November 21, 2008
The Keiki Slippah Wish Fund
Do you believe in magic? What about miracles? Do you believe wishes can come true? I do. I believe it because of you, my readers. Last year, right about this time, I told you about Auntie Lynn’s wish that the children in her housing project could all have shoes. Not just any shoes, though. They needed slippahs - those cheap rubber sandals that are ubiquitous in Hawaii. Children lose them, of course. The weather is always warm and slippahs can get in the way of in impromptu game of ball or a climb on the jungle gym. They’re not much good for walking on the beach, either, so off they come, often to be forgotten and left behind. For some families the price of a replacement pair of slippahs is too dear, so the children remain barefooted. Auntie Lynn wanted to help fix that. She made her wish and shared it with some friends, but she didn’t sit back and wait for it to come true. She knew the secret to wishes and magic and miracles: sometimes we have to help them along.
Auntie Lynn’s wish and a lot of hard work made The Keiki Slippah Wish Fund happen. That was in 2005 and the fund has been growing each year. More importantly, the reach of the project has grown. Each year new distribution points have been added. Last year it finally came to my own Waianae Coast, to families who live on the beaches and in homeless shelters. Lynn says that happened because of me, but that’s not quite right. I found out about the fund last year and blogged about it, but it was you, my readers, who brought it to the Waianae Coast. Your generosity amazed and astounded me. Sure, I prodded you a bit. I told you I would match your contirbutions and you couldn’t resist making me do just that! It was your support that swelled the funds to magnaimous proportions so that the children of the Waianae Coast and another housing project could have new slippahs for Christmas.
Slippah don’t last forever and it’s time for you to help again. I can’t offer the same challenge as last year. I can’t afford to match your generosity this time around. As most of you know, my work has declined so much that I’ll soon be leaving my beautiful Hawaii. Since my own contribution to the Slippah Fund will be less this year than last year, I’m hoping some of you can help make up the difference. A little money can buy a lot of rubber slippahs, toys, food and clothes for the keiki who need them. Will you pitch in and make this dream happen? Lynn believes you will. She’s added several new distribution points this year because she believes that you and others will help her cover the territory. For the first time ever, The Keiki Slippah Wish Fund is even spreading off-island. One of my readers asked last year if the project could be brought to Kauai. Asked and granted! That means more slippahs are needed, though, and that means more money needs to be collected.
ChipIn is the preferred donation vehicle, but if you wish, checks can
be
mailed to:
Blaine Fergerstrom
1689 Piikea St.
Honolulu 96818
Make check payable to
Blaine Fergerstrom with note "For Lynn’s Slippah Project."
I’m going to make this as easy as possible for you. Click on the ChipIn button above and you’ll find instructions for giving. Give a little - slippahs are cheap and even a few dollars can buy several pairs. Give a lot - there are so many children whose lives can benefit from you donation. Give what you can, but please - do give!
[tags]charity, Christmas charity, Hawaii, keiki, slippahs, shoes, Keiki Slippah Wish Fund[/tags]
November 19, 2008
Jackson comes to call
We have a lot of feral cats in my neighborhood. Just this morning Lance spotted one sunning in the neighbor’s yard right over our fence and went into his beagle antics, barking and baying, trying to claw his way though the chain link. A little later he started again. Barking at felines doesn’t usually last long because they get tired of it pretty quickly and move on. This time the barking went on and on, and Lance wouldn’t even stop when I hollered out the window at him. I went out to the side yard to see what the stir was. As I approached I thought he was barking at a small branch blown from the neighbor’s tree. We’ve been getting great, gusty winds for a few days and there are branches and other detritus scattered around the yard. When the branch tried to climb up the side of the shed I knew I’d been wrong.
Meet my new houseguest, a Jackson’s Chameleon. They were introduced to Hawaii in the seventies and have become popular pets for local kids. I called my pet warehouse folks and have been advised that this fellow won’t starve within twenty-four hours, so I’ll add crickets to the list when I go pick up Lance’s Science Diet tomorrow.
That’s assuming I don’t find him a new home by then. The stores sell Jackson’s for $20 and up, so I’m hoping the afternoon rush of kids walking home from school will help me find him a new family. If not, I’ll just keep the sign up and I’m sure someone will want him soon. I’ve got him situated in a giant planter right now, with a water dish and a little greenery to keep him company. He needs a cage or aquarium, but since I’m not keeping him I won’t bother. I’ve seen them wandering around inside clients houses on several occasions, but I’m keeping this guy outside on the carport. Aside from lizard poop on the kitchen counters and computer desks and who-knows-where else, there’s Lance to consider. He might eventually get over being intimidated and decide that a Jackson’s for dinner would be a fine thing. I’m not terribly fond of the little green guy, but I don’t think he deserves death by beagle, either!
[tags]chameleon’s, Jackson’s chameleons, pictures[/tags]
Four Foods on Friday #56
Well lookie here! I’m doing a Four Foods on Friday post on time for the first time in ages. I’m so early that my post can serve as a reminder for you to join in the fun. Answer the four questions below on your blog, being sure to include the link above to Val’s post. We’ll have some fun visiting each other and comparing our culinary opinions when she writes her roundup post on Friday or thereabouts.
#1. What’s the worst tasting food you’ve ever eaten?
This is tough because I don’t eat foods that don’t appeal to me. I’m trying to remember the last time I ate something nasty out of politeness to a proud cook and I’m coming up blank. Cabbage is nasty. So is okra. My mother used to try to make us eat things that we didn’t really want (usually by dressing them up in something we did like) but that was far enough in the past that I don’t remember specifics - probably okra and cabbage.
#2. Share a funny or embarassing story about a meal you’re made.
It wasn’t a meal, but it sure broke my heart. A year or so ago I decided to make pralines to give to friends at Christmas. The first batch came out perfectly, but I ran in to a problem the next day. As I was spooning the syrupy goodness onto waxed paper to set up I noticed a crack in my candy thermometer. The level of mercury in the thermometer looked right, so I decided that none had escaped and kept right on spooning. After they cooled I wrapped each in a little waxed paper square and used holiday ribbon to tie them into bundles of three or four pralines each. Oh, they were so lovely and smelled heavenly, but in the end I knew there was a remote possibility that there might be mercury in them and - alas - tipped them all into the rubbish bin.
#3. What food do you burn or have problems cooking most often?
Again, drawing a blank. I can’t rememer the last time I burned food. I do burn my tea pan from time to time. Usually I put the water on to boil and set the timer on the stove for fifteen minutes, the amount of time it needs to come to a full boil. Every now and then I forget the timer, get busy doing something and end up boiling it dry. I’m due for a replacement tea pan now, as my current one has been burned a few times too many. I use an enamel saucepan for tea - always have - and KMart is the only place I found that stocks them, so I’ll be going there soon to get a nice new tea pan.
#4. Name two foods you’ll be eating on this Thanksgiving.
My cabinets are ripped out and most of my cookware is already packed away for shipping. I expected to be gone from Hawaii before Thanksgiving, but that’s not happening. I bought a Jenny O turkey roll and some chicken giblets a few days ago and will be add whatever fresh veggies I can find, along with a mushroom and brown rice dressing. (My baking pans aren’t available, so I can’t bake the cornbread and biscuits I ususally use.) I’ve checked several stores for a frozen pumpkin pie, but no luck so far. Hopefully someone will re-stock before Thanksgiving!
[tags]cookiing, food, food blogs, memes[/tags]
November 18, 2008
Tuesday Teaser photo verification
Your guesses for my Tuesday Teaser once again created a dilemma for me. An early guess of “door knob” was so very close, but the photo snippet is of a particular part of a door knob set, so I had to hold out for a more specific answer. Sure enough, Lee wandered in and knew it was a bolt. She posited “dead bolt,” which is not the precise answer. Here’s the thing, though: I used the squared off side of the “bolt” in the photo snippet, as opposed to the curved side. That’s identical in a regular door knob and a dead bolt, so Lee is our winner this week. Congrats to you, Lee, and mahalo to everyone who played!
Back to the grind. Each day I get a little closer to having the house ready to sell. Better get it done soon because I’m running out of money and will be fielding calls from commercial collection agencies if I don’t get into my new place soon and start making a living again!
[tags]contest, contest winner, door hardware, photo puzzle, Tuesday Teaser[/tags]
Tuesday Teaser for November 18, 2008
Can you identify the item depicted above? Take your best guess and post it in the comments below. If your guess wins, you’ll get a nifty prize. Here’s how it works:
1. Write a comment giving your guess as to what the item is. Be as specific as you can. For instance, “lighting” would be too general as an answer if you needed to identify a lava lamp. Sometimes the brand will need to be specific, as when you identified the Enregizer Bunny and auto company logos. Guess as many times as you want, but put each answer in a separate comment, please!
2. First person to identify the item wins. If more than one person provides the correct answer, time and date stamp will determine who was first.
3. The author of this blog will be the sole judge as to what constitutes a correct answer. Sorry - no hints will be given. I will attempt to respond to your answers at least every few hours, but I am not continuously at the keyboard so please be patient.
4. The contest will end in forty-eight hours, whether or not a correct guess has been submitted.
5. Skeet’s Stuff is a do-follow blog, so you get some link value just for commenting.
What will you win?
1. The author of this blog will write a LINKY LOVE POST (review) about the winner’s blog (commercial sites ineligible.) The LLP will contain the url for your blog plus at least two deep links and will be posted here on Skeet’s Stuff, a PR4 PR2 PR0 (bah google!) Ha! PR3 blog Hmmmm! PR2 again. Skeet writes good reviews. 
2. The weekly winners will be entered into a monthly drawing for a $10.00 gift card from Starbucks or Amazon or a ten dollar payment through PayPal.
3. Drawing for the monthly prize will be held on or about November 1, 2008, and will include all weekly winners for the month. There are four Tuesdays in October, thus the maximum number of people who will be eligble is four.
Comments submitted with commercial links will be deleted. If you would like to market your product, service or website through skeet’s stuff I’ll be happy to discuss your needs and my prices. Please submit your request via email.
[tags]contests, photos, photo contest, photo puzzle[/tags]
November 12, 2008
Tuesday Teaser photo verification
When the forty-eight hour time limit passes and the Tuesday Teaser remains usolved I’m always assailed by remorse and self-doubt. I worry that I’ve created an un-solvable puzzle and treated my readers unfairly. Around noon today I started to get that uncomfortable feeling that we would once again retire the puzzle with no winner. Deanna wandered in shortly thereafter and laid my fears to rest. She recognized the puzzle photo this week as part of a fire extinguisher. Mahalo, Deanna, for saving me from sleepless nights and floor-pacing! You’ve won a linky-love blog review, but I must warn you that I’m several months behind, so it might be a while before you review appears. Each day lately I thought I would reach that point in my home remodel and moving preparation that would allow me to spend endless hours at the keyboard again, but that just hasn’t happened. I need to find a way to squeeze more hours into each day, or perhaps to find a way to get the energy boost I remember my mom always getting when she took diet pills. Alas, until I find that magical solution I’m sure I’ll continue to fall behind, but I’m working on it - Scout’s honor (yes, I was a Girl Scout and am entitled to that affirmation!) Deanna, you’ll also be entered into the November drawing for a gift card, so don’t forget to keep coming back to check the news (and the competition!)
Many thanks to all of you who played this week, and especially to those of you who play week after week, even when I fail to find the balance between fairness and a good challenge! I’ll take another shot at that next week, so I hope to see you there!
[tags]contest, contest winner, fire extinguisher, photo puzzle, Tuesday Teaser[/tags]
November 11, 2008
Tuesday Teaser for November 11, 2008
Can you identify the item depicted above? Take your best guess and post it in the comments below. If your guess wins, you’ll get a nifty prize. Here’s how it works:
1. Write a comment giving your guess as to what the item is. Be as specific as you can. For instance, “lighting” would be too general as an answer if you needed to identify a lava lamp. Sometimes the brand will need to be specific, as when you identified the Enregizer Bunny and auto company logos. Guess as many times as you want, but put each answer in a separate comment, please!
2. First person to identify the item wins. If more than one person provides the correct answer, time and date stamp will determine who was first.
3. The author of this blog will be the sole judge as to what constitutes a correct answer. Sorry - no hints will be given. I will attempt to respond to your answers at least every few hours, but I am not continuously at the keyboard so please be patient.
4. The contest will end in forty-eight hours, whether or not a correct guess has been submitted.
5. Skeet’s Stuff is a do-follow blog, so you get some link value just for commenting.
What will you win?
1. The author of this blog will write a LINKY LOVE POST (review) about the winner’s blog (commercial sites ineligible.) The LLP will contain the url for your blog plus at least two deep links and will be posted here on Skeet’s Stuff, a PR4 PR2 PR0 (bah google!) Ha! PR3 blog Hmmmm! PR2 again. Skeet writes good reviews.
2. The weekly winners will be entered into a monthly drawing for a $10.00 gift card from Starbucks or Amazon or a ten dollar payment through PayPal.
3. Drawing for the monthly prize will be held on or about November 1, 2008, and will include all weekly winners for the month. There are four Tuesdays in October, thus the maximum number of people who will be eligble is four.
Comments submitted with commercial links will be deleted. If you would like to market your product, service or website through skeet’s stuff I’ll be happy to discuss your needs and my prices. Please submit your request via email.
[tags]contests, photos, photo contest, photo puzzle[/tags]
November 9, 2008
Self Portrait Sunday for November 9, 2008
If I type quickly it will still be Sunday when I hit “publish.” I paused earlier today to snap my portrait, then … oooop! … fell asleep on the couch. I do that a lot lately. I’ve slept through several of my favorite primetime shows in the last week or so. Though it’s been my habit to go to bed around eleven or twelve, I’ve been falling asleep as early as seven many evenings lately. I guess that’s what honest labor will do to you, hmm? I probably won’t be able to stay awake long enough to go to Cass’s place and visit with all of the other Self Portrait Sunday participants, so I’ve already written myself a sticky note to remind me to do that with my morning coffee. It’s a pleasant way to start a week, so perhaps you’ll join me?
[tags]lazy days, reading, self portraits[/tags]
November 6, 2008
Frustrated
I thought I would finish the office floors today. I thought wrong. I’ve installed this same type of floor before and it went very smoothly. This time not so much. I keep missing the mark on my cuts, ruining tiles and slowing things down. I can’t cut deeply enough with the utility knife to get a good, clean edge.
The DeQuerveins (repetitive motion injury) in my right wrist and thumb is giving me fits. It feels like the wrist is packed with crushed glass. I won’t be doing any tile cutting tomorrow.
Paul thought it might work to cut the tile with the saw. Nope. The saw gouged out chunks of tile and made some nifty composition confetti, but was otherwise non-productive.
Trying to be optimistic, I emptied out the cabinets beneath the counter that has the kitchen sink in it so it would be ready for Paul to work on. I knew there was a small drain leak under there, but it was only to the right sink - the one with the dish drainer in it. I never run water in that sink, so I wasn’t terribly concerned. Once I started emptying the cabinet I discovered that there was ample reason for concern. It was a real mess under there. I threw away several spray cans - Lysol and oven cleaner & such - that had rusted bottoms, and cleaned up the mess. I picked up some parts today & I guess I’ll try my hand at plumbing repairs tomorrow while I’m not cutting tile.
On a more positive note, the new kitchen cabinets will be very pretty if Paul ever gets them put together. He started three weeks ago on the three wall-hung cabinets over the kitchen sink. He might finish those tomorrow and move on to the lower cabinet. Or he might not. After that there are three more sets to go. I’m over a month behind on my move-out schedule and wondering how much longer it will take to get everything ship-shape. Even money I’ll still be here for Christmas.
[tags]cabinetry, flooring, frustrations, home improvements, home repairs, plumbing leaks[/tags]
November 5, 2008
New floors
I’ve made a lot of changes in my home during the years I’ve lived here, but the floors in my office and bedroom are still the original, thrity-something year-old composition tile. It’s good flooring, durable and easy to clean, but gets brittle over the years. There are broken corners here and there and the tiles around the perimeters of both rooms are a mess from carpet tack strips (there was nasty carpeting that I tore out when I bought the place.)
I had planned on putting in wooden floors someday, but won’t be doing that now. Today I started covering the old tile with new compostition tile. Because of its rigidity it will disguise all of the old bumps and scars. Removing the old floor would require heating each tile to soften it, then peeling it out, except some are too well stuck so they’d have to be chipped out little by little. If I were interested in that kind of workout I’d probably get a treadmill, but that’s too much work for me so I’m liking my less labor-intensive solution. I’ve got my desk, printer cart and little rolling cart crammed into one corner fo the office tonight. Tomorrow I’ll get Paul to help me move them to the area I floored today & will finish laying the new tiles. I helped him work on the kitchen cabinets today and I think he’ll get the first set finished tomorrow (fingers crossed!)
[tags]do-it-yourself, floors, floor tiles, home improvement[/tags]
