Good New! 2016!

Hey there everybody.  It is I Duff with my big time Inner Monologue.  Well last year I just was not motivated and it showed.  I tried to keep up the Good News bloging but I just didn't keep it up.  I want to thank you for your patience, understanding and continued sharing of your tiny victories.  I will try to do better in 2016.  So I asked for some sharing and you guys came through.  So here goes.

Good News for the week of the New Year 2016

• Well I started this off with my own victory by staying out of the hospital over the holidays and of course my Hokies won the Independence bowl.  It was a great send off for Coach Beamer.  I remember way back in 1993 when the Virginia Tech bowl streak started at the Independence bowl.  I had tickets to the game but couldn't make it to Shreeveport, La.  Still a good week.
• Melissa reports that it has stopped raining down in VA.  I tend to like the rain.  It was great to run in.
• Cindy not only had a good time but managed to the survive the 4-H club lock-in.  She even learned so new tips about homemade candies.  I hope you can send some "samples" my way.  For quality control purposes, of course.
• Danielle has her cousin from Argentina visiting and is two weeks into her training for an 8k.  Totally awesome. I always enjoy a visit from family.  I get to show off the city and the food.  Congrats on the training.  Keep it up.
• Donna took the kids to Disney On Ice and is already planning on the runs and the training needed for 2016.  Way to go on the planning, I hope to join you at some point.  I saw Disney on Ice with the Psycho several years ago.  It was fun for all.  I can only imagine how rich with content it is now with all the new Disney stuff like Marvel and Star Wars.
• Josie had a tumor removed from under Max's ear.  The puppy is doing great and recovering well.  
• According to Erin, Dom joined the rugby club and in the winter clinic some of the instructors were members of the All Blacks.  That is amazing.  Is he interested in Rugby 7s or full roster (15) Rugby?
• Donna came back with the last call for good news where a neighbor gave her a beautiful blue and white parakeet.  Nice.  When shall we be expecting parakeet egg omelets?  Oh, that is weird.  Perhaps, I should consider... nah it is there and there it will stay.
• Maggie got a new laptop from Santa and is having fun learning Windows 10.  I like it to.  I just upgraded my laptop to W10 and it is a much friendlier OS than W8.  
• Donna ran her first 5k after a run in with bursitis and didn't take an walk breaks.  Like I said earlier I hope to get out there this year.  So far I am just working on walking a bit.
• Stephanie ran her annual NYD 5k a little faster than she expected and even stomped out the DNF bug buzzing around her head.  It is an even year and perhaps we can get out for a run or two at Conclave in Atlanta.
• Matt and the clan were about to Baymax at Epcot.  I assume it went well.  I love Epcot.  Except in the final mile of the Disney Marathon.  That can make it evil but still awesome.
• And to finish it off Niny was enjoying her last days of vacation on the beach.  Oh, the sand between the toes and the gentle sound of the waves cresting.  I do like the beach.

So I hope to keep this up better this year but I make no promises.  But thank you so much for sharing you good news.  It warms the heart to see the positivity in all of this drama and negativity. Till the next time and watch out for my inner monologue coming out on screen.  This stuff is racing around in my brain and I just need to get it out there.  Till next time.  Toodles.

A Hallowed Good News

Here we go again.  Yes, it is another good news regurgitated.  Perhaps some blood and gore. Or a little trick and we kick off another episode of Good News with some bad news.  How about some drama.  This may get you a little depressed but there will be none of that crap.  This is Good News.  Drama free but maybe some blood, gore and regurgitation.  So take this.





Good News from way back in the week of 17 Oct 2015

• Melissa reports that Ethan took forth place in Feis (Irish Dance)  So awesome.  Proof positive that if you put forth the effort you will get the prize. (pun intended)
• Niny tells us that she made it through the 5 mile mark at the Tough Mudder.  That race is no joke.  I am sure mud is still being found weeks later.
• According to Josie that it has been 6 months since Max's bad diagnosis and he is still with us.  Way to go Max.  Forget what the diagnosis says.  That is what I always say.
• Donna is giving big props to the coaches that are getting her ready for the Philadelphia Marathon.  She completed her 15 mile run and walked another 2 miles the next day.  Evidently, her legs are still attached.  I start off by saying Go Team and then Go Donna.  You are doing great and I will be out there cheering you on.  Remember as one of Duff's Donnas we say "eff cancer."
• Danielle set a PR at Frank Loyd Wright race.  This time the time was recorded under her name where the previous PR was under a friends name.  Congratulations on the PR.  It seems like some sort of theme in today's good news.  Spooky, isn't it.
• Cindy celebrated her fathers 80th birthday with many of his friends and family.  One day I will be that young.  
• Stephanie logs in with an 8 mile run.  I need to get myself out there and put on some miles as well.  Good on ya.
• Space, the Psycho and I spent the weekend in NYC where we stayed a cute little B&B.  We toured around SOHO which included a personalized BirchBox and custom lipstick among other things.  All topped off with a visit to the Bronx Zoo and a little party at my sister's boyfriends place.  We had a cool yet exhausting weekend.

 What a great bunch of good news.  About that theme it seems best said that with hard work come the reward.  Keep up the hard work and the tiny victories.  I miss these little reminders and need to work harder at getting them republished.  Thanks everybody and Boo!

Good News: Eventually Posted with Classic Good New Thrown In

Hey everybody.  It is about that time that I sit down and get some good news out.  I know that 2015 has been a sporadic year for my good news posts.  I try to remember to ask for these tiny, non-drama related victories on a regular basis but again that is not to be.  Well, things have been going great for me these days.  I have stayed out of the hospital for over a month.  The psycho finished the seventh grade and is now a teenager.  I guess I should expect some new drama in my life but I think I can handle it.
The weird part is that I am writing this from the blood and marrow transplant unit here at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital where I recieved my stem cell transplant and where I am usually taken when I have complications.  Unlike other times in the past, I am just here as a visitor to say hi to the staff of physician assistants, technician, doctors and ,of course, the Rescue Ninjas (RNs).   They got startled when I came by because they thought I was sick again but instead I just wanted to visit and used there family lounge for some piece and quiet.  Either way, it is great feel so welcome and realize that there are people that truelly care about my well being.  That is those beyond my family that are legally required to care no matter what a jerk I become.  Either way, I should get on to some good news that was share with me in the past few weeks.

Good News for the month of July 2015 with some classic good news thrown in as well.:

• Josie spread the news that it was Dave's birthday.  Way to go.  You survived another revolution around the sun.  I sure miss running with you dude.  I know I was slow but you were amazingly patient.  Our last run was a blast through the double scissors (I think that was the name) course.
• Mandy reports that her step daughters and her all set new PRs at the 5k that weekend.  The icing on the cake was coming in 1st and 2nd in the age groups.  Also, a negative (clear) report came from the bone growth biopsy on her step son's femur.  Those may be beyond the category of tiny victory.  In the spirit the Tour de France lets call them HC tiny victories.
• Sherrie saw Violent Femmes, Barenaked Ladies and Rolling Stones all live in Raleigh last week.  Once again another HC tiny victory.  I am so jealous.
• Danielle completed 4 weeks of C2 5k training without the need of an inhaler.  Also, she tried kayaking for the first time.  So cool.  Keep up the good work.
• Time for some Classic Good News:  Maggie and Chuck finnaly joined the 21st century and got smart phones with data plans and everything.  It is awesome to be able to connect the world with such ease.
• Donna has had some knee trouble but got a new knee brace and gutted out a good six miler with TnT.  She also took the kids to Shankweiler's Drive In Theatre to see Minions and Terminator.  So awesome.  Space, the Psycho and I love drive in theaters.  We will have to check it out soon.  Even more to add, she got some dictation work which always helps but she is having some trouble with some oddball friend that keeps asking for good news.  What a jerk. He must be tired of all the drama in the world and the media that covers it.
• Cindy was helping with finding that special one to say yes to the dress with her daughter.  I know the perfect dress is out there and you guys will find it if you haven't already.
• Maggie came back with the countdown for her granddaughter coming to visit.  I believe it is only 3 weeks now.  I know you guys will have fun but remember she is a teenager now and remember how I was at that age.  I guess the real good news is that you get to put back on a plane to her parents afterwards.  

What a great batch of good news.  Oh, damn I forgot.  My good news is that I ran.  That is right.  I ran for a grand total of a quarter of a mile with walking warm up and cool down added on.  It was short and my lungs burned but it felt good.  It felt so awesome to just move the feet and see the world through the runners eyes again.  Again, I think we may have to categorize this as a HC tiny victory. 
Well, that is it for now and thanks so much for sharing.

Out from the Ashes of Piles of Drama Comes Good News From Last Week

Like the phoenix rising from the ashes or more like my shift key coming unstuck after the beginning of a sentence, here comes a belated set of good news from last week.  I got to say the past week has been kind of crappy to say the least.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those out there and their families.  Lets hope that the drama builders cease being insane and get their heads out of their asses.  Perhaps, we should share with them some of our good news to realized that there are good things going on in the universe. Now after many a long naps comes...

Good News for the week of 12 July 14

• Donna has come back to say that she survived a "Sh*t storm," at work and is still kicking it on the job front.  Also, it looks like September training is going well.  I can't wait to see you out there Rock'n and a Roll'n in the fall.
• Melissa found out that she was going to have 3 kid free days.  I think that means all 3 kids will be gone for 3 days.  Altogether that makes 9 days.  So sometime next week she can tell us how it was.  I actually had a Psycho free week and at first it was okay and silent but I ended up missing the lunatic fairly quickly.
• Maggie got home.  I know the trip she was on and Lewis and Clark would be impressed.  Either way, they made it home safe and that is the important thing.
• Pam and Bo renewed their wedding vows to celebrate their 10th anniversary.  They celebrated more with friends and family in Montgomery and they will be without kid as Mathew will be spending another couple of weeks with the grandparents.
• Donna got a mysterious Pi donation on her fundraising page. 
• Danielle came back from an unplugg for quite a bit to get back in touch with nature at Tunnel Trail Campground.  She slept in an actual tent and bike the Elroy Sparta trail and iced the cake with buying baked goods from genuine Amish people.  It seemed like a good time. 

Well, guys thanks for the good news.  It makes me happy to see it coming up even with all the insanity.  Thanks again and I am sorry for it being so late.  Please keep up the good news and tell your friends.