Taking the Plunge ... and Purging!

Those aren't MY clothes ... but that's pretty much what it looked like on my bed yesterday.  I took the plunge and purged my closet.

This was not easy for me.

My friend Rosa has lost almost 50 pounds and we have talked about the clothes that don't fit anymore.  If we throw them out ... that means that we intend to be our new, smaller selves for ... EVER!

Let's be honest, friends.  I have lost weight before.  20 pounds down only to gain back 25.  25 pounds down only to gain back 30!  It's NOT HEALTHY!

By cleaning out my closet I am promising myself NEVER TO DO THAT AGAIN!

There ... it's in pink and white.

...

When I bought my little Canon camera for my second 3-day in San Francisco, I also bought the Protection Plan from Best Buy.  Recently I dropped my little friend and cracked the screen.  I took it back to Best Buy yesterday and they are repairing the screen for me.  One Geek told me I might just get a new camera.  That would be sweet!

I guess that means no pictures for a while ... unless I can get my big Canon to work!

...

There were five women in my Zumba class last night!  That is a VERY small group for my gym.  I am assuming the numbers will go up after Labor Day.  It was fun to be in such a small class, though.  One woman told me she went to a class and she was the only one there!  I would take that opportunity to have the instructor help me work on my "sexy!" (WEPA!)

boobies

Back To School

This picture was taken the last week of school in June.  These students are going on to the the middle school this year.  I wonder if they will be wearing those crazy glasses we gave them.

 

Well folks ... it was back to school today to set up the room and get ready for the first day next Tuesday.  It has been a great summer ... but I'm ready to go back!

I really love my job. I am so lucky to be able to say that.  From the time I was a little girl I wanted to be a teacher.  Sadly, there aren't a lot of jobs available in great districts like Commack.  There are so many young, talented teachers.  It's a shame.

Today was a trial run of an almost typical day ... awake at 5:30, drive out to Commack, teach, drive home to Port, do a Zumba class from 7:30-8:30 then come home and get dinner on the table for Ronnie.  "Will she be able to do it?"  you ask.  My answer:  "I certainly hope so."  Ronnie is going to HAVE to learn how to cook, for goodness sake!

Drum roll for my fundraising total as of today:  

$3,143.00! 

Looking good!  

I brought a good number of cook books to school.  I hope that word gets out that those books are SO GREAT ... they are worth a $25 donation to the 3-day!

boobies

Mammo Monday ... and other stuff

That's me ...

Berta walker!

I wish I was still in Provincetown.  I miss my friends ... I miss our walks ... I miss that AMAZING Zumba class ... I miss the beach.  But, I must say ... I missed my "boys" and am glad to be home!

...

Today was Mammo Monday.  I had my annual mammography (breast sono, thyroid sono, pelvic sono ...)  It was a full afternoon at Nassau Radiologic!  The best words I heard were "You will get the results in a week." (after the mammography) and "You can get dressed and go home." (after the breast sono)  A few women were called in to speak to the doctor after their tests ... so I guess everything looks good for me.

...

It's that time again.  Time to put together a t-shirt for our team.  No logos this year so it should be easy.

I'm voting for "Team Burt's Babes--Penn Station to Dallas" on the front and 

"1545 miles + 60 (in 3-days!)" on the back.  I don't know if that makes sense to you.  What do you think?

...

I gathered up all my courage and went to WW for my weigh-in tonight.  I really believed that, after 10 days in Provincetown, I SHOULD have gained weight.  I guess the Zumba and long walks paid off, though.  I lost a pound and am now down 41+!

Yay! Life is Great!

boobies 

Back ...

Sashi, Roberta, Debra ... 3 reasons to walk!

I am back.

It was an amazing 10 days with family and friends in Provincetown.  While there, I either did an hour of fantastic Zumba ... or walked 7- 8 miles with Susan and assorted others (Beth, Sashi, Debra, Hannah, Sonya.)  We made it to the beach every day.  The weather was perfect.  I stayed on program in the beginning ... but, I must admit to "falling off the WW wagon" as we made our way through cocktails and hors d'oeuvres at Kalmar, barbecues, and trips to Provincetown restaurants.  Sitting on the beach with coolers that included Cape Cod chips and chocolate chip cookies didn't make it any easier!  But, as I said, I am back!  Do I want to weigh in tomorrow night?  Probably not ... but I will.  I NEVER want to go back to where I was October 30th!

...

While away ... the donations came in and I am just about to see $3000 on my progress thermometer.  My personal goal was $5000.  Anything is possible, but I continue to be honored by the support and love given me by my friends and family so far.

My goal now is to give away ALL those cookbooks!  The deal is ... anyone who makes a $25 (or greater) donation to the 3-day will receive a "Step-By-Step" cookbook! The reviews for the book are quite impressive! (Thank you Barbie-Lou ... I know you are reading this!)

...

Burt's Babes Dallas is down to 6 team members. (I miss you already Sandy and Lesley!)

In spite of our small number ... we are a mighty team and have raised $26,012.02! (That .02 is interesting ... there must be a story behind it!)

 We are #8 on the list of Top Teams and Captain Burt and team mate Liz are #s 4 and 5 on the list of Top Fundraisers!  Impressive!  I am so proud to be a member of this small but amazing group of walkers.

68 days until we take our first step!

boobies.
...
Just made it to $3018.00!
Yay! 

Walking on Sunshine

First walk to Provincetown!  It is a perfect morning ... and I walked with my wonderful friend Susan.  In the words of Jeter Harris "Life is Grate!"  This is my favorite spot ... the tip of the Cape ... by the jetty.
Yesterday I took a Zumba class in Truro.  There were about 50 women of all shapes, sizes, ages ... it was AMAZING!  I am really looking forward to going again tomorrow!  What fun.  Thank God for Zumba!  I am not a lover of exercise and this is FUN!  WEPA!
As soon as I publish this ... I am off the the beach.  I told you life is great!

I have now reached over 50% toward my fund raising goal of $5000 and I thank you for helping me to reach this point.  This walk is so important to me and I appreciate the love and support you have given me.

So I saw this mushroom on my walk and had to take a picture for Sarge.  He definitely would like it.  And to that I say ... boobies.

Ps  ... I am listening to Cat Stevens as I write this ... find the lyrics to "Morning Has Broken"  So appropriate ...

look no farther ... here they are:

Morning Has Broken

As Sung by Cat Stevens

lyrics by Eleanor Farjeon

Morning has broken, like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken, like the first bird
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
Praise for the springing fresh from the word

Sweet the rain's new fall, sunlit from heaven
Like the first dewfall, on the first grass
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden
Sprung in completeness where his feet pass

Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning
Born of the one light, Eden saw play
Praise with elation, praise every morning
God's recreation of the new day

Late Afternoon Stroll on the High Line

I just LOVE the High Line.

TY and I met across from Penn Station and made our way to this amazing walkway above the streets of Manhattan. If you live in New York or plan to visit ... this is a must!

I have to say ... it's a bit more crowded since my first visit ... but it's a great walk.

...

My first fundraising letter brought in just over $1000 $1185 so far.  I'm very pleased and VERY grateful! Add that to the donations made before I sent the letter and I am almost at the minimum of $2300.  This year I decided on a goal of $5000.  I am hopeful that I will reach that goal.

... 

I like to read about the top fundraisers who will walk with us in Dallas.  Janis Fletcher has raised just under $10,000 so far.  She is a breast cancer survivor who shares her journey with her blog readers.  She invites you to read her blog ... so here is the link:

http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/2012/DallasFortWorthEvent2012?px=6390827&pg=personal&fr_id=1764

People like Janis make me PROUD to be a part of the 3-Day.  I hope we "bump into" each other in November! 
BOOBIES!

Burt Hits The Windy City

Bert and Burt

 Our Burt's Babes captain, Burt Lipshie, is walking in Chicago this weekend.  It is the first of his two 3-day walks ... lucky number 13 in Chicago and number 14, in memory of his cousin Judy, in Dallas.  I will be joining him in Dallas. Burt raised $3475.00 for Chicago and has reached $7316.90 so far for Dallas.  I'm not sure of how that compares to what he has raised in the past.  I'm sure it's less ... because it appears that many walkers are not raising the funds they have in past years.

There is an article in the Chicago Tribune that addresses this.  Number of walkers:  Down  Number of donations/donors: Down.  

Lauren Bromley, a 54 year old breast cancer survivor who raised more than $13,000 for this, her second 3-day, had this to say:

"(I was) quite upset with the Komen Foundation" earlier this year. But when the organization reversed course, (I) decided to focus on the larger goal of ending the disease.  I realized that it's my efforts and my fundraising that would help eliminate breast cancer.  If I didn't walk in this walk, I was going to let politics get in the way."

Megan Heng, a crew member said:

"For me, this is not a political issue. I'm trying to see beyond the politics to all the good that the program is doing. … I know of too many people who are struggling with cancer or who have lost their lives to this disease to stop now."

My letter brought in some very nice donations ... and I sent out some very nice cookbooks.  I know I will reach the minimum and hope to get close to my goal of $5000.

It can be done, yes?

Yes it can!

boobies

Read the Chicago Tribune story here.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-komen-race-20120810,0,2366142.story

Let the Fund Raising Begin

This, to me, is the toughest part of the 3-day.

Fund raising!

It is especially hard for me this year, considering Komen's decisions re: Planned Parenthood and the response of some of my past supporters and fellow walkers to it.  Within the letter  I wrote the following:

 "I understand that some of you were disappointed with Susan G. Komen and its controversial decision involving Planned Parenthood.  I can’t lie … I, too, was surprised and disappointed. This week changes were made in the organization. SGK’s president resigned and a new figurehead role for Nancy Brinker, founder of SGK, is being created. My decision from the beginning, however, was to fulfill my commitment to the cause. I will continue to support Susan G. Komen for the Cure and I will walk at least another 60 miles."  

I am not sure of how appropriate it is to include a statement like that in a request for support of the very organization for which I raise funds.  I felt I had to write it, though. I didn't want to offend anyone from my list who no longer supports Komen.  Oh well ... it's done ... the letter is sent.  Let's see what happens next!

...

Wednesday night is the best Zumba night.  The instructor is fantastic and the class can be REALLY crowded!  Last night she brought a guest ... a Zumba GUY!  He led a few dances and I was SWEATING!  It was CRAZY!!! (But I loved it!)  

You know you're into Zumba when the songs are in your head and you are moving even when sitting down!

WEPA!

(boobies)

ZUMBA!

When I saw my Zumba instructor, Linda, Monday night, I had just come from WW ... and finally lost 40+ lbs! I was so excited and shared the news with her.  I told her that Zumba was helping me get to my goal.  Tonight she gave me this Zumba bracelet and I love it!  Thank you Linda!  You put a BIG smile on my face! (Now I have to work on moving my body like you do!)

...

Burt's Sunday training walk to Brooklyn was canceled due to a miserable weather report.  The weatherman was WRONG, and it turned into a beautiful day.  Oh well.  Next time.

...

I still have all those cookbooks.  I have to make some decisions and soon ... or else I will ALWAYS have all those cookbooks!!!!!  

The end.