In memory of Ally

Here's one of the last pics of our beloved Ally.

Thank you all again for all the love and support during her illness and loss.

Melange of topics...

Ah, the day before Thanksgiving...it's sunny, but still a bit cold (and I consider anything less than 55 degrees cold, BTW).
The parking lots of local grocery stores are packed (and that's an understatement). Thankfully, I did my shopping yesterday and simply picked up our WF turkey and then proceeded to SB Farms (local farm stand) to get my pies-one of which will be given away tomorrow morning during our 14th Annual Thanksgiving class! So, I drove by the packed parking lots, filled with angry folks awaiting a parking spot! YIPPEE. I hope you are not in one of those cars, cursing as you wait for a spot!
Why is it that we buy an amount of food to feed an army (whether or not an army is actually coming to your home to eat)? We had a visiting client from Europe who asked me if the stores would be closed all week-she saw so much food being purchased she couldn't believe the store was actually simply closed for 1 day.
Friday begins the always insane holiday shopping season and, frankly, I think it's almost (note I said 'almost') a good thing we're all having to be more mindful of what we spend this year. I know it's been said many times, but folks are way too focused on what to buy, how much of it and spending themselves into debt to 'impress' their friends and family. We all want to give wonderful things to those we love, but at what cost? As I've said before, we're all in this together, so let's pledge (before you get up at MIDNIGHT to go to the Wrentham outlets) to not charge things or to at least be careful with amount put on the charge card. Really...our families want time with us, good memories and a nice gift-I think if each of us asked our families they would never want us to go into debt to give them anything.
It'll feel so good not to dread those January bills, won't it? And, even if you have plenty of disposable income (even now), spend less on gifts and give a bit more to charity. You'll get a tax break and really help folks who are less fortunate and, these days, it could be your neighbor-literally.
Tomorrow K and I will get to tell you all how thankful we are for the priviledge of doing something we truly love for a living. We are deeply grateful to each of you for your business throughout the years, bringing us your friends, showing up on THANKSGIVING to attend class and all the joy you give us each week. We know that many people never get to live their dreams and while it might seem silly to some-this was/is our dream.
I've said (written) it before, but I'll say it again...
We're just 2 friends who, over a pizza at Bertucci's in Newton, thought it would be fun to have our own Center. I believe it was K who said it first and I latched onto it like a vice. I'm nothing if not persistent, stubborn and one sighted when I have a goal. That idea planted the seed of what you see today. It was the first time in my life that I put together a goal (a big one) and achieved it. It opened so many doors, allowed me to meet so many wonderful people and has given me a healthier body than I ever imagined.
So to say we are thankful is a huge understatement.
See you all on Turkey day!

Happy Birthday Little K

Hi Everyone,
Uh, it's freezing out. Wassup with that?
Today Little K turns 12 and it's so hard to believe. I went over last night to give her her gifts (clothes, no more toys!) and K and I were remembering the day she was born. I was at work and even though I knew Mista was with her and they were safe at the hospital, I couldn't work. (I had a 'real job' back then...) I went home early and it was great to be out and be able to bring K her Diet Coke after Little K arrived on the scene. That's all K wanted-a huge Diet Coke!
She's such a grown up now-no more kids menu at Friendly's and all A's on that report card. She's witty, funny, smart and sporty-all the things that everyone who loves her hoped for her on that cloudy Tuesday in November 1996.
There's now some blushing when Mom talks about the boys in her class at school and thoughts of driving one day. There's excitement for being a real teenager next year at 13 for her and a bit of 'horror' for the adults in her life-if she's going to be 13 next year that makes us OLD!
But, all in all, it's certainly been a fun 12 years so far and I personally can't wait to watch the next 12 (ACK, that'll make her 24 and K and me...56!).
So, Happy Birthday Little K....I hope all your wishes come true!

BL episode this week

Happy Thursday all!
First, I'd like to thank those of you who have given us cards, emails and gifts to keep us strong after our loss this week. We appreciate you all so much and it really is helping us make it through. It's very hard, but we know that she is safe and happy. We hope to welcome a new baby into our home soon, never to replace our beloved Ally, but to share some of the love we have for her with another precious puppy.

Second, wassup with BL: Families this week? Huh? As you all know, I hate 2 faced people more than anything and Vicky is truly evil. I'm sorry, but that woman is willing to stab anyone in the back who gets in her way and if Heba thinks otherwise, she's an idiot. I have to say, this is very disheartening. Why? Because I talk about BL because there are usually lots of motivational moments that we can all learn from and the training techniques of Bob and Jillian work and can (in smaller doses) be applied here in the real world. To say this season is a bit disappointing is an understatement and both trainers have said as much.
Will I continue to watch? Yes, because I hope that Vicky sees herself on TV and is HORRIFIED by her own behaviour. She is mean spirited, conniving and rude. She is not there to get healthy and well, she is there to win money and screw anyone who gets in her way in the process. And, Vicky, should you stumble upon our little blog-please tell us that you were just 'playing' the game and aren't that person we see on the TV because, if you are, I feel sorry for Brady and your kids.
And to all of you...
Please remember that, as women, we need to stick together and support each other BUT that doesn't mean we leave the guys out. We are all in this world to be successful, healthy and happy and stepping on people to meet your own selfish goals is going to get you nowhere fast. You may 'win' in the short run but you will be a sad, pathetic shell in the long run.
I think that book and/or phrase "Everything I need to know I learned in kindergarten" is true-the golden rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" because, otherwise Karma is a bitch.

Thank you.

Today we pause to thank of all our Veteran's and those currently serving our Country all of the World.
We know that you sacrifice so that we can be free.
Though it doesn't seem like enough-thank you.
We will never forget.

Our best friend-Ally.

Mr. P&P wrote this when Ally was diagnosed with cancer in June. Today, God called Ally home and we will miss her and love her forever.

MY BEST FRIEND - ALLY

How do you describe your best friend?

In a chaotic world of too many things to do and never enough time to do them your best friend is always glad to see you, for however long.

There is never a bad moment, she is always happy to see you.

She is always waiting patiently at the door.

Never mad, never sad, she says hello and stands by you through thick and thin.

You could have had the worst day and she doesn’t care.

Here is true love and trust from your best friend.

She trusts you with her life and that trust is cherished.

She is loved as much as she loves.

That is how I describe my best friend, Ally!

Mom and Dad Love You Ally. We will do what ever it takes to get you better!!!

Love,

Mom & Dad

Here's to the dreamers...

Growing up, I always heard my Mom say my Dad was such a "Dreamer"...like it was a bad thing. Later, she called me the same thing and I never felt it was a negative. I have my feet securely on the ground, but I definitely dream. I always felt good that my Dad and I had that in common...pragmatic, yet not without a dream in our hearts.

If I wasn't a dreamer, we'd never have the wonderful Center you workout in each day. If I wasn't a dreamer, I'd never have become an instructor in the program I've loved since HS. If I wasn't a dreamer, our Center would not be as big or successful as it is-and I'm not done dreaming, BTW.

Today, a very public dream was realized. I think we all know the famous speech by Martin Luther King, Jr...."I have a dream..." He dreamed a much bigger dream than I ever have in my life but I still have always felt like I kind of knew what he meant, since I was always called a dreamer too.

I know well what it feels like to have your dreams realized, to truly live your dream. See...I'm living mine. I dreamed that when I met my very best friend, K, that we would one day open a fabulous Center together, teach the program we love and have scads of customers who loved our place as much as we did. I dreamed of instructors helping us (uh, we have 11 of them now-AWESOME) and of the day when we would go to our district meeting and be 'at the top'...instead of sitting in the back dreaming. So, our dream is realized and we KNOW how much that little dream means to us so we can only imagine what it's like for all those dreamers who watched a lifelong dream be realized today.

So, here's to the dreamers everywhere-NEVER STOP DREAMING!

ROCK the vote!

Ok everyone...
I hope you are all voting today. I know, it's been a long (and, some say, slightly ridiculous) campaign season(s), but we all need to turnout and vote.
So, as we say in class...
Stand up and fight for what you believe in-whatever it is. Each of us has the power to facilitate change, so let's go do it!
Mr. P&P voted before work today, around 7am (poll opening time) and when he was walking out (he was #2 in line) there were about 100 people at our polling place in line. Bring a book, bring a coffee...bring patience and remember, YOUR vote counts!

We'll see you all in class tonight and we can all feel good after doing our civic duty!

Ally update

Hi Everyone,
I wanted to wait until after her checkup at Tufts today...
We've had 2 rounds of the 'new chemo' and it seems to be working but it is hard to tell. Our oncologist says that the tumor doesn't look smaller but, given where it is, it's really tough to tell. Her appetite, energy and weight are stable (actually good!) and so we continue.
We know there's been positive change-because we SEE it in her.
Please continue the thoughts and prayers as they ARE working. We know so many of you ask about her, think about her and support us and we are SO thankful, we can't even tell you in words.
The oncologist is heartened by her condition and so are our own vets at the FABULOUS Countryside! Dr. Dawn, Dr. Brian, Dr. Jackie, Dr. Julie, Dr. Kerry, Dr. P.J...they've all taken such wonderful care of Ally. (Along with Joan, Mary and Lee of course!) We know that all the support Ally receives from us, her doctors and all her Jazzerfamily IS making a difference. LOVE is the strongest medicine there is so thank you, thank you, thank you for giving her so much and please, don't stop now...
We love you all.