So we walked the Komen again.
I love walking the Komen- there are some fantastic people out there who deeply care about this cause. Let me tell you about some moments that touched my heart.
We bought my engagement ring from the Shane Company. No real surprise there- Mike bought my heart (the little diamond one) from the Shane Company and loved the shopping experience. When we chose my engagement ring, I was pretty adamant that we choose the Shane Company again. All my jewelry had to go in for the every 6 month check up.
While we waited (they inspect, clean, and polish everything you bring in) we looked for a pendant that I though his mom would like. Didn't find the right thing for her but found something else.
The Shane Company is a major supporter of Breast Cancer Awareness. They participate with the Komen every year and support in every way they can. This year, they did something new. They created Awareness jewelry- real jewelry, for a cure.
I am the very proud owner of a piece created by Dale of the Woodbury store. A ribbon, finely crafted of rose gold, pink sapphire and white gold. I tell everyone about my beautiful ribbon and the craftsman that designed it.
At the Komen, I waited in the line at the Shane booth. I just wanted to show off my beautiful pendant and share with the Shane jewelers how much I love it and the high esteem I hold the company in. They loved having me come and share that.
We had our picture taken by a wonderful man from Channel 11- KARE ... CARES. They truly do and very much- something not lost on me. I don't know the name of the wonderful man who takes pictures of survivors- but I see his face in my prayers. He is such a gift- as are the entire team from KARE.
North Memorial was out promoting their new services for breast cancer- funded in part by the HOPE CHEST- a thrift/consignment store in the St Paul area. How fantastic is this? A woman had a dream that has become two stores that benefit local hospitals!
3 miles didn't even dent my shoes. I probably did more mileage walking around!
Let me take a minute and thank:
KARE 11- you are loved more than you know
The Shane Co- You may be dull, but you are all brilliant. You are MY heros. Dale at the Woodbury store- my knight in shiny and pink sapphire armour.
Astra Zeneca- I'm beside you, too. Thank you is all I will ever be able to say
The Jane Brattain- Thank you so much for all you do
The Hope Chest- My hope is with you. What you bring to the table far outshines what we think we do. You know what kind of world we who live with the threat of cancer want- and you give us options and hope.
Caribou- I love you all and remember Amy with you. I can't tell any of you how much you ALL mean. I wish you all great caffeine and NO LUMPS! And thank you to the photog that got up early - You are the very best.
FORD!!!- You have been so willing to care and WANTING TO CARE!!! I wish I could afford a Pink Ribbon Mustang. Thank you for all of YOUR hard work to bring awareness to the people. An AMERICAN company shows what it is made of once again. And i am proud to have a FORD truck in the driveway.
Sun Chips- I will never be able to open that wonderful little bag! What a great supporter you are!
Chi-Chi- you keep stepping up, I will support you. Thank you!
I have missed so many. Age and fatigue work against me.
Tomorrow more training. In the rain. Well, crap.
At the end of the day, we come together to fight cancer. It would be better if we could just party.
I have a "garage" sale scheduled for June 23. The World Famous Blacksmith Lounge has offered me the space and I have a MASS of things to get rid of. Most notably, you can buy pins off my jacket- pins that have walked some serious training mileage. We have other stuff too.
Come visit. Buy a hot dog and a soda. Check out the stuff, take some away.
What kind of world do you want? Pick anything...
I choose a world where we TRY.
History starts NOW!
Friday, May 25, 2007
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Environmental Training- The Ups, the Downs
If you have ever "Wintered Over" in the Midwest, you will understand this immediately. It doesn't matter what the calendar says, Winter is over only when God decides it's over. As we have been discovering once again.
I'm coming up on a hard deadline at work and the tasks involved in putting together a big fundraiser left me with little time. The walking that we need to do got put on the back burner while the bigger (and more immediate) tasks got the time and attention.
Come Saturday, we had the time and undivided attention to put on some training. That was a bad plan.
The beautiful weather we had been spoiled with for a week turned. Suddenly we were confronted by cold ugly winds. But we walked. Fortunately we were almost dressed for the weather... ish.
There is a place that we can take a back trail for two miles or so to make five miles out of what would otherwise be three. After sliding on the mud that we like to refer to as "Portions Unpaved" I made a command decision- NO MORE! At that point, I was as irritated as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. I was cold and I wanted to be done. We could walk later.
Or not.
Within 20 or so minutes, the skies opened up. Oh lovely. Now we are cold and walking in a cold driving rain. How special.
Of course we carry emergency rain gear. I refer to it as walking in a garbage bag. I am not far off. We own good rain gear. At the time, it was a bit over a mile away. I don't want to say useless, but it was... well... useless!
So we walked. And we got cold and wet. And even though we have done ten miles in those oh-so-attractive garbage bags, I still believe that this was the most miserable mileage we have ever walked.
We (finally!) got home from this little excursion. As soaked as we were, the best choice was to strip down on a 2'x3' entry (linoleum) and run upstairs. And get under blankets and try to warm up. Mike turned up the heat but the cat decided that napping on the blower was a good thing (Anyone want a cat???).
Obviously, environmental training is survivable. But Mike- who thought this would be a good idea in the first place- has some "splainen" to do...
But time for good behaviour, I think.
While on the 3 Day, we are not allowed to use umbrellas. They would interfere with the safety of all walkers and are therefore banned. Environmental training is necessary so that you can tolerate things that you may have to manage through while on the event. It is a good thing... but has less appeal when you are cold and wet!
This week, during the snow, we wisely chose to train indoors at the Maplewood Mall. I hate it but it sure beat the alternative!
We're fighting breast cancer. We can beat this killer. But I need your support. Please go to www.the3day.org/twincities07/tricia to learn how you can be a part of defeating a killer.
What kind of world do you want? Choose anything. I choose a world without breast cancer. Choose with me. We'll start at the start and build a masterpiece.
History starts now!
I'm coming up on a hard deadline at work and the tasks involved in putting together a big fundraiser left me with little time. The walking that we need to do got put on the back burner while the bigger (and more immediate) tasks got the time and attention.
Come Saturday, we had the time and undivided attention to put on some training. That was a bad plan.
The beautiful weather we had been spoiled with for a week turned. Suddenly we were confronted by cold ugly winds. But we walked. Fortunately we were almost dressed for the weather... ish.
There is a place that we can take a back trail for two miles or so to make five miles out of what would otherwise be three. After sliding on the mud that we like to refer to as "Portions Unpaved" I made a command decision- NO MORE! At that point, I was as irritated as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. I was cold and I wanted to be done. We could walk later.
Or not.
Within 20 or so minutes, the skies opened up. Oh lovely. Now we are cold and walking in a cold driving rain. How special.
Of course we carry emergency rain gear. I refer to it as walking in a garbage bag. I am not far off. We own good rain gear. At the time, it was a bit over a mile away. I don't want to say useless, but it was... well... useless!
So we walked. And we got cold and wet. And even though we have done ten miles in those oh-so-attractive garbage bags, I still believe that this was the most miserable mileage we have ever walked.
We (finally!) got home from this little excursion. As soaked as we were, the best choice was to strip down on a 2'x3' entry (linoleum) and run upstairs. And get under blankets and try to warm up. Mike turned up the heat but the cat decided that napping on the blower was a good thing (Anyone want a cat???).
Obviously, environmental training is survivable. But Mike- who thought this would be a good idea in the first place- has some "splainen" to do...
But time for good behaviour, I think.
While on the 3 Day, we are not allowed to use umbrellas. They would interfere with the safety of all walkers and are therefore banned. Environmental training is necessary so that you can tolerate things that you may have to manage through while on the event. It is a good thing... but has less appeal when you are cold and wet!
This week, during the snow, we wisely chose to train indoors at the Maplewood Mall. I hate it but it sure beat the alternative!
We're fighting breast cancer. We can beat this killer. But I need your support. Please go to www.the3day.org/twincities07/tricia to learn how you can be a part of defeating a killer.
What kind of world do you want? Choose anything. I choose a world without breast cancer. Choose with me. We'll start at the start and build a masterpiece.
History starts now!
Friday, March 30, 2007
A Fund Raising Success Story!
On March 29th, the World Famous Stealth Dogs joined us at the Dugout Bar in Mahtomedi to celebrate again the End of an Era and help me in my efforts to raise $5000 for the Breast Cancer 3 Day. The night was a fabulous success!
I have a lot of people to thank so I will start here. To Reg, Jim, Jim, and Brian- there is no way I could have done it without you guys. You did a lot of hard work, actively spread the word, and gave us some great entertainment. My thanks also to your wives. They may not be up on the stage but I know that they are behind you.
To the Crew at the Dugout Bar in Mahtomedi- you were all wonderful. Our bartender, Sam, did a great job getting orders out and keeping people happy. It is always fun to spend time in a place where they appreciate you. The staff at the Dugout let me know how much they enjoyed hosting the event.
To everyone who showed up- THANK YOU! We could organise events all day long but the people who come out and participate make the biggest difference in the success or failure of an event. You showed up to have a good time and near as I can tell, you did.
To Vicki who is always where I need her to be and promoting the walk, thank you will never be enough.
And finally to "my biggest supporter", Mike. There will never be enough words to tell you how grateful I am, or how much I love you. I would never have made it through the preparation without you. You are the best. And now, an official Roadie. We will have to get you the appropriate tee-shirt!
Last night all of you were responsible for raising $700 for the Breast Cancer 3 Day- a 60 mile walk raising money for and awareness of a silent killer. The Breast Cancer 3 Day is a project of the National Philanthropic Trust benefiting the Susan G Komen for a Cure and the NPT Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
As always, my message to you all is awareness. Early detection and treatment saves lives. But you can't get to there without knowing the facts. Last night I discovered that many men didn't know that they too could get breast cancer. Each one of the men that I had that conversation with are now armed with knowledge that has the potential to save them.
Thank you all for participating in this journey with me. Every step we take is one step closer to a cure.
I have a lot of people to thank so I will start here. To Reg, Jim, Jim, and Brian- there is no way I could have done it without you guys. You did a lot of hard work, actively spread the word, and gave us some great entertainment. My thanks also to your wives. They may not be up on the stage but I know that they are behind you.
To the Crew at the Dugout Bar in Mahtomedi- you were all wonderful. Our bartender, Sam, did a great job getting orders out and keeping people happy. It is always fun to spend time in a place where they appreciate you. The staff at the Dugout let me know how much they enjoyed hosting the event.
To everyone who showed up- THANK YOU! We could organise events all day long but the people who come out and participate make the biggest difference in the success or failure of an event. You showed up to have a good time and near as I can tell, you did.
To Vicki who is always where I need her to be and promoting the walk, thank you will never be enough.
And finally to "my biggest supporter", Mike. There will never be enough words to tell you how grateful I am, or how much I love you. I would never have made it through the preparation without you. You are the best. And now, an official Roadie. We will have to get you the appropriate tee-shirt!
Last night all of you were responsible for raising $700 for the Breast Cancer 3 Day- a 60 mile walk raising money for and awareness of a silent killer. The Breast Cancer 3 Day is a project of the National Philanthropic Trust benefiting the Susan G Komen for a Cure and the NPT Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
As always, my message to you all is awareness. Early detection and treatment saves lives. But you can't get to there without knowing the facts. Last night I discovered that many men didn't know that they too could get breast cancer. Each one of the men that I had that conversation with are now armed with knowledge that has the potential to save them.
Thank you all for participating in this journey with me. Every step we take is one step closer to a cure.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Pink ribbons and the Stealth Dogs- what a combination
A quick reminder that we will be celebrating the End of an ERA- Part Deux.
Why? A fund raiser for the Breast Cancer 3 Day!
When and where? The Dugout Bar in Mahtomedi. Just like last year.
One more time the "World Famous" Stealth Dogs will provide the best in musical entertainment You've gotta love these guys!
You can read more in my last blog entry or you can just show up.
Come celebrate!
email us if you need directions!
Why? A fund raiser for the Breast Cancer 3 Day!
When and where? The Dugout Bar in Mahtomedi. Just like last year.
One more time the "World Famous" Stealth Dogs will provide the best in musical entertainment You've gotta love these guys!
You can read more in my last blog entry or you can just show up.
Come celebrate!
email us if you need directions!
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
The End of an Era Rides Again... With Pink Ribbons!
So I have come to know that I have good friends. How do I know this? Simple really.
Last year, we celebrated the "End of an Era". eFunds and Deluxe parted company and people who had known each other for years found themselves working for different companies in different locations. We celebrated the relationship, the opportunity to work together, the passing of the torch. We were beautifully serenaded by the World Famous Stealth Dogs- a band who we have learned to love and trust.
We had a great location. This was really good because we took the place OVER! And they loved having us.
And over and over again, we heard the words, "We should do this again next year".
Now it is "next year". And we ARE doing it again!
This year we have added a twist- we are donating any money we can raise to the Breast Cancer 3 Day. I am committed to walk again and am trying to raise $5000 for the cause.
There is no cover charge, just please come and hang out with friends. I will have some pink ribbon pins and things for sale but donations are a choice. This is an opportunity to reconnect with good friends and listen to a great band that doesn't get out much.
The door will be open and we would love to see you there! Incidentally, a great time to congratulate Mike Nelson and I on our engagement and make sure you are on the mailing list for invitations (please print clearly on the form!).
When and where? Same place, same time. Oh, you threw away last years posting? No worries! The Dugout Bar in Mahtomedi on March 29th (Thursday) from 7:00 ish (you can arrive fashionably early or fashionably late, doesn't matter!) until 11:00 (no, you don't have to stay till the VERY end!). Where is it??? Go here: http://dugoutbar.net/map.htm
Need more information??? Email me through this blog. Or email Reg, Dave, Mike, Vicki... just about anyone. We will get you what you need!
I am really looking forward to seeing the same great people and having a wonderful time! Come get lei'd for Breast Cancer and spend some quality time with some good friends!!!
One more time- March 29th from 7:00 to 11:00 at the Dugout Bar in Mahtomedi. It is HERE: http://dugoutbar.net/map.htm . We look forward to seeing you there!
Last year, we celebrated the "End of an Era". eFunds and Deluxe parted company and people who had known each other for years found themselves working for different companies in different locations. We celebrated the relationship, the opportunity to work together, the passing of the torch. We were beautifully serenaded by the World Famous Stealth Dogs- a band who we have learned to love and trust.
We had a great location. This was really good because we took the place OVER! And they loved having us.
And over and over again, we heard the words, "We should do this again next year".
Now it is "next year". And we ARE doing it again!
This year we have added a twist- we are donating any money we can raise to the Breast Cancer 3 Day. I am committed to walk again and am trying to raise $5000 for the cause.
There is no cover charge, just please come and hang out with friends. I will have some pink ribbon pins and things for sale but donations are a choice. This is an opportunity to reconnect with good friends and listen to a great band that doesn't get out much.
The door will be open and we would love to see you there! Incidentally, a great time to congratulate Mike Nelson and I on our engagement and make sure you are on the mailing list for invitations (please print clearly on the form!).
When and where? Same place, same time. Oh, you threw away last years posting? No worries! The Dugout Bar in Mahtomedi on March 29th (Thursday) from 7:00 ish (you can arrive fashionably early or fashionably late, doesn't matter!) until 11:00 (no, you don't have to stay till the VERY end!). Where is it??? Go here: http://dugoutbar.net/map.htm
Need more information??? Email me through this blog. Or email Reg, Dave, Mike, Vicki... just about anyone. We will get you what you need!
I am really looking forward to seeing the same great people and having a wonderful time! Come get lei'd for Breast Cancer and spend some quality time with some good friends!!!
One more time- March 29th from 7:00 to 11:00 at the Dugout Bar in Mahtomedi. It is HERE: http://dugoutbar.net/map.htm . We look forward to seeing you there!
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Beginning again- 60 Miles to Change Lives
Well, I'm at it again. I am walking another 60 miles in the Twin Cities Breast Cancer 3 Day. Officially training begins tomorrow for the next 24 weeks. Unofficially, the first sponsored training walk was yesterday (Saturday, March 10).
Before I go too far- Mike and I are engaged now! He asked me at Christmas and I said yes. Of course I said yes! We are thinking Spring 2008 for the date. A dear friend offered to send me her wedding gown. As we are so similar, I took her up on this offer. It arrived this week and I was able to try it on for the first time yesterday. It fit like a dream and is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. Fairy tales happen. Without this stunning gift, I would never have something so incredible to wear down the aisle on that special day. Vanessa- you are the very best!
I have recruited a couple of friends this year- one who has committed to walk, his wife committed to crew. So I am working with them through their first walks to make sure that they are pacing themselves properly and have the right gear. They will be just FINE! Made it through the three miles like champs!
Speaking of gear, Mike and I have to go through ours and figure out what we need to repair/replace. So much for Monday night!
For those of you who were with me for the walk last year (in spirit), you know that the preparation for this 60 mile endurance walk will require between 500 and 600 training miles. I think I'm ready to do it again. I know that I CAN.
This year's fundraising has begun well and I am committed to raising $5000 again. I am required to raise $2200 but have been using the $5000 figure as a point of inspiration and hope. It represents the National average of the cost of a single chemotherapy treatment for a single individual.
This month (March 28th) we have a fundraiser at the Dugout Bar in Matomehdi with entertainment provided by the Stealth Dogs. If you have ever worked with Mike or I, you know that this is a not-to-be-missed event! Come on out and get lei-ed for Breast Cancer!!!
The pink ribbon stands again as a reminder to BOTH men and women to perform regular self exams and for both men and women to have an annual mammogram. Yes, breast cancer is an equal opportunity killer.
This year, some 200,000 women will be diagnosed in some stage. This year, some 2,000 men will be diagnosed- often much later than a woman because the numbers are so low and many men don't believe that they are also susceptible.
This year, some 40,000 women will lose the battle with breast cancer. They will be joined by some 450 men.
These are more than numbers. They are faces of people you know. My face is among them.
When I committed to doing this, my world turned pink. As a side benefit, many people who had never considered having a mammogram made an appointment. Many people who did not know that men could get this too started thinking. Many people who were unaware became aware and were able to use that awareness in teachable moments with their children.
One of those teachable moments stays with me. My girlfriend wore the pink ribbon I gave her as a "thank you" gift for her donation every day. Her six year old son asked about it. They had an opportunity to talk about a subject that most six year olds don't ever consider. As a part of that discussion, he asked if he could donate too. They talked about how he would like to donate and what was appropriate. And while Mom made the donation online, he ran and got the $6.00 that he agreed was right from his piggy bank. For a kid that EARNS his allowance, that was significant. And will rest in my heart forever.
The next six months will be quite a ride. Lace up a good pair of walking shoes, get a pair of dry-wicking socks, and join me on the event of a life-time. In 60 miles, we really can change lives and bring HOPE.
I will post more information on the training for this year's walk, along with memories of last year and photos. We love to take pictures of the wildlife on the trail.
To a cure!
If you would like to donate via my website, go to www.the3day.org/twincities07/tricia. Or click "My Website".
Socks, shoes, Smartwater... We're ready to go!
Before I go too far- Mike and I are engaged now! He asked me at Christmas and I said yes. Of course I said yes! We are thinking Spring 2008 for the date. A dear friend offered to send me her wedding gown. As we are so similar, I took her up on this offer. It arrived this week and I was able to try it on for the first time yesterday. It fit like a dream and is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. Fairy tales happen. Without this stunning gift, I would never have something so incredible to wear down the aisle on that special day. Vanessa- you are the very best!
I have recruited a couple of friends this year- one who has committed to walk, his wife committed to crew. So I am working with them through their first walks to make sure that they are pacing themselves properly and have the right gear. They will be just FINE! Made it through the three miles like champs!
Speaking of gear, Mike and I have to go through ours and figure out what we need to repair/replace. So much for Monday night!
For those of you who were with me for the walk last year (in spirit), you know that the preparation for this 60 mile endurance walk will require between 500 and 600 training miles. I think I'm ready to do it again. I know that I CAN.
This year's fundraising has begun well and I am committed to raising $5000 again. I am required to raise $2200 but have been using the $5000 figure as a point of inspiration and hope. It represents the National average of the cost of a single chemotherapy treatment for a single individual.
This month (March 28th) we have a fundraiser at the Dugout Bar in Matomehdi with entertainment provided by the Stealth Dogs. If you have ever worked with Mike or I, you know that this is a not-to-be-missed event! Come on out and get lei-ed for Breast Cancer!!!
The pink ribbon stands again as a reminder to BOTH men and women to perform regular self exams and for both men and women to have an annual mammogram. Yes, breast cancer is an equal opportunity killer.
This year, some 200,000 women will be diagnosed in some stage. This year, some 2,000 men will be diagnosed- often much later than a woman because the numbers are so low and many men don't believe that they are also susceptible.
This year, some 40,000 women will lose the battle with breast cancer. They will be joined by some 450 men.
These are more than numbers. They are faces of people you know. My face is among them.
When I committed to doing this, my world turned pink. As a side benefit, many people who had never considered having a mammogram made an appointment. Many people who did not know that men could get this too started thinking. Many people who were unaware became aware and were able to use that awareness in teachable moments with their children.
One of those teachable moments stays with me. My girlfriend wore the pink ribbon I gave her as a "thank you" gift for her donation every day. Her six year old son asked about it. They had an opportunity to talk about a subject that most six year olds don't ever consider. As a part of that discussion, he asked if he could donate too. They talked about how he would like to donate and what was appropriate. And while Mom made the donation online, he ran and got the $6.00 that he agreed was right from his piggy bank. For a kid that EARNS his allowance, that was significant. And will rest in my heart forever.
The next six months will be quite a ride. Lace up a good pair of walking shoes, get a pair of dry-wicking socks, and join me on the event of a life-time. In 60 miles, we really can change lives and bring HOPE.
I will post more information on the training for this year's walk, along with memories of last year and photos. We love to take pictures of the wildlife on the trail.
To a cure!
If you would like to donate via my website, go to www.the3day.org/twincities07/tricia. Or click "My Website".
Socks, shoes, Smartwater... We're ready to go!
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