Melissa’s Voice

in All Posts

A year ago, the Husband and I were apartment hunting in Charlotte.  We thought we had an appointment to see a place but were pretty confused when we knocked on the door and the tenant – not the landlord – answered.  We had screwed up the appointment time!  Lynn offered to show us around the place anyway.

 

What began as a mistake ended up being a rather serendipitous meeting.  I mentioned Operation Beautiful, and Lynn told me that her sister had just committed suicide after a long battle with bulimia.  We ended up hanging out and drinking wine, discussing her sister’s past and how Lynn could help others in a similar position.  And, of course, we rented the house.

 

Tonight, Lynn’s dreams became a reality with the Sip and Savour Art Gallery Crawl for the National Eating Disorders Association and Melissa’s Voice.

0_0_0_0_472_207_csupload_35738817

The crawl went through eight local businesses and ended at my favorite coffee shop, FABO, where I was on hand to sell and sign copies of the Operation Beautiful book. 

IMG_1512 IMG_1514

Nicole told me to make my ‘author face.’  Apparently my author face looks like the duck face…

 

Telling people about the Operation Beautiful movement and selling the book  was so fun.

IMG_1515

And the event was a smashing success – FABO was PACKED with supporters of NEDA and Melissa’s Voice.  A very powerful evening, indeed.

IMG_1520

Not sure of the final number, but thousands were raised for the foundation by supportive Charlotte residents.  I’m so proud of Lynn… she turned something so horrible and crushing into something positive and uplifting.  That, my friends, takes serious heart.  And dedication to the cause.

 

I dog tired by the time I left.  Happy, but beat.

 

For dinner, I had a refried bean and zucchini enchilada, prepared per these general directions.   Other snacks included a sunflower butter sandwich and a big bowl of cereal <— after the triathlon, I was craving carbs!

IMG_1507

The zucchini were special – BABY zucchini!  So much crispier and fresh than the big boys.

IMG_1499  IMG_1504

Have you ever seen a cuter vegetable?  Me neither!

 

Time for bed – I’ve got another tri in the morning!

{ 39 comments }

 

  • Katie of Cabbage Ranch September 24, 2011, 9:56 pm

    Eating baby zucchini? How very Modest Proposal. 😉 You’re crazybusy- sounds like all fun, though. Good luck tomorrow!

  • SaraRM September 24, 2011, 9:56 pm

    What a wonderful way to turn a horrible situation into something positive!

    • Dee September 25, 2011, 1:36 pm

      I agree!

  • Katie of Cabbage Ranch September 24, 2011, 9:59 pm

    Eating baby zucchini? How very Modest Proposal. 😉 What a crazybusy weekend you’re having! Sounds like a great cause, good for her and good for you. Good luck tomorrow!

  • DadHTP September 24, 2011, 10:28 pm

    Did I mention this is my daughter?

    • Corrie Anne September 25, 2011, 12:42 am

      Awwwwwwwwwa!!!! 🙂

  • Army Amy* September 24, 2011, 10:30 pm

    What a great event to be part of!*

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) September 24, 2011, 10:33 pm

    What an incredible meeting! I do think we meet people in life that was just meant to be. I’m so glad that she could do something to put a positive spin on such a horrible situation.

  • J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) September 24, 2011, 10:41 pm

    I love baby zucchini!! So cute and the most flavorful. The texture rocks. YUM!

  • Gina @ Running to the Kitchen September 24, 2011, 11:03 pm

    I’ve never seen a zucchini that small. Incredibly cute!

  • Lee September 24, 2011, 11:04 pm

    That’s awesome!

    Do you have a sock in your hair in those pictures? Every time I see you with a bun, I wonder if there’s a sock in there!

    • Caitlin September 25, 2011, 5:12 pm

      hahah yes… it is a sock.

  • Suzanne September 24, 2011, 11:18 pm

    What a great event! Glad it was so successful! Good luck with your second tri in one weekend-so impressive!!!

  • Ashley @ My Food 'N' FitnessDiaries September 24, 2011, 11:48 pm

    Man, you are QUITE the busy bee this weekend! All sorts of awesome events! Good luck in your next tri tomorrow!

  • Khushboo September 25, 2011, 12:24 am

    Wow what a great event to be apart of!

  • Kathleen September 25, 2011, 12:40 am

    What a wonderful way to offer support to Lynn’s vision and to share Operation Beautiful’s mission with others. It takes amazing people like the two of you to inspire change. Glad lots of people came out and that much needed $ was raised. Good luck tomorrow and congrats on nailing your swim today.

  • Corrie Anne September 25, 2011, 12:41 am

    What an awesome event! And I love those kinds of meetings! They sometimes bring about the BESt things. You must be exhausted, girrrrl!

  • B n B September 25, 2011, 1:19 am

    That’s heartbreaking. I hope these events can raise awareness.

    Another Tri? Why the back to back?

    • Caitlin September 25, 2011, 5:12 pm

      Why not!

      • B n B September 25, 2011, 6:46 pm

        Oh sorry – I didn’t mean that the wrong way. I thought maybe it was a special fundraiser or something that’s all.

        • Caitlin September 25, 2011, 6:48 pm

          oh i know! i wish it had been – i need to do another fundraiser race.

        • B n B September 25, 2011, 8:53 pm

          Fundraiser or not – it’s quite an accomplishment!! I simply thought the two events were related somehow.

  • Julia H. @ The Petite Spiel September 25, 2011, 1:37 am

    This is so inspiring. I’m so glad to hear that she had the chance to make a difference after her tragedy.

  • Ericka September 25, 2011, 6:53 am

    That’s awesome…I love when things that are “serendipitous” happen. I’m so glad that event went well. And, no, I have never seen a cuter vegetable, ha!

  • Brittnie (A Joy Renewed) September 25, 2011, 7:36 am

    What a wonderful event. It is amazing to see how someone can take something so awful and use it for such good. I am especially drawn to events/foundations like this as I struggled with an eating disorder a few years ago, and know firsthand how all consuming it can become. Congrats on a successful event!

  • katie @ KatieDid September 25, 2011, 8:46 am

    You should be so proud of yourself as well for being part of such a moving and inspiring event, that takes a lot of courage and heart. It sounds like an awesome evening (and entire day!). Good luck today with your race, I’m sure you’ll rock it!!!

  • Hillary September 25, 2011, 9:15 am

    You certainly had a very busy, very good day. What a fantastic cause to support.

  • Jessica @ Jess Go Bananas September 25, 2011, 9:23 am

    Good luck on your tri! I am going to being walking in the NEDA Walk next Sunday! Operation Beautiful helped me out so much! I do it myself these days! 🙂

  • Sophie @ threetimesf September 25, 2011, 9:33 am

    That’s such a sad coincidence story – but like you say, it’s great to see Lynn trying to help others and raise awareness.
    Good luck in the tri!!

  • Alex @ Raw Recovery September 25, 2011, 10:19 am

    Wow, what a tragedy that has kept a memory alive and turned into something positive. I’d like to read more about Lynn.

  • Molly @ RDexposed September 25, 2011, 11:13 am

    And I thought my tiny Brussels sprouts that I picked up yesterday were cute…

  • Amber K September 25, 2011, 1:07 pm

    Those are cute! And now I’m totally craving enchiladas. Sounds so good on this very cold day.

  • Dee September 25, 2011, 1:37 pm

    Those baby zucchini are so adorable!

  • Brittany @ LessBritt MoreLife September 25, 2011, 2:25 pm

    What a great event! Operation Beautiful is doing so many wonderful things and inspiring so many people 🙂

  • Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife September 25, 2011, 2:39 pm

    Wow, what a nice thing to do! Glad it went so well!

  • Amanda @ The Beauty Notebooks September 25, 2011, 3:17 pm

    I wish I could have been there to experience and have you sign a book for me! Operation Beautiful has touched so many lives, and it makes a difference in this world. YOU make a difference. Thank you 🙂

  • Heather September 25, 2011, 3:31 pm

    Talk about a meeting that was meant to be! Wow. You are so inspiring, Caitlin! 🙂

    • Caitlin September 25, 2011, 5:10 pm

      Thank you sweetie.

  • CJ @ http://healthy-happy-whole.com/ September 25, 2011, 3:57 pm

    oh my gosh what a great cause. obviously eating disorders hit pretty close to home for me, and i just pray i can help someone see that although recovery sucks, they arent alone and being hungry, miserable and full of negativity is no way to live. thank you for spreading the message and operation beautiful. i hope you know how much i appreciate it.

Healthy Tipping Point