Walk MS DC 2009

On Saturday, April 25th I joined my friends in Washington DC for Walk MS 2009. There were 6 walks that weekend in our area with one goal in common: A world free of MS. My good friend was recently diagnosed with MS at the age of 30. I don't know what to do to help her or how to make it better. All I can do is be there when she needs me. She signed up for this walk and I immediately became a sponsor. All in all she raised $1,700! Incredible!

This walk was my first for MS and my first 5K ever. I'm out of shape, it was rough but I made it through. The route was a great tour of the city. I saw places I've driven by but walking was a whole different experience.

We checked in around 9:45am and filled up our water bottles, enjoyed an Apple and set out on our way at 10am. About an hour Sadie (our friend's pup) gave up. She sat down in the grass and refused to get up. It was hot and I don't blame her.

Halfway through the walk we stopped at a re-fueling station (is that what it's called?) I don't know, but I had to use the potty. I stood in front of the Port-a-Potties and said a prayer, held my breath and went in! It surprisingly wasn't bad. The Hand Sanitizer was a bonus. We continued on our walk until we ran into the Ice Cream truck. Oh Lordy. My best friend and I were the only one's who didn't give in. I won't lie and say we are saints, more like we are lactose intolerant. HA!

Finally (ok only an hour and a half later) we crossed the street and saw the finish line but we had two friends left behind hanging out with Sadie. We waited and waited and waited. I didn't want to cross the finish line without them since we all started together.

At 11:30 we crossed the finish line together. I was proud of my lovie for raising $1,700 all by herself. I was proud of all my friends for coming together to support her. And hell yeah I was proud of myself for walking my first 5K.

For more information please visit: The National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

*click me to see bigger pictures*

Wordless Wednesday: Pollen in DC in April

Newsbabes Bash for Breast Cancer

On the rare occasion that I get out of the house during the week, at night, when it's dark out, to hit up an event in DC, I pay dearly for it the next day. But as my daughter would say, "It's spectacular!" To be out, dressed up, makeup on, hair done and smelling good. I get to be Chantel. The person I was before I became mommy.

No one needs anything from me except maybe to buy a few drinks with all proceeds benefiting that charity. Yeah, I can manage that without a problem.

On May 13th I will be attending the Newsbabes Bash for Breast Cancer. This event will feature all the "Newsbabes" from our local television Channels. I wonder if they have ever ALL been in the same room before. Catfight anyone? Just kidding.

The lovely Angie Goff of Oh My Goff fame is on the Host Committee and I like to think we are friends. Even though I haven't seen her in person since Fashion For Paws. Ok, maybe we are associates.

The one and only Nakeva of Nightlife PR is a Pink Blog Ambassador for this event and I can't wait to see what she's going to wear. Pink Cocktail Attire. Hmmmm, could be sex-ay! I have to find a minute to go shopping myself.

I don't know if it's the same where you live, but in the DC area, Charity Events are major! Wish I could attend them all. I don't have that live-in nanny just yet so I have to pick and choose. Admission to this event is $35 for race registration or suggested donation. I've already signed up for Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® through my job but I'll have my donation ready to go. It's a small price to pay towards a greater goal.

Breast Cancer Awareness, research and support is important to me. I lost an Aunt many years ago to Breast Cancer. It unfortunately runs on my dad's side of the family. Sometimes, I foolishly think that it's only on one side of my family so I'm okay. I'm not in the clear. Neither are you.

It could save your life.

The Newsbabes Bash is going to be one of those events where the wallets open up, drinks flow through the night, I'll meet new friends & catch up with ones I haven't seen in awhile and all for a great cause. See you there!

$500 in 5 days in Honor of Maddie

Below is an email that I sent out to everyone in my address book in my effort to raise $500 in 5 days in honor of Maddie. I have never raised money before, for anything. Yes, I've brought in the kids school fundraiser packets to work but that's different. This is different. I wish I could have been in LA on Saturday to March for Maddie. The pictures brought tears to my eyes...

I've decided to challenge myself, step completely OUT Of my comfort zone and ask for money. Money to support the March of Dimes. Money for research and education. Money to provide information and support for families with babies in intensive care.

Ok, here is the email...yes, it's a bit redundant...

*******************************************************

On April 7, Heather and Mike Spohr lost their precious 17 month old baby girl Madeline. I didn't know the Spohr family personally but I've have been deeply touched and saddened all at the same time. I don't know if it's the pictures of Maddie with her blond curly hair and big bright eyes. Or reading Heather's blog and looking at her pictures of daily life with her daughter. Or just being a mother and feeling on some level the heartbreak they are feeling with the loss of their only child. I take for granted the fact that I had two healthy children and the loss of Maddie has made me realize how very grateful I should be every day.

So many babies are born premature and struggle to survive. Many with life long health issues. The March of Dimes is an amazing organization that assists family with premature babies as well as education & research to ensure all babies have a healthy start in life.

I'm walking in the March of Dimes March for Babies, this Sunday in Baltimore. I've challenged myself to raise $500 in just 5 days in honor of Maddie.

Please join me, in remembering Maddie and supporting The March of Dimes! Contributing to my walk online is fast, easy and secure. You can donate directly from my personal web page with a credit card or PayPal. If you prefer, I can also accept cash or check. Just click the appropriate box on my web page.

My personal Web page address for donations is....

http://www.marchforbabies.org/chantelligence (or click the banner below)


To learn about the amazing life of Maddie please visit the following sites:

www.marchformaddie.com

www.remembermaddie.com


To see how my family has already honored the life of Maddie please visit my Blog:

www.chantelligence.com

Wordless Wednesday

Here's my schedule for this week. Not included is an 8 hour work day, cooking, cleaning, laundry, mommy duty and if I can squeeze it in, a few minutes for myself. This is why I'm tired...

Wordless Wednesday

Procrastination may be one of my middle names (I already have two, thanks to my parents) and I may wait until the last day, but at least not the last hour, minute or second. The important thing is that I did it. Got those bad boys filed. Until next year Uncle Sam!

In Memoriam

Operation Purple Balloon to Honor Maddie

The Twitter and Blogging community has opened up their heart in awe-inspiring ways in the wake of unimaginable sadness and loss. Many things have happened to honor Maddie since my first post.

Heather and Mike Spohr were featured in an LA Times Article about Maddie. KTLA came to the Spohr home today to do an interview & story on Maddie. I'll update the link when available.

Bloggers are using their creativity to encourage others to financially support the Spohr family with these unexpected expenses. Y at Joy Unexpected is giving away a Nikon Coolpix Camera. Gain an entry for the camera with every $10 you donate. This generosity inspired Insta-Mom to team up with One Ping Only to give away the new Nintendo DSi. Same rules apply, gain an entry for every $10 you donate. Both of these giveaways have been very effective this weekend in donating a significant amount of money to assist the Spohr's.

Monica at Peapod Squad Stuff had an idea she called Operation Balloon Balloon in memory of Maddie. I immediately signed on to participate. Purple is the color for March of Dimes (Maddie was born prematurely) and a special color for the Spohr family. It also happens to be my favorite color. Today my family went outside, stood together, said a special prayer for Maddie, Heather & Mike and released our purple balloons into the sky. I stood and watched until I couldn't see them anymore. This simple act gave me a small sense of peace. Please take a moment to view the slide show of my family's participation in Operation Purple Balloon.

In Honor of Madeline Alice Spohr

On April 7, 2009, Mike and Heather Spohr unexpectedly lost their sweet baby girl Maddie. I wasn't familiar with the Spohr family through Twitter or Blogs until this tragedy however that doesn't make it any less painful. As a mom, I am heartbroken beyond belief for their loss. I don't know what you do, or what it feels like, or how you cope with the loss of a child. I have no words that can make the pain go away. The Spohr family is in our hearts, thoughts and prayers.

I am inspired at the outpouring of love and support from the Twitter community. Talk about a fast mobilization to support two friends, fellow Tweeters, bloggers and parents. Word can spread like wild fire in a positive way in the wake of a tragedy or crisis. Please visit the website below for detailed information on how you can show your support for the Spohr family & honor Maddie.

March for Maddie (Central Page for all things Maddie)

Remember Maddie

Operation Purple Balloon

For more information please visit the following blogs:

Sarcastic Mom

A Mom to Two Boys

Undomestic Diva

Wordless Wednesday

This is one of my favorite pictures of my daughter.
She is loving the Spaghetti at Nicola Pizza in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

My 1st Wordless Wednesday

This sign is located in our Town Center in a pretty congested area. I think the sign is supposed to say "Traffic COMING ahead." Unless I'm clueless on another meaning of the word "calming?" Love it!! :)