Tonight's the Night

Yes sireee folks, tonight's the night for our annual Christmas Ornament Party. The preparations are well under way!

Yesterday was a quick trip to Austin for the Honeybaked Ham store, then to Costco, and back home by 1:00 PM. Then I weeded and turned all the front flower beds (my gluteus maximus is reminding me I'm out of shape right now). While I was working in the yard, Princess was prepping in the kitchen.

As of right now, the menu is:

Mini Chicken Cordon Bleu, Cranberry Meatballs, Cheese ball, Ham, Turkey, Rolls, and Veggies with Dip. Each guest couple is bringing a dessert to share, and we'll have some sparkling cranberry punch. Even more, Princess made CHEX mix! Me Likey!

I've cleaned the front entry way floors, done some laundry, cleaned the guest bathroom, and now I'm gonna go vacuum the house! We've got candles going and it smells great!

I love this Christmas time of year!

Jim

For Princess & Linda

Yes, I know this is not a Christmas song, but it is Neil Diamond - for two of my favorite Ladies, Princess and Linda

Home Again

I just arrived home from a week in Chicago. Man was it cold there this week! Lot's of snow, Lot's of wind, and LOT'S of cold temperatures!

For a desert rat, having grown up in Vegas, I had seen snow in Utah, but never had I experienced waking up to 2F temperatures with a wind chill of minus 14F!

The year end meetings with my team went well. I think we got a lot accomplished.

Tonight we're heading out to see the town of Burnet, TX for some holiday sights and sounds. We've never been before and it just feels like the time to go (plus we're going with friends), so it shoudl be a fun night.

Tomorrow I'll be working to catch up on some "desk" time stuff while Princess irons my clothes for the last trip of the year next week. It will feel good to catch up.

Jim

Crazy Weather

All day long it's been snowing here in Chicago. At one point, the wind had the snow blowing HORIZONTAL! Seriously! I'm sitting here in the hotel room listening to the wind BLOW the snow around again! It's loud and COLD! The high was like 30 and tonight's low will be around 6! SERIOUSLY Six degrees F! Who wants to live up here in the Winter!

The high tomorrow will be 14 F - I can't wait to get home where the low is in the 30's and the high is in the 50's!

Be safe everyone!

Jim

Winter

I'm here in Chicago, Beautiful city, but it is cooollld! I mean 35 F for the high when I landed at 4:00 PM. Thanks goodness I packed my scarf, gloves, and heavier coat. It's also cold back home. I've looked forward to cooler weather, but this came fast and it seems like the cool down lasted only one day.

I've also got quite a bit on my plate. Two of my team are retiring the end of December, so more training on my part. I'm not having sour grapes, they both deserve it, almost thirty years of service each. I can see it now, it's going to be a busy 2010. Heaven help both me, Princess, and the girls - I'm going to be more of a stranger than ever.

Jim

Aha Moments

You know, sometimes life comes at you fast and you've got to be on your toes to handle it. This has been me lately. Flying from one place to another, working long wierd/hard hours, and trying to achieve that oh so out of reach work life balance thingy.

I have made a realization in my life. I'm spread too thin. As such, I reached down into my boots and found that I was spending way too much time on things that were taking up my time. One of these things is Facebook. While I loved reconnecting with high school friends, old missionary companions and missionaries from our local region Waco, I realized that it was causing a conflict with me. Therefore I deactivated my account.

There was a huge relief lifted off my shoulders and hopefully more time for blogging, my number one passion.

I'm off to Chicago tomorrow for the week for work. Then home again for the weekend. We finished the Christmas decorating, finalizing with the tree being decorated. It feels good.

Also, if you haven't been watching, I have three new shows for you to check out.

1) Modern Family - This show just makes me laugh until I want to pee
2) Glee - High School and music - need I say more
3) Vampire Diaries - It's my weekly Twilight fix with a lot more blood and wooden stakes.

Check them out and let me know what you think.

Jim

MIA

No, not the Mutual Improvement Association (Yes, I know I'm dating myself)! Missing In Action is what I'm talking about! I've been a bad blogger, not recording my travels, what Princess and I have been up to here in H.O.T. land (Heart of Texas for you yanks), nor anything else for that matter.

I looked at this blog and realized that it has been over a month since I last posted! Holy Crap! I've been lazy. There have been a lot of things going on for the last month, lot's of travel, lot's of family drama (not going into it here), and lot's of cool weather.

TRAVEL UPDATE!
I spent two weeks in NJ for work, then on to Monterrey, MX for a work meeting/audit, then to Chicago for an audit, then to Toronto for an audit, then to Dallas for an audit, and next week I'm off to Veracruz, MX for...Work of course!

The remainder of the year is booked solid! I can't believe how fast the time has flown by.

Family Drama
Not gonna elaborate on it. Just want my family to know they are in my thoughts and prayers, and that everything will work out just fine.

For a lighter note, Priness and I have begun the Holiday shopping duty! We were going to go back to Vegas for Christmas, but decided (with a finacial review) that it would be better to stay home this year. We're both excited about the holiday decorations that are going to revisit us soon! I love Christmas! It's not just the presents, the sparkling lights and displays throughout town, it's about focusing on the real meaning, Jesus Christ, his birth that led to his ministry, that led to his ultimate sacrifice, taking upon him our sins in Gethsemane, then dying on the cross at Calvary, to then resurrect, offering eternal life and hope to us all.

The Christmas music is one of my most favorite genres. We own more Christmas CD's than any other type, and that includes downloads on iTunes! I just got from Princess the new Straight No Chaser album! These guys rock! They are acapulco (acapella for those that don't know me) singers and do a fantastic job with the classics, updating some of the classics, and just having a good time. Of course the Mo-Tab's are right up there with our list.

On a more somber note, I went and had my physical this year. Good news is some improvement in my cholestorol levesl. Bad news, I've put on more weight! YUCK! Our Health guide at work told me to get in ten minutes each day of some brisk walking, so that I can build it up to 30 minutes within a few months! I'm gonna give it my all! I've got to lose this gut I'm carrying around! Oops, this is rambling.

Anyhow, We wish you the Happiest and Safest Thanksgiving this year. Be safe on the roadways, airways, and railways!

Jim

September...where did you go?

Yeah, and so far "Oh October".

September was a freaking whirlwind month for me. First a week in Mexico. Then ten days in South America, specifically Colombia, Peru, and finally Ecuador. Home for five days with a a cold, and then off to Malaysia.

OK, Mexico - not really a big deal, I'm there three or four times a year. No Biggie.

Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador were all for work, but this time I got thrown into a little weekend fun. I travelled with one of our R&D guys so that made the trip more enjoyable.

We started in Colombia, what a beautiful country. We went to Medellin (I know, former drug capital of the world) which is a beautiful city kind of in a valley and to get there the views are breathtaking. Then onto Bogota, the capital which is making some very big headway into mass transportation via rail. They are trying to reduce their dependence on oil and combat smog.

Next to Lima, Peru, also the capital of this country. Very different scenery, big, lots of casinos, and a beautiful coastline, but not very tropical, more like the coast of Baja California's coastline. From Lima, we went to Cusco, Peru. This city was once a capital for the ancient Incan civilization. Cusco is also the gateway to Machu Picchu. WE WENT! It was a great blessing for me to stand there among those ruins, and know in my heart the reasons for the symbols in the city, and the reasons why they did some of the things that were constructed there. We even got into a discussion around the symbols and I told my travelling bud that I knew why they did these things! He looked amazed. I stated that we had a history of the American civilizations contained in the Book of Mormon! He smiled and said sarcastically "yeah right!". I told him that this wasn't as foreign to me as it was to him and all these other people cause of my knowledge of the BOM and that I had read it several times in my life. Anywhooo, it was a great experience, one that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

We headed back to Lima, finished off the work and headed to Guayaquil, Ecuador. Lush, green, tropical - beautiful city. We stayed at the Hilton Colon, and directly out my window was the Guayaquil Temple! It's lights shining brightly for all the city to see. It is set on a small knoll of a hill, slightly elevated above the surrounding neighborhoods. It's beautiful, night or day! Our final stop was just for one night, and that was to Quito so we could catch a direct flight home to the states. Quito is less tropical than Guayaquil, as it is a higher elevation, but it is beautiful none-the-less.

Returning home, I went to the Doctor, got some antibiotics, decongestant, and some cough meds to make me feel better (btw, it worked, thanks for asking).

This post is getting way too long, so I'll post later today about Malaysia.

Jim

Hello

It's been a while. I've been funky...yeah I know, but not smelling! LOL!

After my last post, I made a small trip for work. I went to Medellin and Bogota, Colombia, then to Lima, Peru. From Lima I made my way to a small town called Cusco, Peru, or better known as the gateway to Machu Picchu!

Cusco is 11,000 feet above sea level. My head was swimming and my chest hurt to breathe. On top of it I had this stupid cough - two strikes. Once acclimated to the altitude - thanks to Coca Tea, went for a walk, got some great photos. Then on Sunday we went to Machu Picchu! An awesome three hour train ride, a guided tour, lunch and then a three hour train ride back! It was marvelous.

On Monday we went back to Lima, then drove three hours to a small town called Chinca. We spent the night in a five star resort on the beach in Parracas, Peru. We finished off Pisco (a place we learned had a terrible earthquake two years ago and headed back to Lima.

On Wednesday we headed to Guayaquil, Ecuador, worked the afternoon, then spent all day Thursday working, caught a flight to Quito, Ecuador, spent the night and on Friday we flew home.

I spent today at the Dr's office. X-rays for my swollen ankle, blood drawn for the swollen ankle, four prescriptions for the cough and an ankle brace, along with new glass frames, I'm falling apart.

My attitude is getting better, but it's gonna take time.

Jim

Numb

I guess that's about how I passed this last week. I travelled, did my job, got rained on, got home, cleaned some more trim for painting, got rained on, slept, and just worked.

You ever have that feeling that you've just been kicked while down and out? That's how I've felt. The sad part is, I don't know if and when I'm gonna get back in my groove.

I've got two long trips ahead of me that are going to take most of the month. Then it's back to square one. Even Sundays don't feel refreshing or invigorating to help the week.

Yeah, Yeah, I need some cheese to go with my whine! Sorry for such a downer post, it's just how I feel.

Question

I'm questioning whether or not this blog is going to continue to exist! I'm frustrated with certain things and I'm not sure if having a public blog is the best thing right now! You may or may not see this blog in the future. I may take it private or just delete it altogether!

You could call this post confusion!

Since Last Time

Yes, I know it's been almost a month since I last blogged. That should tell you just how busy I've become. The cereal in my lap incident has been the most exciting/funny thing that has happened to me in that month.

I've been to Colorado for work, Princess and I took a vacation to see our friend LS in Michigan - we had a great time and when I'm home again, I promise to report back to you our experiences and post some pictures. We had a great time with lot's of funny experiences that you're gonna bust a gut laughing at.

I've also been to Illinois, and right now, I'm dividing my time between our corporate office in NJ, and our plant in PA, with some audits in between. This is a long trip, when I get home next Friday, I'll have been gone for two straight weeks.

So, we're not dead, just busier than...well than I can remember.

Jim

Cereal in my Lap!

I know that everyone will get a hearty guffaw at the story I'm going to relate.

I was in our corporate office last week to interview candidates for an open position that I have. The interviews went well. I placed a job offer letter, and now it's a wait and see if the candidate will take the job. Fingers and toes are crossed!

We all know it is summer time across our great nation, right?! I usually wear shorts on my flights just cause the heat in the commuter plane is terrible to endure. Well, because I was going to our corporate office, I travelled in jeans just to be safe (you know, lost luggage, etc). All went well on the outbound trip from Texas to NJ.

Coming home, I was tired and decided to check my luggage in Newark back to Waco (yes it arrived at the same time I did)!

I just happened to get upgraded to first class on my return to Texas flight. It was great, big seat, leg and foot rest to recline against, personal video system with 16 channels to watch, are you getting the picture here that I'm spoiled? Good, cause I am, and here comes the part of the just desserts (or breakfast as the case may be).

They brought out my breakfast tray, cereal (my choice), banana, fruit bowl, cran-apple juice, and milk. I ate the banana, then they came and offered me a hot cinnamon roll from their wonderful little ovens, so I ate that. Then I ate the fruit. Next I poured all the milk onto my cereal (something I never do). With the mere, and I do mean mere, flick of my wrist, the entire bowl, honey nut cheerios and all the milk were in my lap and running down the seat into my butt crack!

Within seconds, the flight attend was at my side, pulling up the tray, and giving me napkins, then he went and got me more towels and helped me clean up the cereal and the milk. I'm standing there in sopping jeans and underwear, drenched in milk. He laughed, I laughed, the lady across from me laughed, it was hilarious. Now this flight attendant can move like nobodies business, like Dash from "The Incredibles", and he was back with a plastic bag and a blanket. He laid down the bag on the wet seat cushion, then the blanket while I went into the airplane lavatory and tried to dry my pants and my underwear! Oh the humility and the hilarity of it all.

Later, he brought me more cereal, but this time I decided to eat it...DRY! No more milk for me. I sat through the rest of the flight (2.5 hours) and the layover (1.75 hours) with my lovely milk soaked pants (a little dry by the time I got to Houston.

The minute I walked in the door, I stripped off them jeans, the underwear, and took a quick shower! The whole time both Princess and I are laughing our heads off!

THE MORAL: Don't gloat to others that you've been upgraded to first class when they have to sit in coach!

Happy Travels Everyone - Jim

Mountains

Man, I miss mountains! I'm sitting here in my hotel room in Phoenix and loving the "dry" heat at 113 F (the news said the high was 108F), gazing at the mountains around Phoenix!

Now remember, the heat in the desert is dry, so it is much easier to enjoy than the humid heat in Texas - HAH - that's a joke - Hot is Hot! Regardless, the desert and the mountains have brightened my day. Kept me out of a melancholy mood! I know, it IS the simple things in life that makes us happy!

What makes you happy dear reader/visitor? Please post in the comments. I would love to know.

Jim

One Year Ago

We as a family gathered at Mom's bedside in Hospice to bid farewell to her. The night before when we were visiting with Dad, Aunt Mary, and Uncle Ralph, I told Princess that I didn't think it would be long before Mom would pass away.

At 2:55 AM on 27 June, I woke up at the in-laws. I tried to go back to sleep and I couldn't. Thoughts were rushing into my mind. I laid there, closed my eyes, swore at myself to go back to sleep. Dad would need me the next morning. At 3:20 AM my phone rang, it was Bert, Dad had woken up and when he checked on Mom, she had passed away.

We all gathered at her bedside. We hugged. We cried. We said our goodbyes. As we were leaving, Aunt Aurella came (Mom's only surviving sister), and Dad escorted her into the room where they bid farewell to their sister and their wife.

I had the privilege and honor of helping my Aunt, my Sister, my Sisters-in-law and Princess prepare Mom for her final rest. There may be some of you who think "ooh, I could never do that!", but I'm telling you, it was my greatest blessing to assist these wonderful women in doing their duty for Mom.

It's been a difficult year for all of us. I miss Mom every day. There are times that I pick up the phone and want to call her to tell her of something that happened, or that we bought our new sofa, or that we had a great spiritual Sacrament Meeting on Sunday. I know that she already knows these things. I know that she is safe, with her parents, and Dad's parents, and her sisters, continuing the work of the Lord as she waits for us on the other side.

I'm grateful to a Mother who sang, who rubbed bruised limbs, and used band aids after she kissed your "boo-boo". I'm grateful to a Mother who taught me to respect women, to honor them and to cherish them. I see my Mom in Princess and I am eternally grateful for her choosing me to be her husband, that she said yes to my proposal, and through good and hard times, she has shown to me and others Christlike love.

I love you Mom. Miss you.

"Squeeze, Squeeze, Squeeze", "Squeeze back, Squeeze back, Squeeze back, Squeeze back"

Jim

Happy Birthday Dad!

To My Father:

Although we may be far apart, Although we may not speak each day. I am reminded of the great man that you are and the example that you have been not just for me, but for your entire family. Your love and sacrifice are noted with heartfelt thanks.

Just a year ago, we sat with you, as your best friend, your spouse, your mate and eternal companion lie in a room waiting to be united with loved ones who had crossed over. It was your birthday. You wouldn't leave her side to even go somewhere and have dinner. This image is burned in my mind, and saved through the miracles of photography. You, clasping her hand, with strength and tenderness. You worrying about Mom and the rest of us, and the people that would come to pay honor to her life and legacy. You, an example and you didn't even know it. How grateful I am to have been born your son.

I am grateful for technology that let's us ring up one another and catch up on the week or the day we've had. I'm grateful for letters, and cards, and for the times we get to spend together.

On your day, the day you were blessed to be the son of Jim and Isidora Price, I wish you Love. I wish you Happiness. I wish you prosperity. I wish you Health. I wish I were there to celebrate with you, but I'm not, so please know how much I and your loving daughter-in-law Love you and wish you the Happiest Birthday a Man, a Son, A Brother, A Father could ever know.

I Love you Dad.

Jim

Happy Father's Day

Although today is bittersweet for us (for our Church friends, you won't see us there), I am appreciative of this day in which we get to honor our Fathers.

My dad - born in a small eastern Nevada town called Panaca. Lived a simple life there with no indoor plumbing, taking baths on Saturdays in an iron tub in the middle of the kitchen. I always loved that story. Dad is number 4 of 5 kids, Uncle Gary, Uncle Derril, Aunt Judy, Dad, and Aunt Mary.

Dad is a fun loving man (many of my friends were scared to death of him cause they thought he was so mean). He loves to tell jokes, to laugh, and to see other's laugh but not at the expense of someone else. Dad is a good provider. He worked two jobs while I was growing up. By day he was a mild mannered barber, eating lunch at the Rainbow club or the Pac-Out drive in. He came home at 6:00 every night, we ate dinner, and Dad went to work as a janitor at Gordon McCaw Elementary School. Our treat, was to be able to go with Dad to clean the school. We had a great life.

Dad is a good example to his children. He's pretty squeamish, but when push comes to shove, he is in for the long haul. Dad has great compassion. After Grandma Helen had her strokes and was living between Mom and Dad's and Aunt Aurella's house, Dad modified the bathroom so that they could wheel Grandma in and she could be bathed. Dad even helped Mom bath Grandma even though it made him very uncomfortable to do it. I believe that this prepared Dad for the trials that Mom would endure with her cancer.

Dad is a loving husband. He stood by Mom, held her hand, comforted her, and in the end, showed great compassion and strength as Mom slipped the earthly bonds of this life, reuniting with her parents and Audrey on the other side of the veil. Dad bid farewell to his best friend, his partner, his loving wife, all the while standing strong in the faith and knowledge that he will see her again on the other side. He comforted us, his children when we should have been comforting him instead.

I Love my Dad. He is the greatest Dad on the earth. I'm thankful that he and Mom decided to have six kids, to bring us here to learn and to grow. To experience Joy and Sorrow, and to learn to be humble.

Even though we're far apart, we talk all the time, we laugh, we cry, we counsel with each other, we share one another's burdens. Richard G. Price Sr., thanks for being my Dad.

For the rest of you men out there - Happy Father's Day!

Jim

UP

OK, if you haven't gone to the movies lately (we've seen a few of the summer blockbusters), there is one that you've got to go and see.

It's UP! You know, the Disney/Pixar movie?! We saw yesterday after Sydnee's birthday party and it was fantastic! We laughed, cried, laughed and the movie is spectacular!

If you haven't seen it, bundle up the spouse and the kids (for those in Texas or Nevada you will want shorts and a t-shirt) and go see the matinee! It's awesome!

Jim

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