Thursday 12.15.11 Bring on the cheer!

solarpowered · Dec 15, 2011

morning!
 
I'm in need of some happy stuff. Had a yucky interpersonal situation last night and I want to turn the frown upside down -- and I think several/many of us could use the same.
 
So -- QOD today: What are you looking forward to in the upcoming holiday weeks? (Forgive me if this has been done already recently.)
 
I'll be back in a few mins...

solarpowered · Dec 15, 2011

Today's an off day for me -- got my swim and run done yesterday knowing my dad was coming up to help me with more house renovation stuff after work. 
 
my QOD response: I'm looking forward to...
*some down time from work
*having cocktails with friends at my Christmas Eve Eve open house
*spending time with my neices and nephews on Christmas Day. 
*throwing myself into house reno work during my off week

Litchfield Hills · Dec 15, 2011

(((((boB and family))))
 
((((Maria and J and Dillon))))
 
Stomach virus rampaging through our house - only my 8 YO is unaffected. We have already sent him to the next door neighbors to get ready for school.

Ailarie · Dec 15, 2011

Greetings, all
 
(((((((((( Maria )))))))))))))
 
Bob - I'm glad that the MIL got to come home from the hospital. That's great news.
 
RTFL - Wait.. what was the deal with extended family being peeved that they weren't in on vacation plans? I wasn't aware that was part of making vacation plans in the first place. Were they annoyed that they didn't get to come along with you guys on the vacation part? <--confused
 
4M on the TM last night. I may suck it up and try to run outdoors this weekend, though I still fear that the ankle will give again. Chances are that it won't, but I hate that feeling of helplessness when I can't walk easily, and I'm not close to my car. (And that there's not anyone close by that I'm comfortable calling for an emergency ride)
 
Qod:
<ul><li>For things to slow down at work. That won't happen until after the new year, but we're at 2.5 weeks and counting now, at least</li>
<li>Christmas day.,.. although my dad is in South Georgia and I won't see him for the first time in years, also for the first time in MANY years, Mom isn't scheduled to work at the VA hospital. So, we're going to get lunch at Piccadilly's (they're actually open 10-3) and assuming it's still showing, we'll see the Muppets Movie.

That will be cool.</li>
</ul>

katholeenie · Dec 15, 2011

((((((((((Porter))))))))
 
((( Litch and fam )))
 
 
3 miles outside. 54°, which you would think would make for a nice run, but it's sprinkling and WINDY (enough that puddles have currents and the droplets were blowing up under the bill of my ball cap so couldn't see), and I left late so there was LOTS of traffic. Pffththt. Glad it's done. 
 
QOD:
- Bringing Oskar home (still don't know what day)
- having our floors done.
 
Neither of which is holiday-ish, but we need a dog and I'm SO sick of the house being all disrupted with all the furniture and stuff being shoved all over.

cranegirl · Dec 15, 2011

Oh gosh. Just re-read the threads this week. We've been dealing with finals this week so I'm catching up now. ((((((((((30's)))))))))
 
(((bob and family)))
((Porter))
((Dillion))
((RTFL and divorce stuff))
 
Glad you are OK, Lora!
 
Great good recipes, NCR..

How are mom's and pops, btw? Maria? Brandy?
How are healing peeps? Duckie? KP? Tonya?
 
One more ick: I may likely need to have a cervical fusion in my neck, which I found out Monday. After some additional tests, PT being more hurt-y than helpful and visits to an orthopedic spine specialist, the formal dx is degenerative disc disease with osteophyte complex (bone spurs) in my neck that are causing herniations, those don't typically just go away on their own---he explained it like having a bunion in your neck. This was not caused by running..I have bony things in my fingers, too...it's probably hereditary. It's a little scary..would involve some major surgery that may or may not help long term-- I'm up for various tests in the next week, second opinions, meeting with surgeons, etc, some of it unpleasant. I'm dealing, but this all has been shocking and I'm getting tired of it. He said "NOT A STEP" on an elliptical or running (due to potential increased compression on the spinal cord) until I see a neurologist Monday, but walking inside is OK. I'm trying to stay positive and hopeful. He did say the goal is to get me back to running,, but marathons are likely done; my spine probably can't take that anymore--I'm OK with that. I'll still Sherpa for you guys...

Anyway..now you all know the whole story. I won't keep yammering about it, though..just give you less involved updates.

MN Peeps: Got an ortho problem? Get thyself to TRIA. Awesome. Enough said.
 
I will not post publicly what someone "above me" at work said to me yesterday about this. People are really insensitive sometimes. (Like bucket of gas guy...seriouslyyyy????).
 
Anyone got a good joke???

runningINnyc · Dec 15, 2011

Good morning all! I met up with my Austin co-worker for an easy 6 miles this morning, our temps warmed up a bit and it felt very invigorating. Gotta love running in shorts in mid-December

Thanks for all the love and concern, you all mean the world to me! I know our fuzzy guy is a tough one and we hope to have a plan soon, in the meantime he's getting an extraordinary amount of belly rubs and snacks... lots of his favorite snacks.

Duckie - (((Porter))) And wow, Titus is a real looker! You all and your German shepherds have me thinking about bringing Sadie (my dog niece) out to live w/us for awhile. I have no idea if my family would go for it and she'd probably wreck our place but she'd be one hell of a running partner and has the funniest faces around. 
 
((( Litch and the crew ))))
 
Hiya Craney!! Lots of gentle hugs to you. Pops is maintaining right now, he'll start seeing a new oncologist next week and may have a big change in his treatment plan. For now he's relaxing, enjoying the time away from chemo and straight chillin' <img alt="biggrin.gif" id="user_yui_3_4_1_7_1323957901921_163" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif">
 
boB - glad to hear your MIL is home, hope they figure out what's going on w/her. I forget, where do they live... not far from you, yes?
 
QOD - as crazy as it sounds I'm really looking forward to unpacking my sister and her boyfriend's belongings from their moving truck, on Christmas Day, as they arrive for a new chapter in their lives, back in St. Louis. Oh and of course family kickball over the holidays!

Runninlaw · Dec 15, 2011

(((((((((((((((((Craney)))))))))))))))))))) Wow - I am so sorry. This all came on so suddenly too. A lot for you to deal with (physically and emotionally). Extra sad people are being *unkind* about it.
 
(((((Porter & Dillion)))))))) - and all other 30s furry friends that need it.
 
((((((((Lora))))))))))
 
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/390641_294158267293544_152560524786653_836745_315889597_n.jpg" style="width:960px;height:642px;">
 
re in laws: they are freaking crazy. Yes, we were not only supposed to clear it all, but we were supposed to formally invite them all to join us (even those 1000 miles away) and, according to one person, we should not be doing it at all because we are seeing her ex (who also happens to be DH's FATHER). It is a result of people not getting over a divorce that, while ugly and crappy, etc. WAS FOUR YEARS AGO PEOPLE. And this is not about how you feel about each other. Nope, it is my family simply wanting to have a fun vacation. Sheesh.
 
Worst part was everyone blew up at DH about this last night. Just in time for his birthday today. LAME.
 
That said, QOD:
<ol><li>DH's birthday today! Yay! We also have my firm Christmas party which we will attend for a while, then hang with the kiddos, then meet up with some friends for a cocktail or two to toast DH's awesomeness.</li>
<li>My 12th anniversary on Sunday! Not sure what we are doing to celebrate, but celebrate we will</li>
<li>Christmas. Spending x-mas eve with my family, parents, sister and her family.</li>
<li>Post-Christmas - 5 days in Orlando with the boys! Bowl game, Universal, fun stuff no doubt.</li>
</ol> 
Wow - lots to be thankful for.
 
Including a freaking aWeSoMe run this morning. It was 40 degrees!! Ran 40 minutes, which equated to about 4.75 miles at a nice brisk 8:25 pace. A little faster than I should have, but it was a great morning and I just went with it.

Litchfield Hills · Dec 15, 2011

thinking gentle thoughts for craney's spine.....
 
Gas - actually a lot of painters will use gasoline instead of paint thinner - does the same job, and costs a lot less. However, leaving it unsealed is not cool.

gatorbob · Dec 15, 2011

Wow, Crane, take it easy on your neck! I hope everything is okay...
 
Lots of hugs and get-well vibes all around.
 
Speaking of which, thanks for all the vibes for my MIL. I haven't seen her, but I guess she's doing okay. (Yes, Maria, my ILs live only about 5 miles away from us). Just part of getting older, I guess...
 
Speaking of which.. Today is my dad's 90th birthday. Yeah, 90!!!! Scary thing is, right now he might be the healthiest of my daughter's four grandparents, what with my mom's breast cancer returning, my MIL's recent hospital visit, and my FIL's degenerative muscle condition in his legs that make it very difficult for him to walk. My dad has had his health issues in recent years (like the heart failure that resulted in a pacemaker a couple years ago), but for now he's kicking along just fine... 
 
QOD: So what am I looking forward to? I guess I'm looking forward to having the whole family together, old age and all. All these recent health issues for my and DW's parents (plus my dad's big-number birthday) have certainly made me realize that there might not be too many more Christmasses where everybody is around. My dad's parents were both in their 30s when my dad was born, and he was 49 when I was born. So even though they both lived into their early 80s, my grandparents died before I was born. I'm thankful that my daughter has met all of her grandparents, even if they won't all be around until she's an adult and/or old enough to remember them all. At least we've taken tons of pictures that she can keep for the rest of her life. (Hmm, that almost sounds like a Thanksgiving-type QOD answer).

praecipua · Dec 15, 2011

Morning, friends.
 
((((craney)))) I wish there was something I can do <img alt="sad.gif" id="user_yui_3_4_1_7_1323958408543_163" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/sad.gif">
((((RFTL)))) I totally missed this news. I'm so sorry.
((((solar)))) Kick the person's @ss!
((((Porter))))
 
My homework from the trainer was to complete a mile today and record the time. I thought that was pretty lame homework, but he rightly said that I need to get in the habit of showing up, so doing a mile would accomplish that. So, I did a quarter mile w/u, ran a mile, and finished with a quarter mile c/d. I wanted to bump up my speed every quarter mile, but then I realized that I haven't run in MONTHS so running the whole thing would be accomplishment enough. 1 mile in 12:03. Apparently, he'll have me do this periodically and see how much improvement there is. Tomorrow, I think he's going to beat me up pretty badly. We'll see how that goes.
 
Darcy keeps peeing outside the litter box, and last night/this morning, he peed on both the carpet and my TV stand, so I decided to force feed him the kitty prosac which is supposed to help. It took four tries and he ran away hissing at me when I finally succeeded, but by the time I got home from the gym, he was my friend again. We'll see how it goes tomorrow. I seriously think it hurt me more than it hurt him.
 
Qod:
 * Spending more time with my sister's kids (including overnights)
 * Having all 8 nieces and nephews in the same place
 * Dinners with my mom and uncle
 * Seeing everyone's faces when they get their family photo calendars and the photo album of my dad
 * Kicking 2011 to the curb and starting a fresh, new 2012
 
Sadly, I know no jokes.

gatorbob · Dec 15, 2011

Oh, as for me today, I'm still struggling to talk. The voice is better than yesterday, but overall I feel much more phlegmmy. I feel like sticking my whole arm down my throat to grab the basketball-sized hunk of phlegm that I swear I can feel at the back of my throat. But other than that, I really don't feel sick. I had a nice bit of speedwork at the track last night (see yesterday's thread for the numbers, if you give a hoot), so I guess I'm not too ill. I'll go out for a few easy miles this evening, assuming nothing whallops me in the meantime...

kjboston · Dec 15, 2011

Litch- did your hiccups finally go away? I missed the update. Craney- so sorry to hear but hopefully it will give you some well deserved relief. This did seem to come on rather suddenly. Maria-continued hugs for you and D.
 
Things I'm looking forward to:
1) M's third Christmas and the first she will likely remember. She is very excited about Santa who is bringing her a Pluto. 
2) Traveling up to LA next Tuesday on the anniversary of Gray's open heart surgery to give blood and drop off toys at his Children's Hospital
3) Knowing that this Christmas will surely be better than the last- waking up and having McDonald's for breakfast in the lobby of the hospital while Gray was recovering in the CT ICU longer than expected. 
 
Love that pic RiL.

Litchfield Hills · Dec 15, 2011

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by GatorBob <a href="/t/75930/thursday-12-15-11-bring-on-the-cheer#post_2022920"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> I feel like sticking my whole arm down my throat to grab the basketball-sized hunk of phlegm that I swear I can feel at the back of my throat. 
</div>
</div>
 mental image not helping stomach virus.....

Brandy · Dec 15, 2011

morning
 
well, last night's run SUCKED. My stomach was all sorts of wonky and I swear if you could have seen my face it would have been a great shade of green. Blah - I had hoped for 8, got in 4. Stomach flu just hit a coworker's house so hopefully that isn't what it is. I really cannot afford to be sick right now. I basically haver 2.5 days left of work before xmas and a ton of stuff to do plus at least 5 hrs of meetings to attend. 
 
((Melis))
((Cindi))
((Litch and fam))
((maria and fam))
 
When I got home last night, I made my furballs a great treat: egg, shrimp, fish oil and chicken. They all loved it. They are all getting up there in years and all of this pet stuff lately has made me reflect on spending good time with them (although the constant mewing when I was fixing this was a bit much).
 
QOD:
being away from work
spending time with the fam

theia · Dec 15, 2011

I'm woefully behind, and I apologize. Blanket hugs to all who need them, but particularly Dillon and Porter... You all know I have a major soft spot for critters. 
 
Crane, I was thinking of you just this morning! 
 
Ran a few this morning. Nothing exciting. I took two days off this week, kind of accidentally. Those morning workouts just. did. not. happen. Bah. Now I feel squishy AND guilty. 
 
Feel better, Litch!
 
QOD
I am looking forward to...
Christmas morning at my mother's house and the post-gift brunch she always has. 
A 5 week (yes, you read that right) visit from GoV's DD
Meeting my best friend's very long distance GF tomorrow night (she lives in Singapore! makes me feel guilty for ever complaining about the distance between GoV and me)
THE WINTER CLASSIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!

bard73 · Dec 15, 2011

I am so freaking tired. <img alt="sleepy1.gif" id="user_yui_3_4_1_7_1323959480644_314" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/sleepy1.gif"> I got to bed at a decent hour, I think it is just the cumulative effects of fall quarter catching up to me now that I'm getting caught up on stuff. 
 
QOD- You mean besides the obvious? 
 
1. I am looking forward to being at Moonie's family Christmas party again. I like his family, reminds me a lot of mine, so it's a good time. And good Filipino food too, yummy! 
2. Seeing Northern Arizona and New Mexico on the road trip, which I haven't seen since I was 3 and don't really remember much. 
3. Having a week off work.
4. New Years Eve and New Years Day with my family.
 

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">
Originally Posted by kjboston <a href="/t/75930/thursday-12-15-11-bring-on-the-cheer#post_2022922"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a>
 
3) Knowing that this Christmas will surely be better than the last- waking up and having McDonald's for breakfast in the lobby of the hospital while Gray was recovering in the CT ICU longer than expected. 
 
</div>
</div>
 <img alt="smile.gif" id="user_yui_3_4_1_7_1323959480644_161" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">
 
 
(((((30's))))) Lots of stuff going on, life being what it is. I'm always thinking about you and wishing you all health and happiness, even when I don't say as much on here.
 
Craney- my friend had spinal surgery on her neck. She was in so much pain before, and now she is able to live a normal life again. She keeps hoping to train for a half-marathon as a run/walker, but other things keep interrupting her training. Most recently, it is a knee issue.

phdatc · Dec 15, 2011

good morning. I have been MIA lately due to life and work. I read most posts in the morning (from the previous day), but my days are a bit busy right now. Plus, still no fitness to report. 
 
Craney, I know it isn't what you want, but perhaps the surgery will provide the necessary relief.
 
Love for the furry-friends... and soon to be friends!!! Titus looks like a smart doggy B!
 
Today is my faculty pot-luck. Hmmm... could be good, could be painful.

katholeenie · Dec 15, 2011

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by Runninlaw <a href="/t/75930/thursday-12-15-11-bring-on-the-cheer#post_2022913"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> ...we were supposed to formally invite them all to join us
</div>
</div>
 
Do they invite your family to all of their vacations?

Runninlaw · Dec 15, 2011

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by katholeenie <a href="/t/75930/thursday-12-15-11-bring-on-the-cheer#post_2022940"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> 
Do they invite your family to all of their vacations?
</div>
</div>
 
Of course not. It is total BS. It all comes down to anger because some people in the family are still not talking to each other. Those that aren't, are apparently p!ssed off because others (us) are and aren't dealing with things in the same way. Very first grade if you ask me. I am most irritated b.c DH's sister keeps flipping out at him this morning and it is his birthday. I firmly believe people should get a family-drama-free card on their birthday.

Thursday 12.15.11 Bring on the cheer!

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