Learnin the Ropes

Sometimes you simply need to cut the rope in thirds. Yup, that'll do it. I had three kids fighting over one rope and at one point had all three in time out. At that point I decided this is insane and there is a cure for this problem; cut the rope. It was a 50 foot rope that just became three slightly over 16 foot ropes. Oh the kids were excited about their individual ropes and for the most part the problem was solved. I love it when little moments of inspiration seem to save the day or my personal sanity anyway.

Jack has a problem getting to the toilet lately. I think he is just in a stage where he doesn't want to leave what he is doing and he has been browning his trousers some. It is really getting old quick. We are at three days in a row right now. He is not filling his pants, merely getting started in them. The good news is that he washes out his own undies, kind of. So after his premature movement today he left the bathroom a bit on the messy side. We had a little chat about this problem with getting to the bathroom and then we had a lesson in cleaning the bathrooms. We started with the toilet and he got right in there with me. Well, not in the toilet, in to cleaning them. He learned it pretty well so I had him tackle the toilet in the other bathroom also. We hit the sinks and then cleaned mirrors and finally a little mop up on the floors. He did a great job and seemed to quite enjoy it. Here is a pic of Jack in his bathroom manning his mop after the work was completed. Hopefully he has learned the ropes well enough that he can manage it with less oversight on the next go round.



There are a few things that I have learned about myself in recent years. First, my NFL career is probably not going to take off. Sad but true. At 5'10" on a good day I am simply too short. Next, my NBA career, well, I never was going to have one of those. Not a big fan of basketball but I enjoy playing occassionaly for the exercise. I would always much rather set up the volley ball net then shoot the basket ball. Perhaps that is because I am not very good at shooting the basket ball. Anyhow, we went to church ball this morning and I played some. Yeah, like I said, I like the exercise part of it. I guess if the NBA was looking for a short white guy to run up and down the court without accomplishing much in the game I could be their guy. It is hard to believe that I am now older then most of the professional athletes out there. I don't know how that happened. I mean when Bret Favre hangs it up there aren't many others that are older then I am in the NFL and I'm sure there are not too many in the NBA. We haven't even started with baseball and really don't need to, do we? No, we're good. Perhaps there is still a chance for a professional career in lawn bowling.



Aparently this is a pic of the Worlds #2 player. Obviously number two because it is not a picture of me. Lawn Bowls, it's for real. Like a big game of marbles. Had a few friends in South Africa that played regularly. I loved going by the "lawns". They are beautiful. I always thought they would make a great volley ball court.

Okay, so back to the point of the sports careers not coming to fruition. Church Ball. I have never been a good basketball player so to me it was always just about fun. When it was way to serious back in the University Ward days in Vegas I bought an afro to lighten things up. I guess I lack that true competitive spirit when it comes to hoops but I do get a kick out of everyone that really seems to have it. I don't know that everyone on the team appreciates that I am just out there to exercise. Oh'well. Perhaps the afro needs to come out of basketball retirement next week and we will try to lighten the mood a skosh. Understand Jay was trying the same in the official practice on Thursday evening. He did wear some lovely knee high red socks to the game today. I thought they were rather humorous. That settles it. I've just received a bit of inspiration. If I ever become the Stake Athletic director, we're playing lawn bowls. There shouldn't be too many trying to relive the glory days out on the lawn.

I think I have rambled enough for one night. I guess I should update that the painting has begun on the pieces spoken of in previous posts. All went fairly well until my sprayer started having problems. I went on to do as much as I could by hand. Didn't quite make it through but we've got a good start and some first coats on much of it anyway. Fun stuff. Last note, when that sun goes down it gets cold real quick. Painting without feeling your fingers is not the funnest thing I have ever done.

Sorry, one more note that I just thought of. Sometimes being a parent is rather difficult. I was ripped by my kids a few times today because of various things. Not a single one of them was happy about going to time out and I got the "I hate yous" and the "your the worst dad" (Andy on that one) a few times. I just love all the ego boosting things my kids sometimes say and I don't really take it personally. I am just doing my job the best I know how. Jack in his prayer tonight said some rather nice things about his dad and prayed that I can be strong and protect the family. He was emotional about it and, well, it was just a sweet moment. It is nice to have those moments sometimes.