Man, this has been a busy year. Tomorrow, Libby and I will attend a support group meeting for young adults up in Seattle. Gerrit, the leader has been a great resource so far and I look forward to the friendship that will form.
I have been learning how to do websites. Not very well, but effectively. I never professed to be a webmaster. But I'm glad to learn how to do one.
In addition to our support group we've started, we are organizing a 5k walk in May for Stroke Awareness Month. Our date and location will be finalized on Monday after hearing confirmation from one of our guest speakers.
Meanwhile, I called Stroke.org regarding the registration of our meeting on their website. I sent in a fax with a cover letter describing my friendship with Libby and how it formed. She was touched by our story and asked if we'd be interested in being published in their StrokeSmart magazine quarterly publication. Ahh, let me think...heck yeah! In addition, I asked if I could possibly advertise our walk in their next issue in April. Better late than never. So I would love to see that happen!
God has just really opened up so many doors for us lately. Coincidences are when God wants to remain anonymous. But I see so much of His handy work lately it's too obvious to ignore.
7968
Friday, February 19, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
It's official, our website is up and running. It's a work in progress. But the link to our support group is http://www.reclaimingourselves.com/ (open in a new window)
Libby and I are both excited able the possibilities this will expose.
We are working on obtaining the National Stroke Association as our primary sponsor. More sponsors pending. We've received the approval from Crystal Springs to donate water for our 5k stroke awareness walk this summer. Honey Buckets were also donated. We need to set a date and confirm a location. But we are looking at Point Defiance in Tacoma. Next we are looking to become a non-profit organization. We'd like to raise donations for the stroke association.
I contacted a gentleman in Seattle who runs a support group. He will be a valuable resource.
I'm excited about 2010 and what God has in store for us.
7946
Libby and I are both excited able the possibilities this will expose.
We are working on obtaining the National Stroke Association as our primary sponsor. More sponsors pending. We've received the approval from Crystal Springs to donate water for our 5k stroke awareness walk this summer. Honey Buckets were also donated. We need to set a date and confirm a location. But we are looking at Point Defiance in Tacoma. Next we are looking to become a non-profit organization. We'd like to raise donations for the stroke association.
I contacted a gentleman in Seattle who runs a support group. He will be a valuable resource.
I'm excited about 2010 and what God has in store for us.
7946
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Man, what a busy month February is turning out to be too. One of my birthday presents was a gift certificate for dance lessons at Arthur Murray. I was so excited. It included three private lessons, two group lessons, then a group dance party. So far, we've done two private lessons and one group lesson. We've learned swing dancing, the rumba, the waltz, turning and spinning. What a kick! We're having a blast.
And last week, my friend Libby and I started a stroke support group geared for young adult stroke survivors and their families. We had another member join our group and it was a great and warming experience to help others. I did further research this week and found another support group geared for young adults in north Seattle, 50 miles from here. I contacted the group leader and we bonded right away. He will be a valuable resource to us.
So I'm excited for what lies ahead with dancing and this support group. And, I'm trying to get on the treadmill daily. So my time is filling up quickly and the possibilites of more new things this year are endless. Just how I imagined this year to be after turning 40.
7934
And last week, my friend Libby and I started a stroke support group geared for young adult stroke survivors and their families. We had another member join our group and it was a great and warming experience to help others. I did further research this week and found another support group geared for young adults in north Seattle, 50 miles from here. I contacted the group leader and we bonded right away. He will be a valuable resource to us.
So I'm excited for what lies ahead with dancing and this support group. And, I'm trying to get on the treadmill daily. So my time is filling up quickly and the possibilites of more new things this year are endless. Just how I imagined this year to be after turning 40.
7934
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Wow, January just flew by! What a busy month it was.
For my 40th birthday, we flew to CA for a few days to spend time with some family and friends before heading to Mexico.
On my actual birthday, I walked a 5K in the morning, then went shoe shopping followed by dinner that evening.
On Saturday, we went indoor skydiving in Perris. There was eight of us that did it - Dave, Cherilyn, Dennis, Terry, Curtis, Alanna, Michael and me. We got a 5 minute quick lesson on what to expect, learn some hand signals for communication in the tunnel, and correct body positioning. Afterwards, we suited up! It was a total kick that all of us got to do it. I felt I could actually jump out of a plane after doing it.
Once we got back home, I was greeted with a surprise party! It was wonderful to see so many faces I had not seen in years from the Disney Travel Co. to Pacific Palms Resort, to Denys' family, NoBadDays Racing friends and even friends I'd known for 20 years. We had an awesome time all night!
On Sunday, Michael and I went to Mom's church to visit her friends. It was such a joy to see them again although sad to learn of more they have lost. Mom was very happy there at that church.
For lunch, we drove out to have lunch with Skip and Judy. I haven't really seen them in years and I thought it would be nice to spend some time with them. Michael and I even took Alanna so she could meet and spend time with them.
Next on the agenda was Puerta Vallarta, Mexico for the rest of the week. We stayed at the Dreams Resort which was an all-inclusive resort with a private beach. Our room was on the 7th floor with an ocean view. The sliding glass door not only opened, the entire wall to our balcony opened! So we spent the entire week with the glass wall opened listening to the waves crash below us. Very nice! On the balcony was a jacuzzi too.
One afternoon, we rented jet skiis and rode them on the open ocean. I had never done that before. We raced each other at wide open speeds of 45 mph. Michael couldn't catch me.
Another afternoon we went into town and rented ATV's and rode into the jungle. Again, I had never ridden an ATV but I did well with this. We had to drive through town to get out to the road that led us away. Our tour lasted 3 hours. That was a fun experience.
Other afternoons we spent either in the pool, or in town walking the malecon for shopping. Mother Nature provided us with great weather the entire trip averaging 85 all week.
It was sad to come home to 40 degrees. This January has been the warmest on record for Seattle. So we've got that going for us. Wonder what that will mean for summer.
Now that I'm home, I'm getting focused on other things to keep busy. This Thursday my friend Libby and I have stated a stroke support group for young adults called Reclaiming Ourselves. She suffered a stroke 2 years ago at the age of 27. We live about 7 miles apart and we've formed a bond and a friendship. So together we've started a support group. This summer we hope to organize a 5K walk to raise awareness that strokes do not discriminate with age and that it does happen to young people.
Next on the horizon, dance lessons!
7893
For my 40th birthday, we flew to CA for a few days to spend time with some family and friends before heading to Mexico.
On my actual birthday, I walked a 5K in the morning, then went shoe shopping followed by dinner that evening.
On Saturday, we went indoor skydiving in Perris. There was eight of us that did it - Dave, Cherilyn, Dennis, Terry, Curtis, Alanna, Michael and me. We got a 5 minute quick lesson on what to expect, learn some hand signals for communication in the tunnel, and correct body positioning. Afterwards, we suited up! It was a total kick that all of us got to do it. I felt I could actually jump out of a plane after doing it.
Once we got back home, I was greeted with a surprise party! It was wonderful to see so many faces I had not seen in years from the Disney Travel Co. to Pacific Palms Resort, to Denys' family, NoBadDays Racing friends and even friends I'd known for 20 years. We had an awesome time all night!
On Sunday, Michael and I went to Mom's church to visit her friends. It was such a joy to see them again although sad to learn of more they have lost. Mom was very happy there at that church.
For lunch, we drove out to have lunch with Skip and Judy. I haven't really seen them in years and I thought it would be nice to spend some time with them. Michael and I even took Alanna so she could meet and spend time with them.
Next on the agenda was Puerta Vallarta, Mexico for the rest of the week. We stayed at the Dreams Resort which was an all-inclusive resort with a private beach. Our room was on the 7th floor with an ocean view. The sliding glass door not only opened, the entire wall to our balcony opened! So we spent the entire week with the glass wall opened listening to the waves crash below us. Very nice! On the balcony was a jacuzzi too.
One afternoon, we rented jet skiis and rode them on the open ocean. I had never done that before. We raced each other at wide open speeds of 45 mph. Michael couldn't catch me.
Another afternoon we went into town and rented ATV's and rode into the jungle. Again, I had never ridden an ATV but I did well with this. We had to drive through town to get out to the road that led us away. Our tour lasted 3 hours. That was a fun experience.
Other afternoons we spent either in the pool, or in town walking the malecon for shopping. Mother Nature provided us with great weather the entire trip averaging 85 all week.
It was sad to come home to 40 degrees. This January has been the warmest on record for Seattle. So we've got that going for us. Wonder what that will mean for summer.
Now that I'm home, I'm getting focused on other things to keep busy. This Thursday my friend Libby and I have stated a stroke support group for young adults called Reclaiming Ourselves. She suffered a stroke 2 years ago at the age of 27. We live about 7 miles apart and we've formed a bond and a friendship. So together we've started a support group. This summer we hope to organize a 5K walk to raise awareness that strokes do not discriminate with age and that it does happen to young people.
Next on the horizon, dance lessons!
7893
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