Middle

So here it is the middle of the month! June is flying by, with no signs of slowing down.

Next week I'm in Pennsylvania (all over the place) for audits. The following week, I'm in Minnesota for audits, and the last week of the month, I will be in Tempe, AZ! I'm hoping to hook up and see some friends from my "past" in Vegas - Lisa and Jerry. I have my fingers crossed that everything will work out so that we can see each other. It's really been a long time since I saw both of them, and now they have girls that neither Princess nor I have ever met!

This past week was very busy at work and at home. We're prepping for the visit from Princesses parents, their four dogs, and cat! The mail box door broke off two weeks ago, I contracted with someone to come out and fix it and guess what, they never showed up. So I took matters into my own hands on Friday, spending the day to "rip" out (literally) the old box from the brick holder! Let me tell you that was a lot of hard work! Once I got it out, I thought "now I can put the new one back in"! HA! Not a chance. I'm still gonna need a brick mason to come out, disassemble the brick work, install the new one, and then rebuild the mailbox brick work! Lesson here, never, I mean never build your mailbox into a brick home! Something goes wrong and boy are you up a creek!

On a somber note, I've been thinking a lot about my Mom and Dad. We're coming up on the one year anniversary of her passing. I can't believe a whole year has gone by - it seems and feels just like it was yesterday! I talk to dad at least once a week and he seems to be doing pretty good - I miss him and my family, but just so fortunate to have Princess to ground me.

Well campers - happy travels, happy experiences this next week - and ya'll be safe out there!
Jim

Off with a BANG

Just back from Atlanta and a week of meetings - yep, June is not disappointing me!  Lot's more work to do, not only around the house, but professionally too.

My group is currently down one auditor - has been since March 6.  Now we're down too as one of my guys is doing a temporary assignment at the site he covers!  We as a group shifted gears to refocus our priorities to ensure that we have no gaps heading into the last 6 months of the year!

I'm grateful for my team.  Sometimes they try me, sometimes I them, but we really do work well together and accomplish quite a bit.

GO JUNE!!  You're proving to be a firecracker one month early.

Jim

May?

May, where did you go? I fondly recall the start of May, the wonders the month held for me. Together, we painted the kitchen ceiling (yes the project started in January and is still not done), mowed and edge the lawn countless times, and received new garbage and recycling cans from the City.

We saw some movies, Star Trek, Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, and Wolverine to name just a few.

We flew on a 777 for the first time, and then again three more times as we traveled from Texas to NJ and back again - good times, yes, good times.

We celebrated Mother's Day! That was a great afternoon, eating lunch at Se Cocina, driving to Temple to shop Target, eating ice cream, and having a good laugh when Blakely fell asleep on our way back to Waco. We experienced our first 90 degree weather days together, a little early, so let's see if June can help us out and keep us under that mark for a few weeks (yes, paybacks are needed and required).

My nephew Kyle graduated from High School, the first of about 10 kids we know. Princesses niece Brianna will graduate next week, along with "K", our adopted daughter for part of the school year. The world is your oyster (or apple if you don't like oysters) so go out and get a great big bite and make your mark on this spinning rock we call home.

June, I'm looking forward to a fabulous month, don't let me down!

Jim

God Bless America

In Memory of those who fell in battle, who fell to terrorist plots, and to those who continue to serve in the Armed Forces, I give you my most heartfelt appreciation for your sacrifice to make and keep our great nation safe!

May your families find peace in your decision to serve and the sacrifice that you paid.

Princess, myself and the girls give you our love, support, and enduring THANKS with all our hearts.

At this time it is so important to give support to our Commander In Chief and the troops that make our nation the GREATEST on Earth!  We love our troops and and their families.

May we also take a moment to remember our ancestors and their love and sacrifice to make our nation and families so strong.  We love our loved ones and look forward to the day when we are reunited as Forever Families.

Jim

"Saturday is...

...A special day, it's the day we get ready for Sunday"...

It is Saturday and it is the day we get ready for Sunday - although, I won't be participating in that same tradition tomorrow cause I'll be off to the east coast again, but I'm preparing in my own little way.

I was lucky!  I followed my heart and head, mowed, edged, and blew down the patio yesterday.   Good thing cause so far today our rain gauge is ready about three inches of water.  I'm not complaining, really I'm not.  We need the water, and it helps keep us from paying the city to water our plants and the lawn (I told you, I'm a rain magnet).

Luck was on my side again today.  I did a California Roll at a stop sign, and lo and behold to my left was a Hewitt Police Officer - he stopped me, asked me if I knew what I did, I said yes, gave him my license and registration and confessed that I was not paying attention, regardless of who was to my left, I could have caused an accident.  He said "yep", told me to be more careful and to be on my way!  NO TICKET!!!  My guardian angel was watching out for me.

So please, be careful.  Stop at the stop sign.  Look both ways and don't do a California Roll.

Jim

Home?

I know that you are all wondering where I am this week!  Nicaragua?  Guatemala?  Mexico?  Maybe New Zealand?

Sorry to disappoint, but this week I am lucky enough to be home.  I took today off, did some cleaning, did some ironing (it really was building up), weeded one entire flower bed and worked on another.  Pulled the St. Augustine from the Bermuda, and did some more weeding.  It was a good day to clear my head and accomplish some things that had gone undone while I was traveling.

I'm off next week to New Jersey again for work.  Seems like this has become my home away from home this year.

Princess is doing well, we weathered Mother's Day pretty good around here this year.  It was a little tough for us both.  Her parents are in Australia visiting friends from 34 years ago - they arrived safe and sent us an e-mail.  Friends came over and gave Princess some cards and some chocolate covered strawberries (which were delicious Lindsey) and visited.  

For me, it was just weird not picking out a gift or card for my Mom.  Made me a touch melancholy for her.  Better that as we close in on the one year anniversary, I'm better than I thought I would be.

Life is good!  Look for the positive and share a smile.

Jim

Time

Time, we mark it by counting hours and minutes, days and weeks, months and years. It's amazing to me how "fast" it really moves the older we become. Is this due to the fact that we don't pay attention to time as children or that we realize how important it is as we grow and become adults?

This past year I've been marking time with unique carefulness. First labor day, First Birthday, First Thanksgiving, First Christmas, First New Year's Day, First Anniversary, First Easter, and now First Mother's Day. All of these events I have recorded since Mom passed away last June 27 Th.

Lot's of other events have happened, all without her smile or her ear to tweak, or her shoulder to cry on. It's been hard, especially as Princess and I have navigated the past couple of weeks. I sure could do to hear some of her advice and wonderful counsel.

As tonight becomes tomorrow, Saturday into Sunday, we set aside one day each year to honor our Mother's. This day is very bittersweet for Princess and I. We couldn't have children. We tried - for eleven years - and then the remotest chance was taken from us several years ago. That is the bitter part.

The sweet part is that we have had our Mother's in our lives. Both Linda (Princesses Mom) and Helen (my Mom) have had major impacts and influence in our lives. They have guided us, cared for us, loved us, soothed us, comforted us, and most of all, set us "free" to grow and mature into responsible adults.

Linda - what a wonderful Mother she is. So caring, so kind, so stern when needed. A perfect Mother if ever there was one, why she even let's me call her "old woman"! I love her. Princess loves her, and we hope she and Bill are having one heck of a retirement party in Australia!

Helen, what a wonderful Mother she "is". See I put the "is" in quotations because Mom passed last year. But she is a wonderful, patient, joyful, kind Mother. She was strong on this earth, and I believe with all my heart, she will is strong in her next life.

I love these women. I love Princess, and I'm grateful she chose me and she said "yes" when I asked!

Happy Mother's Day to the women of the world! May you find peace, joy, love, and someone else to cook, clean, and serve you tomorrow!

New Month

2009 is just zipping by!

I can't believe it is May already - pretty soon we'll be at Lynn's in Michigan having a blast.  Then before you know it, Christmas will be here.

We haven't decided what to do about Christmas.  Last Year was the family's first without Mom.  We didn't go home.  We stayed here.  It was horrible.  We'll see - trying to be positive what with all my travel, etc.

For those that were worried, Church was fine today.  Still tooooo much drama going on, but as we all know, we go to Church for ourselves, to worship, be uplifted, and be edified by the word of God.  In the grand scheme of things, this is small (although it feels big), and it too shall pass.

I'm grateful for my loving wife and my family.  I'm grateful for supportive friends (and even those who can't get a grip on how both Princess and I view things) for their love and friendship.

I'm off to NJ tomorrow for work - have a great week.

Jim

Home

So my last post was a little cryptic. I know, but sometimes you just can't say what's really on your mind as children may be in the room!

I've just spent the last three days in Beaumont, TX for work. I'm glad to be home. Princess is bringing Domino's sandwhiches home for dinner - good thing cause I'm starved!

I think we're both still confused by what happened Sunday, much less angry, more hurt - we'll get over it, but some trust has been removed and it's going to take a while to rebuild it. That's all I'm gonna say.

Jim

Confused

Weird day at Church - extremely confused with people - just weird day - I should've stayed in bed.

Tomorrow is a new day - looking forward to it!

Home

Yep, that's right, I'm home!

I've just spent weeks filled with long working days on the East Coast working from our national office and our PA plant. Lot's to do, lot's to see.

While I was gone, the new sofa, chair, and ottomans arrived at the house. They really are nice and very comfortable to sit on. Princess is happy, I'm happy - that's all that matters.

I also think that the rain magnet is back. While on the east coast, it rained off and on during the two weeks. I returned home yesterday to strong winds and now it's raining! I'm not complaining, the east needed it, and so do we need it here.

Lot's to catch up on around the house today, spend time with Princess and the girls.

Okay - it's Easter

While I do realize for those of you "hopping" over to check out what it is Princess and I are up to, you are now noticing the new background, etc.

Yes, I know it's April, that's it's Easter Sunday tomorrow, but I REALLY love Americana, red, white, blue - stars, the whole shabang! I'm just now getting into the whole background thing with the blog (now that blogger has added some easy tools for us uneducated).

Enjoy - and Have a Happy Easter!

Jim

April

My last post, I complained about being a rain magnet. Remember? For all those that went on the Ward camp out - You're welcome - I came home, it didn't rain, and so you stayed dry. Dry but very, very cold! I however was home, in my cozy warm bed. It was great.

I was only home for about 42 hours, then I headed back out on the road. I spent one lovely night in Veracruz, Mexico, right on the beach at Boca Del Rio. The rest of the time was spent more into the interior of the country. Now mind you, it was all for work.

I returned home, jet lagged, tired, worn out, but just happy to be home safe and sound. Then the grueling began. Friday was a Dr's appointment (overall Cholesterol number really good, HDL, well within the good range, LDL - SUCKS - this number is too low) where the news was bad - gained some weight, and well you read it, my LDL is too low. What does this mean for dear Jim? It means he must exercise 30 minutes per day (LOL), eat a low fat, low cholesterol diet (have you seen me? I'm fat cause my Princess cooks...too darn well). I laughed and so now I'm taking a new drug called Niaspan - side effect - FLUSHING! Have you seen me, I flush at the drop of a hat - now it's going to be medically induced - great!

This weekend, we're taking the bed out of the Mickey room, replacing it with the couch from the living room as we prepare for the new sofa we bought on Saturday down in Austin. Then I leave again - this time to Wonderful New Jersey - It's gonna be a great time.

So now I've brought you up to speed on my "Wonderful Life", what's happening with Ya'll?
Jim

Philadelphia

Here I sit in Philadelphia, PA. I have come to understand that I am now a rain magnet.

Let me explain. I spent two weeks for work in New Zealand. It rained every day I was there - some days a little sprinkle, others a deluge.

I returned to Texas - and it rained - for three days straight.

I travelled to St. Louis - again rain.

Returned home to Texas and it rained.

Now I'm here in Philadelphia, and it has rained the past two days and is slated to rain tomorrow here and in Houston as I try to travel home to Texas. The best part of the whole deal is that every where I have been, the areas have needed the rain. So, wish me luck as I fly the friendly skies back home.

Jim

Aunt Mary

I just received  a sad phone call.  My Dad's sister, Aunt Mary, has been in the hospital for the past week.  She's been in a medically induced coma (unfortunately, she has had quite a few problems with her health since I was about 11 or 12).  They stopped medicating her, and did some neurological tests and found that only her brain stem is working, no other part of her brain has any activity.  I am so sad for my Uncle Ralph and their three kids, Glen, Allison, and Steve.  Uncle Ralph is such a good man, sweet, humble, teachable, really, a true Christlike man.  The family had to sign papers to remove her from life support to see if she will make it on her own.

Aunt Mary is the baby of the family.  She is just slightly older than my Mom, and has been very close to both of my parents.  In spite of her health difficulties, Aunt Mary always smiled.  She always laughed and she always made sure that you laughed too, only not at someone else's expense.  As a little boy, I was drinking a coke.  My cousin David asked his Mom if he could have one.  Of course, she said no, and when he protested saying I had one, she said "we don't care what Jimmy is drinking".  Aunt Mary would have none of that - she said "Oh yes we do" and promptly snatched my coke bottle out of my hand, poured what was left down the drain, and said "We do care, he can have a grape Shasta just like the other kids".  That has stayed with me my whole life (for the record, this June will make 4 consecutive years that I have given up caffeinated cola drinks - I think Aunt Mary would be proud).  When her time is up, she will be missed, not just by her husband, children, and grandchildren, but by her nieces and nephews, and all the kids who lived on her street at one time or another (little Scott, big Scott, etc.)  I will miss her smiling face.  I will miss her love of Mexican food, and of buying jewelry at the pawn shop (she got some great deals), and her infectious laugh.

Because of work obligations, I don't know if I will be able to fly home if and when she passes.  And I hope that my extended family will give her the best send off they know how.  She certainly deserves it!  She's a great lady.

I love you Aunt Mary!  Jimmy

NZ photos

Sheep on a hillside near the east coast town of

 Taurunga, North Island

New Zealand Temple

New Zealand Temple - small village next to the temple is called 

"Temple View", and this is a suburb of Hamilton, New Zealand.

View from my hotel room in Whangarei

located on the Northeast side of the north island

Bluff, New Zealand - most southern point on the south island

All in all, I had a good trip.  The countryside was just as beautiful as last year, although it rained every day while I was there, it was still beautiful.  I will post more photos later.

Last Day

It's my last day in New Zealand - it has been a whirlwind two weeks! I'm tired and excited to fly home and be in my bed and to hug Princess and get kisses from my girls!

It'll be a long trip home - leaving Hamilton, NZ at 11:00 AM and arriving into LAX the same day - and then on to Waco arriving in at 10:30 at night!

I've been to Church, mingled with the Saints, visited the Temple grounds, mingled with the Saints. And had the opportunity many times to talk about the Restored Gospel in many different settings.

I've been blessed with safe passage - to and from each destination. I've had great company and great food along the way. I've seen countryside where the Hobbits ran from the ring wraiths. I've seen Mordor from an airplane window - and I've seen hundreds and hundreds of cows and sheep. This NZ (NZED) is a magical place - I know I'll be back.

Look out Texas - here I come!

Jim

G'day

Kia Ora from the wonderful island of New Zealand!

Wow! This has been an incredible trip so far. A short run down of my activities since I got here:
- Visited the vendor site in Invercargill, went to the southern most point of New Zealand called Bluff.
- Then went to Christchurch, middle of the south island, for a couple of working days.
- Travelled to Whangarei for two days, and then yesterday, travelled to Hamilton.
- I'll be in Hamilton the rest of the trip, flying back stateside on 13 March! Yep, I know it, but I'm not superstitious at all.

Just finished my Church block, went to the Hamilton East Ward, Glenview Stake. It was Ward Conference and a really good 3hours of meetings. It's really refreshing to be able to attend Church in another land. Fussy kids, kids fighting with their siblings, Ward Choir, all the usual things that we experience on a weekly basis in our own little part of the world in Waco.

Tomorrow, I'm off to a town called Te Rapa, then Tuesday to a town called Waitoa, and Thursday to Edgecumbe. All of these locations are new for me to audit, so I'm excited about that. Thursday I'm doing an audit for the Australian unit.

It's going to be nice to be in one hotel for the next 5 nights (6 in total).

Here's to Princess - Love you, Miss you, and can't wait to be back home in your arms again. I Love you.

For those loyal followers, thanks for your patience. Internet service here has not been very good in the smaller towns.

Jim

Still Alive

Yeah, I know you don't believe it, but I am still alive.  

The Kitchen re-do has taken on a life of it's own.  I'm back to traveling AGAIN, so I haven't painted anything except the primer coat.  Princess and I are probably going to look at having someone come in and paint the kitchen ceiling, trim, and walls.  I'm just getting booked up again and sacrificing a weekend to paint is just too dreary a thought.

I was home for Valentine's day - again, third year in a row.  We had a very nice time, we went to Austin for the day, ate at Cheesecake factory, went to the Apple store and lusted, and came home.

I'm off to Georgia tomorrow.  I may get to see Princesses cousin Matthew while I'm there.  

When I get home, then it's off to New Zealand for two weeks auditing.  Yeah and boo.  I have to travel coach!  The business class fare was about 4500 more than last year, and I just couldn't justify it with my boss.   Oh well, I do have a job so I better quit whining.

I'm not gonna promise to post more, I'm just gonna plug along.

Jim

Pictures

Frosted Roofline

Frosted Roses

Frosted Trees

Just thought I would share our wonderful fortune from yesterday morning.  It's still been a little cold here - lows in the mid 20's, but the rain moved on and no more "frosted" roads, trees, etc.

Frosted

Yep, that's what it feels like.  We've been frosted, like as in sugar coated, dipped, iced, you name it, but it wasn't with sweet sugar, or chocolate icing, but with frozen rain.  It started yesterday afternoon.  Newscasters claiming everyone should stay home, frozen bridges, car accidents galore, Gloom and Doom.

So Princess says to me "Should we park your car in the garage tonight"? And I said, "Why?"   So we went outside and sure enough, O'le blue had a half inch thick layer of ice on her.  We warmed her up for about twenty minutes, let the defrosters work, took off a bunch of ice and she stayed nice and warm in the garage all night.

Princess is on her way to Portland, OR for work {maybe I should say trying to get there, their flights are delayed out of Dallas}.  I worked from home today, may do it all week as I tend to get more done here than at the office.  I took some photos of the roof line, rose bushes, and the trees so you can see our "frosting" we got last night.  No rain tonight, but it's gonna be a cold one again, so bundle up.

Fun Times

Last night we had our Texas family (the Blackhursts) over for dinner.  It was a lovely spread.  Princess grilled London Broil, made potato casserole, country bread, vegetable medley, and for dessert, butter pecan bundt cake.  The Lovely KJ babysat the Blackhursts' girls while we had an adult night.  It was fun.

We played settlers of Zarahemla - kinda like settlers of Cataan.  Princess won - even after Todd was evil with his resource cards andt STOlE all the wheat and the stone cards from all players.  Alas, all evil deeds do not go unpunished, and Princess won.

   Lindsey toasting with Mormon Champagne (sparkling apple cider)

 missing the toast the first time

 Cute Couple

  Enjoying out dinner

  FUN TIMES!

Complete

Well, the priming of the walls that is.  Again, the color did not turn out the way I had hoped for in the priming, but we're still negotiating the wall colors.

Here you can see the wall between the living room and the kitchen, with some trim and the cabinets.  The primer color is just too much lime sherbet for me.  Princess says the color is growing on her.  Here is the wall above the cupboards.

Dining room with the hutch

More dining room with the hutch 

Trying to Finish

Well this past week, we have waited for the contractors to come and repair the ceiling cracks so that we can continue on our Kitchen redo. Of course, Mother nature did not help us any. Sunday was beautiful, and that's where the good weather ended. It progressively got colder and colder until the contractors showed up yesterday.

They came, repaired the cracks, then we had to use a hair dryer to dry the "mud" so they could then texture the repairs. It was comical watching them, but they did it, finished the job, and I began priming the walls. We picked this color for the upper walls, so we decided to tint the primer that color for both the upper and lower walls. The lower walls are going to be this color for the wall under the chair rail. I'm not quite sold on the two colors. The celery is coming out too much neon or lime color green and I'm not liking it too much. We'll see, it is only paint after all. It can be changed much easier than WALLPAPER! Especially wallpaper that had no primer coat on the drywall before it was put up!

We're going to work some more on it today, buy the paint for the ceiling and trim (same colors as we have now, just going to give it a new coat to freshen things up. We're also going to Devin's 29th birthday party at Shogun. Princess is making the cake, so we'll see how much they like it.

Have fun!
Jim

Progress

I spent this past week in Beaumont, TX for work. For those of you unfamiliar with Beaumont, it is a city right in the heart of Hurricane alley. They got hit with Katrina. They got slammed with Rita. Now three years later they get hit by Ike. Those little towns around Beaumont and Beaumont itself just can't catch a break. I wasn't there for rebuilding purposes, but for work, inspecting purposes. Everywhere I looked, roofs were covered in blue plastic, signs down, businesses rebuilding walls that had collapsed. It is just sad. Makes me wonder if the benefit of living along the Gulf Coast is worth all the sacrifice and hassle that one has to go through to live there.

While I was gone, Princess continued putting the house back together from Christmas. Even doing a reduced Christmas, we have quite a bit to put away. Now we are on the search for some pictures that go on the mantel. Pictures of Princess, her sister, and her parents when all of them were much younger. Missing, I can't remember where they are. Princess can't remember where they were put, and I'm dreading going back up into the attic to search through bins to find them. Princess keeps saying "they'll turn up", to which I mutter under my breath, "yeah, next Christmas cause I'm not searching through all those bins". We'll see when they turn up - my money's on Fall 2009!

The Kitchen Walls have been textured. The job was so great, that I didn't notice a couple of cracks along the ceiling! Now our plans to paint the ceiling tomorrow have been put on hold. The drywall guys will be back next Friday to fix those, and I'm going to throw a couple in the Master Bedroom their way too. So tomorrow, we're going to get a tinted primer and give a first coat in the Kitchen so the drywall mud has something to soak up before we paint the walls the selected color. Keeps the project moving along, although, not completed. Oh well, the best laid plans of mice and men often go astray. I'll have some pictures once we have the primer coat on.

Jim

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Happy New Year Everyone!

Hope you had a safe and Happy New Year's Eve!

Jim

Kitchen Update

I tried to post this yesterday, but experienced some "Blogger Problems". So here is the Kitchen update (the pictures are not in the correct order - I have to remember to upload them backwards to tell the story).

Here I am "mudding" the torn drywall spots

Here I am scrapping the last of the wallpaper off the Kitchen light.

Here I am soaking the wallpaper above the cupboards.

Here I am scoring the wallpaper above the cupboards.

With all the wallpaper off the walls, the torn spots repaired, Princess (who became the event photographer which is why she is missing from all the photos) and I cleaned all the crown molding, chair rails and baseboards removing all the fabric softener residue. We both smelled "mountain fresh" as the package stated. We cleaned up all the "stuff" from the cupboards, and invited friends to come over and shop through the tins, plants, and dispensers that had been on top of the cupboards. I am happy to report, we got rid of, er were happy to share quite a few of these items with friends.

We've gotten a verbal quote and are waiting for a written quote to texture the wall. We hope to have it textured by next week, then the painting can begin. Yee-HAW! We're excited about the fact that the walls are going to be whole again, something that hasn't been there for quite a while.

Once this project is completed, we're going to remove the wallpaper from the entry way and the Master bath - maybe even the guest bath as well. We'll see how that goes. As it warms up, we're going to clean the house trim, prep it and then paint it. I'm just a little excited about all these "little" projects!

Busy

Yesterday, Princess was under the weather and we both stayed home from Church. I got bored, and started a project that has been six months in the making. Removing the kitchen wallpaper. I posted some pictures below to show the progress I've made, and the work yet to be done.

Kitchen part, wallpaper yet to be removed.

Windows looking to the backyard

Area above kitchen door, in progress at this point

Same shot, showing the "bigger picture".

I will be getting more fabric softener today, finishing the wall next to the fridge, and then moving all the "stuff" from the top of the kitchen cupboards, removing that paper, and sanding and floating the wall so that I can texture. Then comes painting, then comes putting it all back! Yeesh!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Princess and I have had a wonderful Christmas Morning, and we hope you have too. We've exchanged gifts, listened to Christmas Carols, and had Grandma Ruthie's Breakfast Brunch Casserole for breakfast.

Yesterday morning we celebrated Christmas morning with one of our Texas "families" that have adopted us. We spent the morning watching Ava, Sydnee, Todd, and Lindsey exchange presents. We watched as the girls discovered their treasure trove from Santa, new Barbies, new books, new Princess dresses with crowns, and slippers. There were fairy wings, tutus, and little cat and dog toys to play with. We then had a glorious feast of Breakfast Brunch, OJ, Cranberry Juice, bacon, cinnamon rolls, and sausage biscuit/rolls. It was a wonderful time and tears filled my eyes many times as the girls would let out squeals at their new clothes (that's what adopted Aunts and Uncles buy little girls). We had a great time (Lindsey, this is a better Christmas memory than any musical, dinner at a restaurant, or movie - just so you know), then we went out and did some last minute shopping/errands.

Last night we had soup buffet at the Jacobsen's (we've adopted each other here in Texas), with Elaine and the four Elders. There was Chili, Taco Soup, Elaine's Spicy Chicken Cheese Soup, and Cori's Chicken Chowder. We had Panera bread bowls, and a wonderful cranberry punch. Dessert consisted of Rocky Road Crock pot cake and Brownie Trifle with milk on the side. Each of the kids did at least one special musical number on the piano, then Parker did a trumpet solo, and Kylee and Morgan did a flute duet with Cori on the piano. Mark humbled me into singing a solo, the Elders sang, and then we all sang Christmas Carols and had a good time.

Later we played the "Turley Candy Bar" game (with a lot less candy and more trinkets to collect). Morgan was the winner with the most amount of loot, while the "Mater" truck kept Haylee's attention until she got it on the last roll. We watched a Christmas video, and were held in suspense while the kids opened their Christmas Pajamas (Kylee takes waaaaay toooo long in opening her gifts!

Princess is working on place makers for our Christmas Dinner at the Mock's. The Lackmeyers, us and the Mocks are all going to be there and it should be chaotic fun.

Missing family this year is hard. It's the first year without Mom and we didn't go home. Dad seems to be doing well and sounded chipper on the phone this morning. Princess did get me some sugared orange slices to remind me of Mom and continue a Christmas tradition she started when we were kids.

Wishing you the Merriest of Christmas Days, and Praying that you receive Heavenly Father's choicest blessings.

Jim & Princess

As promised, here are the photos of the Price household "decked" out for the holidays

This is the Willow Tree Nativity

This is the Precious Moments Nativity

Vista of the decorated tree, mantel and the top of 

one book case

Here's the house lit up

Here is the decorated house during the day

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas 

from our house to yours

Jim, Princess, Sadie and Sasha

Where?

Where have we been?  That's the question I keep getting from every reader of this blog.  Well, we have been uber busy!

While I have been trotting the globe, Princess has been holding down the fort.  We decorated the tree and finished putting up the Christmas decorations (photos to come, I promise).  Then she readied all the preparations for our annual Christmas Ornament Party.  We did that last Saturday and had a blast (although, some of our usual suspects were not able to attend).  Princess has also been performing the job of Christmas present buying!  She has been a real trooper.

I know, I know, quit nagging, more pictures to come soon.

Tonight's our Ward Christmas Party (we're going cause Princess got guilted into roasting a turkey a la Martha Stewart's recipe - we don't usually go, lots of kids running and screaming, cold food - you get the picture, not that there is anything wrong with kids, but I'm getting older) but we are - so look for us there with bells on!

Jim

Done Prepping

I don't have photos to show it, but the Price household is done prepping for Christmas.  We have the tree up and decorated.  We have the wreath above the fireplace.  We have the mantel set with nativities, and the Willow tree and Precious Moments nativities are in their proper place.

The tops of the book cases are done, and it is the least amount of decorating we have done in decades (I can say that cause see we've been married 21 years, hence "decades").   But, I'm not complaining.  We decorated for us, and for the Ornament party that we'll be having, but we didn't go all out (or as I like to say "Christmas Threw Up at our house").  We contemplated going to Vegas for Christmas, whether driving or flying, but decided to forgo it in favor of some much needed R&R at the homestead.

I'll take some photos and post them later.  We're having cold weather (yeah) except it is raining and windy and we had a bit of sleet.  Compare that yesterday to a high of 70+ and that was at 9:00 PM!  Tonight it is 34!

Be safe - keep warm, snuggle with the one you love.

Jim

Prepping

The Price household is busy prepping for Christmas.  I was in California all week, came home to Thanksgiving still up and decorated, got up and was at work by 6:15 this morning and reminded Princess we had a lot to do to get ready for Christmas.  

Princess brought me lunch at work, and then bee lined it home to get surprise me.  This is what I walked into after work today.

She had hung all the garland and bows by herself.  No easy feat by yourself, but she was speaking to Cori on the phone the whole time!

This is a close up of the tree skirt around our tree.  My Mom made it for us for our first Christmas.  The skirt is all hand quilted and tied with variegated yarn.  The little white blocks are Aida cloth that Mom cross stitched 16 of Princesses favorite Precious Moments figurines on and then quilted them into the design.  That little couple is in a gift box and the wording says "First Christmas together 1987".  When I think of the hours that Mom spent cross stitching those designs just for Princess, my heart is truly full from the love that she gave.

And lastly, here is the tree.  It is an artificial green tree that has been "flocked" with snow.  We have had it for 14 years - a true bargain from the day after Christmas sale at Ralph Jones Display in Vegas.  It is time for a new one - I just have to figure out how to buy one without breaking the bank!  Princesses family always had a white tree with multi colored lights.  This has been our tradition for the past 21+ years.  We're working on this right now, and hopefully, I'll have some pictures to post of the "finished" room tomorrow.

Jim

Turkey Day

We had a really great Thanksgiving.  Lynn was here from Michigan, we had some cool weather blow in and we kept everything pretty laid back.

The Flowers that Bill and Linda sent

Princess and Lynn working hard in the kitchen - notice the smiles - I told you laid back!

The table fully loaded with turkey, potatoes, gravy, cream corn, jell-o, asparagus casserole, green bean casserole, sweet potato souffle, rolls, and sparkling white grape juice - in my opinion, the gravy was the bomb!

Princess using the china, and the place cards that she made using her FABULOUS Stampin Up skills!  Totally adorable.

And for some reason, I could not get the table set without the food as the first picture.  All in all, we had and have a lot to be thankful for.  Freedom.  Jobs.  Health.  Friendship.  Families (both blood and adopted).  The Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Being with Loved Ones.

This was the first Thanksgiving without Mom.  Princess made a comment on Sunday after, and said how proud she was of me during the holiday and how worried she was of me.  I love this woman.  She rocks.  I thought of Mom.  Happy thoughts of Mom.  Made me smile, and made me laugh, tears came to my eyes, but I was able to keep them there.

We are now debating driving home for Christmas.  It is such a long drive, 1350 miles, 24 hours long, and even though gas has come down, it is still a bit of a burden.  We'll see though, it would be nice to be home with Dad, Bill, Linda and the rest of the family.

I hope you enjoyed the pictures (Lynn - you need to get a camera!).

Jim

Time

Time is just flying by. Here I sit, almost one week post Thanksgiving, in Sacramento, CA for the night. I have spent since Monday working in Modesto, and tonight I'm catching some winks in Sacramento before the day long travel trip home.

I cannot believe how fast time is flying by, 22 days until Christmas!!!! What?! I better get my behind in gear and get some shopping done. Princess is working on handmade Christmas cards, so hopefully those will get out sometime this weekend. We still have to set up the tree, garland, and all the other "stuff" that goes with making our house into the Christmas Spirit.

I have pictures of turkey day, but you'll have to wait until I get home to download them from the camera.

Be safe everyone and keep whistling, humming, or singing those wonderful Christmas carols.

Jim

Enjoying

Here it is the day before the big feast.  I did absolutely nothing today.  Nada, zip, zilch, zero!  I was having a lazy day.  Partly because I was recovering from yesterday.  Yesterday, I climbed up in the attic, got down the reindeers, the lights, the wreaths, and began the task of Holiday cheering up the house.

I worked on the lights all day long.  I had some help from our friend who is staying with us, Lynn, but then she left and I continued.  I managed to get all the lights and wreaths and reindeer's up without falling off the roof.  No cussing, no smashed fingers, and yes, I like you am totally surprised and astonished myself that this has come off without a hitch.

We just returned from our trip to the Vance's for annual pie night.  It was great!  Lot's of pie and other deserts to sample, good recipes, good company and good visiting.  The only thing that got my goat was how people were blatantly saying that I am High Maintenance.  I was flabbergasted at this.  I am NOT high maintenance.  I am however, OCD, anal retentive and any other organized adjective you can through at me (BTW, Princess is high maintenance and she knows it, accepts it, and openly acknowledges it).  So I had a long, very long drawn out conversation about how my quirks are not HM, but AR or OCD.  It was quite comical, and anyone who knows me, knows that I am definitely Anal retentive or OCD, not High Maintenance!  

Wiktionary lists HM as " 1 - a system which requires a high degree of maintenance to ensure proper functioning, 2 - (figuratively) a person who requires a lot of attention"

Wiktionary lists AR as " 1 - preoccupied with achieving order and control and with collecting, possessing, and retaining objects, 2 - overly obsessive concerning small details"

Wiktionary lists OCD as "1 (medicine) A form of anxiety characterised by an obsessive compulsion to repeatedly perform trivial or meaningless actions".

So, based on this picture I've painted dear readers, which do you think I am, HM, AR, or OCD (the answer better be AR or OCD or a combination thereof)! :->  Let me know.

Jim

Porcelain

Funny title eh? Well, since Saturday night, I have become best friends with the porcelain throne in our house. Don't know what happened, stomach felt funny about sixish on Saturday, Princess got home from scrap book retreat, and by Sunday early morning, I couldn't leave the bathroom.

Princess taught my Sunday School lesson, when she got home, she came in took my temp - a little over 100, piled on some more blankets and let me sleep. I got up, drank some water, and about 10 minutes later spent the better part of 30 or so minutes puking into my best buddy.

Here it is today, still feel achy and feverish, but way less nauseated. Only woke up to answer my work phone, and decided to post.

Thanks Princess for covering my backside with the Sunday School lesson.

Jim

Firsts

I had a doctor's appointment today.  It was kind of like a well baby exam, I wasn't sick, I needed some blood work done for the insurance, and I needed a flu shot.  I also needed to discuss my constant acid reflux.

The appointment went well.  Princess was supposed to be there to hold my hand while they took blood, but she was called into work at the last minute.  I didn't faint, I told them ahead of time that I do faint, so they laid me down on a bed, talked to me the whole time, and all went well.  this was a first for me.  First time at the doctor to draw blood, and no one there to hold my hand.

Then it dawned on me, that the next eight months will be firsts for me also.  First birthday without Mom, first turkey day, etc.  You get the picture.  No, I'm not all sad and sappy, just thinking about the changes that have happened in my family's and my life.  I also joined Facebook, so I could post to my family.  It's kind of cool.  I even uploaded a pic of myself for a profile, something I don't like to do since I am camera shy.

Anyway, today is Halloween, or better for my native Nevadans, Admissions day.  Yep, on October 31, 1864, Nevada entered into the Union as a free state, desired for it's silver and gold deposits, and the thirty-sixth state of these united states.   It's a state holiday, no work, no banking, no post office, a great three day weekend for everyone there.

So, Happy Halloween!  Happy Admissions Day Nevada!

Jim

Colors

I really couldn't start my post with Fall, otherwise BJ would've killed me. So, last week, I was at our corporate office for the week, enjoying their lovely fall colors and cool weather. It was a grueling week, lots of meetings, lots of work to get done. I actually got to spend two nights at home, then back on the road.

I'm currently in Boston, MA for work. The colors are spectacular! The reds and golds are so vibrant, and today it was overcast with some rain and then a beautiful, light wind. Street curbs are filled with leaves of all colors, fabulous harvest/Halloween decor, it is awesome. Makes me long for being at home and how much I loved fall as a kid. The decorations, the fun, the excitement about the costumes and the collecting of candy! It's kind of poetic justice that I now work for a candy company for the past 22 plus years.

I travel home tomorrow. Then I'm off to western Texas for an audit and on Friday, taking Halloween off!

Jim

Fall II

Yep - it is fall, my favorite time of the year. I know I've posted before about fall, but today I'm really feeling it.

I'm in the Seattle area for work and the colors are gorgeous. The temp outside is a wonderful 52 F, and I'm in heaven. Wearing a short sleeve polo shirt and having the cool Northwest breeze blow against my white skinned arms feels great. Everyone is in flannel shirts with vests or jackets. I'm Loving IT!

Back home tomorrow evening, literally not home until after 5:00 PM, and then "single" (I couldn't get blogger to spell out baching it) until Saturday Night while Princess is out at the ADA convention in San Antonio.

I can't wait for fall to hit Texas - I'm ready, able, and willing to experience it. Come on buddy let the cool times roll!!

Safe travels - Jim

Through It

To clarify from my earlier post, I was born on October 10, 1964.  My Mom had a habit of getting my birthday a little off.

Last night, Princess and I used our gift certificate from Lynn to eat at "The Range" in Salado.  It was a fabulous meal.  I had pork loin roast with corn pudding and baby carrots, while Princess had Surf and Turf with Mashers and asparagus.  I had a wonderful Caesar salad while Princess had the cream of Broccoli & Asparagus soup.  I had a Valhrona molten chocolate cake with homemade roasted banana ice cream and Princess had creme brulee with biscottis.  We had a great time eating and talking, spending some alone time together.

This week has been full of dinner dates.  On Wednesday, Princess ate with the Martinsen's at Shogun (Shotgun for Molly).  On Thursday, we had the OG with the Blackhurst's and then B&R ice cream cake at our house after, and tonight, we had Margarita chicken, salad, mixed fruit, Spanish rice, and some more of the B&R ice cream cake with the Mock's and the Lackmeyers.  We are truly blessed to have such wonderful friends in our lives.  Makes Texas feel so much more like home.

The well wishing came from home also, birthday cards, phone messages, and text messages.  It was great to feel the love.

I thought this would be harder for me.  Princess wept at dinner last night, she's been worried that I would get all depressed as this would be my first birthday without Mom.  I didn't, and I'm not depressed.  I think our friends and family sensed this, or were inspired to really go the extra mile with the effort.  For this I will be eternally grateful, just like I am for a wife who was so worried, she cried at dinner.

Thank you all for the wonderful messages of Happy Birthday - and no, I will not be dishing out shin kicks tomorrow.  :-)

Jim

In The Dark

I was keeping all of you dear readers in the dark about something.  That is until my sister Christina blew my cover with her comment.  Yes, tomorrow is my birthday.  Taking the day off - relaxing around the house and we have reservations at the RANGE restaurant in Salado for dinner.

Now - a funny anecdotal story about my Mom.  Since Princess and I have been married, and our birthdays are so close together, Mom always messed my birthday date up.  She got it off by one month, another time by a couple of days.  This does bring me to my story.

My Mom had written many important dates about her life, her parent's life, and the birth dates of her children.  Christina did the eulogy for Mom.  As she was talking about each child, starting with Audrey the oldest, she recited each birth date.  When she got to me, number three, Christina stated that I was born on October 12, 1964 - I had been zoning for a minute, missed it and when my vision came back into focus, all my siblings were staring at me, including Christina - then Rich said "Hey, you were born on the 10th, not the 12th, right?" and I said yes, and then we all started laughing.

So this year, being my first birthday without Mom here physically, when people say to me "Hey it's your birthday on Friday" or some such nonsense, I say back to them "nope, my Mom said I was born on the 12th, so it's gotta be Sunday just to mess with their heads"!  It's a riot. 

Thanks Mom, for another wonderful birthday tradition that I will smile about for the rest of my life.  I love you.

As for everyone else, wishing me a Happy Birthday, will get you kicked in your shins (just kidding)!  Have a great one.

Jim

A little Early

Tomorrow I will be headed out again - yes, the story of my life.  The sad fact is that I will not be here on Wednesday for a special event...Princesses Birthday.

Princess came into this world XX years ago ( I figured I would be safer not telling you the actual number of years), in a small strange part of the galaxy (Roswell, New Mexico).

Princess was and still is a military brat.  She has lived in New Mexico, Utah, Guam, Utah, Australia, Utah, then to Nevada.  While I am not in the military, she has had some opportunities to travel because of my job.  She has visited Hawaii, New Zealand, Washington, New York, New Jersey, Florida, and Michigan.

Princess is extremely talented, she cross stitches, she toll paints, and now she is into stamping and some scrap booking.  She cooks - and do I have the stomach and chins to show for it.  She is giving, more giving than anyone I know.  She is patient, kind, and thoughtful.  She can be strong and feisty when her back is up against a wall.  She loves beauty.  She loves music - although we don't always share the same music tastes, she loves it nonetheless.  She is a hopeless romantic.   She cries at movies, TV shows, and commercials.

She has unparalleled beauty.  Skin that just won't quit.  Gorgeous green eyes, and a talent for putting on makeup - trust me, 21 years I have been watching and it just amazes me.

She loves the Lord.  She loves her Church.  She has a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  She is a good Mom to our girls.  She is loving and tolerant of my rantings.  She loves to put on a party, to entertain and be surrounded by friends.

For all these reasons, and just one more, she chose me, I love her and wish her the Happiest Birthday of all.

All my Love Sweetheart - Jim

Travel

So this week, I was at the plant and also travelled.  I had to do an audit in a city called Rosario, in Sinaloa, Mexico.  Luckily for me, it the closest airport is Mazatlan!  Yes, lucky for me, I got to visist a resort city in Mexico and stay on the beach for one night.

After work, our contact brought us from Rosario to Mazatlan to our hotel, the Fiesta Inn.  Great hotel, I had an ocean view, at it was pretty inexpensive.  I tried to boot up and connect to the internet, but no such luck, so I changed into some shorts and took a bare foot walk up the beach, then down the beach, then I changed into my swim suit and walked up and down the beach again, this time getting wet (of course, I kept a t-shirt on - wouldn't want to wound the locals! :-)

Yesterday, my flight didn't leave until 1:00 PM, so I put on the suit, walked the beach, up and down, then ditched the shirt, and swam for about an hour in the warmest water in the world.   It was high tide, the waves were pretty big and this was a first time for a desert rat to be in the ocean past his knees (we went one time to San Clemente, but the water was FRIGID!).  So it was a fun experience, but you know what, I forgot the stickin camera at home!!!!  Who does that!  Any how, here is a link to the hotel and pictures including their pool.  Here is a picture of the beach I found on Yahoo search.

Anyhow - slept in today - ran errands - came home and mowed, but first tried to fix the mower rear wheel drive - couldn't, need a new part, but I didn't have a fit and break anything else - I must be maturing!

Have a great one - Jim

Pictures

Thought I would post some pictures of our trip to Michigan

Beautiful Wooden boat on Lake Charlevoix, MI

Princess & Lynn on the steps of the Terrace Inn, Petsosky, MI

View of the Inn with Princess and Lynn on the front steps

The Three Muskateers on Lake Charlevoix, MI

We had a great time in Michigan - Love & Miss you Lynn

Jim

Fall?

So my last rant was about Fall and how this is my favorite season.  The temperatures were in the low 80's, the nights were in the mid 50's, and life was wonderful.

Today was the autumnal equinox.  The first day of Fall.  Today's High was 90 freaking degrees!  What happened?  I'll tell you what, good old Mother Nature - rearing her pretty head decided that we needed some more heat in September to keep up appreciating what is around the corner.  I tell ya, I'm sick and tired of it.  I want Fall back!  And Now! (yeah, get off your soapbox)

Yesterday at Church, I asked that Princess be released from our joint calling.  She has hated it for the past year and several months.  She likes teaching kids, primary kids, and not adults.  It is also hard for us if we want to take a weekend off and go somewhere, we have to get a substitute.  Hopefully Princess will get a better calling in R.S., or Primary, or Young Women's (Hah, that last one was mean)!

Anywho, we are doing good.   I'm off to Mexico this week, and have a long day ahead tomorrow, I'm covering for a shift manager in the afternoon, so it's going to be a long day, 7 to 7.  I'm really going to need a vacation soon.

Jim