BFF-athon Let's get this party started!

Hello and welcome to the 1st Annual BFF-athon!  The gang is all here, the mascot has welcomed everyone and we are set up!  Please feel free to pimp this far and wide and come join the fun in comments!

Let's get the particulars out of the way:

Here's my introductory post about the BFF-athon.  We're bloggin' and stampin, eatin' and yackin' for 24 hours to raise money for the HELP Animals, Inc folks to purchase masks for animal rescue for our local fire departments.  We've set up Paypal to take donations that way (I'm spotting all the fees, so your total donation will go towards the purchase of the masks).  Please let me know if you have any trouble with the button.  If you'd rather donate by check, make it out to HELP Animals, Inc. and we'll get you the mailing address info via PM.

A recipe! and a thank you!

Okay, folks, we've got our first international donation!  It is greatly appreciated!  We've gone global, baby!

Have a recipe for crab dip:

2 8 oz. packages cream cheese
2 6 oz cans lump crabmeat, drained
1 10 oz can shrimp bisque
1 tsp worchestershire sauce
2 tsp lemon juice
2 tsp soy sauce
1 scallion, finely chopped
1 tsp minced garlic

Preheat boiler.  Combine all ingredients in mixing bowl and stir to combine.  Place in a broiler-proof serving dish and broil for 10 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

We'll let you know how good it is when it gets out of the oven!

Crab Dip Verdict and a Tally!

The crab dip is miraculous and yummy!

Tally for the first hour of the BFF-athon (Now Global!) is $105.  We couldn't do this without you guys!  You're the best!

BFF-athon Meet Hope (The Mascot of the Operation)

In a past life, I lived in a trailer in the middle of a dusty field next door to my in-laws. The fields were owned by the local farming family – seven brothers and one brother's wife. These farmers were the salt of the earth, always lending a helping hand, kind to people and kinder to their animals.

 

I’d go over on the weekend afternoons and go for a ride on their tractor, sometimes look for black bear, or pet the goats, watch a horse give birth, walk with nature. I’d do some computer work for them, drink coffee with the wife. They are one of the things that I miss from my past life.

 

Their half-lynx barn cat gave birth to four kittens – two gray and two white.  I wanted one of those kittens so very badly. I’d go over and watch them, play with them, wait for their eyes to open.

 

One afternoon, one of the brothers came over to return a stockpot he had borrowed from me. He handed the pot to me and said, “There’s a free prize with every pot.” I lifted the lid and there was one of the white kittens, stumbling around in the pot! She looked up at me and mewed. I was in love.

 

My in-laws had five dogs at the time. I’ve always been a dog person, but I wanted this kitten. My mother-in-law was quite skeptical about the cat, especially with all the dogs. “I hope she lives!” she cackled. And I looked at that little kitten with the shivering tail and pitiful mew and I said, “That is what I’m naming her.” “Hope.” “Because she will live and she gives me hope.”

 

I spent a lot of time alone in that dusty trailer. I wanted company. I wanted someone I could talk to, someone that would understand. Hope became my best friend. We understood each other. She took right to being an inside cat, she never wanted to go out. She didn’t care for my then-husband or his mother.

 

When I left my husband, I left everything but two garbage bags full of treasures and Hope. She spent a week with my grandparents while I found a place where we both could live. Through all of the hopes and fears that I had during that time, Hope was with me. Her fur caught my tears and her presence kept me going.

 

She’s eleven years old now and a fussy old girl. She doesn’t like company and she hates my best friend and my family. She loves her J and her heater in the winter. She sleeps twenty-two hours a day and talks for the other two. Listen and she’ll tell you just what she thinks.

I owe her a safe comfortable place to rest because at my darkest time she loved me when I didn’t think anyone else did.

And she gave me hope.

 

BFF-athon

I love having company. In my families, food = love. You come over, you'll get something to drink, something to eat and some conversation. We've got entirely too much food for three people, but we'll manage and no one's counting calories today.

I love being a hostess. Are you comfortable? Do you need anything? It's one of my favorite things to do. To be around those I love and those that love me, there is nothing like it.

You ask geekjul and kathrynrose - I go over to your house, I'm cleaning up after myself and putting your dishes away in the wrong spot. I'm sure one of them has a story about a dish or utensil lost to the ages because I put it in the wrong place.

There's something to be said, to be able to sit in companionable silence, with people who understand you, the only sound the tap, tap, tapping of fingers on keys. This room is filled with love and purpose and there's nothing like it in the world.

I hope all of your Saturdays are as good as mine.

And don't forget why we're all here!

Remember, I'm spotting all fees so your full donation goes to the purchase of masks.

BFF-athon

First of all, go check out kathrynrose 's Pet Safety Links post.

And The Mascot says, "Hellew."

BFF-athon What I'm Reading

I started a book this morning while waiting for my company to arrive.  Truth and Beauty: A Friendship by Anne Patchett.  It looks like it will be a gorgeous book and ten pages in, I've already burst into tears.  It's written in a conversational style and I highly recommend it, especially if you've experienced a friendship that is stronger than biological ties.

BFF-athon Julie asked....

"Why is there a copy of Tim Gunn's Guide to Style in your bathroom?"  This from the woman who at one time had an entire BOOKSHELF in her bathroom.  I saw that and knew I was among my people.

Because it's the perfect light reading material.  Educational AND fun!  I've probably read that book six times.  Always good information to be had from the Genius of Style.

BFF-athon Tally update and a project

We're holding steady with pledges and donations at $105.  That's enough to purchase two sets!  We've also just received word that an anonymous benefactor will be matching all pledges!!  WOOT!  Thank you!

I'm beginning work on my first scrapbook.  I'm making it for friends' 50th Anniversary next week.  I hope it turns out well.  Scrappers, leave some tips in the comments, would you?  In-progress pics to come soon!

BFF-athon It's just like Jerry's Kids!

Jerry has Labor Day and we have Memorial Day, Jerry has celebrities and we have pictures of celebrities (coming soon, post your requests!), Jerry has millions of dollars and we have hundred(s), Jerry has cute kids and we have cute animals, Jerry had Dean Martin and we have mp3s of Dean Martin. The similiarities are endless!

Remember, I'm spotting all the Paypal fees and we also take checks made out to HELP Animals Inc. Also, if you want to send some small bills through the mail, we won't tell. All donations WILL BE MATCHED!

BFF-athon Dryer sheets and dryer lint

Hope likes to eat things that aren't actually food.  Yes, I know that's like saying, "Hope is a cat."  She loves to eat ribbon, artificial and real plants/flowers, paper, and dryer sheets.  Yes, dryer sheets.

This morning I was changing the sheets on the bed and a dryer sheet got loose.  Next thing I know, she's munching down.  I start after her and she runs off, munching.  I finally catch up to her and she's just got one edge hanging out of her mouth.  I'll leave the rest to your imagination, but I did retrieve the dryer sheet.  Huzzah!

While we're on the subject of dryer sheets, let me remind you to be sure to clean out your dryer lint traps and dryer hoses regularly, at least every six months.  Perhaps adding it to your schedule when you change time on your clocks and replace the batteries in your smoke alarms.  Dryer fires are one of the highest causes of house fires.  Be safe out there.

BFF-athon The Bee Tree

I have a tree.  It has honeybees in it.  Before I bought the house, the previous owners made a comment about wanting to get rid of the bees.  I told them that I preferred they not do anything to the bees as they didn't bother me.  After closing and shortly after I moved in, I noticed the bees were gone and a suspiciously-like-poison ooze was coming out of the tree where the bees lived.  I was sad.  I live in "the country" and there's no zoning laws or homeowner's association.  The next summer, a few bees returned to the tree.  I was ecstatic.  They would be out in the garden in the early morning, doing their bee duties.  One afternoon while at work, a bad thunderstorm moved in.  When J and I got home that evening, we discovered that the bee tree had been struck by lightening and split in half.  The bees were gone.  Again, I was sad.  We figured that was it for the tree and it for the bees.  We lazily didn't do anything about the tree as half of it was still alive.  Throughout that summer, we mourned the bees.  Last week, J took me out to the bee tree and asked me what I saw.  "Bees!'  The bees are back.  I'm so glad.  I hope they find the garden and find it pleasing.  I guess we'll just have to live with a half-dead tree in the back forty.

BFF-athon Dudes, give me something to talk about.

So after that writing thing I did, I kind of got burned out on the words and the writing.  And then I kind of got mad at myself for being burned out on the words and the writing.  Writer's Block: I has it.

Why am I doing the LJ?  It started out as a way to keep in contact with my BFFs, kathrynrose  and geekjul .  And then I met some people and was interested and they seemed to be interested in return and then I liked having some kind of record of what was happening in my life.  And then I realized that the internet was a pretty good therapist.  And then, I don't know.  But through all that, I still had my BFFs and some days when I can't even stand the sound of my own voice, I only want to interact with them.  And then I think about the wonderful people I've met here, the ones that if it weren't for physical geography I'm sure they'd be here right now, and it means something.  And I am better for it.  We're all connected, somehow.

BFF-athon Ask and you shall receive Or Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

Hot women to come later.  We are Equal Opportunity and all.

BFF-athon

I haven't done the first crafty thing this afternoon.  Unless you count "researching" hot guys on the internet.

I've picked out some paper for the pages on my scrapbook and I've hostessed.

Hopefully in the next twenty minutes I can get something done and have a pic for you guys.

BFF-athon It must have been the hot menz.

Folks, we just hit $200 in pledges and donations!!! With our match, we've got $400 to give to the HELP Animals, Inc people!!!

Thanks for being on this ride with us!

We're taking requests in comments.

Remember, I'm spotting the fees for Paypal Donations so that every penny goes to the purchase of masks. We're also taking checks made out to HELP Animals, Inc. And you can send change and small bills through the mail, we won't tell.

BFF-athon Yeeeeaaaaah about that....

I still haven't gotten very far on my scrapbook.  Heh.  I'm getting kind of punchy and I need more caffeine.  It's early yet, right??

Every evening around 9: 15, Hope goes to the hallway and "mehr"s to let us know IT IS TIME FOR BED.  If we don't come, she does it a few more times before she comes and sits in my lap and looks very pointedly at me.  Then she hops down, saunters off to the bedroom, giving me one last flick of her tail before going to bed.  And woe to you when you come in and try to take her place.

Unhappy kitty say MEH!

BFF-athon We're desperate.

We've resorted to disco to liven things up.  We're taking requests.  You're ON THE AIR!

Still no progress on the scrapbook.  I've got my paper picked out, though! Sometimes that's the hardest part!

BFF-athon

So, we've been at this for NINE HOURS.  I think I saw Jesus.

Oh, wait.  It was Swedish-born supermodel Marcus Schenkenberg.

Must have caffeine!

This is MY dancespace, this is YOUR dancespace.

BFF-athon

We've broken out the wine and brought the crab dip back out.  Still good!

I just really don't know what to do with myself.  I'm hanging out with my BFFs, having some wine, some good food (if I do say so myself) and some good conversation.  Chill out and live in the moment!

Happy Saturday nights to you guys.  We couldn't do this without you!

BFF-athon With thanks to my_blue_phoenix

Best Comfort Foods:

Crab dip.  Heh.
wine
my mashed potatoes and white gravy
my mother's macaroni and cheese
my grandmother's fried chicken
Julie's chicken salad
my chili
my quesadillas
my grandfather's peanut butter and jelly sandwiches - I called them Daddy sandwiches
bourbon - neat
grilled cheese and tomato soup
a strawberry Nehi and a Whatchamacallit
Chocolate Soldier

All these foods are memories.  That's what makes a comfort food.

What are some of your comfort foods?

BFF-athon Let's get political.

For just a minute.

my_blue_phoenix asks for thoughts on "*The RNC Chief's comment that gay marriage will cause small businesses to suffer because they'll have to supply health benefits to spouses."

Short post, folks.

Dumbass asshole bigot.

BFF-athon Get yer HOT WOMENZ HERE!

I told you we'd be back with the hot women later.  Head on over to kathrynrose's post to see.

ELEVEN HOURS IN.

I saw Jesus again but it turned out to be Angelina Jolie.  Brad says, "Hi".  Also, "WHAT HAPPENS AT BFF-ATHON STAYS AT BFF-ATHON."

Word.

BFF-athon What makes you like a person?

I guess when I encounter someone new (either online or in "real life") my brain has a kind of flowchart of evaluation.

Does my Bullshit Meter go off?  If yes, do not continue.  If no, next question.
Do they seem sincere?  If yes, continue.  If no, do not continue.
Are there common interests/common ground/connection?  If yes, continue.  If no, do not continue.
Reevaluate the above at random intervals, as needed.

Can you tell I am a programmer?  But, unfortunately (fortunately?) life is not a program and neither are relationships.

We like who we like, love who we love.  They are ours and we are theirs.  And thank goodness that we have each other.

GROUP HUG.