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
Sunday, July 15, 2007
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
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Home Sweet...
Home!
I just got home from a wonderful trip to central America for work. The weather was not too warm, and the countryside was just beautiful. Now I'm going out to do some mowing, weeding, and touching up.
Princess and I finalized on a simple plan for the front planter area that we carved out, and have accepted the bid to do the work. Now we just have to wait a couple of weeks for the workers to get here to do it. I'm tired of digging in hard clay-type soil, so I'm letting some one else do it. Bye-Bye bonus money! Oh well, at least when Sarah comes for a visit with Sterling and the kids, she won't know which house is ours.
BTW Sarah - Happy 36th Birthday!! We love ya!
Jim
I just got home from a wonderful trip to central America for work. The weather was not too warm, and the countryside was just beautiful. Now I'm going out to do some mowing, weeding, and touching up.
Princess and I finalized on a simple plan for the front planter area that we carved out, and have accepted the bid to do the work. Now we just have to wait a couple of weeks for the workers to get here to do it. I'm tired of digging in hard clay-type soil, so I'm letting some one else do it. Bye-Bye bonus money! Oh well, at least when Sarah comes for a visit with Sterling and the kids, she won't know which house is ours.
BTW Sarah - Happy 36th Birthday!! We love ya!
Jim
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Where's Spring
I’m in Chi-land and experiencing some of the most bizarre springtime weather. I woke up to snow this morning and it snowed for about 6 or 7 hours, then has turned to rain. We’re in SPRING people! And it snowed! We’re supposed to get more snow tonight! I was smart for the trip to Chicago; I checked the weather online and packed long sleeve shirts, an overcoat, gloves, but no umbrella or hat. Maybe I’ll be smarter next time.
After last weekend in San Antonio, where we had a cold snap, the weather hovering around 36 F with a northern wind driving a wind chill and making me wish I had more than t-shirts and shorts. We did have fun with Jen, Dan, and the kids. Colored eggs, stuffed eggs, made deviled eggs, jiggler eggs, jiggler jelly beans, get the picture, pure Easter fun.
It snowed in Waco, enough to build snowmen, and we missed it, but got so see the remnants of them when we got home.
When I talked to Princess today, it was 80 F today in Waco. I can’t wait to get home and mow my grass and plant some flowers.
Be good and safe.
After last weekend in San Antonio, where we had a cold snap, the weather hovering around 36 F with a northern wind driving a wind chill and making me wish I had more than t-shirts and shorts. We did have fun with Jen, Dan, and the kids. Colored eggs, stuffed eggs, made deviled eggs, jiggler eggs, jiggler jelly beans, get the picture, pure Easter fun.
It snowed in Waco, enough to build snowmen, and we missed it, but got so see the remnants of them when we got home.
When I talked to Princess today, it was 80 F today in Waco. I can’t wait to get home and mow my grass and plant some flowers.
Be good and safe.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Parents
Just got a call from my Mom. Her CA 125 number is up after only three months without Chemo! She starts another round in a couple of weeks. She sounded so down. I love her so much. She is so strong and exhibits so much faith. I can only walk in her footprints, and hope one day my size 12 fills her size 8.
I Love YA Mom! Hang in there cause we need you here with us.
Love, Jimmy (Only she is allowed to call me that)
I Love YA Mom! Hang in there cause we need you here with us.
Love, Jimmy (Only she is allowed to call me that)
San Antone
This weekend, Princess and I are heading to San Antonio (San Antone for born and bred Texans) to visit with dear friends who moved there from Vegas. We will be having Easter at their house, going to Church on Saturday Night with them instead of Sunday (Group decision due to our having to travel home on Sunday afternoon), and having an Easter Brunch on Sunday Morning along with the egg hunt.
Ben and Molly, Dan and Jen's kids are super excited. We're taking the girls with us, and they just love them soooo much. Sadie is even excited, knowing something was up last night when Princess started ironing clothes, other than her dental assisting uniforms.
We're going to color eggs, stuff plastic eggs, shop (Princesses favorite past time), and just have a great time. Both Princess and I need the break and the relaxation...well for me anyway. Ben and Molly are dying to have Aunt Melanie cook for them. They just love her food and have informed their Mom that she is not to help Aunt Melanie in any way shape or form. We rolled on the floor on that one.
Remember, Easter isn't about eggs, isn't about frilly new dresses, or brunch, but about our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His atoning sacrifice for us, taking on our sins, death on the cross, and His resurrection make it possible for us to return to live with Him and Our Heavenly Father. So dye the eggs, pack the plastic ones, and as you do so, talk about Christ with your families, teach them His story, and I promise you, that your home, your weekend, everything we do at this time of year, will feel warmer, more loving, more beautiful (sorry to be so preachy, but I just felt inspired)
Happy Easter.
Ben and Molly, Dan and Jen's kids are super excited. We're taking the girls with us, and they just love them soooo much. Sadie is even excited, knowing something was up last night when Princess started ironing clothes, other than her dental assisting uniforms.
We're going to color eggs, stuff plastic eggs, shop (Princesses favorite past time), and just have a great time. Both Princess and I need the break and the relaxation...well for me anyway. Ben and Molly are dying to have Aunt Melanie cook for them. They just love her food and have informed their Mom that she is not to help Aunt Melanie in any way shape or form. We rolled on the floor on that one.
Remember, Easter isn't about eggs, isn't about frilly new dresses, or brunch, but about our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His atoning sacrifice for us, taking on our sins, death on the cross, and His resurrection make it possible for us to return to live with Him and Our Heavenly Father. So dye the eggs, pack the plastic ones, and as you do so, talk about Christ with your families, teach them His story, and I promise you, that your home, your weekend, everything we do at this time of year, will feel warmer, more loving, more beautiful (sorry to be so preachy, but I just felt inspired)
Happy Easter.
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Surviving
...Tornadoes, Princesses desires for a beautiful yard, out of control weeds, you name it and I have been doing it. So lets start with the first one.
Last Friday, March 30, 2007, we had another Tornado warning. Princess, Sadie, Sasha, and myself, gathered cushions, water, medicine and ourselves into the guest/hall bathroom following all the weatherman's warnings. We huddled together while waiting out the storm, winds, rain - lots of rain, and hail came, flooding the back yard, and delivering about 5 to 7 inches of badly needed rain. Then it left, and overnight we had just a little bit of rain, to keep us from being in a drought.
For the past two weeks we have been buying plants and putting them in all over the house (really, around the house). We rented a sod cutter, removed a bunch of grass to create a planting bed in the front, got a landscaper out for a quote on trees and preparing the bed - not planting it, just preparing it, Princess is making me plant the bushes and flowers the landscaper recommends (no rest for the wicked...or in my case the fat and ornery).
Killing weeds has become my favorite past time. Pulling them out by their tap roots, applying herbicide etc. Man if I could grow grass and plants like I grow weeds, I would have the best lawn in all my neighborhood.
Been working lots and lots of hours still - hoping that it will calm down and I will be able to get back on the road and get some audits done.
Easter weekend we're going to San Antonio to visit the Martinsen's (friends from Vegas - yeah baby).
Be safe and Happy
Last Friday, March 30, 2007, we had another Tornado warning. Princess, Sadie, Sasha, and myself, gathered cushions, water, medicine and ourselves into the guest/hall bathroom following all the weatherman's warnings. We huddled together while waiting out the storm, winds, rain - lots of rain, and hail came, flooding the back yard, and delivering about 5 to 7 inches of badly needed rain. Then it left, and overnight we had just a little bit of rain, to keep us from being in a drought.
For the past two weeks we have been buying plants and putting them in all over the house (really, around the house). We rented a sod cutter, removed a bunch of grass to create a planting bed in the front, got a landscaper out for a quote on trees and preparing the bed - not planting it, just preparing it, Princess is making me plant the bushes and flowers the landscaper recommends (no rest for the wicked...or in my case the fat and ornery).
Killing weeds has become my favorite past time. Pulling them out by their tap roots, applying herbicide etc. Man if I could grow grass and plants like I grow weeds, I would have the best lawn in all my neighborhood.
Been working lots and lots of hours still - hoping that it will calm down and I will be able to get back on the road and get some audits done.
Easter weekend we're going to San Antonio to visit the Martinsen's (friends from Vegas - yeah baby).
Be safe and Happy
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Life
...sometimes it just passes you by.
I am remiss. I have been so busy with work lately, that I have not posted for over a month. Let me catch you up...readers digest style.
1 - Been to Beaumont Twice - work (got to see Sterling, Sarah, and the kids on my way home)
2 - Went to Pine Bluff, Arkansas once - Work
3 - Spent one week in Waco at the plant.
4 - Spent one week at home (Las Vegas) my dear sweet Aunt Hattie passed away suddenly. (I did get to spend some good quality time with family (no friends this trip) and see my parent's home re-do in Hurricane...then went to Kanab (did see some friends), then drove home, 24 hours straight through. Thank Goodness for technology and good dependable cars.
Music. My Uncle Gary asked us (Princess and I, my older brother Rich, his wife Dawn, their son Richie, Younger brother Bert, his wife Alisa, and my younger sister Christina and her son Kyle). We sang Love at Home, a classic LDS hymn and one of Aunt Hattie's favorites. As usual there was the hemming and hawing over singing the song in parts, Rich, Bert, and Richie all sang bass (really rocked the part), Kyle and I sang Tenor, Princess and Christina sang Soprano, and Alisa and Dawn sang Alto. We had so many compliments, on the arrangement and on the way it sounded. Made all the worries worthwhile. Also, Bev Abbott played the piano and did a super job under some very stressful times for her.
Whew - that's quite a lot of stuff to cram in one month - so you see why I have been so lacking/remiss in posting.
My wonderful boss comes back from Maternity leave on April 2nd, and I get to hand over these reins to her and resume my lackey post and get back to some auditing.
Our friends the Hammers had a baby girl on Sunday - named her Sarah, and she is being loved to death by her big brothers.
Also, we found out that our friend, Rachel (evil one) is having a girl!!!!! This after three boys. Go Rachel and Josh.
That's enough - no great words of wisdom, lot's accomplished...like the plants we planted last Saturday and the mowing and tree trimming (thanks again for the ladder Sterling), trying to get the house/yard in shape.
Jim
I am remiss. I have been so busy with work lately, that I have not posted for over a month. Let me catch you up...readers digest style.
1 - Been to Beaumont Twice - work (got to see Sterling, Sarah, and the kids on my way home)
2 - Went to Pine Bluff, Arkansas once - Work
3 - Spent one week in Waco at the plant.
4 - Spent one week at home (Las Vegas) my dear sweet Aunt Hattie passed away suddenly. (I did get to spend some good quality time with family (no friends this trip) and see my parent's home re-do in Hurricane...then went to Kanab (did see some friends), then drove home, 24 hours straight through. Thank Goodness for technology and good dependable cars.
Music. My Uncle Gary asked us (Princess and I, my older brother Rich, his wife Dawn, their son Richie, Younger brother Bert, his wife Alisa, and my younger sister Christina and her son Kyle). We sang Love at Home, a classic LDS hymn and one of Aunt Hattie's favorites. As usual there was the hemming and hawing over singing the song in parts, Rich, Bert, and Richie all sang bass (really rocked the part), Kyle and I sang Tenor, Princess and Christina sang Soprano, and Alisa and Dawn sang Alto. We had so many compliments, on the arrangement and on the way it sounded. Made all the worries worthwhile. Also, Bev Abbott played the piano and did a super job under some very stressful times for her.
Whew - that's quite a lot of stuff to cram in one month - so you see why I have been so lacking/remiss in posting.
My wonderful boss comes back from Maternity leave on April 2nd, and I get to hand over these reins to her and resume my lackey post and get back to some auditing.
Our friends the Hammers had a baby girl on Sunday - named her Sarah, and she is being loved to death by her big brothers.
Also, we found out that our friend, Rachel (evil one) is having a girl!!!!! This after three boys. Go Rachel and Josh.
That's enough - no great words of wisdom, lot's accomplished...like the plants we planted last Saturday and the mowing and tree trimming (thanks again for the ladder Sterling), trying to get the house/yard in shape.
Jim
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Timing
I know that I have been lacking in my posts lately. Work has been tremendously busy. So much travel and so much to do while filling in temporarily for my boss.
This past week I was in Beaumont again for work. On my way home, I was going to stop and see the Joneses but I was hurrying and didn't make the stop. Boy am I glad I didn't. Seems like the flu bug has invaded their home...and mine. When I got home on Thursday, I had a fever of 101. I came home, put on sweats and climbed into bed while Princess went out to dinner with her friends from work (I was invited but didn't feel up to it). Little did I know how the fever would come to play. For about the past 36 hours, everything I have eaten (10 Ritz crackers and some chicken broth) has come screaming out of me. I don't know if this is a combination of flu virus, or of eating something bad on my way home. Either way, I am starving and trying not to eat anything other than broth and crackers. My fever finally broke last night and this morning I am feeling better, except for my tummy.
Princess has a busy day ahead of her. First the Primary activity, which I'm not going to, Second, a baby shower for Andrea (her third, and another boy)! I will stay home, finally shower, and work on laundry to get that chore done.
Tomorrow is Stake Conference - via satellite at the Chapel - we're not going - I don't know how I'll feel, and I don't want to infect anyone else with this little gem I have been experiencing. We got a couple of new movies, The Prestige and Zoom. I'll let you know how they are after today.
This past week I was in Beaumont again for work. On my way home, I was going to stop and see the Joneses but I was hurrying and didn't make the stop. Boy am I glad I didn't. Seems like the flu bug has invaded their home...and mine. When I got home on Thursday, I had a fever of 101. I came home, put on sweats and climbed into bed while Princess went out to dinner with her friends from work (I was invited but didn't feel up to it). Little did I know how the fever would come to play. For about the past 36 hours, everything I have eaten (10 Ritz crackers and some chicken broth) has come screaming out of me. I don't know if this is a combination of flu virus, or of eating something bad on my way home. Either way, I am starving and trying not to eat anything other than broth and crackers. My fever finally broke last night and this morning I am feeling better, except for my tummy.
Princess has a busy day ahead of her. First the Primary activity, which I'm not going to, Second, a baby shower for Andrea (her third, and another boy)! I will stay home, finally shower, and work on laundry to get that chore done.
Tomorrow is Stake Conference - via satellite at the Chapel - we're not going - I don't know how I'll feel, and I don't want to infect anyone else with this little gem I have been experiencing. We got a couple of new movies, The Prestige and Zoom. I'll let you know how they are after today.
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Mother
Today is the 62nd anniversary of my Mother's Birth! Happy Birthday Mom! I thought I would share with you photos of my Mom. The photo on the left was Christmas Day 2006 at Christina's house. The strapping man beside her is my dad - Hola Ricardo! And the little tyke is Mallory Kate Price, Bert's newest addition to our clan. The picture on the right was taken in front of my Grandparents house in Henderson when Mom & Dad were dating. Aren't they still the cutest couple.
Some interesting things about my Mom!
1 - She married at 16
2 - She celebrates her 46th wedding anniversary on 12 February
3 - She can sing beautifully
4 - She can dance better than any Mom I know
5 - She can sew (remember the purple shirt with the zipper?)
6 - She can paint
7 - She can quilt
8 - She can needlepoint
9 - She can crochet
10 - She can cross stitch
11 - She knows how to can/bottle
12 - She makes super home made bread
13 - She has unselfish love
14 - She has Christlike love for anyone and everyone she meets
15 - She has undying love for Dad
16 - She has style (even without her hair due to Chemo)
17 - She has a work ethic I cannot keep up with.
18 - She has always been organized
19 - She continues to have trust and strength in the Gospel of Jesus Christ
20 - She has outlived her Oncologists life expectancy
21 - She is a fighter
22 - She is a lover - of husband, God, Family, and others
23 - She is smart
24 - She is kind
25 - She can be ornery
26 - She is ornery when us kids fight
27 - She is a peacemaker
29 - She has a sense of who she is
30 - She played baseball with me in little league - even slid into third base in shorts!
31 - She is scriptural
32 - She CAN COOK
33 - She loves life
34 - She has never had a life of luxury, but she has made her parents proud
35 - She is a Grandmother
36 - She is a loving Aunt
37 - She is 3rd of four girls
38 - She and Aurella are the surviving members of her family
39 - She never forgets - dates, birthdays, anniversaries, etc
40 - She has never forgotten Audrey (dog biscuit eater of the family :')
41 - She received her GED when most of us kids were in grade school
42 - She worked at Skaggs, K-Mart, Pizza Inn, and Snavely & Golden
43 - She never asked for thanks for working to help the family
44 - She can build a fire in a fireplace that can run anyone out of a house
45 - She is a voracious reader
46 - She has buried one daughter
47 - She has 8 grandsons and 3 granddaughters
48 - She was an awesome RS visiting Teacher
49 - She loves to have someone rub lotion on her feet
50 - She endured many nights of sick kids
51 - She passed on her Lilly white skin to way too many of us kids/grand kids
52 - She has beautiful brown eyes
53 - She has a smile that can melt battling generals
54 - She always is encouraging
55 - She is thrifty
56 -She loves to surprise people with small acts of kindness
57 - She stretches her God given talents - like painting on candles, etc
58 - She has always supported Dad - except that one morning of the motorcycle race
59 - She has a huge tolerance for pain, emotional and physical and is a testament to us
60 - She is enduring (the end is a long way off for her)
61 - She is truly a Latter-day Saint and a pioneer
62 - She continues to shine
Happy Birthday Mom! I hope you can feel my Love for you, and know that the tears I shed while writing this are tears of love! God Bless You!
Jim
I'm IT!
I have been tagged! I can’t believe that anyone would think that I could have anything so interesting in my life that it needs to be shared. HA! I have been told by Princess, that I should have been a stand up comedian! I told her then, and I stand by it today, that we would have starved to death if I had been a stand up comedian.
Our friend Debbie tagged me after Sarah tagged her. I am supposed to blog about my idiosyncrasies. As if I have any! Once Princess saw that I had been tagged, she began to make a list for the blog. I kindly thanked her, took the list and put it in the paper shredder! As if!
So, without further ado, here is my list:
1 - Eyes. I have a fear of anything or anyone putting, touching, blowing, just breathing on my eyes. It all stems from a time when I was about eight years old. Medical technology was not the greatest and I had need to go see the Dr. because my left eye hurt every time I blinked or touched around it or anything. So at the Dr.’s office, the Dr. tells my Mom that he needs her to hold me down. So she does, he comes close, grabs my head tightly, and then proceeds to shove this paper strip under my eyelid. I SCREAM bloody murder, jerk upward and knock my Mom and the Dr. backwards. They yell for the nurse, and all three are holding down this screaming eight year old skinny kid! Needless to say, the Dr. got the strip under my eyelid and my eye turned yellow. He could see where I had scratched the cornea and need to have drops and wear an eye patch for about 3 weeks. It was a real kick to see this toe head of a kid (me) walking around Henderson in shorts, t-shirt, sneakers and a bloody pirate’s eye patch! I got honks, hollers, and all kinds of comments. Fast forward to present day and as an old man, I need/must wear glasses to see clearly to read and to work on the computer. I still can’t put drops in my eyes like normal people…read, I must drop them in the corner of my eye (with the lid closed), and rotate my head and blink them into the eye. Still, about half the drops run down my face cause I am too freaking scared to open my eyes while anything is in them. And now as an adult, I can’t even do the freaking glaucoma test at the eye Dr.’s because of my trauma.
2 - I can’t stand to have anyone touch my hair or head! It drives me nuts. I like my hair to be just so…coifed…if you will even with the new messy hair do (unlike my old Opie style), I can’t stand to have my head/hair touched! My head is sensitive, I am prone to migraines, and I don’t like to have my hair not look like it is supposed to when I am finished in the morning. Go figure.
3 - Made beds, dusted shelves, are a must in my home. When we were newly weds, Princess worked part time on Saturdays at a Hallmark store. While at work, I would clean our tiny apartment from top to bottom, doors, windows, baseboards, tub, toilet, mirrors, etc. I would do the laundry, fold it and put it away. If I found her drawers to be messy, I would organize them for her…boy was I naive! Princess would come home from her 8 hours at the store and then she would cry! Why, cause she said I made her feel bad about the way she cleaned house! I can sure tell you I was mystified, confused, and just plain stuck! We would argue about it not being important, then I would have to make it up to her. Long story short, 19.5 years later, I have learned to live with clutter, a lot of dust, and a little disorganization. BUT, my closet, drawers, etc are completely organized! Shirts must all hang the same direction on the hangers, and the closet is organized with the top row, suits, then dress slacks, then Sunday shirts, then short sleeve button shirts, then long sleeve button shirts. The second rack has shorts, jeans, then work causal pants (like dockers). On the shelf are my IRONED t-shirts (not under shirts), Polo shirts, etc, and the bottom row of my closet is reserved for the sheets for our bed!
As I said at the start, I have no idiosyncrasies! NONE, NIL, NADA, ZIP! I have posted these simply to prove my point. As I learn more, I will enlighten blogsphere minds at large. And to those that read this little corner of the WWW, careful, you never know when I’m going to tag you!
Jim
Our friend Debbie tagged me after Sarah tagged her. I am supposed to blog about my idiosyncrasies. As if I have any! Once Princess saw that I had been tagged, she began to make a list for the blog. I kindly thanked her, took the list and put it in the paper shredder! As if!
So, without further ado, here is my list:
1 - Eyes. I have a fear of anything or anyone putting, touching, blowing, just breathing on my eyes. It all stems from a time when I was about eight years old. Medical technology was not the greatest and I had need to go see the Dr. because my left eye hurt every time I blinked or touched around it or anything. So at the Dr.’s office, the Dr. tells my Mom that he needs her to hold me down. So she does, he comes close, grabs my head tightly, and then proceeds to shove this paper strip under my eyelid. I SCREAM bloody murder, jerk upward and knock my Mom and the Dr. backwards. They yell for the nurse, and all three are holding down this screaming eight year old skinny kid! Needless to say, the Dr. got the strip under my eyelid and my eye turned yellow. He could see where I had scratched the cornea and need to have drops and wear an eye patch for about 3 weeks. It was a real kick to see this toe head of a kid (me) walking around Henderson in shorts, t-shirt, sneakers and a bloody pirate’s eye patch! I got honks, hollers, and all kinds of comments. Fast forward to present day and as an old man, I need/must wear glasses to see clearly to read and to work on the computer. I still can’t put drops in my eyes like normal people…read, I must drop them in the corner of my eye (with the lid closed), and rotate my head and blink them into the eye. Still, about half the drops run down my face cause I am too freaking scared to open my eyes while anything is in them. And now as an adult, I can’t even do the freaking glaucoma test at the eye Dr.’s because of my trauma.
2 - I can’t stand to have anyone touch my hair or head! It drives me nuts. I like my hair to be just so…coifed…if you will even with the new messy hair do (unlike my old Opie style), I can’t stand to have my head/hair touched! My head is sensitive, I am prone to migraines, and I don’t like to have my hair not look like it is supposed to when I am finished in the morning. Go figure.
3 - Made beds, dusted shelves, are a must in my home. When we were newly weds, Princess worked part time on Saturdays at a Hallmark store. While at work, I would clean our tiny apartment from top to bottom, doors, windows, baseboards, tub, toilet, mirrors, etc. I would do the laundry, fold it and put it away. If I found her drawers to be messy, I would organize them for her…boy was I naive! Princess would come home from her 8 hours at the store and then she would cry! Why, cause she said I made her feel bad about the way she cleaned house! I can sure tell you I was mystified, confused, and just plain stuck! We would argue about it not being important, then I would have to make it up to her. Long story short, 19.5 years later, I have learned to live with clutter, a lot of dust, and a little disorganization. BUT, my closet, drawers, etc are completely organized! Shirts must all hang the same direction on the hangers, and the closet is organized with the top row, suits, then dress slacks, then Sunday shirts, then short sleeve button shirts, then long sleeve button shirts. The second rack has shorts, jeans, then work causal pants (like dockers). On the shelf are my IRONED t-shirts (not under shirts), Polo shirts, etc, and the bottom row of my closet is reserved for the sheets for our bed!
As I said at the start, I have no idiosyncrasies! NONE, NIL, NADA, ZIP! I have posted these simply to prove my point. As I learn more, I will enlighten blogsphere minds at large. And to those that read this little corner of the WWW, careful, you never know when I’m going to tag you!
Jim
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Still Cold
Last week I was in NJ and PA for work. Our company's corporate headquarters is in NJ, and I had to do an audit in PA. Best part of the whole trip was the four plus inches of snow on our car Thursday morning in PA!
Now I'm back in Beaumont for work. The drive down was cold and drizzly, all the way from Waco through Houston and into Beaumont. I spoke with Sarah and she said that I needed to stop bringing the bad weather with me to Houston.
Princess was under the weather on Sunday and stayed home from Church. I had to not only prepare my Primary lesson, but also sharing time all by myself. I've got to stop relying on Princess for help and just bite the bullet and do it myself.
Gotta get back to work.
Now I'm back in Beaumont for work. The drive down was cold and drizzly, all the way from Waco through Houston and into Beaumont. I spoke with Sarah and she said that I needed to stop bringing the bad weather with me to Houston.
Princess was under the weather on Sunday and stayed home from Church. I had to not only prepare my Primary lesson, but also sharing time all by myself. I've got to stop relying on Princess for help and just bite the bullet and do it myself.
Gotta get back to work.
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