Rainy Day Blues

Less than 6 weeks until the Breast Cancer 3 Day walk.

I didn't do any walking this past weekend. On Saturday, I was depressed and mopey and wanted to spend the day bathing in my mopiness.

Woke up. Stayed in bed reading. Took a nap at noon. Woke up at 2. Moved to the couch to read some more!

On a good note, I actually finished the third book of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. I've had the books since I was in high school (mid 80s) and have started the trilogy countless times, but have yet to finish it. Book one flies by. Book two moves a bit more slowly, but intrigues me enough to finish it. Book 3.....I don't think I've ever gotten more than halfway through it. My problem is, once I pick up a book, I can't set it down. And once I do, I'm done with it. and with the LOTR Trilogy, I feel like I need to read THEM ALL at once......which is the equivalent to having a big breakfast on Thanksgiving morning (Book One), going to a Thanksgiving dinner at lunchtime (Book Two), and then having to go to yet another Thanksgiving dinner in the evening (Book Three).

The only time I actually wasn't in bed or on the couch was the hour I spent hiding from a possible tornado in my bathroom. Tropical Storm Hannah was making it way up the east coast and we had tornado warnings in my neighborhood. To be honest, I can never remember if it's a "watch" or a "warning" that means one actually has been sighted, but when the local cable company broke into ALL of the channels saying "get yer ass to shelter, right quick", I did so (after shoving my cats into their carrier and getting them and the guinea pig situated. Gotta take care of the kids first!!!). Turned out to be nothing but better safe than sorry. I have no interest in playing Dorothy.

On Sunday, I allowed myself another sleep-in and then spent the day in a mad apartment cleaning frenzy. My housekeeping is very lax on a good day, but with all of my training, I really have let it get out of hand.

Random funny story.....my BABY sister is away at her freshman year of college. I mailed her WalMart gift card figuring that she could use it for snacks, supplies, cds...whatever. I get a text from her today, thanking me for the card. "Now I can go buy BRAS!!!" was her response. Of course, I had to ask what happened to the bras she currently owns and received the answer "I'm too lazy to do laundry and I don't have any more clean ones". AHHHH COLLEGE!!!!!

I am up to $1600 raised, which means $600 to go (in less than 6 weeks). GULP!!!

Pink Penguin Extravaganza!!!!

Hello all. Yet another TIRED Monday after a busy, busy, CRAZY BUSY weekend (and hellishly long week beforehand).

No walking this time.....instead the focus was on fundraising. My team captain, Samantha, held a yardsale at her place in North NJ. She invited the rest of us Pink Penguins along to try and raise money for our individual efforts....we called the event the PINK PENGUIN EXTRAVAGANZA.

I spent the ENTIRE WEEK baking like a madwoman. I made 6-7 cakes. I made 4-5 batches of brownies. I made several batches of cookies.

Keep in mind, this is on top of working: 13hrs (mon), 11 hrs (tues), 10 hrs (wed/thurs). And even though I told my boss I only wanted to work 4hrs on Fri, I ended up working 6.5 (on 4hrs of sleep since I was up until 1am icing cakes the night before). I didn't get to bed before midnight all week AND I had to wake up at 4:30 am on Saturday.

I made $130 and I was happy with that. Not all of that was from the baked goods. I also had some magnetic car ribbons and other items with the pink ribbon on it. I did free face painting for the kids and some parents donated $ for that.

Samantha actually had a write up in the paper of the event...she put it in a few days ahead of time. As a result, she received many donations of items to sell. And by many....I mean MANY MANY MANY MANY!!! And people dropped by with checks already made out to the cause. She made $850 in the first day alone!!! Insane!!! And she has 2 people lined up to come take the leftovers to yard sales at their houses and donate a portion of the proceeds back to us.

I need to take a page from her book when doing my fundraising events next year. It's been a bit more difficult to have a HUGE yardsale b/c I don't have my own place. I'm hoping that will change within the next 6 months (as I have plans to take advantage of the real estate market and buy a house).

It was a great weekend. Not only did I get to subtract money from the WHAT I NEED TO GET TO MY $2200 GOAL column, but I got to hang out with my 2 crazy teamates and friends. It was a lot of fun!!!

Between the money I raised this weekend and the money I still have to add to my account from the August bake sale @ work, I should be around $1450 raised. So if anyone should happen to see a $750 bill lying on the ground, keep me in mind!!!

9 Weeks!!

It's been shamefully long since I've posted. Not that anyone reads it all that much anyway...but still.

I got a late start but now I'm training like a mad woman. For the past few months, I didn't do any walking at all. Then, one day I looked at the calendar and said HOLY CRAP!!!! And that weekend I did 16miles (8 on Sat and 8 on Sun). AND NO SIDE EFFECTS!

I've been increasing it bit by bit each weekend. Last weekend I did 15miles on Sat and 8 on Sun. I was very tired, but still felt great. Tomorrow I will be doing 17miles.

Being a Training Walk Leader has really helped keep me going. If I submit an official walk, I have to show up. Even if nobody signs up for it, I still show up JUST IN CASE! So far I only had one long walk where nobody came out to walk and I managed to do the entire distance on my own. YAY ME!!!

Fundraising is a bit scary. I need $2200. I've raised $1169. The fundraising letters I've sent out really haven't yielded much. With a little more than 2 months left, I do feel moments of panic. During those moments, I try my best to "give it up to God" and trust that He will find a way to make it happen.

I've also been doing Fundraising Fridays at work....bringing in baked good to sell. Most weeks I sell out. First 2 months I made $75 each time. July was only $60, but that was b/c I only did it for 2 Fridays. This month, I'm already up to $100!!!!

Next weekend, my team leader is having a yard sale at her house. So I am going to set up a face painting and bake sale table in the hopes of grabbing additional donations. Even if I don't make money on it, I'll get to hang out with Miss Sammy Penguin!!!

Well, I guess that's all. Look for more updates in the NEAR future!!!

Happy Spring!!!!

Spring is a time of fresh starts.......clean slates.......rebirth. It's also a time for "cleaning house"......tossing out those old things that just clutter up your life, while brushing the dust of off some older (let valuable) treasures.

This year, I plan on doing some serious Spring Cleaning. I'm not talking about my closets; I'm talking about me. My mind, body, and spirit.

Obviously, with the body, I have already taken the first step(s). Eating better, going to the gym. I'm only about 30% of the way to where I want to be with my weight loss, but that's quite an accomplishment.

Mind and Spirit are a bit more difficult to tackle. I know that I am tired of carrying around resentment, mistrust, and insecurities (baggage from past relationships). I know that I need to stop over-analyzing EVERY SINGLE THING and driving myself INSANE. I know that I want to be able to ENJOY the relationship I'm in, rather than waiting for that next shoe to fall (more baggage!!!!).

I'm not really sure where to start with any of the above things. Guess I'll have to take it Day By Day!!!

Happy St Patty's day

Yes, I know.....a day late. Better a day late than never, right?

It's been shamefully long since I've had a post. I've been very busy since November.

I'm registered for the 2008 Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk. I will be walking at the Philadelphia event, October 17-19. I am also going to be a training walk leader. I'm hoping in doing that, I will be a little more steadfast in my own training schedule. I had spurts of motivation last year, filled in with periods of stagnation. I made it through the walk with the help of my wonderful teammate Kimm, but it was a lot harder than it should have been b/c of my slacking off in the training.

I joined Weight Watchers right after the walk have lost slightly over 30lbs to date. I recently started going to the gym for some cardio and strength training. I have been incorporating some running and inclines into my treadmill routine, as well as using the elliptical machine as part of my 3 Day training. One thing I learned last year as that the cross training (of which I did NONE) is crucial. As soon as the weather gets warmer, I will take to roller blading and bike riding on the weekends in addition to my walking.

Still seeing my "old-new" boyfriend and it's been decent. Not to say that there haven't been some "hiccups" along the way, but what relationship doesn't have them?!?!?! I'm just not sure if his anger issues with his ex are surmountable or not. Guess time will tell.

I guess that's all for now. TTY Soon!!

A month to go!!!

OMG....the Philadelphia Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk is in 4 weeks!!!!!!!!!!

After many weeks of slacking (and an unplanned chest infection which sidelined me last week and weekend), I have been stepping up (literally) my training. This week, I have walked 3 days in a row (first time I've done that). This Saturday I will be going on my first LONG DISTANCE walk....15 miles through the City of Brotherly Love. I am meeting up with a group of other 3 Dayers and we will be hitting the historic district as well as University City. Sunday will be a day of rest for tired leg muscles and aching feet.

Next weekend will be a 10 mile (Sat) and an 8 mile (Sun) walk. The weekend after that will be a 15mile/18mile back-to-back. The weekend before the event will be an "easy" one (another 10/8 mile...which will seem much easier after the 15/18 weekend!!!).

My sleeping bag and duffel bag arrived last week. Last night I got more shorts/shirts and 2 pairs of longer pants. Tonight I will be going to buy another pair of sneakers. I still need to find some kind of windbreaker and some "just in case" rain gear ($1.00 store poncho sounds good to me). If I took the time to sit and total up all of the money I have spent, I would probably have a heart attack (which is exactly why I am NOT going to do that!!). I think I may actually dip into some of my fund raising money to cover part of the expense.

ONWARD AND FORWARD!!!

Mixed Emotions

With 6 weeks to go, I am having so many conflicting feelings about the upcoming 3 Day Walk.

I am thrilled that I have met my fundraising goal of $2200 (had a few nervous moments b/c the WalMart check took awhile to post, but it did and now I'm ALL CLEAR).

I am a bit nervous b/c I have not been doing nearly as much training as I should. I have so many things packed into my weekends that everything ends up getting cut short. I really need to focus on GETTING UP EARLIER. Maybe 5:30-6:00 each day so that I can make time to get it ALL DONE! My problem is that I love sleep and I hate mornings. And walking at midnight is not a safe option.

I am starting to organize and order the remaining things that I need for the walk. Camping gear, extra socks, clothing. That causes it's own concern b/c it is really adding up. I was so busy focusing on the $2200 I needed to raise that I never looked at the close to $500 that I'd need to spend on myself. Good thing is, other than the sneakers, I will be able to use most items again next year.

Despite my variety of emotions, I am really looking forward to it. I saw a photo of 2 people walking in Chicago who wore pins saying "I met my fiancee on the 3 Day Walk". Now wouldn't THAT be cool, if I could meet a man while walking and sweaty...hair pulled back and no makeup. I'd know for sure he liked me for who I am and not what's on the outside.

The Clock is Ticking!!!

I can't believe it. As of yesterday (Friday, Aug 17) I have only 7 WEEKS UNTIL THE 3 DAY!

I have done so much already but have so much more to do!

I have done my fundraising. I am still doing it somewhat. Any additional donations to my 3 Day Headquarters will be more money to a worthy cause. Any other cash donations (from collection jars and upcoming events) will be put in the bank for 2008's walk.

I have started buying the items I need for the walk. Socks, sports bras, toiletries (sp??), sneakers, etc. I have a fanny pack with water bottles. I have lots of sunscreen.

I've been walking! Not as much as I'd like but I'm getting more in each week.

I am SO EXCITED!!!!!!!

Jumping for Joy!!!

I received a check from WalMart today, which matched the funds I raised in a bake sale I had there about 6 weeks ago.

Once this check gets mailed and posts to my 3 Day HQ, I will officially have reached my $2200 goal.

YIPPEEEEE!!!!

What a crazy week it's been

Let's start with the most traumatic incident. I had to have a tooth pulled. Needless to day, my tooth was NOT as happy as the one pictured above!!!! I have inherited my father's teeth, which are prone to decay and breaking (despite the 3-4 times a day of brushing, using Listerine wash, fluoride wash, flossing, etc). He had NO MORE TEETH left by the time he was in his mid-40s. I am hoping and praying that I do NOT end up following his lead.

I also found out that my driver's license, which had been lost, made its way to West Virginia. So far there is nothing that indicates that it has been used for fradulant purposes, but I will probably need to wait a few weeks to be sure.

This past weekend I had some fundraising events. On Saturday I had a bake sale/raffle at my local WalMart. Got lots of donated goodies and drinks to sell. I also made up gift baskets (again, ussing mostly donated items) to raffle off. My sister did facepainting. I made about $250 and WalMart should match it. On Sunday, I set up at the mom-n-pop store near my parents' house and sold the remaining baked goods as well as a few more raffle tickets for some smaller prizes. I made an additional $30 there. On Sunday night I handed out vouchers to a local restaurant (they donated 10% of the sales from those who turned in vouches) and I just found out that I made about $100 from that.

I can say with all confidence that I will be able to meet my $2200 mark within a month. And I have set up several training walks this week, so I will be back on schedule with the physical preparation for the 3Day.

YAY ME!!!

There Will ALWAYS Be Sun!!!

It's been a rough few weeks for me mentally.

When I first signed up for the 3 Day Walk, I had lots of motivation and was walking several times a week. However, I hadn't done any fundraising. Then I started putting my efforts into fundraising (successfully) but during that time, I didn't do any walking. Now the fundraising seems to be hitting a plateau and I'm not quite at my half-way point yet.

I was also in a bit of a downer (ok...MORE than a bit) because I discovered that the one of the businesses at which I was keeping a collection jar had taken them down. It was doubly frustrating to me because not only was this my MOST PROFITABLE collection jar (averaging $20-30 per week) but nobody called me to tell me that they had removed them. I came back from the Memorial Day Weekend with the expectation of having a nice chunk of change....only to find out that all of my boxes were empty and had been sitting in the office. I honestly don't know what bothered me more.....not being able to count on that money anymore or the complete lack of a courtesy call.

I decided to put the fundraising on a back burner for a bit and start walking again. After all, even if I don't make another DIME in fundraising, I can put the money up myself (and I know that I will continue to have money come in, even if it is a bit more slowly than I would like). However, I only have 4 months of training time left. I cannot afford to take anymore time off from that or else it is a sure bet that I won't get through 30 miles, let alone 60!!!

Good news (so that this is not ALL bitching and moaning). I did get out and walk for an hour on Thursday as well as 2 hrs on Saturday. I plan on meeting up with another 3Day-er on Monday and Thursday of this week (and possibly more people over the weekend). I am expecting my check from the Texas Roadhouse fundraiser in the next week. The manager of the TR also gace me 2 guest coupons (worth $30 each) which I can offer up as a raffle prize. I have a fundraiser at Friendly's this week (Bensalem Friendly's, Street Road, June 7, from 5-8pm). I will get 10% of ALL sales in this time frame. In another 2 weeks, I have the same deal at another Friendly's in a neighboring town (Feasterville Friendly's, June 18/19, 5p-8p). Between these 3 nights, I should be able to add at least another $100 to my fundraising total. I'm sure that total would be a lot more if I was out there putting flyers up in businesses and beneath windshields, but to be honest, I just don't have the energy to even think about it. I am basically giving it up to God at this point!!!

The one thing that I have to remember, especially when I am feeling frustrated, is that the sun is always there. I might not be able to see it. There may be clouds in the sky or a what seems like the tallest mountain in the world blocking out it's rays. But is there neverless. As long as I keep remembering that, I will be fine.

ChaChing!!!!

My fundraiser at Texas Roadhouse was a HUGE success!

I brought in about $870 in sales, which will result in an $87 donation to my 3 Day fund. But b/c the manager of the restaurant was impressed with the fact that Lil Ol' Me brought in that many customers, all by my lil ol' self, he increased the donation to $150! Thanks Bill!!!

Of course, I DIDN'T do it all by myself. Yes, I printed out 300 flyers and shoved them under windshields of cars at shopping centers as well as hang them up anywhere I was allowed (and some where I wasn't allowed!!!). But without the support of my fellow 3 Day-ers who spread the word and the generosity of those who came and "ate for the cure", I wouldn't have raised a dime.

This brings my official total to $870 (although the $150 won't show up for another week or 2). I actually think I am above $1000 once I figure in all of the money from the collection jars that I have scattered around.

Now it's time to step back and take a break froom fundraising....time to get back to WALKING!

Where's the Beef?!?!?

It's at Texas Roadhouse in Bensalem, PA!

When? May 21 &22 (Monday and Tuesday).
Where? 1545 Street Road in Bensalem (215-639-7427)
Why? To raise money for my Breast cancer 3 Day Walk!
How? come and eat. Print out this page and present the portion with the ribbon (that says "Breast Cancer 3 Day, HeatherLee") and then the restaurant will donate 10% of the dining bill to the cause.

Dine-in OR take-out!

Very simple!!!