GBP/USD FX

Sidebar is available in Windows Vista, not sure how to do it in XP, Mac or others. But just select show sidebar=>add gadgets=>currency

In XP, get Google Desktop and you can use Google Gadgets (pretty much the same as widgets).
In Mac OSX, Dashboard widgets are standard (I think).
For both, it's a matter of searching for the proper widget (they both have a few different ones).

The exchange place I passed today was down to $1.38. eeep.

let me know what exchange rate you got..
I think now is a sweet deal, even if its 1.25 a bit later, it's still good, and you need to transfer based on timely needs, so it should be alright.  Better not to try to time the market.

Sorry stacey, I don't actually need to exchange any US money into pounds.  But if you know when you'll be visiting the UK it's probably a good idea to exchange some now while the exchange rate is more favourable for you if you have the extra cash.