When Two Roads Converge

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” ~Robert Frost

If you’ve known me for more than a hot minute, you know that I tend to choose the less traveled road. I enjoy trying new things, taking on a challenge, going to new and unusual places. If I travel, I want to go the opposite direction of the tourists. I want to be ME. Not what, or who, someone else thinks I ought to be. Conformity is not my thing. The great thing I’ve found is that, no matter the path I’ve chosen, someone else has chosen a path that converges with mine at some point along the way.

WOW! I love the people who I meet. Sometimes we are able to travel together for a long while. At other times we share the path for only a few steps before we continue on our respective ways. No matter the distance, every individual has left a mark of their own on MY path. From time to time I pause and look back down the path to see how far I have come and, it is then, I see their mark and remember. Remember the impact they have had.

Looking forward I know that there are many who will cross ways with me. There will be new people and I will discover the impact they will have on my path. I will be blessed to cross ways, once again, with those I have traveled with in the past. I look forward to what is in store.

I know that there are those who will not travel with me again; those taken far too early from this world. For them I will carry a token of what they have left behind and continue forward; taking the road less traveled.

photo credited to Vortech on Flickr

Revitalize, Refresh, Renew

So it's been a LONG time since I wrote anything for my blog. A seriously LONG time...3 years qualifies as a LONG time doesn't it? (I had sort of thought that it had gone the way of this Scottish tombstone. "And about this spot lies another dead blog") I have to wonder why it is still even on the web. Apparently it goes to show there is truth to the saying that once it is out there in the web-o-sphere it is out there forever! So why decide to bring it back now... Well, while I was driving up to Wisconsin this week for work, I had a little time to process and download some events of the past few weeks. I had lots of things I wanted to say about those events. You know, the things that you wish had been said at the time; not AFTER the event? Crazy me had the thought "You have so much time on your hands why not revitalize the lost blog?" Yeah, right! Time...what's that? Actually, while time is something I am chronically short on, random thoughts and soapboxes are not. What better way to have the opportunity to voice those all-to-late comments than to put them out into the web-o-sphere? So here goes. A little revitalization to bring the old blog back to life. A little refreshing coat of digital paint to the wall. A renewed focus of thought. I think it will last awhile. I have plenty of topics to choose from; the problem is finding where to start.

My 3-Day Experience

So I am finally getting around to updating this blog and writing the much sought after report on my 3-Day walk. Quite honestly, I think maybe I was supposed to write it now as it will bring back great memories and pleasant feelings for humanity of which I am desperately in need of this week. Enough negativity aside....on with the greatness!

Here is Mission Pink 2009 as we get ready to set out on our adventure...bright (well, not so bright as the sun had not risen yet) and early in the morning. Energizer is one of the key sponsors of the event so they had handed out bunny ears (Keeps on going!). Yes, we did keep them on all day, but only for day one:) Shortly after this picture everyone did some group stretching, there was a wonderful opening ceremony and we were off! 20 miles here we come!

The energy was high and we were all set to go but had no idea what to expect along the way. It was proven, once again, what a small world we live in. Not 5 minutes into the walk I met the mother of one the boys I grew up with (okay, he would be a man now!) and I had never met her before! Who would have 'thunk' it?! 

As we are coming out of the opening area, we were greeted by a biker cheering us on. Turns out he was a part of the group "Bikers for Boobs" who takes care of the safety issues for the course. Harley men from all over the country come together to support each of the events and provide high energy and traffic patrol as the participants are on the streets. Wonderful men all. And they are not afraid to wear pink!! Or put bras on their bikes!

There are so many wonderful stories that I could share but will keep it to just a couple...well, maybe more than a couple! The first is the people who lived along the course. They would set up little tables with drinks, treats and popsicles for the walkers who were passing by. Totally unnecessary but done out of the goodness of their heart. They would cheer us on, tell us thank you for walking and generally just encourage us because of what they were doing. Cars would honk while they were passing us by and cheer. The energy was amazing every step of the way. Literally.

The official pit stops were run beautifully by equally beautiful people. There to ensure that we were drinking, eating and getting medical care, they always had a smile on their face. Each stop was theme related and it was fun each day to see what little things would change. The photo booth at the Dr. Seuss stop was very fun!

The sweep vans ran along the route always prepared to pick up a walker in need. Each one had a theme and it was always great to see them. Each and every person who served the walkers had a smile on their face the entire time. Not once did I hear a complaint from anyone and I was amazed. As someone who has run large crowd events, it is impossible to make everyone happy. I believe this organization has it down!

There was the Air Force guy (and yes, we had Go Army shout-outs each time we saw him) who came down to support his wife who was walking with the "Rams for Racks" group. (Yes, for you CSU fans, another hometown group!) On the first day he was dressed in his flight suit and his little boys were dressed in camo gear. They cheered EVERYONE along with "Win the war in UR-aq"...pretty clever! The second day they were all dressed in baseball uniforms. "Save Second Base". Loved it!

At the end of each day, the last walker was cheered in by everyone. It was so amazing to see the people who were out there walking through pain. Some pain was from their blisters, some of the pain was from issues they had before the walk. But they did it. It didn't matter how long it took them, they walked it. 60 miles is a long way to travel!

Blisters were the main source of discomfort but there was also the Funky Denver Rash that, while I had never heard of it, became very prevalent by the end of the 2nd day. Apparently, the high altitude and the walking causes the capillaries in the leg to burst causing a red "rash" to appear. Thankfully, I didn't get it....but I did get a MONSTER blister!

So the memories are so wonderful and dear to each team members heart. By the end of the second day we had pretty much decided that we were going to do this again and looked into the 2010 schedule. It was decided that November in San Diego was the one we were going to shoot for and, after approval from the hubbies, we are a go for next year. Mission Pink II! We would love to have anyone and everyone join us. K and I will be traveling from our far-away land once again (perhaps we will book the same flight this time!) and look forward to expanding the team.

Where have I been?

So, apparently it has been way too many months since I posted anything. After reading Adventure Mom's blog and noticing on her site that my site was last updated 4 months ago, I decided that I'd best get back on the ball! Lots to catch up on.

I'll begin with Better Half and that he assumed command today. Great ceremony with lots of wonderful friends in attendance. We wish that family could have been there. Now we start a new leg of our journey.

Anniversary of Sorts

Sunday, March 22, was the one year anniversary of the day I learned a lesson.  Actually, several lessons. 

1. Knives are not tools.  Do not, under any circumstance, no matter how convenient, use a knife to pry something open.  Take a couple of extra seconds to acquire an appropriate tool!
2. When being admitted to a German hospital, be prepared to stay for a week.  No matter the procedure, they will want you to stick around. 
3. Make sure that you are surrounded by the most amazing people in the world.  Those are the people who will do whatever it takes to make sure that you are driven an hour away to have surgery in the middle of the night, step in to take care of the children, and bring you goodies while you wander around in the glorious hospital gown.

I now realize that even a little finger can provide one of the greatest opportunities for revelations.

What's this 3-Day thing all about?

Several people have asked me exactly what it is I am doing and what the Susan G Komen 3-Day is all about.  Well, here it is.

The 3-Day is a 60-mile walk, over the course of 3 days, that raises funds in support of the Susan G Komen for the Cure.  This organization plays a huge part in supporting breast cancer research, education, screening, and treatment.

Why is is important to me?  My family.  My mother is a two-time survivor.  My friends.  I currently have 5 friends who are at various stages of fighting the disease.  I wanted to do this for them.  I wanted to do this for their daughters and my nieces.  My desire is that they could grow up in a world where they didn't have to worry about breast cancer.

So what is it that we are doing?  I have put together a team of women from all over.  We will be coming from Washington State, Colorado, Illinois and Germany to meet in Denver, CO, joining hundreds of other teams to tackle this journey.  We are in a fundraising effort as each individual is tasked with raising a minimum of $2300.  Over the course of the 3 days, there will be a miniature city that travels and sets up at each point along the route.  We will eat, sleep, shower, laugh and, I'm sure, cry together along the way.  This opportunity that we are endeavoring to pursue will have a mighty impact on each of us. 

What can you do?  I would love to have you join our team!  If you are unable to do that, you can assist in the fundraising effort.  The 3-Day widget on the right will lead you to my personal page where you can donate.

What's the news?

So I haven't been doing very well at keeping updated on information.  Go figure!  It is my after all.  Pardon the brevity, but it wouldn't get done otherwise! :)

• Logan ran his car in the pinewood derby on Saturday March 7.  He did very well, placing 3rd overall in the Bear bracket (his den).  He was so excited to win his races that, once he started losing, he didn't care too much about getting knocked out.  He will race his car again this Saturday at the District Derby.

Receiving his medal.

Logan also participated in Alaska Days in January.  Since he went sans parents, I have only just gotten the pictures from that.  Here are a few.

 

Here he is doing the snowshoe race.  Hard to run in those things!  A little sledding....

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm back to running consistently again after a recurrence of my shin splints.  Gutsy Mom and I are cutting our time down each time out....it is great to run together again and have someone to celebrate the minor accomplishments.

B has already made his big plans for his birthday weekend.  Dad is working on the logistics of putting it together.  I had to remind both of them that I was going to be out of town that weekend.  Dad will be on his own for the craziness! 

Speaking of birthdays, Gutsy Mom and I (who share a birthday!) have to put together a bash of our own:)  We are missing our other birthday sharer, Adventure Mom, this year.

Better half has started his new job.  This job should carry him through until he takes over a battery....can't say exactly when that will be as the date changes.  Often.