Camp Quality

Last night was our first planning meeting for our 2012 Senior Camp. This is going to be a spectacularly awesome camp! I am so thrilled to be able to be part of the planning process.

For those of you who don't know about Camp Quality, it is a not-for-profit organisation whose goal is to create fun times and amazing memories for kids living with or in remission from cancer. We offer support and "Fun Therapy" to the whole family. Click on the image above if you want more info.

I have been involved as a volunteer since 1998. I was a companion in Southern Qld for 5 years before coming back to SA and have been both a companion and part of the leadership teams since being here. I took a couple of years break a few years back, which turned out to be exactly what I needed to recharge my batteries.

Being a volunteer with Camp Quality is without a doubt one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. Meeting and getting to know these absolutely amazing and inspiring children is an experience I can not even begin  to explain. My life is definitely richer for being involved with this organisation.

xox

I Smashed It!

Guess who rode 51.19kms today....

I did not go for my ride last weekend where I was due to ride 42kms. Today was meant to be 45kms. I have not been on the bike for over a week and something in me told me to just go for the 50.

So I did!

We got on the bikes and headed for Outer Harbour. 26kms later we were there. Stopped for brunch and a rest then headed back - straight into a head wind. My butt was amazingly sore plus I had some underwear elastic/hair/giney issues.  Made the ride home incredibly slow going.  But I did it. I skipped all the lead up and went straight for the home run!

And I SMASHED it!!!!

On to other news - camp was great but completely exhausting. I spent yesterday in bed. Food was average. But very overly processed. The chef had no idea about feeding vegos (or coeliacs for that matter) so those of us with special dietary requirements pretty much got the same crap at every meal. I feel fatter so no doubt I have gained weight, but am getting serious again this week.

I haven't caught up on any blogs anywhere so I am sorry for that. But I hope everyone is doing great and I will catch up during the week.

xox

Achilles Update

So I went to the Physio last night expecting to get the all clear to go back to everything except running as I really have not had much pain of late.

It turns out I have a lump on the back of my Achilles. The Physio is not sure at this point if it is still part of the injury or if a lump of scar tissue has formed. As soon as he touched it I was in tears just about. So...

I CAN

 - keep riding

 - walk on flat ground

 - go hiking as long as it is in a flat area (unsure where I will find a spot like that but I will look)

 - try body balance

 - try Yoga

 - try Pilates

 - swim

I CAN NOT

 - walk or hike up any hills

 - go for more than 2 walks in any week

 - run

 - try Zumba

 - do any high impact activity

Poop Bum Wee... Actually, the words I used were more colourful than that, but you know what I mean. :) Now I concerned about next week. I am meant to be going to Camp Quality but the place we are staying is in the hills and I am pretty sure it is on a slope. I am waiting to hear back from the staff to find out the lay of the land - if it is hilly I will have to pull out, and they are already quite short staffed. But I have to take care of me first. Although if I can't go I will feel guilty forever....  I should know by the end of the day.

100 Days of Gratitude - Day 58
Today I am grateful that I have got in touch with all my friends in Qld and they are all safe from the floods.

xox

Weekend Recap

The weekend started Friday night with Ross's works Xmas dinner. We went to Goodlife Organic Pizza at Glenelg. I love that restaurant. The pizzas are great. I got to meet all of Ross's workmates and their partners, and we had a really fun night. We walked home which was really nice, although the Achilles was a bit tender when I got home.

Saturday morning was spent at Harbourtown. Emma and I were volunteering at the Camp Quality gift wrapping stand.

The morning started slowly, surprisingly being only a week out from Xmas, Harbourtown was surprisingly quiet. But we did get some customers as well as some very generous people who were happy to donate without getting any gifts wrapped.

From there I made my way to my Mum's to pick out the quilts for my Worlds Greatest Shave Raffle and also to auction on Ebay.

This is the raffle quilt, valued at approximately $500, made by my Mum! It is a bit bigger than a single bed quilt, but not quite as big as a double. The applique was done by hand. I really hope that whoever wins it loves it.

This one I will be auctioning on ebay in the New Year.  It is valued at around $300.  It is a large lap quilt.  I really hope I get a buyer! :)

This morning I was up early with a whole day stretched out in front of of me. I love days like this where I have no plans and no responsibilities. It started out on the couch with a good book. After a couple of hours I was itchng to get out, so I grabbed the camera and hopped on the tram to Glenelg to take some snaps. I spent about an hour or so wandering around taking photos. My goal for the next year is to expand my photographic horizons and start taking photos of things I wouldn't normally. So I started just shooting whatever I walked past. I ended up taking over 100 photos (love digital) and a few of them turned out okay.

When I got home I pulled out the sewing machine and got to work on my Mug Rugs. They are nearly finished. Just some hand stitching to do to stitch down the binding and they will be finished! I am very excited. It's been ages since I have finished something I have sewn.

Now I am watching Sex & The City (season 3), blogging, and admiring my new red and green Xmas nails. :)

A great weekend.

100 Days of Gratitude - Day 34

Today I am grateful for true days off. They are so rare that I really do appreciate them when I get them.

xox