So This is Christmas . . .

Cousin Rob didn't know how to play Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board --
so we showed him.

Beginning of Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board. Before I'm levitating:) Notice the Santa Jesus on the Sweater.

Kids and Molly on Christmas Eve!!

Molly wanted to participate. She is so beautiful.

Huge, Huge, Huge Christmas Thank-yous to everyone who helped with SweaterBlog. As a result of your generosity and encouragement, I have been able to donate more than $2,000 to Toys for Tots!! This morning, many boys and girls opened presents they wouldn't have received if it wasn't for you. I feel blessed to know so many people willing to contribute to this venture. I can't wait to do it bigger and better next year:) Signing off for now . . .

Merry Christmas to All, and to All a Good Night.

FINAL TOTALS:

$1540 (PayPal) + $486 (Cash/Check) = $2026!!


Special Christmas Thanks to Today's Angels:

-Nicholas Michiels
- The Korreck Family


Happy New Year!

Christmas Eve, Eve.

Jenison High School Class of 2002 -- Inaugural Holiday Reunion

Kim Zmeskal, Shannon Miller & Bella Karolyi -- Camp Swampy circa 1992

Sissy is wearing a Santa sweatshirt!! This is one of my favorite pictures, Sissy looks like she is carrying out such a noble task.

Visiting with the Nana and Bumpa!!


Not sure why nobody is visiting me at Ty's senior night. FREE T-SHIRTS people.

Its almost Christmas! My sister and brothers are all home and the Kohl family is nestled, all snug in our beds:) Its been a great few days as I've been able to spend time with many life-long friends, all in Holiday sweaters. Now that its so close to Christmas, people don't look at me so strangely in my holiday outfits. I'm certainly not the only person walking around the grocery store, Meijers, etc in a holiday outfit.

I got together with some HS friends last night and came away with some dollar, dollar bills.

TOTALS:

$1520 (PayPal) + $436 (Cash/Check) = $1956!!!

Huge Thanks to:

*Joe & Kristin Diekevers

*Chad Klotz

Love to all!

For Greggo.

Had a special request from my friend Greg to take a picture at the Lion Bridge! (Ct. Ave bridge from Woodley Park to Dupont)

Look at how cute the lions are all dressed up. Makes me want one.

Sooo I haven't posted photos in a few days -- but I have been wearing sweaters, I promise! Mom has some photos on her camera that we will download once we find the cord. I wouldn't lie about this -- not so close to Christmas when Santa is watching.

I got out of dodge just before blizzard2k and feel badly for all my friends in DC who were supposed to leave town today. Life has been pretty uneventful so far. Spent part of the day Friday and today finishing an exam and the rest of the day helping out at my brother's hockey tournament. There is a picture coming in which I'm pouting because none of the HS children wanted to visit the table I was staffing for senior night. Kids.

Being home is awesome. There are so many homemade goodies. I just ate the entire top off of some coffee cake thing -- I can imagine that won't be appreciated by the rest of the family. Oops. The frosting is so good though. Its also nice to know that you can be 26 and still do things like ask your Mom to find your book for you, because you lost it, and you realllly want it.

Still taking donationsss!!!!!! I want to buy toys!!! I'm going to be out in about in the sweaters from here on out!

Elf Yourself!

Handing the check over to Msgt Butler

With a group at the toy sorting facility!

And then they let us play . . .

Sorting a bunch of toys just brought in from a branch of the DC Fire Department!

Perplexed by the toy sorting -- I wasn't sure I'd be able to sort the toys into the appropriate age groups until I was informed that the package usually tells you that information:)

EEEEE!! Lyndsay and I just got back from the toy sorting facility out at the Anacostia Naval Annex, just north of Bolling AFB. What an experience!! Beginning at 7am each morning, Marines, volunteers from other branches of the armed services and civilian volunteers sort and organize toy donations to be processed and sent to one of the toy distribution centers in the area.

At the distribution centers, many more volunteers work to process the toys into specific family groups and orders. This huge undertaking takes place in numerous donation centers across the country -- these people really are making holiday dreams come true and ensuring that kids don't have to wake up empty-handed on Christmas morning! In the Washington DC area alone (including Northern Va and Montgomery County), Toys for Tots distributes toys to over 82,000 children.

I am so happy that we were able to contribute so much to this undertaking. This morning, I wrote Toys for Tots a check for $1,886. Toys for Tots purchases toys at a steep discount from toy manufacturers, so the money donated will certainly go a long way! Everyone's efforts in this venture are seriously INCREDIBLE and I love you all! Msgt Butler said that he has received sizable contributions from corporate groups and organizations but that a donation of this size absent some corporate coordination is really unprecedented. He admitted that when I first contacted him he was skeptical that the venture would be particularly successful and in his mind hoped I wouldn't be too disappointed if it didn't work. I assured him I know far too many amazing people for that to happen. He also said he was surprised that I wasn't old:)

After chatting with MSgt Butler and presenting him with the check, Lyndsay and I stayed around for a bit to hang out and help sort toys. Everyone involved in the process is a lot of fun and genuinely vested in the project. They had a lot of fun with us newbies and one of the navymen even tried suggesting that Lyndsay and I hop the fence to go see Marine One. Concerned that we were quite gullible, one of the reservists felt compelled to tell us we'd probably get shot at if we tried that. I don't know much about military bases, but I do know that attempting to access the President's transportation is not a great idea:) West Wing taught me that.

Its time for me to finish a final and head to the Mitten. I know my Mom has come up with several holiday photo opportunities for my time in Grand Rapids, so keep up the good work everyone!

TOTALS!!! As mentioned -- I wrote a check for $1,886!! ($1520 PayPal + $366 cash & check)!

Yesterday's TOYYYYYYYYS!:

Paulo Palugod
The Hendrickson Family
Rob & Kasey Brown
Sunita Mohanty
Courtney Henson
Jay Schmakel
Tom & Jessi Ferri
Lindsay Spadoni
Shreelekha & Saroj Mohanty
Pete Salzler

Sweater Lovin' had me a Blast

Just with the holiday treats at Giant. Get your fill of those sweats now, because those sweatpants are being abolished come the new year. The Christmas present sweatshirt will probably not be abolished any time soon :)

Wellllll, back to finals studying for a bit here. Ergo, the nicest pictures you get are the rare instances wherein I leave my apartment to go to the store. To get food. To fatten up, so I can be like Santa. There was a special holiday surprise at Giant for Lyndsay and I -- they had REAL funfetti frosting. Not that silly stuff they sell now where you pour sprinkles into regular icing. Bah to that.

I'm spending the day at school today, learning allllll sorts of things about debt financing contracts. The sweater I'm wearing does have shoulder pads though. . . Tomorrow I head to the TFT Toy Sorting area to give them the funds collected so far!! I am VERY excited! I can't wait to see all the toys the kids are going to get!!! I'll probably be really tempted to play with the toys, but I'll try to refrain, because I know my parents are getting me a very nice toy (a puppy!) for Christmas. I'm also headed to take a picture near the Lion bridge.

HUGE Totals so FAR!!!

$1310 (PayPal) + $356 (Cash & Check) = $1666.

This total is so far beyond what I expected, that I don't have much to say but WOW! and of course, THANKS.

Today's Poinsettias:

-- Scott Levine (it was his Hanukkah present yesterday!)
-- Meghan Boone

. . . because Toys for Tots is out of this World

With Jess and Manda in the Air & Space Museum, because, as Jess so aptly put it, "Toys for Tots is out of this world."

At the Ravens/Lions game, dressed like a puffy Santa!

Mrs. Hollis w/ Sophie! My friend Amanda's mom thought she would pass along a picture of her in one of her Christmas sweaters. Sophie is a new puppy!

Had a busy weekend this weekend! I got to walk around the Mall, go to Air & Space and grab dinner with the Matzwas & the Ferris on Saturday. The reindeer antlers are not on in the above picture in Air & Space (bells distracting in the museum), but I wore them while walking around outside. They garnered a lot of attention down on the mall. Far more people pointed at me than had been in the past few weeks. The outfit itself was wonderful. The red velvet pants Jess sent were, uh, very loud. I also can't remember the last time I wore pants which zipped up the side. Thanks so much to Jess, Tom, Manda and Jason for walking around with me in that ensemble and introducing me to space ice cream!

On Sunday I went to the Lions/Ravens game in Baltimore. It was a beautiful day for a football game. I personally enjoy football games the most when it doesn't stop raining, ever. Whit and I only spent the first quarter outside. We tried, but it was cold. Regardless, the game was a lot of fun and after the game I got to see a good friend involved in the Ravens organization. Everyone at the game seemed to love the Santa outfit. Most people also seemed to think I was wearing the t-shirt (which says "Believe") to state my belief in the Ravens and their playoff hopes. Which, I mean, sure, fine with me . . . but not the genesis of the shirt.

Got lots of donations this weekend!!!!!

TOTALS: $1295 (PayPal) + $331 (Cash & Check) = $1626!!

Special thanks to this weekend's Gingerbread:

* Sarah & Matt Waterstone
* Amanda Mierzwa & Jason Matson
* The Kloth Family
* Kevin Madden
* Brad Rosenwasser
* Charlie & Lynn Gorton

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

On Metro, showing off the jewels the ladies bought me at the Kennedy Center

Outside the Kennedy Center

Inside the Kennedy Center, Brian relegated to his traditional role as photographer

Many, many other people at the Kennedy Center were dressed for the holidays. Who knew the Holiday Pops concert is actually a costume party?

A group of us went to the National Symphony Orchestra Holiday Pops Concert last night. Somehow, I don't have any pictures with Kris, Kate, Kate or Jackie, but I wish I did!!!!

We all had a great time. The concert was conducted by Marvin Hamlisch who is wonderfully talented and amazing -- I'm slightly obsessed with him. I bet my praise means the same to him as the Oscars, Grammys, Emmys, Golden Globes, Tony and Pulitzer he's reeled in. It must be that we have so much in common, with our Julliard-level talent and everything. But seriously, the concert was more interactive than I expected. Those of you who know me can imagine my delight at learning that there would be a SING-A-LONG! You can also probably imagine the similar lack of delight on the part of those sitting next to me:) Santa came to the concert too, and it snowed!

I wasn't out of place at all in the Kennedy Center. I'm not really sure I can get credit for dressing in holiday garb, given the number of people in holiday sweaters, antlers, and Santa hats that were also at the concert. Whatever, I'm going to take credit anyway. Maybe for going outside in a skirt -- it was so cold that I was certain I was going to perish. This should be interesting, now that I've realized that the Baltimore Ravens play football OUTSIDE and that I picked to attend a game in December . . . may have to wear a full-on Santa Suit on Sun.

Lots and lots and lots of thanks to those who have participated thus far. We are getting RICH!

TOTALS:

$1175 (PayPal--I know it says $1150, but eChecks take awhile to go through and I'm just going to have faith that nobody is trying to steal from the kids) + $246 = $1421

Thanks to today's Snowmen:

* Alison Kogut
* Neal Parsons
* Bear, Jamie & Sophie Hollis
* Aunt Terri, Uncle Joe & the rest of the Hakeem clan!!

If you like it than you should put a sweater on it.

After grabbing dinner w/ Yasmin & Su

He looked chilly. And yes, that is a Santa Claus moon. Most importantly -- Sunita was here!

Tights and boots with a holiday sweater & turtleneck? It is really difficult to rock the winter DC uniform of boots and leggings when wearing holiday apparel:)

Eeek. Blogpost late! But you'll get two posts today to make up for it:) The wonderful Sunita was in town the past few days for a conference that she ORGANIZED. SuSu is amazing and is spending the year working at a non-profit called Absolute Return for Kids in London. She is currently working on a project which centers on developing middle management in schools -- information here - (ARK - Teaching Leaders). Anyway, Yasmin and I were delighted to have Su in town for a bit and grabbed some dinner at Ceiba last night. Being the wonderful people they are, Yasmin and Su really wanted to spend some time taking pictures in holiday outfits!

We did a small photo shoot at the Einstein memorial at the corner of Constitution and 22nd. We chose the Einstein memorial because its the only monument in DC that you're allowed to climb on:) It was dark and chilly, I think Albert was happy to have our company for a bit.

In a few hours, I'm going to the Holiday Pops concert at the Kennedy Center. I am definitely wearing one of the Santa hats.


Repeat the Sounding Joy -- the donations keep on coming!!!

TOTALS:

$1,145 (PayPal) + $226 = $1,371!!!

Huge, Huge Thank you to yesterday's shining stars:

Michael Kohl (Brother)
Jenny Knoester -- OK, Jenny donated several days ago -- but it appears I missed her!
Gina Newell

Dude, Moms love your SweaterBlog

See. I really do need to do laundry. The only sweats I have left are from Halloween.

With Kris and the ornament from Mrs. Hendrickson

Grabbing dinner with Whit! We are Christmas!

Awesome Christmas Sweater ornament from the Hendricksons -- so sweet.

Whitney says the Moms like SweaterBlog:) Thats good, because I like Moms and toys for kids!! I took my evidence exam today and there are no more real hurdles to full SweaterBlog action. Tomorrow I embark on a journey to paint DC full of holiday cheer!!

Thanks again to everyone who has donated thus far! The support is really far beyond what I had imagined. I think I'll call this my own little Christmas miracle.

TOTALS? TOTALS.

$940 (PayPal) + $226 (Cash & Check) = $1166!!

Today's Special Ornaments:

--Abiman Rajadurai

-- Marisa, Emma and Evan (they'd like to make ti clear that their donation is also in recognition of Chad Henne's tremendous performance last weekend. Chad Henne's touchdown passes cure cancer?)

-- Laura Almquist

-- Terry & Sue Mierzwa


Thanks again & Love to all.


Not sweater related -- but I sure am going to miss Curtis Granderson.

Over $1000 ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Just a quick note to let everyone know that after donations by Abiman Rajadurai and Marisa & Emma Weisel we are officially over $1000!

That is going to buy lots of toys!!! So many kids are going to have presents to open this holiday season because of you!

TOTAL:

$780 (cash/check) + $226 (cash/check) = $1006!


Ps. A very happy engagement to Nick Michiels and Candace Nuzzo, amazing people, both of which have been extremely supportive of SweaterBlog!!!

SweaterBlog is Boring

Just a small fist pump after finally knowing the correct answer to an evidence flashcard.

Don't want to be studying.

Boring day for me = boring day for you. I did head to the grocery store in the above outfit and yes I'm aware that it doesn't match. I might have to recant on the laundry prohibition.

I spend most of the day studying or at least appearing to:) I tried to do something cool and score an invite to the Kennedy Center Honors Program tonight. Last night when I realized that they were honoring Springsteen I decided I had to go and get a picture with him in one of my sweaters. No luck. I even called the PR firm handling the event last night to ask how I could get an invitation -- they said there were no more left. I'll make a more concerted effort at finding cool things to do/be photographed doing after Tuesday's final.

Some things I know I'll be doing in the next few weeks:

** Frolicking among the monuments (outfit ideas/preferences)
** Singing karaoke -- put song requests in the comments!
** Going to Kennedy Center ( I think for the Holiday Pops concert, but I forget exactly what we bought tickets for)
** Visiting the Naval Annex
** Spending time with and running around with visitors from LONDON and the STL!
** Going to the Lions/Ravens game
** Riding in one of the terrifying small airplanes that flies into Grand Rapids.

Leave other ideas/suggestions in the comments:)

Totals same as yesterday!! Gotta get to $1,000 tomorrow!

The Grinch that Stole SweaterBlog

Throwing Snowballs with Bri!

You try explaining to parents whose children want to play with you why you resemble a reindeer....

With the wonderful Meg Meg. She can kind of do cold because of the Chicago connection -- but she doesn't like it.

On Connecticut Ave. SO excited about the snow.

Comfy study outfit. Except I like to shake my head a lot so that I can hear the bells on the antlers. It gave me a headache eventually -- Im not sure if that was due to the head shaking or the bells:)

Evidence. Evidence is the grinch. What if I think holiday sweaters are more relevant than bias? Been busy studying today and have made a shockingly small amount of progress on learning everything I need to. Studying is all well and good, but I really just want to run around the city in my outfits. On a high note, DC got its first snowfall of the year and it was beautiful. Lyndsay, Meg and I went to to frolic in the winter wonderland. As a Michigan native I've got ice in my veins and loved the snow -- my warm weather friends (Meg, St. Louis; Lyndsay, Northern Virginia; Julie, San Diego) were less enamored.


As far as TOTAL FUNDS go, were up to : $760 (paypal) + $226 (cash + check) = $986! I'm confident we'll break $1,000 tomorrow!

Today's Magical Reindeer:

-- Pam Fowler
-- Mike & Nancy Sullivan
-- Bernie Liu

SweaterBlog invited to TFT HQ and Sorting Area!!

Happy Friday, loyal followers!! So, given the astonishing support I've received this far, I emailed one of my contacts in the Marine Corps, and the DC Toys for Tots Coordinator to update him on our great success so far and to work out some logistics. He was very excited about the progress so far and has invited me out to the Toys for Tots sorting center for a tour and to officially present the funds raised -- complete with photo a op with servicemen and servicewomen in uniform!

I'll be heading out there on December 16th to do this -- get your cash money to me prior to this so that your funds can be included in this presentation. Of course, I will still collect funds after the 16th, but will transfer those funds separately, as I'll be in the mitten as of the 17th.

TODAY'S TOTALS: $715 (paypal) + $130 (check) + $91 (cash) = $930!!!! I'm going to need an accounting degree to keep up with all of this. . .


Made my first venture downtown in the sweaters today. I showed up to work in a snazzy turtleneck adorned with presents and a beautifully embroidered holiday cardigan. Its really funny, because I'm so accustomed to holiday apparel that it feels natural. Seriously my room is strewn with hats, sweaters and t-shirts. In fact, twice this evening I mistook the end of one of my Santa hats (yes, I have more than one) for my slippers. Maybe I'll just start wearing Santa hats on my feet. Does anyone know where I can get some nice elf shoes??

Thats all I've got for tonight. I'll be studying lots the next few days but will have time to do all sorts of wonderful embarrassing holiday things beginning on the 8th. I'm trying to find some well-known/famous people to take pictures with -- if you've got any ideas or contacts, email me. (lmkohl@gmail.com).

TODAY's ANGELS!:

Lauren Scripsema
Scott Tsuchiyama
Paula Cotter
Judy McKee
Greg Kirsch
Kim Trimble
Janet Hager

Special thanks to Lyndsay Gorton who has served as my photographer thus far!! My camera is not particularly functional (and luckily under warranty!) so Lyndsay has been instrumental in taking and uploading photos. Finally, enjoy the pictures of Pete and Nick above. Nothing like an AULR meeting to finish off the day. Pete didn't want to take a picture with me, but then I told him I'd put him on the blog, so he obliged. Consider this your Christmas present, Pete.

Lisa Marie Obama?

OK, so not really. But the First Lady did announce that the White House is sponsoring a toy drive for Toys for Tots this holiday season -- sounds like Marine One delivering toys wasn't such a crazy idea:) The First Lady's remarks chronicle all the amazing things Toys for Tots has done in its 62 year history, delivering over 400 million toys to date. This just goes to show what a worthy cause you are all supporting!
(I'd love to have C.J. Craig organize a press conference for me, but alas, I am no President Bartlett.)

Day 3 TOTALS -- $670 (paypal) + $62 (cash) = $732!!!

Quite frankly, I'm beginning to think that Toys for Tots is getting the raw end of the deal here. I'm having a blast doing this. Today, I got 4 different presents. I'm 5 years old, so I literally ran to the package room in my apartment building 3 different times and ran up to the law review office once I heard there was something special in my mailbox. Also, I've realized I won't have to do laundry all month:)

Jessi and Tom are doing their best to ensure that everyone has a "Ferri Merry" Christmas. They sent me the sweatshirt I'm wearing in today's pictures. I think this sweatshirt is now my favorite piece of clothing, holiday related or not:) They also sent me QUITE the outfit to wear, I don't want to give away too many details because I'd like to let the pictures speak for themselves:) However, imagine red velour pants and skating bears.

I also got a wonderful t-shirt from Grandma and Grandpa Kohl in Colorado. I've got the perfect holiday turtleneck to wear with it! Additionally, my Aunt Tracey sent me another beautiful outfit -- again, I'd like to leave some things to the imagination, but think snowflake pants and bells. Finally, Evan got me a t-shirt which reminds everyone that Santa is always watching and LIGHTS UP!

Tomorrow, I make my first trip downtown . . .

Money, Money, Money -- SPECIAL THANKS TODAY TO:

-- Evan Calvert
-- Neil Begley
-- Candace Nuzzo
-- Nana & Bumpa (tied for the best grandparents in the world with G&G Kohl!!:):)!!:):)!
-- Pete Salzler
-- Michael Golub
-- Yasmin Nagash
-- Aunt Tracey

And to those who are ensuring I have AMAZING clothes for the next month:

-- Jess,Tom & General Ferri
-- Aunt Tracey
-- GG Kohl
-- Evan Koch

December 2nd -- A Day of Firsts?

Goooooooood Evening! First things first -- including the cash I received today, the two-day grand total is $595!!! The holiday sweaters had quite the day today. I'm so inspired by everyone's support that I've ceased to be embarrassed by anything. Today I decided that the holiday sweaters deserved some accessories, so I wore a Santa hat all day. The hat pretty much assured that everyone stares and or laughs at me when I walk by -- people may overlook a sweater with bells, but the blazing red hat is hard to miss. I don't mind the odd looks, because everyone always laughs eventually:) Interestingly, people seems to like to pull the Santa hat. THREE different times today, people I do not know, pulled on my hat!! Anyways, as the title of the post indicates, the sweaters had a lot of exciting firsts today:

** First ride on the Metro
** First trip to Virginia ("The Mother of Presidents," you know)
** First class and first discussion with Professor about sweaters outside of class
** First donations on same day by roommates (yeah Mike & Kevin!)
** First cash donation (Stephs always makin' it rain)
** First time someone has seen a link to the blog on a friend's gchat and sent an email to complimented it! Thanks so much Kiely!! Of course, thanks for forwarding, Hollis:)
** First (and hopefully last) time the sweaters were disappointed by Michigan athletics. Harris, please be the Manny.

HUGE THANKS to TODAY's CONTRIBUTORS!!

- Kevin Barnett
- Steph Manaker
- Michael Distefano
- Meghan Kloth


Sorry the picture is blurry, haven't addressed the electronics, death! camera yet.

Day 1 - $500!!!!

Yeehaw! I'd say Day #1 of Sweaterland was a huge success. As you can see on the donation widget, I've already got $500 to buy toys!! I know it says $495, but my Nana says her donation won't come through, so I'm going to round up. Don't hate. I'm amazed and so lucky that so many people are willing to support Toys for Tots through this venture. Honestly, I'm going to have to get in touch with my contacts at TFT and update them. I may run into some (very welcome) logistical issues getting all these toys to them, may need to borrow Marine One:)

The day went pretty well. It took me a while to figure out why people were staring and smirking at me, but once I did the sweater was a great conversation starter. I wore a hot little number today, one of Lynn Gorton's finest. As you'll be able to see in the pictures, its got lots of candy canes and gingerbread men on it. It made me hungry all day. After my initial foray out in to the world, decked in bells and holly, I'm feeling bold and may have to add one of the hats tomorrow. I'll be at school all day finishing a paper, so I'm going to hold off on any of the pairs of reindeer antlers because they all have bells on them. I've got a feeling that wearing something that jingles to the library, during finals, could result in my death.

Tomorrow I'm going to try to update a bit more frequently and earlier. I'm too tired to attempt to be entertaining now. I've also signed up for twitpix and mobile twitter, so once I figure that all out I'll start tweeting (I think this is the correct terminology).

I'm considering caroling outside the metro - thoughts??

HUGE THANKS to TODAY's DONORS!:

Jason Sexton
Mike Bertkau
Rand Robbins
Brian Rockwell
Danielle Stampley
The Tuten Family
Anne Kohl
Kristen Riccard
Amanda Hollis
Mel Beras
James Adams
Jennifer Schwartz

T'was the Night Before . . . December 1st??

Senioritis: 1, Lisa: 0. After scrambling to finish something for class tonight, I'm ready to start spreading holiday cheer across the city (D.C., and later Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor). I practiced making a fool of myself this weekend in an extremely unsuccessful attempt to play Rock Band. I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgivings and ate to your heart's content. I learned a valuable lesson this Thanksgiving -- 11 people + 22lb turkey = DO NOT THINK YOU NEED TO MAKE A 10lb HAM.

You know you've got great family and friends when you send out a request for Holiday apparel to wear and get:

-- 4 holiday turtlenecks
-- 1 long-sleeved holiday shirt
-- 14 holiday sweaters (yes, that says FOURTEEN)
-- 2 holiday sweatshirts
-- 2 holiday vests
-- 2 pairs of holiday socks
-- 4 pairs of reindeer antlers
-- 1 Santa Hat
-- 1 combination Santa hat/Reindeer hat

Santa's elves have told me that packages are on the way from Missouri, New York and Colorado, I'm going to end up with quite the outfit collection:)

Tomorrow Sweaterland goes into full effect and I'll be updating with pictures and (hopefully hysterical) stories as often as possible. Consistent with the electronics, death! theme of the current semester, my camera isn't exactly working properly but I'm working on a solution.

MANY THANKS to those who have donated thus far:

Mike & Kathy Kohl (yes, they were obliged)
Lyndsay Gorton
Liz Han
Sara Steele
Jesse Levine
Brian Klesh
Grandma & Grandpa Kohl
Karen Williams
Katie Reeves
Erin Korreck & MelBel

THANKS ALSO to those who have provided me with all this wonderful apparel:

Moms
Nana & Bumpa
Grandma & Grandpa
Aunt Tracey
Jess & Tom Ferri
Lynn & Lyndsay Gorton

Poet Laureates & Apparel Updates

Party People:

I sent out the first email re: this blog and holiday sweaters yesterday evening in what was probably the lamest and most boringly informative email ever. In passing along information about Sweaterland 2009, DC's poet laureate Kristen Riccard spread the information as only she can -- through verse:

Nothing Provides a Better Reason,

To get into the Mood of the Holiday Season...

Than Spotting a person in a Preposterous, Three-Demensional Christmas Sweater!!

Now, What Could Be Better??

You know the Type...

Several Santas and many a dangling Frosty Pipe..

Some lit up Rudolf Noses sticking out..

And the ever important jingling bells scattered about.

Throw on some oversized Snowman Earrings and a cotton Turtle Neck

And there wont be any Hall that Person Won't Deck!

Fully manifest with Poinsetta Iron Patches..

And Colorful Puffy Paint that Matches!

Well, This YEAR there Is Something Better:

25 DAYS of Lisa Kohl, in a CRAZY CHRISTMAS SWEATER!!

As a Great CHARITY PLOT

AND ALL IN BENEFIT OF "TOYS FOR TOTS!!!"

Yeah, what she said . . .

Calling all Sweaters!!

Hello, Hello!!

Welcome to my introductory blog post and the land of holiday sweaters (kind of like Candyland, Sweaterland!!). In short, I've decided to wear a holiday sweater every day from December 1st through Christmas day and collect donations on this blog which recognize the ridiculousness of wearing a holiday sweater for 25 consecutive days. In turn, all donations collected will be used to purchase toys to donate to the Toys for Tots Campaign (TFT Campaign). Word on the street is that charitable donations will be down again this year due to continuing economic woes (see other people seeking toys) and it is my hope that this silly little sweater campaign will be fun and motivate people to make small (or LARGE if you want!!) donations on this site and then I can buy lots of toys for lots of kids!! I have discussed this with the TFT folks and they are aware of what I am doing.

I'll try to make this fun and interactive and plan on taking pictures of me in a holiday sweater doing a number of fun things around DC. Just think: sweaters with monuments, sweaters at the Kennedy Center, sweaters at football games, sweaters running the turkey trot, etc. I've got a great photographer (shoutout: Dean Han) and I imagine I can convince some friends to engage in some of this silliness with me. Depending on how this all goes I may put a poll on the site and take suggestions/dares of things to do in the sweaters. I'll try my best to be funny and entertaining but in the interest of full disclosure, I do have some finals to take during this time and will probably make lame attempts to joke about corporate finance or evidence -- the jokes will probably not be funny-- at all.

All that out of the way -- now I need to collect sweaters to wear so that I'm not wearing the SAME holiday sweater for 31 consecutive days. If you're in DC and have access to any holiday sweaters (also accepting: holiday turtlenecks, holiday vests, necklaces that look like Christmas lights, holiday pants?? Do holiday pants exist??) or in Michigan and can pass the sweaters/holiday paraphernalia along to my parents I'd really appreciate it. I'll label everything and get it back to you in tip top shape, promise.

Any questions: please email me (lmkohl@gmail.com)

Also: Please note that the donation button is up and running. Feel free to throw your credit card information into paypal at any time!! If you're around DC and would prefer to give me cash or a check, please do so. I'll be keeping track of everything on the blog!