I'm baaaaack!!!!

well, i am back. a lot has happened since my last post. we re-built our basement and kitchen (another flood, this time from our faucet in the kitchen, hose split but we were still getting water out of the faucet) we went to San Diego and saw my two youngest play with dolphins off the coast of coronado, (VERY COOL), got a son ready for a mission, took a son to the mtc, cried a lot, started working out at a gym, first with now-departed son and now with loving wife, went to orlando to a toilet paper convention, again, very cool, and now i just got back from working out. arms are jelly, my back is still tweaked but getting better and now i just have to settle into life again. things are going great. life is good, not much to write currently as i will catch people up throughout my posts but it's good to be back!

Jelly

My arms are jelly right now. It's all I can to do type this. My arms are propped up on the desk and supported by the arms of my chair. I am beat and it is only 6:20 in the morning. My youngest son and I went and worked out this morning. I think we are going to join a gym here locally. We went to try it out. I can use it for 3 days for free, if I survive, we will join. We did a chest and bicep work-out today. I can't straighten my arms or lift them above my head right now so shaving will be an adventure for me this morning. I hope I don't cut myself too bad... Life is good. Things are progessing. I feel so blessed. I can't write more because my left arm just fell off... I wonder if as jellified as my arms are, if they actually taste like jelly.....

Shocked!

Aren't you shocked that I am writing 2 days in a row??!!?!?!?! I know I am. Not really, I walked this morning. I had to mail a letter so what better way to mail it than walking to the Post Office at 5 in the a.m.? I know that is what I would do.... Anyway, nice walk. I think I prefer walking to riding the bike simply because I can get out, smell the fresh air (it rained last night, YUMMY!), watch the sun start to play hide and seek with the day, see the moon and stars, just see the sights of C'ville in general, (we all know what a booming metropolis this is...) and just get out and be a part of the morning. Work went well yesterday. I think we are going to get some more accounts, one with the church and another one with a phone customer service center. They, the CSC, have about 1200 employees so they should use a lot of TP and paper towels. I love the fact that even in a down economy, people still need to go to the bathroom! Wonderful business to do right now. My youngest daughter seems to be doing a bit better. She has been battling a bout of vertigo/nausea for the past week and a half and my wife thinks it might be her glasses from a long time ago (she has contacts and just uses those glasses when she takes her "eyes" out) and she seems to be doing better. She is such a sweetie. My oldest married daugther and her family finally made it back to the east coast. What a trip for them. 4 kids under 7 and another one on the way and to drive from here to there in 3 days... ugh. I am glad they made it safe. Life is good. I hope I can remain true and faithful so that in the last day, when I am judged, I am not shocked...

Phenomenae

I experienced and interesting phenomena (the above is plural for those wondering...) this morning: I rode my bike for 1/2 the time I normally walk but I "travelled" about 2.5 times the distance. Perplexing, isn't it? Well, not really, I averaged about 18.6 mph on the bike. If I could walk that, I'd be even more amazing than I already am... hahahaha It was weird riding again. I woke up on time, rolled over, covered up to get a bit warmer and then next thing I knew it was 5:28 so I was stuck riding the bike. I have committeed to doing SOMETHING each and every day. I am also going to start on my iso-exerciser. It is a decent and strenuous work-out for something so non-heterosexual looking. Anyway, I have to take care of myself better for me and for my wife. She is way too good to me... Had a great week-end. My oldest single daughter was home for the long weekend, we had a big breakfast on the 24th at the house with almost all the kids and ALL of the grandkids. I wish we could have had a photo of the gathering or at least one of them when we were together. It's good to be back to "normal" here in the house (at least as normal as our family ever gets...) Life is going well, work is going well, things are peaceful. Life is good and that's the best phenomenae!

Power

We lost our power (electricity) on Sunday afternoon about 6. It was warm and inconvenient but it made me appreciate what I take so much for granted: all the conveniences we have. What conveniences you may ask? Allow me to enumerate:
Light
Air Conditioning
Cars
Ice
Crushed Ice
Water from the Fridge
Water from the tap
Toilets (one of my personal favorites, I am so glad I was born now)
Cool Food
Preserved Food
Packaged Food
Apples in December
Oranges anytime
Bananas
Computers
Garage door openers
News -immediately (whether it's true or not)
The Restored Truth
Phones
Music - the recorded variets
Cell Phones
Music in the Car
Warm Showers
Cold Showers
Carpet
Windows
Electric Razors
3-Bladed Razors
5-Bladed Razors
Toilets (did I mention those yet)
Taller toilets (for us taller people)
Toilet Paper (without which I wouldn't have a job)
Movies (Inception is a great movie)
TV (except for those lame reality shows; ALL of them)
Alarm Clocks
Ice Cream
Vegetables - Canned and Fresh at ANY time of the season we want them
Milk - the really cold kind that gives you brain freeze after you have eaten your cereal
Cereal - especially Cap'n Crunch with Crunchberries, not the new one but the old one with just the red berries
Rice (the yellow kind my wife makes)
The Gospel Restored
Couches
Beds without the bedbugs and lice from years ago
Dog Food
Running Water - Indoor
Lawn Mowers
Gasoline
These are just a few of the things that I take for granted. Feel free to add to the list. Don't forget to be grateful for power both the electrical spiritual kind. There is nothing more important than spiritual power.

Quite a while

I just realized it has been quite a while since I last posted (or, for that matter, walked in the morning which is when I post, AFTER I walk) but anyway I am back. A LOT has happened since I last posted: My youngest son got his mission call to Chihuahua, Mexico, my wife's youngest brother came out to our place and we got to take him to Vegas (great time), my oldest daughter is out here with my 4 grandkids from back east (very energetic, I wish I had even half of the energy they do) I got 30k ft2 of wood floor under my belt which brings me to about 150,000 square feet of wood floor (I almost feel I know what I am doing) the Rotary 5k Freedom Race was successful (we raised more money than ever in our history and we had more come to help in the morning than ever) I have become Rotary President for the next 12 months, we had our first board meeting at our house, ouf dog accidentally ate some rat poison (we have rats out in our rocks and we are trying to get rid of them, they are disgusting), I have been given some strict marching orders regarding some of my sales guys (we talk today and tomorrow), it felt good to go to church yesterday and partake of the sacrament and feel cleansed again, I will finish the BOM this week for number 7 this year, I am getting ready for a trade show this week and other than that, not much has been going on in our/my life. It is full, it is busy and there is no other way I would have it. Life is too short and too enjoyable. I just hope I don't wait to post or walk for that matter for quite a while again...

Waiting

We are wating for a lot of things. I am waiting to lose weight. Why is it that it never comes off as fast as you want? It seems to go on fast, why doesn't it come off fast? One of the mysteries of life, I guess. My youngest son is waiting for his mission call. He is waiting patiently (apparently) and is trying to be stoic. I can see beneath the veneer and he is so excited (as are we) to find out where the Lord has called him. My oldest son is waiting to quit driving and be home more with his family but how can he look when he is on the road so much? Frustrating. My oldest daughter is coming out here soon. We and they are waiting none too patiently for that to occur. It will be so good to see them again and more than anything, hug and hold them. Family is important. My youngest daughter is waiting to be able to relax after finishing school. We and she has been on the go constantly since she got out. My oldest single daughter is waiting to get a car. She has been waiting patiently and she is so good about being responsible. I admire that about her and am trying to be more like she is in that aspect. My other single daughter is waiting, kind of for new opportunities. My wife is waiting to get her walks done. She asks me to wake her up, which I do, but she is not a morning person at all. Our Father is waiting to bless us as we obey. He is waiting for us to turn to Him to be healed and comforted. He loves us and never tires of waiting.

Bed

I love going on vacation, I really do. In fact it is why I work so that I can take the family on vacation and get a little or a lot of relaxation and rest and fun. There is, however, nothing quite like sleeping on and in my own bed after said romps throughout the western hemisphere. (I have limited my statement to the "western hemisphere" because that, so far, is the only area in which we have traveled but I hope to rectify that someday.) It is good to be back. I got to bed on time, got up a little early but that's okay and just waited for my alarm to go off. It's nice to be there between awake and asleep and let my mind to into free association without thinking anything in particular and just let my mind roam (it gets lost occasionally and that is scary) wherever it wants to go. Had a good walk, got back to my old place, where we once had an office, but it was slow going on the way back but not really because it was about the same time frame that I had done before leaving on vacation. I don't know, the return trip felt slower than the trip there but the time was the same. Weird. Work was a catch-up day. I had to address 139 e-mails. I hate being away but I love being away. My oldest daughter and her family are coming out in a couple of weeks. I am so excited to see them and hug and kiss them. Exciting. My youngest daughter is away at girls' camp. She got home Sunday and took off yesterday. I miss her. Took my oldest single daughter back to school after work yesterday. I hope I am done mega-driving for a couple of days but I doubt it because of the way my job is right now. Anyway, it's good to be home, it's good to be walking again and it is wonderful to be able to sleep and rest in my own bed!

Back

Well, I am back. By back I don't mean back in shape or any such thing but I/we are back from our vacation/cruise. It was great. Had a wonderful time. I was amazed at how hard the people on the ship work. Unbelievable. Food was amazing, service was spectacular, they went out of their way to make sure we were having a good time. We did a lot and we did nothing. I played ball on Monday and it took me until Wednesday into Thursday to recover. My wife and I walked one morning around the jogging/walking track that is set up around the smokestacks. That was enjoyable. We visited 3 cities; Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas. Went to the beach in all 3 places. There were jelly fish in PV and CSL. Wonderful time with the family. The rooms were big enough and the towels went around me (easier the first day than the last) and the shower was big enough. All in all it was a superb trip and something we will do again, i.e., cruise. I tried to go on a walk this morning. I only made it to Albertson's and back. Had no rhythm (not that I do anyway...) and there is quite a difference in altitude compared to last week. We made it back from Long Beach in under 10 hours yesterday with about an hour thrown in there in St. George for gas and food and a pit stop. It's great to sleep on my bed again and with my wife. We had separate rooms on the cruise; she with the girls and I with the boy. It was great but it's also good to be home to to start back to work and things again. It is nice to be back!

Smile

When you think of me, smile
When you see the sun rise, smile
When you see the sun set, smile
When you smell a rose, smile
When you see a baby, smile
When you think of our family, smile
When you hear a creek, smile
When you hear the birds, smile
When you hear the crickets, smile
When you think of me sitting here, sweating after a walk, smile
When I complain that I am getting old, smile
When I hear my knees pop, smile
When we have work now a days, smile
When we think of what our Big Brother did for us, smile
When we can talk to Father whenever we want, smile
When you think of ice cream, smile
When you think of Cap'n Crunch, smile
When you smile, smile
There is nothing greater or simpler nor more uplifting than a smile!

Sleep

Sleep is essential to good health. That is my thought for the day! I came up with that tidbit this morning after not being able to get to sleep last night and still walking. Feel somewhat groggy and torpid (look it up) and it doesn't feel good BUT I did get my walk in. I saw my youngest son this morning with one of his friends, he stops the car, comes running up and gave me a hug. Nice. I like hugs from my kids. I didn't write last Friday because I was still recovering from Thursday. I got home from my all nighter at 4:45am Friday morning and went to bed. Woke up at 7:30 though. Bummer. Anyway get some sleep. I just pray we don't sleep this life away, that we are anxiously engaged because there could come a time where there is only eternal sleep...

Peace

I felt peace this morning as I was walking. I heard the brook, the birds, saw the sun peeking over the mountains, between a couple of them actually, playing peek-a-boo with the world, music was good, the Cars, thoughts peaceful, good pace, I played mailman and it was nice. Went to the temple yesterday and I guess the peace that I felt there continues today. I love going to the temple. Hans Engler was the name. I also saw a wood floor that we did last year for Sandy. Still looks great after a winter of basketball, and still with Boys & Girls Club, Head Start, ect. The floor looks great. I also had a meeting for the UVU F&G expo in July. Went well. Things are going well. There is some turmoil going on in our lives right now but there is such an over-arching peace that it just feels good and like it will all work out for us. It is humbling to know that God knows who I am, that He cares about me and that my problems are important to Him because I am His son. Nice. I have to pull an all-nighter. I have a demo at 2:00 in Sandy, one at 6:30 in Ogden and my last one at 10:30 in Heber. I just hope I can make it home. There is much to do but there is peace. Sweet is truly the peace that the gospel brings. With all that is going on in the world, there is an oasis in the gospel and that, to our lives and in our lives, is peace.

Family

This past weekend was all about family. Remembering those who have left us a legacy and being with those who are still around and close. Went to Idaho on Friday. Had a nice trip. It was rainy but pretty. Visited with Idaho family on Saturday. Went to my dad's grave. Sobering, more so this time than previous. I hope he is proud of me and happy with the way I am treating his wife, my mom. I know I should do better at times but it was good. Had an indoor picnic where I once spent summers moving pipe. It was good to see everyone again. We got home, made good time coming back and picked up our puppy. She was happy to see us. Went to church on Sunday. The graduating seniors spoke in church. They did a great job. My youngest son had his interview with his bishop for his mission. Exciting for him. My daughter from Provo came on Sunday as well to spend yesterday and part of Sunday with us as well. My other daughter came over as well Sunday night so we had all the singles together. Nice. House full of laughter and teasing and fun. I have missed those sounds of late. Big house, too quiet at times. My son living at home is on a raccoon hunt. We have one that comes to steal our dog food. Stayed up Sunday waiting for it, never cames. He was hilarious; dressed in camo and face painted on the hunt. He is so funny. Yesterday had a everyone here who was in town. Full house. 11 for dinner. Wonderful! Had our traditional Memorial/Summer-Kick-Off mear: RIBS! They were really good. We also made jucy lucy's and brauts. Much food, much triptophan, much nodding and much yummy! My wife and I also weeded in the yard to make it look less heinous. Looks much better. My single son mowed the lawn. I am so grateful for that. I also cleaned my grill. Looks new. As I sit and ponder family, I cry thinking that we won't all be together. I have to do all I can, set the proper example, be loving and encouraging so that we can all be together not only here but hereafter as a family.

Faster yet the same

I felt like I was walking a lot quicker today. I had a bounce in my step, the wind in my face going and at my back coming, birds were chirping, the sun was coming up and turning the sky a beautiful orange, pink, red, yellow type color (you had to see it to believe it, without a doubt (as if there ever was one) there is a God and He puts just absolutely beautiful things here for us to enjoy IF we take the time to enjoy them), good music (doobie brothers and I ran out of music before the end of my walk (I guess they made shorter ablums back in the day)) (wow, 2 double parentheticals in my
run-on sentence!! (yay for me!)) (make that 3) and a pleasant stride. I run out of music, don't look at my iPhone. and just keep walking and I get home and it is exactly the same time as other days. Weird how time stretches or contracts based on your mental image of things that day. It's sort of like going somewhere on vacation, it seems to take forever, and then coming home is seems so much faster/shorter than when you were going. Anyway, things are going well at work, at home. My youngest boy finally had his anesthesia wear off and he told me his mouth was sore. Poor little lamb. My youngest had a little to major disappointment yesterday. I wish I could take away all the hurt but I understand that is how we grow as well. Had a quiet evening at home. We were going to go to the temple but a couple of things came up and we are going tonight. I love the temple. I love the feeling that accompanies me to and from there and that resides with me throughout the week. I guess we could spend all our time there but we have to earn a living and provide and be doing good among men. We could run a lot faster yet be in the same place in the end. I, at times, prefer to take my time and enjoy that which is around me. If I go faster, I miss things. So in some cases, not all, faster is not the same.

Much Better

Today's walk went much better. I was faster and I went farther than I ever have. I made it to my old offices. Kind of a mixed blessing there. Good to be able to walk that far and sad to remember all that happened there. It was good and it was extremely taxing and trying, the business I mean. I learned a lot and I don't want to repeat the same mistakes. What is the purpose of going through mistakes if we don't learn from them. Work went well yesterday. I was out in Tooele with my guy. Met with a person from the hospital out there, had lunch and talked. Not sure what we can do there. We also met with several people from the school district and it went very well. I think we are going to be able to do some damage out there. Went home teaching. I love doing that. It's nice to visit the members and feel of their spirit and love for the Lord. What a great blessing it is to serve and to be worthy to serve. I feel so blessed and not worthy of all that has been given to me. I listened to 22 chapters in the Book of Mormon yesterday; 2nd Nephi where Nephi quotes from Isaiah. Love that part. There is one part there that always touches me where it is repeated several times, "for all this His anger is not turned away, but His Hand is stretched out still". How many chances does our Father give us? He is always there for us. When we make mistakes, He has provided a Savior for us, our Elder Brother, and we can make our way back. Granted, it's not much fun and it is a hard road and it would be better to not make mistakes but we all do and the atonement is what allows us to return and to make this life, more than it ever could be, much better!

Slow

I felt slow and lethargic this morning. It had been 4 days since my last walk. I got up to go yesterday and it was SNOWING!!!!! It's the end of May and we are still getting snow. You gotta love global warming or climate change is the new euphemism. It's all crap. Read some studies that said the world has actually cooled since the mid 90's but that is not the agenda of the environmental radicals so nothing is said about that. I do believe we have to be wise and careful stewards over our world but we do live in an age of progress and advances. I would hate to go back to outhouses and horses. Can you imagine the pollution that horses would give off? Anyway, I know you all think I am already a bit slow but I felt even slower this morning. My back was tight and tweaked and it took quite a while for it to loosen up during the walk this morning. I mowed the lawn yesterday after a snowstorm in the morning. Incredible. My youngest daughter had a piano recital yesterday. She was awesome! She works so hard for what she gets. She has had to work harder to progress and get good grades than all of her other siblings. She appreciates things she does and accomplishes. I love and appreciate all my kids. I am so blessed to be a part of their lives. I especially appreciate my wife who puts up with so much. You all know she does and so do you sweetie! Her calling and election is made sure because of me. At least I am good for something... School is winding down finally for my baby. The older kids have been done for a while so it will be nice when she can relax as well. My youngest son gets his wisdom teeth extracted today. That sounds like so much fun... He is planning on watching movies and playing WII all day today. I don't think he will be doing much of anything but sleeping and nodding off. Life continues to be good. I learned some new things about wood floors yesterday. It will help. I am grateful for all I have and what surrounds me. This morning was so beautiful, with the birds singing and the creek bubbling even if I am/was a bit slow...

Clumsy

I felt really clumsy this morning. I like it better in Spanish: Torpe. Sounds more like what I feel and felt on my walk. I walked the same amount of distance; Maverik and I are becoming almost too familiar with each other... I just couldn't get into a rhythm. Rhythm is an interesting word, isn't it? It is hard to type but it looks cool, like it doesn't have any vowels or something. Just noticed that, sorry for the tangent. Anyway, there was no rhythm or anything and it felt like my walk took forever but it really didn't. Curious how the mind works and perceives, isn't it? Like how some "minutes" take forever and some "minutes" fly by. It's all perception and what we are doing at the time. I know getting to a vacation spot always takes a lot longer, it seems, to get there than coming back. Anyway, work went really well yesterday. Had a great meeting with someone who distributes for Maverik and we got a lot of information that will help us put a bid together. That wasn't clumsy. The guy talked for about 3 hours about things. It was really good. Had a Rotary function, GSE from Argentina. Nice. Had to leave early to get to a reception and saw our oldest single daughter there. Got a hug, nice! Life is going well. My youngest son got 3 shots yesterday. Wasn't happy but it's all in preparation for his mission. Gets his wisdom teeth out on Tuesday. That will be interesting. I guess the more we do something the smoother it gets. Like the gospel. The more we are obedient, the easier it gets for us. If we stray, it's hard to come back but it is possible. That is why our Older Brother came, to help us. It is so hard to take that first step back. It can just feel really clumsy.

Consequences

Didn't go walking this morning due to consequences from yesterday. Back up, I love Mexican food and I love salsa. I went to an restaurant with a "salsa bar" with all sorts of exotic salsas and it was WONDERFUL! Of course, I personally LOVE salsa and the heat and flavor but my BODY doesn't care so much for it and rebelled this morning after things ran their course. I just ain't as young as I used to be. I can handle, generally, fresh japalenos and serranos and even stronger peppers without adverse consequences. What my body declares adamantly off limits is anything spicy that has been pickled in vinegar. No bueno! Very no bueno! Anyway I was paying the price this morning for my foray into exotic salsas. Doing a bit better now. Had a great day yesterday up in Heber. Things are going well and are looking good for the company for whom I work. Our base is expanding. Went to go do visits last night. Had a great and spiritual experience with a brother who is in the hospital. Very touching. Also was able to give my baby a blessing last night prior to her try-outs for a choir today. My youngest son had his mission physical! Exciting. It's interesting how we can rationalize life with our choices, like I did yesterday. It won't be too bad, was my thought. Well, it was. Not horrible but disruptive to my routine. I can't imagine what my reaction would be when before my Savior at my judgement and I try to justify some of my choices with the idea that it wasn't going to be too bad. Anything that takes me away from here I want to ultimately be, which is with my family in God's presence, is a poor choice. Love choices, love making choices (as long as I make good ones) but where I ultimately fail to rationalize and can't, is with the consequences.

Later

I slept in this morning until 5:33! I was so mad. I got to bed about 11:30 so I can see a direct correlation in the time I go to bed and the time I get up. Interesting. It doesn't work that way necessarily on the week end, I go to bed later and can sleep until like 6:45 which is kind of nice but I really had to hustle this morning. Good walk and the perspective is a lot different when there is light around and not just shadows and the hint of dawn. I went to my youngest daughter's concert last night. She did awesome. All in all it was a nice evening and the music was really nice except for one song that was absolutely murdered. It was a popular song when I was growing up or just after my mission, I can't remember. My mind, as you know, ain't what it used to be. Of course I didn't have that much to start... Anyway it was a nice evening. It rained yesterday. In fact, it was 30 degrees cooler in the afternoon than it was the day previous. If you don't like the weather here, just wait 5 minutes... Anyway, it is later than normal for me right now. I have to hurry and shower, take my baby to school and then I have a breakfast meeting and then off to Provo. Should be a full day. I should also finish the Book of Mormon again this week. It is weird, I have like a hunger or thirst for it right now. It has helped so much. It is such a comfort to me. I understand, in a small, feeble way, what they said of old that they lost their appetite and all desire for sleep when the Book of Mormon came to them. I enjoy it so much. Life is good. The church is true. We have a prophet guiding us today. What a comfort that is to know now and not to have to find it out later...

Consistent

I have found the secret to life and success: be consistent. That is it. Well, as long as you are consistent in good things and being obedient to the commandments. Consistency is the key to everything. If I only walked once a week or so, I would not expect to progress but if I do it consistently, I am improving and it feels good. The mornings are beautiful. The birds chirp and sing, there is a creek by which I pass and the water sounds so inviting, the sky lightens and dark things become grey and then are lit by the rising sun. Beautiful. I got another power point done at work for a future sales meeting. Work is progressing well. We are a bit low for the month but I think we will have a better 2nd half of the month than we had the 1st part of the month. It was 83 degrees yesterday, almost felt like late spring but it will only be mid 60's today, we have a rain storm coming in. My son who is preparing for a mission had a dental exam yesterday and he has laterally impacted wisdom teeth and will have them removed next Tuesday. Fun for him! Things are progressing for him. It is exciting. Life is going well, there are challenges, as always, but that just allows me to rely more on my Father and depend on my Savior. See, as we progress in life, there will be challenges and we will be judged on how we handle them and endure to the end. It's all a matter of being consistent!