Team 'Ohana 2009: No One Left Behind

[MickeyT]

Hello Cousins,
Wanted to stop by and tell Richard and Maria they are in my prayers. I've been lurking and read the stories of these tragedies.

Most of us can think back to days in our lives where they changed dramatically and forever. This life is so final. But I noticed in the obituary what a wonderful lady Allie was. None of us are perfect but she sounds like a woman that touched peoples lives in a good way and that is something that so many that live 4 times her age never do. I also see she was a lady of faith and that alone gives her family the 'Promise' that they will see her again and a peace that passes all understanding. The peace that they will see Allie again! It shows in their care for you and Amanda.

I will also pray for Amanda and your family. Take care.

 

[jeanneg]

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

LOVE the wall, Suzanne! WTG, girl, you deserve to be proud! Also love the fact that it's right in front of your TM!

 

[deekaypee]

Just a quick drive-by tonight, as my cats are staring at me while waiting to be fed. And there's something else. Oh, yeah, I need to be making DOOD dinner, doing laundry, and being generally productive. Instead, I'm tempted to read Outlander. I'll try to catch up more later.

Richard: That was a lovely article about Alli. She touched a great deal of lives. And her family has been wonderful to you and your family throughout this. Thank you for sharing her story with us.

Maria: I hope you and your colleagues can take the time to celebrate your celebrate your co-worker's life and to mourn your loss. I also hope your hearing went well--you're a strong, strong woman.

Nancy: It's good to see you here, and hope your recovery continues to progress apace.

JenB: It sounds as if the DL 1/2 expo & goody bag is superior to the January one?

Mike: I really like the pics of the medal/shirt--I remember your training for Racine--and love the 1/2 IM tattoo. The latter is very sleek, especially since it has no cat hair. Unlike all the clothes in my house. Mel calls it love--I call it passive-aggressive demands to be fed. (See above.)

Christa: So good to see you here--and to hear the details about your Myrtle Beach mary. I knew it was on your DD's b-day, but I didn't know the medal was a heart. How perfect. I hope your busy life is centered and not too, too crazy.

Mel: Hated Troi's cat suits, even though they always made me think of the Gil Gerard Buck Rogers. Beedeebeedeebeedee..... How are you liking Lost?

Allie: It's amazing you ran a 5K three weeks into C25K!

Suzann: If I were that talented in terms of aesthetic displays, maybe I'd care about the medals!

 

[Hey Mickey]

JenB: It sounds as if the DL 1/2 expo & goody bag is superior to the January one?

Well, i missed the mixer and I'm not JenB, bit this reminded me of my favorite goody bag item so far. At last year's DL 1/2, the goody bags came with both a glade plug in air freshener and, better still, one of those table top air fresheners that puts on a little light show! Not only did I think this was very considerate of those who had to share close living quarters with the runners (and their post-race running garb), but the light show provided endless hours of entertainment!

I was actually just stopping in to offer condolences to Richard and Maria and hugs to any who need them.

 

[jeanneg]

Well, i missed the mixer and I'm not JenB, bit this reminded me of my favorite goody bag item so far. At last year's DL 1/2, the goody bags came with both a glade plug in air freshener and, better still, one of those table top air fresheners that puts on a little light show! Not only did I think this was very considerate of those who had to share close living quarters with the runners (and their post-race running garb), but the light show provided endless hours of entertainment!

Oh, we got those for both Expedition Everest and Tower of Terror last year! I ended up getting four of those little light show thingies.......let's just say we had alot of laughs with them over Thanksgiving weekend when all the kids came home! Now I have my own red-light district.......

 

[aldisneygrl]

LOVE the wall, Suzanne! WTG, girl, you deserve to be proud! Also love the fact that it's right in front of your TM!

I thought the same thing Jeanne. That wall would be such an encouragement while running on the treadmill. That is so cool Suzanne!!

Richard: That was a lovely article about Allie. She touched a great deal of lives. And her family has been wonderful to you and your family throughout this. Thank you for sharing her story with us.

Maria: I hope you and your colleagues can take the time to celebrate your celebrate your co-worker's life and to mourn your loss. I also hope your hearing went well--you're a strong, strong woman.

Hugs to both of you!


Allie: It's amazing you ran a 5K three weeks into C25K!

Um, Crazy is what comes to my mind. Actually, her husband is the one who makes up my training schedules for me, and she was a great cheerleader the whole way. So, I can't complain. But I still say I would rather birth a baby than run that race like that again.

 

[tiberius]

So, I can't complain. But I still say I would rather birth a baby than run that race like that again.

I have no frame of reference for that comment.

OK, with all my continuing support out there I just wanted to chime in that the Church had a prayer service for Alli tonight, and there had to be at least 400 - 500 people there. If touching the lives of that many people doesn't say something good, then I don't know what does. My daughter did have a small breakdown when approaching the casket, but then again I was not much better. Afterwards we spent the night with Alli's family, and they were wonderful, that alone broguht tears to my eyes.

I love you all for your help and support.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Added Wednesday afternoon:
We had Alli's church service this morning, it was sad and wonderful--and so many many people came up to me to say they were going to be available to help out my daughter if she needs anything later. Alli's funeral service was pretty much a packed house, which mean no less than 1500 and possibly more than 2000 people attending. I was on the edge the whole service, but I started to break down several times shortly after while consoling and being consoled by friends and family.

 

[laughinplace199]

Just a quick drive by for now as things here have gone from cazy to crazier! Life has just been super-busy these days, and to top it all off, DD9 broke her wrist last night! We're waiting to hear from the ped's office to find out what time we need to see the orthopedist and get DD's wrist into a cast.

Richard, more to you and your family as you deal with this tragedy. I can't even imagine what you are all going through...

Hello to all of my wonderful cousins. I hope to be back to catch up with all of you very soon.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Hi Team,

I seem to be back in that scary place where I don't have any energy and am barely moving. I could really, really use a day to stay home, but I can't possibly take one until Patriot's Day (that's April 20) -- unless I get sick, and I'm sort of half hoping I'll come down with a raging fever...

I'm also not eating well. I've been off the Lent wagon since Sunday. I try to get back on track, and then I just don't...I was doing great with weight loss, but I'm pretty sure that's over.

I called a co-worker "Eeyore" today for his gloomy attitude, but that's who I seem to be in my personal life. I feel like if I could just get one normal day under my belt, I could get back to me. I think Alla's (my co-worker) death hit me harder than I realized.

Anyway, I think tomorrow after I get home I am just going to go for a short walk -- not to get any distance or speed, but just to be moving. I don't know how else to start again. Every day I intend to get up at 5, and every day I'm barely able to get out of bed at 7. I am one of those people who deals with stress by eating and sleeping. When I'm really super stressed, it's impossible to wake me. My brain just shuts down. I think I'm not eating as badly as I usually do (but it's not good, trust me), and not moving at all, and I'm just blah.

I don't know why I'm still awake now, but I'm considering that progress since I've been falling asleep around 9, and it's after 10. But, I am yawning, so I will bid thee a good night.

Wow, that was totally Gloomy Gus...Somebody tell us about something good that happened, no matter how small. Just a little thing to perk us up and make us smile...

Oh, and I forgot to say Julie I hope DD's wrist heals quickly and well. DS has never had a broken bone (knocking on wood), but I know that would totally stress me out in a multitude of ways!

Maria

 

[jbucci]

Good Morning Cousins. A little more for everyone, it's been a rough week.

Debra: to answer your question about the expo at DL-- I don't think it was that much better than the one in Jan at WDW but it was the first big expo I ever went to, it did seem to have more freebies at the vendor tables and it had a Dance Dance Revolution machine you could play on (this game is sort of an addiction for me and DH), so that put it at the top of my list. The Heelys shoe thing was the best!!!

I agree, I have more of those air freshener light things than I know what to do with. I considered making a runway for DD's toys planes with them. I gave a few to a friend of mine whose boyfriend's reply to the git was "will this thing make my house smell?"

Maria: I hope today is better for you. Good job on getting out there and moving even if it wasn't much, it is a great start. One silly story that made me laugh. My DD5 and I were outside playing over the weekend. After several hours my allergies had started to flare up pretty badly and I was sniffling a lot. DD asked me if I was sick and I told her that this time of year my allergies get bad but that I was ok. She replied with "I must be allergic to Christmastime because I always get the sniffles that time of year." I thought it was cute... I'll try to come up with a better, happy story but for now that's all I've got.

have a great day everyone

 

[Creativebeth]

Maria: Oh, I am sorry you are down! I know how it feels to want things to get back to 'normal' and you just can't get it done. And, yes, we all grieve differently and you need to respect that in yourself. You needed time to heal and 'feed' the need! When my mom died, I spent probably the better part of 3 years feeding that need! I think the week you had is pretty good! Don't be so hard on yourself! Take that walk you need, and spend the time as sort of a prayer walk. I do that for each 1/2 marathon I do. I pick a person in my life at each mile marker and say a little prayer for that person and think about them the rest of that mile. I had a friend pass away last year, and I dedicated my Lehigh Valley 1/2 marathon to him and his friends and family and spent the time praying for healing for each indivdual. It helps me!

Beth

 

[gatorphipps]

Maria, I am so sorry for what you are going through. I hope that you can start feeling better. Don't beat yourself up for feeling low. This is a very hard time for you. I think that walk would be good for you. I hope the weather is pretty for it. Remeber we are all here for you so post your feelings. Writing things down is a great way to get saddness, stress, anxiety out.

 

[deekaypee]

Erica: Thanks for the info on the DL 1/2 expo. Will you be doing that race this year? C2C medal! And you know I wonder why that light on the freshener provided HOURS of entertainment. I'm thinking one of two things: either you're very catlike in your fascination with pretty lights or there was a little mood enhancement drugs involved.

Jeanne: It never even occured to me to use the red-light district joke. Of COURSE it would occur to you. And in front of the children!

But I still say I would rather birth a baby than run that race like that again.

Richard and I agree on this. Not only do I have no experience with such things, either in the race or the childbirth, but now I'm going out of my way to avoid them!

Richard: Alli's service sounds lovely and healing. A true testament to the entire family. And I'm so glad you had the opportunity to be surrounded by loving people and that Amanda's needs (and yours) were recognized. It's a beautiful thing and its speaks well of your community. I hope you all are continuing to heal.

Julie: How is your DD and her wrist? Does she have a cool story to tell in association with the incident? And how are you doing through all of this?

Maria: PM sent to you, but I tried to save the silliness for here. After all, all my cousins should share in the fun. Or is that suffer? I'm sorry to hear you're having a tough time. I also think you've correctly identified some of the factors, and NO WONDER you're struggling a bit. (Your need to sleep is like mine at such times.). But I'm with Beth and think you're not doing as poorly as you think. You've made a plan, you're still talking with us and looking for support, etc. I don't think your weight loss success is done with. Nor your Lenten decisions. Nor your WOs. I'll see if I can come up with some petits amuse-bouches for you.

JenB: Ah, DDR! I remember that you and Butch love that. Your comment reminds me that the Fargo Marathon expo had DDR and my FIL (whose over 70 yo) actually gave it a spin. He was quite game, but it moved too fast and he kept confusing his left and right foot. At the end, though, the vendors and spectators applauded him for his efforts!

I love the idea of a runway of air fresheners! I want you on my Lego construction crew. How original!

Beth: I didn't know you dedicated your miles to people on your 1/2 marathon races. That's so sweet and thoughtful! And to dedicate your races. Wow. And on a totally shallow note, I'm not sure I have the brainpower to keep such thoughts in my head, so you've got tons of mental willpower as well!

Christa: You always know what to say. I didn't even think to send Maria well wishes for the weather! (So ditto, Maria!)

As for me: It's raining, it's pouring, my gray cat is snoring.... I haven't gone out today yet because of the rain. Don't know why, it's not like I'm going to melt. Because only the very sweet and the very wicked do that, right? But maybe I'm just not willing to take the chance that I don't know know myself as well as I think I do.

I'm about halfway through Outlander. Oddly enough, it reminds me a bit of Philippa Gregory's books insomuch as it focuses on the political through the personal. And oh my, how very personal it does get! I find myself interested in the medicinal knowledge.

On another tangential note--did I ever tell you people I used to belong to SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism)? Outlander's clash of a more modern sensibility with historical research/knowledge reminds me a lot of those days. (SCA focuses a little earlier, but still....) Just imagine me in a long flowing dress, one that I made myself, and learning to curtsey. Hilarious. I had a good time while I was involved, but it's the kind of hobby that required focus and dedication. Plus, my Friday AND Saturday nights when I was in college. I just wasn't cut out for it, I'm afraid, not on BAR nights. I did learn how to wear pickle-bucket armor and hit other people with rattan swords, though.

Okay, and this one is just for laughs. One of my local barristas celebrated his 29th birthday the other day. I congratulated him and told him there's no way he looks that old, but then said that the older I got the harder it was to determine a young person's age. He asked me how old I was and after I told him he said, "No way. You don't look 40. Early 30s maybe." So I say, "Dave, that's such sweet and obvious flattery. I bet you say that kind of thing to all your customers." And THEN he says, "Well, yeah. But I mean it when I say it to you." I still tipped him well.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Wow, I almost don't know what to say -- you guys totally rock!

Thank you so much to everyone for your support, I really need it, and you all have helped me more than you know.

Beth -- It is so awesome that you are aware enough during your races to be praying for others. Just another example of your character. I think you've got "role model" all sewn up!

Christa -- We actually have pretty decent weather today, which is good, I need some sunshine!

JenB -- Your dd made me smile. That is so sweet!

Debra -- I can totally see you in SCA! I think I forgot to say this before, but I can see where Joanne Fluke didn't do much for you. Not on my top 10 list, but o.k. I do have a new rabid read. It's the House of Night series by P.C. Cast, set in a "vampire finishing school". It's YA, but if you liked the Twilight series, I think you'd like this. I can barely put them down. They're also a quick read, which helps

Have an awesome evening everyone! If you watch Grey's, the previews I saw are really great, and Izzie wasn't even in them...

I'm also going to allow myself one more food treat tonight -- some yummy popcorn -- and then I am going to be back on track for Vegetarian Friday!

Maria

 

[laughinplace199]

Hi Everyone!

Nancy - Nice to see you posting.

Maria - I'm sorry you're having a tough time right now. Take it easy and don't be too hard on yourself. Things will fall back into place soon.

Debra - Did you venture out in the rain?

Richard -


As for things in my neck of the woods, DD is doing pretty well. Unfortunately, she has no exciting story for how she fractured her wrist, she just fell down the stairs and put her arms out to break her fall. We had to wait until yesterday afternoon to be seen in the orthopedic dept, so she was pretty uncomfortable by then. She is in a long arm cast, which I wasn't expecting. She also has to go back next week for more x-rays and the cast will probably be on for 6 weeks. We leave for WDW in less than a month, so I made sure she got a waterproof cast. We're staying at BCV, so pooltime is a must!

Hello to Jeanne, Jen B, Mel, Jackie, and all of my other cousins. Things have settled down here (for the moment anyway - is there a "knock on wood" smilie?), so I hope to be posting more often.

 

[MouseDogMom]

Maria - More well wishes for coming out of the scary place. One step at the time... I think tonight's episode of Grey's will end up in the DVR, along with last week's episode. I told DH last night I need an entire day just to catch up on my TV viewing!

Richard - Glad the service went well, and that everyone is offering such support to Amanda as well.

Debra - I just finished the second book in the Outlander series. Picked up #3 (Voyager), but wisely decided to hold off until tomorrow so that I can get some sleep! Have I mentioned that I have a tendency toward obsession?

Did manage to get in a 3+ mile run on Tuesday. Set the alarm for a TM run this morning, but I just can't get excited about AM runs any more. Something about having to deal with the pups... At least I'll have one mid-week run before I try for 10 on Saturday; last weekend's LR was a bit on the difficult side after not having run all week!

Jackie

 

[tiberius]

Hi Team!

(Insert deep sigh and a deep breath.) You have all certainly been a great comfort during my past week. Just after 7PM tonight will be exactly 1 week since the truck ran into my daughter and started this terrible last week for my and Allison's family and friends. I will be at a Church ceremony tonight celebrating part of the Easter season when that time occurs, and so will Allison's family, as her sister is part of that event.

Anyway, it is also time for me to move forward with my life, even as I still remember the past. During this period, I have largely kept with my exercise program--exercise does prove to be theraputic for me in that way (Plus, I've learned I can't really cry while I run!). Hopefully, today I will swim at lunch, and if not, I'll try to do some swimming and biking tomorrow.

I have enrolled for a local 5K trail race on April 4--the Muddy Trails 5K, which incidentally was rescheduled at least twice last year due to the trails being too muddy. Allison's father and brother will be running, too; although they are both much faster than me. Who knows...maybe this will be the race where I finally break 30 minutes, although I suppose it would be unlikely to expect that on a trail run.

Anyway, a good weekend to you all!

 

[deekaypee]

We're coming up at the end of the month and mileage/minutes check-in. Are you all excited? How is everyone doing with their monthly goals?
And, a couple of team questions:
1) What is your #1 goal for April?
2) Any new races to add to our calendar?
3) Any mixer questions you would like thrown into the mix? I have a couple in the backburner, of course...
Start thinking now, as there may be a pop quiz!

Maria: Vegetarian Friday??? Do tell what you ate and how your day went in general. I'm always looking for vegetarian meals that meat-eaters like. DOOD remains committed to his carnivore tendencies. "Vampire finishing school" does sound like fun, even though I wasn't a huge fan of Twilight. (Heck, books are like movies. I'll read anything and be lukewarm about it--picking texts apart is what I do, for goodness sake!) Have you thought any more about picking up the Sherlock Holmes?

Julie: Aww, it's too bad there isn't a story to go with the broken wrist. I always hope that childhood accidents have that "family legend" moment, you know? But at least DD will be able to get in some pool time at Disney.

Jackie: Obsessed. You? Nawww.... And, I'm that way with books, too. And TV series. At night I'm deliberately rereading Hitchhiker's Guide rather than Outlander so that I can get a good night's sleep. Otherwise, I'm like you. Did you do that flashlight under the covers thing when you were a kid? And how are the pups doing? I could go for some pictures.

Richard: Good news that you're attempting to settle into a normal schedule. Fake it until you feel it, right? I always find sticking to exercise helps, so I'm glad to know you were able to keep that a constant in the last week. And doing the Muddy Trails 5K will help you focused. Although I'm puzzled by the rescheduling of a muddy trails race. I'll think PD for you having a wonderful even, sub-30 or no. And I added it to the race calendar, too! P.S. That's a lovely quote, and tribute, in your siggie.

Christa: I see the calendar listed you as doing the Corporate Cup 1/2 mary? Did you do that and I missed the RR? I know you did the Shamrock 4 miler (and very, very fast).

Corinna: I hope you're having a great time on your Disney trip, and that you come back refreshed and full of stories. Post pictures, please!

Jeanne and Nancy: You two have a May trip coming up. Any details you want to share? Lascivious plans, perhaps?

It's been a while since we heard from some cousins, and we're missing you: Jen, JenniferG, Kathy, Denny, Robert, Marcy, Kerry... Please check in and let us know we're loved!

As for me: Not much to report. Did some XT today and am feeling it a bit. I'm down another pound this month--still on the Self Challenge--so that makes 5/5 this month. I'm losing a pound a week steadily, so I'll go for 4 pounds in April. The next pound down means I'll have exceeded the cats' weight loss so maybe I'll no longer be asked to leave the house, Biggest Loser style. If we don't go by percentage of body weight. (Although I haven't weighed them in a couple of weeks, so maybe the game is still afoot.)

Also, it's time for some new spring shorts/capris for me. (I might be being a bit optimistic on the weather.) Or you can try to talk me into running skirts. Any favorite brands, places to shop, etc. I prefer my shorts with pockets and long-ish. I tend to buy men's shorts as a matter of fact, so our male cousins can definitely offer me input!

 

[tiberius]

Richard: Good news that you're attempting to settle into a normal schedule. Fake it until you feel it, right? I always find sticking to exercise helps, so I'm glad to know you were able to keep that a constant in the last week. And doing the Muddy Trails 5K will help you focused. Although I'm puzzled by the rescheduling of a muddy trails race. I'll think PD for you having a wonderful even, sub-30 or no. And I added it to the race calendar, too! P.S. That's a lovely quote, and tribute, in your siggie.

Yeah, right! If I just go through the motions, one day it will be real. Thanks for adding my event to the calendar.
The quote comes from a painting Allison painted across the entire back of her bedroom door. Her parents knew she had painted something sometime back, but never really knew what it was until this last week. A photo was taken, made into a bookmark and distributed at the funeral services.

 

[gatorphipps]

As you can see, I am having a fun filled Friday evening....Watching the Disney Channel and DISing.....

Debra, yes I did the 1/2 with a buddy. You did not miss the RR b/c I have not had the chance to do one. My time was not a goal b/c I was running to support...I was the picture girl.
I do have a RR for the 4 miler. Here is the link:
http://goofy4running.blogspot.com/2009/03/shamrock-4-miler-race-1-grand-prix.html

Here is my list of races I plan to do:
March 21 - Shamrock 4 Mile Run DONE 31.15min
April 25 - CPCC Skyline 5K Run
May 8 - Twilight 5K Run
June 6 - King Tiger University City 5K
July 11 - Run For Your Life Run For Your Cause 4 Miler
August 8 - Blue Points 5K
August 29 - Yiasou Greek Festival 5K
September 26 - Hit The Brixx 10K
October 17 - LungStrong 15K

My goal for April...To get faster! I NEEEED to place in my AG!