Letters and Fear...

Donations, sponsors, asking people for money. One word- UGH!  Don't get me wrong, this is a great cause, but I prefer to be the donator, rather than the one asking for donations. Let's face it, I've never been a huge fan of asking people to sponsor me for anything. Including when I was in elementary school and had to run jog-a-thons. I even sucked at selling Girl Scout Cookies when I was 10. I'm good at my job now, but that is a whole different story. So writing my donation letters and sending emails is kinda like pulling teeth for me.  But they are finally written, I just need to print, write nice little personal notes (I am all about being personal), and make a visit to the post office. I have to admit, I kind of have this picture in my head of my husband dragging me to the mail box to drop these letters off. The thing is, if he doesn't get after me, they will sit there cluttering up the desk in the entry way for a week or more. So I suppose now is the perfect time to get over my fear of asking people for donations and just get it done. Because, really? What will happen? My requests will just be ignored (hopefully not), or better yet, people will actually see that fighting Breast Cancer is a worthy cause and that they can help me make a difference.

P.S.
A little update- my mother-in-law has started radiation treatments and is feeling good so far! Let's hope she continues to feel great!

What did I get myself into?!

Okay, so now that I have read just about every page on the 3-day website that applies to being a participant, I am wondering what did I get myself into?  Actually, now I KNOW what I got myself into!

First, I have to walk 60 miles in 3 days! For the next 7 months I am going to be training and walking my butt off! And I mean that in a literal sense too! (Not that I am complaining)! :)

Second, while on the 3-day I get to sleep in a tiny 2 person tent that measures 6'6" by 6'6". My team-mate and I are going to be sharing a queen sized blow up mattress and be sporting gorgeous pink ear-plugs. She snores in her sleep and I talk in mine! Did I mention I am 5'9" and my tent-mate is not exactly a shorty either? Good thing we have known each other a long time! Personally, I have always really enjoyed camping and now I have an excuse to buy a new sleeping bag! Maybe I'll even get to pack my husband and kids in the car and actually go camping sometime this summer just to "practice" sleeping in a tent.

Third, this adventure certainly isn't going to be cheap! I have to get all new gear (shoes, socks, pants, pedometer, etc.) Of course who doesn't like new stuff? But possibly the most daunting part of this whole thing, I have to raise $2300 just so I can participate in the walk! Will I be able to do it, absolutely! At the moment I have already received $85 in donations and I haven't even sent out any donation request letters! Pretty awesome if you ask me!  I also have 2 different fundraisers in the works so far. One is with my gracious neighbor who has offered to do a Stella & Dot party and donate 10% of the sales to the walk.  It should be a great night to get together with the girls and have a glass of wine or 2 and try on jewelry. We will probably put together something online too so if you can't make it you can always order off her website! The other fundraiser I am working on will be an online only catalog sales of purses, bags, and fun gifts.  I am even half considering streaking my hair pink if I receive a certain amount of donations! Notice, I said "half considering." :D. Don't worry, I'll be posting all the details on here as I figure them out.

Well what else did I get myself into? A community that is filled with love and a passion to end this terrible disease. So now I look forward to this commitment, all the adventures, and new friends made a long the way. Here is to the start of something wonderful...

And So It Begins...

I did it. I finally registered to walk the Susan G. Komen 3-day in San Diego. I have been wanting to do this since 2003 when my mother was first diagnosed with breast cancer but never quite had the nerve to actually commit to this.  My mom was diagnosed again in 2005. She is still with us today, strong and as full of life as ever. Just recently my mother-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was my final straw, my "I want to get out there and kick this disease to the curb!" moment.  When my good friend Katy (and now teammate) approached me to come to a "Get Started" meeting, I knew it was my time.


So now I walk.  I walk for a Cure for this horrible disease that has touched so many people.  I walk for hope that my children can live in a world cancer free.

Over the next 225 days, I will walk, sweat, train, fundraise, walk, attend training clinics and group walks, meet new people and listen to them share their stories of why they walk, get blisters, walk some more, and probably cry a lot from physical and emotional exhaustion.  And that is before the event even starts!  Please Join me on my journey to help find a Cure...