I Got A Trophy

The Leukaemia Foundation sent one of their lovely volunteers around to my office this week to give me a little something as a thank you for my fundraising efforts for the Worlds Greatest Shave. They had a Thank You party on Friday night for their Top 20 Fundraisers and I was not able to go (as I was broken down on my way to the Retreat ;) ).

What a lovely surprise. I certainly didn't expect anything, which is what made it extra special.

xox

Updated Hair Pic

Just realised I have not given you an update of how the hair is growing back. This was taken a couple of weeks ago now. It has grown a little since then. :)

I got a call from the Leukaemia Foundation this week. I have been invited to a "Top Fundraisers" Thank you party which I can not go to, so they called to personally thank me. How wonderful is that. :)

xox

This'n'That

Well, not much has been happening in the world this way of late. The Shave was so full on and took so much out of me in the lead up that I am taking some time to chill and to get used to the new "do". :)

I spent a lot of the weekend with Ness and her girls who came over from Melbourne to support me in my Shave. It was so great to see them and to have that support.

I have been doing lots of sewing finally. I am really enjoying getting back into it.  Today a few packs of Charm Sqaures arrived that I forgot I had even ordered! I love it when that happens. :)

My Achilles is slowly healing. I am still wearing the boot and still using a walking stick. But the pain and the swelling are decreasing. Which is good. 

I have been reading lots of spiritual and self-help books of late and am using this to try and get the insides all fixed so I can then focus on the outsides.

I am not posting much as I am really pretty boring at the moment. Between Physio appts and work, there isn;t a whole lot happening. And I am loving it. :)

xox

Worlds Greatest Shave in Photos

I am going BALD!!!!!

Well, I did it.

I raised over $5000 for the Leukaemia Foundations Worlds Greatest Shave and on Friday afternoon my head is being shaved!

Thank you to everyone for your support.  You are all amazing, and yes there will be photos.

It is not too late to send a donation. Please click here if you still want to help out.

xox

8 Days and Counting

Well, with only 8 days to go I am only $759 away from my goal of raising $5000 for the Leukaemia Foundation via the Worlds Greatest Shave. I have to admit, I am a bit stunned that I have made it this far, but I am confident that I will raise the money needed to hit my target. In some ways I am really really excited that I have been able to do this amazing thing for the Leukaemia Foundation. In other ways I am scared shitless about being bald... LOL

The good news is that less than 2 weeks after dying my hair blonde, I can see quite significant black roots, so as least I know my hair will grow back reasonably quickly. :)

This weekend - since I had to pull out of the scheduled Rogaine due to crutches - I am going to spend a day at my Mums to get some sewing done. I haven't worked on the 2 quilts I am doing for quite a while (since December I think) so it is time to get a few more blocks done. I am half way through the first sewing of the blocks. Once they are done I need to cut them into 4 and resew them up in different orders. How I love quilting. Cut it up, sew it up, cut it up again. LOL. Quilters will get that. :)

Lots of other things going on over here, but nothing really worth reporting in on. Will take some pics of the progress of the sewing on the weekend. :)

xox

Flying Visit

Hi All

Sorry for the absence. Been on holidays. Had an great time and will share pics when I get a chance.

Fundraising is going really well - am up to $3231 as of this morning. Not far to go now. Please click on the link to your right if you would like to help out.

I added some colour to my hair yesterday - tell me what you think...

xox

Uni & WW

Just a quick one as I am at work and really busy (but needed a break IYKWIM).

Uni - I am studying through Open Universities Australia. I am doing a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Culture. I am doing it purely out of interest, I am not sure if I will have a career change, I just wanted to study these subjects. I will be looking and art, and sociological issues, and photography, digital design, textiles etc. It looks fantastic. My first subject is: Photography - An Introduction. :)

Weight Watchers Online costs $29pm which is a crap load cheaper than going to meetings. I have all the tools and I am still using my existing support system online. Plus I have the option of using their forums. The points system is taking me some time to get used to. Calories are not factored in at all. The points are work out based on fat/carbs/protein/fibre. low calorie foods are not necessarily low point foods, so there is quite a bit of adjustment to make. I am doing okay though.

My fundraising is going well, I hit the $2000 mark yesterday which is just awesome. Only $2979 to go... LOL The fundraising chocolates arrive next week - I am really nervous about having them around. 20 boxes are being delivered to my office. I am offloading about 16 boxes to other people to sell, but there will be some here. This is going to take a feat of strength to avoid these.

Especially considering I have joined a "No Junk Food for February" challenge on CK. But if I can get through this then I can get through anything!

xox

Fundraising

My Worlds Greatest Shave Fundraising seems to have hit a wall. It hasn't moved in weeks. I am guess because of the Qld Floods everyone is directing their money there, which I completely understand....

I really want to get to my goal. If anyone can help the link to donate is directly tot he right of where you are reading.

xox

Raffle Launched Today!

With only 2 months to go until my Worlds Greatest Shave, it is time to ramp up the fundraising!  It seems to have stalled somewhat.

So today I am launching my raffle.

Some of the prizes are for SA residents only, so if you are not in SA I completely understand if this looks a bit sucky. LOL But if anyone wants to buy a ticket just send me an email here and I will let you know how you can do it.

Don't forget you can also make a donation to the cause by clicking on the link at the top of the column on the right hand side of the page.

100 Days of Gratitude - Day 57
Today I am grateful for good friends and good conversation.

xox

10 for 10 Recap

I had an awesome day yesterday. :)  It started with a walk through the Botanic Gardens with my mum. We both took our cameras and wandered around snapping away.

We finally stopped for a coffee and relaxed in the shade watching the ducks.

From there we stopped in at Cathy's house to pick up a gorgeous gemstone necklace and earrings that she has made for my Greatest Shave raffle. I will post a pic when I take one, but I tell you, it is stunning, :)

We spent the afternoon just hanging out at Mums trying to stay cool. It was really nice.

From there I made my way back to the city to meet Megan for a coffee. And by "coffee" I do not mean Gelati and Iced Chocolate... :)  I got there a little late and when I got there Megan was NOT playing Smurfs on her iPhone... LOL

We talked, and talked, and talked. Then got up to leave and talked, and talked, and talked... LOL It was such a fun night!

Today has been pretty restful. Quick trip to Spotlight this morning but other than that, I have done pretty much nothing.

I thought I had better do a round up of my 10 for 10 challenge. I have been avoiding it as I thought I had pretty much failed, but having a look I did okay.

1) Run/walk the Mothers Day Classic in May
Done. Ran the 4km in 38 minutes

2) Ride at least 3000kms
Nope. I stopped counting around the 1200 mark because it came so late in the year and I was injured so I knew I wouldn’t get there.

3) Finish the knitted blankets
Done. I finished in September.

4) Lose 30 kilos
I only lost 2.…


5) Be in a financial position to sponsor a World Vision child
Done - we have a 3 year old sponsor child from India.


6) Send at least one childrens story to a publisher
Actually I sent 2 off, one of them to 2 publishers. Both rejected, but at least I was brave enough to send them.

7) Run/walk the 12 km at the City-Bay in September
Nope - I was injured


8) Start my novel
Well and truly started. I am up to about chapter 8.


9) Go on an overnight hike (first stage of Heyson if funds permit)
Cancelled as I was injured. Tentatively re-booked for May 2011


10) Keep in touch with my interstate friends in the old fashioned way - by writing actual letters with pen and paper.
Sent a couple of letters. 

Not a bad effort.  Next week I will be posting my 11 goals for 2011. :)

100 Days of Gratitude


Day 44
Yesterday I was grateful for a great day. Everythig was brilliant and I was just generally grateful.


Day 45
Today I am grateful for chocolate. No particulr reason other than I love it and feel grateful it was invented. LOL


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

What an amazing response!

Wow, I am completely overwhelmed at the moment...

I have been asking on Facebook for some donations for raffle prizes for my Worlds Greatest Shave. A friend of mine buys from quite a few FB sellers so she emailed all of them asking if any of them will donate.

What an incredible response I have had!  I am up to 13 prizes for my raffle.

I am so completely overwhelmed by peoples support and generosity.

:)
xox

Shave Fundraising Update

Daily Quote

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
- Martin Luther King, Jr.

Not much to say today really. Work has been insanely busy (because everyone wants to move into their houses before Xmas) so not much else has been happening. I am off to see the Xmas Lights at the Brewery tonight, so hopefully I get some good photos. 

Mel asked about my fundraising for my World's Greatest Shave.  So here is the update.

I have only raised $170 so far, however I have a $1000 pledge that should be through before Xmas. I also have a lot of people who are going to give $10 or $20 after Xmas. People apologise for "only" giving $10, but there is no way they should. If everyone I asked gave $10 I would hit my target without a problem.  All those $10 add up and they make up the bulk of the fundraising. So to anyone reading this who has pledged $10 and apologised, please don't.  Thank you for your $10. Every single cent counts. :)

I am going to sell those fundraising chocolates in February and if I sell all of them there is another $750.

I am going to have a quilt on ebay soon, with all proceeds going to the Shave. It is a homemade single bed quilt and I am hoping to get at least $100 for it (valued at over $500).

I am also doing a raffle that will start in January.  Just collating the prizes.  So far I have 

 - Another home made quilt

 - a pack of 20 cards from Photo Cards by Kylie Ann :)

 - 2 horse riding vouchers (will be 2 separate prizes)

 - some gorgeous home made jewelery

 - a gift pack from a surf shop

 - 2 bottles of wine (will be one prize)

I am hoping for a couple more donations, just waiting to hear back from a few people. The raffle will go for 2 months so hopefully we get a couple of hundred dollars from that as well.

As for the other $3000 I need, we are about to send out a request to our work network (over 200 people) so hopefully we get through at least half of that from that.  Other than that, I will just be asking everyone I know, and asking everyone I know to ask everyone they know. :)

We are quietly confident we will hit the $5000. I have taking to stroking my hair and have even been caught kissing it the other day. :) I am freaking out, but I am still going to do this, and do everything in my power to get that $5000 for the Leukaemia Foundation.

100 Days of Gratitude - Day 25

Today I am grateful that the traditional Xmas Lights at the Brewery have not fallen victim to Political Correctness and are still being displayed as per their long tradition.

xox

World's Greatest Shave Update

Daily Quote

The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling,
but in rising every time we fall.
- Nelson Mandela

Well, things are progressing for my Worlds Greatest Shave event.  Ness and Katt are coming over from Melbourne to witness the event...  I have the raffle books for my raffle. I'll be ordering the fundraising chocolates soon. I have a quilt to auction on E-Bay which will go online within the next 2 weeks. And donations are slowly starting to filter through.

I am having minor panic attacks at the thought of losing my hair. So I am making a list of reasons that having no hair will be a GOOD thing... :)

1) The money raised is going to an amazing charity that has helped too many people that I know.

2) I will save money on shampoo and conditioner

3) No more "hat hair" from my bike helmet

4) Getting ready for work will be quicker

5) Won't accidentally pull my hair by rolling over on it at night

6) No more tangles

7) Cooler

8) No more slamming my hair in the car door on windy days

9) Will be able to ride in my friends convertibles without getting whipped in the face by the ends of the hair

10) Give my scalp a chance to see sunlight

OK, I need to focus on this list and remember that I am doing this for a very good reason and I will be fine.  Plus, it will grow back eventually... :)

100 Days of Gratitude - Day 23

Today I am grateful for this beautiful rain we have been having that feels so cleansing to me. I love it.

xox

Raffle Donations Needed

Hi everyone

Another shout out for help here. I need donations for raffle prizes for my World's Greatest Shave fundraising. I am looking for donations of goods, vouchers for goods, or vouchers for services here in SA.  I have 2, possibly 3 prizes already, but am looking for about 8-10.

If you have anything to offer, please email me at kyliephilips@yahoo.com.au.

Thanks.

xox

Question Day and Summer To-Do List

Daily Quote

You must do the things you think you cannot do.
- Eleanor Roosevelt

Lately I have been seeing on blogs Summer To-Do lists and Summer Goals.  I have decided to make a To-Do list - I am veering away from the word 'goals' at the moment for some reason.  So I have come up with a list of 10 things I would like 'To-Do' this summer.

Summer To-Do List

1)  Start hiking again

2)  Finish Couch quilts

3)  Lose 12 kilos

4)  Ride 50kms in one day

5)  Ride a total of 1000kms

6)  Start Yoga

7)  Start cat stitcheries

8)  Send another childrens book to a publisher

9)  Take more photos for my cards

10)  Push my World’s Greatest Shave Fundraising and get as much as I can towards my goal of $5000

The plan is to work through these items without too much stress, and just try and get as much done as I can.

Question Day

1)  From whom did you get your last email? 

2)  Have you done anything spontaneous lately? 

3)  What is your favorite sport to watch? 

4)  What are your favorite clothes? 

5)  Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? 

100 Days of Gratitude - Day 17

Today I am grateful for the beautiful rain we have been having. The gardens and the damns and reservoirs are loving it!

xox

DON'T FORGET:

If you would like to help my World's Greatest Shave Fundraising cause, please visit my fundraising page here or contact me to find out how else you can help out.

Fundraising Launched!!!!

Under advisement of my Fundraising Guru, I am launching the fundraising now to give me more time to raise the funds I need to go bald.

Please join and invite all your friends to join the Facebook page (link to the right), link to the photos with the donation details, and share as much as you can. I will need YOUR help to reach my goal of $5000.


Visit my online fundraising page to donate by clicking here - If anyone wants to share this link on their blog I would appreciate it.

Together we can help the Leukaemia Foundation by raising at least $5000!

xox

Overwhelming Support

Quote of the Day

Don't be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.
            -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Well, it has only been 2 days since I have announced my intention to participate in the 2011 World's Greatest Shave for the Leukaemia Foundation, but I have received an overwhelming amount of support in that time.

I am actually quite moved by the responses I have been getting, here, on Facebook, on online forums, and in real life.  I have had offers for raffle prizes, people offering to sell fundraising chocolates, people ready to donate, and just a general buzz that what I am doing is the right thing, even though it is as scary as crap...  LOL

You will be hearing lots about this in the coming months. I am really hoping we can raise the $5000. Not that I want to actually shave my head, but because the funds are so desperately needed. If anyone is a fundraising wizz and wants to help out, please let me know. I will take all the help I can get!

100 Days of Gratitude - Day 11
I am grateful that the people that are in my life are all such amazing supportive people, who are ready to do anything they can to help out. I truly am surrounded by wonderful people.

xox

Insanity

Definition of Insanity...

Yep - that's me.

I have just committed to participating in the 2011 Leukaemia Foundation World's Greatest Shave.

I have committed to colouring my hair, but have said that if I can raise $5000 I will shave it off.

My boss is going to help.  The man who was part of a small team of people who raised over $150,000 for Camp Quality last year....

I will officially launch my fundraising campaign in January, giving myself 2 months to raise the money.  Watch this space.  If you want to see me lose my lovely hair (and I LOVE my hair BTW), you'll have details on how to help out on January 11, 2011.

Watch this space...

100 Days of Gratitude - Day 9
Today I am grateful that I am in a position where attempting to raise money for a good cause is a very real possibility. Being able to give back to the community in this way makes me very proud.

xox