"...Six o'clock already? I was just in the middle of a dream..."

Good morning! I am very proud of Katie this morning...she got up, showered, put on something besides the fat-kid pants we've been sporting, and off she went for a day of studying. (For our peace of mind, Katie's and mine, she is reachable easily by phone and an instant-messaging service we both use-- and she's coming back here for her lunch break around 1 or 2.) Even though I am thrilled and really lucky to have her here, there are about 100 people who would probably never speak to me again if I somehow contributed to Katie not getting her business handled. (Her mom, her grandparents, her boyfriend, our two best friends, her study group, her friend Lizzie, probably a few mentors and professors...pretty much anyone who knows Katie, and can already see her as an incredible physician-- yes, they all will want to soundly kick my ass.) Considering the already sensitive state of my nervous system, I can ill afford a rumble, so-- see you for lunch, Katie! Show those adrenal glands who's boss!

Ok. So, per instructions from that sage facialist, I have decided to divert some of this awesome support to causes that need it more. Again, I canNOT say this enough, I am overwhelmed and 100% grateful for all of the concern and encouragement. For real-- incredulity at every turn. But, it feels ridiculous to be getting sweet gifts and flowers for something that I didn't really earn or accomplish. Jan and Doug didn't raise us like that! So, if you are planning on sending me something, please reconsider-- send me an e-mail, text message, blog comment, letter, telegram, or something with semaphore flags. Your words are the best therapy for me, I swear. And if you're still itching to spend your hard-earned money on my behalf, here are two ideas for you to consider that will have much better results. (I'll even send you a thank-you card if that's what you're really after.)

1) The Cincinnati SPCA-- the first link is a list of things they need at the shelter for the day-to-day operation. I volunteered a few hours at the chapter in Kalamazoo, and I love the work that group does. And, this economy has certainly hit them hard. My friends in Boston told me that the MSCPA had to close 3 of their shelters-- that is awful news! So, if you're planning on visiting and bringing me something to be nice, maybe bring something on that list. Then we can collect all of it, and once this shitshow is over, my puppy-obsessed sisters and I can go deliver it...and it will be smelly, loud, puppy heaven!! The second link is where you can make a secure online donation.

http://www.spcacincinnati.org/pages/images/Wish%20List.pdf
http://www.spcacincinnati.org/pages/default2.asp?active_page_id=102

2) Idealist.org-- they are a 501(c)(3) that connects civic-minded or big-idea people with opportunities to do good works all over the place. The following link is their donation page.

http://www.idealist.org/if/idealist/en/Donate/default

Note: anyone who knows me well enough is probably thinking, "Wait! Isn't Dana some insane leftie, baby-killing, Michael-Moore-loving, God-hating Democrat?! Why is there no link to NARAL, Planned Parenthood, the DNC, whatever?!" Good question. Yes, I'm a Democrat. Yes, I'm STAUNCHLY pro-choice. Yes, I believe in the high wall between church and state. (No, I don't love Michael Moore, even if he's a Michigander.) But, I also believe that there are causes that go way beyond my individual views and concerns, and causes that everyone can get behind regardless of their position of left or right. Puppies and do-gooders?! Come on. What's better than that!? In the immortal words of a friend of a friend, "Zero nothing!"

Ok, Katie is back from her morning session...time to debrief.