coffee, chatting, and jewelry, too

The next time in Puerto Rico, I'll have to look up The Coffee Boutique.

I was hoping to find something woman-empowering on kiva that both Barbara and Christa might enjoy, and there it was!

Right place, right time.

Zorey found herself jobless when the pandemic struck, so she turned her hobby of jewelry-making into ZK Jewelry & More.

Now, she's ready for a new adventure... and that word is how she hooked me!

 

As a coincidence, mi amiga Sandy is also making jewelry and had her first sales show almost a month ago.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if she has another this busy Labor Day weekend!

(smile!)

And Carolyn, how would she feel about such a enterprise?

Oh, please, she wears more jewelry than all of us combined, and would love an excuse to hang out and talk about it!

(smile!)

Sure, we'd have to cruise down to Puerto Rico to do so... but that's fine.

We all enjoy a good shipboard adventure, and we wouldn't even need passports there. (smile!)

Capital One is matching all loans for Coffee Boutique, too.

Plus, there was already another Nerdfighter chipping.

I've even posted the link on fb, in hopes others will follow my lead and bring this dream to life for Zorey and others... like me and mi amigas.

(smile!)

Yes, definitely where I was meant to be on Kiva.

joining the races to vote

When the request came via email for veterans to help staff polling locations, I complied.

I have not yet received information for the training needed to do so, but Vet The Vote has received my message and responded.

 

Faustina,

I’m here at Michigan International Speedway for the FireKeepers Casino 400 to launch Vet the Vote’s official partnership with NASCAR!

In just two short years, Vet the Vote has rallied over 140,000 veterans and military families to serve their communities as poll workers. Our partnership with NASCAR is more than just a collaboration—it’s a powerful opportunity to drive home the importance of civic engagement and the pivotal role our veterans and military families play in powering up our elections.

Vet the Vote is here, connecting with fans and sharing our story. We’ll be talking with Michigan Secretary of State and fellow military spouse, Jocelyn Benson. Our goal is to recruit more veterans and military families to join us as poll workers - ensuring fair, safe, and accurate elections. With NASCAR’s support, we’re reaching new audiences and driving home the message that service to our country can take many forms—even at the polls.

I wanted to personally reach out and share this moment with you because your support has been instrumental in getting us here. If you’re attending the race, I’d love to meet up and share more about what this partnership means for Vet the Vote and, if you’re a NASCAR fan watching from home, our two organizations thank you again for your service.

Thanks for answering the call to serve America again. Together, we’re making a difference, one race and one vote at a time.

Onward,

Ellen Gustafson
Co-Founder, Vet the Vote

points for aarp foundation again

The trick, obviously, is to be on the AARP website on the first of the month.

After that, these opportunities become "sold out".

That's a good thing, though, to know there are so many others in the world who want to help others by becoming more educated.

Why did I say that?

The points are earned by watching informative videos and answering quizzes. 

The last time I was able to constructively use my AARP points was in April, and those went toward feeding others.

This time, the points will help make sure older folks still have internet connections.

Many of them - like myself - lost that ability when Congress discontinued the Affordable Connectivity Program in June of this year.

Fortunately, I have been able to procure reduced-rate wifi through Comcast, but others may not have been as fortunate.

I'm glad I was able to help.