Courage
Sorry for the delay w/ the post....the 14 miles on Saturday wiped me out! Sunday I woke up knowing I was supposed to walk 10 miles. I didn't think it was possible. Not on my aching legs. Then I decided to put on the "Sun AM" pink rubber bracelet I just received and it put everything into perspective. When I bought a 6 pack of socks from Thorlo, a 3Day sponsor, each pair was wrapped in a bracelet labeled either Fri AM, Fri PM, Sat AM, Sat PM, Sun AM or Sun PM. It's important to change your socks at the midpoint of each day of long distance walking, so the bracelets go along w/ the sock changing schedule. And they each contain a different quote. I decided not to read the messages all at once and just wait until I wore them. So, Sunday morning I woke up and every muscle, joint, bone, etc was hurting. I doubted it was possible for me to walk 10 miles with such pain. I put on the "Sunday AM" bracelet and read the inspiration:

"Courage stands in the face of doubt and stares it down."

That was all I needed to get my butt in gear! I started stretching, eating breakfast, etc, and next thing you know I was hitting the pavement....and the 10 miles flew by (or at least as fast as 3+ hours can fly by!). Can't wait to see what the rest of the messages have to say!

Faith Charm Bracelets

Here's another Fundraiser I've been up to...selling these Charm bracelets! They have a heart charm, the word F A I T H and then a Pink Ribbon charm at the end. Cute little bracelet! These were a big hit during the Bake Sale, especially for the folks who didn't want anything "edible" - glad I could accomodate! I even had a bunch gift wrapped (hot pink tissue paper and pale pink grossgrain ribbon of course!) and was marketing them as Mother's Day gifts! TOo bad that holiday passed ~ I'll need a new marketing tool for the next bake sale!

Pink Flamingo's!!!

You probably don't think of me as the Lawn Ornament type, but I've fallen in LOVE with plastic Pink Flamingo's! These lovely birds are migrating through my parents neighborhood raising money for the 3-Day.

Here's how it works....
The Flamingo Trainers (ie: my-ever-supportive parents!) plant 6 of these Flamingo's in a neighbors yard after dark (or as late as my Dad can stay up, so about 8pm). A note attached to one of the birds explains it's a 3-Day FUNdraiser. For a donation, the Flamingo Trainers will remove the birds and migrate them to any neighbor of your choice (after dark of course!). And for any donation over $25 you also get Flamingo Insurance ensuring the flock doesn't show up in your yard again! Of course, I had to take it 1 step further and bought my parents silly get-ups to wear when they collect the donations! Check out the separate Flamingo Blog to see the outfits and read more about it! And be on the lookout.....you never know when I might decide to come to your house!

12 Miles

Today I hit the 12 mile mark in my training!!! The weather was perfect, warm - but, not too warm - and my hip held out until mile 10. The last 2 miles were a little tougher, but this is a big improvement ~ it used to hurt at mile 5!!! You gotta love Physical Therapy. :-)

Not to mention I LOVE this #12 picture I found online made out of Socks & Sneakers.....could it be any more perfect for this Blog?!?!

Aim HIGH!!!
Thank you to everyone who helped me reach my $3500 donation goal!!!! The support I've received, both financial & emotional, has been truly overwhelming, and your kindness and generousity motivate me to aim even higher!

SO, I'll let you in on my little secret. All along, I've really hoped to raise $10,000 for the 3-Day! (you don't think I'm baking 10 pans of brownies and standing outside for 5 hours in 45 degree weather for the heck of it, do you?!) :-)

Thanks to all of the folks who have donated early, I feel confident we can reach this milestone!! Thanks again for all of your support.....now it's time to reach for the sky!!!

Brownies by the DOZENS!!!

Yesterday I held a Bake Sale at WalMart ~ what an amazing experience!!! I talked to folks about the 3-Day and met a few survivors. Everyone was so kind and generous. After 5 hours, we had $500 in donations!!! What a great outcome after walking 10 miles Sat, then baking 10 (TEN!) pans of brownies, popping 17 bags of popcorn, and making 6 gallons of Pink Lemonade! And you know I'm all about the presentation, so each bag was decorated with a pink ribbon! Even had scratch-n-sniff stickers for all of the kiddies! The weather didn't cooperate at all ~ it never got out of the 40's all day! I may have had lemonade for sale (couldn't give it away due to the weather), but I was drinking Hot Chocolate to try and stay warm. Even got a donation from our waiter at Friday's after the Bake Sale ~ Thanks Eddie!!!

ps. Special thanks to my "fundraising committee" for all of their help!!!

Love Thy Neighbor

Last night I decorated my door with a pink ribbon and a poster about the 3-Day. I also left notes under all of my neighbors doors telling them about my journey and asking for their support. Not even 24 hours later I came home and there was a donation under my door!!!

Love Thy Neighbor! :-)

Random Act of Kindness
Today a co-worker came by and handed me a donation check out of the clear blue! We pass in the halls and chat in the break room while getting our lunch, but we don't actually work on any projects together. I was so shocked and grateful I could barely speak. After she left, my eyes got a little damp by this random act of kindness. It was truly unexpected and appreciated! THANK YOU!!! :-)