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!!!!
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Monday, July 23, 2007
I love JK Rowling!
How can I not have a special place in my heart for the woman who brought us the Harry Potter books? This Friday, I stood in line for a few hours in order to purchase the 7th (and final) book in the series.
As I sat down to start reading, I was filled with a variety of emotions. Excitement to find out what would be happening. Dread that one of my favorite characters would die. Sadness that, no matter who survived and who didn't, this would be the last book.
I must say that JK did not disappoint. My heart was racing within the first 100 pages (and there were over 600 to go!!!). During the final few chapters, the emotional content was cranked up. I went from crying to laughing to cheering....and back again.
JK obviously poured her heart and soul into this last book. This was easily the best book in the series (which is saying something, since I haven't found a bad book in the lot!). JK did an amazing job of bringing together all of the various storyline threads, wrapping them up neatly. and tying off any loose ends from previous books. I actually felt a sense of closure when I was finished. The ever-growing feeling of sadness that I had been carrying with me for weeks was no longer present.
Bravo JK......I am giving you a standing ovation!!!!
Monday, July 16, 2007
Beauty and Beast
This past weekend my sister and I went to see Beauty and the Beast on Broadway. It was an absolutely amazing show and I would urge everyone to go see it, except that it's leaving Broadway on July 29th and I doubt there are any tickets left.
I urge you to at least ATTEMPT to see it!
Afterwards we ate dinner at The Jekyll and Hyde Club, a restaurant that is really too cool for words. It's basically like eating in a cross between a haunted house and a horror movie set from the 1930s. The price isn't too bad considering that it's in NYC ($30-$40 per person if you don't drink alcohol or get appetizers) but be warned......CASH OR AMERICAN EXPRESS ONLY! No Visa, no Mastercard.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Dating at Large
or XXL!!!
I am at a crossroads in my life. For the past several years, I have tried the dating thing on and off. Most times, I would meet up with (online, not in person) some guys who appeared to be decent. Then the weight issue would come up. I did not want to downplay it because at 220 lbs, it is obvious that I am overweight. However, I did not want to out it out there in huge neon lights because I am SO MUCH MORE than a number on a scale. If I was asked how much I weigh (and I WAS asked, every single time), I would say "a little over 200". That was it. No rambling trying to justify why I am heavy or claim that I was in the process of losing weight.
100% of the guys never talked to me again after that conversation. Not one. Ever.
As a result, I would lose my motivation and self confidence. I'd drop out of the online dating game. However, since I am an eternal optimist, I would go back and repost my personals profile after a few months.
Here is where I am torn. One one hand: I know I am better off without those who disappear when they find out that I'm fat. And since I have had repetitive UNsuccessful online dating attempts, I think that I should just give it up for good. On the other hand: I have seen people WAY fatter...and uglier (fat OR skinny)...and plain old bitchier...in what appear to be loving relationships. So why should I give up on the chance to have that for myself? Why should I put my life on hold "until I am a size 8 again"?
I am at a crossroads in my life. For the past several years, I have tried the dating thing on and off. Most times, I would meet up with (online, not in person) some guys who appeared to be decent. Then the weight issue would come up. I did not want to downplay it because at 220 lbs, it is obvious that I am overweight. However, I did not want to out it out there in huge neon lights because I am SO MUCH MORE than a number on a scale. If I was asked how much I weigh (and I WAS asked, every single time), I would say "a little over 200". That was it. No rambling trying to justify why I am heavy or claim that I was in the process of losing weight.
100% of the guys never talked to me again after that conversation. Not one. Ever.
As a result, I would lose my motivation and self confidence. I'd drop out of the online dating game. However, since I am an eternal optimist, I would go back and repost my personals profile after a few months.
Here is where I am torn. One one hand: I know I am better off without those who disappear when they find out that I'm fat. And since I have had repetitive UNsuccessful online dating attempts, I think that I should just give it up for good. On the other hand: I have seen people WAY fatter...and uglier (fat OR skinny)...and plain old bitchier...in what appear to be loving relationships. So why should I give up on the chance to have that for myself? Why should I put my life on hold "until I am a size 8 again"?
Don't get me wrong. I don't sit around staring at walls. I meet up with friends for movies and shopping. I travel with my sister to NYC to catch Broadway shows. Even with all of that, there are times when I quite simply MISS having a special guy to call my own.
What are your thoughts on this matter?
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
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!!!
Monday, June 11, 2007
Things Keep Moving Forward!
The picture has nothing to do with the post. I just thought it was ultra cool!
It's been a very productive few days for me.
I'm back walking every other day. I'm not too far off of the official training schedule set up by the 3 Day people, so that's a relief!
I received my check from the Texas Roadhouse fundraiser. Turns out that they were more generous than I expected. My actual fundraiser yielded me $87. They upped it to $150. When I got the check, it was for .....$250! YeeHaw!!! I raised $225 from my Friendly's fundraiser. That means my total money raised is $1500 (although all of that is not reflected on my 3 Day Headquarters).
I also picked up some more gift cards ($50 from Wegman's food store and $25 from Rose Marie's, an italian eatery in Bloomsburg, PA). This coming weekend I am holding 2 fundraisers. One is a bake sale & raffle at the WalMart in Bloomsburg (Saturday, June 16th). My sister is going to be doing face-painting. Then on Father's Day (June 17th), Quaker Steak and Lube restaurant in Bloomsburg will donate 10% of the proceeds from anyone coming in with a voucher. I'm hoping to net at least $50.
Things seem to be going along nicely!!!
I'm back walking every other day. I'm not too far off of the official training schedule set up by the 3 Day people, so that's a relief!
I received my check from the Texas Roadhouse fundraiser. Turns out that they were more generous than I expected. My actual fundraiser yielded me $87. They upped it to $150. When I got the check, it was for .....$250! YeeHaw!!! I raised $225 from my Friendly's fundraiser. That means my total money raised is $1500 (although all of that is not reflected on my 3 Day Headquarters).
I also picked up some more gift cards ($50 from Wegman's food store and $25 from Rose Marie's, an italian eatery in Bloomsburg, PA). This coming weekend I am holding 2 fundraisers. One is a bake sale & raffle at the WalMart in Bloomsburg (Saturday, June 16th). My sister is going to be doing face-painting. Then on Father's Day (June 17th), Quaker Steak and Lube restaurant in Bloomsburg will donate 10% of the proceeds from anyone coming in with a voucher. I'm hoping to net at least $50.
Things seem to be going along nicely!!!
Sunday, June 3, 2007
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.
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.
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