AUGUST 2008

AUGUST 2008--

AUGUST 31, 2008--Odd isn't it that three years later almost to the days, I am writing about the gulf coast again and Hurricane Gustav. This time , however, it's also odd that due to our work with Close Knit Hugs as well as my son and his girl friend's commitment to live in the area and be part of the rebuiding process, this is close to all of us. Perhaps the whole point of our work is to make us realize what happens across the country, in the next state, county or city--well it affects us, and we are responsible for our our neighbors.

I have been worried about all the friends we have made thrrough our little efforts and where they are. My son is in Covington and has been calling regularly. Last night about 11, he phoned that his part of Covington had a mandatory evacuation because they are concerned about the river tributaries flooding from surges. He had spent the entire week in Houston, flew into New Orleans Friday morning and said flying over the expressways was amazing as the vehicles fled the city. He got to the store and bought their last chainsaw, warned by the clerk, "Keep your cart with you; if anyone sees you have a chainsaw, they will pick it up when you aren't looking." He also managed to purchase a generator--Dave is resourceful, and he and Brandy are ready with the pet and people emergency kits, etc. Two firends from new Oreleans are with them along with pets, and I hope to hear today that they are headed north to their designated evacusation area--Atlanta. I'll update here when I know more.

CKH	STATE	GOAL	PROGRESS	DATE
Maggie	Michigan	8 blankets	5	8/19/08
Shelly	Minnesota	35 squares
Jane	Maine	5 squares	5	8/17/08
Therese	Michigan	3 blankets
Kathy	New York	75 squares	plus two blankets!
Ruth	Michigan	5 blankets	3	8/18/08
Yvonne	New Mexico	12 squares
Jennifer	Illinois	5 squares	5	8/17/08
Margery	Michigan	1 blanket		8/18/08

AUGUST 28, 2008--So as I was crocheting a blanket together during the closing ceremonies, my hand began to cramp, then my glasses fogged up and I couldn't see, but I persevered coming in 1/100 of a second shy of the goal!

I must say the efforts of our teams means I can send a shipment off fairly soon, and after talking to my son who is in Houston ready to fly back to Louisiana tomorrow, we need to keep on top of the weather down there. David has an evacuation plan, but this will be his first hurricane, and it's driving him nuts he cannot go home until Friday. Meanwhile his girlfriend is shopping at Home Depot!

AUGUST 17, 2008--My oldest son was 27 yesterday! WOW--am I getting better or what! Quite an Olympic Day, eh? I couldn't crochet fast enough as I watched the swimming competitions! A lot of class acts on our teams and some of the others. But with a week or more to go, I had better get moving and forget about the garden or I won't finish 8 blankets! Making pickles, writing grants, piecing blankets and in one week Fall classes start as well as cat spay and neuter clinic registrations! Egad! Anyone reading this--it's not too late to get in on the competition.

P.S. First gold medal goes to MAINE, and we now have it on our map! Thanks Jane!

P.P.S. Second gold medal goes to Illinois! Thanks Jennifer. . . .

AUGUST 14, 2008--It's been so good to hear from everyone participating--but it is not too late to start and join us! I mean some "sports don't start till next week, so come on! And remember we are approaching the anniversary of Katrina--Aug.29--I have a mantra--as long as people are homeless, I can put together blankets.

I pieced together another eight blankets yesterday in between the beats of carpenters working outside , on the roof, and in the house. . . I woke up Monday thinking, "Ahhhh, two weeks before I have to worry about Fall classes; I'll just roll over." Then BAM--dogs were barking, someone was banging on the back door--lo and behold the carpenters showed up two weeks after they promised. Yay!

August 11, 2008--Wow, have the Olympics been exciting or what? I am almost done with blanket #2 and despite the bleary eyes, am enjoying everything from volleyball to fencing and can hardly wait for track and field. . . . I have received some boxes from the following Close Knit Huggers: Marjorie, Diane and Canyon Villas, and Margie from North Lima, Ohio--thanks so much you all. . . I have begun stacking and sorting the squares to piece together more blankets as we're putting them together so quickly. If Michael Phelps keeps swimming...I am going to be doing a lot of piecing!

AUGUST 10, 2008--So far all the states represented begin with "M"--mmmm. . . so where are the "K's" and the "O's" and the "A's"? And I don't mean a campground! By the way, I called the Iowa church I received as a possible contact, and they said none of their parishoners were affected and they couldn't think of where I could send blankets. So I will keep searching, but I do know New Orleans can always use them! If you happened to watch Miami Ink last week, the boys and girl went to New Orleans to do some work and toured the area, especially the ninth ward-- pretty enlightening as we approach our three year anniversary.

AUGUST 8, 2008--OLYMPIC GAMES start today, so we (my cousin and I) thought it might be fun to have our own competition. Send me via email, your goal of crocheting or knitting squares while the "games" are on. . . I will post it here and keep the group updated. For example, my goal is to put eight blankets together by the end of the Olympics. I PROMISE to update regularly. . . so Shelly, Kathy, Diane and Canyon Villas, I have thrown down my challenge. . . How about Yvonne, Ghost, Mary and Marjorie?

The competition will run from today 8/8/08 until 08/24/08. Just send me your goal, I will list you on the table, and if you meet it by the 24th, you'll receive a "gold" medal. If you get 3/4 of the way done, you will receive silver, and anything else will receive bronze. Then I will rank the states by medals. . . . So stretch the index fingers, clench and unclench your hands, get a comfortable chair, some yarn, and sit back and follow your favorite sports and help Close Knit Hugs!