Great Weekend - Two Training Walks!

Beautiful Weather for our walks this weekend!! Beautiful Grandchildren to Inspire us!

Our team was together for the weekend. Lorianne arrived on Thursday with her kids, Ally 3 1/2 and Garrett 21 months. On Friday, Larry watched the kids so Lorianne and I could go visit Nancy. We had a great time. Nancy even showed us how to make some earrings and gave us three pair for our team to wear. She is still weak from the side effects of the chemo and the other meds, but also still upbeat and hopeful.

Friday evening Mike, Jennie and Aiden 24 months, arrived and the cousins really started having fun. We took a 5 mile walk on Saturday. Here's a picture of Mike, Jennie, Lori and kids at the beginning of our route, halfway through, and Jennie and Lorianne taking it easy in the driveway after the walk. They had set up lawn chairs to keep the kids from going out into the road.

On Sunday, I volunteered to stay home with the little ones (who needed naps) and Mike, Jennie, Lori and Larry did a 4 mile walk - checking out a new route so I can post some as a training walk leader. We had a great time. The kids also brought up some items for our upcoming garage sale the end of May. We checked out our friend Shasta's blog - they had a garage and bake sale this weekend. We are also including a bake sale - and plan to borrow their idea of making pink ribbon cookies!

Garrett and Ally like to wear their Mama's hat. Here's one more picture of the three grandkids helping Gigi cook!

Today I'll accompany Nancy to the doctor. She will have a scan and we'll get the results on Thursday. Please continue to pray for healing and for a cure!

Training Walk Leader Conference Call Tonight!!!

Hi everyone. I participated with several people who have volunteered to be a "training walk leader" for the period between now and our big 3 Day walk in September. We had a conference call tonight to bring everyone up to date on the importance of this group, and especially safety. It was very inspiring - AND there were two people on the call that I know - my son, Michael, who is our team captain - he's organizing walks in Orting, and Kim a great friend from the scrapbooking retreats who always makes me laugh!! Also an inspiring lady from North Carolina who is coming here to walk!!

This is an amazing journey - we all feel so blessed o be part of the 3Day community. Please consider a donation. Click on the 3 Day widget here on my page. Thanks in advance. PS - today was a 3 mile walk - not too strenuous and there were eight (8) eagles in plain view!

We have planned a huge communicty garage sale the last weekend in May. We will have lots of interesting items. I am a scrapbooking, card-making person - so I have made several different styles of cards - including a Breast Cancer Awareness series. My husband is a dahlia grower and has made a "cart" for fresh flower sales a little later this summer - to benefit the 3Day! Our fundraising programs are only limited by our imaginations!! Goodnight for now.

Training, Praying & Family Time

Today is Sunday. Yesterday was so beautiful here in Seattle. Spring has been slow in showing up, but she was in full splendor all day yesterday.

I was with Nancy on Friday to see a kidney specialist. He was very thorough and gave her the great news that he didnt believe her kidneys were a factor in the severe edema. All her blood work and her history pointed to that system being healthy. He epitomized compassion and said he was certain that with proper medication, she will be over this particular problem in a week. We both praised God for this positive appointment. While some of the therapy was being administered, I did a few errands for her. I left to head down to the southern part of our state to spend the night with Mike and Jennie, thinking I could get a walk in before dark. Wrong.

The traffic was bad and I decided to make a detour and spend the night with our oldest son, Jeff and his wife Shelia and our three oldest granddaughters, Darian, Morgan and Cameron. Had a great visit. I got up early on and went for a 3 mile walk around their neighborhood (which was our neighborhood for 33 years - as Jeff and Shelia bought our older home). I left the house at 6:30 and the sun was just coming up, birds singing and a clear beautiful sky. I prayed the whole time and had a sense of peace and well being.

It was time to depart at 8:00 a.m., as I was participating in a MOPs (Mothers of Preschoolers) Leadership Summit with Lorianne that day. Mount Rainier was out in all her glory and the drive was very pleasant and traffic free-yahoo! My role in MOPs is as a Mentor Mom to these young, inspiring mothers, and this Summit was a nationwide event, including a live webcast. I met several young women who hold leadership roles in their groups and some other mentor moms who had great experience on how best to support these leaders and all the young moms who come to the MOPs program. What a blessing.

Visited my mother-in-law, Ragna on the way home. She fell a couple of weeks ago and fractured her pelvis. She is recuperating well in a local rehabilitation center. We had a great visit and she remains positive and amazing at 93!

There was a long ferry line due to the great weather. I didn't arrive home until almost 8:30 pm, and my beloved husband, Larry, had dinner ready. I went to bed early and slept well. Today I plan to walk another 5 miles here at home. Thank you, Lord for all the blessings in our lives.

Another 5 Miles Today!

I'm happy to report another 5 miles under my belt after a lovely morning walk. The pace was not as quick (thought it would be 90 minutes - but took more like 110). Saw several eagles, and even though rain was threatening, it stayed dry the whole time. Planning on another 5 Friday morning before heading into town for a MOPs leadership event.

Had a great visit with Nancy yesterday. She's working hard to get rid of some edema. Her spirits remain high. We talked alot about the Dalai Lama's visit to Seattle later this week. For me, there is a sense of the fullness of spring, and a chance for some momentous changes. I finished reading the Wisdom of Forgiveness by the Dalai Lama. I wish all my Christian friends could read it and see that his purpose is not to push Budhhism on others, just share the wisdom he has gained. We are all connected, we don't have to be predjudiced or fearful of others who have chosen a different path.

I found out Sunday at church that the parish is "Walking to Jerusalem" - encouraging walking prayerfully and getting some good physical exercise. Everyone records their number of miles on Sunday for the previous week. More on this later. Be sure to visit my web page for the 3- Day - our team is just $30.00 from 25% of our goal. The widget is just below this post and at the top right! Thanks for reading. Gigi

Welcome to my Blog

Hello and Welcome to my Blog!

I am new at this but wanted to set up a page about the Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk coming up here in Seattle in September.

Here's a picture of our team, Breast Friends 4 Nancy -My youngest son, Michael formed a team to honor my sister Nancy who has recently completed a second round of chemo. She has been a huge inspiration to all of us. If you don't know about the 3 Day - it's a huge commitment - both physically and fundraising goals. You walk 20 miles a day for 3 days - that's 60 miles! Each walker raises a minimum of $2,200. Mike, Jennie, Lorianne & Gayle (Gigi to my grandkids).

We have been training and attended a Kick-off and shoe clinic last weekend. What a difference the right pair of shoes, that fit well makes!! I never knew your toes were supposed to be able to "play the piano" in the shoe and be at least a thumb width away from the toe. When I walked today - my feet were completely comfortable. Yahoo.

I'm going to figure out how to add a widget to this blog as it will take you directly to the Breast Cancer 3 Day site for more information!