Monday, December 15, 2008

A resource for you

Just in case you need them, the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance's website is filled with good information. Either Google "OCNA" or go right to their website www.ovariancancer.org.

I hope you don't need them, but if you do, well, here you go.

So you'd like to be a part?

I'm meeting more and more people these days, many of whom are excited about the ride.
If you happen to be reading this and would like to be a part, there are a couple of things you can do.

1) make a donation. Write a check to "Jubilee!" and send to Jubilee!, 46 Wall Street, Asheville, NC 28801. Write "Laurey Bikes" in the memo line.

2) have a fundraiser. Many folks are doing this. Bake sales. local events. I'm happy to come talk to groups is you have a group. Just let me know.

3) plan to ride with me to Washington, DC in September 2009. We'll leave from Asheville and will ride to Washington. The timing will coincide with Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and will (we hope) conclude on Capitol Hill or (WILD DREAM) at the White House. We'll need help planning this one so give a shout if you'd like to be a part. Ride. Escort. Plan. Support.

4) spread the word about the early warning signs.
  • Bloating
  • Pelvic or abdominal pain
  • Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
  • Urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency)
5) Know what is normal for you. If you notice a change, even after only two weeks, get yourself checked out.

Live. Love. Bike!

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

The article from Thanksgiving

A story was in our local paper on Thanksgiving. Here it is...

http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008811270355

Moving, moving along

I've started spinning classes. Stumped by the cold (it is REALLY hard to get outside on a road bike in cold weather) I've started to spin. Spinning is HARD, but it is a HOT hard, not a cold hard. I sweat and spin and, no matter my mood, smile at it all. My teacher is a funny gal, blasting hip hop, gesturing wildly, urging us to increase the resistance, keep up the pace. I imagine climbing over the hills, mountains, facing the winds, the rain, I imagine all of this.

I think of a song we sing at Jubilee, an old Irish drinking song, actually, though its word are motivating:

I will not lie me down, this rain a raging.
I will not lie me down, in such a storm.
And if this night be unblessed
I shall not take my rest
Until I reach the other shore.

So spin class is fun and the ride, too, will be fun (much, or at least some of the time, I hope).
AND I also know there will be parts of it, perhaps much of it, that will be really hard but those hard times will be times for putting my head down (or lifting it up) and carrying on.

No matter what.