smooth

Things are going smooth everywhere. Work is going well, my calling is going smoothly in spite of me (I have great assistants and secretary) my exercise is going well, my sweet wife and wonderful children seem to be well and still putting up with me. I feel good. I ran the fat burn on the bike this morning with a target heart rate of 138 and only got in 7.6 miles. I must not have enough fat to get burning longer (sincerely doubt that looking down as I am right now) or my heart rate is doing better and it takes longer to get up to where it, my heart rate, needs to be. I feel so good after riding. I have not even really had the desire to not ride since I started. Well, okay, when I first started it was harder to get on the bike but now it is part of my morning routine and I enjoy a good sweat to start the day. I have sales meeting this morning so I have to make this short and get showered but I still have to cool off. I'm not dripping profusely but there is some leakage if you know what I mean. I should finish the Book of Mormon again this weekend. Twice already this year. I enjoy the time in the car so much more now that I am listening to it and being productive. Granted it's not the same as reading it but as I listen to it, and situations come up, I recall what I have heard and it helps me with answers. Not THAT is smooth!

Recovered

I have recovered sufficiently from my all-nighter Monday into Tuesday. In fact, I had a hard time getting to sleep last night because I wasn't really tired. Of course, after I got home from work yesterday, I went on the nod for about 10 minutes and that took the edge away from my tiredness. Anyway, it was a good day yesterday. Work went well, I helped my newest sales guy close a deal yesterday! He also delivered a burnisher to a school, showing them the time savings and more importantly the labor savings. Question is as always when we become more effecient and mechanized in some things, "What are you going to do with the extra time you have?", and that always gets the people thinking. We had a couple of good visits last night as a group leadership and we were all able to go. My 2nd assistant that has had health issues was well enough to go with us. It was a great evening. I love those with whom I serve. We also had home teachers last night. I like them as well. The junior companion is quite a BYU (ugh) fan and I like to tease him about that being the "U" Man that I am. Good times! Had a good ride this morning. Ride in the Park, level 16, 8.1 miles. I am going to have to get in a quick ride tomorrow because I have sales meeting up in Roy and I need to get up there early to set up. My wife found her passport for which she had been desperately looking for over a month. She has looked and looked and prayed and yesterday, she was like Nephi, being led beforehand without knowing what she was doing, and she found it in a place that I had already looked: in my computer case. The rule, as always is: Dad is an..... Anyway I and the passport are recovered!

Skipped

I skipped yesterday for a very good reason: I was working until 4:30am. I just can't pull all-nighters like I once could I got to bed about 4:30-4:45 and then I woke up at 7:30 to take my only child at home to school (late start, we didn't have to be there until 8:15) so I was able to shower before taking her, I had meetings at work at 9:30 and at 11:30 and I made it home by about 1:30pm yesterday, took a 2.5 hour nap and was back on schedule and here I am once again. Just a warning to anyone reading this: DO NOT GET OLD (although it is better than the alternative, if you know what I mean). My spirit is indeed willing to do things I once did but the flesh, especially mine, is all too weak. Anyway things are going well at work. Things are going well at home. Things are going well with the family. Things are going well all around, not to mean that "all is well in Zion" we still have to do the things that are making things well, i,e., reading scriptures, saying prayers, obeying the commandments, not being lax in our commitment to our Savior and if we do that, things will remain "well" for us and when challenges come our way, which they will, we are/will be, sufficiently grounded in our testimonies to recognize the challenges for what they are: opportunities for growth and to learn. Stay strong. Interesting thing happened to me yesterday, I felt guilty for not riding the bike in the morning and doing my sit-ups Monday night. Good news on the sit-up front: I got to my goal last night of 50! Yay me! I got 25 minutes this morning on the bike, level 14 on Plateau. New record in mileage for me also in 25 minutes: 8.4 miles. I am glistening not dripping even as I write this now. I am recovering quicker. It is good but I do not wan to say that I have skipped my exercises again.

Getting Better

I am getting in better shape. How can I tell? I ran a program today that I haven't been able to run start to finish and was able to do it fairly easily. Sure I got a little winded but it seemed easier to push through this time. No stopping mid-cycle to just pedal on no level. I ran the Rolling Program on level 13 for 25.00 minutes and got in 8.2 miles. Feel good to be getting better. I had a wonderful week end. My nephew received his mission call to Buenos Aires Norte Argentina. He leaves in just 5 weeks on March 31! I can't believe how fast that is. Another young man in our ward (church group like a parish) is going to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (that is kind of an oxymoron being that Democratic and Congo are in the same title/name) and he doesn't leave until June 16. My youngest son was there and he got excited for his cousin and he is excited to submit his paperwork for his mission. My nephew actually received the call on Wednesday but waited until Saturday so his family could be there with him. I don't know if I could have/would have done that or not. Well, I know I didn't. I was up at Ricks College when I got my call, I opened it with my friends when I got it and then I called my mom. She started to cry. I can only remember her crying 2 other times. She is not one prone to public displays of emotion but I know that touched her. She is a bit more emotive now but I always remember her being strong and stoic. She is a wonderful lady. My recovery time is lessening as well. I cool off quicker. In fact, after about 10 minutes here, I am about done sweating/dripping when it would take me about 1/2 an hour before. See, I am getting better (at least as far as my physical fitness) and I am constantly striving to have my spiritual side also to be getting better.

Easy

I had an easy ride this morning. What once (about a month ago) was difficult this morning was far too easy. I did the program, "A Ride in the Park" on level 14 for 23 minutes (I had already done 2 on another program that I wasn't in the mood for) so I just said, "let me do this and see how it does" and so I did. My miles were all right but my heart rate never got over 127. I like to get up to 150-152 as a max and hold it at right around 140-145 for a distance so I get a good cardio. Didn't do it. I guess I might be getting in better shape. I sweat all right but my cool down is almost done. (I write this as I am cooling down and usually I am dripping even after I am finished and now I am just "glistening" and far from dripping. (too much information, I know but that is how I gague my workouts)) I feel good about my progress. Work is going well, it is not easy but it is fun and it stretches me. I have an early morning meeting this morning up at Primary Children's Hospital with one of my reps. He has been working on that one for a while. It's good to see things come to fruition. I have found in sales, or life for that matter, that if we only do 2 things, we are successful: Listen and follow up. See?, easy!

Cramped

I have been cramped for time this week. It's always that way, it seems, when you take a day off of work. It's almost easier to take a week or two and then I feel like I don't have to cram 5 days of work into 4. That is my situation this week. I took Monday off and have been running ever since to catch up. It's good, I like to be busy but I feel like I am half a step behind or off if that makes sense. I got my car fixed yesterday. It seems that some water got into the coils and had provided an outlet for the spark from the plugs rather than going where the spark/electricity should. Fixed and running great. I have to be up at Wasatch School District this morning for a huge demo for one of our new machines. I am also supposed to be helping the Interact Club with dictionary stickering for the 3rd graders. I know which one I am going to have to miss. I have to get someone to pick up the dictionaries today. I have meetings tomorrow all over the valley. It's a good time at work. I do have 3 of my guys that are having an absolutely challenging month for them. I don't know what is going on. It's frustrating but I've got to help them succeed. Well, Rotary starts soon and I still have to cool off from my ride. I do love to sweat. I am glad that I am taking and making the time to exercie. That I will not permit to be cramped!

Vices

All of you know I have a few vices: Ice cream (which I am currently trying to dominate by not having, well, not much at least, I don't think I've had any since Sunday and before that it had been a couple of weeks), reading, DVD's and eating out at good restaurants, or any halfway decent place for that matter. Anyway, I indulged one of my vices last night: reading. It seems I can't put down a book if I only have like 100 pages or so to go. I can finish this quick is my thought, and, I can, but not quite as quickly as I think or should. I was reading a book by James Patterson. His chapters are short and it seems as if the books fly by, which they do, but I always think I can be faster than I actually am. I try to get to bed by 11 so I can get up and exercise on the bike. Well, the book sucked me in and I was up until 12:30 which in turn put me up late this morning. I didn't make it out of bed until 5:46, hence my later post. For those of you wondering: Yes, I did get my ride in this morning but it was a tougher ride because I am missing about 1 and a half hours of sleep. I hope I'm not dragging today. Anyway, I don't think my vices are bad, but they are vices nonetheless and I need to overcome them and show dominion over them. I must overcome the flesh and give myself more fully over to the Spirit. I can't do that if I still capitulate to my vices.

Missing

I am missing my kids. I know they are all doing well either/and/or married, working, going to school or 1 still living at home but I miss my kids and the "noise" that accompanies a full house. I miss the "pick up your mess", I miss the "are you eating again", I miss the hugs and kisses and "return with honor" and "Remember who you are" and the friends over. I miss that sometimes like after this weekend when we had 1 back home. It is nice that they still want to come home and be with a couple of old geezers. I appreciate my kids. I appreciate how much smarter my wife and I have become as they get on their own, have kids, have to figure out budgets and bills and food. I can remember when I was younger and on my own how I'd go to my Mom's house and her fridge was ALWAYS full of stuff and mine was lonely. The same things happens now. Life truly is a circle. Hakuna matata as the song goes where it talks about the circle of life. A quarter to whoever gets that one right. I had the day off yesterday. A lazy, catch up day that included a trip to Logan. Quiet and peaceful I love the quiet and peace but I like the noise and I am definitely missing it.

Love

I am in love. I love my wife so much. I "appreciate" Valentine's Day simply because it reminds us (it shouldn't but for some I'm sure it does) of the love we fell towards those who put up with us. I heard a joke and I thought that yesterday had been cancelled. It goes thus, "I heard that Valentine's Day was cancelled. Someone told St. Valentine that I (yes your father) was sexy and he died laughing!" hahahahaha A friend of ours lost their youngest son to death a couple of days ago. Sad. It makes me appreicate life and love it all the more. I am grateful that we have an open realtionship with our children. I hope things never get so bad that they feel they can't come to us with problems. Life has so many options. I love my wife. I love her more than yesterday and more than when we got married. Although I am sagging and more that twice the man I was when we got married (well, not twice but you know what I mean) I feel a more profund and abiding love each day. There is a depth and breadth and profundity to our relationship that only time, challenges and prayer can bring. I am grateful for someone from who I also feel love.

Cathartic

We had a cathartic meeting at work yesterday. There have been some issues percolating and we got them on the table, quasi-addressed (we just have to come up with solutions or work-arounds) and things felt better. Things are going well at work. I enjoy the people over whom I have responsibility and the bosses/owners with whom I work. Good hearts all. I have sales meeting this morning and I left a piece of literature I had designed at the office. I am pretty upset with myself. I had to design a hand-out piece for my sales guys and the respective offices yesterday as well for an equipment rodeo we are having the end of March so I was busy but still and all, I should have remembered that piece. I will be able to do my sales meeting without it but it would have been more effective with it. Oh well... The rule as always is that dad is an... My youngest boy came home from school for the week-end. Kind of surprised us but we were half way expecting him. Nice to see him and feel of his excited for life, school and his mission. Talked with my oldest daughter and she explained what happened to her husband on his trip to New York. It seems he was impressed not to fly a certain day or flight, changed his flight but on his return their jet lost an engine on take off! Pilot comes on and states, "If and when we land, don't be alarmed if you see fire engines and ambulances around the plane. Also, if they can't clear a runway for us, we will be looking for a field to land in." What the heck?!?!?!?! I am glad he is safe and that he was protected. God is good. I love my Father. I also enjoy the attempt to put thoughts to the written word, for me, it is cathartic.

Busy

I like being busy. It seems since my new calling, things have become even busier for our family. I am out doing visits 1-2 nights a week, I have Rotary, we had swimming and now choir, dates, other work obligations, other church obligations, life, etc., it just seems like life is getting busier. I thought it would slow down somewhat with only 1 child still at home but it seems to have become busier. I can't imagine being this busy with 4, 5, or 6 kids at home, but when I think back on the time I was in the bishopric in Chula Vista, I was even busier but it just seems that I am now. I guess old age has something to do with that... I have sales meeting in the morning and I think I am ready for it. In fact, I have been mostly ready with the Power Point for about 2 weeks, a new record for me. I am usually working on it the night before until late. Things are going smoothly at work. I had a great day with my top sales guy. We haven't worked together that much in the past, he has asked me to do some trainings for him and things like that but he asked me to work with him yesterday. Of course we had a lunch that he wanted me to pay but I felt "validated" by him that I bring something of value to the sales team and to him. He also expressed that he has enjoyed the sales meetings that I have organized, at least the part I cover. I appreciated that. Sometimes I am not sure if what I do makes a difference or not but it seems to do so. Time will tell I guess. My boss dropped off his twin boys at the MTC yesterday. I would imagine that he and his wife are wrecks now and for the next couple of days but I can't wait until we take our son there. He expresses his desire to be there now. I just pray that he stays excited and lives worthy to go. Life is good and I like it when I am busy.

Nice

Went to the temple last night and helped couples and families become eternal - nice.
Had a good work day with my rep down in Provo - nice.
Got 3 messages from my oldest daughter 1 worrisome and 2 - nice.
My youngest son is so excited to go on his mission - nice.
I have a wife who loves and puts up with me - nice.
Had a dear friend share something with me that he hasn't shared with others - nice.
Said my prayers and felt comforted and loved - nice.
Finished Mosiah yesterday - nice.
Got 8 miles on my bike this morning - nice.
My mom is still healthy and has opinions - nice.
My children (yes my married into the family are my children as well) and grandchildren are - nice.
I can contemplate all my blessings - nice.
I feel peace in such turmoil - nice.
We get to do HP visits again tonight - nice.
I feel overwhelmed at what my Father gives me - nice.

Late

I am a little late this morning. I slept in until 5:16. It's weird, I have been tending to wake up at 4:43 or right around there, tossing and turning and the waiting for the clock (well, not the clock but the time, you know what I mean...) to get to around 5:15, get up and go do my thing before riding the bike, I was a bit later this morning, hence the later post. I got to see my youngest daughter perform last night in her first group choir event. It was really good. I like music as I have mentioned before, all types, and it was good to go and see her do well. I missed my oldest daughter's performances but I hope she will give me a private audience and sing what she once learned these many years ago... Work was good. I was up in Tremonton and Brigham City. Long drive day but we made some good contacts. I am in Provo today. Lots of miles and I am glad that I am no longer accumulating them on my personal vehicle. I miss the cash flow of the mileage reimbursement, in fact it's a huge adjustment period, but I am no longer beating up my own car. I like that. Time to re-adjust things. My wife and I are going to the temple tonight. I look forward to that just because as we change from street clothes to what is worn there, it reminds me of the constant need I have to do better and to change and to not do it too late.

Changes

I have decided to institute changes in my blog. I am going to start writing in the mornings during the week (we'll see if I get something done over the week end) because I need a cool down time after riding my bike and this seems like the perfect forum for that: I get to cool down and actually attempt to put cogent thoughts together early in the morning. I listen to music (all kinds) during my ride. I find if I listen to slower music, I don't seem to get as far... I wonder why that is. Anyway, we had a peaceful yet semi-eventful week end. We went to some dear friends' wedding anniversary: 62! What a great testament to compromise, love, forgiveness and enjoyment. They are not what they used to be when younger (but then who of us is) but they have grown old together and more in love. It was wonderful to see and a feat that my wife and I desire to equal and surpass. Fortunately for me and unfortunately for my wife, we will be together forever and she will have to put up with me for that long. I am so blessed. Church was quiet and good. There was a strong spirit that helped to renew my soul and prepare to face the week ahead. It will be a busy week both during the day and at night. I love being busy, I love being with family and I love to make changes.

Comfort

I have always found it somewhat comforting to attend a wake or viewing of members of my church who truly understand the Plan of Happiness. One of my wife's leaders from her country, in fact he was the leader to whom she reported her mission, died this past week and we, my wife and I, attended the viewing last night. There was a spirit of peace and hope there. I have been to other wakes where the desperation, despair and hopelessness were palpable. I just want to hug them and help them understand that there is a plan, there is a God and that there is hope of a brighter tomorrow and that, if we have either taken care of the sealing ordinances here or have someone take care of them for us, we can be together forever. It doesn't end here. We "died" from our pre-mortal existence to come here and we die here to continue our progress prior to our resurrection to "go no more out". We feel the pain of loss of our companionship with the person who has passed on but there is, in my mind, a peace and a sure knowledge that we will be together and just as we have excited parents to greet us as we are born here, we have others equally ecstatic to greet us on the other side and to show us around. I am excited for that day but I do so enjoy my time here. I don't want my time here shortened in any way but I do not fear what awaits me (as long as I have finished repenting) or who awaits me on the other side. I look forward to getting to know my dad and mother in law much better. In that, there is comfort.

Inspiration

I am not much one given to inspiration. I get feelings and impressions and I tend to dismiss them. A favorite line in a movie goes, "There is a fine line between faith and concidence". I tend to rely more on the arm of flesh than God sometimes. I know I get inspiration and I try to downplay it to concidence. I am not sure how well that pleases my Father. Case in point: We set up visits about a month in advance. I felt we should go and visit a family tonight a while ago. We had the opportunity to go see them last week but I felt we should go this week. Turns out they, the couple we visited, are moving on Friday up to Washington so they can be with one of their daugthers who is struggling with some incredible challenges right now with a young baby that has heart problems and down's syndrome and another child with severe learning disabilities. She has like 5 doctor appointments a week. Anyway, we visited them tonight, asked if we could help with anything and it turns out we could! It was awesome. We got to help them get packed. Seems their daugther where they are currently living had some sick kids, kids had work, parents had to be places and they were left all alone to cope with heavy totes and trying to do it themselves. We got to help! It was so good. See, I do get inspired once in a while and I do follow it. It, as you all know, takes me a while to understand things and to soften my heart but when I do, my Father leads me. I like inspiration!

Consistent

Being consistent is one of the hardest things to do, period. You tell your kids you are going to do something and then something happens and you want to go back on what has been told them. The reason for my post is not because that has happened but just to get me being consistent on what I am doing here. It's hard to get up at 5:15 and ride my bike but I have done so for just over 4 weeks. It's hard to eat right (and I definitely DON'T do that all the time) but I am trying to do well there. I know I am doing better. My stomach won't allow me to eat as much as I once did although the progress on the reduction of my "orb" is painfully slow. Why can't it go faster?!?! I can tell, however, that progress is being made by the shirts I can now wear that I couldn't before. Yay for me! It's hard to be consistent in reading the scriptures or just doing what is right but I am trying and, succeeding, for the most part. It's hard not to opine in the lives of children and let them decide and have learning experiences but that is something I will never NOT do. I care, I love and I want what is best for them. It's hard being consistent on this blog once I quit. I guess you could say that I am inconsistently consistent. :)