Another installment of My Favorite Things

And now you have that song in your head, don't you?? Sorry! Ok, onward and upward....

1) I saw the story of James O'Neal on the CNN website one day last month and it just reached out and grabbed me. James was born with Neurofibromatosis. As a child he had surgery pretty much every year to keep up with the growths on his face. His dad would take the family on a summer vacation after his surgeries so he could recover and have fun. When he turned 18 he didn't have any more insurance to cover more surgeries. The tumors have stopped growing now and he would love to have the last procedures done.

After the story ran, things went nuts in the donation department! As of this writing, I believe they have raised $100,000 for James' surgery! People can be so awesome. I sent in a little moola and have been keeping up with the story on a blog started by some friends/customer's of James. Also, his local tv station, KOMO, has done really well doing follow-up stories.

Even if you can't give, I recommend you stay tuned to this story. James has an awesome attitude considering his circumstances and I can't wait to read more about his upcoming surgery. Go James, go!!

2) On a completely different subject.....one of my friends sent me this link and it has provided many laughs and agreeing head bobs.

Stuff White People Like

First, you must know it is all highly sarcastic. If you are easily offended (#101 on the list, by the way), you might want to skip it. Otherwise, have fun discovering just how white you are! (and, if you're not white, it will give you so many reasons to make fun of white people....)

(I am #'s 1, 5, 7, 8, 9, 12, 15, 18, 19, 24, 25, 29, 33, 35, 37, 39, 48, 49, 50, 57, 62, 64, 75, 82, 83, 94, 96, 97, 99, 100, 103)

3) GoodReads.com

I love to read and I love to find out what other people are reading and whether they like it or not. I have a book list that I carry wherever I go so that if I happen to stumble into a bookstore with extra cash on hand, I will know exactly what to look for (or, lately, if I stumble into the library since it's all free and stuff).

So it's been fun finding out what my friends have read and also finding that maybe I am not the only one that hated On The Road by Jack Kerouac. My "to read" list has grown by leaps and bounds since I signed up. I may have to start squeezing in a few more books between knitting projects....

So there you go....a little feel-good story.....a little sarcastic laughter....and a little reading pleasure. And all on a Monday!!

Can you even stand the cuteness?

Ok, here is my latest creation.....I am quite proud:

Meet Sidney Penguin!

It is well known that I am a huge hockey fan and my team is the Dallas Stars. However, in December of last year, I became fascinated by a young Pittsburgh Penguin named Sidney Crosby. I really had no intention of actually becoming a Penguins fan....it just happened. So now I am a dual team fan.....though the Stars will always be #1 in my heart! (it's just that they don't have a mascot....)

Anyhow, I have crocheted many animals.....monkeys, pigs, elephants, etc. But all have been from a pattern. This little guy is a conglomeration of MANY patterns, but I think it's ok to claim him as my own (the hockey stick? totally made up by your's truly!). The only thing I have left to do is go to Michael's and see if I can find some numbers to put on his back.

And, who knows, maybe I'll whip up some more teammates for him.....a little Evgeni Penguin. And a Marc-Andre Penguin. And a bigger penguin I'll call Georges LaPenguin!

It's gonna be a loooooooooooong summer.....

A penny saved

Ok, jumping on the bandwagon again with this post....but, hey, whatever....

The economy is freaking me out.

I am luckier than many. I live 7 miles from work. I drive a gas efficient Honda Accord. I only have to worry about me, myself and I when it comes to expenses (groceries, utilities, etc.). And I bought my house last year and went the FIXED rate route.

So far I haven't had to change much, like deciding what bills to pay and what bills to let go. I have not had to make life-altering sacrifices. But I am starting to worry that those things will come. I am trying to head them off by taking small steps now. I went to the grocery store the other day and only bought things I needed (no "oh! that sounds good!" purchases), I have also cut down on driving as much as possible....though I don't do much to begin with. I've already mentioned no vacation this year.

I wish I could take the bus to work. Actually, I COULD, but it would cost me a lot more money to do that than drive (our public transportation here is not exactly up to par). I've thought about a bike, but that presents it's own problems. Our streets are not really built for them and Nashville it very hilly.....I would be soaked to the bone by the time I got to the office. Not to mention, what do people do when it rains? (I know...."get wet"). Shoot, I even wish walking was an option. But, again, I bet there are areas without sidewalks and I only walk a little over 3 miles an hour when I'm pushing it.....

So, I guess I will just continue to tighten my belt as a precaution....I'm not ready to start selling off all my personal belongings just yet! I may find that more frugal living is the way to go anyway...