Fight Consumerism with Giving Tuesday

"There's Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday and now charities are starting what they hope will become a national day for giving that will join the holiday lexicon: Giving Tuesday", according to ABC News.com.  Read the full article here.   Well I for one, like the idea.  I have not been a fan of shopping for (pretty much) my entire life.  I also don't like buying gifts for the sake of the holidays.  I'd rather stumble on a perfect gift in May and buy it for someone because I care about them, was thinking of them and wanted to do something special for them.  But this idea of Giving Tuesday, I can get behind. 
I didn't participate in Black Friday, Small Business Saturday or Cyber Monday.  But today I am going to pick three charities (not my own) and make a donation.  It just feels right.  I encourage you to do the same and of course, don't forget that my campaign qualifies.  Happy Giving Tuesday to all!

Blessings

Enough said....

Making Strides

I am happy to report... it seems the worst is over.  Our neighborhood no longer looks like a war zone and instead looks like everyone decided to renovate their home at the same time.  It will still take months (and years for some) to recover from Hurricane Sandy but it now feels there is life beyond this tragedy.  To that end, I started looking at my race calendar for next season.  I reached out to some race directors and am happy to report, some of my 8 states are planned.  Details still need to be ironed out so until then, I will keep you in suspense.  Eight (states) is the magic number and with the clock ticking, there is no wiggle room this season. 

There are many that lost much more than me in Hurricane Sandy and as we approach Thanksgiving, I can honestly say I have much to be grateful for.  I am alive; I have beaten cancer.  I still have my home; the Village didn't condemn it.  I have some of my utilities turned back on.  I am loved.  Despite the last 3 weeks, I have gratitude.  It's all about keeping it in perspective.  

A Post Sandy Update

Sorry for the gap in blogging but life has been a little hectic on Long Island.  Hurricane Sandy hit us very hard and we have been busy in recovery mode.  We lost the entire first floor and as of this writing, still don't have a furnace so, no heat.  Mother Nature thought this amusing and dumped 7" of snow on us last week too. We are safe and in relatively good spirits.  Neighbors have been helping one another and friends have been generous as well.  I've showered at several friend's homes and pawned laundry off to others. Thanks to all my angels!
The house is gutted and awaiting rebuilding.  There are so many worse off than us; I really can't complain.  It was just a major hiccup that will take months to recover from.  Luckily it is the "off season" and I have more flexibility and no pressure to train.  Call it "cross-training". I may not be swimming, biking and running but hauling appliances and sheetrock is quite a workout!
Please excuse any further gap in posting.  Very shortly I will start getting my 2013 schedule in place and advise when the final EIGHT states will happen.  In the meantime, I hope you and your families are safe, warm and dry and recovering from Sandy in the best way possible.