A "Bust" of a Weekend

Here's my version of the out-takes reel you see at the end of movies.  They always make me laugh & they're always set to fun music.  So....turn up "I Got A Feelin'" by The Blackeyed Peas and get your giggle on...

I came home to this adorable gift bag last week.  Before I even left for Atlanta, my sweet friend, Sara Miller, dropped this off at my back door.  It was filled with Aleve, sun screen, candy, pink bling to wear during the walk and this awesome sign: Geaux, Kim, Geaux!!  Thank you SO much, Sara! 

Tear-jerker at the Opening Ceremony

Random wall of bras!

The pin Cati wore on her pack during the walk!  heehee

Tom had Jerry (or was that Ben that had Jerry?).  Roseanne had Jackie.  Laverne had Shirley.  Shaggy had Scooby. 

And, Team Diamond Stone had Madge, the mutant rodent with a potty mouth and a taste for the booze.

Here she highjacked Mary's photo op.

She was pretty fiesty at the Opening Ceremony.

She complained a lot about blisters.  So much so that she tried hitching a ride on the back of this Harley.  We quickly put her in her place and reminded her why we were all there.

You may not be able to tell, but she's sticking her tongue out at us here.

 

She finally cracked at the end.  The heat and fatigue just got to her.  Alice was the victim of her hate crime.  See if we ever include her in another team event.

And, finally, one final shot of Team Diamond Stone.  Exhausted.  Blistered. Worn.  (except for Betty).

xoxo,

Kim

Thanks for the Mammaries!

"We will NEVER give up!"  - Dr. Sheri Phillips. 

These were the last words spoken at the closing ceremony yesterday afternoon at Turner Field in downtown Atlanta, GA.  These were the last words spoken after it was announced that the Atlanta 3-Day raised $6.2 million dollars for breast cancer research, advocacy & patient assistance.  These were the lastwords spoken after 2,400 walkers finished a 60 mile journey in & around Atlanta.  These were the last words spoken - out loud, by the masses, for the universe the hear. 

But, even before that a lot of cool things happened, too!

Here's a shot of Team Diamond Stone on Sunday morning.  Despite the cute smiles on our faces, a lot of us were hurting & struggling pretty bad with blisters, sore muscles and hangovers (WHAT?!  Just Kidding.  Just wanted to see if you were paying attention).    Our sign reads:  THANKS!  You ROCK!  From Team Diamond Stone.  And it was made for YOU - our kind & generous friends who've sponsored & supported us throughout this adventure. 

Here's a shot of me, Mary, Cati and Melissa.  This photo is taken is Piedmont Park in Midtown Atlanta. 

How much do you love this guy?  I'm pretty sure he didn't have a voice when he woke up this morning.  He screamed and cheered and yelled and encouraged us NON-STOP through Freedom Park!  I wish I could put him in my pocket and keep him for regular ol' work days when I need some inspiration. 

Our #1 fans, Maleah & Kyle, surprised us at Freedom Park!!  How AWESOME was it to see them there, with a sign in hand, waiting for us when we still had about 5 miles left before the finish line?!  You really can't imagine how much of spirit boost it is to have your own fan club cheering you on!  We love you Maleah & Kyle!  Thank you so much for spending your Sunday with us!

And, here we are.  Team Diamond Stone at Turner Field after finishing the 60 mile trek.  Our sign says: "Thanks for the Mammaries!"

Here we are again giving a shot out to our dear friend, Miss Lorelei Schuman, with a sign that says: "Miss Lorelei - We Walked 60 Miles for You!"  She's a Crimmins family friend who's kicking cancer's ass right now.  Please include her in your good thoughts & healing prayers. 

Cati & Mary's Aunt Lucy was just diagnosed with breast cancer, so they wanted to make sure she knew they were thinking of her at this very special time.

Cati & I wanted to give a shout out to my aunt Michelle Heidelberg and Granny Jane Becker Heidelberg.  I carried you both in my heart every step of the way.  I love you both dearly and am so thankful I am a part of your family. 

Ok, so this fella had on a t-shirt worth documenting.  What do you think?  I like it a lot. 

Cati & her friend, Lynne, at Turner Field.  Do you notice the pin on Lynne's right side?  It's a picture of Cati that she wore throughout the race.  How sweet is that?!

This is my new friend, Tina.  I noticed her from a distance when her shirt caught my eye.  In case you can't read it, it says:  "I would walk to the ends of the earth to bring you back."  When I read those words, I stopped dead in my tracks.  It hurt my heart to wonder who it was she was talking about?  How many people in your life would make you feel that way? 

For my friend, Tina, it was her Mom. 

Here we are showing off our new t-shirts!!!  woohoo!!!  Walkers got white shirts and survivors got pink shirts.  At this moment, not a single one of us felt a blister or sore muscle....we were high on adrenaline and the joy of the moment!  What a fun celebration to mark the end of our journey!!!  I must have high-fived 762 people - at least!!!!

Alice promised some of her sponsors that she'd give a shout out to some special people during the walk.  She decided to put their names on her bandana.  Pretty cool, Al-Gal!!!

Dr. Sheri Phillips on stage at the closing ceremony!  She was pretty amazing!!! 

This might be my one of my favorite shots out of all that I got throughout the weekend.  This is the shoe salute that all walkers & crew members gave to the survivors as they made their way in to the center of our circle.  We all took off one of the shoes we had worn on the 60-mile journey and raised it in the air as they made their way in to the group.  It was a tribute to them & their fight and to let them know that they are why we did what we just did. 

And just like that...it was over.  Alice & I suddenly couldn't walk another step.  heehee

In all seriousness, here's a shot of my sweet friend, Cati Diamond Stone, and her daughter, Leah Diamond Stone.  If, at any point, you forgot or don't know why I just walked 60 miles in 3 days - here's your answer. 

“Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.”
― Mother Teresa

xoxo,

Kim

These Boobs Are Made For Walking

Hey Everybody!!!  Day 2 is done.  Yippee!!  40 miles down & only 20 more to go!  We have all commented on how differently we felt today (at the finish) compared to yesterday's finish.  We were all completely exhausted yesterday - emotionally.  Today we are all completely sore, riddled with blisters and unusual aches & pains.  We've got a line formed in the kitchen to get our ibuprofen and ice cold beer.  That IS just what the doctor ordered,  right?!  :-)

Today's walk took us from the World Congress Center downtown and made a giant loop around Atlanta.  We had more amazing cheer stations, but the one that stands out the most (to me) was the Girl Scouts troop who came out in their homemade t-shirts and handed out frozen fruit kabobs (which ROCKED, by the way!).  What a great example their troop leaders set for those young girls.  They're too young to participate in this event as a walker, but you're NEVER too young to be an activist, an advocate or campaigner.

I'm going to go on the record and tell you:  I'm a little nervous about tomorrow.  I've got a blister on my left foot that covers about 1/2 the foot.  My left shin is pretty much on fire and my right knee doesn't want to bend anymore.  Good times, people!!!  But, this is what it's all about.  I have been surrounded by women the past 2 days who've been to hell & back.  These women have endured surgeries & chemotherapy.  They've heard words spoken to them that would easily knock me to my knees.  They have had a disease enter & take over their body without their damn permission.  They have fought like hell to be alive & when they walk every step of the 20 miles we're tackling (daily) - they take them with joy in their step, with gratitude in their heart and with strength & perseverance running through their veins.

I cried a few times again today.  Once was at the end of one of the BEST cheering stations we've seen so far.  It was at Lindberg Station & there were so many people there cheering us on it was unbelievable.  But, at the very end when we were leaving the crowds and entering a long stretch of our route that would be "fan-less" I looked back.  The scene took my breath away.  I saw my fellow walkers making their way through the crowds, holding their heads high with pride.  I started crying.  I thought immediately about how proud I will be on the day we find out that a cure has been found.  Proud that I was a part of something so incredible and life-changing.  And, when I say life-changing I do not mean only to those who have had cancer.

How cute is this team of superheroes from North Georgia?

Another fun team!!!

How great is this team shirt?  Kim.Loves.It.

How hilarious is this?!

3 Little Pigs came to cheer us on!

Here's where we enjoyed our lunch today!!!  Happy Mardi Bras!!!

One of our many adoring fans waiting for us at Lindberg Station!

Same funny guy from yesterday!  ha!

Amazing survivor/walker!  She just had surgery 2 weeks ago.  I have GOT to quit complaining!

Another great team t-shirt!!  

One of the funniest fans we saw ALL day!

It's time for me to grab another beer...I mean, turn in for the night.  heehee  Hope you all had a great Saturday!  Love you all lots & can't wait to update you from the finish line.  

xoxo,

Kim

It Didn't Get the Breast of Us - Part Two

Here's a wall that was set up at the Opening Ceremony.  Participants were encouraged to fill the wall with the names of those we were all walking for....

Here's Team Diamond Stone's bubble: For Cati and Leah (her 2 year old daughter)

Here's Cati, our team captain & breast cancer survivor, with Dr. Sheri Phillips, the national spokeswoman for Susan G. Komen & breast cancer survivor!  

How cute are these sisters who followed us to numerous spots on the course throughout Day 1?!

One of my favorite team shirts from Day 1:  Fight Like A Girl!  Never Give Up

Team Diamond Stone at lunch on Day 1.  12 miles down...8 to go!  

This fellow is one of my favorites!  Can you read his signs?  "Go Enter Your Name Here" on one sign and "I Don't Know You, But You Are My Hero" on the other.  HILARIOUS!!!

'Nuff said.

Stone Mountain Park - the beautiful spot where our event began on 10/21/2011

One of the adorable signs made by the school kids cheering us on in Decatur!

Lady Left is a 6 year survivor & Lady Right is a 20 year survivor with 11 3-Day walks already under her belt!!!  WOW.

Kim, Cati, Alice & Madge (on Alice's head) at the end of 20 miles