A Walk for Nanny. A Walk for Everyone.

For Nanny. 

For everyone's own Nanny.

Courtesy of Palmetto Health Foundation 2012

October 6.

October 6. October 6. I've been obsessing about this date for what seems like months now. October 6 was the day of Palmetto Health Foundation's Walk for Life/Race for Life 5K. October 6 was the day I realized that I'm not the only one. 

The back story.

This summer was the first time I had a real job in the healthcare field. And the first time I realized how badly your feet will hurt. During one of my attempts to rest those tired feet of mine, I stumbled upon the Walk for Life 5K on the interwebs. Suddenly I knew this was my chance. My chance at finally taking a stance against breast cancer and fight back by walking those aching feet.
My reason was simple. Do it for Nanny. Do it for her. She's my beloved grandmother and fighting the recurrence of breast cancer that has spread to her bones after she was in the clear for 15 years. She is the woman I want to be. And if I do something, anything... then this is the time to do it.

The walk.

When Boyfriend and I arrived at Finlay Park, the mass crowd of white and pink overwhelmed every single coping skill I had. There were children running, vendors selling, ladies stretching, men talking and dogs barking. It was almost too much to bear.
As I stood watching everyone, Boyfriend grabbed my hand and lead the way. Hand in hand. Weaving in and out. Even avoiding Spiderman at one particular junction. He was here for me and here her, too. 
But then I had a thought. I didn't come here for me. I came here for her. And as I looked around, I realized that everyone else was here for their own special someone, their own nanny, too.

On a bear hunt? On a lovebird hunt.

This week has so lovingly been name "lovebird" week. Why? For the mere fact that I've spent a lot of time, effort, and money looking for the perfect lovebird. Now, I've ended up with three.

First, I started looking on craigslist for some, if any, lovebirds. I kept thinking that I could find the perfect lovebird for the perfect price just right down the road from me. Well, I was wrong. Not only did I stumble upon some pretty pictures with no birds attached, but I also found myself corresponding with poor speller e-mailers. Aside from that, my boyfriend just kept sighing each and every time I mentioned the lovebird idea.

How could he just sigh? I am planning my future! I am expanding my household and this man is sighing?

With failed attempts from craigslist, I ended up searching for a local bird store. And the next day, I was off to the bird store!

(Bird #1)

So why did I buy a lovebird? To have a bird wake me up in the mornings with the sweet chirps. But, this one didn't chirp. In fact, I generally had to wake her up most of the time.

Then I noticed she was beginning to seem lonely... Awww... I need another one!

With the help of my dear friend and old roommate, we went to the said store to buy a second bird for my lonely peach face lovebird. This will solve all my problems... ALL OF THEM!

As soon as we got there, the guy knew why I was there. He immediately said, "No, if you get another one, they might kill each other." OH.

So what was my end result? Buy the adorable pair who are already "bonded" and return the first bird tomorrow! But in the meantime having three birds is a bit challenging, exasperating, and extremely frustrating. Too much chirping.