Tell us your GOOD STUFF, Week of 12.9.11

• In the midst of feeling like a useless wretch (which I more or less currently am), it's really nice to be able to do things like pray for people, call people and see how they are, etc. and realize I'm not all that useless after all.
• I received some really lovely e-mails from old friends ... and flames.
• I have been able to do some yoga this week, and have moments where I feel almost normal!
• After 35 years, I've finally gotten (and try to continue to get, quite an easy forgetter here) that when you're sick, you rest. Period.
• I can eat things almost resembling normal meals and keep them down!
• In the midst of what I perceive to be less-than-ideal times, my Funny Farm and extended farm ... ahem, BT, FB, many wonderful loved ones ... are always a source of joy, support, and inspiration.

I have LOTS!

• We were lucky enough to afford 8 Salvation Army angel tree kids this year.  The kids and I did a huge shopping spree at Target for toys, clothes, shoes, coats, 2 bikes, etc.  All donated.  The kids picked out good stuff.
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• Amy and I went to an awesome holiday party last night hosted by my employer, Signature Consultants.  It was a formal event at the Omni Hotel in downtown Charlotte with great food, open top-shelf bar, DJ, dancing, raffles, the Marines with Toys for Tots.  Amy bought a new dress for the occasion.  It's been a long time since we've gone to one.  Most companies are cutting back or are afraid to have alcohol served at a company event.  This was an old-fashioned Christmas party with lots of people partying and hooking up.
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• Kyle passed his nunchaka weapons re-test in Tae Kwon Do in front of an open training-class of about 40 kids and 30 parents - all by his lonesome, little, 7-yr-old self!  Master Berry asked him to do this because after his first test, Master Berry said he passed, but Kyle said he didn't see that he missed one of his catches and didn't deserve to pass yet.  The little dude wasn't fazed one bit by testing by himself in front of so many people!
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• The family got in TWO visits to the Second Harvest Food Bank to put in some heavy-duty, manual-labor volunteer work so far this month.  It's actually a great workout.  Sorting a thousand cans of food and stacking boxes is good training.
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• The kids got back excellent report cards.  Gracie once again with straight-A's and dean's list.  Kyle's reading at a 3rd grade level and is the highest in his 1st grade class.
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• My 1-yr CT & PET scans show that I'm still in remission and cancer-free!  WOOT!
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• We have an answer to Amys abdominal problems.  At least knowing is good.
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• I have time to be back on BT which is GOOD STUFF!

I'm in a good mood and in a good place.  Good stuff for this week!  And a GREAT holidays to everyone here!!! 

My good stuff ?

I am now six weeks post op from my knee surgery.

After spending over 360 HOURS in a continuous passive motion machine, I will now be free.

FREE!!

* Last night was the first board meeting for Lucky Cause Sports (www.luckycausesports.org). It's official -- we're officers of a (soon-to-be) non-profit race promotion company! Lots of work to do...

* It's Friday! The weather has been nice but cold (for Seattle), and I'm closing in on 1000 miles running for the year. Not that it's a huge mileage total (wrote about that in my blog a few days ago), but it's still kind of exciting.

* Also closing in on having the Christmas shopping done.

Doug, how was the coat closet?  

Sucked!  They had a coat room with coat-check girls hanging everything on hangars.  No privacy at all!  Getting a room at the Omni would've been too sterotypical (and expensive).  But there are always options.  She drove the van and parked in a secluded garage.  I wanted to show her my cubicle.  Don't forget about the office copy machine...

Actually, if you read this post:  http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=415396&posts=14&start=1

She was more about smacking me away.  We were just thrilled that she was able to dance after her last "dance" the day before. 

wow, some really good news here!

I'll add in the midst of some not so great news this week, I finally got the courage to pull the trigger and sign up for ironman Kentucky!  Yay for hot weather races!

I've got some awesome friends, amazing family and the coolest employees.  

I PRd my half mary and I know I have more in me

Christmas lights are up all over!

It's actually the other way around. {MELON PRESS}

"Like"

*Over the course of 2 weeks I have lost 8lbs

*It was a very good week at work, business wise

*I get to spend this weekend with my dad

*I had an extremely good workout week, and I like where this is going

* (Bit of background: I work at a call center coaching people as they quit using tobacco.) I had a therapist who smokes tell me that she thought I was awesome and that her state is lucky they have me there to help people quit tobacco. (This is in direct contrast to my supervisor, who says I set up callers to be disappointed when they talk to other coaches because I'm too willing to talk with them about how I manage depression/anxiety!!) It's wonderful to get some affirmation from people who actually know what they're talking about.

*I got a response to a job inquiry in an arena I'm really interested in. Keeping my fingers crossed....

*Just got home from a weekend in Breckenridge, CO, with my partner. Couldn't ski but it was still great to get the heck out of Dodge.

*The dog is exhausted from her weekend at "camp". She's a border collie mix. Having her worn out and sleeping is relaxing in and of itself.

A bit late to the show this week but...

work has been so crazy for the last month I hardly can turn around without another stack of stuff appearing on my desk. in some ways it makes the time fly but it also gives me a habit of working through lunch because I get focused on something, which does not make my supervisor very happy.

our house we moved into 2 months ago is almost all together and we are down to routine maintenance. I cleaned the gutters for the first time today and am guessing the previous owners did not clean them often/at all. it was a little disgusting but that happens.