endings and beginnings

Endings

Last night was the final session for the inaugural Komen fitness program.
There weren't quite as many people there as there was the first night, but the ones there were just as spirited as they had been on Day One.
Miss Betty, the 84 year old, had attended every single session! There were about 15 others who had also been there every night, several of them breast cancer survivors. It was a good evening for walking, and yes, I did get my tee shirt! Even though my foot gave out and I had to miss 2 weeks, I still earned my shirt, which I am proudly wearing today. I also managed to walk around War Memorial about 5 laps before sitting out the rest of the evening.
If you get a chance next year to do the Komen Fitness program, please consider doing so. The leaders, especially Tbyrd, were all great & supportive, the other participants are super nice, and it was an excellent time for sneaking in exercise while meeting other people.
So go next year--you won't regret it!

Now, are you ready?! Got those sneakers all laced up? TOMORROW is the big day! 44,000+ were registered as of yesterday (Thursday) afternoon. Our team will meet no later than 7:30 a.m. at the corner of 4th and Broadway, on the Regions Bank side, underneath the street sign that says "Broadway". I have pictures of the corner if you need a visual reference. Let me tell you, you need to leave EARLY to be there by 7:30, as traffic is crazy, the crowd is really crazy by that time, and it's a challenge getting thru the crowd to get to "our" corner.
We will have balloons this year--3 pink Disney Princess balloons, 2 purple balloons, and 1 white balloon. So look for those particular balloons and follow them to our meeting place! Also, cell phones do NOT work in that particular spot--so don't tell someone you'll call them--because their phones won't work, and if they do, you won't be able to carry on a conversation due to all the media,music, and helicopter noise. . . and, don't forget the Dancing Firemen!! I know they will be causing a hot time for sure. So it will be wild--but, it is *alot* of fun!! Hope to see you there!

Tonight is the Pasta Party; Elizabeth D, Wendy, and myself will be there for all the food & entertainment. If you want to join us, call Komen (202-4399) to see if there are any tickets left.

Now, for beginnings:

I am very happy to announce that 2 of our team members are now grandmas!
Kathy Seymour has a new grandson, Monroe Michael Seymour, born Oct. 5th in Tulsa. He weighed 8lbs, 11 oz, and is 20-3/4" long.
Barbara Davis checked in with Karm this morning; she too has a grandson!
Barbara announced that her new grandson, Emmett Roland Davis McHugh was born this morning! He weighed 8lbs, 7ozs. and was 20 inches long, with lots of black curly hair!
What wonderful news! Congratulations to our grandmas--may their grandchildren be blessed with lots of peace, love and happiness, and may they be a blessing to all those they meet.

And may you all be blessed with peace, love, and happiness--it has been a pleasure and honor to serve with Wendy as your 2009 Co-Captains.
As we have said many, many times--you all are simply awesome--the best team ever!

And now, we'll leave you with this Irish blessing:
"May love and laughter light your days, and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours, wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world with joy that long endures.
May all life's passing seasons bring the best to you and yours!"

Cheers,
Judi

Games!

Info from Sally:
Arkansas Children's Hospital was in the lead to win some goodies for the kiddos--but now they've fallen behind.
Please vote, and pass the info along to all your friends, family, Facebook buddies, etc.

"Pass this on to everyone you know in Arkansas - text it, e-mail it facebook it - Iowa has banded together and moved ahead of us from 3rd place - last week they were 140,000 behind and now they are ahead, we could lose this thing big time. Let's finish strong and huge. Remember to vote all ten times - Call your friends and neighbors - each e-mail address can vote 10 times. you can do this!!!
We are behind guys - get out and vote - get all your friends to vote. Send this to everyone in Arkansas that you know!!! Remember to vote for Arkansas Children's Hospital today - Let's win this for the kids!!! Let's show the kids that Arkansas rules!Pass this along to all of your friends, family and co-workershttp://xbox.childrensmiraclenetwork.org/Thanks guys!!!"

PS don't forget the Komen Pasta Party is Friday night, 6-9 pm at Dickey Stephens Park!

Where is Samuel L. Jackson when you need him?

Well, you know it's bad when snakes start hanging around in the elevator shaft to keep away from all the rain outside....
I think we need either Samuel L. Jackson or at least St. Patrick to come drive the snakes out of LR.
Don't you wish we had an action superhero who could drive out all the cancer and diseases? Please consider donating to Komen's "Because I Care" program. Wendy & I will take your donations up to Wednesday at 4pm, and then take all the money raised out to the Race Space.
If you have friends or family who have been touched by cancer, or if you have, then you know how vitally important research is to eradicate this terrible villain. So, please be an action figure to someone and donate.

Today would also be a good day to visit the Race Space--they are giving away free bandanas (while they last) to those stopping (floating?) by. The Race Space is in the Pleasant Ridge Town Centre on Hwy 10. Paddle your canoe on out there--I know they'll be glad to see you!

And, if you don't want to walk in the Race on Saturday, Komen is looking for volunteers to help out on Race Day. If you are interested, please email

Laurie: lauriebonds@comcast.net
and
Cathy: cathy-lay@sbcglobal.net

I know they will be happy to have you on the Race Team.

Swimmingly yours,
Judi

the clock is ticking...

In less than 5 days we'll be smack dab in the middle of 45,000+ crazy women, all dressed in various shades of pink. I heard on the radio this morning, ladies, that the DANCING FIREMEN are going to be back this year by the bridges--whew, is it hot in here?!

I think we'll have our final Team meeting this Thursday, Oct. 15, around 3:30 in our usual spot. We'll have copies of the race route, and pictures of our meeting spot so you'll know where to go on Saturday. We plan on meeting at 4th and Broadway by *7:30* a.m. So if you plan on showing up and need a visual guide, we'll have them at the race meeting Thursday.
Remember, they will not have the shuttles, so you will need to either carpool, or drive yourself to the race. Do not park along the race route--you won't be able to leave until at least 11 a.m., but there are plenty of good spots available all around downtown if you get there early enough.

I also have the pink placards for you to pin on your shirt for Saturday in case you are walking in celebration of, or in memory of someone.

Tickets for the Pasta Party are still available for $20; your Co-Captains will be attending, so come on down and dine with us Friday night at Dickey Stephens Park!

You may still contribute to "Because I Care"; Wendy & will take money until Wednesday afternoon. Remember, we've slipped from our 5th place to 9th--let's move on back up and reclaim our rightful spot!

It's YOUR race to win--are you ready?

no autographs please!

Here we are--your 2009
ARKASNAS Bookends team. I must say, a very sassy group indeed!
Thanks to Amber G. for taking all the photos, and for those of you who didn't make it to the photo shoot, well, we know you were there with us in spirit. Thank you, Margie, for sharing some of the photos; hopefully we'll get more later that we can share with everyone. I can't believe NEXT Saturday is the big Race Day! Y'all got your racing shoes revved up? And don't forget--the Pasta Party will be next Friday at Dickey Stephens baseball park in downtown NLR. Wendy & I have our tickets bought--we are planning on having a good time noshing with all the other racers. You can too--just go to the Race Space and buy your ticket! Also, after the Race, Put a Fork in It and eat lunch at participating restaurants such as Fantastic China, Capi's Panera Bread, Copper Grill, etc. They will donate a portion of their proceeds to Komen on that day (the 17th).
We are looking forward to all the activities next week--hope you are too.
Thanks for being part of our wonderful team!

Pink stuff

Howdy y'all!
Well, we *finally* have our team shirts--yeah!!! Wendy & I are so excited that we have been able to get the CORRECT ones out to the team. (I am sure that if you want one of the ARKASNAS shirts, Image One will probably sell it to you cheap!)
I want to thank you all for participating in this year's Race, and I especially want to a big shout out to all of you who have contributed so generously to the "Because I Care" Komen fundraiser. So far we have donated $243, which has placed us 5th for the Government division. You all need to pat yourselves on your back, especially Ms. Mindy Rogers! She was our top giver--so next time you see Mindy, tell her congrats.
We will have one final team meeting sometime next week to hand out info for our meeting place, and for any last minute info from Komen. If you need a copy of the Race route, please see Wendy or me, or you can go to the Komen site and download a copy.
I also want to thank the team members who have volunteered to work at the Race Space this year. I know everyone is busy this time of the year, and to take time out to help Komen, well, you are appreciated. If you have time, they have us down for 4 volunteers tonight (I don't know why--I told them Oct. 6th and Oct. 8th), and for tomorrow night as well.
If you have signed up for tomorrow night, but can't make it, if you could work tonight, I know they won't turn you away! :)
Also, I think we decided that THIS Friday is Team Picture day--please correct me if I'm wrong! Wear either your Race shirt or your Team shirt, or bring one to wear for the photo session. (and you know it will be a photo session with all the cameras everyone brings, so you might want to wear your shades too. LOL!)
Again, thank you so much for participating--this is YOUR race to win, and win we will!

keep your fingers crossed!

Hola!
Please do keep your fingers crossed--we may possibly be getting team tee shirts the first of this week. So keep thinking good thoughts, and Wendy & I will alert you whenever we have some news for you.
Also, don't forget--this is the week we go work at the Race Space!
If you volunteered, please don't forget: Tuesday or Thursday are our days this week. And, you need to get there as soon as possible, as the shifts start earlier this year (4:45?), but then we'll be thru by 7:15.
Have a good rest of the day, and keep your eyes & ears open for whisperings from your co-captains!

Christmas gifts

Hey y'all!
Frances passed along this website that has some *really* cute gift items on it for the pet people in your life. (you also help raise $$ for cancer by buying some of these items!)

Go to http://www.sitstayheal.com/Home.html and load up your shopping cart! (thanks, Frances, for the info.)

Also, don't forget--TOMORROW the Race Space opens at the Pleasant Ridge Town Centre out on Hwy 10 (where it was last year). You know Komen ALWAYS has lots of goodies there--so save room in your cart to do some shopping there too! Remember, by shopping at these 2 places, not only are you stimulating the economy, but you are helping out a good cause.

And don't forget--if you have anyone who wants to register for the Race, buy Pasta Party tickets, register for 3 Miles of Men, register for Spit for the Cure, etc.,
the Race Space is your 1 Stop Shop for *everything* Komen.
See you at the cash register!