Are you Ready for Some Football???

After last night's upsetting BCS National Championship game, you would think football would be the last thing I would be writing about.  However, registration is now open for one of my favorite fundraising events...BvB CLE!!!  

Last year, we raised over $41,000 for the Alzheimer's Association and, despite losing to #TeamBlonde, had fun doing so.  I will once again be taking the field with #TeamBrunette to tackle Alzheimer's and get revenge on #TeamBlonde on June 15!  So how can you get in on the action this year??

1: Registration is now open online.  Remember, only girls can play.  Redheads and all other hues are free agents.  Once again, there is a fundraising goal of $250 and you must attend practices.

2: Come to our Battle of the Bombshells happy hour kickoff this Friday at Around the Corner in Lakewood.  $20 will get you all you can eat and drink from 8:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.  This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about BvBCLE, sign up to play or coach, join a committee, and have a fun night out with friends.  There will also be a raffle with many fun prizes, such a s a booze wagon, to win.

3: Not sure you want to gear up and take the field?  There are many opportunities to join various committees.

4: Check us out on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

I was once again asked to be an official blogger for BvBCLE and will be back to "Monday Night Football" posts every other Monday.  I am looking forwards to getting back on the field and helping exceed this year's fundraising goal of $50,000!  

2012 Team Brunette

Monday Night Football Week 6: May Happy Hour

Another successful practice for Team Brunette is in the books.  While we may have not had our full team together this past Sunday, we will for sure be ready to take on Team Blonde on game day.  If you are wondering where I may be playing on the field, all I am going to say is I better start channeling my inner Montario Hardesty and Emmitt Smith!

Montario

Emmitt

If you may recall,  #BvBCLE held a very successful (and fun!) happy hour a few weeks ago.  This week, we are doing it again!  Come on out to The Boneyard in Broadview Heights for After Hours Happy Hour!  This time, we will be offering $25 all you can eat and drink.  There will be a 50/50 raffle, pool tables, and another chance to meet the BvBCLE players and coaches.  If you cannot make it out and still want to help, a $20 donation will get you a ticket to the big game on June 16th.  Remember, there is still no cure or permanent treatment for Alzheimer's.  

Until next time...follow your heart, fulfill your hunger!

**Disclaimer:  I was asked to blog about my experiences as a player for the inaugural #BvBCLE football game.  I am required to attend at least 4 practices and reach a fundraising goal of $250.  All opinions are 100% my own.  Go #TeamBrunette!**

Monday Night Football Week 4: Gear up, Get Psyched!!

I will admit, I could not resist the high school cheerleading flashback with the title...except I only cheered for basketball.  But anyways...I first want to thank everyone who came out the Battle of the Bombshells Happy Hour last week.  Between the raffle tickets and guest bar tending, $1,170 was raised and will be added to the volunteers' (including my own) fundraising efforts.  It was great to finally meet Charlene and Katie in real life and I always love an excuse to hang out with Julie (and finally meet her bf Todd), Nidhi, Kimberly, and Brad.  The next BvB Happy Hour will be May 10th at The Boneyard in Broadview Heights.  More on that in a future MNF post!

Loved this pic Julie...even though you are not in it :(

Over the weekend, I finally received my practice schedule.  As I have mentioned, I am required to attend at least 4 team practices.  I could not be more excited to start either!  I will admit, I don't think I have touched a football since the days of sorority powderpuff in college.  I hope I can still catch.  At least I know I can run!  If you are still on the fence about playing, here are the team practice schedules: 

Team Blonde: 

• April 29 10:30am-12:30pm -Force Fitness 21220 Center Ridge Rd  Rocky River, OH 44116
• May 6 10am-11am -Force Fitness Rocky River
• May 16 7pm-8pm -Force Fitness Rocky River
• May 20 10am-11am -Force Fitness Rocky River
• May 31 7pm-8pm -Force Fitness East location 
  
• June 2 9am-10pm  -Force Fitness East location 
  
• June 7th 6pm-7pm -Force Fitness East location 
  
• June 10th 11am-12pm -Force Fitness East location 

Team Brunette:

April 29 10:30am-12:30pm -Force Fitness 21220 Center Ridge Rd  Rocky River, OH 44116

May 6 11am-12pm -Force Fitness Rocky River

May 16 6pm-7pm -Force Fitness Rocky River

May 20 11am-12pm -Force Fitness Rocky River (a miss for me since it is MARATHON DAY!!)

May 31 6pm-7pm-Force Fitness East location 

June 2 9am-10pm and Car Wash 10am-2pm -Force Fitness East location 

June 7th 7pm-8pm -Force Fitness East location 

June 10th 10am-11am -Force Fitness East location 

FRIDAY is the final day to sign up and play!    Remember, Alzheimer's can develop in anyone at any point in life.  Currently, there are no permanent treatments or cures.  Raising awareness is one way to help fight against this horrible disease.  

Until next time...follow your heart, fulfill your hunger!

Monday Night Football Week 2: What is Alzheimer's?

Imagine being surrounded by your family in your own home except you have no idea who these people are and where you are.  They keep calling out to you yet you cannot remember who they are or why they would know you.  You feel confused, lost, scared, and alone.  Suddenly, you become agitated and want these people gone.  Are they going to harm you?  Why do they keep trying to get your attention?  Where are you?  In an instant, you recall who you are, where you are, and who these people are that keep calling out to you.  Your family appears to be a mix of fearful, sad, relieved, and confused.  They want to help you but sadly, even their best efforts may not be enough.

That scenario is what I imagine a person suffering from Alzheimer’s struggles with as the disease slowly takes over their life.  Fortunately, I have never had a loved one suffer from Alzheimer’s and I cannot fathom what their family and caregivers go through on a daily basis.  I am one of the lucky ones.  According to the Alzheimer’s Association, over 5.4 million Americans have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease.  It has become the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. and the only one in the top 10 causes of death that cannot be prevented or slowed down.  While it is more common in people over 60 with family history, Alzheimer’s can affect anyone. 

Participation in events such as Blondes vs. Brunettes is a fun way to raise awareness and money to help in the fight against Alzheimer’s.  While there are some treatments to make life for people with Alzheimer’s less difficult, there are no treatments to slow down the progression of the disease or prevent it.  Currently, advances are being made daily in Alzheimer’s research to better understand causes and discover better treatment methods.

from http://www.alz.org/research/overview.asp

There is still time to sign up to play, coach, or join a committee.  Also, stop by Around the Corner in Lakewood on April 18 from 6-8 for happy hour.  Finally, if you know someone with Alzheimer’s and need a little extra support, there is a 24/7 helpline: 1-800-272-3900.  Please pass this number on to anyone who may need it.

Until next time…follow your heart, fulfill your hunger.

**Disclaimer: I have been asked to blog about my experiences as a player for the Alzheimer's Association Cleveland Chapter's Blondes vs. Brunettes Powderpuff Football game on June 16.  I am required to attend practices and reach a fundraising goal.  All opinions are 100% my own**

Monday Night Football Week 1: What is #BvBCLE

Are you ready for some football??

Yes, I am well aware it is baseball season and I am about to get into the really high mileage portion of my Cleveland Marathon training, however I also have signed up to play in the Blondes vs. Brunettes powderpuff football game.  This event is being held by the Cleveland Area Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.  On June 16th, Team Blonde will be facing off against Team Brunette at Cleveland State to raise money and awareness for the fight against Alzheimer's.   Friend and fellow blogger Julie is also involved and has asked me to blog about my experiences as a player.  Each week, I will post something related to #BvBCLE on my "Monday Night Football" posts.  Some will be related to what is going on on the field, while others will introduce you to why I am playing and why Alzheimer's awareness is important.
 Last week, I attended the players and coaches draft event and there is still a need for both players (girls only) and especially coaches (guys or girls).  There is also a need for volunteers and committee members.  For more information, check out the BVB website, Facebook, and Twitter.  Also, stop by Around the Corner in Lakewood on April 18 from 6-8 for the next #BvBCLE happy hour.  I just may be behind the bar that night too. Let's get ready to gear up and tackle Alzheimer's!

From the BvB Facebook page

Until next time...follow your heart, fulfill your hunger!

**Disclaimer: I have been asked to blog about my experiences as a player.  I am required to fulfill all responsibilities such as attending practices and fundraising.  All opinions are 100% my own.**