Time to rev it up!

Is one of your New Year's resolutions related to exercise? Or how about to volunteer or make a difference?
Well, do I have an opportunity for you! You can deal with both of those resolutions by planning and participating in a great event.
Last year I participated in the local Relay for Life, sponsored by the American Cancer Society.
It was such an awesome experience, that this year I am more involved, as the team recruiter. I really hope to motivate more people to be involved with this incredible event.
In thinking about writing this, I decided to go back and find my old blog entries about last year's experience.
And, what's cool is they do really record how significant the event was to me. I have two blog entries, one from before the event and one after, too.
Just for your calendar purposes, this year's event is Friday, May 18, through Saturday, May 19. And this year's theme is "Racing for a Cure."
One of my favorite parts of last year's event was the decorating of a team's area according to the theme, as well some people even dressed up in costumes.
If you are interested in participating this year, now is the time to start organizing! We are going to have a kick-off event Feb. 8 at Okanogan High School (time TBA).
You can always contact me if you have any questions or want to gather up a team. For now, read my old blogs!
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Princess of the paperclips

Posted 2:52 p.m., May 19, 2006

May 19

I am so excited about tonight! I am going to my first Relay for Life. I am the chaperone/adviser for our National Honor Society group.
What an amazing event! I am so proud that we have a huge team participating. Even my son Cody is on another team for Safeway.
We have raised a lot of money, and I am psyched about walking all night. I heard that you receive a paperclip for every lap you walk.
I am planning to walk at least 34. One lap for each year I have been alive. I hope to walk more, but that is at least my minimum.
So, I hope to have a nice, long paperclip chain that I can be really proud of. Maybe I will challenge one of my kiddos to a walking duel.
I am really excited to be a part of something positive and to be out exercising all night long!
Not only is this a wonderful fund-raising event, but it is also a time to truly reflect about people that you know and love.
I have many people in my life who have dealt with cancer. The scariest for me was when my dad had thyroid cancer.
I don't know what I would do if I lost him. He is my rock. Thankfully, he is a survivor. When I walk tonight I will think of him and many others.
When I polled my classes this week, I only had a few students who have NOT had cancer touch their lives in some way.
Many of my kids have parents who are also survivors. Many of my kids have lost loved ones to cancer.
If you are not on a team, you should definitely come and see what is happening. Come be a part of the event.
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I've had a couple of rough weeks

Posted 11:15 a.m., May 22, 2006

May 22

I have had a couple of rough weeks, as far as exercising goes. I was getting some exercise in, but not on a daily basis. And, I was feeling kind of blue about it. Well, maybe a light blue.
I had gained back four pounds, but have lost one, and more importantly, I am back on track.
Speaking of track, I participated in the Relay for Life Friday night. It was the greatest event to be part of!
I was sad that it was canceled due to the weather, a crazy wind and storm that came in, but I had a fantastic time while I was there.
It was still an incredible experience that I will recommend to everyone I know. Everyone was so full of life and energy.
I walked 19 laps before they closed it down, and even though my goal was 34, I know I would have walked way more than that.
One of the most touching times was when at the beginning Brad McGaha walked in the survivors' lap, and his entire Okanogan High School girls' softball team surprised him by being there to cheer him on!
They had posters and hugs, and then they walked the last half of the lap, locked arm-in-arm. Very cool!
I loved seeing the Brown family. I know they have had some recently trying times, and all my positive energy and thoughts are out into the universe for them.
Sarah is one of the most positive and inspiring people I know. She talked to me about some of the classes they hope to bring to the club this fall.
I am so proud of all the kids involved. People always complain about teen-agers and that night they once again showed how much they care and can accomplish!
I don't have a final tally of how much my group of kids raised (I know it was close to $700), but man, I am sooooo proud of them all!
The event, and walking at the event, inspired me to get back to my normal exercise routine.
On Saturday I went down to the club and jogged on the elliptical trainer for more than an hour. It felt so good.
Yesterday I went for a walk, and today I am planning on a walk after school. It's all about the planning, working everything into my busy life.
So, I don't feel so blue anymore.
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And, that's the last word, until tomorrow!