Make Mona Lisa Smile-Here's How!

Ever get the feeling that Mona Lisa was a Mum?

Why?

Cos she has that wry smile that we all practice- the one that says "yes, my toddler is causing mass destruction in your shop/playground/living room, but, hey ho, I'm going to smile a half smile as if to say, "well, I bet your kids are just as bad".

Know the one I mean?

She also wears no make up, and has on something that, even for the period in which the painting was painted, is serviceable and covers any lumps and bumps on her previously flat tummy left behind by pregnancy- and her hair, well looks like that hasn't seen product for a while.

So I know everyone will ask why I am questioning the Mona Lisa, but I'd like you to help make her smile properly for once.

And here's how

Head on over to Dave, aka Mister Good Guy, who deserves this title fully. He is trying to achieve the mammoth task of raising ONE WHOLE  MILLION for Haiti.

He is asking people, bloggers, brands, anyone with a pocket deep enough, to buy a small square of the Mona Lisa, in return for a mention on the blog. Simple, but oh so affective. I've already staked my little square, as have Tara at Sticky Fingers, and Sandy at Baby Baby too.

So what you waiting for? Go and have a look!

I'd like to ask as you open your chocs and cards on Mothering Sunday to think of the Mum's in Haiti, and Madiera, and Chile too, and how they must be feeling right now. Those who lost homes, belongings and in some cases children of all ages too. So have a look and see if you can give just a little to help Dave out. 

Thanks, and to all you out there

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

Bloggers for Haiti

I'm joining up with the rest of the Mummy Blogging fraternity to write this blog for Haiti.

Growing up in an era of Live Aid, and the American singers rendition of 'We are the World", as well as the beginning of Comic Relief and all the comedy songs generated to raise money, I have always been aware, of suffering throughout the world- famine, wars, and natural disasters.

The latest of these Natural Disasters has been Haiti. The pictures that have emerged from it have been shocking- bodies literally left in the streets, buildings that were little more than shanties in the first place now twisted and flat, probably with their inhabitants lying beneath them.

For every person found alive, pulled into the light with baffled wide eyes, many thousands more are not so lucky.

So here in the UK, we can sit and watch news stories, we can read papers and reports and be shocked at the scenes.

EnglishMum has created the page in order for the Blogging community to be able to reach out in a practical way to help the people of Haiti.

She says:

"ShelterBox is such a unique organisation because what they provide is an entire rescue kit in a box. Each box contains:

• A ten-person tent with privacy partitions that allow its occupants to divide the space as they see fit.
• A range of other survival equipment including thermal blankets and insulated ground sheets, essential in areas where temperatures plummet at nightfall.
• Life-saving means of water purification. Water supplies often become contaminated after a major disaster, as infrastructure and sanitation systems are destroyed, this presents a secondary but no less dangerous threat to survivors than the initial disaster itself.
• A basic tool kit containing a hammer, axe, saw, trenching shovel, hoe head, pliers and wire cutters. These items enable people to improve their immediate environment, by chopping firewood or digging a latrine, for example. Then, when it is possible, to start repairing or rebuilding the home they were forced to leave.
• A wood burning or multi-fuel stove that can burn anything from diesel to old paint. This provides the heart of the new home where water is boiled, food is cooked and families congregate. In addition, there are pans, utensils, bowls, mugs and water storage containers.
• Each box can be adapted to the individual needs of the disaster area, for example, following the Javanese earthquake in 2006, when some resources were available locally or could be salvaged from one storey buildings, the overwhelming need was for shelter – so ShelterBox just sent tents, packing two in each box. The box itself is lightweight and waterproof and has been used for a variety of purposes in the past – from water and food storage containers to a cot for a newly born baby.
• And lastly, but I think just as importantly, each box contains a children’s pack containing drawing books, crayons and pens. For children who have lost most, if not all, of their possessions, these small gifts are treasured."

Each ShelterBox cost an average of £490, (which based on 6 month's use is a cost of 27p per day).

GO TO: http://www.justgiving.com/Bloggers-For-Haiti