Ready. Set. Walk. ...okay, that's enough walking. Let's celebrate!

This past Saturday was the 3rd Annual Seattle Brain Cancer Walk, of which I'm an organizer. "I'm an organizer" is really no shock to any friends or family reading this. Still, it's good I found a place to funnel that energy.

It was a lot of fun and a big success. The walk started three years ago when Kim Hogle a 25 year old was fed up with brain cancer. She knew several folks who had it and decided she wanted to raise, $100,000. Kim wasn't sure how but she just decided it. Fast forward and they raised $120,000 that year. $275,000 last year and $400,000 this year. Well done Kim!

I was up at 4:30am to catch a ride to help set-up. No one mentioned that part when I signed-up for the committee or who knows what would have happened!! Still, I was so excited it didn't even matter.

We all gathered around 8:00am. Then there were opening ceremonies and then at 9:00 we walked about 1 1/2 miles around Seattle Center. There were muscians and mimes along the way. When we made it back to the starting point, that ended the "walking" partion of the walk. We turned to eating bagels and honoring all the Survivors.

Just like that 6-months of planning is in the bag. Worthy of Hope went to continue the celebration with brunch on the top of the Space Needle.

I was completely, and totally exhausted when it was done. The walk isn't so much about walking, although that is quite the show of solidarity, but it's more about the gathering of 2,000 people who support their loved one's. There are bands and artist everywhere. It's really a wonderful day.

Here's a picture of this year's patients and survivors and all their supporters who were here on walk day.



Several of us from the committee put together the Patient and Survivor Tent, which was a place for patients and survivors to get a little TLC on their special day. We had great decorations -- big bea-U-tiful vases of flowers, giveaways -- like baseball games, football, symphony, dinner...everything, and chair massages. What's not to love?








Then there was the Worthy of Hope Team, in memory of John Norsworthy. I was a self-declared co-captain with my pal Karen. We had a great time and far-and-away the best team t-shirts. We were a small-but-mighty team, with just 8 of us raising over $7,500! Three of our team members flew in from out of state. How's that for dedication!!?!! We're already thinking big for next year. Karen's team was fabulous. They were the funnest teammates a person could hope for. Our local jeweler gave us all blingy bracelets (the types you might give to little kids) to help doll up our outfits. That was really fun. We had a celebratory brunch on top of the Space Needle. What an adventure!!






There was Team HDR which one of the HDR office put together.




If you want to see more picture, check out Aaron's Facebook page or let me know and I'll send you a Snapfish link.

STUDIO UPDATE:
You may have though that the studio was complete at the New Years (remember how we spent the holiday hauling in stuff from the storage pods...happy new year, 2010). ?? Well, turns out we still need to paint the new siding in order to protect it. Aaron's done a great job. Here it is in progress. It either says, "crazy old lady with cats lives here" or "genius artist at work". I'm going with the latter.



FLOWERS:
In spite of 262 days of no sun in a row, our garden is trying its damned hardest to bloom.

First up is a "pineapple lily" we've tried these in the ground with limited luck, but this one in a container is doing great.


Next, this is a container that mom gave us for the wedding. We've moved it in front of the studio so it's a really focal point when we come and go. In fact, someone was over last night and asked where we had gotten it. I'm not sure this is the perfect use for it, but I think it looks really cool...in a chia pet kind of way.



And finally, this is the start of a "chocolate garden". A gift my friend Karen gave me. It's totally crazy. Chocolate lettuce. Chocolate basil. Chocolate flowers. We love it and just need to find a good spot for it to thrive.

Visit to Minn-e-SO-tah!

It's been a whirlwind, but Aaron and I made it back to MN about a week ago. It was a little different without dad. Still, it was a good trip and I'm really glad we were able to go. I've been wearing one of dad's flannel shirts ever since.

We spent a lot of time with grandma. We helped plant her beautiful garden and had brunch with her and invited company to join us. I think she liked it. It was pretty fun, I have to say! The food was TA-asty!





Possibly the highlight was seeing Michael play ball. He did a good job and it was fun to be there until the rain set in. Then we went for dinner together at a great 50's place. Super fun!


We came home and have been non-stop since. Aaron's art opening was last week and we had a great time. This weekend is the big brain cancer walk. Then, I think it quiets down a little.

As a bonus...summer is coming back to Seattle. After 262 cloudy days in a row (technically, days under 75 degrees) we're beside ourselves!