Overwhelmingly Blessed...

I am feeling overwhelmingly blessed today. There must be some sort of friendship intuition happening for me this week, because I have been surprised (and choked up) multiple times this week. Most of you know I have been busy training for the Komen 3-Day Event (60-miles in 3 days) taking place in San Diego this coming November...I am so excited to be walking 60-miles with my fabulous Twinkle Toes teammates to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research and education. You, my friends, have overwhelmed me with your generous donations and messages - my heart is full. To date my fundraising efforts have reached an incredible $5765...that is 77% of my goal, with 99 days to go...I am so unbelievably touched by your outpouring of support and encouragement!

I am also choked up about two surprises that arrived on my doorstep this week. First, I received a brand new pair of shoes...yes, I said shoes (aren't they AWESOME?!)...and I honestly can't tell you how much these were needed. These shoes are usually good for 350-400 walking miles...and my current pair had approximately 600-650 (maybe more) miles on them...and yes, I was planning on replacing them in the very near future, but these shoes come with a price tag and I have been saving my pennies. About a week and a half ago, after a 10+ mile walk, I removed my shoes to have a large open blister on the back of my foot...I had completely worn the material down on the inside of the heel of my shoe and had no idea how bad it was rubbing until I took off my shoe to find a blood soaked sock. Needless to say, I had to take a week off training to let it heal. So, when these new shoes arrived on my doorstep, I squealed like a little girl - they came when I needed them the most...and left me completely speechless. Then today, I received another surprise in the mail...an aerosol spray of TRISLIDE. I have not tried this product before, but I am always up for anything that will stop hotspots and blisters from forming on my feet. I usually use Body Glide, but can't wait to try this TRISLIDE and see how effective it is!...what an extremely thoughtful gift. I also received an e-mail from a dear friend asking me what was on my list of needs for the walk, because she wants to send me a care package...seriously, I am so very thankful. I am truly touched by all the love and support coming my way...

When I started this journey, I knew it would be challenging, I knew it would be costly (shoes, airline tickets, gear, hotel, the list goes on and on), and I knew it would be time consuming (my average walks are 2 - 3 hours)...but I knew in my heart this was something I needed/wanted to do. I had no idea how I was going to raise the required funds to walk or how I was going to afford the needed gear and travel...but with the love and support of my friends, my goal has become obtainable. You are all incredible...and so very special...thank you.

For those of you wanting to know more about my exclusive needlework design for this worthy cause ("Red Rosies and Pink Posies"), it will be available until November...and you can read all about it here:
http://blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com/2013/07/red-rosies-and-pink-posies.html

I'm now off for a Thursday evening walk...I must break in my fancy new kicks and try out the TRISLIDE...I hear the fresh air calling my name...