I didn’t meal plan for two weeks because we were on vacation for a good part of them, but now the world is back to normal, and so I meal plan again!

Monday: Homemade chicken pot pie (the chicken is leftover from Shabbat and the veggies are cleaning out the gleanings from my crisper drawer), and melon

Tuesday: Leftover smoked brisket from Sunday night, pasta salad, zucchini bread

Wednesday: Omelets with cheese, veggies, and possibly whatever other leftovers we have around the house

Thursday: DH and kids will either have pizza or Mac n Cheese as I will be having dinner out and a night at a hotel with my mom before she does the 3-Day 60 mile Komen Walk to raise money for Breast Cancer Research.

Shabbat: I haven’t decided what I’m serving this week as both my mom and sister will be gone at the walk.  We may have take-out actually.

You wanna talk about proud?

That’s my mommy!  Front and center, smiling at the camera. 

Not only is that my mommy, but that is my mommy after walking 60 miles in 3 days to raise money for Breast Cancer research.

Yup, that’s my mommy, you can’t have her!

It seems to be that time of year, YarnHarlot is collecting for Doctors Without Borders, Wendy is collecting for Heifer International, and it is time for me to kick-off my fund raising drive. 

I wouldn’t say my family has been "touched" by cancer, more like my family has been beaten about the head and neck by it.  My mother is (thank G-d) a survivor.  My great aunt died of cancer back in 1999.  Many close family friends have battled cancer.  I’m sure you know and love someone who has fought their own battle.

Breast Cancer is the number two cancer killer of women (second only to lung cancer).  Breast cancer can (and does) kill both men and women.  I firmly believe that we can and will find a cure, and that once a cure is found for breast cancer, a cure can be extrapolated from that for other types of cancers.

I am participating in the 2007 3-day cancer walk.  Over three days in August, I, along with the other 6 members of my team, and thousands of other volunteers will walk 60 miles to raise money for the fight against breast cancer.

My goal is to raise $2200.  I can do this.  I’m asking that you take a few minutes, and a few dollars, and make a donation.  No matter how large or small, your donation will make a difference.

Thank you.

We just got home from closing ceremonies.  Hundreds upon hundreds of photos.  Don’t worry, I won’t post them all.  Please come back tomorrow for a well-written post and a smart selection of pictures.  I’m emotionally drained (in a good way), and worn out.  Tonight, I sleep.  Tomorrow, I post.

Oh, just wanted to let you know, the total amount raised for the Chicago 3-Day Breast Cancer Walk: $5.1 Million.  Yes, that is million.

Holy boobies batman! 

Second try:

It turns out that nearly two thousand men and women are actually doing the 60 mile cancer walk here in Chicago, and hundreds more are giving up four full days to volunteer as support staff.  Each walker raised at least $2,000 and many raised much more.  One man decided to raise $1,000 for each year of his wife’s life (she lost her battle two years ago).  He set out to raise $47,000 and as of step-off yesterday morning had raised more than $51,000.  All of these walkers are true heroes.

Jason and I, along with my dad, went up to cheer for the walkers today.   We didn’t go to the official cheering section because we figured with 60 miles, they could use cheering along the way as well (and we couldn’t find the official cheering section — they actually moved it!).  We found Mom and Gwen, and cheered for them about a mile past Pit Stop 2, and then once they moved past us, we jumped back in the car and cheered for them again at the entrance to Pit Stop 3.  We also cheered for all the other walkers too.  We met a nice man named Frank who was there cheering for his wife, and saw lots and lots of happy, tired walkers.

I am completly impressed with all of these men and women.  For walkers like my Mom and Gwen, who are also cancer survivors, the accomplishment is even more astounding.  Including training walks, at the end of the day tomorrow, they will have walked from Chicago Il, to Fargo ND.  The mind boggles.

We took probably 200 pictures, I held up a sign, and we had a great time.  Want to see?

 Mom and Gwen, pushing the 22 mile mark.

My sign.

Another walker was kind enough to take this photo of all of us.

Happy, Tired, and Strong!

Happier, more tired, and stronger!  Their shirts say "I’m gonna need a new pair of shoes." and they’ve both written the names of others who have or are bettling breast cancer all over their shirts.

 Pit stop number 3, half way there, and almost at lunch!  Everyone took a nice long break here. 

At Pit Stop #3, we saw Gwen’s husband Ken, who is not only one of the brave volunteers, but is a brave volunteer wearing a madonna glove!  He’s giving the walkers fuel; things like bananas, and the ever popular peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

Mom resting at the pit stop.  She’s going to hate this picture I’m sure, but I think she looks beautiful.  Mom, I am incredibly proud of you and grateful for you.  Thank you, thank you, thank you. 

I’m kvelling over here.  My mother, a 5 year cancer survivor, is spending this weekend walking 60 miles over 3 days along with her friend Gwen and over a thousand other men and women.  They are going to walk 60 miles over three days, all to raise money for breast cancer research. 

Kvelling isn’t enough.  I am so proud, impressed, and thrilled for my mom and Gwen.  Please, join me in cheering them on and wishing them well.

Hip Hip Hooray!

Hip Hip Hooray!

Hip Hip Hooray!