The blog entry below outlines the purpose and rules of this drawing. Basically, for every $5 donation made to Dennis' Team in Training (Lymphoma & Leukemia Society) I will include your name in a drawing for great scrapbook products (see photos below).

After making your donation, post a comment here to let me know your name, email address and donation amount. You can also email me yourinformation if you don't want to announce it online. My email is PrincessKaren@Superheavy.com.The more donations that are made the bigger the package will get so tell your friends.

A winner will be drawn at the end of April.

Make your donation here: Team In Training Website
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Maya Road has generously donated the beautiful vineyard chipboard set (5 cards each of 4 patterns), two adorable chipboard keychain embellishments, a container full of luxurious velvet flowers in bright colors as well as blue, pink and black velvet ric rak.
(Thank you so much Maya Road!! We love you!)

Here is a photo fo the whole prize package together. (click photos for larger images)

The products in the prize package include:
All Maya Road items listed above
5 sheets of Teresa Collins' very cool {Extreme Boy} paperz - patterns on both sides (not yet available in stores)
5 sheets of Janna Wilson's Fanciful paperz - patterns on both sides (not yet available in stores)
1 sheet of Fanciful chipboard letter topperz (not yet available in stores)
Nine sheets of Scenic Route Rockland papers (all have patterns on both sides)
Tim Holtz for Junkitz Junk Bag (black)
Heidi Swapp Abbreviated roller date stamp
Making Memories dark pink jumbo blossoms with pebble brad set
Petaloo green florettes with beaded centers
4 spools of ribbon from Prima and American Crafts

Sadly, seven years ago this month, my Dad died after a very rough battle with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. My heart will never heal. My sorrow is immense. On the bright-side, I am pleased to say two of my close friends have won battles with Lymphoma in the last couple of years. Because of these connections I have become a regular supporter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I hope you will take the time to read the folowing letter I received from a long-time friend of mine. If you can help even a little, please do.

I have already made my donation and in an effort to help Dennis surpass his team's goal I will personally offer a little incentive! For every $5 donation made to Dennis' Team. I will include your name in a drawing for a package filled with brand new scrapbook items. After making your donation, post a comment here to let me know your name, email address and donation amount. The more donations that are made the bigger the package will be so tell your friends. Maya Road just shipped me a generous donation to add to the prize package and I will post a photo of everything collected so far when that box arrives. A winner will be drawn at the end of April.

Team In Training Website

ETA: Please make sure to post here after you make a donation so I know to include you in the drawing. You can also email me your name, email address and donation amount if you don't want to announce it online. I don't want to leave anyone out unintentionally. My email is PrincessKaren@Superheavy.com.
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Dear Family and Friends,

My legs may wear down. My toenails will likely fall out. I'll burn through more calories in one day than in a weekend spent sweatin' with Richard Simmons' oldies. Fatigue will be a fact of life.
I'll definitely stink.

I'm running a marathon.

As many of you know 2006 was a season in hell for me and my family. For 2007 I've decided to up the ante by training to run 26.2 miles in the San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in June. I'm not doing this merely for the catharsis found in pain and physical exertion. Nor am I doing it for the sole glory of testing my personal limits. The main reason I'm taking on this challenge is for my dad, Bud Johnson, who spent the better part of last year undergoing treatment for Mantle Cell Lymphoma.

While the year was rough on all of us Johnsons, Bud also took on the rigors of chemo, radiation, and stem cell replacement therapy. It was an intense treatment schedule that took a toll on him physically, but if you know my dad you'll understand that he never complained once. He came out of it in great shape and is now sporting a head of new curly locks where ruler-straight hair previously grew.

Though my dad will be on my mind with every footfall, there is a bigger picture here. In choosing to run the marathon, I've partnered with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training program. As a team, our Long Beach chapter is committed to raising thousands of dollars for the society's fight against blood-related cancers. As an individual, I've pledged to raise at least $3,000. I'm asking for your support in reaching this goal.

With his original diagnosis, Bud joined the estimated 112,000 people diagnosed each year with leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, lymphoma and myeloma. Luckily, as my dad's progress shows, there are an increasing number of advances in treatment methods, and the research continues. With your help I'd like to raise awareness for and contribute to this cause, not only for the patients, but also for their families.

Donations are tax deductible and 75% of my pledged amount of $3,000 goes directly toward curing these blood-related diseases. Our tax ID is 13-5644916. Please help by clicking on the link below and give whatever you can before March 10 2007. I look forward to supporting this research, honoring my father and, literally, exercising a few of my demons.

Team In Training Website

With thanks and appreciation,

Dennis

Monday Update: Fire is 80% contained and all is well. Over 2,00 acres burned. 800 firefighters on location. Today we have blue skies again and smoke in the distance. Thanks for all the positive thoughts sent our way.





Here is what we are looking at today. I took these photos from our front porch and the deck off my master bedroom. The air is thick and the street are full of fire fighters. You can click on the photos for more detail. Sadly, a couple of homes have already been lost.

I have resigned from my position as Marketing Director at Scrapper's Bliss. I loved working there so much but have decided to step back from the scrapbook industry all together. I am making more time for my family and myself and at the same time reclaiming my passion for a hobby I once loved. I am thrilled that Trish Harwick accepted the offer to replace me at Bliss. She is a well-organized, fun and enthusiastic person whom I greatly admire. Those of you who know her, know that she is always full of exciting ideas and the life of the party. Scrapper's Bliss will continue to have the great contests and celebrity chats as well as a first rate design team so keep them on your "places to be" list.

To the Bliss Girls, especially Andrea, thank you for all the inspiration, laughter and support. I will still be hanging around so you haven't gotten rid of me completely. I hope to remain friends with each and every one of you.