Another Fundraiser on the way

I had a request from Eric's camp, people want to buy my wash cloths and what knots from the kids. So I will be making up a batch and put everything else on hold till I knit/crochet up a basket of odd ball yarns into what knots, wash cloths, scarfs and what every else I can think of that is quick and easy.

I just wonder why; if they like them so much they just don't go to my web site and buy them direct. I price them the same. Oh well I just have to look at the donation as goodwill and a nice tax deduction. Also it is a good way to get the odd balls out of the house.

The current count 7 wash cloths and 2 what knots done.  Not bad for 2 days work. Maybe I can get it all done before the July 4th weekend.

Well I am off  to do something non productive. Have a great evening and enjoy your families.

Fund Raiser

Because of the earthquake in Chilie I will be donating 20% of all sales to Doctors Without Boaders from now till the end of March 2010. So check it out and pass it on. http://www.tinyurl.com/handmadebysheri .

They are dealing with much more than a sick kid(earthquake trumps e-coli any day), and I can not think of any other way to help.

Enjoy your families and pass this on to whom ever can help.

Thank you.

2009 Barkin' Ball

The 2009 Barkin' Ball "Fall in Love with Hope"

Will be on Saturday October 24,2009 from 6-9 pm. At St.Philip's Plaza.

The Cost For Tickets : $65 in advance and $70 at the door (50% is Tax deductible) To purchase tickets call Hope Animal Shelter at 792-9200

Food and Drink provided by: Acacia and Petite Pea

Pet Photography

Live and Silent Auction

Live music for your entertainment

I will have 2 purses available at the silent auction. These are both one of a kind purses that I will not make again.

http://hopeanimalshelter.net/news.html So go and have a good time, bid on some great items and help out some of our cute residents in need.

Tucson Wool Festival

It's that time of year again, Unique Designs by Kathy is hosting the 5th annual Tucson Wool Festival. The big day is Saturday, October 17, 2009, from 9 am to 3 pm. It is a great event for the entire family. The event is stroller and wheelchair friendly if you don't mind a bit of rough terrain and four wheeling it, I know because I have pushed 80 pounds of boy along with 180 pounds of wheelchair at past events.

Did I mention that the Tucson Wool Festival is FREE. This would be a good group outing for your group or school. Your can tour a real working ranch, Kathy gives a great tour and her animals are friendly. Kathy will have a prize drawing and I can not wait for the sheep to shawl event.

Kathy does a wonderful job of spinning yarn too. The yarn Kathy spun up and I knit into a shawl is still in use 4 1/2 years later. So be sure to check out Kathy's shop on the ranch for hand spun yarn, fibre to spin and very nice hand work done by Kathy too.

Kathy wrote out an elegant description, so in the interest of doing the event justice I will plagiarize her description of the event.

"Tour a working fiber farm and meet our llamas, angora goats, Shetland, Jacob, Border Leicester and Rambouillet sheep and angora rabbits. Their luxurious fibres are used in spinning, felting, weaving and knitting to create lovely and natural apparel and decorative work. Try your hand at a workshop or visit a selection of unique fiber artists from across the southwest. Of course, knitters and crocheters are welcome to lend a hand to the "Freeform Community sheep to shawl" event."

As of today there is still time to volunteer, call Kathy. Kathy also has some space left for vendors, to set up a vending spot for hand crafted items only, so if you spin, raise your own fibre animals or create your own hand made crafting supplies give Kathy a call at (520) 572-3758. or e-mail her at jmarckathy@aol.com or check out her web site at http://www.uniquedesignsbykathy.com

It is fairly easy to get to Kathy's ranch. From the I-10, Exit Cortaro Farms & travel east to Thornydale, north past Linda Vista to Palo Seco. This is a small dirt road just past some apartments. Turn left and the Ranch is first on the right. From Tucson if you are not taking the freeway take Ina to Thornydale and go north past Linda Vista to Palo Seco. Turn left and the ranch is on the right hand side. There is plenty of street parking, just be sure to pull all the way off the road.

This is a must go to event for fibre people and a good outing for children, there are not many working ranches left in Tucson. I hope to see you there.

Things are going well

I have to say that despite my back being flakier than a croissant, meaning I never know when I will be able to move or I will get stuck, things are going very well.

Teri Has finished her L1 orientation. She has even been teaching Microsoft Word a bit of Latin. She has acquired a mentor and is keeping pace with her reading. I think that this has been an overall great week for Teri.

Eric managed to make it through the first week of school with out missing a day, and has come home very happy both days. Our school district believes in easing the kids into the school year slowly by always starting on a Thursday.

I have managed to get a lot of knitting done and have almost finished another blanket. I hope that this blanket will be the second one I finish this week. I will be showing my work at a small festival hosted by a local pre-school Sunday evening. It will be nice to have some feed back on my work. I hope that I come home with less than I leave with.

John and I managed to find time for a date yesterday. We went to the 10 am showing of District 9, the CMG was fantastic, it was worth going to just for the CMG. Then off to lunch at Micha's one of our favorite restaurants on the south side of town.

We saw more movies today. Eric and I saw The Time Travelers Wife and John saw GI Joe, when we came home we had an Amazon rental, She is Just Not That into You. John said that GI Joe was good and would have like to see it in 3-D. the other 2 movies were fair.

Please have a wonderful day, and may your to do list take a break for the weekend.

Another Bake Sale

The Young Adults at the JCC Camp Taglit will be holding another bake sale tomorrow from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. For those of you who would like to help, please stop by the JCC and buy some lemonade or baked goods, or just make a donation. The Special Needs Young Adults are raising money for the Hope Animal Shelter in Tucson.

The campers will also be collecting the following items Trader Joe's Wet dog and cat food, Feline Pine Cat Litter, Flat sheets, Blankets, Bath Rugs, hard dog toys, mice for the cats, brushes, combs and love gloves, small kitten size litter boxes and of course cash.

You will also find and even larger basket of hand knit and crocheted items than last time, my husband John loves to get hand knit items out of the house. Everything in the basket will also go to help the Hope Animal Shelter. So If you are on a diet this is a good way to help these great kids raise money for a good cause. Did I mention that you can also start your holiday shopping early this way.

The JCC is located at the corner of River and Dodge. As long as you are stopping by for the fund raiser, take a tour and see what the center has to offer you and your family. It is a great place for family center activities we have been members for 15 years.

Have a wonderful day everyone.