Barbeque's, sunshine and family, its so easy to forget why we are offered this fortitude on this Memorial Day weekend. As a military spouse, I am beyond proud. Don't forget to remember....Thank you to all who serve and have served this Memorial Day....

I remain blessed...listen to your heart...D

Today I was asked to be a keynote speaker at a kick off event for Lockheed Martin for our Greater Washington Region Heart Walk! Linda Gooden, from Lockheed Martin, is this year's heart walk chair and her passion is clearly conveyed in the Lockheed family. It was amazing and I felt blessed to share my story. I live the loss of my parents and my own heart attack and surgery but I don't often allow myself to feel the loss. It never goes away.

I feel so honored to be a part of the American Heart Associations team.

To put things is perspective tonight, my son Carter held tightly on to his favorite toy all the way through his bath. He is still smiling as Daddy is rocking him to sleep.

My life is great, I am blessed and this is why I share my story.

Listen to your heart~

Have you walked today?

I am so excited and honored to be featured on the American Heart Associations Heart Walk website! As a heart attack and stroke survivor, its importmant for me to inspire change and create hope. 80% of Cardiovascular disease is largely preventable. This includes exercise. Just 30 minutes a day can change your life!!!
http://www.startwalkingnow.org/


I was also excited to have been at the Hughes Kick off celebration yesterday as they inspired change and challenged their employees to get moving and WALK with the American Heart Associations START! Walking tracker!!!!

So get up and get moving!!!!

Listen to your heart!!!!

When I was younger I decided I would write a book. This was really a collection of short stories that I gathered while visiting different places. Mostly, retirement homes and VA's. There were and are so many incredible stories. Like many thoughts and dreams, sometimes life just gives you a few detours to make you value the stories you want to aspire to tell.

Today I had the "fun" of hanging with the RED HATS! This group of Women brought me back to what I aspired to do many years ago. They also reminded me of my Grand Mother, Memaw, who is 84 and still so full of life! Shirley, who is 84, ran today's event and just sky dived!!!!

The Red Hats and Mended Hearts organizations are so impressive individually but together along with the American Heart Association have so many books to be read.

Heart disease is the number one killer of men and women in American and number three in stroke. I was able and honored to speak today on heart health but lets face it, they educated me. I was so honored and blessed today.

Thank you to Shirley and the Red Hats. I tip my hat to you!!!

There are just some days that you really worry about prior to even starting. Its usually the big days. Yesterday was a big day. It started at 9am and was scheduled to 10pm, which really meant 11pm for me and many other American Heart Association staff and volunteers. The American Heart Association host a "Heart's Delight Wine Tasting and Auction" annually and this yes did not deny. With over 400 in attendance, over a million dollars raised and a plethora of world renowned chefs and wine experts, it truly was what Washington, DC is known for. Glitz, glamour and philanthropy. Did I mention the Honorable Richard Chaney also attended the weeks events. A friend of mine was so excited about Dick Chaney, me well, the minute I saw the chef that worked with Gordon Ramsey I was in! I love Hell's Kitchen!!!!

We started out the day setting up then the wine Bordeaux tasting and seminar followed. Around 8:30pm the live auction started with a lot of hoopla. The theme was the village people and the 70's. Yes, I sported some fantastic glasses and hat!

As things winded down, all the auction items were packed and attendees checked out....14 hours after it started,,,I headed home. Thank you to the Omni Shoreham, Washington, D.C. for hosting the event and supplying all the incredible food to all the volunteers (we even had sushi!) and AHA, Lane and Heidi for putting on such an amazing event.

Listen to your heart~D

What can I say, life is good. After all, I was able to spend this past Monday on a golf course for a GREAT CAUSE! The day was sunny and a bit brisk but by the afternoon it was pretty much perfect. I volunteered to help out with the American Heart Association's "Celebrity Golf Tournament". I had the fun of challenging the players to a 50/50 challenge on hole 17! If they made the shot, we paid them $20. If they didn't, they paid us. There were a few that made it but they let us keep the $20...good sports:) I was able to raise $960 dollars.

The event itself raised over $275,000!!!!!

Since I am not a golfer, I did have some challenges initially finding the hole but I ventured out in my golf cart (first time driving one:)) and finally came upon it. The challenge lasted five hours and I did manage to see a lot of deer. I am from Florida so deer excite me! I tried to get a picture but they were camera shy and FAST!!!!

Until next time...listen to your heart~D