Donate to The American Liver Foundation

The American Liver Foundation (ALF) is the nation's leading nonprofit organization promoting liver health and disease prevention. ALF provides research, education and advocacy for those affected by liver-related diseases, including hepatitis.

With the support of donors, the American Liver Foundation can continue to promote education about liver wellness, provide assistance to those affected by and at risk for liver disease, and work to find cures and better treatments for all diseases of the liver.

When country music star Naomi Judd, as a young nurse, was stuck by a needle she contracted Hepatitis C. Her music career ended when her battle against hepatitis began.

Hepatitis C is a disease of the liver that is caused by the hepatitis C virus, or HCV. Chronic hepatitis C is a serious condition that damages the liver and can lead to potentially fatal liver diseases such as cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer. One of the most common reasons for liver transplants is damage caused by hepatitis C infection.

You can get hepatitis C if your blood comes into contact with blood from someone who already has the virus. The most common cause of transmission is the sharing of needles and other equipment used to inject illegal drugs. Less common causes of transmission include:

* Sharing a razor, toothbrush or nail clipper with an infected person
* Accidental exposure to infected blood among health care or public safety workers
* Exposure to unclean tattooing or body-piercing instruments
* Unprotected anal sex or exposure to multiple sex partners

In rare cases, hepatitis C can be spread from an infected mother to her child at birth. It cannot be spread by breast-feeding.

Before 1992 there was a risk of getting hepatitis C from blood transfusions. Now all donated blood is tested for HCV so there is almost no risk of getting the disease from blood transfusions.

Help those affected by Hepatitis C and other live diseases by donating to The Liver Foundation.

Heirloom Children's Furniture

This must be the coolest children's furniture ever. It seems very grown up, but not too serious. The collection of chairs, sofas, lamp, sideboard, and table are designed in Sweden. The materials are those used in adult furniture: walnut, birch, and oak with leather upholstery. Priced from $757 - $2057. Over the next 10 years or so it's not so very much.

From Think.BigChief

Peg Perego Skate

I love strollers. Every few months there is a newer, prettier one available. Most of them doing the same exact thing. The stroller is the new handbag. The Peg Perego Skate's hook is that it converts from a stroller to a carriage and back without additional pieces. It also:

Is free standing when closed (because you will need it to while you put the kid in the car).

Closes with the seat attached ( Why do stroller designers design strollers with a two piece fold? Are they forgetting that you will need one hand to hold the baby)

Adjusts in height like a Xplory.

Comes with the adaptor for the Primo Viaggio car seat (one less accessory to buy)

And it does all the other luxury stroller stuff too. It weighs in at 33.7lbs (or a quarter of my body weight). The Skate cost $899 and is expected to ship in late January.

Here is a link to my post listing a couple more places to order the Skate.

Time to buy new checks?

Buy checks that support causes you care about.

Message Products have lots to choose from.

Fund for Animals Checks


Support your local animal shelter Checks


World Wildlife Fund Checks (I use these!)


Veterans for Peace Checks


Sierra Club Protecting Ancient Forests Checks


Go to Message Product's website and choose your next checks to support issues you care about.

Petitcollin Doll Lamp

This lamp may scare the crap out of your kid. But think it would look cute in a nursery or little girl's room. I love it. It comes in five colors. $90 at Unica Home.

Christmas Cards

It's time to start thinking about ordering holiday cards. Etsy is a treasure trove. The Practice Peace cards by Tudykdotcom can be used for Christmas or Chanukah. They are screen printed by hand, and cost just $15 for a set of six.

Plant a Tree to Help the Environment

Protecting the environment and making sure it flourishes is an important issue to me. Trees alter the environment in which we live by moderating climate, improving air quality, conserving water, and harboring wildlife.

Help have a tree planted today. Trees will be planted where they are most needed. American Forests have set up certain campaigns to plant trees.
A few examples.

• California Wildfire Releaf: A fund specifically to restore California forests after receiving an outpouring of questions and requests from California residents and people across the United States. AMERICAN FORESTS has set a goal of planting a million trees in the state.
• Tree for Tigers: Their goal: 200,000 trees planted in the Russian far east to expand tiger habitat this year
• IKEA: By planting your trees now, you will join IKEA and American Forests in planting trees to offset CO2 and cool the globe.
• Trees for the Holidays: Planting trees thru American Forests is a great way to give a gift of trees to a loved one that will never be forgotten. When you sponsor the planting of trees ($1 each, 15-tree minimum) they will send you (or your gift recipient) a personalized tree-planting certificate.

There are many more campaigns you can choose from. Go to American Forest's planting trees site today and help make a difference.