One more

Oops, I forgot to post a picture from Casa Bonita:

Maybe that machine was broken, right Cameron?

After all, it said I was clammy... as IF!

Preparation H!

No, I am NOT talking about that cream that comes in a little tube. I am talking about Operation Preparation Honolulu 2007!

For the last several months, day after day, I have dragged myself out of bed, run alongside cars driving at high speeds, risked rolling a few ankles late at night on the dark roads where dead toads and fruit lie, waiting to take me down at their expense, and running around this island exploring beaches and jungles all for this one day. All those miles logged, all those days I came home dripping wet from the sweat and humidity (or sometimes dripping wet from getting caught in a tropical rainstorm...) were all in preparation for the big Kahuna...the 26.2 miler!

Two weeks from this day, I will have (hopefully!) completed my third marathon. Even as I write about it now, I feel the butterflies frantically fluttering around in my stomach. Did I train enough? Did I train WELL enough? Am I going to finish? Will I get hurt? Or will I do better than the last two races? I guess I won't know until that day comes, when I will have to wake up at 3am to be at the bus station before 4am, to reach the starting line when at 5am Hawaii time, the gun will go off. And for the next four + hours, I will be pushing myself to keep going, one step at a time.

My friend and roommate Sherry will be going with me...Kim and I have had some differences and so it will be good to have someone there who is supportive of me and of my efforts. We will fly into Honolulu on Saturday, December 8th and stay with our friends who work at the Del Sol store in Waikiki. I am very excited to have this opportunity to do this race...as nervous as I am I am grateful I get to participate and I want to thank Mom and Dad for supporting me and giving this to me as my Christmas gift. I want to thank the rest of you for always cheering me on...even when you tell me you think I'm crazy, I take that as a compliment. :)

So...two weeks and counting! Here are a few pics of my last two races...looking forward to adding on another one! If I remember right, I was cruising around the website for the marathon and it said on race day, you can track the time of any runner from their website: http://www.honolulumarathon.com/. Not sure where the link is...but all you have to do is type in my name and it'll update my current time, I think. :) Aloha, and mahalo for all your love and support! Miss you all lots and lots!

Towards the end of the Top of Utah Marathon. September 17, 2005.

Morning of the Salt Lake City Marathon. June 3, 2006.

Hot Stuff PROVED!

Just wanted to prove that I've always had the stuff....The Hot Stuff! This was July 1994. 13 years later, I still got it. :) See the below post from Darcey--our trip to Casa Bonita November 2007! Peace be unto you all!

cheese it is made with real chese.

hi it is me dallin.h.oaks i mean dallin.r.miller like the cheese it cracker box it was sure nummy . it would be grate with real cream .

dallin

Fun times at Casa Bonita

Cameron had a brilliant idea of heading over to Casa Bonita before we dropped him off at the airport this evening. It sure is a lot quieter around here now that he's gone! Mom and dad headed to bed at 8pm... am I that boring?

Anyway, here are some sweet pics of our adventures at the Casa. The Bonita Casa.

Christy, Matthew, and mom enjoying the delicious food they serve

Dad, me, and Cameron doing the same

Christy and Matthew going over the bottomless pit in Black Bart's Cave!
Me and Michael Jackson, just hanging out
Cameron is hot stuff!

There are plenty more pics on my Flickr page!

Disclaimer

That last post was written by dad, not by me. Although I certainly didn't stop him from doing so. :)

Thanksgiving fun

We were sitting around waiting for Matthew to show up so we could head on down to Casa Bonita before dumping Cammy off at DIA. Darcey was playing the piano (beautifully) and Cameron was perusing one of our old photo albums. He came across a couple of pics and thought they belonged on the blog. Anybody know where this is? Circa 1993! Enjoy - especially Dallin, Emma & Logan!!!

Someone said, "Scrach and sniff if you dare".

P.S. Remember this is just for fun!

Turkey Bowl 2007 Loveland, CO

A fresh layer of snow blanketed the playing field, a nice crisp chill in the air, My cleats tied on, lucky game socks with the sweet smell of victory, and my game day t-shirt on, oh what a day for some FOOTBALL!!! This year I must have been in better shape than the past few years cause I didn't come out nearly so sore. And with the snow that we got made it a lot more fun to. It was hard to say whether my team won or not cause when one team got behind I was traded over to that team to help them out, hmm maybe its in the genes. It was a blast though. Happy Thanksgiving to ya all!!!

Turkey Bowl 2007

Watch this run!

Look at the Turkey trying to re-live the glory days--hope I'm not sore this year!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVEYONE!

Whoa!

Check out this sweet video! It's about eight minutes long but it's pretty amazing.

"A battle between a pride of lions, a herd of buffalo, and two crocodiles at a watering hole in South Africa's Kruger National Park while on safari."

Come on, people

I'm not sure any of you realize I have an entire other blog, or else you opt to never comment. I would write on here more often, but it seems kinda dumb to post the same thing twice!

So yeah! There ya go!
Gosh.

taking pictures

When we were taking are pictures taken (i think the store was wall greens or target)here are some pictures. one looks like we are a train and looks like we are sitting together and Logan was not happy he got a little scared but he got use to it

dallin

Fun at our house!!!

This is probably more for Dallin and Logan, but maybe everyone will enjoy the pics.
We had been waitng for over 4 months on promises from the builder to fix our driveway.... it finally happened a few weeks ago.







And one last landscape job complete:

What's UP with Cameron

OK, so some of you are wondering what is going on in Oklahoma but are perhaps afraid to ask. I guess now that that some concrete decisions have been made it's best to tell you "what's up." After months of discussion and contemplation, Tammy and I have come to the determination that some things just don't work the way we had always hoped and we've decided it's time to part and move on with our lives separately. Without detailing out all the reasons for this decision, we, for the most part have agreed that we're "better off friends than lovers" and we hope to preserve at least that friendship, especially since we have children together that we'll have to make decisions for. Weird as it may seem, Tammy and I always functioned better as friends but have never figured out how to be partners in the romantic husband/wife relationship. It was not an easy decision nor one that was taken lightly but one that we know is best for the futures of each of us. Enough said on that.

Last Saturday, some of Tammy's family showed up with a large trailer, loaded it up with all her things and moved her and Savannah back to Idaho.

My heart hurt and tears flowed as I watched them drive away, walking back in the house it seemed so empty, pictures we're missing from their places, the carpet held fresh imprints of furniture that once covered them up. But among the pain and sadness of that moment was a feeling of relief, that the very painful decision was in fact the best. Most of all I am so sad that Savannah will grow daily and I will miss so much of it.

There it is in nutshell, my life right now. So many pieces being picked up and being put back in place. Some days are good and others are very lonely. Don't know if this was the best way to keep everyone informed but it felt like the thing to do. Attached are some of the pictures I have from my last few minutes with Savannah--oh how I miss her.

New Poll on Less Fred

OK, I know people think that I am a fat pig. That is OK. I have been called worse, I think, at other times in life. But to hear it from my own family. Now that hurts. 60% of respondents to my blog poll think that I am a fat pig and will remain so, while 40% think that I will actually hit my goals.

I appreciate those who both are honest and encouraging. What more could a brother ask for? The best of both worlds.

Well, I have put another poll on my blog, encouraging you to guess my weight loss for the month of November. Remember, be nice.

Kudos,

Fred

Skinny Jeans!

This is mostly directed towards Natch...since we all for whatever reason can't post comments on his blog. Maybe you should look into fixing that, eh Fred?

So yesterday was my long training run - I had to break it into two parts because I have to take Kim in to work in the middle of the day and I woke up late. So I ran my first 13 miles and then took her to work, swam at the pool for a bit, did some resistance training, and then later that evening I ran another six miles (it was supposed to be seven for an even 20, but the roads are super dark out here at night when the moon isn't out and there's always fruit that has fallen on the ground that you can trip on...and dead toads...not safe....)

Well, the week before moving to Kaua'i when I was going through my clothes deciding which items were necessary (I honestly wish I brought more than one sweatshirt - it actually does get chilly here!) I had picked up a pair of jeans I bought awhile ago. They were a pair of super cute designer jeans I got for a super good deal - but the catch with these designer jeans is that they tend to run smaller than the average sizes. They had been just a teeny bit snug when I bought them, but it was incentive for me to get myself to the gym and on that treadmill. As I sat there contemplating on taking them with me, I knew already that they still were snug, and I didn't have to try them on at that moment to know this. In fact, I avoided putting those things on cause the harsh reality would sting a little too much. :)

I decided to pack them up in my suitcase, because my goal was to be able to wear them comfortably by the time I returned to the mainland. I knew that if I was running and training for Honolulu, I should be able to reach my goal by January. But last night I was feeling bold, and I decided that I've been measuring too much of my progress by the scale rather than other factors. So I opened the drawer...pulled those skinny jeans out from hiding underneath all my other jeans and shorts...took a deep breath and closed my eyes...pulled them on...and guess what?? They fit! And they weren't snug like they used to be!

If I can do it, then you can do it. I've decided that I'm not eating sugar from now until after the race, just like you have decided to cut it out. If you plan ahead the things you are going to eat, you have a better chance of sticking to your plan. Don't stress out on the days you miss a workout - it happens. I have more days than I'd like when I choose to sit around rather than run, but don't let one day make you feel disheartened because you can always pick up right where you left off the next day. If you have time and you know you should but you're just too tired, try this: Make yourself workout for 10-15 minutes. If you still feel tired and sluggish after that, then you can quit for the day. But nine times out of ten, it'll get your energy levels back up and the endorphins flowing and you'll want to finish your workout in it's entirety.

So...if you happen to have some clothes from back when you were a few pounds lighter, pull them out and keep them around to keep you motivated. And if you don't, maybe you should go buy a pair of pants or a shirt you like and would like to wear in the near future. It worked for me!

Keep up the good work...it's not easy, but it's worth it!

JUST 4 FRED

FRED--Since I can't comment on your BLOG, here is a comment I was gonna leave you--Peace!

If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got. Go see my "212 Degree" post on Miller Time and decide within yourself, do you have the ability to get to that spot in life where you no longer are doing what you've always done. On this one trust me, until I completely gave up my old eating style--EVERY part of it for 6 full days a week (one day off to enjoy Cinnamon Rolls, Ribs, Cheese Burgers, Pizza etc.), I NEVER made the changes I was looking for. You can do it--it just takes complete dedication and willingness to say no to the things that you know your body doesn't really need. Also, look for some mail the end of this week, I sent you something today, a book and a video, that I know will change your body by changing your mind. Follow it and you will achieve your goal in about 1/3 the time you've set forth--yeah that's right in only 4 months you can accomplish your goal (now I sound like an infomercial). I hope that this and the book will help and that this doesn't seem to "Big Brother-ish" Peace OUT FRED--you BIG LOSER! :)

A Blip on the Monitor

Well, today at church I went in to priesthood and sat next to my home teacher, an older man, big into outdoor activities. As I sat down he asked me if I had heard about the air traffic control thing in the paper. Well, my ears perked up a bit since I don't get the paper here. So I said that I did not see anything about any atc stuff. well he said he read yesterday in the paper that a school here in CO received the FAA approval to carry the program. I asked what school it was hoping that it might be the school I'm attending and that it might have been announced at the aviation open house they had yesterday, however he thought it was a school in Denver. Well, all through out Elder's quorum I could hardly pay attention to the lesson thinking what school had received the program. Well we raced home afterwards and looked it up on line. Sure enough, Metro state college in Denver Finally got the program, only two years after we heard they were trying to get it and had moved back. well I need to find out more and transfer over, but it seems like there might be a little at the end of this seemingly long tunnel.

Meep meep!

Since moving to Arizona, I've noticed a few critters here that you don't see much of in Colorado or Utah... some good, some bad. It's fun walking down the sidewalk and seeing a little lizard climb up a palm tree trunk or seeing a toad the size of a cantaloupe in a marshy area of desert. I've even seen a rattlesnake and as you all probably know, a scorpion! Thankfully, the rattlesnake was not in my apartment.

But on my way to church this morning, I saw - for the very first time in my life I believe - a real live roadrunner! And wouldn't you know it - he was literally running across the road, right in front of cars in all four lanes. No worries, though, he was as fast as the cars themselves! Meep meep!

spooky pumpkin gaurds

ooh how many pumpkin guards do you see i see5.one has 1 tooth another has a orange cat two howl to the moon and one looks like a ninja turtle they are here. finally the one with 1 tooth is going to Des Moines now we have 4 pumpkin guards one with a orange cat two howl to the moon and one that looks like a ninga turtle the pumpkin with a orange cat is going to a wicked witch now there is 3 pumpkin guards. two howl to the moon and one looks like a ninga turtle the pumpkins that howl to the moon go with some wolfs now we have 1 the only one that looks like a ninga turtle but it will go to war now we see 0 pumpkins but look what are those pumpkins doing there are 5?one has one tooth? another has a orange cat?two howl to the moon?and one looks like a ninga turtle? it is them they came back now we have 5 again we well see you until the end

dallin

Hi, its me Dallin

It is awesome to get to be on Miller Time with you guys. Thank you Nana and Papa for the brain magazine (kid discovery). Well if you forget I am on miller time, don't worry, I will write again. Bye.

Dallin

Oldies but goodies

I've been trying to organize all the photos I have on my computer and various websites and I think I've finally got them all in one place! I moved the rest of the photos I had on Geocities to Flickr. Here are some good ones:

Me, mom, and Carrie around Christmastime in 1998

Petey was the coolest hamster ever!

Everyone chillin' on the Niwot grass after Carrie's graduation ceremony

Me and 80's popstar Tiffany. Sweet!

Super!

Here's a pic I took of Cameron on H-ween:Awesome.

Test, Test, Test...

It has been so fun reading about all that has been going on in everyone's lives! Thanks Darcey for getting this going. I figured it was time for me to contribute and hope you will all bear with me as I figure out how this all works.

Halloween is over!! Hooray! I may sound a little over-zealous at the fact, not to mention a lot ba-humbugish, but we have been so partied out this month that last night having to dress everyone up, once again, to go on the hunt for more sweets was just about all Nathan and I could bear. It was fun, however, to see the excitement of the kids, so of course, how could we not take them trick-or-treating. Here is a pic of the trick-or-treaters.

They went with their cousins, Spencer (alligator), Hunter (monkey), and Mckay (adorable lion) Haslam and a friend of the Haslams, Kimball (Thomas the Train) and Dads. Dallin (Egor hunch back), Emma (Mad Scientist), and Logan (Son of Frankenstein) of course struck it rich in the candy arena, and I'm trying to think of ideas on how to bribe them to give a little of it up to save us all from cavities, hyperactivity, and malnutrition. Oh well, I guess that's what Halloween is all about, right?

Speaking of sweets, Nathan had his last big splurge yesterday in preparation for the beginning of his "biggest loser" journey. I thank you for all of your support. We often talk about how important we feel it is to live a healthy lifestyle, but have struggled in trying to balance all of the other priorities that we face day to day. I honestly feel that with all of the support that Nathan now has, that he is going to meet his goals, no questions asked, and I hope that a little of his determination will rub off on me, as I struggle to not gain the 50 lbs that I usually gain with each baby. (According to the text books, I'm only supposed to gain 25.) I'm sad to say that I'm well, on my way to becoming HUGE! I had someone ask me my due date the other day and she said, "You're just like my sister; she gets really big, really fast." I've also had someone say, "Ya sure there's not two in there?" Good thing I'm not the type to get offended.

Anyway, I just wanted to share one more thing that I think Doug and Marti will especially appreciate. In an earlier Blog Nathan, talked about how the kids lost their pumpkin carving priveleges last Saturday, along with most everything that was in their room, because they refused to clean up. Well what he didn't tell you was the dialogue that went on following that incident. To set the scene, I had just left Dallin and Emma's room with a garbage can full of their toys, clothes, etc. Emma and Dallin are both crying at the thought that Mom would throw their beloved belongings away, after explaining that if they weren't going to take care of their things, then they might as well be thrown away or given to children who needed them. (Doug, Marti, does this sound at all familiar?) So I closed the door and left them to hopefully start picking up the remaining items in their room. I soon returned to see how their progress was coming, only to find that nothing had been done, so once again I began picking things up at random and carrying them off. As I opened the door to once again check in on them, Dallin said, "Mom, the time has come for me and Emma to find a place to live where someone loves us." I was a little taken back but responded," You don't think I love you?" and he said, "Well you threw our stuff away." I said, "Well, I think anywhere you go to live where someone will love you, they will expect you to clean your room sometimes." I shut the door, and then this lament ensued:

Dallin: Well Emma where are we going to go?

Emma: Where will we find food?

Dallin: We won't have any clothes. We'll have to go live in jail.

Emma: I'm scared! (sob, sob, sob)

Dallin: Well, they don't really put kids in jail. (I guess he said that to make Emma feel better.)

I didn't hear the rest cuz I was laughing too hard, but even after all of this, Nathan ended up cleaning the rest of their room for them by placing everything in a garbage bag and carrying it away. By this time I think Emma and Dallin were just glad to have a clean room and didn't even care that their stuff was gone. Nathan and I still have a closet full of stuff, and the few things that they really missed the kids have earned back, and the rest, they haven't thought twice about. I have realized through this experience how we really don't need stuff, and that sometimes, not only does it not make us happy, but just trying to take care of all of it can be the barrier that keeps us from experiencing the greater things in life. (like carving pumpkins)

Till next time, see ya!