Doggie heimlich

I cruised around The Star's Web site for a while this afternoon and came across an AP national video about a dog that saved its owner's life in Maryland.

Toby, a 2-year-old golden retriever, knocked his owner down and jumped up and down on her chest to dislodge a piece of apple that was obstructing her airway.

The dog that she saved from a Dumpster ended up saving her life.

How cool is that?

Here's how you can watch it:
1. Go to shelbystar.com and click on national videos.
2. Go to http://www.ap.org/ovn/, scroll down and do a video search for Heimlich.

Road trips

I took a vacation day this week. Instead of spending my time vegged out on the sofa, I took a road trip to Raleigh and beyond.

The best parts:

• Plugging in my iPod in the car, turning it up and rolling the windows down
• Wearing big sunglasses
• Not being in a rush
• Going pottery shopping in Seagrove
• Passing through a town called Olivia on my sister, Olivia's 15th birthday

The worst parts:

• Getting lost somewhere near Asheboro
• Having dead camera batteries and not being able to send the birthday sister a picture of her town

Overall, though, it was a great trip and gave me lots of time to think about things and relax.

Have you taken a great (or not-so-great) roadtrip? If so, please share it in the comments section.

Statement of Purpose

Around The Star, there are a few things I'm known for: my cooking, talking about my dogs and being "the card lady." My parents see me as the daughter with the quick wit and sharp sense of sarcasm. To my sisters, I'm going to be the perpetually single, kid-hating older sibling. My friends know me as someone who is intensely loyal and someone who will always listen. I see myself as someone with a purpose.

But how do readers of The Star see me? Well, they probably don't.

That's one of the reasons for this blog. If all goes according to plan, each post should give you a glimpse of me.

I hope you like what you see.