JANUARY 31, 2010--In April, we will take the blankets to Mississippi where they will be shipped to Haiti. So let's get moving one and all. We are looking for squares from all the states we have never heard from. . .If you want to help and cannot knit or crochet, yarn is always appreciated--two 8-oz skeins of any worsted weight color will put a blanket togethe (along with a crcoheter)! Also I need lots of those clear "space" bags--large and extra large to store the completed blankets in to send. You know the ones that we suck all the air out of with a vacuum.
JANUARY 24, 2010--Spent yesterday piecing blankets together into the kits we distribute to volunteer "put-er-togetherers." I know, I know there's no such word, but just as we make all these squares work for blankets, we can make up words that work, right? The plan right now is to get as many blankets/coverlets together as possible before April 1 to be sent to Haiti. I kept thinking they are too warm, but heck--nights are cool, if you have nothing, this covers you, and it's a new keepsake when all you have has been lost. I will also gladly accept any blankets you want to contribute--knitted, crocheted, perhaps even fleece--you know, the no sew types. This might be a great way to get rid of material and also make it useful! I attach the Haiti flag below--I am going to put together some red, white and blue blankets so to suggest the flag's colors! Keep working you all--forward the website. . . .
Hey this may be the good time to get a state on the map that hasn't sent squares yet! And since we now are international with a knitter in Ireland, I guess it's time I get a map of the world up!
JANUARY 21, 2010--UPDATE: Anyone who would like to send me lightweight knitted or crocheted blankets--we will be sending blankets to Haiti. I am thinking baby weight would be fantastic! Also on the blanket squares--try making squares that aren't as tightly crocheted or knitted. If I am assembling these for Haiti, lightweight is better--also washable yarn. If you are interested in assembling a few blankets for me, contact me by email. I have the yarn and squares--just need the workers! Amazing what we can do with our little bits of work and need to do--gosh, helping and serving certainly makes my day!
By the way, for you missing tales from my not-so-normal life, Ralph, our newest rottweiler and problem child, has made huge strides in not eating plastic bottles and dishrags. However, yesterday I dropped a twenty-dollar bill. He grabbed it, and nothing could get him to drop it--not even the promise of cat food! In fact, as I took him downstairs to try and get the bill from his mouth, he sat down on the top step, looked at me with that rottweiler determination, rolled the bill into his mouth with his tongue, and swallowed it with a big gulp. I called him every name in the the book of bad dog--twenty dollars is a about 6 large skeins of yarn at Walmart! I debated searching later in the woods during our walks. . . but dismissed it quickly--it's cold, and the snow is deep. However, Ralph lived up to his name late yesterday and presented me with the bill still folded. It has been washed, and washed. . . but be wary of twenty-dollar bills!
JANUARY 21, 2010--Hey gang; I realize everyone is disturbed and emotional over the Haiti earthquake. I am looking for some way to help so please hang on. Also I received an email today from a merchant I deal with in Mississippi. They import a great deal of items from Haiti for their catalogue At West End and started a children's foundation many years ago called Doug and Susan's Kids Froundation. Long story short, they are putting together buckets with items survivors need. All money goes to purchasing supplies; the couple's company will pay all shipping and transportation costs. It is a great project; since they are established and on the ground in Haiti, it's a worthwhile organization with 100% of your donation going to there survivors! Here's the email I received:
Hi Everybody; As most of you know, Haiti was hit by a devastating earthquake last week. As some of you may know, Susan and I have been doing business in Haiti for over 20 years. We’ve developed many friends there that we consider our extended family, and we both feel a bit helpless not being able to do more, faster. So after much consideration we have come up with a care package that we know will be handed directly to the people that need it most. Having travelled to Haiti for over 20 years, we recognized what is considered necessities in helping start up a new household. This care package consists of the following items that will be packed in a box small enough so each recipient can easily carry it.
1 Five Gallon Bucket
6 Cotton Towels
1 Fleece Blanket
1 Cook Pot
1 Sleeping Pad
5 T-Shirts
10 Bars of Soap
3.5 LBs of Powdered Milk
12 Packs of Tuna or Chicken
1 Plastic Bowl
2 Flashlights with Batteries
1 Box Saltine Crackers
1 40 oz. Jar of Peanut Butter
4 Pack Storage Containers
4 Plastic Plates
4 Sets of Spoons, Forks, and Knives
50 Pack of Tea Light Candles
1 Roll of Duct Tape
3 Boxes of Stick Patches
1 Pocket Knife
1 8’x10’ All Purpose Tarp
1 70’ Plastic, Multi-Use Clothes Line
4 Toothbrushes
1 Tube ToothpasteAnd for the children of these families:
1 Bag of Hard Candy
1 Box of Crayons
1 Coloring BookThe total cost of each care package is approximately $100 USD. We have already ordered all of the ingredients to make 200 care packages. Once they are packed, they will be loaded on a trailer and sent to our custom broker’s warehouse in Miami, FL. As soon as the port is operational again in Haiti, the packages will immediately be sent by ship. Once they arrive in Port-Au-Prince, they will be picked up by my friend Victor Boulos and taken to his factory where they will be distributed to those in need.
If you would like to help, please send a donation to
“Doug and Susan’s Kids Foundation”
C/O Haiti Care Package
3844 W Northside Drive
Jackson, MS 39209Or you can go online to the following link: http://pledgie.com/campaigns/426. All administrative expenses are paid by our company, therefore every penny will go toward this effort. Any amount you can give is appreciated and 100% tax deductible.
Thanks and please forward this to all of your friends.
Doug and Susan Williams
kalalou.com
doug@kalalou.com
theoutletjackson.comJANUARY 12, 2010--Well, the knitted Snuggie© is done, but not before one of the dogs gave me his comment on it! I was picking up my knitting basket Sunday morning and noticed a wet mark on one of my knitting bags (you know, there are always several knitting projects going at once) . Upon further sensory investigation, I determined one of the four-legged boys had lifted a leg on the entire basket--I had to pitch some yarn (it was saturated beyond saving), put the remaining stitches from the Snuggie© on a yarn stitich holder and wash everything--needless to say, I hurried up and finished the project when the yarn dried. I know the culprit. . .he's been terrible in the last few years about lifting his leg occasionally on items he wants to mark as his own! Ahh. . . I remain a dog lover, but I also remain wary, cautious, and have put the basket up higher!
My son David will be delivering some blankets for us; will mail the box his week. Sounds as if the gulf coast coukld use some warmth!
January 4, 2010--Piecing together blankets. . . ready to send some to Louisiana. . . also heard about a good book today concerning the days after Katrina in New Orleans and the impact it had on a family. Will track down the title! My knitting project is almost done--there's no doubt he'll look like St. Francis!
2010 HAPPY NEW YEAR. . . Lots of changes in this life, but our project remains a constant--don't doubt me for an instant! We have blankets ready to go to the Gulf. . . a basement full of squares to piece together, andsome very patient friends who await my updates. So here's an update! Yes, we have snow. . .I talk to my son in Louisiana yesterday, and it was in the fifties. . .so it's time we send more blankets South. I welcome all correspondance. . .queries and suggestions. I am debating a different update method here, so I can easily add comments. But for now, this is good.
My recent knitting project has been--don't laugh a Snuggie©-like covering. My husband wanted one, but the fleece ones are so thin I thought, "I bet I can knit one; it looks like a backwards bathrobe." So I measured him, got some washable yarn and started knitting. . . .I have the main part finished ; the first sleeve is on circular needles as we write. My only regret is the color. It's a tan/brown that when Chris puts it on will make him look like a monk. . . better yet with the beard he sports, St. Francis. Considering the dogs, cats and all our wildlife outside, perhaps this is appropriate!
Thanks to Bev, Diane for the recent packages. . . there are more and I will tip the needle at you as I get the basement sorted! Again Happy New Year's friends. . . .
