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

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