It's that time again...Interpret This!!

Get on over to the Interpret This Blog, scroll down and see the fantastic work being done by these talented women. If you didn't see last months entries for Heaven's sake don't miss that while you're there. I can't wait to see what's next. Each one of these women brings something different and wonderful to the challenge. They are all so very talented that the results are refreshing and fun to see.

If you have a cup of something soothing and a few more minutes go on over to the Twelve by twelve group blog and let your eyes feast on their results in the Blue & White and a touch of Black theme for this month. Don't forget to check out the other months gone by. They've been doing this for quite a while now and they have a book coming out through Lark Books. Very cool ladies and a fabulous group of artists from all over the world.

Anyway, after that fabulousness I wish I had something great to offer. I'm in the throws of making curtains for my BIL Bob's windows and it has to be the most snore inducing event lately. Assembly line sewing and such.
We had so much damn snow that it seems like we will never see the ground again. I'm still trying to make the new room comfortable to work in and not having much success. It's difficult to get things worked out for various reasons, one of which is that I live on a big hill and getting the heck out of here in bad weather or getting things delivered is an impossible dream in winter with this white stuff falling every other day. Delivery trucks don't like us much for good reason and unless I want to take a sleigh ride downhill I'm not going far. The week ahead may change that. Springy temps...yay!

I have much to do in the Pantry backlog of paperwork. Our Treasurer has given notice and I'm devastated. She and three other women are the only permanent staff. Up to now she would record the checks and monetary donations and send me a list of donors names, addresses, and desires regarding letter of acknowledgment and thanks. It may not sound like that would be difficult but it's complicated. Some donors are making bequests and that requires two letters. One to thank the donor and one to acknowledge the gift to the family members. Donations come in all forms. Lately we get a lot of grocery store gift cards. Kids around her get food donations from the local grocers. They do this so that I will write them a letter for there civic programs etc. The Treasurer and I have had a perfect system worked out for several years. Glossing over the fact that no one has raised a hand to help(don't get me started) I will have to deal with whatever person we can find to replace her.
The people who come to the meetings are professional meeting goers. They are all long-time retirees who come for the coffee and bagels and the ability to say they belong to an important civic group. In my 12 years of doing this, I have rarely seen a hand raised when a helper is called for. It all falls to the 3 or 4 of us who do the work. I get really annoyed with these folks. They are all representatives of their various churches and synagogues and I believe that they feel that just attending the meetings is their "job". It's very hard to get people to actually help out. Most younger women are out working now so I get it completely in that respect. It's a shame though since it really calls for patience on the part of the 3 or 4 of us. Mostly, I don't blame people since, once you volunteer for anything in the Ecumenical Council the job is yours f-o-r-e-v-e-r! By the way, our biggest muscle comes from the people who use the Pantry. They come in and help unpack bags and boxes regularly. Helpful folks who tell us they feel it's the least they can do. Good for them and good for us.
Anyway, sorry for the long rant. Spring can't come soon enough-crabby witch here!

I'm off to sew some curtains and write some letters. James brought me fresh bagels yesterday so I will enjoy a great breakfast and try to get a better attitude about things in general. The sun is trying to shine and I am happy that I don't live where my brother Pete does. He got more than 3 feet....UGH!