I (don't) heart commercials

Dear Jessie,

I'm afraid there's not much to tell today.  Tomorrow we leave for a three-day trip to Escalante for some more hiking.  I probably won't have full journal entries for a couple days.  And depending on where we are Wednesday afternoon, we may have a hard time chatting on Hangouts.  But please give us a try!  With any luck we'll be able to talk.

Much love,

Dad

Monday, August 3, 2020

9:58 pm

I started the day at the dentist.  No cavities.  I had to shake my head in disbelief – they were streaming I Heart Radio.  They should rename that service I Heart Commercials.  I am not exaggerating – they played one song as they started cleaning my teeth.  Then they went to commercials for ten full minutes.  They finally got to a second song and the hygienist finished flossing my teeth before it ended.  Unbelievable.  

  

I had toast and tomato for lunch, and it was amazing.  I took Neil to soccer practice tonight, and Spencer had his first 12-hour day of band camp.  FHE tonight included playing tag in the front yard.  Now we are prepping for our trip to Escalante tomorrow.

Thankful: I'm thankful for the new sheets that Julie put on our bed.  Few things are as nice as fresh, clean sheets.

Ministering: Ouch.

More later…

I didn't take any photos today, so here is a favorite from the archives. I look forward to attending the temple again with you!

Project Saturday

Hi Jesse, no journal entry tonight just some photos of our busy day. I love you!

We started the morning splitting and stacking the last of the wood.

Short entry

Hi Jessie,

I'm afraid there's not much to tell today.  It was a normal, busy day.  And now I'm ready to fall asleep sitting in my chair!  I hope your day was nice and that tomorrow is really good.

Love,

Dad

Friday, July 31, 2020
9:31 pm

Work today was really busy, and that's a good thing.  I had three employees out today, so even though our lobby is closed there was plenty to keep me hopping.  I can't really think of anything else to report about today at work.

Tonight after dinner we went outside.  I visited with Pam Trevenen and Patrick Bates for a few minutes.  We played on stilts and balancing planks.  Abbie reviewed the list of books to read for high school.  It has been quite hot the last couple days and was 103 today.  The wonderful thing about living here is that even when it's that hot, the shade offers rest from the heat.  It was quite pleasant outside tonight.

Thankful: I'm thankful for pleasant evenings.

Ministering: Agreed to help Bob Trevenen cut down a tree tomorrow.

More later…

Mark is learning to juggle clubs

Double-stilts!

One project on hold

Dear Jessie,

Bedtime!  I hope you have a great day tomorrow and know how much you are loved by everyone at home.

Love,

Dad

Thursday, July 30, 2020
9:52 pm

Early start today.  Kimberly Parkin came over at 6:30 am because her sister was attending another ward's YW camp and Laura needed to go to work.  I folded two more loads of laundry this morning before work.

I met with the folks that are going to provide our IT support.  I feel good about what I hope to accomplish with them.  Also did some work on Self-Reliance.

Today Julie and the kids went to the Salt Lake valley to go on a hike Julie found.  They had a great time.  They got home late tonight.  While they were gone I decided to be helpful and replace the bathtub drain as Julie asked.  I know how to do it, but unfortunately the old drain is so old that it corroded and the crosspieces that you are supposed to be able to use to remove the old stopper tore right out.  There is another tool that will take that out, but after going to THREE stores, I determined that they don't exist in Utah Valley.  I'll have to order it from Amazon and wait for it to come.  What was supposed to be a thirty minute success turned in to a two-and-a-half hour exercise in disappointment.  Humph.

Thankful: In spite of the plumbing frustration, the problem really isn't that bad (I hope).  I'm thankful that the bathtub still works and I just need to wait for an ordered part to show up.

Ministering: I tried to do ministering through my calling today by working on the Self-Reliance program.

More later…

Here is the piece that broke out of the drain stopper.

Wanna fold laundry?

Dear Jessie,

If I send this quickly I can fold a basket of laundry before bedtime.  I love you lots and enjoyed our chat today!  I hope you have a great week.

Much love,

Dad

Wednesday, July 29, 2020
9:21 pm

I spent two hours driving today to attend the retirement open house for Randy Gailey, a fellow credit union CEO who worked for the same credit union for 41 years.  Amazing dedication.  I'm glad I took the time to join him.  And on the drive back to the office I listened to a conference call that I probably would have skipped if I had been in the office.  A good decision all the way around.

I got Julie's camera cleaned today.  I enjoyed joining the family in a video chat with Jessie this afternoon.  We played Quiddler tonight after dinner.  I got a download issue fixed for the personal financial software I use.  I talked to Mike on my way home and tried to be a good friend.  That's about it for today.

Thankful: I'm thankful for the peaceful goodness of life, even when there is turmoil in life.

Ministering: I ministered to Randy Gailey today and Mike.  Neither efforts were dramatic, but I wanted these friends of mine to know they are important.

More later…

Did I show off my tomato sandwich from a couple days ago?

Stiff-necked

Hi Jessie,

Yesterday when I was putting my briefcase in the car to go to High Council meeting, I felt the muscles in my neck and shoulders knot up.  I just reached wrong and kinked it.  I woke up this morning pretty sore.  A little ibuprofen and a hot shower helped.  It's feeling pretty good now and hope it's not stiff again tomorrow morning.

My journal entry tonight isn't very inspiring.  Tomorrow's will be better.

You are always inspiring!  I hope you have a great day.

Love you!

Dad

Monday, July 27, 2020
10:15 pm

Blah.  I got almost nothing productive done at work today.  Lately my computer has been freezing randomly.  I've tried a bunch of things to get it fixed, but nothing has worked.  When I got to work this morning it was not running properly, even though I rebooted it when I left work on Thursday.  I finally bit the bullet and did a Windows Refresh, essentially reinstalling Windows, then reinstalling all my apps.  I think it's working better, but won't know for a day or two.  But the process took most of the day.

FHE tonight was nice.  Julie taught a great lesson from Elder Christofferson's Conference talk from October 2006 "Let us be Men."  I had forgotten how much I love that talk and am going to listen to it again.  Dessert (my responsibility) was cookies that Julie picked out, Mark and Spencer made, and I baked.  They were chocolatey, very rich, and yummy.  I could only eat one.  No room for toast and tomato tonight.  That will be lunch tomorrow.

Thankful: I'm thankful for sleep, and that enough sleep solves many problems of perspective.

Ministering: Out of stock. Check back tomorrow.

More later…

Dealing with technology.  This is actually two monitors for two different computers.  I figured I'd hook up a spare PC to my second monitor so I could keep working while my main computer reinstalled.  But, naturally, that one needed to be updated too so I had TWO computers tied up doing updates.  Can't win!

Forgot one photo