Walking with a group you get two benefits!

I have to tell you about a wonderful experience I had this evening. It has to do with taking care of yourself. I have walked on and off for several years. The past four years I have walked with a wonderful woman named Mirame Jacobs from Mason, OH. She is our fearless leader. I belong to a great group called the Mighty Mason Walkers. There are over 25 people in our group. We annually get ready to walk the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati, OH the first weekend in January. My friend Amy G. and I walked our first full marathon with Miriam in 2008. Amy G. and I got separated along the second half of the race. I would never had finished the full 26.2 miles if Miriam hadn't come along the last three miles. I had blistered the whole bottom of my right foot. Amy G. and I walked the half marathon 13.1 miles the next year with out any incidents. I did the half marathon again last year with my next door neighbor Janice and three other wonderful ladies Annie, Amy C.and Pat. All great women that I met walking with the group. The friendships I have developed have been my strength during a very difficult time.

This year when we began training in January I had a numbness in my right side. I couldn't walk. After researching the problem we discovered that I had Moyamoya Disease which resulted in a brain by pass surgery to increase the blood flow to my brain. This happened on March 24, 2011. If it weren't for my walking buddies old and new, my husband, my children, my family and many other great friends. I wouldn't be able to get through this experience. Everyone has gone out of their way to help by coming over to spend time with me, walk with me, and make food for us.

Miriam, Janice, Pat and Amy C. all wanted Paul and I to join the group tonight as they celebrated with a pasta dinner before the Flying Pig. Paul and I were welcomed with open arms and the walking coaches even included me in a ditty that they sang at the dinner. MoyaMoya Disease often effects 1 in a million in the United States, it often is found during the age of 5 and 40. I am 49 this year. We believe the walking has helped to keep my arteries open longer. One thing I know is that the friendships that I have made and the miles we have walked are two amazing benefits for both my physical and mental health. I may not be able to walk the Flying Pig tomorrow morning, but I am not going to give up. I will walk with all of them at the Pig in 2012.

Rutter Farm in Rutledge, TN 10 minutes from Bear Den South

Do you like fresh farm produce, wonderful herbs, pork, sausage and bacon? Paul and I just got to visit Ritter Farm on Hwy 11w. It is only 10 minutes from the house and has fresh Granger tomatoes, Strawberries and seasonal fruits and vegetables. They also make tomato salsa, juice, other jam's and jellies. We love fresh tomatoes so this was a treat for us. We often make BLT's or LT's for our vegetarian friends. We also love a great tomato salsa or bruchetta.

Join us at Bear Den South on Cherokee Lake for our next craft weekend July 22-July 24th and tast the great food of the area.

Liz

Join Us at Bear Den South for a Scrapbooking Getaway!

Are you tired of running around after kids? Is work stressing you out? Do you need a break and love to scrapbook or hang out with friends. Come join us for Mama Bear’s Retreat at Bear Den South!

You can lay out on the deck and read, scrap in the large recreation room, drift on the lake in the kayak, or sit in the relaxation station.  Be served home cooked meals, hot chocolate chip cookies at night or smores by the fire pit.  Enjoy 48 hours of scrapbooking until your hearts content.

Mama Bear Retreat  

Friday, July 22-Sunday, July 24, 2010

Hours

Check in time: Friday 3:00 p.m. (early check in by request)

Check out time: Sunday 3:00 p.m. (late check out by request)

Check us out at www.beardensouth.com 

Getting ready for a beautiful Spring and Summer at Bear Den South

The lake is beautiful. The sun is shining and the wind is gently blowing. I have missed being here since our Friends and Family Scrapbooking weekend in January 2011. We had a great group of seven women. Everyone made new friends and amazing food made the weekend very special. A snow fall only made the scenery more beautiful. The nice thing about the craft room is everyone can crop if they want or read a book by the fireplace. We even had a great game of Mahjong one evening.

This spring and summer we will have even more fun. A night on the lake in our new Duffy Electric Cruiser. Wine and cheese as we take a break on the lake in the cove.

We hope you will join us for one of our other retreats. Bring a friend or come alone. You are sure to make new friends.