Did I mention it was HOT?!?!!?!

Sarah and I made it through the last rest stop with minutes to spare.  The staff had determined it was too hot and for safety reasons would be closing the route.  Anyone still at the rest stop in 5 minutes would be bussed in.  With only 2 miles to camp we quickly filled our water bottles and hustled out of there.

Compared to the day before it was chilly! We were happy to finish the rest of the day and get to walk into camp, an experience that a lot of Boston walkers missed this year.  We arrived at camp and visited the Bank of America massage tent.  Massage chairs with leg/foot massagers YES PLEASE! Five minutes never passed so quickly.

Our tent had been cooking in the sun all day.  We quickly grabbed our shower stuff to clean up.  Everything was like lava!!!  As soon as I opened my face wash it poured out like water and was SO DARN HOT!   I couldn’t help but laugh.  The moisture strip on my razor was completely melted off and all over everything.  The kicker? My deodorant was melted into the cap and I had to scoop it out – better than some others that to scoop it off the floor HA!  (note to self – bring a back up of these it’s kinda important!) The adventures of the walk – never a dull moment.

Uhhh..where did it go?

My best investment for the walk this year was a battery powered fan.  Sure it took 8D batteries but I couldn’t imagine this year without it.  Although it was hot and we had our bumps along the way I had an absolute blast.  I only got one blister and my joints didn’t bother me half as much as they did last year.

900 Miles Closer to a Cure

At dinner on Day 2 the speaker asked all of those walking alone to stand up.  I was surprised to see so many people stand.  This is such a task – and to go into it alone?   Now don’t get me wrong, with 1300 walkers you are rarely alone but there’s something about having a friend nearby even if you’re not talking to them. 

Day 3 we met one of these brave souls that was walking it alone, his name was Jim.  Jim told us he was from California, in fact right after he finished his 20 miles for the day he would be heading straight to the airport to get on a flight home and going to work the next day!   I was impressed.

<- Jim

Later he told us how he signed up to walk all 15 cities this year – that’s 900 miles – 60 miles over consecutive weekends. One walk was cancelled so now it’s down to 840 mile – but that just doesn’t have the same ring.  I’m walking next to him trying to wrap my head around the logistics.  Travel time, costs, time off from work – and not to mention raising all the money and walking all that way.  How many pair of sneakers would he walk through?!

Jim told us how he lost his mom to breast cancer and that’s why he walks.  That’s why he’s walking in all of these cities.  To date Jim has raised over $27,000. His goal is $50,000 but he needs to raise a minimum of $32,200 to be eligible to walk in all cities.  I have no doubt he will reach him minimum. 

So I’m making a donation and spreading his message.  He’s also looking for people to host him the evening before the events or assist with transportation to and from the airport. For more info visit his site.  He has loads of pictures and stories – that’s where I snagged the shot of me below J

Drink, Pee, and Avoid the IV!

As many of you have heard the weather was HOT to say the least.  Friday's weather hit 106 with the heat index by 11am.  The crew, staff and walkers were reminded regularly to hydrate, relieve and repeat.  In one stop we were told if we do not pee at the next stop we must see medical.  I’ve never had anyone so concerned with my bathroom visits! Friday alone sent over 15 people to the hospital and several more received an IV at rest stops or camp.  At 11am, it was so hot they closed the route. 

We were about 11.5 miles into the walk and only 400 out of 1700 walkers had made it to that point. Too many people were dropping and walkers were moving extremely slow so they had to made the call.  A lot of people were disappointed, particularly those that were attempting this adventure for the first time.  I for one was a little relieved that the choice was made for me and I didn’t have to make it myself.  We were bused to a park with a lot of shade and waited for them to move lunch to us.  It was a lot of sitting and waiting.  When we finally arrived at camp we weren’t allowed to set up our tents.  Tent city was located in the middle of athletic fields in the dead sun.  Walkers might have been tempted to lay down for a little nap and that’s a recipe for disaster. 

The staff continued to stress the heat and how important it was to listen to your body.  Not only is it important to drink sports drinks and water but it was also important to eat salty snacks to keep your sodium levels normal. All and all I was successfully able to maintain my levels and avoid the IV.  I was also able to finish the rest of the walk with only one blister care stop, completing about 52 miles!

I’ll be writing a little more over the next couple of weeks to share my experience and the amazing people I have met.  Thank you all for your support and best of luck to the remaining 13 cities!!

Day 1!!!

I wanted to post while on the walk but unfortunately my phone just isn’t up to the task and I can’t quite seem to get it to work.  You’ll have to settle for last year’s photo of me at the starting line.  We’ll be there before the sun rises ready to roll! Everyone starts together and finishes together, it’s pretty awesome!   I will be time delaying a few of these posts and updating facebook as long as my phone battery holds on.  I hope the weather isn’t as brutal as they predict.   

It’s going to be HOT HOT HOT

The National Weather Service has issued a Local Weather Alert: ... EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON... * HAZARDS... EXCESSIVE HEAT WITH HIGH TEMPERATURES BETWEEN 95 AND 100 THURSDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOON/S. * HEAT INDEX VALUES... UP TO 105 DEGREES. * TIMING... THURSDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENINGS MAINLY FROM NOON TO 8 PM EACH DAY. * IMPACTS... EXCESSIVE HEAT MAY LEAD TO HEAT ILLNESSES FOR CHILDREN... THE ELDERLY AND THOSE PERFORMING STRENUOUS PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES DURING THE HEAT OF THE DAY.

So….what does that mean??? It means we’ll need to be extra careful and hydrate hydrate hydrate!   They advise you to take in extra fluids in the days leading up to the walk as well.   If the hot day doesn’t get to you, it might hit you the following day.  I’ll have to remember to keep on drinking even after I get back to camp and start all over again the following morning.

This pink walker will be fueled on lots of water, salty snacks and gaterade this weekend (with a DD ice coffee in there too of course).  

 

My bags are packed I'm ready to go!!

I'm all packed! My bag is weighing in at 36.8 pounds.....don' tell anyone it's overweight - it might get self conscious! The big difference in the pack this year is a battery powered fan - it takes eight D batteries EIGHT!!! My goodness, but with the heat advisory it's a must have as is a spare set.  So the 16 D batteries is weighing me down a little but I know I'll be glad to have it.

Yesterday I treated myself to a few pink hair extensions to really get in the spirit! Don't worry Mom they are temporary.

Money raised, bags packed, appropriately fun hair.......looks like I'm good to go!  Thank you all for you support. See you on the other side of 60 miles!! 

Pink Men

Here are two of my favorite fans from last year’s walk.  I hope I get to see them again this weekend!   These guys started first thing outside of camp and were cheering us on all day at various parts of the route.  It’s amazing how much fans can brighten your spirits along the way.

There really is so much that goes into this walk and so many people that make it happen.  I can’t wait to see what’s in store this year!!

Closing Ceremonies

With just days until the big day, some people have been wondering about closing ceremonies.  Last year I was greeted by my amazing husband, mom, aunt Nancy, mother-in-law and friend.  It was wonderful to see so many wonderful familiar smiling faces after that last day.  One of my favorite parts?

They brought me a chair!  Check out the details below for this year's closing ceremonies.  

Closing Ceremony

After three days and 60 miles, participants will take a final and incredibly emotional victory walk into the Closing Ceremony. Friends, family and supporters should arrive at the Closing Ceremony site at least one hour early to get the best view of the program. We encourage you to carpool or take public transportation. Not only is it better for the planet, but it will help lessen traffic congestion for everyone.

All walkers and crew members should remain in the Participant Holding Area where they will receive a victory shirt, cheer on fellow walkers and crew members and celebrate one last time together before their dramatic victory walk. The Participant Holding Area is CLOSED to spectators. If you wish to meet with a participant before the Ceremony begins, please have them meet you at the Closing Ceremony site. All participants must return to the Holding Area no later than 4:00 p.m. in order to join the victory walk.

Don't forget to continue the spirit of kindness we'll be building on the 3-Day throughout and beyond the Closing Ceremony!

Sunday, July 24

4:30 p.m.

University of Massachusetts 

100 William T. Morrissey Boulevard  

Dorchester, MA 02125

Public Transportation:

UMass Boston is located less than a mile from the MBTA’s JFK/UMass Station, which serves both the Red Line (subway) and the Old Colony Line (commuter rail). The University runs a regular, free shuttle bus service between the JFK/UMass stop and the campus. The trip normally takes less than ten minutes. Route 2 Bus runs Sunday 8:00 a.m. - 5:45 p.m. every 20 minutes. 

Parking:

University of Massachusetts is located off of I-93. Parking will be available, at no charge, on the University of Massachusetts Campus.

Funds Raised, THANK YOU!!

$2,478 and just in time!! The big day is Friday and I am so grateful for the love and support I have received from my family and friends.

Now on the easy part - walking 60 miles!!

Another mile!?

That’s me with just one mile to holding. What a LONG last mile.  Last year the walk ended at Umass Boston.  All the walkers gather in one place until the very last one strolls in (I was a straggler last year coming in just 15 minutes before the deadline!).  Once all of the walkers are gathered we walk the very last stretch together.  The closing ceremonies bring an overwhelming wave of emotions.  That’s when the grand totals are announced.  Money raised, numbers of walkers, volunteers, band aids and even how many bananas eaten (trust me not a one by me).

With the Help of God and Fellow Walkers we can Surely Save Those Priceless Knockers!

The walk is full of amazing people and of course a lot of boob references.  I just had to sneak a photo of this fantastic man last year at lunch. It’s this kind of humor that helps to keep spirits high and feet moving.  Other favorites include; save second base, big and small save them all. Can’t wait to see what’s new this year!

Med Tent STAT!

I truly don’t understand how I got blisters on my little toes.  I can understand the heels or the sides of your feet – but I didn’t get them there – only the sad little toes.  Did I mention I didn’t get any during training?!

Well here’s a photo of my first visit to the med tent – Day 2 sometime in the morning.  The medical crew is made up of licensed professionals, doctors, nurses – the real deal. What is their most common task? Blister care – THANK YOU Medical Crew!!  Seriously what these people do for us and they don’t even complain about our smelly feet.

Tips for blisters?

o   No pedicures leading up to the walk (BOOOO!).  This allows natural calluses to form over time and will protect your feet for the big event

o   Use glide or other anti-chafing products on your feet

o   Carry mole skin with you and as soon as you start to feel a ‘hot spot’ wrap that area up

o   Wear socks and shoes that fit right (I think this was where I went wrong – a little too much room some of my socks) and invest in moisture wicking clothing/socks

o   Take off your shoes when you rest and change your socks half way through the day

In all seriousness, this walk could not take place without the dedicated volunteers and staff.  I hope my visits to the med tent are less frequent this year but I’m so glad they are there to help!

A Charlie Brown Christmas?

I’m not sure who felt inspired to decorate this tree in the middle of the woods but I thought their efforts deserved a mention.  A lot more has grown around it since I took this picture a month ago but I look for it on my return walk and it always makes me laugh.

I’ve spent a lot of time on this trail in the last month.  This past weekend I logged 10 miles on Saturday and another 15 on Monday.  It’s the first test for myself – how will I hold up?! Well I have to say I feel like it’s a lot tougher than it was last year.  See I think my hip joints actually remember what I did to them and they are fighting back.  It just means in the next few weeks I have a lot of work to do.  It’s not necessarily the distance, but the consistency of the walking at this point in the game.

Just a few more weeks until the big day!!

So you always wanted to be a cheerleader?! Now’s your chance!

The route has been announced and the cheer stations public! You may be asking; what is a cheering station? Well it’s scheduled stops throughout the route where people can gather to cheer on loved ones or the crowd in general.  What you may not know is these are strategically placed in locations we may really need that extra boost of love and cheer.  Last year it was a Saturday afternoon cheer station that really got me through an incredibly steep and obnoxious hill.

Last year my Mom and Aunt Nancy made an appearance on Friday and John joined my Mom on the hottest Saturday I can remember.  The above photo is of Christina and I at the first station. Mom and Nancy had noise makers, posters and silly bands to brighten out day.   I have to say, originally I thought; no one needs to come – I’m only going to see you for a minute.  Honestly though? It is really awesome to see a familiar face or two along that long stretch.  There were quite a few folks that devoted their weekend and were at every cheer station I passed by – waving signs, making noise and dressed in some fabulous outfits.  Lots of neighbors were out offering a spray of a hose or a much needed freeze pop.  I think I had a dozen freeze pops that Saturday!

Details are below for this year’s stations; maybe I’ll see some of you there!

Friday, July 22
8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
St. Paul's Church
502 Washington Street
Wellesley, MA 02482

Saturday, July 23
7:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
Robins Farm Park
51 Eastern Avenue
Arlington, MA 02476

11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Parker Field Playground
81 Worthen Road
Lexington, MA 02420

Sunday, July 24
7:30 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
Shaw's Supermarket
699 Mount Auburn Street
Cambridge, MA 02138

8:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
Cambridge City Hall
795 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge MA 02139

9:15 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Boston Public Garden
Intersection of Commonwealth & Arlington Street(between the statue of George Washington and Swan Boats)
Boston, MA 02127

It’s hazardous out there!

That’s me last year posted right next to that hazardous sign with my two water bottles.  That was day 2 and it was HOT HOT HOT!!

In some of these extreme conditions get people extremely dehydrated because they don’t pay attention to the 3 Rs of the 3 Day.  Refuel, Rehydrate, Relieve yourself.  That’s right; you should be drinking enough to see the inside of that port-a-potty on a regular basis.  Hey guess what? No one likes port-a-potties – but they are a heck of a lot better than the alternative. Bring plenty of hand sanitizer and take one for the team.

It’s important to alternate water with Gatorade – I don’t think I drank the stuff for 6 months after last year’s walk! Don’t forget the salty snacks as well to replace the sodium levels in your body.  No need to pack them, the walk is scattered with pit stops and grab and goes stocked to fuel up throughout the day.

I hope they have those PB&J gram cracker thingies again this year yum!

Why the heck won’t it all fit in my bag!? I need a bigger bag….

That’s it – you get one bag. One bag for your clothes, sleeping bag, pillow – whatever you want to bring – you get one bag.  Oh and did I mention that one bag can’t weigh more than 35 pounds?? Even packing for this event takes training!

In all seriousness it all makes a lot of sense.  With so many walkers, and crew and volunteers it really is important to minimize baggage and encourage people to pack light. Besides somebody has to load that big ol’bag of yours into the truck and you – yes you – have to carry that bag from the truck to your tent assignment after walking your first 20 miles.  Trust me; you’ll want to pack light.

Here are a few tips on packing that I’ve learned from the professionals and my experience last year.

1.     Make a list. Take the list Susan G. Komen offers on your participation page and add/subtract from there.  She has thought of practically everything so pay attention!

2.     Pack your things in Ziploc bags.  Okay, I know this seems extreme but trust me it will make your life a heck of a lot easier and it will really save you should (and when) it rains. Pack each day’s outfit in a gallon ziplock and label it Saturday or Sunday – trust me, you don’t want to waste precious energy fishing through your bag for that last pair of socks.

3.     Invest in towel service.  It’s only $10 and it will free up a lot of space in that bag of yours that is quickly filling up.  They will give you a fresh and clean towel each day J

4.     Don’t be a camping hero – you will want an air mattress or mat. I didn’t think I would but after day two my joints were not happy with the hard ground.  Keep in mind this tent is small – it fits a queen mattress snug and don’t forget there are two of your in there plus gear. I’m exploring the idea of a small pool float this year – I’ll keep you posted on how that one goes.

5.     Lastly, save your list.  Maybe you’ll do it again next year, maybe you won’t – but it will be great to have your own list to reference.

These are just a few suggestions, all received from the brilliant staff and volunteers on the 3-day.  Please feel free to share some of yours.

This Susan G Komen woman has it all together.  I mean seriously, people have been doing this walk for years and they really do a nice job getting it organized.  They make everyone feel at home – even if you are huddled in a tiny tent in a giant tent city. 

There is almost anything you would want at camp.  Someone to cook you dinner – and you don’t even have to do the dishes! Chair massages, a clothing and accessory tent to do a little shopping, a lounge AND showers in a tractor trailer!!!

I can’t even describe how impressed I was with this – I mean really – who thinks of these things?!  The showers were clean, hot and just about the most wonderful thing at the end of 20 miles.

At camp there are a few activities on the big stage for entertainment.  There is a tent decorating contest and the introduction of our favorite little fans; the Youth Corps.  The Youth Corps is made up of young people between the ages of 10-16 that cheer, encourage and volunteer throughout the 3-day experience.  They are an amazing group of young people and I can’t wait to meet this year’s group!

Check back soon for tips on packing for the 3-Day!

I’ve got mail?!

Here’s a sneak peak at how to put a smile on that tired walker’s (aka me) face when they arrive at camp. 

Send them mail!!!! Seriously, it’s super exciting to get a piece of mail – especially if it’s not a bill.  So you aren’t able to contribute financially but want to support your walker? Send them a card, a note or a drawing or a photo from that adorable child or dog of yours.  Funny, inspirational, stick figures whatever – it’s all greatly appreciated!

So here’s the info – but the most important detail?! All mail must be postmarked no later than July 12^th – otherwise they won’t have time to sort it and get it to camp.

            3-Day for the Cure

            ATTN: Name here (Amy Kelly if you’re looking for suggestions  J)

            P.O. Box 181270

            Boston, MA 02118

They say envelopes only please. Don’t forget the deadline, all items received after that will be returned to sender….and no mail wants to be returned.  Just so you know; I have been known to send my own postcards from camp to super special supportive folks <wink, wink, elbow nudge>.

Stay tuned for more spectator information as the walk gets closer.  I’ll tell you more about cheering stations and the closing ceremony.  Thanks again to all my supporters I can’t believe the walk is only five weeks away YIKES! Thanks to the help and support of people like you I’m only $900 away from my goal!

68 miles down....loads more to go

My, it’s been a busy month – where has is gone?! I’ve been walking all over I tell you.  My husband and I went to Oakland, California to visit our family (and explore wine country of course).  We had a great time visiting and got to explore quite a bit by foot – we even walked across the Golden Gate Bridge!! The views were amazing and it was great to fit a little training in while on vacation. Across and back the bridge is approximately 3.4 miles.

Well now it’s back to work and the rain seemed to return with us.  I managed to complete 9 ½ miles on Sunday and it felt great.  A lot of people ask me – how do you do that? How long does it take? Aren’t you bored?  The answers are easy.  If you put one foot in front of the other over and over again your really start to get the hang of it. Seriously though, I can’t imagine doing it without company or an audio book or two. Currently I am listening Anne of Green Gables.  I loved reading this when I was younger and it’s been fun revisiting it.

Tonight I’m planning on 5-8; I guess it all depends on the weather and my feet.  Breaking in a new pair of kicks today – love that new cushy feeling!!  

I will not wear a fanny-pack

Okay, so there's a lot of opinion about what type of bag to carry on the 3-day.  The overwhelming suggestion - a fanny-pack.  Really?! Seriously?! What the heck is flattering or the least bit attractive about a fanny-pack?!  I won't be the first one to tell you, it's not a fashion show.  Although you'll likely see a lot of getups, men in fabulous bras or just overall draped in pink.  Pink hair, pink wings, pink boas - you name it you'll see it. When it comes to the practical, realistic, real stuff? You're not seeing fashion - it's all about comfort and being practical.

You won't see a lot of people wearing back packs, the only ones I saw? The Men With Heart.  They carry a full back pack - full of all the goodies you can want or need on the walk.  They carry because they are not only there to walk and raise money, but they are there to support the women walking - by carrying extra supplies or singing a fabulous songs.  The state house recognized these awesome men recently and I say it's about time.  They are an awesome motivator, supporter and an overall inspiration to anyone within shouting distance of the walk.

So what's that photo above you ask?? Well that is what EMS calls a waist pack.  So there, I refused to wear a fanny-pack and well I didn't....exactly....  Overall it held what I needed and I barely noticed the thing.  It's important to train with whatever you plan to walk with and I found the 'waist pack' to be just the thing for the big event.

Oh Deer!

I'm back on the trail! If you look closely you can see one of the perks of the trail, a little doe staring at me.  I saw one just like her last year on a drizzly day too.  It's a beautiful place to train for the big event.

It's been a very busy month at work.  I work at a college and Saturday is graduation.  This week has been full of celebrations and year end events so it has been tricky getting in the miles.  Tuesday morning I logged 8 miles before work! "How long does it take you to do that?!" people ask me.  Well I'll tell you, quite a bit of time! If I can average 17-18 minutes a mile I'm doing well.  Keep in mind it's important to stop, stretch and grab a snack every so often.  Today I walked another 8 miles and broke it up by enjoying a PB&J next to a pond.  It isn't hard to do this when you have such beautiful scenery to distract you.  Of course audio books on the iPod help a lot too.

I'm almost half way to my fundraising goal with just two months left to go YIKES! Lots more training to get to only 35 miles logged so far.  When I reach 100 I get to break in my new sneakers, can't wait.

Where the heck has she been!?

Okay I’m back. I took a small vacation to my couch with a box of Kleenex for the past several days.  I haven’t had a cold in YEARS and this stupid thing knocked me silly. I didn’t want to go to the doctors but I finally dragged myself there only to have them minimize my misfortune as the ‘common cold’. Really? There was nothing common about sleeping 13 hours at a time and being unable to walk in a straight line, ah well.  I’m on the road to mending and finally made it to the gym this morning.  I haven’t walked any further than the kitchen in a week so it’s time to get back to training!  I hear we will have some beautiful weather this weekend and I’m looking forward to getting back on the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail soon!

Free massage? Yes please!

Now, I consider this spring weather! Sunday I went to the Kickoff Training events sponsored by New Balance.  Can you believe I actually won another 1 hour massage??  This here is one lucky (soon to be pampered) lady.  A lot of people showed up for this event, sounds like we will have a lot of company on this walk in July.

Above is a shot from the 2010 walk, my walking partner Christina, I and the New Balance shoe – sporting non other but New Balance shoes love it!  Looking at the absence of sweat and the fact that we still have smiles on our faces I would say that this is earlier on Day 1 (pre-blisters and ankle injuries).  That was the easy day.  We were running on little sleep and pure excitement!  

As of today my fabulous donors have brought my fundraising totals up to $600 wahoo!! At this rate I’ll make my $2300 goal in no time. I’m starting to get super excited and anxious for July to get here already!  Thanks again to my friends and family for their continued support.

THE shoe

I’m a woman and I love shoes – more recently though I love sneakers. This stinky shoe I’m holding up is my favorite of all time. I walked 2 of the 3 days in this shoe and on the third - at the end I cried because all I wanted was my flip flops.  You should have seen me, a grown woman looking at her husband, “but where are my flip flops?!”  His response, “they are in the car” (pointing across a soccer field). “NOOOOO, I can’t walk another step in these I just want my flip flips!!!” Apparently 60 miles and the longing for breathable shoes not rubbing against your 7+ blisters turns a (relatively) sane woman into a tantrum throwing toddler.  Despite my inability to control normal emotions that day my loving husband had me sit while he retrieved my sandals.

Even though I hated this shoe at the end I love where it got me. It is a super pair that I will often wear and I will definitely go with New Balance again.  This Sunday New Balance will be holding a shoe clinic for 3-Day participants and I will be turning up for a look at what they have in stock for me this year.

By the way, these sneakers are at the outlet in Lawrence at a price that’s a steal! I scooped them up and will be sporting the very same sneakers I love to hate again this year!

My recent distraction

I’m finally settling back into the office after a few days of fun and a trip south.  I had the opportunity to visit some family with my grandmother for a few days.  It was an amazing trip because Grams got the chance to meet her youngest great grand daughter for the first time!  Right there in one room was 4 generations of fabulous women – how many people are that lucky!?  I for one am grateful to witness such an amazing thing.

Training season is getting close so it better stop snowing out there! April 3^rd will mark 16 weeks until the walk – it’s that close!!  I for one will be kicking it off in style at the New Balance store in Burlington for the kickoff event, shoe clinic and training walk.  For those of you that are thinking about joining in on the fun come on down! Last year I won a gift card for a free massage just for showing up – not too shabby.

Volunteer Break

What a day! I visited the MSPCA in Methuen with a group of fantastic people from NECC.  It’s still a bit chilly here and yes it even snowed a little on us.  This little guy is Billy (get it Billy-goat ha!) and I had the pleasure of taking him on a walk.   Billy is only 8 months old, full of energy and LOVES to pull you along as you walk; I think he’d make a great walking partner if it wasn’t for his constant desire to stop and eat dead leaves.   He’s up for adoption but needs a good home with a goat proof fence to keep him out of trouble.  Nevin’s Farm is a great facility with loads to do and loads of eh, um….how to put this delicately well, poop. We shoveled a lot of poop and then some more – but it’s a job that needs to be done and we were happy to lend a hand.

If you’re in the market to adopt a friend they’ve got them all birds, cats, dogs, pigs, horses and yes even adorable little goats! They also take donations, funding of course but also blankets or towels for the little critters to cuddle with.  Check out Methuen MSPCA to see how you can lend a hand!

Welcome to my blog!

Happy Almost Spring! I don't know about you but it feels like spring already, I can walk outside without feeling like my face is freezing off.  So it's been an unusually chilly winter but anyone that has lived in New England for more than five seconds understands that's the drill and we are stronger for it. Boston breeds a lot of tough people, tough women and I learned that first hand last year when I walked the Susan G Komen Boston 3-Day walk for the Cure.

Last year my family was faced with more then a few struggles and we were blessed with only the best outcomes.  I walked the 3-Day as a sign of appreciation as a 'bold' way to say thanks for the blessings, the fun, the time we were all granted.  I thought it was something I could give a lot to, but I think I gained more than I ever thought I could.  Walking 60 miles is one thing, being surrounded by nearly 1000 amazing people with their own stories, their own reasons for walking - now that's amazing.  So I walk again.  I walk for another year because that's not much for anyone to ask.

This year I hope to write a more constant blog.  Hopefully in the next few weeks I'll share a little more about our journey last year so that those that are unable to walk might be able to share the experience.  Thank you for reading and supporting this awesome thing I got tangled up in!  

A big part of this is about awareness but more than that it's raising money to continue research and outreach.  If you could space a few bucks I (as would the cure) appreciate the support support.