I DID IT....AGAIN!!!!

Just a quick TOUCH BASE to let everyone know that I completed my 2nd Breast Cancer 3 day Walk. I walked all 60 miles and had NO PROBLEMS with my feet or legs at all. A teeny blister that isn't worth mentioning and a wee bit of soreness (which ibuprofen and heat packs took care of quickly).

I did get laid up with an ass-kicking upper respiratory thing for a few days, but I'm all better now.

I will post more info and pix of the walk when I have some free time.



I do have a few personal update stories though!



A) Leopards don't change their spots and JACKASSES will be jackasses until they die. The guy that I dated many years ago, who left, but came back....? He left again. Without even a courtesy call. I was beating myself up over it for a few months but then realized that HE was the one who should be embarrassed, not me. So, I got over it and moved forward.



B) FACEBOOK IS COOL. I was looking up old high school people and, on a whim, looked up people who may have graduated from a school that I went to from 3rd-6th grade. And I found a name I recognized. In fact, he was one of my friends (and an old arch nemesis when it came to tests and spelling bees. CREPE!!!). After my family moved away, I never kept in touch with anyone at all, so I was pleasantly surprised when responded back and knew exactly who I was. We started chatting.....for hours....until 4:00 am. Turns out that he and I have some things in common.



Such as: going to school for scientific stuff. I got a chemisty degree and work for a pharmaceutical company. He got his degree in pharmacy. And, even though we grew up hours away from Phila, we both settled in the SAMN DAMN TOWN (seriously....4 miles apart from each other). Our personalities seem similar as well.....sense of humor, sarcasm (although mine is not quite as fine-tuned and cutting as his. I'M WORKING ON IT!!!).



I won't deny that it's freaking me the fuck out BUT I'm also having a blast playing "connect the dots" between 6th grade and present day. It doesn't seem like 25yrs have passed at all.

(Oh..... he made me a mean chicken noodle soup when I was sick. I don't think I've ever had a guy cook for me. EVER. Unless you count microwave popcorn).



Anyway, I guess that's all for now.

IT'S HERE!!!

In less than 24hrs I will be doing my 2nd Breast Cancer 3 day Walk.

I'M SO EXCITED!

I just hope that I survive. I did a hell of a lot of training, but this week I am tempting fate by making myself sleep deprived.

I am reconnecting with an old friend.....and playing catch up from the past 25yrs involves lots of late night phone calls (and very little sleep). As much as I enjoy playing "connect the dots" from 6th grade until present time, I have a feeling it's going to kick my ass this weekend.

Packing DONE!!!

I am not sure how I managed it, given the total LACK of energy I had all weekend, but my duffel bag is packed and ready to go.

I am very, very, VERY excited about meeting up with my teammates in 4 MORE DAYS!!!!

On a good note.....I seemed to have harnessed in the upper respiratory thing I was dealing with relatively early. FINGERS CROSSED it stays that way!

no. no. no. OH HELL NO!!!!

Woke up this morning with a stuffy nose and a scratchy throat.

NONONONO. I am not getting sick. After all of the damn work I have done to raise the money and train for this walk, there is NO WAY I AM MISSING IT!!!!

I don't care if I have to have my teammates pull me in a wagon every single mile of the way!!!

I am taking all kinds of supplements and drinking a butt-load of green tea.

BECAUSE I CANNOT BE SICK!!! I WILL NOT BE SICK!!!!

O N E M O R E W E E K ! ! ! !

National Depression Screening Day

I heard on the news that today is National Depression Screening Day.

And with the economy crumbling around us, I'm thinking a lot of people will fall into the DEPRESSED category.

Depression is a serious thing. For so many years, it was just written off as a MIND OVER MATTER thing. More and more studies show that it has a physical foundation, which leads to the emotional/mental effects.

Even with all of the scientific data supporting the physical side of depression, many people still still brush it off as "moodiness", "laziness", etc.

I was diagnosed with clinical depression a few years ago. For a very long time, I went through life feeling like I had 100 lb lead weights tied to me...like I was in a huge pit and couldn't climb out. I would miss days of work, simply b/c I didn't have the energy to get out of bed. I'd go for 2-3 days without showering. And my apartment looked more like a public dump than a place of residence. Once I began treatment, I was like an entirely different person.

I spent years suffering in silence....in the lack of knowledge and understanding of what my body was doing to me. And now I'm going to have to spend the next few years repairing the damage.

Damage to my body: when I was depressed, I tried to fix those feelings with food. Lots of food. Fattening food! As a result, I am close to 200 lbs and it will take some time to get back down to my healthy weight.

Damage to my finances: All of that food? CHARGE CARDS!!!! I attempted to figure it out and I think I was spending close to $400/month (probably more) on take-out, fast-food, and junk food. Over a 3yr period, that adds up!

Damage to my reputation: At work, I am considered a slacker. Not because I can't do my job or don't do it well. It's b/c when the depression had me in its grip, I just DIDN'T CARE! I'd show up at 10:00 and leave at 3:00. I'd go nap in my car 2-3 times a day. I am working very hard to change people's perception of me, but unfortunately, it takes a long time for the positives to wipe out the negatives.

If you feel that you have symptoms of depression, call a local doctor or hospital to find out about a depression screening.

PREDICTION

I predict that the A-Hole will get back together with his whore of an ex by Christmas.

Love isn't blind....

IT'S F-ING RETARDED !!!!!

10 days and $200 to go!!!

TECHNICALLY, only $163 left!!!

I had a surprise donation from a family friend today. That donation put me over the $2000 mark....a hurdle that I had been trying to clear for over a month now!!!

THANKS GEORGE!!!

You know, 2 weeks ago, I was sure that I wouldn't be able to raise the money in time. That I'd have to make up the difference from my own savings account (which I would do, b/c there is NO WAY I'm sitting out!!!).

But I am continuously amazed at the generosity of the people in my life. One coworker, who faithfully buys my baked items each Friday, handed me a $50 bill a few weeks back. Another girl slipped me a $20. My grandmother, who I know is dealing with her own bills and a new mortgage payment, bought me a $30 duffel bag as well as gave me $20.

I have no doubts that I will be able to raise the remaining money needed for this year's walk. Hopefully I will even raise a little extra and be able to help my teammates reach their goal as well.

BROWNIES FOR BOOBIES!!!

I have been baking goodies at home and selling them at work to raise money for my Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk. And I've been pretty successful, with the exception of the few times that someone brought in other goodies (donuts, bagels) on my Bake Sale Days.

Last week, I was busy baking all week. And then on Thursday, I was warned that there would be bagels and such the next day. I was freaking out. I didn't want to throw the stuff away, but I just didn't think it would be fresh enough to sell on the following week.

Then I remembered that my hair dresser (Rosie) had asked me about bringing some items into the salon for her to sell in the break room. So I put in a panicked call to her and explained the situation. She told me to bring it on in.

And....

IT ALL SOLD!!! Not only did I sell out, but she told me that she had requests for me to bring in MORE items this week! So for the next few weeks, I'm on double duty in the kitchen. I should be able to make a good sized dent in the money I have left to raise!!!

I LOVE OCTOBER!!!

Actually, I just love the fall. Cooler temps, combined with the crisp autumn air and changing leaves, never fails to recharge my batteries.

This weekend I got up bright and early each day to walk. On Saturday, I spent the ENTIRE DAY in Philadelphia. In the morning I walked along Kelly Drive, which led me to an unexpected (and pleasant) surprise....the annual Dragon Boat Festival. It's a Chinese tradition but everyone is free to put their oar in the water. I took in a few races. It was very interesting.

After I finished up my first 10 miles, I decided to take a break along the Ben Franklin Parkway. There was an Obama rally going on. While I'm not overly political, I do think he's a better candidate than McCain. And Bruce Springsteen was putting on a free show. Which means that I would have been there no matter who the benefit was for.....even if it meant wearing a sticker saying "I LOVE GEORGE W !!" (thankfully, it DIDN'T....I didn't have to be a hypocrite for the entertainment).

After the show, I put in another 5 miles.

Sunday was nothing interesting....walking 10 miles and doing some last minute shopping for my walk.