It's getting closer.....

It’s always a good day when I get to start it by addressing an envelope to the Michael J. Fox Foundation to send off a few more checks we have received to be calculated into our total. 

I’ve started this blog entry a few times and kinda never actually got past the first part…..  I’m not really an “emotional” person…  I would rather be demanding, assertive, and push for progress.  As dad always would remind us…”There’s no crying in baseball”….  So avoid the emotional “crap” and get to it J  (If any of you know me you can probably hear my voice tone as to how I say that) J

It has been a little bit of a longer journey this I estimated as I forgot the time/dedication it takes to “get that run in” everyday around having hectic schedules.  However, that was one of the main reasons so much of this factors into why I’m doing this as well.  There isn’t a day goes by my dad (and SO MANY others I’ve met through this) doesn’t suffer from this disease.  Their life is altered every single day and they don’t have an option for it not to be. 

There have been so many of you that have stepped in to send a donation, send a note, and truly be involved in some way or another that I cannot express to you how much it means to me and I know the rest of the family.  It has been so re-assuring and thoughtful to hear from some that it’s been awhile since having the opportunity and it’s made “all this” so much better.   

This week has been full of excitement….activities, laughs, and news…I’m not sure where to start without making this a novel.

So…Tuesday we had a work cookout that I started last year with the Chamber persuading (depending on who they were I may have possibly threatened them to do this) J….but we design/decorate/carve pumpkins to be silent auctioned off at our cookout where we keep the money through the auction to sponsor children at Christmas time on behalf of our Chamber…here was my pumpkin J

 

I’m assuming that will be what I crave as soon as these 26.2 miles are over…possibly relevant to that size J

Also on Tuesday I received the exciting news when I got an E-mail from the race department that I was chosen to be the representative runner from the State of West Virginia during their parade of nations event hosted on Friday.  They have representatives from every state as was as countries etc.  Now the question…. What do I wear to represent WV?....  It will be in the evening of Friday so that should be pretty exciting J 

You can read a little bit about it here:  http://www.ingnycmarathon.org/entrantinfo/parade_of_nations.htm

Wednesday was run/prep for the event on Thursday…..   But to my surprise that day I received an E-mail from Team Fox….and they highlighted our story on their Team Fox Blog!!  You can read it here:

Team Fox Blog Article 

Last night Thursday was our Chili Dinner hosted by Wyngate Senior Living….and what a fun night! J  We had a great turnout and I was rather impressed by some of the dance moves from the residents J  Several wore Team Spangler T-shirts, there were impressive silent auction items, the chili was fantastic, and the music kept everyone movin’ (Special Thanks to Party Time DJ Services/Jeremy Casto). 

Some of Our Silent Auction Items

Larry Ice (who organizes the Parkinson’s support group my dad attended) spoke along with my sister about Parkinson’s facts.  I gave a speech highlighting our family’s story with this and some fun facts about the NYC marathon. 

Chatting with Larry's mom who helped get the "Golden Girls" together to help us sporting a Team Spangler Shirt :)

Still finalizing a few of the silent auction items….over $600 was raised…with another additional $100+ coming in from the silent auction items after pickup!  How great is that!!!!  We are SOOOO close to $6000 (offically on the fundraising website) right now and with some pending donations... I'll surprise you all to how close we actually are :)  If we can make our event on Wednesday a BIG success we may surprise everyone with our $10,000 goal!  So please invite anyone and everyone who can come on Wednesday :)

In case you need it, as I've gotten a few requests for the direct link lately...here it is:
Team Spangler for Team Fox Website

And just to top off the day a little bit more….. Nutter Farm United Methodist Church had taken up a surprise collection for this….and donated $405!  

So….words cannot truly express just how much all of this has meant to all of us and will continue to as we face each day. 

An in case anyone is counting…..15 days….