Brisk

It was a brisk walk this morning. By brisk I mean chilly. The weather on Tuesday was about 78 degrees, Wednesday 38 and it snowed yesterday and a bit on Wednesday. I didn't walk yesterday or ride. It was raining and I got behind getting ready for Rotary and I had to conduct yesterday morning. Tight morning. I woke up about 3:15 this morning, tossed and turned until 4:00, rolled over and tried to sleep and then finally got up abt 4:55 and walked. Good walk, farther each day until I get to my goal of getting to Albertson's, nee, Fresh Market and back. I should be there next week. Work is going well. Went up to Logan Regional Hospital yesterday. Had a good demo with my machine guy. Should get some stuff in there. Had a good meeteing with my boss. Things are going well at work. I just have to keep showing value. Life in general is good. I am sooooo proud of my oldest daughter! She has finished up with school, getting her bachelor's with 4 kids, one on the way, keeping a great house and staying busy in church and serving. What an example. Thanks, princess! WAY TO GO!!!!! Most of my other children are on the same path of school. Keep it up, guys! You are doing awesome as well. Life is all about enduring and enjoying the successes we have. We should also try to "enjoy" the challenges as well because they make us stronger and more reliant on the Lord. Life moves inexorably forward, at times glacial, at times brisk.

Offers

I got an offer yesterday to upgrade our cabin on our cruise coming up. It sounded wonderful. In fact, they had something for me on an inside cabin but (isn't there always a but, well, we have one but that is with two "T's") we would have been separated or we could have paid a lot more money to upgrade to a balcony cabin for the other half of us and paid a lot more money. Tempting? Not really. We don't want to be separated and I think we are in a pretty good place. There are only passenges above us and no one below us. We are the first and/or last stop on the elevators so we will always get on and no one will be coming to our floor just to mess around. Again, I called and asked but it wasn't what was good for us. Work went well yesterday until lunch. Hilarious thing happened: My sales guy and I were eating, having a quarterly review and just chatting. I had ordered some food and a pickle came with my lunch. I was trying to be polite, not stab the pickle, bit off a piece and then put it back but I was cutting it with my fork. Anyway, I had a pile of ketchup for my onion rings (who doesn't love onion rings and order them if you have the option?) and as I went to cut my pickle with just my fork, no knife, my hand slipped on the fork, landed in the ketchup and I splattered it all over my shirt and a bit on my sale guy. I mean it was ALL over my shirt. All I did was laugh and get mad at myself. Yes, the rule as always is, dad is an.....! We still made a couple of other visits to people I knew and they proceeded to bust my chops. I like the relationship I have with our customers. Anyway, I cut the day about an hour short. I wasn't going to go and meet new customers like that. I have to represent our company in the best light possible. Getting back to the offer and separation; I think that we ahve to go through things in life and it is important that we not get separated. I would hate to think that my family and I would be separated for eternity. That scares me to death. I know that I have to do everything I can to make sure I get there and I need to encourage my family to do likewise. I know that it is easy to get sidetracked in life because the adversary makes error so attractive with his offers..

Farther

I keep going farther every morning. I have a goal in mind and I would like to get there. I am walking farther and longer (which I guess equates: IF I go Farther, I SHOULD be going longer... (Yes, I am a genius)) and the mornings are pleasant. I got started a little later today but I can afford it because I don't have to go to the office. I am meeting my sales person at the local IHOP. No, we won't be going in (I can't stand the one here. Poor service and crappy food (who knew someone could actually screw up breakfast, the easiest meal to make)) (like those double, not single mind you, but DOUBLE parentheticals) and my youngest daughter has late start so I can go a little slower in my preparation but not my walk, if that makes sense... Anyway, I mowed the lawn yesterday, well, almost the lawn, I still have the back and side to do but I did the big part on less than a tank of gas! Wooohooo! I couldn't even finish the big hill and levels last week on a tank so I must be getting better... It's good to work and provide for my family. I enjoy that. I love taking care of them and providing a safe haven for them where they can come and feel safe. That is important in today's world. We have to make a safe place for our family and friends because the world will continue to polarize and we who know the truth have an obligation to provide both an example and a have. We have to push our righteousness and preparation even farther.

Optional

Have you ever noticed that some things are optional? Like when you are young, sleep can be optional. I remember working for my aunt and uncle on their farm one summer, I would have to get up at 5:00 or so to start moving sprinkler pipe, no matter what time I got in the night before and there would be times when I would get in very late and still be up on time to do my job. Of course, there was always nap time after lunch which was a blessing. Why have I stopped taking naps? Is it because it is not socially acceptable to take a break for 10-15 minutes at work, close the door and recuperate? I don't know but there have been studies that napping is beneficial for productivity and such. Interesting tangent but I do miss naps especially when not getting enough sleep. Some people in today's society have considered manners as optional. They are not. I guess there are not that many things that are optional. In fact, I don't consider anything optional any more. Because if you choose to do something, there is always a consequence on the other side; be it a good or bad one. We are given the option of choosing what we do, just not the outcome or consequence. Life itself is optional and what we do in it. By optional I mean we are agents unto ourselves to choose either life or death, to live with our Parents and Big Brother or to choose captivity and death. The more incorrect choices we make, the more we are bound down by he who desires our destruction and to be miserable as he is. Obedience is our choice but results are not optional.

Consistent

I wasn't consistent yesterday, for whatever reason I slept in until almost 6 and couldn't go and ride or walk. It felt good, I needed the sleep since I stayed up too late the previous night; unitl midnight. I was watching a show on Food Network, "Chopped". Fun show but I can't stay up that late and get up the next morning. I fell asleep watching TV last night and just went to bed about 10:30 or so but I woke up at 3:45 and tossed and turned until just before 5. Had a great walk today. In fact, I am kind of dripping, not a faucet but more like a leaky one, but I am dripping nonetheless. Work went well yesterday. Was out with a sales guy that should be doing better and I think we made some progress in his area. The previous day I was out in Duchesne. Drove about 350 miles. Lots of windshield time. Also went to the temple. Did initiatories. It was one of the most powerful experiences I have had in a while. Tremendous. We got the kids' passports back yesterday so we are all ready for our trip this summer. Looking forward to it. I enjoyed my walk this morning. It was colder than the other day, misting outside, but it smelled so good after the rain yesterday and last night. So fresh and clean. The birds were also making their presence known. I would hear them even over my music at times. Everything seems glad to be alive and enjoying life. I love life and all of it's challenges and thrills. I just need to do things I know I should and be more consistent...

Walking

I went walking this morning. Didn't jog, just a brisk walk for about 1.5 miles (I hope). Not sure how much good I did but my body feels different this morning after the walk. Wasn't that hard until the end on coming home where I had the little hills back to to church and the up to the house. Got me breathing and my heart pumping there a bit. The reason I did this is because I think my bike isn't doing as much good for me as it was a while back. My body is used to that particular cardio exercise so I have to switch it up a bit. We'll see. I know that I will be back on the bike tomorrow and the next couple of days because of rain/snow coming. It was 78 yesterday and will be the same today or thereabouts but it will rain/snow tomorrow. Utah weather! My baby girl felt sick yesterday and didn't go to school. She did some things yesterday and was feeling a lot better by the evening and she should be back at school today. Poor baby. Work went well, got a couple of power points done for some upcoming sales meeting. It's nice to get ahead. I put together about 65 slides for anywhere from 2 to 3 sales meetings. I am good through the end of June at least, I think. I finished Helaman yesterday and will start on 3rd Nephi today. I love this part of the Book of Mormon because it is so prescient of today. Describes it to a "T". It is scary yet comforting to see what was and is happening in the world. I have come to realize a few things: there are people who start off running in their spiritual life and they can tire quickly if they are not in "shape" and there are others who are constant, just one step at a time and they get where they want, perhaps not a quickly as some who are in a bit better shape but they get there a lot quicker than those who fade away and never get there. I think I will keep walking.

Takin' it easy

I was takin' it easy this morning on my ride. I figured at my advanced age, I should slow down a bit and see what I could do. I just did a 20 minute ride on the "Quick Start" program. Still got in 6.2 miles and I adjusted up where I needed to be. I guess age is just a mind game so I can return to my regular programs tomorrow. Nice to know I still got it even though I am an entire year older... Church was really good yesterday. All 3 talks were good, even the High Councilor, and he gave his talk with quotes without notes. He was very good as was the returned missionary from Brazil and the young woman from the ward. Very nice day yesterday. I was busy this weekend and I am still feeling the effects of a frenzied, active weekend. I mowed the lawn Friday night until I ran out of gas, literally and figuratively. My lawn is so huge, I can't cut it with a single tank of gas so I ran until out of gas. Finished up Saturday after trimming, pulling out and weeding. It was a family affair, although my family is much smaller right now, only 3 of us working in the yard, so we didn't get as much done as we have in the past. My youngest son did fertilize for me, however, and that was a big help. Not sure if I could have walked the yard again. All of my children but 1, my mother (greatful she is still here) and my long-suffering wife were here Saturday night to cut some cake. It was a nice time, peaceful and fun. I also found out I am to be a grandfather again! Number 7. I can't believe how our family is growing. Also found out some good news yesterday regarding a new church policy. Exciting. Life is going well. As I sit and contemplate my life, where we are right now as a family and I as an individual, I know that none of us will get where we want to eventually be by relaxing and takin it easy...

Conscious Decision

I missed yesterday based on a conscious decision. Did I wake up late? No. Did I feel sick? No. Was I lazy? Yes! I got up on time, I had actually slept the entire night, not waking up 2 and 3 times like I normally do (if you consider me normal, that is) and looked at the phone (which is where I keep my "clock" at night) and thought to myself, "I slept the whole night!, I think I am just going to lay here an be lazy." so I did. It was a conscious decision. I got up and rode this morning, stretching myself a bit. Speed level 16 with a top speed of 25.7! which was pushing it but it felt good. I was at a training on carpet all day yesterday and will be today and I will be tested on my knowledge today so I can become carpet certified. Nice to have so I can advise people on their carpets. We had some wonderful visits last night with our entire group leadership there and had a very touching one on Tuesday night with a brother prior to his going in for prostate surgery. He was given a blessing and then he gave his wife a blessing. A very spiritual evening. Life is progressing. Kids are in school and finishing up with classes. My oldest daughter is finishing up her schooling and will walk in June, and my other two 3 daughters are finishing up strong. My youngest son is doing well. My oldest continues to travel and be away from home too much. His family needs him but he has to provide for them as well. It's tough. I hope that I stay strong and endure to the end. The longer I live, the more important that is to me. This life matters only in so much that we live right, make correct decision, repent quickly when we don't, say our prayers and are good to others. Our achieving the Celestial Kingom all boils down to a conscious decision!

Back to Basics

I got back to basics this morning on my ride. I did "Ride in the Park" on level 16, 1 level less than I was doing a week and a half ago. It felt good to finish and sit here contemplating in my "drip". My youngest son is home for today because he has some work for my job. I like that he is able to do that and that my guys trust him enough to call him. He is a good worker, hard worker, fast worker and a conscientious worker. I am proud of him. Not to say that I am not proud of all my kids, I am, but I am referring to my youngest son right now. All of my kids are doing well in work or their responsibilities. It's nice to know that they are reliable and people can depend on them to do what they say they are going to do. Work went well yesterday. I was up at a high school stripping floors, well helping them do that, for their spring break. It was good to get back to basics there as well. I can tell you machines sure make the job easier than when I was doing it years ago. Progress is good, if it is for the right thing in the right way. Life is going well. Things are progressing and I think that as long as we keep obeying, praying and staying humble and fulfilling our callings, there will be a calm about us as the storms of the times rage around us. You know what it is: just getting back to basics.

Expected

Today was what I had expected last week when I got back on the bike. I had no energy, no breath, no endurance and a lot of sweat and gunk rolling off of me. I only made a little over 5 miles today. I am exhausted and know that tomorrow will be better. A lay off kills you and fast. I can't believe how fast I have degenerated. I rode plateau at 14 today. I just couldn't catch my breath. I would pause and pedal and get caught up and go again but as I tried that the second time, it clock zeroed out and I just said fine, I am done so I was and am. I don't even want to consider push-up or sit-ups later today... Anyway, things are getting back to normal. I missed a great day to be in the yard on Saturday by going to meetings with Rotary and then shopping. Have I mentioned I hate shopping? ANyway, it was for a great cause so at least that part wasn't too bad. Guys reading, here is a hint: Take a book and read and it is not as bad as just sitting there... Church was great yesterday. Some dear friends had returned from Japan on a mission and talked to us about their experiences. It was wonderful. I really like church. It is always at least what is expected if not better. I guess that is the way it is in life, if we go in with a positive attitude, do what we are supposed to do, we will always get at least what, if not more, than we expected.

Routine

There are things that become routine: exercising, work, church (unfortunately), prayer (see previous), life in general. I still haven't figures out how to prevent daily things from becoming routine. That that a routine is a bad thing, it make a repeated thing easier to do, but we tend to not appreciate something that is done routinely. I had Rotary yesterday and instead of going to where we normally do, we went to our local food pantry to sort food from a food drive that took place a week or so ago. It got us out of the routine and made me appreciate the people with whom I associate and the opportunity to serve in a small way. I hope that as some things have become routine for me that I don't take them for granted,which I tend to do. I strive to take and appreicate each day and moment but it becomes harder. I pray that my religion and especially my family never become a routine thing in my life, but I know that happens. Please remind me or slap me upside my head if I allow precious things to become routine!

Back in the Saddle Again

I am back in the saddle again, meaning I am back on the bike and fully back to work. The ride this morning was interesting. I rode with no problems but I didn't get the burn I was expecting. Weird. I got my 8.2 miles in but I didn't breathe as hard as I think I should have after a 6 day lay off. I didn't ride last Friday and then at our hotel I wasn't going to pay $30.00 to ride a silly bike so today was the first day in almost a week. Maybe my body enjoyed the time off, it doesn't look like it, Vegas was VERY unkind to me (or maybe I was unkind to myself with all I ate but it's easier to blame Vegas) and I can truly attest that not all that happens in Vegas stays there. I brought home a reminder for a few days... It felt good to be in my own bed again. I miss my bed when I am gone. It is good to be but MUCH better to come home. I get to conduct in Rotary this morning. Practice I guess... I have my meeting with Mike today then BOMA then Vince Fagan. It is another full day. Tomorrow is sales meeting and then up to Logan with Utah State. Looking forward to that. Life is good. I like it busy. It's good to be back in the saddle again!

Home Again!

Spent a few days away, recovering and recuperating. It was nice. Had a killer offer from the Wynn Hotels in Vegas that I had mentioned earlier. Glad we went. Different type of people there. Better dressed, not the lounge lizards that tend to inhabit certain places there. Bad thing was the cigarette smoke. If smoking is so great, why do they exhale? Always wondered that. Anyway, it's good to be home. I worked today. Taking care of things and getting caught up. It was nice. I am looking foward to my own bed. Food was outrageous. It was good. I don't want to look at the scales but I am really looking forward to my bike run in the morning. Need to get back into the swing of things. Fun, quick trip. One that was needed to re-juice and re-energize. Got a big push next week for our carpet certification and I have sales meeting on Friday. Things are busy but good. The view was unbelievable from the 57th floor. We had an eastern view with floor to ceiling windows. Amazing but sun came in early, ask my youngest daughter. She was cranky when we opened the drapes. Saw a show, "Le Reve". It is amazing what the human body can do. I am still in awe. Didn't ride any ride, i.e., rollercoasters but the girls had a good time. It was worth it. Have to plan to go again when we get another killer deal. It is great to be home again!

Safe

There were a lot of accidents on the road yesterday because of the huge snowstorm that hit us and we were all safe at the end of the day. I am grateful for the protection we received. We live in a unique state in that 2 days ago it was 67 and yesterday we have about 6 inches of snow. If you don't like the weather we are having, wait 5 minutes! My nephew got off yesterday safe and sound. His family is doing well, mom and dad a bit sad but know that he is where he is supposed to be. I had a good day with one of my reps. We got to see some people, get some new contacts and just move forward. It was a good day. I found out a company, actually multiple locations, doesn't want to work with one of my reps but still wants to work with Bell. He has been asked to leave accounts before. At least we are safe as a company there but I don't know about this person. I was exhausted after driving around yesterday. It was white-knuckle driving and I was glad to get home. All is well here. I just hope and pray that we, all of my family and I, do what we need to do and hopefully want to do to endure to the end and return back to our Father safe.