Yeah for Media coverage!

Hoorah! Two of my events have had media coverage and I super appreciate the coverage and most of all it is great to get more awareness out there about Arthritis!

Check out the articles here:

SNAP BARRIE

SEAWAY NEWS

ONLY $800.00 TO GO!!!

Please donate to my campaign online @

http://arthritis.akaraisin.com/p/nancypaquette.aspx

Crop out Arthritis!!

Crop out Arthritis was a great success!

On October 2nd scrapbookers participated in an all day scrapbooking event at Auntie Em's in Cornwall. This was by far my most successful event throughout my fund raising!

25 ladies reserved a seat and cropped the day away from noon to midnight. Two Guys Burgers and Fries generously donated dinner to all the participants and opened their windows to the general public.

It was a fun filled day with lots of contests and prizes.

Thanks Emma for opening up your doors to this event and I am glad we got to celebrate your birthday with a fun filled day!



Thanks again to all of you for coming out and giving generously!

Pics to come as soon as blogger allows me to upload again since they are down for maintenance.

GRAND total of the DAY 1250$

Thanks for coming Linda it was nice to have you there.

Fiona!! It's so nice to see you and live close to you again!! Thanks for coming.
Here is France she looks like she is having a great time :)

Togas were rocking

September 25th we had a rocking toga party at Rockie Racoons in Toronto. The night was a lot of fun we had a turn out of around 50. The blackjack tables were a great hit and the night ended with lots of dancing.

Thank you Anissa for inviting us to host the event at Rockies it turns out it was sort of a good bye party for Brent and I cause I found a job in Cornwall and Sunday I was driving to Cornwall. I can't imagine a better place to say good bye!

Thank you to Labatt, Sheridan Nurseries for some great prizes as well as the Dishes for keeping us entertained all night.

Best toga went to Katherine and Dino and funniest toga went to Teresa (loved the blanket toga :)

Thanks to everyone who helped out and everyone that wore a toga it was super appreciated.

photos will be uploaded shortly once the function is re-enabled

Our Trainer - Notre entraîneur

This is Sue our trainer for the Joints in motion program. I asked her a few questions about her experience as a runner and the Joints in Motion program. I thought I would share this with you so you better understand how this all works and the wonderful support system that I have around me.

Sue est notre entraîneur avec le programme Arthro Action. Je lui ai posé quelque questions de ces expérience avec Arthro Action. Je pensais partager le tout avec vous.

When did you get into running?
I started running in 2003. I was never a runner but was curious about it!

Quand as-tu commencé à courrir?
J'ai commecé en 2003. Je n'avais jamais courru mais j'étais curieuse.

How many marathons have you done?
6 marathons, several half-marathons, one 30km and one half-ironman

Combien de marathons as-tu complété?
6 marathons, plusieurs semi-marthons, un 30km et un semi-ironman

How you became involved with Joints in motion?
I started with Joints in Motion in 2004. I was at a Women's Show with my mom who has Arthritis and saw the Joints in Motion stand. That year Dublin was being offered which is a place my mom had always wanted to go to. Unfortunately, my father had passed away before the trip to Ireland could become a reality. So, it made perfect sense to raise money for a good cause and bring my hero along with me. Since then I also did Switzerland and Arizona with Joints in Motion.

Comment es-tu devenu impliqué avec Arthro-Action?
J'ai commencé avec Arthro-Action en 2004. J'étais à un Salon de la Femme avec ma mère qui souffre de l'arthrite et j'ai vue le kiosk Arthro-Action. Cette année là c'était à Dublin ce qui est une place que ma mère a toujours rêvé de visiter. Malheureusement mon père est décédé de réaliser ce rêve pour ma mère. C'était donc parfait! Lever des fonds pour une bonne cause et ammener mon héroine avec moi. Depuis j'ai aussi fait la Suisse et Arizona avec Arthro-Action.

What is your involvement in the running community?
I am training the Joints in Motion Ontario team. As well, I put on my own race called Erica's Wish. This race was started in support of Erica Scarff. A 12 year old girl diagnosed with Osteosarcoma. The same cancer as Terry Fox. The first Erica's Wish was on Erica's 13th birthday to celebrate her birthday and the end of her treatments. This is a 5k/10k or a 1k fun run in support of kids with cancer. This year Erica's Wish blankets have been made to be distributed to kids in Oncology upon admission into Sick Kids Hospital.

Comment es-tu impliqué dans la communeauté de coureur?
J'entaîne l'équipe Arthro-Action Ontario. En plus j'organize une course Erica's Wish (Le veu d'Érica). Cette course a commencé comme soutien pour Erica Scarff. Un jeune fille de 12 ans qui souffre d'Ostéosarcome. Le même cancer que Terry Fox. La première course a eu lieu pour célébrer sont 13ième anniversaire et la fin de c'est traitement. La course est un 5km/10km our 1km amusant pour supporter les enfants qui souffrent du cance. Cette année des couvertes "Erica's wish" ont été distribué au enfants dans le quartier de cancérologie durant leur admision à l'hopital Sick Kids

What is your favorite thing about helping our team reach it's goals?
I enjoy helping people reach their goals. Being that I have done the fundraising and the training several times, I know first hand what needs to happen to reach your goals. It is an honour for me to see all these fantastic participants working so hard raising money for a great cause. Race day is the graduation, its the work now that is hard. I cannot wait to hear each week how people are doing whether its been a good or bad week and offering whatever advice I can to keep them going.

Qu'est que tu aimes le plus d'aider notre équipe atteindre c'est but?
J'aime aider les gens atteindre leurs buts. Puisque j'ai fais les levés de fond et l'entrainement plusieurs fois je sais ce qui est nécessaire pour atteindre ces buts. C'est un honneur pour moi de voir tout les participants fantastique qui travaillent si fort pour amasser des sous pour une bonne cause. La course c'est la graduation, c'est le travail maintenant qui est difficile. J'ai hâte de voir d'entendre a toutes les semaines si c'est une bonne semaine ou une mauvaise semaine et offrir tout l'avis que je peux leur donner pour qu'ils continue.

Any advice you have for people who want to get into running?
Anyone can run. You need to start slow and have faith in yourself. With a proper program and a clear head, you can reach your goals.

As-tu des suggestion pour les gens qui aimeraient courir?
Tout le monde peu courir? Il faut commencer lentement et avoir confiance en soi. Avec un bon program et la tête clair, vous pouvez atteindre vos buts.

TOGA PARTY

It's official I will be having a Toga Party September 25th at Rockie Racoons!!

The day after I signed up for this crazy adventure I talked to my friend Anissa and right away she thought a Toga party would be a great way to help me out.

So here is the logo with the name we have given it...


It's Saturday September 25th so mark your calendars now.
It will be $10 per ticket and that includes your first drink. WHAT A DEAL

Togas are encouraged but if you refuse to sport a toga then please wear white.

C'est officiel il y aura un party toga le 25 Septembre chez Rockie Racoons!!

Aussi tôt que j'ai commencé cette aventure mon amie Anissa a tout de suite décidé que ça serait super avoir un party toga.

C'est le 25 septembre notez-le dans votre calendrier.
Les billets sont $10 par personnes et cela inclus votre premier brevage.

Les togas sont fortement encouragé mais si vous refusez de porter un toga SVP porter du blanc.

THANK YOU - MERCI

Strike out Arthritis was a great success!

Here are some photos from the event. Thanks everyone for coming out and having a fun evening of bowling and prizes.

Here we are Krista and I taking a quick second to get a picture together before we got too busy.

Here is a team that came up from Blackdown
Here is Brent being a great help and selling those 50/50 and raffle tickets

Rick won the 50/50 draw and generously donated the $127.75 back to Krista and I. Thanks Rick!

Here are some great friends that came all the way from Toronto to support me.
Thanks again guys hope you had a good time.

Another team that participated and made it a family outing since mom suffers from Arthritis
and as you can see she's not old!!
(she bought a button from me that said: I'm not old and I have arthritis. She just loved it)

Thanks again everyone I finished the night with $680!

I'd also like to thank our sponsors that generously donated prizes.
Specially Bowlerama! They made the event easy to plan and ensured we all had a great time.

ONLY $3504.72 TO GO!!!

Please donate to my campaign online @

http://arthritis.akaraisin.com/p/nancypaquette.aspx

Tonight is the big night - Enfin ce soir

Hello everyone just wanted to remind you all that tonight is the big night! I can't wait for it to start...We have a good group of at least 55 people registered and we are hoping that everyone brings a friend. The bowlerama staff were nice enough to allow us to have people register the night of since we are doing it for such a good cause so this is my last shout out to all of you if you can make it out please do!

I know a lot of people say I will just give you a donation instead but we worked so hard to set up an evening of fun for all of you that we would much rather see you there smilling and enjoying yourselves. So PLEASE PLEASE make it out if you can.

Hope to see you all there.

Barrie Bowlerama
320 Bayfield Street
7:30pm tonight

ONLY $4394.72 TO GO!!!

Please donate to my campaign online @

http://arthritis.akaraisin.com/p/nancypaquette.aspx

Bonjour tout le monde je voulais vous faire un petit rappel que c'est ce soir! J'ai super hate que ça commence...On a déja 55 personnes d'enregistrer et on espère que tout le monde amènera un ami. L'équipe à Bowlerama on décidé que les gens peuvent s'enregistrer ce soir même puisque c'est pour une bonne cause. Donc voici mon dernier rappel joignez-vous à nous ce soir.

Je sais que plusieurs personnes me disent qu'ils vont me donner un dont à la place de leur présence mais honnêtement nous avons travaillé tellement fort pour organiser une soirée de plaisir entre amis donc si possible SVP SVP SVP venez nous rejoindre.

À ce soir

Barrie Bowlerama
320 rue Bayfield
19h30 ce soir

SEULEMENT 4394,72$ À AMASSER!!!

Pour contribuer visitez:

http://arthritis.akaraisin.com/pledge/Participant/Home.aspx?seid=2152&mid=9&pid=276614

Macarons! - Buttons!

La semaine dernière mon amie Kate m'a invité chez elle pour faire des macarons. Elle a une machine qui fait des macarons.

Donc après le travail je me suis rendu dans son nouvel appartement et on a conçu nos macarons. Elle a été très généreuse et m'a donné 100 macarons gratuit que je pourrai vendre afin de levée des fonds. Ce fût une super belle soirée entre amie et en plus j'en suis sortie avec des super beaux macarons.

Merci Kate!!

SEULEMENT 4394,72$ À AMASSER!!!

Pour contribuer visitez:

http://arthritis.akaraisin.com/pledge/Participant/Home.aspx?seid=2152&mid=9&pid=276614

Last week a friend of mine Kate invited me over to make buttons. She has a pro button maker that makes real professional looking buttons. How cool is that?

So after work I headed over to her new apartment and we made our buttons. She was super generous and donated 100 buttons to my cause that I will be able to sell to fund raise. It was a great night with Kate and Greg plus I came home with 100 super awesome buttons.
Thanks Kate!!

ONLY $4394.72 TO GO!!!

Please donate to my campaign online @

http://arthritis.akaraisin.com/p/nancypaquette.aspx

Today I'm gonna to try to change the world

Today I was driving back from visiting with Brent for the weekend and I heard this song on the radio and I instantly wanted to share it with you all.

When people ask me why I signed up for Joints in Motion I try to explain that even if I love what I do for a living: it definitely doesn't change the world to publish a magazine that encourages a materialistic lifestyle. I want to do more with the time I have been given in this world and since Arthritis is something that affects many people around me especially my hero I thought why not help change the world a little bit.

This has been a great experience definitely tough at times. Some days I want to quit cause it's been a week without a donation or because I just don't want to run anymore but then I have to remember that those who are suffering from arthritis don't get to just quit they have to keep trucking through life and I need to accomplish this goal. I often think of what it will be like to cross that finish line in Greece and I don't think I can even imagine the feeling.

So today I'm going to try to change the world. Will you please help me and donate?

ONLY $4611.75 TO GO!!!

Please donate to my campaign online @

http://arthritis.akaraisin.com/p/nancypaquette.aspx

I found the lyrics for those of you who are interested:

TODAY I'M GONNA TRY AND CHANGE THE WORLD
GONNA TAKE IT ONE DAY AT A TIME
I'VE MADE MY RESOLUTION
I’VE OPENED UP MY EYES
TODAY I'M GONNA TRY AND CHANGE THE WORLD

I'M GONNA SAY HELLO TO MY NEIGHBOR
GREET HIM WITH A SMILE
SHAKE THE HAND OF A STRANGER
SIT AND TALK FOR A WHILE
TELL SOMEONE I LOVE THEM
FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART
TODAY I'M GONNA TRY AND CHANGE THE WORLD

(REPEAT CHORUS)

GONNA MAKE SURE MY CHILDREN
KNOW THERES A RIGHT AND WRONG
I’LL NEVER TURN MY BACK
ON THOSE OF US WHO NEED SOMEONE
I’M GONNA TRY TO SEE MYSELF
THROUGH ANOTHERS EYES
TODAY IM GONNA TRY AND CHANGE THE WORLD

(REPEAT CHORUS)

TODAY I'M GONNA TRY AND CHANGE THE WORLD
TODAY I'M GONNA TRY AND CHANGE THE WORLD
NOT FOR ME, BUT FOR THOSE I'LL LEAVE BEHIND
I'VE MADE MY RESOLUTION
CHANGE IT ONE DAY AT TIME
TODAY I'M GONNA TRY AND CHANGE THE WORLD


Thanks for the inspiration Johnny Reid

My Secret! - Mon secret

Je vous cachais un secret depuis presque deux semaines. Mon secret c'est Krista! Krista a trouvé mon blogue sur la page the Arthro Action Ontario et elle a vu que j'allais faire un évènement à Barrie cette été. Donc elle m'a contacté et demandé si je voulais collaborer. Évidement j'étais super excitée.

On c'est donc rencontré après l'entraînement d'équipe et on a jasé probablement un peu trop de tout nos plan pour atteindre nos buts. Le mien étant évidement 6800$ pour le marathon d'Athène et 5800$ pour le semi-marthon des Iles Caïmans pour Krista.

Donc je suis heureuse d'annoncer notre première collaboration le 26 juillet nous aurons une soirée Bowling au Bowlerama Barrie. Joignez-vous à nous pou 20$ par personne ou une équipe de 6 pour 100$ et oui 6 pour le prix de 5!!!

La soirée commencera à 7:30 pour l'enregistrement et les souliers (inclus dans le prix) suivi de deux heures de bowling cosmic. En plus il y aura plusieurs prix de participation et des tirages excitants. Donc si vous êtes dans la région de Barrie joignez-vous à nous pour une soirée de plaisir.

SEULEMENT 4611,75$ À AMASSER!!!

Pour contribuer visitez:

http://arthritis.akaraisin.com/pledge/Participant/Home.aspx?seid=2152&mid=9&pid=276614

I've been keeping a secret from you all! My secret is Krista. Krista found my blog on the Ontario Joints in Motion page and saw that I wanted to do something in Barrie this summer so she contacted me and asked if we could collaborate. Of course I was super excited.

So we met in the afternoon on the same Sunday we had team training and chatted for way too long about our event and all the other things we are planning to reach our goals. Mine being $6800 for the Athens Marathon and Krista's being $5800 for the Cayman Islands Half Marathon.

So I am happy to announce that we will be hosting a Bowling event on July 26th at the Barrie Bowlerama. Join us for an evening of fun $20 per person or a team of 6 can pay $100 that's right 6 for the price of 5!!

The night will begin at 7:30 for registration and shoe selection (shoes are included) and then 2 hours of cosmic bowling fun. We both have tickets available for sale. There will be great door prizes and amazing raffle prizes too. So if you live in the Barrie area or even if you live in Toronto and want to drive up for the night why not? This will be my first big event and I hope to get some support from all of you.

ONLY $4611.75 TO GO!!!

Please donate to my campaign online @

http://arthritis.akaraisin.com/p/nancypaquette.aspx

Sunday Morning Training - Entrainement dimanche dernier

Up at 6:30 am last Sunday in order to join the team for our first team training session. We planned to do 6k and ended up doing near 8k. We trained at Erindale Park in Missaussaga it was quite nice a nice gravel trail along a river.

Here are a few pics of us From last Sunday we had some pretty nice smiles even after the training.

And you will notice that Brent came along he is a huge help he trains with me whenever he can it's
great to have such a supportive boyfriend.

On c'est levé a 6h30 dimanche dernier pour ce rendre a l'entraînement d'équipe. On devait faire 6km et en fait on a fait presque 8km. On c'est entraîne a Missaussaga au Parc Erindale sur une belle piste au bord de l'eau.

Voici quelques photos qu'on a prise après l'entraînement. Vous allez aussi remarquer que Brent c'est join a nous. C'est vraiment superbe avoir du support de la part de son chum.

Entrainement - Training

Bon je vous ai dis comment je vais atteindre le 6800$ maintenant c'est le temps de voir comment je vais atteindre mon but ultime le marathon 42.2km. Si vous clicker sur le calendrier en haut vous allez voir que j'ai ajouté le plan d'entraînement pour l'été. L'entraînement commence officiellement dimanche même si je cours depuis le jour de mon enregistrement.

On se rencontre à 7:30 dimanche matin pour notre premier entraînement de groupe. Je ferai 6km. Je pense que ça serait super si vous me faites des dons de 0.25$ par minute (ou 15$ de l'heure) pour le temps que vous passez confortablement dans vos lits pendant que je m'entraîne dimanche matin.

J'ai calculé que je voyagerai 819kms seulement en entraînement cette été et en plus les plus beau 42.2km de ma vie. Mon premier marathon j'ai tellement hâte.

Donc vérifier mon calendrier de temps en temps et lorsque vous placez la sourit au dessus d'un événement vous verrez les détails et j'essayerai de mettre à jour comment ce passe les entraînement.

SEULEMENT 4790$ À AMASSER!!!

Pour contribuer visitez:

http://arthritis.akaraisin.com/pledge/Participant/Home.aspx?seid=2152&mid=9&pid=276614

So I have told you what I am doing to achieve my $6800 fund raising goal but what about getting ready for the ultimate challenge my very first marathon! If you click on the calendar tab above you can see that i have entered the training plan for this summer. It all starts this Sunday although I have been running since I signed up.

We are meeting at 7:30 am Sunday morning for the first training run. I will be doing 6kms. Maybe you can all donate $0.25 (or $15 an hour) for every minute you get to sleep in more then me while I train.

I have calculated and this summer I will travel a whopping 819kms just in training and then I will top it off with the best 42.2kms of my life. I am so looking forward to this day.

So take a look at the calendar and when you mouse over an event a little window will pop up with details of that event. I will try to post on the calendar how the run went and my general feelings and progress.

ONLY $4790 TO GO!!!

Please donate to my campaign online @

http://arthritis.akaraisin.com/p/nancypaquette.aspx

Fundraising - Levée de fonds

Fund raising has been a challenge it is so time consuming but I enjoy coming up with ideas for this. I am already at $1900 raised thanks to all of you.

Up to now I have done the following:

Card Sale
I have made cards and have received cards as donations from Mrs. Wheeler for sale I sell them at $5 each this has been a great success and I hope to keep it going throughout the summer. I am also hoping to get them up on my etsyshop so that everyone I know can get access to them.

Freezies
My coworkers have been a great help buying jumbo freezies for $1.50 I also hope to keep the supply going throughout the summer we have already sold over 60 and have just refreshed the supplies. I love hot summer days they definitely help with the Freezie sales.

Yard Sale
I had a yard sale with Kathy a fellow marathoner and she was generous enough to donate all proceeds to my cause we made $175 in one morning. Don't think this was the most efficient way to raise money so I will sell the leftovers on Craigslist and Kijiji hopefully I will get more out of it.

What's Next:
Bowling Party in Barrie
I am working on setting up a bowling night in Barrie this summer to have my friends from Blackdown and the Barrie area out to help me out. More details to come.

Toga Party
My friends at Rockie Racoons were my first big helpers as soon as I signed up they agreed to have a fundraising toga party for my campaign I will keep you posted as the details are available.

Charity Crop
My friend Emma from Auntie Em's Scrapbooking is offering the October crop as my charity crop. I am hoping to have 2 guys Burgers & Fries sponsor us for food and I am also putting together an interesting array of prizes for a silent auction. I have 24 seats to fill so I will give you the info as soon as it's all ironed out.

Car Wash
A few girls from the team and I are working on setting up a carwash for this summer. Once I get the details I will send them your way and hopefully you can come out and show your support.

Tag Days
The girls and I are also working on getting out there and having tag days at certain stores we are currently requesting permission from certain stores but I will be sure to keep you posted. You will have to come out and see us in our Togas :)

Now you see all the hard work I have to put into this on top of the training so please visit this link and help me reach my goal.

ONLY $4900 TO GO!!!

Please donate to my campaign online @

http://arthritis.akaraisin.com/p/nancypaquette.aspx

La levée de fond est définitivement un défi. Ça l'occupe beaucoup de mon temps. Mais j'ai déja amassé 1900$ merci à vous.

Jusqu'à maintenant j'ai fait:

Vente de cartes
J'ai fait plusieurs cartes à la main et j'ai aussi reçu un don de la part de Mme. Wheeler. Je vens les cartes pour 5$ chaque et c'est un énorme succès j'espère de continuer durant ma campagne au complet. J'espère aussi commencer un magasin Etsy pour donner la chance à tout le monde de profiter de mes cartes.

Mr. Freeze
Mes collègues de travail sont super. Je leur vends des Jumbo Mr. Freezes pour 1.50$. J'espère aussi continuer too au long de l'été. J'en ai déja vendu 60 et je viens tout juste d'en mettre d'autre au congélateur. J'adore les journées bouillantes d'été c'est définitivement un plus pour la vente de Mr. Freeze.

Vente de garage
Kathy et moi (que vous avez rencontré dans un dimanche de levée de fond) on a fait une vente de garage. Kathy est super genereuse et m'a donné le montant complet qu'on a accumulé 175$. Ce n'était pas un énorme succès donc maintenant je vais vendre les restant sur Kijiji et Craigslist.

À venir:
Soirée Bowling à Barrie
Je travaille pour organiser une soirée bowling à Barrie cette été pour mes amis de Blackdown et Barrie. Détails à venir.

Party toga
Mes amies chez Rockie Racoons on été mes premier 'helper' aussitôt que je me suis enregistré il ont voulu m'aider à faire un party toga au mois de septembre. Détails à venir.

Journée Scrapbooking
Mon amie Emma chez Auntie Em's Scrapbooking à Cornwall m'a offert la journée scrapbooking du mois d'octobre. J'espère que Deux gars complètement patate nous serverons notre souper. Je travail aussi sur un encants silencieuse avec des prix assé interessants.

Lave-Auto
Quelque filles qui font aussi partie de l'équipe vont collaborer pour faire un lave-auto. On travaille présentement a trouver un lieu pour le faire.

Tag Days
On travaille aussi pour aller amasser des fonds au portes de certaines entreprise. Vous allez devoir venir nous voir dans not toga :)

Maintenant vous voyez toute l'effort que je fais et ceci en plus de l'entrainement SVP visiter ce lien et aidez moi à atteindre mon but.

SEULEMENT 4900$ À AMASSER!!!

Pour contribuer visitez:

http://arthritis.akaraisin.com/pledge/Participant/Home.aspx?seid=2152&mid=9&pid=276614

Un dimanche matin de levée de fonds - Sunday morning fundraising

Dimanche dernier j'étais debout beaucoup plus tôt que d'habitude pour me préparer pour ma première vente de carte au public général. Kathy une co-équipière a découvert qu'il y avait une vente artisanal dans laquelle on pouvait participer sans frais.

Donc on c'est rendu a Wytchwood Park a 9am pour ce préparer. On c'était bien organise Kathy a amené les nappes et moi le petit toit et nos cartes.

La vente c'est bien passé il n'y avait pas beaucoup de gens mais on a eu de bon encouragement de la part des gens que nous avons rencontré. J'ai vendu 46.75$ de carte en 4 heures de vente ce n'etait pas trop pire mais une fois arrive avec BAAA (mon auto!) Nous avons trouve un contravention de stationement 30$ quand on c'est stationne on a passe quelque minute a lire la pancarte de droite qu'on a pas porté attention a celle de la gauche sous les feuilles :( Donc en fait je me suis levée tôt pour un total de 16.75$.

Au moins on a eu de l'expérience et on espère en faire une autre cette été. La prochaine fois j'aimerais vendre des photos aussi. Si jamais vous conaissez une place ou l'on peut vendre notre art pour levée des fonds SVP partager avec nous.

Pour contribuer visitez:

http://arthritis.akaraisin.com/pledge/Participant/Home.aspx?seid=2152&mid=9&pid=276614

This pas Sunday I was up early to join Kathy a JIM teammate at a craft sale. She had found out that there was a special event and we could participate free of charge.

So we got to Wytchwood Park at 9am sharp and got all set up. We were pretty organized Kathy brought the tablecloths and signage and I had the roof.

The sale went well there wasn't a lot of traffic but we got a pretty good response from most people. I manage to sell $46.75 of cards not too bad for a slow 4 hours. Anyway once we got back to BAAA (most people know that I affectionately call my car BAAA because of her license plate number) She had a surprise for us under the wiper. Yeah you guessed it! a $30 parking ticket! When we got there in the morning we spent a lot of time figuring out the sign on the right and usually the midnight to signs are to 6am or 8am I personally had never come across a 10am one and since the 10am was behind leaves I assumed...Lesson learned never assume.

So in short I got up way too early for $16.75 but in the end it was worth it. We learned a lot about how these sales work and we are hoping to do another. Next time I would like to sell some photographic prints as well something I have always wanted to do but have never gotten around to it. If any of you know of a place where we can sell our artwork to help us reach our goals please share.

Please donate to my campaign online @

http://arthritis.akaraisin.com/p/nancypaquette.aspx

Nadine a Friend for life - Nadine une amie pour la vie

Now let me introduce you to Nadine! Nadine and I have been friends for almost as long as I can remember I think my first memories of Nadz (as we affectionately call her) are from grade 2 or 3. I remember going over to her house after school to swim and sleepover parties. In grade six Nadine went to a new school for smart kids :) She's very smart. So we were apart until high school funny how when you are young simply changing schools changes the whole dynamic of a friendship.

We quickly found each other the first week of high school and never let distance get between us again. I have had my fare share of moves from Cornwall to Barrie to Alberta back to Cornwall to Montreal and finally to Toronto. The coolest part is that now I find myself living only a short 5 minute drive from Nadz just like when we were little.

Nadine has suffered from Arthritis for a very long time. People often associate the disease with old age but this frustrates me because it affects people of all ages. Nadine never complains she is truly a strong woman. Sure she had to miss out on many nights out camping with friends because of the pain but you never hear her complain. She was always honest about not being able to come along and we respected her decisions to stay home when the pain was too much. If only there was a cure.

I am happy that I can finally do my part to help. Help the girl that was there through those rough years of high school and even helped me write my speech for my sister's wedding! Which was a big hit BTW!

The 6800$ that I will raise will be used to fund research for treatments and a cure for Arthritis. Remember I need your help please follow this link to donate.


Bon voici une introduction à Nadine mon héroïne! Mes premiers souvenirs de Nadz (sobriquet que nous lui donnons) date de la deuxième et troisième année. Je me souviens de plusieurs après midi dans sa piscine et des parties de fête chez elles. En sixième année j'ai perdu Nadine de vu puisqu'elle est allé à une école pour les bollés! Elle est super intelligente voyez! Et quand on est petit si on ne se vois pas à l'école ça change complètement la dynamique entre 2 amies.

Mais une fois rendu au secondaire on c'est vite retrouvé je dirais même en dedans d'une semaine. Et jamais depuis avons-nous laissé la distance nous séparer et il y en a eu de la distance puisque je suis déménager de Cornwall à Barrie à Lethbridge (Alberta) de nouveau à Cornwall à Montréal et finalement à Toronto. Le plus cool c'est que maintenant nous habitons à 5 minutes tout comme quand on était petite.

Nadine souffre depuis longtemps. Souvent l'arthrite est associé avec l'age mais ce n'est pas toujours le cas. Nadine se plein jamais elle est très forte. Certainement elle a dû manquer du camping avec des amies à cause de la douleur mais elle ne chiale jamais. Elle a toujours été honnête et on respectait sa décision de rester chez elle a cause de la douleur. Si seulement il y avait une guérison.

Je suis super contente que je peux finalement aider. Aider mon amie qui a été là pendant les années du secondaire et qui m'a même aidé avec mon discours pour les noces de ma sœur! Ce discours a été un grand succès en passant.

Le 6800$ que je vais amasser ira à la société de l'arthrite pour la recherche. J'ai besoins de vous pour atteindre mon bût visiter ce lien pour donner.

Pour contribuer visitez:

http://arthritis.akaraisin.com/pledge/Participant/Home.aspx?seid=2152&mid=9&pid=276614

Please donate to my campaign online @

http://arthritis.akaraisin.com/p/nancypaquette.aspx

What is JIM all about?

First I guess I should start by explaining that JIM is not a man it's the acronym for the Joints in Motion program. I was lucky enough to notice a poster on the subway and decided I should find out what it was all about. After checking out the website I spent the night tossing and turning with excitement for this adventure.

A week later I attended the info session with the intention of participating in the Everest trek but unfortunately the dates were not good for me. But as soon as they started talking about the marathon in Greece it was clear! That was the one I was to participate in. So this October I will be running my very first marathon in Greece!!! The best part of this adventure is that I am able to participate in something huge in honour of my lifelong friend Nadine who has suffered from arthritis for too long.

The goal is to fund raise 6800$ and take part in a 20 week training plan...It is a big commitment but what better reason to get up and move and make a difference.

Through this blog I hope to keep my supporters informed and updated on the training and any events I plan for fund raising. Please go to this link and donate your support is much appreciated.

So here I go.