There is an "I" in Haiti

I still haven't decided what I am going to do about Haiti. Seeing as I can do SO very much from this vantage to mend the hearts and homes of this entire country that has been ravaged by catastrophe. I think the "text in your pledge" of $10 is a brilliant idea by cellphone companies. At the same time, I don't feel $10 when it's tacked on to my cellphone bill, n'ah mean? I can't possibly know what these people are experiencing, the confusion, the hunger, the numbness, the fear. But I can imagine. And then I can go buy myself a new scarf at Ann Taylor to quell the depressive feelings about poverty and injustice. I visited Haiti in 2001.  But not the real Haiti.  More like a coastal enclave designed for cruising first-worlders to sack out on lounge chairs for the day.  I hope I can return and know the real Haiti.

My life is so unapologetically comfortable.  I am so humbled by my blessings.  I want to show my thanks, I want to show my sympathy.  I want to do something for Haiti....

Overdone

Jingle Bells!Something smells! Toddler barfing all the way!

Hey! And happy holidays, loveys. Were yours as festive and positively overblown as were ours? We drove through the night from Beantown to Motown, awe yeah, all fourteen hours to Detroit about 10 days ago. Saw Lovey's family. Then headed to Cleveland to see my homeslices. Then we continued the marathon theme of pushing all reasonable limits on carb-loading and shopping and napping and playing the "Little People's" Christmas album until we made ourselves sick with it all. And then we drove back last night. Baby Girl basically marked the passing of every state line with a memorial vomit. Poor kid was upchucking her way back home, and while you are busy composing your comment on this blog about What Kind of Parent persists in driving home while her kid is ralphing all over the back seat -- let it be known. We would have stopped at a hotel room and made her do a kegstand of Pedialyte, but then none of us would have slept and we would be none the closer to home. Whereas by 6 a.m. we were snug in our barf-laden pajamas all nestled in our beds, visions of sugarplums dancing in our heads. HURRAH!

It's clear, though, that Baby Girl's projectile pukes were a sign that we had all royally overdone it this year. The visits, the cookies, the presents, the planning of my 15 year grade school reunion? Yeah, it's totally what the midwife ordered for a 5 month preggo mcbeggo with a toddler. Highly advisable.

So the only resolution Lovey Loverpants and I can devise is one of the following: 1.) Relocate to Somewhere Closer to Family 2.) Relocate Our Family Closer to Us 3.) Forget Our Family; they are a costly, geographically undesirable lot. Stay tuned for more in 2010 as to which course of action the Loverpants decides...

And in the meantime, enjoy the sights and sounds of Holidaze 2009!

Baby Girl having an awesome time with her granny at Java Jungle

About to clear the little ginger kid who was smart enough to stand at the end of the turbo-slide:

The gift box that smacks of clothing within: To open or not to open.... My auntie MJ and I admire the festive banquet table set by my gifted stepmum Grade School Reunion. Yes, my nametag does say: "Hello, my name is: Most Likely to Become a Supermodel"

Project Stocking

I'd like to invite you to participate in a fun project to support the women residents of the Elizabeth Stone House this holiday season! The House provides residential and off-site programs for survivors of domestic violence. I have supported this organization in the past and have a very dear friend who has worked for the agency for 10 years. I really believe in its mission and am motivated to do the following:

I am aiming to donate 30 stockings for the women residents of the House. The stockings will be filled with candy, a Mary Kay peppermint cream body set, and a "starry" lip gloss.

If you would like to sponsor a stocking, you could do so as a gift that is tax-deductible for both yourself or your business. The stockings can contain whatever message you like. The cost of the stockings are $20.* I can accept check, cash, or credit card. I will send you a receipt for your tax records and will deliver the stockings to the House on Dec. 17.

Here is what the stockings look like:

*Please note that I have deeply discounted the product and am not trying to turn some big Mary Kay profit off of this. I am donating a portion of the stockings but just wanted to allow others the opportunity to participate in something that was sort of "ready-made".

Please e-mail me (kendratheadverb at gmail dot com) or leave a comment if you would like to participate or have any questions!!

Thanks so much and have a blessed holiday season!