FromClaygary

Oh, YES!! I'm so beat I could just die....and I don't even have pets to blame it on! Hmmm.....I may have to move. That's about a $10 freebie here!

Thanks so much for coming, everyone! Glad you had a good time. The folks at Tyr na nog were very good to work with, and if we are able to do this again...or if you're in the area and are looking for a place....I would definitely recommend them! Good service, lovely people (isn't everyone in Raleigh??), great food!

For those still searching...here's another good article I found regarding interviews that might be helpful. Workopolis

The banner is kind of a .gif, merrieee...so sometimes it might just need to cycle. PS I did want to mention as well...some have not noticed there are TWO pages of choices at the online site...don't forget to check P. 2 also!

Cute Hallowe'en kidlets!! Just wanted to remind you about..... Let's ALL Deck the Halls for Inclusion! October 16 to November 16, 2009 Support the National Inclusion Project's mission of inclusion for children of ALL abilities while decorating homes and offices with beautiful, handmade Rockdale wreaths and other natural items this holiday season! Wreaths also make wonderful gifts for family and friends. The National Inclusion Project will receive $9 per item for individual orders and $13 per item for bulk orders (8 wreaths shipped to a single address). Bulk orders also save the purchaser $5 per wreath on purchase price. Purchases must be made from the Project's exclusive Rockdale store in order for the National Inclusion Project to receive funds: Rockdale Wreaths - Inclusion Project link Buyer may designate any participating Beta Alpha chapter to receive credit for purchases by including the chapter name in the comment space provided on the order page. Deadline for online orders is Monday, November 16, 2009. Deadline for ordering locally from Beta Alpha chapters is Monday November 9, 2009. Prices include shipping & handling and the buyer may also select a preferred shipping date. Please help by purchasing a wreath-or two-or even ten- this holiday season. Share the gift of inclusion. Inclusion works, and it is a gift worth giving.

If you are able to "vote/donate"....don't forget you have until 3 PM today....and after that, another vote until 3 PM tomorrow. We are currently 385 votes approximately behind the leader in today's challenge. The good news? Since the name change....there has been $12,125 donated to the National Inclusion Project through Facebook that we didn't have before. More than enough for one camp! :04: Thanks everyone for your support!!

(((couchie))) what next??

Remember that America's Giving Challenge has NOTHING to do with the AMOUNT of the donation; it's strictly based on the NUMBER of donations....so if you're trying to maximize a donation greater than $10, it would be best to send some money to friends/family and have them each vote/donate $10. I have tried voting once on Facebook using my Facebook ID and once (in the same day) through the Causes website, anonymously, ignoring the Facebook app~but I'm not so sure it worked as two votes because of course you have to use the real name on your credit card or the verification won't work. They've got it pretty locked down. Not a bad thing. If anyone's figured anything else out, please let me know!

Here, we're being told 57. Supposedly due to the influenza in the '50's, we have some immunity. I rarely get this type of thing, so I'm not too worried *knocks on wood* *waves* hippoga...hoping to see you at GFI as well! *gets down on knees and prays for lottery win...hmmm...would buying a ticket help??* Passing along a treat posted on FB:

The shot is not available to me, but I'm in contact with people I don't know all day long. So I'm washing!! PS Thanks ldyj for bringing that over!

America's Giving Challenge

Gives new meaning to the name "Always" doesn't it??

This is really cute....from Yollie... Jib Jab Monster Mash

Cindy! Hope the next year is as good as this one was.... luckiest1 grease burns are baaaad. Glad you went to the clinic. Man....this working nights is getting to me...*yawn*

Good point!! That must have been quite a job Glad you enjoyed it, evelyn...hope to see you there again next year!

The ClayNation is joining together to celebrate Halloween !! We have the opportunity to help the National Inclusion Project. Donate $10 or more on one day or both days. All the donated money goes directly to the chosen charity. We have the opportunity to earn a bonus for most individual donations. 1st place: $50,000 2nd place: $25,000 3rd-7th place: $10,000 Each donation of $10 or more counts towards the bonus... up to once a day! So, put down the extra bags of Halloween candy and help build a camp for kids! We need every fan to participate. If you are unable to donate, help us by passing the information around and cheering us on to success! Clay Aiken fans are the best! Together, We Can Make A Difference! America's Giving Challenge

OMG, that is too funny! They're out of my (extremely limited) price range already, but we wondered if he would do a pair of mandals....and he did!

Caro, check your PMs.....the one I sent works for me. And thanks SO much for getting it into your blog!! ((luckiest1)) hope you feel better soon!! I'm so thrilled people are excited about our Canadian Beta Alpha!....taking the flyer (which I will have out to you today) to work, emailing friends the details, "advertising" on your Facebook will all be a huge help to this fundraiser. I think it has the opportunity to be a really good one....and I'll make sure there are other opportunities for us Canadians! By the way....the Project is just as thrilled about this as WE are....such great people to work with! Aww, Fear! From your lips.....!!!

Excellent, thank you! I should have known georgiesmybaby would be way ahead of me

Let's ALL Deck the Halls for Inclusion! October 16 to November 16, 2009 Support the National Inclusion Project's mission of inclusion for children of ALL abilities while decorating homes and offices with beautiful, handmade Rockdale wreaths and other natural items this holiday season! Wreaths also make wonderful gifts for family and friends. The National Inclusion Project will receive $9 per item for individual orders and $13 per item for bulk orders (8 wreaths shipped to a single address). Bulk orders also save the purchaser $5 per wreath on purchase price. Purchases must be made from the Project's exclusive Rockdale store in order for the National Inclusion Project to receive funds: Deck the Halls for Inclusion Buyer may designate any participating Beta Alpha chapter to receive credit for purchases by including the chapter name in the comment space provided on the order page. Deadline for online orders is Monday, November 16, 2009. Deadline for ordering locally from Beta Alpha chapters is Monday November 9, 2009. Prices include shipping & handling and the buyer may also select a preferred shipping date. Please help by purchasing a wreath-or two-or even ten- this holiday season. Share the gift of inclusion. Inclusion works, and it is a gift worth giving. This is an authorized fundraiser of the National Inclusion Project.

Claysmelody, that would be AWEsome! Any chance I could ask you to advertise our Deck the Halls Fundraiser in your blog? Please PM me if you could.....

....and now for a little pictorial interlude..... I'm really pleased with my pictures this time. Proximity helped for sure, as usually I'm back in the boonies and nothing will help that. But this time I also tried "bracketing" and that worked great. I recommend trying it if your camera has that ability.

Just a quick update from America's Giving Challenge.... We are in #11 spot for the overall challenge...I think we have a very good chance of at least being in the Top 10 if we can get back on it...which would mean at least an additional $10,000 to the amount of the donations. To date the National Inclusion Project has raised $9144 on Facebook...amazing, and thanks so much everyone! If you can....please "vote and donate" as often as you can...remember it only takes $10 to register a vote. America's Giving Challenge....this link will work for Facebook or non-Facebook donations

I'm just off to work, but a quick request..... Does anyone have the NON-Facebook link to donate to America's Giving Challenge? I've always donated signed in to Facebook, but I now need to do so not signed in. Thanks so much to anyone who can provide! Never mind, I found it! America's Giving Challenge Now.....if there is anyone who is NOT voting every day on the challenge, either a FB member or non-member and would like to....could you PM me?

The group at Tyr na nOg was AWEsome to work with, and the food was wonderful...I would DEFINITELY recommend them to anyone in the area that is looking for a place for a function. I'm hoping WE have the opportunity to go back there next year! Annie, who is the restaurant GM I worked with, donated a $25 gift certificate to our raffle which I thought was awfully nice.....and we made $203.50 on the raffle! :04: I'm thrilled! Claylove suggested we donate it through America's Giving Challenge and see if we can win another day or so, and I will do that, alternating with my donations until the close of the contest. As noted, the amount from the live auction was $184,200...but that's not nearly the total from the evening; they usually announce the cumulative total in the next week or so, so we should hear soon. The silent auctions and proceeds from table sales and donations that evening need to be added. What a great idea!! Oh, too funny!! We were there Sunday...and met the exact same girl, the younger one, who is a page at the front desk at the Capitol building. Damn! Bad timing! That second picture I'm sure was taken the exact moment the announcement was made to the VIP room....look at the looks on Diane's and Clay's faces.... Not only for the children...but for THAT, do I vote my fingers off on these things. I cried when I heard. Schmoops R Me! Haven't been so thrilled in ages. Just got home. Recap later. About the time you don't give a dang anymore.