You just can't go wrong on a Monday when your story involves a very sweet pooch and loads of grateful people.

Alain's owner (although 'who owns whom' is probably the other way around judging by how quickly Alain had all of us wrapped around his paw)... anyway, Alain's owner Tom mentioned he was a member of the Delta Society. I "googled" it when I got back to work and found this link:

http://deltasociety.org/home.htm

Looks like they have Pacific Northwest roots which is always nice to hear.

Here's to Ed Eby getting better soon. His condition is still quite serious, but stable. And when you've been in the hospital for three months-- stable is a good thing!!

Spelling Bee update... yep, I still can't spell.

I didn't go out first like I had planned, but went out second (probably only because I was farther down the line-up). I couldn't spell fascism correctly.

BUT WHAT A HOOT. Who says "hoot" anymore these days? I would participate in that event again in a heartbeat. I sat next to Nicole Vogel with the Portland Monthly magazine and Steve Patterson with the Blazers. They were great fun to sit by-- even if it was only for about 5 minutes. :-)

http://www.schoolhousesupplies.org/index.htm

I have to show you the really thoughtful cards some of the school children made for me:

(HI to the first graders in Mrs. Barcelona's class at Kelly School!)

and:

and my favorite (because if you look off to the right you can see where the teacher translated for me, haha!!)

Wow: one whole blog without the "c" word. Nice going, Steph.
Email me: Stephanie Stricklen