Sad news....

I just found out that a fellow Jaycee and member of my softball team passed away early this morning in a rollover car accident out off 84th Street. So shocking. I hate getting news like this that just comes out of nowhere. It's so hard to reconcile it in your brain that you think there just must be some big mistake and it can't possibly be true. Someone so full of life, with such a great laugh and so young (37), with so many friends and raising a wonderful young daughter who I always played catch with and taught to keep score at our games this summer. She was truly a daddy's girl, such a good girl and quite a little athlete too. My heart breaks just thinking of all the big things in her life that he's not going to be there to be a part of. So not fair. Please wear your seatbelts!!!!

One Year Anniversary

At work, that is. Also, just over one year since my Grandma Olson passed away. Wow, this year has been full of major changes for me personally and professionally, luckily most have been for the better. It is true that the older you get, the faster it goes...

Wedding Pics Update

Just heard from my photographer that it's going to be a few more weeks before she has our proofs ready. Ugh! At least the turn around time will be short from there, but it's going to take awhile to go through them all....

Happy Halloween

Last weekend, Kim, Rebecca and I volunteered at the Witches Walk corn maze to raise money for Crash's Landing. The owners offered to donate $1 from each ticket sold to the cat shelter and that worked out to be $457! It was an awesome night -- huge harvest moon and not too cold. We had fun scaring the pants off people, especially some middle school aged kids who fell on top of each other, they were trying to run away so fast. We had a lot of fun, but I know my voice was gone for a couple of days. All for a good cause though!

The Boys Are Back for More!

In honor of the opening day of hockey season, I thought I would post this adorable picture of Nicklas Lidstrom posing with my friends' daughter, Zoe. Zoe just turned 5 years old. I grew up with and went to school with both of her parents. Her dad and I even went to Junior Prom together! Anyway, at about 2 years old, Zoe was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a vicious childhood cancer. She is now in full remission and doing great. Her parents established a foundation to help other families suffering through childhood cancers and as a result of their work, they have become good friends with many of the Red Wings players. This picture was taken over the summer at a benefit.

Here's looking forward to an exciting year of Wings hockey--they're the best, in more ways than one!

Meet Anna-Banana

No, we don't have a new kitty (are you crazy?!), but the economic crisis is hitting the shelters hard, so we have decided to take on the monthly sponsorship of a very deserving kitty named Anna-Banana who is up for adoption at Crash's Landing. She is very soft, super lovey and such a sweetheart!

Here's more from Crash's Landing's Petfinder.com site:

Amazingly beautiful 5 year old Anna-Banana (born in March of 2003) has a very common, often misunderstood urinary tract disease called 'Idiopathic Urinary Tract Inflammation" or IFLUTD. Because of this condition, Anna has periodic bouts of bladder pain that cause her to avoid her litterbox and urinate on a soft substrate. In her mind, we think she thinks she will feel better if she goes elsewhere - but you can see how this leas to problems. We had adopted her out after having diagnosed this condition, but I am not sure the owners were able to medicate her daily with a low-grade anti-inflammatory/anti-anxiety medication, so she came back to stay with us this August. They were heartbroken, as in all other aspects she was the perfect cat, but at least here with us she is guaranteed to get her daily meds and we can watch her closely for signs of discomfort. So, unless we can find her a home where her issues can be addressed like they are here, Anna will have to stay put. But, no worries thus far, as she acts like she never left, and is having fun greeting old friends and making new ones - human and furry:)

This Saturday - CSNIP's annual fundraiser (csnip.org for more info) LOOK - $10 Microchips!

Saturday October 11, from 10 am to 2 pm
on the clinic grounds.

Free and open to everyone and their pets!!

Contest with prizes Tricks, tallest, shortest, oldest, look-a-like, fastest biscuit eater, most unusual looking, best kisser, traveled the farthest, best costume. Vendors Pet products, groomer, pet psychic, pet massage therapist, pet photographer, dog trainer. Pet nail trimming. Microchip Clinic $10 fee

Agility/obstacle course for dogs of all sizes with demonstrations and lessons from the professionals. Games with Prizes Dog musical chairs, find the treat, pegboard pick-a-treat, swimming pool with tennis balls, obedience. Obedience demo and instruction

Sponsored by

Prudential Financial and
Commercial Cleaning Service