Does anyone have?

...sunglasses they don't wear? I (almost) don't even care what they look like, just need some cornea-saving shades. Lemmeknowthanks!

First Crap Swap a Success!

Hopefully everyone who made it to the Crap Swap had a good time and is happy with their stuff. I know I am! I think everything I got was worthwhile...an item I'd thought about buying, and a couple things that I know I would impulse-buy elsewhere (like candle paraphernalia). [PS-By the time I got home, I only had one candle holder left intact. Oh well.]

I'd be happy to host the next one. Pre-planning to have people over might motivate me to actually go through my as yet packed boxes, and I promise to get materials ready for a composting party! Till then, each person should save at least two newspapers, and buy (or find) herself a rubber storage box (of a size that seems appropriate for her compost needs; mine is probably 14Wx20Lx16H").

Maybe we can try and get together again in a month, and if we don't have enough stuff to warrant a swap, maybe we can just incorporate mini-swaps with poker nights/bingo. Feel free to share what you think in the "comments" section!

Better Valentine choices

I always wondered if there were any 'good' flowers...
I'll also note Kakao chocolates
They are owned by a friend of ours and she uses locally grown/organic ingredients whenever possible. It's also delicious!
erin h (ps I haven't been erin h since kindergarten)

The Good Valentine

by Aysha Hussain

about AYSHA HUSSAIN

Aysha Hussain is a freelance writer based in New York.

This Valentine's Day show that special someone how fortunate you feel with the help of cupid's arrow. Rather than buy your loved one conventional chocolates from plantations that still use child labor or a pesticide-laden bouquet of flowers, aim for gifts that favor the earth. There's no better way to say "I love you."

Flowers

The sweet aroma of fresh cut flowers might be masking darker circumstances. Flower growers often endure poor working conditions, suffering from serious pesticide-related health problems such as impaired vision, asthma and even miscarriage, and many times, their children suffer too. In countries like Columbia and Ecuador, from where the U.S. imports 70 percent of its flowers, the children of female workers have suffered from prenatal pesticide exposures that led to low birth weights and smaller head circumferences.

As with any agricultural product, try buying locally grown flowers before heading to the store; see www.localharvest.org for growers in your area. Where local options don't exist, choose organically grown flowers, those certified by Scientific Certification System's (SCS) VeriFlora label or Transfair Fair-Trade certified bouquets.

Along with requiring organic farming practices, VeriFlora stresses ecosystem protection, energy and packaging minimization, and fair labor and community development practices. Small farmer organizations certified by Transfair's Fair Trade follow environvironmentally friendly practices and sell directly to international buyers, helping to sustain their local economies.

If conventional cut flowers are a last resort, be aware than chlorpyrifos, an organophosphate pesticide associated with long-term neurological damage, headaches, blurred vision and loss of consciousness, is commonly used on flowers. Therefore, always wash your hands after handling them.

Fair-Trade flowers: 1-800-flowers.com sweetheart roses ($39.99/36 stems; 1800flowers.com)

Veriflora-certified Flowers: Organic Bouquet classic red roses ($49.95/dozen; www.organicbouquet.com, 877-899-2468); The Sun Valley Group (www.thesunvalleygroup.com, 800-747-0396) and Nevado Ecuador (www.nevadoecuador.com).

Organically Grown Flowers: California Organic Flowers California-grown, organic Safari Sunset Protea ($49.95/15 stems; www.californiaorganicflowers.com, 530-891-6265); Diamond Organics' organic tulips ($13/5 stems; www.diamondorganics.com, 888-674-2642); Manic Organics' organic roses($79.95/two dozen; www.manicorganicsflowers.com, 678-377-8258).

Erin B's list

Incomplete so far, but here's the start.

OFFERED:

• 6' Xmas tree, not pre-lit, good condition
• 2 ceramic table lamps, white w/ floral design, need better shades
• silk men's button-up shirt (I call it tropical-casual), peach, Size XXL. BRAND NEW.
• bathroom storage cabinet (kinda like this, with drawers, too) would love to swap for one that fits in our bathroom
• "Wedding Crashers" on DVD (we already have it)
• Lots of books available for borrow/swap/gift
  picture frames, swap?
  

More Contributions- Edited with more details

Date preference: I like Sunday, February 10 around 1pm or later.

This is the on-going edited list of gifts/requests from the de Chantal House.

Up for swaps/haves:

• 5 piece plastic-lined toiletries case:
• 4 pieces of vary sizes fit into largest container (one is a clear pouch with small bottles)
  
• Blue floral pattern, cloth handles and zippers close each pouch
  
• Each pouch could easily be used individually
• Would be perfect to re-gift as it's never been opened.
• Rosewillow photo album:
• http://www.storephotos.com/images/DA100M_rosewillow_250.jpg
• Looks very similar to the above link--less "rose" and more "willow" on my album.
• Could easily be re-gifted.
  
• Spiral-bound journal:
• Monet's "Water lilies" are on the hard-bound cover.
• Looks similar to this: http://deseretbook.com/store/product?sku=4970878
  
• Each page is lined.
• Could easily be re-gifted.
  

Wanted:

• pots for houseplants (ceramic, plastic, of any/all sizes)
• also, if you have plants you no longer wish to care for, I'll take those too. :)
  

Also, I have about 6 cell phones and chargers I was going to bring to Women's House for women in domestic violence environments. I'm happy to add to my collection with your old cell phones.

Also, I REALLY WANT TO COMPOST!!! WOOO HOOO!!!

Pam's and Erin's list

Pam has to donate/swap/etc...

One 2 ft animatronic Christmas angel
Various tupperware containers
Paperback books - Stephen King, Anne Rice, and others
Sweaters
candles and other home decor

Erin has -
a gossip bench (unless Erin B wants it) - tho I might want to sell/swap this
A 6 ft X 2ft crocheted American flag (trivia night prize, anyone!)
duckie bathroom trashcan
2 dog kennels (used and abused, but still work) (Bring your used pet stuff and we'll donate them to stray rescue)
lighting fixture - black and chrome/kinda retro (probably trade or sell)
some trashy/chick lit novels

Erin WANTS:
a nightstand
some trash cans for inside
some other trashy novels
pet stuff
a big coffee mug
pillows (bed)


Let me know and I can post pictures... you can post pictures, too especially before you haul a nightstand to my house :)

Let's do this thing!

Let's start swapping!

How about February 9th or 10th? Saturday or Sunday afternoon?
It would give you plenty of time to hunt and gather and still have the energy to schlep it all somewhere else.

Let's say 1 PM - I'll provide drinks of various proofs and my own 'treasures' for you to peruse...

Also - to make this easier...
Bring your clothes, old cell phones, batteries and eye glasses - we will divide up the work and take them to the proper agency. (Clothes and household goods to St Vincent de Paul, eyeglasses to Lions Club, etc) If you don't know what to do with it you can bring it and see what we can find.

I will also be scavenging for trivia night prizes... maybe you have something I can raffle off or add to a basket to raffle off!

Finally - let's compost. Erin B can post a list of supplies needed...

I'm really excited! Invite whomever you think would like to join us!
erin