feel goodery

Dave and I attended our first fundraiser last weekend to support his cousin Kim and her husband Dan. They are farmless farmers who run CSA (food delivery) program, and they're raising money to purchase farmland near Tacoma.

We didn't really know what we were signing up for. For example, Dave attempted to leave the house in jeans and a hoodie. I'm not really sure how fundraisers work but I suspect people wear ball gowns when their dinners cost $75 a plate. Or at least not sweatsuits. Dave argued that this was for farmers. In Washington. He changed anyway. All I knew was that there'd be be home-grown food, a bluegrass band and presentations.

The Founders Dinner rocked! It was my favorite fundraiser evarrrrr! We just so happened to sit with some fellow urban planner types, and there was plenty of organic wine, brussel sprouts, pulled pork, and rosemary pear cake to go around. All of it was washed down with a jammin bluegrass band. You could tell the hopeful farmers put a ton of work into the event, and once the keynote speakers got into the importance of supporting local economies, eating locally, and giving the next generation of farmers the boost they need, we couldn't get out our checkbook fast enough. It was really inspiring and amidst all the gloom and doom of today's news, it really made me feel good about something. Even if we do not have extra money lying around, it's worthwhile to invest in community assets and to support sustainable farmland practices.

I think we've done our good deed for the year but check out Tahoma Farms if you're interested in their venture.

Prohibition 2009

My sister and I are challenging each other to NOT DRINK for the month on March. Yep, we're taking the family challenge.

I was inspired by my friend who has taken on a similar venture this month. Ahem, the shortest month of the year, but who am I to point fingers? He challenged his buddy to sobriety for all of February, to the tune of $500. So, if one man drinks before the end of the month, he must pay the friend (opponent?) $500.

We are not raising the stakes that high. We're doing it in the name of health, glowing skin and hot bikini bods for our upcoming Hawaii trip. In leui of a wager, we are creating envelopes for each other and will send them in the mail. Inspiring envelopes. Every time we save money by not drinking (i.e. not buying a bottle of wine for dinner) we put cash into the kitty. At the end of March, we'll each bring our envelopes aflow with cash to Hawaii, where we will spend it on a rockin' sisterly excursion. Maybe lunch, maybe dinner, most likely an ice cold beverage will be involved. Wish us luck!