A Deseprate Plea

I don't know if anyone even follows my blog anymore, but as the title of this post indicates, I'm getting desperate. So, if anyone is still out there, this post is for you.

As many of you know, my dad recently fought a brave battle against lymphoma and carcinoma. What many of you may not know is that since his remission, he has raised thousands of dollars for cancer research by participating in Pelotonia, a grassroots cycling tour, to support Ohio State University’s research efforts to end cancer.

My mother-in-law was taken by cancer before I could meet her. I just heard from my sister today that my grandmother's cancer has spread. Many good friends and colleagues have also been affected by the consequences of a cancer diagnosis. The frustration over this disease has led me to try to think of some way—any way—I can help.

So this year, on August 20, 2011, I’ve decided to join my dad.

My participation in the 2011 Pelotonia provides me with an opportunity to do something to help make a positive difference for those diagnosed with cancer today and far into the future.

Please join me in this unique opportunity to be part of something truly great. Any contribution, large or small, to help me reach my goal of $1,800.00 would be awesome. Together, we can help improve lives through innovations in research with the ultimate goal of winning the war against cancer.

This is not a donation to me or even the university, but a 100% tax-deductible contribution to cancer research at the James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute.

So, if you can in any way support me, please access my Pelotonia profile on line by clicking on the link below. From there, click on the orange “Donate to My Ride” box and follow the prompts.

http://www.mypelotonia.org/riders_profile.jsp?MemberID=118019

Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of this important cause. Any support you can provide by Saturday, August 20, 2011, will be appreciated more than you know.

Love,

Amber

Rider ID AW0018

Amber finds a friend, and her way back to blogspot.

So, if anyone out there is still reading this blog, guess what? I'm making a NEW POST! I wasn't sure this day would come, but the mood hit me, and here I am- makin' a post. If it were basketball, I would be posting up. If I made breakfast cereal, I would be Post. If I were a mail carrier, I'd be the postal service.

Anyhoo.

Yesterday, Jeff and I went with my friends Lindsay and Kirstin for a bike ride around West Mountain. It was a very hot day with no shade. About five miles from the end of our ride, and out in the middle of nowhere, we stopped briefly for a water break, and Jeff and I heard a mewing coming from the tall weeds. Within a few seconds this teeny, little kitten emerged, mewing his head off and coming for us as fast as he could. He headed for my foot and rubbed against it, looking at me earnestly and mewing. I was too busy geeking out about how so, so, adorably cute the little thing was, so Jeff got to him before I could. He scooped him up and instantly the kitten was all purrs and nudges into Jeff's chest. Well, we couldn't just leave him.

So, kitten in one hand, steering his bike with the other, Jeff rode the little guy back to our car.

(And what a fine car it is!)

Lindsay, Kirstin and I tried to get a little open water swim in, but the water was so annoyingly shallow for so long, and the bottom so rocky and slimy, that we called the swim off and headed back to shore.
Next, Jeff and I set our sights for Genola, a few miles away, where his sister lives and where the kids were playing with their cousins. And on the way, we named our little traveler Garmin, for he had been lost, but at last we found each other. Once there, and as expected, everyone else fell for his sweet, little face and cuddly, loving personality as much as we had.



The day turned out to be a pretty awesome one, complete with water balloons, sprinklers, a trampoline, good food, an ice cream party, and some porch sitting at dusk, watching the sun set and the moon rise.
Sadly, my little buster breaks out in a massive allergic reaction when he tries to get near the kitten, so we asked Jeff's sister if she would allow Garmin to make his home with her family and their cats. She said yes, so we let him nudge our chins once more, and we headed for home.

Elaina's Christmas Gift

Elaina needed a haircut. If she went to bed at night with her hair down, it would take me hours and plenty of tears the next morning to get a brush through all her tangles. Once it was brushed out, it was really beautiful, but we both decided it wasn't worth the drama. So, we scheduled a hair appointment with the fabulous Robyn, our neighbor and friend.

Right before Elaina's appointment, however, she brought up something she had heard one of her friends mention: Locks of Love. So, we went to the website (www.locksoflove.org) to see what it was all about. As it turns out, Elaina's lovely locks were three inches beyond qualifying, and she decided now was the time to give something of her own so someone else in need could have a happy Christmas.
Robyn braided Elaina's hair,
...then snipped the whole thing off!

The finished product was so cute! Robyn even put sparkle hair spray in Elaina's hair.
We all dig the svelte new 'do and Elaina is so excited to send off her hair to the little girl who needs it.

What are you doing with YOUR English degree?

"Step right up, step right up. That's right. Grab your roll of paper and put it down the flusher. You ladies want to try your hand at the toilet paper toss?"


"She shoots, she...misses! Just off the lid."



"Your tickets, ladies, thanks for playing. Alright, who's next? Step right up, step right up..."

Confession time. Since my last blog post, my life has landed in the crapper and I'm working at the carnival.

The Amazing Adventures of Flat Stanley!

My first adventure once I arrived in Utah was going on a trip with Uncle Jeff in his new car.

Had I known I was taking my life into my hands, I may have stayed in my envelope!

First, we checked out a video.

Next, I was acquainted with some of the local culture...whooooooo-hoo!

Yee-haw!

The next day, Elaina and Carter took me on a very special adventure: the Museum of Ancient Life at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi, Utah. This is the biggest dinosaur museum in the world!






Can you find me in the massive teeth of this prehistoric Great White shark?


Surprise! I thought I'd help dig for some dinosaur bones, too!

Well, I had a great time in Utah! Now, it's off to Japan. I can hardly wait to tell you all about my next adventure!

Oh. And about a month ago, I turned 30.

The cruel irony of this sign on our garage is that it was the one I'd made for Jeff when HE turned 30. He found it somehow, somewhere, and I guess this means turn about is fair play. In fact, Jeff both scored and struck out this birthday. On the one hand, he served me breakfast in bed. On the other, he forgot to get me a gift, so he gifted me something he'd previously purchased for himself: a universal remote. This would be great but...yeah. Remember how I watch about 3 hours of TV a year? Ah, well. He did give me permission to buy myself something!