I love animals. It's Time I help 'em.

As most of you know, I like to do charity work!
It's fun, challenging and so, so rewarding.
I encourage anyone to take a couple minutes and
help a cause. Just drop a couple coins in a donation
box--- anything!

I Started up a kickstarter for a plan to make
cakepops for a local animal shelter to sell
and gain some new business and income
for the animals.

When I adopt my dog, I'll remember
how grateful we are for each other.
I'm going to adopt a small dog when he
becomes available. The Willster and I
are going to visit the old folks and cheer
them up with the dog.

Check out the site, if nothing else, to see some
cute dogs. [link]

Even a donation of $1 would help so much!

I started too many episodic shows at one time.

I watched all of the seasons of Wilfred, Walking Dead & Breaking Bad.
Fine on it's own, but now-- I'm hooked to all of them.

I have to catch up on all of the new episodes.

They're all sort of starting to run together for me, too.
I guess I have a poor attention span or something.

I was watching Walking Dead and I kept thinking
"Too bad the R.V. broke down, I'm sure the DEA will catch up
to them now." Not quite.

I recommend all three shows I listed, of course.
They're totally excellent. Breaking Bad is the best drama/crime thriller
I've ever watched. This includes movies.

Walking Dead is.. eh.. gross. It's gross.
But, the cast is great and it's very intense. Great watch.
It's creepy, too.

Wilfred is a neat dark comedy. Elijah Wood is always great.  
I like the concept. It stays funny and sort of-- frustrating.

But, when all three are watched at one time; you end up
forgetting when the new episodes come on. Or, you'll have
a pathetic calender like me-- full of air times and crap.

But, all in all...
I'm still waiting for Wilfred to quit cooking meth. There are
zombies starting to surround the RV. I don't think the DEA
can hold them off of a possibly imaginary dog much longer.

Netflix Strikes Again

Or maybe AMC does. Not sure who to blame.

I finally started watching Walking Dead.
I've seen tons of fan art, heard a multitude of good things
about it, looked at a bunch of t-shirts and so on. Netflix has
been suggesting this show to me forever, too.

I don't believe I have the fortitude to watch it.
I've made it through the first couple episodes.
The acting is great and I love the cinematography,
but-- zombies. My land. They are a' creepin' me out.

I was driving and I was the only car on the road. Definitely
zombie apocalypse. I almost made a turn into the guns & ammo
depot.

My screen door blew open this afternoon. Had to be zombies.

It's unusually quiet and still outside this morning--- my god. It's
started already.

Animals are acting funny. Better start boarding up windows.

How Many People Signed Up?

Awesome.

Just. Awesome.

I've had a project in mind for teenagers & art since I started painting shoes.

I have the highest hopes for this grant project and it's
recipients. Congratulations to everyone who received one!

Please keep your fingers crossed for mine! I'll apply for a grant/donation
locally if I do not get this one! It gave me the courage to try it. Why not?!

In my town we don't have an arcade. We don't have a bowling alley.
No theater. There isn't a mall. Not a single skate park. Hardly even a park.

The kids here do not have anything to do.

I've always wanted to start an after-school art class. I'd love to teach
kids how to customize things they already have & make them more fun and
personal. It's a very low-income area. I think if kids can learn how to re-purpose
items or learn how to make their old items fun and 'new'-- they would really
have a leg-up. You don't have to spend a lot to have cool stuff.

I thought if I could only afford to have ONE free class, get people interested,
attract donation-- I could do it more than once. I can't afford to facilitate the
class myself. I have to have help. More people will be willing to pay for the class
or donate to keeping it free if they see it in action first!

I call it; After Stock Art Shock
You know... for the young people.
It looks better in big graffiti letters. Which is how I will advertise
if I can get the funding somehow for this.

I'm working on orders!

Art trades, orders and a couple gifts to be exact.

Keep a look out for some new styles and designs!
This should be a good year to watch eBay for my
items, too.

Catch me on Facebook, too.
I post little fun sniglets from time to time. [link]

Thanks!
~Jam

My Event Operated Like a Swiss Watch.

Perfect.

I have been working since May to get everything together for this.
The Back to School Fair to provides low-income/homeless children
with necessary supplies/screenings to succeed in school.  

Myself and a small group of volunteers gave backpacks, scholastic
supplies, health screenings, hygienic supplies & fun to 198
children! All items were donated or purchased with donated funds.
Organizations participating in the fair (called upon by yours truly)
brought necessary supplies too!

**I live in a community of less than 3,000-- 200 is an awful lot!**

Missouri Highlands Health Care brought
toothpaste, tooth brushes and important handouts about healthy smiles.

United Way came and taught families about community and income
awareness. They gave each child a little something for their treat
bag, too. Fab group of people!

Reynolds County Health Center gave each young child important information
about body awareness, stranger danger & how to talk to an adult when you
need help. The older/teen kids got information about internet safety,
relationship violence and sexual harassment. I have to say, the woman
giving this information was upfront. Blunt. Honest. Lovely. She was the
kind of person I wish I could spend an afternoon with. Heck of a woman.

Everyone who came was awesome.
I just can't list all of them right now. I'm too long winded!!

Swing over to the Back-to-School Fair Facebook page I made and
check out the pictures from today. I didn't get nearly as many as I
wanted--- I was too busy! [link]

My son, Jeremy, manned my book table.
He handed out flyers from the library that gave instructions on how
(to rock ...not really) to get a library card and an event
calender for fun stuff. Each child who came in, got to pick  out a book.

I went where I was needed.
We were a person short for BMI checks. I measured each child with
an adjustable ruler and weighed them on a scale. I gave their height
and weight to a wonderful woman named Edna whom calculated their
BMI. I measured and weighed all 198 kids.

*side story*
One heavy set girl dragged her feet to come to my station.
She looked very down. I put my hand on her back and filled out
her papers. I had her step on the scale. She asked me "Is 168 bad
for a girl my age? It's horrible, isn't it?" I smiled at her and held her
hand. I said "Beautiful is beautiful. It doesn't have to be a size 3.
I think you're gorgeous." I wish I would have thought to tell other
girls that sooner.

*uh.. another side story*
There was a boy so tall I was afraid I was going to have to get a
step ladder to get his height. He was also a sound gentleman.
I haven't been called "Ma'am" by a boy his age in a long time.
"Yes ma'am. Thank you ma'am." it made my day. He was almost 6'5"

I had the BMI check set up behind a sectioned off part of the room.
Not many kids want to be weighed in front of their peers. I liked when
there was a small break in the kids coming to me. I got to peek
out and see Jeremy helping give people books.

It really was most excellent to see kids standing, flipping through books,
getting excited about reading. I liked when they came in and talked about
their books to me having no idea that I'm the one who brought them.

The kids who came not only looked like they were very excited &
thrilled to no end to be there--- they looked like they really needed it.

It is a fantastic feeling to help those who need. No matter what task,
no matter how small-- helping is awesome. It's far superior to give than
receive. I'm so happy my son could share this with me.

P.S.
Holy shert, I wert a berk. Huge post. Had a lot to say.

Yes. Yes I am.

When it comes to things I do well;
dancing, singing in tune and driving
do not top my list.

But, I am a master of soup.
Any soup. Give me a goat and
a potato and I could probably
make good soup out of it.

I am going out of town, just my
daughter and I while the men
go camping. I hate camping. I refuse
to go.

I like to leave in a blaze of glory whenever
I do go somewhere without the boys.
I made roughly 6 gallons of soup today.
The house smelled delicious, too. I think if
you ate the wall behind my stove it wouldn't
taste that bad.

I'm going to put my soup making to the test.
I'm going to cater my charity event... myself...
with soup. Crazy? Yes. Probably. I'm really
trying hard to make this event something people
will want to volunteer for next year. I need help!

I'm making posters for Back to School Fair right now.
(**Event that gives poor children school supplies,
backpacks, medical screenings & haircuts donated
by generous local stylists.)
I may post them just for the heck of it for those of
you whom have taken an interest.

As soon as my fair is over, I'll be back to painting more.
Keep a look out! I want to work much more this year.

What Time is it? Adventure Time!

My AT nesting doll is for sale on eBay.
[link]

Check it out. I started the bid at $30.
Don't be intimidated by eBay, it's easy. Way easy.

My Nesting Doll is Done!

I'm so happy with it! It's really fun!

I can't wait to do my next one.
I'll post a suggestion poll soon.
Please participate, give some feedback, whatevs.

Thanks for all the faves on my WIP stuff.
It made it fun to get them done.

I'm known to be preachy sometimes.

I think I'm in the mood to start a conversation.

After sitting at my desk painting for far longer than I had
intended to, I decided to go and just chill with the little girls.
What's on their agenda? What are they doing? My nieces (5 & 8)
and daughter (2) were playing "family". One child takes on a
role of mom or dad-- what have you.

Listening to them play, I noticed a topic that came up more
than I had thought-- beauty. Even at their young ages I could
hear them say little things like "Now I have my makeup on and I'm beautiful."

Such a heavy burden girls have.

I look at the magazines on the coffee table.
Even in my 'ladies' magazines where all of the
women wear white cotton on ads for
poise pads-- all of them are perfect. 36x24x32,
flawless, airbrush complexions-- the works.

I think all of my girls are beautiful, of course, but I know I need to
change a few things. I always thought telling them how pretty they
look would boost their confidence. I wonder--- is it doing the exact
opposite?

We as human put a lot of value on beauty. Brains are better.

I think I'll be more careful with my words to my little girls.
"My goodness you look so pretty today!" always seemed to me
like a nice thing to tell a little girl. I think "Look at all of these
books you have! How many have you read? What's your favorite?"
would be so much better. I love little brains.

Natural beauty is so precious. Freckles, flaws, gaps, scrapes and all.
It's hard to feel inadequate; there truly is no reason for it.
Every girl is a pretty girl.

A "Thank-You" to Everyone Who Has Been So Kind.

As most of you know, I've been raising money via my little
terra cotta pots for a program to help low-income students
go back to school. This project started out me wanting to
donate $100 to a worthy cause. This thing has blown up
like the little house from "Up".

I have raised $624(and counting) since the end of April.
HOLY MOLY!

Not only have I totally went above and beyond any
expectations I had for my donation-- I met a lot of genuine,
caring, wonderful people along the way. I have also been
chosen to manage our Back-to-School Fair!! I'm honored and
intimidated. Every second of extra time I have is dedicated to
making this an awesome year for kids to go back to school.

I live in a low-income area.
I'm close to the school. I go to all of the little Christmas parties
and Kindergarten graduations. I've seen it all. From the kids that
carry their books to school in a Wal-Mart bag, to the kids with holes
in their shoes. This makes this event very close to me.

Just in case you want to know about my project--
we provide kids with backpacks full of all the supplies
they need for school, haircut vouchers (from wonderful, generous
ladies at local salons), Payless shoe gift cards, health screenings,
and as much more as we can budget to give!

Everyone here on Deviant Art has been so nice and
supportive, too.

Thank you all so much for the kind words and encouragement!
It means so much. This is a HUGE task. I have very few volunteers
and very low funds. It's been hard to string together.
Keep your fingers crossed for me!

BREAKIIINNNGG BAAAAD!

Alright, alright. It goes like this:

*Le me: "Let's see what's on Netflix today!"

*Netflix: "Hey! I see you like some dark dramas and documentaries
like Food Inc. and Methnation. I really think you'll like this, too!"

**introducing Breaking Bad to Top 10 for Jamie**

*Le Me: "Ya' know, I'm not really that into shows and stuff.
Thanks anyway, Netflix. I think I'll just watch a season of American Dad."

*Netflix: "Your loss. I'll remind you tomorrow."

*Le me: "Okay, Netflix. I've watched every documentary from prison over-crowding
to vanishing bees-- I think I've seen them all. What else do you have?"

*Netflix: "Hey, no problem! Check out what else I've picked for you!"

*Le me: "Being Elmo the Kevin Clash story-- seen it. Witness to Jonestown-- seen it.
South Park-- seen it. Breaking Bad-- Again with this, Netflix?"

*Netflix: "Yup. You'll love it. Trust me."

*Le me: "I'll pass. Portlandia it is."

**2 Weeks Later**

*Le me: "Alright, new line-up for suggestions for me! Yay!"
*scroll, scroll, scroll*
*Le me: "Boy.... I don't really care to see any of that. .....Guess I'll check out
Breaking Bad. If I don't like it-- I can always turn it off and bury it like a smelly turd."

...........

*Ze children: "Mommy----- can we have dinner now?"

*Le me: "No way! Baloney on hand sandwiches for tonight, kids! I'm watchin' Breaking Bad!"

*the spouse: My dear, my clothes are smelly and my stomach empty. What shall I do?"

*Le me: "Roll around on a car freshener, then eat it. I'm watching Breaking Bad!"


Yep. Don't bother me. I'm watching Breaking Bad.

Back-to-School Fair Business

(to catch up new-comers; the Back-to-School fair gives disadvantaged
children needed school supplies, backpacks & general health screenings.
Volunteers provide helpful services and give a big confidence boost to
all children who attend. I live in a very low income area and this is a vital
service. You can learn more in my previous Journal [link] )

Finally!
I have solid donations, telephone trees, Volunteers & Handouts!


I have personally raised $240 for the children in my community.
I'm super-happy about this amount, even if it seems a little small.
I can't express how kind and generous people have been. It means
so much to me!

I am starting a FundRazr site to help the cause.  [link] <--here

Leave a comment with your name or comment here in my journal--
if you donate, I will put your name down. I will run a drawing after I
reach my goal ($1,000) and will customize a small personal item
such as a hat or stashbox for the name I draw.

I am going to be doing a lot of volunteer work for this project, and as
soon as I can-- I will add some photos of what I'm up to. Right now,
there isn't much to show except for my pots I'm painting. Those too are
flying out of here so fast I forget to snap pictures! I've done over 30 of them
so far.

I'm on my way to make phone calls!! Bright an early monday morning.
I will be hitting up local emergency/health departments for helpful handouts
for each child that attends the Back-to-School fair. I'm going to be badgering
all of the local salons, too. I'm on the prowl for hair cut vouchers.

I can't wait to see how it turns out this year!

Thank you all so much for your kind words and encouragement!
I needed it!!

Ha! Made you look!

My little planter endeavor has been going much better
than I had anticipated. People have been over-all very
welcoming of the idea and eager to help.



That is all of the items that have been donated to me so
that I can keep on making more to sell for Operation Backpack.
How nice! I even received a mask just for spray paint. Awesome!!
I really needed one!

I'd love it if you guys would help me with some design ideas.
I've been painting things that are general that a majority of
people can enjoy. I'm running out of neutral color palates, though.
I would love some ideas from all of you. Comment with some!
I'd be so grateful!

I Will Get Back to Making Snarky Journals About Fun Stuff Real Soon!

I have a few people following this project I am working on.
It's a great service I can do for people in my community and I have to
raise some awareness. I know a lot of you might be tired of these.
Thank you for hanging in there!

I received a letter from the chairwoman of the Back-to-School Fair,
(commonly known as "Operation Backpack") I have some more solid
numbers for what is projected for this year. I also have a set list of
scholastic supplies.

For those of you whom did not see my previous journals about
the fundraising I will be doing, please see [link]
for some more info.

At this event last year, they roughly bought supplies for 200 children.
The numbers the East Missouri Action Agency and the Ministry Alliance
supplied me are numbers from last year. I predict because of the economy,
these numbers may be higher this school year.

Items needed include:
Glue Sticks
School Box w/ pack of pencils
10 pack eraser topped pencils
Crayons
Blunt tip scissors
Elmer's Glue (probably not shippable)
Highlighters
Red Pens
Pink Eraser
Spiral Note books
Wide Ruled Notebook Paper
Folders
Rulers
Markers
Colored Pencils
Composition Notebooks
Gift Cards redeemable at Payless Shoe stores in $10 or $20 increments.
Anything extra at all to donate to a local hair stylist. She gave her time
and resources last year and gave free hair cuts to the children whom
attended.

Kindergarten-- 16
1st-5th Grade-- 74
6th-8th Grade-- 42
High School-- 37

As you can see, it's a tall order.
I cannot do it alone. If you like my artwork, I will be starting
to sell items this summer for this cause. I will make small items and
I will accept any offer to donate to this cause. I will document everything
and I will take lots and lots of pictures.

I hope this at least inspires you to do good in your own community.
If so, let me know. I'd love to hear about what you're doing to help.

Good News Everyone!

_{I hope everyone read that in Professor Farnsworth's voice}

Through a series of phone calls, messages, phone trees and operators
I finally found the person I needed!

If you didn't catch my last Journal entry about Operation Backpack, please
check it out here if you're curious-->[link]

A very nice lady at the East Missouri Action Agency gave me the skinny on
how to help the low-income children in the area get back-to-school! I am
proud to say that I have already had an outpouring of people here on DA
whom are eager to help! I cannot tell you guys how much your kind words
and support have made me want to help even more.

EMAA rep. Tonya let me know that this year funding has been cut. She, and the
department are relying very much on a local group called the "Ministry Alliance"
which is basically a group of concerned citizens affiliated with a local church.
Because demand for supplies was so high last year, they have to start from
scratch this year. EMAA let me know that they basically have nothing ready
for the upcoming year.

Last year, enough books were donated that each child was able to pick out
a story book to go along with their new backpacks & school supplies.

Getting books into little hands is extremely important.
"Disadvantaged students in the first grade have a vocabulary that
is approximately half that of an advantaged student ."
(*sourced from "National Center for Education Statistics")
Every student should be an "advantaged student".

What I'm Going To Do!

I am going to make custom items over the summer to auction, raffle
or sell directly. All proceeds from these items will go to the back-to-school
program. I will have a special signature on each item to reflect this.
I am going to keep record of proceeds and keep them public.
I will document when I visit the Ministry Alliance and make drop-offs.
I will keep anyone who is interested up to date with this. It's going to be fun!

What Can You Do?

Comment with a little bit of encouragement.
I know I'm not shipping aide to starving countries or providing clean
drinking water to third world countries--- but, I am trying to make a difference
in the community where I live. I really hope that even if you do not help
my cause that you might consider doing something similar in your own town.

Please shoot some ideas to me about some designs you would like to see!
I am always up for ideas and color-schemes!

If You Want To Mail Scholastic Supplies

Mail a pack of pencils!
Ship a notepad or two. Send a story book.
I'm not picky. Neither are these kids. They just need a
chance to do just as well as any other child. Let's give
them a leg-up. I will provide an address to the EMAA
to anyone who would like to help. Even sending a pack
of #2 pencils will help. If everyone sent a small item, this
could be a really good year to go back to school.

Thank You so much for reading! I just can't thank all of
you enough!

I love to do things to help others

I need your help to do it!

Thanks in advance for reading this entry! It's super appreciated!

I live in a very small, rural, low income area.
Every year the (tiny) school here does Operation Backpack.
This is a program that gives underprivileged students the materials
they need in school to succeed.

Operation Backpack provides children with school supplies
(pencils, paper etc.), backpacks, basic health screenings
(eyes, spine, height & weight) and pretty much anything else
school related that they have enough funds for. Last year a local church
donated gift cards to Payless shoe stores and each child
at the program received a much-needed new pair of shoes.

Operation Backpack also helps throughout the year with another HUGE
problem in this area. Shortages in our local food bank. Teachers discreetly
put packaged, child-friendly foods into low income children's backpacks while
they are at recess on Fridays to make sure these children have enough to
eat throughout the weekend.

Hopefully this year will bring forth some more incredibly generous people to open
their hearts & wallets to donate supplies & monetarily.

I am one of those incredibly generous people. I also don't have the resources
to donate enough to make much of a difference.

That's why I am going to be raffling (auctioning--- whatever) some items off real soon!!
All proceeds will go to the upcoming Operation Backpack. I'm trying to find a venue
for my fundraiser, but I may rely solely on DeviantArt, Word of mouth and Facebook.

I need your help to think of somethings that would be appropriate for anyone, any
gender, any tastes. General design ideas or things you would personally enjoy.

I'll be using non-size specific items like headphones,
stash boxes, hats & HOPEFULLY a set of nesting dolls or vinyl toys.

I  really need some suggestions on what to paint on them. Or even advice on how
to reach more people with these fundraising items.

I will field any questions you have about this program. Anyone who would like to participate
with me, please send me a message here and let's make a plan. I really want to help this year!

Thank you so much!

~Jam