Happy Sibling Day

Apparently it's sibling day. So I want to say I have an amazing little sister. She's finishing up her third year in vet school while battling MS. I'm so proud of her!

Love you little sissy!

Mother/Daughter Day

That's exactly what today was; mother/daughter day. It started as early as 8:30am and ended around 4:30ish. I was originally just expecting to spend a couple hours with her since she signed us up to take this "Make your own Haggadah" class. But then the class ran late so there was no time to take me home before her next event - brunch with her BCO (breast cancer.org) friends. They meet once a month and celebrate their lives and help each other through tough times when needed. Before I even got there, I felt like I would be intruding on their special time, but I was warmly greeting with smiles and hugs. These ladies are a riot! It was a lot of fun chatting with them. They are all older (50+) and have such amazing spirits. One woman has been a survivor for 15 years! My mom is one of the babies. She's on her 4th year of survival. So proud of her and I'm so happy that she found some amazing ladies to relate to and keep her thriving.

For those of you that don't know, my mom is in her late 60s and LOVES technology. And I mean LOVE. When something new comes out, she wants it and usually gets it. Of course, she doesn't get it right away and saves up for it. But she'll get it. Last night I was given her old iPad since she got the iPad mini. And before that, she gave me her 1st Kindle after she got a new one. I'm not complaining. I love technology but my mom is like a technology whore. And she knows it. We laugh about it. It's one of the many things I love about my mom. I love that she can laugh at herself and the silly things she does. A good sense of humor goes a long way.

All in all, we didn't go out and do a lot, but the quality time we spent together meant a lot.

What do you do with your mom?

Mom and me (3 months) in West Orange, NJ

A Message For Jennie

I know I've been a little lax on my updates and I need to catch you up on the outcome of Relay, but today I want to spread a little love to my friend, Jennie Grimes. She was feeling a little down today and I thought this post would lift her spirits a little. Her mets (metastatic cancer) friends are losing their battle one by one and it's taken its toll on her. I just wanted to let Jennie know how much she's loved.

My dearest Jennie,

You are an amazing woman. I'm not sure you realize how much you mean to everyone, especially to me. You make me want to fight harder for things; to not let my own disease dictate my life. I want to live life to its fullest; to not worry so much about what will happen, but what can I do right now and make this day amazing. 

My butterfly fundraiser to fight this horrid disease was a success. Your butterflies are here in San Diego. You are flying endlessly with them. This video is for you. 

With all my heart,

Deb

Butterflies for Jennie

Last year we had one of the most interesting and amazing fundraisers for Relay. Butterflies. Yes, I said butterflies. Our event teamed up with a butterfly farm where we purchased butterflies to be released during opening ceremonies instead of the usual white doves. It was a great idea. Granted the weather was overcast and chilly, so it didn't go off as hoped, but that was okay. They butterflies just hung around a while before they warmed up enough to take flight. It was beautiful.

My friend, Jennie, is an amazing person. Having been diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, at such a young age, she lives life to its fullest. I am astounded daily by her strength and courage to take on each day at full strength even when she is at her weakest most vulnerable state.
I purchased a butterfly for her last year.

It was truly a wondrous experience to open an envelope and have a butterfly emerge from it. A Painted Lady. A beautiful creature, just like my friend.

And I plan to repeat this. Again and again.

This year, my hope is to get the support of all my friends who know Jennie (even those who don't) and get a kaleidoscope of butterflies to release in her honor. I think it would be such a magnificent sight to see these butterflies fly free, spreading Jennie's spirit all around San Diego.

If you would like to donate $6 in honor of Jennie or your loved one, please visit my fundraising page.
http://main.acsevents.org/goto/deborahderr

Deadline for the butterfly order is April 7th. I hope that you will join me in not only honoring my friend, but the fight against this horrible thing we call cancer.

 

Cancer Fundraising

And the fundraising race has begun!

I finally started to send out emails to my family and friends about the 24hr relay I'm doing again this year for the American Cancer Society. I can't believe it's been almost 10 years since I first joined in on this fight. And this year marks the 3rd year that I'm fundraising for my mom. She was diagnosed in Feb 2009. The week of my grandmother's funeral. It was probably the worst timing ever for her doctor to call and tell her. Yet, at the same time, it was good because she was surrounded by her close family and friends to help with the emotional support.
I think because my mom never showed how fragile it made her feel, it helped me help her. She is a fighter. My mother always had a smile on her face. Even through chemo, she made it seem effortless. To be honest, I was worried every day, but the strength in her made me feel better about whatever the outcome. Thankfully, chemo and surgery worked and she's been in remission for a couple years now. And will for a long time.

I know that cancer has affected all of us in some way. I hope that you can find it in your heart to help save some birthdays with a donation, large or small. Instead of buying that cup of coffee, donate the $5 and help save a life. I set a fundraising goal or $800 which is totally attainable but only with your help.

Thank you to Jeff and Rob for your awesome donations! Love you guys!

You can find my fundraising page here. Thank you in advance for your help.

Happy Naked Flying Baby Assassin Day

I hope you all had a great Valentine's Day with whomever you were able to spend it with.

Normally my boyfriend works on evenings such as this, but I got a treat. He had the night off. We spent it watching a horror movie, eating pizza and drinking some vino. It was a great night snuggling on the couch, crushing his hand with every suspenseful moment. Hoping to repeat this again next year but I can't hold my breath. That's the one thing about hospitality you never really get; a regular schedule. So I take what I can get and tonight was awesome.

What did you do with your loved one or loved friends?

Heart-shaped pizza!

Vino and pizza with my valentine