Twin Cities Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

Good Morning! For whatever reason I didn't think to update my blog last night. Probably because I was watching, "The Pacific" on HBO. Amazing series so when it comes out on DVD, make sure you pick it up.

Yesterday was the Twin Cities Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and it was an incredible event, the best one I've been a part of yet. It was chilly 38 degrees so when I woke up at 5 am the layering began. However, once the sun started to peak over the buildings, it warmed up and the layers came off. If you aren't familiar with the Twin Cities event, it attracts 50,000 walkers every year and raised over $2.5 million dollars for breast cancer awareness and research.

The last few events I've done many different jobs but this year I was out on the course as a Race Marshall. I was stationed at the "Hug a Survivor" corner and got to watch every runner and walker go by. Our corner captain was telling us, the "Hug a Survivor" and the "Hug a Mother" corners are unique to the Twin Cities event and was started a while back when he and his buddy felt the walkers needed a pick-me-up while walking in the rain and the hugging began so they started yelling hug a survivor or mother!

It was somber and celebratory. One family in particular stood out. They lost their survivor after a second bought with breast cancer and where walking in her memory now. They stopped at the corner and gave each other the most meaningful hugs I think I've ever seen. I thought my family was good at hugging but they where better and you could just feel the love and loss that family was feeling. I felt privileged to be there to witness that moment.

Of course there were lots of hugs in celebration of many survivors and strangers hugging strangers. Lots of people were just there to support the cause and had no connection to breast cancer so they'd find a survivor and give them a hug.  Grandmas being mobbed by their grandchildren or at least the grandchildren that weren't confined in a wagon or stroller completely asleep.

It was wonderful and I cannot wait until next year but in the mean time, my mom has decided to walk withe me in the Chicago Komen 3-Day for the Cure. I'm so excited she's going to walk with me again and we've already booked our plane tickets. Now its 90 days to the 3-Day and time for some serious training!

Bobble Head and Mother's Day

My nephew is the cutest baby in the world! Gees that's obnoxious and imagine if I ever had kids of my own how annoying I would be about it. My apologies to all other babies but Mikey is the cutest baby old out there. I chose to ignore the fact that he's playing with a football and not a hockey puck for now just because he's enjoying himself.

When Mikey was born his name was gummy bear then squirmy worm and now its bobble head because when he "sits" his perfectly symmetrical head just wobbles around because he can't really sit-up on his own yet but he's the proud owner of 2 teeth at only 6 months old.

I digress, this weekend is Mother's day weekend and as much as I would like to curl up under the covers because it got "cold" here in Minnesota, its the Twin Cities Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. And as I have done every year since 2007, I will spend the weekend volunteering for my favorite organization, including getting up at 5 am on Sunday. I don't get up for work at 5 am but for curing cancer I will!

T-93 days and counting and mom is considering walking with me in Chicago which makes me very happy. What would make me happier is if my fundraising would get off the ground. Still sitting at a sad 9 percent of my goal and I'm a little disappointed but this weekend is the Linder's Flower Mart event so hopefully I'll get a good boost from that event.

As I mentioned the weather has been less than ideal since last week for training. If its not cloudy and chilly its sunny and windy. The problem with the wind is it blows the tree pollen around so if I train, I walk around like a zombie for the next few days from my allergies. Darn right I've been training still and walking around like a zombie at work, not good for the work product.

T-100 Days to Chicago

This blog has taken a turn for the 3-Day, really its called 3-Day Addict so I better start blogging about the 3-Day! Its officially 100 days from Chicago and I'm only at 9 percent of my goal. I'm disappointed but then again I did change my tactics this year and went viral with my fundraising letter so I'm going to get the snail mail going here and step it up my stalking tactics.

Speaking of steps, I'm training again. Finally the allergens in MN decided to back off a bit so I can go outside without fear of repercussions of running nose, itchy eyes and feeling like I got my bum kicked the next day. Last Saturday I spent 3 hours outside then spent Sunday sleeping for 14...not ideal when you haven't finished unpacking from moving in January. I live alone, who cares if I'm unpacked but it does keep me from crafting.

Training for the 3-Day is no joke and if you are serious about the 3-Day you need to be serious about the training and everyone that's done the 3-Day knows..."The best training for walking is walking." That means lots and lots of walking. Yes, it is tedious but its worth it when you cross that finish line knowing you accomplished something amazing for a good cause.

Tonight my friend Peggy hosted a training walk at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and its tulip season or week, hence the picture above and beyond. I guess last week there were daffodils everywhere but I missed that one, I was at my second outdoor baseball game of the season :) That's another blog post though.

All day today it was cloudy but as we got started on our walk the sun came out and shined and it was the most perfect evening, except for the geese poop. Yeah, there were geese, poop and I did yell at the geese for honking at us because they had to move off the side walk.

6-miles in the perfect weather with 3-Day friends and beautiful surroundings. Shout out to the Arboretum for sponsoring the training events for us, so nice of them.

Of course I was going to take photos of the pink tulips, I was on a 3-Day training walk!

I received an email this afternoon from a co-worker informing us that has been diagnosed with breast cancer. It broke my heart at first, the nicest lady of course with a horrible disease. Just puts this entire day in perspective and makes my soar arches tonight feel not so soar knowing that what I am doing will hopefully find a cure. Punky, this flower is for you.

Make sure you do your self exam tonight.

Mankey's Mellon Mission

You knew it was coming, my fundraising letter for Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure 2010, Chicago edition. I bought my shoes so it’s time train and fundraise for my favorite cause.

For those that do not know my story, I’m involved with the Komen because of my mom, a 5-year breast cancer survivor. After losing my dad at 6 years old and facing the possibility of losing my mom at 26 years old, I could easily sit back, and succumb to self-pity. Instead I decided to fight back by joined the world’s largest grass roots organization, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, to help end breast cancer.

My involvement started with volunteering for the Race for the Cure and a few years later I’m going to participate in my 4th and 5th Races for the Cure and 4th and 5th 3-Day events. I thought I would wait to walk again but as I volunteered at the informational meetings I was reminded:
• 90 percent of breast cancer diagnoses have NO family history of breast cancer,
• For every 100 women diagnosed, 1 man will be diagnosed with breast cancer,
• Every 3 minutes, 1 more woman or man will be diagnosed with breast cancer,
• Every 13 minutes one more parent, sibling, grandparent or child will lose their battle with breast cancer; and
• EVERYONE deserves a lifetime. 

My mom was my reason to get involved with Komen but my inspiration this year comes from the women of my generation. 1 of every 229 women in their 30’s will be diagnosed with breast cancer and I dedicate my walk to them. To help celebrate my own 30th birthday; I have set my fundraising goal at $3,000 and I am asking for your help to achieve that goal. Please donate and help keep my generation around to see their children grow-up and get married.

For 2010 I’ve chosen to walk in Chicago the first week of August then 2 weeks later I’ll become my alter ego Safety Princess and volunteer for the Twin Cities event as a member of the route safety crew. 

All funds raised will benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Komen has played a critical role in every major advance in the fight against breast cancer since 1982 including the discovery of the BRCA I gene, discovery of the hormone driven tumor and the use of MRI technology in detecting tumors that mammograms did not find.

To make a donation please visit my personal donation page: www.the3day.org/goto/ElizabethMankey.

On a much lighter note, it took me 3 years but I finally came up with my team name, Mankey’s Mellon Mission. Yes if you are unfamiliar with the 3-Day environment it can be vulgar but it keeps with the spirit of the 3-Day and remember I do wear a crown on my bike helmet and walk 60 miles in the name of finding a cure, not to forget the hundreds of miles and hours I spend training.

ATTENTION ALL TWIN CITIES RESIDENTS:
Don’t buy your flowers and plants just yet. On Mother’s Day weekend (May 7-10) go to any of the Linder’s locations and present the below coupon when checking out. Linder’s will donate a portion of your purchase to my 3-Day fundraising account! You can print as many coupons as you like, shop as many times as you like and of course feel free to give as many of the coupons out that you like to your friends or many co-workers…hint hint.

PS. Blogging pimping will return next week.

Latest Obsession, Etsy

Okay if you know me, that’s not new but I realized after being employed again and getting a good paycheck, I had some money left over after paying my bills which is a first for me to finally be financially sound. It’s been a good year since I purchased something fun and rarely have truly shopped Etsy because I was afraid I’d buy the whole site. Now that I purchased some more items; I thought I’d do a little blog pimping on their behalf with their permission of course!

Note about my technical ability...I have no clue how to link to link the photo back to the transaction or sellers site so I linked the title.

Obsession/Purchase 1: Disapproving Cancer Bunny, Apple Green

 

If you aren’t familiar with the concept behind whap/damn it doll, you take the doll when you are frustrated and beat the crap out of it on the counter/leg or any object near by, not kidding. My step-grandma gave me one a while back but since it was from Helen, I couldn’t beat the crap out if it, she handmade it! Over a year ago I came across Spidercamp’s store and the bunny with cancer across the chest and it was in my favorite color, green. I hearted the item and it was my first post-unemployed paycheck purchase! I really wish I could bring myself to beat the crap out if it though because that’s what I’d like to do to cancer but it’s just too cute, the bunny that is.


Obsession/Purchase 2: Spiral Wrapped Amethyst with Pearl Dangle Earrings

For my 26th birthday I bought myself a really pretty amethyst necklace from Lia Sophia but never purchased the matching earrings. Yes, I’ve spent 4 years looking for the perfect pair of Amethyst earrings and found them on while just checking out the “shop local” feature to see what my fellow Minnesotans make, and there are some very talented people here in sota! CosmicPony’sLair had a lot of cute items and poof; there were the earrings I’d been looking for. Better yet, the seller was Minnesotan with great product.

Obsession/Purchase 3: Long Wires... Sterling and Jade

 

Now I was obsessed with the jewelry sellers, well the truth is I’ve been obsessed for a while just never looked intensively because of my lack of funds. Did I mention I like green or really obsessed with green? I’m wearing green right now and my blog is green until college hockey season is over (Go Sioux!).


On the forums I came across a post by BityWhismy promoting a link share, which I have yet to get up and running. I promised I’d go and visit every store and did and came across ContempoJewels’ shop and these earrings and I fell in love instantly with these earings. They are so beautiful, contemporary and simple; I just don’t know what else to say except perfection and I got great compliments on Monday when I wore them to work!

That's all for this week and yes the geese are still making noise. To prove the geese do exist I took a photo this evening of them sleeping at 5:30 at night, no wonder they are up all night long!

Really Random Thoughts

I'm exhausted and when I'm exhausted I have the most random thoughts and I ramble. Just on the drive over to drop my car off for a transmission fix I started thinking these thoughts and instead of doing a bunch of posts, I'm clumping them together so you may chose your topic:


I don't live in the land of 10,000 lakes (Minnesota) I live in the land of 10,000 pot holes.
Its spring in Minnesota, at least it was for one day when it was 64 and ever since then it’s been in the 40's and cloudy and rainy, gross. As I sit at Panera Bread deciding what to eat, I'm also very indecisive when I'm exhausted, I can see a pot hole about a foot in diameter waiting to claim its next victim. Damn, a BMW swerved around it and avoid damaging whatever potholes damage that is expensive to fix. The BMW did almost hit that suburban swerving which would be interesting...I wonder who would win.

Still haven't decided what to eat, really regretting starting Weight Watchers yesterday.

Geese, lots and lots of geese which means lots and lots of other things geese deposit.
Last night I'm sitting in my apartment that overlooks a nature preserve (wonderful views, I'll try and take some photos). I'm looking out and watching the ducks and the birds and finally the sun sets. All I hear for the next 3-4 hours are geese, lots of geese honking up a storm. Okay, I get it you're back in town now be quiet I'm watching Jon Stewart.

Nope more and more honking and now I want to go to sleep and they are still honking. Seriously geese you are already despised for your friendly deposits on the sidewalks that I have to avoid when I'm out for a training walk and let's not forget to mention when you all decide to cross the street or freeway at an extremely slow pace and stop traffic, please take your time, I'm not late for work and now you are going to keep me up at night...at least your kids are cute till they molt.

Random photo moment from the 2009 Boston 3-Day of my mom and me before opening ceremonies, that would be energizer bunny ears in my face from the soaking rains.

Uh, I just ran out of random thoughts and a baby just sat down next to me, or really its mom put it next to me. My nephew is way cuter.

Shameless posting of the cutest baby ever (aka squirmy worm) by the best auntie ever.

He smiles a lot more now but this is his general expression unless he's having a conversation with me...he made some very profound statements about healthcare reform Sunday. That baby just keeps staring at me, I think it knows I'm writing about him. Now its smiling at me but my car is finished so I never did order anything. I'll pick something up on the way out.

Tah-Dah!

I've returned! After 4 attempts to get my old blog back, I gave up and started a new one so here it is. Also new is my job, haircut, apartment and my desire to end breast cancer forever!

Where in the world did the time go because I last posted in December saying I'll be back in January and instead of coming back in and posting, I hit the delete button, bummer. For those of you who don't know me, hi I'm Beth and I'm originally from North Dakota (keep the jokes to yourself unless you want a beat down) and live somewhere else now. I'm easy going but a red head so I do bite when provoked.


Early last year I was laid off from a company that I loved and still love and still secretly hope they hire me back in a different part of the company. I guess that's not so secret if I'm posting it on the web so, "Damn it Target will you call me and hire me back already!" Recently some one asked me why I left Target I responded, "They left me," as if it was some relationship break-up.


Speaking of being unemployed, just a courtesy reminder to the general employed public. When a new person starts at your workplace and they tell you they were laid-off from their old job 8 months ago, don't ask them, "What took you so long to find a new job?" You come off as an ignorant douche and are likely to have a shoe shoved up your bum shortly after making that comment. It's not funny because you have no idea what the person went through to get to that point and I've had it said to me 5 times in the last month and each time it's getting harder to smile and nod.

Me, I submitted resumes to over 500+ positions, spent hundreds of hours reformatting my resume and cover letters, attended probably 20 networking events, researched my target companies (no pun intended) and tried not to eat my stress away. All that work garnerd me 5 or 6 interviews with various companies and accepted my current position on day 364 from being laid off from Target. That's all I have to say about unemployment world and now my movie is starting so I best close this one off.