Things like this

Things like raising nearly $1200 in the first round of auctions make me kind of shake my head and close my eyes. In the past twenty-four hours I keep coming back to our totals in disbelief, wondering how I stumbled into this space of love and support. I don't know how to wrap my head around it all.

It all started when I asked my girls on Woolywonder.com if they might help me with an idea I had for knit pink ribbon keychains. They responded with swift action. Their call to assist has astounded me from the beginning. It isn't often that we face such a collective of unconditional support--and the fact that I have met only a few of the women who are behind these efforts--makes it all the more astounding.

What was once an idea I had for knit keychains has evolved into the Fiber Arts Avengers and in these first round of auctions we have far surprassed what I thought possible. I couldn't have imagined it but I welcome it. And I thank you. I don't know what else to say. Is it enough? Not right now it isn't. Right now I feel as thankful as I can feel but I struggle because what we are fighting against is still so far away to me. Superficially I get that Breast Cancer is terrible. Because I have not faced that monster myself, I will rely on learning the stories of others who are in battle in order to really get a sense of what this is all about.

Right now all I can do is walk and train so that is what I will do to show my thanks. Later, when I am walking, I promise to learn the stories and share them with you so that as we stand proudly united against this disease, we will know what it truly means to be heroes.

~J

Sore Dogs

I hate to admit it, but my training fell off a bit in March. I was teaching 3x a week in the mornings as well as commuting to take my older daughter to preschool in the old neighborhood--so I was a leetle crazy. Needless to say, I started in earnest this weekend and it feels good. Don't get me wrong, it actually feels bad, but I'm resigned to think that all exercise right now is supposed to feel that way. If this was easy, everyone would be doing it.

So on Sunday I walked with my neighbor, her mom and her sister. Her sister is 16 and is a track/cross-country runner, and her mother is recovering from total hip replacement surgery. You'd think that one or both of these descriptions would somehow make me feel good about my current (non)state of athleticism. Well, they both kicked my ass. What is it with these people? I seriously could have jogged as fast as they were walking! Even the sweet mother, who certainly seems normal and nice and of good character, was out to get me--her new hip seems to be working out pretty well.

My new neighbor is so wonderful and she and her family are so cool. I do a really obnoxious thing when I'm around her. I show her things. I show her my crafts and my knitting like I'm a fourth-grade kid trying to elicit praise from a teacher. "Here, look at what I made." "Here, let me cook this for you..." " "Here, let me knit you a gnome." I hope my crafting craziness doesn't scare her off. I must seem like some wierd mutant Martha Stewart who knits like madwoman a but can't keep her house clean.

Would you take a look at our FAA Auctions? They are a thing to behold. Some of you are serious shopping Avengers, let me tell you. To my amazing knitting sisters who have contributed such beautiful artistry for this project, I thank you. To my amazing shopping sisters, I bow down in retail homage to your proweress. There are still a few days on many of the auctions--including the cute newborn soaker set I have up--please note that it is a FAA auction even though it doesn't have the correct template. I goofed.

Check out the Auctions here.

Correct me if I am wrong, but we've raised 968.03 if all things were to close this minute. Is that right? Someone double-check my math. Can you even believe it? I'm speechless. How far can we take this thing, ladies?

Don't forget that even a $5 donation gets you entered in the drawing! Details here.

I had better get to walking....

Love, love, love

~J

Auctions are LIVE

Check 'em out, gang! Here's your chance to spend some money on some quality threads--and all for a great cause! Here's how it works: you buys stuff from our auctions except that you don't actually pay the person you're buying from--you donate directly to the fundraising efforts of the Fiber Arts Avengers and then you'll forward your receipt to the seller. Got it? Good! Now get shopping!

Auction Site at WHAM Chick Auction house

There's some great stuff by big-name knitters. I'm even offering a "My first soaker set" that *almost* makes me want to have a newborn again just so she can wear it.

I am walking this weekend, rain or shine. I can't wait to get out and pound some serious pavement. I'll recount my adventures to you all, my lovely friends. Take care and live juicy.

~J

Milestone 1

We've hit a huge milestone--the $500 mark! I'm especially excited about this because we haven't even begun the amazing auctions yet. My heartfelt thanks go out to all of you who have given your time and money in support of this cause.

I hope you would think of a family I know tonight. The father collapsed on Friday and after surgery to remove his spleen, they found cancer throughout his entire body. The prognosis is touch-and-go right now. He is in his forties, has two beautiful teenage daughters and a wife. I am having a difficult time grasping the horror right now.

On a more upbeat note, I hope you'll all join me in a round of applause for our dear chairgoddess of the Fiber Arts Avengers--she is going to have a pattern printed in the next issue of Knitty.com! What a rockstar! Pamela is the true force behind this tour de force--my knitting needles are off to you, dear friend.

Also, be sure to take a look at www.mothering.com for their Mother's Writer's Group. Yours truly is leading a birth story workshop. Come on over and let's talk birth!

Love to you all

~Jesse