Team 'Ohana 2009: No One Left Behind

[laughinplace199]

Hey Cousins!

Corinna - Way to go with the weight loss! You are doing so well. I wish I could say the same, but I've pretty much been yo-yoing up and down without much of a loss or gain. Good luck with the Groton race - too bad I'll be in Disney or I would have tried to be there to cheer for you.

Richard - Is your neighborhood back to being boring? I sure hope so.

Jen B - I hope you're having a better day today.

OK, so now I have to go see Monsters vs. Aliens this weekend. I guess I have to look for the wasted cougar....

Jeanne - How did you know I was going to be at the movie theater? Sorry to hear about your foot pain, but it's great that you're taking care of your health issues.

Debra - Yay for going to the doctor! I'm sorry to hear that your fear of needles is so severe, but I'm sure you'll do fine. Maybe you'll even overcome the fear. I can just picture you in your big girl panties with a big ole tattoo that says "Man Up."

Maria - Sorry the scale is moving in the wrong direction. I'm sure it will head the other way soon.

As for me, no XT yet this week, but I've been good about running. I'm really looking forward to my WDW trip, but I'm dreading putting on a bathing suit. That's all for now. It's Thursday night, so I have to get ready for Survivor, nachos, and Corona!

Have a good night cousins.

 

[deekaypee]

Looking for the following cousins to report miles/minutes for March on the reporting thread!

• Christa (and February, too)
• Corinna
• Denny
• Jen
• JenB
• JenniferG
• Kathy
• Kerry
• Linda
• Marcy (and Feburary, too)
• Nancy: you're in injured/inactive mode, but I didn't want to forget to mention you!
• Robert

If you're injured, had a no-activity month, fell away from your activity, or just don't want to track your miles/minutes, let us know. Just check in for a good, old-fashioned virtual hug. You're still cousins, one and all!

 

[jeanneg]

Looking for the following cousins to report miles/minutes for March on the reporting thread!

• Christa (and February, too)
• Corinna
• Denny
• Jen
• JenB
• JenniferG
• Kathy
• Kerry
• Linda
• Marcy (and Feburary, too)
• Nancy: you're in injured/inactive, but I didn't want to forget to mention you!
• Robert

If you're injured, had a no-activity month, fell away from your activity, or just don't want to track your miles/minutes, let us know. Just check in for a good, old-fashioned virtual hug. You're still cousins, one and all!

Ha-ha, now that's a little bit of deja vu.......better you than me, Deb!

By the way, I am totally willing to swap services with you........I will gladly take all your needles IF you will hop on the scale for me! How funny that our fears are so different.

 

[corinnak]

Debra -I've been shamed into totalling my totals. Thanks! As regards the Groton race, one of my friends is registered to run it as well, though she's had a knee injury. I'm not sure if her husband and daughter will be along, spectating, staying home. Whatever it is will be fine, I'm sure.

As regards undertraining, being sick last month pretty much toasted my training plan and turned it into delicous s'mores, but that doesn't mean I can just relax, does it? Nope. It does mean that I won't be spending 2.5 hours on the treadmill this time for the long runs, but I do want to get up over 6 miles at least once before the taper starts. Of course, signing up for a 5K race this weekend probably doesn't help with this week's long run, does it. Doh!

Julie - sorry I'll miss seeing you in MA this time, but I understand that you must go and suffer at Disney. The weight loss is a tough thing - at least you've stayed the same! That's almost as good as a loss in my mind lately.

Jeanne - your foot issues sound really painful and troublesome. You have so much fortitude and I'm so impressed that you haven't let them stop you. Do take good care of yourself. Oh, and I wondered have you tried the Glucosamine Chondro supplements?

Maria - You could never let me down.

JenB - to you too. I hope today has been better than yesterday.

Me - I've been home with the kids and dog today. Older DS was home with a sore throat - the instant strep test was negative. I think he's OK, really. Makes for a long day, though. I spontaneously registered for another race today - this one is on Saturday morning. It's the Challenge Obesity 5K, and I'm kind of excited because they have divisions for heavier runners: Clydesdale for the men and Athena for the women. Not sure exactly what this means, but I did register in the Athena division. Even at goal weight, I would nearly qualify for it.... I am excited, but have not run outside since the half marathon and have been running 10-12 minutes at a time on the treadmill since I got back from WDW. I just think the TM is so hard, mentally. Anyhow....enough about me!

 

[tiberius]

Julie - My neighborhood is seeming normal again, but not yet my life. I'm going in late this morning to work, but I have already been called from the office ( I manage a water utility office) that the Post Office has told my office staff that they have been holding all the monthly bills we mailed out back on Monday and will not process them and we can't get an explanation as to why other than "the Postmaster will have to call you later". We do know they have deducted the money for the postage from our account to pay for them. By now my Board of Directors is getting antsy and I can't even be there until noon today to try to figure this out!

----------------------------------------------------------------
We finally got things straightened out at the post office. It appears the problem was at the sorting station that returned them to the local post office with no explanation. The local Postmaster has assured my office that she will personally get this taklen care of. So I hope this is now rectified.
----------------------------------------------------------------


Debra - Good luck with the doctor and the tests. I wish you small needles and a talented nurse.

Jeanne - Scale vs. needles, definitely a different type of pain from each.

As for me, I have a big presentation to a local school group tomorrow on the subject of water conservation and education, and then my 5K at 400PM, an unusual time for a 5K--but not for the crawfish boil that follows!

 

[padisneyfan]

Debra--- I did post my totals on the March thread, the little bit that I could do. I am hoping that the Plastic Surgeon will give me the go ahead to increase my activity when I see her next week.

As for goals:

I want to keep the 20 pounds off that I have lost since Jan. With limited activity and my appetite coming back it will be a challenge.

I am able to do 2 miles which was a goal I set for myself for the end of March. Next goal is to get to 3 miles by mid month. As I can increase my activites my goals for the rest of the month will depend on what I am allowed to do.

Nancy

 

[deekaypee]

Miles/Minutes are updated! Our totals so far for the month, with a little over half of us reporting are,

February Miles/Minutes: 1467.338 miles, 331:41:27 (w/ 90% of team reporting)
March Miles/Minutes: 1431.94 miles, 322:31:45 (w/ 76% of team reporting)
Total Miles/Minutes: 2914.998 miles, 657:56:12 (and counting)

Looking for the following cousins to report miles/minutes for March on the reporting thread!

• Jen (pending)
• Kathy
• Kerry
• Marcy (and Feburary, too)

If you're injured, had a no-activity month, fell away from your activity, or just don't want to track your miles/minutes, let us know. Just check in for a good, old-fashioned virtual hug. You're still cousins, one and all! I'll be sending everyone left on the list a PM, just as a friendly reminder.

April Goals

• Christa: Speed, chasing placement in AG
• Corinna: Training for Groton 10K, WW online to hit the 20 lb. WISH clippie
• Debra: Stop watching the clock when I run and start watching my FORM
• Jackie: Core WOs, increase run intervals in SRs
• JenB: Improving diet, consistent speed w/o walk breaks or intervals
• JenniferG: Longer runs, more hills and strength training
• Julie: Include XT
• Maria: I'm putting you down for consistency, until you specify!
• Nancy: Maintain weight, increase mileage to 3 miles (50% increase!) by mid-month.
• Richard: Raising awareness of organ donation? [DKP says, details forthcoming I hope.]
• ...and others pending, if you want to post them. I hope we'll all nudge each other into accountability and provide support!

 

[tiberius]

OK, as I mentioned before here is my report on meeting Olympic Gold Medalist Diver Laura Wilkinson.

Yes, meeting Laura Wilkinson was very cool!!
Wouldn't my daughters be embarrassed by me using that phrase?

She was definitely the sweetest, most genuine person for someone who could be a stuck-up celebrity. I was attending the local Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon meeting, where she was the guest speaker. She gave an inspirational story of her leaving college and giving up her scholarship to pursue her Olympic dream while training at The Woodlands Athletic Center (practically around the corner from me!). About 3 months before the US Olympic Trials, she broke her foot and lost most of her training time not to mention dealing with the bone setting wrong! Most of her training during this period was mental through visualization and preparatory training, plus watching films of her dives. In the end she scored first place at the US Olympic Trials, and the rest is history. She then talked about her fears today as she was transitioning to a life as a non-diver, through her foundation to build a facility (locally here) to replace the now torn down Woodlands Athletic Center and to help train divers, as well as gymnastic and trampoline athletes--because they all use similar skill sets the thought is that one discipline's training will complement another.

After the lunch she took more questions than I had ever seen another speaker at the Chamber ever take before, and I've probably been to around 20 or more of these. After the event was over she stayed around and talked with people. After about 20 minutes of chatting with others, I walked over and introduced myself, and thanked her for coming out to speak. I thanked her for telling her inspirational story, and told her that I hoped that her future would prove to be even more successful and inspirational one day. I also told her that I could identify with her career change as I had 2 years ago changed my career path significantly and felt I was the better for it. Then she asked me several questions about what I did and how I handled those changes. As I was finishing up and thanked her again, she offered my her 2000 gold medal and asked if I would like to hold it and look at it up close, and I could see in her eyes she genuinely meant it--she was not just going through the motions to have a good image. I had noticed before that a friend of mine with the Chamber was also near and had a camera, so I asked if I could get a photo taken. She smailed and took the medal and place it over my head and put her arm around me--and told me to hold up the medal as if I had won it! The most wonderful feeling came over me at that moment, probably partly due to all that I have been through recently, but also because I would never have asked for that, and would not have expected her to do it without prompting. I had seen her show others the medal earlier and allowed them to wear it, and I know she probably has done this many, many, many times over the years, but I was just there to see her, and for her to show me that kindness and make me feel connected to her as if I was the most important person in her world for that instant really made me feel good for the first time in many, many days!!

I am not easily impressed by people on a snap judgement, but she impressed me.

 

[deekaypee]

Our cousins who have events this weekend! WISH them luck! (And I'll wish them no rain.) I know you're both going to do great and, equally important, have fun.

4/4, Muddy Trails 5k, Dallas: Richard
4/4, Challenge Obesity 5K, Lake Como: Corinna (a last minute addition to her schedule)

Richard: Normally, I look for any excuse to travel but given that my new doctor's office is 10 minutes walking from where I live, I just couldn't justify the trip. I am looking for a short race in the Dallas area, preferably centrally located, the weekend of October 25th for a possible conference trip. Know of any?

Wow, of all the strange things to happen, the postal sorting station just sends back the bills. I hope that doesn't cause a lot of problems for you and your customers. What a headache, though. I'm glad you got it taken care of before tomorrow! It sounds to me like you've got a fun day planned, even with your talk. And I'm guessing the 5K was planned around the crawfish boil? (Sounds painful to me.)

Oh, and we almost cross-posted. I love your report about meeting up with Laura Wilkinson. First because I got to see a picture of you. Name/face/personality, you know! You look like someone else I know, but I'm not placing it yet... Second, I love how her talk addressed her challenges not only as an athlete but in transitioning to another life, plus how that spun out into a foundation and support for the Woodlands Athletic Center. Cool! Third, your description of her really makes it sound as if she is a genuine, caring person. Not just in the abstract sense of supporting good causes--and that's important, I think--but also in one-to-one contact with someone. It's obvious that she had an active conversation with you, she connected with you....that says something about her character. And I'm so glad you got to experience that. You deserve to have that big smile on your face!

Corinna: No shame in your totals at all. I counted the Disney miles because you went into the vacation with a plan, and worked it baby! I'm so impressed that you signed up for a run THIS weekend. I don't know if I'm at that point yet. I think the addition of Clydesdale/Athena divisions allows you to compete more directly with people in your race categories--a variation of AG, except acknowledging sizes. I've been in both categories, depending on the race. So I look at it more as an opportunity to place/medal in a race. Yeah, right, like that's going to happen for me regardless of my category. About the TM runs...I find it harder to do a RW interval on the TM than outside. Once I've stopped running on a TM, that's it. The opposite is true outside; I feel more pressure to return to the run.

Julie: You had to go and mention bathing-suit season. (Yo, Jeanne, I fear needles more than the scale. But I fear bathing suits yet more! Okay, maybe not fear. Loathe?) You, however, look fabulous in one, I imagine. You know, I racked my brain to try to figure out how to make Survivor, nachos, and Corona count as XT. And I gotta tell you, other than competitive eating I got nothing.

Jeanne: Funny anecdote. I got weighed by the PA with all my clothes on. I must have had a pained look on my face when she announced the number, because she quickly added, "With your clothes and shoes on." And she made sure to tell me my blood pressure was perfect. So easily traumatized, I am! And I understand the fear of the scale. It just pales with the needles.

Nancy: I'm so glad to hear you've made such phenomenal progress in such a short period of time. I hope your plastic surgeon is supportive of your timeline, AND that everything cooperates. Good news about your appetite coming back. I don't suppose it craves rice cakes, though, huh? (Mine never does.)

As for me: The mental image of the bloodwork was far worse than the experience, btw. At least for me. You all are on your own! They used those lovely butterfly needles and, except for some mild hyperventilating from the anxiety and a sore shoulder from the tetanus shot, I survived. I'll never overcome the fear--not even with all the hand-holding offers, the humorous scenarios, or even my own desire for a tattoo--but I had it done. At least the tetanus is good for 10 yrs. Next up, more tests and all on Good Friday. Methinks some people just like to play with their equipment. (Sounds dirty when I say it like that, doesn't it? )

I also XT today (ahem, Julie). Tomorrow I'll be running, probably inside, as it's been pouring rain.

Last update, because it's Friday. Corinna: I'm down 1 lb. this week, for 1/4 for the month and 6/9 since I've been successfully losing. (Note I said successfully--there were those lost weeks....)

 

[tiberius]

Debra - First off, I wouldn't care if it did rain, it is the Muddy Trails 5K!! Although it did rain pretty good earlier this week so it may live up to its name. Second, it was not planned around the crawfish festival as I've never tried crawfish since I don't like any seafood (and yes I know crawfish is not a seafood, but as far as I am concerned it is close enough) Third, doesn't it just figure that you'll be close enough for me to drive to meet and I am trying to decide on a half Ironman race in Austin and a half marathon race in Houston on that weekend. I really want to do the half Ironman, but that half marathon course has my two of my three best times (#1 and #3). If I find out about a Dallas area event for that weekend, I'll let you know. Fourth, I really do like those photos, that is the only unforced smile I'd had in the two weeks since my daughter's wreck (although the healing is starting), and I am really happy I've lost 44 pounds since last May or I'd look a whole lot worse. Although now I wish I'd dressed a little nicer. I agree that it's nice to put a face with the person. I've already gotten to "see" you through your signature photos and avatar (although that gives my an idea...).

 

[corinnak]

Richard, you are so hard core.

Debra, I'll take your non-rain. It's supposed to be 40 here tomorrow, I think.

My kids both have had positive strep tests. Neither has any symtoms now. CASH and I have both had tests, too, and our instant tests were negative (as was DS1's, actually) but we're still waiting on the cultures. Hopefully it's just the kids.

I think I am still planning on running tomorrow, though!

 

[corinnak]

Hi Ohana!

A little race report, partly x-post from BL purple...sorry Maria!

I got out this morning and ran a very nice little 5K. It was a nice local event, I would say something around 100 runners and walkers for the 5K and 2.5K, which started together. They gave special recognition to people who had lost over 20 pounds by giving us the lowest numbers. I was #19, which was pretty cool! There were some people there with incredible losses, people running or walking on 100% knee replacements, and a man that was running with a pacemaker.


I started off really well and thought I was on track for a possible PR, however, sometimes things line up just right and sometimes things go a little bit wrong. This was one of those little bit wrong mornings. It wasn't a big thing, but the velcro strap on my sports bra apparently wasn't attached very well. I have been frustrated with the design on the Moving Comfort Fiona - sometimes this velcro strap adjustment chafes and sometimes it just....gives up! That happened today and I had to stop and fix it. And then I had to fix it again almost immediately. I don't know how much time I lost, but I saw all the people I had just carefully passed go rushing by me. I jumped back in and passed 3 or 4, but couldn't make up that much time over the next 2 miles. I had a nice run, though. Had to work pretty hard to pass the gentleman who was running with a pacemaker - he really fought me for it all the way up the little hill, though we had a congenial chat about the flatness of the course. I ran pretty hard, but I knew before the 3rd mile that I wasn't going to be able to get a sub-30 this morning. I haven't been running outside lately so I didn't have a good idea of what my pace might be tdaoy. I was happy enough to finish at 32:47, and really enjoyed that they announced everyone's names as we crossed the finish line. I didn't really enjoy that they said I was "35 years young!" They had whole oranges and apples and hot chocolate and fruit bars and coffee. I was so hot after I finished, I actually took off my jacket. Before long, though, I was cold - the weather was 36º as I was driving to the event - and I wanted both my running jacket, and regular jacket, and the hot cocoa sounded really good! I stuck around the finish area until the last finisher crossed. It was a trio of women who had each lost a large amount of weight, so that was pretty cool!

The results are up now, and I must say, I am I happy to be in the TOP HALF!! Actually, I wasn't in the top half of the "Athena" Division participants. I was 4/6 in that group!

Hope everyone is having a fun weekend!

 

[gatorphipps]

OK! I suck as a team member...I have forgotten to post miles for 2 months now....so here ya go.

Feb: 110 miles
39 hours

March:186 miles
40 hours

This includes double miles for my marathon (feb), 1/2 mary and 5k (March)

Sorry so late!

 

[gatorphipps]

Oh man! There's a reporting thread? I will just copy and paste the above post.....

 

[deekaypee]

I'll catch up with everyone tomorrow, but just a post to let people know I've updated the spreadsheet.

No problem with the numbers, Christa. You're a great team member, filled with advice and support. And you've been working toward your goals. Might I mention you had a sub-4 mary? (And you've taught me to use the word mary and brick?)

Our totals so far:

February Miles/Minutes: 1577.338 miles, 370:41:27 (w/ 95% of team reporting)
March Miles/Minutes: 1617.94 miles, 362:21:45 (w/81% of team reporting)
Total Miles/Minutes: 3195.278 miles, 733:03:12 (and counting)

A bit of trivia for everyone: As a team, we have put in over 15 DAYS of exercise in both February and March. This isn't about winning a challenge, but I want to point out how much activity is part of our daily lives. Certainly those numbers show we're doing good things for ourselves and working on being healthier and, hopefully, happier.

And those numbers account for almost all the cousins. I'm still looking for data from:

• Jen (who's contacted me to let me know it's coming & that she misses us )
• Kathy
• Kerry
• Marcy (February, too)

I'll be putting people on the inactive list on Monday if I don't hear from them before then. It's not that I don't love our cousins, I just want to keep the roster updated.

 

[tiberius]

Well, Team,

Here is my Muddy Trails 5K Report before I go off to bed.
It turns out that the race starts at 4 in the afternoon, which is a bit unusual, but fitting with the after-race events. Not long after I arrive I hear my name called and see my friend John and his son (from Allison's family), and a short time later the rest of his family comes up, with some others who drove into town for the weekend. The afternoon is a bit warm, so I figure conditions are not great for a good running time but I do resolve to have a good time while running. The race starts out on a road but hits a wide running trail in about a 1/4 mile or so. While getting near 1 mile, my side was hurting a bit because of the effort, but I hit the first mile in 9:20, which is definitely fast for me. After this I throw in a 30 - 45 second walk break about every 5 minutes or so. I figure I am doing OK, but not my best, so I hope for a time in the 32 - 34 minute range. As I come near the end and the finish line comes into sight, the clock is crossing 30 minutes and I coast across in 30:20, getting a new PR by 50 seconds and I was cheered across by my friends and their family.
After the race all runner's get huge plates of crawfish, plus any other concession tyoe food is available to all for a reasonable cost and a live band play zydeco music. After a time we learn John finished first master's male finisher, and we explain to his wife (Carol) how that is better than first place in the age division (which he otherwise won by 2 minutes). I had a great time with my friends and their family, it was nice being with them all in a happier setting from recent times. After 90 minutes or so, we leave and I am invited back to their house for drinks, smores and conversation around a small backyard bonfire before leaving around 11 to make the short drive home (we live in the same community).
It turned out to be my best day in a long time, and the best for my friends also.

 

[deekaypee]

Richard: I'm so so glad that you had a great time at the Muddy Trail 5K--and your friend John and his DS, too! You deserved some lighter moments, and I'm glad you were able to share those moments. And the PR ain't half bad, either. In fact, that's two for this season! (And for John's master finish.) Did you try the crawfish and, if so, did you like it? I figure enjoying the smores is a given. Mmm....

P.S. Too bad about the Dallas weekend, but if I were capable of a half IM I'd jump on it. (So that's my vote between Austin and Houston.)

P. P. S. You lost 44 pounds. I knew you'd lost a lot of weight, but I didn't know the number. Congrats. I think you look great, and knowing the work you put into it is just icing on the cake. (Non-caloric, of course. )

Corinna: How are the kidlets feeling? And when do you find out for certain about you and CASH's strep-throat cultures?

Congratulations on your 5K and for being in the top 1/2! I still can't believe you just signed up at the last minute like that. I so want to be like you. I love the fact that the race gave you a lower number in recognition of your weight loss. Very cool. Sorry to hear about your sports-bra mishap. Were there any "R" rated sights--maybe you could have taken advantage of the situation and become a runner. A flasher, that is. I bet that would have distracted Mr. Pacemaker. (And see, you do have more than a little Lula in you.) And a special for staying until the DLF trio came in. You're a true WISHer.

As for me: Today was taxes and, as you can imagine, I'm feeling a bit snarky. Naw...it wasn't that bad. But I'm glad it's over. DOOD and I worked out at the gym beforehand, where DOOD is still rehabbing his knee, so that was a preemptive attempt to defuse any stress. I'm not sure it worked entirely, because after the paperwork was done we went out for coffee and a baked goodie. THEN I felt relaxed.

We're going to round out the evening with Kings, one of my new favorite shows, and hopefully more reading. I'm frightfully behind on my book stack! I hope those of you who get Showtime will be enjoying The Tudors tonight for some steamy political intrigue--and I do mean steamy. My, I'm having hot flashes for some reason.

 

[deekaypee]

'Ohana Monday Mixer

Variety is the spice of life, so they say. (But don't ask me who they are, although I suspect they work for McCormick. ) With that in mind, this week's mixer question is:

What types of XT do you like to do, and why? What are your old favorites and new discoveries? What kind of XT would you like to try?

Anecdotes and pictures are welcomed. I think we'd really like to hear about the benefits of your XT--physical, mental, social. Does it create a stronger core or more flexibility? Does it help you de-stress? Is it something you enjoy with your kids, partner, friends? It might also be helpful to know how you work XT within your walking/running schedule.

Extra points for XT activities that are unusual or have funny names or rituals. As determined by popular vote. And in case you're wondering, those points have no monetary value whatsoever. (I'll make up other disclaimers as I think of them.)

 

[corinnak]

Richard - Congratulations on your new PR! Sounds like a fun race. I'm so glad you had a great day.

Hi Debra! You're right - I am a true WISHer. I must admit I have not always stayed for DLF, but whenever I do - usually only when I'm on my own. But when I do get to, it is almost always awesome.

Thought you all might be interested in a picture from the race. In this one, I'm in the same frame as a woman who lost over 100 pounds. Sorry all I can manage for this one is a link. Oh, and they got my weight loss wrong. Clerical error, I'm sure. I've sent them a corrective email. Oh, and a funny story. DH looked at the photos from this race and asked me "So are you really as happy as you always look in your race photos or are you just smiling like that because there is a camera?" Ha ha ha - "Well, I said I am that happy throughout much of a race, but I mostly don't smile like that except when there is a camera."

And NO, there was nothing R rated about my wardrobe malfunction at all! The garment in question stayed on, it just lost its supportive value when the strap gave up on its job. Plus I had a shirt and jacket over it. I might have looked slimmer without the jacket....

We started watching The Tudors when it started up. Steamy is right! Man, oh man, that man!

P.S. Nothing on the throat cultures yet. I figure by the end of the school day Monday, we should be in the clear. The kids are doing fine on their pills and are still feeling good!

 

[Worfiedoodles]

With apologies for those of you like Debra, who are Lean and Mean...

I'm sorry, I now have so many threads to keep up with...I just can't!

Anyway, I think I solved my knee pain issue. I slowed down! Now I seem to be able to work out as often as I'd like, it just takes me longer. I did 6 mi yesterday and today, with 4 planned for tomorrow. I also posted a loss last week against the odds, so I'm building on that momentum to get a good start for this week.

Richard -- That was a fantastic race event, and just what you needed! I'm so glad you had a great time (and PR! ), and meeting Laura Wilkinson sounds awesome!

Debra -- You are doing a great job of leading us, thank you for your captaining! If I must make a goal, it is to increase my consistency by working out 24/30 days for April. We shall see

Christa -- You so totally do not suck as a team member! You post an incredible amount of mileage, you cheer us up when we are down, you inspire us with your efforts!

Corinna -- As I said in the BL purple thread, you are a rock star! Possibly sick kids, and you are still killing it with a race!

Nancy -- So glad you are healing and feeling better and able to do more! You are a brave one, chica!

Jeanne -- Any improvement with your foot? We worry you know...

Robert and Linda -- Good luck with your RD race in two weeks, I know you guys must be flat out getting ready!

Jen -- Just in case I forgot to say it, Thank You for the Ohana bandana! I love the print, and the lime green Mickey makes it just right!

JenB & JenG-- 867--you know, I need to get more original! I hope you guys are doing great!

Kathy -- I know you are going through alot right now. How are you feeling? This economy is not "A Day at Disney"...

Denny -- The last few episodes of "Lost" have rocked! I am a Sayid girl, so I love getting his backstory. I also feel like Hurley...Did I miss it? Where is Daniel Farraday? And Desmond?

Ok, I'm letting the cat out of the bag...a little birdy just happened to mention that tomorrow is Debra's birthday. Let's have an extra special party for a WISHer who is much beloved!

Here's WISHing and awesome week for all the cousins!

Maria