The 3 Day!!!!

I hope this post turns out okay. There are so many things that I would like to put into this, but I honestly do not know how it will turn out. I would love to put in some video and lots of pictures. I am not sure if I will get all the tech stuff right. I also have to admit no matter how many pictures I show or how many great things I can say, you will never grasp how I feel about this experience. As we all talked about our weekend we all came to the conclusion that words can not describe it to people who did not attend. I definitely do not want to bore you, but i thought I would give a few highlights form each day. You may not care at all, but at least it gives me the chance to reminisce.

Thursday (Pre Walk day)
We all thought we were doing great that we left around lunch on Thursday, but we will soon learn that was not necessarily the case. We made good timing to Atlanta, so we moved onto Buford to enjoy dinner at Cracker Barrel. We took our time reflecting on the journey we had completed and the one we were about to begin. We get back in the car, we were on a high riding into Lake Lanier resorts, we get out cheer with folks..then it happens. We find out that it seems that the resort overbooked and our confirmed rooms, that they called about two weeks before to make sure we would be there, were now GONE! Thankfully Nicole let her "light" shine and "showed Linda the manager, Jesus." We camped out up in the front lobby and shared our story until we eventually got more rooms than originally booked and we had king sized beds....the best part, they were FREE!!!!! We all decided we might go back since it really was a pretty place.

Friday...Day One

We began with a little rain, but the sun started to rise as the opening ceremony began. The emotions ran high and we started to truly realize why we were walking. Most of our day was spent in Buford, GA. The first day seemed more like country roads, but it was a nice beginning. first lesson I learned was the snacks were good, porta potty not too bad, but the drinks were awful...in order to survive I must stop to find my favorite mixed berry PowerAde Zero. Right as lunchtime rolled around the rain began to pour. Second lesson learned..lunch was okay, but again in order to survive I must find a good lunch where they sell the one thing I had finally weaned myself off of.....Coke! Seriously though, the day was so much fun. Everyone as still trying to chat and get to know people. We got closer to Deluth, found my PowerAde, and closer to the bus top. Finally, we make t back "home" to a nice hot shower. Now one might think mobile showers seem odd, but after twenty miles you really do not even think about it. Dinner was wonderful!!! It was nice to sit down, eat, relax and have a few cups of coffee. I turned in early that night, but sleeping is not for those who are light sleepers. between the snoring and hair dryers I got little sleep. I want to point out that I am not complaining because I really was not tired. I was so thankful to be indoors at the North Atlanta Trade Center...I didn't care!

Saturday...Day Two

For those of us who can't sleep we all wait for breakfast to be served. Definitely the smart thing is to get up early and eat...no lines!! Our whole day is spent looping around Deluth, so we have our fair share of gas stations, clean bathroom stops and Wendy's for lunch. We begin to learn to not really stop at many pit stops because the lines are too long. Grab a free snack and find somewhere else to take care of business and get a drink. Also all your medical needs are found at CVS!!! The cheer stations were great for candy, snacks and people even had doughnuts. We loved that Whole Foods had fruit and water!! My mom and aunts even were walker stalkers!! They had a us tons of all our favorite drinks ad candy!! Saturday was a long day, but we still managed to have fun while we walked. We managed to get back to camp early. That was a a great advantage. No shower lines, no massage lines, no food lines!! I think I was more excited about getting to get my phone charged!!! Saturday night we really enjoyed the speakers and entertainment, but the highlight was the dance party. You would never believe that after forty miles everyone was up dancing the night away. Some people were worn out b/c the again snored the night away. I got up once to go to the bathroom and people were taking down their tents...seriously

Sunday...Day Three

Everyone is up early packing, deflating, taking down tents and sorting through all those Ziplocs!! We had decided not to get in too big of a hurry because we knew if we finished too early we would be at Turner Field for a long time. Our route today was downtown Atlanta. It was a cold start that morning, but we were all excited about the day. We made some interesting pit stops for our group that day. We managed to find our usual gas stations, but found a nice hotel, Mella Mushroom, Starbucks and the best was the open house near Georgia Tech. We did learn our townhouse pit stop was only $628,000! We had tons of cheerleaders that day. Of course they had more doughnut holes and candy! The end of journey was amazing! We all walked in together to the PARTY in Turner Field! We also had a blast cheering on all the other walkers. Walking arm in arm to the closing ceremony was such a moving experience, but the highlight was the shoe raising for the survivors. It was here that we learner we raised a little over $5 million dollars!!!!

We were so fortunate to have my mother and aunts to get our luggage for us. That really saved a lot of time. We were able to get in the cars and head home.

Post Walk

The recovery was not so bad. We were all thankful to complete the race and only have a few minor injuries among us. It was weird getting back to reality, but eventually we did. The hardest part was getting used to walking down the sidewalk and not having people yell and cheer for you!!

Thank You!!!

I could never had this experience if it was not for some of you! So many of you supported our fundraisers, participated in our events and bought whatever we sold. Also a lot of you provided so much support for us as we progressed in out journey. Like I said words could never express how thankful I am. I a also thankful for all the people involved in the event. We had an awesome crew, inspiring walker stalkers....especially the children and all the businesses who opened the doors to us as we walked. I am most grateful for the survivors who were some of our biggest inspirations. Our own special survivor Donna was definitely our inspiration!

The 3 Day is an indescribable experience. It has been very hard to keep thinking about it. I will never forget that weekend. I hope to make this a annual event for me. Always consider donating to this cause and if you can Stand for something and walk toward it!!!!

Impressions of a 3 Day

I came across this on the 3 Day message boards and I new people who have participated in the race would get a kick out of it, but I also thought some of you who might ever consider doing it might like it. It definitely depicts how a lot of people feel and some thoughts that I am sure everyone had I hope you all enjoy it!!

Impressions of a 3 day:

1st day

*smug…I’m so organized!
*Say what?
*Who?!!!
*Where do I go?
*Patti???!!!
*why am I doing this?
*I hate pink!
*Walking… yeah -This is easy!
* oh boy dinner is ready!
*voice of an angel! (Barbara)
*where is my toothbrush, Flashlight, underwear, geez All these plastic bags.
*cement floors, pink tents, porta potties, but ahhh… hot showers
*2 a.m. is someone crunching pretzels?
*4 a.m. is that a blow dryer???
*I’m not doing this next year!

2nd day

*dang I’m glad that little tiny mirror is foggy
*someone made the coffee for me!
*someone made breakfast for me!
*music, laughter, dancing, smiles
*dang, I sure don’t get this at home!
*this is easy
*Walking… yea- this is easy
*droves of cheering, smiling people thanking Me? Huh!?
*candy, popsicles, oh my gosh donut holes!!!
*just one more mile and mostly Down hill.
*Walk on. How hard can this be one foot in front of the other.
*ok, is that what a blister feels like?
*I have never in my life used a plastic hat cover!!
*I don’t even like pink!
*Are these adult women lining up for little smiley face stickers… and I am in the line???
*walk on… *This is not that hard!
*passing on your left.
*A race a race, I’m winning, I’m winning!
*ok, slow down it’s not a race
*The trees are sooo pretty… woops watch that manhole!
*Ok I need some music and some stickers!
*Stopping is a bad idea!
*Bend and stretch Reach for the trees There goes tamara There go my knees!
*Oh boy dinner is ready!
*is that ellen degeneres?
*amazing grace , amazing women!
*I think i know why I am doing this.
*remarkable strength!
*I like to move it move it move it.
*I can’t believe I’m dancing like this in front of people!
*there’s no place like… my pink tent. Ahhh sleep.
*I see pink people.
*I might do this next year!

3rd day

*they call me rip snort!!
*help I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!
*ok let me try these shoes.
*does Vaseline really help?
*oh boy breakfast is ready!
*I can do this.
*walk on
*was that a pink vw van…cool!
* why are these people following me!
*Where are my peeps?
* ladies with tears in their eyes and bald heads cheering me on?!
*moved beyond words
*I like pink!
*boobs, boobies, Tata’s, the girls, tits, mommaries, Puppies, headlights,
*you know that guy looks pretty good in a skirt!
*Ok this is kinda hard.
*just one more mile and mostly down hill!
*you say that one more time and I’m gonna take you down.
*moved beyond words!
*survivors!
*such strength!
*Loss
*gain
*admiration
*60 miles is nothing!!!
*I love pink.
*a cure?
*I know why I am doing this!
*I’m definitely doing this next year!

Day after a 3 day

*Ok, why isn’t the coffee ready, and where’s my breakfast?
*who used all the hot water!!!
*Umm, excuse me… I entered the room, please stand and cheer!
* hey! Where’s my candy?
*I’m sorry please don’t disturb me I take breaks every hour!
*Lunch, people!
*why are the colors so dull in here!
*Where have all the flowers gone?
*Where’s my ride?
*What do ya mean dinner’s not ready?
Can't wait til next year!

Patti 08,09,10 Let's Hear It For THE GIRLS!!!!!

Getting Ready

The last few months were filled with training and fundraising for the 3 Day. My last fundraising post was about Pink Bunco. Not too long after that were the Wal Mart weekends. The first weekend only Jan and myself made it to Wal Mart. WE got up early loaded EVERYTHING form drinks, shirts, tables, signs and coolers. We get to WalMart set up and begin to eat breakfast when the bottom falls out. Needless to say we had to put everything back in the car and unload it again at school. We were drenched, but we got a good laugh about it. the next weekend we all took our turns sitting out in the blazing the sun, but we made more money that over a shorter period of time than anything else we did. Gotta love those Wal Mart shoppers!
Our next event was the yard sale. Now I will say I wasn't looking forward to this because I am not a fan of these events. We all met on a Friday to price, but little did we know our stuff took up the entire floor of our school auditorium. It was evident that we would not be doing any individual pricing. Next, we had to haul all this stuff to Juanita's. A few of us then began to put everything out until we all decided we were going to die of heat exhaustion. Once Saturday came we had a bright and early morning. I have to admit I never in my life have seen so much stuff. I wish I would have taken a picture. We could have clothed a small town with the clothing we had. We were fortunate to have so many people to donate so much stuff, but I would never thought it would have looked like this. We did make quite a bit of money but it was a lot of work. We barely made a dent in the stuff, so we decided to donate some to a local charity and then a man came to pick up the close to ship to Africa for a mission trip. I think we clothed a small village and they probably each had a new pair of shoes.
In July we began to train some. We had some interesting adventures on hikes at TVA, but I will admit they were fun! We really slowed down on the fundraising until school started back. We were getting so close we only had to sell more shirts and get some donations.
Training was always fun. Megan and I spent a lot of time training. We probably over trained. We also had some training walks. We walked in the heat and even the rain. We walked in neighborhoods, hiking trails, and even participated in some 5K's. I always enjoyed the walks because I feel like that is where I got to know my teammates more. Those were some of my favorite memories.

Okay so I have to mention more about the 5K's. WE participated in two 5K's. Several of us did the Power of Pink which was a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. It was a great experience that made me want to get back into running. We walked most of the first one.
Next was the Shoals Christian Race. It rained that day so I was the only the team ember to compete, but I had friends there. I ran more of it because it was in my neighborhood, so I had trained there a lot. I also ran more because I was trying to avoid getting wet. I took home 2nd place in my age division that say...so what that there were only two of us!!! I am getting hooked though. I am ready to start back running.

Back to School

I love the beginning of a new school year!! I get excited about the possibilities that it can bring and even more excited about seeing my kids again. One positive of my job is I get to be with the same children for long periods of time. We did get one student this year, but I had worked with her at ESY. It was neat to get the chance to see her a little before school began. This made such a difference in getting ready to work with her. I again have the privilege of working alongside Susan. We did have one new face this year in Delta Dawn. Most of us already knew her, but she was new to the "hood." She may not think this job is her forte, but she does a great job and without her we would not have near as much fun!
We really did not expect a lot of change this year since we have had the kids for awhile, but unfortunately that hasn't been the case. This has ended up being a challenging year that in the end will teach us a lot of lessons. Most people have been surprised that I still would want to come to work everyday, but I honestly have still loved my job. Now some days I didn't like what was going on but I could never do anything else. I am fortunate to work with some wonderful people, so we can always make the best of any situation.
We have had a turn around lately and things are easing up, but it is only November and we have a lot of school left. We have also had some really great memories for the year. Just yesterday we had a great time jamming out to MJ and playing together on a beautiful fall day. I can only say that there is a time and a purpose to everything.

Been A While

Okay, so it has been quite a while...almost six months since I have posted. I wish I could say I was so busy I did not have time, but mainly just too lazy to take the time. I also rarely ever use my laptop since I can just use my iPod touch. I did get some kind of virus on my computer over the summer, so that is when I just gave up posting. I did finally take the time to clear up the virus, but truthfully since then I have been busy

I had a nice relaxing summer. I truly enjoyed teaching for the Extended School Year (ESY) program. I got to continue working with a few students and I also got to meet some wonderful new children. It was only a couple of days a week for one month, but it was a great experience. I hope I am fortunate enough to do it again.

I did not go anywhere on vacation, but instead I got some much needed rest at home. I filled my days with hanging out with some of my favorite boys...Grant, Benjamin, Sam and Eli. I truly enjoyed the week Grant and Benjamin spent at the house while Tracy did AMSTI. These guys are getting older so I know it will not be long until they aren't going to want to hang out with me as much. then there is Sam and Eli who are just getting old to have lots of fun. I loved the incident this summer with Sam at the playground...priceless.
I also spent some time fundraising and training with the Fighting Falcons , but I will get into that later. I guess IA m the weird one because I was glad when it came time to start back to school. I always love the beginning of a new school year!

Think Pink Bunco

Okay so it took me a week to actually post about it, but last Monday was my turn to host bunco. Since the 3 Day Walk is such a big part of my life this year I decided to have a "pink" themed bunco. Read carefully...I cooked...that is what I said...I cooked all pink food. We had pasta with pink sauce, shrimp, bread with pink butter, fruit (in the red pink color) with pink fruit dip, and of course a version of strawberry cake. The decorations were all pink...not "blush and bashful" but light pink. All of my prizes were things that donate money to breast cancer research. I think everyone had a great time...we always do. Everyone won went home with some kind of prize, so that is always a great night!1 Also a big thanks to all my bunco ladies for helping me reach my goal to walk 60 miles in Atlanta!!!!

May be I should have taken pictures of the food, but I doat least have some witnesses!!

10 years

Some of my readers may be thinking this is going to be some blog to reminisce about my high school days that ended ten years ago but I am not. I did consider blogging about life ten years later, but really i just have not wanted to blog lately. It is hard to believe that it has been ten years, but I am over high school. I want to talk about something more important.

Just ten years ago this week I had returned back from being at the beach for a couple of weeks and I was working in order to make some money before going to Maywood the next week. It was a Tuesday afternoon and my mom had picked me up in Winfield from work. I can remember we had small talk before she finally broke the news to me that Charlotte had cancer. I had known some people who had been diagnosed with cancer, but never someone so close to me. At the time it was like someone telling me that my own mother had been diagnosed. Ten years ago I had never head of colorectal cancer so it might as well have been a death sentence. I wanted to cry so badly...but Lacey does not cry. I finally felt a tear trickled down. My next thought was I have to call my partner in crime "sin." Rich had always called Alisha and myself Sin and Death (Paradise Lost reference). Then I wondered should I call Rich or what do I do. Email was coming a popular form of communication so after I cold not get her on the phone I tried to express my feelings through the WWW.

After a couple of days Alisha and I finally went to see Rich. It was a Thursday night and we just all tried to sit and talk about our beach trip, Rich's moving into her house anything until finally we broke the ice. I can still remember how scared I was. I was 18 I had not a clue how to talk to someone about something like this. In those days I expressed all my feelings in a letter, so as we left l gave Rich my letter, an angel and I think that is when I gave her the hope bear. Over the next few weeks I researched colorectal cancer (after all it was Charlotte who taught me how to research), cried and prayed. Also back in those days there were not as many people in Charlotte's corner as there are today. Now I say that not to be ugly, but looking back I do not remember the support system being as large. I think because of how she fought and the faith she has had is why now so many people look to her as inspiration.

Ten years ago I reluctantly left her behind as I went to college. I tried to keep in touch each day. I ran up the credit cards sending her flowers to brighten her toughest days...because don't flowers do that. In September of '99 I remember almost passing out at the hospital because I didn't know what to expect. I will be honest I prayed each day that she would be able to live.

Medicine and science have really came a long way in the last ten years. Charlotte has definitely been through it all. I could never believe either of the two have been as powerful as faith and prayer. Charlotte taught me so much over the last ten years. Now when I hear the word cancer I think more of hope than I do doom. I have never given up hope on her and I never will.

In the summer of 1999 I would have given anything to to help her out and I tried to be there every step of the way. Now in 2009, I still would do anything for her. I still pray each day for her and now I pray that I could only have half her faith and a little of her strength. Over the last ten years I know I have let her down. I have gradually pulled further away. I know a few years ago it was because I was afraid to get to close because I knew I would never make it if something happened to her. Now I have tried to become more a part of her life, but I know she has so many people who are present in her life each day that I seem like a fair weather friend.

I do want her to know that on this day every year I remember her more than most days. I remembered how I felt that day and how I know how much I loved and admired her that day and how much I still do each day. I wish I could remember what I wrote in that letter years ago, but I do know I have always expressed how much Hope I wanted her to have. I have said many times...hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings a tune without the words and never stops at all.