That you may learn wisdom

This month we have been focusing on service and gratitude in our home. We have had fun doing service for each other these past couple of weeks. I hope that my children learn to always serve others. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, tonight we went to a place where we got to prepare, serve, and clean up dinner for a number of women and children. I think it was a great experience for not only my children and me but also for the people that we got to help. We look forward to the next time when we can go back. Happy Thanksgiving to all

I'm thankful for SportClips

I would have to say, two of the hottest dudes at Lone Peak High School.

Much better, Jake! Now you'll be able to see the lax ball, and I'll be able to see you!

It's a Christmas.....er....Thanksgiving Miracle

This is what you look like when you go a half a year without visiting the barber. Today was the day. Could it really be true? Would the teenagers REALLY go through with it???

They grow up TOO fast

Bella the precious one.

When will it stop???

Today's free lesson from a donkey

One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do.

Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey.

He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down.

A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up.

As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up.

Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!

Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a steppingstone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up.

Remember the five simple rules to be happy:

Free your heart from hatred - Forgive.

Free your mind from worries - Most never happen.

Live simply and appreciate what you have.

Give more.

Expect less

Max Hall treats

Yes, I'd like to order a case of these. My kids will love them. Maybe I could even give these out as neighbor gifts this Christmas.

Do you really want to hurt me?

Isn't this a bit ironic?

The sun will come out tomorrow....

Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow....there'll be sun. And guess what? It did. In fact, it was pretty much a B-E-A-U-tiful day today. I like that. Yesterday, #15 decided that throwing to the wrong team was not only fun but somewhat important. There must have been a big, fat check riding on it. I know that the Aggies were counting on the Cougars to come through so that the big, fat check would end up in Logan instead but it just wasn't meant to be. Anyhow, if you'd like to read an up close and personal account of the game you can go here.

Phantom Vibration Syndrome

Yesterday my sister mentioned that she had read that this was a real thing. You know, your phone vibrates in your pocket, or at least you think that it is ringing. You pull it out and nothing. Now this doesn't happen all the time but probably once or twice a day I would think. Anyhow, sitting here tonight I thought I would google it up.

USA Today did an article on it last year. One guy in the article says "It's some psychological expression of my need to always be connected." Huh?

I liked this article from Columbia University a few years back. There are lots of theories. One person said, "I think the phantom ring can all be tied into your love life or the lack thereof."

Too funny.

Or

Too real???

Heaven Forbid

Twenty years it's breaking you down, now that you understand there's no one around.
Take a breath, just take a seat, you're falling apart and tearing at the seams.

Heaven forbid you end up alone and don't know why
Hold on tight wait for tomorrow, you'll be alright

It's on your face, is it on your mind, would you care to build a house of your own.
How much longer, how long can you wait, It's like you wanted to go and give yourself away.

Heaven forbid you end up alone and don't know why
Hold on tight wait for tomorrow, you'll be alright

It feels good. Is that reason enough for you.
It feels good. Is that reason enough for you.

Heaven forbid you end up alone and don't know why
Hold on tight wait for tomorrow, you'll be alright
Heaven forbid you end up alone and don't know why
Hold on tight wait for tomorrow, you'll be alright

Out of this one
Don't know how to get you out of this one, don't know how to get you out of this one,
Don't know how to get you out of this one, don't know how to get you out of this one

A mustering of thougts

I was quite happy filling up my car this morning. So nice to see the gas pump only taking $30+ out of my bank instead of the $60+ just a few months ago. I was also happy to see the scale at "just" below 180 pounds this morning. I love oatmeal (with a touch of brown sugar and raisins) followed by yogurt. I'm NOT a big fan of text messaging right now. There are only 43 days until Christmas.

Training update

Okay, I know that I haven't posted much in the way of training lately. It's cold now so no more riding outside. I'm stuck with the trainer. I actually don't mind that as long as I have a movie to watch. This week it's been the Back To the Future trilogy. I've been completely slacking on my long runs so I was pretty happy with my 10 miles on Saturday and then another couple the following morning. I really enjoy my Sunday runs (okay they are more like a jog) because I usually listen to conference talks. Tuesday nights are dedicated to the pool and tonight my trainer put me through a fairly rigorous workout. I did a 300M warm-up then 10 sets of 50M at normal pace, 50 M at 80% max and then another 50M at normal pace. My times were pretty consistent and I wasn't too wasted at the end. I'm sure that I could go harder because my recovery HR was between 124-133 at the end of each set. Anyhow, I wish I could get more pool time in. If only someone I knew had an Endless Pool

Typical Utah fan

Nice Fisher boom-box. What are you listening to? Scorpians? Guns-n-Roses? Truth be told, this is actually Donovan's. He wanted to hang on to this fine piece of equipment but the wifey said no. Sadly this sound system did not make the move to So Jo. It did however end up at Deseret Industries where some lucky person is going to claim this one as theirs.

What kind of monster have I created???

Looks like THIS is what the Andersons did last night for Family Home Evening.

Cheaters

I know lots of cheaters in my life but give me a break! Oh well. Good job, triathlete wanna-be. This was last week at IMFL.

It's here

This morning when my radio alarm went off, it was playing "Joy to the World". I'm not sure I can handle 52 more days of Christmas music. We'll see. Regardless, the Christmas season is upon us. Maybe we'll put up the Christmas tree tonight.

Are we ready for what we are going to get?

Obviously not. I read another good article this morning by Thomas Sowell. There is so much saying this, saying that. Vote for this guy. Vote for that guy. He's for change? He's a maverick. On and on and on and on. Just remember to vote what you think is best. It's your right! Just vote.

October Birthdays (and then some)

Part of the Halloween celebration each year includes a birthday song (complete with the cha cha cha's) and cake and ice cream. This year we had the party on Mom's birthday. Congrats to everyone that is one year older. Although BA forgot to mention this, we also celebrate his birthday as well. BA you're old!

Boo!

BA has already posted great pictures and commentary for this year's Halloween party. My sister sure knows how to throw a great party, complete with creepy hors d'vores. The Doublemint Twins this year were Dorothy and a princess. The number of grandchildren continues to grow. This year we added the "Peapod". Next year there will be more. Also, of note, although you really can't see it, you need to admire the nice, new steps that BA spent last week constructing.

Happy Halloween

Who doesn't like carving pumpkins? This year Olivia also wanted to save some of the seeds for eating. I remember doing this when I was a young boy but everyone knows that now I have a violent allergy to those pesky pepitas. Olivia wanted a Jack o'Lantern with "sharp teeth". I'm not really sure what Jake carved.

Do you know the story of the Jack o'Lantern? It comes from Irish folklore. Jack was a farmer who tricked the Devil into climbing a tall tree. When the devil reached the highest branch, Jack carved a large cross in the trunk making it impossible for the Devil to climb down. In exchange for help getting out of the tree, the Devil promised never to tempt Jack with evil again. When Jack died, he was turned away from Heaven for his sins and turned away from Hell because of his trickery. Condemned to wander the Earth without rest, Jack carved out one of his turnips, took and ember from the devil and used it for a lantern to light his way. He became known as "Jack of the Lantern." Or you can read more here.