Do dogs have a tooth fairy?

A few months ago, we adopted a cocker spaniel mix puppy as a rescue puppy. We named him
“Cooley” after the player on the Washington Redskins team. The puppy is now about five months old and growing at an alarming rate. This past weekend, I took a peek in the back of his mouth and saw some really large “grown-up” teeth coming in as molars. Yesterday, he also lost one of his baby teeth. I couldn’t resist telling the kids in our family that the dog was going to be paid a visit by the doggie tooth fairy in the near future.

Goodbye 2009...Hello 2010!!!

Aside from any personal contributions I have made to St. Jude's, I am pleased to say that I was able to raise $10 net in 2009 for them with my soda can tab saving efforts. It would be phenomenal to beat this amount in 2010 and with a few more families helping us in this cause - totally achievable!

I REALLY hope 2010 goes more smoothly than 2009. It has personally been a very trying year for me and my family financially. I am fortunate to have a job, but at half the challenge and pay that I would normally be matched with (isn't that what they call being "underemployed"?). And personal savings is at an all time low because I refuse to not pay my bills. But, I am very fortunate that everyone in our family seems to be healthy. Compared to a family that has to seek treatment for a very sick child at St. Jude's, we really have nothing to complain about. If anything, the adversity in 2009 has caused me to care more about fundraising for my pet charity.

Happy New Year and Better New Year to all!

You get to a certain age and you think you’ve seen it all…

I read today that it is scientifically possible to have a rainbow in the sky at night if there is a full moon and enough moisture in the air…some people call it a moonbow or a lunar rainbow. It makes sense if you think about it because you can make a rainbow at home with a garden hose and a light source. I can’t wait to tell my 5th grade son about it tonight…he has a current fascination with astronomy and science. The weather guy is predicting a full moon and possibly rain on New Year’s Eve…

Friday already?

Can't believe it is Friday afternoon already! I am so excited because I officially have a FOLLOWER on my blog now (thank you, Lisa!!!) and I also created a link to St. Jude's website so people can read for themselves about this great charity.

So where did this week go? Some highlights:

-Sunday - mom phoned to tell me that it's been over a year since I came to visit and maybe she would try to fly here from Florida instead of waiting for us to come down there (boy, do I feel guilty!)

-Monday - I went to see the doctor since my foot has been hurting for over a week...might be Morton's Neuroma (basically, a pinched nerve between the toe joints?)

-Wednesday early morning - I met a deer walking down the street in front of our house when I took the dog out for a walk

-Thursday - Spoke with multiple loan officers about refinancing one of our rental properties

-Friday - I found a four leaf clover on my way to work (love it when that happens!) and I collected another 5 soda can tabs from folks at the office

Well, it's time to get back to work - back to the grind!

Turkey...and soda!

It's Tuesday and I'm back at work after a long holiday weekend. I shared a successful and delicious Turkey Day with many different family and friends and I was also able to collect about 30 or 40 tabs over the past few days. Not a lot when you consider I want to offer a 1,000 tab minimum for auction so I can maximize proceeds collected for charity. But, as they say, patience is a virtue and great things can grow out of small things in time. So, I will just continue to collect and see where I am in a few more days...

Day One

Welcome to my blog! Today is the first day I have attempted to setup any blog of any type. It's exciting, but also definitely a new experience. I wonder - will anyone ever even read this stuff? I am dedicating this blog mainly to discuss my fundraising efforts with the collection of soda can tabs.

So far, I have successfully raised about $10 this year for my pet charity, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital (they treat children with unusual forms of cancer) by collecting several thousand soda can tabs from family members and friends. I am located in Northern Virginia and my aim is to increase my collection efforts on a local level by letting more people know what I am doing.

Since today is Thanksgiving, I would also like to wish everyone a Happy and peaceful Thanksgiving! Thanks for visiting!

-clv0clv0