2009 in mini-review

In the year 2009, I:

• enjoyed three weddings (one of which was my brother's)
• ran three miles along the cliffs twice or thrice a week
• visited family in the Midwest and on the East Coast
• stayed gluten-free and stopped taking antibiotics
• celebrated the first birthday of my only niece, Lila
• enjoyed my sister's company four times over the course of three months

• hoped for the safety of all our troops abroad (including my brother-in-law this summer and my cousin right now)
• loved one brother's wedding (John) and congratulated the other (David) on his first anniversary
• celebrated Jesse's/my sixth wedding anniversary
• enjoyed two backpacking trips with Jesse (one to a place we'd never been before!)

• prayed for everyone's health (especially Grandmother and Granddad - they had a tough year)
• walked 50 miles in three days after raising about $3,000 toward a world free of MS. I also gave a speech and led the candle ceremony.
• experienced three blackened toenails but didn't lose any (though Jana lost one - yuck!)
• made acquaintances into friends, friends into great friends, long-time friends into fresh friends, both at work and at play
• made a video about Mom
• moved a household, two cats and a tree halfway across the country and sadly said "see you later" to many friends
• changed jobs within the National MS Society (lucky me!)
• had my first Christmas alone without family (except Jesse of course)

... and started this blog and kept it up! Though I reserve the right to add to this post at anytime even if I eventually have to take "mini" out of the title.

quiet christmas

We were scheduled to fly to the Midwest to visit my mom and grandparents this weekend, but the winter weather there prevented us from doing so. We spent Christmas eve and day at home, cooking and eating. I did some gluten-free baking for the first time and generally things turned out good! A little stir-crazy by now though after being home too long.

Denver food

When we woke up in our new house with our airbed, TV and cats, we had no internet access and no real knowledge of the area. We did have about 12 phone books (thank goodness, right?!), however I found the yellow pages to be useless; maybe I just don’t know how to work them. After trying for hours to find a place that would deliver, we got in the car and stumbled upon an amazing Little India restaurant near our house. Our friend Nick had never had Indian before but he liked it – the cute waitress might have had something to do with that…

Since then we’ve been exploring our area one restaurant at a time. After two attempts we rediscovered a yummy Mexican place – third time’s a charm – which we used to frequent when we lived in Denver before. Saturday night we tried Sushi Den on a friend’s recommendation and it was awesome! Expensive, but great environment, food, drinks, etc. We’ve been to one Thai place that was good, but slow service and not many vegetarian options. I have two recommendations for Thai from colleagues on which that I need to act.

Mouth is watering… Indian or sushi tonight?

new job

After unpacking my clothes on Sunday, I started at the office Monday morning. I don’t have many work clothes because 1) we wore jeans/casual at the chapter and the home office is business casual, and 2) since I last wore business attire I have lost some weight as a result of giving up gluten so all my old clothes are too big (good problem to have!). Remind me to share later if you’re interested my gluten-intolerant adventure. My colleagues from the chapter went in on a big gift card for me before I left Anyway, work. My first challenge is our social media strategy. I’ve been searching for and reviewing case studies… and not finding one to use as a text book. I looked through Forbes Top 200 Charities (health classification) and surveyed those similar to us. The beauty of it is that we (nonprofits, the Society, folks like me in the space today) get to be the pioneers.

I have always been fanatical about succeeding in structured environments (school, work). Given that my mom’s life has been stolen away from her by multiple sclerosis (and she’s been stolen from us – my grandparents, aunt/uncle, siblings, niece) and that I am privileged to work at the National MS Society (and recently the home office!), I am now officially obsessive.

On a related note I registered and started my Karin's Kids team for the three-day 50-mile Challenge Walk in Southern California September 2010.

first week in Denver

In an empty house. We went out to eat for every meal. No internet access. Olive did a lot of night singing – what a weirdo – which involves wandering around and howling (which in an empty house with hardwood floors = echo). We saw A Christmas Carol in 3D. Waited for our stuff to show up which it did on Saturday at noon! Though we’re still surrounded by boxes, it’s nice to have our STUFF. Though I am now certain that we have twice too much stuff… since many of the boxes are staying packed up in the garage or under beds.

Our cats LOVE the heat vent in the living room. We put their little fleece beds in front of it, but somehow one continuously gets pushed aside. Then they fight over the bed that’s still right in front of the vent. They’re very serious about meeting their “heat session” quota each day.

getting to Denver

After Jesse accidentally rolled my finger up in his Jeep window (I was trying to get Christopher’s needles tucked in) in the parking lot of Taco Bell/lunch/restroom stop, we kept on our journey. Jesse said the cats were fine as long as he didn’t make any noise at all. We had drugged them at ¼ pill each – half what the vet recommended. You could see the effects in Casey’s eyes… I listened to my book on CD – which reminds me I need to mail it back to the Carlsbad library. We drove all day (eight hours) and talked on our walkie talkies a bit until the batteries died. We spent the night in Flagstaff with Olive under the bed and Casey hissing at her. It was cold, like 7. Degrees. Nice to be on a real bed though.

Sunday morning we got up early and drugged the cats at ½ pill each. The slept much more soundly than the day before as we drove all the way to Denver, about 12 hours. It was beautiful coming up I-25 through Colorado as the sun was setting. Our property manager met us at our new house, we signed papers, brought the cats in, unloaded the cars and parked them in our new garage, blew up the airbed and went to sleep. In the morning there was snow on the ground! And it was still coming down.

leaving the beach cottage

We walked down to the water (a whole block) and while we were standing there watching the sunset I really struggled to be present. Up to that point I had felt ‘in control’ of our situation, whether or not I really was. But Olive acting so strange… and the empty house… and the impending finality of it all became overwhelming and I shed some tears. Definitely not my best sunset in OB.

I went to my dad’s to return his van and say my goodbyes, then Debbie picked me up and we went to Leia’s for dinner. Lyn was there with little Hannah and then Sarah joined us with Thai food. It was a fun evening spent drinking wine and hearing about Sarah’s recent trip to Japan. And just chatting. Oh and eating strawberries with whipped cream which might be my favorite food in the entire world. Bummer that Jana couldn’t make it, but we’ll stay in touch! Keep telling myself that…

That night we didn’t sleep much on our camping airbed in an empty house. Olive wandered and howled/sang the WHOLE night. In the morning we still had so much to do! Stuff to finish packing, cram it all in the cars, drug the cats, clean up! Jason stopped over to say goodbye… Christopher (our live Christmas tree) was a source of stress; we wanted to bring him along. We got him the first year we were married when he was only 18 inches tall. Now he’s over six feet and they wouldn’t put him on the moving truck. It was either leave him behind or Jesse would have to fit him in the Jeep!

We were both upset about leaving our home of nearly seven years, our friends and family, really our life as we know it. And we were unable to comfort one another. So we locked up, hung the keys on the fence, got in our respective vehicles and drove away. Weird not to be able to talk through our feelings since we were in separate cars, but maybe good since I didn’t have anything comforting to say. Jesse had Christopher and two yowling cats to keep him occupied, and I had my thoughts.

excerpt from Iraq

Excerpt from a recent email update from my cousin Eric who’s in Basra, Iraq, with the Army.

We are out in the middle of nowhere, and when I say nowhere, I mean nowhere. The land is basically flat dirt as far as you can see no vegetation except for a tree or two planted near a house. The only thing that breaks up the horizon is either bunkers here on base that were built to protect planes but were bombed by us in 1991/2003 or oil refineries in the distance. I guess this is the heart of the Iraqi oil fields, people claim that you can dig down no more than 20 feet and hit oil. Everywhere you look, you can see the flames of them burning off the gas from these refineries. It gives off a really eerie glow at night, especially if there is fog since everything has kind of an orange tint to it. Where we live is right next to where the Iraqis live so I interact with my counterparts and the Iraqi Soldiers on a daily basis.


We work with an Iraqi Brigade, which has a few hundred Soldiers. For our team, I am the primary instructor for much of the training because of my experiences and what not. The training part can be very challenging but is also very rewarding. The Iraqis are more than excited to be trained and want to do well and grasp every aspect of what you are teaching. I’m actually learning a lot since it is one thing to train someone who speaks your language and has a basic understanding of what is going on but completely different trying to get someone to grasp a concept that is completely foreign to them, all the while saying it in terms that the interrupter knows how to translate. Also, many of these Soldiers have been actively fighting for the past six years so hard to say what they are doing is wrong since if it was completely wrong, they would be dead. Instead, just trying to expose them to a different way of doing something, a way that might more efficient. Often, when I pose a question in class, they answer with something that I would never think of but is still acceptable. For example, I was teaching them a surveillance class last week and one asked why you don’t just hang out on the street corner all day watching a suspect’s house instead of attempting to build a hide site and not be seen. This is something that we, as American with our looks, lack of language skills, etc, would never be able to pull off but would be no issue for them.


Thank you all for all the love and support that I (and especially my family) have received. I am truly enjoying myself and am glad that I volunteered to come back over and do this mission. I hope all is good wherever you are and if I don’t talk to you before hand, please have a wonderful holiday season and a great New Year.

Take Care,
Eric

And an Esquire story about him from last Feb.

packing for Denver

Apologies for my temporary disappearance but WE MOVED. Obviously we found a place to live and a way to get our stuff here. Here's how it happened:

We started packing as soon as we knew we were moving, and then were surrounded by boxes for more than a month. We had a 'going away' party the Saturday after Thanksgiving that was great - but man is it SO hard to say goodbye to people?! I've been so focused on getting here to Denver that I forgot temporarily how sad it was going to be. More on that later. We had a great Thanksgiving with Jesse's parents - going to miss being so close to them!

I worked Monday and Tuesday after Thanksgiving which was tough because I had so much to do before I left - it didn't all get done, unfortunately. I hope Jessica is okay back there.

Wednesday the 2nd we had all our cars plus some borrowed cars blocking off 70 feet of curb for the moving truck, so we couldn't drive anywhere. We rode our bikes to breakfast and pretended to be on vacation. Then we packed like crazy. Thursday morning the moving truck came and I watched them load. The cats spent the entire day in their little carriers/kennels, poor things. When we finally let them out, Olive (total spook) was acting SO weird. She was constantly looking for a way to escape the house. It was completely unlike her and really freaked me out.

We were determined to see our last sunset as O-Becians. We walked down to the cliffs...

grand canyon day four: bright angel

We hiked and hiked and hiked in the brownie mix. Blowing my nose often because of the dust. The trail wasn't too busy even for a main corridor trail, but still I didn't drink much water because I didn't want to have to go to the restroom along the trail. On the corridor trails they provide restrooms every several miles. I don't mind the wilderness stop though; as I learned on this trip, I can squat and relieve myself with my pack on! I prefer to have a tree nearby to assist me in NOT tipping over (and of course to shield me from the eyes of anyone who might be looking) but I am perfectly capable of handling the process under my own power - with a fully-packed pack strapped to my back. Maybe too much information but I'm proud of it.

There was another young couple hiking out in the same timeframe as us. They moved faster than us, but rested longer. We were slow but steady and as a result we leap-frogged back and forth several times. As we got close to the top there was a guy yodeling. Yes, yodeling. It echoed and felt very appropriate for the setting. Another older couple saw the Bike MS logo on my shirt so we stopped to talk to them for a moment. They were from the east coast - he had ridden in Bike MS a few times and his wife had volunteered.

Even nearer to the rim there was ice and icicles. Colder and colder. And then we saw her. This young girl with a pack headed down in to the canyon. She was singing... and as she moved past us, we noticed a hula hoop and plastic daisy hanging from the back of her pack. Very useful tools in the Grand Canyon if you're of the cosmic mindset. Wow.

We made it to the rim and hopped on the shuttle back to my new car, which was still there. I expected it to be there but I guess I was still a little relieved. There was no snow on the rim at that time (thank goodness because my car is not equipped for weather), but it was cold. In the car we checked our cell phones and I had a message from Rich Sarko to call him. I was expecting news about the job with the National MS Society's home office in Denver. We pulled up to the cafeteria and I called Rich back. He said he wanted to schedule a time to talk, but that 'it's all positive.' Which to us meant that I got the job! We went in to eat and tried not to let the Denver news overshadow our backpacking celebration.

grand canyon day three: tonto west

We woke up and made our oatmeal, actually dumping out some of the water that had been SO heavy to carry the day before since we had too much and didn't need it.

We got on the road, moving quickly. I had been wearing my stocking cap non-stop since we arrived at the canyon (yes, even at night) and my forehead was starting to itch. It made me think about a description of torture I had read about in the book 'The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao' in which they strap you to a chair on the roof in the hot sun and then take a thick, wet rope and knot it around your head. As the rope dries, it tightens and you know the rest. People didn't come out of that one the same. My fleece hat is no comparison.

I first started reading about the Dominican Republic in the book 'In the Time of the Butterflies' about the Mirabal sisters who were part of the revolution against Trujillo who ruled 1930 to 1961. I started telling Jesse about it, and about the fuku (foo koo) which is a kind of curse. I was telling Jesse that Trujillo was terrible. And that if you crossed him, you'd end up with a fuku, which is a curse that stays with your family forever. Oscar Wao's family had a fuku, and the author's illustration of the depth of fuku was that Kennedy supposedly ordered the assignation of Trujillo and look at the sorrow that plagues that family. Fuku is creepy.

Anyway we trucked along for miles and miles before lunch. Which was a nice warm lunch, black bean leftovers and more on stove-warmed corn tortillas. After lunch Jesse led. We got closer and closer to familiar territory - the well-traveled corridor of the Grand Canyon. You could tell by the girl in jeans and sneakers with make-up on.

We tromped in to Indian Gardens and pitched our tent. It was busy there, and cold. We were determined to eat all our food so we wouldn't have to haul it out of the canyon in the morning.

grand canyon night three: indian gardens

We pitched our tent and settled in. Jesse spent an hour or more messing with his camera on the tripod (because if you're going to haul it down in the canyon then you better darn well use it) while I did some crossword puzzles. We like to work on crosswords together while we're camping but for some reason this book's puzzles were REALLY difficult. No fun. Maybe my brain was too far separated from letters and words at that point, but honestly I don't think so. One solution for 'Tiger's goal' was 'GRANDSLAMOFGOLF' and I only know that because I cheated and looked at the back of the book. Really? No indication that it was multiple words even? Really.

Nothing much more to say about the night other than that the mice were very busy. Climbing up the tent between the screen and the rain cover and scurrying all over the place. Oh, and the composting toilet had a huge cold breeze coming up out of it which gave me serious stage fright.

In the 'morning' Jesse's watch alarm went off well before light and we both dozed off for 45 minutes prior to actually getting going. It was cold and tempting to stay in the warm sleeping bag. Anyway we got packed up and had our oatmeal and coffee then started up the Bright Angel trail. Mules are allowed on this trail. I love mules, but they are hard on trails. They create a lot of dust - it's like walking through two-inch deep dry brownie mix.

video about my mom

I just finished my video about Mom (that I began last summer with the intent to boost my 50-mile Challenge Walk fundraising but then ended up not needing it because people were so generous). We're playing it tomorrow at the MS Dinner Auction in front of 500 guests... I'm a little nervous! View it here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqH668Kz3lU

~Beth

grand canyon night two: salt creek

We each had a backpacker meal (1.5 servings) and were still hungry so we cooked a third meal of black beans. We shared about half of it before we were stuffed. I was thirsty but didn't drink much because I didn't want to have to tinkle during the night. I tucked all of our food and smelly stuff into the ammo box since there were plenty of big-eared furry friends at this place too.

It was SO quiet. We thought we heard other campers coming in... but when I went up to use the pit toilet just after dark there was no one there. We're still not sure if we had company or not. Creepy.

That night we traded blankets - I got Jesse's sleeping bag and he took my sleeping bag and blanket. His sleeping bag has a hood - like a parka - that I turned in-side-out over my sleeping pad. Our tent was a little tilted so our feet were downhill and I felt like a baby marsupial hanging in my sleeping bag from the inverted hood. It was quite warm and cozy. A couple of times during the night I thought the wind was going to pick up (radioactive Santa told us the wind was so strong that it had torn his tent the night before) but it didn't.

we're moving to Denver!

I actually accepted the offer over two weeks ago! Starting a new position in online marketing on December 14. Didn't want to announce it before it was real (without the offer in writing) even though there was no reason that it wouldn't happen but you know better safe than sorry.

Now just where to live and how to get there...

grand canyon day two: tonto west

It was chilly that morning and my toes were a bit numb but they warmed up. I led for the first couple of miles and I just kept a song in my head to keep my feet moving. I think I recited every song I EVER played in high school marching band as well as jazz band.

I was so excited to get to our half-way point which was Monument Creek. It was calling me... I'm not sure why considering we were going to load up with water because our night two site didn't have drinkable water. Any way when we got to Monument Creek, we came across an old guy who looked like Santa in the off-season. Jesse recognized him as a guy we saw in October 2008 at Phantom Ranch. He was alone; he asked where we were going and told us his itinerary as well. He was missing one top front tooth, and in the space there was a little peg or something hanging down that I thought looked like the remnants of an implant. Jesse thought it looked like what was left of his tooth. Anyway, he said that thought the water really tasted "salty" at Salt Creek this year. Salt Creek was the night two stop we were headed for, and you are NOT supposed to drink the water there because it's radioactive! And this guy was telling us that it was saltier than in previous years!

After we finished our conversation with radioactive Santa, we plopped down at the edge of the mostly-dry creek bed to have some lunch and start collecting water. You have to pump the water through a filter (which takes time) and then put iodine tablets in it too. After loading up with 6-10 liters of water each, we trudged on. There was no pep in my step with that additional weight. And I had the song Whistle While You Work in my head. Isn't that what the dwarves in Snow White sing? And that hi-ho song... and somehow they turned in to Frosty the Snow Man. It was a tough time for me.

Towards the end of the hike, I let Jesse lead. When I get worn down while backpacking, my emotions become highly dependent on the trail in front of me. If I can see tough trail coming up, it takes a toll on my state of mind. When Jesse leads I just look down at the trail and try to follow in his footsteps. We trudged in to Salt Creek and found our ammo box in which to store our food that night. We picked a flat spot for the tent and pitched it. It was cold so we climbed in and got our stove ready to cook dinner. There was no one else anywhere around us - not a soul.

grand canyon night one: hermit creek

We could see one little mouse scurrying around, with big Mickey ears and no fear.

In the tent, I begged Jesse to push on my back and pop a few bones back in to place. Which he did, and it popped. We boiled some water and rehydrated our backpacker meals and ate. Then we put all our food, trash and otherwise scented stuff in our mesh bag (like chain armor) and suspended it from the rack they provide. We put our rain poncho over the food so it wouldn't get ruined (by the few drops of rain we had felt earlier) and it looked like a ghost: leg-less, semi-transparent, floating.

We settled in, me in my pink sleeping bag and pink blanket, and Jesse in his gold and gray bag. Immediately our little mouse friend was exploring our food-free packs. We tried to spook him away, but he wasn't shy. We went to sleep almost immediately after it got dark. I got cold in the night, and Jesse got way too hot. So hot that he got sweaty and threw off his sleeping bag. Then he was damp and cold... no fun.

We woke up soon after the sun came up. Jesse discovered a little chew-hole in his pack, and quite a bit of the plastic insulation on his water hose was chewed! He was mad... We heated up water for coffee and oatmeal and started packing up. Miraculously, I was no longer quasimodo. Thank goodness. Our bodies were still exhausted from the day before but we headed out. We had nearly 7 miles to go this day.

On the way out we met a nice older couple who were scouting around the historic camp (where they had mules and such a hundred years ago). They were planning on 6 nights in the canyon with a friend who hadn't hiked in 30 years. They came down Hermit and didn't make it passed the Tonto trail junction - they just pitched the tent there!

backpacking grand canyon day one: hermit trail

We parked the car, put our packs on, made sure we had everything, and started down the trail. It was windy! Which made it a little colder than expected, but I believed the wind would die as we got lower and lower into the canyon. I discovered that I had a sore upper back/neck and couldn't turn my head to the right without pain. In my life the word for this is "quasimodo" (from the Hunchback of Notre Dame) which came from my brother John's tendency to wake up with a stiff neck and be unable to turn his head - requiring that he turn his entire body to look at things - generally while on vacation. So I was quasimodo with a 35-lb pack. Awesome.

Jesse and I had to walk single file because the trail was narrow (all of them are). And it was downhill the WHOLE way. Big steps down. With weight on your back. For seven relentless miles. In our trail description papers it said "at the Cathedral Stairs the descent becomes unrelenting" but I'll tell you that the descent is unrelenting the entire seven miles of Hermit trail. We saw a tarantula! I didn't try to touch it even though it looked soft. Those things are awfully big for not having any bones. I tried to keep songs in my head and my mind off the muscle strain, but it's difficult when you have to pay attention to each foot placement. One song that got stuck was Carpenter by Huckleberry Flint. Jesse and I took turns leading depending on who had more stamina at the moment.

When we finished the Hermit trail at the Tonto trail junction, we still had 1.2 miles to go. And the wind didn't die down as we got lower and lower in the canyon. And there's another thing I forget to list off that I have learned about backpacking. It doesn't matter how far you go, the final mile of the day is ALWAYS the most difficult. We felt a few drops of rain... I just remind myself that my mom would give anything to experience the pain of the last mile; then it doesn't seem quite so impossible.

We pitched the tent and climbed in. This was our first night in our brand new backpacking tent - and we had a place under the rain cover to put our packs while we sorted all of the food out of them. You have to suspend the food so critters can't get it. More soon...

camping grand canyon

We spent Saturday night in Bullhead City at Jesse's parent's place. Sunday night and Monday night we car-camped in the campground at the south rim of the Grand Canyon. It was cold, but we had plenty of blankets and built a fire each night. There was a forecast for snow on the rim Tuesday night. We cooked big breakfasts and suppers, and enjoyed a couple of drinks in the evening. Sunday night I stayed up late reading a book (with my headlamp) that I picked up at the Denver airport called Now & Then which I have to say I was disappointed in. It was supposed to be about a dog, but the author did a better job selling the sub-plot about the character's glossy white teeth... disappointing.

Anyway, Monday night we went to bed early in an attempt to prepare ourselves for a big hike down into the canyon on Tuesday. I was nervous about the weather (cold), the trail (difficult and unmaintained), the timeframe (my first three-nighter), and my condition (I didn't train much for this) and had a tough time falling asleep. Of course in the middle of the night we both woke up and had to go to the bathroom, so we had to get all bundled up and climb out of the tent. By the time we were back in the tent, we were both wide awake. If it hadn't been 3am, I would have started packing up to get on the trail, but it was. Shortly after we both finally fell back to sleep, the alarm on Jesse's watch sounded and we got up. It was still dark, but we packed everything up, ate and then drove to the Hermit trailhead where the car (not winterized) would sit for the next few days.

backpacking

Apologies for being missing in action – should have mentioned that we were going backpacking in the Grand Canyon this week. Down Hermit Trail to Tonto West and then up Bright Angel. Four days and three nights gave me a lot of time to think. While huffing my pack nearly 30 miles I organized a few things I’ve learned about backpacking in my four multi-night trips since 2007:

1. Backpacking is not easy
2. Too cold = no fun
3. Too hot = no fun
4. Too uphill = no fun
5. Too downhill = no fun
6. Bugs that bike and/or itch = no fun
7. Unperfect-fitting boots = no fun

What I’m basically saying is that since backpacking is so tough, you should try to plan it to be as smooth as possible. Choose the right time of year for perfect weather: not too hot, not to cold, no itchy bugs. And pick the right place with trails that are not too rocky and hard, yet not too many loose rocks, and definitely not too dusty. You might think downhill is ideal, but after two experiences of 5-7 consecutive hours stepping down in to the Grand Canyon, I’ll tell you it’s not. Down is tougher than up.

As my brother John would say about many things, with backpacking the “middle of the road” is really ideal. We used to tease John about his preference for vanilla ice cream, considering the widespread availability of rocky road, chubby hubby, phish food and so on. If he were an author, his book title would be “The un’X’factor: middle-of-the-road choices in an extremes-driven world” and it would discuss how plain vanilla ice cream is really the most shocking and unexpected choice that there is in today’s world of extreme sports and outrageous behavior. From tiny smart cars to giant H4 hummers, from 3-foot long dreadlocks to shaved heads, and from long-distance dial up to wireless internet at coffee shops, we love our extremes. I would agree that right down the middle of the road is, literally, the most dangerous place to walk. And figuratively, a middle-of-the road choice is, at first blush, complacent, but if you give it thought, admitting that you prefer something as mundane as vanilla ice cream is truly brave. The question of "You want your latte hot or iced?" is not answered "Oh, how about luke-warm." Enjoying the mid-point is just not usual.

Anyway back to backpacking. I’ll write more when Jesse gets the photos online and I can link to them. He took amazing ones last year when we were there.

Ready to greet the seven trick-or-treaters we usually get on halloween. Good thing I bought 100 assorted pieces of chocolate candy (including Almond Joy!).

~Beth

bike ms day two

I was on site at 3:30am. Not much more to say than that. Our scaffolding guys met me there to begin set-up of the finish line arch. As soon as I got them placed and started, I climbed back in the van and dozed off (not really, I was listening for the sound of the other rental truck) until 5:30am or so. After we got the site set up and the sun came up, I assigned some folks to traffic control and then took my station at the microphone - for the finish line. An unexpected volunteer posted sponsor banners for me - thank you NetApp! And we did some sweeping so no one would take a spill as they came through the finish arch.

I greeted every group of cyclists that came in! Many of them looked fresh, like they could have gone miles further. However most of them looked exhausted so I congratulated them on their accomplishment and thanked them for riding. There was a couple standing with me cheering - til the end - and I didn't find out until later that they were waiting for their son, Richie Moreno, to ride in with his girlfriend. I know Richie! He was a volunteer photographer for the Tour in 2008. Another group cheering until the end was Team Beth (no relation to me: Beth). They had a big group and were very emotional - I was honored to witness the completion of their huge effort to end MS.

Afterwards I cleaned out and filled up the van, and went to return it. It wasn't until I got all the way home in my car that I realized I had left MY PILLOW in the van... my pillow and I have a very close relationship. I actually thought about driving the 15 minutes back to the van to retrieve it and then 15 minutes back home again - but I didn't do it. Picked it up another day.

Speaking of which, I'm in Denver visiting our National office and hope that one of these seven pillows in my hotel room is at least similar to MY PILLOW at home. Last night's Broncos/Chargers game was awesome! Love seeing Jesse in such celebration.

bike ms from my perspective day one

I borrowed a van for the Bike Tour weekend - a regular Scooby Doo van. I wish I had a picture of it - will take one and post it some time.

Saturday morning before light I drove around in the scooby van posting last minute signs on the now-closed road. I had to use HEAVY sand bags to keep them from blowing away, hence the reason for the van and not posting them on foot. Cyclists started showing up on site around 6am and we got the music going. Here's a photo of our chapter president, Rich Israel, and I at the start line. The start line staggering went pretty well - though I know some cyclists were frustrated with the delay. We have to do what we have to do for the cities and safety. There were a lot of teams of all sizes, every one with smiles on their faces! Rich was really good about recognizing top fundraisers and everyone for their fundraising efforts, acknowledging how tough it was this year.

After all the cyclists left and I cleaned up the site (I'm the site sweeper), I got in the scooby van and started down the coast. I called the lunch stop to see if they needed anything and found out they needed ice. Like 250lbs of ice. So I stopped at a gas station and hauled bag after bag of ice from their freezer to the scooby van. By myself. And then I delivered it. Thank goodness I had the van.

Many cyclists had already arrived at the overnight festival when I arrived. Everyone seemed happy but tired (after riding 50 or 100 miles!). We had no interest in the team jersey fashion show, and very little attention to the awards ceremony. I think we'll nix the awards ceremony for next year. There was a major hiccup with the caterer... but all in all the festival seemed great. Saturday night I got home about 9:30/45 (it's a 50 minute drive), had an ice cream bar and went to bed, preparing for 3:30am arrival time at the finish line site next morning.

More about day two of bike to come. I have my new hiking boots on today - trying to break them in. I returned the ones I had because they rubbed my toenail black. There was a seam on the upper center of the toe... I know you have to put seams somewhere, but, really, there? Grand Canyon here we come!

bike ms more photos and details

More photos from DMZ Photography

On Friday morning I went to Disneyland BEFORE the park opened! Sam Rubin was there doing his usual morning-before live to promote the Tour, and there were some Dancing with the Stars folks, and Disney spokespeople (for their give a day get a day 2010 promotion) and of course characters! Halloween Minnie, and Volunteer Mickey and Minnie, and then later Jafar and Cruella. It was fun. The happiest place on earth brings out the kid in me. And I heard that the remodeled Space Mountain is even cooler with the Halloween character in it!

Then I went to rider check-in in Irvine. Many excited cyclists showed up to check in, and we had a carb-load dinner at 6pm. I set-up the start line site and placed all my signs, and made sure everything was ready, and then got too-few hours of sleep.

Back on site at 4:30am to place the last minute signs and get things rolling... more later.

bike tour press and photos

Back from a big bike weekend - though my brain and body are still tired. I could have slept all day. Here are some photos and stories that have been popping up online:

Tim Salmon in North County Times - scroll down to BIKE RIDER
Chad Gunn in DesertCADIE
SignonSanDiego.com
Keri on NeuroTalk
North County Times: Region
Orange County Register

Photos from Neighborhood Photos
Photos from John Hancock

I'll share more about the weekend later!

~Beth

waiting

I thought more about what moved me from Weyman's speech on the phone last week and I figured it out. It's that people with progressive and severe MS are still waiting. Which makes it all about me... at the Challenge Walk I spoke and referenced a speech I gave at my high school graduation, the message of which was that I could go away to college and conquer the world and that my mom would still be there waiting for me. Which she is, after more than 14 years, still the youngest resident at her care facility. Waiting.

I know it has been a long wait, and it will continue to require people with MS to wait until we find treatments that stop disease progression, a cure, a way to repair nervous system damage, and even prevention of MS. Weekends like this one, with thousands of cyclists raising money and riding for our cause doesn't feel like waiting. Going to Disneyland before it opens with Sam Rubin from KTLA doesn't feel like waiting. Our chapter president getting an interview on Channel 6 doesn't feel like waiting. The sight of that much support sometimes lures me in to believing that the wait is almost over. But it's not. Another Bike Tour means another year has passed and we haven't yet found the cure.

~Beth

five days and counting

Five days left in the countdown to the Bike MS Bay to Bay Tour. Busy days in the meantime! We loaded up the Bike storage room and conference room into a big truck today, and then went to our storage unit and loaded up a bunch more stuff into the same truck from there. Goodie bags, volunteer T-shirts, banners, drink bins, snacks... my co-worker Jessica started out with a beautiful tetris arrangement but unfortunately by the end we were just cramming everything in. Now I'm working on the scripts for the starts and finishes, and all the other last minute details.

On Saturday we had rider check-ins at REI in San Diego and Santa Ana. Jesse and I spent a long time in REI looking at backpacking tents (and I need new hiking boots, again). We ultimately walked out without a tent or boots, and then spent another couple of hours online later looking for tents. Hopefully we'll order one tonight.

I also found out we're confirmed for Disneyland Friday morning with Sam Rubin and KTLA 5 News! So neat to be in the park before it opens. Sam Rubin has ridden in the Tour for over 10 years (I think this is his 11th) and this year KTLA is really backing him. They created public services announcements for us and let us put banners on their website - great stuff! And Disney has a team of about 200 cyclists every year - this is their 10th year!

Oh and on a personal note my old car didn't recover. I've been bumming a ride to and from work every day for the past two weeks with my co-worker Sarah. But tonight I am getting my new(er) car! Excited...

bike planning and weyman johnson

So in the midst of craziness around here preparing for our upcoming Bike MS Tour (really, it's nuts - stuff everywhere. The big rider check-ins are this Saturday and next week we load pallets/trucks for the event), yesterday we had an all National MS Society conference call. Today is the first day of our 2010 fiscal year and so this was the 'eve.' Weyman Johnson, our national board chair, spoke for quite some time and some things really stuck with me. His belief that life is about luck: good luck and bad luck. That people living with MS know that more than anyone. That even though we're not your grandmother's MS Society anymore,  that people living with severe MS are STILL feeling helpless, and maybe hopeless. Regardless of all the advances in science that the Society has helped fund in the past years (an exciting oral therapy coming about soon!). He said many more words, obviously, but I can't remember them all. He called himself 'unswervable' which I love. The whole call renewed my determination - paired with some things Joyce Nelson said at the Challenge Walk. Like her sentiments about us all being in this movement as a team, and there being no option to leave any team member behind. I'm not doing a very good job of explaining what exactly in Weyman's words moved me, but it did. Even though sometimes I feel alone in this effort... like the people around me occasionally lose sight of the mission... I know we're a team. We'll get there. We have to.

love

I should have posted this a long time ago. It's the design I did for my team's T-shirts for the Challenge Walk. My team name was Karin's Kids. and didn't think of it until today because Jen at work was wearing her shirt with this on it. It's supposed to be dark blue (it's displaying orange on my screen right now).

My sister (Lauri) texted me the first night of the Challenge (after I had walked 20 miles) and asked if she could do the Challenge Walk with me next year. "Yes!" I texted back.

~Beth

twitter, bike & stories

Went to a twitter seminar from the Ad Club this morning and learned a lot. Part of it was twittering for general life improvement. The main point of what I learned is that a chapter we aren't really "using" twitter - because we're not having a conversation. We're just out there tweeting, and we have some followers, and people might be listening... but we're not participating beyond that. So please accept my apologies and ignorance, and expect that we'll be better at twitter from here on out - thanks to Crosby from Red Door Interactive. Crosby is a cool name for a woman if you ask me, and she had on a long blue wig this morning to be twitter-color-coordinated. I didn't know it was a wig at first and found it a little strange... Our @BikeMS event hash tag is #bikemsb2b if you're interested. Speaking of Bike, I can't believe it's two weeks from now. I found out this week that my sister and her husband are NOT coming out this year to ride in the Tour - which will be the first year in the entire time I've been working at the chapter that they haven't. Bummer.

Finished some more stories this week and last - great volunteers helping crank these out!

And... probably TMI but my car died last weekend. Has been at the shop all week because I can't decide if I should pay for what they "think" will fix it or if I should put that money towards something new(er). Just don't really want to think about it. Colleague Sarah has been chauffeuring me around all week!

~Beth

challenge day three

Sunday morning we woke early, packed our bags and went down to the Blister Busters to prepare ourselves for the final 10 miles. There was a very long line for the Blister Busters so Jana sat in it and I went to get us breakfast. I brought breakfast down to the line and we ate. I took our bags to the luggage truck. We put sunscreen on (I had to put it IN my ears because apparently I missed that spot in the two previous days). Jana finally got her blisters fixed (I skipped it, deciding my little blister would be fine) and we got on the bus to the starting point of the day's walk.

Our spirits were high and we made good time for many miles. We giggled and chatted and reminisced about our adventure. Then sun stayed hidden behind clouds so it wasn't too hot. We walked along the harbor towards downtown, visiting with many different groups of walkers. Everyone recognized me from my speech the night before and the candle ceremony, and many people thanked me for sharing your story. It was touching - and a bit of a relief to know that my speech was well-received.

At 11am or so we made it to the pre-finish park (9 miles in [49 miles overall]) where they hold walkers until everyone arrives so we can travel the final mile in a group as a "victory march." We found a shady spot and all of Karin's Kids team members were there (except our Crew member Conrad who was hard at work). We took some group photos. People were dancing at this park! After 49 miles of walking, people were dancing. Amazing. We changed into matching T-shirts, orange for walkers who have MS (and choose to share it) and white for everyone else.

Then we left for the final mile as a group. The police stopped the traffic for us as we walked. We came toward the finish line and there was a high school marching band there to lead us through the arch. There were so many friends and families of everyone there that it was overwhelming. I couldn't stop smiling! Everyone was hugging! It was such an amazing feeling of accomplishment. Jesse and his parents were there with flowers for me, and Jana's husband and mom with gifts for her. All of the walkers sat in rows of chairs in the shade and we had a closing ceremony, complete with each walker coming to the front (in rows) and having a volunteer place the medal over our head. What a feeling! Then a band started playing and we got our lunches and found a nice shady spot on the grass to eat. Many people swung by to congratulate me, and I made my rounds to congratulate many others.

~Beth

day two of the challenge: the longest

Our plan was to start later on Saturday morning, and since we were so fast-moving we'd have the opportunity to pass a lot of people. While we were passing them, we would meet them and talk to them and get to know more about everyone. So we climbed out of bed and went to the Blister Busters to get bandaged up, then went and ate our breakfast... and before we knew it we were nearly the last ones leaving the hotel. Later than we planned, but oh well, we'll catch up. The first three miles were a breeze. Our feet and leg muscles felt good and we trucked along as usual. Then we got to the hill. The big hill. The really big steep long hill. We worked our way up it, slow and steady. Marathon folks (not from our event) were passing us at a run! We didn't talk much, just breathed. When we finally made it to the top, Jana's left hip was really bothering her. We stopped to stretch. She said it felt better but I didn't believe her because she wasn't moving very fast. So we went slow until the next rest-stop (5 miles in to Day 2 [25 miles overall]) when the medical professional told Jana it was a nerve issue. Uh Oh. But we kept going, both of us wondering silently if this was the end of our journey on foot. Would we have to catch a van back to the hotel and not finish the 20 miles that day?

About that time, I saw a big sign that one of my co-workers had printed for our team. It says "Go Karin's Kids" and has this cute little goat on it (because a "kid" is a baby goat) and I was so excited! I showed Jana and we took pictures. We trekked a little farther, Jana limping badly. And then we saw another sign, one with a photo of you and I on it that said "Keep walking Beth, We love you. From, your co-workers." It brought tears to my eyes. Seeing the picture of you and I together, and knowing that my co-workers thought of us and had the sign made. Jana took a photo of me with the sign that I'll send to you soon.

I recovered from my emotional moment. And quickly thought about one of my co-workers who has trouble with her hips and so I called her and she described some stretches that we had not yet tried that might help Jana's hip. Jana tried them and they worked! Her hip stopped hurting so much. We picked up the pace and kept going, and Jana did the stretches every mile or so. But we didn't catch with many folks since they were now SO far ahead of us. Jesse caught up with us by car about that time (8 miles in) and took some pictures. He would drive ahead a mile and then peek out from behind a bush and snap photos. Like we were celebrities.

We made it to the lunch stop (12.5 miles in [32.5 miles overall] a park outside a high school) and ate. We rested there 25 minutes or more. At this point we were probably in the back third of the pack. Two more Karin's Kids team members were there: Katy and Lisa. Jesse said goodbye to us and then we got going. We kept trucking, our pace not as fast as usual... and walked with several different groups of walkers who we had never met before. It was nice meeting them and hearing about why they are walking. Some of the people walking have MS - actually about 25% of the walkers had MS at this event. Our friend Debbie lives in the area so she rode her bike to us and then walked along with us, pushing her bike (15 miles in [35 miles overall]). She brought us some Advil which was a nice relief from some of the aches. At this point we were getting a delirious. It had been a long day already and we still had 5 miles to go. But we kept walking. And talking. Now our conversations weren't quite as free-flowing, because something happens to your brain after 35 miles... it just doesn't work as quickly. You can't think of the words to describe what you want to say. It's frustrating, and when you're physically exhausted too that makes for a tough combination. Anyway, Jana and Debbie and I walked and talked. Debbie cheered us on like a cheerleader - walking with us until the last half-mile. We made it to the Day 2 finish where they were going to shuttle us back to the hotel and we said "where's our limo?" Ha ha. No limo. But the shuttle was a nice van with air conditioning.

At the hotel, now 4pm or so, I quickly showered and then rushed down to the banquet room to rehearse some timing for the evening because I did have a part in the program that night. While I rehearsed, Jana was up in the room. Her husband brought 40 pounds of ice which he put in the bathtub filled with cold water. And then Jana SAT in that ice cold bath for 20 minutes! Yikes. But I'm sure it helped that hip. After rehearsing, I went to the Blister Busters for attention to my little blister (which really isn't anything, not bigger than a piece of unpopped popcorn) and the volunteer in the hallway asked if I wanted a massage! I knew we had volunteer massage therapists there that weekend, but I didn't know there would be room for me. So I said YES! I would love a massage. It was awesome. She massaged my feet, my legs front and back, and even my hips and lower back a little bit. What a treat.

Jesse arrived at about 6pm and Jana and her husband came down from the room and we all went to the dinner program together. The food was tasty and plentiful all weekend - and this meal was no exception. After eating, the program began with several awards, then what we call the "testimonials" began. One 31-year-old girl who was diagnosed with MS at age 20 spoke about having a positive attitude. She's great – and looks so healthy that you might not even know she has MS. Then a woman whose mother and brother have MS spoke about her experience. Then a woman in her late 40's who is in a wheelchair full-time and lives in a care facility spoke. She spoke about raising money - and was a real laugh! Then it was my turn to speak.

So I went to the stage. And I took the microphone. And I told the story about Mom getting MS, and how it affected our family. And how it affected me, and how I'm affecting it back by taking this 50-mile Challenge. The audience was so attentive and responsive and wonderful! And after my speech, I led the candle ceremony. The candle ceremony goes like this: all the lights are turned off. I read about 10 reasons for why anyone would be involved in the event, and when each person hears the reason that they're involved, they light their candle and stand up. So it starts with a dark room, and then I say "Those who are living with MS, we honor your strength, we honor you," and about 60 people light their candles and stand up. Then I read "if your brother or sister has MS..." and more people light their candles and stand, and then "mother or father," and more light and stand, including Jesse who joined me on stage with a lit candle. And so on until everyone in the room is standing with candle. It was amazing. To start from nothing and come to a whole room of candles symbolizing support and unity. Goose bumps.

When the program was over, we went to bed. But I laid awake for a long time thinking. A lot had happened in those two days.

~Beth

back from the edge

I'm just recovering from walking 50 miles last weekend! It was amazing. Stay tuned for photos - well here are some another participant sent me http://www.flickr.com/photos/eringobragh14/sets/72157622256772711/

In the meantime I wrote about my experience, blow by blow. I'll just share Day One for now:
It started on Friday morning. I got to sleep until nearly 6am which is unheard of for a staff member on the morning of an event (usually we're on site by 4:30 or 5am). When I arrived at the opening ceremony, I put my luggage on the luggage truck and did my best NOT to go to the stage and become a staff member. We put on our sunscreen. I got a cup of coffee and wrote in my "In Honor Of" sign: I'm walking In Honor Of My Amazing Mom. And Jana wrote in hers: I'm walking In Honor Of Karin and her courageous family. We pinned them to the back of each other's shirts, stretched out our leg muscles, had a moment of silence in honor of the anniversary of September 11th, the national anthem... and then we were off!

We started out towards the coast, and within half a mile I felt the urge to find a restroom. Apparently all the coffee and water I drank were working. I made it to the first rest-stop at about a mile-and-a-half and I was the first one to use that porta-pottie! Nice and clean. Jana and I continued walking down the coast with another Karin's Kids team member Michelle Israel (wife of our chapter president), drinking water and energy drinks, stopping at porta-potties when needed and logging three to four miles per hour.

The lunch stop (10 miles in) was set up at a park where we sat in the grass and took off our shoes. We saw another Karin's Kids team member, Dawn, at the lunch stop, and she said she was doing fine, just not moving as fast as Jana's and my pace. But there were 250+ other walkers out there, so there were plenty of people with whom she had been walking and talking. We rested for 15 minutes or so, stretched and then got on our way - I took an ice cream bar for the road which was really nice since it had gotten muggy and hot. Plus I was sweaty...

After lunch, Jana and I walked along as a pair, keeping up our pace and trucking along. We kept drinking and enjoying the fruit and snacks from the rest-stops. After a couple of pretty steep hills (16-17 miles in), we arrived at the hotel - and our 20 miles were down! We were probably in the front quarter of the pack all day long - starting in the front and moving fast. At the hotel, we picked up our luggage at the front door, checked in and made our way to our room. We were in good spirits and chattering away about who knows what. Especially considering we'd been chattering away all day already about who knows what. But time flies when you're having fun.

After taking off our shoes in the hotel room, we discovered we had blisters! How lucky to not have felt them along the way. We had matching blisters on our left little toes, and Jana had a bigger blister on her right heel. We stretched, showered and dressed in sweat pants and the T-shirts I had made, and then Jana's husband brought us a bottle of wine. We poured ourselves a glass and went down to the nurses' station which is called the "Blister Busters." They cleaned and lanced our blisters and sent us on our way - we were wearing our sandals now. My husband Jesse had come to the hotel after finishing work and so we visited for a while before Jana and I went to the event's dinner. The dinner program lasted from 6:30 until 9pm (with a funny comedienne who has MS), and again, it was difficult for me to avoid helping with the program as I usually would as a staff member. But I held back. After dinner we went to bed.

~Beth

Dear Mom: the challenge starts tomorrow

Hi Mom,
Tomorrow morning is the first day of my big walk! I can't believe it... 20 miles tomorrow, 20 miles Saturday and the final 10 miles on Sunday! I walked 10 miles last Sunday and didn't really feel it, so I'm optimistic. Though I do realize that 20 miles is twice as far as 10 miles... we'll see. It's comforting to know that my friend Jana will be walking with me, and she has much shorter legs than I, so whatever she can handle - I can certainly handle more.
I'm giving a speech at the program on Saturday night. About MS, and about you. I know what I want to say... I'm just finishing up typing it out so I'm sure to get in all the details I don't want to miss. I'm going to have it recorded, so if it turns out good, I'll show it to you. I'm a little nervous, but I think nervous is good. The adrenaline will kick in tomorrow and then there's no turning back!
I just want to thank you so much for your support, and thank all the staff there at the Heritage for their support, through this process of me fundraising and training to walk 50 miles. When I started out, I thought I'd be burdening people by asking them to donate in your honor and in support of me taking on such a challenge, but actually nearly everyone I've asked has seen it as an opportunity. An opportunity to support you, to help me support you, and to do something about MS. Stupid disease. Anyway, thank you. Because I feel so incredibly honored to walk 50 measly miles for you. Because I never knew I had it in me - but you did. Love, Beth
~Beth

why

Alexandra Samuel of Social Signal has an excellent post about of how to use your Twitter and Facebook status messages to change the world, one tweet at a time:

Many of us are posting daily, hourly or minute-by-minute snapshots of our activities via Facebook status updates or Twitter. These status updates could be a great way for us to share the small steps we're all taking to strengthen our communities, reduce our personal environmental footprints, increase issue awareness, support people in need, empower and mobilize marginalized communities, support social justice -- all the many many things people in non-profits, activist groups, government agencies, social enterprises and multinational corporations are doing to move us towards a world that is socially, environmentally and personally sustainable.

This weekend I painted the "thought prompts" on the Walls of Hope for the upcoming Challenge Walk. Not a big thing, but still important. There are four Walls, and the prompts are "in honor of" and "relationships" and "realizations" and "meaningful moments" which really each are getting at why people will walk 50 miles. Wait a minute, isn't WHY we do this is the most important part?

Alexandra asks:
What did you do today that moved your work, your organization or your personal practice forward?

And I ask, "why?"

Rather than complaining or telling the world you're eating hot oatmeal, sharing a sense of accomplishment towards a goal (and why you're reaching for it) is inspiring.

~Beth

event planning

The office is busy busy busy! With Bike just over a month away and Challenge and the Couples Retreat NEXT WEEKEND, we're all plugging away at the last minute details. I'm working on scripts - SO exciting to have Joyce Nelson with us! And power points, and music, and my testimonial for Saturday night (it's all about me, right?) for which I'm a bit nervous. But I can only share what I know.

The Couples Retreat has 50 couples booked to talk about Sex & Intimacy at a really nice resort. I'm sure it will be helpful information as well as a relaxing weekend away from the stresses of everyday life.

For Challenge Walk we announced the theme of Sun & Sea so I'm trying to figure out what to wear...

Holiday weekend here I come!

~Beth

mothers continued

I had a great weekend in the Midwest with Mom. There were 80-90 people at the nursing home for her reception in honor of my brother's wedding - and everyone was so excited to see her. You could tell that all the excitement was wearing Mom out, but she was smiling away. So many faces she hadn't seen in years, and of course all of us that she sees frequently. That was Saturday. On Sunday she didn't want to get up for supper because she was SO tired, but I had two good visits with her anyway. She was overjoyed to hear that I exceeded my fundraising goal for the Challenge Walk! So was all the staff - what a sweet bunch of gals. I showed Mom my new shoes for the event and she seemed unimpressed. I guess they are just shoes. I'll post a link to photos when I have it.

~Beth

mothers

Long-time chapter volunteer, Bev Mills, passed away suddenly on August 15. The office is empty without her. I received this from her son, Troy, who I work with on local advertising (Carlsbad Magazine).

On August 15, 2009 Beverly Mills, mother, grandmother, teacher and friend, passed away. She was born on July 24, 1938. Beverly dedicated her life to her children Lori Mills (Juskie) and Troy Mills and to her four grandchildren Nick and Courtney Juskie and Nathan and Morgan Mills. She was a devoted friend, touched the lives of everyone she met, and was loved by all.
After raising her family, Beverly taught at Jefferson Elementary and then at Aviara Oaks Elementary School in Carlsbad. She retired in 2001 but continued to substitute teach and volunteer at Aviara Oaks. She also volunteered for the National MS Society and read with students at Jefferson Elementary School. She spent her time with her family and friends. She would help anyone and everyone who needed her whether she knew them or not. She loved and accepted people for who they were. She was loving, giving, caring and so much fun to be with. The beach was her favorite place in the world.
The most important things in Bev's life were her family and her friends who will forever feel her hugs, see her smile, and hear her laughter. They will miss her deeply.
The charity closest to her heart was the MS Society. Donations can be made to the National MS Society in memory of Beverly Mills, 5954 La Place Ct. Suite 200, Carlsbad, CA 92008 or at www.mspacific.org.
Her family will hold a private celebration of her life. They invite anyone who knew her to sign the online guestbook at the North County Times: nctimes.com
The family requests that in lieu of flowers you take a walk on the beach, watch a sunset, and hug your mom.

I'm grateful that tomorrow I'm headed to the Midwest to care for my mom. We're having a big wedding reception at the nursing home for my brother (who got married in July) - and it's really all about Mom.

~Beth

research updates

Drug Used for High Blood Pressure Shows Benefits in Treating MS-like Disease in Mice
MS-like Disease in Mice Suppressed by Fusing Two Immune Proteins
NIH Deepens Investment in Combination Study of MS Drugs

Clinical Trials in California
This information has been provided to us by the investigators involved, and although we try to keep it current, it is possible that the trials are no longer enrolling participants. Individuals who are interested in participating in a clinical trial are encouraged to discuss the possibility with their personal physicians.

other ways to follow the chapter

www.facebook.com/mspacific
www.youtube.com/mspacific

Challenge Walk September 11-13: twitter #cwsocal, http://www.mymschallenge.com/, google group

Bike MS: twitter #bikeMSb2b, http://www.biketofinishms.com/, yahoo group

telling Mom I'll walk 50 miles for her

In the wake of my last post...
Months ago, when thinking about whether or not to take the Challenge, I consulted with my mom. Though she can't speak much anymore, she lit up when I talked about walking 50 miles for her. After I registered , I emailed my mom:
Remember me telling you about the three-day, 50-mile walk that our chapter hosts each year in September? I thought and thought and thought about it, and I decided to walk it in your honor. Three days. 50 miles. I can do it! I registered for the event and put a picture of you and I on my fundraising webpage. I have already raised $320 thanks to the generosity of friends and family. I will keep you posted on my progress.Will write more later! I love you and miss you and just wanted to let you know that I'm really going to do it! Love, Beth

I received this note in the mail a week later with a generous check:
Dear Beth, When I read your email to Karin, I felt that she was so proud of you. You should have seen her face. ...I found out that your Mom had money to give. I explained to your Mom how much she could give and we started with a dollar amount. When we reached her goal she said Yes! Yes! and beamed. She is so proud of you. Good luck! Sincerely, Kellie McKay, Life Enrichment Coordinator: Heritage of Emerson (the nursing home where Mom lives)

The Heritage has a HUGE fundraising thermometer posted on Mom's door, and they talk to her all the time about me and the Challenge Walk. What amazing support from the staff! I can't wait to go visit her the last weekend in August with my walkin' shoes on!
~Beth

ask and you shall receive

A post on the Cape Cod Challenge Walk blog I'm following called ask and you shall receive hit so close to my experience that I have to elaborate.

I thought about the Challenge Walk for a LONG time before I started talking about it with anyone. I don't like to fail... and it's a tough year to ask for donations, right? After registering and personalizing my webpage, I carefully crafted my first email plea. Within moments of sending it out I received overwhelming support and donations! Maybe my success was beginner's luck - this is my first year doing the 50-mile Challenge. In the past I've done Walk MS and never raised over $300. I exceeded $300 in my FIRST DAY fundraising for the Challenge! I'll write about my mom and her response in my next post.

So what about the people who have done the Challenge every year for 3 or 4 or even 8+ years before? They've been asking the same folks to support them, year after year. Will a tough economy reduce that support? According to the ask and you shall receive post, "It is overwhelming to see the continued support that friends and family provide each year. I actually had a huge 'a-ha!' moment when I realized that people will reach into their pockets even in these tough times."

I echo: "Friends, family, and strangers continue to support a cause which which they have a personal connection. They will also find a way to support something that makes them feel they are making a difference. I had people tell me that they set aside this money every year in anticipation of getting my email. I had no idea! We are getting down to the last weeks of fundraising. Don't be afraid to ask for support. I think that you will be surprised with people's generosity and their need to be a part of something positive."

Don't be afraid to ask for support. Send reminders! Some of my oldest friends who I never see anymore were the quickest to donate. And some of my closest friends still have not donated after multiple asks in various settings. I just remind myself - and you should too: You're giving others the opportunity to be a part of this amazing movement toward a world free of MS - of which you are at the forefront.

~Beth

walk of a lifetime

Matt Charros and his dog, Onyx, are walking from Maine to California to raise money for MS - his sister was diagnosed in 2001.

Team Enough is having a garage sale this Friday in Tustin for the Challenge Walk.

At our staff meeting this morning I gave a LONG presentation about all the fun things we're doing with facebook and youtube and twitter. Everybody seemed to appreciate the information... I was afraid I'd bore them. A little bit embarrassing that I couldn't show them our facebook page since facebook is having troubles today. Along the same lines, if you have ideas for what we should do with our facebook, send them to me! What do you want to see on all our interfaces? Research? Fundraising? Programs?

~Beth

fundraising on facebook

Finished two stories this week for some long-time chapter Champions. Tricia and Frank. Enjoy! Please feel free to give me your comments too.

I am SO close to my fundraising goal for the 3-day 50-mile Challenge Walk that I can't even believe it! Rumor has it that we'll be able to fundraise on facebook for the Challenge Walk beginning next week - can't wait! What an exciting thing - I hope it helps everyone hit their goals quick so we all can breathe a little easier. I "started" my training last night with 5+ miles... but I did hike 26 miles last week WITH A PACK ON and am back in to running three days a week. That counts as far as I'm concerned. Next Tuesday night I'm going to train on Torrey Pines Hill - it's a big one.

~Beth

a message from your bike and CBS

Check out this great video message from your bike and then register for our bike tour!

I swear I saw a public service announcement done by Phil Keoghan of the Amazing Race on CBS recently. Just a 30-second commercial where he talks about MS and asks viewers to join the movement toward a cure by cycling in Bike MS. I can't find the video online though - has anyone seen it? Send me the link if you have it, please.

~Beth

the more the merrier

I told a few people at the chapter about this blog today, and I think I may have found myself some guest writers! Good stuff - greater perspective and insight is good stuff.

On another note, Cindy Shaffer (board member with the All America Chapter, patient advocate, volunteer, GRC chair, member of NPAC and the Pediatric Advisory Committee) has developed a license plate frame depicting our message and logo. The item is featured online and sells for $10, with $5 going back to the Society.

I'll be out of pocket until the last week of July - sorry in advance for the lack of posts.

~Beth

excerpt from winning scholarship essay

I recently read the essays of our four Bob Webster scholarship winners (funded by VIMS - thank you VIMS!) and this one really touched me.

"...I remembered a time in my life when I was embarrassed of my mother. Being young and seeing other children walking with their mothers made me envious. Any time my mother and I wanted to go somewhere, I had to wheel her around in a wheel chair. Going to public restaurants was like being a part of a museum exhibit. People constantly stared as I hand fed my mother lunch. Entering public restrooms was like asking for lights camera action. The fact that I had to in the same stall as my mother brought curiosity upon others. They didn't know that I was going in the stall to help her, all they saw was one twelve-year-old and grown woman going into the same stall."

These memories are not far from mine. After I overcame the embarrassment I coped with the situation through pride. I was proud that I could fit Mom's wheelchair in the trunk of my car all by myself (which in my VW Beetle was in the front - strange to watch). I was proud that I could drive Mom where she needed to go. I was proud that I could help her in the restroom so she wouldn't have to expose such an embarrassing disability to a stranger. I learned a lot from Mom, in this instance what stands out is humility.

After Mom went into the nursing home, I no longer assisted her in the restroom. I no longer drove her to doctor's appointments or therapy. Someone else became 'better' with her. To lose my primary coping mechanism: pride... I believe I got through it because I knew then (and know now) that the people caring for Mom now are much better at it than I was, am or can ever be.

The essayist continued, "...as easy as it may sound to be a child, for some it is not. MS had once broken my confidence and made me feel alone, but at the same time it gave me one of the greatest role models in the world. I thank god for my mother and the person she has made me. A strong, motivated young woman who just happens to be a child or a mother who suffers from MS."

I agree. Mom, as she is, made me who I am. I think I'm a pretty good person - because of Mom. Her inability to accomplish certain things made me even more determined to reach for the stars. Throughout my childhood, I did things for both of us. I often feel like I'm still living that way. I hope so.

~Beth

the grass is always greener

I have a summer cold and I know I shouldn't complain... but I grew up in the Midwest where I only remember having colds in the winter. When you blew your nose so often that you couldn't even touch it after two days because it was so raw. Anyway, having a cold when it's beach weather outside just doesn't seem right. I know it's beach weather most of the months of the year here... it seemed easier to deal with when you could put on a wool sweater and sit on the couch in front of the tv. I guess the grass is always greener...

A few people are talking about the chapter lately, first off Westfield where we have the overnight of our Bike MS Bay to Bay Tour http://westfield.com/plazacaminoreal/news/BikeMS.html and secondly Easy Turf just launched a referral program benefitting us http://www.easyturf.com/referrals (the real source of today's title).

~Beth

generosity of volunteers

Our long-time office volunteer, Bev, asked me a week ago if she had heard me on the radio. Yes, I said, you probably did, since I recorded a commercial for the Challenge Walk a few months ago in which I mention my name and tell my mom's story. Bev asked if she could donate to me.

So finally today I gave her my fundraising letter and she, Elsie and Karen wrote checks to my campaign - wow! Totally unexpected. I can't believe the generosity of people, and the depth of their hearts.

~Beth

the beginning determines the end

So this beginning better be strong!

I am the director of marketing & communications at the Pacific South Coast Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Beyond my commitment to our branding, marketing, public relations and other communications efforts, I am dedicated to our cause. My mom has lived with MS since the late 80's, and I want nothing more than to be at the forefront of the movement to create a world free of MS.

Step 1: care. Step 2: show it.

I think a lot, and I think maybe I can translate that thinking to blogging. Let's give it a shot!

Here's where I started http://main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/beth

~Beth