Boob-Ha-Ha

The other night my kid, Clara Jane told her father, “Mom’s going to shave her head pink.”

Apparently the kid’s been paying attention. Just not really close attention to what’s going on. As you might recall when I introduced Boob-Ha-Ha, I mentioned that I’ll dye my hair hot pink if the auction raises $1000, and my cousin Wendy is shaving her head if she reaches her personal $5000 goal for The 3 Day.

I’m pretty confident that I’ll soon be a nearly-35-year-old suburban mom with a big headful of curly pink hair. And I’m okay with that.

I should probably see if I can talk my friend Jill into a similar hair-coloring scheme so I won’t be the only mom in town with ridiculous hair. Her oldest daugher is 22.5 hours younger than my Clara Jane. Jill and I met when we were both a few months along in our pregnancies, so our friendship has primarily revolved around mom-hood and our girls.

All along I knew that Jill quilts and is into photography, so of course I pestered her for a donation. After all these years, it wasn’t until she showed up last night with a bag full of 11″ x 14″ framed prints of her photos that I knew how talented she is! Aside from a cute shot she took of Clara Jane, some hippos, and me at the zoo two years ago I’d never seen her work in person. She’s generous, too.

Leaves and Sky Photo

8″ x 10″ photo with white matte and black frame. Bidding begins at $40 $51.

Hibiscus Photo

8″ x 10″ photo with white matte in dark wood frame. Bidding begins at $40 $41.

Sunset Street Lamp Photo

8″ x 10″ photo with white matte and black wood frame. You need to see this photo to truly appreciate it. I’m not sure where it was taken, but looking at it feels like driving down Beverly Hills Blvd. in a convertable at sunset. Not that I’ve ever done that. But you can for a starting bid of $40 $51.

Beach Sunset Photo

8″ x 10″ unmatted photo in an oversized white wood frame. Bidding begins at $40.

I started this post on my laptop Thursday afternoon, then remembered that all the photos were still on my desktop. Being too lazy to go to my basement, where the desktop lives, I decided to postpone until today, which really isn’t the best way to treat one of the most blow-you-out-of-the-water donors in this auction. Sorry, Julie.

There’s a local photographer named Julie. I’ve never met her, but she’s a friend of a friend. For months I’ve been obsessed with her St. Louis Personified project. Go look. It’s amazing and makes me a little weepy.

When I’m not being a big crybaby, I tend towards pushy bullydom. Even though I had never met Julie, I didnt hesitate to pester her to get a photo framed and give it to me for the Boob-Ha-Ha.

I have the supreme Power of the Push, because Julie’s donated fiveframed, matted, and signed prints. And I got all weepy again.

You’re dying to see these prints, aren’t you? Get a hanky.

Crystallized Sugar

11″ x 14″ black frame, 8″ x 10″ photo. The original is here. Bidding begins at $40$176, although the urge is strong to just throw a bunch of money into the coffer and keep this for myself.

Lost Sock

11″ x 14″ black frame, 8″ x 10″ photo. The original is here. Bidding begins at $40$61

For a Cure

8″ x 10″ black frame, 5″ x 7″ photo. Bidding starts at $35$51. Here’s the original.

All Stars

8″ x 10″ black frame, 5″ x 7″ photo. Bidding starts at $35 $81. Here’s the original.

Stupid Girl

8″ x 10″ black frame, 5″ x 7″ photo. Bidding starts at $35. Here’s the original. If this isn’t purchased by s0meone I know who spent July 4th exploding generic Barbies with fireworks and videotaping the hilarious carnage, well, then something just ain’t right, my friends.

Do you think Julie just donated all those amazing framed, signed original photos and left it at that? No. She did more! Her family has their own pet project called Love Stems. As Julie explains, “If we succeed at teaching our children one thing, we want them to know that they can change the world…even if it starts with toilet paper rolls.” That’s right - Julie’s family creates darling pots of flowers made from snipped, painted toilet paper rolls. Then they deliver the flowers to places like the local Shriner’s Hospital for Children and the St. Louis Crisis Nursery. And now all of you Boob-Ha-Ha auctionees can have your very own pot of Love Stems.

Love Stems #1

Bidding begins at $10 $16.

Love Stems #2

$10 $12 starts the bidding.

Now Julie’s talking about offering something that involves this guy.

God, I love strangers.