Tent City

This is something that, we as people who have,need to help with. These people have nothing. We at least have a roof over our head at night and a heater or fireplace to keep us warm. They are sleeping in tents sometimes not knowing where they are going to get food next while we go and stuff our faces at (your choice of a restaurant). This hurts my heart, all these people have nothing and we are all greedy with what we have. (Man I sure do have a lot of things to say today)

numSlides of totalIma

Sacramento's homeless rate is rising fast. With more foreclosures, jobs lost and full shelters, all you have to do is walk downtown or cruise the American River and you'll meet people who are homeless for the first time.

The sea of tents along the American River is hard to miss, and their number is growing.

"Anywhere from 20 to 50 people a week is showing up out here that just became homeless," said Steve Kruse, a homeless man. "There are shelters, but they're filling up so fast."

Many of the men and women in the tents lost their jobs and then their home.

Robert Booker was laid off after working four and a half years for a Sacramento property management company, but managed to snag an open spot in a shelter. The tent he was setting up near the river was for his friend, but he is concerned he will end up there as well.

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson knows the crisis is growing. As foreclosure and unemployment rates skyrocket, the homeless rate is now on the same track. From 2007 to 2008, Sacramento County's "new homeless" rate rose a whopping 15 percent.

The last count showed the number of homeless with no shelter at all up 26 percent. That's 1,200 people living on the street or in a car.

Mayor Johnson says the new homeless plan he's working on may include a regulated tent city. "I can't say tent cities are the answer to the homeless population in Sacramento, but I think it's one of the many things that should be considered and looked at," he said.

Kruse says the public should consider who could be next to face that situation. "Prepare! Don't turn your back on us today, because tomorrow, you'll be living next to us," he said.

"I'm seeing families out here," Kruse added. "A lady walking down here yesterday with two babies and a stroller, and she asked did anybody know where she could stay."

Orange Juice, Laundry, and Christmas Shopping

I made fresh orange juice this morning. I don't have a juicer so I had to squeeze the oranges by hand. I prob. wasted a lot more than I would have if I had a juicer, but oh well. It tasted so good, I don't think I have ever really had fresh OJ

Then I had sooo much laundry to do I decided it would be smarter just to go to a laundromat do get it done. It was kind of fun, I actually met some pretty interesting people.

After I was done doing laundry I walked outside and was putting the clothes in the car, and I was like ohh antonio's that sounds so good. So as I was walking in to get something to eat with my $3.00 left over from laundry, I saw a poor homeless person. So right there I decided I would give them my food, cause I did have some in my warm house and they had nothing. It was a nice feeling and they were so grateful!

After that I came home got the kids and husband to go shopping at walmart. It's been a busy day, pretty productive though....

Until next time.....