I've gotta figure this out

How to add more photos.. but for now, an additional post each time is certainly worth the hassle, to see more of my photos gallery? wouldn't you agree?

OK, just want to thank everyone who made for such a fun time. All the chefs (joan, grady, jeff, sarah, catherine, joel, aileen, karin, ardie, karla, mom) ( ok,everyone but me) the entertainmenting stories of Antartica and Japan from aileen and kris, the party favors by catherine and cresswells, and the betts for bringing the islands to oregon. And the chauffered ride home to Seattle from Kris and Chris. I try to do my part by serving drinks and digitally documenting the day.

Mahalo to everyone.

Running was discussed

There was very little exercising done this weekend, other than lifting of heavy forks and full glasses. We were being totally sympathetic for/of/with (what is it?) Joan. Her knee went totally out of whack on Sat. Major pain. I tried to medicate her with the help of Dr. Jameson. I think it must have helped. I know I felt no pain. :) Here's hoping you get back to the Y soon. You're looking great!

However, there was much discussion of past races, upcoming races, biking and triathlons, sports injuries, work out routines (Silver Sneaker award to Mom) , training issues, age group wins (Way to go, Aileen !) , prize money won (Way to go, Catherine !) . Bike accidents. ("you so tall", Kris) , fun and not so fun events (how/why did you jump in that frozen lake, Karin? ) , giving up surfing at the Oregon coast (wise decision, Karla) mountain biking (helmets & health insurance, Joel),

ok, enough of this rambling. I know what you want, MORE PHOTOS !!!

fyi, that's Kris doing his imitation of the French version of the March of th Penguins. The Morgan Freeman version did not make it to Japan.
that's Aileen doing her imitation of an Adelie (?) penguin rolling it's eyes.
and that's Aileen after 7 days of answering penguin related questions. have you seen "March of the P's?"

Party Blog

First of all,let me be the last to say "Merry Christmas !" There, that's out of the way. Or should I say, "Molly Christmas"? as in the Miller Blog-dog, Molly.

I see my last post was a full week ago. I'm sure you've missed the drivel. I took the Amtrak to Portland on 12/23. I spent 4 fun filled days with the Miller family. Mom, from Roch cha cha, Anne M., Aileen trekked from Antartica, Kris flew in from Japan, Ardie and Karin Betts drove up from Calif., Karla B was in town, the Cresswell family, as usual, and newly minted Miller relatives, Lynn and Mary Jo, survivors of Katrina were around. (OK, always were rellies, but I just met them.) And our fabulous hosts, Joan and Grady.

Christmas Eve party was Hawaiian theme, at Anne M's place. A,K,K Betts created the evening for us. It was quite festive and Anne was the belle of the ball. Or should I say, the big kahuna? She got a real live lei, and "borrowed" my aloha Santa hat. Looking good!

Christmas day party was a blast! Started with the frittatta for b'fast, presents were done by noon, naps were had, party preps, and the big bash at 4:00. Cresswells arrived with dinner in hand. A fork lift might have helped, that roast beast was so huge. Yes, Jeff, I saw the leftover beast rolling down Ladd Ave. The 5 second rule was in effect.

It was sit down dinner for 14. Champagne toasts, food, food, and more food. Holiday hats and xmas poppers (not the disco drug) and quotes from W had (almost) everyone rolling in the aisles. This year a slide show of penguins and ice bergs substituted for the singing of xmas carols.

Dec. 26 was more of the same. Joan and Grady hosted an open house party, for neighbors and friends. and family, of course. can't get rid of us that easily. With a lot of the same folks from night before, it seemed a continuation of the fun. We still couldn't get rid of the cranberry juice. I guess Cosmo's were not the drink of choice this weekend. But we were ready.

ok, the blog-gods are not letting me upload more pic's so I'll end. and start another.

Little Drummer Girl

And her shadow........ and a few of her bandmates.

Just when you thought this was a running blog, no, no, it's a band geek blog. Here is our buddy Annalise, ABB for short. Playing "the big bass drum, and the piccolo,too" (oh, you knew I could work in a phrase from the 'Music Man') with her award winning Thousand Oaks HS band. Next semester she will be playing with the prestigious T.O. Spring Drum Line.

Hey, wait. I do have running news. Results are in and I placed 1st in the Jingle Bell Run. Val was 2nd, and Gina 5th !!!!!!!!!! http://www.ontherunevents.com/jinglebell/2005results Let's see if this link thing works. I may have to read up on the blog techno stuff.

OK, Merry Christmas to all.

Pa rum pa pum pum

The Art of Running

Well, there is joy in mudville tonight.

I've been having a little pain in my foot/arch ever since the half marathon (did I mention I was 4th ?) Ran a little in Hawaii, a little since coming home. Raced last Sunday. But the pain was worsening. So, being the stress fracture hypochondriac that I am, went to see the doc. He seemed to think that was what it is. And to plan for 3 months OFF. I got the bone scan on Friday. My insurance company probably wonders why I don't quit running, as this was my 3rd scan of the year. OK, some of you may wonder, too.

Anyway, my experience reading these films gave me hope. Of course, I still managed to be a pout face all weekend, thinking the worst. That I was out of the Boston race, again. Jeez. But long, boring blog, short.... It's not a fracture. As you can clearly see from the picture.

It's possible it would have become one, if I'd kept running. So, I'll stay off running for a few weeks. Get my money's worth from the gym membership and use the indoor machines. Spend hours on the elliptical machine, and the spinning bikes, maybe some pool running, and VIOLA ! I'll be still in shape when it's time to run again.

And, maybe, just maybe, I will run that darn race in April.

by the by, the floral still life was done by a fabulous young artist in NY. Kyle McHugh. I knew him when....

We Three Trees

The seasonal decorating has been in full swing here at Green Lake. We could not decide on one tree, so we have a few. One outside, a holly tree, that we think looks great with lights. I told Gina that those lights were on permanently, or at least til I could cut the wires. Holly tree is pretty, but oh so sharp!

For our inside tree(s) we decided that since we have a small house, a small tree would be perfect. And if it's small, we could have two. Our favorite is the Charlie Brown tree. It's "pathetic" . The new desk needed a tree. of course. And the new bathrom couldn't go un-adorned. of course not.

The annual Christmas card contest is underway. Full, and final, results will be posted in January.

Well, I must go wrap some presents. Because it is SO obvious when Gina does it all. They all look fantastic. I am the pathetic wrapper.

From recent comments, it seems I am a pathetic blogger, too.
BLAHG-HUM BUG

Where is all the running news? you ask. Tune in to tomorrow's blog. speaking of pathetic.

Jingle Jangle

Sunday was the Jingle Bell 5k Race. Gina and I ran with 10,000 of our friends. Only 9 of whom we invited back to the house to hot tub, sip champagne and irish coffees, and watch football. Oh, and a few who saw fit to not run.

There are no official race results to report but I can say I did make at least 20 Irish Coffees.

We were quite social this weekend. A little soiree at Michelle and Teri's house was fun. And the cocktail weinies that were slow cooked in a fab BBQ sauce, well, all I can say is, that is my new pre-race dinner. Those pasta parties are old news. I ran pretty well, and felt great. After a whole week of sluggish running, I was happy.

We also attended a Christmas party at our gym. Just so you know, pre-race carbs aren't all bad, I did lift a couple 12 ouncers of beer. and chatted with folks who look so different when wearing regular clothes, other than t's and shorts. I almost said normal clothes, but then I remembered a couple outfits. One guy had a dress shirt, festooned with a piano keyboard down the side. Causes a head tilt. hmm... "why is he wearing that?" but I've seen how much he lifts so I'm not wondering out loud.

Here I am with the gym owner, quite possibly THE NICEST MAN ON EARTH. And I don't think I exaggerate. Mark is his name. We were chatting about how he water skis year round. brrr. and the other shot is Gina, well, obviously, and Darcy, our triathlon buddy. oh and Evan. As soon as the camera came out, the dudes were jumping to get in the pictures. And the 3 guys, well, that's Mac on the left (he should own the gym), unknown member in the middle, and one of our favorite work out buddies, Rock. His wife discreetly stepped aside. Rock is the funniest surfer dude around.

I know, I'm strange ( I almost said we're, but Gina claims nothing to do with this blog) , but we love the folks at our gym. And it is our home away from home. There are a couple odd balls... Did I mention the guy that gives Gina advice on how to kill people? I don't think she's followed up.

OK, jeez, I might have to re-title to "Partying Crazy"

Good night. No, no recipes tonight. But if I can get the secret BBQ sauce for the weinies, I'll pass it along.

Going Postal

First, the good news............. there was no line at the post office today !
And now the bad news.... we are back on the mainland. Oh well, paradise for 9 days is still paradise. And it's time to get ready for the holidays. I mean, Christmas. Wouldn't want Jerry F and his gang mad at me. Although, I'm sure he would be if he only knew me. But, I digress, di-blog?

We had a great time. Exercised a little, but mostly it was R & R. Each day was "filled" with water slide races, splashing in the pool or ocean, eating mahi mahi, sipping tropical drinks. The big decision of each day was which chaise lounge to choose, factoring in sun, shade, slide access, proximity to the poolside bar's tv (must stay current on the games). I think the waitress thought my name was Heinekin. Every time she passed by she would look at me and say "Heinekin?" I'd nod. Well, not everytime.

Our celebrity siting of the trip was at Sansei. (best sushi) Mariano Rivera and family showed up. We should have requested a bigger table. Next time. Damn Yankee.

Our mistake of the week was wasting time on the time share sales pitch. I'm sure Alec would say "time invested". He lost that sale when he couldn't wrap it up in time for us to get to our dinner reservation. Don't mess with our feeding schedule. At least it was a cloudy day. We didn't buy, but did "invest" time in thinking about it, and then trying to say no. That's a word the sales folks don't like to hear.

We saw our poolside buddies, Kathy & Jack, from SF, who we see each year. That's always fun. Discussing all the year's political issues while floating in the pool. It must have been liberals' week at the Westin cuz no one tried to drown us.

More stories later.
Aloha Sorry, I know that gets old