Candy 4 Cancer~~A Night Out

We were supposed to go camping last night. It just never happened. It was a work related event and I was feeling rather cranky with some of my co-workers the last couple of days and decided to do other things instead. My boys have gymnastics/boxing lessons on Saturdays and some of the ladies on my relay team were going out to collect random donations for Team Bean. They have done it years past and I must say, I really enjoyed my sober night out. I wouldn't have wanted to be all sloppy while walking around with candy and money anyhow. We were asking for donations and offering an assortment of candy for their kindness. The first things to go were the candy necklaces and bracelets. Remember those from childhood? (I took one when I noticed they were almost gone). I suppose it didn't hurt that we got all dressed up either. I wish we'd taken a picture before we had to walk in the rain. I also would have liked to show you my skirt and heels.

Here we are with our wares. We raised $310 while we were out!

While waiting for my friend in the washroom I somehow felt compelled to take a picture of the vending machine. Perfume and cologne. Last chance for romance at the caberet!

Heaving a Huge Sigh of Relief

Seth's lump is benign. This means that there is no cancer. Isn't that awesome? I never really suspected it was something that serious to begin with, only wondered if it would need to be removed because of the spot it's located in. Turns out they are going to leave it alone and see my boy again in another 6 months to be sure it hasn't changed or anything.

Ahhhhh...that feels better.

On a very sad note though, Midge called this morning to ask if I would mind if we changed our relay team name. I said, sure, what's up? Turns out a very good friend of hers (who has already been diagnosed with breast cancer) has got a very aggressive lung cancer as well. This is a lovely, vivacious 26 year old woman we are talking about here! We are doing the relay for her this year. They all call her "Bean", or "Beaner", so we are now "Team Beaner". We are going to get shirts made with her picture on them and she is going to relay with us. My heart goes out to her. I simply cannot imagine the feelings she must be experiencing right now. I am always shocked when I hear news like this. Always.

The Princess needs a new pair of sneakers for this

It's almost Relay time again! June 13th is the big night. I will be hanging with 9 other women on my relay team and we will start walking at 7:00pm and continue on through the night until 7:00am the next morning. Last year was my first time. My girl Midge has a younger brother who is a cancer survivor so her family participates every year. She had a spot on her team so she asked me to join them. The track is lined with luminaries, each candlelit bag with a name and often a personal message. Everybody's got a story...no question. What an amazing and very emotional time. In the picture below, 6 of these women have lost a parent to cancer. Each has lost and/or has a survivor in their family. I only knew 3 of the team members last year. It was moving to listen to the stories of these women. During the relay your team must have at least one member walking at all times. We took little breaks, but walked a whole lot. Midge and I actually did morning yoga as well. So much fun. I am really looking forward to it.

So my family and friends, I am asking for some help. I have a very small group of peeps here where I live and I find fundraising extremely difficult. I know that some of my friends out here are not even Canadian, however, research benefits all of us. Wanna sponsor me? Huh, huh? Well...at least flip over to my page and have a look at why I relay.

My relay team...pausing by the speakers to bust-a-move and the photo op of course!

Team Ghetto Fabulous~~Princess C

Ghetto Fabulous

My Relay for Life team has decided to go with Ghetto Fabulous for our group theme this year. Last year we were "team camo", you know...battling cancer and all. Anyhow, camo is easy to find, and others started using it as well. This year will be different. We haven't gotten firm ideas about what to wear because realistically, we will be walking/running for 12 hours, so we have to be comfortable as well as fabulous. The shirts will definitely say: "Ghetto Fabulous" on the front, and "Holla!" on the back. It doesn't take place until June, but awfully fun to think about.

I have always been on a limited budget, but worked as hard as I could to be stylish, you know? It makes a difference outwardly as well as inwardly. Who doesn't feel better when they have confidence in how they look? Things that I miss:

bikini waxing every 5 weeks

buying salon hair products when I run out. not having to substitute for the time being

getting more than 1-2 hair cuts a year because it is too expensive to even consider

buying my coveted clinique makeup whenever I run out and just need more.

I do not complain, because there are more important things in life than having little creature comforts. I am so grateful to be where I am. I just look to the future in hopes of more career opportunities to provide more for myself and my boys.

I may have originally had more to say in the post, but it escapes me at the moment. I am having fun and feeling like the pretty lady I am (omg am I ever conceited!) . My sister once said that I am like a butterfly...who became more beautiful with age.

Why do I Relay?

I Relay for my Mother, Audrey Snooks...and for all my friends and family who have been touched by cancer.

I participated in the Relay For Life this past Friday. It is a 12 hour relay with teams of 10. Someone from each team is to be walking at all times for the duration. It was a very emotionally moving experience. For those of you who are not sure what the hell I am talking about, it is a relay to raise money for cancer research. A cause near and dear to my heart. I am so thrilled to have been a part of such a wonderful event, and will definately do it again next June.