Button Sunday

Today is United Nations Day. The UN focuses its global commitments on:

  • Achieving universal primary education.
  • Eradicating extreme poverty and hunger.
  • Improving maternal health.
  • Ensuring environmental sustainability.
  • Promoting gender equality and empowering women.
  • Combating HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases.
  • Reducing child mortality.
  • Creating development partnerships.

Working out well…for ME

Friday night, The Brides came over for craft night. I was the only one who crafted (you’ll see the result of that in my Sunday night post), but that’s okay, because the other reason for getting together was to celebrate their fourth anniversary. Earlier that day, I tried to make a cake, but someone had put a couple of deli pickles in the butter compartment of the refrigerator. The pickle smell had permeated the stick of butter I used, so that batter got thrown out, and I made a second, more successful cake.

Saturday, their anniversary celebration continued with a brunch at Rhonda’s parents’ house. While there, Rhonda dived into her old toy box and brought something back for me. It’s a donation to my collection–one I didn’t have before today:


1969 Twist N Turn Barbie, often called “The Marlo” because of her Marlo Thomas That Girl hair flip.
I LOVE HER!

Thank you, Rhonda. You should have anniversaries more often, I think.

Spirit Day

I whipped up some collar covers for the dogs this morning in honor of Spirit Day. Putting my dogs in purple with me isn’t meant to diminish the seriousness of bullying. My heart breaks for those teens who felt bullied or harassed to the point of suicide. But as I often say, Margot and Guinness, and dogs in general, are my teachers. Dogs don’t care about your gender. They don’t care if you’re rich or poor. They don’t care what race or religion you are–or aren’t. They don’t care if you’re gay or straight.

We can teach dogs to be mean, just as we can teach people to hate. But dogs teach us unconditional love. Dogs don’t hate.

So the three of us wear purple today to remind anyone who may stumble across this photo that you’re not alone. There are people who will help you if you need help. Please stay around to find out how much more there is to life than the people who call you names, or hurt you physically, or make you feel like you don’t matter. You matter. The world needs your unique gifts. The world needs you.

Check out The Trevor Project or Hopeline if you feel alone, if you are afraid, if you need to talk to someone.

LJ Runway Monday: We’re in a New York State of Mind (PR 8:12)

Heidi: We’ve made it to the end of the challenges of this season’s Runway Monday. Though there are dust bunnies racing with abandon across the hardwood floors of Becks’ house, and The Compound grass has all died again, at least she’s managed to produce a record twenty challenge looks this season.

Barbie: Not to mention an additional fifteen looks for us throughout the season.

Summer: Tonight, however, we’re dressed in Mattel. Not just so Becks could concentrate on this week’s challenge, but because she’s working on her final collection.

Heidi: Why? How does she know she’ll be picked to show a collection during Fashion Week?

Summer: Maybe because she’s the only designer we’ve got?

Heidi: Oh. Right.

Barbie: I chose tonight’s dresses because–

Heidi: They remind everyone that Christmas is right around the corner, and Barbies are a girl’s best friend?

Barbie: –because I felt guilty about not using any of the Birthstone Beauties as models this season. So I thought we could at least wear their dresses.

Summer: I’m in May. Heidi’s in January. And Barbie’s in April. I wonder what this week’s runway model will be in?

Heidi: Manhattan. On the most recent episode of Lifetime’s Project Runway, Mayor Bloomberg gave the designers the entire city of New York to use as their inspiration.

Summer: Becks chose Midtown, most particularly the majestic Art Deco skyscrapers.

Barbie: She’s dressing Esperanza as the Empire State Building?

Heidi: Let’s see!

Please click here for photos.