Cross-posted and archived from DC Metro Moms. Original post date May 8, 2008. It's walk weekend again so I'm posting this.In some ways I am still reeling from completing the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer this past weekend. Maybe it is due to the surprise visit I had from a dear old friend or simply the fact that my sleeping bag is still airing out on my deck. However I may be feeling, it was worth it! Every blister, every painful step, even the rest stops that lacked water and Gatorade it was worth it and not just because it was the first year I did not have to lie in a puddle soaked sleeping bag all night. It was my fourth year completing the walk and the second that my aunt is cancer-free. Each year it seems the list of who I walk for just gets longer and I remind myself that … [Read more...]
Walk the Walk
It's going to be a beautiful weekend here in the DC Metro area and I'm so relieved. While I may not be walking this year, my teammates The Back of the Pack Walkers, will be taking part in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer this weekend. 26 miles for some, almost forty for others. It's quite a challenge and something I am immensely proud of them for. They have trained through all sorts of weather. Held fundraisers and raised over $1800 a piece to participate in this monumental, emotional and spirtiual event. It's amazing. I know, I have done it four times and each time was a different and wonderful experience. If you want to know more about the Back of the Pack Walkers (some still need to raise the $1800) or the Avon Walk visit here. There is still … [Read more...]
Friday Roundup!
Howdy Pardner's! Sorry I just could not resist having the word roundup and not using some lame cowboy terminology. Let's get the admin stuff out of the way shall we?Winnah! Winnah! Chicken Dinnah! See the winning photos of the SanDisk Cruzor Gator flash drive contest over at MPR here. Check out the fun find, coupons and more while you are over there. You just never know what you'll find!More on the Avon Walk.In case you have been in a hole the past few days read this and this. That first one? Did you get it all? Did you make it through? I think you deserve some sort of medal of honor if you did. That second one? Blech, Kathie Lee, just blech. And that's not Maria Bailey, but Jill Asher over there on the Today show segment. I'm off to find an ace bandage/over the shoulder boulder … [Read more...]
A partial team photo, end of day two.We started off at 4:45 a.m. on Saturday. I sat on my front steps in the dark listening to the early morning sounds feeling the weather. It was going to be a beautiful day. At last! My first walk without rain! My bag was packed, sleeping bag aired out, and my socks were dry. I was ready to go.Upon entering Opening Ceremonies you could feel the energy flowing through the air. 3800 walkers strong, we were ready to make our statement and begin the walk through DC. It's emotional, exciting and intense to be in a crowd of that many people all working and fighting for one cause. Each year I never fail to tear up as survivors give their stories and remind us why we spend months fundraising, training and finally walking for a cure.The first days route took us … [Read more...]
Walking the Walk
Because I'm still reeling from the weekend I'm including a few pics of the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. The walk was picturesque to say the least and I made it largely in part to my awesome team and my meds. I'm beat but happy! I did it! I seem to do this everywhere...It was a truly beautiful morning with all the check the boxes views of the District.There will be more later on the actual walk and the big surprise that H had waiting for me at the finish line. Now? Now, I must rest my tired dogs. … [Read more...]
And done!
I woke up this morning thinking about the Avon Walk. It is less than a month away and we have four fundraisers, big and small, in the works in less time than that. Sometimes I think I must be crazy for attempting to do this walk while still in my first trimester. Sometimes I think I'm crazy for agreeing to do so many fundraising events. Organized I can be. A seller of wares I am not.Just thinking about the fact that I'll have a whole Arbonne table to myself on Saturday makes me sweat giant beads of perspiration no matter how good the cause. I am full of 'what ifs'. What if no one even glances my way? What if my friend who sells Mary Kay kicks my ass in sales? What if no one buys a single thing despite it being for charity. Arbonne is not cheap. It's hard to convey how awesome it is as a … [Read more...]
This Is So Not Me
I don't normally do this type of thing (cue music from the Pet Shop Boys now) but seeing as I've done enough shameless self promotion for myself on this here blog for a variety of reasons I direct you to this fine cause.It's a plea really. For a friend of mine. When I say friend, I'm not covering for myself either. It really is for a friend of mine. True, you don't know her but just visit her site here and get to know her a bit. She's a newbie to the Avon Walk and in desperate need of some coinage and good will. She needs know that she CAN do this fundraising thing. She's fearful and beginning to doubt herself and I can't let that happen. She's a wonderful, kind, caring person who is always willing to help out a friend or neighbor at a moments notice. She's a pretty mean baker too. The … [Read more...]
Is it Worth It?
Because I really worked it this weekend. Here's a riddle for you. What do you get when you combine- Three friends spendingThree hours bakingTwo batches of browniesOne batch of sugar cookiesOne batch of peanut butter kiss cookiesOne batch of chocolate chip cookiesOne batch of chocolate covered peanut butter barsA couple of baskets, one poster, a batch of pink ribbons andFour hours spent standing outside in the early morning cold outside of a Wal-mart?The answer: $54 and some change. Yes, my friends, after all that we raised $54 for the Avon Walk this weekend. It is true. We are, as a nation, giving less this year than in years past. Last year when it rained and I froze my tookas off in the freezing cold I raised $100. The year before that? $200 in the winds of January complete with … [Read more...]
It’s Time!
There's something new on this site. It went up yesterday. Do you know what it is? That's right! It's the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer button. Go ahead click it. You know you want to. I'm doing the walk again this year. It is a bit late in the game (less than 90 days to raise $1800!) and I'm- OK let's face it, I'm scared to death this year that I won't make it and raise the needed amount. This is the first year I feel this fear too. Especially when I realized yesterday that my old website from last year is the one that got circulated to donors in an email showing I have over 100% already raised. Greaaatt. I keep telling myself though that I don't do the walk to fret about raising the money. I sign up each year because I have to. I feel compelled to do so. I can't let a year go by … [Read more...]
Walking for a Cure
Cheer stop in Chevy Chase, MD. Saturday May 5, 2007At 3:31 a.m. on Saturday my alarm went off. I snoozed a bit and finally roused myself enough to shower, quickly gather my gear up, and eat a tasty fluffernutter sandwich before my ride came to bring me into the city. The drive in was quiet as we were all thinking about the weekend ahead, had laryngitis or simply were too sleepy to talk. It was only 4:45 in the morning after all.Amid a sea of visors, baseball hats, fanny packs and pink ribbons we made our way to Opening Ceremonies for the 2007 Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. The sun was trying to make a valiant effort for us as we learned what the weekend held and did our stretches in groups. A bit more awake now we held our hands high and that of our neighbors as we made a pact that we would … [Read more...]