Sunday 14 September 2008

When opportunity knocks

For over ten years I had a home based business selling Weekender Ladies Wear, which was very proudly Canadian owned, unfortunately the company closed its doors this summer after 25 years of business. Very sad.

Being a S.I.NK. (single income, no kids), I'm finding it more and more difficult to maintain my meager lifestyle, what with gas prices soaring, well let's face it, just about everything soaring.

Just like all of you, I work hard for my money (If I knew how to do it, I would have put in Youtube, Donna Summers singing "She works hard for the money", but I'm not blog savvy enough)... oh, wait a minute, I take that back! LOL.....




With the Weekender doors closing it left thousands of people out of work. Not being the kind to sit back and wallow in self pity, many of these women found other jobs and home businesses to work at. Last week I was introduced to a at home business called Silpada. My long time friend called to tell me about it and of course would I like to book a home party...well, why not.

I'm all about the Bling as you know, so why book one party when you can book two....hey, why book two parties when you can do the business....Now the wheels are turning....So, yes, once I get the Half Marathons over with, I'll be back in business (no, I'm not quitting my day job), as a Silpada Independent Sales Representative to supplement my income....Once I'm fully signed on, October 1st, I'll be throwing a link to my new business and you can oooogggeeellleee the jewellery, give me a call, drop me a note...whatever...sorry there is no cross border shopping! Sorry.....but if you come to visit........LOL.

Anywhoooo, back to my passion.

I got two really nice runs in this weekend, after not being able to get my butt out the door during the week. Saturday's 6K run was awesome, no garmin, just me and the sounds of nature.

Today was hot, humid and sticky, but it didn't deter the many runners and walkers who were participating in the Terry Fox Run today.

Just in case you've never heard of Terry,

About Terry Fox

Terry Fox was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and raised in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, a community near Vancouver on Canada's west coast.

An active teenager involved in many sports, Terry was only 18 years old when he was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma (bone cancer) and forced to have his right leg amputated 15 centimetres (six inches) above the knee in 1977.

While in hospital, Terry was so overcome by the suffering of other cancer patients, many of them young children, that he decided to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research.
He would call his journey the Marathon of Hope.


After 18 months and running over 5,000 kilometres (3,107 miles) to prepare, Terry started his run in St. John’s, Newfoundland on April 12, 1980 with little fanfare. Although it was difficult to garner attention in the beginning, enthusiasm soon grew, and the money collected along his route began to mount. He ran 42 kilometres (26 miles) a day through Canada's Atlantic provinces, Quebec and Ontario.

It was a journey that Canadians never forgot.

However, on September 1st, after 143 days and 5,373 kilometres (3,339 miles), Terry was forced to stop running outside of Thunder Bay, Ontario because cancer had appeared in his lungs. An entire nation was stunned and saddened. Terry passed away on June 28, 1981 at age 22.

The heroic Canadian was gone, but his legacy was just beginning.

To date, more than $400 million has been raised worldwide for cancer research in Terry's name through the annual Terry Fox Run, held across Canada and around the world.

Many of the participants today were wearing survivor shirts, ribbons, T-shirts with the photo of lost loved ones, some were being pushed, some were on bikes. There were families holding hands, groups of kids, people young and old. It was truly amazing to see. And also amazing were all the young volunteers at the water stations along the 10K route, young people riding their bikes offering support, first aid and kind words....

So nice to see that Terry will never be forgotten and that what he started so many years ago has grown worldwide!

I got my 12K in today and it felt great...

Life's fun if you don't weaken,

Lily

22 comments:

Wes said...

I hope that your job situation works out well for you!! I hate it when businesses close down (especially when they are mine ;-)

I get behind most things involving cancer. It is an issue I believe in.

Way to go on your runs!! I think you've found your mojo!!

E said...

Nice job on the 12K!

Run For Life said...

I feel you on the rising costs of living and hope the new sales thing works out.

You know the Terry Fox loonie? As soon as I got one I put it in with my running medals because it just seemed fitting.

Awesome job on the run!

C said...

What a great race.

Way to go on the run and on getting a new job.

Now back to reforming my rear-end into the shape of this uncomfortable desk chair...

Marcy said...

Do you work with US customers? :P Hit me with a link when you get up and running. I'm like the queen of Cookie Lee and Lia Sophia LMAO

bluecolnago said...

someday lily, someday cancer's butt will be kicked. there are so many great efforts going on out there to raise the funds to do it.

glad you got some good runs in! keep smiling!

Vava said...

Nice running, and good luck on the new venture!

Jess said...

I've read about Terry Fox in Runner's World, very inspirational, and the races hosted in his honor are a worthy cause to run for.

Nitmos said...

I got a feeling lots of folks will be joining the Need Work lines as the months progress in this sad market. Hope I'm wrong. Way to fight on! Don't weaken.

Gotta Run..... said...

Love the bling! Just my taste.

Good luck with your new adventure.

BeachRunner said...

Great run. Good luck with the new job.

Frayed Laces said...

Thanks for your kind words babe! YOu sure know how to make a sista feel better!

Nancy said...

No cross boarder shopping? Seriously? Do you know how much I like jewelry? Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.

It is definitely cool that Terry Fox is remembered. I had an amazing pic of him on my blog once. He is such a story and an inspiration.

XOXO

Unknown said...

Good job on your 12K.

Hope the new business thing works out for extra cash

triguyjt said...

hope you can get alot of cha---chiiiiing in the new venture...

terry fox was amazing...what an inspiration..and its incredible how much has been raised in all these years since...

Vickie said...

We have Silpada here. Good luck with that! And good running. I'm having a hard time getting my distance in too. But we'll survive the races!

Unknown said...

Great job on the run and that is such an inspiring story!

Kim said...

No cross border trading? Darn it.

Like the new look...refreshing. I like yellow.

Amy said...

Hey Lily,
I received a Silpada necklace from my parents for my birthday and just love it - we (mom, Jenny and myself) have all been trying to do the 14 pieces of jewelry challenge - my best day was about 7 I think! Good luck with the new business! And thanks for the inspirational story about Terry Fox. He was a real hero.

AddictedToEndorphins said...

In my neck of the woods there is a "Terry Fox Community Centre". I just think that it should be noted, if Terry Fox was alive today, I would marry his son (hed be a wee bit old). He's amazing. Im so close to buying his diary-biography thingy.

Good luck with the business thing.

SEE (actually I will) you in like 10 days!!!!!:)

Carly said...

Good luck on the new venture. That sounds really exciting.

What a great race for a great cause.

Marci said...

Let me know when your buisiness is up and running. I'm a real sucker for jewelery! Hope we get a chance to meet at Scotia. Post race drinks?!