CANCER IS FOR THE BIRDS!!!!

But these beautiful PINK birds are for fighting cancer!

Now that my own cancer treatment has wound down for the most part, I wanted to find ways to "give back".  Last year I was a participant in the Relay for Life in both Jackson County and Jennings County and this year, the Jennings County Relay asked me to have a team. 

You might recall Ralph, whom I met at the Relay last year (we compared our bald heads...lol).  You might also recall that my sister and I were guest speakers at the Jennings County Relay Kick Off breakfast in January.  We feel like they all "adopted" us and they made us feel special.  So, we're happy to be healthy enough this year to participate with them as a team.  So, I rounded up some friends and family and we formed the "Living Out Loud" team!  (We're thinking we need to change our name to "The Flockers" next year.....haha!)

For our main fundraiser, outside of selling the Relay Luminaries or asking for donations, we decided to do Flamingo Flockings!  It has been a HUGE success and loads of fun!!!  Fun for us and fun for the "victims"!

We sell "flockings" for a $15 donation and the donator chooses a yard to place the flocking in.  A note is left with the flocking and the donator can choose to identify themselves or they can remain anonymous.   Then the "victim" can pass on the flocking to one of their friends for a $15 donation.  The great thing is that it feeds off of itself!  Most everyone re-flocks someone. 

This has just been way tooooo much fun!  We mostly go out under the "cover of darkness" and the "victim" wakes up to their beautiful flocking the next morning. 

Sometimes we are able to hit a home during the daytime (which is easier for us) when the household is away at work and school!

We have five flockings out every night.....at $15 a flocking, that's $75 a night....and sometimes we receive more than a $15 donation.....we've had $25, $40 and even $50 checks left for us!  It's adding up fast!  We only began our fundraising a couple of weeks ago and are already at $1200.  We had hoped to reach at least $1000.....now we're shooting for $2000!  We're pretty pleased with our success in our first year as a team!

And everyone is having fun with this!  People have called us and written us notes, telling us how much they have enjoyed their flockings and what a great idea it is!  People post pictures of their flockings on facebook to share it with their friends!  Fundraising can be FUN!!!!  And we are amazed that we don't get caught!  We have done flockings with curtains wide open and we can even see their tv on.  One time we even heard children talking and laughing!  LOL....we're fast....we've got this down!

One time we went back the next night to pick up the flocking (we leave them for 24 hours) and the bodies were GONE!!!  The wire legs were still sticking in the ground but the bodies were gone!   :=(   We were so disheartened (thinking they were stolen), as these things were not cheap for us to buy ($35 a dozen and we were LUCKY to find them that cheap in the Target Dollar Section....they were going to cost us at least $60 a dozen online).  Plus, we always have a waiting list, so we just hated to lose a flock!  And why would anyone want to take their bodies???  I was hoping it was a joke and it turned out to be. The woman's grown son had taken the bodies and put them in the back yard to pull a prank back on the gal who had donated to have them flocked.  In the end, all turned out well.  We got our flock back and mom donated and made her son donate...lol...so we got a $40 donation from them and all was forgiven!  :=)

The reaction to our flockings has been wonderful!  We love hearing the "stories" from the victims, but the BEST story so far was told to me via a phone call. The lady said she always looks out the front window before she heads to bed.  Her husband headed on to bed and she looked out the front window, as she routinely does.  She saw the flock but thought they were pumpkins.  That's funny enough, considering it isn't even pumpkin season.  lol!  She was so upset, thinking someone had thrown pumpkins all over their front yard and ran to tell her husband.  He asked if she wanted to call the police and she said, "yeah, I think I will".  So she did!  Can you imagine them getting THAT call!  lol!  So, an officer came down to her house with the big ol' spotlight shining and they saw they were not pumpkins at all!  The officer took the letter out of the pouch and read it and she saw her friend's name on it and they both died laughing.  The officer told her it made his night and he was going to have fun with this all night.  He said it was the best thing he'd seen and she said he was still laughing as he got in his squad car and drove away.  LOL....I bet he enjoyed sharing that "call" with his fellow officers!  I'm not sure anything will top that story!  He asked her why she thought they were pumpkins and she said something about Halloween and all....but it's APRIL!!!!  hahahaha!  This story was the BEST, although we've had lots of other wonderful stories from people.  These little pink critters just seem to make people smile and bring joy wherever they go!  And it's brought us a lot of joy to surprise people!

Until next time......find a way to bring joy to someone's life today!  :=)  Something so simple can make people feel so special to know someone thought of them!  Look in your own life and find a way that you can "give back"!  In the end, you will be blessed!

Cindy

THE GIFT OF GAB COMES IN HANDY!

JENNINGS COUNTY RELAY FOR LIFE

KICK OFF BREAKFAST 2012

Well, today I did it....I did my speech at the Jennings County Relay for Life Kick Off Breakfast!  When Ralph Cooley called me about a month ago and asked me to do this, I knew God was giving me another opportunity and I knew I could not say no....even though I am soooo NOT a public speaker!  God sure does have a sense of humor!  :=)

Before our presentation, we enjoyed a great breakfast!

My sister, Sheila, and my good friend, Martha went with me.

Sheila had agreed that she would help me out and share her story also.  Martha went along for moral support and to be my videographer, so thanks to her, it has been captured on video so I can share it with you!

I had printed out my "year in review" collages and laid them out to show my journey so people could see how far I had come and that there is always hope through the journey.

I also took along our news article to share with them.

Sheila showing off the picture of me and Ralph comparing our bald heads at the Relay last year. 

Yes, I have the gift of gab.....even in my hands...lol!

Just as I do when I sing, I have a strange talking face too.  lol!

I tried not to read my whole speech, but did use an outline to stay on track.  Sheila and I did ad lib a lot though. 

Sheila and I fed off of each other like "Laurel and Hardy"!

Having her do this with me made it so much easier!

This is Ralph, who asked us to come speak.  He has become very dear to us since meeting him at the Relay last year.  He has a gusto for life and lost his life partner to cancer in December 2010.  I am so inspired by how much he lives at the age of 69!  We all should strive to live such a fulfilling life! 

We were so honored to meet other survivors, such as Beverly, who is a five year breast cancer survivor.  She graciously presented Sheila and I with a beautiful bracelet that she makes for other survivors.  I will wear it with warm memories. 

Kathy works with the American Cancer Society.

We were so blessed by everyone today.

They were so warm and welcoming.....

Now why can't I have a cute little smile like this when I talk or sing???

At the end of our speech, Ralph presented us with a vase of beautiful pink roses.  How sweet!

Sheila and I both felt so blessed and honored to be there and give thanks for the opportunity.  My prayer is that something we shared encouraged someone or touched them in some way.  We appreciated the feedback we got and it was an encouragement to us. 

The warm reception put us at ease and we felt like we were among friends....thank you for that!  We look forward to joining you again  for the Relay in May!

Here are the videos of our speech, if you are interested in them.
I'm sorry they turned out blurry....I have no idea why.  But, maybe you can at least hear them although they are not very loud either.  Listen closely because I have a tendency to talk fast...lol!  Now that I have put my first videos on my blog, I may have to surprise you with some more in the future!  :=)

VIDEO 1

VIDEO 2 (SHORT)


VIDEO 3 (CORRECTION: The afghan came from a lady in VA, Not PA)

Until next time.....tell God to use your life and see what happens.  But, be prepared to say YES!!!  He may (and probably will) take you out of your comfort zone!  :=)

Cindy

PS...A special thanks to Ralph for providing me with these great pictures!

UPDATES, UPDATES, UPDATES!

I keep telling you I'll be back to update everything, but it's been hard since I had my chemo last Wednesday.  This last chemo landed me on my butt for the most part!!!  I had a great day yesterday for the "Look Good, Feel Better" program and I am so thankful I got to go to it.  It was such a blessing!  But, today was back to feeling crappy....no "ooomph" and my stomach bothered me all day, but I didn't get sick.  So, I'll be thankful for that and know that "this too shall pass".  I remember I felt crappy for the first 8 days after my first chemo, so tomorrow is day 7.  I'm telling myself maybe I'll feel "human" again by the weekend!  Then I'll get a week and half before I have to do it again!  Two down....two to go!  Not wanting to be whiney.....just being "real". 

2nd Chemo Treatment

 I'm going to try to update you on everything I'm behind on tonight.  First off, my chemo last Wednesday.....  I got my second dose of A & C and that went well.  But, my blood has to be checked before I even know whether I'll get to get my chemo and instead of my white blood cells going UP....they went DOWN!  Arghhh!  They went from 1.1 to .9.  I was so dissappointed to think I might not be getting my chemo, but Dr. V said it was ok for me to get it.  Yay!!!  Then after I had my chemo, Dr. V came in and talked to me about how I'm doing.  The first words out of his mouth was "You are puny".  Uh....not what I wanted to hear.  LOL!  Then he proceeded to let me know that I'm not drinking enough fluids and ordered 1 liter of IV fluid to be given to me right then and there.  I was having problems with urinating and that was it.  Once I got the fluid in, I had no problem!  I was "in trouble" with Dr. V, but I feel like I'm drinking all day long.  It's so hard to pump in enough fluids, especially when nothing tastes good.  But, I must and I am asking God to help me with this one.  I do not want to damage my bladder.  So far so good.  I hated dissappointing Dr. V. 

Then the next day, Thursday, I had to return to Dr. V's office and get another liter of IV fluids and a shot for my white blood cells.  I have heard that this shot can make you achy, but I haven't really felt any affects from it.  I'm thankful for that.

Here are tbe two smiling faces that greet me every time I visit Dr, V's office.  Kim and Carmen (I hope I got your name right Carmen!...if I didn't, thump me the next time I come!)  These two just brighten my day every time I step into the office.  I feel like I'm gaining so many new friends (angels) on this journey.  Kim is the one who told me that day about the "Look Good, Feel Better" program that was coming up (thanks so much Kim!!!).

Relay for Life in Seymour, Indiana

My sister, Sheila, fought her breast cancer battle last year and is in remission and she's been a God-send to me.  We walked the "Survivor Lap" together Friday night at our local Relay for Life.

I was hoping to be able to make the lap and I did...then I sat out the next lap, which was the survivors and caregivers/family.  But I walked the third lap with my sister and other family members in memory of my mom and dad.  I was glad I was able to do these two laps.

There we are....sisters!!!!

OOPs.....what did we ever do without cell phones.  LOL!

Sheila's husband Denver joined her for her walk. 

My husband, Larry, joined me too...but somewhere along the line he found someone he knew and started visiting...LOL!  Believe me, women aren't the only talkers!

My husband, Larry ~ Me ~ my oldest daugther, Jen

Jen and her daddy......

Me and my "baby", Erin

My brother, Randy - Me- Randy's wife, Tina

Me and my sister, Kim

I was so happy to see my family there to support me and Sheila.  Thanks guys.....it was so much appreciated by both of us!

And here is my great friend, Martha, and her sister Doris (Doris is on the left...Martha on the right).  Love them both!  Martha and Doris are on a team, in honor of Martha's 21 year old daughter, Laura, who lost her battle with cancer 9 years ago.  She has always been there for me and I hope to always be there for her.  I believe God has brought us together.

And here's another good friend, Jane, who God put into my life years ago.  She is on the same team with Martha and Doris (Team Gold, I believe).  Her husband has beat cancer and remains cancer free to this day!  Jane and I don't get to see each other often, so I was so happy to see her there!  I can't blame her....with 7 grown kids and a whole bunch of grandkids (how many now Jane?), she is so busy with her family.  But we are never far from each other's hearts.

This tanker belongs to our local Farm Bureau.  Pretty neat, huh?

After the Survivor Walk I went home and laid down for a bit and then went back at 10 PM for the Luminary Lighting.

The luminaries stretched all the way around the track and it was an awesome sight.  They also released some doves, but I can't remember when....I'm thinking that may have been earlier in the evening.

Sheila and I will also be walking the Survivor Lap again in North Vernon, Indiana, this Saturday morning.  I met the coordinator of this Relay when she had a Thirty One party for me and she invited me to come and walk it.  She has been so sweet and supportive.  God has placed people in my life all along this journey, and Sharon Lee is one of those "angels" he's brought into my life.

My thanks to all of my family who came out Friday night to support me and Sheila.  You can't imagine how much it meant to us.  Love you all!

Ok, I'm too tired to finish my update of the "Look Good, Feel Great" program, so I'll be back with that update later.

Until Then.....I Praise God for His presence in my life.

Cindy