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28 February 2012

Hello :)

Well you know that I had a break away in a cottage. That was really nice because we were allowed to take Mabel with us and that made it perfect. We didn't do loads of things, just a few trips out and lots and lots of crafts. The cottage had an arga in it which would have been really nice but it was making really bad fumes, so they had to turn it off and we all had headaches for ages.  When we got back from the cottage, we went to a place close to us called Eden Lodge cos it was my Gran's birthday and we had a lovely lunch, it's my favourite place to go at the moment and they're always really nice to us.

Last week was busy doing things for the charity and I'm really happy to tell you all that Alice's Escapes is now a proper charity, all registered and everything. I was so excited when my mum told me - I really did wonder if it would happen cos everything seems to take ages. So now I'm made up that I'm here to actually plan things for the charity and I'm so looking forward to getting our first family on a holiday.

We now have some proper events booked in and the first thing will be the Coniston race which our friend Lesley is organising. There is a lovely group of Team Alice runners and they meet up for training runs and on 31st March, they are going to be running around Coniston Waters for Alice's Escapes. They even have proper Alice's Escapes running vests so you should see them if you're there.  Lots of them are also running the Coniston to Barrow in May, which is 23 miles.
Team Alice On Tour - LEJOG

Then, on 20th April, Mabel's Uncle Simon (from the kennels) is leading a team of cyclists on quite a big bike ride from Lands End to John O Groats (LEJOG) which is miles and miles. I'll have to check exactly how many but I think it's nearly 1,000!  Every day, we'll be stopping off somewhere overnight and you can see the route for each day on their blog. So if you're somewhere along the route, you'll have to come and cheer them on - they've got really cool cycling jersey's sponsored by 'Fuse Fashion Network' and I've got to say a huge thank you to Wendy Hallett who was very generous in supporting me.  

In May, we are entering the largest ever team into the Keswick to Barrow.  Luke, who runs the THHN in Torbay is coming up especially, which is really nice of him. It is because of Luke that I started Alice's Escapes and the beach hut mug I originally designed raised money for the THHN.

And the last thing is that my amazing Mum has booked the Kilimanjaro trip and on 27th September she will be flying out to Tanzania to climb the world's tallest freestanding mountain. Mum has been to Africa 3 times and she always said that she'd climb Kili one day.  Dad is doing it too and early in the morning on 4th October, which is also my Granddad's birthday, they'll be standing up there with an enormous smile on their faces :)  Quite a few of our friends are going with Mum and Dad, so it will be special to know that they will all be together out there.  Mum and the rest of Team Alice will have Just Giving pages so if anyone wants to sponsor them, I know they'd be really grateful - it's not easy to climb big hills when you're as old as my mum and dad are lol.  We are hoping to raise enough money to buy a lovely holiday caravan so that our families will always have somewhere to stay, especially in the summer months when our business supporters might be full up.

Is anyone going to see the Olympics this summer? We applied for a few things but didn't get anything and then wished we'd put other things down - but we didn't put everything down cos we didn't want to end up with everything and having to pay thousands. It was a bit impossible and after all that, I watched a program about how some people are still selling packages and guaranteeing really good tickets that we've been told are sold out. It made me really mad cos it's making the Olympics into something that only very rich or famous people can get to and it should be something that everyone can experience.  We were really glad we didn't get tickets in the end, because then we saw the price of hotel rooms and you could go on a nice 5 star holiday for the same price, apart from I can't actually go anywhere abroad but you know what I mean.

Well, it's the 1st of March tomorrow and it's one of my best friend's birthday - so happy sweet 16 to Clarissa, can't wait to see you on Saturday. Next week, I'm going to the Love Barrow awards on Friday which I'm kind of excited and nervous about at the same time.  I got a lovely new dress sent from Emma at the weekend and if I can find something to cover my horrible legs, I'm going to wear it to the awards evening next week cos it's really nice. They came to film me and Milly for them and it took about 5 minutes for Milly's piece to be filmed and about 5 hours for mine! I'm hopeless and kept getting mixed up, I was glad that they had a sense of humour and laughed with me! After the Love Barrow Awards, I'm really excited about Crufts! I can't believe that it's come round and that I'm actually feeling okay still and it looks like I'll be fine to go. I'm getting to go to the Best in Show on Sunday which is really exciting because I haven't been to the final judging before.  I've been saving my Christmas money for ages, well since Christmas doh, and I'm going to enjoy buying a special present for Mabel.

Okay, that's it. I'm going to go and do some tweeting now cos I've been a bit bad lately and not doing it as much. Today Davina McCall has been rowing across the Channel with John Bishop to raise money for sports relief and just before I started this, I saw that they had made it back to Dover, so that made me really happy for them.  John has already cycled nearly 200 miles before he rowed across the channel and now he has to do 3 marathons over 3 days! Doesn't it show what you can do when you put your mind to it? I think that's part of the reason I am still here now, I don't really think too much about not been here and I always make sure that there's something to look forward to and something to do.  And when I do go, no one will ever be able to say that I didn't do anything with my life.


36 comments:

  1. i am so proud of you alice, i read your blog frequently and your positivity is inspiring. you'll never know how many people whose hearts you have touched but there are so many of us who care about you and wish you peace. thank you.

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    1. I know some of the people I've touched because you bother to leave messages for me. I just have to guess there's lots more because I get about 5,000 hits on here every day but maybe only 30 comments so I guess that's a lot of people.
      Thank you for leaving a message for me, I love reading through them and sometimes, like now, I even get to reply xxx

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  2. It's a leap year Alice. So tomorrow, well today now, is the 29th February not the 1st March. Take Care!

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  3. Thank you for sharing your life with us. You have done so much for others. Your kindness and generosity will live on forever. Your last sentence reminded of a paper I did on the definition of time. I'd like to share it with you.


    Dictionary.com lists the definition of time as “the system of those sequential relations that any event has to any other, as past, present, or future; indefinite and continuous duration regarded as that in which events succeed one another” But how does one define time themselves?

    I see time as a sentient creature. Time is what we use to mark the moments we spend with friends, family and loved ones. The moments we spend laughing, crying, playing and enjoying laughs. Time is what we use to share memories with others.

    Time is a healer. There is an old saying that states; “time heals all wounds”. This is mostly true. While the pain and hurt is still there, the passage of time makes it a little easier to deal with.

    Time is also a betrayer. It leads you to believe that you have enough moments to spend with loved ones, only for you to realize that you never had that time to begin with.

    From the moment we are born the hourglass that marks our lifespan is set into motion. With each passing moment the grains fall into the bottom container and when the last grains start to fall we can either look back on our lives with regret that we didn’t do enough or with joy knowing that we did all we could to lead a joyful life.

    Time is all too short. It is up to us to choose how we spend the moments allotted to us, before the final grain of sand falls.

    What you have done dear Alice, is bring a world together. You are a bright star in this world. Thank you for all you've done and have gotten started for others. May God bless you and your family.

    Cat

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    1. Awh thank you, what lovely things you say x

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  4. Alice,
    Congratulations on getting your charity officially up and running. You continue to amaze me with your energy and positive attitude. Mabel is going to be so happy that you saved your Christmas money for a treat for her. I can only imagine what it will be like to be at Crufts. Your Mom and Dad are amazing and I'll be rooting for them on that climb!! Don't tell anyone, but I'm even older than they are. LOL I send you good thoughts and a prayer every day that you continue to keep up all of your good work. Hugs from Florida :)
    Pam

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    1. Thank you Pam, I was so pleased that we got the charity up and running with me here to see it. I know that my mum will keep it going, that will become her thing. Mabel is so spoilt she has everything lol. Mum is training now for the mountains - I think she's nervous really lol but not saying!

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  5. "no one will ever be able to say that I didn't do anything with my life." Absotively, posilutely, no one will ever be able to say that. You have changed the world.

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    1. Ha ha I have filled every minute of it and enjoyed (almost) every minute LOL x

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  6. alice you have done SO much with your life, and you're not done yet! you are an inspiration! bravo!

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    1. I hope I'm not done yet LOL. Thank you for your words x

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  7. "It's not the years in your life, but the life in your years" - if ever a quote was written for someone, this one's for you Alice! Have a great evening at the Barrow Awards and if I see someone under a huge pile of lovely doggy things at Crufts - I'll know it's you! Keep shining Alice x

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    1. Thank you, I'm so excited about going to Crufts :)

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  8. Hi Alice,

    WOW! You have so much going on and have done so much with your life. More than most people can say. I am so happy for you. What a difference you are making in this world. May God continue to bless you and your family.

    Love and hugs,
    Alyson in SC, USA

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    1. Thank you - the support from everyone around me is what keeps me going. It's so nice to see that I can make a difference, if only to a few x

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  9. Alice, You have done so much in your 16 years. You are an inspiration for everyone. I strive to be more like you every day. We read your blog all the way in Oklahoma!

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    1. Hello and thank you for your words. I didn't really set out to do anything, it just kind of happened but it feels so much better to be going knowing that I've made a difference to some people in this world.

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  10. Alice, you're an AMAZING GIRL! Just know that we love you! x

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  11. hope your doing well darling x keep having fun and doing what you love ;D

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  12. Bone Marrow Drive at Maple Elem tomorrow inspired by you! When I contacted DKMS and they asked how I heard I told them you, and they said at the one in NYC who amazed and thrilled they are that you are inspiring so many to donate! Thanks! Take Care.

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    1. Of all the messages I get, these are the ones I love the most. It is just beyond wonderful to know that people listened and joined and now we're hearing of people who have donated and saved lives. It doesn't get any better. I'll always be happy, wherever I am x

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  13. Hi Alice. I found your blog through Gossip Girl (I'm an award winner). You are such an inspiration! I am a cancer survivor. I had a Wilms Tumor when I was a small child. Now I only have one kidney and chemo treatments have caught up with my heart, but I am thankful to be here :) I hope you are able to complete everything on your bucket list and more!

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    1. Thank you Heather, keep enjoying everything you have x

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  14. Alice, you've done so much with your life and no matter when it is you leave this world you leave behind a lasting legacy. Your charity and all the people you've inspired and motivated to do great things are all down to you. FYI, you'll look gorgeous in your new dress and so will your beautiful legs!

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    1. I'm so pleased that my charity is now official and up and running. I know that the people who are running it will keep it going and that my mum will always do whatever is needed (including hiking up big mountains lol). Thank you, but I think my legs might end up under cover!

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  15. What an inspirational, brave young lady you are Alice. Instead of moping around feeling sorry for yourself, you're out there living your life to the full and helping others along the way. God bless you and your family and long may you continue your great work x

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    1. Thank you. It would be impossible for me to feel sorry for myself because I enjoy life too much to spend time feeling miserable.
      Can't wait to tell you all about Crufts x

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  16. Hope you are feeling well. I ran across an article on this company today and thought it was worth spreading around. I thought your venue might be the perfect vehicle to do it. See this link for information on the company.

    http://www.helpineedhelp.com/#/

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  17. Hi Alice, its amazing to hear how well your charity is going. I live in Kendal which is very close so i'll have to come up to the coniston race and i'm covering the keswick to barrow walk with st john ambulance so i'll certainly look out for people with the team alice gear on. I hope crufts is amazing, im sure it will be. I'll write again soon. Heather (Pyne as well) x

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  18. You are doing so much! So exciting about the mountain climb. WOW! I'm rooting for Team Alice.
    Great to hear you sound so chipper.
    xoxoxox Tracey

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  19. Bless you Alice - thank you for the mention! Coming up is the least I can do after all the money you have raised for THHN! See you soon :-)

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  20. Mountain climb?! That's awesome! Thanks for the update. Kick some butt! :D

    Your fellow bucket lister,
    Mike Hoang

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  21. Hi Alice

    You are amazing! And so say 150 children at school who now know all about you! We were talking of inspiring people and you are just the perfect role model - so thank you for making such a difference to so many young lives.

    We love team Alice!

    Maggie xx xx

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  22. Que increĆ­ble capacidad para superar dificultades, eres una inspiraciĆ³n. Muchas gracias.
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    What an incredible ability to overcome difficulties, you are an inspiration. Thank you very much.
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    My site!

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