I really wasn't in the corner sulking about the Minnie yesterday--I'm STILL looking for new digs.
That's it, I'm going to move to WDW and beg in the parking lots.
Aloha Jeff: Holy banana bread--that shirt is a medium? It's huge!!! At least we'll see you and Mooshu coming. (Oh, and tell her that her smile is wonderful!) And that announcement about the free ice cream? I've marked it in my Google Calendar. Thanks for feeding my habit.
And a more serious thanks for donating blood. (I can't--the chemo killed that.)
Ooooh, you've got Disneyitis bad, being a DVC owner and all. I'm trying to convince DOOD of the fiscal responsibility of such a purchase--
--but he's having none of it. I continue to be lost on
Lost, insomuchas as I don't pay much attention to the Jack/Kate arc. (Blech.)
Dana: I love the idea that you and Betsy can tag-team each other with the advice in
Making the Cut, being each other's check and balance. ITA with the dangers of the all you can eat. But that weight gain, it's temporary stress gain. The memories of the chocolate cake last, oh, until the next piece.
By the time I'm posting this you're at Disney, so I hope you've moved way beyond nervous and into excitement!! I'm cheering for you!
TXAng: What, you've never heard of chocolate cheese?
OMG, what a delicacy you're missing. I did my undergrad at Michigan State, one of those cow colleges, and they ran a dairy store that sold the most delicious ice cream and cheeses. They have a chocolate cheese:
http://shop.msu.edu/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=DAIRY-4
Yum!
Oh, and congrats on W3D2, not just for doing it but for doing it in icky conditions. You're doing great with the runs, and in better conditions it will only feel better. Maybe not as good as ice cream--oops, I mean the exercise bar....
Angie: I'm missing you right now, more than even a Minnie medal. You've earned those girls, not just on the training runs but for embracing the need for core work and rest days. (I approve of the walking, the sloooowwww walking.) I know you're having a great time right now, so just know we were thinking of you & have high expectations for the stories you'll tell us!
Tracy: We'll talk Lost when you get back. Now I'm just wishing you luck and I have to comment on your total color coordinated race-day look. Lime green nails--love 'em! And I love that you have a shirt with that quote--I think you passed me at the half.
Claire: Definitely we need a party, so I don't get all sad sack on you all!
There, I feel better now. I guess you can tell from my food talk that 1) I'm in taper and 2) I really like my sugar rush and cheesy goodness. I adore fondue--do you like The Melting Pot?
As usual, your "recreational" activities, those things you do between your job as a student, tucker me right out. It's really smart, what you're doing--balancing the sedentary time of your academic career with your physical activities. I hope you'll tell us about Spring Banquet and maybe share some pics! Have fun!
CarolA: That's quite a taper, the do-nothing strategy. I know you'll rock the Minnie, and are having fun right this very minute! I'm looking forward to the RR when you get back!
Scott: So, what I'm envisioning for you in your future career as a videographer/documentarian--I've got big plans for you and Amy, I do--is a series of road movies based on your running adventures. You've got everything in this short narrative to make your way to Hollywood: laughter, tears, agony (sorry about the feet, Amy), obstacles. I can see you name in lights, and both of you (and Bingham) are more than ready for your close-up! I hope your weekend continues to be as entertaining for us, but a whole lot less stressful for you!
Betsy: One day, I hope to work myself up to Jillian's mountain climbers.
I've been trying to be better about strength and core work, but it's a challenge for me. Keep posting, not just so we can motivate you/hold you accountable, but so I feel the need to try to keep up (a few paces behind).
I'm like you, just trying to lose a few & tone up. Okay, so maybe my goals are more like a bit of a remodel. Thanks have moved over the years in this vintage body (that's right, I'm not old, I'm vintage), and the foundation needs a little firming. Gee, can you tell I'm still looking for a new place to live?
FL Bill:
Do they offer home equity loans at the Car Care Center.
Ne Pats Bill: My, my, my. It sounds like your plan for marathon weekend might not only necessitate the bailout fund, but the services of Scott as videographer. Maybe for your trial, maybe for blackmail, but definitely for the ongoing amusement of the WISH team!
CB Michelle: You'll have to let me know how you like your CamelBak--I sometimes think I should use of of those, as it would do double duty with my bike rides. If you're not 100% sure on the dress, I'd say try some more on. Heck, even if you are sure, you might as well try more on, right? Just to confirm. And I'd think that bridal consultants would be able to help you out if you go back and say, "I like this one, but would like a longer train...." (Of course, I don't know for sure because I got my "wedding dress" at TJMaxx and was married at JOP.
)
Not that you don't have enough research to do what with the wedding and all, but how's your research into different half-marathon training plans coming? It's still way early, so I'm just curious, and noticed that others have offered you some very solid suggestions.
MS Dave: That's WONDERFUL news about SUNY/Geneseo and the Provost sounds like a thoughtful soul. I knew things would work out for you, and you deserved it after all the stress you've been under in the job and search.
Jackie: DH is a manager at B-R? I think I have a new crush.
As for your boss and his Orlando plans--there's another park? The Galloway meet sounds like it will be/was lots of fun. And free swag sounds promising, if a distant second to the Minnie. (In the future, should it ever come to this, you always have a free room with me!) I really need to look into Galloway's programs--I'm familiar with them in the general sense, but need to actually read his stuff.
Judy: I know you're gone--but we're missing you and hoping (and knowing) you're having a great time!
Mel: Woo hoo for posting live. Now as for the Minnie shirt, that's not a LOUSY one--although the too-small sizing seems odd. (What is it with race shirts and their shifting sizes? Where's the uniform in uniform?) Too bad I'd have to actually earn a Minnie shirt to wear it. I can't wait to hear your scream-team stories.
Howard: Wow, that's a packed weekend, time-wise. I know you're having fun, and I hope you spend more time hanging out & enjoying the events than dwelling on the "opportunity cost." (See, you've expanded my vocabulary.)
Amy: Thanks for popping in with the 5K news. I so loved hearing that Anne, as always, is a WISH ambassador. Great news about Susan--I'm going to go over to her journal shortly and congratulate her. And I'm so glad to know that you're happy with your 5K time--I expected no less than total support from Scott. He's one of the truly good guys. (You both are, actually, but the gender thing tripped me up.)
As for me: I was largely missing from the DIS yesterday because we had several back-to-back appointment to look at places. And yes, we're still searching for a new place to call (our temporary) home. Every person we made appointments with--whether rental agents, large-scale property managers, or independents--was late to the appointment. And in one case, a no-show! (When we called after 10 minutes, the assistant said in the passive voice, "The appointment wasn't written down." I told DOOD, "
We wrote it down, so I don't know what she's talking about.") So, we've scheduled more appointments with new folks next week and are hopeful now that tenants have had to give their end of April notices. Meanwhile, I've come up with this theory about rentals--the later the agent is to the appointment, the worse the condition of the apartment/house. So far, it holds true. I'll keep you updated.
As far as running, I'm officially in taper & today was my 8 miler. Unfortunately it was indoors as it was raining here, so my motivation wasn't too strong. Still, I finished it in 96 minutes, which included a 5-minute warm-up, and felt good. (I'm not fast, but I hope to work on increasing my speed a bit post my 1/2 marathon.) I also ran intervals and used Claire's suggestion of fronting the intervals and ending with a straight run. I didn't quite do that, but I was able to increase my intervals during the second half of my run. I hope to be able to do some variation of this during the race, as it worked out well for me. So thanks Claire!
I'm thinking us lonely non-Minnie travelers need to band together
grab us a
NOt fair!
)
don't tell anyone!
That's great news! Have you already asked for next January off?
- figured I could probably bum a room from WISHers once I got to Orlando!
& Charlie) still traveling down tomorrow... safe travels. 
I'll let the others who PR'd, had fun, etc fill everyone in later. We had a blast out there and are now ready to get back on the course tomorrow morning. My goal for the 15K is to have fun and try to feel good for the entire race. Not sure what that will equate to in pace...but at this point I'm pleased with my 5K time (thanks to Scott pacing me and keeping me going out there). Race reports will come when I get home and have more time! 
