"It's the most fabulous time of the year!"

Journal Entry: November 28th 2009

Palin insisted I buy her book. I declined.

"How about a quick DANCE!" she said with a smile.

Lucky for me I was already wearing my "stage-outfit!"

Turkey Trot 5K Thanksgiving Day 2009

Today was the annual Turkey Trot 5K run in Hailey Idaho.
This was my first ever 5K.
Jessica and I have been running for a couple of months in preparation for this event.
Jessica is an old pro and it has been so nice running with her!
We joined the 300 or so runners in this event, including family from Orem Utah (Amazing Wendy and Stacey Macey!)that traveled here to participate.
We had so much fun!!

Turkey Trot participants:
Brent, Wendy Mitchell, Stacey Mitchell, Penny Hope and Jessica Hatch!

Runners poised at the starting line. Penny and Stacey are on the front right.

Jessica Hatch crossed the finish line first in our family at 32:13!

Amazing Wendy finished at 47:54!

Brent finished at 33:45

Stacey and Penny finished at 55:29!

Ahhhhh, the balancing act of Parenting. Sometimes tough. Still, I love it.

(click to enlarge)

"WHAT, CAN YOU SPEAK UP??!!"

"THESE" are the type of hearing aids that my current health care provides.

Coaching "America's Team"

Ever had that dream where you are the Head Coach of the Dallas Cowboys?

Me too.

Four Twenty Ten

We received Brent's admission letter today telling him what track he will begin in.

Hopie the 3rd will begin school at BYU-Idaho on April 20th 2010

The track he has been assigned will be for Spring and Fall semesters.  He will attend school from late April to December with January through April off.

January through April is a good time to NOT be in Rexburg!

There's an analogy here somewhere

Sorry Folks....

Only Ruth Hope can make an orange bag, small orange vest, Winnie the Pooh headband and a plain old litter-stick look good.

(sorry for stealing your picture Jessica)

Guess Who Got Accepted?!

My son Brent has been accepted to BYU-Idaho!!

We will find out what track he begins soon.

For those of you who have been following the drama,

I cannot begin to express how happy I am for him.

Thank you all for your moral support!

Slow Day at The Daily Item

Huff and Puff have been my friends

My daughter Jessica and I have been running and training for a 5K. I've never been much of a runner and I have never been in a 5K. Jessica has, she's a pro and she is a very patient running partner. Monday, Wednesday and Friday Jessica meets me at the Ketchum YMCA at noon and we run for 30-40 minutes. It has been very delightful having her with me as she is a much better runner.

On Thanksgiving Day here in the Valley there will be a 5k called "The Turkey Trot." It's a yearly event for all ages. Jessica, Wendy (Our sweet sister in-law) Penny and I will brave the rough streets of Hailey to run in this event.

This has been a renaissance for me athletically. My knees have felt sooo much better living here in the dry air of Idaho. My achilles are back to 100% after an injury 3.5 years ago. I can't tell you how much better it feels to be active! Euphoric indeed!!!

Running Log:

10/15/2009 Ran 2 miles (treadmill)30 minutes

10/16/2009 Ran 2 miles (treadmill) 30 minutes

10/17/2009 Ran 2 miles (outside) 26 minutes

10/19/2009 Ran 2.5 miles (treadmill) 40 minutes

10/21/2009 Ran 3.2 miles (treadmill) 38 minutes

10/23/2009 Ran 2.2 miles (treadmill) 30 minutes

10/26/2009 Ran 3.16 miles (treadmill) 40 minutes

10/28/2009 Ran 3.2 miles (treadmill) 40 minutes

11/06/2009 Ran 2 miles (treadmill) 30 minutes

11/09/2009 Ran 3.1 miles (outside) 33.30 minutes

I've managed to be pretty consistent with my running. There was one week I couldn't run due to a toe injury. Don't believe me?? Go Here!

My running log is meager for most runners and I recognize I really don't run that far. In fact, in early October when I ran my first half of a mile on the treadmill there was cause for celebration. I hadn't ran a half mile in ages due to my injured achilles. I had to come home and announce that I HAD JUST RAN A HALF A MILE!!

Then when I hit 2 miles and there was another celebration. Finally another celebration when I knew I could actually run 5K. Today is a mini celebration because I beat my old 3.1 time by 5 minutes and I ran it outside.

Good Humor

WRHS Presentation of: "Pride and Predjudice"

(Sarah Hope 2nd from right as Mrs. Bennett)

Listen up I have something to say.
Um Hmmm...
I just went to opening night of Wood River High School's presentation of:

Pride and Predjudice

Starring Sarah Hope
as
Mrs. Bennett

Review:
I hate it when people say this but I'm going to say it:
OH - MY - GOODNESS!!
The play was fantastic and Sarah was unbelievable as the shattered-nerved Mrs. Bennett!
I am completely blown away

More Shows
There are two more shows. Tomorrow the 5th and Saturday the 7th (7:00pm)
if you can make it please do!

The Best "Wash Me" sign ever!!

Great Summer Job

Wouldn't you love a summer job playing "Zoltar?"

I can see it now:

"Your wish has been: DENIED"