Save the TAW-TAW'S Has Gone Country!

Save the Taw-Taw's went country, cuz we were Tough Enough To Wear Pink! May 11, 2008 what an inspiring day as several of us ran the 5K Race for a Cure. In trying to get myself in shape for Africa, power walking and jogging has become a ritual 3 to 4 times a week. And in an effort to prove to myself I have the strength mentally and physically I joined the band wagon with Chad, Kelli and Jeannie in running the Breast Cancer 5K. It was so inspiring just to see the amazing support for a cure, that stemmed from one sister's promise to her dying sister to do all she could to find a cure for breast cancer.

We started the race at the Gateway ran 3.2 miles and ended back at the Gateway. I was excited about the race until I got sick the night before, as I vomited all night and got very little sleep. Laying on the couch so tired and nauseated, I thought of all the countless women who go through chemo and are deathly sick for weeks. I gathered myself up put my shoes on and headed for Salt Lake and in the end was so thankful I did. We all pretty much started the race together, but soon ended up in pairs, except for Chad, he took off like a bullet. (Though in his words he had a little help from a very special angel.) Kelli and Heath ran as a pair, Natalie and Tiffany were the middle pair, with Jeannie and I brought up the rear finishing in 42:10, not to bad for a couple of old gals! The best part about being last was everyone was there cheering for us as we crossed the finish line, which brought tears to our eyes. Cheering the loudest for me was Tiff as she ran along with me the last hundred feet, and at the finish line there was Brykn with flowers. My Little Buddy was so cute and seemed so proud as he hugged me and said, "Great Job Mam-Maw.... All I could think at the time was I got the chance to finish, which was a lot more than one in four women get the chance to do, because of breast cancer.

I was focused at the time, but looking back at the entire day, I am humbled by the effects of breast cancer. There was a gentleman in front of us wearing a sign in honor of his wife. The sign read; I run in honor of my STRONG, COURAGEOUS, BEAUTIFUL...WIFE! His wife who was also running was completely bald, very thin, and extremely pale from the chemo.

Then the survivors parade was also very touching, as women from all ages marched in honor or their beating the disease. Though I'm sure some are still not out of the woods. I will never forget the one woman who proudly, and ecstatically jumped up and down as she waved to her family.

I have thought a lot about the power of one woman and I truly needed to do more for humanity. One thing is for sure I will be back next year running proudly with and for not only myself but, my mother, my sisters, my daughter, my future granddaughters, my nieces, and my girlfriends, all running hand in hand and side by side. Not just running, but running for a cure!!!

Great Family Support

I have been so inspired by all the family support in my quest to reach Africa. I really had no idea how many people would be cheering me on, encouraging and helping me fulfill a dream. I got the nicest card yesterday from Aunt Betty and her family along with $100.00. I have chosen to buy shoes for orphaned children once in Africa, which I am sure will bring a smile to my face, the children's, and Aunt Betty's. From one nurse to another, Thanks A Bunch, I love you guys and I am honored to carry a little piece of you all with me when I go in October.

A "Redneck" Gym

People ask me all the time what gym I go to. My reply is, "The Redneck Gym." Being the thrifty person I am, I am not about to pay to walk or run on a tread mill, lift weights or use all that fancy gym equipment. Nor, do I want to listen all those other out of shape folks huff and puff, moan and groan as they work out. And the last thing I want to do is smell all those sweaty bodies, as most gyms smell like a mens locker room. With all these things in mind I have found my OWN gym, a gym free of charge. I like to walk or run in the outdoors, most often around the Bend Lane, for this country girl it is the best treadmill there is. I also use the exempt railroad tracks to stretch out my legs. I usually go 2-3 miles on the track skipping every other one railraod tie. As far as weights are concerned I simply pick up two heavy rocks, one for each hand and I'll lift them as I walk. I try to hike somewhere that there is a gate, and climb over it ten times, sort of a hillbilly obstacle course. Then again there are a variety of mountains around so I can take my pick as how high I am willing to go each day. The smell of cut grass, fresh rain, and wild flowers sure does beat sweaty bodies. The sights and sounds of my gym are amazing, each day I hear the crickets and frogs in the swamps. The sand hill cranes, geese,and ducks, calling for their mates as they fly off the water. Not to mention the cows bellering for their calves, the horses snorting at me, and the sheep baaing, at what to me sound like "Ba-Ba Black Sheep." There are so many sights to see and enjoy every day. Simple things such as a butterfly flying from flower to flower, a lizard scurrying under a rock, Lily pads drifting in the pond or a herd of deer running up the mountain. Sights and sounds that in this fast pace world are nice to simply take the time and enjoy each day. I suppose only a redneck-country girl would think all this is far better than a state of the art gym, but I say try it you might like it too.....

If You Go Up, You Gotta Come Down

Hiking is a must to get in good enough shape to go to Africa. Though just thinking about it each weekend can in it's self be tiring. I really enjoy the hiking and the outdoors once I get off the couch. Although as I stand at the bottom of a mountain in the Goshen Valley it really doesn't look that high, but half way up it suddenly looks huge. Though I go up the mountain pretty good, it that coming down that is a little rough. T.J. likes to think of himself as my hiking instructor. He tells me, "just step and go," or "Mom you hike like a girl." Well, I suppose I do, as I take dainty little steps, trying to place my feet just right so I don't tumble to the bottom. T.J. on the other hand goes like crazy up and down the mountain, not paying any attention to where he is stepping. He makes it look sooooo...easy, maybe it is the thirty-five year difference in our ages. However, together we have a great time hiking and talking and giving each other a bad time. For T.J. one of the best things is we usually see a herd or two of deer. I am not sure if he is likes the hiking, or if he is scouting a 'Big Buck" for the fall hunt. Whatever it is it okay, as I suppose we are killing two birds with one stone.

It is funny how life does an about-face. For the past fifteen years T.J. has always brought me back a "PRUDDY" rock from his hunting trips, (of which I still have all of them) now I have guaranteed him I will bring him back a pretty rock from the highest free standing mountain in the world, "The Roof of Africa."

1,2,3 Pull, I'm Getting Better

I've been going to water aerobics for the past seven weeks now, and I really enjoy the class. Tiffany, our instructor is young, fit, has a great shape and is a lot of fun. I try to go early and work a little on my own, either in the pool or on some of the equipment in the PT Department. When I started seven weeks ago just for fun I wanted to see if I could do a pull up using the bar. That night I was only able to do 10 pull-up's before my arms felt like rubber bands. However, tonight I am up to fifty and plan on adding five each time I go, until I am able to do hundred each class. I'm not sure if all this will help my Lunch Lady arms, but I am up to the challenge. After all I might be glad once I start up Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Training Torture

I wouldn't really call training torture, as I have really begun to love the way all this exercise makes me feel. However, I have come to the conclussion there is a difference in the way the mind feels and the way the body feel, especially at the age of 54. There are days my mind is raring to go, and my body is say are you nuts. In my training schedule have tried to add several different aspects of torture. Three days a week I run/walk for 4-7 miles, one day a week I hike up and down the sand hill for 2 hours. Then it's water aerobics two days a week for 1 1/2 hours, and one day a week WE (me and a partner, who ever feels up to it), hike a mountain in the valley. The hiking is fun, but tiring, as it usually encompasses 5-6 hours of noodlely legs. When someone at works asks me why I have lost weight? I tell them what exercise I am doing and they question my sanity. Maybe I have lost it, but it sure makes me feel good. I guess this lesson in life has taught me that age is all relevant. As I will continue to lace up my shoes to hit the pavement, the water, or a mountain. After all how does one run a mile, one stride at a time, how does one climb a mountain, one step at a time!

My Bucket List

In the past five years I have thought a lot about the things I would like to see or do before I "Kick the Bucket." However, I never really thought of writing it down and putting an honest effort towards my list, until we saw the movie "The Bucket List." In the last few months it is very important for me to check each item off my list. As one day I don't want to say to myself, "if only I'd have taken the time, or I wish I had." My "Bucket List" really goes in no order, I'll just check them off as I get to them.

Bucket List

1. See the Green Bay Packers play at Lambeau Field, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, giving a loud cheer for the GREAT Bart Starr.
2. Go the the Kentucky Derby, for the Run for the Roses.
3. Stand in honor at the bottom the Statue of Liberty.
4. Do humanitarian medical mission to Africa. ***Fulfilled mission to Africa with AILC February 2009.
5. Walk/Run a 5K for a good cause. ***HOORAY I did it! May 11 2008 I ran and finished the Race for a Cure 5K for Breast Cancer. I joined the band wagon with Kellie and Jeannie in honor of Judy Taylor, Lari Downs, Jane Jex and countless others. It was so inspiring and I finished the race in 42:10 not bad for an "old lady"
6. Catch a Blue Marlin off the coast of California.
7. Fly with a Medical Helicopter service *** After giving up my dream of flying with a Medi-Vac unit during the Vietnam War, I was able to fly with Air-Med three different times, it was totally AWESOME!
8. Restore an old car preferably a 1955-56 Mustang
9. Continue to live my life, so as when my name is mentioned people think of kindness, compassion, integrity, fun loving, hard working, and creative.
10. Visit all 50 states as adult *** Utah, Nevada, Colorado, Texas, Ohio, Illinois, Florida, California, Arizona, Idaho, Washington, Wyoming, Missouri, Washington D.C. Alaska, (15 down, 35 to go)
11. Attend the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California.
12. Inspire someone to go beyond what they ever thought they possibly could. *** Hopefully, I inspired someone out there, after I climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro!!!
13. Honor my heritage by passing it on to future generations*** ( My scrapbooks have been done on my maternal side, a book on my Mom's life, I am starting my fraternal side soon.)
14. Make it known to everyone I meet, that my deepest love, my best friends, and my greatest contribution to the world have always been and will always be my children.

15. Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, after all it's only a mountain. ***YES, YES, YES!!!! I did it January 28, 2009. Yes, it is only a mountain, but one hell of a long hard hike!!!

16. Go Parachuting on my 60th B.-Day.

17. See Disney World through the eyes of children, my grandchildren.

18. Make a profound difference in someones life. *** Several years ago I was able to arrange to have a Hispanic child's "Crossed Eyes" surgically repaired. The surgery was done free of charge to the parents thanks several who happyly accepted my request and choose to get involved. The surgery and all the efforts including my own were broadcast on Channel 2 with myself and Dr. Linton speaking. Six weeks after the surgery, Edwardo Garica could see things he had never been able to focus on before. His overall health improved greatly and today Edwardo Garcia is a 13 year old, doing very well and has perfect 20/20 vision and loves to read.

19. Tour Europe, seeing Switzerland, Greenland, England and more!

20. Take a photography class.. Something I have always been interested in.

*** (done or somewhat complete)