Help from Sigma Chi!

Over the Christmas break I got a call from Connor McClurkan. His mother and I are friends and I have tutored him in the past. He is in Sigma Chi and was wanting to get in some volunteer hours, so, he came by and cut shorts for 4 hours!!! I just knew he would have blisters from all the cutting, but he didn't. I appreciate Connor for all his hard work and I am thankful for the Sigma Chi fraternity that they encourage their pledges to be involved in their communities by doing charitable work. Thanks Connor!!!!

Broke a record!!!

Today I noticed that I had 9 sewing days till midnight on the 18th and I lack 616 pairs of shorts. Sounds crazy but I realized that I just might pull this thing off in time, if I can make 68 pairs of shorts every day for the next nine days!!!! Well, considering that I average 25 pairs a day that seems nearly impossible, however, I am determined to make my goal. So far, my best day has been 54 pairs in one day. Today, I was determined to make at least 68 pairs and 12 and 1/2 hours later I completed 70 pairs of shorts. It was a long day, but totally worth it!!! I did have breaks and even managed to pack up some of my Christmas Decorations. Now, I am seeing this as a possibility. Now I just lack 546 pairs of shorts. My goal was to finish by the 18th of January, so If I complete this by midnight on the 18, I will consider it a complete success. We'll see how much gumption I've got.

Family Help at Christmas.

Christmas is always the time for visiting and sharing with your family. This year my family came to visit and stayed at my house and much to my surprise and pleasure, they helped me sew. Visiting was my brother David and his wife Janet, my brother Michael and his wife Sandi, and my two nephews Morgan and Taylor, they are my brother Ricky's boys and their mother is Kelly. I didn't even know my brothers could sew, but they do and they did a great job. Their wives helped too as well as a nephew. They took photos and have not mailed them to me yet, but when they do, I will attach them to this blog. Janet and Michael used the sewing machines and David and Michael used the surger My nephew Taylor cut elastic for the waistbands and Sandi did lots and lots of ironing. We all ironed and trimmed and in 4 days, we made 149 pairs of shorts. It was really nice to get a lot done in a short period of time. I really enjoyed visiting with my family and really appreciated the help. Thanks to you for all your help.

Nearing 4000!!!

Wow, have I ever been busy. I can't believe how long it has been since I posted and so much has happened. In October I was assigned Jury Duty. I was afraid I would really get behind in my sewing, but as it turned out, I had to check in twice but never had to actually report for duty. To cover myself, I went to both Wal-Mart's, Kohl's, and Target and bought all their $1-$2 pairs of shorts. I purchased nearly 650 pairs. As it was, I didn't miss any days sewing. However, I did take a week off and went to Pennsylvania to visit my son and daughter-in-law. We had a great visit. My mother-in-law visited and helped me one day. She surged some of the shorts, but since she had not surged ever before she was not real comfortable doing so, so she quit and ironed for me. Of course, I iron all the shorts after I make them and I had gotten behind on ironing, so, she got me all caught up. Thank you, Murlene, for your help. Today, Brandon Stevens and Sandi Pierce came by and cut shorts. Brandon was here about two hours and Sandi about 4 and they cut about 90 pairs of shorts. Thank you so much Brandon and Sandi for all your help today. I also enjoyed visiting with them while I sewed. It was a really nice day. To date I have completed 3889 pairs of shorts. I have sent 3000 pairs to Haiti and am holding 889 pairs and the 650ish that I purchased. So, I have shorts everywhere!!!! Even taking some time off for Thanksgiving, I will easily reach 4000 by the end of November. That will leave about 7 weeks to complete the remaining 1000 pairs, which would be easy under normal circumstances, however during that 7 weeks we have Christmas and New years. I am still striving for completion by January 18th and we will see!!!! Central Baptist Church is headed to Haiti again in December and January, they may take some shorts in Dec., if they have room, the Dec. trip is a medical trip, so they will take the shorts only if they have room. However, they will be taking a trip in late January and will be able to take shorts for sure then. Currently the January trip is set for the 28th and I should be totally finished by then. Isn't it awesome how God works things out. Also, Dr. McAlexander will be going to Haiti in the near future and he said he would take shorts with him as well. I am so grateful to have all the help getting the shorts to Haiti. Have a very happy Thanksgiving!

Pics from Haiti!!!

Nate and Joy Miller took shorts to Haiti last week and returned this past weekend. Today I received photos of the children looking at and wearing some of the shorts. I was so excited to see these and just couldn't wait to share them with all of you. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. Currently, I have made 3129 pairs of shorts. 1871 to go.

My "New" Favorite Pair of Shorts!

A couple of weeks ago Kacey Lieblong, a very precious friend, donated some of the cutest fabric that I have used all year. She donated enough to make 27 pairs of shorts. I have made shorts from most of the fabric and just wanted to share them with you. They were sent with Joy Miller today and are on their way to Haiti. Thank you so much Kacey for the awesome fabric and generous donation. My "New" Favorite Pair of Shorts is the pair made from a very small welt, light weight corduroy with flowers all over. They are just precious. That fabric would be adorable made into jumpers, pants, skirts, whatever. Precious!!! Thanks Kacey.

More shorts being taken to Haiti!!!

This morning Joy Miller came by the house and took the shorts I had made since August. She and her husband leave Saturday for Haiti. They will be there doing physical therapy with school aged children. Joy said they would have a couple of days they could do other things and they would hand deliver the shorts then. This was my first time to meet Joy. She is a precious young lady with 5 children and here she is running off to Haiti to help other children in need. What a giving person! I am so thankful for people like Joy and Nate Miller for their following God's will for their lives. Our prayers go with you this week Joy and Nate.