Sweet Tomatoes Monday

To my local friends: You are invited to join me Monday, June 27 at Sweet Tomatoes in Carrollwood. They are graciously donating 20% of dinner sales to my walking team Cups of Sunshine for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. Come anytime between 5pm-8pm and present this flyer when paying for your dinner. (Please download flyer and print)

How great is that you can support breast cancer while eating dinner at yummy Sweet Tomatoes?!?! There are 2 flyers on the same page so feel free to share with a friend. Even better forward this blog to your friends and make it a night out to dinner! I truly appreciate your support and I look forward in seeing you Monday at Sweet Tomatoes!

Results & Next Event

Crafting For A Cure was a success! We were able to raise over $1,000 for our walk! WOOHOOIEEEE!!!

Our next event is Mama Mia Dinner & Dance on May 7, 2011. For $8 per person, you can enjoy a homemade spaghetti dinner with salad, bread & dessert. Then we'll dance the night away! Reservations are requested so please contact me to reserve your table. With Mother's Day the following day, give mom the night off from the kitchen and support breast cancer! For more info, visit www.avonwalk.org/goto/cupsofsunshine.

Crafting For A Cure Raffles

Saturday is my Crafting For A Cure event. We'll have over 30 local crafters & vendors there! I'm soooooo excited! This all benefits my walking team, Cups of Sunshine, for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer I am participating in October with my bestest friend, Missy, my mom and her friend. It's going to be a girls weekend as we'll be traveling from FL to NC for this! And what a great cause to be doing this for!

At our event this Saturday, we'll have some baskets full of great goodies from our crafters & vendors up for raffle. You do not need to be present to win. Here is a list of the raffle baskets then I will explain how you can purchase raffle tickets if you are unable to attend Crafting For A Cure.

White Plastic Basket - Total Value $119Included in this basket:
*Avon-Cherry Blossom bath & body set $30
*Eleventh Hour Designs-necklace, bracelet, earring set $25
*Jersey Girls Creations-Capri Sun purse $10
*Knits & Knots-bear $20
*Premier Jewelry: gift certificate $25
*Sew Be It-sunglasses case & coin purse $9


Purple Bucket - Total Value $80Included in this basket:
*Custom Creations-freshwater pearls necklace $20
*Karen's Kreative Arts-hand painted vase $20
*Origami Flower $3
*PJ Crafts World-3 bars of soap $12
*The Purse Lady-Coach purse $25


Pink Bucket - Total Value $95Included in this basket:
*Catattude Country-2 purse charms, spring votive holder, spring garden bucket $25
*Creative Memories-2 mini albums w/paper & gift certificate for power sort $40
*Bracelet $10
*My Thoughts Exactly-stationary set $20


Pink Basket - Total Value $102Included in this basket:
*Tupperware-citrus tool $5
*The Purse Lady-Coach wallet $20
*Handcrafted necklace & earring set; coasters $12
*Simply Sweet Bracelet Boutique-bracelet $40
*Partylite-gift certificate $25


Green Basket - Total Value $99Included in this basket:
*Avon-Armitron men's watch $40
*Kat's Jewels-bracelet $15
*Artistry-gift certificate $25
*Thirty-One-thermal tote $19


Blue Bucket - Total Value $77Included in this basket:
*Gold Canyon Candles-candle shade $20
*Miche Bags-purse charm $13
*Mary Kay-gift certificate $20
*Pampered Chef-cookbook & dish towels $24


Blue Basket - Total Value $83Included in this basket:
*Memorable Children's Books & Gifts-Disney math cards, magnetic drawing board, books $45
*Pink Lemonade Designs-3 hair bows $16
*Knits & Knots-hat $12
*Dove Chocolate-cocoa rub $10

Blue Plastic Basket - Total Value $66Included in this basket:
*Cally's Creations-crayon roll $6
*Cute Kitties-plush kittie $20
*Everlasting Gifts-necklace $12
*Knitting Stuff-scarf, pot holders, baby faces $8
*Tastefully Simple-gift certificate $20


Raffle tickets are $1/ticket or 6 tickets for $5. If you'll be at Crafting For A Cure, purchase the tickets Saturday. If you're unable to attend you may purchase tickets by PayPal. Send payment as "gift" to swillis413@hotmail.com. In the message section, please list how many tickets you'd like to purchase and which basket(s) you want to put your ticket on. Also include a phone number. All ticket purchases must be complete by Saturday, April 2 midnight. All winners will be notified no later than Wednesday, April 6 and will be responsible for picking up their basket. If you are not local to Tampa, you may still purchase tickets but you'll be responsible for shipping costs. Of course you are always welcome to make a donation on my website at www.avonwalk.org/goto/samwillis.

If there are any questions about this event, the raffle, the walk or anything, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Thanks for the support!!

Breast Cancer Crafts

The following crafts were handmade by myself and my walking buddy Missy. If you are not in the Tampa area, you may still purchase our crafts and we'll ship them to you for $1/item.


Breast cancer ribbon clip - perfect to clip on your purse, bookbag or any bag! $5



Breast cancer earrings $7



Breast cancer pin - perfect to wear on your shirt, attach to a bag or anywhere! $5


Magnets - set of 3 $5

Also available is a 2 year pocket calender 2011-2012 with a breast cancer cover. $5


Follow my journey at www.avonwalk.org/goto/samwillis. See my team progress at www.avonwalk.org/goto/cupsofsunshine.

Thank you for your support!!

Save the Boobies!

I am participating in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in October 2011. Help me find a cure! Visit my Avon blog for details. Please consider making a donation to help me reach my goal of raising $1800.

Happy Holidays!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month all over the nation. This disease has hit close to home so I am a full supporter of research to find a cure. My aunt had it twice and my mother-in-law has had it twice and they both won the battle. My MIL's second battle was earlier this year and what a scary time that was. She still has young children at home so the thought of them growing up with out their mom is sad. What is worse is that is Sara's grandmother and she is my second mom. We would be devestated! But luckily it was caught in the very early stages so she is ok. She is a very positive and strong women. I admire her. And not only how she handled her breast cancer situation but overall life. She's constantly on the go and her children and granddaughter are #1. She strives to make sure everyone is happy. Although she does sometimes forget about herself. She does need to put herself first because we all need that "me-time." What is the worst about this situation is this is Jason's mother (Sara's dad). He abandoned Sara and her last year and no one knew where he was. I really don't know how much contact he has with her now but I know he has little contact with Sara. Sara is at the point where she doesn't even care. I don't want to get off track about my topic here so I will stop with my Jason talk.

My parents' close friend also battled this demon and she won. Joe's sister too. I have been fortunate that I don't know anyone personally who has died from this. Since my aunt had it then it's in my genes. What if I get it? Will I be around for my grandchildren? That is a far fetch thought since I don't even want to think about Sara having a BF which as far as I know isn't interested in boys that way yet. But I know it's coming! But what is Sara gets it?

There are ways to be prepared. Females should perform a monthly breast self exam. If you feel any weird lumps see your doctor. Males can do this too because it is possible for males to get breast cancer. See your doctor for annual exams. Make sure your body is getting proper nutrition. Some say cancer is hereditary others say it's based upon your lifestyle. I believe both are true. We all have cancer cells and anything can trigger them to be active, especially stress!

If you are financially able to, donate funds to help with research so they can find a cure. Wouldn't that be awesome if there was a cure? Even if it's only $5 you are contributing something. You can even go here to make your contribution today. This link is for my friend Tara who is walking in the 3 Day Breast Cancer walk. All funds rasied by the walkers go to research to find a cure. Other ways to help is volunteering with cancer organizations such as Susan G. Komen Foundation. Educate yourself about breast cancer and share your knowledge with others. Let's make a difference now so our daughters & sons won't have to worry about this!

I am supporting Breast Cancer Awareness in several ways. For starters, I'm spreading the word. Secondly, I have contributed money to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. With funds very tight these days, I was able to squeeze a small amount to support Tara in her walk as well as the 1 day walk I was going to participate in. I am also volunteering at the 3 day walk with my GS troop. Let me say that this is such an experience! My GS troop has been volunteering at the 3 day for 2 years. This will be our 3rd year. Let me say what an inspiration these walkers are and even if my GS weren't volunteering I would still do it on my own. WOW! Wow, that's all I can say. These people are truly amazing. This will be Tara's 3rd year walking it. She is truly amazing! Read her story on her 3 day page. You'll see just how amazing she is.

Ok, I'm at work and it's month-end time. Let the fun begin.