Teal Diva goes global

today we begin our trip to africa.  i can't even believe i just said that.  you know how when you say you want to do something and some of what you say seems so far out of reach but then when it becomes attainable, you have to take a moment and ask yourself...am i dreaming? 

i plan to turn our route to africa teal.  i have teal nail polish.  i have t-shirts.  I have teal ribbon stickers.  i have awareness cards in swahili and english.  and by golly, i have the excitement. 



i would like to dedicate this day of our trip to my good friend ruth.  today is ruth's survivor day:)!  we both had the same type of cancer...clear cell.  a little about this amazing lady...she is one of the most genuine people you could ever meet.  hopefully we all find strength in our cancer diagnosis...ruth found hers by giving back to other cancer patients through jewelry.  she makes earrings and GIVES them away to other survivors and their caretakers.  you can find these beauties in the infusion room at presbyterian hospital in charlotte, nc.  ruth will also be the calendar girl for presby this year representing ovarian cancer...you go girl! i will be taking a pair of these fab baubles with me on the climb. 

i will also be taking the following items from people who are no longer with us or could not make the trek themselves...or those who are not crazy enough to do it.  here are a few items I am taking with us...

the above and below photos are a combination of items from my friend Theresa, Carin with Lydia's Legacy and earrings compliments of my mom made with the oh so talented Ruth Reynolds.  Carin started Lydia's Legacy after losing her mom to ovarian cancer.  Lydia loved seashells.  I know she will be close to us and we will certainly pull from her strength.

This is from my friend Patsy.

this is just a reminder of everything i have been through and where i was at 2 years ago.

this bracelet reminds me to have the faith of a mustard seed from my stepmom, a fellow survivor.  she also is letting me borrow the teal scarf.

the bracelet is from an angel who will be watching over us.  we will pull from kelly's strength as well.

we also want to take this time to thank our sponsors of our trip:

so as we begin travels, i leave you with this...

may the drinks be plentiful and meals be fresh; may those who are sick stay home; may those who travel with children who cry, run up and down the aisles and/or kick the back of your seat, take another flight.  may those who think bathing is for sissies, bathe.  that goes for brushing your teeth too.  may those who think a belt buckle will not set off the metal detector be in the line opposite us and that goes for those who wait until the last minute to remove their shoes in security.  may the ticket counter person love their job and the movie selection people choose good movies.  may the pilots get a good nights rest.  when our climb on kili begins, may any pain with legs and feet go away quickly.  may the food be edible and water be drinkable.  may the altitude sickness skip our group...any sickness for that matter.  may we all make it to the summit.  and may God shine down on us with safe travels and bless us with his presence at all times.

oh, for all you haters who think i don't update my blog enough (because i don't)...i have scheduled updates for every day of the week:):):):).  just for you!  **MUAH!**  I do plan to journal and update upon my return.  I have heard that service can be quite slow so bare with me on updating with live updates.