It has been a busy couple weeks and often that makes my mind spin a little more than normal :).  With that being said here are my updates and thoughts for the week...

March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month.  Joe would do anything - share his story...personally talk to others...speak to groups - to get the word out and encourage others to get screened.  Now it is our turn to spread the word and support awareness.  
Friday, March 4th is Dress in Blue Day
Dress in your finest blue (Joe's favorite color) and spread the word.  Colorectal cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer deaths in the US and one of the most preventable cancers with screening.  So don't take things for granted and get screened.  Here is a great site to check out more statistics and how to promote awareness - www.ccalliance.org

A wonderful quote I saw on the Oscars (I may not have it word for word, but you get the point)...

It's not the baggage you carry, it's how you carry it.

I love this - for I can't choose what's in my bag - but I can make sure to have a fun / festive bag to try and make my baggage look a lot better.  I carry mine in a Team Vogel shoulder bag with a hot pink / sparkly liner.  What do you carry yours in?

I need to throw out a few more dates here.  Joe always wanted to be involved and these next two events were two of his favorite.  I hope you will be able to join Team Vogel and be there for Joe.  

Sunday, April 3, 2011 - Fools Five Road Race
-Lewiston, MN-
www.foolsfive.org
This run / walk features a 1 mile race and an 8K.  Joe trained so hard and was able to run the 8K one month before he realized his cancer was back and he walked the 1 mile in 2010.  He also loved attending the Live and Silent Auctions on the Friday night prior to the race.  Check out the website for more details.  A few pictures...

The last save the date I have for you...

Thursday, July 14th, 2011 
-Strike out Colon Cancer-
The LaCrosse Loggers Event
(More info. to come in the future...but it is one heck of a time :) )

So - my thoughts are here...there and everywhere.  I hope everyone is having a great week.  

Take care -
Rach

The First Annual Team Vogel vs Cancer Bowling Tournament was a success.  It was a blast and amazing to see family, friends, acquaintances, and community members coming together for one cause.  We were able to raise approximately $2,000.00.  This was a great way to kick off the 2011 fundraising.  Thank you to everyone who participated and to Joe and his staff at Hog Line Lanes.

I would like to send a special thanks to Brad – thank you for all your organizing and planning to make this such a great event.

Team Vogel was strong on Saturday night.

Now – to the scores / rankings.  Congrats to the Pin Heads who recorded the highest score and earned their names on the plaque.  I plan to practice this off-season to hopefully post numbers like them next year :). 

1st Annual Team Vogel vs. Cancer Bowling Results -

Pin Heads  -2,258
4 Balls and 2 Splits - 2,196
Double D-LC - 1,987
Low Maintenance - 1,955
Brothers and Mothers - 1,835
Team LITTLE JIM - 1,826
BOWLieve - 1,820
Habachi - 1,622
Team BIG JIM - 1,609
jhubb3000's Pocket Aces - 1,526
No F'n Strikes - 1,436
Gutter Hounds - 1,394
Strike Kings - 1,386
The Gutter Boys - 1,385
Brady - Ouellette - 1,284
Livin' On A Spare - 1,281
Gutter Gang - 1,280
Holy Rollers - 1,278
Joe's Dream Team - 1,246
The Strike Sisters - 1,163
River Donkeys - 1,055
Team Berzinski - 971

At this time – I feel pictures do the event more justice than my words. 

And...Although we always tell ourselves - Joe is here - he makes sure to show up in pictures to prove his presence.

It was a great weekend - Thank you for the laughs and good times.  Here's to Team Vogel.

Love - Rach

I would like to remind everyone - We will be accepting nominations through March 31st.  If you know a family in the Winona area, that is dealing with cancer, and could benefit from financial support - please take a moment to share their story and nominate them by clicking HERE.  We will select the families that will benefit from Team Vogel vs. Cancer Fundraising Events the beginning of April.

Hope all of you have been stretching and practicing up for the 1st Annual Team Vogel vs. Cancer Bowling Tournament.  11 days left til the big event.  Please feel free to stop in and join the fun even if you are not signed up on a team - there will be plenty of fun for all.  The tournament will be held at the Winona Athletic Club from 10a - (about 10p).  You can also see all the details by selecting Upcoming Events.

Well - I tried to get on here last night and write, but yesterday was a tough day.  Often times, I don't want to write how I really feel - for then I have to admit this is reality.  Today, I am writing in hopes it will be good therapy.  I think I may have touched one of the rocks in "rock bottom".  I'm tired of crying, I'm tired of not feeling happy, I'm tired of looking at my computer for 2 hours - just trying to send one email.  I'm just tired.  I keep thinking - I sure didn't sign up for this life, but no one would and I wouldn't sign up for any other life either.  It is hard to believe I haven't seen or touched Joe's hand in 6 months.  I try not to count the days, but it is pretty hard not to.  Every night - I cross off the day on the calendar thinking...I made it through another day.

Ever morning I get up and hope it will be a better day.  Somedays flow smoother - other days I can't wait to go back to bed.  I just wish there was medicine or a cure for this pain.  Time seems to be my worst enemy these days but the one thing that may help me deal in the end.  I don't want time to pass me by - for I feel like I move further away from Joe...but I also want time to fly by in hopes it will bring comfort.  

So - last night I crawled into bed, my head spinning like crazy - and zoe began to bark / growl a little.  I just gave here a kiss and told her to hush.  Then my bedroom door slammed shut.  So at that point - I knew Joe was there and telling me to get it together - well needless to say I may have had a few choice words with him - and then let him know I love him more each day.  He sure knows when to show up.

Today's a new day and hopefully will be a better one.  I will never stop hoping for good days - they will come.   

Love - Rach