Avon Walk Charlotte 2008

We had a blast serving lunch and cheering on the nearly 1100 walkers in Charlotte this year. We're already working to plan and improve our theme and costumes for next year! I'm in the middle on the front row, and Keith, well, you can easily see him.... : )

Weekend update

This is a quick update as typed from the dining room table on Sunday morning. (Keith is on one end working, and I'm on the other. Looks like dueling laptops!)

Keith's parents visited us this weekend, and we enjoyed our time together. Saturday included a day at the fair, and we couldn't have asked for better weather or tamer crowds. I got my usual fair food fix of Kettle Corn and a Grilled Chicken Pita. Just couldn't stomach trying this year's new delights- Fried Mac and Cheese and Fried Pecan Pie.

Dinner Dance with the Family

Keith and I ventured to Conover Saturday evening for a silent auction, dinner, and dance to benefit Concordia Lutheran School. (This is the school affiliated with my home church that I went to, my sister went to, my mom went to, you get the picture!) I still have many friends from my childhood days at Concordia, which is nearly unheard of.

We won several items- Queen mattress set for our new guest bedroom, a NCSU fan pack, a bottle of Cabernet, and a new toolbox for Keith,- and all proceeds benefit the school. Good times!

Oktoberfest Fun

Enjoying some good times with Bryan and Todd

We made our yearly outing to the Oktoberfest held at St. Rafael's Catholic Church here in Raleigh. They usually hold the festivities in their fellowship hall, but this year, they moved everything into an outdoor tent. We had a crew of about ten folks join in the fun of German food, music, dancing and plenty of Oktoberfest beer!

NCSU Homecoming

NCSU Homecoming Tailgate 2008- Alicia, Pam, and Ashley

In years past, many of you remember me talking about the yearly BAT (AKA Big Ass Tailgate) that we'd host for NCSU's homecoming. Due to stricter tailgating/parking restrictions and the rise of football tickets, we had to end the large party, but a smaller version was held on Saturday at Carter-Finley Stadium with nearly twelve folks in attendance. The Pack lost but put up a good fight against Boston College. The weather was gorgeous- perfect for tailgating!

These ladies are a team of twelve who will be walking Charlotte in a few weeks. They had several banners set up all along their tailgating area, and we're going to make sure we hang their banners at our lunch stops also.

Two Week Update

Things have been a whirlwind since coming back from LA, hence the lack of postings!

When we got back from LA, both of us were working ten-hour days just to catch up. I came back and jumped right into multiple training sessions, and Keith had a huge stack of grading awaiting him. I also spent all day Saturday and Sunday of last week attending a fitness conference in Cary. It was fabulous ( I go every year and love it) but unfortunately, I injured my back during one of the classes, and a week later, it's still not happy with me.

This past week was another whirlwind between work stuff, cleaning house, etc... I also attended my first voter training meeting (am working the polls this year for the first time!) which was rough after a full day of work. (6-9 on a Wednesday night- hard to keep focused....) This past weekend, we've had lots of much-needed down time. We did meet up with our friends Rick and Alicia to go see the Rolling Stones concert film "Shine a Light" outside at the art museum. We made it a little over halfway through the movie when the rain and wind started. Really wanted to watch until the end, but we decided to pack things up and call it a day.

I was supposed to run in the Anna's Angels ten-miler this morning, but with this back injury, I decided against it, hence, here I am finally updating our blog!

Avon Walk LA

Getting started on Day One

Keith, Elaine, and me finishing up the 26.2 on day one

We had such a fabulous trip to LA this past weekend!

Thursday, we arrived at LAX early afternoon, picked up our rental car, and tackled the crazy California highways. We traveled along the PCH through Santa Monica and Malibu, then drove into the hills via Mulholland Drive, then into Hollywood and Beverly Hills via Sunset Boulevard. We then ventured back to Santa Monica for an overnight stay at the quaint Hotel California which was right by the Santa Monica Pier.

Friday, we walked along the beach and then picked our friend Elaine up from the airport. We then ventured back up the PCH, stopping in at Venice Beach for a quick visit along the boardwalk, before heading back to Long Beach to get ready for the walk.

Saturday and Sunday's walk took us through Long Beach and Seal Beach with many gorgeous views along the coast and the main thoroughfares of the city. On Sunday, we traveled back into the city to stay at the posh Chamberlain hotel off Sunset. We visited the La Brea Tar Pits, drove around Hollywood, and then ate a much-deserved delicious meal at a French restaurant near our hotel.

Thanks to our many friends, family members, and colleagues who donated and/or wished us well in our walk efforts. With your support and assistance, our team of three raised nearly $6000 for cancer research, early detection, and treatment programs for under-served populations in the LA area.