A Letter from Jenny

Dear Friends,

Wow--this blog auction stuff has been incredible! I had no idea. No idea. And honestly, I've felt a little embarrassed by all the attention. But as a friend of a friend said, an experience like this opens one up to the amazing outpouring of love and to begin to know how much we are loved.

And oh boy, do I feel the love. It fills me, straightens my bending, strengthens my weary bones, and fuels my exhaustion. I feel the support and find purpose outside of my bed.

So a few acknowledgments are in order:

To those who donated for the auction--you are amazing. You demonstrate your skills and talents and the ability to create and make the world beautiful. I love how every item up for bidding was so individual to your abilities, from Dutch oven dinners to quilts to babysitting and math tutoring. I realize that we all have a contribution to make and we all need to rely on each other because individually we can't do it all on our own.

To those who bid--you are generous. Beyond generous. I want to be like you. I want to learn to dig deep and spread what I have to help others. To those of you who outbid each other, you are funny. Stay friends, though, ok? Don't be bitter, be better. To those who won, congrats! I hope your winnings are everything you wanted them to be and I hope you always remember the love and gratitude I have for you. To those who didn't win, again, don't be bitter, be better. Thank you for raising the stakes. You have boosted me in many ways. I love you.

To those who advertised on Facebook and blogs, thank you for spreading the word. I don't know many of the people who participated, but I feel like I found a whole bunch of new friends. Thank you.

To those who donated directly into the Paypal account, thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You all are helping me to realize that I can get through this, that I can figure out how to manage it all, and that I will beat cancer.

To Emily who coordinated this all, your quiet service and love and support are incredible and I will always appreciate this. Thank you for sharing your time and hard work.

But most of all, to all of you, far and wide, I have learned something that will stay with me the whole rest of my long life. Marjorie Hinckley once said, "Oh, how we need each other." Thank you for being here for me in this crazy experience. I will be here for you.

And the grand total is...

$5,155 in bids

+ over $1500 in donations

= more than  $6,655 to help Jenny with her expenses!

You all have exceeded our expectations (which were pretty high to begin with)! Jenny is overwhelmed with gratitude and will be posting a letter soon to express her thanks. In the meantime, we give a big thank you to all who donated, bid, spread the word, and followed the auction. You made this possible!

Stay tuned for Jenny's message!

The Auction Is Now Closed!

Auction Guidelines & How to Bid

• The auction will begin on February 14, 2011 at 9am EST and end on February 15th at 10pm EST (please note we've extended the auction!).
• To bid on an item, you will need a paypal account.
  
• Leave a comment at the bottom of the post you'd like to bid on. Be sure to include your name, email address, and bid amount (in even dollar increments, please) or your bid will be invalid. 
• After the auction closes, the highest bidder will receive an email from welovejennyauction@gmail.com to confirm they won the item, and then emailed an invoice. Please do not pay until you have received an email, followed by an invoice.
• Upon receiving an invoice you will have 24 hours to pay for your item. Payment will go directly to the Jenny Reeder Fund. If you have not paid after 24 hours, the item will go to the next-highest bidder.
• When you have paid for your item, your shipping/contact information will be forwarded to the vendor, who is solely responsible for the delivery of the goods or services. The We Love Jenny team cannot be held responsible if the vendor neglects to deliver goods or services. 

That's it! Come back on Monday to start bidding! Don't forget to look at all of the categories on the right, and select "Older Posts" at the bottom of each page so you don't miss any of the great items up for auction.

78th Item: Too Cool for School Bag

Item: Too Cool for School Bag
From: Amy D.
Description: Prove that you are "too cool for school" with this brand new High Sierra Messenger bag in blue & black. This versatile messenger bag features a padded main compartment, organizer pockets, removable key fob, side mesh beverage compartment, reflective piping accents, and a loop to hold a bike LED blinker. Material: 600-denier Duralite, Mini Ripstop - Waffle Weave. 

Location Restrictions: Ships anywhere in USA or delivered personally in the Washington DC area.
Suggested Retail Value: $45 
Starting bid: $15

77th Item: Restock your Medicine Cabinet Box

Item: Restock your Medicine Cabinet Box
From: Amy D.
Description: Time to toss the expired medicines out the door and restock your cabinet with a box full of new products. Contents include: Complete Multi-Purpose Solution for soft contact lenses (12 ounces), Vicks DayQuil Sinex (20 liquicaps), Excedrin PM (20 gelcaps), Excedrin Extra Strength (8 tablets), Stopain Pain Relief Roll-On (3 ounces), Bengay Greaseless Pain Relieving Cream (2 ounces), Arth Arrest Tropical Analgesic Lotion (3 ounces), Blink Tears (.5 ounces), Tylenol Precise Heat Patches for Arms, Neck, and Legs (4 pack), Nivea Recovery Lip Care (.17 ounces), NeilMed NasoGel for Dry Noses (1.52 ounces), Motrin PM (20 coated caplets), Johnson & Johnson First Aid to Go Kit (12 items).
Location Restrictions: Ships anywhere in USA or delivered personally in the Washington DC area.
Suggested Retail Value: $79
Starting bid: $26

76th Item: 4 Piano Lessons

Item: 4 Piano Lessons
From: Kate M.
Description: Kate has taught piano for years and is willing to teach any age. Each lesson is 30 minutes. Use as a refresher course if you've played before, or see if you're interested in long-term lessons if you've never played!
Location Restrictions: Students must be in the DC area; lessons can be in Kate's home (Arlington, VA) or student's, if they have a piano.
Suggested Retail Value: $100
Starting bid: $33

75th Item: Custom Baby Quilt by Katie

Item: Custom Baby Quilt by Katie
From: Katie Blakesley of Swim, Bike, Quilt
Description: You get to pick the colors and basic style, and Katie will create a beautiful, professionally finished quilt for a child you love. The quilt will measure approximately 36" by 36". Photos above are of a quilt she's made and her two new, favorite fabric bundles to give you a bit of inspiration!
Location Restrictions: Ships anywhere in the USA
Suggested Retail Value: $100
Starting bid: $33

74th Item: Claw Foot Drop-Front Oak Desk

Item: Claw Foot Drop-Front Oak Desk
From: Pam O.
Description: This oak desk was built circa 1910 and is in excellent condition. Great as it is, or use it for a fun restoration project. Mostly solid oak. It has a few minor defects in the veneer on the front. There is a blue paint spill inside one drawer, which is not visible unless drawer is opened.
Location Restrictions: Must pick up and haul away in Provo, Utah
Suggested Retail Value: $450
Starting bid: $150

73rd Item: 1-Hour Jon and Melissa Photography Session

Item: 1-Hour Jon and Melissa Photography Session

From: Jon and Melissa Photography

Description: Jon and Melissa are natural lighting, candid, lifestyle photographers with a clean, contemporary, creative, and fine-art style of photography. Session valid for engagements, couple, family, children, or high school senior (no weddings or maternity/newborn photos). Includes high resolution disc with 50 images of your choice from the session. 

Location Restrictions: Must be used in the Washington, DC metropolitan area by April 30, 2011.

Suggested Retail Value: $400
Starting Bid: $133

72nd Item: Carlyle $50 Gift Card

Item: Carlyle $50 Gift Card

From: J. Jackson

Description: In honor of Jenny and one of her (and the donor's!) favorite restaurants, this gift card can be used for dinner at the Carlyle or any of the Great American Restaurants located in Northern Virginia. 

Location Restrictions: Ships to anywhere in the USA: only redeemable at select restaurants in Northern Virginia

Suggested Retail Value: $50
Starting Bid: $17

71st Item: Capitol VIP Tour & Lunch for 2

Item: Capitol VIP Tour & Lunch for 2

From: Annette Lantos of www.lantosfoundation.org

Description: Treat yourself and a guest to a private VIP tour of the Capitol Building and lunch in the Members' Dining Room. Annette's tours have been enjoyed by dignitaries and celebrities from around the world - They are legendary! Bring a date, family member, or friend for a rare and memorable DC experience. Valid for 2 people at a date and time to be arranged with Annette.

Location: Washington, DC

Suggested Retail Value: $100
Starting Bid: $33

70th Item: Heart Mini Quilt

Item: Heart Mini Quilt
From: Vicki of Sew Inspired 
Description: Share the love with this sweet gift for your valentine or for yourself! The quilt is 16" square and machine quilted. Made from red, pink, brown, and white fabrics.
Location Restrictions: Ships anywhere!
Suggested Retail Value: $35
Starting bid: $12

69th Item: Upcycled "Monster Teeth" Handmade Purse

Item: Upcycled "Monster Teeth" Handmade Purse
From: Sabaku Designs 
Description:  Useful and fashionable wristlet made from Tanzanian cotton and scrap fabrics with a zipper and a strap. Lining inside. Exterior and interior are both interfaced to keep the shape. Originally designed and handcrafted by Sabaku. Approximate measurements: opening of the pouch: 18 cm (7.1 in); width of the widest part: 24 cm (9.4 in); height in the middle: 12 cm (4.7 in); strap: 26 cm (10.2 in).
Location Restrictions: Ships anywhere!
Suggested Retail Value: $16
Starting bid: $5

68th Item: Dinner for Two at Solitude

Item: Dinner for Two at Solitude
From: Saint Bernard's at the Inn at Solitude Mountain Resort
Description: You and your guest will enjoy a Wednesday Night Wine Dinner, minus the wine, at Solitude's fine-dining restaurant. Enjoy breathtaking mountain views as you eat Chef Matt Barrigar's 3-course menu, including soup of the day and your choice between 2 entrees and 2 desserts. Redeemable on Wednesday nights only.

Location: Solitude Mountain Resort, Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah
Suggested Retail Value: $80
Starting bid: $27

67th Item: One Child's Hat from Classy Crochet

Item: One Child's Hat from Classy Crochet
From: Jen of Classy Crochet
Description: Take your pick of one hat from Classy Crochet's fabulous collection! All of Classy Crochet's hats are lovingly stitched by Jen, one loop at a time. Check out her etsy shop for a variety of sizes and styles (flowers, frogs, pandas, pigs, and more!) for both boys and girls.
Location Restrictions: Ship anywhere in the USA
Suggested Retail Value: $15-35
Starting bid: $7

66th Item: 10 Hours of Wedding, Trip, or Closet Planning

 

Item: 10 Hours of Wedding, Trip, or Closet Planning

From: Annie H.

Description: Feeling overwhelmed by your upcoming wedding? Want to take a vacation without having to figure out your itinerary? Haven't seen the floor of your closet for awhile? Annie, a former concierge with lots of planning experience, is offering 10 hours of assistance with wedding planning, travel planning, or closet space planning and organization. Divide the 10 hours among as many of the 3 categories as you'd like.

Location Restrictions: Salt Lake County, Utah County, or Park City

Suggested Retail Value: $240

Starting bid: $80

65th Item: Custom Birthday Cake

 
Item: Custom Birthday Cake
From: Jennifer R.
Description: Make a friend or loved one's birthday extra special with a custom-made cake by Jennifer! You choose the cake's theme, flavor, fillings, and buttercream or fondant frosting. Cake size limited to 75 slices maximum. Offer not valid for wedding cakes.
Location Restrictions: Will deliver to Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, or Falls Church; those in other locations must be willing to pick up the cake from Jennifer.
Suggested Retail Value: $210
Starting bid: $70

64th Item: Pink Zig Zag Baby Quilt

Item: Pink Zig Zag Baby Quilt
From: Christine of SCP Quilts
Description: This beautiful quilt is both feminine and fun! It features purple and pink patterns on the front and light pink with pink, purple, yellow, and blue circles on the back. The quilt is 100% cotton with 100% polyester batting. Dimensions: 28" x 40.5" (71 x 103 cm).
Location Restrictions: Ships anywhere!
Suggested Retail Value: $100
Starting bid: $34

63rd Item: Personalized Baby Receiving Blanket

Item: Personalized Baby Receiving Blanket
From: Susan B.
Description: Susan will personalize a soft receiving blanket with the name of your choice sewn around the edges. Winner will have over a dozen flannel fabrics to choose from, geared for a boy or a girl. (Fabric will be different than that in photo.)
Location Restrictions: Ships anywhere in the USA.
Suggested Retail Value: $15
Starting bid: $5

62nd Item: Nursing Cocoon (Nursing Cover-Up)

 

 

Item: Nursing Cocoon (Nursing Cover-Up)
From: Candice of Squirmy Worm Studio & Made with Love
Description: This stylish Nursing Cocoon is made of 100% cotton fabric from Free Spirits's Robots collection (Blue Linework Robots) + Riley Blake's Wheels collection (Red Cherry Dot), and embellished with yellow ric rac. Nursing Cocoons are an essential (and stylish!) privacy shield for the on-the-go mom. Measures approximately 36" wide by 24" long. Made with a rigid neckline so Momma can maintain eye contact with baby. Neck strap is fully adjustable to Momma's liking by use of D-rings.
Location Restrictions: Ships to anywhere in the USA.
Suggested Retail Value: $25
Starting bid: $8

61st Item: 8 Handmade Cards in Red & Pink

Item: 8 Handmade Cards in Red & Pink
From: Natalie T. & Friends
Description: Send your well wishes in style with a beautifully hand-crafted greeting card created by Jenny's cousin Natalie and friends. Each bundle includes 8 (4 1/4 X 5 1/2 inch) cards, complete with envelopes. The inside of each card is blank, ready for your personalized message.
Location Restrictions: Ships to USA and APO addresses.
Suggested Retail Value: $24
Starting bid: $8

60th Item: 8 Handmade Cards of Flowers, Etc.

Item: 8 Handmade Cards of Flowers, Etc.
From: Natalie T. & Friends
Description: Send your well wishes in style with a beautifully hand-crafted greeting card created by Jenny's cousin Natalie and friends. Each bundle includes 8 (4 1/4 X 5 1/2 inch) cards, complete with envelopes. The inside of each card is blank, ready for your personalized message.
Location Restrictions: Ships to USA and APO addresses.
Suggested Retail Value: $24
Starting bid: $8

59th Item: Pink, Brown, & White Car Seat Cover

Item: Pink, Brown, & White Car Seat Cover
From: Jill S.
Description: Pink and brown polka dots on a white background with white ribbons and a white cotton lining. Great to keep baby out of the rain, snow, bright sun, or away from yucky germs.
Location Restrictions: Ships to continental US only.
Suggested Retail Value: $21
Starting bid: $7

58th Item: Striped & Dotted Car Seat Cover

Item: Striped & Dotted Car Seat Cover
From: Jill S.
Description: Multicolored striped and polka-dot cover with blue Velcro ribbons and a white 100% cotton lining. Great to keep baby out of the rain, snow, bright sun, or away from yucky germs.
Location Restrictions: Ships to continental US only.
Suggested Retail Value: $21
Starting bid: $7

57th Item: Westwater Canyon 2-Day Whitewater Rafting Adventure

Item: Westwater Canyon 2-Day Whitewater Rafting Adventure
From: Colorado River & Trail Expeditions
Description: With Ben and Josh Reeder as your guides, you will enjoy the ultimate rafting adventure for those who want it all in a limited amount of time. Westwater Canyon has one of the best stretches of whitewater on the Colorado River and is one of its most photogenic canyons. Class 3-4 rapids (depending upon the water level) provide fun rapids for people of all abilities. Participants must be at least 12 years old.
Location Restrictions: Trip begins in Moab, Utah.
Date: Lauch dates are available spring to late summer, depending upon available permitted launch dates. Specific dates TBD by Ben, Josh, and winners.
Suggested Retail Value: $450/person
Starting bid: $400/person. Minimum of 4 participants required; maximum of 8 participants allowed.

Please read carefully: This trip will go to the bidder offering the highest total amount, not the highest amount per person. For this particular item, please format your bid as follows:
Name: Jane Doe
Email: janedoe@janedoe.com
Bid per person: $400
Number of persons: 4
Total bid amount: $1600 

56th Item: Dotted Market Bag

Item: Dotted Market Bag
From: Diane of Random Thoughts... Do or Di
Description: Reversible, lightly quilted bag of beige and brown dotted fabrics. Use as a library bag, grocery bag, purse, beach bag... whatever you use it for, you'll look stylish doing it!
Location Restrictions: Will ship anywhere!
Suggested Retail Value: $25
Starting bid: $8

55th Item: Retro Baby Quilt

Item: Retro Baby Quilt
From: Crafty Tammie
Description: Blue-grey dot sashing frames sweet animal images made with Avelyn Rockabye fabric. Pink dot backing. See her tutorial for this specific quilt here!
Location Restrictions: Will ship anywhere in the USA
Suggested Retail Value: $75
Starting bid: $25

54th Item: Alaskan Salmon Fillet (approximately 1 pound)

Item: Alaskan Salmon Fillet (approximately 1 pound)
From: LB
Description: Approximately 1 pound of salmon, frozen and vacuum packed the day it was caught on the Kenai River in Alaska. 
Location Restrictions: Will deliver to Washington, DC area only.
Suggested Retail Value: $20
Starting bid: $7

53rd Item: 2 Hours of Math Tutoring

Item: Two 1-Hours Sessions of Math Tutoring
From: Sharon L.
Description: Math tutoring for any math level through the first half of college algebra, provided by an adjunct instructor and tutor from Utah Valley University. Tutoring will be held in the late afternoon (specific time TBD by Sharon and winner) at UVU campus.
Location Restrictions: Must be willing to travel to UVU in Orem, UT
Suggested Retail Value: $33
Starting bid: $11

52nd Item: 2 Hours of Math Tutoring

Item: Two 1-Hours Sessions of Math Tutoring
From: Sharon L.
Description: Math tutoring for any math level through the first half of college algebra, provided by an adjunct instructor and tutor from Utah Valley University. Tutoring will be held in the late afternoon (specific time TBD by Sharon and winner) at UVU campus.
Location Restrictions: Must be willing to travel to UVU in Orem, UT
Suggested Retail Value: $33
Starting bid: $11

51st Item: 2 Hours of Math Tutoring

Item: Two 1-Hours Sessions of Math Tutoring
From: Sharon L.
Description: Math tutoring for any math level through the first half of college algebra, provided by an adjunct instructor and tutor from Utah Valley University. Tutoring will be held in the late afternoon (specific time TBD by Sharon and winner) at UVU campus.
Location Restrictions: Must be willing to travel to UVU in Orem, UT
Suggested Retail Value: $33
Starting bid: $11

50th Item: Russian Nesting Dolls

Item: Russian Nesting Dolls
From: Darby P.
Description: This brand new set includes five dolls, all daintily hand painted in blues and pinks with yellow and green accents. Let your kids enjoy them, or use them to spice up your decor! Tallest doll measures 5.5 inches tall.
Location Restrictions: Will ship anywhere in the USA.
Suggested Retail Value: $39
Starting bid: $13

49th Item: Pandora Bracelet & Brighton Charms

Item: Pandora Bracelet & Brighton Charms
From: Kim H.
Description: A darling start to your own charm bracelet! Brighton beads (ABC Night Glow Butterfly and Heart) and spacer (ABC Scallop) on a 19-centimeter Pandora sterling silver bracelet. Comes in a heart-shaped Brighton tin. Fits lady's small wrist.
Location Restrictions: Will ship anywhere in the USA.
Suggested Retail Value: $99
Starting bid: $33