Witnessing something slightly terrifying

Dear Hubby is really a terrifically skilled kinda guy, but he is intent on installing our new, very large, over-the-stove, microwave RIGHT NOW which thus far has necessitated a lot of drilling into cabinets and walls. I'm a tad stressed over here, and now he wants me to hold it while he screws it in ABOVE me. The drilling sounds through our cabinets are terrifying. I would have LOVED to pay a handyman for this job. Argh.

Inspired, call to action

Nick Kristof has done it again. I am so inspired by his continued commitment to highlighting and educating us about the poverty and lack of rights that afflict so many, especially women, around the world. Did you read his article today? Jane is an amazing woman in Kenya who was left by her husband (for another wife), homeless and with two small children. She became a prostitute to support her children, but five years later joined Jamii Bora, a Nairobi-based anti-poverty organization that teaches entrepreneurship and financial planning in addition to providing housing and sobriety programs. Jane now has a successful dress sewing business, bought a home in the suburbs for her and her (now 3) children, all of whom are in school and doing extremely well. It is difficult to escape years of poverty though, Jane recently had to liquidate her savings to pay for medical care for her youngest daughter, and she struggles to find good material for her dresses. Kristof has set up a way-station to which anyone wanting to help Jane can send old bridesmaids, wedding or fancy dresses; he will then get all donated dresses delivered to Jane. So, if you have anything that could be of use to Jane, I offer myself as the collector and mailer. I'll gather dresses for a couple weeks and take care of getting them to Mr. Kristof in NY. Please consider digging through your closets and shoving anything my way. Many thanks!!!

If you'd like to read additional information about Jane, see this blog post by NK.

Glazed lime cake a'coming, braised red cabbage, sleep-deprivation

Being sleep-deprived feels like you have a nasty hangover but it sucks even worse because you didn't have any fun getting there. Thus is my state-of-being today as Mr. O was up for a couple hours last night. I think we had an orange juice and medicine date downstairs and maybe we read a book. I was in such a fog that I wouldn't bet the ranch on that recollection though. Needless to say, I am feeling pretty rough right now. Nonetheless, I intend to test-bake a lime-glazed cake and braise some red cabbage for dinner. I might throw some rhubarb in there too. The King salmon will go nicely with all that. My primary goal today, even before all of the above, is to sit down when I eat lunch. All meals yesterday + breakfast today were consumed standing up or in the car. To say that those experiences were less than optimal is an understatement.