I have been having so much fun with granddaughter Rayley this week. She is a very busy girl for being 17 months old. She's a great, fearless climber. She climbs on chairs, her high chair, sofas and gets into things. She likes to climb on the piano and the back of davenport. She's had a cold this week and runs out of both nostrils, but it doesn't slow her down. My best way of describing her is this: a 17th month body with a 24 month spirit. She is like her dad. Once he got caught up with his preemie time, he jumped ahead and couldn't wait for anything.
I'm so glad that Mom and I could be here with Trevor and Ellen. No Snow, no below 20 degree temps. No salt on the roads. Its been real nice. I love all of our children and grandchildren, no matter where they live.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men
One of my favorite Christmas Hymns is "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" During the Vietnam War in the Mid '60's, the words "Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men" seemed hollow to me because there wasn't peace on earth and I often wondered, if in my life time, I would ever experience that wonderful sense of having peace. Over the years, I have learned that peace on earth begins in the home.
There is a song that begins, "A house becomes a home when there's love inside". This is true. A home is the harbinger of goodness, of learning and teaching respect towards each other by being good examples. Each of our homes is not perfect, but when we are willing to work with one another, communicate our thoughts and feelings toward one another, and seek out the best in one another, our houses truly become of home where love abounds.
As Christmas fills our hearts with love for our spouses, our children and grandchildren, we desire look for the goodness, the character of who we are, the sweetness in all of our interactions. The world is full of crassness, criticism, manipulation, hate, envy and simple selfishness. I appreciate that we have children who are willing to share with one another and to help one another as circumstances allow.
Mom and I are in Elko Nev where we spent the night and we will be traveling to Trevors' today to spend the Christmas holiday with his family. We are grateful beyond words to have had the opportunity to share our lives with so many of our family members this past year. We have grown closer to our grandchildren, our children, their spouses and our own siblings. I hope everyone understands that mom and I delight in being around members of our family.
Things happen in this life where we have little choice over the matter. And sometimes we make choices with good intentions but the consequences are not what we expected. We all fall into this situation, and it really becomes our choice on how we respond to these situations. We can offer words of criticism, spread gossip and purposefully hurt the other person....or we can be understanding, listen to understand and subject the natural man to the higher law of Christ like love.
Yesterday in a Walmart, I was in a line at the self checkout stand when this man in front of me who was waiting with several people in front of him. He suddenly slammed things from his hand into his cart, then walked in front of two people who were also waiting, grabbed their cart and pushed it to the next open kiosk. He loudly said they should move forward instead of waiting and waiting. I thought it was neat that he was helping a family. Then he came back to his cart and in a loud voice exclaimed, "How can people be so stupid. I can't believe stupid people don't look ahead." When he said this, another man in front of him, looked around and said, "Hey, this is Christmas season, we don't need that".
I observed this and thought it was interesting that in helping the other people he did good, but in opening his mouth and making critical remarks he revealed who he really was.
I know that I have made disparaging remarks in my lifetime and I am not perfect in being helpful. It is a challenge for me to be aware of what I am saying and to recognize where I could be more helpful.I really try not to say things that will be hurtful. If I can do better at this, and be more cognizant of where I can be most help, then maybe our home can be a better source of "Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men."
I wish all who read this a very Merry Christmas and hope that 2010 will be a wonderful New Year for all of us.
There is a song that begins, "A house becomes a home when there's love inside". This is true. A home is the harbinger of goodness, of learning and teaching respect towards each other by being good examples. Each of our homes is not perfect, but when we are willing to work with one another, communicate our thoughts and feelings toward one another, and seek out the best in one another, our houses truly become of home where love abounds.
As Christmas fills our hearts with love for our spouses, our children and grandchildren, we desire look for the goodness, the character of who we are, the sweetness in all of our interactions. The world is full of crassness, criticism, manipulation, hate, envy and simple selfishness. I appreciate that we have children who are willing to share with one another and to help one another as circumstances allow.
Mom and I are in Elko Nev where we spent the night and we will be traveling to Trevors' today to spend the Christmas holiday with his family. We are grateful beyond words to have had the opportunity to share our lives with so many of our family members this past year. We have grown closer to our grandchildren, our children, their spouses and our own siblings. I hope everyone understands that mom and I delight in being around members of our family.
Things happen in this life where we have little choice over the matter. And sometimes we make choices with good intentions but the consequences are not what we expected. We all fall into this situation, and it really becomes our choice on how we respond to these situations. We can offer words of criticism, spread gossip and purposefully hurt the other person....or we can be understanding, listen to understand and subject the natural man to the higher law of Christ like love.
Yesterday in a Walmart, I was in a line at the self checkout stand when this man in front of me who was waiting with several people in front of him. He suddenly slammed things from his hand into his cart, then walked in front of two people who were also waiting, grabbed their cart and pushed it to the next open kiosk. He loudly said they should move forward instead of waiting and waiting. I thought it was neat that he was helping a family. Then he came back to his cart and in a loud voice exclaimed, "How can people be so stupid. I can't believe stupid people don't look ahead." When he said this, another man in front of him, looked around and said, "Hey, this is Christmas season, we don't need that".
I observed this and thought it was interesting that in helping the other people he did good, but in opening his mouth and making critical remarks he revealed who he really was.
I know that I have made disparaging remarks in my lifetime and I am not perfect in being helpful. It is a challenge for me to be aware of what I am saying and to recognize where I could be more helpful.I really try not to say things that will be hurtful. If I can do better at this, and be more cognizant of where I can be most help, then maybe our home can be a better source of "Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men."
I wish all who read this a very Merry Christmas and hope that 2010 will be a wonderful New Year for all of us.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Brotherhood Found
I had an interesting experience this past Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Deb and I went to visit Ted and Lora at their house in Ft. Collins, Co. Before we went to bed on Sunday night, I asked Ted if he wanted to walk with me in the morning. He said he did. What happened over the next three mornings is what I want to blog about.
Ted and I have only been close the past 3 years since we moved to Evanston and I could visit them on occasion. He is 13 years older than me and though we were close when I was alot younger, he left in 1957 after high school, got married in 1959 and we have never lived close to each other since then.
We started walking on Monday morning, and what was unusual for two men who rarely carry on a conversation with anyone, was that we talked. We shared thoughts, memories, concerns, and some of our own fears. We walked for an hour on Monday and Wednesday and for two hours on Tuesday. It became evident to me that Ted needed someone to talk to. And conversely, I needed someone to talk to. We shared memories of our parents, and what good people they are, of growing up in a home where we could be creative, where we had good meals and could listen to our sisters' conversations. We gained a greater appreciation for each other, and for the first time in my life, someone who shared personal concerns with me because he felt close to me.
I've never had friends with whom I could talk to like this. I felt like what I said mattered, and what he said mattered. We both shared similar teenage years without knowing it. I was kind of shy and felt like I wasn't important. Ted said he felt the same way. We both have trouble speaking with people but we are not afraid to speak in front of people.
It was a great feeling to have someone for whom I've had a great respect want to talk to me and with me. I've only had two or three occasions where I felt I could let my guard down and feel safe. It was a privilege to be with him and walk and talk. Maybe there will be a way that Deb and I can live even closer to Ted and Lora. I'm so greatful to have brother.
Ted and I have only been close the past 3 years since we moved to Evanston and I could visit them on occasion. He is 13 years older than me and though we were close when I was alot younger, he left in 1957 after high school, got married in 1959 and we have never lived close to each other since then.
We started walking on Monday morning, and what was unusual for two men who rarely carry on a conversation with anyone, was that we talked. We shared thoughts, memories, concerns, and some of our own fears. We walked for an hour on Monday and Wednesday and for two hours on Tuesday. It became evident to me that Ted needed someone to talk to. And conversely, I needed someone to talk to. We shared memories of our parents, and what good people they are, of growing up in a home where we could be creative, where we had good meals and could listen to our sisters' conversations. We gained a greater appreciation for each other, and for the first time in my life, someone who shared personal concerns with me because he felt close to me.
I've never had friends with whom I could talk to like this. I felt like what I said mattered, and what he said mattered. We both shared similar teenage years without knowing it. I was kind of shy and felt like I wasn't important. Ted said he felt the same way. We both have trouble speaking with people but we are not afraid to speak in front of people.
It was a great feeling to have someone for whom I've had a great respect want to talk to me and with me. I've only had two or three occasions where I felt I could let my guard down and feel safe. It was a privilege to be with him and walk and talk. Maybe there will be a way that Deb and I can live even closer to Ted and Lora. I'm so greatful to have brother.
Monday, February 23, 2009
The Waiting Game
I thought I had a great interview last week for a job a the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. They wanted someone to do assessments of what they doing and be able to monitor and mentor subcontractors to understand the expectations for their jobs. It was great to see Corlet and Jack Thornton, Dale and Gloria, and Dave and Maria.
I looked at some homes in the tri-cities, but most of them are out of our league. Alot has changed there and it would be interesting to move back.
However, I would love to stay put because I love being able to visit our Utah kids and grandbabies.
Love
Dad
I looked at some homes in the tri-cities, but most of them are out of our league. Alot has changed there and it would be interesting to move back.
However, I would love to stay put because I love being able to visit our Utah kids and grandbabies.
Love
Dad
Sunday, February 8, 2009
I'm Back
Since the election of 2008, I haven't been blogging because I felt that my views weren't important enough that anyone wanted to read. However, several comments from my kids indicated differently so here goes.
It is now Feb 8, 2009. I'm now a 20 hour per week marketing director for the local Domino's franchise. I still deliver pizzas, but at a much reduced rate because of my wages working as a marketeer.
We have been blessed by countless friends and family who have helped us financially. Deb and I were able to spend Thanksgiving in Sacramento with Trevor, Ellen, Rayley, Sam and Cathy. In December, we went to visit my brother Ted, his wife Lora and saw Kim and Guy Buchanon and Lora Ann and Allen Massey. We stayed overnight at Lora Ann's and they were so kind and gracious to put is up for night. We had some interesting conversations about what is happening with Ted and Lora.
I am still trying to find out why I have problems processing information. Apparently, through visits with friends, this seems to be the first step in a long, downward spiral that will eventually end in Alzheimers or as Denny Crane in "Boston Legal" calls it, "Mad Cow Disease". We are trying to get in contact with a neural psychologist in Provo to redo some testing he gave me two years ago to see if there is any more declination of abilities. According to Kim Buchanon, there is a place in San Diego that can really do a great job. However, insurance becomes an issue with both scenarios. Debbie has been working the phones trying to get information to the right places so we can be approved to make an appointment.
My optimism for a better life is running rampant. I know in whom I have trusted and in whom I have faith. Even though I don't do all the things through which blessings come, I have a willing heart.
I'm trying to be better, to be more positive, to be more organized and to lose weight this year. I've been walking more and eating less and it has benefitted me in a positive way.
I love each of my children and are greatful for the people they have become. When I hear about how the economy is affecting my children, then I began to get angry. I've screwed up with choices and I can accept that, but my children have made good choices and yet they become affected negatively from the sour economy. I wish the people who caused the problem would stand up and say, "We screwed up" and then put the controls and the attitudes in place to really help the economy. Handouts have never provided a posititve economic situation...lower taxes have. I learned many years ago that companies can hire more people and purchase new equipment when they have less taxes.
It is now Feb 8, 2009. I'm now a 20 hour per week marketing director for the local Domino's franchise. I still deliver pizzas, but at a much reduced rate because of my wages working as a marketeer.
We have been blessed by countless friends and family who have helped us financially. Deb and I were able to spend Thanksgiving in Sacramento with Trevor, Ellen, Rayley, Sam and Cathy. In December, we went to visit my brother Ted, his wife Lora and saw Kim and Guy Buchanon and Lora Ann and Allen Massey. We stayed overnight at Lora Ann's and they were so kind and gracious to put is up for night. We had some interesting conversations about what is happening with Ted and Lora.
I am still trying to find out why I have problems processing information. Apparently, through visits with friends, this seems to be the first step in a long, downward spiral that will eventually end in Alzheimers or as Denny Crane in "Boston Legal" calls it, "Mad Cow Disease". We are trying to get in contact with a neural psychologist in Provo to redo some testing he gave me two years ago to see if there is any more declination of abilities. According to Kim Buchanon, there is a place in San Diego that can really do a great job. However, insurance becomes an issue with both scenarios. Debbie has been working the phones trying to get information to the right places so we can be approved to make an appointment.
My optimism for a better life is running rampant. I know in whom I have trusted and in whom I have faith. Even though I don't do all the things through which blessings come, I have a willing heart.
I'm trying to be better, to be more positive, to be more organized and to lose weight this year. I've been walking more and eating less and it has benefitted me in a positive way.
I love each of my children and are greatful for the people they have become. When I hear about how the economy is affecting my children, then I began to get angry. I've screwed up with choices and I can accept that, but my children have made good choices and yet they become affected negatively from the sour economy. I wish the people who caused the problem would stand up and say, "We screwed up" and then put the controls and the attitudes in place to really help the economy. Handouts have never provided a posititve economic situation...lower taxes have. I learned many years ago that companies can hire more people and purchase new equipment when they have less taxes.
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