Team 'Ohana 2009: No One Left Behind

[laxdef69]

I must point out that none of us are confessing to our perfect nights.

Still working on the "come hither" look...I mean, she knows what I have in mind, I guess its more of a synchronization issue...

TMI you say? Sorry folks!

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Aloha Cousins and Visitors!

My perfect day would include sleeping in followed by a Dunkin' Donuts Vanilla Chai Tea and Coffee Cake Muffin, then a long, rambling walk along the beach with dh and ds, a light lunch beachside (Julie, I'm goin' to Kelly's!)(incl. butter pecan ice cream), followed by another walk back along the beach. It's a beautiful sunny day, about 75 degrees -- and no dogs on the beach. One of our favorite nights involves plenty of movie theater butter popcorn, dark Raisinets, Diet A&W Root Beer and Darrell Lea licorice, and a netflix rental of MST3000. One of my personal faves is "Plan 9 from Outerspace".

If I'm having a day that's really just all about me, my day would be the same -- but I'd have solitude, my night would include snuggling up with a new literary release I've been waiting for -- while eating all the treat above! I usually get my books from the library, so springing for the book when it comes out would be a treat. I know Debra's next question. Right now I'm waiting for Crouching Vampire, Hidden Fang, An Echo in the Bone, Undead and Unwelcome, and Finger Lickin' Fifteen. I'm also waiting for American Lion -- just so you don't think I'm a total literary wasteland...

I think I'm probably over my $20, but I'm going with it, anyway!

I may just take a mental health day and do some of it when it warms up -- of course I'll modify the food so I don't regret it the following day!

Maria

 

[laughinplace199]

Hi Everyone!

I brought

Sorry I have been MIA for the past few days. We switched internet providers last week and the transition wasn't as smooth as I had hoped. But I'm back online and the kids have Disney channel back, so all is right with the world once again.

If I had a free day and $20...that's a tough one. I think I would sleep in (for me, that means past 6:00 AM). Then I'd have breakfast alone - Dunkin Donuts iced coffee and a coffee cake muffin (Maria, I see you're a fan of those as well. ). Then, I'd spend a few hours lost in a good book. While I'm reading, DH is cleaning the house and doing laundry. When I'm done with my book, DH & I would take the kids to the zoo (or the pool if it's hot out). We'd grill a nice steak for dinner and eat outside on the deck. DH would pick a great wine to go with the steak, which we would continue to enjoy once the kids are in bed. (Debra, that's as far as I'm going regarding the perfect night )

I'm off to make dinner and daydream about the day I just invented.

 

[dsnyfan21]

Hey Cousins....

Back from the Princess and sitting on my butt!! I am more sore today than I was yesterday and sitting in the car for 3 1/2 hours probably didn't help.

Hmmm $20 and a day of mental health just for me. Well, most days are just for me so that part isn't far off.
Actually today could be considered my mental health day. Up when I just wake up, relax with some tv and computer. Then off to Downtown Disney for some shopping and that is where I spent the money. Definately always get a Chocolate Supreme cookie from Goofy's Candy Shop. Leasurely stroll around and then come home and realx on the couch to try and catch up with sleep I didn't get enough of whil hanging with my WISH friends!!

Thanks for inviting me, maybe I will come back later after I take a nap or something.

Sleepy Racey Tracy

 

[funwalker]

Hi Cousins!

Debra-I have no idea what I could do with $20! Favorite things are pedicures, massages, or even getting my nails done are very special treats for me! No way could I get any of them around here for $20.

Mental Health Day: Weather-60 degrees, light breeze, and partly sunny- a perfect day for a long walk!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Hi Cousins! I'm borrowing from the last week post once again:

If you had an unexpected free day--no work or other obligations--and $20 to spend just on you, what would you do?

For MY unexpected free day I see me taking my $20 to Starbucks for a cuppa after my morning Oatmeal and flaxseed breakfast. It would be followed by a lovely stroll with Kirby dog in the park where I can get him all tired and happy. I would get him home and return to take a long leisurely stroll on the Towpath here (part of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park). This would be a great start to a fantastic day. By then DH would be motivating and ready for a bicycle ride again on the Towpath where we would stop at our local watering hole for a bite to eat and a beverage—see above pic. The Towpath visit would include seeing all the creatures along the way that I so love to see in the same day: the deer, coyote, muskrats, beaver, duckies, geese, snakes, turtles, squirrels, birdies... This would be followed by a ride back to the car and I’d have $ for an ice cream at our favorite place to end the feast. This is assuming all is calorie free and/or worked off so I don’t have to think of weight issues. Ahhhh

 

[corinnak]

Hi Friends and Cousins,
I'm phoning in this week - I'm too sick to go to a mixer. I'm coughing from the crud the kids have each had. So nothing too wild for me tonight. I'm home tonight, having one of these:

Right now any day with perfect weather would be a great mental health day. I think I'd like to do my favorite 6 mile loop, followed by lunch at Panera (You choose 2, Black Bean or Vegetable Soup and half a Greek Salad) and then a movie. I so rarely see a movie.

OK, back to reality:

 

[deekaypee]

Lisa: No WONDER you run--you need some time to yourself. You know what I think you should do (not that you asked)? Start planning for next year's PH for some much-needed mental-health days. Especially if you could get that Orlando deal. Think of it as an accumulation of $20 small indulgences...

Mike: Oooh, I love farmer's markets, especially with the kind of vibe you mention. Almost as much as I love scotch. And it's good to learn you're a tree-hugger in your own way, thanks to your neighbors. TMI? Nawwww. You know how astute I am at the whole reading of the "come hither" look. I could say something more about the synchronization issue, but that might be bawdy...

Lynn: And a good massage is worth more than $20, I'm sure. (Don't know, never had one.) But I'm totally into the idea of reading a good book in a jacuzzi.

Mike: I'm so happy that your perfect day is something you get to realize. And you're such a romantic. You and the Panda are kindred souls, I'll bet! I like diners myself, just not burgers.

Debbie: That's a really logical list. Given your criteria, I'd recommend fritters--they smell good and taste good! Seriously, isn't part of the treat of a day like that is you don't feel pressured to make big choices?

JenB: All your options sound so much fun, although your Trout Fishing in America one reminded me to put summer family concerts on my list of summer to-dos!

Jennifer: Ahhh, the all-important sleeping in. No alarm clocks. I love my local Panera, too, although it tends to be overrun by adolescents after school--they take full advantage of the free samples. But at the right time, a Panera meal and a good read. Oh, yes!

Marci: And you so deserve those days. It must be really quite stressful for you right now. Methinks you'll need a double massage on the 16th.

Chris: I love the idea of a family outing at the zoo. River otters, my favorite. And hanging out, with no worries. Just being in the moment. Like the credit card companies say...priceless.

Jack: You live close the beach? Sweet! And I love that you mention no emails, texting, phones. I really value it when the only voices I hear on in my head.

Dave: What I love about these mental-health days, in addition to hearing so many people take good care of themselves in ways large and small, is poaching others' ideas. You remind me that I need to find a good, local Mexican place!

Mary: A picnic! Great idea, and not just reserved for holiday weekends! Your farm and horses sound lovely. Idyllic, really. I'll want to hear more of this life, so unlike my urban one.

Vicky: Wait, so you're saying you'd share your cupcakes with friends? And I didn't know you are a tea person. That's so civilized!

Maria: Mmmm, coffee cake, butter pecan, dark Raisinets...some of my favorite flavors. And MST3000. I'm taking this all as a subtle hint that I should visit. I'm with you on buying books becomes a special treat--libraries are so convenient, but sometimes you don't want to be on the wait list. (Outlander, still waiting....) I'm so glad you're making plans for your upcoming mental-health day based on these ideas! In my perfect world, none of the noshes have calories, but you're obviously more grounded in reality.

Julie: So glad to see you back here--I was wondering! In my perfect day, DOOD would do the laundry, clean, and cook, too. No chance of that, so may I borrow your mental-health day's DH? No problem with the lack of details in your night after the kids go to bed. We'll just use our imaginations.

Tracy: I'm so glad you had a wonderful recovery day AND that you shared it with us. It's almost as good as being there. Big fan of Goofy's Candy Shop myself. Get some good sleep, girl, you deserve it!

Margie: In your case--as with Lynn, Marci, Vicky--you're worth the extra $$$ to get your heart's desire. I hope you have the perfect place for getting a pedi. Those tootsies deserve the treat!

Lily: Oatmeal with flaxseed, huh? Maybe I need to add some of the latter to my daily oatmeal. On our mental-health day, all goodies are calorie free. Or at least the first treat is! It sounds like you live in a perfect place for hiking, trail running, biking and so forth. You must never get bored on your routes.

Corinna: I'm sorry to hear you're so sick--and the kids, too. I love Panera's black bean soup, almost as much as I enjoy a good hot toddy. Can I have one of those? And you know how I feel about movies! I hope you feel better soon. Spring just has to visit your neck of the woods soon. Right?

As for me: Okay, this probably won't surprise anyone who knows me. My mental-health day is "all about me." I'd sleep in and then go out for a short run (3-5 miles) in Schenley Park. It's nice, 50-60 degree weather, sunny but with a light wind. After lunch, maybe a good tomato and mozzarella bread salad, I'd walk to my local theater for a matinee. (I'd say with Corinna, but unfortunately she's not local.) Because we're allowed to bring in our own food, I'd bring in my own trail mix--almonds, dried fruit, a little chocolate--and a nonfat latte from the Barnes & Noble coffee shop right next door.

Afterwards, I'd stop by the grocery for Ben and Jerry's ice cream and, from the beer store, an as-of-yet-untried beer for DOOD. Since I can't reasonably expect DOOD to cook--not even on my fantasy day--I'd pull something out of the freezer. We'd eat together, sharing the ice cream, and take a short walk. Then, we'd spend the evening reading books (library or one from our collection that has yet to be loved) before going to bed early. And remember, the night is "all all about me" as well.

 

[corinnak]

Debra - of course the kids are both about over this crud now. And of course you can join me in a hot toddy - you'd probably better mix up your own, though. Mine are pretty weak tonight. I'm using all my extra calories today on honey and a little bourbon. It's helping, though.

Your day sounds about perfect (and not dissimilar to my own.) I did not realize that calories were free on these days. Even so, I'm happy with my panera selections. Your salad sounds divine. I used to know a restaurant that made fantastic tomato and mozzarella bread salad, but unfortunately it is in Michigan and even more unfortunately, they do not have that salad on the menu anymore.

All right, bedtime. Good night, everyone.

 

[tiberius]

I'm typing this for the 2nd time as I apparently erased my whole post by pressing the escape key I've been surfing this board for over 10 years and I just now figure this out!!

OK - Here is my rendition of a perfect mental health day.
First I sleep in past 6, and then head to the gym for a workout consisting of at least 2 of the following: weights, exercise bike, swimming, and treadmill. Then it's off for a nice breakfast at a place with free WiFi, so I can nibble and surf at the same time. Then I go out for a nice massage--at least an 1 1/2 and hope I don't relax so much that I fall asleep on the table. Then back to the gym for some relaxing hot tub time. Finally, off to the bookstore for a good book or magazine to curl up with later.

This sounds so good, I wish I could squeeze it onto my busy schedule. Sadly, I am too busy right now to try it.

Happy Monday, everyone!!

 

[bubba73]

I am soooo very late to the mixer tonight but I literally just got home about 15 minutes ago. I am just now getting ready to eat my dinner.

Ok. Topic for the night is I have $20 just for me. What am I going to do with it? Well, it depends on what kind of mood I am in? I may go to GNC to buy some protein bars. Or I may go with my brother to the local racing go-kart track and have some fun that way. Or even better, get a 20 minute massage. That sounds good right now.

As far as a day of mental health goes, what have you been told? What do you know about me? Have you called my doctor? No one was supposed to know about me like that yet! The doctors said they were going to keep it confidential!!!! WHY DID THEY LIE????????????? Somebody help me please!!!!!

Ok. I am much better now but wasn't that fun to read.

Bryan

 

[deekaypee]

Corinna: No calorie goodies. That's why I need mental-health days. I obviously live in a different reality sometimes. Are you a former Michigander too?

Richard: Ah, yes, the free WiFi. And important part of the nibbling at local coffee/pastry shops. I always wonder if I get more work done in such places than at home, but it sure feels more pleasant. I'm sorry you won't get to experience your mental-health day soon. You sounds busy, busy, busy. I didn't even know you had a triathlon group that you went to.

Bryan: First... Little birdies told us. Not doctors. Although they did wear white coats. Go Karts? Did you mention Go Karts? Wow! I loved those things. I used to live near a go-kart, mini-golf, pinball/videogame, batting cage place. So fun! GNC seems more like running errands to me, but hey! I've learned to love protein bars.

Christa: How did your Corporate Cup 1/2 go?

Mel, JenB, Jeanne, and Kathy: So great that you all got to meet each other over the Princess weekend. Do tell us if you'd recommend doing this event!

 

[bubba73]

Oh my gosh! You know! You really know?! What am I going to do now? I guess I will have to go off and hide. Tuck my head in the sand, yet again! What a world? What a world? My beautiful plans spoiled by such an innocent little girl. Aaaarrgh! (And now the witch dies!!) (Scene from the Wizard of Oz) You think I'm bad now? I've already been helped!

Ok. Sorry gang. I know it's late and a lot of you are not expecting this kind of stupidity from me but I was in a little bit of a "goofy" mood so I thought I would have a little fun. I promise that I am ok, by relative terms that is. Just took one to many trips on that last rollercoaster!

Debra We have a local racing go-kart track where there are karts that get over 100 mph. The ones that they let you rent will go around 45 but is still a lot of fun. It is on a road course design and is actually very pretty out there. Karts can range from $1200 and up if you want to purchase one that is.

 

[MouseDogMom]

This shouldn't be too hard, since I pretty much had a whole week of days just like this last week, minus the $20...

Sleep in till around 9:00, drop by Dunkin Donuts for a coffee cake muffin (beginning to sound familiar?) and a caramel swirl latte (this part is free, since DH is the area manager - bonus!). Take the puppies to the dog park for an hour or so, since the weather is 72-75 degrees and sunny. Late lunch at Panera (again, many of us think alike) - you pick two with the Classic Cafe salad and the Mediterranean Veggie sandwich, maybe take it to the park and eat outside. Grab a blanket and curl up with a book in the sun for the afternoon. End the day with an oreo mint milkshake from Cookout, my favorite treat in the whole wide world (well, outside Disney anyway!)

Debra - Crossing my fingers that you get Outlander soon. I'm addicted, and it's really bad. I keep sneaking away to read - am trying really hard to make myself go to bed now instead of opening the book, but I'll bet I carry the book upstairs while I'm getting ready for bed. I blame Maria for my total lack of productivity the past couple of days. Oh - watched "Dark Knight" last night. Had heard enough negative comments that I had very low expectations, and was pleasantly surprised. Definitely a dark movie, and longer than I thought necessary, but overall I really enjoyed it (once I got over the fact that I HATE clowns so the Joker is a real issue for me - always has been since I was really little and watching Adam West as Batman!)

Jackie

 

[Steffwalks]

Aloha Cousins!!!

We are having a Dog Show (by suggestion of Jship!) tomorrow at Hakuna Matata! Post your photos of your favorite dog or dogs! If you don't have a photo post a favorite story, happy, scary, Lassie-like or what ever!! Can't wait to meet your pups!!!

See ya tomorrow!
Connie

 

[jeanneg]

I'm back.........got my medal, but it was oh-so-ugly! For some reason my foot was really acting up last week. Not really sure what sort of problem it was, but it hurt all around my ankle and the whole top of my foot. Sometimes if I placed my weight on it just so, I would get a really sharp piercing pain. It started pretty much after the marathon and has (among other things) kept me from training. Of course when I got to WDW, all the walking around the parks made it worse. I was pretty much convinced that the PH was going to be a non-event for me. I didn't want to be stupid and hurt myself even more by walking injured. And I didn't want to start and not finish. But I also didn't want to give up without trying (DNF>DNS!) I was hoping for a miracle, but pretty much convinced it wasn't going to happen.....and I don't do failure well.
So I literally tossed and turned all Saturday night trying to figure out what to do. Finally at some point, I must have fallen asleep. When I woke up the clock said 3:54am......what happened to my 3:45 wake-up call?!?
So I started running around like crazy and got John up. I couldn't understand what had happened. Finally it occurred to me to check my cellphone, which said the time was 1:59am! I felt like I was in the twilight zone. I watched it change to 2:00am which was the time it was supposed to advance an hour. Then, it jumped to 3:01 so I wasn't late at all! Try getting back to sleep after that happens. Of course, I accused John of mistakingly setting the clock 2 hours ahead! I later found out that via some remote mechanism, Disney was able to advance all the room clocks 1 hour automatically and most people got a message on their phone telling them not to adjust the clocks themselves. For some reason, we never got that message and set it ahead before we went to bed springing us an EXTRA hour forward. So, I rested a little more.....sleep was not coming.....and then got up to do my "preparations".
Now, I do not understand this one bit, but when I put my shoe on, for the first time in a l-o-n-g while, I had no pain! I had finally broken down and taken some NSAIDs the night before which is something I never do because of previous adverse reactions. I don't know if it was the medication.....or the adrenalin......or both, but I was feeling pretty good and figured I would give it a shot and see what happens. If I could get to Mile 1 and still feel good, there was a chance I might finish this thing.
So we get to the race nice and early and the officials walk us over to the actual start line, which was at least a mile away! I'm freaking out because I don't know how many miles I have in me and here I was wasting one of them!
At one point they walk us past what we know as Red water stop #2 and all the tables were set up with tiers of water for the racers. The volunteers are there telling people not to take any because it's for the race, which was REALLY interesting because the course didn't go by that way! ???????? I still can't figure that one out!
Anyway, the race started on time and I made it to mile 1 without any trouble.
I went out pretty fast for me (just a tad over 14 min/mi) because I figured if I started hurting I would need a big cushion. Things were going great until about mile 10 when the pain began. But the really funny thing was that is wasn't my foot! Apparently, my complete lack of training finally caught up with me and both my legs began to cramp up. I had never done the half marathon at WDW before and assumed the second cloverleaf was the last "work" section. Nothing had prepared me for that final overpass just before Mile 12. I saw that and my legs just wanted to shut down. Thankfully, there were alot of WISHers that were near me on the course or scream-teaming on the side and that was enough to get me through. Chester, in his absolutely ridiculous WISH green wig, boa and other garb was like a one-man scream-team in himself! A super shout out to Matt for doing his race and then coming back to cheer on the rest of us. And to Maura for coming to our WISH meet and cheering on the course even though she wasn't able to do the event herself. (at the last moment I almost offered her my bib, but didn't know how to get in touch with her on such short notice) I saw Suzanne cheering for us and another dark-haired lady (whose name I never got) at MK. And even Anne and her husband were there! I was so happy to see her around GF, but truly missed her presence at TTC. Syko was there at the final shute cheering us all even though she was the very first person the cross the finishline and had to have been there for hours. And there were so many WISHers on the course that knew I was hurting and kept encouraging me to go forward: Tiffany and Fiona, Diane and Pat, Wendy, Kim, Liz, Stacey and Ohana newbie, Kathy. And forgive me, because I know I'm leaving lots of people out, but my mind was a blur. And congrats to all the fast people like Mel, JenB and Butch, Tracy, Bill, etc who are so far out of my league I never even saw then on the course after the first mile!
Soooooo.....I hate to admit this, but.......I DIDN'T BEAT THE GREEK!
I ended up with a 3:20:02.....my worst HM ever, but considering that I never even thought I would start, I am eternally grateful! I learned something too: I now know, that for me, no matter what I've done in the past, I cannot expect to finish strong without proper training. And with that in mind, I will NOT be going Goofy!

 

[tiberius]

Jeanne - Good job with the race, my (now) best remembered event was also one of my ugliest at the time. I love your wake up story--sounds like something that happens to me.

Debra - Yes, I am busy, busy, busy these days. My true "mental health time" includes these boards...and tomorrow's massage won't hurt either!

To the various lunch-time Panera lovers, they do pretty good for breakfast, too.

 

[jmasgat]

Debra Popping over to say hi, thanks for the congrats and yes, I did beat the 3-legged dog. Wait, I better rephrase that, I passed the dog and finished the race before him. Ah words, they'll get you every time.

And for those of you who are linguistically inclined, here is a site to check out....

http://savethewords.org/

Super Goof-y Maura

 

[corinnak]

Oh man, I've been so sick. I'm really lucky I decided to do Cabaret and not register for the Princess Half on Sunday, cause I'm not sure I'd have been able to do the race at all. I think my fever is possibly gone now. I woke up this morning feeling a lot more coherent and a lot less exhausted, but I'm still coughing. So there go the miles for this week, I'm afraid. Can't be helped.

Jeanne - what a race report! It's incredible that you started and went on to finish, given the challenges you went into the race with. That story about the alarm clock is just crazy - and kind of disturbing that Disney has the power to secretly change all alarm clocks within a certain radius. How does that even work??? Way to push through on that last surprise hill.

Tiberius - I don't think I've ever had a Panera breakfast. Shocking!

Now I'm going to head over to that dog show!

 

[jeanneg]

Corinna: hope you're feeling better

Jackie: "Outlander" sounds familiar to me.......is that the one with the hottie redhead named Jamie? If so, I remember certain parts very well I must have read it about 6 or 7 years ago.

Once again we had a strong Ohana showing at the PH WISH meet: Mel and family, JenB and hubby Butch, newbie teammate Kathy, as well as John and myself. It was really nice to reconnect with old family and get to meet our new cousin!