Whole Lotta Creativity Goin' on

I'm sore.

Now, normally you'd hear that after I walked 18 miles. But now I'm sore from non stop scrapbooking for 2.5 days straight. Laugh if you must. I tell ya, sitting in the same chair, maneuvering around a bunch of supplies, reaching, stretching, cursing, - it's a lot of work! And my shoulders and back are sore from sitting basically in the same position.

The end result is 37 pages done. You'd think I'd be done right? Hah! I am only about half way. I take way too many pictures. The book is turning out awesome though - if I do say so myself. The goal is to have it done by next weekend. No reason - other than I just want it done.

Funny enough, I sorta missed walking this weekend. Weird.

I did take a break to finish the Day 3 video. I knew you were dying to see it. So here's the day 3 video - just because I care.

Every body's working for the weekend, everyone wants a new romance

Ahhh, finally Friday. . . Ahh Loverboy. Whatever happened to him? Did he love boys? ahem.

This week ... is finally over. I've been soooo looking forward to this weekend. Nothing on the calendar. Nothing to do. Just me and well, nothing.

That's not entirely true. Tomorrow is National ScrapPink day. Scrapbook stores around the nation are doing an all day salute to breast cancer. I will be doing my own personal salute in my apt with my 632 photos I have printed off, and tons of pink scrapbook supplies. My goal - to have accomplished at least 10 double layout pages. I can do it. I feel the creativity getting ready to flow. Or, I suppose that could be indigestion. ahem.

So - you ready? Here's Day 2. More of the same as day 1, and still amazing!



Oh and take a look to the right...see that...SIX THOUSAND - SEVEN HUNDRED AND FIFTY BUCKS!!!!

Two big shout outs.

First to The Company! Thank you for your support.

Second - To Leadership Woman #1 - You are quite frankly one of the most amazing people I know. I am - lucky - to have you in my life.Thanks.

Wishing You Were Here!

Did you like yesterday's video? Did ya? Huh?

Well, lucky you. I have the creative mojo flowing and now you get to see Day 1 - in photo/movie/thingymabob! You are so lucky! I could win an Academy Award for this work.

Wanna know a secret? I cried - again - when I watched this.

Just How Far Would You Walk?

I've put together a massive video of the 3 Day experience. Sadly, Blogger won't allow the 23 minute video to be posted - or rather I can't get it to allow it. And so, I broke the videos up.

Welcome to your first installment of "The 3Day Experience". This little zippy video is our training walks from late January through August. I still get goosebumps when I think about all the walking we did to get to our end goal.

You know what?

Can you keep a secret?

I kinda miss it.

But just in case I miss it too much I can come and see this video. Enjoy. It's only 8 minutes of your life you won't get back.

**Important message about video**
It contains naked hot dogs! You've been warned.

The Master Squirrel

Last night on my way home, I decided to go the scenic route (read: through the neighborhoods instead of the freeway). I've driven this route many times and am always stunned at the mansions that are being put up all around. This sprawling neighborhood that's been taken over by The Kind and I.

But I digress.

As I was driving, the speed limit, about 200 yards in front of me I see a squirrel dart out into the road. I'm not too alarmed because he has plenty of time to get across and he's running for his life. He's running, he's leaping, he's doing all he can to get to the other side.

And then he stops.

He stops dead in the middle of the road. Not literally dead. At least not yet. My car was getting closer, and I was growing more alarmed that I'd have to slam on my breaks should he decided to...and he did. He turned around and went back from where he came.

I hit my brakes so not to get squirrel guts on the bottom of the Mustang (they're a bitch to remove I hear) and the little guy jogs back into the trees he had just recently darted out from.

I laughed in spite of myself at the fact that this little squirrel was all gung-ho to get to the other side. Something on the other side, something was moving him forward. Then he stopped and went back. Was it fear that made him turn around? Was he leaving someone behind and had to go back? Or was he just a dumb squirrel with a pea size brain who had forgotten - like so many of us - why he was going to the other side and thought going back would remind him?

Then as I drove on I had a thought about how frequently I do just that. I'll be moving forward with a plan, get scared, and stop. I call the "stopping" regrouping or readjusting, but really its stopping. Am I, like Mr. Squirrel, too scared to see what's on the other side? Am I too afraid I'll be leaving someone behind? What do I need to do to make sure I keep moving forward? That something is on the other side that I must reach?

I suppose I'm not unique in my nature to be afraid of the unknown, but I sure would like to know what the squirrel was so intent on getting to on the other side of the road. Maybe the other side has all the answers. Mabye the other side has the nuts he buried and can't find. Or maybe, just maybe, the other side has a much better view. Either way, I'll keep moving forward. Maybe I can find my nuts I've stashed.

Odessalet

I made it. There and back without any scars - well physical ones anyhow. I do have some mental scars from spending the entire weekend in a small town in the middle of Washington - but that's neither here nor there.

The fam all seems well. And by fam I mean the entire town of Odessa - good lord. I saw family members I've not seen in years. And some of their kids I've never met. How is it that these kids are all grown up now and I've not aged a bit? Huh? Odd.

I've had some time to reflect still on the 3 Day. I am still slightly in shock by the overwhelming-ness of the entire thing. I don't let me self think too much about it because, well because it makes me cry. I did get asked this weekend why on earth we would do something so crazy. And I didn't have a good answer other than, "Well,why not?" One of the 3 Day characters we met - when we asked why he walks he said, "Because I can." That pretty much described it.

And yet, I found today, a better reason. Jenne Fromm who is the spokesperson for the 3 Day has a blog. She's a woman who you love to hate at the 3 Day. She's incredible. She's inspirational. She's the 3 Day spirit in physical form...but she makes you cry. Even trying not to, you can't help it when she gets up there on stage and gives her 3 Day speech (which I'm trying to get a copy of by the way).

Anyhow, on her blog I found a FAQ about the 3 day. One of the questions is "Why do people do it?" And this is her response. Oh go get some Kleenex. I'll wait.

Okay, ready?

"Why do people do it?
People do it because there is goodness and light in this messed up world.

They do it because they refuse to sit by and watch while breast cancer systematically picks off their loved ones.

They do it because they have to.

They do it because Courtney, who walked in Atlanta this year, was diagnosed at age 28 with breast cancer after meeting and marrying the love of her life and had to have her eggs harvested and frozen before she went through treatment so that on the off chance she lived, they'd be able to try to have the family they've dreamed of.

They do it because Mary Ann, who walked in Michigan, lost her mom at the tender age of 13 when girls need their mothers the most and don't want to have to ask their dad to take them to buy tampons and shouldn't have to ask the neighbor to curl their hair for the prom.

They do it because Jeff, who walked in Seattle, finally met his soul mate after 43 years and knew it nearly immediately and grabbed her up and married her only to have her diagnosed, treated, and ripped from his arms and life a short 4 years later.

They do it because no sister should have to say goodbye to her best friend. Because no child should be without a parent. Because no parent should have to bury their child.

They do it because they are determined to live in a world without breast cancer. "

Oh.
Dear.
God.

*sniff sniff

The 3 Day really is the gift that keeps on giving. I got another donation over the week from HikerGirl - which confused me. But it's mo'money for the cause. Our team has broken $20,000! We rock.

I also keep getting emails from friends/family congratulating me on this adventure. It really lifts the spirit.

For three days we walk as one!

This time last week I was fretting over the following three days. I knew it would be life changing, but I didn't know it would change my life.

So many had spoken of the 3 Day spirit. I didn't truly understand until I was there. It's an amazing spirit that I wish would be a part of my daily life. No, not people cheering me for walking into the office, though I wouldn't mind that. But rather the love, the warmth, the healthy way people cared for one another, and above all the respect for each other. It's hard to explain but it's an energy you've never felt before.


When reflecting on the 3Day three things come immediately to mind: so much gatorade, so many honey buckets, and so many miles. There were other 3 Day memories I'll carry with me always. They might not be as amusing to you as they are to BigBro, Blue and I, but I'll give it a try.

We proved the Pavlov Theory several thousand times during the three days. In fact we had three studies going on at the same time. A car honking = waving your hand. A cheer station = tears. A person looking you in the eye and saying "Thank You" = tears. And god forbid they tell you that you're their hero.

There were route signs throughout that said "Share the Path" - Blueberry misread it on Day 1 to be "Share the Pain" and so all during the three days I reminded her I was "sharing the pain".

Molting Flamingos - So many pink boas. So many feathers. I started seeing them everywhere and made a comment about a flamingo molting. Then I decided to start collecting the molting and creating my own boa.

Now to be serious.

As I stood there during closing ceremonies on the green fake grass of memorial stadium, I looked around and saw something absolutely breath taking. Hundreds of survivors, women, and men - we were all exhausted - and yet we all looked so fantastic. We all had a layer of sweat on us that glistened in the late afternoon soon - or - was it love I saw glistening?

During the three days, the most common phrase was “Thank you.” We heard that a thousand times a day, and I never got tired of hearing it or ever stopped thanking them back for being there. These were people who didn’t know me and yet they had an unspoken understanding that we were changing lives and changing the world. They were thanking us for being there. Sure, we could have been somewhere else, and “somewhere else” may have been easier. But I was there. I was there putting all my effort into making a difference. I was a part of something really big, and I was part of something that shows what heroes dare to do in the face of such a great challenge.

All the aches (well for me not so many thanks to Hanna Montana cream), the pains (see Hanna Montana), the blisters, were all taken in stride. People walking with pains that would normally cause us to quit, and yet I think these pains and aches somehow didn’t put a certain hitch in our giddy up. And yet, we were determined to ignore these great obstacles – at least for as long as we could. For me, I knew I had made a promise to myself, to my loved ones, to other’s and their loved ones, and to loved one’s lost, I found the strength because I had to. And strong I am.

I tried every minute to take in as much as I could. I wanted to remember every sight, every smell, and every feeling. I knew it would soon be over and I’d be sitting at my pink laptop trying to tell everyone just what it was like. It was during one of the moments I was taking it in when I realized that as long as there are women and men that live under the strain of this disease, or as long as we are missing our mothers, our sisters, our daughters, and our friends, we need people who are willing to do more. And if I could PERSONALLY thank every single walker in the 3 Day events in every single city I would. Oh wait I can.

THANK YOU ALL!

This was most likely the greatest physical challenge I’ve ever rose to do, and I hope I have inspired you all. No matter how tired I was, I was never too tired to cheer on another walker, or to comfort a tired sole (spelled that way on purpose), or to support a stranger. I perspired, yes, but I also inspired with grace and dignity. I honored the names I said out loud at opening ceremonies and carried with me. We became each other’s heroes.

On Monday I went back to work and back to the world where too often people move fast and they were going to be too busy to tell me just how wonderful I am for what I had done. And I certainly knew I wouldn’t get a round of applause when I crossed an intersection, and there probably wouldn’t be a little girl holding a sign that says “thank you” when I walk into work, but no matter I have the precious memory of three glorious days in September 2008 where my presence changed the world in ways we can’t know yet.

Let’s take a moment shall we. I ask you to turn your attention to the scrolling list of people who supported me. Because of you, the world has been changed. You have made a mark. Not only on me with your support and generosity, but on the world as a whole. You, my supporters, are a symbol of hope. I walked because I believed. You supported me because you believed. Together, we can find a way to end this.

Oh - One more thing - my team, my little three person team, has now raised $20,890!!!!!

Day 3 - The final 16

And here we are...day 3. It's been a long time to get to this blog, but alas I'm here. Still not ready to put my actual emotional thoughts down on the blog - sifting through them still. But I promise tomorrow or Saturday they'll be here. Cuz I know you're dying to hear them -er um - read them.

Day 3 for practical purposes was a lot like day 1 and 2, walking. Though the nice thing about day 3 is you have a significant goal in mind. You can see the pink light at the end of the pink victory tunnel. You're almost there. Just 16 miles between you and the light.

I felt better on Sunday and was determined to walk the 16. We got up early and headed to BigBro's house where he Frankenstein'd my foot so I had some extra padding to walk on. He did a good job too cuz it only hurt for a bit.

Sunday's trek took us through the streets of Seattle. In fact, it took us through a lot of streets in Seattle that were our training ground. Oh the familiar - the stable - the uneven sidewalks...welcome home. We started off at the Arboretum and head through the University of Washington campus. I had to do my usual "GO COUGs" as we marched through (UW and WSU Cougs are rivals you see - and I'm a Coug). School hasn’t quite started for the U yet, but Greek Week was just getting underway. We walked through Greek row who’s many houses had music blaring at unacceptable decibels for these old ears.

Our first cheer station was to be at Greenlake. Our old friend Greenlake. Many a training walks started and ended there. Many miles around her shores. It was like visiting an old friend. The cheering erupted as we crossed the street. Three days in and I still get a lump in my throat from the “thank you’s”. Whenever possible we’d respond, “NO thank YOU.” It really is what keeps us going. You get little energy in your step when walking through a crowd of people who think you’re a hero – see – tears!

Rounding the north end of Greenlake we saw them. Our walker stalkers. Well, truth be told, we heard them long before we saw them. You gotta love a loud family sometimes. But there they stood waving and cheering every single walker that passed. I suspected they’d be voiceless by the end of the day. We did our hugs and “how are you?s” and we were off. Destination – lunch.

We wondered through more streets of Seattle that we knew all too well. Hit a pit stop, then headed into the home stretch that would be on Lake Union – lunch. One more questionable tasting lunch. The food throughout wasn’t so great, but then again you were worried more about sustenance than gourmet. I knew that a cheeseburger was in my future so whatever cold, soggy sandwich they gave me would be fine.

The final hill down to lunch my foot started the sharp pains through the entire body act again. That was getting old. I figured I’d rest at lunch and I’d be good to go. Dropping down off the hill into the park, again, we heard our stalkers. We sat. We ate. We changed socks. We drank. We pee’d. We were ready – well almost. The next Grab n’ Go would be a mile away. I figured the 15 minutes it took Blueberry and BigBro to walk it would give me amble time to rest my foot so I could finish the last leg. So The MomUnit took me to the Grab n’ Go. She, Blue’s sister and I sat and cheered on walkers until our walkers came in.

And we were off. Just 4.4 miles left. Wow. I had to stop and really think about that. All the effort, all the sweat, the pain, the early mornings, the blistering, the water, the changing of socks, all of it would be over in 4.4 miles. I felt a pang of sadness.

While we walked on, we waved as people honked and I hit a stride. Wow, did I hit a stride. At one point Blueberry and BigBro were both behind me, which rarely happened. From the Grab n’ Go they said the next and last pit stop would be 2 miles. That was the longest 2 miles in history. Good lord. I thought we’d never get there. The 3 Day was teasing us too, we literally walked around the Seattle center – which was where the finish line was. We could see the Space Needle, but we couldn’t turn right…we had to go left. So unfair.

We walked past Pike Place market and down to the waterfront. Normally not a bad stroll, but on a sunny Sunday in September the place was packed. Which made walking a bit more difficult. The waterfront was no different. A cruise boat was in and had deposited all her tourists on the streets of the waterfront. So not only was I ready to be done, but I had to Jack Nicholson my way through the crowd. I am not a big fan of crowds.

And then we were there, at the top of the hill that drops us down into the Victory tunnel. The tunnel (which isn’t really a tunnel as much as it’s a walk way covered in trees) would be lined with cheering families waiting to welcome their walkers home. Waiting to tell them how proud they were of them and how much it meant to them for us to be out walking. At the top of the hill, we could hear it already. But we had to stop and “dress” ourselves.

Remember the big pink beehive wig of the great Flamingo costume? The one I figured I’d never wear again…? Yah, well it had to be worn. How could I not? So pink wig in place, we started our walk. Wise BigBro was telling us over and over, “Slow down ladies – take it all in”. We crested the hill and as we looked down – well – how do I explain it without crying? Covered in people. Each side was full of people applauding and cheering and yelling “thank you”. Truly amazing. Not something I will soon forget.

And then I saw it. The “Wraspir Friends and Family for the Cure” sign. THOSE were our peeps cheering for us. And no doubt they recognized us instantly, between my foot high beehive and Blueberry’s feather hat. We tried as best we could to take it slow, but the end was in sight. We could literally see the a goal line that would signify months of effort and commitment, we had arrived. We had done it!

Hugs were passed out. Congratulatory comments were made. Tears were cried. Photos were taken. All of it…

ONE

BIG

BLUR

We did our hugs and well done’s and headed into the real party to “check in” and get our shirts. The holding pin – as they called it – was one big rockin house.

We went back outside for photos with the fam and friends. All I wanted to do was sit. My poor tootsies were super sore. So BigBro did what any BigBro would, he helped me get my shoes off and my tootsies into my pink croc flip flops (which for the record rock the casbah for tired feet).

And then it was time to go in for the official closing ceremonies. We lined up, we entered the stadium and we cheered some more. A few tears found their way out too when I saw Blueberry carrying her "Commitment" flag one last time.

And just like that, it was over. The culmination of 9 months training and fundraising - done. In a blink of an eye.

3 Days. 60 Miles. One crazy, wild ride.

Would I do it again? Maybe.

3 Day / 60 Mile Breast Cancer Walk - Day 2

Day 2 was a lot like day 1 - only we didn't have anything new and different as our destination. The route would take us in one large 22 mile loop through Redmond, Kirkland and Bellevue. I know these roads well. I've traveled them for many years - in a car! Walking these roads is a different story. The things you miss when driving, I tell ya.

We left with a foggy start at O'dark thirty - and I don't just mean foggy in that it was so early. It was a beautiful morning. We walked through downtown Redmond and ended up on the Sammamish River trail. It's a nice trail that winds it way behind all the business parks in Redmond on one side and the slough on the other. Trees throughout gave us shade - though it was a bit chilly because of the time of the morning. But the air had that crisp fall feeling and smell to it. God I love that smell.

Eventually we took off the trail and headed West toward Totem Lake (Kirkland). At the top of a hill - which I thought would be a monster and it proved to be nothing at all - was our first cheer station of the morning. Our fam would be at the top cheering us on.

A quick note about the cheer stations. While all along the route you were likely to be cheered or someone say thank you, the cheer stations were - well - AWESOME. Once you can hear the crowd, and see them cheering (and we were usualy in the head of the pack so our cheer stations were small by comparison to what I heard they were like later in the day) you're filled almost immediately with a sense of pride. I've been proud of myself many times in my life for accomplishments I've achieved, but this was different. This was knowing that these people were there helping me change the world. Their lives - most likely - was touched by breast cancer and they were someone's rock! They were amazing. They said thank you to us, but really, it meant the world to us that they were there.

*sniff sniff

Anyhow, so at the top of this hill stood the fam.

I know that's a bad video, but it kinda gives you an idea.

So remember in yesterday's Day 1 blog I mentioned cramp issues. And remember WAY-BACK-WHEN when I had blistering issues on the bottom of my feet? Yah well that came back - only this time I got a diagnosis with it. Apparently I bruised the ball of my left foot - AND THEN - a blister formed. Oh goody. So by the time we hit this cheer station I was in all shades of pain. I wanted to save myself to walk as much on Sunday as I could. So I hopped in a sweep van.

A little something about the Sweeps. They had 8 sweeps roaming the route picking up the walking wounded. Each sweep had a theme of some sorts. This year it was a bit disappointing as only three of the sweep vans are going to be memorable to me at all. ONE such van was tricked out in hippie-ness. They were amazing people. Driving the route yelling and screaming and asking walkers if they were okay. And so as luck would have it, this was the sweep that swept me.

They took me to the next pit stop where I met Blueberry and BigBro. The rest did me good. The tootsies were hurting more and more as the day progressed. Every step was like daggers being shoved up my leg. Good times. It didn't take BigBro and Blue too long to hit that pit stop, so we were off to our next stop which was lunch.

Lunch was a long the beautiful Kirkland waterfront. HikerGirl and her Beau met us there to chill and give support. We quite literally walked right past her house. I was tempted to take a slight detour and use a real bathroom instead of a honey bucket.

After lunch we headed through the Juanita neighborhood of Kirkland. This area was where we handed out "we'll be in your neighborhood" cards a few weeks back. Naturally we thought there were more people lining those streets than any other. We did a good job. This particular neighborhood is lined with multimillion dollar houses. In fact, if all my readers and I got together - we'd still not be able to afford a house in this area. The pit stop at the end of this trail I was done. My feet were yelling at me. But not before we took photos.

The MomUnit and our Walker Stalkers picked me up and we drove to the next cheering station. Apparently before this cheering station was a MegaMonster hill, that I am SOOO glad I missed. Blueberry and Ric popped to the top of the hill and I think very glad to see the top. If both of them had issues with it, then I know I would have.

The MomUnit and stalkers dropped me at camp. I went directly to the Medical tent. Did not pass go. Did not collect two hundred dollars. Instead sat swatting at a bee that wouldn't leave me bee (hahahha get it?) Finally the doc stopped by - we discussed my issue and he politely told me there wasn't anything he could do. That the bone was likely bruised and only time and elevation could heal that. He did want to, however, check me for how painful it was. He went to touch my foot and I flinched. He was worried that it was THAT painful that I'd not let him touch it. But I quickly informed him that no, I was just THAT ticklish. So I rated my pain out of 1-10 as a 99 (joking...I was joking). He said to elevate it and if it was better in the morning he'd amputate. Ahhh a joker! Nice.

I sat and waited for the team to come in, then went over and met them. We stuck around camp for a bit, ate and headed home. We knew the next day would be a long, but fun day.

A bit about Camp
Camp was interesting. 3200 or so people stuffed into an area that really becomes like a little, mobile city. By camp, I really mean camp. Part of the 3Day experience is camping out in these little (key word little) pink tents. This photo only shows like one quarter of the tents.

Camp also had other amenities. Mobile showers for example. Four huge semi trucks that had 6 showers in each. Small, but they did the trick. There was a 3 Day store, a foot massage tent, a post office, a cafe (sponsored by Pepperidge Farm - Yum), a food line and of course honey buckets.

For those of you who sent me cards and letters to camp - you are awesome. While I cried a bit, it was well worth it to feel the love from so many. Here are just a couple of photos of me with cards from Freak Magnet and my Sacrament ESP buddy.

3 Day / 60 Mile Breast Cancer Walk - Day 1

I know, this is long overdue...but here's at least Day 1. The rest will soon follow. I promise.

Day 1 - Sept 12, 2008
I'd like to say I awoke bright eye'd and bushy tailed, but the truth is I didn't get much sleep the night before. Hours of tossing and turning, trying desperately to plan out each and every moment. A plan that wouldn't come to reality, but I didn't know that at 2:30am.

The blaring sound of the alarm at 4AM jolted me out of my restless sleep. But somehow I did find the energy and strength to get up and get moving. Perhaps the excitement of what the next three days held? In normal circumstances waking at that hour with little sleep usually leaves me cranky and sluggish, but before the 3 Day I was wide awake. It felt to me much like when I am going on vacation. Despite no sleep the night before, I somehow wake up and am ready to go. This vacation, I'd later discover, was like no other before.

Loaded in the car, the MomUnit and I drove south to Bellevue Community College. We were meeting BigBro and Blueberry there. We, of course, got there early. First order of business was to drop off my luggage. They had part of the parking lot lined with trucks, each labeled with a letter that corresponded to your tent location. Handing the woman my small bag, I was off. Camera in hand, pack steady on my back, I had a mission.

I all too often find that I miss a lot by seeing it behind the camera lens. While I wanted to capture anything and everything, I tried to bring myself in a bit and kept reminding myself to just experience the moment. Take it all in. I have a hard time with that. But I knew that the next three days would go by so fast that it would be a blur.

I went off to put a goal on the "goal wall". Which really is a big huge sign thing that walkers, supporters, crew, etc could put goals to themselves or to each other. I posted what I believe to be my motto. Live. Love. Laugh. You'll see/hear about it in a later post no doubt when I tell you about camplife. So, "watch this space."

The MomUnit was with me by this point so we walked through the opening ceremony area and took photos. Starbucks was a sponsor, so naturally I had to go over and smell the coffee.

Side note: For three days! 3 days I had no caffeine. But never fear, today I was back on schedule.

BigBro, his wife, Blueberry and her sister all arrived. Blueberry was a Survivor flag carrier and BigBro and I alternates. We all went back to check in. I wanted to carry the joy flag, but sadly the original carrier showed. Bummed, but okay with it. I figured this way I could catch Blueberry being a fantastic survivor.

Opening CeremoniesOh.My.God. The woman who's the national spokes woman for Susan G. Komen, Jenne Fromm, is an amazing speaker. I've written to her to ask for her opening and closing speech, because it will bring tears to your eyes - if you have any heart at all - even one the size of a pea (kudos if you know where that is from). The music starts off roaring loudly and pumping up the crowd. It's that vibrant-happy-go-lucky music. And then....Then just when you think the crowd can take no more excitement, the music lowers to a soft, slow, but heart felt tune. As this takes place, Jenne starts her speech. I don't recall it all, but I recall it having something to do with us being heroes and that look around you because this is what real heroes look like. *sniff sniff

Then she brings in the survivors. Oh good Lord....more tears, oh wait, no I held them back. The Survivors that I got to speak with are a rare breed indeed. Their spirit is so unbreakable, so firm, so resolved in finding a cure, it almost made me feel ashamed later for complaining about a few pains. They have a tremendous respect for life, that I think all too few of us have. But watching 8 women walk into a circle carrying flags that say "BELIEVE" "COURAGE" "OPTIMISM" " COMMITMENT" "HOPE" "PATIENCE" "HEALING" and "LOVE, brings a lump in my throat even as I write this.

And then I see Blueberry. I was fine. No real tears...until then. I saw she was crying and she caught a glimpse of BigBro and I...oh boy. Water. Works. I don't really remember what was said by Jenne at that time, but I remember thinking how fortunate I was to be in such a place surrounded by such love.

And then we were off. We managed to hook up with Blueberry as she was walking out. Which put us in the very front. We were numbers 11, 12, and 13 out the shoot.

The route wondered us through Bellevue - my former hood, and through some very familiar neighborhoods. Into downtown Bellevue where we stopped for our first lunch. Some type of sandwich which had seen better days. The salty chips were good though! We drank water. We pee'd. We ate. We changed our socks and we were off.

Another Side note: The most amazing feeling is removing your socks and shoes after 10 miles to let the little tootsies breath.

After lunch we headed east towards Bellevue. I called PMDude to let him know where we'd be and approximately when. I wasn't sure anyone from the office would come and cheer us on, but I figured why not. Then to my surprise, Pointy Haired Boss, Our Sales VP and Hoppin Heather - who's name should be changed to something with geek in it, got any suggestions? Also meeting us at Geeksoft was my good pal Mr. Volleyball. The Dane, his wife, was in Denmark, so it was just Mr. Volleyball. He's good to us and will always be a good friend.

Leaving Geeksoft we were on the home stretch. Up to this point I had been encountering some rather interesting cramps in BOTH my calf muscles and my shins - almost at the same time. Now THAT's fun. After leaving Geeksoft, they got worse and kept getting worse. I had a decision to make. Do I go on and suffer if I pull something seriously...and no sooner had that thought crossed my mind when my body made the decision for me. I could barely stand on the little buggers and that was that. Seattle Sister In Law was meeting us at 7-11 to hand off keys. I hopped in her car and she took me to camp.

And that was the end of my day 1.

Once in camp I had a few minutes to sort out my thoughts on the day. I'm not quite ready to put them to words yet, so hang with me. I promise by the end of recounting Days 2 and 3 (hopefully soon) I'll have some eloquent words that can even begin to describe the 3 Day experience.

3 Day or Bust!!!

For all of you who I know will be checking in, first - thank you for caring - second,

I DID IT!

I'm pooped and a little sore, and promise to tap out the entire experience for you tomorrow. I've got a lot of things to sort out in my head. An extremely overwhelming experience that deserves some thought before putting it to paper - er um - blog.

Some highlights.

Too many honeybuckets to count.

1 Bruised bone on the foot

No blisters - well except the two on the bottom of my feet (one on each foot)

Sunshine. Sunshine. Sunshine.

But most important of all....

Wait for it....

8.6 MILLION DOLLARS!!!!!

And this is what 3240 heroes look like!

And for those of you who sent me cards to the 3Day. Thank you. And I'll get you for making me cry.

JOY....

Look at me carrying a Lifetime flag. I was an alternate and got to carry the flag in rehearsal tonight. There's a 80% chance I'll get to carry it tomorrow. They're heavy suckers by the way. Oh and not only do I get to carry a flag...but I get to be on stage with said flag. AND I have to climb stairs with said flag. OMG...please don't let me trip. Please don't let me trip.

The interesting thing about getting the JOY flag - I'll tell the story in a later blog if I remember - is JOY happens to be my middle name. Because I'm such a JOY to be around...snicker snicker

I was early to the rehearsal tonight...shocking, so I had a few moments to reflect on what was about to happen. Thankfully I had a pink journal in my pink backpack to jot down some thoughts.

******

Sept 11, Bellevue Community College

I'm sitting in the shaded parking lot waiting for rehearsal to start. My emotions and nerves seem to be on full throttle. Just listening to a few selected songs on my "3Day CD" makes my already red eyes well with tears. I think, "What am I doing here? How'd I get here?" Then it hit me, I'm changing the world. The enormity of that was like a ton of bricks sitting on my chest. I'm changing the world.

"What kind of world do you want? Think anything."

Driving in...wait, let me back up to leaving the office.

I packed up and was walking out the door when Paul one of our sales persons stood up and started applauding me. Followed by the other sales person and then the techy guys in the office. Immediately I had a lump in my throat. These people who have watched me train for 9 months where cheering me on SURE I was going to make it. This thing, this 3Day sure does change people.

Leaving work, I headed to BCC for the opening rehearsal. As I turned the corner to enter BCC - you were blinded by pink. The stage, the welcoming, open arms of the 3Day opening ceremonies. Just seeing all the set up tears again. AGAIN! My thought immediately was the next 3 days are going to go faster than I will want them to. Enjoy every moment. This is YOUR moment.

As I sit in my car writing this I think of my donors. All these amazing people who took the time to donate money to me and an amazing cause. I wonder if they aren't the real heroes of the 3Day. And then I think of all the names of women I've been asked to walk in honor of or in memory of....too many names. Too many lives lost unnecessarily to breast cancer. Too many families living without a loved one. Immediately I feel an enormous sense of pride, knowing that I am changing the world. One step at a time.

"What kind of world do you want? Think anything. Be careful what you wish for, history starts now."

My fear or anxiety of not being able to do this has been firmly squashed. I know I can, and I suddenly feel I must. I've already done so much in my 40 years (or 39.9999 years) of live, but this is quite possibly the most significant yet.

Won't you take a moment and think about all the women who have had to endure this, and all the families, and all the future generations of sisters, aunts, wives, mothers, grandmothers that we only hope one day won't have to be a "survivor".

On the Eve of a Miracle

Yesterday was way WAY WAY too busy of a day for me to fret about the 3Day. Thankfully I was swamped at work and so didn't have to obsess about the 3 Day for like 8 hours. Yay!

That being said, when I got home the obsession welcomed me back with open arms. I've been packed for a week for this event - for no other reason than I did laundry and why put the clothes away when they're going to come back out into the suitcase. Blueberry would likely disagree with me on that and say I just packed because I like to be prepared. Whatever. I'm packed. The only thing missing from the suitcase is shampoo and soap (hahah I mistyped that originally to soup - I don't think I'll be needing that).

The weather is turning out to be beautiful. In fact, while I won't complain about the dry factor in the weather, it may be a bit too warm. Upper 70's to lower 80's. Closing ceremonies should be at/about 82 degrees ... oh goody! I don't do well in heat, so I've prepared myself by having my pink bandanna locked and loaded on to the waist pack.

I think logistically the three of us Saving 2nd Basers finally have the plan settled. That being said, it'll change 40 times between then and now.

Last night I printed off all the material the MomUnit and our other walker stalkers might need. BigBro had printed off maps to all the cheering stations, so that with some other stuff are in a nice neat pink packet waiting for tomorrow AM.

In case you're curious, the "route" has been posted. Vague as it is, if you're not from around here it does show the amount of land we'll cover in 3 days as well as some interesting tidbits about the area.

While printing off stuff last night I figured I should take one more trip through the youtube videos - just to be sure to get the cry on early. On the way home last night I got all teary eye'd just thinking about the cheering stations. I suspect the next three days will be one big cry fest for me. They call it the 60 mile buffet - but I think it'll be more the 60 mile cry fest!

And so with that, I'll leave you to your day. As I said yesterday, I'll "try" to blog after each day, but can't promise it. Tomorrow night might not be too hard to blog by - I'm not worried at all about tomorrow. Saturday has me more worried - and by Sunday I'll be so psyched to finish I'm sure I'll blog. By Monday you'll have the full story and most likely pictures. After all, I must show my fans photos of me in a big pink sombrero and a big pink beehive.

Update: A few donations have come through that I need to send a huge SHOUT out to.

Dawny&Jon - Via BigBro I got your donation. THANKS

KimRI - I'll be carrying your 3Day account with me - especially the "DRINK THE DAMN GATORADE" part. Thansk Buddy

Dr. PaulH - aka PMDude's Cousin- Your donation put me over my $6,000 mark. THANKS. I'll be adding your mom to my list of people to think about on the walk!

Today's post sponsored by the number three

I'm still in shock that something I've been planning for and training for for 9 months is almost here. I have yet to get a good night sleep this week. Anxiety has taken over the brain. But for that I blame the bees.

I went like 4 blissful days without one bee sighting in my apt. Until last night. The dynamic duo of bees were hitting their heads against my window - apparently wanting out. So I did what any anti-bee person would do...I took the PMNetworks magazine to them. (Sorry Rabitt - I know how you love you're bees, but these were not useful bees. I mean they aren't even smart. They kept bouncing off the windows expecting it to miraculously open.)

After the bee incident I had the heeby jeebies all night. Pulled something bolting off the couch at a buzzing sound around my ear. Scared the fur, literally off the cat too. Only this buzzing sound was a crane fly. What is the purpose of crane flies I ask you? Unfortunately this crane fly didn't have a untimely end to his 24 hour life...I lost him in the fluff of jumping off the couch in a hurry.

But I digress...the real purpose of this blog is to announce that in three days time I will be - hopefully - halfway through the first day of the 3 day/60 mile walk. Crazy!

For all those who have asked - and you're so sweet to have asked - I will try to blog after each day. I can't guarantee I'll have the mojo or energy...but crazier things have happened. The park we're camping in does have wireless so maybe I'll bring my laptop...or not. Worst case scenario, Monday you'll have a new blog to ready...and it'll be long no doubt.

At last, my love has come alongMy lonely days are overAnd life is like a song

And if you know what song that's from...which should be easy...you'll get a big kudo from yours truly. It is, in fact, stuck in my head. And since I didn't actually know the lyrics I had to go find them and then download the song so it can be played and then hopefully leave the brain.

The ONLY reason, I repeat ONLY reason it's in my head is because as I type this I was reminiscing on our last walk for training. BigBro, Blueberry and I set out yesterday for our "official" last training walk. A whopping 5 miles. I still laugh when I think how easy 5 miles is to walk now and how ridiculous it is to think that I'll soon be attempting to walk 60. I'm sure I can do most of it. I say "most" because I know Blue and I will have to take a Sweep (vans that run the route to take tired walkers to the next pit stop) or two. Each Sweep has a theme and have little give aways. It's part of the experience and you know how I have to experience EVERYTHING.

Its hard to believe that this time next week I'll be 3 hours into my last 16 miles. Knowing that at the finish line will be my loving family and friends waiting to cheer us in. *sniff sniff. I get teary eye'd just thinking about the love that this event produces. It reminds me of that fantastic feeling you get when you're laying in the sun. You know how your whole body feels warm and you could just stay there forever.

Early for our team we had VikingGirl as a member. She's had some unfortunate life issues that caused her to not be able to walk with us. BUT that doesn't mean she wasn't able to support us. In fact, Friday I got a voicemail from her telling me that my apt had been "pinked". This has me worried. I knew she'd been collecting pink stuff for me, but wasn't sure exactly how pink it would be. As it turned out I now am the proud owner of a 3 foot fold up flamingo! Yes!

I think I'm all set for the 3Day now. BigBro, Blueberry and I made a plan yesterday and pinky swear on it so that it doesn't change. We made Blueberry swear she'd leave camp by 8pm on Friday and Saturday nights. She tends to get distracted and want to stay longer at places...of course we'll start heading to the car by 7pm which gives us an hour to walk through camp and stop and chat along the way. I'm sure it's not just a Wraspir trait but we do tend to stand at the door and talk for 30 minutes when guests are leaving. Its weird. Anyhow, we're all set. I'm 90% packed and ready. Just need to do the last bit of laundry, get the last few donations, and make sure the camera batteries are fully charged. Oh speaking of donations...

I have missed thanking SEVERAL people in this blog who have donated. For that I'm truly sorry. I was trying to make sure every person who passed a buck my way was thoughtfully and completely thanked. The list is WAY too long and I'm embarrassed I missed so many. First the most recent donations:

Tracey - You're one of my favorite people. I'm so glad we've stayed friends post MSS. Thank you for your donation.

Cousin Dawy - Thank you. It was an expected surprised to find your donation.

Jack&Suzie - I will be glad to thank you in person with a hug on the beaches of Mexico in December. But until then, you two are awesome people.

Cousin's Saunderson Fam - Yay. I am so glad you are in our lives. You are great people and we are blessed to have you in our family. Thank you.

Mr. Assumption from CM - I thought you had forgotten. Thank you for your donation.

Now for the ones I missed:

BeagleBabe: I can't believe I forgot to thank you. I mean you're BeagleBabe...my wine buddy, my sushi buddy...thank you.

MeganAroony - Again, how could I have forgotten such an important person in my life. Oh and thanks to your MomUnit too. I've never met her, but her donation was so much appreciated.

To the folks at the UK CM: Your support means a lot to me - especially since its supporting me from across the pond. (LM, JH, AO, and AW - to name a few - thanks)

Kath and Row - Your absent mindedness sure did benefit me....and I love you for your absent mindedness and for being you.

Jamie - Good lord. One my rocks. I forgot one of my rocks! Thank you for your donation and for being you.

Now, if you'll check my reader board - I'm just dollars away from $6,000. Who would have ever thought?

A beehive by any other name is still a beehive.

You all know my love of bees right? How even the mention of a bee in the area has me scurrying for the nearest exit….yah me loves them. Or not.

Well, karma has once again stepped in. In an attempt to, I’m sure, teach me a valuable lesson about the furry little creatures (yes some have fur – I’ve seen it) and how not dangerous they are. I get they have a vital role to play…yadda yadda yadda. What I don’t get is what part in the role my apartment plays?

My story begins with a quiet evening at Chez Jenn’s. I’m resting from a training walk and minding my own business in my own apt, when suddenly I hear that familiar buzzing sound. Immediately I’m on point – absolutely sure that I’ll be stung by whatever is making that buzzing sound. A quick scan of the apt and I see the yellow and black culprit. He’s lounging on my lamp! The nerve. Just sitting there, taunting me. Daring me to come near him. Oh I’ll come near you alright…with this magazine. SWAT! The bee goes down, as does the lamp. A small sacrifice one must make to rid the surrounding area of the pest. To ensure its dead, I step on it with my pink flipflop. It’s not moving so it’s dead.

Still a bundle of nerves I sit back down and get back into the zoning out position I was previously in. Bored with what the TV is offering I decide to turn it off. As I reach for the remote, I see the movement on the remote. A bloody bee again. Instead of squishing it like the bug that it is, I do a quick scan to the garbage can to see if its brother is in the can…dead. Yep. At the bottom lays the corpse of once was a working bee. I find this curious that TWO bees in two minutes would be….wait a minute…that means there could be more.

With that thought I spring from the chair, squirming as if I have a thousand bugs crawling all over me. The heeby jeebies have set in. With my trusty magazine I swat, and miss, the second intruder. He merely falls off the remote and lands on the table. Picking up a nearby book and plunking it on top of the little bugger ensures instant death. But just so I’m sure, I lift the book. Dead. Smashed. Finally.

I got no rest that night.

The following evening, Seattle Sister-in-law (Seattle SIL) is over for a much needed scrapbooking evening. (I got nothing done, but thanks for asking). As I’m sitting there chatting a way I see, out of the corner of my eye, the movement. What the…? Another one? Bloody bees. Kicking screaming and swatting I managed to kill the third one without pulling any muscles or screaming like a two year old who’s not getting any ice cream from the nice music making truck. As I walk away to get something to pick up the corpse, I’m explaining to the scrapbooking crowd the bee events of the last two days. Causally, Blueberry mentions there’s one crawling across the floor – did I mention she said that “casually”? With no understanding of the war I’ve been waging over the last two days, she makes no movement to kill the beast whose wing span matches that of an eagle (okay well maybe not…but it seemed like it). I stomp out that intruder and add him to the growing pile of bee corpse I have in my garbage can. The heeby jeebies set in.

The scrapbooking crew leaves and I’m cleaning up for the night. To unwind I turn on the TV to catch the news. As I’m staring blankly at the images of the night, it crosses my site. Flying slow and low, like a hovering jet it passes between me and tomorrow's weather. I jump up shouting incoherent words about bees and bugs and how could they possibly be … and where are they coming from…and am I in the third level of hell. Jumping up like a deranged person only serves to lose site of the pterodactyl size demon. Great. The heeby jeebies set in.

I step slowing throughout the apt, stalking a prey I cannot see, yet know that it’s there. My eyes dart at any movement – or perceived movement. Then I see it. Lounging on my cup. Great. How am I going to kill it without spilling the contents of the glass. Maybe if I just move the glass a bit it’ll fall in. Except that would mean I’d have to get close enough to it to move the glass. And what if it should dart in my direction? No, that’s not a good plan. Can I wait it out? And with that thought it was up and buzzing. It makes a vital mistake though and lands on the flat surface of the TV screen. Now I not only get the weather, but added bee guts to the view. Dead.

It’s 10:30pm. I’m tired. And the heeby jeebies are a permanent residence. Monday was a holiday so how was I going to make it through an entire day before I could call the apt complex to have them spray the neighborhood? Oh the drama. Should I go to a hotel? Blueberrie’s? Or do I assume the position of authority of the apt and try to sleep in my own room?

All night I tossed and turned – sure that a bee was landing on me or around me or on me…

The morning came and I somehow managed to rest. But, what now? How was I to make it through an entire day with the bee infestation? What if I was stung and couldn’t get to the phone to call 911? I’d die right here - in my not so clean apt. The CSI team would paw through my things and make comments about the murderous plot the bees were on. They’d find the pile of corpses and say, “she fought a good fight”. Hmmm, if CSI or any other person is going to be in my apt, perhaps I should clean.

After an entire day of cleaning and being on bee watch, I rest my weary bones. Suddenly I realize I’ve not seen a bee all day. Do they come out at night? Are they gathering in numbers to attend the funerals of all their little buddies? Are they plotting my slow painful death? Or, did I imagine all this? A quick look at the garbage can and I’m assured this was no imagination.

Tuesday dawns with a quick call to the apt complex. Thankfully the person answering the phone is a kindred spirit and hates bees as much as I do. She promises to get someone over right away. Once I get home I see the familiar pink slip from the apt crew. Writing in blue ink are the instructions of what the issue is “Jenn has killed a number of bees in the last few days and can’t find where they’re coming from.” Short and to the point, but not as urgent sounding as I would have made it. Anyhow… below is lists the action taken by the crew. “Sprayed bee nest situated under the master bedroom outside window.” Erm….the heeby jeebies set in.

Cuz it only serves to make me - more determined to make my final goal

Here we are, the last training weekend for the three day. It's bittersweet for me. On the one hand I'm so very glad to have the training over - the hours and hours of walking. On the other hand, I'm truly going to miss the fabulous people I've met (Warming Hut Hotties) and the bonding with BigBro and Blueberry. We've learned way...and I mean WAY... too much about each other over the last 9 months. But I wouldn't trade it for anything. It's truly been a journey. One I won't likely ever forget.

As I sit here and write, my mind is racing of all the things I need to do before the 3 day - now just two weeks away - in fact, two weeks from this moment I'll be stuck in a chair and won't be able to get up to walk to the bathroom without any pain. The project manager in me is trying to plan out every single minute / day. The old familiar fear of missing something has crept into my mind and I just know if I plan, then I won't miss a thing. Where as the reality is, if I just be then I'm most likely to see everything more clear. My goal for the next two weeks is to just be.

This weekend, as I mentioned, was the last "official" training walk. We walked with the Hotties both days. Saturday saw us traversing some extremely difficult parts of Seattle. Parts I didn't even know existed and quite frankly don't need to see again. Thankyouverymuch. Yet these parts had a strange way of putting a tremendous sense of pride and accomplishment in my cap for a day or two.

Saturday we took off from our beloved Greenlake and headed south-ish to Fremont. We walked along the main road in Fremont to the West and ended up at the Locks again. I've seen the Locks more this year than I think I have my entire life combined. A short rest there and we were off toward Golden Gardens. Golden Gardens is a waterfront park that is frequented by sports enthusiasts, beach combers, and people who just want to exist with the sea. It's a large park and is surrounded by water on one side and woods to the other. In those woods, are what I'm affectionately calling "The Hell?"

What is 290? That would be the number of stairs contained in "The Hell."

Yes.

Go back.

Read that again, I'll wait.

Two hundred and ninety! I didn't even know I could count that high, let alone climb that many steps. Truth be told I lost count around 140 since breathing became more important at that point. But faithful Blueberry kept up the count. We did it. I had a slight Energy Burst on the last leg and "jogged" up about 20 steps. Regretting it immediately since I had another 20 or so to go and was out of breath...but that was AFTER the previous 270 so I felt I deserved to be out of breath.

Despite the UP part of the stairs - it really was a beautiful path. Seattle is full of green and this path felt like we were in the middle of the wilderness just passing by. This photo is of the beginning of the stairs. They wrapped around and went up even more steep than this. Ugh. To see all the stair photos, visit my flicker site. They are truly a site to see. (Side bar: I've also put ALL my three day photos out there - but the most recent are the stairs and this last weekend)

At the top everyone is greeted by a cheering Hotty team. In fact, at the top of every massive hill they wait and cheer on the slower of the walkers. Guess who's always getting cheered up?

Once we finished The Hell, we wondered away back toward Greenlake. And then I saw it. There it stood, The Hill of Death (aka 65th Street Hill). This beast and I have met twice before and I survived. I knew this time would be no different. Our battle march was one foot in front of the other - Blueberry and I made it. BigBro was up in the front of the pack so he was again - at the top - cheering us all on. At the top I was not only greeted with cheering fans, but chocolate! I mean really? If I knew there was chocolate at the top of every hill, I'd climb them all!

Sunday was crisp, and over-cast. But the Hotty Window prevailed and it held the rain at bay until we finished our trek. Sunday had us wondering the Mapleleaf area of Seattle, and then through part of the University District. The only hill on this route was in the very beginning and it was a gradual climb that I'm guessing was about 2 miles or so (most likely less, but it felt like 2+). Nothing steep, but continuous.

Of special note to Sunday is the fact that BigBro and I were the LEADERS for about an hour. I'm not sure what kinda of time shift continuum thing happened to put us in the very front, but there we were none-the-less. Then after a stop, BigBro had to switch socks and band aid up a blister - which put us behind again! Ahhh, my old friend caboose.

And so the training has come to an end. BigBro, Blueberry and I will most likely do a couple of 5 miles next weekend just because. According to the "training schedule" next weekend is supposed to be walk free, but we figured we might as well just do some little jaunts for old time sakes.

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go obsess and worry and plan for the 3 Day in two weeks. The Hotties warned me the "3Day Nightmares" would start, and I think they may be right.