Nothing But Nets -- Sounds like a cool plan!

Nothing But Nets is a grassroots campaign to save lives by preventing malaria, a leading killer of children in Africa. While the UN Foundation has been working with the UN to fight malaria for years, it was a column that Rick Reilly wrote about malaria in Sports Illustrated, challenging each of his readers to donate at least $10 for the purchase of an anti-malaria bed nets -- and the incredible response from thousands of Americans across the country -- that led to the creation the Nothing But Nets campaign.

Hurricane Geek (sorta)

I'm a bit of a weather geek for watching hurricanes - well really just the ones heading towards Texas. The last big one I followed was Rita which much like Ike covered the majority of the Gulf of Mexico. It's just awe inspiring. Why watch hurricanes in Texas? My sister Jo Anne lives there. Last night I got through to her and here's an update on things in her neck of the wood - post Ike.

News from Jo's part of the world (Spring, TX):

• She has water and gas, but no electricity
• Power lines in places have been broken completely in half, workers are being sent in to help with getting the power back on
• Almost all of the transformers in the grid were down. (2.2 million people affected, 500K had their power restored as of when I had talked to her last night)
• Mail service has not been interrupted (she's proud of her post office)
  
• House next door and across the street had a tree fall on them, her fence was blown down
• Looting and people looking for a fight on her on street
• No ATM machines, most banks are closed, grocery stores are running debit as credit
• Gas stations have tankers, police, and big lines
• More news at khou.com

Suz

jeff

When I was a kid my brother always meant fun. Can you tell from the photo, that he was a bit of a rebel? While military police might not bring to mind words like "playful" he always wanted to have fun (he was a military policeman when I was a kid - when we spent the most time together.) From taking me on motorcycle rides to the really big water fight of legend - when he was helping Janel and me as we were doing the Sunday dinner dishes. I remember lots of water all over and Janel and I ended up escaping down the hall and locking ourselves in the bathroom - Jeff's keys leaving a dent in the door as he tried to break it down. He, he, he... Somehow our parents slept through it all having their Sunday afternoon nap after church.

Jeff's in the hospital now in Las Vegas. Yesterday he went in for a follow up on a stroke he had last summer. They found a problem and when they went to put him under to take care of it there were complications so they admitted him to the hospital to sort everything out. Please send positive vibes his way. - Suz

miDdLe ScHOoL

Brought to us by the letter "M" and the number "7"- Maybe I should have titled this "The Big Day of New" ...new school, locker, teachers, friends, et al. But I think I like the Way Back Machine spinoff on alpha numeric sponsoships of a day. Remember when?

I attended the kick-off meeting this morning for parents, and the counselors won my heart saying how cute our 7th graders are - and it's true. Kids milling around in the hallways, happy to see each other, schedules in hand, teachers smiling "it's a good thing." - Suz

Brownies (old school)

There was something kind of nice about yesterday evening. Went to my mom and dad's and had time to visit for a bit. My mom had the Olympics on, she's always been a bit of a nut for the Olympics - time stands still :). My Dad's recovering from surgery and said he wasn't in too much pain, but honestly how fun is a catheter during a recovery period? Mom had made brownies, a big ol' pan of them. Mary Lou Broadwaters recipe - which means old school, and very good (she was our next door neighbor when I was very small.) That sheen on the top means it's gonna be good. My mom let me beg a couple off her to take home to Eric and Em. They hit the spot with the fam waiting for me at home. Thanks grandma. - Suz