Rocking Chicago 1 mile at a time...

for 13.1 miles!

Training for, fundraising for, and running with Team in Training in the Chicago Rock & Roll 1/2 Marathon, has by far been one of the best experiences in my adult life. Words will never be able to express what it has meant to me, or the impact it has had, on my life. I began this adventure because of the love that I have for a friend who has been a major influence to me --she has been there for every major milestone that I have had since high school. Karen, is my best friend's mom, and has had Lymphoma. I began this in honor of Karen, and in the process of this endeavor, I was touched by the support of many and personal stories that warmed my heart...Nathan, Geri's sister and many others who have fought this terrible disease.

I decided to run in the Chicago Rock and Roll 1/2 Marathon with Karen's daughter Heather & her Husband Paul with Team in Training. Being in Virginia, I wasn't able to train weekly with the Team in Training team, however, you would not have known it! The support I received during the race was absolutely amazing. TNT requested that we add our names to the front of our shirts, and so we did. And to my surprise, all through the race, I heard shouts from the crowds "Go Team" and other encouragements attached with my name! It was empowering & inspiring! And at any point when I passed by a coach or mentor, they would jump in the race, and run side by side with me for a little ways. They didn't know me at all, but it made such a difference!

If you are ever looking for purpose, or to make a difference in the life of others, I highly recommend participating in a Team in Training event. You don't have to be a super star, or fast runner, just an individual with steadfast determination! And you will find that regardless of your finishing time, you are a winner.

Runners ready!

Paul, myself & Heather! Finally finished!

Such sweetness!

Thank you to all who aided in my efforts! Together, you helped me raise over $1700.00 to fight blood cancers!

6 hours & counting...

Tomorrow is the big day and my nerves are starting to settle in. All of the stories that have been shared with me are flooding my head and I have no doubt it will be an emotional race. This is the first time I have seen my girlfriend Heather since her mom's diagonosis and that in itself brought on the tears. Tomorrow we will not only be rocking Chicago, but we will be running and walking for so many who cannot...and for so many who now can because of Team in Training & the Leukemia & Lymphoma society. Until tomorrow...

Creativity at it's best!

An arrangement absolutely perfect in every way! What more could a scrapbooker/cardmaker want?? Scrapbooking products, flowers, and chocolate! The only thing needed is time to enjoy! This beautiful arrangement was designed by my friend Michele Bridges as my raffle prize for my Fundraiser this weekend--Luau-ing for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society! Too bad I can't win! lol! CTMH products included are: Liquid Glass, Edge Distressor, Summer Carnival Bigger Brads, Summer Carnival Sassy Strands, Summer Carnival Brads (regular size), Bonding Memories Glue, Sanding Kit, Prisma Glitter, White Daisy Mini-Medley Accents, & White Daisy Brads. $60 retail value just in CTMH product!

There will be other great raffle prizes from the fantastic vendors from Longaberger, Pampered Chef, Scentsy, Premier Designs, Tupperware, Mary Kay & Local Merchants! Tickets are $1 each or 6/$5. E-mail me if you would like to pre-purchase tickets.

Luau-ing for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society--Auction Goes Live now!

Welcome to Luau Week! I have organized a fundraiser for this Sunday, July 12th at the Plains District Community Center in Timberville, VA. The event, Luau-ing for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is a vendor summer Celebration. I have consultants from many awesome Direct Sales Companies that will be present to strut their stuff! As a part of my table, I will be selling the following retired items at HUGE discount prices & all of the proceeds will go to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society! You can purchase yours here, and now! The quantities available are listed by the item. I will update these as items sell down. Please know that the items available are in limited supply.

To order, send me an e-mail and we can work out payment and delivery/pick-up arrangements. If the order needs to be shipped, please add a $8 for shipping. Special note: for those of you in the Lima & Toledo area, I will be traveling there the last week of July, and will be more than happy to deliver them to save you shipping cost.

For more details about the event itself, visit the Luau's Blog at:

http://luauforleukemiaandlymphoma.blogspot.com/

or, you can always e-mail me at: inallsassiness@juno.com.

Deck the Halls My Stickease (4 sheets to pkg) - $4
Qty Available: 2

Denim Days Level 2 - $6 Qty Available: 4

#1 DAD: My Reflections Scrapbooking Kit Qty Available: 4

Brass Templates: $3 each or 3/$5


Qty. Available: 3

Qty. Available: 2

Qty. Available: 8

Qty. Available: 7

Qty. Available: 1

Qty. Available: 1

Qty. Available: 13

Qty. Available: 6

Dimensional Self Adhesive Ribbon Slides, Bookplates, Charms $4

Atomic Caps My Acrylix Stamp Set $6 Qty. Available: 2

Princess Stamp Set $8 Qty:1
Abundnce Borders $6 Qty:1

Miracle Stamp Set $8 Qty. 1

There will also be an awesome raffle available! Each vendor has donated a prize, and the CTMH prize is amazing! It is filled with CTMH products in the Summer Carnival Palette, all beautifully put together with flowers! Designed by my friend Michele, it will delight all of your senses! Stay tuned to my blog later this week for a photograph. Raffle tickets are $1 each or 6/$5. If you would like to purchase tickets, send me an e-mail.

Tomorrow is the day!

I am so excited! Tomorrow is my Cropping for Change Crop for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society! It will be a day filled with fun, friendship, food, and of course Scrapbooking! I can't think of a better way to spend the day!

I just received my Goodie Box, and put the list of Raffle items up on my website! They are as follows:

My Accents Organizer ($22.95 value)
Cherish How-To-Idea Book ($21.95 value)
Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad Set (winner's choice of Palette) ($29.95 value)
Autumn Garden Ribbon Rounds ($9.95 value)
Just Chillin' Power Pack: Includes Just Chillin' Level 1 Pack (with My Stickease, Page Protectors, B&T Paper, Coordinating Cardstock, & More), and Bonus B&T Paper & Accents! ($20 value)
My Acrylix Stamp Set Combo: Good Times & Flower Fairies ($27.90 value).

The raffle will be at 7PM. Tickets are: $1 each of 6/$5. Need not be present to win. If you would like to purchase raffle tickets, e-mail me at: inallsassiness@juno.com.

I run in memory of one more...

As most of you know, I am in the middle of training for a 1/2 marathon to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I began this journey because a dear friend of mine had survived Lymphoma. But as I talk to more people, and share what I am doing, and why, I am touched more and more by the stories that others have shared with me. Just this evening, I was talking with one of my colleagues at work, who I think the world of, and she shared with me that her husband had lived with Leukemia for 7 years before losing his fight. I asked her to write a few words about her husband that I could put it on my Team in Training Fundraising Page. This is what she wrote:

N ice
A lways Loving
T rustworthy
H My Hero
A lways there for me
N ever Negative

B rave through sickness
O ther people first
L ots of fun
T houghtful
O utgoing
N ever far from my mind

I was touched by Margaret's thoughts. She is a remarkable woman. And her husband was a remarkable man. A Christian. A man who gave of himself effortlessly. Who taught Sunday School each week. And a man who never once complained about the pain, or the treatments.

I am running for Nathan. And all of those who cannot run for themselves.

Woohooo! Team in Training Update!!

I have to call out a large Woohoo!! for TWO major reasons! First, I ran 6 miles this am! (and whew, am I exhausted!!!) and second, with many, many thanks to friends and family, I have reached my first goal of $500.00! I am so blessed to have such wonderful supporters! The personal messages of encouragement have meant the world to me!

Along this journey, I have also met several individuals who have honored me by sharing their own stores. My heart has been touched even more. So today, I re-commit to running this 1/2 marathon not only for Karen, but also for "Judy" & "Geri's Sister".

Here is the link if you would like to follow my progress!