Car Wash with the Cub Scouts!

What a beautiful day to be outside and to see Schuyler with his friends raising money for the Cub Scouts - Car Wash, Bottle Drive and donating items to fire victims (10 families lost their homes in a fire).

Here are a couple great photos from the day!

AND a very cool tshirt sighting "10 reasons why I wear pink" on one of the older boys, that I thought was just so cool.....

From Concept to Congratulations - Nancy Cook - featured speaker to the AMA

The AMA has monthly speakers at their luncheons and I was recruited by Paul Shurr, a SUNY marketing professor and volunteer with this group. He was in Steve's Pro Jam group at Mt. Snow in December prepping for his level 2 skiing, and after talking to him about what I do for ACS, he asked me to come and speak to the group. He was especially supportive yesterday, as well as Courtney (a fellow Vermonter) and the new incoming chairperson, who stayed after to help me pick up my speakers and computer equipment I had brought to the event.



Keith, ACS Regional Director (from Lake George area) and Michelle (Strides manager from Albany) were able to join me at the luncheon. Michelle actually helped with the ppoint and it was great to have the local connection there for the group. Great people as always - my ACS colleagues. It was a last minute note to the Upstate team and they were so great to make the time to come and support me.



The announcement of my talk to the group is posted here to see the summary and what they published in the newsletter. All great stuff. Good for the ACS to reach out, good for me to outreach and talk to marketers in the field. And great to be re-energized!








More of what they published on me and the talk about the NCTP. It was a great experience for me and really has energized me in my position right now. One must reach within themselves, sometimes get positive feedback from their supervisor, but this is great way to help feel good about what you are doing and know that you are making a difference.

Here is the link to the AMA

Here is the summary of my key points

1. How to maintain momentum while starting from scratch in your market by sharing experiences of participation and success in a nationwide forum.
2. Strategies to foster success among diverse audiences. Whether it is a smaller office based in New Orleans, Miami, New York City or LA, the NCTP to engage with each company in every region through resources provided to volunteers and staff.
3. Incorporating key values into your message. Finding a “mission match” and how these companies have made a difference in the fight against cancer through community values. We will look at some examples of companies and how they have sent key value statements in promotion of involvement in the community and how it benefits them to support that outreach and philanthropy.

Here is the link to the videos i showed at the luncheon - and it all went very smoothly! Thanks to my husband, the MAC and the Dell speakers, everything fell right into place!

Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back.

Corporate Appeals with the NCTP

One more thing:
Keith wrote a wonderful note to his colleagues as a follow up to seeing me at the event. (another really cool feel good thing for me) : )

Good evening All,
Michele Mack and I were honored to be the lunch guests today of Nancy Cook, National Director, Corporate Relations, American Cancer Society Relay For Life and Employer Initiatives... She was the Featured Speaker addressing The American Marketing Association's Capital District Chapter at Wolfert's Roost Country Club...

It was great to meet an ACS member who deals on a National Stage and to hear her recount the incredible genesis of what now number 37 RFL National Business Partners from a modest start of 4 when she started out on this National initiative... Her efforts have manifested themselves in many of our Capital District Relay Team's Relays including PARTY-LITE, BESTBUY,DRESS BARN/MAURICE's,METRLIFE,WALMART and on and on...She has really distinguished herself...

Nancy did a great job, was very personable, ( Michele even worked her Powerpoint presentation for her :-) ) and was a Fun, lady to boot...

Attached you will find a photo that a Photographer in American Marketing Association was kind enough to send to Michele and me of the three of us....

Any questions, then please do not hesitate to reach out to Michele or me...

Have a Great Friday!

Keith d. :-)

My favorite things...

My true love
Brown paper packages tied up in string,
Pearls of joy
Purple jewels for Dad
Earings that sparkle
A smile
A hug
Snowshoeing in the trees
Skiing fast
Friends
Coaching my girls
Running with my dog
Photographing action
Biking with Schuyler

These are a few of my favorite things

Why we do what we do.... a note from a colleague

Why we do what we do...

A difficult client. A new PD win. A 16 hr. day ending 180 degrees different than expected. A lost AFL pitch. A new Consulting win. An all-hands on deck mtg. to resolve a potentially deal-breaking issue. A crazy co-worker. A new RFL NCTP company. A tough decision. A happy client. A disappointing outcome. A new EI product. A challenging vendor. A major QL win...

A tiny sampling of the highs, lows, good times, and bad that we all encounter in our ACS EI work.

And "good" work it is...

Last weekend was our local Relay For Life in our little town of Oakdale, CA (pop 18k). I walked the opening survivor lap with a long-time friend, Mark and his wife Mila. Mila is a breast cancer survivor and doing well. Mark is a beloved family man, revered local coach, outstanding community citizen, a man of high morales and ethics, a role model for all.

And now in the fight for his life.

A few weeks ago, Mark was diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer, and is currently undergoing treatments. He gathered his strength and came out to the Relay for the opening ceremonies, needing a steady hand to help him through, but determined to finish the lap.

Your commitment to our cause, to the mission of the American Cancer Society, your tireless efforts, long hours, wins, challenges, opportunities, and all that makes up you "work day" has helped Mila beat her cancer and be there for her husband and children as Mark goes through his own cancer journey.

You and your efforts are bringing hope to the Dickens family that Mark will beat this disease, that their children won't be faced with the trials that both of their parents are facing, that someday the Luminaria ceremonies at Relay events worldwide will only have bags with candles in them that read "In Honor of..." not "In Memory of...".

You are saving lives. You are changing the course of this damned disease. You are appreciated and valued more than you know...

I have the privileged to have the best co-workers one could ask for and am proud to be your teammate.

Thank you for what you do.

Kevin

Baby Red Tail Hawk in our front yard-

We got home from the transfer station on Saturday to see this beautiful bird in our front yard perched and "hanging out" with our other animal friend: Bug (bunny), Sammy (squirrel), and all the little chick a dees that just flutter around. The wonder of living in the woods! I had my little Canon and had to zoom, so the quality isn't as good as my D50 - - but this was a quick reminder to keep the D50 with me for these special times you run into the "perfect photo".

The first mountain bike ride of the year!

We live on 42 acres in Belchertown, mostly woods... that connects to trails - connecting to a path wide enough for 4 wheelers and more out in the woods. The trails are known for recreational use in the area and the other day Steve and I walked the property showing me the boundary lines and the land. Really cool to be in the woods and exploring... once we got the bike for Steve we have been clearing the land, so finally today we connected the back yard to the trail in the back, clearing the little trees and making way to get on the trails. Once the trails were cleared we took Oakley and went out exploring and connecting the area through the trail network. We rode for 2 1/2 hours up hills, through swamps, mud, rocks and had a blast! Steve had his first crash going over this tree lying in the trail diagonal and hit some rocks. OW! But got back on and we connected to the road and went home.

Here are some photos to mark the day - - so much fun to be together and enjoy the outdoors and get some great heart pumping exercise!

Cub Scouts - the PACK experience

OK - for those friends who want to have a boy - newly married, or otherwise... this is the ultimate "boy" mom experience to share..... I wish I could do it justice, because you just had to be there. We (Schuyler & I) went to our first cub scout Pack meeting - and proud Pack 57 was surely no disappointment. Having been a brownie and 4H girl growing up on the farm, I love the community, environmental living and camping aspect to the scouts - - so we signed up! : )

It was awards night and the boys in all the groups, Tigers, Bobcats, Wolves & Weeblos all earned patches and beads and belt loops for the all the achievements and activities. They all were very excited about the first camping trip and spoke of the winter trip too - where the polar bears were all praised for braving it in the cold. The scout master was a great leader, enthusiastic and really kept things moving and fun - as the night was a long one with the boys coming up from each den.

They (the different dens came up one by one) to show their achievements.... shadow boxes they made to store the US Flag, "Green-up" activities and planting trees for Earth day (they gave all the boys a sapling to bring home and plant), just to name a few of the activities. Schuyler and his buddy Frankie were excited to get the patches and beads.... and Schuyler was mimicking the magic activities as they were showing them "on stage"... It was a good meeting, and we are looking forward to it.

There is this "staff of power" that the dens take turns decorating to share at the meeting and the excitement around this "team symbol" is really fun to watch! To those "super moms" that are trying not to over schedule their kids this is one activity that is worth the time and social and educational for our boys. : ) Next the car wash! Can't wait for those photos!

Above are some special "brand" photos and one of Schuyler and his friends... just goofin'.

Good & Healthy - Roasted Garlic

My favorite dish - this little garlic shaped Le Creuset garlic roaster that I have had for a few years. Steve & I love roasted garlic and as you can imagine it is best to eat garlic with your friends & family & not by yourself. : )

Testing out different recipes I found that using 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil and 1/2 cup of water makes the sweetest, tastiest garlic ever! season with a little pepper and you are good to go! Eat alone with your meal as an appetizer or with some french bread and olive oil right from the roaster! : )

Yummm!

Mountain Racing Summer?

OK - I am having a difficult time committing to racing this year for some reason. I just got back from the doctor and between health issues and the unknown, I am just "on the fence" and need that energy bus more than ever!

So I am here waiting for Steve to come home from the gym and searching Cool Running for a local race, and those old favorites that may fit into the calendar for the season. I definitely need something, another goal, another race .... so these are my thoughts so far....

2008 La Sportiva USATF NEW ENGLAND


The 2008 LaSportiva USATF New England Mountain Running Circuit is the 13th annual series promoting competition in New England Mountain Running and encouraging the running community "to support the sport" by becoming a USATF member. The circuit consists of six races, with runners' points scored from their best five races. The Northfield Mountain race repeats as the USATF-NE Trail Championship, and the Loon Mountain Race serves as the NE Mountain Championship.

Most events in the circuit take place on the same weekend each year, but there may be changes in dates and times. Regretably there are always going to be conflicts with other running events and running series. Entry forms and results are posted here when available.

The 2008 series:

Series Overview, course descriptions, profiles, and color pix at the La Sportiva site
May 24 - Wachusett Mountain, Princeton MA, 4.3 miles, 9:30 a.m.

June 1 - Pack Monadnock, Wilton to Temple NH, 10 Mile, 9:00 a.m.

June 7 - Northfield Mountain Run, Northfield MA, 9:00 a.m.
USATF-NE Trail Running Champs. 10.3Km (6.4 miles)

June 29 - Cranmore Hill Climb - North Conway NH, 10K men and women.
USATF and USATF-NE Mountain Running Championship
Multi-loop up-and-down. 21st annual. Sponsored by Inov-8.

July 6 - Loon Mountain Race NH, 12 km (all uphill).
C
July 12 - Mt.Ascutney Run to the Summit, Windsor VT, 3.8 mile, 9:30 a.m.

The cool thing about the series is that if indeed I can work in all 6 races then I get a "bypass" of the lottery for the Mt. Washington Road Race. So I looked more and this is the "grand daddy of them all for mountain races" - The US Mountain Running Championships. Sounds like a great goal for me. Whadyathink?

My issues are with schedule in June and July thinking about trips to Oregon and California - so we shall see. Otherwise I will at least get a taste....

Other Races???
Big Lake 1/2 - my buddy Tina is planning this one - - could be a great family trip! registration closes May 4!
Timberman - just because I did so well and it really was great, or do I try the new 70.3 in Rhode Island?
October 4 - Applefest 1/2 marathon, Hollis, NH
October 19 - Nike Woman's Marathon, San Fransisco, CA

That is my plate so far... I didn't want to over due it but... well I need a push, some inspiration and some more goals, new goals... gives me new life!

You are divine!

My goddess bowl. My very cool skiing and bike riding friend Stephanie, who now lives in Hopkinton with her very cool skiing, bike riding husband and 2 gorgeous girls got me this bowl for Christmas one year... I used to take portraits of her girls and they are so photogenic! It was a joy to be with them every time, especially the 2 year old's party at the Chinese place in Bow. Very fond memories in deed. Well it is this bowl that I get my inspiration with breakfast in the morning. Cereal is my all time favorite food, I could eat it 3 meals a day! So this morning I thought it was worth a blog post - - my "goddess" bowl I call it... we have salsa in it once in a while, but mostly my cereal and when I eat to the bottom - I get the message. Positive inspiration - the energy bus - finding it everywhere - - look here in future posts for more! The makers of this COOL AWESOME bowl? Our name is MUDD. Cool eh?

Speaking of mudd - I ran the trails again this morning - thinking of racing Xterra and trail runs this summer... I will need to take some time to search. But it is fun navigating through the rocks and the mud. Although in the rain Oakley comes out a muddy mess & the shower begs for me completely covered in mud when I arrive home! FUN!

New Orleans Bread Pudding from Suzanne

Preheat oven to 350
Butter 13" x 9" pan

Break 1 loaf day old french bread into chunks.
Pour 4 C. milk over bread
Break up bread until all milk is absorbed
Beat 3 eggs and 1 cup of sugar until smooth
Stir in 1/2 cup raisins, 2 Tablespoons vanilla, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Pour over bread and combine
Pour into pan and place pan into a larger pan filled with 1" of water
Bake 1 hour

Her note to me - still haven't tried it but just found it so I thought I would post and try soon!

I got it off of a magnet that I bought in New Orleans. Mmmm.... I'm getting hungry just writing about it.
Let me know if you make it!
Happy Holidays!
S




Suzanne Prochazka
American Cancer Society, Midwest Division
Vice President, Relay For Life Business Unit

Big Boy and his toys!

Landscaping the backyard this weekend - - leveling the land, and moving dirt around to get ready to seed! Shopped this week online for a rake for the back of the John Deere and then... we drove around Belchertown and Hadley looking for the perfect rake to do the work. We talked to the first place about a York rake that would need to be ordered. So we drove to the next stop in town - Orchard HIll Farm & Equipment on Federal Street - they are a Woods dealer and Steve talked to the guy for quite a while learning about the right one to buy.... so we are now the proud owners of a Woods 107 - 72 inch, medium duty rake! Steve has spent quite a few hours last night and all day today going around and around the yard, raking up the big rocks and leveling out the land. It is starting to look really great and ready to seed! Me - I can't wait for the grass to grow and have a green back yard!

Say it with a Tshirt!

From the Boston marathon "athlete's village" - this girl had a number 13,000 plus and had a Timberman hat on - so you know she is hooked. Not quite sure why the 100% BS comes from, but I smiled when I saw it.....




Our friend (11 years old) Carson had this shirt on as he jumped, skied and rocked Sugarbush. He skis better than 90% of the adults I know... and is A LOT of fun to ski with! The shirt is from Whiteface, but Carson skis Mad River Glen, VT ( on a daily basis, and his dad is a former National Team member and is better than 99% of the adult skiers in the country!

"The saying on the MRG tshirt / bumper sticker is "Mad River Glen - Ski it if you can!", and they mean it! That gives you an idea of the terrain these kids ski every day.... Skiing the "bush" was great, although I was still pretty sore and not moving real fast in the bumps!

Boston marathon photos - RUNNING

Marathon Photo took some great photos!

2008 Boston Marathon

Boston Marathon 2008 - Results! 



At the Expo "shopping spree" - lucky I didn't come home with the car!




My racing flats - now on their 4th marathon. LUCKY socks from Kat & Mia! My nike-plus (which didn't turn on...) and a view of Athlete's Village from the ground up!

3:18:35 - I finished the 112th Boston Marathon!

Here are my results from the BAA page.
3800 Cook, Nancy E. 43 F Belchertown MA USA

Checkpoints 5k 10k 15k 20k Half 25k 30k 35k 40k
0:20:51 0:42:08 1:04:25 1:27:26 1:32:27 1:51:43 2:17:02 2:43:09 3:07:44

0:07:35 pace
3:18:35 - finish time
3979 overall
381 - woman
64 - master

I felt pretty great the first 16 miles and then slowed a bit in the middle. I was on a pretty good pace and felt a little strained, but kept telling myself to feed that friendly dog! I remembered all my friends and family cheering for me too! Thanks for all your energy. More later.


We didn't go dancing, but had a great meal in the North End at "Mama Maria's" after my limp home to the T and back to the Marriott for a nap. : )

The hills gave me strength, it was just not my day to PR, but I am very happy for my results (faster than Chicago in October!) - - AND I qualified for Boston again with this time. Now to look ahead to the next challenge!

Top reasons to run the Nike Woman's Marathon

Date: October 19, 2008
Nike Woman's Marathon

Next on the docket for a "big" marathon is a goal that I have had for a few years to run the Nike Woman's marathon. I went to the site to check out registration, knowing these runs that are so popular sell out - - and I was correct. They did a lottery for a week - 22,000 ppl would be selected. I entered before we left for BC and am happy to report that I got in! So we are celebrating our first wedding anniversary (Oct 20) in San Fransisco. I will bring my wedding dress for dinner and Steve is bringing his tux! The race will be great, maybe I will wear white and run with a pseudo veil - and he can marry me all over again! I love to plan this stuff....

See below the benefits and my reason to pick this marathon to run in the fall!

Whooo Hoooo - - ok - now back to getting ready for Boston. : )

TOP REASONS TO RUN NIKE MARATHON in October!

1. 2008 Nike Women’s Marathon is sold out! And I got in!
2. A beautiful race. A noble cause. A weekend to remember.
3. The on-course chocolate mile
4.Elegant Finisher Necklace by Tiffany & Co.
5.Every last detail has been planned with a woman in mind.
6. Extraordinary views (nice way of defining its HILLY course!) - It’s time to lace up for the race. A flatter new course starting in SF’s union square designed to deliver even better scenic views of the city and the bay.
7. Treats along the trail.
8.Pedi-care station to pamper yourself mid-race.
9. IT'S ALL ABOUT THE LADIES!
10. Nike Dri-FIT Finisher T-shirt in women's sizes (unique to full and half participants)
11. Two-day interactive Expotique in Union Square
12. Breathtaking course starting in Union Square and ending along the Pacific Ocean
13. Extraordinary on-course support and entertainment
14. Post-race celebration at the finish line including free massages, food and music


I sent an email to get in the Elite area of the race, so I will keep you posted there.... in the meantime, off to Boston we go!

Relay Season is here in New England with BLUE skies!

It's a Friday night in April and it has begun... Relay season is here! Schuyler, Steve and I stopped by the local 5 College Relay - including participants from UMASS Amherst, Amherst College, Smith College, Hampshire College & Mount Holyoke. What great weather, blue sky, lots of sunshine and the weather in the 70's. Perfect weather for a Relay and amazing for New England this time of year. Lot's of smiles, lot's of college students and supporters round the track with their fraternity and sorority t-shirts and the Relay tshirt of the event. I love to go and say hi to the staff people that work with these great volunteers to make it all happen in the communities, and it was fun to start the season off in my new community to visit this event.... say hi to Diane, Tracy & Kelly and take photos.

Below are some of my favorites - and here is a link to a larger collection on Kodak for your viewing pleasure. I think we need a contest for photos amongst my favorite bloggers.... My buddy Shelly has some amazing pics from the west coast.... this could be a great season to get some award winners!

T-shirt statements

4 days! the adrenaline is flowing!

Sent the big note to friends and family nationwide of my Boston appearance on Monday - so it is worthy of a post to the blog for today!

Hello All-

Hope this note finds you well, training hard and in great shape getting
ready for running season!

I will be running in the Boston Marathon on Monday and wanted to let you
all know my number is #3800 - it will place me in a front coral which
hopefully will help in my overall time! There are no noreaster's (Boston
07) or extreme heat (Chicago 07) forecasted, but the weather should be
partly cloudy and in the fifties. My training has been consistent and not
over done ("less is more") - again we shall see how the body feels on
Monday!

I do the 3 goal option which some don't always agree with (should there
only be ONE goal??), but as mentally competitive as I am it really keeps me
focused and ok with my final, whatever that may be...

BOSTON 08:
"The planets are aligned and the gods are smiling" time: 3:05:58 (one
second faster than last year) - not sure I am ready to goal the Olympic
Trials this year!

"Considering averages, moods, tendency to want to slow in the last 5 miles
- this would still be a great time: 3:14:19

"It's just not the day to hit my PR .... " Hills, fuels, late start time,
and early season training in the snow just may not be enough to reach my
epic time : 3:25

Think of me at 10 am Monday morning - and send me ALL your strength - I
will need it!

And to end - my favorite quote this month......
"The difference between the mile and the marathon is the difference between
burning your fingers with a match and being slowly roasted over hot coals"
- Hal Higdon