Blog Archives
Baby Steps
Fear of success is very common, and I’m no exception. I’m one of those people who does well out of the gate, and then fades back into the pack. I get distracted, or bored, or overwhelmed. Sometimes it takes a bit, but if I care enough I’ll usually put on my “big girl panties” and buck up.
This is the time of year when that often happens. In the U.S. we are enculturated to start things in the fall, with the start of the school year. This also means temperatures are a little cooler, which I prefer. There is less humidity (and pollen) so breathing is easier. I also know in 8-10 weeks I’ll be running into the holidays and I’d like a head start!
Last week was a week of “getting ready”. I don’t feel as though I actually accomplished much, but I did set up some important appointments. I had some networking opportunities and I’m preparing a presentation for later this week. I started sending off my dry-cleaning (I have a lot as I’m still cleaning out closets of oversized clothing). I even took a gander at flylady.net!
I made an appointment with a tailor to talk about wardrobe and alterations. I made an appointment with a professional web developer. (Getting free help from friends hasn’t been a rousing success so it’s time to bite the bullet!) I signed a contract to have a piece included in a new anthology (Burying the lead? More on this when there’s a publishing date.)
Rather than being grumpy, I’m looking forward to this week filled with possibilities. I still will be “getting ready”, but I seem to have energy for moving forward again. It’s a good change in the weather.
Happy Birthday Gilda
What a difference a year makes! Last year at this time I was just starting out as a volunteer at the newly opened Gilda’s Club Twin Cities. I was blogging about my to-do list as I prepared for surgery.

This is where the Gilda Greeters sit welcoming folks into the clubhouse. It’s a perfect volunteer spot for me!
Gilda’s Club, dedicated to the memory of Gilda Radner, is a welcoming community of support for anyone living with cancer, along with their families and friends. It’s a place where everyone is welcome, where no one faces cancer alone.
This year when we went to the Gilda’s Club Friends and Family Birthday celebration I participated in most of the events. Orion and I met some new friends, visited with old friends and enjoyed the Clubhouse atmosphere. I spent much of the day on my feet, and didn’t think anything of it.
The Clubhouse is really settling into itself. The gardens continue to expand, making lovely healing and meditative spots to just sit and enjoy the sunshine. There is the fairy garden, the new waterfall and picnic area (the first photo was taken there) and the healing fountain and gardens.
Last year the healing fountain was dedicated and Orion and I made stones for people we knew who had dealt with cancer. He made one for my Mom and I made some for friends I’ve lost to this pervasive disease. This year, unfortunately, there were more stones. Orion made one for me!
Inside the kitchen is often in use for classes or just the staff throwing something together for anyone who drops in. I decorated cupcakes and made Orion eat one, poor thing. I’ve attended several events in the kitchen this past year. (What can I say, if there’s food I’m more likely to show up – even now!)
The Expressive Arts Studio often displays projects members have created. That’s where we colored our stones for this year. It’s a great place to work out feelings through art. I’ve taken the Homemade Card Making class and had a lot of fun.
There was a lot of vibrational healing going on. We got to do a gong meditation in the Mind Body Studio. Orion and I also did some drumming in the Community Room. He’s pretty excited to show off his new rhythms the next time he gets to a drumming circle.
We participated in some short improvisation workshops put on by the folks from Brave New Workshop. Jenni Lilledahl, one of the owners of Brave New Workshop is also one of the founders of Gilda’s Club Twin Cities. It’s great to have their support. The workshops were a lot of fun.
The biggest change though is when I compare the family portrait Orion and I took last year to the one we took this year. My daughter was talking to old friends, catching up. When they asked about me she told them I was genuinely happy. Maybe I am. I’m certainly grateful that so much has changed.
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