Team 'Ohana 2009: No One Left Behind

[deekaypee]

Wow, it was a slow weekend here on 'Ohana. I hope it was because everyone was enjoying great weather. We've had rain here and I've been glued to the Weather channel, watching news of the flood. Former colleagues are there, and everyone's both pretty tense and pretty stoic. Everyone I know is okay, but this is the second major flood in a little over a decade.

Richard: What a lovely story behind the quote, too! I hope your weekend was filled with some laughter.

Christa: Thanks for the updates! I've added your PR time on the first page of the thread, so everyone can see your accomplishment at the Myrtle Beach mary! I have no problem seeing speed as your #1 goal. It's definitely a NEEEEEEEDDDD. (Funny, I've never heard your voice but I can hear your voice in this!)

As for me: A mental-health weekend for me and DOOD. Lots of playtime, little to no work. We saw Monsters vs. Aliens at a matinee. If you grew up loving classic, kitschy sci fi movies--either at theaters or on Saturday-afternoon TV--you're going to love it. There are several sly references in the film and at various points I thought of Maria, JenB, Richard, Jeanne, and Mel, among others. And not just for the sci fi references, by the way, but because of the music, other in-jokes, etc. So you should all see it and try to figure out why I thought of you. And Mel, Richard, and Maria--I also got to see the trailer for Star Trek in an IMAX theater. That's definitely the way to go for the movie.

Oh, and I finished Outlander, which didn't feel like a finish, per se. Definitely setting itself up for other novels. I'll get to those, but Carlos Ruiz Zafon's The Shadow of the Wind came into the library, and I must read it next. It comes highly recommended by friends and the BBC book list.

 

[MouseDogMom]

Wow, it was a slow weekend here on 'Ohana. I hope it was because everyone was enjoying great weather.

My boss and I were arguing on Friday - he told me it would be pouring rain Saturday morning when I was supposed to run, and I told him it wouldn't rain until we were done. Fortunately, I was right. It was really, really humid, but otherwise beautiful for the entire 10 miles. Posted on the main thread that we had a runner from the 10:00 pace group join our slow 12:00 group, and what a difference she made. Why is it the one fast runner gets to set the pace?

Okay, I know I said in January I'd never run a full marathon again... Just finished registering for the Richmond Marathon on November 14th. A whole group of us are planning to do it together, so even though it won't be the same as being with everyone in January, there will at least be someone to run and/or walk with!

Jackie

 

[chimera]

I'll get to those, but Carlos Ruiz Zafon's The Shadow of the Wind came into the library, and I must read it next. It comes highly recommended by friends and the BBC book list.

Bummer...didn't know you were looking for it. I have it...can send it to you if you'd like!

 

[deekaypee]

'Ohana Monday Mixer

Wendy posted this on the Lean Meaner thread and her words resonated with me, so I thought I'd pass it along as it serves as the inspiration for this week's mixer.

It feels like Spring in my head-- a time for cleaning out the junk, renewing my resolve, and enjoying all that is beautiful around me. It's a renewed hope thing -- Do you feel that way, too?

So, WISHers, springtime is in the air as well as on the calendar. And even if your neighborhood isn't enjoying springlike weather quite yet, it's fun to plan for that day that's just around the corner. So this week's set of related prompts are...

What outdoor activity (or activities) do you most look forward to in the spring, and why? What is an annual spring tradition for you? How do you enjoy that first, perfect spring day?

Feel free to talk about prepping the bike for the season's first ride or the first run in shorts. But we're also interested in hearing about other activities: gardening, kite-flying, spring cleaning, picnics, roller blading, hiking, and so on.

 

[windwalker]

Good morning fellow WISHers. Debra invited me to drop by and say hi.

I couldn't help noticing that Maria and Debra were both fans of the supernatural reading. Those of you that have known me for a while know that I believe that there is a wild untamed part of us, that part is deep within some of us and more easily seen in others.

My spring resolution is to work on getting back in touch with my inner panda. Each of us has a part that is power and energy and love, maybe it's our soul and our spirit, the part of us that will not give in and allow us to fight against all odds.

When we can escape our fears and hangups and just let out spirit fly we can accomplish amazing things. When we can stop saying "Oh it's cold or hot, my feet hurt, my cafe hurts my knee feels funny, I'm tired" and the million other negative thoughts we can have, when we can just move. When we can just lose ourselves in the joy of motion and let that part of us that's not domesticated run free.

Perhaps when we are having that, "Runner's High", we are actually turning our inner power free and we are just along for the ride.

Power Panda.

 

[jmasgat]

What outdoor activity (or activities) do you most look forward to in the spring, and why? What is an annual spring tradition for you? How do you enjoy that first, perfect spring day?

Given the state of the business I'm in (automotive) and the recent headlines, perhaps my spring activity should be a job hunt! However, you did ask for an activity I enjoy, so let me think (insert Pooh here with finger pointing to head--"Think, Think"!). For me, it's not so much the activity, because I am a lazy sloth in reality, it is just the sensation of warm sun on my face, of sitting on grass, of walking in bare feet. It's watching the first baseball game of the season and thinking that this could be the year. It's opening the windows in the house for the first time since last fall. Just makes me smile.

Maura

 

[corinnak]

Hello Ohana! I am back from WDW. I am sad to say I did not manage to get any running in while I was there. I had a lingering cough when I arrived. I think it's finally just about gone now. And I'll be hitting that ol' treadmill tonight. It's been a rough month, mileage-wise for me. Seriously, the fever-cough bug is not fun. On the positive side, my weight this morning was the same as when I left (well, down .2, which had been up .2 from the previous week) in spite of many food-like indulgences and late nights at Jellyrolls.

I still need to catch up on a lot of what's been going on here over the past week.....

 

[twoWDWfools]

Hello Ohana Cousins!

Maria and Richard -

As for today's mixer question, couple things.

- the motorcycles get to come back out
- bicycles come back out
- hiking and picnic season returns (even better if can get to spot to hike on motorcycle)
- sometimes it's just being able to open the windows and get fresh air thru the house!

 

[Worfiedoodles]

My first reaction to the Mixer question was, "Oh Debra, that's so sweet. You think we have Spring in New England"

Coming from a place which has an easily identifiable Spring, I have to say NE just seems to segue right from Winter to Summer. Spring is a fleeting moment, an ephemeral glance, a well, you get what I mean.

Seriously, when it starts to get warmer I really look forward to sitting out on our balcony and watching the birds and squirrels in the back yard. It's really nice to sip a hot cup of tea and watch the world wake up. I don't get to do this during the week, so that makes it an even more special time to savor.

Once it's warm I love to walk along the beach. This water never warms up enough for me, but the sand can be a delight. We really like to walk around sunset, the waves are soothing and the night seems to beckon with endless possibilities -- even with an 11 yr old careening in and out of the waves.

We're hoping to do more "wind down" beach walking this year, and also just more getting outside. Now if those pesky bugs would just go away...

Maria

 

[grizbuzz]

Special wishes to Maria and Richard.

Spent most of last week at a conference in Vegas, with no sunshine, fresh air or exercise. Have been working out everyday since my return on Thursday and even have gotten in a couple of runs. So I'm getting back on track.

As for my spring activity, I'm going to have to say working in the garden. I've been quite lazy the last couple of years, but I'm hoping to get to some planting with the boys any weekend now.

The weather is beautiful here in California.

-Jen

 

[laughinplace199]

Spring...yes, I've heard of that. Around here, we usually go from snowstorms to 90 degrees and humid in a matter of 24 hrs, leaving very little time for "Spring" but I digress...

In the spring, we always buy large quantities of sidewalk chalk and bubbles. I enjoy sitting on my front porch and watching the kids color and blow bubbles. I love closing my eyes and listening to their voices as they run around playing tag and hide and seek.

I also love to sit in my rocking chair on the porch (wow - I really sound like an old lady ) and read - especially when the kids are in school and the baby is napping. I love that "me" time.

 

[getnthinr]

Spring... I like Spring (but I LOVE Fall). I like the daylight after work, the smell of cut grass, the walks at Raven Rock where the wildflowers peek out of the brown leaves. I like having way too many races around to pick just one. I like pulling out cool cotton clothes I haven't worn since last year, and drying sheets out on the clothesline on occasion. I like the baby bunnies that I surprise in the edge of the woods. And the blueberry bushes in the yard that bloom before they ever get their first leaf.

Life is change, and change is good -- that's the lesson that Spring brings me.

Nice to visit with you, Ohana cousins!

 

[jship210]

'Ohana Monday Mixer
What outdoor activity (or activities) do you most look forward to in the spring, and why? What is an annual spring tradition for you? How do you enjoy that first, perfect spring day?

Greetings Ohanians!

Hmm Spring, to me it's that short span from winter to when the summer people start to show up. I like this time where walking on the beach or biking you see people you know and can stop and talk or just wave, knowing that once summer gets here, you won't likely see these people again until fall. The sound of peepfrogs in the ponds and Opening Day at McCoy!
Not to mention GRILLIN' & CHILLIN'

 

[grstink]

'Ohana Monday Mixer
What outdoor activity (or activities) do you most look forward to in the spring, and why? What is an annual spring tradition for you? How do you enjoy that first, perfect spring day?

I just love to see the sun through my windows, that now can be opened, so that the songs of the birds can be heard.
We walk to the park with our grandchildren and watch them run and play and just have a grand ole time. We even get to be a part of those playful activities. We stop to have a picnic sometimes too.
We especially love to go bike riding.
Ah, Spring, no more heavy coats and boots. We get to enjoy the outside with just shorts, short sleeves and flip flops.
Which reminds me, I need to go make my annual Spring flip flop purchase. Saw some cute ones in AC Moore that you can even creatively embellish.

 

[jbucci]

I love springtime. I'm all about wearing shorts and a light fleece, cracking out the tevas and generally being outside. I love to watch the flowers start to appear and bloom-- we have some really cute mini daffodils in our front yard. I've given up on gardening because we have tons of deer and bunnies that eat just about everything I try to grow. I love the warm days and cooler nights.

Yesterday was a perfect spring evening (until the thunderstorm and hail hit). DD and I went outside after a rain storm, the sun broke through and it was gorgeous. We were in bare feet playing on the driveway and making footprints by running through puddles and "painting" with water on the asphalt-- simple and wonderful

 

[dsnyfan21]

Hmmmm, Spring? Is there a time of year called Spring? Isn't that what I had right after Summer??
It's been Spring here since November, Summer happens in like 2-3 more weeks.

The only spring thing that happens around here is the return of the Purple Martins to their birdhouse in the back yard, Sun stays out longer and you get to do more stuff in the evening!
Spring also means time to do some cleaning. It is tradition to clean all the screens from the windows after having them open for months. Clean out the window sills and window treatments.

Thanks about it.

Later,
Racey Tracy

 

[laxdef69]

In Chicago?

In the few days between bitter cold, and scorching heat, I really like taking a walk at night without a coat, I love pruning back and getting the mulch beds ready for the first tulips and perennials...seeing kids play at the park across the street from my house.

All of it...I love it all.

And then summer comes, and I'm a sweaty mess

 

[tiberius]

Spring traditions? Maybe wishing I looked better in a swimsuit!

Seriously, for me "Spring" weather occurs on and off through winter, so we don't have any really special tradition to go with it. Maybe something like baseball, which is tied to a schedule. I guess Spring now means that the local running calendar is coming to a close and the triathlon calendar is starting.

 

[TnTsParty]

Hello Ohana!! Monday mixer question - I have to second what Tracy said - there really isn't a "spring" here. Its going to be "summer" here soon the heat is here to stay I guess. Really the one thing that makes it "spring" around here is seeing all the trees and flowers in bloom. You don't notice the trees the rest of the year but right now - pinks, yellows - I love it.

 

[deekaypee]

Oh, all you springtime cynics, what with your regions skipping right over the season. I used to feel the same way about Fargo--one of the many reasons we moved!

• For me, springtime means light hiking in the local trails as everything comes into bloom. It can be a bit muddy, but there's nothing better than getting out in the fresh air.
• Also on the must-do list for spring--a weekend day of frisbee in the park, with and without the picnic & ice-cream excursion.
• And because I'm mostly a recreational biker I love the whole ritual of taking my bike out for the first time, especially on the Furnace Trail where there are many families who ride together.
• And it's not the first day of spring, but I do so love a good Memorial Day outing--to an outdoor concert, the zoo, a baseball game. Love live baseball, esp. spring training!

And then, of course, there's always spring cleaning. I don't look forward to doing it, but am always glad when it's done. Spring is also when washing the car becomes less of a chore.

ETA: Thanks, Richard, for mentioning swimsuit season. That's a year-long goal for me, and need not be mentioned again.