Team 6 - Team Ohana - Check in and introduce!

[chimera]

Julie...nice call! Shemar Moore I have to agree, I'm not watching Criminal Minds for the forensics anymore.

Nancy...he's Alex OLoughlin. He was in the movie, August Rush, and a really bad vampire show called Moonlight that got canceled after one season.

Kayci...I got a bunch of the Julie Kenner books from amazon. My library doesn't have them so I just bought several in a couple of her series.

 

[tiberius]

Hi Team!

I'm still here without electric power in Texas, one of the 50% or so still without power at this point. Many of the local communities near me have the power back on, although I am still likely to be without for a while given the damage to the power lines feeding my community.

My wife's employer has allowed us to use a generator for our house. So we can run the TV, window AC unit, DSL router, and a few other items for several hours a day.

To tell you the truth I have gotten a little bit used to the situation, althoug it is a little disquieting when the FEMA-sponsored site for ice, bottled water and food is doen the main road away from my subdivision and the Red Cross is serving hot meals twice a day in my subdivision.

 

[laughinplace199]

Hi Team!

Mel - I like your suggestion for Morelli.

Jen - Sorry you're so busy. I hope life settles down for you soon.

Jeanne - Two book clubs - I don't know how you do it! I always had a hard time managing to participate in one. Now, I don't do any so I can read what I want, when I want.

Richard - Glad you're ok and hope that things are back to normal for you soon.

Hello to Debra, Maria, Nancy, Kayci, JenB, and everyone else!

As for me, I ran 9 miles yesterday, my longest run to date. I'm still painfully slow - about 11.5 min/mi (my pace has not really increased much since I started running ). But I'm just trying to concentrate on getting the miles in and not worry about being slow. I'll be doing an 11-miler next weekend and I'm definitely a little nervous about that.

Have a wonderful week everyone!

 

[jbucci]

Julie: 11.5 min/mile is my fast pace, I think it's great that you can maintain that for 9 miles

Richard: I hope things are normalizing a bit in your area. It was good to hear that emergency services were at least present and doing their jobs to help everyone.

I just got back from the Philiadelphia Distance Run and had a great time. Both my DH and I beat our DL 1/2 times by about 10min, so we were happy the race course was really pretty- running along the Schuylkill River and boathouse row in Philia. The weather was nice, sunny but not humid. I'll give a better race report later, but we did have fun.

 

[laughinplace199]

JenB - Congrats on your race and on beating your DL time! That's fantastic!

 

[jeanneg]

Richard: so sorry about the delay in getting your power back on. Please know our thoughts are with you.......Hang in there!

Julie: OMG, 11.5 would be like FLYING to me! (and you're the one worried about completing a marathon? ) Seriously, that is awesome! Congrats!

JenB: Kudos to both you and hubby for beating your DL times by so much! That's nearly a minute a mile! Way to go! (Now don't forget to post those miles and minutes on the other thread....and remember, the distance gets doubled if it's during a competition.)

Nancy: I checked out those Stephanie Plum books today. Target has the whole series but they were 6.99 each and I have a used book store in my neighborhood, so I'll try there instead. The funny thing is, I actually "read" one of them on an audio tape during one of our drives to NYC. it was Hot Six and the narrator was Debbie Mazar....talk about accents! Is that the series you didn't want to finish? How does Twilight fit in...is that another series? I made your CD today and will mail it tomorrow. I would have done it sooner but John bought the wrong type of disk (for DVDs) and it wouldn't copy to it.

Where is everyone else? to all

 

[padisneyfan]

JenB--Congratulations to both you and your DH on doing so well at the Philly Distance Race. It was a beautiful day in PA so would have been perfect weather for the race.

Julie--I'm with Jeanne 11.5 is a great pace. I will never be that fast with my power walking. Great job on your 9 miles and good luck next week with your 11 miler.

Jeanne--All the Stepanie Plum series I read really fast. Fran was reading the Seventh book in the series so if you get the others she would probably be interested in reading them. I gave all mine away. The Twlight series is completely different and is about vampires. On the cruise I was reading the last book in the Twlight series New Dawn and delayed reading the ending for a day because I was afraid I wasn't going to like the way it ended. But after reading it was quite happy with the ending. Thanks for doing the disk.

Richard--Glad at least you have a generator to use. I hope this week that the power is restored.

Yesterday DH and I went to the PA Renaissance Faire at Mt. Hope Winery. This is held everyweek for 12 weeks from mid Aug through Oct. It is amazing the number of people who attend who dress in the period for the event. I priced some of the outfits in the shops and these people pay alot of money to look the part that is for sure. There are so many shows that it almost takes 2 trips to get it all done. This past weekend was Scottish Fling so in addititon to the regular events there were several Scottish activites such as Highland Games and kilt judging to also see. We might go back in mid Oct for Pirate weekend. I actually spotted Capt Jack yesterday and some of his Wenches.

That's all for me right now.

Nancy

 

[jeanneg]

So which series did you like better? How many are in the Twilight edition?

 

[Creativebeth]

Twilight has 4 in the series, again the last one is called Breaking Dawn (nancy wrote new dawn). Nancy and I like both series, for different reasons. Stephania Plum series is a faster (no-brainer) series and is very fun. The Twilight series is a little deeper reading but very enjoyable. (Hi Jeanne! sorry I am answering for Nancy, but she is sitting right here but doing something else!)

Beth

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Beth! -- What are you doing on this thread?! Great to see you! That Nancy -- now she's got you typing for her...

Aloha, Cousins!

Sigh. I have been sort of barely hanging on. I mean to get going, it just doesn't happen. Well, I've waited as long as I can since it's just about time to start the MfM training plan. Now I will have to get my act together.

My time lately has been taken up with planning a House Party. We applied for and were selected to host a Cartoon Network Star Wars Clone Wars party to preview the new tv show. We just got the party package yesterday. I think we're going to have 10 kids -- which is good since they sent supplies for 10 goody bags. I'm also going to pick up the actual bags and a toy to go in each one. I just can't hand out a bag with stickers, tattoos and glow sticks, I need it to be a little more substantial. We also got balloons, a tote bag with Yoda on both sides, and a Hasbro light saber, which is pretty nice. It's spring-action and changes colors, so ds is thrilled. I've been trying to come up with activities and a menu based on the show, which isn't as easy as it sounds.

We did do a 5K on Sunday the 14th -- the whole family which meant dh got to run and I walked with ds. My time was scary, but it was ds's first race, so I'm glad we got to do it together.

I just got the first Twilight book from the library, so I'll be starting that soon. I went ahead and ordered the next 3, I'm #72 on one of the lists!

Nancy -- The Renaissance fair sounds really fun. I also read the Plum books quickly. I kept trying to make myself slow down so I didn't miss a moment. They are just fun books.

Jeanne -- I'm with you, 11.5 is the stuff dreams are made of. I can do 12 for a very short amount of time, and then I must slow down. That photo of your trip....it looks like you ladies had a supercalafragilistic time!

Julie -- You are a speed demon! What a fantastic pace.

JenB -- there's no moss growing on you, either! I'm glad you had such a great time!

Richard -- Keep hanging in there! I am so sorry you have gone through this, I really hope everything gets back to normal as soon as possible.

Mel -- I've been watching Shemar Moore since he was a youngster on Y&R. He could be a good Ranger, especially since his most challenging line is , "Babe". Your Morelli is a cutie. He can stay.

Jen -- Where does all the time go? I want it back!

Debra -- I don't think I'm old enough to have a Sweet Monkey Sundae, but maybe that's one of the perks of the Cougar Club?! Woohoo! I don't know what it is, but I think I like it!

Kayci, Denny, Grizzbuzz and all the other Cousins -- Have an awesome week!

Maria

 

[tiberius]

Thanks to all for your well wishes!

As of approximately 6:30 PM today, after something like 10 days and 14 hours of waiting, my electric power is back on!


My thanks to the many electrical workers from across the continent who came to our aid around the Houston-Galveston area.
However, the joy is short-lived as I am trying to jam 2 weeks worth of work into this week to make up for last week, but at least I can deal with that frustration in air conditioning!

 

[jeanneg]

Yay, Richard got his power back!

I leave tomorrow for EEC.......can't wait to do the whole WDW experience with my older son. I'm packed but i just found out that I get 2 checked bags for free so I think I will repack and check one thru using Magical Express. Running shoes and WISH shirt go in the carry-on, of course!

Geez, it seems like I just returned home and now I'm heading out again. Be back Tuesday....don't forget to post those miles and minutes!

TEAM OHANA RULES!

 

[padisneyfan]

Richard--Glad your power is back on.

Jeanne--Have a great time and good luck with EEC.

Maria---Glad to see you posting again. We missed you.

Nancy

 

[FatElvis]

Hi everybody! Gosh, I've been such a slacker in posting here.

Nothing too exciting to report - just the same old stuff. Although I have run 3 10K races in the past few weeks. All small, local races. This past Saturday I actually got 2nd in my age group! Out of 3! Go me! At the other 2 races I was 4th and 5th in my age group. The funny thing - in all 3 races, in all age divisions, in both 5K & 10K, male & female - the largest age group was always 10K, women, 35-39 (35-44 in one). Weird, huh? Guess there's lots of us middle-aged women digging the 10K!

Also I'm apparently making the rounds of the historical races - I did the SantaCaliGon festival, which celebrates the beginning of the Santa Fe, Oregon & California trails. Next was the Lewis & Clark run, along some of the same trail that they used while exploring. This last one was part of the Jesse James festival, and the race director is a James descendant. I am ALL about the educational races, ya know?

So, the KC half marathon is out - turns out I'll be out of town. According to my husband, I agreed ages ago to go to the Iowa State-Nebraska football game that weekend. Tickets were purchased, hotel rooms reserved, traveling companions secured..... BAH! Not thrilled about it. However, that Sunday is the Des Moines marathon. We'll be 45 minutes away. Just not sure if I'd be in the mood to run a half the day after spending all day at a football game and eating loads o'junk, I'm sure. At least it's an option and I have a couple of weeks to decide.

I've also tried to add in some strength training the past week. It's hard! I'm just doing some different workouts that are on demand on cable. I'm quite inflexible too, it turns out. I know I need to do more than just run though.

I guess that about covers my past few weeks. Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying their fall!

Richard, I'm glad your power is coming back and that things are relatively OK for you. A friend of mine that I grew up with in New Mexico just moved to Houston a few months ago. She's fine, although her car is not. Like I told her, we're desert people - we get 12 inches of rain in a year, not in a day! Hope the recovery goes easily there!

Jeanne - have a ball at EEC! Can't wait to hear all about it!

JenB - great job to you & your husband on your races!

Mel - I hope you like the Julie Kenner books. She's one of my favorites!

Maria - have fun at your party!


Have a great rest of your week, everyone!

 

[laughinplace199]

Hi Team!

Jeanne - Good luck with EEC and have a great time at WDW with your son! I can't wait to hear all about it. As for the Plum books, they are really light and fun. I think you'll enjoy them. And the great thing is, there are 14 of them!

Nancy - The Renaissance Faire sounds like fun. Then again, I think anything held at a winery sounds like fun!

Richard - I'm happy to hear that you have your power back on.

Maria - Have fun with the Star Wars party. I'm sure it will be a success!

Kayci - Three 10K's in the past few weeks - you rock! I haven't even run one race yet!

Debra - Where are you?

Thanks to all of you who reassured me that I'm not running too slow. I don't know why I've been preoccupied with my pace lately. I think it's partly due to the fact that DH & I have been doing our long runs together. He's much faster than I am, but he goes at my pace so we can run together. I'm also gearing up for my first race next month, so I think that's part of it too.

Have a great week everyone!

 

[Worfiedoodles]

What the heck happened to me?!

I was feeling great Tuesday morning, back in the workout groove -- and then in the afternoon I started feeling really sick, sore throat, congestion, you name it. I ended up leaving work at 2 pm, and I stayed home yesterday and today. I took cold medicine during the worst of it and I'm much better today, but I'm not 100% and figured I could really use the day to alternate resting with getting things done. I have a party to give, I don't have time for a nasty cold!

On the bright side, this has been great for the scale. All I have to do is not gain any back

I think I'm going to try a short TM walk later this afternoon -- not for any speed, just to get a little consistent movement going. I know I'll be a big couch potato tonight for Ugly Betty & Grey's. Bring on the McHunky!

Julie -- Well, if your dh is anything like mine, you are just not going to keep up with him. His legs are longer -- and my dh has been running much longer than I have been wogging. I would just give up if I tried to keep up with him. 12 min is slow run for my dh, and I couldn't sustain that pace for more than 5 minutes. DH and I don't workout together -- ok, it's mostly because we don't leave ds alone yet, but still...I would just be too demoralized. It is awesome your dh is running at your pace, super supportive!

Kayci -- I too was disappointed to find out I am unable to bend like a pretzel. I am actually starting a yoga class at work in a couple of weeks. I'm hoping that will help. It's great to hear from you! You have been very busy, and hopefully you will enjoy the Iowa/Nebraska game, even if you have to miss a race.

Nancy -- Are you telling me Jeanne has to do EEC without you?! That's just wrong I hope you are keeping Beth happy, she missed you while you were gone!

Jeanne -- Have a fabulous time! I hope that ds and I can do more races, what a great family activity! since I am home today, one of my chores is going to be updating our miles and minutes. I know I'm way behind

Richard -- So glad your power is back! I know you are going to be glued to your computer, but don't forget to go out and get a workout in occasionally! You deserve those endorphins!

Morgan, Debra, Denny, Robert, Linda, Mel, JenB, Grizzbuzz -- Go Team Ohana!

Oh! And I finished Twilight. I enjoyed it, and thought it was well-written. I don't think I'm quite as addicted as the reports would lead me to believe, but I will read the rest of the series.

Everyone have a great Aloha Day!
Maria

 

[laughinplace199]

Maria,

I'm sorry to hear that you were sick. It sounds like you're on the mend already, which is great.

My DH has been running much longer than I have, and I'm sure it's not easy for him to slow down to my pace, but I'm sure glad he can! I can't imagine doing these long runs by myself - how boring! Having someone to talk to makes the miles go by faster, or at least it seems that way. We're lucky that my parents live across the street and my mom comes over to babysit on Sat mornings to DH & I can run together. Otherwise, we wouldn't be able to run together either since our oldest is only 9.

Speaking of kids, is your DS going to WDW with you in Jan? Are you and your DH both running the half, or do you do different races? Just curious as to what people with kids do when participting in a race. We're not bringing our kids in January. My parents are going to take care of them. But if this marathon thing turns out to be something we want to do every year, we'll have to give more thought to bringing the kiddos.

Get better and enjoy the Star Wars party!

 

[Worfiedoodles]

We don't bring ds in January. Marathon weekend comes after they have been back in school for a week, and we can't have ds miss that much school (5 days). His grades are all "A"s, but I wouldn't want him to miss that much 5th grade. He missed one day last year, for his great Uncle's funeral, and it took us a week to do the make-up work.

My dad and his wife will watch ds for us. My dad lives in Missouri, he comes out every year for Christmas. My dad's wife (my mom passed in 2002) comes out after she spends the holiday with her family, and they will stay with ds until we return. We're staying the 8-14, this gives us a little extra time after the race to reconnect.

DS considers it a vacation of sorts, too. He can get by with alot more, and they do fun things with him. He'd love to come to Disney, but he understands why he can't. Last year, we had just been in Orlando for two weeks in August, and we're going back again this August, so he knows he still gets a real vacation.

If ds were younger, we would bring him. We are fortunate that my SIL lives near Tampa -- we'd just have her keep him the night before the race, or borrow one of my older nieces (18, 17) to watch him.

So, I don't have good advice for you -- if you do bring the kids, maybe you could bring your mom or dad, and they could stay with the kids while you race? That's also not a bad idea because afterwards it might be nice to have someone else to take them to the parks while you recover, and it would allow them to have some special grandparent time in all the magic.

Maria

 

[jbucci]

I hope everyone is having a good week. It has been really rainy and humid around here and I'm having a hard time motivating myself to run-- although I am getting in a few miles.

I never got around to posting an official race report from the ING half in Philia, but Deb wanted a few details, so here they are: for me this is a really local race, only about 45min from home, so really a no brainer to travel to it. We totally lucked out in the weather department- the week before it was humid and hot and this past weekend it rained, so we got the only nice weekend in Sept. Overall, the race was well organized and scenic. It started in front of the Philia Art Museum and spent the 1st 4 miles going through Center City where it loops back past the start and up along the river to Kelly Drive. From my slow start in coral 16, the elite runners were passing us on their way to mile 4 when I was at roughly the .5 mile mark. The course had a good bit of spectator support in the beginning then a long stretch of running with few crowds while we were along the river. Although it is billed as part of the rock and roll series, I personally thought the bands were a little weak-- only 10 bands along the route, so not really too much music. One "band" was a single guy playing the bagpipe (he was wearing a kilt and a pretty good player, but calling him a band was a stretch). The course was nice and flat and even a little downhill the last few miles. They had decent food at the end and lots of expo tents set up at the finish. All in all, I thought it was lots of fun and probably worth a weekend trip from Pittsburgh. We will likely do it again next year. Now we just have to decide if we are doing the Philadelphia half in Nov

I'm mostly just wasting time now, procrastinating from studying-- I have a pediatric boards recertification exam at the end of the week and really need to cram a bit more-- they ask such odd trivia on those things.... wish me luck...

 

[jeanneg]

Arrrrggggghhhh....I just posted a super long post and went to add a photo and lost everything! I am not a happy camper! Now I have to take care of something else and can't redo it. Anyhow, there is a mini-report with photos on the EEC thread and I will get back here later with more info. Suffice it to say that I really had a blast doing this event and even more so because I did it with my son.