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!