Raising Money For Breast Cancer - Lee National Denim Day , How did we do?

Dear Kathy,

Congratulations, you did it!

Today, all of your hard work is making a difference. Because of your involvement, and thousands of other participants, we're projecting between $4 million and $5 million in total donations, bringing our 15-year total to nearly $85 million!

The difference this money makes to fight breast cancer is immeasurable, but we know for certain the funds raised will positively impact the important work of the Women's Cancer Programs of EIF, including:

• Lee Laboratories nationwide, which work to find more effective, less toxic treatments for breast cancer and increase patient access to some of the most significant clinical trials in the nation
• A multiyear effort led by world-class scientists to develop a blood test for earlier detection of breast cancer when survival rates are the highest, known as the EIF Breast Cancer Biomarker Discovery Project

In addition, funds raised will go to local affiliates of the Cancer Support Community, uniting The Wellness Community and Gilda's Club Worldwide. The Cancer Support Community is an international nonprofit dedicated to providing support, education and hope to people affected by cancer in communities worldwide.

Thanks again for your participation.

Your partners in pink and denim,

Lee Jeans, the Women's Cancer Programs of EIF,
and the Cancer Support Community

Looks like we did good! Thanks to all of you for helping!

Thrifty Ways - Raising Chickens and Fish for Food

photos - our last batch of chicks (2008)

I am so excited, I finally got my chickens ordered.
No one in my family wants to kill animals for meat. We want happy chickens
laying big brown double yolk eggs. The problem is that we still eat meat
and I feel we should take responsibility for raising (and butchering) our own meat.
If you are feeling squeamish you are not the only one!

We are trying an experiment. I have ordered a "FryPan Special" from a hatchery in
Lebanon, Missouri. It's a great deal, you get 25 heavy breed cockerels with a free bonus
of 5 exotic chicks. 30 chickens for $13. The shipping cost more than the chicks at $15.

Our local grain elevator sells 50 lb. bags of medicated chick starter for $10. per bag.
My son can ride the lawn mower up there to pick up bags as we need them.

I plan to raise them to the size of "Cornish Game Hens" then put them in the freezer.
The chicks in the photo grew into fat happy egg layers and still provide eggs for my
family down South.

You may think this is an odd time of year to order chicks, but we'll only be raising them for
7 or 8 weeks.

Next batch will be eggs layers.

Pheasant chick starter can be substituted for chicken food. If this experiment goes well I may
order a batch of Pheasant chicks.

Our 2nd experiment in home meat production begins this weekend.
We have hired our neighbor to dig a pond where I will begin my Aquaculture experiment.

Catfish are easy to grow and can survive bitter winters. I can grow enough fish to fill a large freezer
each year. I can also add a few ducks and geese for eggs. Cat Tails grow here
and they have several delicious edible parts, so they are "in" as well.

Chicken and Fish are very expensive in our local stores.
Wish me luck in my efforts to provide for my family.

I am just grateful for the chance to try.