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.