Friday, April 27, 2012

Inspired & Influenced You? (Feedback Suggested)

Today I find myself a little overwhelmed with everything I want to do and where to start.  Don’t worry I find myself feeling that way probably every other day usually.  I’m a person who would rather just not sleep and keep getting things done if possible.  I’ve questioned many times why we even need sleep, but hundreds of doctors, scientists and intelligent people have done studies to evaluate the importance of sleep stating all sorts of facts so I won’t argue the results.  In saying that, last night I found myself after a few late nights this week fighting sleep around 10:30 and realizing I should probably just give into it, which is a battle I hate losing.  (Especially since international house hunters was on and my famous activity bag had papers falling out it’s so full). 

As for a training update since my last blog for those of you keeping track:
Wednesday:  It was a little rainy and muggy but I just jumped onto the road and did the usual 5 mile up and back loop.  When I got home I tried to pretend it was a “speed workout” and run around with the dog to try to wear him out a little bit for the evening.

Thursday: (last evening):  With the rain and muddiness it was back onto the blacktop road to run about 5 ½ added a little bit on the way home and turned back around.  I need to start find a few new routes to switch up a little bit. 

As for my blog today…I’m asking for a little bit of “Feedback” on this blog (Comments suggested, just click the comment on this button at the bottom of the blog) to kick off the weekend.  I can ramble for days (as you’ve noticed) about what dad means to me, inspired me, has done for me, etc.   One thing I want more than anything through this journey is to express to those not familiar with our dad...just how our dad has inspired YOU, meant to YOU, Influenced YOU, done for YOU.  I want all the newcomers to our blog to see just how much this man has done for so many others.  I hope my stories are incredible and fantastic, but the power of everyone else’s is that much more valuable in this journey.  So today and for future readers of this particular blog entry, I ask for you to share your story of my dad for others to see.  I look to share this blog and our journey in many ways (I keep learning more opportunities) and I may need a little bit of help in doing so in case my words aren’t powerful enough….I mean…we are doing this as a team J
So let the weekend and stories begin….(Happy Friday and long run weekend everyone!)
Even when mobility started to create a struggle for dad you saw him at Cross Country meets with the assitance of a cane cheering on and coaching.

Event Fundraising Website:

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Parkinson's Support Group

Last night my sisters and I attended a Parkinson's Support Group in Parkersburg that dad attended when he could with mom. Mom had called the gentleman Larry Ice and discussed with him what we are working on for Team Fox. Larry was quick to jump in on inviting us to come and speak and we talked on the phone several times prior to this meeting. I have to say; his positive spirit about beating Parkinson's and doing something about it is contagious. I always felt better just in general whenever I would hang up the phone from him.

When arriving at the library I quickly reminded myself I didn't even know who I was looking for. This man who I felt was a friend already I'd never even seen in person yet. I suppose we were a giveaway because I promised to bring some of the "Cupcake for a Cure" Silver color themed (Parkinson’s Awareness color) cupcakes with me from my friend's shop. So I'm assuming he knew who I was. It was such an inviting group and in a way you felt better just by being there. The meeting was a mix between humor and truth, and it was the perfect balance for an approach to this battle. We all shared many laughs and stories and embraced each other's experiences of the disease. They all were eager to jump in and help in our quest with the NYC marathon and by no means was I expecting to leave with $170.34 they have been progressively saving through events they do throughout the year. I have sent it off to the foundation to be added to our efforts. If any of you are reading this, thank you for the invitation to join and welcoming us in.

After we left the meeting the 3 of us (sisters) went out to dinner. Upon discussing ideas of fundraising and maintaining the positive vibes we felt lifted by with the meeting we couldn't help but realize; that was the first time we'd been in a room full of people all going through the same things we have been. Maybe, for a lack of better explanation, it was therapeutic. We were in a room full of people that understand the hardships, the tremors, the speech impairment, eating struggles, the frustration...but as Larry said, "Stay on the Sunny Side, always on the Sunny Side" (insert a little tune there)   And Larry is right, it’s too easy to be negative, the challenges of the disease may be of mobility but the other challenge is also a fight against frustration.   

Upon my new found determinedness to do even more….this video hit Facebook today distributed by Team Fox, and was seems to be a recurring theme of good timing….the timing for this was perfect. 

I just had to share this video....it brings me tears, goosebumps, and a hope for so much of why we wanted to be apart of Team Fox .  If you have a few minutes, I reccomend you to watch as it explains so much of this journey we look to take to honor our dad.

Team Fox Video

Donate Online Here For Team Spangler:
http://www2.michaeljfox.org/site/TR/Sponsored/TeamFox?px=1007327&pg=personal&fr_id=1210

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Team Fox Website LIVE!!

       Today is a day of mixed emotions.  Being from a small town where everyone knows everyone and grew up knowing everyone things seem to hit you harder when tragedy strikes, even more when it happens back to back.  On Friday, a rather funny individual who you couldn’t help but laugh with passed away in a tragic car accident who was only a year older than me, and was a cousin to my cousins (from the other side of my mom’s family).  On Sunday we celebrated a wedding shower for Betsy while part of her family had to leave a little bit early to go to the viewing.  It was bitter sweet to be celebrating while morning at the same time.  Word yesterday started to circle that sister friends of mine from high school, their mom passed who had been battling cancer.  She was good friends with my mom in high school as well.  Sometimes we take for granted the support of a small town, and tough times like this make me appreciate people who have surrounded me and my family through an ongoing battle and I hope to be there whenever needed for others as much as everyone has been there for us.

On a training note, I must admit I’ve been slacking.  This weekend I spent more time on the road driving I think then anything, but getting to where I was going was worth it. 

Saturday we attended Sophie’s Grade School Bingo Fundraiser.  We had a “vendor” table set up with some of the cards my cousin Carrie got donated and we’d made to help sell with all proceeds going to our fundraising efforts.  Then I played bingo with mom, and I must say it was a learning experience and rather funny.  Mom attempted to be pro since she attended her own school’s bingo event the week before and I did need a little bit of teaching to catch on.  I didn’t realize how serious some of those events were!  I’m kinda a sarcastic person and there were some 100% focused on their B..I..N…G…O..   Mom did bingo!  I lived in the “just one more” category all night.  I told mom if I did it again I needed medicated…the anticipation with my anxiety of needing one more and someone screaming BINGO was enough to exhaust me.  We ended up raising right close to $50 for Team Spangler, so it was great (with lots of cards still left to sell).    I didn’t’ get a run in this day; I assumed nobody would be in favor of me running laps around the gym during the little breaks.

On Sunday, I went to Ritchie County and got to see the Nelson side of the family and it’s always good to catch up.  I do know after all the Kitchen appliances and food accessories Betsy got, I have some high expectations of her baking skills! J  After that I went to visit dad at home.  I tease him, saying his medication must have given him a side effect of liking cats after all these years.  The cats would always run from dad, apparently they knew he wasn’t a fan of theirs.  Now he has the little kittens crawling on him and cuddling up and sleeping the day away next to him, and I’m certain he doesn’t reject too much.  I tried to update dad on all the NYC updates I could think of and say them where he could understand, if any of you know us Spangler girls we can talk 100 words a second when we are excited, but after all these years he’s learned to understand.  (That is until we all start talking that way at the same time, then he says the rule of thumb is to answer when he’s realized we repeated ourselves and star at him which means we expect an answer)  He also has relayed onto the men in our lives if we yell their name, and don’t respond to their “What” it just means come here…..no point in yelling "what" 10 times because we won’t answer.  Right dad?  I have to admit again I slacked today and didn’t’ get a run in as well, so I know this week I need to pull it back together!

Yesterday (Monday) Even though I was quite certain I would get blown away, I put on my “windbreaker” jacket (I really don’t think they break much wind) and took to the road.  I ran the usual route of about 5 ½ miles and honestly it was a little bit of a nicer run then I expected due to thinking it would be a little colder.
I have to tease with my OH friends with this picture…..  Due to living in Xenia, OH for a few years, hills really don’t exist…  I use to say when I first moved there I got lost so often because I could see so many exit signs at once due to it being so flat I’d get overwhelmed at turning on the right ones.  At least in WV we have a hill that separates them all.  So I chuckled to myself a little bit thinking ‘In OH they’d call this a mountain, but back here in WV it’s just a little rolling hill.


I’m heading after work toady to go speak with dad’s Parkinson’s Support group he attended when he could in Parkersburg to talk about the marathon with my sisters.  I do look forward to meeting them all and a few of the ones I’ve chatted with on the phone recently discussing the trials and tribulations.
The BIG NEWS today I want to share is our Team Fox Website is Up and ready for donations! J  I know several have been asking me a direct way to donate…so it’s ready to go!  I’ve got my account linked up now I believe from the events we’ll do etc, that I’ll be able to transfer the money to this….so I’ll hopefully get that done tomorrow to catch up on what I’ve already received. 

Let’s Go Team Spangler!!!  (click below!)