THE TIMEKEEPER CHRONICLES

Just say a quick prayer for all them folks that have been battered already. Wow - - LA must have a bullseye on it. Based on some of the news I've read so far, sounds like they've faired pretty well -- so far -- consididering what they were faced with. Much better than a couple of years ago. But it's not over yet.

We here in Florida still need to keep an eye out for more storms. We are nearing the peak of the season, so by the looks of the Atlantic, we're right on que.

CYA

Just a reminder....your analog "rabbit ears" ain't gonna work after February 17, 2008. Here's an article from AfterDawn.com.

New guide: Preparing for the US DTV Transition

15 August 2008 10:14 by Rich "vurbal" Fiscus | 12 comments
New guide: Preparing for the US DTV Transition If you're in the US it's hopefully no surprise to you that most analog TV signals will be turned off on February 17, 2009. Unfortunately the government has done a particularly poor job of educating the public about what (if anything) needs to be done to prepare.

Fortunately the information you need is easier to understand than you might expect. Our new guide, Preparing for the US DTV Transition, should answer most of them. It will walk you through everything you need to know to determine whether you're ready or not. If there are steps you need to take it will also explain them to you.

Whatever you do, don't wait until the last minute to prepare. If you wait too long you may suddenly find that you need a converter box or antenna that isn't in stock at your local retailer. In order to make sure you can watch TV with no interruption you should act as soon as possible. There are fewer than 200 days left.

Click here for your Converter Box Coupon

Five years ago yesterday, August 17, Mikayla walked out of the St. Josephs Childrens Cancer Center after recovery from her last doses of chemo treatment(s). We can now sit back and reflect on this journey that Mikayla traveled, and all the uncertain moments, and the awesome small victory's, and say how blessed she is, and how fragile life is. God is good all the time, and without the prayers and faith of all who were there with us during this trying time, we can say five years is a pretty good start to a normal life.

We have unfortunately lost so many young lives to childhood cancer, innocent little lives that their only hope was to make it to their next day. Our hearts continue to be with their families and we hope those of you reading this will just take a small moment and pray for all the little kids who are suffering as a result of childhood cancer. God can heal, and God can comfort those who ask.


In celebration of Mikayla's milestone of 5 years remission, we threw a big party here at the homestead, and the feature was the biggest water slide I've ever seen. Our wonderful friends from Space Walk of Lakeland set this thing up and needless to say...it was an absolute blast. Everyone had a super time, and we want to thank everyone for coming out and sharing this special moment with Mikayla. God bless. P.S. - Please make sure to click the link above for Space Walk if your looking to have any fun inflatable for your kids. Vickie and Keith are awesome folks!
Walk in Faith, Not Fear.

Here's a slide show of pictures from the event. Enjoy!

Looks like theres no escaping this one. The track keeps shifting a little to the east, in which is closer to us. So, this may be another 2004. Below is the latest storm track as of 8am Monday...

From the National Hurricane Center..

000
WTNT41 KNHC 180915
TCDAT1
TROPICAL STORM FAY DISCUSSION NUMBER 11
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL062008
500 AM EDT MON AUG 18 2008

THE AIR FORCE RECONNAISSANCE AIRCRAFT FIXED THE CENTER OF FAY OVER
CENTRAL CUBA TO THE SOUTHWEST OF THE ROTATION ALOFT APPARENT IN
RADAR IMAGERY. WITH THIS FIX...THE INITIAL MOTION IS NOW 335/10.
ASCAT DATA SOUTH OF CUBA PRIOR TO LANDFALL SHOWED THE SURFACE
CENTER BECOMING ELONGATED...LIKELY IN RESPONSE TO THE CONVECTIVE
ASYMMETRY...AND SOME ADDITIONAL DISTORTION OF THE SURFACE
CIRCULATION IS LIKELY DURING THE PASSAGE OF THE CENTER OVER CUBA.
ALL TRACK GUIDANCE SUGGESTS THAT FAY WILL MAINTAIN A
NORTH-NORTHWESTWARD HEADING FOR ANOTHER 24 HOURS UNTIL IT REACHES
THE SUBTROPICAL RIDGE AXIS. THE OFFICIAL FORECAST IS NEAR THE
RIGHT-HAND SIDE OF THE GUIDANCE ENVELOPE EARLY ON...BUT SOME
ADDITIONAL RIGHTWARD ADJUSTMENTS MAY BE NECESSARY IF THE CURRENT
CONVECTIVE STRUCTURE PERSISTS AND THE CYCLONE REMAINS VERTICALLY
CONNECTED. THERE ARE LARGE DIFFERENCES IN THE TRACK GUIDANCE LATE
IN THE FORECAST PERIOD AND THE RUN TO RUN CONSISTENCY OF THE
GUIDANCE HAS BEEN VERY POOR. GIVEN THAT...ONLY A SLIGHT EASTWARD
SHIFT HAS BEEN MADE LATER IN THE FORECAST PERIOD.

THE INITIAL INTENSITY REMAINS 45 KT...WITH THESE WINDS OCCURRING
JUST OFF THE NORTH COAST OF CUBA. AN UPPER-LEVEL
LOW OVER THE EXTREME NORTHWESTERN CARIBBEAN SEA IS IMPEDING THE
OUTFLOW OVER THE WESTERN PORTION OF THE TROPICAL CYCLONE...AND SOME
WESTERLY SHEAR IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE FOR THE NEXT DAY OR TWO.
GIVEN THIS PATTERN...RAPID STRENGTHENING IS NOT EXPECTED...BUT THE
SHEAR IS NOT EXPECTED TO BE STRONG ENOUGH TO PREVENT FAY FROM
REACHING HURRICANE STRENGTH BEFORE IT REACHES THE FLORIDA
PENINSULA. THE OFFICIAL FORECAST IS CLOSE TO THE GFDL AND SHIPS
GUIDANCE.


FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS

INITIAL 18/0900Z 22.5N 80.9W 45 KT...INLAND
12HR VT 18/1800Z 23.5N 81.5W 45 KT
24HR VT 19/0600Z 25.1N 82.0W 55 KT
36HR VT 19/1800Z 26.6N 82.3W 65 KT
48HR VT 20/0600Z 28.2N 82.2W 60 KT...INLAND
72HR VT 21/0600Z 31.1N 82.0W 45 KT...INLAND
96HR VT 22/0600Z 33.0N 82.0W 25 KT...INLAND
120HR VT 23/0600Z 35.5N 82.5W 20 KT...REMNANT LOW

$$
FORECASTER FRANKLIN

..and then from Fox13..

Of course, here in Florida, it's that time of year again. And here we are looking at another storm. YEEEEHA. Tropical Storm FAY is eyeballing our state, and we should be feeling the effects sometime on Tuesday/Wednesday. Looks like fun. Though, we kinda have a bit of experience with these storms, so I don't look for it to be that bad (I hope).

Here's the current storm track as of 5pm Saturday...

Just sitting here on a Sunday morning catching up on some news, email and stuff, and decided to post something here at the "TIMEKEEPER CHRONICLES". At least I'm posting something, right?

Here's some old scanned pics again, just random. I still have a ton more pictures to scan, but that will be a project for a rainy day, since it seems there is too much other crap going on now :-)

Someone is ready to go mudslingin'
This is funny because either the kids are mesmorized by Susan's costume, or she just told them that Santa was a fake.
Parents are big from a short person's perspective.
No, you can't have the keys to the car. As a matter of fact, your grounded until, oh, let's say...your 30!

Dangit. No money, but finding stuff like this on the Woot! forums is hilarious....LOL

Good reading material.

Of course, the coveted Bag Of Crap! Though I have tried and tried to get this stupid bag, I haven't been able to get one yet. But...maybe this time I will. M U S T H A V E C R A P!

Here's my truck. Just went and picked it up this morning. It's a 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie SLT, 2WD, 5.2L (318ci)automatic. Perfect. And, it only has 77,000 miles on it! And, I know the fella I bought it from, and he's an old car buff himself, he bought this new, and he's very meticulous in the maintenance of his vehicles. So I know it's in great shape. $2200...I couldn't pass it up.

Of course, no excuses for not posting, but we have been busy here at the home front. And, really, there just ain't been much to post about. lol. Actually, there is always something to BS about, but I just haven't been that inspired lately. So, I guess today's post is just BS.

Recent events include my finding a new truck! Ok, it's not new, but new to me. I will post a pic soon. As a result, anyone interested in a 1998 Camaro? I will be selling it here very soon, so let me know. I hate to have to sell it, since I'm still a car buff, and though it's not necessarily a 'classic', it does tote the classic 'Camaro' nameplate. I have got to have a truck, it only makes sense. And since my lovely son decided to see how well the 'ol Ranger would hold up in a crash test, I haven't had any access to a truck, and really miss it. So I found a good deal on one, in which is unusual, since the Miller's often think they found a deal, and end up getting screwed. Dad say's "If you can't lose money on a deal, where's the challenge"? LOL.

I'm trying to break that Miller tradition as much as possible.

Not that this is BS, but here's some recent pics from the Ft.Desoto beach with the kids and friends.

Today we celebrate the birthday of our Great Nation, The United States Of America. Though I don't agree with some of the things that are happening in our nation today, I still cherish my freedom, and stand behind her..even to death, if that's what it takes to protect my freedom. Everyone needs to stop today, and go back, spend just a little time to reflect on our Nation's history, and realize that the freedom that we enjoy today did not come free. If it weren't for brave men and women, who stood up and believed so strongly in a united, free people, we simply wouldn't be here. I feel a bit Patriotic today, and really just want to tell folks how I feel about it. Here's some links to some history. Plus, if you have cable or satellite, right now (most of the day) on The History Channel, they are running programs about the Revolution of America. Very, very interesting. It makes me proud to be an American.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." - Thomas Jefferson, The Declaration Of Independence

The History Channel - Fourth Of July

The Library Of Congress American Memory

The Charters Of Freedom

Enjoy your freedom.

Yesterday evening, we went to see what I thought was a very good flick called WALL-E. This Pixar flick was one of their best as far as I'm concerned. At times it was almost hard to tell if it was real or computer animated...very good effects and a good story. A great movie for the family, so I'd recommend getting out of the house and go see it.

Well, happy belated Father's Day to all you dad's out there. I know I had an awesome one (though I had to work all day Sunday), but I still had a great one because I was totally suprised at what I got for a gift....speechless. My lovely wife and kids got me a Nikon D60 SLR 10.2MP camera! Holy Crap! It was completely awesome and I love it. The bottom line is that they like me taking pics of them lol, but that's ok, 'cause that's what I like to do...preserving memories, hence the name "The Timekeeper". The Timekeeper has now went up a notch, so I might have to start a real business.

Of course, I had to takes some pics of the camera to share. SHWEEEEEEET.

WOW! Jeremy walked last night to receive his diploma. This was a great accomplishment and we are very proud of him. Time truely passes by too quick, because it seems like yesterday he started 1st grade. But, here we are and we now have an official graduate getting ready to start the rest of his life. Join us in wishing him the best.

P.S. Jeremy - - now it's time to get a real job! LOL

Really, there have been a ton things happening here...end of school programs, getting ready for a high school graduation, friends' gradutions, etc. But, we are still here, and living the crazy life.

Saturday, we had a graduation bash for Jeremy. Everyone had a big time. Here's some pics from the party..

Here's a funny as crap spoof on the new Burger King commercial done by MJ and crew. Had to laugh.

This is too funny...



Recognize anyone?

Just hanging around the back yard, minding my own businss and the all of a sudden this loud noise comes out of nowhere, and I look up and there I see a couple of fast US Thunderbird fighter jets doing a fly by. These things are absolutely amazing. Actually, the Sun-n-fun was going on and the Thunderbirds were part of the show. These were about the best pictures I could get because they were just going to dang fast.

Here's some pictures from the recent Mulberry Relay For Life. Everyone had a super time, and it was a huge success. The Relay managed to raise $75,000 for cancer research. WOW! Thanks for all the support.

Mik and Co.
Relay Crowd
Ladder Truck & The US Flag
Britt
The Campsite
Cancer Survivors
Grammie, Mik, and Dad Miller
Danny, Sambo, and Cheryl
Rest In Peace, Alyson
Michelle (Michael). Ok, he dressed up for a competition to win a cordless drill, but he came in 3rd.

I'm sure ya'll have seen these virals on YouTube. I just thought I'd share them here 'cause they are so funny.

Here's the kid saying something about 'bloohud'..and he gets pretty hacked that no one seems to care :-)



And of course...I'm gonna kick your 'ask'

Believe it or not, there just hasn't been much lately to post. We have been busy with school, work, life... yes, believe it or not, I don't always have too much time on my hands :-). So, here's just some random stuff...just to let ya'll know we are still alive.

How 'bout chillin with Bocephus!

This is something you won't find at a zoo...flying, screaming monkeys! A 2+ day WootOff, and all I ended up getting was these two Screaming Monkeys! Actually, they are pretty cool, and we all got a big laugh out of them. Here they are hanging out at the Banana Bar.

Spring has sprung, and we have had some awesome afternoon rains come through here lately..kinda like summertime. Here's a few pics from around our house after a recent storm.