big news, long post, many thanks........

You guys I have to share this.. Marie Johnson is a friend and book club sister (above with Becky). She can't be with us for Relay but man is she a volunteer. Here's what she's been up to;

Handcrafting beaded bookmarks for the book sale
Collecting books
Getting others involved with collecting books, including Starbucks
Donating $$ online
Luminaria donations
Help with decorations & miscellany:)
Contacting Pepsi for free bottled water
best of all she asks "what can I do to help?" AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!

Now for Nancy Huddleston, editor of the Savage Pacer and longtime friend/partner in crime and one of the best gals ever... (also above with Becky). Nancy has been so great about helping get the word out- telling her neighbors about the book sale after the River Hills Days garage sales:) and donating luminaria $$, and she is putting out press releases for south of the river publications- watch for it! This is help we can't say enough about, so thank you to Nancy!! You're the best!!

Another special thank you to Laura at Curves of Savage, she has set up a table in the middle of the room and let us put a preview of the book sale there! I've got flyers displayed and a few books for early sale thanks to her! Hopefully all those ladies will come and shop with us the 18th- Curves of Savage has the nicest group of women, I really like it.

When you add up all the great people who are pitching in, along with all of you on the team it's kind of overwhelming. Becky is blessed with awesome, energetic, giving and creative friends! Her team is going to shine along with all the others at Relay- I can't wait to see it all pulled together. Speaking of that, here are some new details;

1. We have a photographer!! Her name is Pam and she is awesome. Here's where you can see some of her work http://pamjphotos.blogspot.com/
Pam will be taking candid photos of the event to share and team or family photos for purchase, she's just the right person for this- so fun! It's going to be perfect.
2. Team fundraisers are happening that night- hope floats, awareness bracelets, cereal from the Blazettes just to name a few. This will be going on all night so bring $$ - most items will be $1 but prices will vary. The bottom line is THERE WILL BE SHOPPING!!!!!!!!!! (and snacks)
3. We're working out the details for contests- you all need to be aware & prepared! Best Mamma Mia costume, best cowboy hat, best campsite, best cardboard car (just wait)..


Ok I'm out of news! More to come, things are rolling now so keep checking in!

Brenda

Luminaria

Thank you all for collecting luminaria, it is truly overwhelming. Your tributes and memorials are meaningful, filled with purpose and strength. Becky and I talked this weekend about the progress the team is making and we are blown away- you guys rock!
Any luminarias turned in early are appreciated, the Hardgroves are putting them out in alphabetical order (first name) so they are working on it as they come in. You can give yours to Becky or Jess or myself, and you can bring them to the book sale- you can also get more at the book sale if you've run out. Becky's mom will be there with markers & supplies for those who want to decorate that day- thank you Pat! Each and every luminaria represents someone special who has been affected by cancer, remember the people in your lives with cancer "in honor of" or "in memory of". Get as creative as you like, we've seen many with punched designs, old photos, drawings by children- anything goes! Remember that the top inch will be folded down and the design should be focused on the front of the bag where the Relay logo is.

Brenda

Full moon for Relay

photo: Jess Irwin

Here's a little fun for our relay, Jess has ordered a full moon for us :)

Sunset - 8:31pm

Civil Twilight ends - 9:03pm

Moon phase - Waning gibbous, 97% illuminated

Moonrise - 8:44pm

We are working on an idea to bring telescopes and do some stargazing in the early morning hours- more on that later!

Congratulations Becky

Hooray for Becky, she's done with chemo!! I share with all of you the sense of relief and hope for the future.... and the word for today is REMISSION!!!

Only 52 days to go until our Relay For Life. Are you all ready? Let's celebrate with Becky that night, it's an all night party after all! I am sending out team member packets soon so watch your mailboxes.

A big thanks to Marie Johnson who is making bookmarks to sell July 18! Also- we still need books for the sale! Remember anything goes! DVDs & CDs, audio books, cookbooks, hobbies & crafts, magazines, computer and xbox type games, board games, all fiction & non fiction books. We are kind of short on kid books, cookbooks, sci-fi and crafts. Let your neighbors know, it's garage sale time and maybe people having sales would donate their unsold books to us.

More later, have a great week!

More books

Oh my gosh the books just keep coming! I went to Iowa this weekend to see family and brought home over 300. Earlier this week book club gave well over 100, and a neighbor of mine just gave me 2 boxes which haven't been counted. I'm guessing we are close to 2500 now! Great job Becky's Believers!!!

book sale update

Oh the book sale, it's snowballing! Over 1600 books donated so far and more are on the way. We will easily reach the goal of 4000 books for sale on July 18 and all you readers are going love the shopping, we really have a good variety. Don't forget Jamie is selling baked goods as well! Can't wait!! Volunteers are still needed for transportation and set up- help me get these books out of my garage!!!!!