Good People (like Santa!)

We had a surprise tonight. I heard the doorbell ring and as I was walking to the door I heard jingle bells jingling. Lo and behold as I opened the door but Santa was standing there before my eyes.
He had stopped by to see Boo.
I am so grateful that I know good people like "Santa"

Thanks dude you made my night!

Fix it Man

The last couple of days our kitchen faucet has been not working quite right.
Today Nat calls me and says we need to go to the store since the top of the faucet just broke off in her hand.
Well, turns out after going to Lowes and Home Depot they do not carry the type of faucet she likes, so she settled.
Installing was a learning experience as well. I followed the directions,a little too closely. Turns out I added a part that did not need to be added so the whole thing turned incorrectly.
Well, after watching a online video, looking at the instructions again and again I noticed the part I added in for this type of install.
Well, I am grateful it all worked out. Even if it is not Nat's favorite.

Blessings....

So being on the high council and being in charge of the Physical stuff has been a great learning over the last 4 years.
This week I added another skill set.
Our Stake does a musical program each year at CHristmas and will start at Easter. THe leader of this has hated our CHurch speaker system for years. She finaly talked the Stake President into buying a portable sound system.
So Thursday I went and picked it up, got trained and found out that I am the sound guy for tomorrows program.
THis meant getting up at 6am this morning setting everything up for pratice, sitting through pratice and then taking everything down only to put it back up tomorrow afternnon.
I got home at 1 today.
I do not want to sound like I am complaining cuz I am not. I could have said no but I am glad to help.
Also I got a call from one of the wards to see if I could be their Santa next Saturday. I asked if it was since I was fat, they said no just Jolly.
I was sort of unsure how to take that but then another ward told me today that they were thinking of asking me to be their Santa as well, I asked Why, their answer...Your such a Jolly kind of guy.
I am grateful people think I am Jolly...

Spoke too soon and Muppets

Well it looks like I spoke too soon in yesterdays post about the roof.
When I got up there this afternoon I noticed a section about 6 feet by 3 feet where the shingles had blown away. Also the one ridge up one side is missing all the shingles.
Guess on Monday I will be calling the insurance too see what they say.
On another note...we were all set to go to the bountiful light parade tonight but due to the damage and some of the city not having any power still they canceled.
So we went and saw "The Muppets" tonight. What a great fun time!!!
I am grateful for my family and that they don't mind be laughing and smiling at dumb jokes  by muppets.

Safe Place to Sleep

Early this morning the winds hit. About 3am I heard them start and they just barley seemed to let up now at 11 am.
Fortunately we knew it was coming so we brought in the Christmas decorations and I made sure the carport was of.
As of this morning we had our garbage can blow over, the leaves that were picked up have come back it seems, a few items blew off the shelves in the carport, but everything else looks OK.
I had hoped part of the roof would go so we could call insurance and get a new one but so far it is holding.
My parents lost power and had their swing tip over as well as a few shingles. (I will head over this afternoon to look)
I was worried watching some of the very tall trees in the neighbors yard but they seem to bend with the winds and snap back OK.

So today I am grateful for power that lets me work from home when I need to.
A warm safe house that protects my family from the cold wind.
And that we and my family have made it through without any great trouble or damage.

A good life

Being that it was a long weekend and I am now back to reality, I must say it was a good 4 days.
I am also reminded of how grateful I am for everything i have.
A few items bring that to mind:

• Buying the iPad the girl asked for my email. I said gratefulscottie, she looked at me and asked "What are you grateful for?" I replied with a smile. "Everything!!!"
• Yesterday had a great spiritual meeting with the High Council and our Stake President...it was one of those where grown men shed tears and are not ashamed.
• So grateful for my kids and grand kids and the new one on the way...I am truly blessed and know that prayers concerning my family are heard even if I do not speak them out loud all the time.
• Coming to work is a pain at times but i am so grateful for a job that gives us enough money so Nat can stay home with Boo. It hasn't always been easy but we manage and have never regretted making that choice.
• Had Tithing settlement last night and loved talking one on one with the Bishop. He is a good friend and great man and it amazes me how the money is there to take care of things with a little left over....
• Last but not least...my great birthday/Christmas present...I hate to admit it but I am in love with my iPad...not as much as I love my wife and kids (but close)

Black Friday fun

What a year for Black Friday. It really started Thursday night at Walmart for games at 10pm then on to Target to stand in line for the midnight opening for several items. (Boo is going to be so spoiled).
On the way home almost 1am Boo fell asleep so we thought to stop at Kohl's so Nat could run in quick and grab two items.
Well she grabbed the items ok but then spent 2 hours in line while Boo slept in the car and I read and played on my iTouch.
Then Friday we slept in but went Friday night to the Grand America for their window hunt, hot chocolate and a cookie.
Then rode Trax to Gateway, ate at Rumbi's and decided to walk down to Apple since we had gotten emails saying great deals would be there. They never have great deals or put their stuff on sale.
Well I was wrong. iPads were $50 off. So Nat broke down and had to get me my birthday/Christmas present early.
How lucky am I? She even let me have it a week early...What a woman!!!

I think the smile on my face says it all....