Is It REALLY Only TWELVE Days til Christmas???

It's hard to believe where the days are flying to lately, my classes are finished (yes, two A's, thank you for asking) and I am leaving for Philly shortly so I can be there for Daddy's defibrillator replacement. Ay yi yi!!! I am still in the mode of wanting to write more about the 2008 3Day but it is looking like I will be writing that in early 2009!!!

My thoughts tonight are thankful and I want to tell you why -

My children are all with fantastic partners: people who are vibrant, intelligent, caring, funny, and full of life. If you are a parent, you know where I'm coming from on this one.

I'm thankful my Dad is getting this procedure. He deserves to feel well and starting Thursday he will. I'm thankful my Mother is in such excellent health and that both my parents are only a phone call away from talking to my children, which all enjoy.

I'm thankful for my extended family: my sisters and their families are great to see and spend time with and our phone talks are a great link for continuous sharing.

I'm thankful for my friends: from the oldest to the newest each is special to me and sometimes they even help me to breathe (if you know what I mean, you can count yourself a friend).

BUT I'm most thankful for three people who have made me who I am today: Katie, Jenny Anne, and Nicky. Without the blessing of their souls in my life I would not be me. As they each journeyed from infant to toddler, from toddler to kindergartner, from kindergartner to preteen, from preteen to teen, from teen to young adult, and from young adult to adult they taught me through their kindness, thoughtfulness, generosity, ingenuity, creativity, loyalty, understanding, compassion, hope, faith, and love. I am triply blessed because they are my friends as well as my family. They are my heart.

Where Did November Go?

I have been away from the blog and immersed in catching up after a wonderful time in Wilmington and the Outer Banks of NC. I have more 3Day photos to come, I promise. I just have to get through a paper due in hours, a take home essay, and two finals by December 4th along with Jenny's TWENTY - FIFTH birthday and Thanksgiving...other than that, not much happening with me, how about you??? Hugs and thankful for children, family, and friends (old and new)...love, me

Atlanta 3Day 2008 - A Few Photos

Top Left: We ran into Richard at the Barnes and Noble, so he became a part of our first picture. Here are Karyn, Maureen, her husband, Richard, and I after we have changed socks before going 2 miles. We had been dropped off by Nick at 6:30 a.m. and it was almost 8:30 til we started walking after the very moving Opening Ceremonies.

Top Right: Finding your bag at the end of Day One at the Relocation Spot. It is organized - though I know it doesn't appear so.

< Early start to Day Two - chilly but DRY!



< Cheerleaders welcoming us into a Day Two Pit Stop. Pit Stops offer snacks including fruit, peanuts, string cheese, animal crackers to name a few things to keep you going while walking. Also drinks of water or gatorade. Additionally, medical folk are at Pit Stops to patch you up if you need patching. And of course, you can see the porta potties!

$8.3 Million from Atlanta for Susan G. Komen Foundation

Thank you to all my supporters - with your help the Atlanta 3Day 2008 raised over $8.3 MILLION!!! You are fantastic!

I wanted to throw a few sentences on here, but give me time - I have pictures coming! And lots of stories! But for those of you who have been with me in heart and in spirit every step of those miles I want to tell you that I made it without a blister - without much sleep - but without a blister!

We had a rainy start on Friday, our sleeping was relocated to an abandoned set of offices and it was rough - but we finished on Sunday. Maureen suffered with a blister, but we all three made it with clasped hands over our heads as we went over the finish!

Thank you, and I love you. Good night. Sleep tight! XXOOXX

Tomorrow Atlanta, Next Year - Philadelphia!

I am almost packed - waiting for the final shirt to come out of the dryer. One of my friends from the Noon Mass, Kathleen, has given me a fantastic grey shirt with a pink shoelace transfer and words that say "Breast Foot Forward" - is that not the best? I'm going to wear it tomorrow, under my rain jacket, unfortunately.

Please keep praying that the rain passes through swiftly - there have been two good changes so far - the chance of thundershowers has disappeared and the total rainfall has dropped to an inch at most. So the prayers are working!

So, at work today I got another check from a parishioner, and online Laurie and Tom sent more monies. Maureen told me to hold my checks from the mail, and go sign up over the weekend to do Philadelphia in 2009 - after two minutes of thought, I agreed. I talked to my friend in NY, Jody, who will be a five year survivor next year - and she is thinking she will walk with us - and maybe her sister, too. Anybody else up for it? We will have a great time and make money for a great cause - a full lifetime for our daughters, nieces, cousins, grandcousins, and granddaughters!

Don't forget to look for me on the webcam - it's on the 3Day in Three Days post. Off to bed...next post will be post walk! Love you all!