Recess Girl

Happy New Year and New Decade!!

"We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched.  Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives... not looking for flaws, but for potential".  ~Ellen Goodman

"We will open the book.  Its pages are blank.  We are going to put words on them ourselves.  The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day"!.  ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce

I used these quotes last year and they are worth repeating. I love the promise of a New Year, however, if you are anything like me, you come up with a list of things that could be improved. At the same time, somewhere in the back of my mind are all of the unfulfilled resolutions from last year. You know the ones that you were so dedicated to in January but could barely remember by March?

And yet . . I love starting on January 1st with that vision of the better person I could become. It is certainly irresistible which is why we tend to come up with these lists year after year.

This year, while I may be tempted to think about losing weight or clearing clutter, I know that those things don't really add up to who I am. I'm going to assign myself one simple task. I'm going to continue to work with a book called Handbook to Higher Consciousness by Ken Keyes Jr. This book was written in the 70's (one of Recess Girl's favorite decades) and is as timely today as it was then. Check it out - it has had a bigger impact on me than any other personal growth book I've ever picked up! (and you know this Recess Girl loves her personal growth books! All suggestions always welcome.)

In my next post I'll give you a little summary of the book - right now, I've got to go watch a movie - may your 2010 be full of recess without guilt!!

It's Thanksgiving Again!

As I have written before,this is truly one of my favorite holidays and seasons. While I may love the warmth of spring, the light of summer, the crispness of fall, I also love the starkness of winter. I love the look of trees with no leaves as much as I love the budding of new leaves or the color they brilliantly display just before they fall. One of the reasons I love this time of year is that it is filled with celebrations and holidays and ways that we create our own light, no matter how dark it is outside.

I especially love Thanksgiving because it reminds us of our many blessings. This year I was particularly thankful for a suggestion by my niece Courtney to post something that I was grateful for every day in November on Facebook. What a wonderful idea! I've loved it. I did get a bit of a slow start so I had to do a bunch on the first day but that is way ok!! So I'm thankful to Courtney and to all who spread gratitude. I've said this before, focusing on what I'm grateful for has changed my life. 

As this year draws to a close, I'm thinking about an even bigger gratitude challenge. I've been reading a lot about being grateful for your problems too. They are showing you places you need to grow or wake up or pay attention. I'll write more on that later. For now - A very Happy Thanksgiving and Holiday Season to All. May we all be grateful for every facet of life that makes up the jewel that each of us are! Remember to be grateful for who you are, what you contribute to the world and all of the ways you have spread light and joy as you have walked this path called life!

The Wild Walk

"Life's not about waiting for the storms to pass... 

It's about learning to dance in the rain."
~Vivian Greene

To all of my beloved supporters,

I want to first thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generous donation to the Breast Cancer 3-Day walk in Philadelphia, PA. Through your support, I was able to raise $4,000 for breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment through Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund. Together, the participants of the Philadelphia 3-Day raised $8 million dollars.

It seems that all we hear about is how tough the economy is and that people are not giving. You showed me that this is not true. One of the most overwhelming parts of this entire journey was the amazing response. When I first started out, I worried that I would not raise the minimum. I never would have believed that I would exceed it by nearly two thousand dollars. I feel incredibly blessed that I was able to facilitate the contribution of so much to this very important cause.

Unfortunately, the event did not go according to plan. Mother Nature had other ideas. After training walks totaling over 500 miles in the last 6 months, (not to mention over 22 hours of additional cross training) not one but two nor’easters blew in over the weekend. The rain and cold caused the organizers to cancel the first two days of the walk. As you can imagine, we were fiercely disappointed. The mighty walkers however, would not be stopped. We simply organized our own walks as best we could. The malls of Philadelphia, especially King of Prussia will probably never be the same after being invaded by thousands of women and men wearing their pink! Many others decided to go ahead and brave the elements and walk outside anyway. I did both. It was simply amazing to see folks regroup and carry on.

By the third day, we did have an official walk through the streets of Philadelphia. Again we started in cold, dark, wet weather but after a few hours, the rain stopped and we were grateful to all of the supporters who came out to cheer us on and keep us going. We cried during the very moving closing ceremonies, especially when the breast cancer survivors who had done the walk with us came through the crowd. It all seemed worth it at the closing ceremonies.

I managed to have a great time and certainly saw many examples of people making the best out of the situation. I can only imagine what the organizers were going through. I would have loved to have been able to have the full experience, though I did have one that will be talked about for years to come. I also feel fortunate that I have the option of trying again next year. Crazy you say? Well, you just had to be there.

The most important outcome of the weekend whether we walked or not, was the money and awareness raised to help put an end to this horrible disease. When you talk to a survivor or a husband who lost his wife at the age of 27, it’s much clearer how a bit of bad weather or a change in plans isn’t all that bad.

Thanks again for everything. Your support has meant the world to me!  

The Big Event Is Almost Here!!!

Well, here we are, just days away from the big event. Last weekend we completed our two longest consecutive training walks. We walked to Pennsylvania via the NCR trail (20 miles on Saturday) and 10 miles on Sunday. It was pretty fun to take our picture on the Mason-Dixon Line with Judy in PA and Julie in MD. This weekend we are doing an easy 10 miles and 8 miles. So hard to believe I would now call walking 18 miles in one weekend easy. It is also so hard to believe we’ve trained so many miles and raised our money and now we are so close to the actual walk.

 

I no longer have to worry about whether or not I can walk 60 miles. I just have to worry about packing, getting there, weather, yikes - I'll stop worrying and just picture the whole thing going smoothly and all of the people we will meet, stories we will hear and experiences we will have.

 

I want to thank you all for all of your support, love and generous donations. It has meant the world to me.

 

I will be thinking of all of you and the people in your lives that inspired you to give and me to walk. And please note - there is still time to donate. Just click here and you'll see my home page.

Breast Cancer 3-Day

 

I will certainly send out some pictures and update when it is all over.

 

Please know that I feel absolutely blessed to have you in my life sharing this experience with me.

 

Love, Julie

 

47 Days and Hurting - LOL

Ok - So here's the deal - 9 miles on Saturday and 17 today. One without my training buddy and one with. Guess which one was easier? You betcha - 17!!! But here's what came out of going it alone!! Never underestimate the power of friendship or solitude!!! However . . . for the long haul - I'll take friendship any day!!!

It’s not going as well today

I’m hot, I’m tired, my training partner isn’t here

My shoes aren’t right – too loose or too tight

How many times do I have to retie these laces

Am I getting a blister

Why is my back hurting so much

Why are these cars speeding though my neighborhood

It was cloudy when I left so I forgot my hat and sunglasses and now the sun’s out

This pack is bothering me

How am I going to walk nine miles

How am I going to walk 60 miles

Then I start thinking

How does a women get through the day after she has been told she has breast cancer

How does she sort through all of her treatment options

How does she tell her spouse, her parents, her children

How does she deal with being sick from the treatment

How does she look in the mirror after losing her hair or losing her breasts

How does she get through the day feeling lousy or worried

How does she keep a brave face and a positive attitude

How does she face the possibility of death

How do we all deal with the fear

How does a mother bury her daughter

How does a husband raise his small children alone

How does a child start the first day of school without Mom taking his picture

How does a sister not wonder what could have been

How does a child grow not being able to share their successes with the parent that is gone

How do people touched by breast cancer get through it all

How do we cope with the sadness of a life cut short

How do we all deal with the loss

How do we stop the loss

I think of these things and I know how

I just keep on walking

I just keep on asking for money

I just keep working to end this disease

I just keep praying more women will be like my sister, a survivor

And I just keep remembering to be grateful

That’s all I have to do right now

All I have to do is walk

It seems pretty easy

All I have to do is walk

Because I can

Because they can’t

All I have to do is walk

Julie Lynn

8-29-2009

Oooh, I Hear Laughter In The Rain

 

This could have been the theme last week and this week. I know the training tips says remember to train in all kinds of weather and conditions. Well, we've done just that so far. We've climbed through downed trees, walked miles in sprinkles and this past Sunday, we walked miles in a downpour complete with thunder. What else is there to do but laugh, jump in puddles and dream about dry clothes and hot coffee? We have to remember that not all training walks can end like the one pictured above.

That picture was taken at the end of a very hot summer afternoon where two resourceful gals did their miles inside the beautiful and air conditioned Tysons Corner Mall. They did say all kinds of conditions right?

We continue to be impressed with the generosity of everyone. We're so close to our goals and Judy has even met her requirement. So thanks everyone. Keep those donations coming and think of us out there getting ready. It has been a journey and I'm very aware of the fact that while we are having fun, others are going through the much tougher journey of dealing with cancer. Makes the mud, bugs, blisters and tired muscles seem like cake.

Thanks so much for all of your support and well wishes!!

Still Doing Great

So we are right on schedule. Our milestone this past weekend was 8 miles. It went very well. Woohoo! We were blessed with incredibly cool and non humid weather for July in the Mid-Atlantic. Barely even broke a sweat. Sunday, we did 6 miles in the woods with the dogs and with all of the distraction and softer ground, it felt pretty easy to me! (And somehow all of the mud and bugs ended up on Judy)

 

In addition, I've been so impressed with the generosity of donations so far. Everytime I get an email that says a donation has been made, I can't wait to see who it is from. Thanks to all who have been so generous! I love it and I'm so appreciative. Since this is a first for me, I had no idea what to expect! It has been great.

 

I bought a hot pink camera yesterday so look for some pictures soon.

Walking & Walking For A Cure

Dear Friends, Family, Coworkers & Supporters

This October, I'll be participating in a very special event called the Breast Cancer 3-Day.

I'll walk 60 miles over the course of three days with thousands of others. The net proceeds will support breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment through Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund.

I've agreed to raise at least $2,300 in donations.  Because I believe in the good work of both of these organizations, I’ve set my personal goal even higher at $3,000.  In addition to raising funds, I’ve started on a progressive training schedule that will take approximately 200 hours over a six month period in order to be ready for the walk.

So I need your help. If at all possible, the suggested donation is $100. In these tough economic times, I know this is a special commitment and I truly appreciate your making the best effort you can.  You can donate online at http://www.the3day.org/.  Just click on Donate Now and search for my personal fundraising page. You can also call 800.996.3DAY to donate over the phone.

I know I'm one of the lucky ones. Over four years ago, my sister Lori was diagnosed with breast cancer. Our family is thrilled by the fact that Lori is alive and well, and was able to recently celebrate her oldest son graduating from high school.

I know many others out there have not been so fortunate. I am doing this walk with my best friend Judy who lost her sister-in-law to breast cancer at far too young an age.  Since we both turn 50 in the year ahead, we also feel this walk is a great way to honor the blessing of our good health.

According to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, more than 200,000 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and nearly 40,000 will die from the disease. That’s why I’m walking so far - to do something bold about breast cancer.  I hope that you'll share this incredible adventure with me by supporting me in this important cause.

Thank you in advance for your generosity!

Sincerely,

Julie 

Big Vacation

I'm going on a cruise. Does that sound like Recess or what? I've never been and I'm so looking forward to discovering and exploring and soaking in the blue water and the sunshine and the warmth. 

It's a lot of money and the economy is bad and there have been lots of airplane crashes and . . . it's our 20th Anniversary and life is short and a cruise has always been on our dream trip list so . . . off we go. 

Recess happens!!

New Beginnings - Again

Ok - so it's been awhile - You are not even supposed to have a blog if you write this infrequently but hey - this is a time to begin again. It is the beginning of the year (well, kind of), we have a new president, I've joined a new gym, and now - I'm even on Facebook. I don't know how I will get this all connected but I'm working on it and having a bit of fun too which is really what RecessGirl is all about. The most amazing thing is to find folks you lost track of 20 or even 30 years ago. Amazing!! So here's to friends old and new, new beginnings and making connections!!! Wish me luck in writing more than once every year!!!

 

The Artist's Way

Why should we all use our creative power . . .? Because there is nothing that makes people so generous, joyful, lively, bold and compassionate, so indifferent to fighting and the accumulation of objects and money.
Brenda Ueland

This is a very early quote in the margin of Julia Cameron's book, The Artist Way. It is one of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite books of all time. As a Recess Girl, I'm most interested in how creativity and play are related. The support and encourage each other. They are partners in the Recess life.