Fiber Arts Avenger

Newborn Extravaganza!

2005-06-09T07:02:00.000-07:00

Our third round of auctions have begun at WAHMChicks and they are uh-ma-zing. It almost makes me want to have more kids just so they can wear this stuff. Check out the auctions and bid like crazy, we've got a goal to reach!

Fiber Arts Avenger July Auctions

The Shoe Fairy auctions are kind of cool. When I began training, the shoe fairy visited me and bestowed enough paypal for my shoes (three pairs=$240). The shoe fairy auctions pay her back. Donations do not go to the event, they go to the person serving as my shoe fairy. She has contributed an overwhelming amount of energy, product and time to this project and I really want to pay her back.

On Monday, Pam came over to my house with her beautiful children and we had a wonderful time putting together the auction sets and photographing them. Pam is such good people. Her kids are beautiful and sweet and the day was both productive and fun. Crazy, too. Five kids spells adventure: chalk soup on my deck turned into a shower party and a load of laundry. Violet, my eldest and Sam, Pam's eldest, hit it off like the best of friends. I've never seen my girl so taken with another kid so quickly. They were a dynamic duo, for sure.

I'm resuming walking this week after some time off to catch up on my life. The event is getting closer! I'm so excited.

Jesse

12-14

2005-05-30T06:21:00.000-07:00

It's 6:19am and I'm off to do 12-14 miles with Frankie and Lindsay this morning. We'll be walking through downtown Tacoma and all around the city. This is the same walk I did a month or so ago, just a wee bit longer. It's hard and my legs were thrashed, but managable - especially because I now have two folks to talk to who don't think I'm totally weird. Well, maybe they do, but they don't seem to care.

I'll let you know how it goes. By the way: I was able to add the following stickers to the badge:

$2100 and $3000.

I now need: 20 miles, EXPO (don't think I'm gonna make this one), 18/15 miles (back-to-back walks), matching gift (anyone want to do a matching gift or sponsor a matching gift from the auctions? email me!), online check-in and the spirit of 3 sticker - which I won't get because I didn't get two others to do the walk. Technically, I might qualify for Lindsay signing up, but I need one other person to sign up because of me in order to get that sticker.

Gotta pack my stuff.

Jesse

2005-05-20T22:28:00.000-07:00

You all continue to amaze me with the generous outpouring of support around the Fiber Arts Avengers. Our last round of auctions raised an incredible, amazing, fantastical amount of money:

$3526.99

That's one round, folks. I find the numbers staggering and inspiring. I would have never imagined that we could reach these heights. I'm looking toward the future and I would love to see an Avenger in every city of the 3 Day next year - wouldn't that be amazing?

I'm walking a lot but not enough. We've established a bit of a routine and try to walk on Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights as well as the weekends. With our recent storms (real crocodile stranglers, I tell ya), it's been a challenge. Lindsay and I braved the weather the other night and got pretty soaked but kept at it. Frankie was at outdoor camp with her students last week but is going to the Expo tomorrow. I don't think I'll attend the Expo, but I'm sure Frankie will tell me all about it.

My heel is cracked. Not the bone, just the skin. It is really painful. I guess I'm just not allowed to wear sandals or go without socks -- ever. I walked through the pain the other night because I wanted to see what that was like. I imagined myself an athlete, trying to make it across the finish line. I'm a dork. It got better after awhile, anyway.

Alrighty, just wanted to check in and offer a quick update. As my walking increases, my computer time decreases. I'm finding it challenging to fit my life in around everything else, you know? Funny, life.

Night and take care.

Jesse

And there it is!

2005-05-14T07:59:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning to several fantastic emails. Three of them started with "Congratulations, you just received a donation!" and the others, including one from my sister-in-law, had various exclaimations along the "Congratulations!!" line. Before I walked last night, we were a mere $13 from our goal. At present, my totals stand in the $2500 range.

How wonderful you all are. Do you realize how wonderful you are? Your efforts have not only afforded me this incredible opportunity, but have served as a beacon of hope and inspiration to everyone who hears our story. In my real, face-to-face life, I have a difficult time imparting the scope of this project to others. They look at me with puzzled glances and secretly think I'm quite odd.

Our work isn't done. I would ask that you continue to be the amazing Avengers you are and channel the fruits of our labors into the fundraising efforts of our two other team members: Frankie and Lindsay. They joined the recently established Seattle Fiber Arts Avengers team for the 3-Day and they are worthy of our support. I walk with both women regularly and they are walking for Frankie's collegue and dear friend, Linda.

You might not know Lindsay. I recently asked her to share with me why she was walking. She responded:

Hi Jesse,

I have been thinking all morning about why I am doing this three day walk.

First, is for my Mom. It hurts so bad to see my Mom hurt the way that she
did, and still is, after she lost Linda. Linda and my Mom were the best
friends that I have ever known. I hope that I am lucky enough to have a
friend like Linda in my life someday. When Linda died, I could tell that my
Mom had lost something so special to her and that she was going to need a
lot of support to get through this. This is a way that I can support my
Mom.

Secondly, I am walking for Linda. Linda treated me and my family like her
own. She was so easy to talk to. Linda was my playground supervisor when I
was in kindergarden. I used to spend all of recess hanging out with Linda
instead of playing with the other kids. We had a very special bond. When I
was in first grade, my best friend, Brenda, died from a brain tumor and
Linda gave me a teddy bear and told me that it was to remind me of Brenda.
Another time that Linda was there for me was when My father-in-law was in
the hospital because of his liver cancer. Linda happened to be there
getting a treatment and I went and sat with her during her treatment. We
talked all about her cancer and about the treatments that my father-in-law
had been doing. Here she was having treatment for this cancer that she had
been fighting for years, and she was as happy as could be. She had made
friends with all of the nurses in that department, everyone there saw that
same light in Linda that I saw when we first met. There was somethig about
her that just made everything okay.

Hopefully this helps.

Lindsay and Frankie have been a real support to me as I prepare to represent us at the Seattle event. You can feel good about supporting them now that you've made our first goal.

Next year, let's have walkers in every city! Sound good?

Here's the link to The Fiber Arts Avengers in Seattle, our maiden voyage, if you will.

Walking/Training update:

With the help of Frankie and Lindsay, I've been doing really well at walking. We have a good schedule during the week and I love our 4.5 mile loop that we walk at 7:30 3x a week. The longer walks are on the weekends. I'm feeling energized and like I'm building stamina and when I don't walk, my body aches to get moving. It sure helps that the weather has been so nice lately and it stays light out until well past 9pm.

I don't go to the Y so much anymore because I hate leaving my kids in the daycare. I'm going to cancel my membership. It's just not worth it money-wise. I feel so stressed out if I don't use it and it's $50 is too much money per month not to be going several times a week. I might have my kids keep their memberships because they really like gymnastics. I can't decide. I'm not very good as a regular schedule and it's hard for me to commit to their classes. Hm.

Alrighty. Carry on, Avengers! You are amazing and I thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you!!!!!!

~J

Team Fiber Arts Avengers

2005-05-11T22:32:00.000-07:00

After another round of amazing auctions, I think it is appropriate to expand our original mission and extend superhero status to others walking in the 3-Day. Here's what I had to say in a letter to our generous donors at the auctions:

Dear Friend of the Fiber Arts Avengers,

I am writing to you tonight with a heart full of gratitude and awe. I am overwhelmed by the generous contributions of both the donors and the vendors for our second round of auctions benefitting my efforts in the Seattle Breast Cancer 3-Day.

As of this writing, I am just about $400 away from reaching the minimum to participate in the event: $2100. With the proceeds raised from auctions closing this evening and tomorrow, I will easily make the minimum and far exceed what I ever thought possible.

The amazing team of women who have organized and donated to the Fiber Arts Avengers auctions through goods and services have done so because they believe that one small act can a have tremendous effect and the proof is in the outcome of our efforts: to date, I've estimated we will bring in at least $4000, and we have one round of auctions to go next month.

I'd like to see our dollars sponsor other walkers after my minimum is met. After all, the Fiber Arts Avengers is not about me, it is about making a difference. Let's make a difference in a big way. Let's be superheroes to others who are struggling to meet their fundraising goals.

I've begun a campaign to create The Fiber Arts Avengers 3-Day Team. Each location can have a Fiber Arts Avenger team, but as of this writing the only team so far is in Seattle. I hope to organize more walkers in other cities before the next round of auctions in June and perhaps next year the Fiber Arts Avengers will sponsor walkers in all the cities participating in the 3-Day.

One of the women you'll see on our new team page is Frankie Hall. She has recently become my walking partner. Our paths have crossed for a reason, and that reason is that Frankie is a super hero herself and I needed to meet her. She is walking in honor of her dear friend and collegue, Linda, who lost her battle to breast cancer after a grueling fight. Linda and Frankie taught together for twenty years. They raised their kids together, shared their dreams, supported each other through crisis and adversity. When Linda died, she took a piece of Frankie's heart with her.

What makes Frankie a superhero is is that she is recovering from total hip replacement surgery, performed in November of 2004. That means Frankie will walk 60 miles -- just twelve miles short of three back-to-back marathons - eight months after her surgery. Frankie is carrying on Linda's fight now. Just a like a friend should.
I would encourage you to donate to Frankie's site to assit her in reaching her minimum to particpate, which is $2100. Donate directly to her site at:

https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=61814&lis=1&kntae61814=B48996885DC84C49B152D58EAE39D4D9&supId=69114866

Stay tuned because we will sponsor more walkers in other cities in the June Auctions! Hopefully we will have walking Avengers all across this amazing country.

With gratitude and love,

Jesse Michener

Miss Me?

2005-05-03T12:19:00.000-07:00

I have to apologize for being so silent for so long. Lots and lots has happened and sometimes when I think, "Oh! I need to write about that!" I get overwhelmed and then have a hard time writing. That and I've been really busy knitting and walking. Such is my life!

So, lets see...two weekends ago I walked about 14 miles total. It was insane. Who in their right mind thinks that 14 miles is an okay number? As I was walking all over my freaking huge city, I just kept thinking about y'all and how I wished you were with me IRL.

I have been working on finding a safe walking route near my house and came up with a four-mile jaunt that I can do after dinner and the kids go to sleep. Now that it's lighter longer, my evenings have opened up for walking. I can do four miles in an hour easy peasy, and if I do it five times a week, that's 20 miles. Then if I do the huge walks on the weekends, I should be good to go.

By the way, I am terrified of the 3 Day. I am starting to grasp it all and the distance is really, really, really, REALLY scary. It's like walking three marathons back-to-back. Minus 12 miles.

We've got another round of auctions coming up! Check out www.fiberartsavengers.com for details.

Lastly, the route has been posted on the 3 Day site and it looks like I'll be walking in Pam's neighborhood! Yay!

Jesse

Things like this

2005-04-15T07:48:00.000-07:00

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

2005-04-12T09:11:00.000-07:00

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

2005-04-07T23:33:00.001-07:00

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

2005-04-04T20:34:00.000-07:00

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

Get the word out, sistahs!

2005-03-28T14:44:00.000-08:00

Hey y'all:

We need help getting the word about about the Avengers. Consider yourself a marketing superhero and pass this along to any friends, family or email lists you belong to. Feel free to cut and paste. It's easy and all the cool kids are doing it. Thanks a million!

~J

Dear Crafty Types,

We're calling out to crafters across the World Wide Web to join our fight against Breast Cancer. Be a Fiber Arts Avenger!

Option 1: You can knit, crochet, sew or in some other way craft an item to be used in our drawing. Contact julia@fiberartsavengers.com or danica@fiberartsavengers.com with questions or to donate.

Option 2: You can auction off something you've made, with funds to be donated to our cause. Contact kim@fiberartsavengers.com or patti@fiberartsavengers.com to get all the details.

Option 3: You can knit something for a Breast Cancer Patient as part of our auctions. Individuals will be able to make a donation and 'buy' your hat, socks, etc, for a patient. Contact kim@fiberartsavengers.com or patti@fiberartsavengers.com to get all the details. We're putting up links to free patterns on our site that can be used for this purpose!

We're raising money via the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day . Cause info can be found on our website: http://www.fiberartsavengers.com. Our walker is Jesse, and she's training hard for the event. http://fiberartistavenger.blogspot.com

You can join our yahoo group for updates on the project:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fiberartsavengers

Thank you very much!

Pamela Grossman pamelamama@fiberartsavengers.com

and

Jesse Michener jesse@fiberartsavengers.com

Rolling, Rolling, Rolling

2005-03-27T19:39:00.000-08:00

I blinked and we hit the $270 mark. How does that happen? Donations are pouring in, I tell you. It's amazing. We have a long way to go, but the past few days have been pretty inspiring. Thank you to all of you donors and those of you working hard on making the first round of auctions happen. Stay tuned for more information!

So. I got my shoes. Yes, indeed. Everyone should wear good running shoes all the time. People would be so cheery and nimble. My shoes are little bits of heaven wrapped up in cloth and NASA rubber. Or something. Whatever the technology, I love it. The mesh on top of the shoes actually acts like a mini built-in air conditioning system. As I walk, air gets sucked in (you can't tell from looking that the shoes are any different) and gently pushed out. It's alarming, actually. I paid so much attention to the air circulation, I forgot I was excercising.

I went to a place called South Sound Running and they had me try on some shoes and then walk. The shoe technician (or whatever) then masterfully looked at me walking and was able to tell what kind of stride I have. Strangely enough, I have a really excellent gait. I don't pronate (walk with my toes pointing outward) or walk toward the midline. I am a straight-ahead-go-get-em kind of walker. That's nice to know. It's good to know I'm doing something right, even if it's something I've been doing for almost 30 years.

I saw my sister-in-law today and she gave me the nicest pink ribbon pin. I will wear it proudly, Jen! Thanks so much.

I do have some sad news to report. My aunt Nancy informed me her friend Tracy has just been diagnosed with breast cancer. Just diagnosed meaning within the past couple of days. Tracy's son had a rare form of liver cancer when he was a young boy and he beat it like the avenger he is. Now she will battle the disease. Remember when I said that this cause didn't have a face for me? Let's just say the face has become more clear. In Tracy, I can see the face of this terrible disease and it makes me frightened. Frightened and emboldened to act--because that is all we can really do. We can feel and we can do.

Something very interested about breastfeeding I learned last week---that women who nurse their daughters decrease their daughter's risk of developing breast cancer. AND, did you know that breast cancer risk in premenopausal women is decreased by as much as 60% when a woman breastfeeds for a lifetime total of 5 years? I'm on my way, that's for sure.

Take care and fight the good fight, my dear friends.

~J

We've Arrived!

2005-03-20T06:41:00.000-08:00

If I'm not mistaken, the Fiber Arts Avengers will be LIVE today! Climb in, grab hold and turn up the music--cause this is going to be a fun trip:

www.fiberartsavengers.com

The site is live, I have a column coming coming out in the Tacoma News Tribune and it's the first day of spring. Could I be any more excited? Could I be wearing any more pants? (Ok, if you don't get the Friends reference, please disregard the last few sentences. Chalk it up to too little sleep and too much knitting)

I'd like to welcome everyone to the training blog and I encourage you to read past posts to get a feel for what I have gotten myself into.

Shoe uppdate:
A shoe fairy has made funds available for 3 new pairs of shoes: one training pair and two 3-Day pairs. Keep your eyes peeled (ouch!) for more information about special auctions with proceeds going toward reimbursing my shoe fairy for her good deed.

Stroller update:
A big shout-out goes to PAMELAMAMA for her use of her double stroller. I'll be out with the girls in no time!

Wish List:
$500 raised by April 15th earns an official 3-Day Hip Pack

We still need heroes to do work on this amazing fundraising effort. If you are interested, check out www.fiberartsavengers.com

To donate directly to the Fiber Arts Avengers fundraising effort, please visit my personal headquarters with the 3-Day

Schoolin'

2005-03-19T06:36:00.000-08:00

Update: I'm gone all weekend at a childbirth educator instructor course. No walking but lots of knitting! Watch this space for updates and a big to-do on Sunday, when my column for the Tacoma News Tribune comes out!

I can hear the parade now!

~J

Grannie

2005-03-14T22:37:00.000-08:00

Would you believe I have a living great-grandmother? She is in her mid-nineties and lives about an hour and a half from me. She's the matriarch on my mother's father's side of the family. I don't really hang with that side of the fam, for various reasons that would bore you to tears, but I do enjoy her company when I talk to her.

She's deeply religious and ever-so-slightly forgetful.

I spoke with her tonight about this walk. She was reminding me of the dangers of tobacco, the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables, the ills of refined sugars and the sinfulness of alcohol. We had a similar conversation the week before.
Our conversation went like this:

Me: Hey, Grandma. Did I tell you I am walking in a big walk this summer? I'm walking sixty miles to raise awareness for breast cancer and to fund research.

Grandma: Why on earth would you want to do something as crazy as that?

Me: It's a great cause, Grandma. One in eight women will be affected by breast cancer in her lifetime.

Grandma: I should think you could find better things to do with your time than walking. What kind of crazy walk is this?

Me: It's an organized walk, there's lots of participants.

Grandma: Well, I think you should stay at home and take care of your children. Those children need you. Who is gonna look after them while you're off walking?

Me: Oh, Grandma, my husband will look after the kids. He'll bring the baby to me along the way so I can nurse her.

Grandma: What do you think you are gonna prove by walking all that way? That is just crazy. I think it's rather foolish of you, to tell you the truth. What if something should happen to one of your children while you are gone? How would you feel then?

Me: Well, Grandma. I guess I'm not too worried. M-- will take good care of them. Plus, I'm sort of walking for them. Maybe if we raise enough money and increase awareness, they won't have to worry about breast cancer when they get older.

Grandma: What do you expect to prove anyway?

Me: I'm just trying to help the cause, Grandma.

Grandma: I'm old fashioned. I don't think your walking all that way is helping anybody. I think it's silliness. It's all so you can feel grand.

Me: Grandma, I think we're going to have to agree to disagree on this one...

And we did. She calmed down a bit and I laughed it off. For some reason, perhaps her candor, I was able to hear her without taking what she said personally. I imagine the 3-Day might seem silly to someone who also thinks wedding registries are in bad taste. She practically had a heart attack when given my wedding registry, I'm told. My aunts had to assure her that everyone registered for wedding presents nowdays. It didn't matter to her, I got pink sheets. Pink flannel sheets.

They were warm, anyway.

I guess it is kind of crazy. The walk asks each participant to do what they think is impossible: raise an impossible amount of money and then walk an impossible distance. After that, it stands to reason, anything is possible: even a cure for breast cancer.

Good ol' Grannie doesn't have to prove anything to anybody. She's spent the last ninety-six years living her life, carving a niche in this grand world. She's seen more than any of us have, and most of us ever will see. To her, you just do. You live your life and tend to the children and eat right. That is enough. I wish it were. I wish she had the answers because it would make things easier for so many women. Hell, it would make it easier on me and my sore legs.

But it's not enough. That's why I walk.

The first six miles

2005-03-13T21:12:00.000-08:00

I can add more stickers to my credentials: first training walk and first five miles. I have been trying to make an official 3-Day training walk for ages and it hasn't worked out. I was so excited about the walk on Saturday that I couldn't sleep Friday night. When Ellie woke me up at 5.30am on Saturday morning, I got up happily and tried to do some writing before getting ready.

It didn't work.

The writing gods have not been kind to me this week. I think it's a test. Since I began this writing journey, I've been fairly productive at each sitting. I'm working on a super-secret writing project (super cool, too!) that will be public soon, but I can't write the dang introduction! It's killing me! I sound like I am a big, fat faker. I hear this brassy voice in my head croon, "Ah, honey. Throw the towel in. You ain't go no business writing anyway." I mostly just ignore it, but lately it has been annoyingly loud. I'm thinking it needs a good, stiff drink to shut it up.

So. The walk. It was a beautiful day--the kind that makes me remember why on earth I live in this part of the country. After a grey winter, our sunny spring days are unmatched, let me tell you. It inspires all of the senses. Add to that skyscraper clouds with fifty shades of white float in stark contrast to the unforgettable blue, blue, blue. It all makes me blink, take a deep breath and praise whomever thought of making such a wonderous sight.

We walked at a park I love, one that has a paved trail five miles long. Douglas Fir and Ceder tree stands remain undistrubed as the park trails are overrun with walkers and joggers. There are various lookout points along the trail that reveal the signature majesttic jutting peninsulas of the Puget Sound. I was happy to just breath in the thick, cool air and let my feet carry me along the path.

Thank goodness I was used to the trail because it is deceptively challenging. It's speckled with hills and low-grade inclines and just when you think you are a rockstar walker, you realize you are out of breath and your legs are starting to hurt. Then it will mercifully level out again, giving you enough time to recover for the next corner.

One of the things I looked forward to most about the walk was meeting new people. As we stood in the circle and stretched, I scoped the small crowd for potential walking-mates. There were many beautiful older women, women who could outwalk me any day of the week--blindfolded and on crutches, to boot. I checked out their credential tags and most of them have done the 3-Day at least three times before. I wasn't the only first-timer, but I felt like the new kid. I got thirsty at the last minute and went back to my van for a last chug on my water bottle. I didn't want to carry it with me and I don't have a hip-pack holder yet. When I finished, I realized everyone had left. I nearly cried at the thought of having to walk alone, so I ran to catch up.

I was the only one who didn't know anyone, it seemed. I walked by myself for about a half mile when I decided that I wasn't going to make any friends if I didn't try harder than my self-pitying self was trying. So I increased my pace and gracefully butted in to a conversation between two sisters. These women were FIT and were walking quite fast.

I have never been good at first impressions. I always make stupid jokes or let my inner monologue out just a little too much---but I don't think I scared them off too badly.

Around mile four and a half my hips started to really hurt. I asked the training walk leader if she knew of any stretches I could do to get rid of the pain. She took one look at my shoes and said, "Well, I'll tell you right now, you're shoes suck." Or something similar. I looked down at my tennis shoes, the shoes that I wear every single day of the week, all day long, and have for the past year...and knew she was right. She said the kind of shoes I was wearing have about three hundred miles in them. Total. Then they break down and don't provide good support.

I'm going to need new shoes.

She told me of a running store nearby that will videotape my stride and recommend the right kind of shoe. It's going to cost a least a hundo--that's $100. She said more like $125 including these special inserts that will aid my poor arch. I can't really do another walk until I get new shoes because my legs are thrashed and I don't want to risk injury. I'll stick to the gym and my cardio/weights routine.

So, stay tuned for what I will be calling, "Mama Needs a New Pair of Shoes." It will be a special something just for fundraising for my shoes. If you have any ideas, please email me at jessestar at net-venture dot com. She also said that I will need at least three pairs--two to do the walk in and one to train in. Guess what I will be asking for for my birthday (which is April 25 by the way. I'll be 30. Isn't that neat?!)

That's my update. Hopefully the site will be up this week. I know folks are working hard on it!

Walkingly yours,

~J

Credential me up, baby

2005-03-10T22:28:00.000-08:00

The front

This is the front of one of my credentials. The 3-Day sends these out so participants can track their goals--for folks who are really competitive it is good because there are little perks along the way.

FOR INSTANCE, if I can raise $500 by April 15, I will get a cool, official 3-Day hip pack. A hip pack is important because everyone needs one to carry things along the walk. I want the hip pack, ladies. Help me.

The back of the credentials gives space to track accomplishments: first donations (because of JMO, I could put a sticker on that circle), the first $500, the halfway mark, and various training milestones.

I have four stickers: Met your coach, FOCUS meeting, First Donation, Set up online HQ.

I'll let you know as I put stickers on the credential.

:)

Jesse

...and the back

2005-03-10T22:27:00.000-08:00

The back

Steps

2005-03-05T22:04:00.000-08:00

I have to give two quick shout-outs to my sistah friends who have stepped up:

JMO was the very first to donate to the Fiber Arts Avenger's 3Day fundraising effort. Thank you, thank you, thank you. It was so exciting to see us above zero! If you donate, you get to be on the honor roll. All the cool kids are doing it.

Twobeauties has graciously offered use of her double-jog stroller! My walking problems are s-o-l-v-e-d. Now I have no excuses! I have to walk!

So let's talk about this WALKING business. Training for a 60-mile walk means that I have to do a lot of walking. Not Precor, not jogging, not stationary bike...walking. Have you ever tried to walk a mile on a treadmill? Do you know how mind-numbingly boring it is? Walking courses outside of the gym have been off-limits because of the childcare issue. Problem solved, thankyouverymuch. There's more to it, though.

Take the walking. There is a lesson in this walking business. I'm trying to wrap my head around it all. It has to do with being at peace with my own company, learning to enjoy the solace and the long periods of walking. I have a hard time with the idea that one foot in front of another is enough. I want to run, I want to increase the challenge and make it go by faster.

It reminds me of my labor with Eleanor. Active labor was progressing and I was restless. Nothing satisfied me. My mind was tired but my body begged to MOVE. "What should I do?" I asked the midwife. "You could try resting. Maybe you'll fall asleep and wake up with more energy." "No," I replied, "What can I do to make it stronger? I want to get through it."

"Stairs," she said. And so I walked the stairs. Twice. Twice and then I stood by my bed and howled through transition. Not more than a half hour later, little Eleanor was at my breast, blinking and bewildered. It's just how I do things.

And I can't tackle this challenge with my signature bulldozer tendencies. I will survive this poco a poco: little by little. My Everest is going to be simply moving one foot in front of another: step. Step. Step. Like my heartbeat I hear against the pillow when I lay down just right: thump, thump, thump. Sometimes the thumping is so loud I can't get to sleep; sometimes the consistancy threatens to drive me insane. The same is true with walking. The hardest lesson of all is the simplest one to describe: I must learn to BE. Moment to moment, step by thumping step.

Like a Lion

2005-03-01T15:04:00.000-08:00

Chippy and I are becoming fast friends. I say this because we worked out together yesterday and I actually found myself liking her. I am not sure if she is following me or what--but I keep running into her at the gym. Either she is there all the time or we are destined to be friends. She even said she would go on some training walks with me. I know her real name, but I'll just call her Chippy in case I end up becoming REAL friends with her. I almost, and I stress almost, told her about this blog. Something in my heart told me to stop. I am not sure she would understand. Still, she is a good ol' gal and I find myself hating her less everyday.

I'm having to bring the girls to the daycare at the Y and I am not sure how I feel about it. I don't think they take Ellie out of her seat at all unless she cries and needs attention. While I don't think this hurts her, I feel bad that she might get ignored unless she is crying. It's usually really busy in there. My older girls like it just fine--they are spitfires and can handle just about anything--but I do worry about my wee one. Nothing has made me gasp, or think that the place is unsafe, so I am going to just see how it unfolds.

I simply have to start walking more. I've been doing well at cardio, but that isn't going to cut it for the 3Day. I need slow-paced, long-distance endurance. 20 miles is a long, long way. For three days. I am stuck on how to get these long walks in without a jog stroller. It will work out, I know it. I just have to trust this process. The garage sale gods will be good to me, I can feel it. They say that I will find a good, inexpensive jog stroller in the near future at a yard sale.

I lived at the Findhorn Foundation in northern Scotland when I was 20. I was going through some old photo albums and came across a picture of a sign they had. It's a regular red stop stop sign with the word "worrying" under the word "STOP." I'm finding that to be useful advice these days. Stop worrying. It will all work out. Everything.

Tonight I have an offical 3Day meeting in T-town. I assume they will tell me how to fundraise (little do they know the force I have behind me!) and get my butt in gear with training. I'll let you know if there is anything new and exciting to share--which I am sure there will be!

I want to close today with an appeal to those of you out there who have been touched by breast cancer. Yes, I am walking to honor all who have fought the good fight. Some have won and some have not. I want to know their stories. I do not have experience with breast cancer--I know OF people who have been touched. My grandmother, whom I am not on speaking terms with, won her battle. Her sister, my great-aunt Jackie did not. I know these women but have not fought with them. I need to connect to this cause more than in my head. My head is in the game--I'm training, I'm helping out with the Avengers--but my heart needs to be as well.

Please, if you feel comfortable, share your stories with me. Maybe I can post some of them here so that our sisters around the world can understand that breast cancer isn't just the name of a disease: within the letters of those two terrible words are the names of all who have sought to conquer this terrible enemy.

When we share the stories of our warrior sisters, we immortalize them. To the dead, we give life. We give strength to those in the midst of battle. To those not touched by the disease, we bestow education so they will know what the enemy looks like if it should attack their own body.

You can share your story with me at: jessestar at net-venture dot com, but replace the word "at" with an "@" sign and a "." for the word dot. No spaces.

~J

PS We still need some superheroes: Be a Fiber Arts Avenger

PSS Doesn't someone want to be the very first to donate to the Fiber Arts Avengers? Think of the fame and glory involved with being the very first one to donate.

Chippy Returns

2005-02-25T21:16:00.000-08:00

I've been to the gym 3x this week and I've decided that I like working out at night. Folks at night really want to be there. They are making a point to be there, you know? Instead of camping out on the couch watching sitcoms (which I often find myself wishing I was doing!), they are at the gym. I see Fast Precor Lady a lot now. She's always going about 25 mph on that thing, with her pretty sweat beads and her big hiney. She's fantastic. She's working so hard and she's a machine, I tell you. I've never seen anyone go as fast as this chica--or go as long. The other day I did a 40 minute session (more on that later) and she was there before me and was still going like a madwoman when I hobbled out of the cardio room.

Funny thing. I actually had lunch with Chippy today. The weird thing is that I've met her before. She is the friend-of-a-friend of mine. She and I met when I was visiting a playgroup last year. I thought she look familiar but couldn't be sure. You know what else? Chippy is 20 weeks pregnant. I saw her cute little perfect belly today at lunch. As much as I tried, I couldn't hate her, though. She's got her fair share of hang-ups, too.

I realized we are all on the same team, playing the same game...But we each have different somethings we are running toward: for me it's the 3 DAY, in all capitals, looming ahead like a big scary bookie. If I don't pay my dues now, I'll never survive. More than that, I'm leaving behind more than just my body in it's present state, but years of not really owning my own body. Four pregnancies in as many years, three beautiful children, and years of breastfeeding have made me feel like I don't really own this skin I'm in--like I've been farmed out and am just plain tired.

I can feel the cogs of change turning, turning, turning. It's starting to feel really good. I still hate the first half of my workouts, but by the second half I can at least manage to smile a bit when I think about what my body is doing.

I spent 40 hard, sweaty minutes on the machine on Wednesday. I did a really burley course. You know those blinking indicator lights that tell you how much resistance you are fighting against? Yeah, well I was at the dot just below the TOP dot. I was going really, really, really slowly, but I was doing it. For like four minutes at a time, I was climbing a friggin mountain. Then it would shift to a small hill and I'd feel relief for a spell. I would get used to happily plugging along and WHAM! Back up the mountain. It was like slamming into a brick wall. All I could do was listen to my music and think of all of you out there, cheering me on, up that hill of my own fear and self-doubt. And so I climbed.

~J

Boxes

2005-02-22T10:27:00.000-08:00

I hate them. There are too many of them, too many reminders of an unorganized life, of things mis-placed. They are also hopeful: hidden treasures, sweet memories and the stuff of everyday life. Like them or not, I have more than my share to tackle this first week in our new home.

The weekend was spent trying to get from one place to another, keep the kids sane and safe and, for me at least, not rip anyone's head off. I tend to get a little punchy these days. It's good to have the 3 Day to think about and plan for. No matter how wrapped up in my everyday I get, knowing that I have this huge commitment out there--a comittment bigger than me or anything I am doing right now, makes me pause and reassess.

So I'm back on track today. I have officially lost 20 lbs since I began keeping track on January 2. Did I mention that my husband's family is having a friendly little contest? Whomever can lose the greatest percentage of body fat by June 15th will be declared the Biggest Loser and win big: a dollar a pound for every person that is playing (there are five of us) and wish granted by the other partipants. My father-in-law has lost the most so far, but I am not sure about who is in the lead percentage-wise. I have lost a lot of weight--20 lbs is nothing to sniff at--but I don't really feel like I've lost that much. Still, my clothes fit better and I do feel more limber.

This week's plan: the gym three days and two walks. I'd like to get 10 miles under my belt this week.

Perhaps my humor will return after I stop being so cranky. Here's to hopin.

~J

Day 4-5

2005-02-17T09:48:00.000-08:00

Hello my beautiful knitty gals

I got stuck in a time warp yesterday: sucked into a vortex whist trying to finish a newsletter for my midwives. Too many cooks in that pot and I ended up spending much of the day with Publisher on the brain--took an unexpected trip to Olympia and we all raced like madwomen to "get er done." It came off smashingly and I got to hang with two of my most favorite people in the world--my beautiful friends and former midwives. I got to see them in action, behind-the-scenes, and it gave both temperance and inspiration to my dreams of midwifery.

My body hates me. It keeps yelling at me to quit moving so much. My brain is full with the stress of moving. I just need to release and succomb to the whole thing, as much as I hate to. I'm on the cusp of total chaos in the house--you know, the point at which all of your stuff begins to creep in and make you a little scared by how much of a consumer you are.

I'm afraid I'll need to take a short break from this wonderful river we're racing down. I'll be back with more stories next week and ready to begin again. I saw the graphics for FAA and I'm in love. We're gonna be such hotties.

~J

Day 3

2005-02-15T22:20:00.000-08:00

Day 3 and it's all getting so...natural. Sort of. I couldn't go on the walk today because I can't walk with my kids (we don't own a double-jog stroller). This may end up as a problem, we'll see. It's going to mean I train by putting them in daycare at the Y or doing it when Mike gets home. It will work out, this much I know.

So I went to the Y when Mike got home, at around 7:30 pm. It takes a half-hour to get there. One thing good about our upcoming move is that it will cut my commute time in half. Did I mention we move on Saturday? Yeah. I'm counting it for part of my training--just you try and stop me.

The workout. I think larger people work out at night. That's my big generalization for the evening, anyway. There were a lot less Chippy's there tonight. There were my kind of people. People with large butts and flabby arms. People with funky smells and real sweat. People who don't look like workout Barbie, but like people who are putting themselves though hell in order to make a positive change in their life. I felt very warm and optimistic tonight as I was working out. There was a woman--fortyish--going like a madwoman on the Precor. She was moving fast, fast, fast on the thing. Really. And she wasn't kidding. Her back was sweaty; she wet patches all over her t-shirt. Her grey hair was pulled back in a pony tail and she had about 10 little hand-towels she used to wipe the sweat off of the back of her neck. As I walked my walk on the treadmill, she blasted through her workout. The thing is, and the reason I couldn't harbor any of my normal angst about her abilities, is that her body was realistic. She wasn't 0% body fat--she was healthy. She was REAL. She showed me that even real people can kick some serious ass on the Precor. No only was she flying fast and furious, she was READING A FREAKING BOOK. La, la, la. Like it was nothing unusual. Her pages were actually being held back by a binder clip that she would jauntily manipulate when she needed to turn the page. Me? I would have flown off the pedals and my sorry, tubby, white hiney would have splattered against the back wall.

I didn't get to do 3 miles. I ran out of time. I did 2.5 or so, though. My average speed was about 4 miles per hour, so that is good. The folks on the 3Day say that they'd like to see participants at 3 mph on the walk.

Oy. My aching dogs.

Days 1-2

2005-02-15T21:59:00.000-08:00

February 14th, 2005. Day 1.

Let me be your feet. You may not be able to literally, physically walk the 60-mile route in the 3-Day, but I will. I will train, I will go through the physical rigors of the event. I promise to write about it, too. I will be your presence and your voice. When I am weary from the journey, I will think of all of you--your hands that knit love into each stitch as you created a scarf or hat or socks that will comfort a breast cancer survivor or a dear friend. The love and support you offer, the faith you bestow on me to walk in honor of dear ones who have fought hard and lost, or those who are still fighting, will not go unrecognized or unappreciated.

The journey begins now. I'm proud to have you as my partner.

February 15th, 2005. Day 2.

I had my first day of training today. I joined the Y last week. As body types go, I am not a petite feminie flower. I'm more of a strong, strapping lass. I felt very strapping today, I have to admit. I walked into the cardio room full of torture devices and chose one that looked fairly simple--the Precor machine. I've done it before and knew that I wouldn't fly off or fall over when I tried to use it.

I couldn't get the damn thing to program. I'm standing there in my stupid workout outfit that shows fat I usually hide quite well and I can't get the machine to program. I push buttons, hold down the reset...nothing. Then the chippy next to me says, "You have to start pedaling." I don't make eye contact, but I say thanks. She is young and perky and I wonder why she is excercising. Part of me hates her and part of me wants to be her.

So I enter my weight. I've been larger and I've most certainly been smaller. I was skinny most of my life--until college, that is. Somehow in college I gained about 80 lbs. I am both blessed and cursed by a very large frame that hides weight well. Because I can hide it well and because I am a generally confident person, I think I just let myself go to some extent. It's easy to do, that's for sure.

Three kids later, I want my body back. I want to once again feel light when I run. I remember a time in my life when I could run a mile and actually feel like I was flying. I ran fast. Effortlessly.

Today my body fought each step on the machine. I grew to hate the indicator lights that seemed to blink at me, "Time to pack it in, good game." I wanted to quit at 17 minutes into the workout. I nearly did. Instead, I cursed the fans for not being on, I cursed the guy working out next to me in his short shorts and fast repetitions. At one point, I snuck a look over at his machine beacause I thought that I was keeping up with him. "This isn't so hard!" I thought to myself. His resistance was twice that of mine and I was sweating like a stuck pig. Then the fans magically turned on. I was nearly 3/4 of the way done with the workout. I knew I could finish.

And I did. I wasn't happy, but I finished. As I got off the machine, it took all I had not to fall over from the lack of motion on solid ground. It was like walking on the ground after jumping on a trampoline. Your body expects there to be motion. Chippy, my Precor neighbor, got off her machine too. All I could do was concentrate on not listing into her as I walked. She was going for the disinfectant. She was going to get it first. We would have to have a freaking fracking discussion about who got it first. That settled it, I hated her.

With considerable effort, I turned around and found another disinfectant spray--ACROSS THE ROOM. In the front, no less. Because Chippy McChipperson was faster than me, I had to walk in front of every skinny non-sweating person in the whole room. Me and my beet-red face, sweaty hair and crotch-riding shorts. I really hated Chippy. Somehow, by sheer will, my legs carried me across the room and back to my machine. I dutifully cleaned off my sweaty hand prints from the machine. I also accidentially sprayed Chippy.

Really, it was an accident. I swear.

I walk 3 miles tomorrow.

Originally posted on WoolyWonder forums:
http://woolywonder.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=4252&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0