Thanks in Giving

There's so much bustling about in our little non-profit world right now. We are preparing for our first fund raiser. For anyone who has ever started planning something like that, you understand we are scared out of our gourds. We also have a potential opportunity to reach out to several hundred more people by Christmas. There have been offers of substantial help to further things along by means of time and talent, and if all goes as planned, there will be a benefit concert. (details to come)

So, as is customary at this time of year, I would like to thank those of you that are reading and sending us all your good thoughts and mojo. To you who have donated, it is a precious resource, and repeatedly I am moved that you believe in this, too. I would like to thank the Board of Directors for your time and individual talents. I would also like to show my gratitude to this crazy, mixed-up planet by serving a couple more clients by the first of the year.

If you know of a woman in need of propping up this season, please use the contact information to the right to be in touch with me. The gift is in the giving, so again I thank you for giving me this opportunity to share some hope, some fun, and some cute shoes.

Pure Genius

I believe I witnessed a stroke of marketing genius this week. I went to Nordstrom with the very spefific intent of sniffing some of Philosophy's new holiday bath scents. Specifically, Red Velvet Cake. Yeah, I'm all over that for my Birthday/Christmas wish list. Top it off with a cocoa butter rub down. Ah do decla-yuh!

Anyhoo, the store was bustling. And I do mean bustling. Outside those streak-free glass doors, the mall population was listless at best. Store clerks leaning on their elbows, a bit of an echo as I walked the faux-marble tile. It was the middle of the day, in the middle of the week, after all. It's understandable. Not inside Nordstrom. I thought for a second I had been transported back to the "glory days" of Reaganomics where 18% interest on bank CD's meant $300 bottles of perfume made nice office gifts. They might as well have had a banner hanging across each entrance emblazoned with "WHAT RECESSION?" There were at least two dozen employees at the cosmetics counters alone, and about as many in the shoe department. Big smiles. Piano music in the background.

For a split second there, a pair of leopard print stilletoes with hot pink trim were calling my name. *get back evil Sirens* It didn't matter that I'm still jobless, even though I graduated seven months ago. Pure. Genius. Help people forget. Step inside our store and we'll take you back for a while to better days. *whispers* Mind you, we won't be paying your heating bill, or your mortgage, or your credit card bill. *louder* Those shoes make your calves look fabulous! I think someone's been stealing pages out of Don Draper's handbook.

It made me wonder, if I walked around that afternoon, handing out my card and telling people about Out of the Gray, what kind of response I might have gotten. Encouraging smiles, whipping out checkbooks? Hmm. I suspect more likely "Don't you know times are hard for everyone?" scowls. The Me Generation hasn't actually gone anywhere. Like the Law of Thermodynamics for energy, selfishness can't be destroyed, it just moves unilaterally. Heck, I'm still daydreaming about those stilletoes, not these poor people.

I wonder if Nordstrom's marketing team is for hire? I only need them for about two hours. *scratches chin* On second thought, nah, I'm not interested in creating ice castles. My hope is built on firmer foundations than that.

Blessings,
Liz

Sublime(inal)

Tis' official. The IRS received our paperwork and Out of the Gray is off and running. (send money) It seems like it's taken forever (send money) to become something more than (send money) an idea on cyber-paper and yet considering how many dreams (send money) never make it out of the closet, so to speak, this has clipped (send money)along at a respectable (send money)pace.(send lots and lots of cold, hard cash)(pretty please) I'm just glad we're not going to be one of those grabby, annoying, blatant types of charities. (with a cherry on top) We plan to be subtle and handle our pledge requests with elegance and not an ounce of pandering. (if you don't send lots of money, baby Jesus will cry) (and your lips will fall off)(it's true~we know Gypsies)Thank you for your support and please continue to keep this venture in your thoughts. Stay posted! (and send money) (if you know what's good for you)

Lunacake

This is my word for the day. Don't worry, not to become a habit. I have a hard enough time keeping standard vocabulary on the tip of my tongue, let alone adding to Webster's. No, this would be the word that tumbled forth when trying to describe my state of mind to a friend on the phone. *still waiting for word from the IRS* When, as usual, the swirling vortex in my head is going faster than the speed of my mouth (a feat all in itself). I couldn't decide on "lunatic" or "fruitcake". The result being "lunacake". Nice, huh? I think it should be blazoned across a pink tee. It would also be a cute name if I ever decide to open a bakery. Or, should Brangelina actually adopt the whole world and demand that every child get branded, this is going on my derriere. (Lunacake Jolie-Pitt. Take that, Shiloh.) Though I like to think of myself as more cupcake than fruitcake, well, who am I kidding, it's a toss-up, really.

Closer to Love

Leaves are turning here. It reminds me of that phrase "turning over a new leaf". I guess I understand what the intention is, but I'm pretty happy with the leaf I've got. I'll be fine morphing from tender celadon, to a mature, healthy, fully-ripe green. Looking forward to the days I'm a vibrant orange and even, though a tad reluctantly, eventually droopy and faded, a little brittle around the edges. If nature requires a cycle, who am I to jump out of the loop and turn over a new anything? After all, I'm just along for the ride, thank you.

I mailed off the "paperwork" required by the IRS to request 501(c)(3) status. And by paperwork, I mean tome. Several thousand hours later...Out of the Gray is one step closer to our mission. Love. So, do me a big favor and love your leaf. Erm, life.

The Director Is In

It is finished! I have finished my degree and the director is now in. Whew. Check back soon...