Observations from a Texas Spring Weekend

Mother's Day and Baseball - Made for a Great Weekend

Hello all!  I back from a short hiatus from the blog.  I had a great, fun-filled and busy weekend with many observations to mention.  But first let me just say that I am very happy to report that after 1 complete week on the Life Phase (no diet or drops) that I have maintained a weight range right around 170-172lbs and I certainly had some very good and sizable meals this week compared to the meals I had on maintenance.  And I even had my first junk food (ball park nachos) and taste of sugar in long while because I had to have one Claire's sugar cookies with icing.  So it is very nice to have some of those things again, but even better to eat them with the confidence that I will not gain weight and my metabolism will burn those extra calories off - or at least that is what I am expecting to happen.  I'll let you know soon enough I suppose.

My wonderful in-laws from Lubbock dropped by Friday night for a short visit and Patsy, my mother-in-law, introduced Stacy and I to the most wonderful Stevia product that is allowed on all phases of the HCG diet.  She found little packets, much like the Crystal Light packets, of Stevia flavored lime and cherry at the Drug Emporium in Lubbock.  She takes the pack and mixes both of them with 8oz of water and crushed ice, and waalaaa . . . you have a most refreshing and sweet Cherry Limeade.  Best of all, you can drink all of it you want because Stevia is absolutely allowed on the HCG diet.  Well, the problem is that the closest Drug Emporium is Denton, but Stacy inquired about it at Market Street (love that place!) and they did not have it, but were very interested in carrying the product and have ordered packets for Stacy, so there is a good chance they will start carrying that product.  If you are on the diet and have a sweet tooth, you have to pick up some of these babies. 

This was such an awesome weekend to report on I don't know where to start.  Well a good place is - "HOW ABOUT THEM MAVERICKS!!"   I thought they might have a chance to win the series, but I never saw that coming.  I have said it before and I will say it again, Dirk Nowitzki is the most under appreciated Dallas-Area athlete of all time.  And that is too bad.  History will look much more favorably at Dirk's accomplishments and rare ability more favorably than the city he played for has.  Hopefully, this shocking sweep of the two-time defending champs, the Lakers, will help Dirk get the credit his deserves.   

Of course Mother's Day is always a great thing.  I am so blessed with all the mom's in my life.  First of all my mother, Mary Miller, has been by my side supporting and loving me everyday of her life.  She has always put me my sisters first and done everything she could to make our lives better.  For that, I can't say it enough - Love You Mom! 

Always wonderful and still beautiful - My Mom, Mary Miller

 Then of course, is my wife Stacy, who is the most beautiful person inside and out.  When you Google "how the heck did that slap end up with her" the first link available will be our wedding picture for sure.  Yep, i'm certainly that slap, and Stacy is certainly the wife and mother everyone wishes for. My children will realize one day how fortunate they were to have Stacy as a mother and keep our house running efficiently and harmoniously.  Because without her, I hate to think where we would all be.  I truly believe that I have married the most caring and gentle soul possible and for that I am forever grateful to the big guy above.

 

Happy Mother's Day to my marvelous wife, Stacy!



  We celebrated Mother's Day at the Millers a little different this year.  The kids and I decided to give Stacy two of the things she loves the most:  spending time together as a family; and BASEBALL BABY!  That's right 4 lower-level seats to the Rangers-Yankees game.  Now, I know some of you out there will be thinking that Miller is just pulling a fast one and shamelessly using Mother's Day as an excuse to take in a ballgame, but that is not the case, because Stacy truly loves going to baseball games - just ask her.  Unfortunately the Rangers pitchers decided to throw batting practice so the Yankees hammered us, and we baked a little in the sun, but nonetheless is was a great time and a wonderful way to spend Mother's Day.

19 years this May - Can you believe she stayed around??





It appears that Bret Farve attended yesterday's game and ate his right hand.

Last but not least, this weekend, marked our backyard beast's 1st birthday.  Yep - Harley, about one-year ago this weekend, was born to a wild stray in downtown Dallas, and we rescued him and he became a 4-legged Miller. Now, he is a small-town hound that destroys backyards for a hobby.  Well you can bet Claire was not going to let his birthday go by unnoticed, so Sunday evening Stacy gathered some of the kid's friends from the neighborhood to join in on Harley's birthday party.  Claire prepared cookies and even had a bone with icing on it for Harley.



Birthday Boy!






 

Canine Craziness!!  (Harley really would like to eat Myles)


I often wonder if Harley ever takes time out from eating patio furniture and full grown trees to consider and appreciate how great his life is because of his family.  In that regard, me and Harley are the same - we have it so good because of our family.  So, after cooking and devouring a T-Bone Steak the size of a Josh Hamilton's baseball glove for dinner to cap off this great weekend, I tossed ol' Harley the bone as my birthday present to him.  He eagerly snatched the bone and took off  with it into the yard.  But then, he turned back, dropped the bone, looked at me with that tail wagging appreciatively for just a short moment before turning his attention back to his t-bone.  I sensed that he did indeed understand the good fortune we both shared and that it is only because of our blessed family, that Harley and I get to "have our steak and eat it too."

End of great steak - End of a Great Weekend!