IT'S HOT!!!!

It's been awhile again, I don't mean to not update, there's just a lot going on. 

And there has been a lot going on since my last post.  Kaitlyn went to Guatemala on her youth group mission trip with 24 other 11th and 12th graders and 6 sponsors.  They had a fantastic time - she wants to go back!  They worked on a couple of rebuilding projects, did a vacation bible school for some of the kids, and played with other kids.  According to her pictures, the kids (the little and the big kids!) had a blast.  Lots of smiles all around. 

While Kaitlyn was in Guatemala, her grandfather (Rob's dad) came home from the hospital under hospice care.  While she was on her way back, he passed away.  While it was not unexpected, it's still a loss.  Also - the Wednesday before that, Rob's brother-in-law Steve (his sister Melanie's husband) suffered a sudden cardiac arrest at home.  Fortunately, Melanie is a nurse and was right by his side when it happened.  She started CPR and called 911 right away, paramedics had to administer 5 shocks to get him going again but were successful.  He spent a few days in ICU undergoing hyperthermal (I think) therapy - they cooled him down to about 90 degrees to let him rest and heal.  He did just fine and after surgery to implant an internal defibrillator, he's now home resting.  Really scary! 

And yes, it's been HOT here!  Last Wednesday I woke up to a cooler morning and instead of going to the gym to do my water aerobics, I decided I had to head out for a walk and put in a 7-1/2 mile walk!  This weekend I'm really busy with activities up at school - the band is sponsoring a DCI (Drum Corps International) show on Monday so we're wrapped up getting everything in place.  Bryan Busby is directing the national anthem before the show with kids playing from all four Olathe high schools.  Should be great!  It will also be hot, but I'm working in the VIP area - where it's air conditioned!  I will also be taking pictures from up in the skybox - should be a fun time!  The kids are really looking forward to it and watching the DCI shows.  There are nine DCI corps performing - should be a fantastic evening!  But I digress - since it will be hard to get walking in this weekend, I need to get a couple of long walks in next week.  It'll probably be Wednesday (Kaitlyn gets her wisdom teeth out on Tuesday, fun times!) and I'll have to get up EARLY and head out to get a walk in.  Plenty of water/gatorade and not be in a hurry and I should be fine. 

Saw "Guys and Dolls" out at Starlight last night.  It was hot, but I've been out there when it's been worse.  There was a bit of a breeze occasionally, but the a/c in the car felt good on the way home!  The show was great - I really like going out to Starlight.  They're announcing next year's lineup and so far all three shows they've announced are new ones - haven't even heard of two of them.  I hope a couple of the others are oldies but goodies!

Fund raising - drum roll please - I only have $260 to go to meet my $2300 fundraising goal!  It's so exciting to have the support of friends and family!  Some fantastic friends of mine, Christi and Tama, have made a t-shirt quilt made up of t-shirts from the Race for the Cure for the last 9 years.  It's a beautiful quilt, these ladies are wonderful.  We are raffling off the quilt for $5 a ticket, 6 for $25.  If you happen to be interested in buying a ticket, let me know!  I owe these ladies so much and can't thank them enough for the work they've put into it.  The quilt is pictured above - it's so beautiful.  I'll be selling tickets through August - drawing is on August 31st.  After I hit my fundraising goal, proceeds will go to my travel fund.  My sister and I are going out to DC a few days early to do some sightseeing since neither of us have been to DC before.  We'll also have fun spending some quality time together - something we haven't done for awhile.  We've both been working to raise money for the fundraising and travel funds - we're looking forward to some good memories!

That's enough for today - stay cool!!

steffy

New Shoes!!

Lots has happened lately!  I'll see if I can remember it all to put it in here.

I bought two new pairs of shoes yesterday.  My other two pairs are beginning to break down.  I knew I'd need new ones before the walk.  Found them on sale yesterday - the f irst time I've seen them on sale, even on the internet.  They had one pair in my size and ordered the other.  Got another pink pair (of course!) and a black pair.  Now I just need to go to the Walking store and get two more sets of orthotics and I'll be set!

Went to the oncologist for a checkup on Tuesday.  It was all good news!  She took me off of the medication I'd been on to help with the complications from the radiation.  She said I've lost 10 pounds in the last three months (YEA!) and the follow-up mammogram done two weeks ago looked great!  I left that office very happy.  Have a checkup with the surgeon today then I'm good for awhile.

Had some problems with what I think is tendonitis in my knee.  Went to the store where I got Kaitlyn her ankle brace for soccer - they fitted me with a knee strap and what a difference it makes!  I did a 10-mile walk last week and while I did feel twinges in the knee still, I made it through the walk with no problems.  It's amazing what a little strap will do.  There's still some swelling in the knee, I ice it sometimes.  I also have some stuff called BioFreeze that also helps a lot. 

And yea, I completed a 10-mile walk last Saturday!  I started after the storms left the area, it took awhile.  Went through three bottles of water, but it was good.  Pretty warm when I finished.  An 11-mile walk is this weekend.  I think I'll do it on Friday since I have to pick up my mom at the airport on Saturday.  And since there's an excessive heat advisory, I think I'll go out to the Great Mall and walk.  Could be just as interesting!  On my walk last weekend, saw a tree about 20-25 feeet high with a trumpeter vine growing all the way up the tree.  The vine was blooming and it was really beautiful! 

Fund raising - it's going well!  I have about $650 to go.  I had a garage sale that I got about $160 from, that's going to my travel fund.  Speaking of travel, airline tickets for me and my sister have been purchased, and hotel reservations are made.  Whew!  I've been getting some pretty good tips from working at the Royals, and those go to the travel fund.  If anyone should want to make a donation, see my Facebook page for instructions!  It really feels good to have the support of friends and family on this journey.

I've also been busy keeping up with Kaitlyn - or at least trying to!  She was at band camp last week and had a fantastic time - met a lot of new friends and learned a lot.  She's home this week and in the wee hours of Sunday morning I have to have her at the airport to leave with her youth group on a mission trip to Guatemala!  She's also been working at Houlihan's and working with the band leadership team.  I've also been working with the band diectors - we're having such a good time and getting lots done!

Well, whether or not I've remembered everything, I think this post is long enough. 

take care friends!!!!!
steffy

I'm halfway there!!

When I retired, I received several monetary gifts.  I decided to put those gifts into my 3-day account since I had $2300 to raise just to go on the walk.  I'M WELL OVER HALFWAY THERE!  I only have $805 more to raise - and a lot more people to ask!  I'm so excited....AND.....plane and hotel reservations are made!  Kind of brings it all into reality now.  My sister and I are flying to Washington DC on the 17th of September - we're going to spend a few days sightseeing and taking a little vacation time before the walk.  We'll come back home on Tuesday the 27th - gives us a couple of days to rest up after the walk.  I'm having a garage sale this weekend in conjunction with the neighborhood sale.  That money will go towards my travel fund.  My mom has graciously given my sister and I some money to go towards our travel fund.  My sister is doing some babysitting this summer for a friend and is putting that money towards our travel fund.  I have a jar that we drop change into - and also my tips from working at the Royals and Sprint.  Kaitlyn and I took it to the bank the other day and there was over $200 in bills - and $233 in change!  That plus what mom gave us more than pays for our plane tickets, now we just have to work on our hotel stay.  I think we'll be fine and be able to have an enjoyable time.

Walking is going okay.  Had a slight setback with the ole' knee, but a couple of days of rest, an ice pack, and a brace has helped.  I did get six miles in during the Relay for Life, and another two on Saturday. Rested Sunday - that's when it swelled up big time!  Rested Monday but was able to walk three miles today.  Will do water aerobics tomorrow then see how it does on Thursday.  This weekend will be strange - need to get one 10-mile walk in and an 8-mile walk, but the garage sale is Saturday.  Might swap and do the shorter one on Saturday evening, then the 10-mile on Sunday.  That might even be easier on the knee.
Kaitlyn leaves Friday morning for a week in Muncie, Indiana at a Leadership weekend and Jazz camp.  She's going up with her band director and the drum majors from her school.  I hope she likes it - she was originally signed up for drum major camp, but didn't make drum major (her band director had other ideas for her!), so instead of her not going at all we changed it so she could do the jazz track.  I think it will be good - their marching show this year is "The Jazz Effect" so it should help.  She may even end up with a solo - who knows!

Off to bed so I can get up and do aerobics tomorrow.  Still can't sleep much past 6:30 in the morning, oh, well.  Some mornings it's better to go ahead and get up and get my walking done before it gets real hot outside!
Take care ---- and thanks for being there for me!
steffy

Wonderful Weeks!

And Life Goes On!
Didn't realize I hadn't posted since I left work.  As some of the retired say,  I've been busy!  I worked most of the last Royals home stand (it was a LONG home stand!) and have also been working with Mrs. Bussard, the band director at Olathe Northwest.  We've had a good time.  She has a software package for band directors and I'm trying to get it all updated for this year's bands.  New kids coming in, alumni moving out - all that stuff!  And of course walking.  I've gone to the water aerobics class a few times and like it - it's a good workout, perfect for my cross-training. 
This morning I slept in untl 7 - that's an accomplishment!  Of course, Friday night didn't get to bed until almost midnight and last night we were at Starlight and didn't get home until 11:30.  Might have something to do with it...!
Which brings me to Friday night - it was the Relay for Life out at the District Activities Center.  It was great - at least until the storms hit.  The survivor's walk and dinner, then walking around the track.  I got 6 miles in before the rain.  The luminaries were lit just before the storm hit - it was wonderful.  I saw a lot of people I know out there, both supporters and survivors.  It was a great experience!
Saturday night was Starlight - The King and I - one of my favorite musicals.  I actually saw Yul Brynner in one of his last performances as the King before he passed away.  It was fantastic!  Although Lou Diamond Phillips did a respectable job.  It was a wonderful night for being out at Starlight - actually got a little chilly!  We went out for dinner beforehand as is our custom.  Love Starlight date nights!
This week gotta get ready for the garage sale on Saturday and Kaitlyn leaves for her band camp on Friday morning.  She'll be doing a 2-day leadership camp, then a week of jazz band camp.  Should be interesting!  Their marching show this year is about Jazz - should be a good show!
Well - off to church.  I'll try not to be so slow at updating!
Love you all - take care of yourselves now!

steffy

Memorial Day 2011

It's Memorial Day 2011.  A lot has happened in the last few months!  As I sit here reflecting on how things have changed, I realize how blessed I am.  I just finished sending an email to Kaitlyn's soccer team.  She's decided not to play club soccer this year.  I'll miss those people - some I've known for several years.  Tomorrow I go into work for the last day - I'll miss those people - some I've known for almost 30 years!  I'm meeting new friends.  I'm walking a lot -  put in 21 miles over the last week.  I'll start cross-training by swimming two days a week now that I have the time.  I'll be working with the band director at Olathe Northwest - looking forward to doing new things and meeting new people there.  And I'll be working out at the Royals and Sprint more - I like doing that also.  So life is changing - I don't think it's slowing down, just changing!  I don't have to get up at 5 a.m. anymore - now if I could just sleep past 6:00 a.m. 

Training is going well.  Despite a nasty-looking bruise on my right leg, I got my miles in this week.  Tuesday took a 3-mile walk in the evening.  Thursday was my reception -I rode the bus to work and came home with my family so my car was at the park-and-ride.  I walked over and picked it up.  Saturday morning I got in a 7 mile walk before the rain, then Sunday evening headed out for a 6 mile walk.  It all felt good.  I've ordered a waist pack to keep things in like phone, chapstick, inhaler, sunscreen, and a snack for the longer walks.  It will come in handy - I don't have as many pockets in the summer as I did in the winter!  I have to admit, I'm NOT looking forward to the longer walks in the heat -  but I will do them.  I've got routes mapped out where I can walk to places to fill up my water bottle.  And I always have my cell phone with me just in case.  And I always let Rob know what my route is.  So I think we're good there.  As the walks get longer, I'll have Rob or Kaitlyn meet me halfway to re-supply me with water and/or have lunch with me.  Plans are coming together!

Retirement - is looking even better.  My friend Judy, who is also retiring after 35 years, and I took our team and a few others out to lunch on Tuesday - we had a fun time!  Then Thursday was a joint retirement reception for myself, Judy, and another friend - David - who has 32 years in.  Between the three of us, we have 96 years of service.  That's a lot of experience walking out the door tomorrow!  Our reception was very nice - my friend Christi did a fantastic job of it all.  She made boards for each of us with pictures of us through our years at Blue Cross.  There were a lot of friends that came in - and I made it thought it all without a tear.  I saw a lot of friends - the lady that hired me, Judy Bond, made it in to say hi.  There were a lot of others, some I was pleasantly surprised to see.  All in all, it was a fantastic way to end 29 years.

Now it's off to the rest of my life - which begins with working at the Royals today.  Go Royals!

Steffy

Retirement!

It' close.  I'm excited, and nervous.  I have plenty to do - I'll be working with the band director at Kaitlyn's school.  She's the sweetest lady and really cares about the kids.  But she's totally computer illiterate - her words - so I told her she could teach music and I'd take care of the computer for her.  There's a lot going on at the school this summer, they have a DCI (Drum Corps International) show coming to the district stadium in July, there's a lot of work to prepare for that.  Then getting ready for band camp starting in July.  And they're taking a trip next year in March, destination to be announced.  She needs a trip manager and I'm it.  I've run enough ski trips and helped with junior high mission trips, I think I can handle it.  I'm looking forward to it. 
But retirement - that's another story.  I guess if you say it's not working anymore, then I'm not ready for it.  So I'll fill my time with working at Kaitlyn's school and working out at the Royals.  And walking - a lot!  NOT looking forward to walking in the heat and humidity, but it's gotta get done.  I am looking forward to the long walks though.  And I can get them done in the morning, when it's cooler.  I like mornings - and I'll have lots of peaceful morning walks.  Also looking forward to having time to do cross-training like I should.  My gym has a great pool (2 indoor and 1 outdoor in fact) and I'm looking forward to some water aerobics and swimming on cross-training days.
So yes - "retirement" here I come, ready or not!

My retirement party at Blue Cross is Thursday the 26th from noon to 2 - come on down if you like!  It'll be a big party, there's three of us retiring at the same time!

Later ----
steffy

Walkin' On!

I'm back on track and feelin' good!  I put in six miles yesterday with no problem, and another four miles today.  And I've been working on donations - I have over 25% of the $2300 I need, and it sure is encouraging.  Some of them are surprising - like a donation from a high school friend I haven't seen since high school.  SO -- if any of you are inclined to help me out, please do so.  You can give on the website or print out a form and send it in with your donation if you don't like to do it online.  It's www.the3day.org, click on "Donate to a Participant" on the right side, then enter my name, Stephanie Goddard.  From there you can either donate directly or print out a form.  Thanks....any amount, big or small, helps me out and is very encouraging for me!
And yes, I am retiring as of the end of this month.  I can work more on my training, and I will also be the trip manager for Kaitlyn's high school band trip next year.  No word on where they're going yet, but I'll be getting them there!  I'm really looking forward to it - I've run lots of ski trips and helped run junior high mission trips.  I love working with kids so this should be really fun.  I'll also be working at the Royals games more since I don't have to get up at 5 in the morning!  So I'll be staying busy, just with different work.  And I'm ready for a change.  My son and his fiance will be here for my retirement reception, and they'll stay over Memorial Day so I'll get to spend some time with them.  I'm looking forward to my reception.  There are three of us retiring and having a joint receeption so we should see a lot of people come in.  That will be the hard part - there are a lot of people I've worked with over the last 29 years.  Someone better have the Kleenex box handy!
And then there's the crazy weather....had the a/c guy come in yesterday and do the beginning-of-season tune-up on the a/c - then I turned around and kicked on the furnace last night.  Sheesh!  But I have to admit it's made walking easier.  Had to dig out my winter hat to keep my ears warm!  Took Retro (my beagle mix) with me today on the four-mile walk.  He loves to go walking but it takes longer when you take along a beagle-nose.  He has to sniff at EVERYTHING! 
Well, will sign off for now.  Take care, everyone!

steffy