Day 316: Greater than through love and support: Journey with the Cape Fear Heart Walk and Adam Freeman

well, i made it to the gym this morning. Have not heard me open up that way in a while huh? well, it is still awesome to show up and it is still amazing somedays to make it. It is cold now in the morning and frankly a little success can make it seem like I don't have to go sometimes. But, I know that that success comes from the work that I have been doing and I also know that I feel better when I go..so it is motivation! I had a great work out with Adam and shared some great time with him too. What a great friend and person he is. I admire him so as he also grows.


So..I go..and I am glad I did.

The cold air hit me this morning and it woke me up on my run to warm up. I am doing a mile and a half each morning before we work out and it feels good. I know that I am getting stronger and faster. But not matter how good I feel it never fails that in the first 3-6 minutes of any run, I want to stop..my body and my mind try and tell me to walk..turn around, quit....it is so weird...but I push through and get to that point where it feels so good...and I get in this stride that feels free and clear. I never dreamed of feeling that way. But I have to push through those 6 minutes..ya know? that is the hardest part. Those are the 6 minutes that have kept me back most of my life. Those are the minutes and thoughts that kept me frm succeeeding most of the time. No more.

I was reading this morning in one of my mediation books a quote by oliver wendell homes that boiled down to not living life in the momement but always waiting to live when we have gotten to this point of done this thing or taken care of this thing..always putting off life or something we want to take care of something in the way...those 3-6 minutes that always stopped me from running free and making it to my goals. It was really powerful seeing that together this morning. Seeing all that I have heard and believed about a day at a time and living in the moment and understanding it...but also seeing how to try and live it more actualized.
Michael, by the way, gave me that meditation book back in 2003. I am truly blessed to be loved enough to have someone so thoughful to give me something so valuable...I never forget that. Ever.

Thanksgiving was as special if not more so than it ever has been. Not only dwas a i present and really there spiritually and mentally, I was there phsyically...becuase I did not over do...yes I enjoyed the meal and got to eat things i don't normally eat..but one plate..not two..and one desert..my mother's AMAZING apple cake..and my aunt Judy's amazing Turkey and Dressing..but I left full and not bloated! What a great feeling! Talk about a change! A blessing!

There can be thanksgiving without regret!

Thanks be!

Day 311: Greater than through love and support: Journey with the Cape Fear Heart Walk and Adam Freeman

been a few since I posted, but no fear, I have been at it and moving forward! I took an entire week off to volunteer for two amazing events and it has been a blessing like none other!

The last three years I have volunteered for the Willie Stargell Golf tournament to benefit kidney disease. It is pretty amazing to work this becuase some of the original legends that played with Mr. Stargell come to this tournment along with other sports celebreties. I am in awe at their talent, but also the heart and way in which they give back and are so available to charity and to doing events like this! this are truly gentlemen and players that I wish the current day players were more like. Don't get me wrong, we get a few current day players like Chad Billingsly who are learning to be just like them, but these legends and hall of famers are amazing!

This year was my fourth year and it was great becuase the minute I picked them up from the airport they saw the big change in me and we had a connection we had not had before in working out and athletism. They opened up to me and shared tips and encouragement and it felt so amazing to learn and hear from these men! Adam volunteered on my transportation team and did and amazing job and it was so heart filling to see him, a former minir league baseball player, meeting some of his own idols! He deserves to much good, and it looked like this was something he really enjoyed. Diana joined us too and with our friend Louise leading the way and th committee that included Ashley, it was a weekend to end all weekends!

Now, I did really well with eating and working out...in fact I ran and worked out even with our around the clock work schedule..until Golf day..

On Golf day, I was anxious and very uptight, but also very tired by then after all the event adn all the stress of the weekend up to that point. When we got to the 19th hole, they had breakfast for the players and after they got to their shot gun start, I went in and everyone was raving about the sausage biscuits. I thought I would try one...(yeah..like the alcoholic that is going to have "one" shot...and that is no joke). I had the one..then two...then three..and i was off. I ate a couple of muffin tops and then not that much longer after we took the spouses to a brunch and they had a tent set up with treats and the hosts were making more biscuits and goodies. I had two of those, fried pickles, and a taste of this and that. Then that evening had some pasta and salad and went to bed after it was all over. All told I ate more in that one day than I had in weeks adn while it was a lot, it was not as bad as it was before I started this change..but it was a real reminder to me about my "triggers"...biscuits and fatty pork sausage being two..but also, being over tired and stressed! 
No, I did not gain any weight (and did not loose any either) and yes, I got right back to running the next day and have been on track since, but this is a day at a time and I have to be vigiliant. HALT is the word that I learned years ago that has saved my life in other ways..now it is the word that saves me for this process "Hungry, Angry, Loney, Tired" Whenever i am to hungry, angry, loney, or tired, i have to stop and really assess where I am and take care to feed the emotion not fill it up with food or something else. 

All in all it was an amazing weekend and frankly I am grateful for the little blip with the eating..it just reminds me of how good life is now and how I don't have to do that to myself..but moreover, that if somethign like that happens, I just get back to it..and not let myself get swallowed up by it...

So we did an update after the next volunteer week was over:




I volunteered for the entire week for the USS Gravely Commisioning. It was powerful week of events for the sailors and thier families for the launch of a ship named for Admiral Samuel Gravely, the first African Amercian Naval Officer and Admiral! It was so very special, particularly being with his widow and the ships sponsor Mrs. Alma Gravely and having gotten to know the Captain and his Lt. over the weeks and months before this time.



During this week, I ran and worked out as well and actually did really well with my diet.

It may seem funny to some that I am so involved in this as I was in the subamarine commissioning since I am a die hard pacifist. I have an inordinate amount of respect for the military and for all they do for us, not only in protecting our nation, but in the humanitarian efforst they can and do deploy regularly. Until the Bush Doctrine took effect where we became more openly aggressors, our military was the best at defense and keeping us strong, not as predators. Getting to know these Captains and the sailors, I have yet to meet a gun ho killer out to harm..I have only met the capable, skilled and trained at the ready men and women who are prepared to defend. They are truly amazing and very capable!

Commisionings are about the sailors and their families and it was very moving to see how much they were enjoying themselves. WIth the average age of the sailors being 22, there are profound moments when it hits you that they will be deployed soon. I wish for no war. I pray only for peace. However, I am proud of these men and women and I am grateful that we had this event in Wilmington, proud of all involved, and proud to have been involved.

Last but not least, during this mad cap week of events, we also had the Wilmington Interfaith Hospitality Network Gala. It was a huge success and one that was very impactful. One of the best moments was when our main speaker and my friend Clyde Edgerton ended with a sing along. Ok..so I forgot some of the words...but it makes me very happy!

God Bless all!

Annual Thanksgiving Tradition 2010

11 Years ago I started a list because a lot of folks I encountered were having a hard time or shared that they did not see a lot they could be grateful for in this area. I had learned about writing gratitude lists to generate for myself the good around me and keep it first in my heart and mind and sent out a “gratitude” list of 100 things I was grateful for in Wilmington that year. It was met with great success!




I decided, and have kept up that each year, I would do the list but make it equivalent to the number of years I had been doing it!



This year, I am at 1100, and I am so glad to be able to have this exercise.



I have stopped including names in my list (singling people out that is) as I don’t want people to focus on the number, but instead have included groups, things, organizations, and places.



I have also brought it back to some of the things these lists started with; remembering to be grateful for some of the very basic things in my life…lest I never take it for granted the blessings in my life.



Regardless of what someone might think of this list, regardless of what my circumstances might be, regardless of what events may occur in my life, it is a tradition I will continue, because, I/we am/are blessed and it is worth remembering, offering thanksgiving, and sharing with each other! I hope it will spark a list of your own and feel free to steal mine!



I am grateful for….



1.) God

2.) A daily reprieve that is unfathomable

3.) The most amazing husband and an unconditional love I can only pray to earn

4.) Having my mother, step father, father still alive and with me…

5.) My family, both blood and chosen

6.) Having the unconditional love and support of a mother always

7.) The most amazing friends I could have ever dreamed of…and In fact, could never have imagined

8.) Having a home that we truly love and feel safe in

9.) Our amazing and nurturing cats

10.) Having a job and being employed, particularly today

11.) Having heat in the winter

12.) Food to eat and access to that food

13.) Fresh vegetables

14.) Fresh fruit

15.) Meat and poultry that is sanitary and ready for me to eat

16.) Dairy that I can just pick up and use

17.) Eggs that I can just eat

18.) Electricity always on

19.) Gas for our cars

20.) Having a vehicle

21.) Having air condition in the summer

22.) A bed to sleep in

23.) A dry place to be when it rains and stay dry

24.) Clothes to wear in all weather

25.) A car to drive

26.) Eyes to see

27.) Ears to hear

28.) Legs that can walk

29.) Arms that can hug

30.) Hands that can hold

31.) Mind that can process and think

32.) Soul that is in tact

33.) Spirit that still believes

34.) Spirit that is

35.) Lungs that can breathe

36.) Having health insurance

37.) Having some dental insurance

38.) Having glass to read with

39.) All of our books to read

40.) Meadowlark Lemon and the all stars coming to play this year for CFCC

41.) Hanging out with Mr. Lemon and enjoying stories with him

42.) Money for CFCC from McColl and Associates being raised from Meadowlark’s visit

43.) The new book by medowlark

44.) Learning about the vision board from meadowlark

45.) Learning about growing up in Wilmington from meadowlark and the “carnation milk can” that he used as his first basketball

46.) Seeing the gravely crew play the Harlem All Stars

47.) Taking pictures at the event

48.) My little girl cat curling up on my back when I sleep

49.) My little boy cat kissing my face

50.) The light through the stained glass in the den

51.) the cool breeze of the ceiling fans in the summer

52.) the sway of the hammock in the back yard

53.) the magnolia blossoms on my tree in the back yard

54.) my bird bath in the back yard

55.) turltle doves that come to visit us

56.) the cardinals that visit and spend time with us

57.) the egret that posed for me at Orton Plantation this summer so beautifully and majestically!

58.) A general health that is good and getting better every day

59.) The Gift of training this year

60.) The Gift of a new brother and friend through a life changing experience

61.) Adam Freeman Personal training

62.) The American Heart Association

63.) The intervention of two amazing friends I love so very much for loving me enough to bring me to opportunities that have transformed my life.

64.) The gift of the life of Kayleigh Anne Freeman….her spirit is in all I do today

65.) The balloon release at O2 for Kayleigh

66.) Bless Your Heart Productions

67.) The loss of over 100 pounds

68.) The logo “greater through love and support” by Donnie Wrights

69.) Bowilmington.blogspot.com

70.) Keeping a history of the changes and what has transpired along the journey so far

71.) Being able to climb stairs AND breathe at the same time

72.) Being stretched at the end of the workout

73.) Learning to stretch to not hurt my back and grow my muscles

74.) Seeing loose skin reattach as I do more cardio!

75.) Learning to trust what I am told and be patient! (kind of)

76.) Being able to share my journey into new health

77.) The gift of a nutritionist like Heidi Kaufman

78.) Having food I can eat and enjoy without killing myself

79.) Learning to cook without butter and oil

80.) Getting rid of fast food and pizza

81.) Getting rid of diet coke (for the most part)

82.) Changing the way I eat out

83.) Seeing the weight come off in a healthy way

84.) Being able to come off of my diabetes medicine

85.) Being able to come off my high blood pressure medicine

86.) Being able to come off my cholesterol medicine

87.) Epsom salt baths

88.) Tidal Creek!

89.) Emails form those sharing my journey and being inspired

90.) The little bird we rescued outside of the gym one morning and released

91.) Seeing the hawk fly by us at Orton Plantation

92.) Being able to tour orton before it closed

93.) The beauty of orton plantation

94.) Meeting and spending time with mr. Williamson and hearing his stories

95.) The stories of Nan graham

96.) The teaching of Nan graham

97.) The radio voice of Jemila Erickson and mid day café at WHQR

98.) The commentaries by Shane Fernando

99.) The commentaries by Nan graham

100.) The examples Andy set to inspire me on the journey

101.) The example Woody set to inspire me on the journey

102.) The example of Todd set to inspire me on the journey

103.) The example Sherman set for running that helped me set my running pace.

104.) The encouragement of my facebook family and friends!

105.) The love from so many, particularly strangers for my journey

106.) The life of Windell Daniels and his passing that opened my eyes to my own needs

107.) O2 fitness center in Mayfaire

108.) The infectious laugh of another trainer in the gym that helped me go on when I wanted to give up

109.) The support of others in the gym who would never let me give up

110.) The best next door neighbor in the world

111.) WECT for featuring the gifts of this training and the inspiration that is gave

112.) WECT in general for being the best most credible news in Wilmington

113.) New Balance of Wilmington

114.) Boseman Sporting Goods

115.) Bike Cycles in Mayfaire

116.) All the support and encouragement from the crew at Bike Cycles in Mayfaire

117.) Fixing my bike so quickly as I progressed to keep me on the road at Bike Cycles

118.) The Ann Street Bikeway

119.) The Cross City trail

120.) City Council naming the Cross City Trail the Shell Trail after the life and work of my friend Gary Shell.

121.) Riding the Shell trail to the beach

122.) Making that first ride to the beach and feeling that sense of accomplishment and freedom

123.) Riding to the loop at Wrightsville

124.) Riding downtown down the Ann Street Bikeway

125.) Riding from the River to the sea

126.) Feeling my speed increase on that bike and enjoying it!

127.) Having my first sports injury

128.) Recovering from my first sports injury and getting right back to it

129.) Not giving up

130.) Learning to push through…not to pain..but to my potential

131.) Wearing my first 2x shirt

132.) Wearing my first xl shirt

133.) Being able to wear xl t-shirts again

134.) Being able to wear the shirts daddy had done for me 13 years ago

135.) Going from a 54 waist to a 39 (and counting!)

136.) Not having my back hurt all the time

137.) Not having my knees hurt all the time

138.) Seeing the fat turn to some muscle

139.) Seeing my face come back out

140.) Being able to see myself for the first time in a long time!

141.) Running down the sidewalk at Mayfaire

142.) Running the loop the first time

143.) Running my first 5k

144.) For Colin Hackman posting that I was going to run my first 5k in the Historic Wilmington 5k..which, by outing me, got me to actually do it!

145.) Having my family and my husband at the 5 k there cheering me on.

146.) Having my brother/trainer run that race with me

147.) Making it up that hill in that race without stopping running

148.) Running the whole thing and never stopping and finishing in 41 minutes

149.) Wanting to do more after the 5k was over

150.) Running the flotilla 5 and shaving almost 10 minutes off my time

151.) the elliptical machine and how much it prepared me for other things

152.) applying principles that I learned in other areas to this change

153.) becoming excited about work out clothing

154.) becoming excited about sports equipment

155.) learning about the right shoes

156.) new balance of Wilmington

157.) new balance running shoes

158.) brooks running shoes

159.) RPI online athletic wear

160.) Under armour

161.) Russell athletics

162.) My IPOD!

163.) Learning how to download music from the app store

164.) All the apps on my iphone!

165.) All the amazing music that has helped motivate me when I have worked out!

166.) The map my run app and help with training

167.) The map my by ride app and help with my bike riding

168.) My IPHONE and being able to video Chronicle and share so much with others!

169.) Housing and Economic Development Corporation

170.) Heart Ball 2010!

171.) The amazing art that I got from the heart Ball

172.) The heart ball committee

173.) Frances MCing the Heart ball!

174.) The heart ball happening even with the snow!

175.) Ashley’s first heart ball

176.) Being on the 2011 heart ball committee

177.) Carole’s sugar free bread!

178.) Taking the students to Casey’s for a cultural dinner

179.) Collards at casey’s

180.) Yes…Casey’s fried chicken (everything in moderation!)

181.) Nan going with us to Casey’s for dinner

182.) Catlin getting a job in Wake county schools

183.) Caitlin’s Grandmother being able to come to her graduation before pasing

184.) Sarah getting her fellowship in Australia

185.) Russell getting married!

186.) Kim becoming a PA and having a wonderful boyfriend!

187.) Mike getting married to Mr. Finstrom!

188.) Kathleen getting into graduate school

189.) Tom getting a job at UNCW with admissions

190.) Donn Ansell’s Byline Wilmington featuring our story and the Heart Walk to hopefully inspire others

191.) Claire Simms and WECT featuring the story and sharing so much of this with others to inspire and promote good health and living.

192.) The librarians and their encouragement each day when I walked in to work.

193.) The amazing support on facebook!

194.) Discovering Martha Holmes Vegetables in the can!

195.) Sugar free polaner all fruit

196.) Arnold whole wheat bread at Costco

197.) Having Costco to cut expenses

198.) My yoqurt at Costco

199.) The free samples at Costco that are not cheating! LOL!

200.) Hummus!

201.) Eating more and more veggies all the time!

202.) Finding can fruit with no sugar added

203.) Eating apples!

204.) Fresh blueberries at Lewis Farms! LOVE BLUEBERRIES!

205.) Sugar free pops!

206.) Finding out the pit falls of sugar in energy drinks and flavored water

207.) Getting rid of diet coke and soft drinks in my life

208.) Brita filter for us!

209.) Fresh pears this fall

210.) Sugar free jelly beans

211.) Spinach and lots of it!

212.) Fat free feta cheese

213.) Fat free sharp cheddar cheese slices

214.) Sugar free no fat pudding

215.) Salsa

216.) Lower fat corn chips with yellow corn

217.) Turkey bacon sandwiches at starbucks

218.) Spinach and egg white wraps at starbucks

219.) My now famous grilled chicken with lemon, garlic, lemon pepper, and dill rub

220.) No fat chicken with spinach and tomato sauce

221.) Bag salad and low fat ranch!

222.) Using crackers instead of croutons!

223.) Drinking unsweetened ice tea instead of diet coke

224.) Learning what my triggers are and NOT doing them!

225.) Not eating pizza!

226.) Not eating fast food! At all!

227.) Not eating French fries

228.) Not eating breakfast biscuits from bojangles and hardees

229.) Not eating croissanwiches from burger king

230.) Not eating candy

231.) Subway subs

232.) Eating whole wheat bread! Love it!

233.) looking forward to working out

234.) enjoying food more because I am eating more now when I am actually hungry and not just out of habit

235.) making space in our home for yoga and stretching

236.) our new layout at home

237.) Drechel professional painting

238.) Our wood flooring at home

239.) The monastery story

240.) Our prayer cushions

241.) The sound of the piano when Michael plays

242.) Having time to sing with Michael when he plays

243.) Michael playing one of his recorders at home

244.) Our game area

245.) Playing games together

246.) Enjoying the cozy den together

247.) Being surrounded by family with portraits at home

248.) The art of Liz Hosier

249.) The art of Ivy Hayes

250.) The art of Karl Saliter

251.) The art of elino’haraslavick

252.) The sculpture of Dumay Gorham

253.) The art of John Sakel

254.) The art of Harold Hodges

255.) The art of Fritz Kapraun

256.) The art of Virginia Wright Frierson

257.) The art of aaron Wilcox

258.) The gift of pottery giveaway from Aaron Wilcox

259.) The art of Ann Boseman

260.) The art of Nancy Hodges

261.) The art of MJ Cunningham

262.) The art of Andrea Dingledein

263.) The art of Donnie Wrights

264.) The art of David Norris

265.) the loop for running in our neighborhood

266.) Good Student neighbors in our neighborhood

267.) the loop for running around UNCW and it being 3 miles!

268.) The amazing UNCW campus and the care that is taken there

269.) The last piece of the cross city trail being dedicated through UNCW

270.) Beauty of autumn hall and riding through there to the trail

271.) Discovering so much of our area on foot and bicycle

272.) the spot on the trail on eastwood that makes me feel like I am back in chapel hill

273.) being able to enjoy outside for the first time since we lived here

274.) city county weight loss challenge

275.) the trail ride with the Mayor

276.) doing this work out with friends

277.) McColl and Associates

278.) Buddy!

279.) The life of Silas!

280.) The life of Yoda!

281.) The pet food collection of Melissa Gallison and adoption efforts

282.) The meals on wheels out of the senior center on college road

283.) The senior center on college road

284.) The programs at the senior center on college road

285.) The Hannah Block center downtown

286.) The life of Hannah Block

287.) Sammy the SeaHawk

288.) The SeaDawgs

289.) SeaDawg Atheletics

290.) SeaDawg Basketball

291.) The Sharks Baseball

292.) The Hammerheads coming back to wilmington

293.) Boseman field

294.) Brooks field

295.) The track at UNCW

296.) The best athletic director ever at UNCW

297.) The life the Coach Brooks

298.) The life of Coach Murphy

299.) Intracoastal Realty

300.) SeaCoast Realty

301.) The 2010 Heart Walk

302.) The 2010 Heart Walk Leadership Committee

303.) The 2010 Heart Walk Chair

304.) Having the Heart Walk at UNCW

305.) The lives of all who have survived with heart disease

306.) New Hanover Regional

307.) Coastal Cardiology

308.) Coastal Cardiology’s Fundraiser for the Hearth Walk

309.) All the fundraisers for the Heart Walk

310.) Janet Gaino’s Birthday Fundraiser for the Heartwalk

311.) My Birthday Fundraiser for the heartwalk

312.) Having my birthday at Julia and Chrystal’s house!

313.) The best birthday ever because it was a new life celebration!

314.) The best birthday present, outside of the donations, having the picture taken of all of us together! More than anything that means the world!

315.) Surf’s restaurant fundraiser for the heartwalk

316.) The Shark’s fundraiser for the heartwalk

317.) Intracoastal’s Scoop Off for the Heart Walk

318.) Pita Delite’s Day of Sales for the Heart Walk

319.) The customer service and friends at Pita Delite

320.) The quality of the business at Pita Delite

321.) Pita Delite and healthy food

322.) Hibachi Grille on college road and healthy food

323.) Selling my clothes and donating the money for the sponsorship for the heartwalk

324.) Zoe’s fundraiser for the Heartwalk

325.) Zoe’s Kitchen and good healthy food! And healthy food choices

326.) Central Rotary of Wilmington

327.) Being at McCallister’s for Rotary

328.) Our Rotary Raffle and fundraiser

329.) Giving away money to charity from Rotary

330.) All the Rotary’s in Wilmington

331.) The Paul Harris Fellow’s honor surprise this year

332.) Being treasurer in rotary and learning about that responsibility

333.) Our Rotary leadership

334.) Singing in Rotary

335.) The Fellowship of Rotary

336.) New members coming in to our rotary

337.) The rotary member minute!

338.) The Rotary Wheel at Greenfield lake

339.) Greenfield lake

340.) The paddleboats at Greenfield lake

341.) The Cyprus knees at Greenfield lake

342.) The walking trails at Greenfield lake

343.) Halyburton park

344.) The wild birds of Prey show at Halyburton

345.) The walking trails at Halyburton

346.) Wade park

347.) The dedication and opening of Olson Park!

348.) The first softball game played at Olson Park

349.) Empie being almost competed

350.) The tennis complex being named for Althea Gibson

351.) Cameo 1900

352.) The wedding of Kristy and Christian

353.) The artistry of Jimmy Hopkins

354.) The wedding of Aaron and Jessica

355.) St. Thomas Preservation Hall

356.) Pine Valley Market

357.) Pine Valley Market Catering

358.) Hooks alarm company

359.) The safety I feel with our alarm

360.) The laugh I still get from being trapped in the house when I forgot my alarm pass code! 

361.) Going to work just around the corner from home

362.) Being able to flex my schedule to train in the morning mwf

363.) Being able to get up in the morning to train!

364.) Showing up for training on days when Adam is out!

365.) Showing up for cardio on non-training days!

366.) taking this weight loss journey one day at a time

367.) having the support even at work for this!

368.) Honors Students

369.) Honors Student Alumni!

370.) Honors Student accomplishments

371.) UNCW honors students service to the community

372.) Honors Student Annual Beach sweep at Kure Beach

373.) Honor Students fundraiser for Partners’ in Health

374.) Honors student ambassadors

375.) Honors Student mentors

376.) Honors student leadership

377.) Honors student faculty teas

378.) Honors student recruitment volunteers

379.) UNCW move-in day

380.) Our chancellor and provost

381.) LGBTQIA office

382.) The LGBTQIA office response to Gay teen suicide

383.) LGBTQIA awards

384.) LGBTQIA programming

385.) Multicultural office

386.) Marketing and communications

387.) Campus Catering

388.) Winning some catering at the catering open house!

389.) Saving some silver at surplus for the Honors teas

390.) The ponds on campus commons with the turtles

391.) The fountains in the ponds

392.) The view from the seminar room

393.) Having an office

394.) Office of campus diversity

395.) Boseman Gallery

396.) Public Sociology students

397.) Public Sociology faculty

398.) Psychology faculty

399.) Psychology students

400.) Undergraduate research

401.) UNCW/WHA community campus in its third year

402.) The coordinator for the Community campus

403.) The student volunteers at the community campus

404.) The faculty oversight and interest at the community campus

405.) The obesity prevention program at Rankin Terrace

406.) Healthy Carolinans

407.) The Parks and Recreation Board for the City of Wilmington

408.) Judging the Christmas Parade for the City

409.) The Christmas Parade for the City of Wilmington

410.) The rescue greyhounds all decorated in the Christmas Parade!

411.) Santa on the big fire truck at the end of the Christmas parade!

412.) All the entries in the Christmas parade that decorate and are brightly lit and festive and about the holidays!

413.) The Chef’s cooking classes at the community campus

414.) Basic skills classes at the community campus

415.) Folks getting their GED”s at the community campus

416.) Job training and preparation at the community campus

417.) Human resources office at the Wilmington Housing Authority

418.) Partnership with DREAMS of Wilmington

419.) Partnership with Communities in Schools

420.) Partnership withKids Making it

421.) Partnership with Cape Fear Community College

422.) The Community Gardens Programming through the community campus

423.) The community outreach and development of the Wilmington Housing Authority Staff

424.) The children of our public Housing properties

425.) The elderly of our public housing properties

426.) The families of our public housing properties

427.) The Wilmington Housing Authority Staff

428.) The Wilmington Housing Authority Leadership

429.) The National award for the UNCW/WHA Campus from NAHRO

430.) The dedication of the second phase of Taylor homes and more affordable housing

431.) The Youth Build Grant

432.) The graduation of the Youth Build Students

433.) The fiscal oversight and correction for our residents and our community at the housing authority

434.) The integrity and heart of our section eight program

435.) The new appointees the Mayor made to our board at WHA

436.) Resident organizations up and running at WHA

437.) Resident involvement at WHA

438.) Wilmington Interfaith Hospitality Network

439.) The 13 churches that house homeless families and use the house of God for the purpose of service to His people

440.) The 26 support churches that make way to aid those families

441.) St. Mark Church for being the first to in the Mission Mortgage campaign to provide supportive housing

442.) The transitional housing units at Willow pond

443.) The dedication of the transitional housing units at Willow pong

444.) The Wilmington Celebration Choir

445.) The families who are housed at Willow pond to sustainable housing

446.) The city of Wilmington and the Home Funds that helped with the renovations for the units at Willow pond

447.) The Leadership of WIHN

448.) The Board of WIHN

449.) The life and cancer free recovery of Scott Whisnant of WIHN

450.) The life and cancer free of Mama Weller (again!)

451.) The life and cancer free for Mary Barto

452.) Gary surving his cancer one day at a time!

453.) Surviving his cancer one day at a time, My daddy!

454.) The zimmer cancer center at NHRMC

455.) The WIHN gala

456.) The money from the WIHN gala going to provide more service to the families in need in our community

457.) The sponsors of the WIHN gala

458.) Lease motors giving a CAR for the live auction

459.) So many for giving so much to help those homeless families in need

460.) The gifts of Clyde Edgerton being given so freely as the speaker for this year’s gala

461.) The gifts of the magician at that gala wowing the audience and making it a magical evening!

462.) The WIHN gala committee..what heart and soul!

463.) All those who stay up at night in the churches and stay with the families in the churches when they are housed there

464.) All those who make and prepare meals for the families when they are in the churches

465.) All those who help with transportation for the families when they are in the churches

466.) All those who see to it that those in need have what they need to get back to a sustainable life.

467.) The unconditional love and service that is given through WIHN…regardless of any status

468.) Coastal Horizons

469.) The leadership of Coastal Horizons

470.) The youth shelter at coastal horizons

471.) The secretary coming for Coastal’s annual dinner

472.) The 40th anniversary for Coastal Horizon’s

473.) The methadone dispensary and the relief for the addicts that it provides

474.) The way into sobriety for so so many

475.) The Crisis Hotline and the voice of comfort at the end of the line

476.) The dinners the board is making for the youth in the shelter

477.) The gifts at the holidays in the shelter

478.) The needs that are met and the love that is dispenses all time

479.) Tasc treatment center at Coastal Horizons

480.) Meeting the state requirements to become CAHBA certified to be a primary provider at coastal AND be NON-PROFIT

481.) to work so closely with the judicial

482.) system and help so many addicts in recovery

483.) HIV/AIDS testing in the region

484.) HIV/AIDS support groups

485.) Substance abuse support groups at Coastal horizons

486.) Being an integral part of the Cape fear Health net

487.) The Cape Fear Health Net

488.) The board of coastal horizons

489.) The Rape Crisis Center

490.) Walk a Mile in her shoes for Rape Crisis

491.) Rock against rape

492.) All the volunteers who are trained to be rape crisis responders

493.) All those who meet victims 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

494.) The new Brunswick county rape crisis outreach through coastal

495.) The new Brunswick facility for mental health and substance abuse treatment

496.) The Pender county treatment facility for coastal

497.) The first annual Coastal Horizon’s breakfast!

498.) The sponsors for the coastal Horizons’ breakfast

499.) UNCW women’s resource office and minor being our sponsor

500.) ARA catering for the breakfast

501.) The amazing staff of ARA

502.) 25 years of service from our Executive Director

503.) the best marketing director ever (and go to for all things good!)!

504.) The district Attorney for speaking at the Coastal Horizon’s breakfast

505.) The witness of a former Rape Crisis services recipient and youth shelter ward, both doing so well now!

506.) Prevention services and outreach from Coastal

507.) New Hanover County Health Department

508.) The annual Golf Tournament for the Public Health Foundation

509.) The micro/mini grants to organizations from the Public Health Foundation

510.) PPD and the foundation there for all their support for the Public Health Foundation and its good works

511.) The board of the public health foundation

512.) The help from First Citizen’s Bank to The Public Health Foundation for fundraising

513.) The help from First Citizen’s bank to Coastal Horizons for fundraising

514.) First Citizen’s bank in general

515.) The Men’s Health Initiative at the Public health Department of NHC

516.) The Mobile Dental Clinic from the Public Health Department of NHC

517.) Rabies Clinics and treatment from the Public Health Department of NHC

518.) HIV/AIDS Screening in low income areas through collaborations and the mini grants in the public health department foundation

519.) The Tileston Clinic

520.) The leadership of the Tileston Clinic

521.) The at home fundraiser for the tileston clinic

522.) The service to ALL people through tileson clinic

523.) The HIV Consortium in New Hanover County and the region

524.) New Hanover Regional Medical Center

525.) The leadership of NHRMC

526.) The quality of care at NHRMC

527.) The ceo and leadership of NHRMC

528.) The cape fear memorial foundation

529.) The landfall foundation

530.) The hospital foundation

531.) The North Carolina Community Foundation

532.) Phi Theta Kappa at CFCC

533.) The boat building classes at CFCC

534.) IKA

535.) The cobalt bowl they gave me at the breakfast for coastal

536.) The cobalt bowl they gave me for AFP

537.) My God Jar!

538.) The bubbles that the new librarian gave me when she got hired!

539.) New friends joining the city club!

540.) The new Stargell clinic upfit for patients receiving kidney dialysis

541.) The Willie Stargell Annual Golf Tournament for Kidney Disease

542.) The amazing committee that puts on the tournament

543.) The celebrities and sports legends that come each year for the tournament

544.) The Leadership of the tournament and all the good it does.

545.) The warmth and love of the committee

546.) The special year being Mr. Stargell’s number 8!

547.) The talents and tricks of Dave Mobley on the golf course

548.) Having Adam and Diana driving and volunteering with me

549.) The Wellership being fully endowed this year at CFCC

550.) WECT on facebook

551.) The best anchors in the business at WECT

552.) The best news director;

553.) The best reporters on TV!

554.) The Star News (most days! LOL)

555.) The Wilmington Business Journal

556.) Wilma Magazine

557.) Wima Nights

558.) Being sold at Wilma nights for Girls Inc (and making more than a dollar!)

559.) The camaraderie of all of us in the show for Wilma nights. VERY SPECIAL!

560.) Girl’s Inc. of Wilmington

561.) Jake Hunt’s amazing outreach to at risk youth, Junior Golf Academy

562.) Being in the Carousel Center Show

563.) Living out Loud magazine

564.) Nancy hall publications

565.) The publisher of Nancy hall getting involved and stepping up when so many others do not!

566.) The launch of Living out loud on the Battleship North Carolina

567.) The Battle Ship North Carolina

568.) The fireworks from battleship park at fourth of July

569.) Time with family on the pier at CFCC watching the fireworks

570.) The Captain Moffitt Research Vessell getting its funding in the NC State budget

571.) The research for the care of our water and coast from the marine tech program at CFCC

572.) CFCC Foundation

573.) The board of the CFCC Foundation

574.) The Gift of Education Luncheon at the Schwartz Center

575.) The youth who went to the CFCC early college, was born to immigrant parents who picked blueberries and is now off to Harvard!

576.) Louise being made a Board of trustee of CFCC

577.) CFCC Foundation Leadership

578.) CFCC Merit Scholars

579.) The CFCC Merit Scholar reception

580.) The CFCC Alumni Association

581.) The SeaDawgs to SeaHawks at UNCW group

582.) The Donor Appreciation part at the North Campus

583.) The Lunch with an Author fundraiser for CFCC

584.) The cultivation dinner at our place

585.) The pineapple guild

586.) The amazing group at the culinary program at CFCC

587.) The wood turners group and silent auction at the dinner

588.) The amazing programs for getting folks back to work at CFCC

589.) Cosmetology program building now open on north campus at Cfcc

590.) My table from UNCW at the cultivation dinner

591.) the Carousel Center and all they do for Children!

592.) The Parenting Place and all they do for abused children

593.) The leadership and board of the CAPP

594.) The convention center being open

595.) The first event at the convention center going perfectly

596.) More events going on at the convention center

597.) The chamber helping to ensure the best for our superintendent pick

598.) Our Chamber of Commerce

599.) Our Chamber of Commerce Leadership

600.) Wilmington Business Journal Power Breakfasts’

601.) Wilmington Business Journal Entrepreneur Awards

602.) The leadership of the Wilmington Business Journal

603.) Conscience Online

604.) Celia Rivenbark’s Columns!

605.) The heart and soul of celia and standing up for so many good things with her talents

606.) Clyde edgerton writing in the paper about education and speaking out for all children

607.) Having so many authors in our community!

608.) The work and writing of Dana Sachs

609.) Clove Marketing

610.) The law offices of Shipman and Associates

611.) The organizing efforts of Lynn Shoemaker and the day in the park for Candidates

612.) Sunny 104

613.) Foz in the morning on 107

614.) Fox basically doing a “it gets better” with Amy and me

615.) Foz and I having a spiritual moment! 

616.) WHQR

617.) WHQR new leadership

618.) WHQR gallery

619.) WHQR

620.) The greek festival

621.) The inside of the greek church on college road

622.) Church of the Servant Episcopal

623.) The great Easter Vigil with COS on Wrightsville beach

624.) Christmas a COS

625.) The Lobster fest at COS

626.) The outreach of COS

627.) The clergy of COS

628.) The family of COS

629.) The Labyrinth at COS

630.) Having COS just down the street from our house

631.) The Episcoal Campus Ministry still going strong!

632.) The Library sale at New Hanover County Library

633.) Michael’s delight at the library sale! 

634.) Seeing Michael Smile

635.) Hearing Michael Laugh

636.) Seeing so many people hungry for books!

637.) Jimmy Pierce getting the Schweitzer award for 2010

638.) Kid’s Making it

639.) All the volunteer craftmen at Kid’s Making it

640.) The successful graduates of the kid’s making it program

641.) Cape Fear Association of Fundraising Professionals Chapter

642.) The AFP breakfast and awards

643.) Philanthropist of the year going to Louise Coggins

644.) Ashley Miller being nominated for professional fundraiser of the year

645.) The leadership of AFP and their amazing hearts!

646.) The new firm of Leigh Muscle Events

647.) Lower Cape Fear Hospice

648.) The amazing new facilty that the Lower Cape Fear Hospice has opened

649.) Lower Cape Fear Hospice remaining non-profit

650.) Wilmington Health Access for Teens

651.) The Leadership of WHAT

652.) The WHAT Picnic

653.) The new providers in all the area high schools from WHAT to all Teenagers for good health and wellness!

654.) Cucalorus being as successful as ever!

655.) The Film Commission doing more this year than ever!

656.) The film studio being at 80 percent capacity

657.) Screen Gems working and doing more than ever!

658.) For the leadership of Screen Gems

659.) One of my honors student workers getting a job with screen gems

660.) All that screen gems does for so many in the area!

661.) Acme Art studios

662.) Projecte

663.) The art community in Wilmington

664.) Thalian Hall

665.) Thalian Hall’s remodel

666.) Level 5, City Stage

667.) The Red Barn Theater

668.) Opera House

669.) Big Dawg Productions

670.) The New theater on Castle Street

671.) The Castle Street Antique District

672.) Jester’s Java

673.) The talent and service of Joe Gallison to not only theater but also agencies in the area that need him!

674.) The amazing production of Fiddler on the roof!

675.) Chris’ Cosmic Kitchen

676.) Sweet and Savory

677.) The greekomlet at Chri’s Kitchen!

678.) The starbucks on College Road

679.) The best manager of any starbucks anywhere on college road

680.) India Mahal

681.) Tandori Bites

682.) Boca Bay

683.) Brasserie

684.) Mother’s day at brasserie

685.) Time on the north end of Carolina beach roasting sausages and marsh mellows with friends

686.) Lunch at Judy’s

687.) Looking out over the intracoastal at dockside

688.) The cucumber and tomato salad at dockside

689.) The cottage at airlie and special meetings

690.) My airlie chair

691.) my little space in the garage for creating and working

692.) the ivy cottage selling some excess stuff

693.) the ivy cottage

694.) my cousin jane and her daughter and my favorite aunt nell coming to visit UNCW

695.) the pedestrian art that became permanent downtown on the riverwalk

696.) my wonderful cousin elaine coming to visit wilmington and spend time with me!

697.) Sitting on the river at elijahs

698.) The pilot house river seating

699.) The christening of Lucas Boseman-Medlin at first Presbyterian on a Sunday!

700.) The birth and life of Lucas Boseman-Medlin

701.) The leadership fo the NHC County Commissioners

702.) The City Council of Wilmington

703.) The service of Senator Boseman

704.) The win for now Representative Susie Hamilton

705.) The win for Rick Catlin for County Commissioners

706.) The win for Mike McIntyre against Pantano

707.) The win for Becky Blackmore

708.) The win for Jan for Clerk of Court

709.) The win for the Sheriff

710.) The well run race for Julia for Judge

711.) The well run race of Sid Causey

712.) The well run race of Jim Leutze

713.) Cape Fear Center for Inquiry

714.) Being 5 minutes from the beach and 7 minutes from downtown

715.) 40 right around the corner and ready to run up the road to RDU!

716.) The plant place

717.) The poinsettias we do for the elderly at Christmas

718.) The geraniums for the elderly in the Spring

719.) The stone garden

720.) CM’s Catering and that spinach and strawberry salad

721.) CM’s Pork Chops (sorry..like I said..moderation! LOL!)

722.) Seeing my other friends happy and LaMaine’d! LOL!

723.) The leadership team for Jim Leutze for Senate and their integrity

724.) Leadership of Phoenix Ministries

725.) The hard decisions to stop the greek wedding this year, but one of great integrity

726.) The work of Phoenix ministries to bring people back to a place of employment

727.) The Harrelson Center

728.) The WIHN day center

729.) Communities in Schools

730.) Dreams of Wilmington

731.) Dreams having their facility on the northside

732.) Leading into new Communities (LINC)

733.) Opening of the new facility for LINC

734.) The ambassador program for WDI

735.) WDI luncheon

736.) Wilmington Downtown Inc

737.) The riverwalk

738.) The sunsets downtown

739.) The brick streets downtown

740.) The beauty of downtown

741.) The azaleas in the area in full bloom

742.) The azalea featival

743.) The garden party

744.) The azalea festival parade

745.) The amazing hats at the garden party

746.) The trees along market street

747.) The history of the escape of slaves at the foot of Dock street

748.) Tom’s drugs being bought and turned into a market

749.) The City Club at De Rossett

750.) The amazing food at the city club

751.) The amazing staff at the city club

752.) Great dinners with friends at the city club

753.) The beauty of the house of the club

754.) The gardens at the city club

755.) The art of Chappy Valente on the walls of the City Club

756.) The Art of Robert West

757.) The music of Paco Strickland

758.) The music of Renaldo Frasier

759.) The photography of Jaime Moncrief

760.) The photography of Logan Wallace

761.) The photography of Mr. Davis

762.) Intracoastal New Homes

763.) Wilmington Yoga Center

764.) Sammy stickers

765.) Seahawk Saturdays

766.) Cameron Executive Network

767.) The Razor Walker Awards

768.) Masonoboro island

769.) Masonboro preservation group

770.) Bald head island

771.) Bald Head conservation center

772.) Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital (ok..it is up the road..but it is a special daggone place!)

773.) The little baby turtle at the aquarium at fort fisher

774.) The expansion that is coming the aquarium at fort fisher

775.) Not having to pay to park at Kure beach! (we already pay taxes..right?)

776.) UNCW beach sweeps

777.) Costello’s

778.) the music of Donna Merritt

779.) having had a youngin’ with us for a while! So proud of him!

780.) The blockade runner

781.) The blockade runner giving so much for events to the community

782.) The gardens at the blockade runner

783.) The pier at the oceanic

784.) Hands across the sands protest against off shore drilling!

785.) ECO at UNCW

786.) Amnesty International at UNCW

787.) The Bellamy Mansion Fundraiser for the Heart Walk by Port City Young Professionals.

788.) Port City Young Professionals

789.) Press 102

790.) The village market

791.) The view of the smith creek from MLK parkway

792.) The new kayak launch at dram tree park

793.) The new kayak and boat launch at the end of trails end

794.) The new kayak and boat launch on the north side of Wilmington to get to smith creek

795.) Cape Fear Literacy Council

796.) All the philanthropy at UNCW

797.) All the service of UNCW Athletes

798.) All the service of CFCC athletes

799.) All the service of CFCC students

800.) The UNCW Ambassadors

801.) The CFCC ambassadors

802.) The UNCW Scholarship appreciation dinner

803.) The music of Dr. Hickman

804.) The choir at Church of the Servant

805.) The musical direction of Jennifer Sugerik at COS

806.) The Musical direction of Jennifer Sugerik at Ashley

807.) The amazing performance at pentacost

808.) Weller’s Wheels

809.) Frans Fans

810.) The Holiday Helper’s Campaign at CFCC

811.) The Good Friend’s Luncheon!

812.) Flash Promotions

813.) Action Printing

814.) Always Printing

815.) Schaeffer BMW and the Schaeffer family

816.) our grocery store

817.) our amazing pharmacists who take such good care of us at Mayfaire Harris teeter

818.) the best doctors anywhere at Wrightsville Family practice

819.) our amazing dentist, Sandra Miles DDS and her whole staff!

820.) The big shot being able to go in my mouth without drugs at Miles Dentistry!

821.) The best dry cleaners at Hangers on college road and Ms. Gloria who always takes such good care of us!

822.) Community Solutions Southeast, our HOA managers…talk about a blessing!

823.) State employees Credit Union

824.) BB@T

825.) Our back yard and the little fountain in the Spring

826.) Our crepe myrtle from Raleigh that keeps thriving

827.) The crepe myrtles on College Road

828.) The crepe myrtle in front of our house and the amazing canopy it provides in the summer

829.) The azaleas and lush gardens all throughout our neighborhood in the spring

830.) The palm sale at Church of the servant

831.) The palms on palm Sunday

832.) The processional with the palms at palm Sunday and the tied crosses made of palm fronds

833.) Christmas eve mass

834.) Christmas Cantata’s anywhere in town!

835.) The pond on the municipal golf course

836.) The nesting duck this year at the course and her eggs

837.) The turtles at the pond all sunning

838.) The municipal golf course and its professional look and play!

839.) The chickens in the back yard of someone’s house off the back 9 of the municipal golf course! Love it!

840.) The firehouse at 5th and Castle

841.) The Kenan Fountain

842.) The sanitary fountain at the foot of Market

843.) The woman on cardinal drive that year after year takes such good care of her yard.

844.) The Christmas Dolphins on the entry to Wrigthsville Beach during the season

845.) The little water feature for dogs by Bryant real estate on lumina avenue

846.) The trail on Summer’ rest for bike/hike

847.) Airlie Gardens

848.) The Save Airlie Gardens Facebook Group

849.) The passing of the sales tax that helped to keep us solvent in this county for the common good!

850.) The Foundation at Airlie Gardens

851.) The Annual Airlie Oyster Roast

852.) The Oyster roast committee

853.) The Airlie Foundation board

854.) The easement that has been placed on Airlie for the future!

855.) The Butterfly house at Airlie

856.) The educational programs at Airlie

857.) The leadership and caretakers at Airlie

858.) Enchanted Airlie

859.) The bottlehouse at Airlie

860.) The concerts at Airlie

861.) Time with mom and Harold at airlie concerts

862.) Time with Michael and friends and airlie concerts

863.) Watching the children explore and play at airlie

864.) Seeing families enjoy time at airlie.

865.) The pier at airlie

866.) The airlie oak

867.) The amazing flowers in the spring at Airlie

868.) The chapel at airlie

869.) The butterfly art at airlie

870.) The boat ride and “rafting” for the CFCC foundation

871.) The boat ride and meeting for WIHN board on the intracoastal

872.) The intracoastal waterway

873.) Spending time on the water

874.) Being so close to the ocean

875.) Being so close to the river

876.) Old books of front street finding a new home

877.) The full belly project being here in Wilmington

878.) United National Tours

879.) Daniels Management

880.) The William Hooper Apartments

881.) Elderhaus

882.) The new amphitheater at Greenfield lake being in full swing this year!

883.) The BRAC property now being in the hands of non-profits

884.) Eating fresh fish for the first time and really enjoying it!

885.) Motts seafood

886.) Lunch at Judy’s down in calabash

887.) North Carolina Flotilla

888.) Watching the boats with Michael and friends all decorated!

889.) The flotilla party

890.) The flotilla 5k

891.) The best t-shirt ever from the flotilla five 5k!

892.) Making my first run on the beach

893.) Lying on the beach with Michael

894.) Enjoying time together anytime

895.) UNCW Pride

896.) UNCW College Democrats

897.) Honors Scholars Association

898.) SGA proclamation regarding the suicide of gay teen

899.) Association of Nursing Students

900.) Alpha Phi’s and their service to the heart walk

901.) The Honors Student volunteering with the Heart Walk

902.) The SeaHawk Club

903.) The Athletic Department

904.) Health and Applied Human Sciences

905.) UNCW Advancement

906.) EL White Society

907.) Chancellor’s Club

908.) Bruce Levy Scholarship

909.) The Ada Dean Nursing Scholarship

910.) The BosemanTenHuisen Scholarship

911.) The Dankel Scholarship

912.) The Louise McColl Scholarship

913.) The Stargell Nursing Scholarship

914.) The Dean Scholarship

915.) The Myers Scholarship

916.) The Betsy Ervin Scholarship

917.) Randall Library’s new Learning Commons

918.) The Sherman Hayes Gallery

919.) The Annual Showcase of Undergraduate Research

920.) The annual dinner of honors Office workers at our house

921.) The honors office workers

922.) New leadership in randall library this year

923.) The opening of the new Nursing building this year

924.) Pride Participating in the ENC Conference again

925.) The SGA “breaking down the hate” efforts

926.) Center for Leadership , Education and Services

927.) ODK

928.) Phi Kappa Phi

929.) the BOG visit to UNCW and the student presentations

930.) Wilmington Police Department

931.) The leadership in WPD

932.) The service in our neighborhood of WPD

933.) The Public Information Office at WPD

934.) The Sherriff’s office in New Hanover County

935.) The District Attorney’s office in New Hanover and Pender County

936.) The law office of Julia Boseman

937.) The men who take care of our lawn and neighborhood maintenance

938.) The workers who maintain our sewer and water, particularly in storms

939.) 911 operators

940.) New Hanover County 911 Center

941.) Ambulance Drivers and EMTS (particularly those who helped my family this year)

942.) Those who inspect out restaurants and keep them clean and sanitary for us

943.) Those who serve us in our restaurants

944.) The housekeepers at UNCW

945.) The fire folks in town who are the first responders

946.) Our mail person and service

947.) Our news paper deliverer

948.) The garbage collectors

949.) The collection of our recyclables

950.) The cable in our house

951.) The power in our house

952.) The water we get, not so much the authority

953.) The holiday decoration on the streets of Wilmington

954.) The Christmas tree on the water front downtown

955.) The hanging of the greens at Church of the Servant

956.) Christmas music at different churches in the area

957.) Christmas Lights in the neighborhood

958.) Decorating our house for Christmas

959.) Having a full compliment of decorations to decorate our home

960.) Our annual Christmas gathering

961.) Our annual Christmas CD

962.) Our annual Christmas Crystal

963.) Christmas Cards! (love them!!)

964.) Good Sheppard Ministries

965.) Good Sheppard Shelter

966.) Good Sheppard Soup Kitchen

967.) Wilmington Area Rebuilding Ministries (WARM)

968.) WARM leadership

969.) WSFX Fox

970.) Habitat for humanity turkey trot

971.) All of the projects helping people stay in their homes that WARM does

972.) Habitat for Humanity

973.) All the new homes from Habitat

974.) The Golden Hammer Breakfast

975.) All the groups doing builds for Habitat

976.) The Pink Build

977.) The Bargain box of Wilmington

978.) All of the voucher for those in need of clothing from the bargain box

979.) The proceeds from the bargain box going to area charities

980.) Vintage values

981.) The Domestic Violence center of Wilmington

982.) Tuesday morning

983.) Belks

984.) All the new clothes that I have gotten

985.) The sales on all the new clothes! 

986.) Steinmart

987.) Being able to shop in places where there are not big and tall clothes

988.) Being able to wear clothes that are “off the rack”.

989.) Not having to pay more for my clothing because of my size

990.) Not having to buy clothes anticipating being bigger

991.) Scaling back my closet because I no longer have the “I wanna get in those some day” clothes

992.) Being able to sit in my chair or on my sofa and feel at ease and breathe easily

993.) Not feel so overwieghted or that someone is standing on my chest all the time

994.) No more acid reflux AT ALL!

995.) No more heartburn AT ALL!

996.) No more sense of not being able to swallow!

997.) Taking pictures of others

998.) Sharing pictures with others

999.) Enjoying events and not feeling so self conscience

1000.) The letters from the students each semester

1001.) Every thank you from a student

1002.) Every moment of trust that is imparted to me by a student

1003.) Every time I get to be of help to a student

1004.) Every time I get to witness growth in a student

1005.) Each victory and success that the students around me make!

1006.) Each hurdle or difficulty these students overcome or uncover and make sense of for themselves.

1007.) The obstacles I overcome

1008.) The knowledge that I am never alone in overcoming obstacles

1009.) That each day I am given exactly what I can handle, no more, no less

1010.) That acceptance is the key

1011.) Wilmington Symphony

1012.) Seeing Jessye Norman with Mother in Wilmington

1013.) Ogden Optical

1014.) Holt Oil

1015.) Michael Moore Antiques

1016.) Working Films

1017.) Beuna Space

1018.) The Property Shop

1019.) Adams on Castle

1020.) Kingoff’s Jewelry

1021.) Perry’s Emporium

1022.) Pawn USA

1023.) Just for Buyers Real Estate

1024.) ILM Airport

1025.) The Airport Authority

1026.) Air Wilmington

1027.) Verizon

1028.) Verizon’s team at the heartwalk

1029.) Progress Energy

1030.) Corning

1031.) GE

1032.) Horton Metals

1033.) Wilmington in Black and White

1034.) The journalism of Catherine Welch before she left

1035.) The city manager’s office

1036.) The city planning office

1037.) Kure Beach Pier

1038.) Kure beach boardwalk

1039.) Bowman’s seafood

1040.) The life of Mr. McDuffie

1041.) Naming the community Garden at Hillcrest for Mr. McDuffie

1042.) The Life of Herb McKim

1043.) McKim and Creed

1044.) The life of Beverly Devonne

1045.) The three on the school board who work to ensure the best for all students

1046.) The campaign for Nick Rhodes, may its legacy resonate!

1047.) The service to ALL students by Nick Rhodes

1048.) The campaign for school board of Phil Stine for ALL students

1049.) The campaign for school board of Clancy and Joyce

1050.) The NAACP of New Hanover County

1051.) Greater Diversity

1052.) The Wilmington Black Chamber of Commerce

1053.) WDI

1054.) Cape Fear Homebuilders

1055.) Cape Fear Future

1056.) Sponsorships and community support of Carolina cement

1057.) Coastal Carolina tomorrow

1058.) JS Clark

1059.) Lumina Station

1060.) The aquariums in my office

1061.) The aquarium in the new Hanover county govt. complex

1062.) The aquarium in Randall library

1063.) The NC Aquarium at fort fisher

1064.) The eel room

1065.) The large tank at the aquarium

1066.) The bird area that aquarium

1067.) The public art and graphics at the aquarium

1068.) The Surfhouse restaurant in Carolina Beach!

1069.) The quiet space that arboretum with the Japanese bridge and pond

1070.) Andy’s sculptures of the Buddhist frog at the arboretum

1071.) The arboretum annual plant sale

1072.) The arboretum ability gardens and classes with the extension program

1073.) The azalea festival garden tours

1074.) The candlelight downtown holiday tours

1075.) The windows in first Presbyterian

1076.) The spires on the temple downtown

1077.) The windows of the Lutheran church on market street

1078.) Sister Isaacs’ outreach at St. mary’s

1079.) The back to school bookbag giveaway at creekwood

1080.) The lodge’s support of the bookbag giveway

1081.) New Bridge Bank

1082.) Carolina First and their successful merge

1083.) The loan closing from RBC for Taylor Homes

1084.) The savannah salad at McCallisters

1085.) 19 years of perfect attendance at rotary for Colonel Anderson!

1086.) Being able to give the prayers at Rotary

1087.) Being asked to officiate at a wedding in the spring for two former students

1088.) The Outdoor adventure programs at UNCW

1089.) The guidance for health and wellness from my associate director

1090.) The confidence of my director and my promotion this year

1091.) The relationships we share in my office

1092.) Being happy to go to work every daggone day!

1093.) Knowing that it is about what I do, not what I have

1094.) Knowing I still have more to learn

1095.) Knowing it is one day at a time!

1096.) Just to be alive

1097.) For the very ability to love and be loved.

1098.) To be grateful..to know that NOTHING can be taken for granted. It is all a blessing.

1099.) The peace of my God that comes to me when I allow it each day and the opportunities that are available if I show up.

1100.) For anyone who made it to the end of this list and hopefully..you will make your own..it is, well, powerful, overwhelming, and all that….thanks be!

Day 296: Greater than through love and support: Journey with the Cape Fear Heart Walk and Adam Freeman

Awesome start to the day...3 mile run around UNCW...broke 5.4 miles an hour..did the run in just under 34 minutes. It was bracing to say the least in the chill of the morning, but I got some compression tights to wear and i had a long sleeve shirt to wear that we got on one of my most favorite vacations ever, years ago, to Portland maine, and I have not been able to wear that shirt becuase it was not big enough. Well, now it is! :) and this morning, it not only kept me warm, it ensured that the compression tights did not look inappropriate! :) (still not sure those are ok to wear..however they feel awesome and frankly I would wear them all the time If I could!
I got home and stretched with my little girl helping me out with some Cat yoga! :)





As I shared in the video, I have learned that synthetic socks are essential as are the right shoes. I did my "homework" that Adam gave me last week and went to TriSports in Mayfaire and had my run video tapes to see if I suponated or pronated to much. It turns out I do pretty well, but pronated a little on my left foot and needed to watch how i landed on that foot as well so that I am landing flat and not rolling on it. It was very helpful..expensive..lol..becuase I ended up with the synthetic socks and compression tights (well, it get's cold in the winter)..and a pair of gloves...but I digress... The point is that this is somethign everyone needs to do to find the right shoes and find out how they walk and run! whehter you buy their shoes or not, it does not matter...it matters that you know. I want to run and do all this for a long time and having the right information is very important. Plus..doing what I am asked to do to ensure I am taking care of things is important. I was kind of proud that I went in and did this! :)

Anyhoo...I had a good day on my eating yesterday. I have had a run in with sugar free jelly beans lately and while sugar free there are 80 calories for every 35 of them...so not somethign I can go repeatedly! :) Looking forward to moderation there...


It is an awesome day...and it is only lunchtime!

Love it! thanks be!

Day 294: Greater than through love and support: Journey with the Cape Fear Heart Walk and Adam Freeman

Sunday and it the close to an awesome week!

Frankly I would have never imagined that I would be in a "celebrity" auction...notorious maybe, celebrity..no, and while I have no problem speaking in front of a crowd, taking the stage and walking a cat walk modeling clothes...well, that was unimaginable to me not that long ago. I mean, would cape fear formal have even had a tux to fit me? It was an experience I won't soon to forget with people I truly respect and love for a cause I am so honored to have been a part of of..




Course my favorite part of this vid was the expression the girl from Reed's jewlry at the very end...sort of like "who the hell is this guy"...classic!
But the folks who did this...wow...talk about blessings!

Becuase of this auction and because of a breakfast in the am, I was not able to do Cardio on Thursday. I was not too upset about missing a day, but it cannot be a habit obviously nor do I want it to be.

Friday was a great work out with Adam, we aren't doing the stairs this week...not even doing repeated sets....just going from one exercise to another and moving along at a pretty good clip.

I was getting excited about the weekend because I signed up for the Flotilla 5k at Wrightsville Beach.  I figured that I had to run anyway on Saturday, might as well do it for a good cause and have some fun too!



It felt good to be there. I have to say that the app in my ear really helps to keep the pace, but being in a crowd like this also helps a great deal too! In the first mile, the app as saying I was hitting 6.5 up to 7.0 miles an hour! It was incredible and I was staying with some pretty seasoned runners...but I have not trained for that level and that was not something I could sustain...so I got to a pace that I could handle and it was great! Yes, lots of folks passed me, but it did not matter..I was never dropping below 5.5  miles an hour, I was feeling the amazing chill while running into the sun...and it was awesome! Not to mention that this time I was running by myself..and it was me and the run...I was able to encourage myself! :) that was the best part! Getting across the finish line was great because I was happy for me! :) Does that make sense? It was a great feeling!




and after I left, I went to breakfast with Michael and spent the rest of the day doing things that were productive and had a great day! It was awesome!

Below is a great article that I found and I thought was pretty great..I am still working on the belly...but this was some good info!


Thanks be!

Your request is being processed...

T

Susan B. Dopart, M.S., R.D.

Santa Monica Nutritionist and Author of A Recipe for Life by the Doctor's Dietitian

Posted: November 7, 2010 11:29 AM

BIO Become a Fan

Get Email Alerts Bloggers' Index

Beer Gut? Spare Tire? How To Bust Your Belly Fat

We have a joking term for it -- "beer belly," but the reality is that the kind of fat that accumulates in and around the abdominal region is no laughing matter. In fact, it can have some serious health implications.
There are two types of fat contained within the body: visceral and subcutaneous. Subcutaneous fat is the padding beneath your skin and is not a health risk unless excessive. Think of it like the insulation in the walls of your home. Visceral fat is the one we call "belly fat." What makes visceral fat dangerous is the inflammatory hormones it secretes. Many people know belly fat is not attractive, but may not realize it is a metabolically active tissue with blood vessels running throughout that can be dangerous or even deadly.
Research Reveals The Dangers
A 1998 study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism examined what happens when visceral and subcutaneous fat are observed in a Petri dish. The visceral fat released three times more toxic inflammatory chemicals than the subcutaneous fat.
Visceral fat is dangerous for a variety of reasons:

• It has a direct route to the liver and can negatively increase liver function tests such as cholesterol.

• It is linked with dumping inflammatory hormones into your body, which can affect your heart, kidney and brain.

• It is associated with insulin resistance, which is an inability of your body to respond appropriately to your own insulin, which in turn increases fat storage and blood sugars.

• It is connected with increased rates of cancer and cancer-like growths in the body.

Measure Up
Men with a waist circumference larger than 40 inches, or women with a 35-inch waist or greater, are at a high risk of disease due to increased visceral fat.
To measure your waist, place the tape measurement around the circumference of your waist at the point of your belly button. This measure is more important than the number on the scale: waist size is more important than weight.
It is important to remember visceral fat did not come on overnight, and will not come off easily. This type of fat is stubborn. Consistency with a healthy balanced diet and exercise program is required if you want to see permanent body and health changes.
Lifestyle Change Can Help You Bust Visceral Fat
1. Exercise just 30 minutes per day. "Moderate levels of cardio-respiratory fitness are associated with a 50 percent lower death rate, and this applies in both women and men," states Dr. Steven Blair, professor of Exercise Science at the University of South Carolina and former director of the Cooper Institute. Dr. Blair defines moderate intensity exercise as walking for 30 minutes on five or more days of the week. If there ever was a magic bullet to lowering fat in the body and increasing health, this is it.
2. Stick to a nutritious, anti-inflammatory diet. Consuming unprocessed food in its natural state such as local organic produce, nuts/seeds, lean protein such as grass fed meat, pasture raised poultry and eggs, wild fish, organic dairy, unprocessed grains such as buckwheat, wild or brown rice, quinoa; and healthy fats such as cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil.
3. Eat mindfully. Take 10 minutes out of your busy day to focus on your food and the enjoyment and nourishment it gives you. Eating mindfully helps with being in touch with the amount of food your body needs to match your metabolic rate, keeping your body fat normal.
It is possible to rebound from the belly bulge. By exercising, eating an anti-inflammatory diet and eating mindfully, you'll not only gain a trimmer waistline, but an overall healthier you!
Susan is the author of A Recipe for Life by the Doctor's Dietitian. For more information, visit susandopart.com

Day 289: Greater than through love and support: Journey with the Cape Fear Heart Walk and Adam Freeman

Monday began with getting to the gym and having a great start to the day...





work went well and then I was off to the dentist. I go to Sandra Miles DDS and she is about the only dentist that is currently in practice that can stick that needle in my mouth without Valium or gas. She is remarkable and has been helping me with my teeth health as well, something that I have needed for a long time and now starting to really get it together.

I was in there for a while and then home to try and rest.


Unfortunately the internet stalker was at it again last night, this time posing as someone else on facebook Friday the same person had take the time and money to make a cartoon video and post that.  It seems to never end. What was nice last night after I wrote a few people, filed the report this time on this lunatic/sick person, was that I was at peace.

The world around us may seem completely out of control these days, but strangely it was almost like I have been being prepared for this moment for 20 years when I was told that I would know serenity when in the midst of a storm, I could find myself completely at peace.

Throughout the years, I have been in many storms and found some peace..but not like this.

In most of those storms there was always this sense that I needed to do more, be more, act more, and there were even twinges of regret that maybe if I had just...fill in the blank. There was also remnants of self doubt and letting the insults and hate of others infiltrate my health and opinion of me...my God centeredness. The worst of it was that whatever stress I was enduring, I let myself eat myself into bad health or not take care of myself. The more distraught, the more I grabbed at something to fill the anxiety...and food is a great comforter.

But today, I am realizing more and more that I can only do what I am capable of...and I am grateful for that..but it means there are limits...and in these political races, I have done all I can do. I have shared, talked, given, tried to educate, and been active. I have placed myself out there and not been shy about peaceful, but appropriate confrontation. In the end, that is what I have and I am at peace.

I feel no guilt for who I am and there is a sense of self that i have, after all these years, never had before and will not let go of. You can have so much from me, but you cannot have my sense of self. I acquired that by acknowledging the God within me. Not being God, but knowing that I am the imperfect creation of something much greater than myself and I am do all I can to live up to and be with that guided love in my life each day.

As a result, I don't have to hurt me anymore when I am stressed or when it is the worst around me. I don't have to over eat, do things that only make things worse.  What a wonderful freedom and happiness...that sense of peace.

I am sad that there are those who are going to the polls so selfishly, or those who are reactionary or out of hatred or prejudice. I am sad that corporations have bought and paid for so many votes...the saddest I feel are people I care about who have traded their own influence to ignore a candidate locally over long entrenched race issues and will ultimately see our whole community pay for it in the end...but I am not in control of them or those situations. I have only myself to ask for guidance and try and live that...it is a very freeing sense of place and time.

I have seen my friends beaten up and spoken up, I have never been talked about so much and not let it go when it infiltrated my life but let a lot go where it just showed how unfortunate the prevaricators of such mess are (and learned about some of them enough so about their own family lives to really pray for them actually), and yet, I am at peace. I know my motives, I know why I do what I do, and I will continue to do...and pray each and everyday that it is His will, but at least know that I am trying.

It is the best I have felt, emotionally, physically and spiritually on an election night in a long time.

I had a difficult night last night physically and stayed home today. This evening I was able to run 3.2 miles and while my lungs were a little tough in the cold air and I was struggling with my pace, it was an amazing run.

It is a good night..a good day..and I am grateful..very very grateful.

thanks be to God!