ending

since i am getting so much slack for the things i write, i am taking a hiatus for about a month. bye

Chauffeur

Tonight was my baby's first date. I got to play the chauffeur. It was a lot of fun, not her dating but me playing the chauffeur. I am still not sure how I feel about my youngest dating. It is the beginning of the end of an era, one in which I no longer have little kids. Frankly, it sucks. There were two couples in all. They are all really good kids, it seemed but she is still dating. I was able to finish a book while waiting a the dance and at dinner. They wanted to go to temple square and see the lights but the lights were off at 11:00pm. There were no other plans so I drove them around for a while looking at Christmas lights and then I took everyone home. I was never able to play chauffeur for any of my other kids so tonight was a watershed moment and a first for me. It's not often the last kid gets a first, being the last and all, there just aren't that many "firsts" that a last child can experience with parents but this was a first for me so thank you princess. I am glad that my kids are who they are. I wouldn't change any of you for anyone else. I am grateful to be your father, I just wish I was a better father at times. Anyway, know that I love you and I loved tonight, being the chauffeur.

Ugh

I have 4 kids now in various stages of semester finals. UGH!!!! I remember doing that and I am so glad that I am NOT doing it anymore. I will leave that to you youngsters whose brains work much better than mine. I can, however, recognize that when I do have to study and pass a humongous test, I am still able to study, learn and regurgitate but only through lots of prayers, faith and fasting, as I did about 3 years ago when I took and passed my series 63 test. It was a pain but I did it just as you are. We had my work party tonight. It was wonderful. Quiet and peaceful and just good feelings and conversations all around. It was what a Christmas party should be and we had, thanks to our vendors, some fabulous prizes and everyone got at least something. Good time, good food and good people. Anyway, there is nothing I wouldn't rather be doing than finals, UGH!

Too Busy

I have been too busy lately. I was triple scheduled tonight: I had a floor demo up at a hospital which my equipment guy and a man rep covered, I had HPGL visits which my secretary and 1st assistant covered and my wife had Rotary which we attended and I think we have reached a decision: She is going to join me in our club here in Centerville. I don't know how I feel about that. I am excited that she wants to join me in our club but I will miss the relationships with the Hispano Latino club that we have developed. Mixed feelings but it will aid in my Thursdays being too busy.

Visits

Our Group Leadership went on visits tonight. As Nephi stated, we were led without knowing beforehand what we should do. One of the visits we had was an answer to prayers for that particular sister. My secretary has experience in the music industry and there was some expertise needed in that area. We were there about an hour and a half. It was wonderful. It was what they and we needed. We had another wonderful visit and it was great to be about Heavenly Father's business tonight. Reminded me of the mission when that was all I did. I think it would be wonderful to be able to do that again, to work for the Lord full-time. What a blessing it is for those who are called to so labor. Anyway, we have more visits tomorrow night. I am looking forward to that. Work is going well, my meetings with the owner went well. Things are humming right along. I like doing visits with my guys at work as well. Different feeling but enjoyable nonetheless. I like making visits.

Stress

We each handle stress differently. I have to remind myself of that and keep remembering that we are all unique and different. I get a bit cranky as everyone around me can tell you. I have a daughter at BYU and she is facing 5 finals plus a huge test to get into her major of journalism and she cries when she gets stressed. I am a typical guy/father and I tell her to toughen up and I don't listen to her. Sweetie, if and when you read this, I am sorry. I will try to do better. I just have a hard time when people cry because I don't know what to do when I am far away. I can hug and hold when they are close and sing by goofy song, "You Are My Sunshine" and I don't know if that makes them feel better but I think the hug does. I actually think stress can be good for us at times since it stretches us and takes us beyond our comfort zone and forces us to think outside the box at times and truly focus and concentrate. I wouldn't want a life full of stress but once in a while it is so exhilirating when it is over and we can look back on our accomplishments. I am a bit stressed over my upcoming presidency in Rotary. I just don't want to screw it up. It's like my calling in church. Anyway, we all have different and unique reactions to stress.

Snowy coldness

Winter is officially here, if unofficially not calendared yet. It was snowy and cold today. Not my favorite combination. I much prefer heat and sweat over chills that just go up and down your back and get into the bones. Yuck but it is pretty. There is a huge redeeming factor with the snow and that is the purity of the whiteness that is evidenced after a fresh snowfall. But it's the cold that I don't like. I understand it's necessary for the regeneration of our plant life here but cold is just cold and nasty. Had a good day at work. Another thing about snow is the ice that is put on the road to melt the snow and then the ickiness that is on the cars as a result. I can handle about another 3 - 4 weeks of this for Christmas and New Years. After that, I hope it warms up. By the way, where the heck is global warming anyway? It's colder here now and it is actually snowing while it is cold. It usually warms up to snow, sounds weird I know but that is what happens but it was snowing in the teens today. No bueno! Anyway, I love my house, toasty warm that it is, because it protects me from the snowy coldness.

Trees

We got our Christmas tree yesterday and I had to bring it in the house almost by myself. My sweet youngest daugther tried to help but this was her first year helping and she didn't quite know how to help me. The tree was heavy but it looks pretty good right now. I picked out the tree, I strung our "famous" blue lights up the center and colored lights around the outside and my wife and daugther did the rest. It looks fabulous. There is nothing I like more than sitting in the dark, with the tree lit and the little village my wife has put together by the fireplace and just watch the tree and listen to holiday music in the background. It is so calming and peaceful. I like driving around and looking at other people's trees as well. I guess I like to compare. This may come as a shock to most of you reading this blog, but I tend to be a skosh competitive. A stunning revelation, I know. Anyway, I like to see how our trees, the one in the home teacher room and our family tree, shape up. I think our public tree always looks great. This year, with new ornaments and decoration, our family tree looks just as spectacular. Side note: I was driving around and saw a house with 5, that's right 5, Christmas trees. That was unbelievable. Anyway, I like our house now that it is decorated and I really like out trees.l

I Still Hate Christmas

Well the commercialization of it. I love the get-togethers, the pleasant, generally, attitude now, the music, what is symbolizes but I still hate the shopping. I like getting the right thing for the right person but I HATE shopping. My wife and I spent most of the evening shopping for new ornatments for the family tree that we will be decorating on Sunday. Our "blue" tree got given away and we had to get a new one (decorations, that is) and we spent the night (at least I did) frustrated and hating Christmas. I loved being with my wife but I hate shopping. Here has been my greeting for the past few years and I can envision its' continuance for the foreseeable future: Merry Freakin' Christmas! That about sums it up. I just wish I could slow down a bit and enjoy. I will try but I still hate shopping ergo I still hate Christmas...

Reviews

I have been conducting reviews with my sales guys the past couple of days and I hope to finish up tomorrow. It has been a wonderful year for our company. We are ahead of last year, in a down market and they are good guys. I like working with them. I like reviews. It gives one the opportunity to reflect, "review" the past year and set goals for the coming year. It should be a great year next year as well as my guys continue to do what they do best which is to sell and care for their customers. We have a great team at work. Everyone does a great job. I feel blessed to be a part of the team. I really do enjoy my work there. I had my review about a month ago, maybe 3 weeks or so but it's closing in on the month. I had a chance to reflect upon my past year there, my successes and shortcomings. I felt pleased at the contribution that I was able to make at work. I am doing that in my general life right now. I am reviewing the past year, our successes, our fun, my growth, my calling, etc. I think it is essential to reflect, contemplate and plan for the future. I know that I have had many shortcomings on which I have to work much more diligently but I wouldn't really know where I stood if I didn't do reviews.

Decorating

My wife has spent most of the past 2 days decorating our house. My youngest son and I had hung some lights on the "public" tree on Saturday and my wife and I finally got around to decorating it tonight with the ornaments and other things. The star on top is caddy-wompus, like Sancho Pancho tilting at windmills (how's that for an arcane, literary reference (5 bucks to the first child who texts me with the correct tome's name)) but it looks great. My wife is so talented. She does things I can't even dream about. We also have the "village" under the tree, our nativity scenes about done (when I say "we" I mean "she"), the fireplace with stockings all hung with care (another reference with the same prize pending but this MUST be accompanied by the author as well). All we need now is our real tree with new decorations this year and we will be getting that on Saturday and decorating on Sunday for FHE. I have yet to get my stuff done outside but it will be done by the end of the week. Not sure still about outside lights. I want to spend that money on kids/grandkids/wife. Life is good. Work is good. I like to do decorating.

Christmas Parties

We had an adult Christmas party at church tonight. My wife decorated a table with some of our traditions. It looked fabulous. She is so talented with things that I could never do. I am not built that way or wired that way but I can pick out purses and colors and clothes so I do get on my "G" every once in a while, just not a total "G". The party was nice, relaxing and focused on traditions and family. It was a nice, relaxing evening spent with friends. I enjoyed it. I have 3 next week and then we are done with the formal ones. We might have one here at the home or something with local neighbors. Not sure yet. Have to discuss with the boss. Cough is still aggravating. That's no bueno. I love this time of the season just because people try to be civil, friendly and have get-togethers that we normally don't do during the rest of the year. Christmas is such a wonderful time of the year. I like Christmas parties.

Cold

I have felt cold all day today. I don't know why. I came home, fell asleep as I was sitting on the couch, went up and had a light dinner, then went downstairs and put on my warm jammies and a heavy sweatshirt and wrapped myself in a blanky. I am finally warm. It feels so good to be warm. I want to get over my cough. It is really bugging me. I am tired of it and the hot/cold it creates in me. My cough is annoying and non-productive. My house is warm. My wife makes our home warm. I don't like the cold or being cold.

Prayer

I love prayer. I love the, sometimes, immediate results of prayer. Today was the multi-denominational ecumenical sing along with various faiths to kick off the Christmas season. I have been struggling with a cold with a dry, hacking (non-productive) cough. It has been ugly. My voice has been toast for most of the day. I went, said a prayer, my wife and youngest daughter also said prayers, and I was able to sing without any problems, cracks or negative issues. It was amazing. I felt so humbled that God would listen to me and answer a prayer of mine. Now I know He does, in His time and way, but this was kind of an immediate, almost selfish, request and He answered my prayers. He is truly great and he is my Father. Kids have scattered to the 4 corners of the earth again (and 1 never came to have to return) and everyone is safe and getting ready for finals. I am certainly happy that I don't have finals anymore. Prayer, I am sure, will play an even more vital role than it currently does over the next 2-3 weeks as finals approach and are taken. I love talking with my Father. I also love listening when He answers. Prayer, as the hymn goes, is the soul's sincere desire. I know it is mine. I love prayer.

Trust

Trust is when someone can call you at anytime of the day or night for a blessing. I have a friend that trusted me enough to call at 10:30 for a blessing. I took my son who was home from school and together we went and did that. It was wonderful. I guess that trust issue comes to us in the form of the Priesthood that Father entrusts us to represent Him. What a wonderful feeling that trust is. I love the fact that my kids trust me with the thoughts of their hearts. My youngest daugther trusted me enough to take prom dress shopping with her. She trusted my judgement and that I would actually pay for them as well... There is an unspoken trust between my wife and me that is more precious to me than gold or anything of monetary value. That trust is shared in a glance, a touch, a word. It means the world to me. There is nothing more precious in the world than trust.

relax

I relaxed today after work. A lot. Work was relaxed as well. One of the guys training us had a bad back, didn't come. I think I might have found a car for work, just hope it gets approved. I got my windshield replaced. I relaxed while they were doing it. My wife has a cold now, not relaxing for her. It is very late, I have been relaxing (sleeping) and now I just want to relax.

Thankful

Things for which I am thankful today and everyday: My wife, my kids, cell phones that allow me to talk with kids far away (I miss you so much, peanut, wish you were here with us, the families would have filled the house), food, copious amounts of food, being at the same job for the 2nd Thanksgiving day in a row, house, cars, testimony, challenges, my job, my sales guys, my owners, peace in the house for the meal, kids with passion, kids with concern for siblings, TV (nothing like football on turkey day since I don't watch on Sunday), smells, help from my wife, sharp knives, great stuffing (this was a "keep track of the recipie" year), moist white meat, rolls, butter, lots of butter (have you noticed how everythings tastes better with butter, no, really, it does, not margarine but real, honest to goodness butter, nothing better), visits from cousins, hugs from kids and grandkids, kisses from same, the fact that my boys will still kiss us even when they are big and do it in front of friends, prayer, our thankful recitation before the meal, this day when we are supposed to stop and pause and contemplate exactly what we have, where we live and the abundance that surrounds us, scriptures, whisperings, the temple, a current recommend for the temple, actually using the recommend, my calling, that fact that mom is still with us, that puppy seems to be doing better, not limping as much even without medicine for a few days, music, piano playing kids, guitar playing kids, singing kids, squeezing my head off from the grandkids for a hug, socks without holes (except for the hole where you put your feet into them, so I guess socks with only 1 hole), clean clothes, flowers, windows with screens, garbage cans, people that pick up our garbage, that our bedroom is done and I am not sleeping alone anymore, my Savior, my Heavenly Parents, promptings, obedience, and, lastly I am thankful for being thankful.

Unexpected

I had to make an unexpected trip south again today to help out a customer. I wasn't planning on going down to Spanish Fork, but to have a quiet day in the office and get out a bit early. Unexpectedly, an order was not complete nor correct and they were doing a gym floor over the Thanksgiving break and I was elected to take the stuff down to them. I got there, delivered the goods and still got home a little early about 4:30. Again, unexpected for the family as they were either expecting me earlier or later, depending on the person with whom you speak. We, all the kids at home, their mother and I, saw a terriffic movie tonight, "Blindside". It was the first time that I can ever recall anyone still sitting after the movie was done while the credit were rolling. Granted there were accompanying pictures but I have NEVER seen the entire theatre stay in their seats. It was a fabulous movie and quite an unexpected surprise. We have pies baked, only 3 up to now, I have to do the cherry pie tomorrow and perhaps a banana cream (not sure about that one yet) and a lot of baking to get done. I want tomorrow smooth, I just hope that nothing happens that is totally unexpected.

Almost

We are almost complete. We are still missing 2 and that is sad. I wish we were all together but it gets tougher as the family gets bigger. I will miss my oldest daughter on Thursday. I am sad and happy at the same time that 5 of the 6 will be together. It's good to hear everyone again. I have missed a noisy house. There is laughter, teasing and just white noise. It is good. The house has been WAY too quiet lately. I miss the sounds and smells and feeling of a full house. I wish my 4 grandkids out east lived closer. I need a hug and a noogie... It's good to be almost together but it's not good to not be complete. I don't want to almost make the celestial kingdom with almost all of my family. I want us all there and I want to be there as well. I am completely happy, almost.

Oops

I just realized I didn't write anything last night. Oops. I don't know what happened. I was talking with my wife late, we went in and chatted in the TV cum bedroom and I just went to bed. There are no excuses other than the fact that, as always, I am an idiot.... Church was really good yesterday. We had stake conference and it was powerful, at least for me. Work went well today, there was a training and I had another oops moment today when I set up the training I hadn't set it up (I thought I had) at our offices but at the office of the customer. We didn't have everything we needed but we did it nonetheless and then we set up another session, hands on, for next Monday at the actual facility. Everyone knows where it is supposed to be. Oops. Life is good. I am happy and too fat. That is going to change. Has to. I feel blimpish and not good about myself right now. I must show some self-control if I am going to require it of my sales team and especially of my kids. I have to set the example and I have not been a good one in that aspect. The times they are a changin. Sorry for that family. Another Oops on my part. I am just grateful that we can repent and make things right, throught the atonement. when we do an Oops...

Passion

I witnessed passion today at the swim meet. It was fascinating watching the kids cheer for each other, their teams and themselves. The final race of the day was a 4x100 relay. There were 2 very evenly matched teams but it was interesting to see how the underdog won. There was unity and cheering and a will to win. There was passion, unbridled, unrestrained and jubiliant. I appreciate that type of passion. My youngest did well today. She started off the block again. This was her first 100 race that she has done that. Her progress has been amazing. Way to go, sweetheart! I miss, at times, the passion (though mis-guided at times it is) of youth. No thoughts for consequences, just pure, unadulterated passion. I wish there was a way to combine passion with thoughtfulness. I don't know if they are mutually exclusive of each other or not. That is a thought for another day. All I know is that besides my still-ringing ears, what I witnessed today was passion.

Long week

It's been a long week. I have had a lot of meetings as I noted yesterday, I had 3 presentations, home teaching, the temple and tonight and tomorrow I get to officiate at my youngest daughter's swim meet. I hold ultimate power over the swimmers. I can disqualify them if they mess up on strokes or don't touch right or whatever. It always breaks my heart to do that. I try to wait until they are gone so they don't see me do that. I want them to try their best for their whole swim. If they see that they are disqualified, the seem to lose intensity. It's sad. I only had to DQ 3 swimmers today. I felt bad. Tomorrow night we have stake conference adult session and we also have to go get a dress for the dance on the 12th for my baby. My baby is going to a dance with a boy. I am not happy. Boys are bad. Boys only want 1 thing... Anyway while it is not late, I am very tired and it has been a long week...

Meetings

I have been in meetings all day today. It's hard to believe how tiring they can be. I can't believe how tired I get in and of meetings. They are necessary but I wish we could accomplish things without meetings but stuff has to be coordinated and discussed and planned and assigned and carried out and followed up and reported. It's tiring just writing. As I sit here bloggin, I still have one more meeting today. It is a singing meeting but a meeting nonetheless. We are getting ready for a mulit-denominational, ecumenical singtastic on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Rotary has a double quartet and I am part of that. We are also singing at our Rotary Christmas event. I like signing, I think I have menioned that before but at the end of a day of meetings, it almost makes me not want to go to another meeting eventhough it is a singing meeting. I guess meetings are a necessary evil but evil they are. Meetings.

Review

I had my annual review today. As I put things together for it, I was amazed at what I have been blessed to accomplish this past year. It is amazing. I had a long list that wasn't even 1/2 of what I had done. It took up an entire page. I have never really set about cataloging my successes before in an annual review but I wanted ammunition for the things that I wanted to occur. They had told me going in not to expect a raise. I wasn't really anticipating one but there were other things that I wanted. We had a great meeting. Lasted about an hour and a half, almost 2 hours. Very positive. I had been given a huge laundry list of expectations when I first started and I was able to accomplish all but 2 of them. 1 of them I can't yet which is to get us on the state bid list (the bid isn't open yet and won't until January or February) and to work with the inside staff on customer service. Other than that, it was all done. I felt good. They, my bosses, felt good about it as well. They were generous with their praise. They even offered me a raise of 2%. Not bad when I wasn't anticipating one. They were closing up the meeting when I mentioned that I wanted to discuss a couple of other things. They were somewhat taken aback but I presented the things that I wanted: A change in title to VP (no decision), a seat on the board (a flat out rejection) and for work to cover my family insurance premium (again, a no decision, taking it under advisement), so I only got 1 no and 2 not sures. Not bad. I like where I work, I like the people with which I work, their hearts are in the right place and they do what is right. People of integrity. So, all in all, a very good day. I'll know in a couple of days what the resolution to the rest is. I also found out that we are getting new carpet for our bedroom! Way excited there. The carpet was extracted and upon review, needs to be replaced. Reviews are great. They allow us to contemplate and promote our needs and success. It's a good thing to review where we are, where we have been and where we want to go. For example, tonight my youngest daugther had her "Evening of Excellence" Way cool. We got to review her (and all of my kids' for that matter) royal status as a daughter (child) of God. We got to review with her the success she had in getting her Young Womanhood Recognition (or something like that) and we were able to review that all of our daughters know that they are children of God, of royal lineage. What a blessing in their lives. Anyway, when I need to examine things more closely, it's always good to conduct a review.

Waiting

I tried to go to the temple tonight. I felt somewhat guilty because my wife was sick but we have stake conference on Sunday and this was our night as a stake to go to the temple. I wasn't going to do a session, just initiatory work because it is a little faster and I wouldn't have to spend so much time away from home. Anyway, I get there, parking is full but I luck out on a good spot, go in to do initiatory and there is a 45 minute wait just to get started! I couldn't believe it. Anyway, I decided to leave and come home and take care of my wife. 45 minutes seemed like such a long time and then I started getting feelings and perspective about time. 45 minutes here is absolutely nothing compared with the centuries and possibly millenia that people have been waiting for their chance at making sacred covenants. I felt chagrined and that miniscule amount of time seemed insignificant when placed in an eternal perspective. I can assuage, however, my conscience with leaving in that our High Council rep walked out with me to care for his sick wife as well. We both felt justified (read rationalized) in not waiting and caring for spouses while leaving others still waiting...

Carpet

We are down to the carpet in our renovation project. My friend and i (well, MOSTLY my friend, since he knows what he is doing and all...) hung the casings and baseboards (well hung by the way), caulked and filled holes and we put back together the massive puzzle that was our wooden shutters in the bedroom. They fit, they open and they stay closed and the are squared up to the window. Fantabuloso! All we have left is trying to get the carpet cleaned and if it can't be cleaned, order new stuff and we are done!!!! I am excited. Carpet is a wonderful invention; it's fuzzy, it's warm on cold mornings, you can lay on it and it is soft. I like soft things (well, except my gelatinous mid-section, it's soft, too soft, if you know what I mean...) so I like carpet. I am looking forward to being back in my bedroom after about 2.5 months. The only thing keeping us out is the carpet.

Better

A friend of mine is getting better. He has been in the hospital since last Friday. I have seen him 3 times this past week, Wednesday, Friday and today. Today, he looks a lot better and his wife seems a lot more relieved. They were worried about a possible blood clot in his lung. Turns out to be an old injury, possibly playing football with his children and my 2nd assistant in the HP Group. It was good to see their friendship deepen. My 2nd assistant was asked to give a blessing and he was concerned about that. It had been a while for him and when he heard that our friend might be getting worse, he mentioned that maybe someone who knew what they were doing should give him another blessing. Today, our friend is much better and could be transitioning out to a care facility. Progress has been made and he is better. We sang in church today. My youngest daugther was better enough to be able to sing. She has been fighting ickyness and she was better enough to sing. My wife needs to get better. She has gunk in her throat. Makes me sad. My puppy isn't getting any better. Sad. I think I am getting a bit better in my calling. I like and cherish my association with the people in the HP Group. I do, however, want to get better. That is my goal: to everyday be better.

Paint

It's amazing what a coat of paint will do to a hallway, a ceiling and a bedroom. We are finally done painting. I am pooped (again that phrase, I spoke to it earlier, for my insight, please refer to a previous blog) but satisfied. I painted the walls in the bedroom as my friend cut in the corners. We went fast. I also did all the baseboard and casing. It almost looks like I knew what I was doing. Amazing, I know. I just finished the window surround and not so good. A tougher paint and I didn't excel but I know the wooden blinds will cover it up so there is some redemption there. As my friend and I were talking, we discussed another common friend from our days up at Rick's College (yes, it will ALWAYS be Rick's College to me) and the Star Palace Disco where we would spend our week-ends. Fun, fun, fun. My youngest saw me skinny and with hair and she couldn't believe it was I. Funny, funny, funny (I almost wish I could have a coat of paint, if you know what I mean...) but I am much happier now at this stage of my life, eventhough physical work days are harder on my than they once were. My knees are feeling the effects of too many years of basketball but I am still able to school my youngest son there so beware boy! Also, on another note to my oldest daughter. I would imagine you sing all day with your kids and I would also imagine you would be in your ward choir, you have a lovely voice, but my musings were regarding taking singing in HIGH SCHOOL and being a part of the choir there and not a general malaise on the lack of singing per se in the family. I do know you but my thoughts were regarding an organized, scholastic singing. Anyway, I am done painting for a day or so. We might have some final touch-up after casings and baseboards are hung but, over all, I am satisfied with my day of painting...

Priming

You have to Prime things before they work properly. In the old days, you would leave a glass of water to prime the pump so you could get water from down in the well, it took a lot of faith for a thirsty person to prime to pump rather than to satiate their thirst. But priming must occur for others to be able to enjoy it. You should also prime your walls before painting. I had the pleasure of doing that tonight with my youngest daughter. Together we primed some baseboards that we are going to install after painting the walls, which are already primed. I guess we are primed or prepared as people as well. We go through experiences, good and bad, to prime us for service and to learn how to be sensitive to the spirit. As I have contemplated a bit on this, I realize how truly important priming is to the success of just about everything. If we are being challenged, we are being primed for future responsibilities. Priming is about preparation, preparation is about constance, constance is about endurance and endurance is what helps us attain eternal life. See it all starts with priming.

singing

I enjoy singing. I always have and I probably always will. I was in Madrigals in High School, I think I made it by default just because I was a first tenor but as we sang, I started to fall in love even more with music and sining. I am now singing in our ward choir, I have been asked to join another choir and we have a double quarter (or so) in my rotary club where I sing. I just got back from singing. I enjoy that and I enjoy the camaraderie. It brings disparate people together with a common cause, (well, Rotary already does that, but I think those of us singing are even more disaprate that our club, not that it's a bad thing, it isn't but we have some unique people and personalities) and we have fun doing it together. I really love Christmas and the songs that accompany this generally happy season. I love singing about my Best Friend and praising Him in my own feeble way. I have been sad to see that none of my 6 kids have taken a serious liking yet to singing. My youngest took voice over the summer and improved so much and she, I think, is going to take choir next semester, but she will be the only one with whom I can share something that is to intimate and important to me. I am sad, truly sad, that I can't share this passion I have with more of my children. Oh well, they have made their choices and are doing well. I wish I could play the guitar but, alas, I am stuck with just the piano and radio... I am amazed at how talented my kids are who write songs (I am NOT built that way) and music to to with them. I tried once but didn't really pursue it. I have written poetry, enjoy it, but it doesn't leave me as fulfilled as singing. Singing free my soul, lifts my soul, calms my soul, brings joy to my soul, puts a smile on my face. Of all the things I enjoy in this world, I think singing is one of my very top favorites. Singing touches me. I love singing.

Doing

I was out doing tonight. I was doing my responsibility and my duty. I was out visiting members of my group and I found out one of my "brothers" was in the hospital. I was torn because I had a friend doing for me in my time of need. He was priming our basement, ready for painting! Exciting, I know but I had to be doing and visit my "brother" in the hospital. I am glad we went. I took my 2nd assistant with me. Great man, knew the family. We were able to give him a blessing and it has been a while since my 2nd assistant has done something like that. I felt that he should. I anointed and he sealed and pronounced a sweet blessing. As I was out doing, my friend did for me. The gospel is like that. I love the "do unto others" parable. I was doing and I was did. I think I should be out more and doing. It's a good feeling to be doing.

Sanding

I have spent most of my evening helping my friend sand our basement, getting ready to paint and finally finish up some of our basement stuff!!!!!! I am so excited but can I just say one thing?, I hate sanding. It is dirty, odious work that has no redeeming features save that if you don't do it correctly, your paint job will look like crap. I guess I could compare sanding to the state of Nebraska. The greatest thing about both of these items is what you get done with them. Nothing even remotely redeeming or appealing about them. I am looking forward to getting the walls painted, carpets cleaned and moved back into our bedroom. My dear wife has been so patient with this ordeal (I think that being married to me has prepared her in incalculable ways for this experience) yet even her Job-like patience is wearing thin. Sorry, sweetie. There is dust everywhere. It penetrates every orifice of furniture or other places (kind of like sand on a beach, if you know what I mean...) and it will be several months before everything is finally cleaned out or off. You think you have it cleaned, you work your guts out but you still find weird things weeks and months later. Again, the sand analogy. Anyway, some light sanding tomorrow and, hopefully, painting. But nothing happens until after the sanding...

Waiting

I have been waiting for things for a while. For example, I made arrangements with my son at college to talk to him to about some things. I am still waiting. I can't imagine how a person must feel who has been asked out on a date, the date doesn't come and you are still there waiting. What a horrible, horrible feeling that must be. Yet, here I still wait for the call... I have been waiting for our new sales guy to start; he started today! It will be good to have that area covered again. I think I have helped him pick up a couple of new accounts. I am waiting for him to be successful. I am waiting to lose weight but I like eating food, I have cut down a little, but I am still waiting for the weight to magically disappear. I am still waiting and waiting and waiting. I am waiting for our basement to finally get finished. I think it might get mostly done this week. I am waiting for that to happen. I have commitments but I am still waiting. I am waiting for Thanksgiving when we can have most, not all, but most of our family together. I wish the ATL crew could come. That would truly be epic. It's getting tougher to get together as we grow. I am still waiting for that. I am waiting for the 2nd Coming. I am preparing (I hope enough, and I hope that I am repenting enough and quickly enough) and waiting for that glorious day. I am waiting to feel the hugs of my grandkids again. I miss those. I am waiting for a lot of things but mostly right now I am waiting for the arranged phone call. I am waiting...

Puppy

Puppy has been a part of our lives for about 8 years now. She has been a great puppy, a great friend and a wonderful protector of the kids. I remember when my youngest son would snowboard down our side yard (about 250 feet long on quite a slope) and puppy (she isn't really a puppy but that's what I call her, she runs about 100 lbs right now) would run around and then pull him up the hill so he could do it all over again. In fact puppy would do that will all of his friends. It was fun to watch them. Puppy is a mixed breed of malamute and wolf. Beautiful and smart. She has been limping for about a week and while we were in St. George, we took her to the vet to get checked out. We found out that she has hip displacia, arthritis and both illness are degenerative. We found this out Friday. We were all sad. She is currently on some pain meds and anti-inflammatory pills and she seems to be doing all right. My wife and I took her for a walk this evening. She started off running around but toward the end of the walk, she started limping a big again. It's sad. She interacts so well with us. We have several levels on our yard and we would put her up on the top level during the day and then bring her down at night. During the school year, she would be quiet up on top until she KNEW when the kids got home and she would demand some attention. She didn't see them come home, she doesn't have a view to the front door, but she just KNEW. She is smart. She likes to lay on her back and be a baby and get a belly rub. It is funny to watch her get all "baby". We are putting her on a diet and we will continue to give her pain and anti-inflammatory meds but... Puppy is amazing. My wife, who doesn't like dogs due to an extremely negative experience when she was young with a rabid dog) loves puppy and even will take her on walks. She, puppy, has a sweet heart and can communicate when she wants. I know she is getting older and I know that big dogs age differently than smaller dogs. I love my puppy...

In-n-Out Baby!

In-n-Out. That brings to mind all sorts of wonderful, delectable eating goodness. We were able to go there on our way home from my daughter's swim meet today. She did awesome. Every time she has competed, her time has improved! I am so proud of her. Just like the hamburger joint, she was in-n-out of the water in, for her, record time. It was a wonderful trip. One that we will experience for the next 2 years. She has done a great job. She also allowed us to go to one of our favorite places: In-n-Out!

St. George

We are in St. George. My family (what's left of it at home, excluding the g-unit) are in St. George for a swim meet. We stopped off in Richfield and my swimmer daugther cut another 5 seconds off of her 50 yard time and 11 off of her 100 yard time! Way to go, princess! It has been a long day, a long drive. We are in a different hotel than the kids (about 105 of them, all in high school so you know how that is) and it is calm here. It is late. We got some bad news about our dog, Ginger, who is getting old. She has been limping so we left her boarded and getting a check up while we are gone. There is something wrong with her lumbar. Don't know but the vet wants to take x-rays (150 bucks, ugh) to see what is going on and the extent of her problem. Don't know what it is yet but I think we will get the x-rays and make an informed decision. She is big, she is a wolf/malamute, and she is getting older. We have had her about 8-9 years. She is a good puppy. I don't know what is going to happen. Could be nothing and it could be really bad. We will know a bit tomorrow. Anyway, here we are in St. George...

Leaves

Leaves, I spent most of the afternoon sucking them up and mulching them in my blower/mulcher. It's a cool machine. I love my yard except at this time of the year. We have a bunch of trees down our north property line. We have a total of 13 trees in our yard. It looks absolutely great in the spring and summer and if we put lights in some of the trees, awesome at Christmas but this is the time of year that I wish we didn't have trees. I had to empty my mulcher bag 8 times today and I am not even close to having the yard cleaned up. I have filled the garbage can (after putting a HUGE bag of leaves in the can to get emptied last night) and we might have enough room to put our regular garbage there once the leaves settle. I guess I am getting old because it doesn't seem so long ago that yard clean up was no big deal. My sweet wife has been helping. Bless her heart. I don't know if I could do what I do without her help. The leaves are fun to pile up and then to jump into as well. I see the flit across the yard, driven by the wind. I wish the wind would take them to the street... When we first moved into our home and for the next 5-6 years, we could blow them across into the empty fields that bordered our house. Now there are homes and no place to put them. We have to pick them up. When you get a house, if you are thinking about planting trees, do it. They are beautiful and they have leaves.

LAte

It's late and morning comes too early. I am going with my youngest daughter to the temple at 5:15. See you tomorrow!

Simiple

I like simple, probably because I am, simple-minded, that is. Simple is good and uncomplicated. Life is simple if we just live it and do what we are supposed to do. It gets complicated when we choose to complicate it but hedging the truth, trying to remember what we have done or said. I think my job is simple. We provide needful things to people. We just have to listen and follow up and we are guaranteed of success. We had a wood floor demo today. It was simple. We had the right equipment, the right chemicals, the right processes and the right people. It made the job go easy because we kept it simple. I really like the people with whom I work. They are good, honest people with good hearts. They like the simple things in life. The people we serve, are, by and large, wonderful, salt of the earth people that are truthful and straightforward. I like that in people. There are no political games. There is integrity and honesty. I appreciate that. They, the people with whom we work, have an essential function to do that is considered low class and demeaning by most. It is a wonderfully complex job that makes places safe and clean for everyone. Just imagine if no one did the cleaning, there was no toilet paper, there was no soap with which to wash your hands, where would we be? Back 150 years ago with a life expectancy of 50 years. Because of the advances and sophistication of cleaning, we live longer, more productive lives. I love my job because it is simple. The people aren't "simple", they are complex yet uncomplicated. You know where you stand with them. I think that we should be more simple. Take things at face value, not look for the political or ulterior motive but trust people until they are no longer deserving of our trust. How much better would life be? Simple.

Hope

Hope was a message from a fireside that I saw tonight with my youngest daughter and wife while my 2 of my 4 college attending students saw it either live or via satellite in Chicago. It was powerful and left me contemplative. I love pondering the power of hope. I just love pondering sometimes. Hope is what motivates us to stretch after we have exercised faith. Hope is a by-product of faith. Hope is a result of faith and we are rewarded with hope as we obey. There is something better. There is peace to be found personally and familially. Will there be peace in the world? Not until after the second coming of our Savior but there is always hope. Hope is not a wish. Hope is much more profound and substantive. It is tangible yet ephemeral if we are not obedient and exercising faith. Hope is what we have because of the atonement. Hope is knowledge, partial yet fulfilling. Hope is not complete knowledge but a knowing of things and distilled upon our souls through feelings, impressions and whisperings. Hope is what I strive to attain daily. Without faith there can be no hope. Without hope we are lost and fallen and carnal; the natural man. Faith is the fount out of which, if we are faithful, flows hope.

Trick before treat

There is always a trick before a treat at my house on Halloween. Kids come expecting candy only but there is a learning process as well. I ask them a math question. Ironic, isn't it, that I am asking math questions when my kids pass me by on their math about the 8th grade... Regardless, it is kind of fun and the return kids come to expect it. I think they kind of look forward to it... Not sure but we seem to have a good time. Tricks before treats is kind of the way life is as well. We need to put in the time before we are able to reap the reward. Those things for which we don't work aren't as appreciated as those that cost us sweat, brain juice and effort. I appreciate what I have because I have had to work for it. I think that is going to be one of my mantras for life: Trick before treat.

Comfort

I love the comfort of home. I can come home from work, doesn't matter the type of day it has been (I had a great day at work BTW) walk in the door, smell the smells, hear the sounds and feel the feelings of home and know there is safety and comfort. Home is where I want to be. Home is where I am. Home is comfort.

Peace

Peace is what I feel when I am doing what is right. Peace is what I feel when my children are doing what is right. Peace is what I feel when I contribute. Peace is what I feel when I am with friends. Peace is what I feel when I am with my wife and we are pillow-talking. Peace is what I feel when my wife looks at me. Peace is what I feel when my wife says she loves me. Peace is what I feel when I come home. Peace is what I feel when I read the Book of Mormon. Peace is what I feel when I pray. Peace is what I feel when I look at a sunset. Peace is what I feel when i smell a rose. Peace is what I feel when I am happy. Peace is what I feel even when I am concerned about things. Peace is what I feel about my married kids. Peace is what I feel when I think about my grandchildren. Peace is what I feel when I sit and think. Peace is what I feel when I am at church. Peace is what I feel when I feel the promptings and stirrings of the Spirit. Peace is what I feel when I look into my mother's eyes. Peace is what I feel when I feel love. Peace is what I feel when I bother to slow down and appreciate the things with which I have been blessed. Peace is what I feel with my wife. Peace is what I feel when my wife smiles at me and laughs at my dumb jokes. Peace is what I feel. Peace is a good feeling. Peace is what is promised even amidst the turmoil of the last days. Peace is peaceful. I love peace.

Water

Water has taken many forms in my life over the past few years. It had taken the frozen form while I had a boy play hockey for the past 12 years. I also had a daughter play for a couple of years. I was comfortable with the frozen kind. I understood it and enjoyed my time in the summer when it was blistering outside, it was cool and comfortable at the rink. In the winter, not so much but still enjoyable as I watched a boy, and to a certain extent a daugther, grow up on the ice. Early mornings, late nights, dodging pucks and sticks and helmets in the box. It was enjoyable. I returned to my roots tonight attending my alma mater and children's alma mater high school hockey game. The box was still there and comfortable. They won 9 to 0 over Skyview, a team that has been a nemesis of theirs for years. A thumping as it were. I have, however, with my youngest daugther, given up frozen water for liquid as she is swimming. I have had to learn new things, terminology, I serve as a stroke official (I have to disqualify kids when then do things wrong, it's sad and it sucks when you see them working so hard to try to do it right and succeed, and no, I am not a sadist...) and there is a crossover camaraderie that exists among the swimmers as did at the rink. I am so proud of my youngest daugther: she sliced 9 seconds off of her 50 yard time and an amazing 30 seconds off of her 100 yard swim time today! She is learning, she is trying, she did it right and she didn't stop. She has progressed so much. It is truly amazing. She finally has something that is hers, and hers alone. No one else has swum. We had kids play football, baseball, soccer, basketball, hockey but no one has ever done swimming. She is alone and unique in this. It is hers. She feels accomplished. She has what no one else has in our family. Being one of 6 and the last, I could see where she kind of got lost in the shuffle of type A personalities. She is not. She is, however, tenacious and giving. There is a certain bulldog in her that is demonstrating itself in her swimming. Way to go, princess! I am proud of you. I know water is essential for our lives. It nutures and enlivens us. It also is a great source of enjoyment for me in the past, now and into the next few years. I am thankful for water.

Talking

I talk for a living. I am in sales. I lead a great group of very talented sales professionals. I also do my share of talking and even more listening. I had to do some talking today because of a situation that has arisen. Things were discussed, explained and things are getting worked out now. It is amazing how much can get resolved from talking, asking good questions, listening and then following up on the answers received. I can't believe more people can't do that. To me it is so elemental and basic. There are times, I know, that I want to get my point across that I will ask a question, not pay attention and then respond with something that is so incongruous with what was previously stated that it was patently obvious that I wasn't listening. I hate when that happens to me. I am trying to get better at listening and asking for clarification. If we can learn this, again for me, simple thing, we can get much farther in the world. Everyone wants to be heard, everyone loves to hear their name (try it at a restaurant and your server next time and watch the service you get) and everyone wants to feel like you are listening to them. If you listen correctly it is much easier to do the right talking.

New

I have a new sales guy at work. Well, he hasn't really started but he is in the process of it. He took a day off of work to come and get some training from one of my vendors who is the representative of our buying consortium. It was all new to him and exciting. I think we need to be around new things every once in a while so we don't become so jaded. We need to see things through the prism of new and experience things again for the first time with a different perspective. I think that is why I don't mind moving and changing. It's good to step outside of our comfort zone and see things in a new way, in a new area with new people. I always enjoyed that about growing up. I don't think my mom knows that. I am glad that my kids aren't afraid to experience new things, and old things in a new way. My oldest single daughter informed me that she is going to start acting again. I am excited for her. She is good, she is real and she has passion for it. Something old in a new perspective for her. I am glad that I was able to spend time listening to the training and see something old, that I now almost take for granted, (my knowledge that I have accumulated here) in a way that is fresh in the eyes of someone new.

Cammo

Cammo is home! He stopped by the house tonight. He got home from Argentina yesterday afternoon, gave his homecoming talk in church today (without telling anybody, by the way, of course he said that he had lost everyone's phone number) and he had a hard time talking English. That's the way I know he was a good missionary. He was involved with the people, out being with them, teaching, preaching and helping as good missionaries do. It's funny watching missionaries talk English after being immersed in another language and culture for 2 years. His Spanish is better that most people that go to Argentina, however. Not so much vos, che and the buzzed double l and "y" sound. Those who know Spanish know what I mean. Anyway, I got to thinking about how fast the time passed. It just doesn't seem possible that it had been 2 years and, in fact, it had been longer because he extended another 6 weeks. We also found out that while he was serving, his folks were in Africa serving a mission as well. That family must have truly been blessed. I am excited for my youngest son to go. I hope and pray that he remains true and faithful and continues in his desires to serve. I hope that any of my kids that want to go, can go and know that we will do all we can to support them. Anyway, it was great to see Cammo!

Dryer!

We got a new Dryer today! We are able to wash and dry clothes now. Our old dryer started leaving black racing stripes on all the clothes. It was unsightly but now we are good. I had to change the swing on the door. Way too hard! I had to dis-assemble the entire door just to do that and it doesn't work quite right. It is weird. I take a lot of things for granted. I took my dryer for granted and now I really appreciate it. Our new dryer is very quiet and it dries quite nicely. We are also decorated, finally (all my fault, my sweet wife had everything about about 3 weeks ago, I didn't do anything with it so she put most of it back) and it looks good. I like halloween. I can act like a kid again, in some ways. I want to get more decorations for halloween but I don't know where we would store them. We have a lot for Christmas and my wife does such a fabulous job of decorating the house for that special season. If we were ever going to sell our house, we would do it during Christmas just because my wife makes it look so FABULOUS. It looks like a Better Home & Garden home or an Architectural Digest home the way she decorates. I take so much for granted. I realize how blessed I am to be surrounded by such wonderful people that make me a better person. I have to strive harder not to take all that I have for granted like my dryer.

Oops

Oops. I hate it when I make a mistake. After sales meeting today we had another meeting up at a big hospital chain to hav e atraining seminar on how to run some of the machines they bought from the company where I work. We were supposed to have a power point and everything. I checked on the power point that I helped put together and was told by my manufacturer rep that all we were doing is hands on and preventative maintenance stuff, we didn't need the power point. I didn't check with the other person going with us who has been co-spear-heading this with me. Oops. We should have had one. I felt like a doofus. For those of you that know me, you know that is an all too common feeling for me. Anyway, it went well, not everyone came that was supposed to attend, the head person wasn't there either so we were able to save a little face. I was able to save the day by going to the temple and doing sealings. Powerful. We were doing someone's direct, researched family names. Those always seem more real and close to me. It was a great afternoon. Went to work after that and got caught up on email. Email is a blessing, bain and curse all at the same time. My wife and I stayed home tonight for our date night. It was calm and peaceful because my youngest daughter got punked with a surprise party for her impending 16th birthday next week. She has good friends and I am grateful for them. Also, my big screen after about 15 years is finally giving out. Bummer. You never seem to have the money you want to get the things you want. I had some money set aside but it has been spent on a new dryer (very necessary) contacts and braces. It goes fast. Well, I guess I have learned a lesson today (we'll see how long it lasts) to always ask twice, kind of like the contractor axiom to measure twice and cut once, so I don't have to feel like a doofus again with another oops!

Marie Callendar's

Marie Callendar's always puts their pies on sale the month before Thanksgiving? Why this insidious plot? Why to get us to pay full price for their pies for Thanksgiving so we don't have to bake them. Dastardly and sneaky! Well, it doesn't work with me because I LOVE the smell of baking pies the night before Thanksgiving and then the smell of turkey, stuffing and yams the next day. We don't EVEN mention the rolls that are baking. I don't know what kind of rolls I am making this year but they will be yummy. We are going to cut down on our pie construction and consumption this year. I don't know who, besides family, if anyone, we are having over this year but I am only going to make 4 pies this year. G-ma always makes 2 pecan, you HAVE to have punkin pie for Thanksgiving and that only leaves me one option available. I don't know if it will be a cherry crumble, apple, chocolate, banana cream or what but I will only do 1 extra this year. Could I buy one? I don't know but those sneaks just might make me reconsider at Marie Callendar's!

sleepy

I have been dozing off and on since about 7:30 tonight. The TV is great for insomnia. My bed calls. I am sleepy.

Geneaology

Geneaology, I am doing it... Yes, it's that song that my kids learned in Primary. We didn't have that song when I was a kid but we did have a piano that we brought across the plains.... As our High Priest Group Leader I have been asked to learn the new family history program the church is putting out. It is, in fact, out in the rest of the church but they, the leaders, didn't want the system to crash as use along the Wasatch Front happened. Well, it has been crashing as they have rolled out sections of Utah. It is now our turn. I am starting to catch the vision, although it's still cloudy, of what searching out my ancestors means and will mean. It was an interesting decision to make tonight because we also had ward temple night and I am kind of in charge of that as well but I have to get this program learned when Utah goes completely live the end of the month. Also, my wife and I are going to the temple on Friday so it was easier to justify my absence there tonight and my presence at the class. I am looking forward to getting going. I think my sister had tried to do some work on my father's side but since she passed away a few years ago, and didn't share with us what she had discovered, I don't know where we are. I guess I'll just start at the beginning, it's a very good place to start. 2 songs in 1 blog tonight, who would have thought? Anyway, I will be starting and continuing my geneaology.

Pooped

I'm pooped. Why do we say I am pooped when we are tired? If I translated that directly, I would be very messy. Anyway, I am really pooped. I was at work until almost 8 tonight. We had a machine demo at a Harmon's grocery store. In fact, I still have the machine in my car. I didn't want to take it back to work, I will in the morning. The guy I was going to have to let go quit today which made my life a lot easier. He got another job today that is going to work out well for him. I am grateful for small miracles. I am here yawning and I am pooped. Not messy, just really tired. It's a weird phrase: pooped.

Linger Longer

Linger Longer. That is something that members of our church do outside of Utah. We stay after our meetings, talking and chatting and sometimes (most of the time) we eat and share. In Utah, where the church is so prevalent, where the majority of neighbors are members of the local unit, there seems to be no need to do that. We supposedly see each other during the week in the neighborhood but that is a fallacy. We are so busy, we barely have time to see each other as family members, let alone our neighbors. If we do, it is a quick wave, a howya doin', and see ya later. We need to spend more time together, getting to know each other. We take for granted here what we have, around whom we live and the area where we live. There is a commonality shared among people that, at times, can be viewed as a closed society. We are not very social around here with all. Why this quasi-diatribe? We had our annual High Priest Quorum meeting tonight and the President of our High Priest Group, the Stake President, shortened the meeting, asked us strongly not to use the side doors to leave but to go to the back of the meeting house in the cultural hall (acutally a basketball court, we are crazy for basketball out here) and just mingle and get to know each other better. Not to go with people we already knew but to introduce ourself to people, to ask questions, to serve each other and to listen. What a wonderful experience. It was almost, just like what we, my wife and I, experienced outside of Utah. It was wonderful. We all, whether at work or wherever we spend time with people, need to get to know each other better, appreciate our similiaraties, celebrate our uniquenesses and differences and Linger Longer.

Baby Food

Baby Food is an interesting subject. You eat it when you are a baby and can't really remember eating it. I remember enjoying a few things that my kids ate when I was feeding them. I guess we need kids to remember what it was like to eat baby food. My favorite:Peach Cobbler from Gerber's. YUMMY!!!! Why the stroll down memory lane?, I am in our local Rotary Club and with the Interact Club (Rotary for High School, it's a service club and looks great on a college resume/application by the way) and it was our annual baby food drive. We collected over 800 pounds of formula (way expensive now, by the way, like $17.00 a can, it was like $5.00 a can when my kidlets were little, I don't know how people can afford kids now, but we are earning more so I guess it equals out. Quite a long parenthetical, no?) diapers, wipes, cereal, baby food in the tiny jars and, of course, my favorite:Peach Cobbler. We talked about it while we were collecting with the kids and some other adults. Some like the bananas (yucky), some like the PEAS (totally gross!) and the winner was the Peach Cobbler. I don't know what that says about me. Am I a follower, a member of the herd mentality or is Peach Cobbler just extra yummy? I guess I'll never know. Any way, there were a lot of people that were very generous. I found the most generous were generally the older folks giving when even their grandkids were grown. People are amazing. There is hope. We just can't let things overwhelm us. We are good, we can do great things together. How do I know this? How can I write with such certitude? I saw people today giving baby food!

Funeral

I went to a funeral today, it wasn't someone I directly knew but I knew the family of the person who had passed away. My boss' mother-in-law died last Friday and her funeral was today. It was touching, humorous, thought-provoking and filled with hope and love. Tender and precious were the words spoken but children, daughter-in-law, sweet songs sung by grandchildren and a feeling of peace pervaded the meeting. Sales meeting went well for those wondering about from last night. I went to the funeral after our meeting. I am glad I went. I was touched and I am a better person for having gone. The effect of 1 person, especially a mother, is felt for generations and it was in ample evidence today. A giant has left us but her influence will be felt for generations and all of eternity. God bless mothers. May we, as children, appreciate the tremendous and extreme sacrifices make for us to make us better people. Nothing can help put things back into proper perspective like a funeral.

Sales Meeting

Sales Meeting in the morning. I have only 4 slides of my powerpoint done for the meeting. Yes, I procrastinate also, kids. I actually have a reason, I was on a date with my green-eyed daugther tonight. We saw Harry Potter. Second time for her, first for me. It was at the dollar theatre. She also has homework for school tonight due early tomorrow but since she is working, she is writing a paper, if not two, as well. Had some sad news from my boy in Chicago, the scholarships that he was expecting to help finish paying for school, didn't come through and it looks like he might have to end his adventure there and come to school here where it is a bit more affordable. With his grants and other options available, he will be fine. Of course he could be fine and a miracle will happen. We are having a special fast for him on Sunday for those that would care to join in. Your prayers and faith are appreciated. Any way, I have to leave the house by 6:00 to get set up for my sales meeting. I need to get busy. Sales meeting!

Virtue

Virtue is the medium through which the atonement is efficacious in our lives. I went to a fireside tonight with my wife and youngest daugther when Sister Cook, of the General Young Women Presidency came and spoke to the youth of our stake. Profound. She talked about the tapestry of our lives, the threads of people that combine together to make us unshakeable and the Saviour as the Golden Thread that makes us untearable (if that is a word, it means to not be able to tear). Sister Dalton, the General Young Women President stated in a talk a while ago, "The youth of this church are going to be the ones to restore virtue to the earth." I hear that and there is hope for a world lost in the turmoil of apathy and sin. I pray for my children to remain strong in the face of such, at times, overwhelming adversity. I pray that I will remain strong and rely upon my Big Brother to carry me home. Just think for 5 minutes about the significance of virtue in your own life. Is there any? I hope so. There is nothing more precious in all the world than virtue.

WIndshield time

Windshield Time in known in the "industry" or the "business" as spending time driving around. I had my share of it today as I went south to a School District and my sales guy and I met with the head maintenance/custodian guy. had a great meeting and we have another school district with our non-alcohol hand sanitizer! Why non-alcohol you may ask? It is quite apropos for a school district so that kids don't go around lighting their hands on fire with alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Don't believe me? Look here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IT7cqO_9xHU and you will see what our youth are doing. Amazing. It makes for an easy sell once we start talking with people in charge, especially at high schools, what they, the kids, can do with alcohol-based hand sanitizer? How do I know this? My college attending son, a senior last year, told me about it. Fantastic! Anyway, windshield time gets me where I need to go and occasionally leads to success. Not to mention I got to see the mountains around the valley on fire with the colors of autumn. This won't last long but there are, if I look for them, some perks to windshield time.

Office Days

Office Days are like nothing-is-planned-today-on-Saturday-and-let-me-catch-up days. It was wonderful. I got ready for Sales meeting on Friday. Well, I don't have my presentation ready but I do have the packet ready which takes almost, but not quite, as long. It was good to re-acquaint myself with the office again. I also had to give condolences to the company owner and the executive VP on the passing of his mother and the CEO's mother-in-law. They both commented on how much easier her passing was with the knowledge of the gospel and the knowledge of a better life. I honestly don't know how people can live and survive without the hope and sweet peace the gospel brings. There is a sense of serenity and satisfaction knowing that if I live correctly, repent fast and often, am obedient, death will be sweet as I am welcomed home, back to the presence of my Father and Big Brother and Mother. I appreciated the time that I had in the office today to contemplate and discuss that a bit with co-workers and my boss. While few and far between, I appreciate Office Days.

Progress

Progress, how can we measure it? I can measure it when I am on a diet by how my clothes fit me and the ones that don't fit me when I start, are fitting again. I measure it with my youngest daughter: Today she backed the car out of the garage and down the driveway. Not a big deal, you say? You haven't seen our driveway. It was brought grown men to tears and embarassment as they try to navigate the downhill turn and avoid my roses and the fall off on the other side. Way to go, princess! It's always a momentous day when that first occurs. Now, all of my kids can back down our driveway. I just wish I could do it consistently well... Well, I do but sometimes I have to make adjustments going down. It's embarassing to have to pull back up the driveway to go back down it... I can measure progress at work by how my sales guys are doing and the numbers they are generating. I measure progress at church by how I feel after my meetings. Did I make an effort to be taught? Was I receptive to the whisperings of the Spirit? More importantly, did I follow up and/or through on those promptings? I can measure the progress of my married children by their children. I measure the progress of my children in college by their grades and their socialization. My question remains to myself: Am I progressing? Am I doing it for the right reasons? Will I, after this life, be able to progress because I have been true and faithful? I guess it all boils down to obedience. Am I willing to be suffiiciently humble to progress?

I wonder

I wonder how my kids are doing. I think I know but I don't know everything. That is tough for a parent. I know I have to let them alone and live and learn but I don't want there to be any hurts or anything. At the same time I realize that they need to fall down and experience failure and success. As long as there is more success than failure, I guess life is good. I don't know why I am writing this but I was contemplating my children. My oldest son, driving truck, away from his family too much. I wish I could help him but he has to provide for his family. I hope he can figure out soon how to find something local and go to school as he expresses frequently. I wish we spoke more. My oldest daughter in Georgia. Going to school full-time, busy in church, with 4 kids, involved in other things and a great husband. I wish I could make her life easier but that crucible fortifies and helps one appreciate. My oldest single daughter, going to school, discovering her major, experiencing her passion, I wish I could get her through school and onto a career of her choosing and with the correct person in her life. My green-eyed daughter, working full-time, going to school full-time, figuring out how to do things in school again. Discovering the joy and frustration of learning and studying. I wish I could help her get through this first year so she can realize that it is possible to do. My single son, away at school, studying and touching lives. I wish I could help with his largest problem now but he has to take the steps to work it out and make arrangements. He is learning and growing in way that he couldn't anywhere else. My baby girl, I wish I could help her through the learning process of math (I am not an engineer for a reason although that is what I initially thought I would be, aeronautical, to be precise) and help her get through the first part of her new athletic endeavor. Again, crucibles forge strength and resilience and self-reliance. Through it all, my wife is there, comforting, calming, loving and reminding. Where would I be without her, I wonder...

My Wife

My Wife is an amazing person. She is everything that I am not: most notably humble. She is quick, she is loving, she is patient, she is caring, she is giving, she always looks for the best in people, she is funny, she is quiet, she is artistic, she is not self-promoting, she tries new things, she is willing to risk things, she is passionate, she is sweet, she is loving, she constantly surprises me and she is the best person I know. What prompted this, you may ask? Last night she had her initial art show opening! She has been taking art classes and doing amazing things. Things I can't even begin to do, accomplish or fathom where people come up with the imagination to do things like that. She is so into non-self-promotion. Her show opened at 6:00pm last night. About 5:15, 5:20 she comes up and metions to me that, if I wanted to go with her, if I was interested, her opening night was tonight at 6:00 and would I like to go with her!?!?!?!?!? what the heck?!?!?!?!?! Why didn't you tell anyone? Why don't the kids know? Why am I just finding out?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! I just want to do it my way. Don't you think others would like to know what you are doing? Not really, this is for me. For how much are you going to sell your paintings? No one will buy them, I am just learning. They don't know that. I still have to put names on them and sign them. (the last few sentences should be considered conversations between my wife and me and have quotation marks around them but I was lazy, just for clarification, in case you were wondering if dad is really going nuts and I just write random, made up conversations...) We went. It was truly amazing. My wife has talents that I wish I had coming out of her ears. What she is doing with me I will never know. Her art is mesmerizing. She is amazing. If you want to know how to be a better person, talk to my wife.

Home!

Home - is there a better word in the English (or any for that matter) language? I am home. I am safe, I am happy and I am tired. I said good bye to my son this morning as he went off to school and I went off to the last day of ISSA (at least for me). I forgot to mention something yesterday: I helped Bill Nye, the Science Guy at a luncheon I attended yesterday. It was cool. He is fairly cool. I don't think the product with which he is affiliated works but it was good to be there and get a better feel for what it is. Done with the sidebar. There was a keynote speaker today that dropped the f-bomb 4 times. I can't believe how far our standards have sunk where that is considered anywhere close to acceptable. I am thoroughly disgusted by where we are as a society. It is a sad state of affairs. Anyway today I got to go snooping and see what the competition has and how we, as a company, are going to have to compete. There is some cool stuff out there but I think that we are positioned extremely well for the future. We just need to grow more. I was talking to a couple of owners from the Palm Springs area today and they are doing 12mm with just 6 sales guys. I think I need to raise the bar considerably more than where it is. I can't do it all at once but we have to get there. My flight was good and I am home. I missed my daughter's swim meet. She finished all of her races. I am so proud of her. Keep working hard, sweetheart, and you will get what you want. It was so good to see my wife again. I don't deserve her. I love her so much. It's good to be home. It'll be great to have someone in the bed wtih me again. I am not being gross, single kids. You can only understand that if you are married and then apart. It is totally foreign to sleep alone. I am home!

Education - Tuesday

I got up and came to the McCormick Center in Chicago to get educated on things today. I love education. I love learning. It keeps me sharp. Although I don't currently attend a formal school, I am doing what I can to educate myself on things. I took a few courses today, 5 to be exact. My brain is fried. I also represented our company at meetings and a reception tonight. It was interesting. What I don't understand is why people feel the need to drink more than they need and get a little stupid. I don't totally understand drinking to start but I accept the social aspect of it in gatherings. I guess it lubricates business.... Anyway, my son left this afternoon. He has school in the morning and had institute tonight. He is a good kid. I miss my wife and daughter. I am going to miss my youngest daughter's first swim meet on Thursday. I am bummed. It's good to be here, to see my son and to get educated. Learning doesn't equal education. It's the application of what is learned when we truly become educated.

ISSA - Wednesday

Wow. What a show. There are so many things there to see and learn. I spent almost the entire day at vendor booths. Those that sell to us, getting to know them better, learning what is coming out and just building relationships. I was at the Buckeye booth talking to a good friend there, Angel, and this guy walks around the corner. I look at him and just ask him, "and who are you?!" (in that "voice" I get, you know the one, not really snarky but coyingly obnoxious) and he introduced himself as Kris, the owner of the company! I shook his hand and told him how much we love his product, the guys that work with us and we spent the better part of an hour together. It was weird. We both tried to get away, he had things to do, people to see, but we just kept getting sucked back in to each other with a question or something. Good man, good heart. We went to their reception on the 96th floor of the John Hancock Building. Views were incredible. Had a great time. My son went with me and impressed people with his ease in public situations and how he was able to communicate with people much older and more experienced than he. Son, Angel says to say hi and that he was really impressed. It's late and there is more tomorrow. I can't believe how extensive and sophisticated everything is. ISSA, gotta love it!

Chicago!

Today was a wonderful, yet sad day. I left my family for ISSA, the jan-san trade show of the year for my work. I had to leave my wife and daugther; Bummer :( but I got to see my son who is going to school there!!!!! It has been so great to see him, hug him, kiss him and just be around him. He is a good kid. I had to opportunity to get bumped today on my flight. They would have given me 600 in airline vouchers (that would have almost paid for my son to come both at Thanksgiving and Christmas, tough choice) a couple of meal coupons and they would guarantee me the 5pm flight. There was another flight like an hour later but I could only get Priority Wait List Status, no guarantee. I thought about it but I didn't take it. Time with my kids is too precious for me to have wasted an entire day at the airport. Anyway, my son met me at the airport and he started screaming, "Dad, Dad!" when he saw me, he came running up and just threw himself at me. Everyone was looking at us and "awwwwing". It was cool. We went to the Sears tower. They have something up there where you can step out onto plexiglass and it looks like you are standing in mid-air. Totally freaky. You all know how much I love heights but I did inch out onto it a bit. Freaked me out. We then went to get pizza at Giordano's. Good. We got back to my hotel and crashed for a while then we went out to dinner at the Saloon Steakhouse. Unbelievable. The steak was incredible. Great time. I am tired and the show starts early tomorrow. Chicago!

Surprise!

I got shwerved and surprised last night. My oldest single daugther dropped in on us from BYU. I was pleasantly surprised. I am so proud of her (well, all my kids, but I will talk about her for a minute), she has figured out what her major is before she is done with school, she is passionate about it and she is gifted at what she wants to do. She has such a facility with the written word. She can paint images and you are there with her. That is a rare gift that few people have. I also got surprised at conference these past 2 days. I am always surprised there though (although after all the conferences to which I have listened, I shouldn't be surprised) at the depth, passion and instruction that is so precient for our times. How the Lord loves us as He communicates His will to us through his representatives on earth, His apostles and prophet. I love being surprised but at the same time I really appreciate being prepared for that which is to come. There was nothing directly said, but if one is listening with the Spirit, there are things perceived and as I review the talks next month and online here shortly, there will come to me greater light and understanding as to what I need to do to prepare myself better today. I also get to see my youngest son tomorrow! He is away at school and hasn't seen anyone from home for about 2 months. He has done well but I am excited to see him, hug him, tell him I love him and get caught up with him. I miss our "hockey talks" that we used to have as we would go to practice and games together. I was also surprised last night as my daugther's (different daughter) boy friend and I went out for a tooti frooti after Priesthood meeting. I had a wonderful time. It was not awkward at first but there was some initial getting used to each other as we sat there. It went better than either of us expected. Not that I was expecing something bad but it is always weird a first time, alone. Guys aren' t the greatest of communicators but we did all right. Anyway, my oldest, single daughter is gone and there is an empty space in the house again. It was so good to hear noise and laughter this afternoon as the youngest and oldest teased each other and enjoyed each other. I miss the noise. The silence can be deafening. I hope my youngest soon invites friends over (of course that would necessitate our finishing the basement after our most recent water happening a month or so ago, but we are getting there, YAY!) and there is noise and laughter once again in our home. I am grateful for surprises. Thanks, princess for finally putting one over on me, thanks for the noise and joy you bring. Please, surprise me again...

El Rojo

El Rojo is an old car we have so the kids can learn to drive and then drive it during high school. It cost my oldest, single daughter 400 samolians. We have since put about 1600-1700 into it in just over 4 and a half years. It is a great car but not loved by my youngest daugther. I took her swimming in el rojo today and she complained. I took it to put gas into it. I love filling that car. I did it about 3 weeks ago and I still only put $16.50 into today to fill it up. El rojo is loved by those who see it as a mode of transportation rather than a status symbol but it is so old it has almost become a retro-status symbol. Anyway. I took her, she got, rather shot herself, out of the car so no one would see her. I drove to Einstein's Bagel shop. They remodeled! Where do they get off remodeling?!?!?! I get used to a certain way for my bagel shop and they go and do that to me?!?!? Anyway, we always get bagels for conference which is today and tomorrow. El rojo plays into what several conference talks referenced today; being that we should not live beyond our means, we fix up and care for that which we can and look to help others. El rojo is a metaphor for life: If we base who we are on what we drive and where we live, we will always and eventually be disappointed. If we are wise stewards over that with which we have been blessed, care for the things, talents, goods that are ours, our lives are happy and full and we can concentrate more fully on doing good and "being about our Father's business". I like cars but they are less and less important to me. They are a mode of transport from point A to B. I want to be more like el rojo.

Comfort

I love the comfort of realizing, at times, my children actually listen to advice and direction given to them. Well, anyone for whom I care, for that matter. I only want what is best for those that I love. I am not certain that is a true statement either for I feel a love/concern for all of humanity as they are my brothers and sisters all. I know there are people over whom I have direct and immediate influence and those for whom I have an indirect effect. My examply must speak for and of me. It radiates my belief and hope in God, that we are His Children, He is our Father and that we are all interconnected. I take comfort in the knowledge that through my Big Brother, Christ, I can be forgiven, we can ALL be forgiven if we but repent, obey the commandments and endure to the end. We obtain mercy after all we can do. It is not enough to merely profess, we must live according to the dictates of mercy and justice. Christ is our bridge from justice to mercy because He overcame all. He was perfect, he obeyed the Father, abrogating His, Christ's will, to that of His Father and our Father, providing in Himself the perfect example. He overcame all, He brought about the atonement and broke the bands of death. He is my Lord and my light! He is my friend, He is my goal, He is my comfort.

Time

Have you ever noticed how fast time sometimes moves and other times it drags on interminably? Today was one of those days where it flew by but it seems that this morning was forever ago. I woke up for the first time at 3:11 this morning, thinking I had to get up and go to work... JOY! I had another 2 and a half hours of sleep. I tried to go back to sleep and time dragged on until suddenly it was time to get up. Interesting paradox when time both drags and flies, how is that possible? Anyway, I had Rotary this morning. I was clock watching because I had to get to a meeting on our insurance changes at the office by 7:30. I knew I wasn't going to make it. However, I didn't think I'd stay at Rotary until 8:00. The time flew by. I got to the office by 8:27, meeting still going on and then the meeting seemed to drag on for about 45 minutes but seemed much longer than that. Had my weekly meeting with the CEO and that flew by. Had a meeting with a vendor, helped with a powerpoint presentation for a huge hospital chain where we are trying to get our foot in the door, that dragged on but went fast, weird. Had to go get a shot, 2 actually. Painful - MMR and Varicella for admittance as a vendor into afore-mentioned hospital chain and then a trip to the bank to straighten out some problems with Delta and them. I got charged for 8 tickets, rather approval was given but no tickets issued. I leave for Chicago on Monday without money being available to me. I am frustrated that each side blames the other yet I am out the money. There is no customer service. That dragged on forever. Had Rotary with my wife tonight. She had a board meeting that I didn't attend. I read a book and the time flew by. Went in for her meeting, clock watching again so I could get to my board meeting. Time dragged on yet all of the sudden it was 7:20 and I wanted to leave at 7:00. Got to my board meeting at 7:50 and it ran until 9:45 and it flew by but I look back and the start of the day seems a week ago. I guess it is all my perception of time.

Sheetrock

Sheetrock covers things up. Like your wires, insulation, mistakes, the cement foundation and it gets the room ready to go. I helped hang sheetrock tonight under the excellent direction of my wife (she is finally home! YAY!!! I missed you, sweetie!) who was constantly mocking me and one of my best friends in the world. We got the hole in our room fixed. It is ready for tape and mud, a compeletly odious enterprise that I have done once and that was enough for me. I will pay to have that done. It's the cost/benefit analysis in play. Anyway, sheetrock is cool. You can paint it, plaster it, put wood over it, put cloth over it, do a myriad of things with and to it. It is the base pallette off of which a room is based. Done well, you don't notice it, done poorly, you see the seams, the ridges, the tape lines, it draws your eyes to its imperfections regardless of what other accoutrements are in the room. Sheetrock, cuts easily (with the right tools) can be bent slightly, fits imperfetly into corners but made to look perfect with tape and mud, is dusty when cut, tapered to join. It is a metaphor for life. Sheetrock rocks!

Cherish

We should cherish the time we have together. A man with whom I work has a nephew that had a horriffic car accident last night. He is in an induced coma right now with parts of his skull removed from his head for the bruised, battered and swelling brain. I don't know if he told his parents he loved them before he went out last night but I want all of my family to know that I love them, I cherish you and you are the most important thing to me in the world. Everything I do is for you. I work, I try to set the example, I pray, I smile, I cajole, I remind of rules, I cook (well bar-b-cue), all I do is for my family, and in particular for my wife. I cherish her. She is the most important person in the world to me. I miss her right now. She is with her father out in Tooele who is visiting us from back east. I hate sleeping alone. I miss the talks, the smile, the laughter, the warmth that she brings to our home. She makes of this cold, sterile living space a home where I love to come and want to stay. Be excellent to each other as a line from one of my favorite movies states (if you can name the movie (first one to do so) will win movie tickets). We don't know what could happen. Our life can change immeasurably in 1 second. Cherish each other. I love and cherish you all.

Knees

Knees are cool. It's spelled weird. Why do we have silent "K's"? Where did that come from? That, silent "P's" and a few other letters thrown in for good measure. All I know is that I would hate to learn English (well, I am still learning English and it can be a very frustrating language, what with its' rules, exceptions, irregular verbs, non-conjugation) and I admire anyone that can master this challenging language. Enough of an aside. You can kneel on knees. That gets me closer to my Father. I heard once that a man is tallest when he is on his knees. That is profound. Another thing, have you ever wondered what chairs would look like if our knees bent the other way? Think about it. Weird, huh? Also what would it look like when we ran if our knees bent the other way? More weirdness. Anyway, the reason for my soliloquy (again spelled correctly but look weird) is that I know that the weather is about to change. How does he know?, you may ask yourself. I will tell you: My knee (left one to be precise) tells me. I checked the weather and yep!, we are expecting rain and coldness in about 2 days. We go from 87 today to 33 on Thursday night. If you don't like the weather in Utah, wait for 5 minutes and it will change. Also, if you need an accurate prognostication, just as my knee!

Change

There is change in the air. My wife, daughter and dog were out on our front driveway/yard/stoop just enjoying the beautiful evening when a hint of cold came creeping up and dragged its hoary fingers over the back of my neck and I realized: Summer is over, fall is falling upon us and winter is right around the corner. I like change. It is good for the soul and helps us get out of our comfort zone. There is nothing inherently wrong with a comfort zone except that we are too comfortable there and little to no progress is realized while there. Change helps me re-evaluate where I am, what I am doing, where changes need to be made. We are going through changes in the assignments in my church responsibilities in who is visited and by whom. Will the changes be good? We, as leadership, prayed about them and they feel right but it's up to the changed and the changees to make the ultimate decision. Change is good. Change is essential to progress. Change.

Peace

I love the feeling of peace. I also love that it sounds like piece, as in a piece of pie, a piece of cake, a piece of steak. Those are two words, while completely different in meaning, have the same sound and that evoke feelings of joy within me. I love the peaceful feeling that my kids, for the most part, are okay. I know where they are, I know, in VERY general and vague terms, what they are doing (just like my mom knew in general and vague terms what I was doing and it was probably good that she didn't know exactly WHAT I was doing all the time, so I know what you are all doing, in general, not specifics, and it's also better I don't know them but I DO know what goes on(very long and rambling parenthetical aside)) and I am okay with that. There is a hymn that we don't sing nearly often enough in church title, "Sweet is the peace the gospel brings" and it is true. Amidst the cacophony of the world in which we live, there is a still, small voice and peace that surpasses all understanding. I try and feel that daily. I feel it now as I contemplate my family, my life and eternity. It is a tender and precious thing that we need to savor daily. I love the peace of being with my wife. We can sit in silence at times, look at each other and share a tender, poignant moment that brings tears of joy to my eyes because I am with her and there is such peace between us. There are no major storms, only minor squalls instigated by yours truly. I am learning. There is the quiet of the evening as the sun nestles over Antelope Island that also brings with it the peaceful end of a normal day. Peace is sweet, peace has been given to us by our Elder Brother, not as the world giveth but as an eternal perspective. I love peace.

Unexpected

I had something happen that was unexpected: Someone, I don't know who, decided to critique my posutlation on monotheism. I had no idea someone followed me or that individual perhaps stalks people who decide to write on God, the Trinity, Jesus, or something like that. He, I think, is trying to "convert" me from my erroneous (according to him) ways. Strange. I guess it's interesting that people would do that but I am grateful for those of you who do, whether religiously or intermittently, follow my feeble attempts at cogent thought. What I write, I don't think matters much except to those who matter to me but, as Christ taught, all mankind should matter to me. I don't write deep, poignant or stirring missives, just what is running through what passes for my mind. It can get really lonely in there, just ask my kids... Regardless, thanks for reading and sharing with me. Had some great news at work today: a school district with which we do a little business, approached me at a trade show that we were attending together and asked me/us (my company) to call the end of October. They would like to increase their business with us because they really like our service and disappointed with the service they are currently receiving. Customer service is key in any industry or job. If you treat others the way you want to be treated, you will be able to partner with a lot of companies and become their problem solver. I love the fact that people are seeing my company as a problem solver, someone to whom they can turn and get an honest answer. Sales is easy if you do 2 things: Listen and follow up. You will be successful beyond your wildest dreams. Sounds easy but it is two of the hardest things to do consistently. Anyway, today was a good day, things happened that were unexpected.

Legal

Legal. That term has many connotations, most of them negative or questioning legality. All of my kids are now of legal age but one. I find myself not aging but my children growing, maturing, marrying, having kids, going off to school, making decisions, all of that "adult" stuff. I now have 5 "adults" as children. It doesn't really seem possible that it has all gone by so fast. Where did it go?... It seem like just yesterday I was changing diapers, heating up bottles in the microwave, sneaking food to the babies (sorry sweetie!), holding their hands while they learned to walk, helping them ride bikes, first days of school, soccer, baseball, football, basketball, hockey, swimming, where does it all go? Has my life been nothing but a chauffeur? Perhaps but those have been my most precious moments with my children as I took them to games and we had some private, one-on-one time together. We laughed, cried, rocked out (still do), discussed all things including the opposite sex (I still can't believe I have grandkids and have others dating, you are not old enough to do that yet!!!! I distinctly remember telling all of you that you couldn't date until you were married or 35, whichever came first), talked about church, goals, dreams. Those are dear to me. Where has it gone? You have become legal, made good choices for the most part and are progressing in your lives. I am proud of you. You are good people, good children and exemplary people in my book. To me, you are legal.

Nothing

Nothing. That is what I have to write about tonight. Nothing, nada, zip, zilch, zero. Worked, picked up my finished catalogue (looks awesome I must say) worked with a guy today and we accomplished zero as well. Didn't further anyone along. Might have got a phone number or a name but the person wasn't sure. I got stuff done but if felt like I was spinning my wheels. Going nowhere fast. Took the catalogue to our Ogden store, no one was there, meaning my sales guys, they were out so I got zero accomplished there. I did get my home teaching done but it felt like it wasn't without my old partner. I went alone. I was sad. If this was a week-end day and I got zero done, I would be happy because I would get to sit around and be lazy but today I wasn't lazy and it still felt like I got nothing done but I did but it doesn't feel like it if that makes sense... Anyway, I am not nothing, nor is anyone not nothing. We are someone and someones (that's plural for someone) care about us. So eventhough I felt like I didn't get anything done today, I got home and that was something to see and be with my family. See, it wasn't nothing, it was something!

Monotheism

The worship of one God. My son was asked in school that if we believe in the trinity and we believe them to be 3 separate beings, how can we believe in monotheism. Easy. There is only one God, our Heavenly Father. We worship Him and revere Him as our Father and the Supreme Being. Jesus Christ, His Son, is just that, His Son, the First Born of our Father's spirit children (of which we are all part) and His Only Begotten Son here on earth. We come to the Father through the Son because He is our intermediary with the Father. He, Christ, paid the price for our sins through the atonement. If we repent and take advantage of the atonement, we can be forgiven and become worthy to enter or return to the presence of our Father. All Christ did, all His suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane when He atoned for our sins, when He took upon Himself all of our pain, failures, sickness, any and all bad things that ever happen to us, His crucifixion, death and resurrection allow us to come back to our Father and be with Him again as we were before coming here to earth to gain a body and to prove ourselves to see if we would be true and faithful to the commandments so that we could return Home to our Father. The Holy Ghost is another separate being that testifies of the veracity of the Father and the Son and lets us know that what we are doing is correct. He, the Holy Ghost, is that warm, fuzzy feeling when we hear something true, He testifies to us. That is why Christ told His disciples that He would send the Comforter after He left and the Comforter would teach them the truth of all things. There was no need for the Holy Ghost when Christ was with His disciples because they saw Him, lived with Him, worked with Him, preached with Him, witnessed His miracles. The Holy Ghost testifies to us of true things that we cannot see but we feel them and they are true. Just like now, if you are reading this with a sincere heart, pondering these words, you feel of their truth through the Hold Ghost. I know it happens because I can feel His, the Holy Ghost's presence now testifying to me this is so. It makes so much sense, it is logical. There are 3 separate and distinct beings in the Trinity, they form the Godhead but there is only 1 God that we worship and that is God, our Heavenly Father. They are 1 in purpose but only 1 Father, Architect, Planner, Overseer, God and that is our Heavenly Father. See, monotheism.