I MADE IT!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I made my fundraising goal! I will be walking in the 3 Day in Atlanta, October 23-25th.

I'll keep the blog updated as I train (hehe) and get ready. Keep on stopping by.

THANKS!!

Day 10: Your Choice

So, I've been getting some flack from some folks who've let me know that this whole 10-Day thing needs to be done in 10 days. My lovely cousin informed me earlier today that it doesn't count to send out day 10 on day 14! Well, as much as it pains me to say this, she may be right....(Paula, don't let this go to your head.)

Well, in my defense, I've been waiting to hear back from the Atlanta organizers. See, I had this BRILLIANT idea for the original day 10. I was going to auction off votes for what my talent could be during evening festivites in camp. (In case you don't know, I'll be camping during the 3 day and there are supposed to be all these things going on.) I had heard that there would be a stage. That brought to mind all sorts of potentially humiliating things. Like....

• interpretive dance (for you, Dianne and Fraser)


• free verse poetry reading (for you, Kelly)


• Karoke to '80s standards (for you, Kate and Jenny)


• etc., etc., etc.

I even knew what I was going to entitle this email: Dancing Queen. I was going to use the picture at right for my facebook page. (I look HOT, don't I?) It was, quite simply, going to be awesome.

Well, I'm going on a week here without hearing back, so I'm assuming that it probably won't work out. (Or that they think I'm a drunk dialer who needs a life.) This is significantly lower brow than intended, but today's incentive is YOUR CHOICE.

It's all up to you guys today. Would you like me to skip for 5 minutes every hour? It's up to you! Would you like me to propose marriage to one of the other walkers? I'd do it for you! Would you like me to do jello shots the last day (Jenny)? Your choice! In other words, whatever you want me to do, for whatever you want to pay, I'll do it.

I'm almost to my donation threshold. I can't tell you how humbling and energizing this whole process has been. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Now it's all up to you.

Day 9: I'l dye my hair

Many thanks to all the fabulous folks who donated yesterday. I'm looking forward of 60 miles of fairy wings and a tutu! Jenny already even found me a tutu to wear. Now I'm down to needing fairy wings. Somebody with little girls or a strong love of the Renaissance Festival help me out! (But I won't be needing those elf ears or that corset.)

I can't remember if I've already sent this out or not, but I'm going to try to make a t-shirt with the names of all my donors. A part of that would be photos of the loved ones you would like to remember or honor. If you would like that, please send me a picture.

Today's humiliation up for grabs: if I get $300 of donations today, I'll dye my hair pink for the walk. Just think, for 3 days, I could be a pretty, pretty pink princess!

Don't forget you can capitalize on all previous offers as well....

Day 8: Fairy Wings and Tutus

Ok. This is the moment that you've all been waiting for--the day that begins my personal humiliation (which, actually, not to devalue whatever you donate today, happens with some regularity.)

If I receive donations today at or over $150, I will wear a tutu and fairy wings during the breast cancer walk. Please remember a few things as we come to the end of our 10 days of incentives:

• You can get anything at any time. So, if you've been wanting your car washed, but would like to capitalize on my shame, today's the day! If you're a little more devious than most, just keep waiting. Other embarrassing stuff is coming down the pipe.
  
• A few people have asked about recognition for loved ones. Other than the tutu (I'm thinking positively here), I will be wearing a t shirt with the names of my donors and in honor of/in memory of loved ones. If you would like to send me a picture of the person you are donating for, I will try to put that on the t shirt as well. (I'm pretty sure that I can do this since I'll be making the shirt, but I don't want to promise.)

Once again, I'd like to thank you for all the kind words and encouragement I have received. This has been such a blessing.

Day 7: Farm Fresh Eggs

For anyone out there who has a hankering for quiche, custard or crème fraîche (OK, that one doesn't have eggs, but I was going for alliteration here), today's the day for you! For your small donation of $10, you will receive 2 dozen Holder's Rest free-range chicken eggs. Delicious. Delightful. Divine. (I'm keeping up this assonace thing.)
These ladies are completely free range. I won't say vegetarian, because I'm pretty sure they're deadly on bugs. However, their brown eggs have golden yolks and taste fantastic.

I also wanted to put a little something in here that you can get any of the incentives any day. I had a few folks write and ask if it were too late for something. It's never too late for you, pookie bear!
Humiliation starts tomorrow. If you have any good ideas for embarrassing stuff I could try, send them my way.

Day 6: I'll Make You Famous!

Now, it's not many people that could promise such a thing as this. But, luckily for you, I'm no ordinary fundraiser! Today's donation incentive is no less than immortality. No less than fame. No less than $25.
In the words of my good buddy Bill, "He lives in fame that died in virtue's cause." (Titus Andronicus)
Wait, wait, wait! I'm not telling you to die here. Give me a sec. I'm going to re-word the bard just a bit-- "S/he lives in fame that donated in virtue's cause." (Polly, 2009).
If you donate today, I'll put your name in my dissertation. I have three pseudonyms up for grabs, and I could do reams of acknowledgments.
While the more cynical of you out there ask, "I thought she said 'famous?'" I'll have you know that several people will be forced to read this--my mother, my committee, Gabel, whoever proofs it. What's more, you'll be on the internet, waiting to be accessed by some other poor schlub who also has to do research.
It could be your name, the name of a pet, the name of someone you love who has breast cancer. Think of the possibilities!

Day 5: Baby or Pet Sitting

Today's incentive is focused on those little ones that we all love so much. Their smiling faces or wagging tails make it all worthwhile. However, if you're anything like me, (and I realize that there are quite a few of you out there who are well adjusted and may not have this problem!) for as much as you love your mini-me--be furred or fleshed--sometimes you just need a break!

• This is for anyone who has forgotten what it's like to eat in a restaurant with cloth napkins.
• This is for folks who have a vague memory of that once-fun social activity called a "date." I myself don't know much about that, but I read an article about it. It sounded fun.
• If you want to get away for the weekend, but can't quite swing boarding fees and wouldn't want to leave your buddy in a cage anyway.

Now's the time! If you donate $25 today, I'll take care of your munchkin(s) at your place or mine so you can get a little R and R.