Homecoming

This weekend I am headed to Milwaukee, and it's a homecoming of sorts. I lived in Wisconsin for much of my childhood, and there is a part of me that still considers it home. Twenty minutes after my plane lands, I'll have slipped into the rounded German accent. It's a quick trip, so I won't have time to visit the old homestead. The last time I did, we drove through the old neighborhood and all the names on the mailboxes were the same...except the one on my old house. It was a good place to call home.

On Saturday, I'll be speaking for Sahara at a luncheon put on by a dedicated group of Rick Springfield fans. We'll be raising money to pay for her bathroom renovation--a potty party! Wish us luck, and if you'd like to chip in, the link to Sahara's fund at US Bank on the right will do the trick. Just mark the memo on the check "PP" so the money can be set aside to cover the remodeling costs. Having an accessible bathroom will make Sahara's life much easier...and who doesn't need a cheery loo?

Amy's busy being a whirling dervish, so Shannon has hit the keys this evening.

Sahara has been feeling fair this week, and seems to be smiling more. Of course, this makes my own week so much better. She went horseback riding again Tuesday evening and is already getting used to the routine at the barn.

We're down to only 25 cookbooks - out of 5000!!! Thank you so much to EVERYONE who has bought or helped to sell them. We are simply overwhelmed by the response to these wonderful cookbooks, which were put together with so much love by employees of Southeast Missouri State University.

There's a very special girl at Oak Ridge Elementary School. Her name is Brittany Anschler, and she worked very hard baking sugar cookies and chocolate chip cookies, and sold them to raise money for Sahara's cancer fund. She raised $154.00! I had the pleasure of meeting Brittany, and she is such an incredible kid. Thank you, Brittany, for your kind heart and hard work. We appreciate you!

There are two new fundraisers in the works! Our great friends at P-Mac Music in Cape Girardeau are running a special, with all proceeds going to the cancer fund.For the next two months, you will get $1.00 off of every item you purchase at P-Mac if you are wearing your Sahara bracelet. If you don't have one yet, they'll be glad to sell you one.They have purchased 1000 more Hope for Hoops bracelets - they are the same orange and white swirl bracelets that the amazing Gramma Dooley has been selling, so if you want one, now is your chance! Go by and see Eric or Paul and wear your Sahara bracelet proudly!

Next, on June 30, at the Elks Club in Cairo, IL - "A Night for Sahara." There will be a full dinner, live band and dance, and tickets will be $15.00 per person. All of the food, drinks and entertainment for the evening have been generously donated, and 100% of the night's proceeds will be given to Sahara's cancer fund. Tickets will be available at P-Mac Music, Stop and Shop in Mounds, IL, the Elks Club in Cairo, IL, and from Bobby Pace, Jeff Berryhill or Stephanie Dixon. More details and contact numbers will follow soon. Come and join us for an amazing night of food, music and fun, southern Illinois style!

In closing, something I wrote for Sahara.

I wanna live
don't wanna die
and that's the way it is
I wanna live
I will survive
and I'm never giving in

Shannon