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.

Day 4: I'll Clean Your House!!

While, admittedly, my tastes run a little more to Anne Taintor than to Niecy Nash, that won't stop me! Take a stand against breast cancer with today's incentive of HOUSECLEANING! If you donate $100 today, I will come over to your house and clean the bathrooms/kitchen, vacuum/mop, dust, wipe and scrub...Imagine the joy of walking in your front door to the smell of lemon and pine with dust bunnies banished to never-never land. All you see before you is shiny, glossy and smells good! You can skip through your door straight to that bottle of wine and sit down and enjoy. Not only do you have a clean house, you have a clean conscience!

(If you have any specialty concerns--ovens, windows, laundry, etc.--give me a call/email, and we'll talk.)

Day 3: Lily Kate Apple Butter

Today's goodie is *WORLD* famous Lily Kate Organic Apple Butter. If you donate $15 today, you get a jar of delicious, homemade, homegrown, organic Apple Butter. The ingredients of this delightful treat will be co-handled by the eponymous lady herself, and the delectable, appetizing mouthwatering biscuit-making treat will be cooked by me. All the apples will come from Holder's Rest, AKA 2005 Whitney Rd.

Day 2: I'll make you dinner!

Thanks to all the lovely folks who donated or sent encouraging emails yesterday. I really appreciate it!! Today, I'm giving away a full dinner (salad, bread, entree/veggies, dessert, etc.) for anyone who donates $50. (And lives close enough to do it. Sorry, Kate!)
Here are some recommendations of favorite family foods:

• Spinach Manicotti
• Hoppin' John and Cornbread (for Fraser)
• Beef Stroganoff
• Baked Ziti
• Chicken Almond Partybake (!--It's SO good.)

However, if you want me to try something new, I'm always game. I'll even follow a recipe!

If you don't necessarily want to eat anything that I cook (or don't have an extra $50), keep your eye out! You have 8 more days of incentives!

DAY 1: I'll clean your car!

I know what you're thinking. Polly doesn't keep HER car very clean, but that doesn't mean I can't do it!
If you donate $25 today, I'll come to your house and clean your car. I'll vacuum, wipe down and wash the outside.
I won't, however, be doing it my underwear like the unfortunate gentleman on the right.

10 Days of Incentives

I know what you're thinking out there. "Polly obviously doesn't get this whole 'blog' concept, since she only posts once every blue moon." Well, you're right. After the encouragement of a few folks in my life (Susan, Gabel, Mom) who have told me that it's embarrassingly overdue, I have sat down to update. It's getting into the middle of August, and I'm only about 30% of the way there. So, c'mon folks! Let's do this....
I'm starting today 10 Days of Incentives. Each day, for the next 10 days, I'll be offering some perk for donating that day. There will be a huge range of stuff, so if you don't like what's behind Door #1, just wait. Look out!

Watch out world!!

I'm quite beside myself tonight. I just got off the phone with Jenny, my cousin and graphic designer extraordinaire. She's just finished the design for my fund raising letter and postcard! All you folks (assuming that someone other than my mom is reading this blog) will be getting a letter from me soon, and it makes all this feel much more official.
Thanks in advance!

The picture below is Jenny and LK getting ready to get into some trouble on a recent trip to Mexico. Jenny is the all time best travel companion--ready for anything and always fun. For anyone who asks nicely, I'll tell you about this one time in Italy where there was a Vespa, 13 kiwis, a guy with really great shoes and a sleepless night...Thanks for everything, JenJen!!

Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes

I just love a little Paul Simon. It always puts me in a happy frame of mind, and it reminds me of my time in Spain. I lived in a barrio several miles outside of the center of the city where my classes were, so I had a combination of bus and walk every day. I took over a walkman (you youngsters these days won't even know what that is! we had to walk uphill both ways AND couldn't watch videos on demand!!) and had all these mixed tapes that friends had made. However, by the time I got to Spain, I was a little tired of all those songs after the month Jenny and I had traveled around. So, one day, I splurged at the local El Corte Ingles (think department store/super Target) and bought Paul Simon's greatest hits. I listened to it every day after that. It was so nice to hear whenever I got homesick as I walked to and fro.

So I've been walking lots lately, although this time I've got an MP3 player. How I've come up in the world...and I have a world of music. Whenever I get tired of Paul (as if!), I can switch over to a little Spanish rock to put a spring in my step as I work on training for the 3-Day. You'll all be proud to note that I have walked everywhere from 3 to 5 miles a minimum of 3 days a week after I signed up. Still thinking that 20 a day is going to be rough (I know that's nothing for my tougher friends out there, but still!). It's been nice to get out. I put LK in a stroller, and we head. Sometimes she gets to bring a friend. This picture is of Sara (our next door neighbor) and LK during a recent walk. This training business is hard!!! (Especially if you're getting pushed around...)

Why does it matter? Breast cancer by the numbers.

So, if you're taking a look at this blog, you're either a really good friend of mine who is afraid I'll bother you until you do so, or you're someone who has a stake in ending breast cancer. You could be someone in both categories because:

• One in eight women will get breast cancer in her lifetime.
• An estimated 182, 460 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in America in 2008 alone. In other words, in the U.S., breast cancer is expected to be newly diagnosed every three minutes.
  
• 85% of women with breast cancer have no family history.
• Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death for all women and the number one in respect to cancer deaths in women between the ages of 20 and 59.
  
• Every 13 minutes a women dies of breast cancer.
• However, 96% of women who find and treat breast cancer early will be cancer free in five years.
• Mammograms can detect cancer up to 2 years before a lump can be felt.
  

The monies raised by the Breast Cancer 3-Day go into funding education, research and even helping fund mammograms in high need areas. If you've got a hanky at hand, be sure to watch the video below.

Here we go!!

So, it's Sunday, May 3rd, and I'm beginning this blog as my lovely cousin works on my fundraising letter that I'm going to send out about the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3 Day walk in Atlanta. Am I lucky or what to have family wildly gifted in design?? She's also pretty passionate about nonprofits herself. All you Georgians should check out her webpage--www.ourgreenatlanta.com.

Anyway, hopefully I should be able to keep this pretty updated over the course of the next five months as I train, beg prettily for money and get y'all excited about the 3 Day. For anyone who doesn't know, The Breast Cancer 3 Day is a 60 mile walk over the course of three days. Net proceeds benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust, funding important breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment. Their website is here: www.the3day.org/