Let’s see what have I been doing? I’m sorry – life has just taken over here.  For nonprofits and especially for their development directors, this year is a rough one.  On the positive side, thanks to President Obama, we have some opportunities that are amazing and that we have a good chance of getting.  But my organization has typically had strong support from banks, who as everyone knows are not doing so well. And individual donors, well, my family isn’t the only one that’s hurting.  So, right now, as the development director, I don’t feel that I can let one opportunity pass us by. And that means long hours and little balance between life and work.

On Thursday, we just had our annual event and came in shy of our goal by about $3K.  So, good – really, only a 3% drop over where I thought we’d be.  But the work that it took to get to that point was incredible.  But so is the need.  Every day, I am seeing more and more people come to us for help with their rent, utilities, prescriptions, food, etc.  People who never thought that they would need to turn to a charity for help and are having to do so now.

So, we’re still out there hitting the pavement, applying for both foundation and government grants, and working to make sure we hit all angles and every possibility.  It is exhausting – to be honest.  But I can’t stop – there is such a huge need and there is nothing worse than turning someone away because we don’t have the money and know that their children are going to lose their home. So, we keep plugging… and praying that this economy turns around.

okay – so back to last Thursday’s event – I actually found time to work on a chinese coin quilt and, thanks to one of my mother’s friends (Denise – the lifesaver) actually got it quilted and finished (thanks to Mom, the binding queen) in time to turn it in.  Although, I have to admit it was a difficult decision to turn it in – I loved it.

I was a little bit worried because our auction people aren’t so into the handmade movement as I am.  But I think the fact that there was a lot of white space (7 inches around each side) helped.

And I think the funkier fabrics than what many are used to seeing (love me some Amy Butler and Joel Dewberry) and the colors worked out really well.  I will admit that it was a bear to make.  I am pretty much a mostly solid quilt sort of gal and it was difficult for me to have some many patterns – actually I started with only 7, but at about 3/4 of the way through, I decided that I really needed more patterns – which that alone is weird for me to say.  So, I”m pretty surprised by how much I loved it.

So, now I’m one down – 1 still to finish and 3 to start.

And you know what?  I can’t wait!