Diving into the Detroit River for a Great Reason! Special Olympics MI

This month I am trying to raise funds for Special Olympics Michigan's Polar Plunge. The Plunge, held at various locations around the state, is an annual fundraiser open to individuals willing to plunge into freezing cold water to raise funds needed to support the year-round athletic training of more than 16,000 athletes across the state.

As you may have read in a post last year, I feel compelled to give back to an organization that has taught me so much about myself. I am excited because two of my girlfriends will be making the plunge with me -- dressed according to our team name, Happily Ever After. (I'll post some photos afterward!)

Feel free to come watch us plunge on Feb. 21 at 10 a.m. at the Roostertail in Detroit. And, if you're feeling generous and want to donate, visit my page here. If you can't, feel free to cheer me on -- I'll need the support (and some liquid courage)!

Sunday Song: John Rich - Shutting Down Detroit

If you've heard this song, you probably could have guessed this would be the song I picked for this week's Sunday Song.

Not gonna lie, the first time I heard this, I shed some tears for Detroit. It pains me everyday to hear about the thousands of people being laid off from auto-related jobs and beyond. This song strikes a chord with me because it says exactly how I feel -- you shut Detroit down and watch out! It's going to be chaos for this entire country -- it truly will be the trickle down effect.

Kudos to John Rich for writing this song - in an hour. I'm glad someone out there in the 'real world' is paying attention to us.

Wisdom from some "old girls"

There were a few things I gained when Jason and I moved into our home...namely an antique chest, complete with old school hats, a weird, yet beautiful, wardrobe and a bottle of wonderful champagne. But my favorite part left behind in our house are the random quotes our prior owner posted everywhere. I haven't taken them down because they are great and motivate me everyday!

I read my favorite (located in the medicine cabinet of all places) almost every night...It's advice from women 100 years old and up. There's a lot of great knowledge here, so I figured I'd share.

- You can't control other people. You can only control your reaction.
- Don't hold onto anger -- you'll just make yourself miserable.
- When playing Scrabble, don't use up the S's right away.
Frances Johnson, 100

- Avoid a fast talker when looking for a husband. Go for someone who's steady.
- Volunteering gets you away from your own worries.
- More is not necessarily better. Going for first or biggest leads to unhappiness.
Edna Anderson, 100

- A person never gets too old to love.
- If you expect perfection from everyone, you'll be all alone.
- You're better off alone than with bad company.
Mary Cavaliere, 106

- Anything you love is important.
- Children love praise. They'll do something again and again just to get you to praise them.
- You'll always need your girlfriends.
Melva Radcliffe, 105

- Never feel sorry for yourself.
- If you worry about being old, you will be old.
- A mother should respect her children, just as they should respect her.
Evelyn "Tootsie" Yeager, 102

Who's Your Tiger? Mine is absolutely GRAND

I have a confession to make: I have a crush on Curtis Granderson, the rockin' center fielder for the Detroit Tigers.

Do I really care about baseball? Nope, not really.

But Grandy is such a winner when it comes to knocking life outta the park, it's hard not to feel the pitter-patter of love when you learn his story.

I became fascinated with Granderson last year when I randomly came across his blog on ESPN.com. It was there that I learned he is not only a great writer, but he also graduated with a degree in business marketing/managing. And boy does he know how to market himself!

He's a good baseball player. He's very media-friendly. But most importantly, he does what many sports players do not do enough of: he gives back to the community. More specifically, he gives back to my community.

In his short time as a MLB player, he has donated time, money and memorabilia to tons of charitable causes not only in the Detroit area, but throughout the entire nation.

Both of Granderson's parents were teachers in Chicago, therefore the importance of education has become the focal point in Granderson's message to area youth, as he is one of only a handful of MLB players with a college degree.

His foundation, the Grand Kids Foundation was established last year to help our local public schools purchase school supplies for needy families and buy books and supplies for schools that don't receive the funds they are always in dire need of.

He's even established numerous baseball programs in some of Michigan's inner cities and is currently working on creating a scholarship program for high school graduates.

Annnd, he's only 27 years old, folks.

Grandy, I'll be rooting for you this season. Not because I love baseball, but because I love how you connect with the community. Keep up the good work and keep making Detroit proud!

Sunday Song: Lifehouse's Everything Skit

I have loved this song since I saw Lifehouse live in high school. Amazing song...and this skit's interpretation sends chills down my spine. Whether you are religious or not...watch with an open mind. There is just plain something to be said about the power of God!

“God places the heaviest burden on those who can carry its weight.” ~ Reggie White

Sunday Song: "Song Around the World" from Playing For Change

Yet another un-Sunday song, however, this one is SO post-worthy. This vid is from an award-winning documentary called "Playing For Change: Peace Through Music." (check out www.playingforchange.com for more information)

Amazing musical concept. Thank you, video maker. Here's to a little peace in '09!

Operation New Years Resolutions 2009

I've never made an official list of New Years resolutions, so I've decided to try it out this year. Many people create lofty resolutions that never even make it to February, so I've made what I consider a reasonable list, full of things I know I can achieve.

Be healthy. As most folks, I would love to lose weight -- but I'm not quite ready to cut junk food out of my life completely. I just want to take better care of myself. No more booze and bad food binges. Work out more and cook more healthily.

Dress appropriately for my age and buy classic clothes. My mom has been trying for years to make me look like a "grown-up." To be honest, I hate work clothes (I am def a jeans and fun T-shirt-kinda girl), but I know it's necessary to be taken seriously. And when you work in an office full of well-dressed women, it's hard to not stick out as the hippie that doesn't iron or send clothes to the dry cleaner. I need to work on that.

Get a library card (and use it). I think it's time I go back to my younger days of wandering the library looking for the perfect book. Besides, buying books is such a rip-off and libraries are full of great things like CDs and movies, too. (this leads me to my next point...)

Read more for pleasure.

Make more time to volunteer.

Go to church more. I love my sleep, I'm not gonna lie. But, that's a lame excuse not to go...

Learn to garden. Word is I'm destined to have a green thumb...we'll see about that!

Learn to sew. I got a sewing machine last Christmas. By Christmas 2009, I want to know how to use it.

Get creative. I need to engage the creative side of my mind more often. Handmade presents are much more fun than store-bought stuff.

Do small things to make other people's day (i.e. send random cards to friends, pay for meal of person behind me in drive-thru line, etc.)

Best of luck to you all in 2009!