Hard To Imagine It Right Now

I know it's difficult for you to think about - definitely not something to look forward to for most people. But pretty soon, the weather outside is going to look like this:

Snow, slush, blech!

You're probably asking "But what can I do about it?" - Nothing, absolutely nothing, I tell you!

Which is exactly why you need this:

A super warm and snuggly, washable wool blanket to cuddle under with your main-squeeze! (as long as you have a main squeeze with whom to cuddle, otherwise, solo is good too!)

"But Becky, how can I get  this fabulous blanket?" you're asking.

It's so easy! Simply make a donation to the Krempels Center via my fundraising page

Here is the link to the aforementioned fundraising page

Once you make a donation of any amount, you are automatically entered in a drawing to win the beautiful, soft, squishy blankie.

So do me a favor, show me some love, show the Krempels Center some love too. Make a donation. Pretty please??

Finish Line!

One marathon ends, another begins.

The weekend at knit camp was uber-productive - with Kathy M's help, I got the blanket put together and half of the edges done. A mere four days later, the edges are finished, thus ending the knitting marathon.

There's just one week to go before the lucky winner's name is selected, and we're not anywhere near our fundraising goal! Every little bit helps - even a $5.00 donation gets you one chance of winning this beautiful blanket. Imagine a cold January night, snuggling with your Honey by the fire, under a cozy warm blankie, sipping hot cider, maybe a little smooching... Or how about just napping on the couch on a lazy Saturday? Yeah, you want this blanket!

Get out your wallet right now and give the Krempels Center a little love. I'll be forever grateful.

A Marathon of Yarn

And the marathon that's starting? Christmas knitting! Socks. Mittens. Scarves. My fingers will be flying!

Hey, Remember that Thing?

I'm doing a thing for that place. Remember? I told you about it a while back. No? 

Let me refresh your memory

A Marathon Of Yarn

Now click the link and donate. Do it!!

Warm and Cozy

  I've been stewing on a blog post lately, not sure if I should keep it under wraps a few more weeks, or if I should shout it from the mountaintops. Nothing earth-shattering, but something I really proud of. I think I need to do a little shouting.

  You all should know by now that in a couple of weeks, I'm going to ride in the Krempels King of the Road Challenge. Even though I have no personal association with the Krempels Center, it is an organization I am happy to support. Not just because my favorite cyclist supports it, but I have really been moved by what they do there. I nagged you asked for your support, and you gave it. But I'm still short of what I raised last year. (there's still time - here's the link!) Because the Krempels Center provides their programs free of charge, every dollar raised is important to keeping their programming at a high level.

  With this in mind, keep reading.

  Last spring, my knitting group (who are also fans of pro cycling fans) decided to do something in support of one of our favorite cyclists, who happens to have a personal connection to the Krempels Center. We decided to make a blanket to give to the Center, so they can raise money by raffling it off. Knitted squares started arriving at my house in August. By September, it was laid out (even Karl helped with the layout, so it would look just right), and all I had to do was put the squares together. Wow, it came together quickly and easily, and I am very proud to show you our work.

Those of you that supported me may get emails or newsletters from the Krempels Center in the future. I don't know when the blanket will raffled, so keep an eye out, and buy some tickets! This is a really nice afghan. I want it for myself. I know I'll buy some raffle tickets!

Next year's blanket is already in the planning stages.

Thanks USPS!

I got some interesting news over the weekend.

I've been tracking my donations for the Stars and Stripes Challenge. I'm doing quite well. Right now, according to the website, I'm tied as the leading fundraiser. But that amount is only the online donations. When you add in the checks and cash I have recieved, I've raised twice that amount. But the checks I mailed to the nice people in Greenville haven't been added to the total yet. So, I sent a nice email asking where they were.

Their reply? They don't know. They haven't received any checks from me. In fact, they haven't received a lot of other people's checks either. It seems the USPS has conspired against them. Kevin, the nice I man with quite the southern accent, who I spoke with on the phone yesterday, told me they're having trouble with the PO Box they rented. In fact, when he mailed the check to pay for the PO Box, he mailed the envelope inside the very building the envelope was addressed to, and they never received it! That post office obviously has some major issues.

He's fairly certain my envelopes will make their way back to me, but I am doubtful they'll make it before the deadline. I'm glad I kept good records of who sent what and when.

So, for all of you who have not yet donated, I urge you to do so online at www.P3ride.org. Just click Donate under the Stars and Stripes logo, then find my name under the drop down list (Rebecca Baumeister), and follow the prompts to complete your donation. I'm getting really close to my goal of $2500 (and I really want the reward for reaching that amount), so please give what you can.

I'm not ashamed

You may or may not already know that I am riding in the Stars and Stripes Challenge at the USA Cycling Professional Championships in May. This event raises money for cancer research and advocacy, something which I now know about firsthand.

I've sent out a lot of emails and letters asking for donations. Initial response has been great, and I'm already close to my goal. I'm hoping I'll have to readjust that goal and move up to the next tier of incentives. I'd really love to ride the Pro Time Trial course before the race. But often, donations fly in right away, then taper off. A little reminder starts the cycle over again.

Please don't be offended if you recieve multiple messages. I understand that people are busy, or they just don't have a lot of extra cash right now. Those messages are just "friendly reminders" from me.

So if you'd like to donate on my behalf, go to www.P3ride.org . Click DONATE, then find my name on the drop down menu - Rebecca Baumeister. I would really appreciate it.