Guess What Day It Is! Good News Weekly (19 April 2014)

Holy Gemoly it is 2320 on Tuesday and I am actually getting to this posting.  I had a wonderful Easter and for those of you that celebrate it or at least go home for a good meal I hope you had a wonderful Easter as well.  For the rest of you, well... I expect that you had a good weekend.  In any case I still couldn't bring myself to try the Easter Cheese. Either way, here it goes.

Good News for the Week of 19 April 2014

• Melissa's youngest has reached his life goal at the ripe age of 8.  He rode the roller coasters at Busch Gardens.  Actually, at about that age I think that was my goal as well.
• Donna had to clean all the dirt out of the soles of her shoes in preparation for the Nike Women's half marathon in DC.  Have fun this weekend.
• Chuck is moving the plants outside since the frost is done for the year or at least until fall.
• Susan had a wonderful week and now has her mandatory time off so another wonderful week is in progress.
• Abbey just bought her first mountain bike and all gear up for the Wildflower Mountain Bike Tri in 2 weeks.  
• Don reports that the cubs are 4-11.  Well my Pirates are 9-12 but the season is long and things can change. For Pirates at least.
• I went running.  That's right I went for a run for the first time in just over 3 months.  It hurt and sucked but it was awesome.
• Danielle has a bunch of news to report so hang on.  Autumn's weight is back over 8lbs.  Almost big enough to cook up and eat. She and Mark started up on C25k training and she got out on a bike ride on a beautiful day. 
• Max's person Josie reports that he turned 14 this past weekend.
• Christina worked on Saturday.  Okay I am going to imagine how this is good news and accept it.
• Jennifer and her mom did not kill each other when her parents visited.
• Donna had a great time at Run or Dye.  Got dyed but not too much.  Bonus was at the end and was surprised that it ended so quickly.

Another week and another batch of victories.  Keep it up guys.  It looks like you are gearing up for future events so keep us informed.  Of course if you want to add to the good news leave in the comments so we can all celebrate the victories.  As I have said before I am working on some inner monologue things so beware my rantings will eventually get back here.

Good News Weekly 12 April 2014

Well, I had these plans to possibly get the good news out early seeing as it was kind of a shortened week.  My man Timah had put the logic together in a short post.

Because Friday is Good Friday and we are off I'm declaring today as Wednesday. We will call it "fake Hump Day!"

But then I fell asleep and then Agents of Shield came on and that was that.  Of course actual Hump Day came and eventually it was bed time and excuses and more excuses.  So here I am on the Friday of the week.  In any case it was a great gathering of good news this week.  Lets get to it and I will start it off.

Good News for the Week of 12 April 2014

•  I had an interesting scare with an extremely low phosphate concentration in my blood.  The interesting part is that when this happens other electrolytes make radical changes along with the phosphate but that did not happen.  The doctors were befuddled which is funnier than you might think.  Then my phosphate levels returned to normal that night and I broke the rules and set a land speed record by getting out in just one day.
• More me.  I put out the notice to save the date for my 39th birthday for a 39 mile run.  More details will be coming soon.
• Donna's daughter, Kelly, turned 14 on Friday and so far she has survived the teenage thing so far.  Also her running buddy is ready to run again and it kicking cancers butt.  She has also come to terms with an internal struggle which is awesome.  Donna also is racing in the Run or Dye this Saturday.
• Tracy reports that her sweet newborn baby is no longer colicy and she is feeling better. 
• Helen is visiting Michael's grandmother who is 93.  That is awesome, thanks to modern technology I can video chat with my grandmother since I am not able to visit her.  
• Laura says it's spring break.  She it taking the time to visit some national parks with the family and some amazing friends.  I have thought about going on the national park circuit but my tendency is to run through them and that will leave out the family.
• Cindy's husband visited the ER and had a stress test and they were all negative (which means good).  Evidently, he is going to de-stress with some machine guns this past weekend.  I remember the soft gentle touch of the firing off an entire mag from a well cleaned M16.  It was like pillows bumping my shoulder.
• Over half of Susan's lab is on mandatory PTO so it should be a quiet week.
• At Alpha Omega Matt and Jen are helping to initiate brothers from Beta Iota for the first time in forty years. Brothers at the Swamp will be awesome.
• Maggie is doing a little spring cleaning and it is going great and it helps relieve the stress.  Also, the last kumihimo class of the season is done.  I don't know how she will go so long without teaching.
• Melissa's mother -in-law took the kids and she had the day to herself and she got garden in piece except for one helpful chicken.
• Jen had a great time at an initiation at the Tampa pre-colony.  More brothers come from Florida.  Awesome!
• Abbey had date night with the "hubby."  I think I remember dating.  Space and I may have actually gone on one recently. 
• Patrick interviewed at the University of Iowa and they want him.  A formal offer is forthcoming, soon.  They also like is idea for a course, Development in Ghana.
• More from Patrick, high of 77 and it is Springfest on campus.  And, there is a shepherd in Scotland that dyes his sheep different colors to delight passers bye.
• Danielle reports, that despite the forecast for a wintery mix, she has finally clear the house of the last signs of winter.  She got her first sunburn of the year and that means it was nice enough to be outside for most of the day.  Perhaps, the rain delayed enough for her to break in her new shoes and/or run some errands on the bike.
• Pam's son Mathew turned 10 on saturday and had a nice day with family and new friends.  She also reports that her mom is driving short distance again.  It is good to see my Aunt regaining her independence.  Great news from the Texas branch of the family.
• Josie took Max and Dolce to the vet and they had clean check ups.  Max is going to be 14 this week and has some old man issues but it is all good.  
• Jen got her spring on last thursday.  She got to play outside in some 75 degree weather.  So lucky you guys are with spring weather.  Not so much of that here in SE Pennsylvania.
• Susan come backs with here Taxes are done had a beautiful day at the beach.  She had dinner with her parents and some aunts.  
• Jason found his lost wedding ring.  Hoorah!  I could imagine the grief that may have caused.
• Diana finished her sixth half marathon and her third one with her mom. Amazing.  The hardest part was not getting to the finish but getting to the start.  Congratulations.

Well, that was bit of great news.  So many victories and so much sharing.  It is such a shame that I got lazy and it took so long for me to get out the post.  I promise to be more diligent in the future.  Of course we know from past data that the trend would have an outlier.  Well, I got some great news to share next week and I hope you guys continue to share.

Hump Day Victories of Week Gone Past 5 April 2014

Another week and another set of wins.  Lets start off with the obvious.  It is Wednesday and I am actually getting this out on time.  So whohoo for that bit of awesomeness.  It was touch and go there for a moment but I will get on that later.  I was way off my game last week and posted late but I gave is a 24 hour cooling off period before asking each and every one of you to share your good news.  And you came through, so here it goes.

Good News for the Week of 5 April 2014

• My doc reports that the chemotherapy is working and has reduced my anti-biotics to 3 days a week.  Two more hits of chemo and I am off to transplant.
• Jen reports that her doc did not send her to the hospital which means the leg is on the mend.  
• Donna celebrated the beautiful day and the wonderful spring like weather.  I did the same.
• Danielle's mom is back a home enjoying her warm Pepsi and is at home recovering from her surgeries.  To top it off the doc says that her mom is cancer free.  That is totally wicked, awesome.
• Susan got here stuffed microbe from Helen's company.  It was warm out that day.  She also reports "I'm sad for coworkers loses of loved ones at work, but it is nice to see how everyone pulls together to let them know we care and are there for them."
• Niny reminds us that Spring is actually coming.  It is about time.
• Helen is glad to get the chance to see me on Sunday as well as other brothers.  We all had a good time at brunch and the winery. 
• Christinia passed here board exams and is a Board Certified CMNT. Also, her fuzz is returning from spring break in NM.  And the Kenwick lions are 7-0!  
• Carolyn went for her first bike ride with TnT and didn't fall.  Those zero mile an hour crashes can be very tough to take.
• Pam had a successful yard sale at her moms the other day.  Sold alot of stuff and it was fun.  Mathew had his lemonade stand and though it was not a warm day, he did rather well.
• Josie had a great trip to Key West last week.  I wish I could trip and fall into Key West soon.
• Donna is excited for the Hot Chocolate 15k with her peeps on Sunday.  I will be out there soon with you guys just for a run and a chat.
• Maggie reports "Went to a bead store that is closing , got lots of good deals.enjoyed the day with my good friend and kumihimo partner Nancy."  Kumihimo is an obsession bordering on addiction.  

Well, I could not have asked for a better batch of good news.  Our victories are getting greater as the weeks go along.  Perhaps you may feel like each week needs to better than the rest.  Don't let this hold you back.  Good news is good news and we need to celebrate that all by itself.  Keep it up. It warms my heart to have you share with not only me but with everyone else.  I may even, one day, encourage you to reach out to your friends outside of my network to contribute.  This is bigger than all of us.  Thanks so much.

Good News from the Week of 29 March 2014

Well, I have no excuse for being late this time.  I was eating dinner with Space when I realized that it was Friday.  Despite all of that I put out two requests for good new and you guys came through with glorious results.  So here it goes.

Good News for the Week of 29 March 2014

• Melissa's math challenged child defeated the challenge with a $0.99 kindle app.
• My Man Timah found that students today actually care about their eduction and that they actually care about other students as well as their teachers.  That is awesome and Timah you are awesome for teaching these kids.
• Donna is taking care of her finances and she is doing her taxes which means a little money coming in for much needed repairs.  Also, the Run or Dye is coming up and her running buddy is breathing better and may be able to run with her again.
• Pam found a great orthodontist for Mathew and saw some serious issues and sent them to an ENT doc who then referred them to an allergy specialist.  This means a good plan of attack by a set of specialists is on the way.  Way to go.
• Danielle celebrated her grandmothers 90th birthday and her mother is able to drink clear liquids now.  Now on to warm Pepsi.
• Maggie had a softball picnic.  Good food.  Good friends. Good Times.
• Robert reports that the Psycho and Space have same shoe size and can share shoes.  They both got some cute brown oxfords and some black 2" heals.
• Danielle comes back with minimal soreness after helping a friend move and the weather is looking good for a bike ride.
• Cindy had a CT and it showed a broken rib but  did not show a tumor.  Totally awesome.  Tumors are no fun and neither are broken ribs.  Space tends to break one of mine when I snore too loud.
• Helen had a great installation at Georgia Southern.  New brothers at a new chapter.  What could be better.
• Pat says Nickel Creek got back together to make another album.
• Abbey had race day and I am sure she kicked ass out there.  Go Team.
• Jen was not in the hospital this past weekend.  
• Josie is in Key West enjoying the sun and not in the Cleveland snow.
• Donna has the kids and husband otherwise occupied for some peace and quite.  I love the sound of silence sometimes myself.
• Donna reports that there were lots awesome running buddies were badass at the Love Run this past weekend.
• Jen had a great spring break.

You guys really came through and you are awesome.  I am glad I asked twice because I got a lot of extra stuff.  Thanks for your patience on this guys.

What, what. It's Hump Day Good News

So I am going try and BS my way into this being the plan.  I thought it would be nice to take on hump day blues by reminding everybody of their victories from last week.  Yeah that is right.  It has nothing to do with I got lazy or kind of forgot to take care of this earlier.  Well, here it goes.  Our good news from the past week.

Good News for the week of 22 March 2014

• Bill reports that with temps in the 70's, they had their best sales of the year.
• My latest scan shows that the chemo is working and the tumors are going away.
• Allison concurs and adds on the awesomness with the Lego Movie song.
• Donna's daughter recieved her honor roll certificate in the mail and the son is mastering the opening riff to "smoke on the water" and it rocks.
• Melissa's pool is finished.  Is it warmer down there because I am on my way.
• Another bit of news by Melissa is that a friend of hers took on the Va Beach School's zero tolerance policy and won.  We should all take this on.  Zero tolerance policies and anti-bullying campaigns are destroying the next generation.  And lets call those anti-bullying campaigns what they really are bulling our children to the the breaking point which is so low that kids are crying bully at the simplest tease.  Stop the schools from making a weaker race.  Okay, I am off my soap box.
• Susan best news of the week is that it is over.  TGIF and she has good weather.
• Pam's tomatoes and flowers made it through the first week.  I miss gardening.  Perhaps winter will end soon and i can sow some seeds.
• Okay, so Space had a birthday.  I am not going to say how old she is but she may be gaining on me or is it pulling away.
• Space yelled from the watch tower, smoothies are back a Wawa and Rita's is open.
• Don is a Mercer fan and celebrated their win over some little school from North Carolina.  I think they are called Duke.  Either way, congrats to Mercer and to Duke that is what you get for recruiting one and dones.
• On a related note, Warren Buffet had a major victory when he no longer had to pay out $1 billion.  Thanks Mercer, SF Austin, Dayton and North Dakota State.  Thanks a lot.
• It was a nice day out and Stephanie went out for a walk.  Come on spring I know you can make it.
• I am just going to quote Chuck here: "I'm making bouillabaisse for dinner tonight. OK, that may be premature; I should wait to see how it turns out before declaring that good news. How about this: I learned to spell "bouillabaisse" today."
• Abbey just finished her last team brick workout  before heading to Hawaii for the real deal.  
• Helen is also a Mercer fan.  
• Josie is stoked about my chemo response as well.
• Maggie has been breaking out the old photo albums and reminiscing.  Much like now, when I was young I was cute.  Perhaps even gorgeous?

What a great set of news.  I hope that as we all reach the apex of the week and slide on down to the weeks end we need a little pick me up and reminder of our tiny victories.  My apologies on the little tangent with the anti-bullying and zero tolerance stuff.  Trust me I am working a more complete thought on that.  In any case, thank you for sharing all the good shit.  It makes me feel great and I hope it kind of brings us a little closer together even if it is online.

Bailed Out of Jail: A Return of the Good News Weekly (15 March 14)

I know it has been awhile since I have asked for and spread the good news.  I will use an excuse that may be used repeatedly.  Locusts and Cicadas!  Actually, I was in the hospital dealing with a respiratory infection.  I really just sit there and get pumped full of antibiotics and rot.  It gets me in a funk and I tend to stop doing things like checking facebook and writing.  I am trying to make a change to that.  Well, I am doing much better.  They let me out of jail after one week and all is good.  Things got even better when my parents came to visit for the week.  It was totally awesome.  I got to show them around a little bit and I took them to Reading Terminal Market.  They had a blast.  In any case here is the good news I promised.

Good News for the Week of 15 March 2014

• For Pi day my rescue ninjas received several pies.
• Harold has a road trip to Terre Haute this week.  I would love to get on a road trip some time.  It doesn't matter where just a place to go for a while.
• Another teacher goes down and Danielle is still school champion of battleship.  C5-hit.  C6-... You sunk my battleship.
• Bob reports: "The new chemical engineering building will be completed this summer at Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla. It will increase their space to 250% of what they currently have." I am happy that as the technology advances more focus on research and development is happening.  
• Helen is stressing out but she knows that it will pass and it will get warmer.  I hope so.  This arctic vortex thing needs to go home and stay their.  You hear me middle Atlantic region.  I don't want you hanging out with it and its friend the gulf stream are a bad influence.
• Stephanie finished a run.  Not a great run but a run which is great.
• Christina's tulips are blooming to greet the spring and her Lions won their first match of the season 6-0.  We got some bulbs sprouting that here but they are getting confused by the billionth snow storm of the winter.
• Susan took Friday off, let her hair down and went to Emerald Isle for early St. Patrick's day festivities.  I used to live in Emerald Isle, I doubt they are the same place.  In any case, we all have a little Irish in us.  I say an O' painted in front of a Chinese restaurant this weekend.  O'Wang's Dim Sum Bar.  It must be an Irish Chinese fusion place.
• Don has beer in his fridge.  Make that had beer in his fridge.
• Donna has things on the upswing and the weather is getting run worthy.  I plan on being out there soon myself.
• Hannah reports that it is spring break at UW Madison.  Ahh, to be in college.
• George announced that Cosmos premiered.  I am totally stoked about it.  I loved the original and the reboot is awesome.  Especially the part where he shows Carl's day calender with his appointment in it when only 17.
• Elizabeth went to Great Wolf Lodge and had quality family time without unwanted distractions.
•  Donna booked her beach time.
• Maggie spent time with her son, family and the health care professionals that is taking care of him.  It was fun having you and dad up to visit.
• Pam reports: "I'm thankful for the fact that my cousin is giving us the opportunity/reminder to be thankful big or small. . It's all the power of positive thinking !!"  Stay tuned.
• Jennifer had nice weather for a couple of days and got to play outside.

Thanks for all the good news guys.  We all needed all of our little victories.  Thanks to my cousin Pam for the props the shout out.  Even when you think things are going down there is always a little ray of sunshine there.  Sure it is full of dangerous ultraviolet light that will burn you skin but my father in-law makes a great "chemical" free sunscreen that will save us all from melanoma.

Twice the Time, Twice Good News

I know this seems to be really late and perhaps I was having trouble keeping up a weekly good news blog.  But with some minor victories come some minor defeats and failures.  With this defeats and failures come a chance to learn.  I managed to spend about a week and a half in the hospital from things like the flu and not being able to breathe.  Those things are behind me and now that I have had a chance to look back at things I should have kept up with my communication because you guys had a boat load good stuff that more than likely would have cheared me up.  In any case, here goes, your double stuff good news.

Good News for the Week of 15 February 2014

• Susan survived Raleigh Snowopolis 2014.
• Melissa got a new laptop.  Awesome.  Welcome to windows 8.  May the force be with you.
• Niny reports that the Alpha Chi Sigma colony at Philadelphia University is growing.  Perhaps we see a petition for chapter in the near future.
• Abbey was celebrating a rest day.  Then onward with training.
• Donna had a wonderful Valentines Day/Birthday.  Way to celebrate your 50th.  
• Danielle reports that the Little Mermaid and Jungle Book are in theaters.  It would be awesome to see the classic in the theaters.
• Maggie let us know that the family emergency is over.  I assume that my grandmother is doing well and that my stay at the hospital was no real big deal.  
• Shannon and the kids had the week off and made their way to visit with family.
• Shannon also go waterproof toe shoes for slogging through the slush.  I always found that waterproof shoes work both ways and when water gets inside is doesn't come out.  
• Somehow Donna's 8 miler made her shoulder stop hurting from the shoveling done earlier in the week.  I know how.  It is called the runners high.  When I run I feel no pain.

Part Deux Good News for the Week of 22 February 2014

• I got out of the hospital in time to go see the Psycho swim her 500yd race on friday.
• Josie almost melted in a heat wave came through Cleveland and the mercury topped out at 45F.
• Daynell said it right with a "Yay!!!"
• Donna is happy for my return to Facebook.  I am glad to be back.  Look for some new big things from me soon.
• Noel is running outside in short sleeves.  We did have a tropic vortex over the weekend.
• Bill successfully grilled his first pizzas.
• Erin had her first outdoor bike ride for Team for Tahoe.
• Bob reports that it was sunny and 70 in Houston.  I am sure you guys still had your heaters on.
• Danielle and Mark went for a bike ride and enjoyed and afternoon at a spa with friends.  Can I come next time.
• After eight months the Hens are finally laying (eggs I presume) for Melissa.  It is time for omelets or quiche.  
• Allison had a great warmish day for cookie booth sales.  Go Girl Scouts.
• Stephanie is slowly making her way through insane homework problems.  I remember those days.  I am glad they are behind me.
• Calvin went ice skating for the first time in 17 1/2 years and loved it.  Perhaps some hockey in the near future.
• Shannon had a great dinner with great friends.
• Today Helen with be "40 and fabulous"
• Abbey returned home from TnT training to $100 in donations and her custom made TnT race medal hanger.  Medals are awesome and Go Team.
• Christina reports that the offspring placed 5th in backstroke and IM and the Medley team placed 2nd at Junior Champs.
• Donna got out in the great weather for a run and felt great afterwards.  I am getting jealous.  I need to get out for a stomp real soon.
• Chuck took a big can of change to the Coinstar and got an Amazon Credit of $145.87.  I would say don't spend it all in one place but I don't think you have choice.
• Mark only needs one word but two exclamation points. Baconfeast!!
• Maggie is coming to Philly to visit her totally awesome on in 7 billion son.  And she is bring Chuck too.
• Pam reports that all is calm on the Texas family front.  No hospitals or doctors.  And I hear that it actually getting warmer there.
• Matt is proud to announce the establishment of a new chapter of Alpha Chi Sigma at Georgia Southern University.  The Delta Gamma chapter.  Congratulations to the brothers at Georgia Southern and to all of those that helped with the effort.  Long live our brothers in the chemical sciences.  

Holy crap that was a lot of good news.  I have been saying that it is the minor victories that can make our life so much more positive than what is seems to made into in the media.  In this case, I think we are looking at more than minor victories but triumphs.  We are regaining our youth and enjoying the part of life that is our own.  Sure there is drama and our jobs, spouses, bosses, kids, drivers on the road or potholes are driving us crazy but then Baconfeast or a good run happens it becomes our personal Calgon.  Thanks for sharing and I cannot wait to hear more great news in the future.