Mad Manatees 2015.4 CLOSED (or Poptart/pet pic ticket) (Page 39)

I was just listening to the radio and they were talking about the Paw Paw fruit. How have I never heard of this little gem?!?!?!?!? Granted I've spent only 6 months of my 4X years on the east coast but still!!!! I need to try it!!!!!!!!

Originally posted by marysia83 This is so interesting! (and funny. Especially from Kowski to Smith) Maria

Smythe!  That's what's so hilarious about it. Our neighbors changed their last name because they were sick of spelling K-o-w-s-k-i and then they had to smell S-m-y-t-h-e!!! 

Originally posted by marysia83 This is so interesting! (and funny. Especially from Kowski to Smith) Maria

My partner's name is Szilvia. In her language an S without the z sounds like SH so the z makes it an S sound

My given name is weird but it's just because my mother decided to be creative, then she started calling me TJ before I can even recall...

Originally posted by jmkizer

Originally posted by marysia83 This is so interesting! (and funny. Especially from Kowski to Smith) Maria

Smythe!  That's what's so hilarious about it. Our neighbors changed their last name because they were sick of spelling K-o-w-s-k-i and then they had to smell S-m-y-t-h-e!!! 

When I give my name for someone to record I automatically spell it, both first and last!

ETA: I am thankful that DH doesn't have a "ski" last name!

Originally posted by rrrunner

Originally posted by jmkizer

Originally posted by marysia83 This is so interesting! (and funny. Especially from Kowski to Smith) Maria

Smythe!  That's what's so hilarious about it. Our neighbors changed their last name because they were sick of spelling K-o-w-s-k-i and then they had to smell S-m-y-t-h-e!!! 

When I give my name for someone to record I automatically spell it, both first and last!

ETA: I am thankful that DH doesn't have a "ski" last name!

Same here.  J-a-n (pause to make sure they got that far or the N will go missing) y-n-e....

Originally posted by jmkizer

Originally posted by rrrunner

Originally posted by jmkizer

Originally posted by marysia83 This is so interesting! (and funny. Especially from Kowski to Smith) Maria

Smythe!  That's what's so hilarious about it. Our neighbors changed their last name because they were sick of spelling K-o-w-s-k-i and then they had to smell S-m-y-t-h-e!!! 

When I give my name for someone to record I automatically spell it, both first and last!

ETA: I am thankful that DH doesn't have a "ski" last name!

Same here.  J-a-n (pause to make sure they got that far or the N will go missing) y-n-e....

OMG that's funny!!!!!!!!!!

Originally posted by jmkizer

Originally posted by marysia83 This is so interesting! (and funny. Especially from Kowski to Smith) Maria

Smythe!  That's what's so hilarious about it. Our neighbors changed their last name because they were sick of spelling K-o-w-s-k-i and then they had to smell S-m-y-t-h-e!!! 

Pronounced like Smith, Smite, Smithee ... ?

Originally posted by brigby1

Originally posted by jmkizer

Originally posted by marysia83 This is so interesting! (and funny. Especially from Kowski to Smith) Maria

Smythe!  That's what's so hilarious about it. Our neighbors changed their last name because they were sick of spelling K-o-w-s-k-i and then they had to smell S-m-y-t-h-e!!! 

Pronounced like Smith, Smite, Smithee ... ?

I think Sm"eye"th

Originally posted by rrrunner

Originally posted by brigby1

Originally posted by jmkizer

Originally posted by marysia83 This is so interesting! (and funny. Especially from Kowski to Smith) Maria

Smythe!  That's what's so hilarious about it. Our neighbors changed their last name because they were sick of spelling K-o-w-s-k-i and then they had to smell S-m-y-t-h-e!!! 

Pronounced like Smith, Smite, Smithee ... ?

I think Sm"eye"th

Correct, long "I"

Steve, I am not a fan of the treadmill. That siad, I have changed my perspective on them after not having one to use since I dumped my gym membership.  The treadmill is like any other tool in your arsenal. It can help you be a better runner.  I had found in the past that it was great for interval or tempo runs. It truly does keep a more steady pace than I ever could.  I'm sure you can google some treadmill workouts that might make things more tolerable when you are on there.  

I would hate to see you have an accident one evening when you are out running, so whichever solution you take, please be careful.

Originally posted by popsracer

Originally posted by marysia83 I want to take a moment and share the reflection of the Thanksgiving holiday and what it means for me. I am not from US, so technically, this should not be part of my culture. On the other hand, it is very accurate to every immigrant or whoever found the safe haven here, in US. I remember when I was in high school, I was lying on the couch and watching TV news. Bunch of political craziness that made everyone living in my country super sick and depressed. And the worst part was – you could have done nothingggg to make your life easier/better (it was years before European Union opened their doors for us.) I remember I was thinking how great it would be to just move to another country, like US or something, where I could live normal, decent life. I remember feeling so depressed by the fact I would never be able to move to another country, and that I would be stick with this awful reality that was feeding us every single damn day… Few years later, I was able to fly to US. I was able to stay here and live my life. I was able to find great people, have great job, have family, live the decent life I always wanted (I am not too demanding. Given where I came from – all I wanted was DECENT life, no fancy shmancy crazy stuff.) Every year on Thanksgiving, I think how thankful I am. I know what those pilgrims felt when they sat down with Indians and had their “thank you” dinner. Even though Thanksgiving is not my culture’s holiday, it is MY holiday. Also, if I were not here, I would probably not have got into triathlon, so just another reason to be thankful Mary G

I loved reading this Mary.  You have a great perspective and outlook on life.

Count me in as a Manatee that loves your outlook. Thank you for the reminder, Mary!

Racing Manatees!!!

November 26-29
Melanie - Sticks & Biscuits Thanksgiving Day 5K on Thursday
Janyne- Ridgewood Turkey Trot 8k on Thursday
Chris - EACF Turkey Trot on Thursday
Ann-Marie - Space Coast HM on Sunday

Disabled List
Mary S. - post-concussion syndrome
Lisa - broken ankle on the mend, three more weeks of the boot
Ben - clavical.  still in sling prison.
Judi - under the weather
Gunnar - nasal issues, CT scan on Monday

Lisa, I'm so sorry to see this.  I was hopeful that you would be getting the news you wanted. I can't wait until we see the "goodbye crutches" note in your logs.  As far as silver linings go, I think the news about stretching and range of motion work that I saw is one, as is your desire to set yourself an IM goal.  

Take time, heal up and you'll be back and better than ever!!!

Race well. Or trot well, if that's your style!

Heal up DL. Wow, we certainly have a full spectrum on that list.

Lots of turkey trotters! - Race well!  

Heal up DLers (including my baby!)

Enjoy trotters! Each year I contemplate doing a turkey trot but each year I decide that I don't want to give up the precious cooking time

Heal up DLers. Poor Gunnar-baby...

Originally posted by marysia83

Originally posted by Richardsdrr I haven't started the build yet Mary. I've been aquiring the parts and making some of the tools, like the nipple driver (snerk). I've got the hub, rim and correct sized spokes. Got a dishing tool, but haven't got a truing stand yet. I know I can get by using my forks but want to make sure I get it spot on at my 1st attempt, don't want to introduce errors before I start. I suppose I could start lacing it ready for truing. Edit: change squirming to aquiring

Sounds like a cool project! Mary G

Agreed. I can't wait to see the finished product(s).

Originally posted by rrrunner

Originally posted by jmkizer

Originally posted by rrrunner

Originally posted by marysia83

Originally posted by rrrunner

Originally posted by marysia83 Thank you all for kind words Speaking of Thanksgiving and food - this year will be my first attempt to do some serious cooking. In the past I did the sides, cranberry, all that fancy stuff. This time I am making turkey... Well, not the whole bird, just the breast. And OMG that breast is so HUGE!! I almost bought two, but when the lady showed me how big it was I changed my mind immediately... That's gonna be fun Mary G

I strongly suggest brining the bird, beginning tonight. Makes it soooo moist. Yum.

I think I've mentioned that my work partner is from Hungary. Her story is much like yours. She knew that in the old country there was no chance to change her situation or her life so as a young twenty-something she moved here and never looked back.  She visits the old country every few years and it always serves as a reminder of why she came here. Her stories amaze me. We as Americans are so blessed to be born here.

Thanks TJ. I will be marinating the meat tonight, and baking it tomorrow morning. We shall see... My friends are making chicken, so there is a back-up plan. I know what your friend feels. I go sentimental once in a while, but once I visit my country I get the reality check slap on my head, and I happily come back. Thankfully, my kids will not have to go through this Mary G

At the risk of turning this in to a PCOJ thread...  whenever the topic of immigration comes up I think of my friend, and her brother who can't come here.  To add to that, I live in a state that borders Mexico so I see the immigration issue from a hands on, day to day experience, but also from a professional one.

Pretty much everyone was an immigrant at one point.  My mother's parents came here as children.  My grandmother was born in Italy and moved here as a small child (most of her siblings were born in Wisconsin).  My grandfather was born in Germany and game here as a small child.  My father's family has been in the country longer.  Kevin's family had the last name Kaiser until it was helpfully changed to Kizer upon immigration.

DH's paternal grandfather was born in Poland, the rest of his side has been here a while.

My family has been here a while but Momma's O'Reilly was changed to Riley when they got here (like that was fooling anyone). Dad's Kilgore was changed to Collins.

Mom's "McGrath" surname remained through the trip made here by her Grandparents. Dad's "Banting" surname goes back well before his grandparents crossed our treacherous northern border as the black sheep of that family. I find the entire immigration discussion to be fascinating, given that we all have one in our families, even if it includes a big boat and Plymouth Rock.  It is one of the tenents of this nation and as Mary pointed out, should be recognized with thankfulness.  It also points up how challenging it is to figure out the current quandry.

And I believe I may be caught up, although that is always a moving target with this group. 

Things seem to have settled a bit at work, although I find myself prepping a project for the third go round.  If nothing else, it is easier to do the setup at this point.

For those of you that are so inclined, I could use some prayers and/or good thoughts for a number of friends.  I had the chance to speak with our Pastor and we have a number of folks facing challenges from a health perspective.  It is a tough time of year to get this kind of news and my heart is breaking for them and their families.  Thank you all so much, and enjoy whatever positives come your way through the rest of the week!

Tough times to be sure.  Mid October my dear friend (and pastor's wife) went in for "routine" surgery. She and her children have Celiacs and I am one of few people she trusts to cook for her family.  Well the "routine" wasn't, and she was in and out of the hospital for the better part of a month, during which time I lost my mother. So at a time when we would have liked to be there for each other we were both lost in our own challenges.  We did continue to pray for each other, and I did continue to help cook for her family, but the timing? I guess we'll know someday why we faced such huge difficulties at the same time.  (We are both doing better now)

That being said, I am happy to pray for your friends.

Good luck racers and hang in there DL'ers.  Hope to see you all dropping off that list soon.

I'm doing this race tomorrow though I use the word "race" pretty loosely.

(TDAY.jpg)

Ha! Enjoy!

Stitches came out today, actually 20-some staples. Kind of weird as a nerve was acting up, deadening the area some. Didn't feel the actual pull, but left with the after effect hurting for some. Did get approval for some mild work like stationary recumbent bike or elliptical.