Good News in October. So Far ... running, birthdays, organizing and much more

I know, I know.  As some of you might remember I said I would update the good news as soon as I open my laptop.  Well, I will be honest.  I have just opened it for the first time in over a week today.  I just have been under motivated.  Actually, I have been sleeping.  I think the radiation is wearing me out.  Oh yeah, I am getting zapped on purpose.  We are getting ready for the last of the treatments and that was a little radiation to the lung.  Soon, I shall get angry and turn into a huge green rage monster.
In an case, I am glad you guys have stuck with me and shared your drama free good news.  The world has gotten even worse in some senses with the election coming up and the shooting in Ottawa.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and fine Canadian soldiers that were senselessly killed this past week.  I hope that even through all of this madness we can see the great tiny victories we have every day.  So here it is.

Good News for the Weeks of 11 and 18 October 2014

• I got to run this past weekend.  It was just a mile and it was very windy but it was awesome.  I will get out again this weekend. Space, please remind me to get out of bed and do this.
• Josie got back from her vacation at Siesta Key.  I have heard how awesome that place is.  Perhaps I shall visit it some time.  Also, perhaps you might visit Duck and Marathon Key.
• Stephanie ran 7 miles last weekend.  I hope it wasn't as windy as my run but otherwise totally awesome.  One day we might actually go on a run together, I hope.
• Danielle gave an update on the re-organization of her classroom.  It is finally feeling like "hers/mine" and  the seating arrangement is more conducive to doing labs.  Mark helped with some decorations.  Evidently it is time for a review of the expectations which is teacher speak for reminding everybody of the rules.  I remember those reminders in labs usually came with a suspension because of some fire I caused.  Here comes the boom.  Her students like to clean glassware.  In my entire academic and professional career I have never seen anybody that likes to clean glasswear.  There must be some amazing reward that she is giving out, like chocolate perhaps?
• Gwen is with her old trainer again.  Totally awesome. 
• Donna had a bike ride with Sean through Pennypack Park on an awesome day.  I agree the mild weather has been amazing and given us amazing chances to enjoy the go out to places like Pennypack.  That is a cool park.
• Jennifer had a good birthday.  Cool and happy birthday.  You have survived the Earth hurtling around the sun one more time.  If you have to grow old, never grow up.
• Melissa designed her new kitchen and her bother-in-law the contractor approved it.  Great, more chance for bread pudding and cobbler. 
• Howard had a great time at the North Central District (Regional) Conclave.  I have always heard great things about the event and one day I will attend.
• Melissa's twins turned 9.  My, how time flies.  Did we grow up so fast when we were kids?
• Donna is taking charge and to top it off she ran a 5 mile race.  Results please.  5 milers were always fun races.  I remember one back in Ohio with all you can eat pancakes afterward.
• Space reports that the Psycho had her first US meet of the season.  Three days of swimming awesomeness and a great way to start the season.
• Maggie has finalized her plans for the trip to Philly.  I'll see you in about a week and a half.
• Pam had some great visits with her mom and did some craft projects along the way.  It is awesome and say hey to Peggy and the rest of the gang for me.
• Danielle had a great bike ride downtown for Open House Chicago.  It sound like a lot of fun.  

So much good news to share and I am overjoyed by all of it.  I may be transfering some of the good news duties in the coming weeks to some guest bloggers.  It all depends on how my body is reacting to the treatment.  In any case, it will be an interesting few weeks so I look forward to more good news.  Also, check out Spaces new/old review blog.  It is awesome as well.

A Report of the Tiny Victories for the Second Half of September

Okay, okay.  So if you want to call what I did was serious slacking off, you can just look at the title of this blogpost.  I had this plan as of late last week to make the good news a giant blast of victories from the third half of September.  And some really bad stuff is happening. This thing has got really looking forward to my transplant in an isolation unit.  My heart and all those warm and fuzzy feelings go out to that dude and his family.  Having trouble with those still in those countries but that is another thing.  So much crappy things going on out there we need a giant blast of the good news.  So here I go with a deep breath...

Good News for the last half of September 2014

• Hannah had a department picnic.  I hope it was fun and without meteorological instability.
• Shana went running.  Awesome and given the date that was the Rock n Roll Phill Half.  I saw you there, I am sure of it.  Go Team.
• Harold bought boy scout.  Made from fresh Boy Scouts.  Those boy scouts make some delicious popcorn.
• Donna went and ran the RnR Philly marathon as well.  She seemed to be excited about finding see a friend there too.  She also got a bunch of fall/winter clothes for not too much and to top it off she seems to be taking control of her own life.  That is the way it should be.  Take control sister and when things feel like they are out of control take control for yourself.
• Danielle found out that presenting at middle school curriculum night isn't as scary as she thought it was and she got to see some of her students at Beach Sweep helping a good cause then hopefully had a restful afternoon ahead of the North Shore Century the next day.
• Maggie has everything ready for Chuck's trip to Belgium and the tablet tutorial was going well.  What I would give to have been a fly on that wall.
• Melissa reports that after 18 years Pete has learned out her mind works and can follow her train of thought.  A warning for Pete.  This doesn't mean you know what she is thinking.  Don't ever assume that.
• Erin became an Ironman.  That is awesome time infinity.  I can barely swim and biking is right out.  So totally awesomeness.
• Shana is back it was good to see me, with hair!
• Donna reports that the race was awesome.  You looked like you had it handled at mile 11. So good on ya.
• Mandy got her Beach to Bell medal.  I love extra medals.
• Christopher had the traditional family visit to the apple orchard and the weather was fine.  Yum, unprocessed apple pie.
• Donna saw me on Saturday.  It is a different Donna that saw me this time.
• Danielle did it.  She completed her second century ride, despite the wind.  Way to go.
• Maggie says that Chuck made it to Belgium without much incident but also no sleep.  That was a big mistake.  That is the way to start off a trip exhausted.
• I ran a 5k.  I actually ran a 5k and then walked about four miles at the half marathon the next day just to clap for the runners there.
• Allison said that Washington Pro had a great Shrimpfest.  One of these days I will make it to one.
• Harold's niece one first place at the horse show.  I am sure the horse has something to do with it as well.
• Susan affirms Allison's assertion that the Shrimpfest was great. Saw old brothers and met new ones.
• Melissa spent an enjoyable evening with her 12 year old and he was only mildly embarrassed to be with her in public.  That means you are not trying hard enough.
• Josie had a great Fall Gala and raised some money for the Y.
• Bill is joyous that Mizzou beat South Carolina.
• Susan gives the reminder that Indiana beat Mizzou the week prior.
• Danielle says "I have lots of ideas brewing about how to rearrange and decorate my classroom to make it function better for teaching and learning. Already implemented the first one and can't wait for the kids to see on Monday!"
• Timah says that next to HI-KY there is just three words.  Little Brown Jug.  Go Golden Gophers.
• Donna was excited about hosting the comedy night to benefit the LLS.
• Elizabeth says the Magic Bands came in the mail and a vacation seems in order.  Not sure what that is about but it sounds like fun.
•  Jason says that Jodi's whole family including two uncles, cousins and the grandkids get together every fourth Sunday for a potluck.  Jason says, "Total craziness, but what a cool tradition in today's disconnected society."  I totally agree and that is why I was demanding dinner at the table for the few months we were in Tn.  
• Cindy reports that the Packers beat the Bears and "all is well in Wisconsin."  Don't tell Timah.
• Pam says that Bo got his truck running after being down a while.  Also, Mathew is getting back to the routine which includes choir and running club.  So great with post surgery and  being able to breath through his nose for the first time ever.  Running, did somebody say running.  I am so happy to hear that we have another runner in the family.
• Donna is feeling good, healthy and strong.  It is amazing what can happen when you run.  Running is good.
• Jeff reports that 8 shrimp and more food missed me dearly.  Yum, cocktail.
• Melissa got $10k to remodel her kitchen from her mother in-law.  Aren't mother-in-laws wonderful?  I hope you are using that remodeled kitchen to make bread pudding... for me. ;)
• Maggie is getting great pictures from Chuck of Belgium and is enjoying the scrabble game and the e-mails from her granddaughter.  I can only assume the Psycho is being good with her e-mails.  Some of the things that come out of her mouth can really strain the senses.
• Maggie comes back with the remote is in quiet mode and the TV is no longer rolling through the channels.  What a concept.
• Danielle got to visit the alma mater and though the Illini lost to Purdue it was good being back on campus visiting the Quad and showing Mark the tunnels that connect the chemistry buildings then joining friends for lunch at Murphy's.  It sounds like a lot of fun.  It always bugs me when I see the children at colleges these days.  I was never that young.
• As you may have noticed time is moving about so Maggie is reported the return of Chuck from his European vacation.  I am sure he had a lot of fun which included buying a bike.  As a runner I never have that problem.  Just bring the shoes and I am good.
• Noel had a 20 miler for some training and it was very successful.  You know what else was successful the fundraiser she had on the previous Friday night.
• Jeff informs us that the Jackets are 5-0 and that baseball with Will is going well this fall.  So close.  My tech was so close to beating your tech but there can be only one per season.
• Raymond finally had a weekend off and got to snuggle with the girls so it was a good day.  I know the feeling.  Snuggling is good.
• Just in case we did not know it Helen wants us to know that the Orioles swept the Tigers.
• Thanks to Sandy for letting us know that the Royals are unbeaten in postseason ball for the past 28 years including their sweep of the Angels. Ah postseason baseball.  I love it because my Pirates have made it to extra games twice in the past to postseasons.
• And Donna wraps this up with that I got my port out. Which for those of you that don't know that means I am heading to stem cell transplant at the end of the month.

So that is it.  What a plethora of great tiny victories.  A lot of running which is awesome.  Also, would like to report that I have a new website to support my little consulting business.  Check it out.  www.rae-tec.com  I would like to thank all of your for your patience and still giving me the material to fill this messed up blog with a little shiny happy. Not just the rants of a mad man.