Ballet, dinner and New Orleans

[ailbhe]

This morning, Linnea and I went to Rhyme Time at the local library. Marjorie, the regular librarian, wasn't there, so they had supplied a very enthusiastic stand-in who had musical instruments and an easel on which were written all the words to "The Animals Went In Two By Two" and it was cacophonous and we enjoyed it greatly. Then Linnea and I borrowed some books () and went to the playground with Nicki and Is. We had a lovely time but it was too hot so we had lunch and went home to try napping.

"But Mu-uuuuum, I don't want to try napping, it's too hard and I'm too tired!"

I fed her, I cuddled her, I lay her in the cool dark quiet, I gave up and turned the telly on. We watched Teletubbies.

And for the second time ever, I saw Ballet-Dancing JCBs. It was wonderful, in a very weird way.

At dinner, an overtired and cranky Linnea refused to sit at the table like she normally does and opted instead to sit on Rob's lap, serving herself from his bowl - that is to say, she served food from his bowl onto her plate, where she didn't eat it. I blame Lean, myself, as it was there Linnea learned about serving food at all. I found it hard to eat for laughing.

New Orleans: I can do nothing but give money. Where shall I give it? I know some people on my regular reading list have asked for donations for specific parties; I figure I - that is to say, the household finances as managed by me, so really me and Rob and Linnea - can give a little to individuals and then a larger sum to the Red Cross. I'd love to give our spare beds and old clothes and so on, but it's totally impractical so money it shall be.

I'm not up to discussion of the ins and outs of the NOLA situation at all. People are dying. Babies are dying. Yes, for me it's worse when it's babies, it came with the hormones I was issued 25 months ago. Or 26 years ago. Or something.

Comments

[oldbloke.livejournal.com]

Somebody we know who used to work for the American Red Cross suggested the Sally Army as a good place to send your dosh. Their website can get a bit busy though.

[kalmn.livejournal.com]

salvation army is religious and a touch weird about it.

here's a good list of places to donate (and to not donate!)

http://www.livejournal.com/users/sunfell/561704.html

[ai731.livejournal.com]

They're religious and a touch weird, but they are organized, experienced, and have the staff and resources to provide aid immediately. They've been delivering food, water and other necessities to people who don't have to evacuate (because they're far enough out of NOAL that their houses aren't flooded) but have no way to get food for 2 days now, which the US Army hasn't managed to do... In a situation like this, I'd be inclined to give money where it's going to be most effectively used regardless of the spiritual affiliation of the organization.

[oldbloke.livejournal.com]

Our informant reckoned that in time of emergency like this, the SA skip the religious stuff and just get stuck in. OtOH, the US SA website can't take donations from outside the US anyway, apparently.

[rosefox]

You can give your old clothes to international groups like the Salvation Army; they sell them and put the money to where it's best used.

(Mind you, SA's donations include a heaping helping of religion, and a lot of people don't like them for that, but they do get out there and help people where they can.)

[pocketnaomi.livejournal.com]

At last word, the American Red Cross and the International Red Cross are not on teribly good terms, and they're keeping their money separate. If you want to donate to the Red Cross for a disaster in the U.S., make sure it's to the American version.

[djelibeybi.livejournal.com]

We watched Teletubbies....
...cranky Linnea refused to sit at the table

See any connection here? They're evil I tell you!

On the New Orleans front, I'm getting rid of so much stuff, I really would like it to be useful. Beds, bedding, furniture - If I could just send it somewhere where it can be useful, I'd feel better about it too. Samaritans and Oxfam didn't want to know. WTF?

[artela.livejournal.com]

There are UK based charities that will take furniture for giving to poor people in the UK who can't afford things like new beds or new sofas, maybe try one of those?

My biggest worry with the NO stuff is that the biggest and most powerful nation on earth really did ought to be able to sort this one out for themselves, and if people switch to donating to them then the poorer and less able nations are going to miss out - their need is ongoing and they don't have the most powerful and richest nation to support them :-/

[djelibeybi.livejournal.com]

There are UK based charities that will take furniture for giving to poor people in the UK who can't afford things like new beds or new sofas, maybe try one of those?

We did try. The Bloke spent days on the phone, internet and email trying to give away the spare room furniture. I'd hoped that the local council would use it. You'd be surprised how underwhelmed we were.

spare furniture

[ailbhe]

Freecycle?

Re: spare furniture

[djelibeybi.livejournal.com]

{facepalm} Had completely forgotten about that. Dumb brunette.

I've now reaquainted myself with my user name and password (not keen on the cookies from Yahoo though) and will remember to use this in a fortnight after the remainder of The Bloke's stuff comes from Lunnen.

[artela.livejournal.com]

If all else fails then there's freecycle just to try and get rid of it without tipping it...

[baratron.livejournal.com]

Ballet-Dancing JCBs? Enquiring minds need to know.

[ailbhe]

That's all I know. It looked amazing. Perhaps they were dry-land synchronied swimming, rather than ballet-dancing, but whatever - it was amazing.