I want to walk.

I will walk. But whether I can walk in the 3day for breast cancer walk next fall depends on if I think I can raise the money. The goal is $2300 this year.

So I’m still praying, thinking, plotting. I’m going to try to keep to the training schedule, so, we’ll see.

I’ll keep you posted.

~kim

Cancer just took my step father yesterday.

Happy New Year! 2009! Amazing! it just seems like yesterday we were fretting over the arrival of 2000!

Last year was same same for me in many ways. I’m firmly grounded in my community, church work, and volunteering at church. Work has been like a roller coaster, but that seems to be the life of freelancing.

The amazing difference for me this year was the Three Day for Breast Cancer! Training for this event, was a challenge and many changes in schedule. I met new folks, and was VERY encouraged by the support of my extended families! (I have lots of family!) I would not trade the experience for the world. I was so blown away but the people and encouragement! Getting to know Pam better was a great treat, and I am so grateful! Peter, Val, and Sue. What a blast they where!

So can I do it again? I VERY much want to but only one thing scares me: Raising the $2200. So many people gave above and beyond, but I don’t think I could ask that of them again. I need to come up with a plan to tap into some other “founts” of money. So pray with me that I can come up with some creative fundraising, and perhaps I will be there again, October 2009, walking 60 miles!

much love, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

~kim

They where giving out Starbucks, but I missed it.  Things were to start at 7am. There where some warm ups. Load music, then our host for the event. I don’t know her name. Someone important with the foundation, but I never did catch her name.  Then 8 survivors came out, carrying the flags.  There where many flags. We all took turns carrying them.  The flags for why we where walking… My Mother, My Sister, My Partner, My Daughter, My Father, My Aunt.  We were able  to yell the names of who we wanted to remember. I yelled out Daniela, my sister’s mom.  I though of Uncle Bob.  I thought of Kelly’s mom who was in the last stages of cancer.  I cried. Everybody cried.  Then the flags came out of victories and reasons to go on, we carried those flags too. Dreams, Hope, Faith, Turning Points…

Now it was time to go!

It took about 1/2 hour till we got out the gate. 8:10am if you’re keeping track.  Lots of cheering as people stream out through the gates.  Many people cheering us on, a whole Harley club, kids, grandmas, guys in tutus… the music is blaring… we are PUMPED!  When we get to where they scan our “cards” they give us a card that tells us where the Pit stops are. Pit Stops have food, water, Gatorade, and bathrooms. In the beginning not enough bathrooms, but we are still quite bunched together. By pit stop 3 the bathroom problems seemed over.

One of the most wonderful things where school kids cheering on the walkers!

I was up at 3:50am on Friday Morning. The plan was to leave at 4:30. Chris was to drop me off in Quakertown, than Emily meet us at Wawa and she took me to Willowgrove. Everything went with the plan great. After a healthy Wawa breakfast, I kissed Chris good-bye and drove off with Emily. I plugged in my iPhone to be sure I had as much power as possible.

Willowgrove was PACKED! I don’t know what we where thinking but it was wall to wall cars. They had a great system where you drove in the parking lot to drop off your walker and sped away. Took about 20 minutes to get into the parking lot, but when we did I was out and Emily was off. I quickly found the “F” luggage truck, but no sign of my team leader Pam. Pam was the only person I knew on our team. Pam’s sister and friends where joining her, but I had never met them. When I called Pam she said they where almost here and asked if I could see Pete. Well, it was very crowded and I can’t see anyone. I said I would wait by the truck. As I walk up to a clear spot by the truck, there is a guy, now there are guys, but very few, and he’s standing there alone, looking around. I try to get close enough to read his tag but my eyes are not that good anymore so I finally ask, are you Pete? Yes, it’s Peter! We chit chat, he’s from Phillipsburg and a cancer survivor. He met Pam on a training walk. I find our Pam is very welcoming and many people are asked to come along and walk with us. I am excited. I’m going to meet people, hear stories, this is great.

I quickly realize I am wearing no pink. I have no pinked packed. no hat, no shirt, no beads, nothing. Peter has no pink on today either, but has something for the next day. I am cheap and didn’t want to buy anything I didn’t need. I did not realize how much I would rely on that pink. When we where walking through the busier parts of the city, and was sometimes not sure which way to go I would look for people in pink, with pink backpacks and scarf, that pink was important. I apologize to my fellow walkers, not having pink.

It’s 4:10am and I’m sitting here as my hair drys.  Chris is still waking up. He will drive me to Quakertown where I will meet my friend Emily who will dirve me to the Willow Grove Mall.

I know i’m going to be early. I still have a pile of stuff sitting here on my desk. Not sure how any sweatshirts to bring. 40’s at night, but my sleeping bag is very warm. I don’t want to carry around too many things while walking either.

I’m a bit nerveous(sp) meeting new people, walking so long, sleeping in a tent. Nothing really big, well the walking thing.  It’s should be very pretty, the route is through north philly, then Saturday we go through downtown, and all the historical sites. I love the whole 1776 version of Philadelphia, that should be fun.

Ok. I should get some coffee in me!… I’m off!

You can still make donations.

~kim

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

So many people are giving so much! I am blown away by your charity and your support of me!

I’ve had so much cheerleading from friends and co-workers!  I’m very excited! Tomorrow I will spend resting up and packing my bags… I hope I can stay in that 35lb region!

I’ll keep you posted on my progress. I am going to bring my iphone, just pray I can charge it somewhere for a bit!

Did I mention the weather is to be party cloudy and clear / 50-60 degrees! I can live with that!

~kim

Tick Tick, the clock is going off in my head. I am on the last 5 days of getting excited for the 3 Day Walk. So much to do, more fund raining, walking, packing, guessing the weather. I’m a bit worried I may not be able to walk… I need to raise at least $600 more by Thursday. I have a commitment to raise $2200. Whatever I do not raise, I must donate myself. I am prepared to make a large donation, but really can’t commit $800!

We where also taken back this week with finding out my step-father has cancer. We are unsure of the type, and he is at this very minute driving to Houston to get a complete workup and opinion from what is suppose to be the best cancer hospital in the county, MD Anderson. I am praying for the best, and hoping this is something in the early stages that can be taken care of completely.

I guess cancer has touched every bodies life in someway. My thoughts are any strides made in research for one type of cancer, must help others, right? Please consider making a donation to the cause. No donation is too small!

Back on the street again, after what seems like too long a break for me, I got out walking today! One week seemed like a year! It’s amazing how I could put it off and get so busy! But OH! how I missed it!

Today I did a quick 6 miles around town. I was looking for a little quiet so I headed to the Lehigh campus, unfortunately the landscapers where out, about 20 with lawn mowers and weed whackers, so it was not as quiet as I had wished. So I turned to my music.

Today’s shuffle of songs threw mostly Peter Gabriel and the Who’s Tommy at me. There were a few Elton John songs too. I am wondering if my iPod was in an English mood with all the fog.

On Friday/Saturday I will be heading out on another 18/15 weekend. This will be the last really long walk before the BIG walk… WOW, just 16 days away! I don’t know if I’m ready. Physically yes, but mentally, not sure. But when I’m there, there I’ll be!