Deb on the Web

You go Obama!

He's staying on his track!

Political History

Here is a little tidbit about me.  I had about a year of being quite involved in outsider (meaning a citizen involved in) politics.  During the early days of Bill and Hillary I was quite a donater (and still am) to NARAL.  Because of that I was asked to be part of a collective phone call with Hillary and other small business owners.  We were talking about health care.  This led to Senator Kennedy flying me back to Washington for a senate hearing on healthcare.  My 15 minutes of fame included a great debate with both Orin Hatch and Nancy Kassebaum.  My points won the day!  That was one of those great moment when you were actually yelling (not loudly) at the people and not just the television.
Tonight, many years later, several of those key issues came up at a dinner party.  Nothing has been resolved!  I am feeling frustrated and energized to make a difference.  At the end of my experience (some 15 yr ago) I was met by hate mail and death threats for trying to make a difference.  It freaked me out at that age.  I don't feel it would have the same affect now.  What are we hoping for in the next election?   Which party do we want to prevail?  But most importantly, what are the issues that each of us stand for and who do we want to speak for our concerns (mostly create our changes)?  Once again health care is very important on my agenda and I am going to go out there and start now to make myself heard!  What is important to you?

Sunday at the Park

And what were you doing Sunday?

Race for the Cure

I unexpectedly got to participate in the Race for the Cure today.  I was expecting to be working so I didn't preregister.  I went with a friend, her sis and the sis co-workers from NIKE.  Yea, just us and 40,000 other walkers and runners!!  Can you believe that?  This was the biggest turnout on the West Coast ever.  They are expecting to have taken in $2 million!   Pretty wonderful.  I didn't think it would be any bigger than a few years ago when I went so I didn't take my camera.  I wish I had.  That many people is an amazing sight.  It took us 45 min. just to get from where we stood to the start line.  Lots of good energy and lots of pink.  Great way to start the day:)

I am now back with my raspberry jelly (canned) and the raspberry syrup (about to add a wee bit of brandy).  I found some interesting recipes on line.  I have to try the conserve and Raspberry curd next.

I really want to finish something so I can start knitting some socks or mittens.  I have a bit of startitis today.  I will fight it though.

An assortment today

All kinds of things going on.  Most importantly check out this link.  They are giving current updates on what is really needed in LA and MS right away.  This group is getting to some of the smaller towns and communities that Fema has not been able to.
We are planning a fundraiser for Mercy Corps at Nostrana on the 25th.  We sent out invites today and are already half full.  I'm thrilled to be able to help raise money.  I heard someone from Mercy Corps speaking last weekend that told us that 90% of the money raised went to the causes they support!  Oh yea, that picnic we went to last Sunday raised $14,000! 

Yesterday was a terrific mail day!!  Check this out All these goodies including that Colinette oneZero.  I've never seen that yarn--fun!  I love the knit mag.  Some really cool projects.  And chocolate--yummmmmm.  Thank you SP!  A wonderful final treat:)  Oh and the note pad.  I always have one in my purse.  I know that is what a pda is for, but I still love to write notes:)
This package was also in yesterday's mail A very sweet gift from Cara.  You might notice that part of this gift is the return of the stitch markers I accidentally sent.  I'm still shaking my head at that one.  She really didn't need to do any of this...especially making me more stitch markers (they are in the round lid).  I promise not to accidentally regift:)  Everything is so appreciated.  I actually don't own a hot pad right now so that was especially appreciated.  And the horseradish mix is definitely going in the first batch of Sunday Bloody Mary's when I celebrate not working 7 days in a row:)  Thank you for being a great friend!!  I really wish we lived closer.

Speaking of mail, I got the Sockapal2za socks in the mail yesterday.  I sure hope my pal enjoys them:)  I can't wait to see mine!!

Okay, Nostrana construction is getting bumped up a notch.  I will be taking my camera over tomorrow.  That is all I'm saying.  You'll just have to see the difference from past photos.

I had drinks with my friend Leigh last night.  It was great to catch up.  We are both so busy we actually sit down together about once a year.  This is what she has been up to.  On Monday night she will be doing a workshop/signing at the Hawthorne Powell's.  Come if you can!  The workshop sounds like a blast.  She will be bringing grab bags of crazy things to knit or knit with.  I've been waiting to buy my copy at one of her signings.  That's the one for me.

Tonight I am going to be playing with Saltcod.  An Italian friend is coming by the partner's house to show us some recipes from his mama.  Can't wait!

Feeling stupid again

Yea I'm tired, so what.  After I looked at this post (only read if you can handle the graphic nature) I felt pretty damn stupid.  Who cares that I put too much on my plate.  I'm not in New Orleans or Mississippi right now.  But I found out that my aunt is.  My mom called her yesterday and found her sis about 4 hours from New Orleans helping pass out rations.  She was sent by the Dept of Ag and will be there for another week at least.  It has been so heartbreaking for her to listen to everyone's stories.  Each person that walks by her wants to tell her about their ordeal.
One thousand refugees are arriving in Portland.  They will be housed at the old Washington High School on SE Stark.  It is about a block from Nostrana. 

A fundraising idea

I just thought I'd throw out an idea a friend of ours had for Katrina Fundraising.
Our friends Jeff and Sally are throwing a southern style picnic on Sunday, Sept 11.  They are asking each family that attends to donate $50 at the party.  They will then send all the loot on to Mercy Corps.  I think it is a great day to do this--a wonderful way to celebrate the American Spirit.  Lately I've been wondering where that went.  Well, outside of the knitting community!

Yes there will be knitting on this blog again soon:)

Sending items to LA.

I am sending a box of clothes and bedding down to Amanda on Tuesday.  She will be distributing to families that are arriving in Baton Rouge.  These are people that are able to find apartments but literally have not one item to put in the cupboards.  Amanda is giving away her dishes to help them out!  If there are Portlanders that want to bring items to Gino's Restaurant this weekend I will post a box (or 2?) on Tuesday.

Here is a post...

I don't know what to use for a title today.  I just went over to read Amanda's blog and I'm feeling pretty low.  Although I am so relieved to hear she is fine and still in her home.
We have now heard that both sets of friends down South are alive and out of the city, but have lost everything!  We are just happy they are alive.  Some friends of my Bil had water up to the second floor of their house, but were luckily finding this out from L.A.  I had also forgotten about some family friends that had taken their daughter down to start college last week.  Luckily the parents had not flown home before this happened and were able to get out 2 days ago with their daughter in tow.  Watching the news is so devastating.  There are thousands that haven't been as lucky as anyone we know.  I heard a woman saying she had been separated from her premature newborn at the hospital and still didn't know what had happened to her child!

On a less painful note we finished hiring for the kitchen today.  I feel that much closer to our opening goal.  I'm really happy with everyone we hired.  I wish we could have hired everyone we interviewed, but there just isn't enough room on the schedule.  I am hoping DH will begin the floor hiring at beginning of next week.  Even though we can't train yet I will feel more comfortable knowing we have the staff set.

On a knitting note I finished the "Hermione" hat last night.  I would like to show a photo, but I hate both the photos I took!  So let me just say that mine looks exactly like the model. 
I am off to knit something that will cheer me up! 

Katrina

I don't think there is anyone not affected by the photos of Hurricane Katrina!  We have two family friends I am very worried about.  I had no idea while I was away that it had gotten this bad!
I am always so proud of our knitblog community during these times of crisis--Susan and Margene have created some incentive to get everyone to donate to the American Red Cross!  Please go do your part!!  You might even have a chance to win this. I am donating 2 skeins of handspun (not by me luckily) alpaca/silk yarn.  This is the last amount this lady is handspinning.  She will be sending her future fleeces to a local mill.