raangoli: I just love how you've set your mind on a PR for EE. And, of course, for telling us about. You know we just love the details. I'm sure you're going to do well, given the amount of determination in your post.
Ang: Ouch on the hamstring. Don't worry too much about W6 right now, just keep stretching and resting that leg of yours. It's more important to keep injury free than to worry about the schedule. (Says the wise, all-knowing Debra who's nursing some of her own hamstring issues these days. I say it to you, so that maybe I'll listen to myself through you.)
Kristi: WISH family. Awww.
Too bad about the deck and the carpenter ants. I hope the extra work isn't too costly or time-consuming, and that the damage wasn't extensive. And I know what you mean about time estimates--I'm so bad at those things, on and off the road!!
Cecilia: Up at 5 a.m. for training?
Even if I were a mom and had kids on a team, I wouldn't be a swim mom; I did the "nasty taste in my mouth" face when I read diet Cokes and jello sugar.
I'll bet your sweat is from beautiful exercise, giving you that healthy glow that the swim moms (secretly) envy.
Cam: Moving as a fun way to XT. That's such a positive outlook, so YOU!
Me, I'm more like this,
and the only thing that keeps me stable is that every dollar we don't spend on moving expenses (i.e. I do it) is another dollar toward what we do want. Say, a trip to Disney for ToT. Btw, I didn't know you were on a Special Olympics committee. Wow, you are so generous with your time and energy!
Jen: I hope everything settles down for you after this week. Lot of places here are in their last week of school and it's just crazy with all the extra activities and the planning for summer vacation. I assume that's what it's like for you, with the craziness of work thrown in. And WTG with W6D2. You're really on a roll here, especially coming after your 5 mile race!
Claire:
for classes almost being done. Gee, it only seemed like you started a couple of weeks ago...
And do tell, are you in for the Goofy THIS year? I see the siggie and think yes, but can't remember what 2008 looked like. So I don't know if that's an "I've done this one" or "I'm doing this one." In short, for the Goofy are you even (as I am) or are you odd? (loaded question) Not a fan of chocolate ice cream? Gasp. So what IS your favorite chocolate form--and please don't tell me Gu. Last question, are you seeing the
Sex and the City (chick flick) this summer?
Leana: Yep, my movie-watching test never fails me. If I check my watch more than seven times, don't see the movie in a theater. Much more accurate than a thumbs up-down. I'm so glad that you're enjoying the bike commute to work. I can't believe you call yourself a newbie on the bike. (Been reading and trying to catch up with your blog. Great stuff!
) Sometime this summer I want to take a bike maintenance class; even though I'm a casual biker at this point, I think it would be useful.
mla1977: No water? What a time-consuming and aggravating few days. But good job on finally being able to do W2D1. I say if your longer stride feels good then you're doing something right. Listen to your body!
Btw, we've got a couple of Crocs fans here that you've probably made very jealous.
Aloha Jeff: About the not-RSVPing, not contributing, but still eating running group regulars. Not cool, not cool at all. We call them moochers around these here parts. (Okay, I call them moochers, but without the Cab Calloway scat.) Apparently, they "run to eat" your food. (Which does sound pretty tasty.) I wish I had a non-evil solution, but I don't--"special" dishes with extra spicy flavoring? Instead, I'll just shake my head.
Bill: Congratulations on your 10 year anniversary!!!
I'm not really a nice or a sentimental person, so you've put up two options that just confuse me.
No, seriously, I'd choose to give something--which might not be a thing but an experience--that was memorable and unique, something that reflected our relationship, and was built upon our lives with and understanding of each other, but geared toward my partner's interests. It would probably be funny or lighthearted. I guess that would be sentimental? Because I usually give my partner nice, if pragmatic, stuff; anniversaries are good days to demonstrate what it is about my partner and our relationship that inspires such behavior. Now if I could just remember when mine is....
(And FWIW, I'd choose to receive nice stuff, because DOOD tends to give sentimental gifts, so something nice would be a surprise.)
Frank: Oh, yeah, I did a RR. In its own thread, entitled "Because I'm so wordy." (Too lazy to edit it down.) It's supposed to have pictures, but it doesn't. (Too lazy to get them from my ILs...a theme here.) Let's just say that I'm learning a lot about myself. And that I think Cleveland is a fabulous town that I want to visit when I'm not doing the family thing.
On to bigger, better things...THANKS for the positive statements about my ability to do a VBT. It's something I'd really like to do, but I'm so new to biking that I'm not sure. What better way to see the sights, I think? (The hills kind of freak me out, but I figure another summer of Pgh and I might be better.) So thank you for making me feel hopeful about this. NOW, where are those pics--have you posted a TR? I've been visiting here spottily with the move coming up, but I don't want to miss your TR.
Craig: Wow, the pics. First, the shots are just gorgeous. Second, talk to me about Wembley. What's most memorable about it? Third,
for Terry's redemption after that bad Chelsea showing against Man. U. Okay, apples and oranges with the games, but still... And I don't mean to wave my household's Chelsea fandom in your face; I probably deserve a red card for that one. (But don't you think that neither Chelsea nor Man. U. are angels on the field? But yay for Dutch Orange!!
) Fourth, it sounds like you're having a great time even without the running. I'd trade a little CV fitness for most of these experiences (barring the electricity and washer/drying stuff).
Maura: I think that the breathing part is the most important part of your swim and tri! So woo hoo for progress! But boo for the cubicle curtaining your WISH fun.
Lily: Any pics of that idyllic run on the Cancun beach? Sounds perfect. I was saddened to learn of the woman murdered in your local park, but hope you can work out some trail running soon.
Carrie: Love that your foul mood improved your pace, which did nothing to improve your mood.
So you can't outrun your moods but you can outpace them. (I can't outrun my problems, but I do try to make them work harder to catch me.) It pretty much sounds like a win for your race training, as it gives you no reason to not be in the mood for a run. (Not saying that's a win situation for you, but for the event, mind you....)
CarolA: I hope your conference call went well. Hopefully that means you can shift your next few days to make up for the schedule shift.
As for me: Today, DOOD and I went to Kennywood Park, our very local (~5 miles) amusement park. It was our first visit and, although it was enjoyable, it will probably be our last for a while. We both tried really hard not to compare it to Disney...and failed. I know it's not fair to do so, but there it is. It's a small, clean park, with some nice historic buildings and rides, but the imagination of the rides and the service just can't compare. We'll save our time in Pgh for other activities we enjoy and our dollars for Disney.
So now that our curiosity is satisfied, we've ridden a couple of nice coasters, and successfully avoided the always-tantalizing smell of funnel cakes (as compared to the disappointing taste), we're on to the next projects. We've signed our lease and our new place is ready a couple of days ahead of schedule. So we'll be spending tomorrow through this weekend moving as much stuff as possible before the local movers come in for the big furniture. Then DOOD leaves for his annual research trip on Tuesday, and I'll finish the rest. (Anyone want to help me haul my books up 3 flights of stairs?)
Why do you care, you may ask? You don't, really. It just means that my presence here will be a little spotty for the next few days or so. Only so much time in my day and it needs to go to work, running, working out, and moving. Oh, a friend is visiting this weekend, too. So I may be reading your posts, but don't know how much time I'll have to participate. So don't do anything fun without me! Or better yet, just keep to this nice, slow pace of the boards this week!!! (Hey, where are some of our regulars? It can't be summer vacation already, can it?
)
And there are plenty of college/university students who go to school close and commute even here.
Happy anniversary!
I think the pix are grat, but I'd want to kill dh too! 
fro your back!
