You know why? Because people will give away crap and think they are helping. Effing people. Just send money! Let the agencies buy what they need, when they need it!

Did you see this article? [link] It is eye-opening about how little crap helps:

If you’re considering doing your part, that’s great. But, experts say, whatever you do, don’t donate anything but money. Under no circumstances should you mail care packages, toys, food or clothes. Don’t even think about sending drugs. The response to prior disasters shows that regardless of your intentions, you will only be making matters worse.

In other news, I just got a down coat for half price. I have really given in this winter. Snow boots and a puffer coat! But my everyday wool coat really is only good at 30+.

Yeah, bon -- I linked that article in my friend's comments.

My dad gave me his puffy down coat a couple of years ago when I was riding the bus to work. It's old and too big for me, but man, I have been happy to have it this winter.

Thanks that link about the importance of sending money and not stuff; I just Tweeted it.

I can only imagine the nightmare that stuff is when people don't have shelter and food. Even for mac's orphanage, the list of stuff that is actually useful to donate is relatively small. Which reminds me, if people with kids every want to donate clothes or shoes (these are needed up to bigger sizes also) or basic language learning book/tapes/shows, let me know. It's a West Coast place, so fairly local postage for some of y'all.

I do still wish there were things you could do that would help, that are things, and not money-- like when everyone was knitting socks for soldiers. But the thing is, when they were doing it in Little Women, there weren't really machine made socks, so it made more sense.

If you have the impulse to make, I guess the best thing to do is auction your handmade socks and give them the money!

I posted and ran about flylady, but I too have considered this week if I could make a "grumpy agnostic single" Flylady, but realized that if I had the energy to do that, I wouldn't need Flylady. I am not sure I can give it up without something else, though. I tend to need to be held accountable, and I like that it is so structured.

I think msbelle should be Flylady!

I'm going to post that link on my fb page.

I too have considered this week if I could make a "grumpy agnostic single" Flylady

I'm sure there's a market for it. Someone should definitely do it!

If I had backing, I would do it, but I need a paycheck and insurance. SPeaking of, the testing we want for mac is potentially going to cost me $3K. Most of the people we have found so far do not take insurance, or not mine. I have more numbers to call starting tomorrow, but sheesh.