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!

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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.

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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?

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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 

Atlanta 3-day: Day 1 (20 miles)

Ah ... Day 1 is always so exciting.

You get up before the sun is up (like 3:30 or something) and you dress in your finest 3-day gear and you wander downstairs (dragging your 35+ lb. duffle on wheels behind you) and suddenly you find yourself in a sea of pink and see the greatest get-ups you will find in one place! (someday I will wear a tu-tu and a tiara!)

You grab something to eat (usually included in the hotel bill ... this time NOT!) and then you wait for the bus to take you to Opening Ceremonies.

Opening Ceremonies this year were in the shadow of Stone Mountain.

It was chilly but we were excited ... and the warmth of the thousands of participants ... walkers and crew ... was enough for me!

One of the first things we do (after throwing our duffles on the truck to be transported to camp) is remember for whom we are walking.  As always ... I walk for Muriel, Cynthia, Phyllis, and Bee.  I have added Lisa to my list.  You might remember we lost Lisa 2 years ago to Leukemia.

Always emotional ... Opening Ceremonies is a time for us to honor the survivors.  This is the Survivors' Circle.  These are the heroes.

 You wipe your eyes ... and you're off!

We always start together ... then little groups walk together.

Sometimes we walk alone.

It's a time to reflect.

I met these three gals along the way ...

3 generations of walkers!

I love it!

The cheering stations in Atlanta were amazing.

I almost lost it when we came to the Stone Mountain cheering station.  To hear their cheers and read their signs made me walk just a little faster ... and helped me to forget that my feet were beginning to hurt ... just a little!

Although I was just fine with port-o-potties all day ...
it was very exciting to be camping indoors in Atlanta!  That meant flushing toilets!  What a thrill!  It also meant that we didn't have to drag our gear over grass ... we didn't have to find the heaters in the dining tent ... we could walk around in our pjs and feel warm!  Lesley and I found that Advil PM is a miracle ... and we quickly fell asleep in our pink tent ... ready to begin a new day and walk another 20 miles in the morning.
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Always on the lookout for something to bring home to my dear friend Sarge, I decided on the following:

get a load of them balloons ... 'eh Sarge!

Why Did The Walker Cross (Shore) Road--(part deux)

To get a closer look at the swans of course.

I can't help it.  

I'm swan obsessed!

I was so close I could have touched them.

And they would have given me the what for!

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I also crossed the road so I could sit on a bench and enjoy the bay.

Busy Shore Road is on one side ... and the peaceful bay is on the other.

It's a good place to sit and think.

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I was supposed to have a "morning walk" but by the time I finally left it was afternoon.  I would rather walk in the morning but with all the excitement of the call from the New York Yankees, I lost track of time.

Before I Step Out For My Walk This Morning ...

Want to wish my training guru BURT (pictured above with my tent mate Lesley and me posing at "Eyes" last year) a great CHICAGO WALK!

Chicago has 1900 walkers.

Chicago has 400 crew.

Chicago has raised $5.1 million for Breast Cancer research.

This is Burt's first of two 3-day walks this year.

Next stop for him will be Dallas!

GOOD WALKING BURT!

Are You A Sister?

I was looking at some sculptures (maybe I should call them stone carvings) that were recently installed on the Bay Walk and this woman (pictured above) stopped to talk.  We talked about the carvings and how nice the Bay Walk is and how long it took to (almost) finish Mill Pond and how beautiful it is.  

Then she asked "Are you a sister?"  

At first I wasn't sure of what she meant, then I realized I was wearing my 3-day shirt. 

"A survivor?"  I responded.  "No ... I'm a walker.  I walk for my mom and for my friends who are all survivors.  Are you a survivor?"  

She told me, with a GIANT smile, "I am in remission 14 years."  

I shook her hand and told her ...  "I will walk for YOU!"

So Ellen, I dedicate this training walk to you ... and I will add your name to the growing list of those for whom I walk!

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Here is what we were looking at:

They are installed on two metal benches.
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My friend Terri wrote that I should be taking time to stop by the water ... listen to the birds ... meditate.  Here is a picture (or two) from the bay walk:

Sarge ... My goal today was to find a pair of mushrooms ... take a picture ... and ask you what they remind you of.  Sadly ... these are the only mushrooms I saw.  Boobies!