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!!!!

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!!!!

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.

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"?

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?

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!!!