Team 'Ohana 2009: No One Left Behind

[padisneyfan]

Richard-- I have not been on the boards over the weekend so just now reading about the accident and the passing of Allie. I know that it is a difficult time for all of you, but you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Marie--Sorry to read about your coworker.


to both Richard and Marie.

Nancy

 

[jmasgat]

Richard My condolences for your loss. I tear up just thinking about that sort of thing happening to my kids. And even if someone is wearing a seat belt, the damage from a high speed crash can be deadly.

Jackie I know exactly how you feel about the 401k match--or lack thereof--and the salary cut. Mine is 7%. And then there is the "re-leveling", which is a fancy way to say that some people may get demoted as they flatten out the org structure. That would cause even more financial pain. But it's better than the alternative--involuntary layoff.

As for race "tchotchke", I don't have a lot. My Donald medal is certainly the most spectacular, and there's something about the word "marathon" (even if it is modifed with the word "half"!) that certainly makes me feel good. It is honestly something I never thought I would do.
I'm not big on the shirts---not much of a logo person, myself--although I did wear my Donald shirt yesterday as it was weather and activity appropriate. Plus I always seem to swim in shirts and they make me look even more flat chested than I already am!
Still haven't gotten a goody bag worth writing home about--I mean, the thing they gave us at Disney was pathetic--or do I expect too much. At least at Minnie, it was an actual bag.

Maura

 

[goofyinohio]

Richard - I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. It took everything in me not to lose it here at work. I can't even imagine!


My Favorite Medal? That's a hard question. I think my first Marathon Medal. The Mickey from last year. It's huge and it changed my life.

Favorite Shirt - Has to be my Goofy Shirt. I wear that thing with such pride although most have no clue what it means. Race and a Half what's that?

Goodie bags for me have pretty much stunk. The best is from the Flying Pig. Got a nice Poster and Duffel type bag.

 

[deekaypee]

I agree with Jeanne in so many ways. I felt mixed about offering up the mixer this week. But I decided that we should go ahead with it, that Richard and Maria (and Jackie--wasn't trying to overlook her situation!) would want us to. And, of course, you all know that one of the ways I bond with my WISHmates is by their stories. So I'm gonna go ahead with mine...

I'm actually not one for the medals...at all. In fact, if anyone wants mine they're more than welcome to them. I mean, I like earning them, but I'd rather the money went into more entertainment on the course, free admission into local museums, etc. for places I travel to, better goody bags. (Maura, get used to disappointment!) I do like to receive tech shirts, though, and wear them to the gym faithfully. Cotton race shirts become "slumming around the house" wear for a while. DOOD sends his cotton shirts off to his mother, who keeps promising to make him that race quilt. (It's been, oh, about five years....)

That said:

Favorite medal is probably the first I earned--the Donald part of the Goofy 2008. I also like the Cleveland 1/2 and full marathon medals.

They have different colors to distinguish between the different races (I earned the 1/2 marathon, but I "borrowed" this picture from the Internet). But that guitar in the middle of the medal spins. Plus it was my first non-Disney race and it proved it was more than the trip to WDW that lured me into doing events.

DOOD doesn't really have a favorite medal, although he did mention he was proud of his first distance race, the Fargo 1/2 marathon. (Almost got hypothermia.) This is their current medal. Their race, btw, is flat and fast if a bit boring. If the weather is good, it's a good qualifying race. And the spectators and support are good, too. Fargoans are so happy to have you there they'll come out and support you in all types of weather. This year, if you're among the first 9000 registrants, you get an Adidas Bag. And what other pre-race pasta feed features lefse? http://www.fargomarathon.com/goodies.htm
So if you're looking to do your 50 states, try the Fargo event. Uffda!

Favorite T-shirt: DOOD's is the Barnesville (MN, not too far from Fargo) Potato Days 5K. It's got the image of a running potato, and it charms him for some reason. No accounting for taste. http://www.potatodays.com/merchandise.html

My favorite t-shirt comes from the Team Ortho's Monster Dash (Minneapolis). It's a Halloween, costumed race and features a skeleton. Since we left the region, they've increased their races to offer a 1/2 marathon, a 10 miler, a family 5K (with trick-or-treat stops) and a 5K-9 race for dogs. It's got tons of support and lots of cute costumes, so the shirt is just a bonus for the race itself. I think that you should do this one, Corinna!

Favorite race-bag goody: I'd forgotten about the Sharpies, Lisa! I love those. My favorite, unexpected goody was a sample of Udderly Smooth. I'd never heard of it, but tried the sample and love it! I use it on my feet all the time. But I also like all the mini-Clif bars, sports beans, etc. Cleveland once again rocks the goody bag, for a couple of reasons. 1) I haven't done a lot of races. (Although I have been to a lot of expos because of DOOD.) 2) It's a small expo, and I picked up my bag in less than 5 minutes. 3) Although there wasn't a lot in the bag, the vendors were giving stuff away left and right. Double and triple samples of everything from mini jars of Smuckers Natural Peanut Butter and Hot Fudge to pain relievers to muffins! Saturn also was giving away a car AND string bags if you signed up for the giveaway.

All DOOD cares about is the bib, chip, and safety pins, so he's no help here at all.

I'll be back to post responses later. Maybe some pics. The boards are really slow for me today, though, so we'll see if my patience holds.

 

[laughinplace199]

Hi cousins!

Maria - I am sorry to hear about your coworker.


As for the question of the day, my favorite medal is my Mickey medal since it was for my first (and hopefully not last) marathon.

 

[smileyk8]

Richard- so sorry to hear about your shock. Really can't imagine how terrifying that call was or how devasting it is that such a close family friend has died. It really sounds like you gave such relief to Allie's family, it truly is wonderful that you can and did offer that. Not everyone would at such a difficult time.

Maria- sorry to hear about your co-worker. It's very hard when people keep it quiet just how poorly they are, the shock is so much more.

Jackie- the economy has to improve soon doesn't it. Lots of pixie dust to you and your employer too.

Hey everyone else at Team Ohana! Hope you're all doing well. My favourite medal so far is my minnie 15km, first real race and first disney race. Have to admit tho i'm still looking proudly at princess 1/2 one! I am very much a medal person, with the offering of a medal often being the deciding factor for whether i do a race, bad i know. Don't you find you get through the last few miles of the run thinking of that oh so beautiful medal or the finishers t-shirt that you've promised yourself you won't wear unless you finish!?!?! lol

 

[tiberius]

Hi Team!

Your support these last few days has been so wonderful, especially since most of what I have posted and read has been through tear-filled eyes. After a morning of dealing with insurance companies, I am back at work trying have some "normalcy" in my life. There are some things that only I can do which must be done today (curse of being the one in charge), but by working today I will find it easier to miss Wednesday and Thursday for the local service and the burial service, which will be several hours away. For anyone interested, here is a link to the local paper's article on Alli http://www.hcnonline.com/articles/2009/03/23/woodlands_villager/news/wv-n_fatal_accident_3_23.txt I called her mother Carol today to talk to her about the article and to thank her for being kind enough not to release my daughter's name to protect her from anyone who might call her over this due to curiosity, although I really think Carol did it to try to protect Amanda from the paper writing in a way that way have implied she had some fault in the collision. I could really tell Carol appreciated my call when I told her of this. The most impressive thing about Alli is that she really was as good a person as every says. She is the girl you wanted for your child's friend to be that good influence.

Now on a happier note, to my Monday Mixer post....
My favorite medal is one of my simpler looking medals for the SunMart 50K. I had a lot of trouble with this event and struggled to be 2nd or 3rd from the last, but I did finish! Registration came with lots of good stuff like a full-size gym bag, T shirt, collared shirt, notebook, sunglasses, caps and more.

 

[TnTsParty]

Thanks to Debra I am visiting my cousins here at Ohana for your Monday mixer (hopefully you don't mind a duck for a cousin - LOL) I am saddened to hear the sad news that both Richard and Maria had. Richard - my thoughts and prayers are with your family and especially with Alli's family. Such a tragic loss at what should have been the time of their life. My thoughts are with your daughter in this tough time ahead. Maria - my thoughts and prayers are with your coworker's family and your office as they deal with this tough time as well.

As far as the topic of today's mixer -

Bling
Although I have a soft spot in my heart for all my medals I would have to say my favorite bling has got to be my Mickey medal because its my first and what I thought would be my only 26.2 marathon. I never ever thought I would do a race that long let alone feel like ever doing one again (now I can't wait) My second favorite is my TOT 13k medal from 2007 - it was my very first Disney race and also my first race longer than a 5k. It has turned me into the Disney race loving fool I am!!!

T-shirt
Have to think more about that one - I have collected quite a few different ones. I have messed up on ordering some of the Disney shirts since they were uni-sex tech shirts and were totally too big. But I do like the Princess half marathon shirt and wore it yesterday on my first run since the Princess.

Goody Bag
I would have to say my favorite goody bag was from the Princess half. Not so much for what was inside but the actual bag I love I really liked the Minnie bag but mine got a hole in it and got dirty so I really love the Princess one since its black and can't get dirty and as of right now I haven't put any holes in it.

Oh well my day at work is done so I have to log off so I can go home!! Thanks for inviting us in Ohana!!

 

[dsnyfan21]

HEY ALL my Lovely Cousins....

It's Racey Tracy here to crash the PARTY!!!
hehe

Just thought I would rub it in and say that I just got back from visiting my friend Mickey Mouse for my birthday celebration! (even though I was just there about 2 weeks ago for that Princess thingy with my amigas!)

How's it going everyone? I just wanted to give some ((((((((((Richard))))))))) for your situation! My Grandmother was in a horrible car accident about 4years ago and lost part of her leg below the knee.

I guess I should answer some questions for the mixer...

Favorite Goody Bag: The actual bag is either the Minnie 15K or the Princess Half as they had some nice graphics on them. Like the clip on pens, but the Miami ING had more "stuff" in the bag itself.

Favorite Shirt: Any of the long-sleeve tech shirts like the donald ones as that is the only long sleeve tech shirt I own.

Favorite Medal: My First is the first "race" I did which would be my 2007 Donald! Second would be any of my spinning Palm Trees from the Miami ING. Third would be my inaugural Coast to Coast medal and next would be my inaugural Princess Half!!

Have a good evening everyone!
Racey Tracy

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Wow, I just want to quickly thank everyone for all the good wishes. Losing a co-worker is not pleasant, but I can't imagine losing a child's friend. Richard, you definitely had the roughest weekend, and my prayers and thoughts are obviously with you.

It is going to be a long week, but we will persevere.

I'm actually glad I have such a busy week -- less time to think. I have another one of those fun hearings tomorrow morning, but on the bright side after that I have yoga. I could really use some yoga right about now.

It's been great to read about all the bling and goodies -- I'm looking forward to hearing what the night shift has to say!

Maria

 

[jbucci]

I guess I'm the first of the "night shift" to respond.

Richard: one more I'm so sorry for your loss

I can't believe that Shatner is really that old and still the ladies man...

As for the bling: My favorite would have to be the Minnie 15K medal from last year. It was my 1st real race (ok, the 5K was the first race, but it was short and the medal was only so-so). I love the simplicity of the medal-- Minnie but not too overdone. That being said the ones I have hanging on my desk at work-- what better place for them-- are my DL1/2 from last year and my Mickey from this year's full. They were my 1st 1/2 and full marathon and are special for that reason, but the medals are almost too big for my tastes.

Favorite shirt: My long sleeve tech shirt from the Disney full this year. It is perfect to lounge around in or for exercise. It gets great comments too. I have a long sleeve tech shirt that I bought at the ING half that is also rather nice.

Favorite goody bag: Has to be the Disneyland 1/2 from last year. This was my 1st big expo and I loved all the freebies and samples of Clif products. The bag had cool Heelys things for your shoe to keep your keys, money, etc.

I'm looking forward to collecting more bling this year-- coast to coast and goofy medal here I come

 

[Worfiedoodles]

One more note for Mel (I think, I'm not sure who remembered "Jazz Girl") -- we watched the TNG with Minuette this weekend. My ds was commenting that Riker really gets around. It's been less than one season, and he's already figured out 1) Riker is a man "you know what" 2) Wesley is the Boy Wonder 3) Counselor Troi seems to just be gone alot with no explanation. Still waiting for some Vulcans, Romulans, Klingons to show up...maybe on the next disc!

Ok, now I'm really going to make dinner...

Maria

 

[laxdef69]

Night shifter checking in here...course, i'm usually on at 0400, too...

Richard: Very sorry for your loss; how is your daughter doing? Grief comes out in funny (weird, not haha) ways. Prayers are with you.

Mixer topic.

My favorite shirt and medal have to be from the Racine 1/2 Ironman (HIM)that I did last summer. It was the first event ever that I didn't know if I could complete it when I lined up. The few events prior to that seemed big when I set the goal, but through training I knew that I could finish. The HIM...well, lets just say that the pucker factor was sky high when it was my waves' turn to start.

Bling Pic:

Back of Shirt

Front of Shirt

I have a spot picked for the IM tattoo when I complete it...I actually thought about getting a pretty cool one for the 1/2...I'll see if I can find it and post a link to it...


----------------EDIT---------------

In looking at the pics, I hate my wife's cat...

Mike

 

[laxdef69]

But its not mine...

 

[jbucci]

Mike: the cat edit made me laugh a lot most of my clothes look that way thanks to our dog.. I'm pretty sure that's why I don't wear much black anymore

 

[gatorphipps]

Richard - Oh so sorry about everything going on in your life! Prayers to you and your family!

My favorite shirt......I cannot seem to post a picture, but the shirt is from a trail 1/2 mary. It is red and has a big cow on it. It says "Chicken Wins By A Mile". Everyone just stops and looks at it.

My fave medal would have to be from the Myrtle Beach Mary. It is a heart and I ran it on my DD11 B-day. I broke 4 hours that day and she said it was b/c it was her b-day (Feb 14th). So it is very dear to my heart.

I said this on the other thread....but, for me to get a tat, I would have to complete a full IM!

 

[chimera]

Mike...cat fur on your clothes just means you are loved. In our house, we have black dog fur for your light colored clothes, white dog fur for your darks and orange cat fur for everything else. Love the half iron tat! You should definitely get it! If I ever did a half or full iron, I'd get that M dot tattoed on my forehead!

Maria...yep, I remember the Minuet episode. I liked Counselor Troi better in the later years. She was almost Shatner-esque in her acting those first few episodes. I think she was a lot better when they got her out of the cat suits and big hair. I did like Crusher better than Pulaski...Pulaski was so rigid and cold, I thought Crusher was a much more compassionate doc.

We just finished season 3 of Lost...season 4 disk 1 should arrive tomorrow.

Christa...great to see you!

On to mixing...

Favorite medal: tough one, maybe the 2008 Mickey as it will be the only full I'll ever do. My duathlon medal is pretty cool too...first division award so not every finisher got one.

Favorite race shirt: my WISH shirt

Favorite race stuff: the race bag from the last Sarasota half was a Whole Foods grocery tote!

 

[aldisneygrl]

Popping in quickly, since my patient (aka daughter) is watching AFV.

I haven't received a medal yet, but I hope to in a month at the Country Music Half Marathon.

I am quite fond of the first shirt I ever earned since I NEVER EVER thought I would be able to run. Now I did my first 5K three weeks into my C25K training, and my friend had me going fairly quickly. Let's just say at the end of that race......natural childbirth was much EASIER!

Well, I've come a long way since then thanks to y'all!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Richard, I'm sorry for everything you and those friends near you are going through.
Maria, I am sorry for what you are going through too.

But its not mine...

Clever idea!

I like the bling I have--all of it. You know a girl can never have too much bling!

I've got to agree that I too like my WISH shirt best.

Have a great week counsins. Thanks for the invite!

 

[suzannews]

Hi all, sorry I'm late for the party.

First of all, Richard and Maria, sorry its been a rough couple of days for both of you. Hugs and prayers.


My favorite bling...probably the Minnie 15K because it was my first race EVER! Everyone thought I was crazy and I picked a 15K to get it started! The rest is history! Second runner up is the Race for the Taste bling with the cute fork, spoon and knife hanging off of it. I heard a rumor that this years RftT medal will be a plate instead of the chefs hat. Whatever it is, I hope to have it hanging on my wall.

My favorite shirt...my Donald from the 1/2 marathon this past January. I've worn it a couple of times and love it. I feel very powerful in it!

My favorite goody bag...love the Minnie and Princess bag, not whats in it, just the bag!

If I can get it to post, below is a picture of my "wall". Thats right, this wall is all about ME!