The Early Bird Saves the Boobies!

Hello guys! Kathy and I met this morning and well…we have a LOT planned for this year. Even though this is my first year being involved with the Komen Race for the Cure I’m dedicated to the cause! We haven’t even sent out our first welcome e-mail (look for it around June 20^th) but I wanted to share with you some of the exciting things we have in the works.

I will be making TWO quilts, one will be given away to a lucky winner here at ASL and the other will be auctioned off at either the Race Space (opens Oct 7^th) or at the Pasta Party (Oct 21^st). Billy-Joe (pictured) loves to help me sew! This year we are also considering some “classic” methods of fundraising: a bake sale and a garage sale! We don’t have details on either of these just yet.

Race Day is Oct 22^nd but it will be here before you know it! Online registration is now open so feel free to log on and join up (the deadline for registration is Aug 26^th). When you register online you can opt into many features such as the “Train for the Cure” and also buy your tickets for the Pasta Party!

I’m signing off for now…but never fear, I’ll be back soon!

-Suzie

Changes

Here in Little Rock, it is a hot & humid day.
However, down in Adelaide, Australia, where some friends live, it is a very cold and chilly winter day. A few months down the road, the seasons will have changed, and it will be cold here and hot "Down Under".
Changes,changes, nothing stays the same, does it? Even our little Komen Race For the Cure team changes each year.
In case you are wondering, yes-we do have new Co-Captains! I hope you will be as supportive for these captains as you have in the past--the State Library Bookends have always gone over the top with your generosity, your support, and your enthusiasm. This year the captains have lots of great things in store for us, so I hope you will take part again this year in the fight against breast cancer.
Let's make the change in this battle for victory over cancer so in the future people won't have to change their lives to include chemo or radiation.
Let's help change lives for the better!

Peace,
Judi

Pink is in the air!

Today is October 1! And this day has brought with it a deliciously cool morning and two floors of people bedecked in every possible shade of pink in celebration of Arkansas Go Pink for the Cure! We look absolutely stunning, and I am in awe of our solidarity as a group to show our support for Komen and Race for the Cure!

With that in the mind, Race Day is just 2 weeks away. That's right, 2 weeks away. Although I'm not sure how we progressed from July to October so quickly, I am ready for Race Day to arrive. I'm ready for Team Bookends to get out there and be the best team on the race route. We probably won't be the fastest team, but we will be the team with the biggest smiles and the most heart! How do I know this? Because I see each of you, every day, smiling and taking care of each other. You take care of me!

So, until Race Day, stay well, get lots of good rest (I should take my own advice), and enjoy this weather!

Crystal

The promise of Autumn

The shifting of seasons always amazes me--the way that summer simply flows into autumn. Oh, of course summer doesn't go without a fight. No season worth its salt would leave without a fight, but autumn is on its way. We are getting a taste of autumn's promise with these deliciously cool mornings and cooler evenings. Leaves are starting to change colors; the days are growing shorter; it's a wonderful time of the year!

This year's Bookends Team boasts a roster of 23 people--22 ladies and 1 guy!!!!! All of you who joined, thank you! Thank you for donating your time and your money. Thank you for participating!

Collectively, the 23 of us have paid for 3.8 mammograms ($150/mammogram)!!!!!

As we dive deeper into autumn and approach Race Day, keep yourself and your muscles warm, keep your humor high, and remember that you are part of one very incredible group of people--Team Bookends! 23 people with one focus--Racing for a Cure on October 16, 2010!

Tomorrow has arrived . . .

Good mid-morning, everyone!

Would you believe me if I said that this week has not been awesome and incredible? Yes, that's right--I have not had a good week. Of course, the events of this week could color my world if I allowed them to; and they have to some extent, but as I was driving to a library to do a program a couple of days ago, an "anatomical gift" van passed me on the highway. Talk about a perspective shift! Have you ever seen an "anatomical gift" van fly past you on the road as you were driving? If you haven't, you should. Everyone should have the experience at least once. It really does change perspective on a lot of things. Sure--my life isn't perfect, and there are some things going on personally that need to change, but my family and friends are healthy (by and large) and so am I.

Honestly, compared to the person that the van was bringing the gift to, my life is good--very good. And I'm pleased as punch to be one of your team co-captains this year.

Today is the last day to register for Team Bookends. Please don't forget to register! If you have questions or need assistance, come see Tina or me. We'll be happy to help you in any way that we can.

At 4:00 pm today, I am going to put the names of everyone who has registered for Team Bookends into a drawing for a little prize. It isn't much, but it will make 4:00 pm on Friday afternoon a whole lot of fun!

All my best to all of you,

Crystal

Tomorrow, tomorrow . . .

As a reminder to everyone who wants to participate in this year's Race for the Cure on Team Bookends, tomorrow is the last day to register, online or by paper!

I'll post something soliliqual (is that word?) tomorrow . . . but for now, this is your reminder to register!!!!!

Big hug,
Crystal

Good food, good sleep, and good friends

Wow, it's been awhile, hasn't it, since I posted anything. Totally my fault--it seems that I don't stop to breathe most days.

Last Friday evening, when I got home from work and realized that not only did I have nothing cooked for supper but that there really was nothing to cook, it was time to take action and do something about my empty pantry. On Saturday, I spent a few hours buying groceries, house supplies, and birthday cards. Then, after I returned home and re-stocked my pantry, I did laundry and picked up a bit around the house. I know . . . none of these activities seem to be related, but they are.

We all lead very busy lives, and most of us don't stop long enough to eat well, sleep enough, or spend time with those around us that we consider our "community." Maybe that's why on Saturday I didn't rush through shopping for birthday cards, but instead, I enjoyed the process of reading the cards and selecting the ones that would arrive in my friends' mailboxes on their respective birthdays this month and next. At the grocery store, I didn't simply rush through the store, shopping directly from my list. Instead, I meandered through the aisles, probably annoying people who were shopping with a purpose, but I was enjoying the experience. And when I slept on Saturday night, I slept on freshly-laundered sheets. My Saturday was filled with lots of little activities--the very minutiae of daily life--but very important to my overall well-being.

On Sunday, I spent time with people in my "community." They are not my biological family, but they are part of my extended network and are becoming my family away from family. Closer to the fall, I will spend some time with family and friends. Komen's theme this year is so timely--we>me. Every time I reflect on it, I'm struck again by just how true it is. My community makes me more than I am all by myself. And my community is far-flung--across this nation and a country across the Atlantic. If my community takes care of me, then I should take care of myself. I depend on my community, and the people in my community depend upon me. The shape of our lives are spherical; and my sphere enlarges itself almost daily.

Who fills your community? Have you acknowledged them lately? What are you doing to take care of yourself so that you can fill your place in your community well, because you and only you can fill that particular spot in your community. Have you realized just how unique you are and how unique you are to your community?

Don't forget--your last day to register for Team Bookends is Friday, August 27. If you need help registering online, come find one of us. We'll help you! If you want to register by paper, visit Tina!

Crystal and Tina