Team 'Ohana 2009: No One Left Behind

[jeanneg]

Kathy: You have no idea how much it meant to have Mike cheering for me at the Beach Club last January. At that point in the race, everything is a blur and you just want to get the darn thing over with. I recognized him as one of the fast runners from the main thread and was touched that he would actually hang around to cheer on the snails like me. It gave me that little bit of a push I needed for the final 2 miles. At the time I didn't realize you were a WISHer since I had not been spending alot of time on the main board......one of the drawbacks of breaking down into individual teams, I know. Looking forward to seeing you both next month.

BTW, anybody going to WDW sometime within the next 6 weeks or so? We received 2 free mini-golf admissions with our room for the PH, but never got the chance to use them. Unfortunately they expire 5/06 which is before our next trip. I'd be happy to pass them along so someone else can use them.

I spoke to Nancy today and she is really doing well. In fact, her biggest problem right now is sheer boredom.....a very good sign!

 

[deekaypee]

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY FOLKS. Enjoy a wee bit of Irish whisky today, if you're of a mind to. Or a Guinness.

Sorry I missed the rest of the party last night, folks. After yesterday's WO I was exhausted all day. So I went to bed early. It sounds like we had a good time and, like Maria, I enjoy getting to know other WISHers. JeninGA provided us with a prompt for next week, too, so I'm feeling the love.

Jack: Love Chip and Dale. They're always pulling your hair or poking you when you get pictures taken with them. I should be annoyed, but I never am. Unlike Pluto.

Erica: I agree with Eeyore being misunderstood generally, but am intrigued by how you mean it. Do tell. And Captain Jack needs no explanation here. (I took the rum to bed with me.)

Debbie: Ah, the Toughskins. Some traumatic memories here.

Betsy: Your brother does have the coolest job. Is he a librarian? The DDDs are doing terrific, btw, and you are a spreadsheet queen. I don't see how you keep up with that and with your tri training. First race of the season?

Gretchen: I'm so glad posting helped a little with the withdrawal. I'm always surprised at how down I get after any trip, let alone a race. Tink's attitude is one of the reasons I like her, too.

Jen: It's great to see you back here--I'll being keeping an eye out for the postal carrier. I hope he doesn't think I'm flirting with him.... So you're telling me it won't be my regular hot flashes that I'll experience in reading Outlander?

Mel: So, if my childhood role playing as Prince Philip met up with your Malificient, who would win. My money's on you.

Tracy: Ah, yes, the Mickey Mouse Club. I used to love my Saturday nights at my grandma's (or was it Sunday), watching Disney. Freckles? Ah, you must be a Sawyer girl? So cute!

Jeanne: $12 movie tickets! They're between $8-10 dollars here and that horrifies me! I've been trying to go to matinees just to save money.

Richard: Yes, I can see your point about the last chapter (smart of you to avoid too much detail). I can always send you my copy of Ender in Exile if you'd like--just PM me your address. I fully admit I try not to keep so many books in my 1-bedroom apartment, so scholarly books stay and fun books tend to go. Pssst, don't tell anyone, but I haven't seen Meet the Robinsons yet. I own it, but haven't seen it?

Denise: And Cruella wears them with style! Truthfully, I love her voice.

JenB: I own the Eeyore at 3.00, about three heads in. Medium-sized, detachable tail, right? I thought for sure you'd name a Muppet! And did you know Maura is a Muppet fan, too? Gonzo. Your DD was a beautiful baby!

Jackie: So, why did DH buy you a Pooh? What's he want.... Your weekend sounds wonderful... Pirate exhibit? Arrrghhhh. Thanks for the response on Outlander....I always like to know what my friends think of long books before I dive in. It makes them seem less daunting, somehow.

Vicky: Steamboat Itchy. Hah! A new classic! Did you know Steamboat Mickey was named after the Buston Keaton picture Steamboat Bill, Jr.? Useless trivia of the day.

Liz: Enjoy your trip. I didn't know you and Corinna might meet up! Cool toys do make all the difference, you know.

Maria: (Older post) Oooh, don't tell me anything about BSG yet. I'm catching up. I did read Fluke's Blueberry Muffin Murder last night, as I was too tired to concentrate on Rebecca or Outlander. I think I'll pass--the recipes look delicious. It just didn't catch me. Maybe it was because I was tired. Definitely read Sherlock Holmes. It's a different pacing than Agatha Christie, different mystery tradition. But I think you'll like them--both DOOD and I do. A Study in Scarlet is the first novel, but you might want to try a short story first, maybe from The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.

No, I hadn't heard of Evacuation Day. Fascinating, really. I only wish Julie had been able to enjoy its perks as well. Seafood show? Do tell. I do best with lots of sleep myself. 8 hours at a minimum. So I'm always happy when you report that you've gotten good rest.

Kathy: You might not believe this, but the only place I can smile for a camera and have it look halfway natural is Disney. And even then, only with characters. I hate having my picture taken. I love seeing pictures of people with characters, so don't hesitate at all to post your Princess ones. Oh, and btw. Kathy and Mike. Duh. I'm stupid sometimes.

Julie: Phew. You're all right, except for the busy-ness. I was worried there.

Dave: So, I have a running costume for you then. I can see you as Jack Sparrow, really. Practice your leering, though, and holding a rum bottle instead of a water one. Ugh for the NSF grant-writing. I hope it goes well and you are successful. DOOD got turned down for the NEA...again.

Corinna: Why didn't I know you were going to Disney. Hmmm? I swear Liver Lips is smiling in that photo. Must be your presence.

As for me: I didn't have a lot of energy for today's run, but I got it done. And the knees hurt a bit, so strength training wasn't fun. But I got it done.

Also, I'm really excited by the post on the President's Challenge. Everyone should check it out. If you have time, I think it would be cool to join.

 

[jbucci]

Jeanne: Thanks for the offer of mini golf tix. We will miss it by 4 days as we will be visiting WDW on May 10-16. This trip will surprisingly not involve a race and will just be a fun, family trip. (We did toy with doing Muddy Buddy but couldn't figure out how we would get a bike down there)

Kathy: I'm glad the Trout Fishing reference brought up good memories. I really like that group-- kids music but still fun for grown ups. "My Hair Had a Party Last Night" is one of our favorites.

Debra: I didn't even think of a Muppets character as an option, somehow those are separate from Disney in my mind but it is always noce to have other Muppet fans out there. My favorite Muppet would have to be Kermit because he tries so hard to do everything right and seems to keep getting caught up with the craziness around him-- I can relate on many days. I'm also partial to Fozzie-- all he wants is to have people like him and maybe tell one or two good jokes. We did name our dog Muppet because one character did not seem enough to encompass her personality.

 

[laughinplace199]

Erica, I do remember that WTP was licensed to Sears, back in the day that Mom took my brother and me shopping for our Toughskins jeans!

Toughskins! I had totally forgotten about those. I LOVED my Toughskins.

 

[Hey Mickey]

Erica: I agree with Eeyore being misunderstood generally, but am intrigued by how you mean it. Do tell. And Captain Jack needs no explanation here. (I took the rum to bed with me.).

ah, that's why the rum is always gone....

Regarding Eeyore, I could write a whole thesis about it (and just might). I think he is a much more complex and positive character than is usually depicted. It seems so many people simply label him as a pessimist or wet towel, and leave it at that. i was particularly irked by the Randy pausch bit about being a Tigger instead of an Eeyore, because Tiggers have fun. A total oversimplification, and not mparticularly accurate.

I am sure I am projecting here, but I view Eeyore as a somewhat introverted being with very simple needs and few expectations. Give him a broken balloon and an empty hunny jar to out it in, and he is perfectly content. Give him a pile of sticks and he will construct what he needs -- it might not be much to look at, but itys home. Unlike Tigger (or Rabbit. Oh, don't get me started on Rabbit!), he seldom imposes his will on others. Very much a live and let live attitude. He finds pleasure in simple things. He asks only that on occassion some of the less considerate inhabitants of the Hundred Acre Woods give him some consideration....and even then, he is not particularly pushy. I know I would have been much more vocal about my displeasure if tigger had bounce me into the stream and left me floating around on my back!

I see this as a somewhat universal problem -- people assume that if others don't enjoy the things they do, want the things they want, express themselves in the same manner as others, then these others must be miserable, and probably intionally so. Soem people like to have lots of friends and activity, 24/7, not just bouncing around but trying to make others bounce as well. Some people just want their basic needs met, an occassional kindness, and mostly to be left alone to live as they want. And the fact is, the world needs Eeyores. Yes. Tiggers have fun -- or at least appear to (my psychoanalysis of Tigger will have to wait for another day). But Tigger is also incredibly irresponsible, impulsive, and invasive of others. Just because Tigger's expression of his fun tends to be more exuberant and ostentatious doesn't make his sense of enjoyment any more valid than Eeyore's peaceful, serene pleasures.

Okay, if only had the same motivation to write my dissertation as I do to analyze fctional but beloved characters from children's literature... Maybe I'm in the worng field?

and, on another but related note: Just hearing "toughskins" brought back so many memories....

Have a good one, cousins, whether you are a Tigger, an Eeyore, or someone entirely different.

 

[laughinplace199]

Hello Cousins!

I can't believe how much I missed in just a few days. I'm trying to catch up...

Jeanne - I'm so happy that you were able to complete the Princess Half. Even if you didn't beat the Greek, you should be proud of the fact that you gave it a shot and finished, all while fighting through some pain. You rock!

Corinna - I'm sorry that you were sick. It's great to hear that you're feeling better now. When are you going to WDW? We're going Apr 21-29 and staying at BCV.

Maria - Did you enjoy your day off? I had a nice day. My mom had the day off from work, so my parents, my DS2, and I went out to lunch at an Irish pub down the street from my house. It sounds like you've been really good about getting your workouts in. I must admit that I've been slacking a bit in the running department and cross-training is virtually nonexistent for me right now, but I will be out there tomorrow at 5:00 AM.

Jen B - Your 40/40 goal sounds great. I think it's great that you have such a long-term goal. I'm better at short-term goals. I get too overwhelmed by long-range ones. By the way, the pics of your DD with all of the stuffed animals are just too cute!

Debra - Don't feel guilty about the oatmeal raisin cookie or the carrot cake. I'd consider those fruits and veggies - healthy choices to me. How is your weight loss going? How are the cats doing with their diet?

Richard - I hope your knee is better.

Hello to Nancy, Mel, Jackie, Jen G, and everyone else!

As for me, I've been struggling with motivation issues. DH & I are doing a half at the end of May, and I thought that would keep me focused, but it's not working. There are some mornings where I just can't seem to drag myself out of bed to run, and I've been doing nothing for cross-training. If anyone has any suggestions, Id love to hear them. Other than that, things have just been really busy with family/friend/work obligations. We're heading to Disney in April and I just can't wait!

Have a great day, everyone!

 

[chimera]

Erica...LOVE your dissertation on Eeyore!

Kathy...great to see you hangin' with the cousins! Outlander is definitely not a good 12 yo reader I think the second book in the series was probably a little worse in that arena, though it's been several years since I've read the series.

Debra...yeah, Jamie's the main attraction. Nothin' like a big ol' Scottish dude to get you through the day

I found Rebecca on paperbackswap.com so she's on her way. I do have to finish reading Practical Applications in Thyroid Cancer for work before I can do anymore pleasure reading

I've done 5 straight days of some sort of exercise. Working on running with no walk breaks. I did great with a 30 min run on Mon, biking and weights at the Y yesterday. Today's run wasn't so fab...bad day at work always gets me. I really need to focus on mental training, my brain sooooo much rules my running.

I'm a whole month off caffeine...can't say I notice much difference.

 

[MouseDogMom]

Erica - WOW is all I can say to that mini-dissertation. You may want to change fields and just keep writing. I think you're beginning to touch on why I can't commit to Tigger as a favorite character. Irresponsible and invasive absolutely don't agree with me, so no matter how cute I think he is, I'm never completely comfortable when I'm around him.

Julie - Ah, motivation. I need a race desperately, but they are out of the budget for the foreseeable future. Thankfully I have my off-season running group, but just doing the miles on Saturday is not enough. I must get creative, and soon!

Been a bummer of a week here. Our company is one of those who's jumped on the bandwagon and forced everyone to take a week off without pay (they'd already suspended the 401K match last year), and that paycheck arrived today. Knew it was coming, but it was still a shock to the system. Then yesterday they announced a 6% pay decrease effective April 1st, but hey, we get 3 extra vacation days this year. Too bad none of us can afford to do anything with those days... So the race budget is getting smaller and smaller - I'm still determined to do Richmond in November, but other than that, it's hard to tell the family they can't spend money and then present a list of races I want to run!

On the bright side, Dragonfly in Amber, #2 in the Outlander series, arrived at the library today, so I'm about to disappear with Jamie & Claire for a couple of hours. If you don't see me on the boards by, oh, Sunday, you may want to send out a search party. #3, 4, and 5 are already on the table, so it's entirely possible that I could forget to come up for air for a couple of weeks!

Jackie

 

[tiberius]

Hmmm, seems like a quiet day around here!

Julie - Knee is doing better, and I can pretty much do what I want, just be careful with it. Thanks for asking!

Debra - You have become the glue that holds this motley group together, great job!

I've never heard of Evacuation Day, with the possible exception of the 2 times I've seen the attempted evacuation of parts of the Houston due to my good "friends" Rita and Ike in recent years.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

I had never heard of Evacuation Day, either, until we moved to Boston. I think someone searched the history books until they found a holiday on March 17th to "celebrate". I assume it was during the administration of an Irish mayor....and then they made it a County holiday to give it more validity.

I'm hopeful I'll get to check in later with a longer post. Things went a little crazy at work when we found out a co-worker had passed yesterday. She did have cancer, but it was shocking because no one knew she was so ill...

Maria

 

[jbucci]

Maria: Sorry to hear about your coworker

Richard: glad the knee is improving

Jeanne: I was glad to see you will be joining us out in DL--- go Ohana

As for me, we woke up to snow squall this morning-- it lasted only about an hour but it was really coming down-- what a way to bring in spring The diet could be better-- I've been really good and lost only about one pound and have hit that "why do I bother" phase where I am tempted to eat all of the marshmallow peeps in the house (why we have them in the house in the first place is a good question). I'll try to be good and go exercise, maybe it will turn my mood around and make those baby carrots look more appealing

 

[deekaypee]

Happy Spring, cousins!

The end of March approaches. How are your fitness goals progressing?

JenB: Oooh, I love that you named your dog Muppet. And with such great reasoning, too. Did you hear Jason Segel (one of Judd Apatow's coterie and one of the actors in How I Met Your Mother) is penning the next Muppet movie?

Okay, snow squall and peeps. You just have to know the first thing I thought of was smores! I hope you have a fireplace.... Seriously, I know about the frustration with weight loss. Tracking food, upping exercise, making the healthy-choices. And then to see the scale move so little, or not at all, after all that effort. Makes me cranky.

Julie: You weren't traumatized by the Toughskins class wars?

Erica: I loved your "in defense of Eeyore" mini-dissertation. No wonder you've embarked on your own original research. I'm sure you can find a way to combine your two fields and continue to write about children's lit. I can't think of a few MLA panels that would have benefitted from your insight. FWIW, the image I often hold of Eeyore is the very one you mention--floating on one's back, along for the journey. And while Randy Pausch's message about living life well, I think he missed the boat on Eeyore's outlook. Like I said in my post, I do think Eeyore's a little "up" for my personality. Don't see him a downer at all. Not like me!

Julie: Welcome back to regular posting. We've missed you! I'm sorry to hear about your mislaid motivation--I'm sure with spring just around the corner and your 1/2 coming up, you'll get back in the groove. Do you need us to nag--er, remind--you about the importance of XT? 'Cause we'll do it! I'm so, so jealous you're headed to Disney soon. Details, please!

Mel: I finished Rebecca, very Gothic, and now am starting Outlander. I think you'll really enjoy the former. I was surprised at how fast the pages kept turning, almost of their own volition! You've been doing great with your running, biking, and weights. The one thing that continues to surprise me is just how much our brains play into our performances. My hardest days are those where I feel I have had a bad work day/haven't accomplished enough. Oddly enough, if I'm peeved with someone--say, DOOD --my runs go really well. Doesn't bode well for our relationship.

Jackie: Big to you and your family. That's a lot of cuts that they company has implemented. And right as you prepare to send DD off to college, among other things. I hope the economy takes an upturn soon. On the upside, I'm glad you have Jaime to keep you company. It's always good to have a warm body around. If I disappear this weekend, it's for the same reason.

Richard: You are too, too kind. I'm glad to hear your knee is doing well, as I forgot to ask. Was today a massage day?

Maria: I'm so sorry to hear about your coworker. I hope you and your colleagues can find some comfort in each other and sharing stories about how she was part of your lives. Take care of yourself this weekend, and give your family some extra hugs.

Corinna: I hope you're feeling better. Please tell me that you've done at least one good thing for yourself this week.

Christa: You have a race coming up, don't you? Please check in with the cousins and let us know you're doing well!

Kathy: Is that a GOOFY 2010 I see in your siggie? Congratulations, and I'm adding it to the list!

JenG: I've dropped several hints about the DL 1/2 to DOOD, but so far he's ignoring me...

Other cousins--don't worry, I haven't forgotten about you. Check in before I check out your other hiding places.

As for me: XT today, after an icky run yesterday and Wed.'s rest day. I'm sulking because I won't be watching the series finale of BSG tonight. (I have to wait until Hulu releases the episodes, so don't tell me what happens!)

On the upside, I lost another pound, for 4/5 for the month. One more pound down and I'm tied with the cats. Now, if I just hadn't made those cinnamon-sugar popovers that smell so irresistible. Why do I do this to myself?

Big drama of the week: DOOD was almost shut out of registering his relay team for the Pgh marathon. They closed down the 1/2 and full early (supposed to be open through packet pick-up). The race made their quota early. I suppose it's because a lot of people are staying local for races this year. Luckily, MS Dave figured out that even though the 1/2 and full were closed, active.com was still accepting teams, and let me know. DOOD registered and soon after the relay option was also closed. So I'll get to take photos of DOOD's relay team (as well as shuttle his parents around, as they're coming to see their son's race).

 

[bubba73]

Hello Team O'hana Sorry for being absent in my visiting. I haven't had a chance to catch up on what all is going on but I do hope everyone is healthy and well!!!

Debra I got your FB message and I will send you a response before going to bed. Thanks for being there!!!

Bryan

 

[tiberius]

My friends, I have come today to ask for your hopes and prayers.

Last night came one of those dread moments in parenting--receiving a phone call from your child who is so shook up she can not speak clearly because of a tragic situation. My daughter Amanda was driving with one of her best friends, Allison (who was long known to the family), to the Houston Rodeo to see the Taylor Swift concert they had long waited for. As they were getting off the freeway, traffic came to a stop. They were rear-ended by large pickup truck going an estimated 55mph. The back of the car (Chevy Impala) was destroyed and they were spun and pushed off the road.

Amanda escaped with cuts, bruises, soreness all over,....but apparently only superficial injuries. She was forgotten by the hospital in the process and after several hours was placed at the back of the emergency room line. About 4 hours after arriving, my wife and I took her to a more local hospital emergency room where she was seen, tested, x-rayed, diagnosed, etc.... and released around 530 this morning, a little more than 10 hours after the first frantic call.

When we first got to the Houston hospital, we were told that Alli was taken for scans but not rushed into surgery and we took that as a positive sign, our questions were about how when she would regain conciousness and how long before she would be recovered enough to leave. We were later told that was Alli is in the Neurological Intensive Care Unit in very bad condition and we are told her prognosis is "not good". Her injuries were described to us on a scale of 3 to 15 (the higher the better) as arriving at the hospital as a 3 and maybe being a 4 several hours later, and that they were treating her for injuries that include air in her chest and brain cavity as well as bleeding. So far I have received no further updates, but don't know if that is good or bad news. The only solace I can take right now is that she is in the best trauma hospital in Houston, that she is young and strong, and that we don't believe she was on artificial life support. Her parents seemed so much stronger than I think I could have been.

I am having so much trouble reconciling how I was the one to be able to bring my baby home (she may be 20, but she's still my baby!) while her friend is in such poor condition. I have spent the last couple hours trying to sleep and not doing more than crying into the pillow and praying twice as hard for Alli take steps into recovery.

Amanda feels so bad believing it is her fault. I feel so guilty that my daughter walks away with only superficial injuries, while her friend.....

I feel so bad for dumping this out there to all of you, but at this moment I don't have anyone else to talk to and nowhere else to turn. So, my friends, you have become my counselor for now.

[For those who might ask about the conditions, alcohol/drugs did not appear to be a factor in this collision and the other driver was at least ticketed, if not more (The police kept my daughter away from him before she was taken to the hospital, which was smart as she really wanted to beat him in some way.). I am imagining cell phone use or some other distraction may have played a part, but I have no reason to really to know that. I do know the weather conditions were clear and it was still light out, and they were within sight of the stadium.]

Thank you all!

 

[chimera]

{{{{{{{{{{Richard}}}}}}}}}

I'm so sorry to hear of Amanda's accident. I'm glad to hear that she is okay, but also sorry for Alli's injuries. Survivor guilt can be tough, but it wasn't your fault or Amanda's fault or Alli's fault. Sometimes bad things happen to good people and it sucks. Just take each day as it comes. Hold each other close right now...time will help.

Alli's injuries sound very serious. The number scale you mentioned is probably a Glasgow coma scale. What happens in the first 24 hours after brain injury is usually the most telling. Kids are pretty resilient so it's mostly a wait and see approach right now, while supporting her and treating her other injuries. A 3 or 4 is very low on the scale, but if she has improvement today, that may be a good sign. Jen B may have some thoughts on this as well. She's a lot closer to peds than I am.

Come here anytime you need us.

 

[MouseDogMom]

Richard - Many, many hugs and prayers for you, the entire family, and Alli and her family. As the parent of an 18 year old daughter I dread that call every time she's away from me, and my heart aches now for you and for Alli's family. We'll keep our fingers crossed that there's good news on the horizon, since Mel says the first 24 hours are critical. Please keep us posted.

Jackie

 

[laughinplace199]

Richard - Sending lots of prayers and good thoughts to you for Amanda and Alli and your families. Please keep us posted on how everyone is doing.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Richard -- I am so sorry this has happened to your family and dear friends. I have no words of wisdom to offer, but you will all be in my prayers, especially Alli and Amanda. Please do come to us -- we can always listen and offer support.

Maria

 

[deekaypee]

Richard, I'm so, so sorry to hear about Amanda and Alli's accident and I'm thinking about both your families. I'm glad that Amanda's physical injuries were relatively minor, and I'm sending positive thoughts about Alli's condition. I hope she improves in these next, critical hours. I'm also holding you all in my heart as you work through the emotional turmoil of the accident. The guilt, the "what ifs" and "might have beens," the uncertainty of Alli's recovery, the feeling of helplessness...all are part of the accident. Mel's advice is good--hold each other, talk with each other, and support each other.

And always, always come to us. We're here: to listen, to pray, to hold your hand. Please keep us informed.

 

[Creativebeth]

Richard: I have seen many sides to trauma, being a trauma nurse for 15 years. The feelings you have are completely expected. I only pray now for the healing of both families and Alli most of all. Right now is a time to put blame away, it will only get in the way of more important prayers. There will be a time later when maybe we will get some answers of 'why', but right now all energy needs to be put towards positive thoughts and prayers.

As said previously, the first 24 hours are criticial. I hope you will have some news for us soon.

Even though I am not a 'Ohana cousin, I believe no one would not want you to come here to sound things out. There is alot of love in this group, and I hope it is ok I am here to lend support.

My prayers are with you.

Beth