Falling off the map

As much as I hate to say it, I’m going to be falling of the grid for the next few weeks. So, there’s a chance you won’t see many, if any, posts from me until the end of October.

Here’s why:

1) I’m getting married. Yes, I’m already married, but we didn’t have a wedding. So I guess I should say, I’m having a wedding here very soon.

2) I’m moving. Not out of state (again), just to a different ‘burb. And in all honesty, it’s pretty logistically hands off for me as my incredible husband is doing the majority of the heavy lifting on this one (literally and figuratively here). But there’s still lots of little loose ends to tie up along the way.

3) Travel – unfortunately, not so much for fun. My company is sending me on a couple trips in the next month so my blogging time will be limited.

So as you can see, any free time I do have is spent preparing for one of these three things. But, the good news is that I will have plenty of experiences to share when I do get back into the swing of blogging.

If anyone is interested in guest posting, let me know. I’m sure the audience would love to hear from someone else for a change.

Until next time -

Love and Blue Skies!

Ashley

Jump for Diabetes – THIS WEEKEND

Shocker! I’m talking about Jump for Diabetes. But, the good thing is, you’ll really only be hearing about this one last time. And of course, likely once after…gotta do a recap!

Anywhoosits – as if you haven’t heard this enough already, I’m putting it short and sweet – here are the reasons not to miss this event:

• High Altitude Jumps
• More than $10,000 in gear giveaways
• PD Canopy Raffle
• Onsite vendors including EG Suits and Guaranteed Wellness
• 4 live bands Saturday night
• RED BULL GIRLS
• Food vendors
• Oh, and HELLO – skydiving!

Needless to say, it’s going to be an incredible weekend. We have 10 sponsored jumpers who will be out jumping their asses off for the cause – myself included.

Fingers crossed for beautiful weather!

Can’t wait to see y’all there!

Love and blue skies!

Ashley

Jump for Diabetes update: Pledge Jumps

It’s about time for one of those updates on how Jump for Diabetes planning is coming along.

I’ve got one word: Incredible!

We have more than 15 skydiving manufacturers who have donated and/or are going to be in attendance. This is much more than we ever expected – and it makes for a pretty great raffle drawing as well.

Should be a great event.

One of the thing I’m doing to help raise money for diabetes research is participating in pledge jumps. From now until the event I’ll be collecting pledges for the jumps I make that weekend from those who also want to support the cause.

Donors can pledge anywhere from $1/jump on up and no money will be collected until after the event – after all, it’s per jump, and I haven’t made those yet .

My goal is to make 10 jumps each day, for two days of the event. This is going to be quite the challenge, but I think I’m up to it! After all, it’s for a good cause, right?!

So who out there wants to pledge me to make these skydives? C’mon, you know you do! Help a chick (and the diabetes community she supports) out. It’ll push me to reach my goal and it’s something you can feel good about!

Email me if you’d like to be a part of my pledge team! (theskydivechick@gmail.com)

Also, be sure to check out the web site to enter the PD canopy raffle, submit donations and pre-register for the event. Skydivers who pre-register for $30 will be guaranteed a goodie bag including t-shirt, raffle ticket and other skydiving goodies.

How do you plan to take part in the event and support this great cause, even if you can’t physically be there?

Blue skies!

Ashley

Jump for Diabetes: PD Canopy Raffle

(Love the new logo! Thanks, Nick Bagnoli)

Alright y’all. It’s time for an exciting announcement from the Jump for Diabetes (JFD).

As some of you might know, I’m a huge advocate for this cause, what with Rick being a type 1 diabetic and loving the sport of skydiving (really?!). Two of my passions in one event – that’s pretty freakin’ awesome if you ask me.

Anywhoosits – this year Performance Designs has teamed up with JFD to give away a custom canopy to one lucky donor.

I know, right, that’s huge!

Just by being one of the first to donate $100 or more to the cause you have a 1 in 100 chance of winning a custom canopy from Performance Designs. BAD ASS!

The coolest part about it is that all the proceeds from the raffle go to benefit diabetes research and help find a cure. That right there should bring you some warm fuzzies .

Check out the JFD blog to find out more info. Or simply send an email to jumpfordiabetes@gmail.com with your name, address, email and phone # to get the process rolling. Donations are collected via PayPal then you’ll receive an eTicket. Winners are drawn at the event, but you don’t have to be present to win. So anyone, anywhere can enter to win!

The raffle is being kicked off today, so don’t delay in making your donations…wouldn’t want to miss out on your chance to win that new Pulse you’ve been eyeing, would you?

Don’t forget to visit the Facebook fan page for the latest updates as well.

Happy hump day, jump day!

Blue skies!

Ashley

I’d rather be skydiving

This weekend will be the first in over a month where I haven’t thrown myself from a perfectly good airplane. I can’t begin to tell you how much I wish I could squeeze it in, but that just doesn’t look possible.

Unfortunately, sometimes life gets in the way.

This little truth has inspired me to start a regular column. So welcome, to the first installment of “I’d rather be skydiving.”

Don’t get me wrong, I’m beyond thrilled to be heading back home – to small-town Michigan –  for a weekend with my family, but there’s a part of me that’s always craving the free fall, the adrenaline rush, the challenge of a good skydive. I think this is true for all passionate skydivers.

So while I’m spending my weekend celebrating my little cousin’s graduation from high school and spending some quality time with Dad, I hope y’all can get out and enjoy some of the local skydiving events in your area:

• June 20 – Full ‘A’ License Course. Skydive Nagambie, Australia. The ultimate skydiving holiday! Seven adrenaline filled days of fun and learning will see you walk away with an internationally recognised ‘A’ Lisence. Information courtesey of Dropzone.com.
• June 20 – Dago Fest. Chicagoland Skydiving Center. Enjoy some Italian Food around the bonfire after a great day of Skydiving! Learn more at SkydiveCSC.
• June 20-25 – Skydive over Mt. McKinley. Denali Park, Alaska. A high-altitude, high-open (HAHO) tandem skydiving event over Alaska’s Mt McKinley. Jump from over 22,000 ft high. No skydiving experience necessary. Visit Incredible Adventures for more information.

Of course, if you’re curious about the sport and want to make your first jump, what a better weekend to do so? Bring dad along for a tandem jump. It’ll be a Father’s Day he’ll never forget! Visit WhereToJump or the USPA Drop Zone locator to find a DZ near you.

If you’re in Northeast Ohio, I highly recommend Cleveland Parachute Center. Tell them Ashley sent you. They’ll take good care of you.

Blue Skies!

Ashley