Grass Roots...

I attended my Republican caucus last night. First time! I was impressed with the overall turn out. The school gym was overfilled with people, a lot like me there for the first time. In fact some of the old timers seemed a bit put out that so many people had shown up. After the initial meeting we broke up into our precincts. Last year mine had 11 people there (they said) this year we had 44. Many I recognized from Church duties.
We were an easy going punch and got through the items need quicker than those around us. We really didn’t have anyone come with their own prepared agenda like I saw in other groups. (People actually had written speeches ready as they tired to get the vote to be the delegate to the State convention.
It was interesting to see how people were not jumping up really wanting to be the new Chair or vice chair or the other officers. They really didn’t get too excited on the county delegate but really wanted to be the one person to go to the state convention…all in all I am grateful to say I was part of the fundamental process

New Office...sort of

About 4 months ago my boss told me that he wanted me to move my team from our room where we were all by ourselves down to a large group room where the rest of his direct reports and their reports were. I put him off a long time. He kept at it saying that it would make it so he could stop by my office any time and see how things were going etc.
Well, I moved my office down and found not the connections needed for my people were not there so I am here by myself while my people are on the other side of the building. I have been here a month and this morning was the first time my boss stopped by. I think he was just walking by and saw me. Guess I should be grateful it has only been once...But, a move is good to help clean out junk that has collected over years at the same desk. It makes you re-evaluate what you have and look at how you do your work. Now I just need to get my people down here so I don't have to walk back and forth as much.

Small Service

Gave a talk at the 7th Ward yesterday on Service. In it I challenged the Ward to give small acts of service every day for the next 40 days. I also mentioned that we should record in our journals what happens. Not what the service was but how it touched you. (If you don’t have a journal the first act can be getting a notebook)
One of the things I am grateful for as I prepare a talk each month is what I learn as I work on them. Most of the time I end up saying something different than I had planned but I learn from every one.

Good things don't change

I received an invite for a class at work. Turns out they want us to go through Covey’s 7 Habits. Now years ago I was a Covey groupie. I had the chance to go through all the classes and even got my Golden Goose. (sort of like an Eagle scout award for Covey stuff) I loved using my day planner and even miss it at times. I started to listen to “The 8th Habit” on my iPod. Even though I find that I have not kept up on my habits, they still work well in life today.
I am grateful for the training I have had as well as the habits I once had and are now trying to recapture.
Basic, correct principles never change.

Who needs toys when you have a dog

Boo loves our dog! It really has become her dog. She plays with her all day long. Lately as I put Boo to bed at night I find 2-4 of the dog toys in her crib. She just laughs.
I am so grateful for a great natured dog that loves Boo. She never snaps or hurts Boo in any way. (Even when Boo is tormenting the poor thing) All Chloe does is give me that look of...Help!
I can hardly wait till Boo discovers dress up...

What a day (but still grateful)

Yesterday I decided to skip out of work a bit eraly to get home to my lovely wife and very active 2 yr old. As I walked by the window I noticed that it was raining. I was glad I had an umbrella in the office.
I went out to the car and noticed that my front tire was quite low. I drove to the gas station, got coins (who ever herd of having to pay for air...com on that is nuts!)
Well the tire let the air out as fast as i put it in. (Took $1.50 for me to figure it out, can you say dduuuhhhh)
So I put on the spare, all while it was raining. Drove 100 feet and the spare went flat! I limped into a parking lot, called Nat and advised her I would be even later. She was so nice to suggest that she come rescue me...so about 30 minutes later Nat and Boo show up. We take the tire to Walmart and of course it is too far gone to just patch so I bought a new tire,(which means I will have to buy another oner to match or the car wont drive quite right)
Of course it stopped raining as soon as I got in Nats car.
We decided that since we were out to go to eat, still no rain. As soon as I started to drive down 90th here comes the rain.
I take off the spare and put on the good tire, while getting wet, then I hear a tear and notice a cold breeze in my private area and look down to see a big rip in my slacks.
So what do I have to be grateful for:
That it was rain and not snow or freezing rain.
My wife is so wonderful to come rescue me
I wore my old shoes
I decided not to wear my new slacks we just bought
The flat was not on the freeway
I have a job to get a flat at
Walmart has sort of inexpensive tires
My car now handles a bit better
That my 2yr old laughed at my misfortune...

And that I know how to change a tire.(without alot of cuss words. Oh some did happen but not alot)

Unruly 12 yr olds to wild teens to great men!

Today I was invited to lunch with a great group of guys. 5 men who served missions together in England 27 years ago. A recently returned missionary from that same mission He came home 2 weeks ago)As well as another recently returned missionary from Indonesia. (It was great to listen to the other guys bombard the recently returned Elder with questions on people and areas etc)
The 2 recently returned missionaries are 2 that I have known since they were 12. I was able to see them grow from unruly young men into know it all 19 year olds and then see them very humbled men that have matured.
I was invited even though my mission was to Australia, were England sent it's outcasts, debtors, prisoners. Still I know great fish and chips. Which is what we had.
Thanks Jerry for the invite and Nick and Zack you guys are great men and I am sooooo grateful that I know you.

About last night...

The following was written on my netbook last night
So here I sit at the Stake house watching grown men act like fools as they play basketball.

Church ball is a sport unto itself...I do not choose to be here for 3 hours, but as part of the high council it is my turn to sit here in suit and tie.

We have 4 games tonight. Game 2 is almost over. Each game started with a prayer where it was asked that they all play nice, and to remember it is only a game. In watching the games it is apparent that some people forgot to listen to the prayer. It amazes me that these guys take this so seriously. Yelling, almost swearing, groans, pained faces, fouls galore yet they seem to be enjoying themselves.

Game 2 ended with a player kicking the ball as hard as he could the length of the gym, almost hitting a light.

Game 3 the prayer was said and it was asked that the scorers could score the game correctly...I didn't say amen.

Game 4 is finally underway and i am grateful this night is almost over.

I am grateful I only have to do this one night. (Maybe next sport assignment will be watching the Chess playoffs.)

Duet anyone?

For the last couple of days whenever we have been in the car we have had the "wonderful pleasure" of listening to the "Glee" soundtrack. It isn't too bad. The best part happened last night and again tonight on our way home from dinner. The song "Don't rain on my parade" comes on and Nat and Boo start singing and dancing at the top of their lungs. Boo starts singing even if Mom does not.
She loves it! As soon as the song is over it starts up again (it's on the CD twice! Go figure)
I almost wrecked the car from laughing so much at the sheer enjoyment that showed on their faces.
I am so grateful for a wife and daughter that love to sing (even if the sun roof is open. The other people look because their jealous I'm sure)

More Daddy Time

Yesterday when I got home Boo attached herself to me as usual. We decided to give Mom a break so I took her outside. (yes it was a sort of good day)
We did bubbles by blowing bubbles and the infamous bubble mower. It works great. She had a ball.
I then took her with me to Walmart since I had to pick up a prescription. (Getting old really stinks some times)
Every time we go to Walmart we have to go see the fishes. This time she amazed me by pointing to the beta fish in their single plastic cups and said "Betas" I have no idea where she picked that up. I know last time we were there other kids were around talking about the fish.
We then went to Cafe Rio to pick up dinner. As we walked in I asked her what she wanted and she said "Rice" and then pointed over to the cash register and said "Candy!" really loud and several times.
Guess she is learning things we aren't even aware of...I love being a dad to a 2 year old again.