Team 'Ohana 2009: No One Left Behind

[ultramickeymouse]

I've been playing with a site that DH suggested. It's called ning.com and allows you to set up a social networking site similar to facebook. I have an early version of a WISH racing team site. I'm not really sure it will work for us, but if y'all don't mind checking it out and letting me know what you think, I'd appreciate it.

http://wishracingteam.ning.com

Looks good! I will have to join up later this week. I have some good pics to add!

 

[deekaypee]

Jen: Yes, Sadie will always be with you in your heart. I know that doesn't make your loss any easier right now, but your expressed that so beautifully that I had to repeat it. I'm glad you were able to say goodbye to her and begin the mourning process before your trip. Time at Disney together, as a family, will also help. Have a good time at WDW; you deserve some PD and magic.

Robert: Oh, I'm so sorry to hear about your own losses with your cats. It's been a rough year for the cousins for their pets/family members. Hugs to you both.

Mel: And that makes me think of Tigger, too.

In lighter news, now you've got me thinking I should give my own cats some extra hugs and a treat or two. They thank you in advance for the latter.

Richard: I noticed Mel skipped right to the Triple Dog dare. I don't think you can pass this race up, now. I know I'll chip in money for sight and stories. I'll even buy you the fairy wings for the Princess half. I nominate you to run it with Mel and Linda, for moral support of course! (What do you think, Linda?)

As for me: Jen, DOOD is always jonesing for international travel and wants to do more races in new places. To his mind, being able to combine a research trip (funded by the university) with some sightseeing can only be exceeded by a research trip (or conference) combined with a marathon. If I didn't participate, I'd be a race widow, as I was for a very long time. And standing on the sidelines got very, very boring. Unless, of course, there were sights to see on the race sidelines. Say, at the Princess 1/2, where I could be an official WISH photographer? *cough, cough*

I hope all our cousins are doing well! Aloha!

 

[tiberius]

Richard:[/B] I noticed Mel skipped right to the Triple Dog dare.

I noticed...no wining, dining or sweet talk to butter me up, just WHAM! and I get the full Triple Dog Dare treatment. Of course, Debra, you are not exactly innocent in this matter.

I'm going to give CoCo and extra hug tonight, too, for the same reasons as you stated.

 

[jeanneg]

Hello cousins,

First of all, my deepest sympathy to Jen regarding Sadie. Ditto to Robert and Linda on the passing of their 2 cats. As Deb said, there is way too much pet sadness on this thread. Hugs to you all.
I know I've been MIA, but I have been VERY busy. In addition to all my training (this is week 9 already!), I've been planning a wedding! So far, so good. We now have a church, a reception venue and a hotel for out-of-town guests; plus my daughter thinks she has found a photographer and her fiance just contracted with a Greek band! So progress has been made.
I suppose the wedding is a good distraction for my marathon panic. Today I received my event program in the mail. There will be 42,000 runners released in 3 waves. Each wave has 3 different start points with 7 corrals at each point. And that does not include any of the special entries. So basically what you have are 63 different start combinations for the runners. I don't have my bib#yet, but I'm sure it will be third wave, last corral! They have a sweep bus that follows at a 15min/mi pace. Once it passes, you have the option of riding back to the finish or moving to the sidewalk since the roads will then be open to traffic. The finish line stays open for 8 hours, but most of the support will be gone from the course. I predict I will just ahead of the sweep bus until Mile 20, when fatigue sets in. At that point, I will be in Manhattan and if I have to move to the sidewalk, so be it. Funny thing is, the race doesn't start until 10:am and the clocks go back the night before, so you know I'm gonna finish in the dark! I'll just have to pretend I'm doing Tower of Terror!

I signed on to the new WISH site, but truthfully guys, I can barely keep up with this thread and FB, so I don't know what I'm getting myself into.

So Richard has been triple dog dared! No getting past that one, I'm afraid.....

 

[jbucci]

Just wanted to say a quick hello to everyone. We've been crazy busy around here... like everyone else.

Jen: one more for you, I've been giving my 10yr old lab a little extra lovin lately realizing how short a time we get to spend with our wonderful pets (she is sitting on my foot as I type this)

Jeanne: keep up the great work with marathon training and wedding planning-- which one is tougher?

Richard: I don't think yo are allowed to turn down a triple dog dare

I've been ok but am that the DL 1/2 is only a few weeks away. I was doing ok with my training (the diet side not so much but I digress...) then I did the classically stupid move of hurrying down the staircase at work and slipping causing my left leg to go in a really not natural position. Fortunately, I was able to prevent a fall down the entire flight, but my leg has not been happy the past few days. I've been using the elliptical and that seems ok but I haven't gotten a run in for several days. I'm going to try for 5 miles tonight and see how it feels.

 

[MouseDogMom]

Sneaking time on DD's computer to check in, so very little time for many replies, but had to get this one in...

Jen - Many more hugs coming your way. It's been 8 months since we put Mystic down, and Annie and I are still grieving to some degree. Those first few days are really, really tough. Enjoy your time at WDW. It's the perfect remedy!

Jeanne - You're getting so speedy now, I'm certain there will still be daylight!

Am in the process of replacing my laptop, so I hope to return to the land of internet computing soon. I'm way too busy at work to spend any time online, and can only steal DD's computer in short spurts. We're trying to get her ready to leave for school next week, so time is in very short supply right now. Bought her new laptop tonight, and decided we think we're just going to bite the bullet and go back and get a second one later this week for me. It can't happen soon enough!

Jackie

 

[corinnak]

Hello Cousins! I have returned home to Minnesota from my "Summer" in Michigan. Whew, it was a long ride yesterday. We did the whole thing in one 12+ hour gulp with two kids and one very patient dog. Better than the 13 we spent on the way over, I guess! I had a great time with 3 fabulous races and a twice a week core training class and managed to lose 7 pounds instead of gain 7, for a total net of 14 pounds, right? Right? I don't get to count the 7 pounds I didn't gain, do I. Seriously, for someone with the food issues I've got, spending the summer in Northern Michigan with DH's side of the family is akin to someone with a gambling problem vacationing in Las Vegas. If I can get through that, I can get through anything.

I'm getting psyched up for the Disneyland Half Marathon in just a few short weeks! I am now back to training in Hillsville instead of the mostly flat beach-side runs I enjoyed in this cool, cool summer. It's great to be home, but the hills DO slow me down.

Richard - What exactly happens if you fail to come through on a Triple Dog Dare?

Jeanne - I am SO excited for your HUGE race experience. That is a boatload of corrals! It's going to be an incredible experience and you are going to ROCK it!

JenB - Oh no - Why, oh why do those injuries always happen just before a race? Icebath, linament, chiropractor and stretching. Those are my best ideas. I hope you'll let us know how your 5 went tonight. We should definitely do a mini Ohana DIS meet - I'll plan on the Saturday Jamba Juice (not that I even know where or what that is, having never been to DL before...)

Jackie - it is definitely hard when laptops go bad. I hope your replacement process is swift and smooth.

D.K. - doesn't an international race sound awesome? I asked DH where he'd go if he won a 7 night trip to anywhere in the world. He said "Ireland" and I said - Oooh! I'll put the Dublin Marathon on my wishlist! You and me in Dublin - makes me think of whisky...I'm not sure why.

Jack - I am also a half-marathon only runner (so far) but agree that meal choice before a race is crucial. I have unfortunately made some questionable decisions, and the main thing I have learned is that it's a good idea to avoid anything with too much fiber or grease. The safest thing for me (shockingly) seems to be some kind of pasta with red sauce, maybe a small salad or vegetable and bready product. Things to avoid: Mexican Feast, lentil soup, and vegetable stir fry.

Maria - Good luck with your parental visit and house party - that sounds like a lot for any mere mortal. I know what you mean about guest room occupants and visiting parents. I definitely felt more awkward when my mom was visiting about just retreating and doing an exercise video or whatever. Think of going out for a run as mental health protection. I will pray for cooler weather and much patience for you this weekend!

Mel - it is a pretty neat site and I love that it is so easy to see everyones photos. Are we thinking the whole team would move over there rather than staying here on the DIS? Or would there be a presence both places?

I hope I didn't miss anyone. I'm a little scattered by nature and moreso today...

 

[corinnak]

Jen! I forgot Jen. I KNEW there was someone else. I don't know if this would help you at all, but one small thing that really has helped our family through grief when we've lost a treasured pet is to put a photo up of the one we're missing. Not right in the middle of things, necessarily, but where we can see it if we want to. I'm not sure why it's helped us but it definitely has. Safe travels for your trip on Friday. I hope it's a thoroughly enjoyable trip for you and your family.

 

[tiberius]

Richard - What exactly happens if you fail to come through on a Triple Dog Dare?

No idea.

Richard: I don't think you are allowed to turn down a triple dog dare

I did express a willingness to do it, if Mel wants me to do it all she has to do is come through with the airfare, plus I'd need some help from the Team on an "appropriate" outfit....and Debra, I won't forget who started this.

 

[chimera]

No idea.



I did express a willingness to do it, if Mel wants me to do it all she has to do is come through with the airfare, plus I'd need some help from the Team on an "appropriate" outfit....and Debra, I won't forget who started this.

Hmmm...where do you fly out of? I'm gonna check me some frequent flier miles!

 

[corinnak]

The Princess Half is suddenly starting to look a LOT more interesting....

 

[tiberius]

The Princess Half is suddenly starting to look a LOT more interesting....

interesting? maybe, better looking? no

 

[jeanneg]

The Princess Half is suddenly starting to look a LOT more interesting....

Yes, maybe even interesting enough to coax me out of "retirement"!

 

[jbucci]

We'd come down to see you run Richard-- my DH will keep you company (although I think princess attire would be a deal breaker for him)

Corinna: I'm so impressed at all of your running this summer and you weight loss great job

I survived my run on Wed night with just small protests from my pulled muscle. I took yesterday off for my leg to recover. I'm off now to try for my LR of 10mi -- how did the middle of August get here so fast?-- have a great Friday everyone

 

[jbucci]

I finished my 10 miler and am not sure how I'm supposed to be able to do that for another 3 miles but I still have 3 weeks left so I'm trying not to panic. My leg held up ok and I managed to maintain my goal pace through the whole thing so all and all a good day. I also watched the movie Coraline while I was running (gotta love the TM0-- that was one strange movie

 

[laughinplace199]

Hey cousins!

Sorry I have been MIA lately. Real life is just busy right now. Anyway, I hope to read all of the posts that I've missed and catch up with everyone very soon.

To those of you doing the DL 1/2, good luck! I'm so jealous and can't wait to hear all about it.

 

[ultramickeymouse]

Hey cousins!

Sorry I have been MIA lately. Real life is just busy right now. Anyway, I hope to read all of the posts that I've missed and catch up with everyone very soon.

To those of you doing the DL 1/2, good luck! I'm so jealous and can't wait to hear all about it.

Julie: If you have seen my reports and photos on my website, you know I will be taking sooooo many pics, you will feel like you were there for every step

 

[ultramickeymouse]

Jeanne: Look forward to seeing you at DL 1/2. I wanted you to make sure we hook up for a beverage.

That message seemed to be gone.

 

[chimera]

Julie...great to see you back! hope everything is ok!

Richard...you're off the hook. I don't have any frequent flier miles. It would be really fun if you came for Princess, even without the fairy wings. DH is doing the 5K with his nephew. His niece started running last year and is going to do the half with me.

I thought of you guys yesterday. DH turns 40 in a few days and I found a Star Trek Scene It game at B&N. It covers all the TV series (I probably won't do well on the DS9 questions). There's 2 versions: one with Enterprise tokens and one with Captain tokens. We got the Enterprise token version.

 

[deekaypee]

Hello, all. I'm sorry I continue to be MIA until we get the internet situation straightened out. I can't access the DIS at home, as many of you know, until we get a new carrier. Unfortunately, we don't know quite when that will happen because our August plans have taken an unexpected turn.

DOOD's grandmother, who has been sick with an undiagnosed illness for several months, died this morning, peacefully, at the hospital. She'd been in the hospital earlier this week, then released, and we didn't even know she'd been readmitted. We had plans--I think I mentioned them here or on the Lean Meaners thread or Facebook (so many places to keep me busy)--to travel to see her this upcoming weekend, a "just in case" visit. Now we'll be going to her funeral.

I don't know if any of you remember me talking about her, but I really liked Ruth. She was the first person in DOOD's family to really accept me, as is, unconditionally. What's more, she was a spirited woman who found a whole new life, even a happier one, after her husband died. She wasn't exactly a woman who made lemonade out of lemons--more like she made sweet wine out of sour grapes. She lived a good life in her 96 years, and was surrounded by her family and friends, and that's something to shoot for. I will miss her more than I expected I would.

So all this serious stuff leads me to some uncharacteristic mushiness. Now, you know I'm a not a glass half-full kind of person, or even glass half-empty. You all know my standard response: "Where's the flipping glass?" But here, today, in honor of Ruth, I'm looking for something to take from all of this. Here it is. I think all my cousins should grab their loved ones--be it your partner, your precious children, or your pets--and hug them today. If they can't be with you, reach out to them. And if you do imbibe, think about raising a glass to a life well-lived, filled with love and laughter. I know I'll be having a glass of wine, and probably some bourbon, to toast how very lucky I am to have so many people in my life I care about.

And to risk falling further into cliche, because this is the day for excess sentimentality: All we need is love, love is all we need. Oh, and don't sweat the small stuff.

Another post pending, where I catch up with everyone and pay attention to everyone else's lives.