Lazy Day

I'm really excited. I applied to be a volunteer at a local organization for refugees, and I went for a tour and informal interview yesterday. I'll be volunteering with an after-school program for kids aged 10-16 or so. It'll be like study hall, and I'll be there to answer homework questions and stuff. I start next Thursday! Yay! I can't wait!

Oh, I just looked down at my kitty (cuz he sighed very sweetly) and he is actually sleeping on the pet pillow that R and S got him! That's like, the first time, ever, and he's had it for nearly three months.


Websites I've been reading today ('cause, let's face it, that's all I ever do):

I've never done this before, but I've actually started my Christmas shopping in September. I'm a little ashamed of myself, to be honest. Anyway, there were tons of awesome artist booths at Bumbershoot, and I've been checking out some of their websites.

Etsy
"Your place to buy and sell all things handmade." I like the idea of buying handmade stuff for several reasons, but a big one is that I know there won't be any sweat-shops or child labor involved, which is scary stuff. The problem is, this stuff tends to be more expensive than the sweat-shop J.C. Penney's t-shirts I'm accustomed to buying. But this website features all sorts of products that are great gift ideas. There's even a virologist who crochets HIV viruses and gives a portion of sales to Blood:Water Mission (see below).

ex libris anonymous
What do you get when you take the covers from an old book and bind them around blank white sketchbook paper, with some pages from the original book mixed in? The best idea ever! I wish I'd thought of it...and had all the tools necessary to make these journals.

Non-profit sites:

Blood:Water Mission
They ask everyone to donate one dollar. One dollar provides enough clean drinking water for one African for a WHOLE YEAR!

Lifelong AIDS Alliance
The Pacific Northwest's leading AIDS service organization.

Ashes, ashes, we all take a bath

When I got home today, I was greeted as usual by my darling kitten, who is, may I say, quite the porker. He had acquired, while I was at work, some new spots. Grayish ones, in fact. Someone has been frolicking in the fireplace, again! Which of course means, someone gets to take another bath! Oh, how he loves baths! No wait, what's that other word that sounds like "loves" but means the opposite? Oh yeah, loathes. Well, that'll teach ya to go exploring in ash-filled caves.

Displaying his manliness


Displaying his kittenliness