hotchocolatecaramelmocha.com » Daily Life

The Season For Giving Is Right Now

Stesha — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 18:05:27 +0000

My thoughts are racing rapidly at the moment. I really don’t know where to begin with my explanation of the why, so I’ll get right to the who: Carey Fuller is a single mother of two, who for the past 6 years has lived out of her vehicle. I follow Carey’s blog (Tales From The Driver’s Side) where she posts her daily musings on day to day life as a homeless person helping other homeless people such as Gandalf.

Saturday night I reached out to Carey on Twitter, for a mailing address to send items for her to distribute amongst the local homeless community. My family and I don’t have a lot, but what we do have we’re happy to give.

When I asked Carey if there was anything specific she needed, she replied: “Well usually for homeless, I tweet or post lists on Facebook. Kids and I don’t need much outside of housing….:)”

It breaks my heart to know I can’t provide this. Carey’s story could be my story. It could be your story. It only takes a split second for things to spiral out of control. Friends I have a request of you. If you will, please visit Carey’s blog and click the donation button. Carey gives to others, like herself, who are in this unfortunate situation.

{above image by Tim Green}

Veteran’s Day + The Star Spangled Banner

Stesha — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:00:45 +0000

Oh, say can you see by the dawn’s early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
‘Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps’ pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

{above photo from PMillera4} {lyrics by Francis Scott Key}

ONE Mom

Stesha — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 19:38:56 +0000

When the United Nations declared famine in the Horn of Africa, I felt the need to do something. After learning about the ONE Campaign, I signed up to be a ONE Mom Team Member. If I can use my tiny space to create a loud noise – so be it. It’s free to sign up. I encourage you to do so.

P.S. For some reason this post didn’t release in time for ONE week – July 25-30.

{above photo from hdptcar}

Final Lift Off

Stesha — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 06:00:17 +0000

On Friday, space shuttle Atlantis blasted off from the Kennedy Space Center for it’s final launch, ending the shuttle program once Atlantis returns. As I watched televised clips of the final lift off, I couldn’t help but wonder what’s the next step for NASA? Where do you go after you’ve gone to the moon and back?

Did you watch the final shuttle launch with your family? How do you feel about the shuttle program ending?

{above photos from NASA HQ Photo}