Mexico

Hola!

My poor wife! I know, many of you say this because she is married to me (and me not knowing why-LOL), but I just returned home from a week long visit in Mexico, and I've already had a hard time communicating because my feeble mind wants to continue speaking to her in Spanish! It's just too funny that I have to stop and start speaking English with her cause my mind wants to go a million miles an hour in Spanish. Poor thing!

I was with several co-workers in Mexico this time and we had quite the experience driving around the Mexican countryside. The van we rented from budget, halfway up a mountainside, it's brakes failed! We still had to go down the other side! Then work all day, and then find a way back to the city with the airport! Budget would not send another car, so we left it in the little town and they were going to have it towed. Ahhh, the joys of travel! Makes my life so interesting I can't stand it!

While I was slaving away in 102F weather in Mexico, Princess only had to work three days this week. The one Dr. was out on Thursday, so Princess has a four day weekend, while I only get two days before heading out to the Dominican Republic. I know, isn't that the same island as Haiti? Why Yes it is! Even with all the earthquakes, aftershocks, etc, I'm still going there for work. It's going to be a very long day on Monday, and a very long week.

When I return from the D.R. as we call it at work, I'm heading to NJ for the weekend and the week. I've got some business in NJ & NY on Monday and I didn't want to travel all day Friday and then again all day Sunday, so this is a two-weeker trip.

We watched a new movie last night called Gamer with Gerard Butler. It was kinda Sci-Fi/action/shooter type movie - pretty bloody, but interesting. Plans call for a cooler weekend and we're hanging at the house, gonna do some errands, some cleaning, and maybe see a movie - oh and I'll be catching up on a last week's work! HA!

Jim

Birthday Weekend

We had the Hugginses over the weekend, well until this afternoon. It was Devin's birthday on Friday, so they drove down on Thursday night, and we ripped and skipped all weekend.

We ate at Chuy's, and then at Rosatti's pizza, then they ditched us while we did errands (just kidding) and went to Leal's for lunch on Saturday. On Saturday night, the Jacobsens came over and we had pulled pork, stuffed potato skins, green salad, jello salad, two different kinds of rolls, BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, and sweet potato souffle. It was almost better than Thanksgiving.

Sadly, after Church, Devin, Jana, Elliott, Curtis and baby Azure loaded up and headed home to Longview! It was good to see them, have fun with them, veg and watch some movies together, and just plain have a great time. Here's looking to the next visit, either us in Longview, or them back to our humble abode.

P.S. I did pull out five dying bushes on Saturday, so hopefully the neighbors won't kick us out of the neighborhood. Any suggestions on what type to plant? These were flowering Hawthorne's and they got some kind of spotted leaf virus and so they had to go. Let me know people. the front looks a little bare without them.

Jim

Good Intentions.

Quote from Linda - "good intentions are like crying children, they should both be carried out"!

So, yesterday, we went and saw Avatar - if you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it! It is Sci-Fi and I love Sci-Fi, but the movie has a really good story line. We opted to see it in 3D, although I had reservations cause usually 3D makes me queasy. I would see it again in 3D cause it was cool, not like the 3D of my childhood.

On our way home, we stopped to get Princesses car washed. BIG MISTAKE! $21.00, 2 hour wait, and a bad wash job to boot! I won't be going there again.

By the time we made it home, all my good intentions around cleaning the kitchen and home office were blown out of the water. We did do some straightening up, vacuum, a little dusting, but not the good elbows in the air cleaning like Mom made me do in as a kid. Sooo, I'll be doing a little bit of cleaning each night after work, so the house is presentable on Friday when The Hugginses come for a visit.

BTW, It's still cold here, this morning it was 13F and now it's hovering around 39F. We'll see if the forecasters get it right and the temp gets up to 48F today and then down into the 20's tonight.

Jim

BRRRRR!

Baby it's COLD Outside! I mean Cold!

Last night Princess and I went out for date night with the Mocks. The car was reading 24F and then add the windchill...BRRRRRR! The temp outside right now is 10F!!!! We live in the south for cryin out loud! Seriously.

Usually in the winter, Princess sets the thermostat at 60F, just so the girls don't freeze while we're at work. So far, she's kept it at 63! I'm looking forward to next weekend when we have the Hugginses come visit us, the heater is gonna be on overtime! Of course, the ten day forecast says that we'll be in the mid 50's next week during the day and 30's for nighttime lows. Still, I'm thinking it's going to be the warmest this house has seen since August.

Today is a lazy day cause we did laundry and some cleaning. I'm going to work on my desk and the "office" and Princess is going to work on the Kitchen! I'll post before and after pictures I promise!

We're going to go see AVATAR today, wish me luck, 3D movies make me a bit nauseous. What are your plans for this fine Saturday?

Jim

Twenty Ten

Get it, 2010!

It's a brand new year, Lot's of opportunities, activities, wants, desires, wishes and yes of course there'll be challenges. Can't have life without challenges.

We had a quiet New Year's Eve celebration. Fun games and great food with the Lackmeyers and the Mocks, of course I party pooped out and we were home in bed by 10:30. I just can't make it to midnight anymore, I'm getting too old (of course, having a nap and not busting my behind all day would've been very nice too).

We're having a cold snap here, the temperature is a cold 28F with wind chills down into the 16 to 17F range. Feels like Chicago weather to me. That didn't stop Todd and I from walking around the building in a 24F wind chill during lunch time! We bundled up, gloves scarf, ear warmers, heavy coats, and hoodies. Then we walked very briskly, and boy do I mean briskly!

There was some debate in my cubicle today about how to refer to this decade. Is it "0 ten" or just "ten"? I said twenty ten or two thousand ten. What's your preference for this new decade? One thing I'm looking forward to is my birthday. The date will be 10/10/10! I'm stoked! This is going to be a great year!

Be safe and Warm out there this weekend.

Jim

END

No silly readers, not the end of the blog, it's only the end of the year! We've had a great 2009. Below is a recap of our wonderful year.

"We too have had an exciting and challenging year. The recession has impacted everyone, and for the first time, Jim’s company felt the sting. Although there were no lay offs, hiring for any new positions required a lengthy process and this resulted in a vacancy in Jim’s group for over 5 months. Jim and the other 4 people that report to him did a lot more travelling than normal. Sometimes, Melanie thought she was a widow living alone in Texas.

Jim was released as Gospel Principles teacher in February, and continues without a calling (this has been a blessing to Melanie when she was in Nursery so he could help out). We both continue to support our Ward Choir, although, because of Jim’s travel, we did not participate in the Christmas program for the first time in 8 years.

Melanie was released as Nursery Leader in May, and quickly called to Sunbeam teacher in June. She has between 12 and 16 Sunbeams in her class – really challenging for her! Even with such a big class, she loves those children and they in turn love her.

In August, we celebrated our 22^nd wedding anniversary! Gosh, time flies when you’re having fun! We were lucky this year, Melanie’s parents came to visit and her Father, Bill had some major dental work done, so they were here for two solid months. This really came in handy while Jim was travelling.

Jim was very blessed with all the travel, no accidents, and he got to see some very beautiful parts of the world. In March, Jim returned to New Zealand for work, where he spent two weeks and was able to attend Church with the Saints there.

In September, Jim went to Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador for work. Again he was gone for two weeks and while spending the weekend in Peru, he went to Machu Picchu, the ancient Incan city! The pictures he brought back are breathtaking.

Then later in September he attended a global meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia as well as a day trip to Indonesia. In his journey there, he went to London (only got to see the airport) and spent 1½ days in Dubai! Again, we’re blessed that he had great travels and didn’t have any problems. Jim continues to travel to Mexico quite a bit, and already has a trip planned to return there in January.

We spent Thanksgiving here in Texas, with some friends who’ve become surrogate family, and are looking forward to a “staycation” during the Christmas Holiday. We also spent Christmas here in Texas as Jim needed his time away from the road. We missed seeing our families, but are secure knowing that Heavenly Father is watching over us all."

We look forward to 2010! Lot's of opportunities and challenges will await us. We look forward to seeing friends and family and having good times together. We look forward to a visit again from the In Laws and also from Jim's Dad and his new wife!"

Be safe tonight and have fun celebrating the beginning of a new year!

Jim

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas Everyone!

We had a beautiful "white" Christmas Eve, and now we've got some beautiful sun and calmer winds for today.

May each of you rejoice in the Birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, as you celebrate this holiday with your family and friends. We love and miss our family and friends and want all of you to know that we are truly blessed to have you in our lives.

Merry Christmas!

Jim

I'm dreaming of a White Christmas

Yep, right here in good ole central Texas! We had snow today for about 20 or 30 minutes. We got a call from Cori and then Princess looked out the Window and there were flurries. She hollered over to me (cause I was in the den) and I grabbed the our little Nikon Camera (it's a P80) and started shooting the video. I'm tellin ya, we've had some weird with a Capital W weather this year. I hope you enjoy the video - Princess is too cute when it comes to these little Mother Nature surprises.

Jim

P.S. While the video was uploading, it quit snowing, then started again. Maybe tomorrow we'll wake up to white stuff on the ground and reindeer prints and sleigh marks!?!

Christmas Flowers

Let's see, Princess and I have been married for almost 22.5 years, and in that time, we've had 23 Christmases, Thanksgivings, and Halloweens. For the past 23 years, my in-laws (or out-laws depending on how we think - LOL), have sent us a flower arrangement for our dining room table. This year was no exception - behold the flowers from Bill & Linda!

The Roses smell Beautiful and the whole arrangement

is brightening up our Dining Room

On another note, yesterday the temperature was a warm and balmy 74 F here in Waco! Today as we pulled into the garage from having Christmas morning with the Blackhursts, it was 39 F and drizzling! There's a saying here that goes something like this: "If you don't like the weather in Texas, just wait a while, it's gonna change!", and that is so true!

Merry Christmas Eve!

Jim

Christmas

Over here at this homestead, we're countin down the days till the Jolly guy comes. Last night we got together with some friends to do a gift exchange. Dinner at Cheddars (insert oohs, aahhs, and mmmhs), then to our house to exchange. We usually have some sort of dessert prepared, but we're lame-o's this year and didn't have anything ready, so C prepared some brownies and we threw in the ice cream for some "brownie sundaes".

This year there was a bit of stealing going on in the exchange. It didn't get nasty, just some good hearted fun. Then we watched some Modern Family, listened to some Christmas Songs (all over Apple TV, or as I like to call it iTV). Then some photos in front of the Christmas Tree. which I posted below.

The Girls - C, L, and Princess

Princess, Sadie, Sasha and Me

C & M

T & L

Merry Christmas!

After Party

The ornament party last night went very well. We ate the great food, enjoyed the wonderful desserts brought by all to share (by the way, if you brought desserts and you didn't take them home, they're going to be returned today - Just Kidding), and then a wonderful game of "White Elephant" with the ornaments.

The game was quite tame with nary a moment of excitement, except that T & L did not go home with the old maid! L was a gracious gentleman and after having his ornament stolen, he opened the old maid and proudly displayed it for all to see! After the ornament game, we played the dice game or as others may recall, "the candy bar game". We like to spice this one up and we throw in lip balm, Hot Wheels cars, Snickers, Twix, Munch, some Orbit gum, a couple of$5 gift cards to Subway or Panera, and then we're off playing. Those gift cards must of changed hands about 20 times. P & M were very lucky rolling lot's of doubles and sixes to choose loot from the table! It was fun to see everyone go around and back and forth stealing from each other's bags.

After the game, EVERYONE, decided it was time to go home at 8:30! The earliest ever. T & L stayed and helped clean up, while Princess and I played phone tag with M & C on the whereabouts of their daughter's plane arriving into Houston. Her played was delayed from Salt Lake, and she would not make her connecting flight into Waco. Their daughter arrived, and so did they to pick her up.

We had a great evening and again, no pictures to brag and show you here on the blog.

On another note, this is the second Christmas without Mom. I only think of this because she loved this season, the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. She loved the lights, the stories, the baking, the wrapping, but most of all, she loved being around her family at this time of year. She taught her children the reason for the season, and she taught us love! Unconditional love.

So remember when that person in a hurry beside you cuts you off, just smile and pray that they are not in a car accident, or when the rude person in the store grabs the thing you had your hand on, just smile, pray that you find another, and remember that the gift giving is in celebration of Jesus Christ.

Have a great Sunday

Jim

Tonight's the Night

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

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

As of right now, the menu is:

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

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

I love this Christmas time of year!

Jim

For Princess & Linda

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

Home Again

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

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

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

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

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

Jim

Crazy Weather

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

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

Be safe everyone!

Jim

Winter

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

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

Jim

Aha Moments

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

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

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

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

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

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

Check them out and let me know what you think.

Jim

MIA

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jim

September...where did you go?

Yeah, and so far "Oh October".

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jim

Hello

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jim