Avon Fundraising at 98% Completion

I just checked my donation page and I am at 98% of my fundraising goal. What a great way to kick off the weekend!

Just a measly 2% to go which means a $31 donation and I have made it to my goal. Wow, I am amazed!!!

THANK YOU to everyone who has donated, prayed for me, and helped me spread the word.

OMG....I'm 30!!!

I had the BEST birthday this year! Although I turned the big 3-0, it was a great day filled with fun, friends, family, and lots of birthday love. I think this was even a better birthday than my 21st!

I gave myself a birthday present by taking a personal day from work. This allowed me to go to the gym when I wanted, get a manicure and pedicure, sweep the floors, and get ready for my birthday party all before going to my class orientation (I am one class away from earning an Educational Diagnostician certification from UNT).

Mark organized a little party for me at a sushi restaurant near our house. My friends with kids even got babysitters so they could come out! Here is a picture of the girls in my Girls Dinner Group that we have once a month (Mandy, Jenn, Becky, and me). Sarah Jane wasn't able to make it -- we missed her!

The food there is so yummy and everyone had fun.
Mark dripped soy sauce on his white shirt but thank goodness we were at a table full of Moms for Jenn had a stain stick in her purse!

Becky made me an AMAZING birthday gift...an apron! It was her first sewing project since she got a sewing machine for Christmas. I was so amazed at her talent and so touched that she would take the time to make me something. I love it, can't wait to wear it (I told her I would wear it even when I was microwaving), and, it even matches my kitchen! Very thoughtful!


Even Mark and Doug enjoyed the apron....well, maybe Mark didn't enjoy it so much....


Then, we went to an Irish Pub just a few doors down where we continued to celebrate!














Sadly, everyone had to return home to their babysitters and we were all getting tired (it was midnight). Doug, Becky, Mark, and I all shared a cab home where we continued to laugh and have fun at Doug and Becky's. This is how the night ended...guess we aren't the 20 year old rockstars we used to be!
Thank you to everyone for the cards, phone calls, e-mails, and love! You have no idea how much it meant to me!

Avon Walk/Biggest Loser Update

After a WONDERFUL birthday (pictures and post to come....), I have news to report on both my Avon Walk for Breast Cancer and on the Biggest Loser challenge.

First for the good news....thanks to my very generous friends and family, I have managed to raise $1381.00 for breast cancer research. Wow!! My goal is $1800 so that means just $419 to go. I think I can do it! If you would like to help me reach my goal, or, know someone who would, visit my page here. THANK YOU!!!!

This week I walked a total of 22 miles as part of my training. Each day, a different amount is recommended in order to reach the 39 miles on the day of the event. Yesterday, I did 10 miles which was the longest I have ever walked at one time in my entire life. It took me 3 hours. Luckily, it didn't really feel like 3 hours because I had Mark's IPod with me and my wonderful friend/neighbor, Becky, met me and we walked and talked for 4 miles.

I also ordered 2 pairs of new shoes and bought 2 new pair of socks to try out. Blisters are starting to form on my feet so I need a good pair of thick socks with wicking material (according to the professionals!). Next purchase, official walking clothes!

In Biggest Loser Challenge world, I did not lose a single pound for a second week in a row. Very frustrating! Mark thinks it is because we celebrated my birthday this weekend which could be true though I figure all the walking and exercising I am doing should counteract all of that. Who knows! Regardless, everyone else in the challenge is losing weight so that is good news!

Nugget

Mark found a stray Yorkie at his job site yesterday morning. Her (adorable) name is Nugget. Nugget had a tag on, Mark called the owner, and the owner basically told him the dog ran away too often, that she didn't want the dog back, and he could just let her go. Of course, Mark was not going to do that so we started on a mission to find Nugget a loving home. I e-mailed people and so did Mark. Luckily a man in Allen named Arnie graciously said he would take Nugget.

Nugget spent the day in Mark's lap while he did change order reports. He fed her a donut hole and gave her a bath in the bathroom sink for she was covered in mud. Then, he brought her to my parents (we had my birthday dinner at their house last night - yum yum!!!) and finally took her to her new home. Mark said Arnie and his family were beyond excited to get Nugget! Arnie even called Mark this morning and thanked him for giving Nugget to them for she was what their family needed.

My heart is happy that Nugget has a new home where she will be loved and taken care of and I know Mark feels the same way too!

Dixie the Destroyer

Our sweet Miss Dixie is becoming quite the destroyer. She and Bandera sometimes stay outside while we are away. It appears Dixie becomes bored when we leave her alone for extended periods of time. On two separate days, this is what I have come home to....not good though impressive work, I must say.









These are the remains of the "Wipe Your Paws" doormat that was outside by the door (that thing is seriously thick and very coarse!). The picture on the right would be the remains of a seat cushion from the outdoor sofa. I didn't get a picture of the following day when she destroyed the other seat cushion.

The funniest part about all of this is the instant I open the door to let the dogs in, Bandera begins barking a lot. I think she is telling me just how terrible Dixie was during the day and that she tried to tell her she was doing a bad thing. It is pretty funny.

I usually leave the mess so Mark can see what Dixie did all day. It just isn't the same as if you see it in person. Then, one of us has to clean it all up. Oh, Miss Dixie....

Luckily she doesn't do anything bad inside the house!

A General Update

This weekend was a busy one!

1. I went to New Orleans for my friend Katie's wedding with another friend from work (Anne Marie). It was a beautiful wedding and quite the party! She and Tripp looked very happy. I am excited for them to experience all the wonderful aspects of being married that Mark and I have enjoyed in the 6 months we have been Mr. and Mrs.

This is a picture of me and Anne Marie at the wedding.
Here is a picture of the bride's cake and the groom's cake. He is an audiologist so an ear cake was pretty clever!









2. I was lucky enough to have MLK Day off from school so I was able to catch up on all the little things like laundry and grocery shopping (saved 50% at Kroger this week -- woo hoo!!!) that I usually do on the weekend. I also had to do a long walk to make up for the walk I should have done on Sunday but I couldn't since I was traveling.

The walk was 8 miles long. I have to admit, I was kind of excited to see if I could walk that much, and guess what? I did it! Mark was kind enough to let me borrow his IPod (yes, it is 2010 and I don't own an IPod) so it made the 2 hours go by fairly quickly. Not gonna lie, 8 miles is a long way and when I drove it in my car to figure out where I had to go, I thought it was a mistake, but oh no, it was not! Needless to say, I survived!

3. I also had to weigh in for my Biggest Loser challenge. Much to my dismay, I lost .2 lbs which is equivalent to a glass of water as far as I am concerned. I was disappointed considering I exercised every day (even at the hotel), ate well all week, and passed on the yummy fried food at the wedding (I did eat a small plate of other yummy food though). Oh well, maybe next week will be better for me!

4. Here is my Biggest Loser "before" picture.
I purposely posed like this since all the contestants pose like this when they are on the show. When I asked Mark to take a picture of me like this, he rolled his eyes, laughed, and told me I was nuts. Yep, I am, but a little fun never hurt anyone (especially someone who wants to lose weight!). He agreed!

5. As far as fundraising for my Avon walk goes, I am at 61% of my fundraising goal thanks to a few VERY generous donations over the weekend. I need to walk 6 miles when I get home tonight!

Almost to 50%!!!

WOW!!! That is about all I can say at this point is....WOW!!!

I am so incredibly blessed and lucky to have such amazing friends, co-workers, and family members. In just 3 days, I have made it to 47% of my fundraising goal for the Avon Breast Cancer Walk. I am blown away!!!

When Avon suggested sending an e-mail out to everyone I know, I was a little nervous because really, I don't think I know that many people. I have never been one to have a million friends, but rather, the type of person who has a few really close friends. Lucky for me, since meeting and marrying Mark, my friend group has grown since he has some pretty great friends too! Plus, Mark was kind enough to send my message and donation page to some of his work friends and even post it on his hunting forum.

When I sent the e-mail out asking if people would support me in my efforts to raise $1800, I was a little skeptical. This is a tough time for many people when it comes to finances, asking for money is never comfortable, and $1800 is a lot of money. To those who have sent donations and/or kind words, THANK YOU. You have no idea how touched I am, how proud I am to have this money go towards breast cancer treatment and research, and most of all, to know I have support on a journey that I am predicting won't be an easy one.

So.....please, please, please continue to help me by spreading the word, e-mailing co-workers and friends, and simply talking about it. Just $900 more to go (and hopefully a little more)!!!

You can see where I am by visiting my donation page here.

Much love and appreciation,
meghan