Walking Billboard

Here's my latest 3Day gear.....I ordered this hat and can't wait for it to arrive.

Under the 3Day logo it reads "Walking 60 miles to cure Breast Cancer. Will you Donate?"
Hoping some folks will be inspired to donate when they see me out training for hours on end! :-)

Blessed

Thank You!

The 3 Day community never ceases to amaze me. And I’m lucky for that fact. This will be my 3rd walk and people have supported me beyond my wildest dreams.

I know all of my failures…..
I still haven’t to sent out a 2009 letter or donation request. I have been more than negligent in updating my blog with 3Day news……even though I promised I would be better at doing that this year.

I may have been negligent, but my supporters have not. Without a letter or email requesting a donation, I have received my first donation for 2009! To say I’m shocked is an under-statement, but I am forever grateful for having supportive 3Day fans, and more importantly wonderful people in my life who take care of me without me even asking.

You’re the best!!!

Get Started!

Tonight I volunteered at a "Get Started" meeting helping to register new Walkers for the 3Day and answer questions. I met some great veteran walkers who I hope to train with once the weather starts to cooperate! Not to mention there were some really great new Walkers in the room I was lucky enough to chat with as they start on this amazing journey.

It also made me realize it's about time I start getting ready for 2009 - Training and Fundraising will kick off soon!

Third Times a Charm!

It's official.....I'm registered for the 2009 3Day Walk!!!

OK, so it's probably not a big suprise to anyone, but it's still exciting! And there's still plenty of time for anyone out there to join me (hint, hint). Make it your New Year's resolution! :-)

Woohoo!

The walk may be over, but the final donations were still clearing.....and now I finally hit the $10,000 mark! Somehow that seems like SOOOOO much more than $9999, doesn't it? :-)

Other than finishing all the 2008 fundraising, I haven't been up to much 3Day related. Since it ended I participated in the 5K Race for the Cure. It was an easy 3 mile walk I did with Mandy and we tacked on another 4 miles to make it worth our while to get out of bed early on a Sunday! Another weekend I met up with Cecelia and walked another 7-8 miles. Other than that, NO long distance walking. Maybe the fact I was so exhausted after both of those walks I ended up taking a nap in the afternoon, is the reason I have ventured out for any more big walks!

Crab Apple

This weekend I took my 11 year old niece for her belated Birthday present - a day of White Water rafting! Her birthday was in May but with my busy walking schedule I hadn't had a chance earlier to go.....not to mention I was a teeny bit afraid that I would manage to hurt myself right before the 3Day and then what would I do?! Of course, I didn't tell her parents, or the grandparents, this thought as that would have caused needless worry for Haley's safety....and I knew we'd both be safe! Turns out I was correct as we both came back in 1 piece and had a GREAT time.....not in small part to the amazing rafting company!

We went for a full day of rafting out in western Mass complete with a picnic lunch. Haley REALLY enjoyed the homemade brownies and the roast beef sandwiches (in that order). She was also like a fish in water and a little dare-devil on the raft, sitting up front the entire time, loving the rapids, and a real pro throwing her bucket of water during the water fight!

Crab Apple is a family owned business and it was truly one of the best customer service experiences I've encountered in years. From the parking attendants in the small lot giving us all the info we needed before even exiting our cars to the amazing Guides on the trip, every person we encountered was friendly, knowledgeable and went out of their way to make sure each customer was having a great time. On the school bus ride to the starting point of the trip, each of the guides sought out the people from their boat and spent their time chatting with us. This continued during lunch, and throughout the entire raft trip. Ben, our wonderful guide, was full of fun stories and historical facts about the area and rafting. He entertained us (and especially the kids) with riddles and magic tricks. When you looked at other rafts in our group you could see the all of the Guides were engaging their group to the same degree. Clearly Crab Apple works hard to hire a First Class staff.

Since Friday I've been thinking all of those wonderful thoughts about our experience with Crab Apple, and especially our guide Ben. I didn't think my opinion could get any higher of this amazing company when I was blown away today with what happened....

Crab Apple sent a thank you note for going on the trip this weekend. When I opened it I was shocked to see there was a hand written note from our Guide Ben addressed to Haley and I. The note clearly wasn't a "form" letter as it made specific references to our day. Honestly, I don't think my personal Thank You notes are as well written and thoughtful as our note from the now-infamous Ben. SO, if you're thinking of going on a rafting trip in Mass, Vermont or Maine I HIGHLY recommend you check out Crab Apple!!!