Friday Mailbox and Other Random Stuff

Disclaimers: I received a Relief Box from Chil Wellness in exchange for my honest opinion. I received Feetures socks in exchange for my honest opinion. 

Good morning! I'm home today, chipping away at the 80 hours continuing education activities required for my APRN license. Because the learning never stops, right? No worries, I also squeezed in a run before the seminar started. I mean, what's really important here?

Before I settle in to my Zoom classroom for the day, I've got some fun stuff to share with you. There's just  been too much goodness to share in my Weekly Rundown posts, so I bring you the Friday Mailbox!

I got some fun mail this week! A few weeks ago, I shared some CBD products I received from Chil Wellness, a company started by the father of a child with Juvenile RA. This week I received their relief box, which is packed with CBD containing products! Chil Wellness is a sponsor of the Arthritis Foundation, so I'm really excited to trial and share their products. Chil Wellness has asked me to be an ambassador for the brand and I'm proud to represent. 

My knees are especially loving the Aspen's Maximum relief salve.

Oh and I got some socks... I've made no secret of my sock obsession and when Feetures offered to send me some pairs from their new fall line, you know I said yes! I've been running and lifting in them and they do not disappoint. The cushioning is perfect and the socks don't slide down into the shoes. I've got happy feet!

Speaking of mail, this week I received and completed my mail in ballot. A few weeks ago on my coffee talk post, I implored all of you to vote! Even if we don't share the same viewpoints, it's more important than ever to exercise your constitutional right to vote in this election. Ok, I didn't mail in mail-in ballot. I took my ballot to the local drop box to make sure my vote is counted. I'm not leaving anything to chance this year.

Not mail related, but oh so important, I got my flu shot last week. The flu shot may not help you fight COVID, but you sure don't want to get the flu this year! The healthcare system is already stretched with COVID patients. There's also a chance of contracting both at the same time. Last year was a bad year for the flu. I saw patients who had the flu twice, contracting different strains. While the flu shot isn't 100% effective and some years isn't very effective, it can still lessen the severity of the flu if you contract it. 

A few weeks ago, I shared a post about Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This week, my sister gave me the go-ahead to share her diagnosis of breast cancer here on the blog. Her diagnosis was such a shock. Me, I feel completely helpless. It just feels so surreal. And so unfair. She received her first chemo treatment yesterday and we are all hopeful that the treatment will be effective. She's so positive! Since I can't make her better, I'm doing a few things to support my sister and promote breast cancer awareness:

• donating $1 for every mile I run this month to the Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundation
• wearing pink on every run and workout as a reminder that we're all fighting breast cancer
• running the Pink Pumpkin virtual 10k (there's also a 5k and a half marathon). The race benefits the Susan G Komen Foundation which supports the fight against breast cancer. Use my code ambassador2020 to save 10%.
• wearing my pink roadID on all my runs, who donates $10 for each one purchased to the American Cancer Society. Use my code WENDY_2020 to save 20%.

I have this one, but the bands come in 2 different sizes and also in black and white.

• scheduling my annual screening mammogram for November
• hashtagging all my IG posts with #pinktober, #inoctoberwewearpink, and #breastcancerawareness
• I had my colorist put a pink streak in my hair. I've never done anything like this before...am I too old to do this? I think it's kind of fun!

I hated to end on such a heavy note, but this is what's happening. Has anyone else been through a devastating diagnosis with someone you are close to? Let's lighten up the connversation. Did you vote? Did you get a flu shot? Any fun mail?

I'm linking up with Fridays with Fairytales and Fitness.