Where are you?

Okay, back in December I blogged about ClustrMaps. It has been cool to see the red dots show up from all places over the world. So if you're reading this blog, could you take the time to respond and leave a comment on this post? There are many throughout the US that have visited here, along with readers from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, throughout Europe, South Africa, Russia, India, Australia, Mayalsia, Korea, Japan, New Zealand, and others. Maybe it was just a one time visit, just browsing, but maybe you've come back for more. I'm curious as to who you are, where you're from, and if you've found anything interesting, funny, or helpful. Cheers!

I am Ironman!!!

Okay, maybe only half-Ironman. But I did it!!! What a remarkable experience. I'll write more and have lots of pictures to share. Life-changing, life-altering, whatever you want. It was hard but it was such an incredible experience. More details later.

Easter and thoughts

Okay, we (the children and I) actually celebrated Easter a week early. Hopefully, this week I'll get a few minutes to post a slideshow of some sort. A great time was had by all. So last weekend (Easter weekend) events happened that caused me to give extra thought and prayer on life, the true meaning of Easter, and our Savior Jesus Christ. First of all, someone sent me this video of Christ - The Bread of Life. A simple message that I recommend for all to see. A week ago Friday my cousin, Connie found out that her 5 year old son was diagnosed with leukemia. No warning signs at all only flu like symptoms for a couple of days prior. Within 30 hours of finding this out, Matthew passed away. So quickly, so suddenly, such a sad loss. I had a chance to visit with Connie and her family last Sunday. It really forces you to rely on your testimony, faith, and beliefs to understand how such a tragic loss could occur. My sister, Krat Krat commented on her blog that she spent the day with her children with a thankful heart for the opportunity to have them in her life. My cousin, Lindsay, had some comforting words about cherishing her children. She also gave a nice obituary for Matthew.

Deer Valley

Last Saturday the boys and I had the opportunity to ski Deer Valley. I've never been there before and had I not been given tickets I probably wouldn't have gone. Deer Valley has consistently been one of the top ski resorts in the world. We really had a great time. I could ski there any time. The boys did just fine. Jake LOVED going down the luge over and over again. JJ had lots of "Success". The pita sandwiches were great. Weather decent. Lots of snow. Afterwards we stopped in to see Michelle, Abe, and the darling Bella. They were out here this week skiing.

Happy Birthday, Clark

We got together this week to celebrate Clark's 42nd birthday. We met at the Left Fork Grill (sorry no link). Great place for lunch but you go there for the pie. I had a slice of Strawberry-Rhubarb but the best one was the Blackberry Cream. Yum Yum. Happy B-day, buddy.

I love this song

On the way to work this morning I heard Tommy singing:

Oh Mama, I'm in fear for my life from the long arm of the law
Law man has put an end to my running and I'm so far from my home
The jig is up, the news is out
They finally found me
The renegade who had it made
Retrieved for a bounty
Never more to go astray
This'll be the end today
Of the wanted man

Oh Mama, I've been years on the lam and had a high price on my head
Lawman said 'Get him dead or alive' and it's for sure he'll see me dead
Dear Mama I can hear you cryin', you're so scared and all alone
Hangman is comin' down from the gallows and I don't have very long

Encircle thee

Can it get any more crazy? You never can tell. I just wanted to write down this scripture with just a minor change:

Behold, thou art Jeff, and I have spoken unto thee because of thy desires; therefore ^atreasure up these words in thy heart. Be faithful and ^bdiligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my ^clove. (Doctrine and Covenants 6:20).

Thanks!

Cabo or Cheesecake Factory

Rich surprised Sharla with a trip to Cabo for her birthday/anniversary. I took care of the boys and we had a great time except for the choking experiment. Once in a while I have trouble swallowing things like fries, potatoes, bread, tortillas. This time I couldn't swallow for 45+ minutes. It kind of had me scared. Anyhow, when Rich and Sharla returned from their trip we all went to the Cheesecake Factory. Fun gifts were given and I snapped the picture as we were leaving. Yes, it is still cold (below freezing) outside but Rich thinks he's still in Mexico.

7-10-31

Secret combinations? Locker combination? Lottery numbers? Nope, February birthdays. Krat, Matt, and Olive.

Welcome back, Kotter

The whole Manwaring gang came out to ski and visit friends a few weeks ago. It was so good to see them (if only to spend just a few minutes with them).

Sandbagging (Part II)

Okay, this topic started from an editorial I read in this month's Triathlete magazine. Actually, I woke up this morning to my buddy accusing ME of being a sandbagger. I was going to "copy" the piece here but since Mitch posted it it on his blog I think I'll just link to it. It's a good, funny article and it will help you understand the minds of the wackos that spend all of their free time exercising (or thinking about exercising). Enjoy

Sandbagging (Part I)

The key to athletic success is sandbagging.

Sand what?
Sandbagging is the art of sabotaging your opponent or training partner (and, really, is there a difference?) with mind games. You downplay your fitness. You plant seeds of doubt with an innocent remark about her aging sports equipment or his unusually pale complexion. You drastically underestimate the distance, terrain, or pace of the day’s workout. You use every dirty trick in the book to win, just like in real life!

How can you become a champion sandbagger—or just learn to recognize one? Simply study our handy Sandbagger’s Translation Guide. Soon you too will be crushing your ex-friends’ egos.

Sandbagger Translation Guide

Sandbagger says: “Take it easy on me, OK? I’m really out of shape.”
Really means: “I’ve been working out 25 hours a week for the past 3 months with my personal trainer, Sven, the Olympic decathlete. You are toast.”

Sandbagger says: “Whoa! When did you get so buff? Looks like I’m in trouble today.”
Really means: “How ya doin’,

Sandbagger says: “You’ll love this route. It’s pretty flat.”
Really means: “There’s 21,000 feet of elevation gain. Good thing I’ve been sleeping in my portable altitude-simulation tent. I’ve got more red blood cells than Dracula at a hemophiliac slumber party.”

Sandbagger says: “I think it’s great that you still use that classic (insert name of running shoe, bike, ski, ice axe, etc.). I don’t care what those morons at the Consumer Product Safety Commission say—the old gear still rules!”
Really means: “My brand-new, carbon-fiber, Micro-Cushion, Anti-Swerve gizmo costs 10 times more than your year-old version, but they both perform about the same—except that now you’re too busy imagining your hospital bill to keep up with me.”

Sandbagger says: “Hope I don’t slow you down too much today. I think I’m getting a cold.”
Really means: “Every day I ingest $100 worth of vitamins, seaweed extract, and powdered rhinoceros horn. I eat only organic foods grown by aging hippies in Oregon. I go to bed at 8 p.m. and get up at 6 a.m. There are more germs on Martha Stewart’s toothbrush than in my entire body. You’re the one who’s gonna be sick.”

Sandbagger says: “You’ll like working out with our bunch. We just like to have fun.”
Really means: “We make Game 7 of the World Series look like a quilting bee.”

Sandbagger says: “’Fraid I’m not going be much competition for you. My trick knee’s acting up again.”
Really means: “I make weekly visits to my massage therapist, my acupuncturist, my chiropractor, my yoga instructor, and my Rolfer. My worst injury this decade was a hangnail. I’m the injurer; you, pal, are the injuree.”

Taken from the pages of Active Lifestyle.

Measuring success

Even though he spells his name funny I think he has it right:

"The real contest is always between what you've done and what you're capable of doing. You measure yourself against yourself and nobody else."
-Geoffrey Gaberino

FYI, Geoffrey was a Gold medalist in swimming at the 1984 Olympic games.

Let's ride!

Back 2 Back State Titles (Lone Peak style)

Okay, I know that picture is blurry but let me help you out. Lone Peak - 67 - Bingham - 53. We have a tradition (okay so just the last 2 years) of going to the Purple Palace and watching the 5A boys basketball championship. This year we (the boys and I) went with the Andersons. Of course they were hoping that the Miners were going to pull off the upset. Not a chance. In one poll, the Knights are ranked as high as 7th in the nation. It was fun to watch, however, the better game was the day before when the LP/Davis semi-final game went into double overtime. At any rate, it was fun and afterwards we went to Grammy's for soup night (yummy yummy).

Happy Birthday, Jessica

Okay, last post for the night. I'm about half way caught up and it feels good. I think we (Kath and I) are sooooo close in getting sister Jenny to start her blog. Anyhow, a couple of weeks ago we got together to celebrate Jess's birthday. JJ, open your eyes. I think Hacob is possessed. And Olive is trying to take my picture. And yes, plenty of white stuff on the ground to go with the Valentine's Day celebration.

No more snow, please!

Global warming? I think not. At least not this year. We have had snow storm after snow storm. It has created lots of fun driving conditions but mostly, cold and snow. On a rare, clear day a couple of weeks ago I snapped this picture. Finally, we are beginning to see all of this snow melt. We have even had a bit of flooding last week in some of the nearby communities. My favorite quote went something like this: "Ya know, I've lived here 6 or 7 years now and I've never seen it flood like this." Wow! 6 or 7 years, eh?

Back 2 Back State Titles!

Okay, so I can swim a bit. I enjoy it and I'm getting better. However, I am not even CLOSE to these girls. Ali and Lizzy (my teenage sisters) played a big part in East High School's (yes that is where HSM was made) 2nd straight state swimming championship. They are fun to watch and there's no reason to believe that they couldn't win again next and the year after that. Good job, girls!!!

Chuck-a-Puck

On January 25th, Jake's Outlaw hockey team went to the Utah Grizzlies game. His team sold pucks for the 2nd intermission chuck-a-puck contest. Jake was so excited to skate on the ice with all of his buddies. Who knows, maybe someone will make a statue of him someday out in front of some arena.

Check me out, Dad!

Is there anything cuter?

Mr. Hockey

Jacob (pronounced Hacob) has played very well this season. It's been exciting to watch him play and improve each week. I would have to say that I cannot keep up with him on the ice anymore. It won't be long before he will be able to kick my butt in all aspects of the game.