Sunday, August 31, 2008

Knitting, Knitting, and more knitting

Rommel and I are enjoying a very low key holiday weekend. I have been busy knitting washcloths. I am up to 49 orders, and recruited my mom to help as well. I have some great ideas for fund raising for next year, but not any immediate answers. I have been doing more cross training than walking. Biking with varying tensions and such, along with weights seems to be helping more than actual walking. I know I can do 15 miles with no problems. So far the best shoes for the distance have been my summer combat boots. My feet swell too much for the hikers, walking, or running shoe but I have not given up on finding a good training shoe. I need to get one ASAP, or I will be wearing my boots for the entire 60 miles and I want a back up plan. Any suggestions?

Off to bed for me, tomorrow is going to be more sewing and working out.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Amazing response

I have been busy knitting. So far I have orders for 39 washcloths. There is a little less than 2 months to the walk. I am getting psyched. In the course of selling some washcloths, I have made friends with other walkers from Alaska, Ohio, Texas, etc. Their walks are before mine, some first-timers like me but others having 3 in.

On another note, this morning I start a clinical trial for Fibromyalgia. I had the initial screening over the phone, and go in for the exam/interview portion this morning. Maybe they will be able to help, and I will be able to help others as well. In case you haven't figured it out yet, I am all about helping others. You can't get anywhere in life alone.

Today I take the pup to get evaluated by a K9 trainer. Rommel (my dog) needs to be put to work. I will write more about the training for him later. Have a great day.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

The Upcoming Week


The weekend has once again, flown by and Monday morning is approaching. Lets hope it is a good week, and that the weather will cooperate for training purposes. The event is held regardless of weather, and I don't mind rain or wind but I will not be a human lightening rod. You don't mess with mother nature.

I bowled for Junior Achievement last night with my training partner. I haven't bowled in a while but it was great fun. I completed another washcloth. Hopefully some other orders will come in as well. I was thinking of auctioning off or having a raffle for one of my doilies. Just not sure if anyone wants or uses doilies anymore. I think they are beautiful and enjoy making them. I will post a picture of one here.

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Training Walks

Good Morning,

The 3 day site has a really cool feature, the bulletin board. As you can figure, you connect with other participants there. Also on the site, is the ability for training walk leaders to post a training walk. This is the second one I have posted, and once again no one showed up. It is a perfect morning for it. So it is back home for me, to pick up stuff for the gym and going there.

I am doing great selling my books on Amazon.com. That will really help me with my fundraising. Someone did contact me about buying some knitted washcloths. Today is going to be a good day, with my pup and I hanging out and bowling tonight.

It is off to the gym for me. I am going to do about 3-4 miles jogging on the treadmill or 15 miles on the bike, depending what is open and then some weights.

Tonya

Friday, August 22, 2008

Knitted Washcloths



These are my latest projects..... knitted pink ribbon washcloths. I have no idea if anyone will want to buy them, but going to give it a shot. I have three different colors available in cotton yarn. Solid medium pink, solid light pink, or a variegated pink and white. Here are pictures. If you know anyone interested, have them contact me at tonya.aldridge@gmail.com

Tomorrow is my second posted training walk, so far no one has RSVP for it. I will show up of course, but not looking promising for group participation here. At least I will have some fun tomorrow night, bowling with my teammate for JA. I can't wait :) Just what I need after a LONG day at work.

Good night for now

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Frustrated and need a kick in the pants

These past few days have been pretty intense with the Fibromyalgia. I am off work today because I couldn't straighten my back out, and was getting nauseated from pain. I broke down and took a pain pill, it isn't working. Thankfully I start physical theraphy on Friday, working in the pool. I will let you know how that goes. This condition is ticking me off....when you are used to being active and could do all sorts of things with no problems, and then you can't. Like writing or wearing a watch, who knew they could cause pain. That is just crazy!!

Tomorrow is back to training, regardless of what is going on with my health. I can walk 6-8 miles comfortably but need to up it. I so want to do this walk, for my friends and for myself. Who knew it would be even more significant when I signed up. My prayers are with Jeanette today, more than usual. She started her treatments. Please pray for her and her family.

Friday, August 15, 2008

Great walk

Yesterday I was to walk with my teammate and another participant of the 3 day event. I showed up at the alloted time, and coudn't find either one. So I walked on my own. It was a humid 90 degrees, but the breeze and scenery were excellent. I went to Big Springs Park here in Huntsville. They do fun things like "A Movie in the Park" or summer concerts. The Art Museum and some other cool things are there as well. I can't wait to go back, with or without my teammates for the event. I did about 4 miles last night, tonight should be better. I donated blood yesterday, so that slowed me up a bit.

My friends had their ports/shunts installed, with one lady having her lymph nodes removed. She went to the doctor knowing she was getting the port/shunt but not expecting the lymph nodes removal. This guy seems kind of surgery happy and I have tried to convince her to go for another opinion. It is easy for me to say, she must be overwhelmed with the news and not want to make further decisions. Soon she will start chemo/radiation and then have one breast removed. The other friend had a lumpectomy and the port/shunt installed. Scary stuff this is.......