On birthdays & nature

Since I'm several states away from 99.9% of the people I know, this year's birthday & the following holiday season is going to pass quietly. I'll probably find a lovely bottle of wine, get some gourmet cheese, and make myself a big ol' Italian dinner. There will likely be a B-rated movie, and couch-cuddling with as many beasts as I can get on the couch at one time. And that is perfectly fine with me.

Okay, fine, I'll probably have a cupcake, too. 

Especially since last year, R was the only one to remember my birthday....and it's not an event I am ever quiet or subtle about. I was already struggling with adjusting to the move and some massive disappointment with people I was close to. Having absolutely nobody remember my birthday (when usually it's a loud, populous affair) had me...well, kind of pissy. R remembered, of course, and was pretty much the only thing that anchored me down to sanity and non-crankyness.

So this year, my expectations are firmly set for a yummy dinner. I'm still making a big fuss about my birthday, in a different way.

 October marks the 60th anniversary of The Nature Conservancy, a rather stellar organization that I've been a member of (off and on) for about a decade now. They've done so much for preserving wild habitats around the world, it's a bit overwhelming. In the best of ways. To honor TNC's 60th anniversary, and all the awesome things they do, I'm holding a little fundraiser via crowdrise.  The donation goal is a modest $200.

In lieu of gifts or cards, I'm asking that folks check out the fundraising page and make a donation. I know a lot of folks out there are struggling with finances, and I'm certainly not one to be all judgy about donation amounts. If my etsy shop was selling, I would have donated more already. So, there.
 If 15 people donate $10, I'll meet my goal! If I manage to raise more than the initial goal of $200, then honestly, that would be one heck of an amazing birthday gift!

As an added incentive: Donate any amount via the crowdrise page I've set up, and you will receive a coupon for my esty shop in your inbox, as well as a complimentry "thank you" gift with your order. I'm whipping out something special to send to donors, so check it out! 

A friend is skipping one coffee drink a week, and donating the money she would have spent on latte's. It's an awesome idea, and makes me wish I spent money on latte's so I could do the same thing. Considering how addicted she is to coffee, I'm trilled she's willing to forego her fix to donate!

Won't you help a gal have an amazing birthday this year?