Halloween Craftiness

I have always been terribly jealous of those who are naturally crafty.  Whether it is sewing, stamping, or scrapbook(ing), I always feel light years behind the curve.  1,000,000 blogs about those who handcraft everything from their child's Moses basket from organically grown reeds in the backyard to those who send out gorgeous hand-made cards (on time, mind you) to each and every person they know for everything from birthdays to Halloween don't help.  In fact, they have only increased my desire to figure out where my inner crafty person is hiding, and how I could get her to magically appear for my kids' sakes.

While I love to make cards for people, I usually run out of time before I can think of anything to do.  I have no problem copying other ideas, but that isn't always as satisfying as knowing that you created and produced something unlike anyone else.  So after drooling over Shannon's craft room last weekend for the umpteenth time, I decided it was time to come up with an idea, and just do it.  I figured I would shoot for completion, rather than perfection.

Miraculously, I came up with an idea almost instantly. (By the way, this is absolutely necessary in order for me to purchase the needed supplies.  Otherwise, I buying oodles of unrelated stuff, and never actually do anything with it.)   I have no idea how this happened, nor can I guarantee it will ever happen again.  However, what's done is done, and without further ado, I present this year's Halloween cards for my little (and somewhat bigger) pumpkins.  They aren't terribly fancy, but they were started AND finished prior to Halloween night.  In my book, with 3 kids, a nutty cat, and an otherwise crazy life, that's a start.

It’s that time of year again….

No, I am not going to regale you with Halloween photos, or bug you to buy wrapping paper*, candy, or magazines (sillies, we did that last month!)  This is a bit more important in my mind, and could involve nothing more than the donation of your time, provided you are living in the East Bay.  It is time to start preparations for the annual Tri-Valley Basket Brigade.

If it doesn't sound familiar, you may have missed last year's posting on this event.  Not to rehash, but I was desperately searching for volunteer opportunities which could involve the entire family.  We planned on adopting a family for Christmas, but also hoped to do something sooner, and equally as hands-on.  A brief mention on one of my moms groups led me to this site.  Lo and behold, the operation happened to be run by the co-leader of my other moms club.  I eagerly signed up, and the rest is history.

I have already written on the topic, and won't belabor the issue, but trust me when I tell you this was one of the most fulfilling activities we have done as a family.  There is no tax deduction, and no reimbursement for anything.  You totally and completely give to others, without getting anything in return.  Oh, except for the look of stunned delight when the person cautiously opening the door realizes that they will have a Thanksgiving. 

The best part?  The delivery.  My biggest fear was somebody saying, "No, we don't need charity".  However, I needn't have worried.  No one declined, and in fact, after we finished our route, we were disappointed to only have delivered two baskets.  We will definitely look to up our numbers this year!

I realize not everyone reading this is in this area, but if you are, and wish to participate, please click on the link above, or in the note below.  If you cannot make it, but wish to help, drop-off donations are gladly accepted.

Here is a brief note from Katherine, one of the founders of the Basket Brigade, with a few more details:

The Basket Brigade is a Thanksgiving food drive that allows food donors to connect personally with a family in need.  On Brigade Day, participants bring food and clothing items and gather together as a group to create beautiful Thanksgiving baskets.  Once the baskets are assembled, participants have the opportunity to deliver a basket personally to a Bay Area family in need.  Bags containing food, clothing and personal products are also compiled and delivered to the homeless. 

The Brigade will be held on Saturday, November 21 at 10am.  For more information, and to participate, please sign up on the Brigade website: trivalleybasketbrigade.com.

*I do want to add that I was pleased to see this year that Kelsey's wrapping paper sales may have benefited Heifer International.  I don't yet know the results, but hoping to hear soon if her class helped, and will post accordingly.

On the Road Again…

Cait and I packed up last night and headed to the airport bright and early this morning for our trip to Maryland.  As some of you may know, Shannon is expecting a sweet baby boy of her own, and her shower is this Saturday.  There is absolutely, positively no way I would miss this event.  When planning the trip, I realized it might be an opportune time for Cait and I to have some much needed mom and daughter moments.  

It also means that I left Little Guy and the Nugget back home.  However, they are having a great time with the Dad Guy, and I fully expect to come home to a fort of empty pizza boxes decorated in pink tulle, and to be regaled with a laundry list of movies they watched, mom-approved or otherwise. Though Kelsey has at least one activity every day, to include a Girl Scout Halloween Bingo tomorrow night, so there isn't a need for too much planning.  Nicholas enjoys just having quality time with Dad, so he will be quite happy. 

No pictures of our trip today as frankly, not much to write home about flight-wise.  Not only didn't we have any delays, we even arrived in LA early.  Unfortunately, no time to deplane in either LA or Albuquerque, but at least the visibility was great, and I was able to enjoy the changing scenery.  It would have been nice to grab a cup of coffee prior to leaving Oakland, or a snack in LA, but it was so refreshing to arrive not only on time, but early and with enough time to have non-airport food for dinner.  Viet-Thai, yum!  And, now off to bed, as I must get some rest for what promises to be a fun and exciting weekend with friends.