Good morning—it’s Friday and marathon weekend! Who’s excited for all the runners? I am!! 🤗🤠
Fundraising total for Andy’s Army stands at $57,342. Nikki crossed the $30k mark yesterday. 🥳
The Moravian Star is back up after a six-month hiatus. These stars can only take so much abuse from Mother Nature. I’ve still got remnants of the last one dangling from the trees like metallic confetti—after four years, it finally disintegrated, and a few pieces are stuck too high to retrieve.
Good morning, blog readers.
Three days to go until the Chicago Marathon this Sunday! As of this morning, Andy’s Army has raised an incredible $56,422. Nicole is just $635 shy of $30,000—amazing. If you’d like to help her cross that milestone, just click on the hamburger icon (top right) and then tap 🎗️Fundraiser. I can’t say thank you enough for all this wonderful support.
Yesterday, Mark B. and Fred came over to help hang the Moravian star.
Good morning, world!
I love these mornings when the air is cool—but not cold—and I can turn on the fireplace. It makes for a cozy spot to sip my hot black coffee and think about life.
The other day Marilyn said how much she enjoys reading the blog and it’s part of her morning ritual, as I’ve heard many tell me. She asked me if I would keep writing. It’s a question I ask myself often.
Good morning blog readers
Five days until the Chicago Marathon! I suspect a few of our runners are feeling that mix of excitement and nerves… I know I am—and I’m not even running.
Donations for ALS United are still coming in at an incredible pace. I’ve seen posts on Facebook and Instagram popping up everywhere—it’s all working! As of this morning, Andy’s Army has raised $54,567. That number takes my breath away.
Good morning, blog readers.
I’ve been making a real effort to increase my formula feedings lately…I’ve just missed too many of them. I simply can’t get enough calories eating by mouth. It’s not that I don’t enjoy food—though it’s no longer the hedonistic pleasure it once was—it’s that I rarely feel hungry. Eating has become something I have to do, not something that is triggered by hunger pains.
I’m hovering around 140 pounds now, which means getting enough calories each day is critical.
Good morning all. One week to the Chicago Marathon!! 🏃♀️🏃♂️
Last Thursday I reached out to my medical team at the ALS clinic to get myself ready for race day. There will be crowds everywhere, and finding a restroom when I need it is going to be a challenge. I have what I call an excitable bladder—and when it signals it’s time to go, the countdown usually starts at “10, 9, 8…” before all systems are go.
Good morning.
A couple of days left of mid-summer weather and then we’ll finally cool off for the marathon. Temps are looking good for both runners and spectators. Whew! These 90° days just don’t belong in October.
The Andy’s Army shirts have all been claimed. I’m still waiting for the second run to be completed—it’s going to be close to race day before they’re ready, but I’ll keep you posted.
Good morning!
Here I am once again, sitting in the quiet solitude of the early morning with the ticking of the clock and the owl conversation outside. I’m overcome with emotions of thanks and love and salty tears stinging my eyes. Boy those tears really sting.
Yesterday, Andy’s Army blew past the $50k mark in fundraising for the Chicago Marathon. That number stopped me in my tracks. Our four runners—Nikki, Alex, Meghan, and Michael—have raised nearly double the next closest team… and we still have 9 days to go.
Good morning, Andy’s Army!
The Andy’s Army t-shirts are slowly making their way out the door. Yesterday we dropped off and mailed a big batch, so if you live more than 30 miles away, yours is on the way. Most of you should have shirts in hand by this weekend—except for the new orders from Tuesday. We still have about seven extras in various sizes, and no, attending the marathon is not required to wear one.
Good morning!
Andy’s Army is inching closer to $50k for ALS United—less than $2,000 to go. Every little bit helps, and I couldn’t be more grateful.
Yesterday, Cindy and I went to lunch at Lindy’s Landing in Wauconda, meeting up with Deb S.—a longtime running and triathlon friend—and Kim (yes, my former wife). It had been years since I’d connected with Deb. Back when I moved to Crystal Lake and was commuting to Florida for work, our paths just drifted apart.
Good morning!
Wow—last day of September, and it’s been wicked hot here in the Midwest.
The Chicago Marathon is just 12 days away. For all you runners out there, the forecast looks much cooler by race weekend—no worries on that front. There will always be other things to worry about, but try to plan for them now. Waiting until race weekend is too late. You want a quiet mind and good rest heading into the race.
Good morning, blog readers.
Andy’s Army Chicago Marathon shirts are on the move! We’ll be connecting with folks throughout the week to get them into your hands.
If you missed the first order but still want one, let me know. If there’s enough interest, we can do a second run. I’m covering the cost as my way of saying thank you for all the support you’ve shown me in this fight against ALS.
Good morning. ☀️
Alex came over early yesterday and spent much of his Saturday working on my Christmas light tree. He pulled into the driveway at 9:00 a.m.—no small thing since it’s over an hour drive for him, and that meant an early wake-up on his weekend. Because I couldn’t really get things organized, he had to dig through the garage to track down everything we needed: the potato gun and supplies, extension cords, twelve working light strings, ropes, stakes, and plenty of miscellaneous odds and ends.
Good morning, everyone.
Yesterday was all about coordinating the Andy’s Army shirt distribution—phone calls, text messages, picking up mailing supplies, and making sure every order lined up with the t-shirts that were printed. If all goes according to plan, most of you should have your shirts in hand this week. While Cindy managed all the logistics, I sat back and watched Team USA get spanked on Day One of the Ryder Cup.
Good morning Andy’s Army, and welcome to Friday—the last weekend of September.
Good news!! The Chicago Marathon shirts are done and already in our hands. Start to finish? Four days. It pays to go local…and most importantly, the shirts look sharp. If you didn’t request one, I might do a second run. No promises, but I’ll try. Don’t delay!
I owe some “thank-yous” to a few people…
First up, Terri K.
Good morning. Welcome to Thursday.
Let’s talk about love because yesterday I had happy tears rolling down my cheeks. 🥲
I can’t begin to tell you how much love and support this blog has brought back to me. When I first resisted the idea of being a “blogger,” it was because I didn’t think I had anything meaningful to say—nothing that would hold anyone’s interest beyond family members who might feel obligated to read whatever repetitive garbage I churned out.
Good morning, world.
We packed a lot into yesterday. Cindy dropped off Bear by 8:00 a.m. for a day of play, and we were out the door by 10:00 a.m. for Glenbrook Hospital. That may not sound like much, but by the time I’ve done the formula feeding, used the restroom, showered, and dressed, I’ve already lived a full morning. Each step drains precious energy, and they all take extra time.
Good morning, friends and family. Thanks for joining us today.
First things first—Happy Birthday, Barb! (Cindy’s sister.) 🎉 We’ll see you tonight for the celebration.
Now for some good news: the Andy’s Army t-shirts are officially on order and expected to arrive October 3rd. Knowing this vendor (Think Ink), I think they’ll show up even sooner. A few last-minute requests snuck in, and we managed to get those included too. Nearly 100 t-shirts will be out there supporting Andy’s Army—I’m flabbergasted.
Good morning, new blog readers and those of you who’ve been following, welcome to Andy’s Army.
I don’t know everyone reading this, but I’m humbled that you’re taking the time to follow my ALS journey, my daily life, and to meet my family and friends through these posts.
Andy’s Army was started by Nikki and Alex (my kids) and Meghan (my niece), with the goal of raising money for ALS United by running the Chicago Marathon on October 12—just 20 days away.
Good morning, y’all.
It’s September, and nature’s preparing for winter. I’m sitting here in the early morning, it’s quiet, and dark…and then snap! I hear a mouse trap in the basement go off and tumble from the steel girder to the floor. Got another one! Great news…except somebody has to collect the trap, and that somebody is Cindy. She hates even looking at the kill traps. I never minded carrying them outside, emptying, and resetting them—again and again.