I'm a boob. No, not a female anatomy part, but a big blubbering boob!
Today I had to teach about our Heavenly Family and the reason we came to earth. And about 3 minutes into it, I began tearing up. I mean really tearing up! I kept plugging through, trying hard not to let my emotions get the best of me and at one point, I had to turn by back to the class to get my breath!
The lesson material was great! I had good participation (probably scared that I would break down again...which I did!), but my feelings were just right at the surface! No matter what I did, I had a hard time getting control.
I was able to finish the lesson...a lesson I brought props to. I had pictures of Princess, Mom & Dad, Mom and Dad Princess, friends, cousins, grandparents, nieces, nephews, Princesses sister's family, you name it I brought pictures! After the lesson, there was one sister really crying, tears running down her cheeks. I went to apologize, only to learn that her husband had recently died. He is a member of the Church, she is not. My lesson on eternal families was for her, not for me, not for my Mom (still not doing well), but for her. She needed to feel the Spirit, and this helped to break through to her. I don't know what the future holds for her, but I know that my ramblings and blubberings were for her.
Ya know what? I'm grateful to be a boob (the big blubbering kind)!
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Way Cool
Have you ever opened another person's blog or web or anything and when you clicked on a link it opened in a new page or tab? Well I loved that feature and I just found out how to do it.
There is a blog out there called betabloggerfordummies. I found an html script that you insert into the widget code that allows all of your links, blogs, etc to open in a new window or page. It is so cool!
Here is the link -> ☺
Click on links (orange tab in header), then expand the "50 types of links and how to make them work", then look for number 8 and the highlighted word "e-mail". Then scroll down to "opening links in a separate window". The code is highlighted in black. Remember to back up your template before making any changes.
That should do it! Have fun
Jim
There is a blog out there called betabloggerfordummies. I found an html script that you insert into the widget code that allows all of your links, blogs, etc to open in a new window or page. It is so cool!
Here is the link -> ☺
Click on links (orange tab in header), then expand the "50 types of links and how to make them work", then look for number 8 and the highlighted word "e-mail". Then scroll down to "opening links in a separate window". The code is highlighted in black. Remember to back up your template before making any changes.
That should do it! Have fun
Jim
Too Much
Or too heavy? I'm not quite sure. I guess I'm liked (read) more for my witty repartee than for my deep, spiritual, thinking side (I state this only because on the Nerd scale, I received 5 comments, yet matters of great concern I only received one comment).
So dear friends and family, I will try to not pour out my soul/heart too often and just thrill you with the life and times of the TexasPricetags!
This past week has been a doozy.
• Last Sunday evening I started off feeling poorly, awoke during the night with sweats, chills, etc and found I had a fever. My scratchy throat from Saturday was not just allergies, but a cold. I weathered it pretty well sleeping most of Monday
• The rest of the work week was spent dealing with issues and trying to catch up on audit reports, expense reports and firefighting.
We haven’t seen too much rain lately, but I know for a fact it will rain today or tomorrow, independent of what the TV, Internet, Radio, and Newspapers say! Why do you ask? Because for the first time in 6 months, both cars are washed, waxed and clean! It is a sure sign that rain will be opening from the heavens any minute now, or at least while we are at Church this afternoon.
Speaking of Church, my new calling as Gospel Essentials Teacher is going quite well. I usually have about 10-15 people attending, some new, some old. The new ones don’t quite scare me as much as the old ones, cause they don’t usually get out there on tangents that are pretty deep discussions. I do try to steer the class back to the topic at hand, and gently thank the tangent taker for their comments.
I added Princess to the blog so she could start posting, or create her own blog and link to it from here, but no such luck yet.
If I have any exciting happenings at Church today, I will describe it in detail here on these pages.
Jim
So dear friends and family, I will try to not pour out my soul/heart too often and just thrill you with the life and times of the TexasPricetags!
This past week has been a doozy.
• Last Sunday evening I started off feeling poorly, awoke during the night with sweats, chills, etc and found I had a fever. My scratchy throat from Saturday was not just allergies, but a cold. I weathered it pretty well sleeping most of Monday
• The rest of the work week was spent dealing with issues and trying to catch up on audit reports, expense reports and firefighting.
We haven’t seen too much rain lately, but I know for a fact it will rain today or tomorrow, independent of what the TV, Internet, Radio, and Newspapers say! Why do you ask? Because for the first time in 6 months, both cars are washed, waxed and clean! It is a sure sign that rain will be opening from the heavens any minute now, or at least while we are at Church this afternoon.
Speaking of Church, my new calling as Gospel Essentials Teacher is going quite well. I usually have about 10-15 people attending, some new, some old. The new ones don’t quite scare me as much as the old ones, cause they don’t usually get out there on tangents that are pretty deep discussions. I do try to steer the class back to the topic at hand, and gently thank the tangent taker for their comments.
I added Princess to the blog so she could start posting, or create her own blog and link to it from here, but no such luck yet.
If I have any exciting happenings at Church today, I will describe it in detail here on these pages.
Jim
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Blessed
That's how I fell today. Blessed beyond measure. Many of you dear readers know that I try not to let my Mormon influence get the best of me and become to "preachy" with the blog. However, I am blessed more than I could every imagine.
I want to declare my love for a beautiful Daughter of our Heavenly Father. Her unconditional love for me and those that surround us. I truly don't deserve all that she does for the girls and me.
I am grateful for loving parents. My dear Mother has struggled, fought, climbed, and torn her way through 4 years of hell. She is dealing with Cancer. They found ovarian cancer in 2003, just after her Mother passed away. She was given 12 months. 13 months later, she was given 12 -18 months. Now, 3 years later, we learn that her numbers are climbing, the drug study she is on is not working, and tumors are growing. I have held her hands, felt her tears on my cheeks, heard her voice quiver and shake from 1350 miles away, yet through it all, her faith holds her, her testimony of God, his son Jesus Christ, and the plan that He has for us. Now with this latest round of chemo unsuccessful, the Dr's are giving her 3 to 6 months to live. I don't know what the next 3 to 6 months hold (heck not even the next 24 hours), but I do know this, I love my Mom. She is a fighter, she feels that God is not done with her yet, and I know that she prays that His will be done.
I pray for her every morning, noon and night. I pray that the pain will not be too much for her to bear, and I know without a shadow of a doubt that my prayers are answered.
My sister Buffy (not her real name, but my nickname for her from high school) has had my Mom at her house for the past several weeks. Here she is, fourth of six kids, having to manage this burden with her husband and my younger brother and his wife. I know that she has learned more unconditional love through serving my Mom, than anything other trial in her life.
I love my family. Please forgive me for being so sappy, so emotional, so overjoyed in God's blessings to me and to my family. Remember to keep your loved ones closer, love those that spite you, and pray for guidance in your lives.
Jim
I want to declare my love for a beautiful Daughter of our Heavenly Father. Her unconditional love for me and those that surround us. I truly don't deserve all that she does for the girls and me.
I am grateful for loving parents. My dear Mother has struggled, fought, climbed, and torn her way through 4 years of hell. She is dealing with Cancer. They found ovarian cancer in 2003, just after her Mother passed away. She was given 12 months. 13 months later, she was given 12 -18 months. Now, 3 years later, we learn that her numbers are climbing, the drug study she is on is not working, and tumors are growing. I have held her hands, felt her tears on my cheeks, heard her voice quiver and shake from 1350 miles away, yet through it all, her faith holds her, her testimony of God, his son Jesus Christ, and the plan that He has for us. Now with this latest round of chemo unsuccessful, the Dr's are giving her 3 to 6 months to live. I don't know what the next 3 to 6 months hold (heck not even the next 24 hours), but I do know this, I love my Mom. She is a fighter, she feels that God is not done with her yet, and I know that she prays that His will be done.
I pray for her every morning, noon and night. I pray that the pain will not be too much for her to bear, and I know without a shadow of a doubt that my prayers are answered.
My sister Buffy (not her real name, but my nickname for her from high school) has had my Mom at her house for the past several weeks. Here she is, fourth of six kids, having to manage this burden with her husband and my younger brother and his wife. I know that she has learned more unconditional love through serving my Mom, than anything other trial in her life.
I love my family. Please forgive me for being so sappy, so emotional, so overjoyed in God's blessings to me and to my family. Remember to keep your loved ones closer, love those that spite you, and pray for guidance in your lives.
Jim
Saturday, September 08, 2007
Blame it on Todd
I haven't really blogged lately - too much work, too much house work with Princess, being way way too grouchy - you name it, I'm a lazy bum or I just don't care. I did however pickup a cool tidbit over at three girls and a boy I picked up this:
Todd is more nerdy than I am, - no scratch that, I am he only scored 48 "lightly nerdy" while I scored 60! GREAT!
Think you're not a Nerd? I challenge you to go take the quiz!
I'll try to be better a posting. Princess got this yesterday (the corner unit)and we put it up this morning - we worked too long and hard on it, going without food or beverage and I ended up grouchy and a jerk. Thank goodness that I have a wife who loves me unconditionally...even when that condition is jerkiness.
Jim
Todd is more nerdy than I am, - no scratch that, I am he only scored 48 "lightly nerdy" while I scored 60! GREAT!
Think you're not a Nerd? I challenge you to go take the quiz!
I'll try to be better a posting. Princess got this yesterday (the corner unit)and we put it up this morning - we worked too long and hard on it, going without food or beverage and I ended up grouchy and a jerk. Thank goodness that I have a wife who loves me unconditionally...even when that condition is jerkiness.
Jim
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Excitement
So this week I began a new adventure at work. For the first time in over 21 years, I get to dress up in business casual clothes for work. My whole career at work, I have had white uniforms to dress in...aka good humor man (a comment not lost on me by Princess and friends). What did I do when presented with this new challenge? SHOPPING of course. Princess kept me in check, but I did get some new pants and some new shirts (this weekend we're going again - even if she doesn't know it yet).
Thursday, I travelled to Little Rock, AR for work. It was a short flight, uneventful hour long plane ride from Houston to Little Rock (Home of Bill Clinton if you didn't know). At the airport, I met up with two co-workers from the East coast (Stacy and Jack). A note about Stacy, she is the purchasing manager for a variety of different commodities we buy. Stacy is petite, but don't let the size fool you, she holds her own with the toughest of the rednecks we met in Arkansas. Picture "Preppy Mom" in about a 5'4" frame, that has no problem taking you down a peg or two (it was a blast to be with her - it was my first time meeting Jack, so I'll have to size him up and let you know. We all travelled to the vendor's location so that I could perform the audit.
We were touring a rice milling operation and of course, Thursday's high was 104F! With humidity that hovered around the SAUNA level. Work went good, we had a nice dinner at the country club, and then toured another rice location on Friday. After the second tour, we jumped in the car and headed back to Little Rock to eat some lunch and catch our flights home.
We decided that we did not want airport food, so we headed into downtown, where we lucked upon a parking spot, and then perused the local eateries. We sauntered in the lovely 99F sunshine and SAUNA humidity, all the way down Bill Clinton Blvd, and Stacy even bought some paraphernalia at the museum library store.
We grabbed lunch at a pub, "The Flying Saucer" home to about 300+ different beers, lagers, and ales. The food was...how shall I say it...nothing to blog about :-). We arrived at the airport, checked in the rental car (me forgetting to give the keys to the new 2007 push start Altima and running back with sweat pouring down my back, legs...well, you get the picture, and then settled in to connect to some WI-fi and do some work.
Little Rock airport has free WI-fi for Internet connections, but it was down yesterday so we chatted about the trip, families, work, etc. Stacy jumped on her plane headed back to the east coast, me waiting for a 6:30PM flight home...WHICH DIDN'T HAPPEN!
The 4:30 flight left at 5:15, then returned to the gate at 6:10, deplaned, and left again at 7:00PM. No announcements were given by the CONTINENTAL staff as to the delays for the 4:30, nor the 6:30 (which eventually boarded beginning at 10:30PM (of course dear friends, Continental sent my flight to Waco on ahead of me, and booked me on the 11:00 AM home today!). I slept all the way to Houston, bumpy ride and all, navigated to the rental counter (of course, my name was NOT on the gold list), and obtained my rental car at 12:30AM this morning(can you say inept workers)).
I navigated the interstates, toll roads and highways between Houston and Waco with the greatest of care due to the tremendous amount of water on the roadways (HA - hardly a puddle - but we delayed the flight 4 hours for the torrential flooding that took place yesterday afternoon), arriving at my abode around 4:00AM, where I was greeted by Princess and the girls.
But, the surprises were not over! At 7:30 this morning, Jenna strolled into our bedroom and announced that she was ready for breakfast (I believe having been awake for about an hour on her own, and telling me I need my pajama top on when I slept). Seems that Jenna is the proud big sister to Elizabeth (who decided to come about a week early, and also very quickly from the story). From the pictures Princess took, I can't wait to see this new bundle of joy!
So, here I sit in the computer/craft room typing out my woes. Princess made us pancakes and fruit, and is now showering. I'm next, then the fun of our Saturday begins. And all of it on just 3.5 hours sleep (I should be just lovely out and about with the back to school crowds)!
More adventures to come.
Jim
Thursday, I travelled to Little Rock, AR for work. It was a short flight, uneventful hour long plane ride from Houston to Little Rock (Home of Bill Clinton if you didn't know). At the airport, I met up with two co-workers from the East coast (Stacy and Jack). A note about Stacy, she is the purchasing manager for a variety of different commodities we buy. Stacy is petite, but don't let the size fool you, she holds her own with the toughest of the rednecks we met in Arkansas. Picture "Preppy Mom" in about a 5'4" frame, that has no problem taking you down a peg or two (it was a blast to be with her - it was my first time meeting Jack, so I'll have to size him up and let you know. We all travelled to the vendor's location so that I could perform the audit.
We were touring a rice milling operation and of course, Thursday's high was 104F! With humidity that hovered around the SAUNA level. Work went good, we had a nice dinner at the country club, and then toured another rice location on Friday. After the second tour, we jumped in the car and headed back to Little Rock to eat some lunch and catch our flights home.
We decided that we did not want airport food, so we headed into downtown, where we lucked upon a parking spot, and then perused the local eateries. We sauntered in the lovely 99F sunshine and SAUNA humidity, all the way down Bill Clinton Blvd, and Stacy even bought some paraphernalia at the museum library store.
We grabbed lunch at a pub, "The Flying Saucer" home to about 300+ different beers, lagers, and ales. The food was...how shall I say it...nothing to blog about :-). We arrived at the airport, checked in the rental car (me forgetting to give the keys to the new 2007 push start Altima and running back with sweat pouring down my back, legs...well, you get the picture, and then settled in to connect to some WI-fi and do some work.
Little Rock airport has free WI-fi for Internet connections, but it was down yesterday so we chatted about the trip, families, work, etc. Stacy jumped on her plane headed back to the east coast, me waiting for a 6:30PM flight home...WHICH DIDN'T HAPPEN!
The 4:30 flight left at 5:15, then returned to the gate at 6:10, deplaned, and left again at 7:00PM. No announcements were given by the CONTINENTAL staff as to the delays for the 4:30, nor the 6:30 (which eventually boarded beginning at 10:30PM (of course dear friends, Continental sent my flight to Waco on ahead of me, and booked me on the 11:00 AM home today!). I slept all the way to Houston, bumpy ride and all, navigated to the rental counter (of course, my name was NOT on the gold list), and obtained my rental car at 12:30AM this morning(can you say inept workers)).
I navigated the interstates, toll roads and highways between Houston and Waco with the greatest of care due to the tremendous amount of water on the roadways (HA - hardly a puddle - but we delayed the flight 4 hours for the torrential flooding that took place yesterday afternoon), arriving at my abode around 4:00AM, where I was greeted by Princess and the girls.
But, the surprises were not over! At 7:30 this morning, Jenna strolled into our bedroom and announced that she was ready for breakfast (I believe having been awake for about an hour on her own, and telling me I need my pajama top on when I slept). Seems that Jenna is the proud big sister to Elizabeth (who decided to come about a week early, and also very quickly from the story). From the pictures Princess took, I can't wait to see this new bundle of joy!
So, here I sit in the computer/craft room typing out my woes. Princess made us pancakes and fruit, and is now showering. I'm next, then the fun of our Saturday begins. And all of it on just 3.5 hours sleep (I should be just lovely out and about with the back to school crowds)!
More adventures to come.
Jim
Saturday, August 11, 2007
MMMHHH!
So this week I was supposed to spend the whole week in the office. I had planned everything out to the proverbial "T". Finish some reports, catch up on expense reports, start prepping the trim on the house to give it a good coat of paint (I know, I wait until August to do this, BUT, we have had record rainfall during May, June and July, etc.
I was busy at my desk on Monday when I got the call from an R&D associate stating that he needed an audit performed right away and how fast could I do it. I explained my schedule, he gave me the contact, and next thing I knew, I was planning a trip to sunny Los Angeles area.
Now you might be wondering, why I have titled this post "MMMHHH". Well it is because while in sunny Cal-i-for-ni-a, I ate several times at my favorite burger joint in the whole wide world...In-N-Out Burger!
And to prove how loving I am to Princess, here is what I ate at IN-N-Out->
I even had the audacity to call her and let her know what I was eating that very moment while we were speaking! :-) She wasn't too impressed I must tell you. I don't really think her tone with me was all that pleasant either! Go figure!
I made it home safe and sound, and today is a day filled with errands - and sshh, I've got to find a 20th anniversary present for Princess and she has given me no clues whatsoever to get her! It's not like we don't have all that we need, but still, it is our anniversary (she has put up with me for 20 years after all), so she rightly deserves all the attention and accolades she can get!
Jim
I was busy at my desk on Monday when I got the call from an R&D associate stating that he needed an audit performed right away and how fast could I do it. I explained my schedule, he gave me the contact, and next thing I knew, I was planning a trip to sunny Los Angeles area.
Now you might be wondering, why I have titled this post "MMMHHH". Well it is because while in sunny Cal-i-for-ni-a, I ate several times at my favorite burger joint in the whole wide world...In-N-Out Burger!
And to prove how loving I am to Princess, here is what I ate at IN-N-Out->
I even had the audacity to call her and let her know what I was eating that very moment while we were speaking! :-) She wasn't too impressed I must tell you. I don't really think her tone with me was all that pleasant either! Go figure!
I made it home safe and sound, and today is a day filled with errands - and sshh, I've got to find a 20th anniversary present for Princess and she has given me no clues whatsoever to get her! It's not like we don't have all that we need, but still, it is our anniversary (she has put up with me for 20 years after all), so she rightly deserves all the attention and accolades she can get!
Jim
Saturday, August 04, 2007
Friday, August 03, 2007
July
July started out with a bang- literally a Fourth of July bang. We had a great party with our neighbors, then were home to not enjoy all the crazies and the fireworks.
Then on July fifth, I travelled to Mexico for work. There I got some bad news about my Mom and her Cancer, where of course I doomed and gloomed. BUT, she recovered from her issue, and she is at home and undergoing tests for a study she was FINALLY accepted into.
The rest of July is a blur. I made two separate trips to Canada, one to a really beautiful point in Northeastern Quebec, the other to Toronto for meetings. Both were good, but not a cool temperature wise as I would have liked.
Then a trip to Chicago for a team meeting, then a trip to Mexico again for work, and I just returned from Minnesota and Winsconsin.
Wenedsday night, we were driving back to Minnesota from Wisconsin and fortunately did not go near I-35. At 6:00 PM, an older bridge section collapsed in rush hour traffic, causing multiple deaths and injuries when about 50 cars plummeted into the Mississippi river. If we had gone the way our vendor told us to go, we might have been on that road stuck in traffic or worse. Instead, we followed Hertz Neverlost for the quickest way back and arrived safely at our hotel. I am glad I followed the inspiration given to me to use the Neverlost instead of following directions/maps.
So, you can see just how busy I have been with work and travel. Sorry for boring so many of you dear readers with no updates. I'm not even going to promise to do better. I will state that I will blog when I can with time permitting.
Jim
Then on July fifth, I travelled to Mexico for work. There I got some bad news about my Mom and her Cancer, where of course I doomed and gloomed. BUT, she recovered from her issue, and she is at home and undergoing tests for a study she was FINALLY accepted into.
The rest of July is a blur. I made two separate trips to Canada, one to a really beautiful point in Northeastern Quebec, the other to Toronto for meetings. Both were good, but not a cool temperature wise as I would have liked.
Then a trip to Chicago for a team meeting, then a trip to Mexico again for work, and I just returned from Minnesota and Winsconsin.
Wenedsday night, we were driving back to Minnesota from Wisconsin and fortunately did not go near I-35. At 6:00 PM, an older bridge section collapsed in rush hour traffic, causing multiple deaths and injuries when about 50 cars plummeted into the Mississippi river. If we had gone the way our vendor told us to go, we might have been on that road stuck in traffic or worse. Instead, we followed Hertz Neverlost for the quickest way back and arrived safely at our hotel. I am glad I followed the inspiration given to me to use the Neverlost instead of following directions/maps.
So, you can see just how busy I have been with work and travel. Sorry for boring so many of you dear readers with no updates. I'm not even going to promise to do better. I will state that I will blog when I can with time permitting.
Jim
June
So in June we took our vacation to lovely Boise, ID to partake in Princesses family reunion. I dreaded the trip, 10 days with family and lot's of kids. Boy was I wrong!
Matt playing catch with the kids
After Church in the Mike's flowers for a family portrait.
We had a blast. When we arrived at the airport, we had rented a small car for the week (heck we were only going to need it to get to her sister's house, and for errands. Well, because of my travels for work, we were upgraded to a Subaru Tribeca (their SUV). It was lovely. Drove smoothly, had a great sound system, and had GPS navigation!
Each morning we got up with the in-laws and the kids, had scripture study, and then went to the park to do a mile around the track. Princess and I walked, while the kids all jogged and timed themselves. Then it was back home to eat breakfast, shower and get on with the day. The reunion was Friday, Saturday, & Sunday. We had the Aunt, cousins, etc and had games planned and a craft idea for the adult women. Princesses Uncle took all the kids swimming at their hotel (about 10 or 11) and they had a blast. We barbecued, played badminton, catch, jai-alai, it was great.
Matt playing catch with the kids
Dave, Jared, Kerry, and Aunt Marcia enjoying watching the kids and each other in the shade.
After Church in the Mike's flowers for a family portrait.
All in all it was a really good time had by all. Now I only have to "dread" it for the next two years:-)!
Jim
Sunday, July 15, 2007
O Canada
What a beautiful country our neighbor to the north is. I flew into Toronto on Thursday, only to connect to another flight within Canada to continue my journey. While in Toronto, I caught up with another employee from our company. We both flew with our vendor rep to a small town called North Bay. The views from the plane were spectacular.
From North Bay, we drove to a smaller town called New Liskeard. We were right on the Ottawa river, where it is wide enough to create a lake. All this beautiful scenery and I forgot to take my freakin digital camera out of my bag! At this point, we were about 6 hours north east of Toronto by car.
We continued our journey the next day to a small village called Laverlochere within the province of Quebec. As many of you know, Canada is bilingual, English and French. Well, I don't speak French (I thought my Spanish skills were going to be no use to me) but boy did my knowledge of the Spanish language help. All the documentation was in French, but with my Spanish help, I could interpret what was written even if I could not read or speak it back to them.
We finished our business, to begin the 1.5 hour journey back to North Bay to fly into Toronto. Of course, what did I do? Forgot to take my camera out of my bag! See, age is getting to me and I'm becoming forgetful!
I finally got home on Saturday afternoon about 2:45 PM to spend some time with Princess. Now it's off to Church to teach my class, then home to rest, have roast, mashed potatoes, veggies, and a new lemon cake that Princess is developing for dessert! Now we all know why I'm as fat as I am, too much cooking/eating, not enough exercise.
Have a great Sunday - Jim
From North Bay, we drove to a smaller town called New Liskeard. We were right on the Ottawa river, where it is wide enough to create a lake. All this beautiful scenery and I forgot to take my freakin digital camera out of my bag! At this point, we were about 6 hours north east of Toronto by car.
We continued our journey the next day to a small village called Laverlochere within the province of Quebec. As many of you know, Canada is bilingual, English and French. Well, I don't speak French (I thought my Spanish skills were going to be no use to me) but boy did my knowledge of the Spanish language help. All the documentation was in French, but with my Spanish help, I could interpret what was written even if I could not read or speak it back to them.
We finished our business, to begin the 1.5 hour journey back to North Bay to fly into Toronto. Of course, what did I do? Forgot to take my camera out of my bag! See, age is getting to me and I'm becoming forgetful!
I finally got home on Saturday afternoon about 2:45 PM to spend some time with Princess. Now it's off to Church to teach my class, then home to rest, have roast, mashed potatoes, veggies, and a new lemon cake that Princess is developing for dessert! Now we all know why I'm as fat as I am, too much cooking/eating, not enough exercise.
Have a great Sunday - Jim
Sunday, July 08, 2007
Time
Not enough of it that is. I was reminded the other day that I haven't blogged in quite a while - sorry dear friends/family that life has been extremely busy for the Price household.
After Sacramento, Princess and I loaded up on an airplane and took off for 7 days to, to, to...Boise, Idaho for her family reunion. We had a blast - I promise to post pictures so that you can see the whole family.
We got home, had two days to recuperate before work, and then it has been hectic. Fourth of July was in there and also a trip to Mexico for my work.
My Mom is back in the hospital. On top of her cancer, she has gotten an intestinal blockage. The Doctor's are skeptical at best. Four years of chemotherapy have taken their toll on her poor body. One Dr's prognosis is grim, the other's is not that much better. We are praying for her, asking Heavenly Father to do His will, but still wanting some more time. Only Faith and time will tell.
So, there you have it in a nutshell. My life on the "B" list (b for busy).
Jim
After Sacramento, Princess and I loaded up on an airplane and took off for 7 days to, to, to...Boise, Idaho for her family reunion. We had a blast - I promise to post pictures so that you can see the whole family.
We got home, had two days to recuperate before work, and then it has been hectic. Fourth of July was in there and also a trip to Mexico for my work.
My Mom is back in the hospital. On top of her cancer, she has gotten an intestinal blockage. The Doctor's are skeptical at best. Four years of chemotherapy have taken their toll on her poor body. One Dr's prognosis is grim, the other's is not that much better. We are praying for her, asking Heavenly Father to do His will, but still wanting some more time. Only Faith and time will tell.
So, there you have it in a nutshell. My life on the "B" list (b for busy).
Jim
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Heat
Dry Heat that is!
I'm currently in Sacramento, California! The high yesterday was 103 and today's was 105!! It felt like an oven, heat blast every time you left your car, hotel, vendor's office, you name it, it felt GREAT!! I could sweat, and it evaporated right off of me. No clinging wet clothes, just a nice dry heat. I know that some people are thinking I'm weird. So maybe I am a little weird, but it has been sooo nice to have felt what I grew up with for all my life.
I have eaten at In-N-Out burger three times in the last two days! De-li-cious! I asked Princess what I could bring her and she said a burger. Too bad I can't get that through security tomorrow morning!
Also, I got upgraded on my rental car. Ready...
A brand new 2007 Infinity G35! Sweeeeett! I have been in heaven for the past two days - I'll post a picture of it later.
Gotta run - early flight to get back to Texas, heat, humidity, sweat - Geez, I'm missing the dry heat already! :-)
I'm currently in Sacramento, California! The high yesterday was 103 and today's was 105!! It felt like an oven, heat blast every time you left your car, hotel, vendor's office, you name it, it felt GREAT!! I could sweat, and it evaporated right off of me. No clinging wet clothes, just a nice dry heat. I know that some people are thinking I'm weird. So maybe I am a little weird, but it has been sooo nice to have felt what I grew up with for all my life.
I have eaten at In-N-Out burger three times in the last two days! De-li-cious! I asked Princess what I could bring her and she said a burger. Too bad I can't get that through security tomorrow morning!
Also, I got upgraded on my rental car. Ready...
A brand new 2007 Infinity G35! Sweeeeett! I have been in heaven for the past two days - I'll post a picture of it later.
Gotta run - early flight to get back to Texas, heat, humidity, sweat - Geez, I'm missing the dry heat already! :-)
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Family
We just got back from Sydnee's first Birthday party! She didn't know what to do with herself and all the presents, it didn't help that she is walking sooo fast, that I stepped one way, she came back into my path quicker than you can say walk, and I knocked her flat on the floor. She cried, big sister Ava cried, and I felt horrible.
While at the party, I got to thinking about family. We go throughout our lives worrying and caring for our families, Mothers, Fathers, Siblings, etc. Somewheare along the line in this journey, we meet people, acquaintances at first, then friends, then family. Sometimes this process only takes a minute, sometimes much longer with much laughter, and some tears. Above it all, I'm thankful for the "friends" that are not defined by blood relations and have become family.
Such was our case today. Princess and I went to the Blackhursts to celebrate the festivities. Everyone else that was there were tied to them through blood or marriage, except us. But we never felt like outsiders, just the contrary. We felt, feel like family, and they also to us.
This scenario has played out for us all our married lives - friends that are family. There is no other word for it. How grateful we are for this miracle in our lives. Dear friends we've watched you start families, in some cases, been at your weddings, been part of Baptisms, confirmations, ordinations, etc. We are so appreciative of the time that you spend with us, and the joy you bring into our lives.
Whew! That was just a little too deep for me - so I'll just say thanks - you've blessed our lives immensely - and we had fun at the party too...boy can that girl scream when she doesn't get her way!
While at the party, I got to thinking about family. We go throughout our lives worrying and caring for our families, Mothers, Fathers, Siblings, etc. Somewheare along the line in this journey, we meet people, acquaintances at first, then friends, then family. Sometimes this process only takes a minute, sometimes much longer with much laughter, and some tears. Above it all, I'm thankful for the "friends" that are not defined by blood relations and have become family.
Such was our case today. Princess and I went to the Blackhursts to celebrate the festivities. Everyone else that was there were tied to them through blood or marriage, except us. But we never felt like outsiders, just the contrary. We felt, feel like family, and they also to us.
This scenario has played out for us all our married lives - friends that are family. There is no other word for it. How grateful we are for this miracle in our lives. Dear friends we've watched you start families, in some cases, been at your weddings, been part of Baptisms, confirmations, ordinations, etc. We are so appreciative of the time that you spend with us, and the joy you bring into our lives.
Whew! That was just a little too deep for me - so I'll just say thanks - you've blessed our lives immensely - and we had fun at the party too...boy can that girl scream when she doesn't get her way!
Not enough
Blogging that is! That's what I was told by a friend of mine last night. I was amazed and confused. I really guess that my friend hasn't been reading thoroughly through my posts to find out that for all but three weeks of this year, I have been doing two, yes two jobs at work. My own lovely job, and that of my boss.
Quick recap "gilligan, gilligan, gilligan" as we move back in time! December and my boss has a beautiful baby boy, is out three and a half months. She comes back to work, and three weeks later, is promoted and moves sites and I am "awarded" the position of interim group manager. So the group has been without one person now for 6 months, I'm working tons of hours , not counting the travel (around 10 to 11 hours each day, sometimes more), the laptop up at home, fielding calls at 8:00 PM at night, and now checking on work things with the east coast, so that I can assure supply to one of the plants.
I certainly did not mean for my dear readers to think that I was neglecting my blogging duties, it's just hard to type when you come home from work, eat dinner, do the dishes, sit down for a few minutes and you're asleep in your easy chair.
Now back to the present - I'm typing, Princess is lying in the Mickey room, and we have a super busy day - so we're off to shower, hit the Golf Tournament to help set up goodie bags for kids, then on to Sydnee's 1st birthday party, then who knows what we'll do next. It's going to be a busy day and a very "bumpy ride". It's also become hot and muggy here - can you say 77 for an overnight low with humidity around 80% - YUCK! Summers here, Summers here!
Quick recap "gilligan, gilligan, gilligan" as we move back in time! December and my boss has a beautiful baby boy, is out three and a half months. She comes back to work, and three weeks later, is promoted and moves sites and I am "awarded" the position of interim group manager. So the group has been without one person now for 6 months, I'm working tons of hours , not counting the travel (around 10 to 11 hours each day, sometimes more), the laptop up at home, fielding calls at 8:00 PM at night, and now checking on work things with the east coast, so that I can assure supply to one of the plants.
I certainly did not mean for my dear readers to think that I was neglecting my blogging duties, it's just hard to type when you come home from work, eat dinner, do the dishes, sit down for a few minutes and you're asleep in your easy chair.
Now back to the present - I'm typing, Princess is lying in the Mickey room, and we have a super busy day - so we're off to shower, hit the Golf Tournament to help set up goodie bags for kids, then on to Sydnee's 1st birthday party, then who knows what we'll do next. It's going to be a busy day and a very "bumpy ride". It's also become hot and muggy here - can you say 77 for an overnight low with humidity around 80% - YUCK! Summers here, Summers here!
Saturday, June 02, 2007
SIX...
...years!!!
Happy Anniversary!! Today is the day six years ago that we boarded a plane at McCarren International Airport and began our journey in Texas! I swear to you that Princess cried for half the plane ride from Vegas to Austin (we flew in there, and then drove up to Waco). We joked then and still laugh about it now, "that we had soap in our eyes, stinging them, and that is why we had cried.
What an adventure we have had so far! Our first Texas friends were the Blackhursts (newlyweds at the time and we called them "the kids") and the Estradas (definitely not newlyweds at the time, but their kids were small enough we could pick on them without fear of getting beat up). We spent many a night with these couples playing games and eating, learning new sayings, like "ya'll", "fixn'to", and "howdy" come to mind right now.
We fed a huge portion of the Missionaries here in the area, gone on discussions with them, and been invited (post mission of course) to many wedding receptions for them.
We've had to stand on our own two feet (parents and family being 1,350 miles away and all) and learn to "cleave" together and be united.
So, a big thank you to the following who have helped shape and share our journey here:
The Rich Whites, The Frank Duty's, The Josh Whites, The Shumates, The Sterling Jones', The Collingwoods, The Blackhursts, The Estradas, The Ameney's, The Schlitts, The Works, The Moore's, The Hodsens (both sets), The Jacobsens, The Heath Nielsens, The Mocks, The Lackmeyers, Lynn, Laurie, Ken and Nancy, The Merritts, The Carters, The Bacchus, The Johnsons, The Lockes, The Watts, The Askeroth's, The Castenedas, Dr. Miller and K-Paul, The Loggins, The Plasketts, The Milligans, and a myriad of other friends. We love you and thank you for your friendship, time and energy with us. We are truly blessed and our lives richer because of you!
Princess and I are truly blessed to have all of you and those I can't remember in our lives. This journey called life is a great blessing from Heavenly Father and living here in Central Texas is a little slice of Heaven on earth because of our friends, neighbors, and those we have even met and befriended at our local HEB!
Here's to another 6 great years of fun times and supporting one another!
Jim
Happy Anniversary!! Today is the day six years ago that we boarded a plane at McCarren International Airport and began our journey in Texas! I swear to you that Princess cried for half the plane ride from Vegas to Austin (we flew in there, and then drove up to Waco). We joked then and still laugh about it now, "that we had soap in our eyes, stinging them, and that is why we had cried.
What an adventure we have had so far! Our first Texas friends were the Blackhursts (newlyweds at the time and we called them "the kids") and the Estradas (definitely not newlyweds at the time, but their kids were small enough we could pick on them without fear of getting beat up). We spent many a night with these couples playing games and eating, learning new sayings, like "ya'll", "fixn'to", and "howdy" come to mind right now.
We fed a huge portion of the Missionaries here in the area, gone on discussions with them, and been invited (post mission of course) to many wedding receptions for them.
We've had to stand on our own two feet (parents and family being 1,350 miles away and all) and learn to "cleave" together and be united.
So, a big thank you to the following who have helped shape and share our journey here:
The Rich Whites, The Frank Duty's, The Josh Whites, The Shumates, The Sterling Jones', The Collingwoods, The Blackhursts, The Estradas, The Ameney's, The Schlitts, The Works, The Moore's, The Hodsens (both sets), The Jacobsens, The Heath Nielsens, The Mocks, The Lackmeyers, Lynn, Laurie, Ken and Nancy, The Merritts, The Carters, The Bacchus, The Johnsons, The Lockes, The Watts, The Askeroth's, The Castenedas, Dr. Miller and K-Paul, The Loggins, The Plasketts, The Milligans, and a myriad of other friends. We love you and thank you for your friendship, time and energy with us. We are truly blessed and our lives richer because of you!
Princess and I are truly blessed to have all of you and those I can't remember in our lives. This journey called life is a great blessing from Heavenly Father and living here in Central Texas is a little slice of Heaven on earth because of our friends, neighbors, and those we have even met and befriended at our local HEB!
Here's to another 6 great years of fun times and supporting one another!
Jim
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Mother's Day...
...A little late! Since I had come down with the lovely Bronchitis bug on Mother's day weekend, we didn't get to celebrate the day for Princess. We did eat lunch at Pei Wei (I couldn't taste a thing) and that was fine, but it wasn't anything special.
Sooo, last night, we went to a local eatery here called 1424. Why is it called 1424 you ask? Because that is the address on Washington...1424 Washington, Waco, TX. Princess had the pork loin with fried plantains, mango salsa and a salad. I had the pork loin with balsamic reduction, potato medley, and baby carrots. MMMMMHHH! It was Delicious.
If you haven't been to 1424, it is a little pricey, so that is why we go there on special occasions, like Mother's Day celebrations, Anniversaries, Birthdays, etc.
Speaking of Moms, both our Mother's are doing quite well lately. We spoke to them on Mother's Day, Princess longer than me cause of my voice and cough.
I am better! Antibiotics rule man! Also, I'm singing a solo today in Sacrament Meeting. Wish me luck as I hope my voice will be able to handle it.
Jim
Sooo, last night, we went to a local eatery here called 1424. Why is it called 1424 you ask? Because that is the address on Washington...1424 Washington, Waco, TX. Princess had the pork loin with fried plantains, mango salsa and a salad. I had the pork loin with balsamic reduction, potato medley, and baby carrots. MMMMMHHH! It was Delicious.
If you haven't been to 1424, it is a little pricey, so that is why we go there on special occasions, like Mother's Day celebrations, Anniversaries, Birthdays, etc.
Speaking of Moms, both our Mother's are doing quite well lately. We spoke to them on Mother's Day, Princess longer than me cause of my voice and cough.
I am better! Antibiotics rule man! Also, I'm singing a solo today in Sacrament Meeting. Wish me luck as I hope my voice will be able to handle it.
Jim
Monday, May 21, 2007
Monday
Well, I am supposed to be at our corporate HQ for a week of training, but like my last entry stated, I am under the weather with Bronchitis. I am on day four of antibiotics and feeling a little bit better. I still have the cough and congestion in my chest. As such, I am at home. I am working from home, but took a second to blog about my trivial day.
So far this morning, I have had six phone calls from solicitors on the home line. I answer then hang up. I have had three work related phone calls on my cell phone. Thus far, a little bit of a boring day. The girls keep coming and going through their door in the kitchen, the TV is on to provide a bit of white noise for me (makes me think that I am in the open office environment at work). I've got a couple of reports to finish, along with a couple of expense reports.
So, it's back to work.
So far this morning, I have had six phone calls from solicitors on the home line. I answer then hang up. I have had three work related phone calls on my cell phone. Thus far, a little bit of a boring day. The girls keep coming and going through their door in the kitchen, the TV is on to provide a bit of white noise for me (makes me think that I am in the open office environment at work). I've got a couple of reports to finish, along with a couple of expense reports.
So, it's back to work.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Allergies...
That's what I thought Friday a week ago, then yesterday, after a week of suffering through sinus drainage, congested chest, a cough that wouldn't quit, along came a plugged ear. Soo, I call the Doctor, get an appointment and what do I get? Sympathy you say? No, No, do not kid yourself with that one. I got an ear full from the Doctor. Now in this day and age when they are trying hard not to give medication to you at the drop-of-a-hat, I was doing what was advised the last time I got sick...give it 7 to 10 days, if the symptoms do not clear up, call us.
Well, with the ear being plugged and a three and a half hour plane ride to New Jersey on Sunday, I went in. My Doctor gave me an ear full, "You have asthma. If your symptoms last past three or four days - you get in here!" He continued "You cannot let your chest get so tight, that I'm going to have to administer som cortisone to relax it and allow you to breathe!" So, thirty five dollar co-pay, an ear full for doing what I thought was right, a shot in my right butt, and forty dollars at the pharmacist, I finally slept all through the night. Only to awaken to a sick Princess. She too now has antibiotics and has taken some cough syrup to help her sleep.
We are just a lovely bunch today...although, I made her take a shower with some VICK's up her nose to help clear the nasal passages. Later, I'll go to the store for groceries, etc, then come home to iron for my trip.
By-the-way, I haven't blogged in a long time cause there hasn't been any time. My boss got a promotion, and I have been filling in for her since the 24th of April! Not complaing my loyal friends and family, just stating what has been going on in our lives.
Also, for my fine loving neighbors, the landscape crew is suppossed to come on Monday (yes this Monday the 21st and finally plant the trees, shrubs, and mulch the beds! Yessirree, I am stoked.
Well, gotta run and make Princess some soup - keep her happy is my goal today.
Jim
Well, with the ear being plugged and a three and a half hour plane ride to New Jersey on Sunday, I went in. My Doctor gave me an ear full, "You have asthma. If your symptoms last past three or four days - you get in here!" He continued "You cannot let your chest get so tight, that I'm going to have to administer som cortisone to relax it and allow you to breathe!" So, thirty five dollar co-pay, an ear full for doing what I thought was right, a shot in my right butt, and forty dollars at the pharmacist, I finally slept all through the night. Only to awaken to a sick Princess. She too now has antibiotics and has taken some cough syrup to help her sleep.
We are just a lovely bunch today...although, I made her take a shower with some VICK's up her nose to help clear the nasal passages. Later, I'll go to the store for groceries, etc, then come home to iron for my trip.
By-the-way, I haven't blogged in a long time cause there hasn't been any time. My boss got a promotion, and I have been filling in for her since the 24th of April! Not complaing my loyal friends and family, just stating what has been going on in our lives.
Also, for my fine loving neighbors, the landscape crew is suppossed to come on Monday (yes this Monday the 21st and finally plant the trees, shrubs, and mulch the beds! Yessirree, I am stoked.
Well, gotta run and make Princess some soup - keep her happy is my goal today.
Jim
Sunday, April 22, 2007
A Day of Rest
I am so glad today is Sunday. I had a very long week this week. The trip for work to Guatemala was excellent. I will be finishing the reports as I travel to New Jersey tomorrow for some meetings. I don't know if I mentioned this earlier (if I did, chock it up to old age and Alzheimer's), anyway, we stayed in the City of Antigua in Guatemala, just one night. We stayed at this old (like almost 200 years old) convent that had been rescued and turned into a hotel/resort like location. The walls were super thick rock/bricks and that kept the temperature pretty stable.
When I got to my room, passing about 100 thousand centuries old statues of saints (one our hosts said the place gave her the spooks), I entered my room which was "warm" and set about to find the air conditioner...WHAT, no a/c?! I then looked up, and no ceiling fan! I about died. I opened the french doors to the patio (did I mention a common patio that all the other guest could just walk right up to the french doors of my room?) for some fresh air. When we left for dinner, I found that the doors had these metal things hanging on them by two of the panes of glass. I picked one up and could push it through this little hole and lift the pane of glass to an angle and get fresh air. So I did, and when I got back to my room (at 11:00 PM - those Latins take way too long for dinner), my room was re-freshed and the temperature had dropped about 5 degrees. I slept with those windows open and at some time during the night, I actually pulled the blanket onto me as I slept.
Anyhow, each day was up at 5:00 AM, and to bed at 11:00 PM. It just about killed me. So I am glad that today, I got to sleep in until 7:30, came and finished preparing my Primary lesson for Church, and now have caught all of you up on my whining.
Okay, switching topics, Princess and I have been doing more gardening here in the last two months than the entire time we have lived here in Texas. We have the front bed cut out of the grass (waiting for the landscaping guys to come and prepare the bed, then plant the bed with bushes, crepe myrtles, and two trees out front. We have bought shade plants for the bed under our bathroom window, and we some sun loving plants for the side by the garage. (side note, Princess did do all of the planting of the shade bed and garage bed, I just did my normal, edge mow, blow down the patios thing...not wanting to take credit away from her hard work.)
Our next big feat will be to remove all the Christmas light screws from the fascia boards, fill in the holes and paint the trim. Boy, I'm looking forward to that! NOT!!! But it has to be done, so it is our/my task.
Here it the Sabbath, the day of rest, and I am thinking about my honey-do list...as Jenna would say "Jim, you're crazy!" And today I would say to her "You're right, I am crazy!"
Jim
When I got to my room, passing about 100 thousand centuries old statues of saints (one our hosts said the place gave her the spooks), I entered my room which was "warm" and set about to find the air conditioner...WHAT, no a/c?! I then looked up, and no ceiling fan! I about died. I opened the french doors to the patio (did I mention a common patio that all the other guest could just walk right up to the french doors of my room?) for some fresh air. When we left for dinner, I found that the doors had these metal things hanging on them by two of the panes of glass. I picked one up and could push it through this little hole and lift the pane of glass to an angle and get fresh air. So I did, and when I got back to my room (at 11:00 PM - those Latins take way too long for dinner), my room was re-freshed and the temperature had dropped about 5 degrees. I slept with those windows open and at some time during the night, I actually pulled the blanket onto me as I slept.
Anyhow, each day was up at 5:00 AM, and to bed at 11:00 PM. It just about killed me. So I am glad that today, I got to sleep in until 7:30, came and finished preparing my Primary lesson for Church, and now have caught all of you up on my whining.
Okay, switching topics, Princess and I have been doing more gardening here in the last two months than the entire time we have lived here in Texas. We have the front bed cut out of the grass (waiting for the landscaping guys to come and prepare the bed, then plant the bed with bushes, crepe myrtles, and two trees out front. We have bought shade plants for the bed under our bathroom window, and we some sun loving plants for the side by the garage. (side note, Princess did do all of the planting of the shade bed and garage bed, I just did my normal, edge mow, blow down the patios thing...not wanting to take credit away from her hard work.)
Our next big feat will be to remove all the Christmas light screws from the fascia boards, fill in the holes and paint the trim. Boy, I'm looking forward to that! NOT!!! But it has to be done, so it is our/my task.
Here it the Sabbath, the day of rest, and I am thinking about my honey-do list...as Jenna would say "Jim, you're crazy!" And today I would say to her "You're right, I am crazy!"
Jim
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