Welcome every morning with a smile...(continued)

Look on the new day as another special gift from your Creator, another golden opportunity to complete what you were unable to finish yesterday.  Be a self-starter.  Let your first hour set the theme of success and positive action that is certain to echo through your entire day.  Today will never happen again.  Don't waste it with a false start or no start at all.  You were not born to fail. ~ Og Mandino

With all of that being said...HAPPY NEW YEAR!  And with the new year has come a resolution to pay more attention to this blog and promoting awareness of Ovarian Cancer.  I've fallen behind but I am ready now!  Relay for Life 2012 is back in full swing and with it lots of brainstorming regarding the best ways to fundraise.  I'm welcome to any suggestions but I also have a few ideas up my sleeve and what seems like the perfect place to start. 

Just to remind us all of what exactly we're fighting for (and how much fun it can be) I've added a few pictures of the events from 2011, including the Quilt Show AND Relay for Life 2010 (yes I am really that far behind).  We had lots of fun putting together our theme, decorating our outfits and boogying down the night of Relay until that little torrential rain shower that did an awesome job of soaking everything.  AND who knew it could be THAT cold at the end of April (needless to say we did not make it through camping through the night)!  ENJOY and stay tuned for more!

Thanks to everyone who participated in Relay for Life 2011.  You played an integral part in helping Frills for Teal meet both its fundraising goal, and that of raising awareness of ovarian cancer; and for that we are forever grateful!  Looking forward to 2012!

Jon and the guys provided a little bluegrass.



A small sample of a few of the quilts on display



Join Us!

'Give light, and the darkness will disappear of itself.' ~ Desiderius Erasmus

Although we are a few months away, September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and it will be here before you know it!  As my mind turns a mile a minute about what Frills can do to bring ovarian cancer to the forefront and promote awareness, I was thinking that there are many organizations and products available that allow folks to 'give back' or educate others without actually having to do a whole lot.

For example, there is a great little website/organization called Teal Toes.  In order to raise awareness and get/keep people talking everyone paints their toenails teal in the name of ovarian cancer.  My girlfriends and I have signed on to document our travels this year with our 'teal toes.' It's a great excuse to get a pedicure!!

teal toes @ Cape Lookout!!

three generations of teal toes @ Atlantic Beach, NC!

There are also a lot of new campaigns, celebrities and businesses that have begun to realize the importance of raising awareness.  Electrolux and Kelly Ripa have teamed up for Kelly Confidential.  A campaign to support the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund whose mission is to fund research to find a method of early detection and ultimately a cure for ovarian cancer.  Electrolux has committed to donate $750,000 to this worthy cause!  Through a variety of  'virtual' interactions, participants can help promote the cause and register to win Electrolux appliances.  Thanks Kelly and Electrolux! (P.S. if anyone is working on an early Christmas list a teal washer and dryer combo would be an awesome addition to any one's laundry room!!)

In addition, there is apparel, walks, runs, marathons, dinners, teas, luncheons, jewelry, etc. that everyone can participate in, purchase and/or marvel at.  Just please GET INVOLVED!

'Keep your face toward the light and the darkness will never be able to close in on you.' ~ author  unknown

'Hope is like a bird that senses the dawn and carefully starts to sing while it is still dark.' ~ Anonymous

So...just wanted to fill everyone in on a little Relay Wrap Up.  The Frills team attended the 2010 East Gaston Relay for Life Wrap Up Party on June 10th.  It was a great night of socializing with other teams who are in the fight against cancer, sharing accomplishments and well, a little eating too!

Regardless we wanted to thank everyone for helping us with surpassing our goal of raising $2500.  I've included pictures of our plaque, as well as the Awareness Award we received for our attempts to educate and share our experiences as they relate to the fight against cancer, specifically ovarian cancer and it's silent symptoms.  A big thank you to everyone who participated this year and an extended invitation to join us next year!!

I may have posted the poem below before, but I like it so much it never gets old!  Since I began this post with a 'bird' quote, it's only fitting that I end it with a 'bird' poem. 

Hope is the thing with feathers

That perches in the soul,

And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.

I've heard it in the chillest land,
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.

~ Emily Dickenson

'If we are facing in the right direction, all we have to do is keep walking.' ~ Buddhist Saying

Relay for Life 2010 has ended and the Frills for Teal team did awesome!  This year we had more team members and raised more money for cancer research.  The Frills Team met our goal of raising over $2,500 for Relay, all while educating and raising awareness of ovarian cancer.  Yay!  Each year it seems we touch just a few more people (which is exactly what we're hoping to do) - every person truly does make a difference.

The 26th Annual Relay for Life was held at East Gaston High School on May 30th, 2010.  The Frills Team prepared for a night of good friends, fun and raising awareness (and a little cash too).  Everyone got in on the act - walking, selling trinkets, modeling ribbons - you name it!  As we watched the survivors take their lap, kids (and grown ups too) line up to buy glow sticks, and shared our story with people who wanted to know why we were teal, it was inspiring to know that we are all in this together.  After all, it will take all of us to beat this disease, offer support and push in order to find answers.

 As we drug ourselves off of the field and to the car (no camping out as an early morning soccer game was upon us), I don't think any of us realized that Frills had accomplished more goals than we had thought about setting for ourselves.  And I guess meeting one goal, only leads to bigger and better things so...WE'RE READY!

We look forward to next year, raising more money for cancer research and educating more people on the importance of paying attention to the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer.  So, as we prepare to head to the Relay Wrap Up next week we begin putting together ideas for our Third Annual Frills for Teal Fundraiser.  We are excited to make this year's event bigger and better than those in the past (if nothing else maybe a little more dry than last year)!

We don't say it enough but thanks to everyone who continue to offer their time, suggestions, encouragement and spirit to our cause.  We are truly thankful and couldn't do it without you!!  

When the world says, "Give up,"

Hope whispers, "Try it one more time."

~ Author Unknown

"Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish." ~ John Quincy Adams

HOLY MACARONI!! The huge yard sale was a huge success!  The Frills team was able to make over $1100 this Saturday at the Second Annual Relay for Life Yard Sale.  We owe a big thank you to Ebenezer United Methodist Church for the use of their parking lot as this seemed to provide the perfect opportunity for all passers by to see what we were selling and lure them in.  We are also extremely grateful for all of those who donated items to be sold and/or stopped by just to offer words of encouragement.  THANK YOU BUNCHES!  The day started out very early and was a little soggy but this didn't seem to dampen anyone's spirits.  And in the end despite the 4:30am start, aching muscles and out of control organizing it was all more than worth it.  I didn't get to take many pictures because my camera died but here are a few...

dawn breaks and Jon helps out by serving breakfast (Bojangles); Patty and Chuck getting ready to 'man the fort.'






Sheri and Jeremy finishing the organizing of it all and start the selling early...

Chuck helps this wonderful yard sale patron affix his newly purchased jeep to the back of his Saturn.  We all prayed that he and the jeep actually made it to Kings Mountain in one piece!


Thanks everyone for everything that you did to make this yard sale a huge success!!
Please join us at the 26th Annual East Gaston Relay for Life on April 30th as we walk to raise awareness of ovarian cancer and celebrate those of have fought their own battles with this disease (as well as the many other forms of cancer).

"Only as high as I reach can I grow, only as far as I seek can I go, only as deep as I look can I see, only as much as I dream can I be." ~ Karen Ravn

'The great thing in the world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving.' ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes

...and we are definately moving forward in our efforts to raise awareness and prepare for the 26th Annual Relay for Life!  On March 13th, circle #5 from First United Methodist Church in Stanley put together a quilt show and bake sale to benefit the Frills for Teal team.  These ladies worked hard to put together their annual quilt show where quilts up to 100 years old were on display (in addition to a few pretty tasty goodies).   Everyone was invited to vote on their favorites and the blue ribbon was awarded to a quilt that depicted each state as well as it's capital, bird and flower.  Wow!  What hard work!  We are extremely grateful for all of their hard work as they raised and donated close to $300 to Relay for Life.  Here are a few pics for those of you who missed it!                                                                                               

  

In addition, the Frills team would like to also thank Aubrey Quinlin for all of her hard work in putting together the Tastefully Simple fundraiser!  The Frills for Teal team is currently gathering anything and everything for our Frills Yard Sale.  This will be our last fundraiser prior to Relay for Life.  Come one, come all - we have a little bit of everything...from children's clothing and toys to anything you could possibly need for your kitchen!!  We will be excited to see you all there (and if you bring us a biscuit or a doughnut there could possibly be a discount in it for you!!).  

If you can't make it to the yard sale, be sure to stop by and visit our tent during Relay as we have a little something special planned that's sure to put everyone in the spirit for a good party!  In the meantime, if you're reading this and you haven't been personally thanked please take a moment to do something special for yourself as you and your efforts are truly appreciated!!    

'Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being.  Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light.'  Thanks to all of you who continue to do this in the name of educating and raising awareness of ovarian cancer.