One Less Disney Day

For the past several days, I have done all things Disney.  I have gone to the parks, watched the fireworks, ridden the rides, and even wogged two races.  Yesterday I celebrated as I watched my future cruise ship sail into New York City.  It's all been Disney-rrific.

Today Disney celebrated "One More Disney Day."  In honor of Leap Year and February's extra day, The Magic Kingdoms at Disney World and Disneyland opened at 6AM this morning and will stay open for 24 hours, until 6AM tomorrow morning.

Since I am already down here, of course the thought that I must be there started percolating in my brain.  My irrational brain cells started yelling about how the first entrants into the park were going to get special Mickey ears.  Plus, there would be all kinds of commemorative "stuff" on sale.  Certainly I must have some of that!  When I woke up at 5AM, all I could think of was, "Should I get on a bus and go?"

Luckily my one remaining sane, rational brain cell kicked in.  It reminded me that today would essentially be no different than any other Disney Day (and I usually have several of those in a calendar year).   I am not that couple who flew down to open the MK at Disney World and will fly to California to close down the MK at Disneyland tomorrow morning.  Nor will I be a part of those who are trying to make a Guinness World Record by riding the Tomorrowland Transit Authority People Mover for 24 hours straight.  I will not be there at all.  I will not get more stuff that I do not need and I will not partake of the special cupcakes and dance parties in the early hours tomorrow.   

Sometimes you just have to recognize that less is more.  Or maybe enough is enough. I know that may be odd, considering Disney and me, but that's how it was today.

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Today's blessings:  filling wish lists at IKEA; Red Lobster dinner with Steve; race pictures

My Ship Is Coming In

The Disney Fantasy has made it across the Atlantic to New York City.  It will be christened on March 1, then head to Port Canaveral for a March 31 inaugural voyage.  That gives it plenty of time to get all the kinks worked out before our Memorial Day cruise.  Aqua Duck - here I come!!

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Today's blessings:  Michael's shopping and coupon dude; walking around resort; Steve bringing pizza for dinner

And Then It Was Monday ...

Princess weekend has come and gone.  Hard to believe that it was about this time last year, when walking one day with friends, that we decided to come down and wog the Princess Half Marathon.  Of course, we had planned to really train, but we managed to make it through with the training we did do.  We had the tutus, we had the crowns, and we made it.  It was a great weekend.  Today the Karens and Molly flew back to Nashville, and Steve and I are staying in Orlando for the rest of the week.  It will be good to do nothing, but I'm sure going to miss my vacay buds!! 

  

 

  

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Today's blessings:  Safe travel home for Molly and the Ks; finishing first part of Boobie Bingo blankie; doing nothing; seeing Steve and golf buddy on fourth hole; Steve bringing burger for dinner

Whatta Weekend!!

What better way to cap off a Disney weekend with friends, than to wog 13.1 miles in a tutu?

 

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Today's blessings:  Steve dropping us off at the start of the race and picking us up at the end of the race and getting McDs for us for lunch; half-marathoning with my buds KB, KP, and Mols; getting pictures during the race; finishing the race with no big rain; Oscars party in the Ks room

Princess Weekend - Day 3!!

Today we did a 5K, then went to AK for all things animal, then carbo-loaded with delicious pasta prepared and party-fied by the Karens.  Now it's time to head for bed for the big time tomorrow - the Princess Half Marathon (start time of 5:45 AM!!!).  Tutus - check.  Princess tatoos - check.  Extra strength fast acting Tylenol - check.  Now if my legs will just hold out for 13.1 miles tomorrow morning, it will be the cap to a great weekend (at least until our Oscars party tomorrow night!!)!!

 

We like free stuff!!

KB's first time on Kali River Rapids!!
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Today's blessings:  Tangled 5K with KB and Molly; AK safari, Tusker House lunch, Bug's Life, Lion King, and Kali River Rapids with the Karens and Molly; pasta dinner made by KP and party by KB

Yes, I Kiss And Swim With Dolphins

 

And have a awesome time doing it!

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Today's blessings:  Discovery Cove, dolphins, and lazy river with the Karens; quick dinner at the GF with the group; Wishes fireworks cruise; race expo and seeing Jeff Galloway; Molly snagging  a DB Princess bag before they ran out; KB registering for DL Half

Busy Day

Let's just say it started with changing resorts and ended with Illuminations at Epcot.  In between there was shopping and napping in the car and eating and walking around Epcot.  Molly and the Karens arrived and now we're all sufficiently tired.  Tomorrow has more fun in it so it's time to pack it in for the night.

But here's a hint for tomorrow - dolphins and more fireworks!!

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Today's blessings:  shopping successes; resort room finally ready; Karens and Molly arrival; dinner at France with the group; Illuminations

We Made It!

Here.  Somewhere behind the football.  But we will only be here for about 12 hours, then we change hotels (big shocker if you read our Ft. Lauderdale trip report).  Tomorrow we check into OKW, where we have a reservation until Sunday.  When the next reservation at the same place starts.  Where hopefully, we can arrange to be in the same room that we check in to tomorrow.  Even though they're technically two different reservations through two different travel thingys.

Welcome to Davidson Family Vacations!!

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Today's blessings:  Truitts for lunch with Steve; safe road trip to Orlando, especially through the torrential rain

Checklist

1.  Finished last curtain for Maribeth's house (for now, anyway)

2.  Paid bills (ouch, but at least they're paid and won't come hunting me down)

3.  Cleaned house (yeah, like that's gonna happen)

4.  Washed clothes (otherwise I would have nothing to pack)

5.  Packed suitcase (sort of - wonder what I packed)

6.  Loaded car with the Karens' stuff (leaving just enough space for my stuff)

7.  Ran dishwasher (well, I will before I go to bed)

8.  Emptied litterbox (hoping someone will empty it while I'm gone)

Well, that's about it for now - guess I'm GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!!!

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Today's blessings:  getting stuff done; finishing curtains; picking up dinner; quick KB visit

It's That Time Again ...

... now where shall I pack the tutu!!!

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Today's blessings:  finishing Maribeth's curtains and crib skirt; covering coffee table; nice Home Depot Dude; picking up Lindley at day care and going to Pinkberry; seeing Lindley ride her bike; hanging curtains with Maribeth at her house

Why I Should Blog In The Morning

1.  To avoid situation to the left, thus preventing me from waking up from deep couch sleep-nap to search internet for last-minute picture for blog post

2.  There really isn't a second reason - it took all my brain cells to locate a picture that symbolized my current situation and any remaining sluggish neurons to come up with reason number one.

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Today's blessings:  meeting with the Udderly Pink team and Karen's high tea; Lindley time at the Doik; moving furniture; snow in Bellevue; Maribeth bringing me cornbread from Cracker Barrel; texting with Marilyn; watching PGA playoff

TuTu Fever

Last night Molly and I assembled our tutus for the Princess Half Marathon at Disney World next weekend.  Basically, the tutus ended up being a piece of ribbon/elastic with strips of tulle/netting/bejweled/sparkled/fabric tied around it.  Considering the fact that the aforementioned tutus may fall off/be ripped off by the first mile of the race, we didn't want to put too much effort into the project and thus become emotionally attached.

Anyhoo, I'm sure there will be pictures posted of our group in our tutus.  While I hope to be in the back of the tutu pictures, I'm sure my tutu-ed body will be evident (as if my already ample hippage needed some additional layers sticking out).  So, to prepare you for the eventual picture disaster, here are some pictorial ideas of what may be in store:

   

Just remember - you have been warned!!

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Today's blessings: Chick fil A with Molly; Steve's Bubba burgers for lunch with the family; Lindley time at the Doik; telephone chat with Marilyn

I Sewed, I Hung, I Tired

Last night and today I have been sewing curtains for Maribeth's house.  Most of them have been made out of tablecloths that were on sale.  But if you hem them semi-discreetly and buy the good grommets, you basically have some pretty cool curtains.

At least that's what they look like when you're at this point of the process!!

Of course then, it was time to make the tutus ...

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Today's blessings:  Finishing Maribeth's curtains; finishing Princess half-marathon tutus with Molly; Steve bring Which Wich for dinner; Target shopping with Molly; Maribeth's floor getting refinished

All Things Come ...

... to she who finally gets it all together.

In this case, it is the Galloway Training Method.  This is a method of running races where you run/walk/run and end up not dying at the end or getting injured.  It certainly beats my "run until you can't any more, then limp to the finish" method.

I'd heard about this method and read about it.  Heck, it is even the training method recommended by Disney, my guru in all things.  You'd think if it came out of the mouth of Disney, I'd be all over it.  Finally, I decided I would seriously look into it.  And I did.

A few years ago, Jeff was at the 26.2 with Donna Breast Cancer Marathon.  He was at his booth, signing copies of his book.  I bought one and took it home.  Eventually I read it.  Unfortunately, that was about the extent of my involvement.

A few months later, I decided to try the walk/run method.  Except that I couldn't find a watch that would keep the intervals on a steady schedule without me having to reset the watch.  Besides which, I couldn't hear the beeps unless the watch was wrapped around my ear, which tended to look a little ridiculous.  Since my main focus when jogging is to watch for minuscule twigs that might cause my ankle to freak out and twist thus throwing me to the ground, attempting to hear, reset, and readjust a watch was just not going to work for me.  I kept to my jog-then-give-out strategy.

Last year Molly and I decided to run with a group that was sponsored by a local athletic store.  They had different pace groups, and we decided to stick with a walk/run group.  It would have worked out fine, except their intervals did not work for me.  I looked online and got a interval timer, which I promptly stuck in a drawer.  One day after the group jog, I saw an official Jeff Galloway timer (which was identical to the online one sans the Jeff Galloway name) and bought it.  It joined its brother in the drawer.  Occasionally I took it out to study it, and promptly put it back in the drawer.

Finally things came together.  In January I completed the Tropical 5K with Loren, using the Galloway Method, mainly because she was a pro at using it and I could jog her intervals.  The next week I got out my own timer and used it with my wogging buddies.  I decided to test it out during the 26.2 With Donna Half Marathon.  I had never Galloway-ed further than four miles, but I decided to go for it.

I decided to pre-test it during the 5K the day before. Unfortunately, the timer has somehow gotten reset during travel, but I managed to keep up with that interval, despite having to reset it each interval. Luckily, the 5K was right next to the race expo, so after I finished I walked over to the expo and a nice young man at the Galloway booth helped me reset it (now THAT'S customer service!).

With a test run and a reset timer, I was ready for the big show.  And I did it.  I cut 15 minutes off my time from January (we needn't discuss that finish time), and it was a huge step in the right direction.  Instead of having a good first five miles, and each mile slowing down considerably after that, my Garmin showed that each mile was fairly consistent.  I'm a believer!

And to think, it only took me a few years to figure that out!

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Today's blessings:  Completing projects at Maribeth's; Maribeth furnishing Pei Wei for lunch

Some Wednesdays Are Like That ...

I guess that's why God invented Thursdays ...

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Today's blessings:  cleaning and the like with Maribeth at her house; generous donations to the 3-Day; Steve cooking burgers for dinner; picking up Lindley from day care and going to Pinkberry

Warning - By Jenny Joseph

WHEN I AM AN OLD WOMAN I SHALL WEAR PURPLE

With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.

And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves

And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.

I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired

And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells

And run my stick along the public railings

And make up for the sobriety of my youth.

I shall go out in my slippers in the rain

And pick the flowers in other people's gardens

And learn to spit

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat

And eat three pounds of sausages at a go

Or only bread and pickle for a week

And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry

And pay our rent and not swear in the street

And set a good example for the children.

We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?

So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised

When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.

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Today's blessings:  Finishing the nail-pulling-up project with Steve and Maribeth; Home Depot-ing with Maribeth; valentine from Cinderella

How Things Come Together

A long time ago, when my kids were little, we lived in Florida.  Two of my best buds were Emily and Jeanne.  We had kids around the same age and went to the same church and just had a lot of fun hanging out.  Emily and I moved away and Jeanne stayed in Florida.  We got together a couple of times, but then kids and life in general got in the way and the only way we stayed in touch was by the occasional Christmas card (by whomever was sending them out that year).

The year I turned 50, I decided to do a 3-Day breast cancer walk. I got out my address book and mailed donation pleas to everyone in my book, regardless of the last time we had had contact.  One of those people was Emily.  I heard back from her, and she told me how she was recovering from breast cancer surgery.  That year, as I have every year since, I walked for Emily.

Last year, the Three Amigos got together for the first time in a long time.  It was Emily's cancer free celebration, so we had lots of things to toast to - friends, family, and life.  We vowed not to let so much time pass before we got together again.

A few months ago, we started talking about getting together again this year.  We had thought about reuniting at Disney World again, the same time as last year, but instead opted to meet at Jeanne's this fall.  Emily said that she and her husband might do something special for her five-year cancer free anniversary this year.  Here's where it all came together for me.  This is also the fifth year of the 26.2 With Donna National Marathon To Finish Breast Cancer.  So it would only make sense that this year,  I especially ran for Emily.

13.1 miles.  Five years.  It's just a smidge when you're talking about a lifetime!

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Today's blessings:  Steve picking up the new car and fixing the cruise ressies; pulling up floor staples with Steve and Maribeth; donations for the 3-Day Walk and reaching goal 1; tutu talk with KB

One Quick Weekend

Friday:  Fly to Jacksonville, check into hotel, go to race expo, eat dinner, go to bed

Saturday:  Do 5K, eat at Pancake House, chillax in the room, watch weather report, shop at Target for cold weather gear, go to bed early

Sunday:  Do half-marathon, pack up, eat at Kitty's, fly home

I believe she has sung and it is time to go to bed!

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Today's blessings:  chatting with glove dude at race start; half-marathon using the Galloway method; other Galloway lady; pings of Galloway woggers; Kitty and Ray at Mile 4; pizza lunch with Kitty, Ray, and Steve; book and perfume from Kitty; safe, smooth flight home; dinner delivery via Steve and Maribeth

How To Do A 5K

1. Find a fun 5K - preferably one that involves tutus or costumes of any kind.  Even better, find one that is loosey-goosey on the time limit - those usually say WALKERS/STROLLERS/PETS WELCOME.  For some of you, drinking may be a crowd pleaser.  Some even give medals (or pledals - the plastic equivalent of a medal).  Whatevs - just find one that sounds fun and right down your alley.

2.  Don't think logically.  Don't think about the fact that you've never done a 5K, or walked any further than your mailbox (which happens to be on your front porch), or are overweight by 5, 10, or 78 pounds (nothing personal about that one at all).  Just give your brain a break and proceed to Step 3.

3. Find a partner in crime - which in some circles is called a "running partner."  It would be extremely advantageous if this person is a friend who will be encouraging when needed, convincing when you ask if you are running fast or losing weight, and totally in agreement when you decide you need a "rest day," even if that might be seven days a week.  Your running partner also needs to believe that ice cream is a vital part of the whole process.

4.  Sign up for the event way waaaay in advance - as far in advance as possible.  That way, you can ignore the entire event until the week (or even day) before.  Make sure your 5K buddy signs up to - insist to see the receipt.  And then call VISA to make sure it's legit.

5.  Train - or at least plan to train.  Training can take many forms - you can virtual train where you look at pictures and read about training plans online.  You can mentally train where you think about training and running.  You can emotionally train by telling yourself you're not only a runner, you're a good and fast runner.  You can physically get out and train, but I don't know much about that, so I'll just move on to the next step.

5.  Upon the appointed time, show up to pick up your race bib and final instructions.  If you don't know what a race bib is, hopefully your running buddy knows what it is.  If she doesn't, just show up where the email tells you to.  Here's a bit of advice - the race bib goes on the front of your shirt.  You might have a timing chip, but if you just get the bib on the front of the shirt, that may be enough for you.

6.  Show up on race day about an hour before the race starts?  Why?  Because you'll probably still be in bed an hour before the race starts, so if you're planning not to show up, then you deserve to stay in bed for that hour feeling guilty.  It's too late to train or eat healthy or lose weight or whatever - it's race day and you need to be there.  And possibly in a tutu.

7.  At the start, find somebody you think you can beat.  You won't.  I don't care if it's an elderly woman sporting a walker and her ankles taped with six rolls of athletic tape.  As soon as that gun goes off, Granny's gonna chunk that walker to the wind and kick up a cloud of dust.  Which you will be in the middle of.  Instead, find a group that's trying to figure out what to do with their race bib.  Since you already know that, you will look like a pro and they will follow you anywhere.  Which means they will be behind you.  Which means you will not be last.

8.  When you hear the gun/whistle/bullhorn/Shout of Go!, head off in the same direction as all those people running in front of you.  Keep going even if everyone else is ahead of you - hopefully you and about 50 of your new closest friends will bring up the rear.  Eventually you will cross the finish line - even if they have to take it out of the truck and set it back up for you to run across it.

9.  Celebrate - you finished and you are a runner!  Or a wogger.  Or a walker.  But the fact is, you finished 3.1 miles!!

Now, as your reward, here's a picture of the 5K I did today.  Which I didn't want to do, and tried to stay in bed, but got up anyhow because Steve convinced me to.

See you at the finish line!!

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Today's blessings:  doing the 5K with Steve; Chick-fil-A at the start and pink bag; talking with Planned Parenthood ladies at the start; Galloway running dude helping me with my timer; FutGlove dude talking about my shoes; getting pink bags for my team; Steve bringing dinner

Where's The N?

I am in Jacksonville for the 26.2 With Donna National Marathon To Finish Breast Cancer (I'm doing the half).  I've done it every year since the first year, and usually sign up as soon as possible.  Last year was no exception - as soon as I could after finishing the 2011 race, I signed up for 2012.

Earlier this week, I got an email giving race information and my bib number.  A little later I got another email with the same information and a different bib number.  I emailed the race people and asked them about this, and they said to get both bibs and go to the runner relation table at the expo.

And so I did.  In the back of my mind, I thought that maybe I had entered the race twice - except that if I had tried to enter the race a second time, a window would come up on my computer saying I had already entered the race.  I thought maybe the race officials had erroneously messed up my 5K registration, or maybe since I was a streaker (more about that on another day) they had changed my bib number and forgot about the first one.

I didn't have to wait long to find out.  Apparently I HAD entered twice - the first time I had entered my name as Luanne Davidso - no "n".  That's why I could enter the second time (and couldn't find the first registration).  So, I have two bibs and two shirts - one streaker (more about that on another day) and one regular race shirt.  All because I dropped an N.

I'm just thankful I don't have to wog 13.1 miles twice!!

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Today's blessings:  Maribeth giving us a ride to the airport; short, safe flight to J'ville; lunch with Steve at Bubba Burgers Grille and dinner with Steve at Barbara Jean's; expo swag

If It's Thursday in February ...

... I must be packing to go somewhere.  And I am.  We are going to Jacksonville for the weekend.  We leave in the morning and return on Sunday night.  And while this is not my cat, I hesitate to get my suitcase out because I know Maggie will get in it.  Or pee in it, which would be even worse.  Oh well, I have plenty of time.  We don't leave for the airport until 6:15 tomorrow morning!!

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Today's blessings:  Emily's donation to the 3-Day; 5 miles and Bongo Java with the Karens and Jo; beef tips dinner with the family; picking up Lindley at day care

My Next Recipe for Sunday Brunch

Yes, it's Bacon Pancakes.  And just in case there are those who do not want bacon pancakes, I found a website where there should be a pancake for just about everyone.  Except maybe Lindley.

Shredded Wheat pancakes, anyone??

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Today's blessings:  more 3-Day donations; Molly picking up and delivering milk; laundry done; bondibands delivery; South Pacific with KB; mini corndog/edamame lunch delivery via Steve

Today's List

I did get a few things accomplished.  I wogged, I cleaned out the litter box, I wrote thank-you notes for 3-Day donations, and I took a shower.  Hard to believe that took all day, but I am talented like that.

Tomorrow's task will be to tackle the laundry.  I do like a challenge ...

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Today's blessings:  4 mile Galloway wog with the Karens and Jo; mailing thank-yous and observing caring postal workers; lunch with Maribeth; Molly's visit after work

My List Today

What I Got Done:  very little

What I Didn't Get Done:  very a lot

At least I found a flowchart that helped me today:

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Today's blessings:  getting caught up on thank-yous and bill paying; sweet note from Emily; Maribeth's safe arrival home; Marilyn's Tanzania report update

Yes, I Watched The Super Bowl

Why?  Because (a) I always hope the commercials will entertain me, and (b) I liked both quarterbacks - Tom Brady helped me win our Fantasy Football season (well, in the regular season), and Eli is a Manning.  I was rooting for Eli, and the game was interesting enough to keep me watching.  In case you didn't watch, Eli and the Giants won.  And here are two of my favorite commercials:

   

 and

 

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Today's blessings:  breakfast with the Karens and Molly and Psychic Dude; Lindley time; Sam bringing burgers; picking up Lynnette and friend from airport; Super Bowl and commercials; Marilyn arriving safely in Tanzania

The Vacation That Was

Ten days.   Two Cities.   Four Hotels.  One 5K.  Now that's a vacation!

It all started last Thursday when Steve and I flew to Ft. Lauderdale.  He was going to run the ING Miami Half-Marathon and I was going to do the 5K.  He had booked one of the time share dealies for a week.  I was not in favor of staying that long, so he had return flights booked for us on Tuesday.
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Meanwhile, I was not feeling this trip.  I was leaning on the side of "I don't want to go."  Sure, a lot of it was the whole flying in a plane thing, but there was also a lot of stuff that I needed to be doing.  Or at least thought I needed to be doing.  Mainly stuff that should have been done a long time ago, and probably wouldn't get done even if I stayed, but I still felt like I could hold on to it as an excuse.

While I was mulling over my thoughts of going/not going, Steve heard from friends who would be in Orlando the week after the race, and wanted to play golf on Thursday and/or Friday.  So, he was pretty pumped to stay the whole week.  Meanwhile, I was still trying to talk my self into going, and was pretty much planning to come home soon after the race.

So we get to Ft. Lauderdale and check into Hotel #1 - the one with the peekaboo shower.  The reason we stayed there was because it was Thursday and the timeshare thingy reservation didn't start until Friday.  So, it was a case of haul the suitcases to the room, figure out a schedule for the shower, and eek out every minute until checkout the next day, so there might be a chance that the new room reservations would be ready when we checked in.

Friday we check out and head just down the beach to our next destination (which was reserved for a week-long stay).  This was a two-bedroom condo (there were just two of us), so we had lots of room.  And a private shower.  We checked in, and the room was ready.  We had a great view of the ocean and could see the cruise ships come in and go out.  And Hooters was just a few steps away, should anyone need some wings.

Saturday we get up early to drive to Miami so I could go experience the 5K, which turned out much better than I could have hoped.  We camped out on South Beach for awhile so we could see some bloobies and some speedos, and Steve could get some sun.  After lunch we checked into Hotel #3.  We stayed here because it is just steps from the start/finish of the half-marathon, and that makes a HUGE difference when the race starts at omigosh-thirty in the morning.  It is also nice when your legs/feet only have a few yards of walking left in them - just enough to get you back to the hotel.  This hotel was the fancy schmancy hotel, and while it did have a fancy schmancy glass shower, at least there were blinds on the window - should anyone not want to put on a show for the hotel across the street.

Once the race was over and Steve felt he was going to live, we packed up our overnight bags and headed back to the beach at Ft. Lauderdale.  By this time I had figured out that this vacation thing was a pretty good idea, so I decided to stick around a bit.  And walk three miles to Michael's and back.

By Thursday, we had reservations for two nights at Disney World in Orlando.  Hotel #4 was a value hotel, but it ended up being just fine.  We had a nice room close to the bus stops, and I managed to shop in every park, even remembering to band-aid up the blisters before I left each day.  

Unbelievably, before I knew it, it was Friday night and time to pack up to return home.  While I had been gone, Komen had gotten the world in an uproar and created a public relations nightmare for the organization.  Maribeth's bathroom had progressed to the almost finished point, until her kitchen cabinets arrived unexpectedly and work had to be halted to unload the delivery.  The cats almost ran out of food, but Molly took care of them.  Lindley decided that she might like swings after all.  In other words, the world kept spinning and I had a week off.  I managed to get back on the plane and even saw parts of Disney World as we were taking flight.

All in all, it was a great trip that I enjoyed very much.  I wonder if that's what a vacation is supposed to be?

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Today's blessings:  Seeing WDW from the air; safe flight home; lunch with Steve and Molly; lots of 3-day postcards; Lindley time

Can We Move On Now?

I doubt it.

Today, Komen reversed its decision to halt funding to Planned Parenthood.  While I could analyze every syllable in their public statement, all that matters to me is that they went back on the ill-advised statement they issued earlier in the week.

Since that first decision, I've read the news, read comments and blogs, and listened to opinions about the whole situation.  No matter what was/is decided, somebody was/is going to be glad/mad/sad about the decision.  People are going to contribute with purpose, or withhold their contributions and contribute to "the other side."  Statistics will be paraded out and facts will be produced and many "important" people will voice their lofty thoughts.  There will be questions of "why" and "who" and "how" but there will be no satisfactory answers, because everybody wants to hear that his or her answer is THE right definitive final answer.

For me (and only for me since that's about all I can manage) I think Komen made the right decision.  I don't doubt they should answer some questions, but so should all huge corporations.  But so should we.  We should ask ourselves why we contribute as we do, and what we hope our contributions will accomplish.  But once that money has left our hands, we place it in the hands of someone we hope will do with it what we planned when we made the contribution.

For me, I hope to help those who have or will have breast cancer.  I want to effect a cure, diagnose the disease, counsel those who face this disease, and help in any way, even if it's just to provide a ride to chemotherapy.  This year I will do it through Komen, whether they do it through their own programs, through Planned Parenthood, or through the local candy store.

Breast cancer is real and needs to be cured.  It's time to put the acrimony behind us and move on to a cure.

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Today's blessings:  phone chats with the Karens and Molly; AK, MK, and HS in one day

When The Light Bulb Goes Out

As usual, I had a bright idea yesterday.  You know, when that light bulb comes on to the side of your head?  Unfortunately, since it takes most of my brain cells to power up the light bulb, those very same brain cells cease to function once the light bulb goes on.  In other words, once the bright idea has been birthed, the brain takes a break, therefore not bothering to think through said bright idea.  Here's how it went down:

Lindley sent word that she wanted some Disney hair clips.  Since I pretty much know the entire inventory of every store on Disney property, I knew that the type of clip she desired was not on property.  Here's where the bright idea came into being.  I decided that I could go to CVS and get the clips, and then go to a local Michael's (I am still in Ft. Lauderdale) and get ribbons and stuff to make them myself.  At this point, the brain clicked to "off."

Strictly on autopilot, I googled for the nearest Michael's store.  On the computer, it was only a few inches away from our hotel.  Google Maps said it was 3-ish miles away.  My barely functioning brain thought, "That's not too far.  That's only a 5K!"  Did I mention that Steve had to car for a business meeting and I decided to walk to Michael's?  At noon?  In my brand new Five Finger Vibrams that I had barely broken in the day before?  You know, the ones that had rubbed blisters on my feet so that my last 100 steps in them looked like I was walking on glass?

Anyhoo, off I went to Michael's.  I made it there, found some of what I was looking for, and headed back.  The walk ended being a total of 6.75 miles, which only the last 1.75 miles were a bit painful since the band-aids that were covering the existing blisters were proving ineffective, and new blisters were forming in sympathy.

In the end, I was glad I went.  I got to see parts of Ft. Lauderdale that I ignored as we drove past in the car.  I got to see a dude using some sort of water jet pack that lifted him above the canal he was in.  I got a long walk in, even though I was passed not only by a tortoise, but by a snail, a slug, and a sloth.  

Too bad my brain woke up in time to remind me (via various painful body parts) of what my good idea felt like!

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Today's blessings: safe drive to WDW; MK and Epcot shopping; dinner with Steve; flower and ready room at check-in; survey project; Steve bringing me sunglasses and blister band-aids

Nobody Wins

Today the Komen foundation announced that it was ending its partnership with Planned Parenthood.  Whether it was political or not, the news has created a flood of comments about Komen, their position, and Planned Parenthood.

I find it all so sad.  Months ago, when I decided to sign up for my fourth Komen 3-Day Walk, I read the comments of those who refused to support Komen because of its support for Planned Parenthood.  While I supported the right of Komen to provide money and grants to Planned Parenthood, I also respected the rights of others to withhold support of Komen because of their feelings about Planned Parenthood.

Now the shoe is on the other foot.  Longtime supporters of Komen are pulling their support of Komen and are decrying the organization because of this new decision.  Again, I understand their frustration.  They, as I do, realize the importance of Planned Parenthood - not only for parenting choices, but for serving women who financially are not able to get medical help and mammograms anywhere else.  But I can't help but wonder if this is a case of throwing the baby out with the bathwater.  Exactly what were the donations to Komen supposed to be about?

If donations were made on behalf of breast cancer, then perhaps the donation is intact.  I can only hope that in the days to come, Komen finds a way to serve the women that it is now denying services.  While I would hope that Komen would reverse its decision, I feel that that may not happen.

If a person's donation to Komen is that person's sole commitment to Planned Parenthood and its services, then the donation should be made directly to Planned Parenthood.  Somehow both these great organizations whose sole purpose is to help women, have become involved in political rhetoric that has caused lines to be drawn in the sand, and once those lines get drawn, it's very difficult to find common ground.

There are no winners here - not those needing help from either organization, not those who support Planned Parenthood, and not those who are against Planned Parenthood.  There are only losers - and they are the ones who need our help the most - those who have breast cancer, especially those ones who don't even know they have it yet.

Somehow, I don't think any of this is what Nancy Brinker had in mind when she started the Susan G. Komen Foundation.  I hope that somehow those lines in the sand get erased, and we get back to the business of saving women from this disease - in every way we can.

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Today's blessings:  Six+ mile walk to Michael's and back