Why I'm Wearing My Robe and Jammies at #BBSUMMIT12

I'm sure you're all wondering, why on earth would this blogger come to a major conference dressed in pajamas, robe and slippers?  Well settle in, because I'm about to tell you.

A little over a year ago, I met Brandie at a get together for local bloggers.  As I chatted with someone to my right, I thought overheard Brandie mention that she had just been diagnosed with breast cancer.  I shook my head a bit and perked up my ears, because surely I had heard wrong.  She couldn't have possibly said she was just diagnosed with breast cancer, she was only 31 years old.  So I listened in disbelief and realized I hadn't misheard, Brandie indeed had stage IV breast cancer.  I was absolutely dumbfounded.  How is it possible that this young wife and mother of three could have breast cancer?  But that's just the thing, breast cancer doesn't skip over you because you've painted blood on your doorway.

Brandie's diagnosis really touched my heart. I've had a mammogram scare of my own a few years back and thankfully it was just lumpy boobs.  But this, it could have just as easily been one of my daughters.  Augie Dawg's maternal grandmother died from complications of breast cancer before she was born and her aunt is battling it right now.  Although I don't keep in touch with my ex's family, I have heard through the grapevine that his sister recently battled breast cancer and a maternal aunt of mine was diagnosed late in life as well.  This puts GlitterGurl at an increased risk too.  And frankly, that scares the living crap out of me. 

I prayed for Brandie.

And Brandie kicked cancer's ass!

She kicked cancer's ass so hard and so far, that one year later she signed up to walk with me on Team One More Mile in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer!

And that walk was amazing!

I won't lie, it was hard as hell!  Especially since I did something crazy to my foot while training.  Just the week before, I didn't think I'd be even able to walk 39 feet. Thanks to a wrap and some padding devised by my podiatrist I was able to walk 13 miles the first day and another 7 on day two.  And that walk was so inspiring, and so uplifting.  The energy created by the other walkers and all the supporters and volunteers, it was just an incredible experience.

But my hero, Brandie...she walked the entire 39.3 miles!

As Team One More Mile neared the finish line, we linked arms and started chanting "Brandie!  Brandie!  Brandie!"

We did it together!

We did it to end it!

And that memory will be etched in my heart forever!

But you're still wondering, what does that have to do with the robe and jammies?

Well, one of the requirements of walking was raising a minimum of $1800 in donations and despite my best efforts at fundraising, I was still coming up short.  So at the end of April I proposed this here crazy idea, and although I didn't actually get 100 individual donations as a result, I eventually did reach my $1800 goal and surpassed it by another $849!  Being the good sport that I am, I decided to keep my promise and here I am!  In my robe and jammies.  Do you like my matching slippers?

P.S.  I've already signed up for the Avon Walk for 2013 (315 days away!) and I've got another fundraising idea brewing!  I may even let the cat out of the bag at #BBSUMMIT12

P.P.S.  If' you're so inclined, please make a donation.  I would greatly appreciate your support.

P.P.P.S.  No donation amount is too small!