Team 'Ohana 2009: No One Left Behind

[wtpclc]

I am about 8 shirts short of putting in an AlertShirt order. So, if anyone wants one, please let me knoo ASAP.

Ordering site is here.

Thanks!
Carrie

 

[MouseDogMom]

Corinna - Getting DD ready for college was absolutely a full-time job. She really wanted me to shop with her for everything, but I had to bow out a few times and send her out alone or with dad. Then she decided she couldn't clean her room without my help (and you have to have seen her room to understand the enormity of that task), so I spent an entire day helping her with that and we barely skimmed the surface. And then there was the packing, the list-making, and the simple logistics of what time to arrive to beat the crowds. Fortunately, she's only a little over an hour away, so trips home aren't a real big deal.

Jeanne - I think I already said this on FB, but congratulations! What a year you're going to have! And what initial sadness are you talking about with Annie being gone? Haven't noticed any yet... Of course, the cell phone chirps nonstop with calls and/or text messages, and today she texted me to tell me to get on Facebook so we could chat...

JenG - I'd probably try to get in one long run with the new shoes, but if you can't do that, as long as you've done a few short ones you should be okay. I just ordered a second pair of new shoes, and I only just started breaking in the first pair of new ones, so I'll actually have 3 in rotation. I'm hoping that I'll have 2 pairs with 100-150 miles by the time Goofy rolls around. Have lots of fun getting ready for the move!

As for me - Love, love my new laptop. We never could get the old one to connect to the wireless network, so I'm loving having the freedom to go anywhere in the house. We're still trying to get all the important stuff off the old computer, but as long as I can DIS and Facebook, who needs to know the bank balance? Ran tonight with DH - trying to prepare for Saturday's 18 miler. Hoping the weather is an improvement over last weekend, when everyone swore it was the most humid run we'd ever endured.

On a side note, please keep DD and her boyfriend's family in your thoughts and prayers. His grandfather has been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and given just a few weeks, so DD will be spending a lot of her weekends with his family. She's gotten very close to Wes (the grandfather), so it's going to be tough on her both personally and helping Taylor deal with it. Rough way to start her freshman year, but you deal with it.

Jackie

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Slowly going through the e-mails to reply --

Richard -- I'm so sorry it sounds like you had every type of bad luck available -- but you still finished! What a trooper! That's the WISH spirit!

Maria

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Corinna -- I want to see photos of you as the robot hooker! I can't even imagine! This sounds like a great role, and a ton of fun, plus you get to do it with DH! (pun intended...)

Maria

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Jeanne -- I think there are some frozen gummy lifesavers in my future! This sounds like a great low cal treat, too -- I'll be trying them this weekend!

Maria

 

[deekaypee]

Brief, brief updates as I'm running out of battery on the computer and didn't bring my charger to the coffee shop.

Richard: How were the DDs' birthday party(ies)? I'm so, so sorry to hear about the many obstacles you overcame in your tri. It sounds like the event from Hades. But you are a true WISHer, a warrior athlete. Indeed, DLF>NDF>>DNS.

Robert: Great photos of the race! And Wendy sounds like a gracious woman, a real gem!

Maria: Of course you're an Angel. Doesn't suprise me a bit! Is your TIVO fixed? I'm so glad your family was there to wait for the cable person (and flirt with him/her?) Serendipitous.

Julie: How are you, girl?! Doing all right, I hope.

JenG: Woo hoo for Switzerland. What an adventure, and I'm so glad it worked out, even with your crazy busy times ahead. I think we'll have to organize an international meet for sure. Okay, I hate to say it, but the double-inserts/toenails made me laugh a little. Not because I wish pain for you, but it's exactly the kind of thing I do, so I empathized. (And I've needed some laughs recently, so thanks.) Remember, toenails are for sissies anyway.

WTG with your 12 mile LR turned into 13.8--very impressive, walking or not. It sounds like your DL 1/2 will be smooth sailing, now that you've gotten the niggly little problems out of the way on your training run. And I hope someone can explain to me the difference between a training run and a taper, too....

About the shoes: I think your shoes will be fine if you do a couple of short runs on them before the 1/2. They shouldn't need a full break-in period.

Jackie: Yay for the new laptop! I hope you get more free time once work settles down. Maybe things for you are working like a kind of taper, too. DD goes away to college, and you get a new home schedule and slightly more free time (or increased training time, as the case may be). Then your overly hectic work schedule abates, and you have more free time yet... That way, you're not overwhelmed by the empty nest feeling. Just a thought.

More seriously, sending PD your way for your DD, her BF and his family, and especially for Wes. It's a very sad and stressful time, and I'm glad there are so many people who care about each other and who can turn to each other during this time. It's small comfort, but I hope it is of some comfort that DD, BF, and Wes's family have this time to spend with Wes and say goodbye. He sounds much loved.

Corinna: WTG on your 12 miler. I know what you mean by the 10 miles not seeming to be enough for a 1/2 (good luck with the DL event). I also appreciated your review of the Luna Moons and the sugar crash. Well worth considering them for just that reason, although the description of them as ear-grubs might give me pause.

Robot hooker, huh? I want pictures and more details of this staged reading. Congrats on the new figure, btw--you've been really working it this year. Hence you being able to pull off the role of robot hook.

Does ice in my drink while I'm being massaged count as a good injury-recovery strategy? Because that's what I've been trying. No, seriously, I've been doing the icing and it seems to help. I probably need to invest in a massage rather than the DIY version. I just have this aversion to people touching me. Thanks for the advice!

Jeanne: Congrats on the 2 weddings! How considerate of your DS and future DIL to give you something besides the NYC marathon to dream about. They and your DD & the Greek are so considerate.

Frozen gummy lifesavers, huh? I wonder if that would work with Clif Blocks or sports beans?

To all my other cousins: Aloha, it's great to be back!

As for me: Funerals in DOOD's mother's family's neck of the woods are strange affairs indeed. I won't go into too many details, but let's just say I should never be able to see your underwear if you're attending a funeral. It's distracting. And the divvying up of/claiming of possessions. Spend it all while you're alive, folks, and burn the rest--because someone out there will be fighting over your 30+ yo bowling shirt, I promise you.

Ruth would have loved to know so many of you raised your glasses in celebration of a life well lived, btw. A toast to all of you: May your glasses always be half-full!

I've got some training to report--another week of b2b runs done, with Saturday's 9 miler on a very nice rails to trails route. Shady. I took the new Garmin out, and I'm officially in love.

More to follow as I catch up with everything, including some good news. I'l try to keep the dysfunctional stories to a minimum. (Or you can read the Lean Meaner thread, where I offered some of the details. Poor, sad, misfortunate Lean Meaners.... )

Oh, last thing: Have you all see the new electrolyte/no calories water? Trader Joe's carries its own brand?

 

[laughinplace199]

Hi cousins!

Debra - Again, my condolences on the passing of Ruth. I hope you and DOOD enjoy talking about your good memories of her. On a lighter note, Happy (belated) Anniversary! I'm so glad that you got your Garmin and you don't have to go shopping for a new husband. How's the leg injury? Have you figured out what it is?

Jackie - How does it feel being an empty nester? So sorry to hear about your DD's BF's grandfather. I will keep him in my thoughts.

Maria - We are thinking of doing the Honan race, we just have to see if we can get a sitter. I hope that your DSIL doesn't hold you back. It would be great to see you there! I see you have family visiting. I hope you're having fun. Can you please send your dad over to my house before he leaves? I have a few things that need to be fixed. Seriously, your dad truly sounds like an angel!

Mel - Did your DH have a nice birthday? I hope he enjoyed his Star Trek game.

Richard - I think it's amazing that you were able to finish the tri with so many things going against you that day. You rock! Happy belated birthday to your DD's.

Jeanne - Two weddings in 2010 - wow! I can't wait to hear all the details of both weddings (I LOVE weddings ). Between the NYC marathon and planning weddings, you are going to be one busy woman! Congrats!

Corinna - You accidentally ran 12 miles? That sounds like something I would do. Robot Hooker?! I'd love to see/hear more about this. Sounds very interesting!

Jen G - You're moving to Switzerland - wow! Good luck with everything. Sorry to hear about your toe problems, but at least you figured out what the problem was. As for your new shoes, I think they would be fine for your 1/2 since they're the same brand and model as your current shoes. Just wear them for your runs between now and the race to make sure they're ok.

As for me, well there's nothing to report, really. I feel so boring! I've just been busy with the usual end of summer stuff, trying to get some fun daytrips in with the kids before school starts, doing back to school shopping, etc. My running has been spotty, but I'm mapping out my marathon training plan this weekend, so that should force me to become more focused.

I've really missed chatting with all of my cousins and hope to be posting more regularly.

 

[jbucci]

Jackie: Good luck getting DD off to college -- my DD is just getting ready for 1st grade, I can't even imaging packing for her to go away for the semester-- exciting stuff

Jeanne: Congrats on the double weddings in your future.

Robert: Thanks for posting the pics-- looks like a fun event but wow-- running for 12 hours just seems unreal to me.

Sorry I've been MIA but this has been a crazy week. I managed to get sick with a pesky cold and then of all bizarre things got an ear infection which does not do good things for my balance on the TM. I've taken the past few days off of running in favor of being asleep by 9pm. I'm feeling a bit better today so will try a few miles then start to pack for DL.

 

[laughinplace199]

Jen B - Sorry to hear that you've been sick. I hope that you're feeling better soon. I'm sure that getting some extra rest will put you on the road to a successful DL 1/2!

 

[tiberius]

Hello Friends and Teammates!

It has been a very busy week for me and I am glad it is close to an end--even if the weekend will be busier. First off, I have made this an easier training week as I heal up from my tri last weekend and rest a bit by training for shorter time periods this week (20 - 25 minutes per day). Second, work has been hectic as my office is having our annual fiscal audit done (I've likened it to a prostate exam in enjoyment level, but the audit takes much longer. ) and we have been understaffed this week due to illness. Finally, last night I bought myself a new road bike for my training and triathlons. The new bike is definitely much nicer than my old bike--and probably half the weight, with nicer everything (except less padding on the seat). Overall I spent just under $1200 on the bike and gear (and tax). However, I did get a decent discount in true WISHer style: I bought last year's model bike for $794, originally something like $1379 marked down to $1079 with a store sale down to $899, plus 10% off storewide. Overall I bought $1910.86 woth of stuff for $1103.26 (excluding tax). Then later today I am going to the first annual Allison Maloney Memorial Water Polo Tournament, named in honor of my daughter's friend who was killed earlier this year be with her family, and for my own myself, too. Finally, Saturday and Sunday will be spent moving my daughter to her new college apartment (after riding my new bike, of course!).

I hope everyone has a great weekend.

 

[chimera]

Richard...congrats on your tri! Maybe it's a good dress rehearsal for your half Iron...isn't the old theater thing that if the dress rehearsal is bad, the show will be fab?? Corinna?

Debra...glad you're back. Sorry you had to deal with the relative in-fighting. It's always amazing...people who havent had any contact with the departed in years suddenly show up for a share of the stuff.

JenB...hope you're feeling better. I bet you get all the cool viruses at work. Now that school's back in session, everyone's freaking out about H1N1. We got 6 calls last weekend from various school representatives and the health dept saying that if your kid even looks like they're thinking of having a fever, keep 'em home.

I don't really have anything fancy to report training-wise. I'm sticking with my plan and getting my runs in. Just seems routine now.

I've been reading the House of Night series (Marked, Chosen, Betrayed, Untamed, Hunted). High school vampire stuff, kinda Twilight-y but I think I like it a bit better. The main character has a Cherokee grandma so they incorporate some Native American stuff as well which is cool. My grandma was a tiny bit Cherokee but nothing like vampire high school ever happened for me.

I got DH a blu-ray player for his birthday that streams Netflix. We're finished with the first season of Torchwood. I started a new series yesterday, Legend of the Seeker. It's based on a book series I read awhile ago by Terry Goodkind. First book was Wizard's First Rule. It's okay...kinda campy but I like the old wizard dude, Zed. Looks like he's got some thyroid eye disease...kinda Marty Feldman pop-eyes.

Oh and last night was the first football game for DD16's marching season. This is her first year marching rifles. I was always afraid to twirl rifles...too much chance of head injury And DD6 should be starting soccer soon. Standard fall fun!

 

[corinnak]

It's been a bit of a rough week - we've taken turns getting sick all week long - sore throat, cough, runny nose, blech. I think we're all feeling a little better now and I hope to be up to a decent long run tomorrow. No guarantees on getting the 11 schedule, but I'll do what seems prudent.

Mel - yes, the supserstition is Bad Dress Rehearsal, Good Opening Night. I always think it's just to keep everyone from getting too discouraged about a crummy dress rehearsal, like rain on a wedding day being good luck. It is true, though that a bad dress doesn't mean a bad opening night by any means!

And now that I've gone on and on about that, here's a photo as requested from just before our reading. DH as Mort, the pimp's strong arm/hit man and me as "Shelly" the former economics grad student turned hooker/drug dealer.

Poor DH - I didn't mean to hide half of myself behind his coat, that's just the way it kind of turned out.

The reading went pretty well. We had an interesting discussion with the audience afterward. My kids were there and seem completely untraumatized. I don't have a picture of the "robot hooker" costume, but this was the cuter one anyhow.


JenB and Jeanne (anyone else for DL Half next week?) - we're spending a few days at DL before the race. Staying at the Disneyland Hotel. Hopefully see you around, otherwise, mini-Ohana meet at the WISH meet or meet?

 

[deekaypee]

August is almost over, cousins! Start gathering your miles and minutes, folks. Many people will be headed to DL and we wish you all luck with your race, including good weather, and good WISH meets!

Julie: Yes, the Garmin was a fortuitous gift--although I'm a little infatuated it and THAT can't be good for DOOD and my relationship.You know what they say when enhancement toys comes between you and your loved ones. When does school start for your kids? It seems like you and Maria have late starts, at least compared to a lot of places. Universities here are starting next week, and will enjoy additional days off with the G-20 summit coming to town, but most of the primary/secondary schools are running. Speaking of running, what type of marathon training plan are you putting together? Following anyone in particular?

JenB: OMG, an ear infection and on top of a cold! I hope you're fully recovered by DL so that you can enjoy the plane ride (if that's possible) and the parks (which is almost a given) and do well on the race (as your training indicates). Take care of yourself!

Richard: It somehow doesn't seem quite fair that you're trying to recover from your tri, getting over those aches and pains, only to have the pain of audit take their place. Indeed, you might have new pains in the same place, which is why it's a bit of a pity that your new bike doesn't have more padding in the posterior area. That said, woo hoo on your new triathlon gear and goodies. What a great deal for you! I know you're busy with college move-in for DD--a happy occasion, I presume--but look forward to hearing about the water polo tournament. I'm sure Allison would be pleased to be remembered in such a way.

Mel: WTG with getting your training in, having the routine so settled in that it seems routine. That's something that I actually believe to be pretty difficult--hard to remain motivated. Impressive that you're doing all that, in addition to adding on fall events (duathlon, right? and something else I'm forgetting? Besides the marching band and soccer, which are ongoing events to keep your down-time anything but down)! I'd not heard of the House of Night series, but it seems like all the hot vampire series these days are in the YA lit section. Good info on Legend of the Seeker, too, as I've read some of Goodkind a long time ago. How do you like your Blu-Ray and streaming Netflix?

Corinna: You look amazing, and the smiles on both your and DH's face just show us how much fun you're having. A former economics grad student turned hooker/drug dealer? Now, THAT's a metaphor for grad school if I ever heard one. Was the playwright in attendance for the discussion? Audience reaction? And how does the robot hooker fit in?

As for me: Finished my 3/6 b2b, cutback week. Much harder this weekend than last, but had to be indoors due to rain (been getting up too late to avoid the storms). The calves are still acting up, although I'm following your (various good bits of) advice, and I'm now getting some leg cramps when I sleep. Again, it's not interfering with my runs, but my naps are being inconvenienced.

In other news, saw Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds Thursday night after a dinner with some of DOOD's colleague. (First time at a P.F. Changs, btw.) It was disappointing for a Tarantino film insomuch it was the first time I've seen one of his films that didn't substantially transform/add something to a genre (war genre, this one). Brilliant scenes in it, but overall it just seems like two films and not one.

I finished reading Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (and recommend just reading Pride and Prejudice, neat, instead of this frothy concoction). I'm now working on Kim Stanley Robinson's The Years of Rice and Salt, which takes as its point of departure what would happen if the plague wiped out most of Christianity and Islam and Buddhism become the most dominant religions and Christianity is a "historical footnote." Good stuff. Looking for some fluff next.

 

[corinnak]

Debra - thanks - we did have a fun time with this show. The playwright is from Vancouver and was not in attendance. The audience reaction was mixed - the old ladies were not fans, seemingly - one of them said it did not have "wide appeal." There were other audience members that had more positive things to say about it. It was a very interesting piece, really. It was a series of two-person scenes that rotated through 10 characters and tell the story of, well, basically a plot to replace prostitution in a city with robotic prostitution. Part of the story is how basically the company decides to forgo Beta testing and the CEO is in cahoots with the Mayor who wants to see how realistic these things are before he orders a police crackdown on the actual hookers. Turns out, they should have done the Beta testing cause there are some flaws with "the product." It's kind of a downward cycle and you end up back with a different character in the same situation as the first scene. Oh, and the whole thing is written in this corporate, legalistic dialogue. Very interesting to work on!

 

[chimera]

Debra - thanks - we did have a fun time with this show. The playwright is from Vancouver and was not in attendance. The audience reaction was mixed - the old ladies were not fans, seemingly - one of them said it did not have "wide appeal." There were other audience members that had more positive things to say about it. It was a very interesting piece, really. It was a series of two-person scenes that rotated through 10 characters and tell the story of, well, basically a plot to replace prostitution in a city with robotic prostitution. Part of the story is how basically the company decides to forgo Beta testing and the CEO is in cahoots with the Mayor who wants to see how realistic these things are before he orders a police crackdown on the actual hookers. Turns out, they should have done the Beta testing cause there are some flaws with "the product." It's kind of a downward cycle and you end up back with a different character in the same situation as the first scene. Oh, and the whole thing is written in this corporate, legalistic dialogue. Very interesting to work on!

??? Fembots???

 

[corinnak]

You know, I STILL have not seen the Austin Powers movies, but I just watched a little clip on youtube and I must say, yes, Mel! That's just about right. Wish I'd had one of those furry night gowns and big blond wig! Oh well. Too late now!

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Hola, Cousins!

I have my life back. The company left around 7 am, and I celebrated with a 4.5 mi run on the TM, then church, then some of the high quality programs I've been tivoing -- JK+8, Eureka, etc., and now I'm starting to catch up on my DIS responsibilities. I'm the coach this week on the BL Summer Challenge, and I have not even tried to keep up until today.

I actually did fairly well last week. I worked out 5 of 7 days, which is a mirror opposite of the week before. I'm going to be working on pulling all my weight loss tools together today and tomorrow, and Tuesday I hit the ground running!

Corinna -- Love the photo! What an interesting production! You look like you both had a ton of fun! And can I say you look fabulous?!!

Debra -- I'm on the library wait list for P, P & Z. Perhaps I shouldn't bother...I'm#87 or so...

Mel -- So you are in on my guilty pleasure! I love P. C. Cast! I stumbled on the House of Night series, and I love them! I can't put them down, and actually found them more fun than the Twilight series (is that sacrilege? Did you enjoy Torchwood? I'm reading John Barrowman's autobiography right now. It's pretty light, but has interesting tidbits here and there.

Richard -- Wow, you know how to have a busy weekend! I hope you enjoy the water polo tournament, I know that will be tugging at your heart -- not to mention taking dd to college! I don't know how you guys do it! The bike sounds like a winner!

JenB -- I hope you heal quickly and you and our other cousins have a fantastic DL race!

Julie -- Are you ready for school yet? We just picked up the last item, now we just have to sort it all out and pack the bag for Tuesday

Jackie -- Sending you for dd. It's so hard to transition to college anyway, it's a shame it's being made harder for her, and of course so sad for bf's family...

JenG -- Are you packed yet? I can't even imagine! You'll have to tell us about running through the Alps!

Shoutouts to all the other cousins!

Maria

 

[tiberius]

Mel - Yes, I do hope it bodes well for Longhorn 70.3.

Debra - Yes, the move is a happy one. She has already been out at school, this was more of an apartment transfer to be closer to school (and perhaps so as to not drive past the collision site). Also, Allison would love the water polo remembrance.

Corinna - I don't remember my fellow Economics students looking quite like that!

Maria - Yes, I like the bike. Too bad I got my first flat on it 2.5 miles into my first ride. The second ride was definitely much better. I posted a photo on my blog, which is linked in my signature. Re: the water polo tourney - a few tears were associated ( I have given up wondering when that will end, maybe never), and a few of her relatives came back into town that I got to see again.

 

[Jen117]

Hey cousins. Sorry I haven't posted in awhile, but I have been having some problems with the pages loading at DIS. They are taking way too long! So I finally got in and wanted to update you all!

I am at 21 weeks pregnant and next week we go in for the ultrasound... hoping to find out the sex so I can buy clothes! Everyone wants a boy since we have 2 girls. I like the girls, so I guess it really doesn't matter. A boy would be a BIG change in our house! We went to WDW 2 weeks ago and it was HOT! Here is a pic of me so you can see how big I am getting!

At the end of September is my annual Rump Roast Run. I really want to do it because it's a pretty run, but not sure because the weather is always iffy that time of the year. We usually have cold or rain. DH said he would walk it for me, or if MIL will watch the girls we may do it together. Still up in the air, but it's the only race I would do PG.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Aloha, Cousins!

Jen -- You look absolutely lovely with that beautiful baby bump! You are glowing! I know everyone will be excited, whatever the gender.

Richard -- So sorry about the flat. I think you've officially had all your bad training/race luck, and only good things are in the future!

Feeling good after running 4.5 mi Sun and Mon, and walking 4 + Yoga today! Also eating within my WWpts., I'm on a roll!

Hey, where are all the cousins? Checking in would be good....

Don't forget to post those miles and minutes -- you don't want Debra hunting you down, I've heard she's relentless!

Maria