It's Been So Long...

I could probably be classified as a "Snow Virgin" all over again!

Pearls of Wisdom

Check out that frog. Isn't she cute?? Even better -- she represents a HUGE fundraising opportunity for the Breast Cancer 3-Day! My "Money Guy," THE Anthony Patton has worked his magic again this year and convinced Mass Mutual to give us $5000 for the CURE!

But.... We have to earn it!

Anthony is coming to Houston on Monday, October 26, to present the Pearls of Wisdom program about Financial Education. He did this for us last year, and it was great! It's primarily geared toward women, but men are welcome too.

I promise this isn't a high-pressure thing. We just need you to come and bring your friends. We'll have door prizes. AND we'll be serving dessert!

I have to tell you.... This guy knows his stuff.

Mass Mutual will donate $20 to Team Tiara for EVERYONE who is here!

Please come!

Monday, October 26
7:30 p.m.

15802 Applerock Trail
Cypress 77433

Too Cute!

Check this out!!!

It's way too cute -- and it's going to help Save the TaTa's!

Pink Ribbon Quilt

You know how much I love to quilt. But you may not know the whole story.

My Granny Lloyd was a quilter -- a very productive one. She made quilts for each of children and grandchildren -- not so easy when you have nine kids and some 27 or so grandkids. But she didn't stop there. Many, many other people in her life were given quilts that she had crafted with love.

I remember Granny teaching me to zigzag around the edges of fabric before she made a blouse. And I remember Granny teaching me to embroider. And I remember watching her cut out all those little quilt pieces -- long before the days of rotary cutters.

My Mom taught me to sew -- with some help from Mrs. Lewis and a few other volunteer 4-H leaders. My Mom was an amazing seamstress. She could look at a dress and go home and make it. She made all of our Easter dresses and most of our other dresses until I was about 12. She took great pride in making us "showy" shirts to show our cattle / pigs in. She made Halloween costumes and twirling uniforms and formals like you wouldn't believe.

After my Granny passed away, I started quilting. I couldn't do it without the memory of Mom's voice rattling through my head as I go. Some days I'd rather be without the "take out that seam" voice, but I love having her help as I go. When I'm making something and get stuck (which often happens with making doll clothes), I can always find my way through -- I have her to thank for that!

This year I've made a Pink Ribbon Quilt that we are auctioning on Ebay. You can find it here. The entire "purchase price" will go to the Breast Cancer 3-Day. Please help us spread the word!

Look! Look! I'm Over Here!

I'm over here a lot these days. If you want to see my new haircut, you'll have to come over here, too.

The 3-Day is less than a month away. I can't wait!

Oh. My. Word.

I got my hair cut today.

And no, I'm not posting a picture.

At least for 5-10 weeks.

It's a haircut like none other. The "perfect" blend of two different styles.

I went to the girl I've been going to, who cut my hair perfectly the first time, then left it a little long the second time.

I attempted to explain that I didn't want it even with my chin. My chin is awfully square, and when my hair is even with it, my chin looks even more square, which makes my face look even wider and fatter than it is.

I have a bit of a complex about this.

Did I ever tell you I have great legs?

Anyways.... I attempted to explain that the ideal location for my hair to fall would be between my square chin and my shoulders. Yes, that would be the ideal location.

But something got lost in the translation, and my hair is now shorter than Kait's in the front. Without the cuteness of Kait's little 7-year-old gap-toothed smile.

Argh.

But that's not all! After "the girl" had cut the right side of my hair, I think she realized what she had done. So the left side hangs a bit lower. Still not in the target range, but enough that I look lop-sided.

But that's not all! The particular style that I've had before and have absolutely loved flips up on the ends. She attempted to make my hair do that, but it's a little short for that. So it's kind of flipped up where it can. But not all over.

But that's not all! Apparently, in an effort to keep me from looking like a total dork, "the girl" left that longer-on-the-left part straight.

So here is what I have.

A haircut shorter than Kait's, without her cuteness, that's a bit lop-sided and combines two different styles -- flip and no-flip.

Oh. And no makeup on this afternoon. I look like a bad "before" picture when in reality, I'm supposed to be an "after."

That Linkety-Link Thing

** You'll want to scroll down and "pause" the music player in the sidebar before watching this video!

Hello World,

I know it seems like we're trying to accomplish the impossible here. I know you're thinking there's no way a handful of chicks and two guys can raise $88,000 in 30 days. I know you're thinking I'm smoking something over here -- and you're probably wishing you could get some of "it" whatever "it" is.

Well.... I have to tell you a secret. I've never smoked anything. Especially not the good stuff. The closest I ever came to that was chewing on some cigar for about 10 minutes a long, long time ago. And I'm pretty sure Kayren was to blame for that.

I'm not smoking anything. I'm not delusional. And trust me -- I'm not bored.

What I do know is that last year our team of 60 walkers in the Breast Cancer 3-Day raised $125,000. Looking at that, it seemed like a goal of $150,000 was perfectly achievable. Life hands you curve balls sometimes, and this year we're hanging in there with about 40 walkers.

Here's the deal. It's going to take a village to meet this goal of $150,000. And it's going to take a village to find a cure for breast cancer.

I'm from Fluvanna -- I know all about what a village can accomplish.

WE can do this, but WE need your help.

Would you please do that Linkety-Link thing and help us spread the word about this mighty fundraising effort? Would you please link to us via email and blogs and Facebook and whatever else you have at your disposal?

This. Isn't. Just. About. Me.

I know so much of this blog is. But not this.

This is about living my life without my Mom. About not being able to call her and hear her voice. Not ever again. I won't get to hear her voice EVER AGAIN. Some of you know what that's like.

Abbie's team won yet another soccer game tonight. My Mom has never seen a single one of those games.

Kaitlyn has a tooth that is just barely hanging in there. When it falls out tomorrow or the next day or the next, my Mom won't get to see those pictures. Kait won't get to call her and tell her how much money the Tooth Fairy left.

And I know that in the grand scheme of things Mom isn't missing out. She's with the angels now, seated at God's banquet table and eating off everyone else's plates. She isn't missing out.

But WE are.

This is about my friend Ann who is about to start Radiation -- as soon as she's strong enough.

It's about Mia and Liv, who have to grow up without their Mom.

It's about Chris, who lost her sister and still feels the pain of that loss weighing down on her.

Please link to my blog. Please link to the Team Tiara website. Please link to our fundraising website. Please link to a Facebook post. Please link us up somewhere.

With the way everyone is plugged into everyone they've known since the cradle, and a dubbed-over scene from that movie about Hitler can show up my Facebook page 15 times, there shouldn't be any reason why we can't reach that $150,000 goal in 30 days. There shouldn't be any reason why we can't fund the research that will find a CURE. There shouldn't be any reason my daughters will ever have to face a breast cancer diagnosis with fear.

For My Mom,

D'Lyn

If you're ready to donate, you can click here.

If you're ready to sign up to Crew or Walk in 2010, you can click here.

Why Cissa Walks

She looks like she's about 12, doesn't she? That's our sweet Cissa. She was the lucky chick whose face was plastered all over last year -- Rachael Ray's magazine, Oprah's magazine, billboards, etc. It was CRAZY!

But not nearly as crazy as this fun friend from Oklahoma who walked the 2007 3-Day with almost no notice -- all to honor her cousin's memory.

Cissa's story is one I can't tell. It's hers. You need to read it. In her words.

You'll find it here.

And you know what? That crazy chick from Oklahoma could use some crazy fundraising help. If you'd like to donate in her name, you can do so here.

Why Caroline Walks...

When we walked the 3-Day in 2007, I didn't have the first clue who Caroline was. I just knew that Suzi was walking for Caroline's loved ones, and needed a picture taken with these hearts.

But by the time we got home from the 3-Day, and then L.A., my friend the closer had talked Caroline into walking with us.

Wow. What a gift.

Here are Caroline and Lori in 2008. Being lazy in the holding area at the end of the walk. If you're ever going to be lazy, that's the place.

If you want to read Caroline's story, click here.

What her story doesn't tell you, though, is that she's had a difficult time with fundraising this year.

If you feel moved by her story and want to help Caroline smush breast cancer, click here. And you'll be glad you did.

Why Anthony Walks....

Anthony was the first guy to join Team Tiara. Those of you who have been around here awhile know he's my "Money Guy." And he's a darn fine one at that. I can't brag on his money management skills enough. As he would say, "Wowee-wow-wow."

But this isn't about the fact that my investments have exceeded my wildest dreams in this crazy economy. (That's not really how I had described the economy when I first wrote that sentence. But this is a Christian blog, and I do like to keep things family-friendly. And well, I just don't feel like going on an Obama rant tonight. BUT.... I digress. Big Time.)

Anthony is the kind of guy you wish you could live next door to. A servant's heart like few others. When Biggsy wants to spend time with Anthony hunting or whatever else, I can't push him out the door fast enough. Anthony is one of the guys I really like my Honey to hang out with.

It doesn't hurt that he cleans Cheryl's kitchen every night.

I encourage you to follow this link and see for yourself why Anthony does the 3-Day. I can't really say "why Anthony walks in the 3-Day" because that boy really marches to his own drummer when it comes to the 3-Day. He is all about service and helping others and just eating up the entire experience.

Going Pink for the Cure

Hey gang!

Meanderings of a 3-Day Mom is going Pink for the Cure! If you've got a blog, why don't you go pink along with me for Breast Cancer Awareness Month?

I'm also going to be telling you about some of the friends I walk with, and why we walk. AND... if you're so inclined, I'm going to ask you to partner with us in our fundraising efforts by helping us spread the word.

To Start....

Can you help us spread the word about our AC/DC Guitar Fundraising? Just send this link to all your friends. We need to sell more tickets! The drawing will be held Saturday, October 17.

Thanks!

Oh! And while you're at it, this is your monthly reminder to Mind Your Melons! Self-exams are your best defense against breast cancer!!!!