Making A Difference

I know, I am just not carrying my weight where it comes to the blogging thing...  And this time around I don't even have any cute photos to post! I haven't been updating the blog at all because life around here has been so busy.  The Farmer's Market season is starting up again, the store has kept me super busy during the days, there are school functions and kindergarten round-up meetings, preschool enrollments, DDA Board meetings (yep, on that now as well!), and not to mention just the daily laundry, cleaning, and cooking to be done.  So, I have sacrificed my computer time in favor of hanging with the kids and husband.  I'm guessing you're all forgiving me at this point now!  ;)

Anyway, there are two very good reasons for me to break into my day and add a post out here.  One is the DeWitt Relay for Life.  It is an American Cancer Society event that is held in communities nationwide, and DeWitt has their own on June 8th and 9th.  I will be participating in this event on the One Step Ahead team.  You can visit my personal page that links to our team page for more information on our walk.  It is a 24 hour relay event.  We keep at least one member of our team on the track walking at all times, starting at 3 pm on the 8th and ending at 3 pm on the 9th.  The money we raise through this event goes toward cancer treatment/cure research.  I am walking in honor of my father, a cancer survivor, and in memory of my godmother, who fought the disease bravely for as long as she could.  If you would like to support this wonderful cause, and my walking in the wee hours of darkness, you can make a donation on my webpage as well. 

The other event that is equally important to me is the Breast Cancer 3-Day.  This is a 3-day, 60 mile walk to raise funds for breast cancer research.  I am participating in the Chicago 2007 3-Day, August 10 - 12 of this summer.  I need to raise $2200.00 just to be able to participate in the walk, and my personal goal is to raise $5000.00 for the Susan G. Komen organization.  I am on a team with my mother-in-law, who walked in it last year.  I'm really looking forward to this journey!  I have already begun my training for it, and will be doing a LOT of walking/cross training this summer, it seems!  Although I am participating for the memory of the women I have known affected by this disease, I am walking more so in honor of my daughters.  When I look at those three sweet little faces staring up at me, wide-eyed and innocent and full of joy, I know that I owe it to them to do everything I can to try to spare them from any heartache or fear in their lives.  With this walk, I can do my small part in helping to prevent them ever fearing breast cancer.  Won't you help me reach my goal to allow me to participate?  I'm doing this for all of our daughters, and you can be a part of that.  No donation is too small.  Simply click here to be taken to my 3-Day pledge page.   

So, yes I am openly begging for money!  But both are very worthy causes, and I am committed to giving 100% to both events.  And don't be surprised if this becomes an annual thing for me!  There is a certain satisfaction you get deep down in your soul from being a part of something greater than your immediate day to day world.  Knowing you are helping to make a difference in someone else's life is an incredibly fulfilling feeling.

OH!  And one more thing!!!!  Yes, our postal system is usually incredibly reliable and efficient, etc.... but  I just received the best valentine's day package from Beki!  I need to install my camera's software on the computer at work so I can post pictures from here...  It is the most adorable little zippered bag/pouch done in valentine theme fabrics, and I dearly love it!  Thank you so very much,  it is truly a treat!  And beautifully made, as always... girl, you got skilz!  THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

OK, off to finish up my day in the shop... if anyone needs me tonight (or any other night after this, for that matter), I'll be on the treadmill after the kids get to bed.  Wish me luck!