The Weekly Newsletter for October 15-19, 2012
An amazing weekend

My yellow jersey
This is the jersey I got to wear in the big Ride for the Roses this past weekend in Austin, a huge fundraiser for the Livestrong Foundation.  Sweet!


With "my boys"
These two sweeties and I met on Friday night and, as these things go, ended up first running into each other around town and then, as these things go, ended up making a point to spend time together.
 
Chris, on my left, and Steve are highly inspirational gents.  Both have raised big money for Livestrong and both have overcome amazing obstacles in their lives.  And now we're friends, planning to see each other next year at the latest.


Dinners to go for the week
 
 
Monday, October 22
Lemon Tarragon Chicken with Farro Pilaf 8.25
 
Tuesday, October 23
Local Candy Roaster Squash Risotto with Kale 7.25
 
Wednesday, October 24
Roast Pork Tenderloin with Beets in Orange Vinaigrette 7.95 (GF)
 
Thursday, October 25
Swedish Meatballs with Dilled Egg Noodles 8.75
 
Friday, October 26
Beer Battered Fish Tacos and Arroz Verde 9.00
 
Call by noon and we'll have your dinner ready at 3. You can stop by to pick yours up until we close at 7. Add Salad (3.25) or bread (1.25) if you like.

Laurey's


Casserole and Lasagnas to go
Casserole to go:
 
Wednesday, October 24
 
Seafood and Sausage Gumbo Pie
with Biscuit Crust
Whole: 70 Half: 35
 
Lasagna to go:
 
Friday, October 26
Mediterranean Eggplant, Basil,
and Feta Lasagna
Whole: 38 Half: 19
 
Call by noon and then come pick up between 3 and 7


The start of the big ride
On Sunday I joined 4299 other riders at a late-dawn start for The Ride for The Roses - a major fundraiser for Livestrong.  Of the 100 mile or 65 mile or 20 mile options I chose the short route, given my current state of not being in the best biking shape.  Still, it was quite lovely and fun and just enough for me. 
 
At the start, we rode about 10 miles, a gradual uphill climb with a less than gentle headwind (not a biker's favorite combination.)  But then, joy of joys, we turned around and headed back on the same road - 10 miles.  Downhill.  With a tailwind!
 
Totally fun!


Dude!
Here's me on my way to the big Gala fundraising dinner. Also known as my version of Black Tie.  Ha! 
 
At the dinner we were entertained by Robin Williams and Nora Jones and Steven Marley (Bob's son) and Sean Penn and Matthew McConaughey and a bunch of others.  It was big fun.  The food was made by Top Chef winners.  Very yum!  Very swank.


TWO thumbs up!
Me, with a fraction of the other riders. all lined up for the big Sunday ride. (That's my new bike and my new helmet and my new shades and my new shoes too.)


Me
On Saturday we got to ride with Lance!  We were on a closed course that is used for go-carts and, on that day, two Formula one cars.  Zounds they are LOUD!!!!
 
We rode around the track enough times that each of us got a few minutes with Lance, enough time to get a picture of him and each of us.  He told me that he loves Asheville.  Fun!
 
I'll show you those pictures when I get them.  In the meantime, this is me crossing the finish line.


A word or two from Laurey
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Hi hi hi.
Yes – this newsletter is late.
Yes, I am fine.
Yes, I had a full weekend and that is why this is late.
 
I just got back from an amazingly inspirational weekend in Austin, Texas, courtesy of Livestrong, the group started by Lance Armstrong to give support of cancer survivors around the world. They have certainly helped me enormously and so it was a fine thing to get to go there to thank them back – if only a little bit.
 
Actually I got to go because I ended up being the top fundraiser for their Endurance Events. And I got there with you, since you so generously supported me as I was raising funds for my Ride Across Iowa. And even though I didn’t get to ride (this year), I did get to learn more about Livestrong, primarily by having their support as I dealt with the news that I needed more treatment.
 
If you’ve been reading the newspapers you will know that this is a challenging time for Lance and for Livestrong. But I was joined by hordes of people who deeply appreciate him and are deeply grateful for his inspiration and for all he has done for cancer survivors. We were not there to judge him. If anything, the outpouring of support was very moving, for us and for him.
 
It was very special to ride my new bike next to my hero. We chatted about Asheville and about this and that. And when my moments with Lance were done, I rode next to other top fundraisers and some other bike guys. Turns out, those bike guys were some very famous Tour de France fellows, namely Axel Merckx and Jens Voight. For you non-bike riders, this is like sharing jokes with Ellen DeGeneres or playing karaoke with Liza Minnelli. Big stuff!
 
Lance himself gave me a trophy for my fundraising success and I got to speak to the 250 gathered friends, telling them about what Livestrong means to me. I was speaking to major fundraisers, long-term friends of Livestrong, and supporters of Lance. The night was full of emotion and sincerity and humor too. And it makes me even more devoted to Lance and to Livestrong. His example as a cancer survivor is immeasurable. And the services given to cancers survivors by Livestrong are without compare. (I’ll be riding the Iowa ride next summer and hope you’ll consider being on my fundraising team again.)
 
I had my first experience of walking a fancy carpet. In this case the carpet was yellow, not red, but the affect was similar. There was a bank of photographers and, once they realized I had no hair (ok, I took off my hat briefly) the flashes went kind of crazy and I was asked for comments and a couple of interviews. My picture turned up on the AP feed and my story was on the local Fox and NBC affiliates. And the BBC called and interviewed me – from London. Of course all of this was trying to bait me into saying disparaging words about Lance, but they were asking the wrong person if that’s what they wanted. From me they got gratitude and thanks for my hero.
 
So all in all, it was an enormous boost for me as I continue to check off treatments. I now have 3 to go (well, after this current one is done.) And I now have an even larger group of supporters who, along with me, believe I will get through this challenge and will emerge, fuller than ever of pep and vigor, ready to carry on with my life.
 
Thanks for sticking with me. I’ll be in touch this Saturday – but wanted to get this to you as immediately as possible.
 
Cheers,
Laurey


A Texas lunch (yum!)
Can't go wrong with some ribs and potato salad, right?
(Though I have to say, 12 Bones' ribs were much better...)
In the course of the weekend I got my fill of Tex-Mex spice. 
Made my time utterly delicious.

Laurey's Catering and gourmet to go • 67 Biltmore Avenue • Asheville • NC • 28801