Cookie to Support the Children's Hospital - by Kristy

From August 13-21 you can visit your local Tim Hortons to purchase a special smiling chocolate chip cookie for only $1 plus tax to help support the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation.

Caleb Campbell - by Kristy

I know this isn't a sports blog, so some readers may be taken back when they see I'm doing another post on a football player. But if you read on you'll see why I can't resist.

On July 31st I took my younger brother to the season ticket holder's open training camp for the Detroit Lions. We watched the team's entire practice. I distinctly remember noticing number 53 out there and asking my brother who he is. And he told me, "that's Caleb Campbell, he just got out of the army, you should follow him on twitter- you'd like him." So I went home and did just that. And ever since that point I've been pretty infatuated with Caleb Campbell's story.

His NFL dreams came true when he was drafted by the Lions in 2008, only to have that taken away from him as he had two years to serve in the army first. I don't know the exact details, but somewhere it's a rule that you can't do both. All I know is that must have been a huge low blow to have your dreams snatched out from under you. But what is truly inspiring is that Caleb did not put up a fight, he did not make the unfortunate situation worse. He followed the orders and served and protected our country, feeling that deep down he would have another shot at his professional football dreams. Now it's August 2010 and Campbell made his NFL debut last Saturday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. I can't imagine how great it must feel to finally have your dreams in the palm of your hand, without any threat of it being taken away again. I couldn't stop smiling as I watched him on the field and the commentators couldn't stop praising him for his character and how much all this means to him. I pray that he stays healthy and does great things with his career, hopefully always remaining a Lion.

Now, I personally don't know enough about football to sit here and praise him as a player. But I do know a big heart when I see one and for that fact I can say that I admire Caleb Campbell and think the NFL could use plenty more like him. I may be seen in my Matthew Stafford jersey around Ford Field, but that doesn't mean Caleb Campbell isn't one of my absolute favorite guys on the roster. :)

You can follow Campbell on Twitter using this link.

Funniest headline fails - by Monica

I graduated college two months ago with a degree in journalism, and from all those journalism classes I took, I learned how important a headline is in a news story. Headlines grab a reader's attention, make them want to read the rest of the article. How many times have you based if you wanted to read something off of what it was titled? Another rule we learned about headlines -- be careful of double entendres. I guess these reporters didn't take the same classes I did -- but it sure made from some funny headlines! I do have to admit, some of these headlines are creative though and would make someone read the story (like the one about "Skywalkers"). So, this blog post is for anyone who is in need of a laugh today.

I found these headlines on thehuffingtonpost.com, funnypicblast.com and innocentenglish.com

- Tiger Woods plays with his own balls, Nike says
- Police arrest everyone on February 22nd
- A-Rod goes deep, Wang hurt
- Colleagues finger billionaire
- Federal agents raid gun shop, find weapons
- Skywalkers in Korea cross Han Solo (which is an article about people walking solo across a wire strung high over Han River)
- Missippi literacy program promotes improvement (They spelled Mississippi wrong!)
- Statistics show teen pregnancy drops off significantly after age 25
- Threats disrupt plans to meet about the threats
- Hospitals are sued by 7 foot doctors
- Arson suspect is held in Massachusetts fire
- Kids make nutritious snacks
- New study of obesity looks for larger test group
- Man struck by lightning faces battery charge
- Red tape holds up new bridge
- If strike isn’t settled quickly, it may last a while
- Miners refuse to work after death
- Two sisters reunited after 18 Years in checkout counter
- Anyone who breaks the law is at risk of being arrested
- Quarter of a million Chinese live on water
- House passes gas tax onto senate
- Grandmother of eight makes hole in one

Toad prince - by Monica

You can visit Charlyn's website at: toadprinceillustrations.com






My friend Margaret and I were at Great Lakes Crossing in Auburn Hills last week when we saw a store we had never been in before. It's called Great Lakes Artisan Village, and I was immediately drawn in by the art work I saw from the window.

The paintings were by a Michigan artist named Charlyn Darling. Darling said that she had been influenced by the “Big Eye” art of the 1960’s and 1970’s. Her paintings feature big eyed girls in mostly fantasy settings.

I think everybody needs to find their own escape -- that one thing they love to do for themselves and no one else. Darling found this in painting. I interviewed Darling for an article I'm writing, and she told me, "I have never wanted to really do anything else but draw and paint. I've been drawing since I could first pick up a pencil and to me there is nothing better than this."

If you can make money from doing what you love, what better life is that? But even if you don't make money doing what you love, they are a lot of things better than money. Darling taught me that you need to do what you love and work hard at your passions no matter what. You will lead a happy life if you do what you love.

Reactions - by Kristy

When we're really busy, it's so easy to get caught up in negativity and stress. Stressful situations are always around and though you can't avoid them, the thing to remember is that you are the one in control of how you react.
Author Karen Salmansohn states, "who you truly are as a person is best revealed by who you are during times of conflict and crisis." She explains that during times of smooth sailing, of course any person can appear cool, calm, and collected. It is when life throws us curve balls that one's true character begins to show. Sometimes it can be as simple as counting to 10 in your head to avoid overreacting.
I wanted to share a paragraph from her book:
In life, you always have a choice. Be weak or be strong. Whichever of these paths you choose will determine your ability to bounce back from life's myriad setbacks, crises, or traumas. If you want to survive life's many challenges, you must put in the conscious effort and discipline to be a strong person. It's essential you create a fiery will from within- harness that power of decisiveness- and choose to be your strongest self.
You can view and purchase her book here.

Bravery - by Monica

View original article at abcnews.com



brav·er·y
   /ˈbreɪvəri, ˈbreɪvri
–noun, plural -er·ies.
1.
brave spirit or conduct; courage; valor.
2.
showiness; splendor; magnificence.
—Synonyms
1. intrepidity, fearlessness, boldness, daring, prowess, heroism, pluck, spirit, audacity, nerve, mettle, spunk

Bravery. That woman in the video sure had bravery. And it showed me that there are more ways to deal with fear than just screaming and giving in, which is what I probably would have done in the situation. I feel like sometimes our fear inhibits us and makes us unable to speak to someone who may just need someone to talk to.

After I heard this story on the news, it made me realize that maybe there is more good in people than we give them credit for. Sometimes we spend so much time condemning people for their mistakes that we don't realize that it was just that...a mistake. We don't realize what was going on in their heads when they made that mistake. Instead of hating the man who tried to rob her, the clerk showed him love and compassion, which in turn led him to breaking down and not committing the theft. Just think -- if more of us spread love and compassion instead of hate and fear, maybe it would bring out the best in others as well.

Mike Modano - by Kristy

Mike Modano is a well known and well respected name throughout the National Hockey League. He has played 20 seasons with the same organization and holds the record of most goals scored by a U.S.-born player. At 40 years old, his team did not offer him a new contract for the upcoming 2010-11 season. The problem? - He isn't ready to hang up the skates yet. The solution? - Coming home to play a season with the Detroit Red Wings. Most Wings fans are thrilled at the idea and think he will blend in with the team great. Being that Modano is a Michigan native, many Red Wings fans are already fans of his. My dad actually went to school with Mike, so he is quite excited.
Naturally, Modano had his apprehensions about signing a contract with a new team. When you've played your entire career for one organization, you feel certain bonds you don't want to break. However, in Dallas, his true fans understand that hockey is a business just like anything else and Modano is only doing what is best for himself and his career. With no new contract in Dallas and having to pick a different team to play for, I have to say coming home and playing for the Red Wings seems like not only the obvious choice, but the perfect one.


This picture, from Getty Images, was taken on April 8 of this year. It was the last home game of the season and Modano saluted the fans as, deep in his heart, he knew it would be his last chance in a Stars' jersey.