Talking with Jack

Got a call from Jack this evening. They spent the day in Disneyland. He called to tell me all about it. His favorite was the Indiana Jones ride. He rode several rides like space mountain, splash mountain, thunder mountain railroad, and several others. It is exciting to hear that they actually went on rides. It was pretty neat.

Final Test Done

Today I took my final assessment for Visual and Performing Arts.  This is the final proctored exam that I have to take for WGU.  I studied a few times for this and felt somewhat confident going in.  There were several questions that I was comfortable with and then there were several questions that were pretty difficult and challenged me. I finished and submitted and then anxiously looked up the outcome not sure what it would be.  I was quite relieved to see that I had passed the assessment. That feels great.  I have one more class to finish that involves completing two performance assessments.  I would like to have it done now but it will take me a bit to get through it.  That is my final class until student teaching begins in August.  Really just need to get it knocked out so I can take a few weeks to relax from the studies before diving in for four months of student teaching.  There is light at the end of the tunnel. That is nice.  Wasn't sure we were ever going to get to a point where we would see that light. I have to keep pushing.  It will be great to get it done. 

Ribs

Had a nice dinner this evening at the folks house.  Pops has a new smoker, one of those pellet grills, and it is pretty sweet.  I have not been a huge fan of ribs but after what we had tonight I might need to start making that a regular meal.  Really good.  I like that smoker. It is pretty impressive.

For breakfast this morning it would have been much nicer to have had ribs, I tried overnight oats for the first time. It was an interesting dish. It definitely wasn't my favorite thing.  Dan and Amy told me some things they do when they make it and so I am going to try it again tonight.  I just pulled up a recipe last night when I decided to attempt it.  We will see how it is tomorrow morning when round two is ready.  If it isn't the best I may just need to start eating ribs for breakfast. 

Sunday Evening Drive

Had a great visit and lesson in Sunday School with Derek and Paige Christensen. They were the only two in Gospel Principles today and had a great Lesson going on. I joined for the last bit and enjoyed a nice discussion related to 1 Nephi Chapter 1. We talked goodly parents and the strength of Nephi. We talked record keeping. I have always been impressed by this great couple. Good people.
I decided to go on a drive this evening. I had never driven West from Cesar into Nevada. I have driven west, just not that far. I actually drove to the outskirts of Panaca. Not a bad little-known drive. I will be heading that direction again on Friday when we head up to Reno for Meta's baby blessing. That is only a short portion of the drive. Should be a nice trip. Anyway, it was a nice drive this evening even when I had to come to a stand still because a group of cows were slowly crossing the street. I enjoyed the scenery. I enjoyed the open road.

Flying Solo

Went to see Solo tonight. It was good.  Spoiler alert, going to mention part of the movie. At one point Han is joining the empire. He has to provide his name. He only has his first name.  I thought it was pretty fun.  guy in charge calls or assigns him Solo when Han shares that he had no people, no last name.  The movie was good. Enjoyed it. Now I must sleep.

New Cooler

I purchased a new evaporative cooler for the house.  We have one and it has been swell, it just doesn't push the cool air up the stairs when it gets hot out. The new cooler is installed in my room and it is producing cool air, up stairs, and flowing easily down stairs.  It is nice in the house.  This might be a nice upgrade from our other one. I might have to have a few blankets on tonight. I can live with it.  Easier to put more blankets to get warm then take off clothes to cool.  I am ready to head to bed.  I will try not to freeze 

Allergies

My allergies have not been fun this year. I remember my first year back in Cedar being fairly rough but it seemed to have gotten much better over the last 6 years.  For whatever reason I have had it fairly bad this year.  Not all that much fun but we do our best to press forward and handle it.  I just feel constantly stuffed up and I'm sniffling quite frequently. I have not had major sinuses headaches though I have had a few minor ones. I will survive, just not a big fan of the allergies. 

Gone

This morning Rachel and her husband Walter came to the house to pick up the kids for the summer.  This is not my favorite day as it is always hard to see the kids go.  I did take the opportunity, as we always do, to give them a fathers blessing before their departure.  Grateful that I can do that and grateful to the Lord who watches over them and keeps them safe. 

Seems that every time the kids go I think to myself that I will now have a little time to go on some dates.  I might get in one or two dates but the reality is that I seem to be just as busy.  Maybe dating is just not a priority in my life. Truthfully, right now it is not.  My kids are the priority and have been for the last eight years.  I think that is hard for some people to grasp and some feel I should be remarried and moving on with life.  I suppose there is some truth to that but at the same time, life just isn't that simple. I have a couple of classes to finish still and then I might have a little free time until the new school year begins and I am student teaching.  Then all bets are off. I don't think I will know what free time is for 4 months or so.  That won't be anything new though. 

Well, sad times in Cedar City.  Nat will be back in a month and the boys will be home sometime in late July or early August.  It will be quiet around here but we will make it through. 

Temple Baptism Negotiations

I was excited on Sunday when I learned that the youth from the 8th ward had a Baptismal assignment at the temple tonight.  I really have felt like Jack needs to go.  He has always had a conflict or has just not wanted to go in the past.  I thought today was going to be different but the when I reminded him after school he was not happy about it.  I tried to share my feelings about the temple with him but he was not having any.  Finally, when I was at a loss and didn't want to talk about it longer I let it go and Jack then came at me with some negotiation tactics.  He said if I would have offered him a blizzard at the DQ he would go.  I told him it was a done deal and we would go.  He got ready and I got him there. We forgot his recommend at home so we made the drive home and back and tried again. He went in and I heard he was a bit nervous but then came out with the biggest smile. Great.  I had run up and done some initiatory work but got to go and sit in the baptistry while they were finishing up.  I got to go in and do the confirmations with him.  That was a special moment for me and I was so grateful that we were finally able to get him over that hurdle. If I would have thought about negotiating with a blizzard I would have done it a while ago.  Of course if it was my idea he would have probably rejected it without a second thought. Because it was his thought it was a much easier negotiation.  Very grateful we were both able to go and serve in the temple tonight. 

Planting Seeds

My sprinkler system installation all started with the idea that Andy wanted to plant a bit of a garden.  I began prepping the garden area and went about digging a trench for sprinklers to be installed for the garden.  It was then that I decided to just trench the entire back yard and install a sprinkler system.  Well, for the most part that sprinkler system is complete.  I had to make a couple of adjustments today but now have that pretty well dialed in.  At least I hope so.  Tonight it was time to get the seeds in the ground.  I tilled up the garden area once again, added some good soil, tilled it all together again, raked in out and then went about planting seeds. We will see how this turns out.  I don't really grow gardens and so this is a first attempt.  Hopefully something grows out of all of this.  We shall see.

Seminary Graduate

In the middle of last week I wasn't sure Natalie was going to graduate from seminary.  She had missed some classes that she needed to make up and was also trying to get caught up on school classes so she could graduate from High School.  It was a very stressful week for me as I watched with concern.  Anyway, she made it for both high school and seminary. This was not an easy accomplishment in the life of Natty.  She battled depression and anxiety throughout her high school career including major panic attacks and a multitude of other problems.  In the end, she never gave up and kept pushing. Proud of the Natty Sue for graduating from seminary today. 

Because the kids are heading out this week Natalie will not really get a chance to speak in out ward.  The Bishop wanted to hear her talk a out how seminary blessed her life and she was called to speak today. She did a great job and talked about avocados.  She dressed for the part in her avocado colored dress.  It actually went very well and her avocado analogy worked.  Hard to believe we are reaching this point with Natty.  I don't know if I am quite ready to have my daughter moving out of the home and beginning her own life adventures. I certainly hope for her every success and pray for her to find great friends in a student ward and be active in her future ward.  I know she has a foundation to stand on in her testimony of the Savior. 

Graduation Party

Today we had a great family activity where we partied in celebration of Natalie and Mack graduating from high school.  Hard to believe that we are at this stage of life.  It has all gone by too quickly.  Anyway, we got down to St. George for the scheduled festivities.  We arrived a little before 1 and then saw that others were just leaving Cedar.  That left us a bit of time before anyone else would arrive.  We ran over to iceberg and picked up some shakes.  I had promised the boys last night that we would get a treat as part of their helping me to clean the house.  Those shakes are quite large. We did not finish.  Jack and I got close but did not fully tip the scales.  We had a good time anyway.  Then we were off to laser mania where things started out pretty fun.  There was one of those power punching machines.  Jay had the record so I was told to challenge it.  I did and successfully took the record.  Then I got to punch it again and beat my record.  Each time you set a record you get an additional punch so I hit it a third time and was not successful in beating it a third time.  The boys gave it a shot and did pretty well. Jim had been providing some coaching secrets to help us all be successful in our punching.  He stepped up to the challenge himself and laid a serious right hook on the bag.  It was powerful.  Unfortunately the right hook sends the bag the wrong direction and he failed to even register a score. It was fantastic.  We had a good laugh.  He did straighten it up and then followed his own coaching advise and laid a pretty decent shot on the bag.  It did not best my score.  I went again and set another new high score but then could not keep it going.  Jay came back around and laid into it, my record was gone.  Fun stuff.  We had a total of 16 adults and youth to play laser tag.  We split up randomly as we entered the arena and had a great time.  Laser tag gets you moving a bit and the laser vest produces a bit of heat.  I felt like I got a lot more exercise then I actually did.  Anyway, we all had a good time.

For lunch/dinner we went over to the Brick Oven Pizza place.  I had never been there.  We got some special and ate to our hearts content.  It was pretty good, better than I had expected based on what I have heard about the place.  I do think I was expecting a different kind of pizza, more of a woodfired type as it is called Brick Oven.  It wasn't quite what I thought but I liked the deal we got there with a pizza buffet, salad bar, soup and homemade rootbeer.

We headed back to Cedar and went and hung out at the Main St. park for a while.  Had a little graduation ceremony for Nat and Mack.  Jay and I spoke, Nat and Mack spoke.  Clorinda gave them each a special medallion.  It was fun.  I sure do love the Nat and am proud of the effort she put forth to graduate from High School and Seminary.  It was not easy but she managed to get through it.

Grateful for family and the times we have together.    

Throbbing

The pain in my hands continues to be overpowering. They just flat out hurt.  I have on braces at the moment and it is turning this typing into a bit of a challenge. Hoping to get some relief soon.  Not sure what to do for that.  Anyway, twas a fine day.  Ok. I am exhausted and cannot keep my eyes open.  Time to call it and go to bed. 

Dead Hands

The sprinkler system install has taken its toll on my hands.  All of the impact from digging has just hammered them.  I woke up last night with the tingling sensation that occurs when hands or feet fall asleep.  It is painful and irritating.  Today my hands did not get any sort of break.  The good news is that the new automatic sprinkler system is installed and working like a champ.  So nice.  I also managed to finish 90% of the back filling in the trenches.  I have some dead looking sod to go back through and re-install.  I don't know if it will take but we will try.  It has been an expensive endeavor but it will be worth it in the long run. 

Well, I am exceedingly tired. Looking forward to slumber.  I will put braces on my hands tonight.  Hopefully they will not bother me tonight but they are throbbing at the moment so that may not be the best.  Anyway, good times.  Ready to crash out for sure. 

Repeat

I did not want to type sprinklers as the topic two days in a row.  This is a continuation of my work on the sprinkler system.  I thought I was going to be in good shape for an easy tie in of the front yard zones and then put valves together and run it.  That didn't quite go as easily as I had anticipated.  Started off by digging a trench. I got through some hard ground and then came to the door way in the block wall.  I was thinking it wouldn't be bad at all.  I was wrong. 

I am very tired.  Need to fined a a place to sleep. 

Sprinklers

I think something happens to you when you have lived in a house or houses that have automatic sprinkler systems.  You grow accustomed to the convenience of programming your watering and making life easy on yourself.  A couple of summers ago I installed sprinklers in the front yard.  They are not automatic but they were much nicer than having to move a sprinkler around the yard. They also gave me full coverage of the yard in two convenient zones.  I did not tackle the back yard at that time.  I made a surface mounted sprinkler contraption that I had to move around the yard.  It worked okay but had it's flaws.  Last Friday I started trenching a line for a garden for Andy and decided I was going to trench the entire yard and do the sprinkler system.  I spent a little time on Friday evening and then all day Saturday digging in the yard.  I designed a system that would give me the coverage I needed. I hoped to work on it yesterday to get pipe in the ground but that didn't happen.  Today, I went to the Home Depot and picked up my supplies, most of them anyway.  I came home and started laying it out.  Then I went around and glued it all in.  4 complete zones to cover the back yard - including Andy's garden.  Around 8 or so I was able to start clearing the lines and then tested the system.  3 of the 4 zones work like a dream.  Coverage is fantastic.  One of the zones is a little disappointing so I will need to make a couple of adjustments to make it more effective.  I am confident we can get it dialed in the way we want it.  I have to purchase a couple of valve systems and valve boxes and an automatic sprinkler system in order to get it programmed and working on autopilot with out me having to babysit it.  I have to trench a bit more to tie in the front and back systems together but that shouldn't be too bad.  It is an investment to be sure as it doesn't come cheap and has certainly required an investment of my time.  It will be worth it. 

Not My Plan

I had not planned on spending all day at Brick House but that is what I did.  I had scheduled a management meeting for this morning and thought it went well. I do need to make them mire efficient but this was good. Anyway, we have lots of good stuff going on. Just need to keep a few things in check and make sure we are in control of our spending. It is a tough time of year, it's always a tough time of year. Restaurant business isn't easy.

My plan was to have the meeting and then go and get sprinkler products for the yard. I hoped to have installed it but such did not happen today. Anyhow, I am exhausted. I just need me some sleep.

The Pies for Mother's Day

Last year the Brick House did the pies for the 8th Ward Mother's Day treat.  It was good and it was a lot of work.  This year I thought it would be better all around to have the youth help make the pies.  It will save on the Ward budget and it will involve the youth in the pie making process.  We did that and I think it worked out very well.  There were a couple of things that I probably needed to oversee a little closer and I will make a few adjustments in order to create a better pie but all in all I think it went well.  The sisters had plenty of pie to partake of and at the end, there was enough pie for all of the young men to get a little taste as well.  The youth sure seemed to enjoy themselves and I think it was just a little more meaningful to them knowing that they participated in making the pies, decorating the pies, and serving the wonderful women and young women of our ward. 

Next up are pies for Father's Day and teaching the young women how to make pie.  I will make a few recipe adjustments to improve a couple of the pies and then we will be off.  I think we will find great success once again. 

Happy Mother's Day to my own mother on this fine day.  We Cedar City people gathered at the folks for a meal and enjoyed each others company. Andy had picked out a great card with a strange looking cat and we gave it to mom with a little message and some treats - chocolate covered cashews and almonds, no pies.  

In the Trenches

Had the young men come over to the Brick House today and taught them how to make pies for mothers day.  We knocked out 20 pies. I thought it would be better this way to have the youth involved rather then having me do it all. It also helps with the ward budget.  They all did a great job. I think it will turn out Just fine.

Did a little moving help with Stephanie today. I was cleaning up the shop after pie and Dan had taken the teachers and priests over to start. They made quick work of it. . 

Spent a lot of time digging trenched.  I am asleep.  It was great. Must close, 

Long Day

I was on the move as soon as the boys left for the bus this morning.  Headed to the Home Depot and traded in a swamp cooler that I picked up last night and was not happy with for a different style.  I am excited about installing it and cooling off the upstairs efficiently.  Of course after a beautiful week the weather turned and it is chilly.  I don't know that we need any cooling help today.  It is going to be a process to get this thing up there but we'll get it. 

I am completely beat right now.  Did a lot of running around for the Brick, some interviewing with Tom, even did some tilling and trenching in the back yard for the future garden Andy and I are starting. 

Eyes are closing and I am out. 

Focus

After a busy week with school and work last week I find that I am struggling to get focused on the two classes that I have to finish still.  I have looked at them, taken a pre-assessment for the one that I need to test for, and I am pondering what to do for the tasks. I am just not excited about either one of these classes and the tasks seem pretty lame so I am less than enthusiastic. At the same time, these are the last two classes I need to do before student teaching.  I am on a time crunch to get them done. I just need to buckle down and knock them out. I am very much ready for a break so I guess I will have to focus for a few weeks and then I can relax for a couple of months. 

Cool Down

After having snow a week ago we are now up in the 80's and the house is warm. Had a hard time falling asleep last night with the room being uncomfortably warm. This evening I set up the swamp cooler. Oh my goodness, that thing is heaven. I am thinking seriously about getting another one to put up in my window. The problem with the current set up is that it is difficult to cool the upstairs. Bringing the unit up to my level of the house will make things better. Well, not much else to say. Must rest.

Knock Out

I got up today and had a runny nose and some mild eye irritation.  The good ole spring time allergies are trying to get me down.  I took a little allergy relief pill and it has basically just knocked me out.  I have been so exhausted because of it.  So dang tired today.  I just woke myself up .  Brutal.  It is hard sometimes.  So dang tired. 

Mowing Time

Got home this afternoon and decided it was time to give the lawn a mow.  It was getting long and I was wanting to trim it up.  I had a good time  I decided it was time to change the oil, sharpen the blade and clean it up some.  That all went well.  It had only been 10 years since I had put new oil in it and sharpened the blade.  I have cleaned it a few times before.  It wasn't too bad to do and I hope it makes a difference to the performance of the machine.  Not that it was performing bad. 

Well, not bad.  I must sleep  Lots going on with trying to wrap up the final two classes.  I will be quite thrilled when that is oer. 

Continue

As a Sunday School Presidency we have been in for three years.  Bishop says he doesn't want members in callings for more than three years so a release should be coming at some point.  I have no idea when that will be.  It doesn't really matter to me when it does come, I am happy to continue to serve and have truly enjoyed this calling.  I am sure there are several things I could do better and probably should do better. It has been a great learning experience during an exciting time for the Sunday School with the establishment of Teaching in the Savior's Way.  I have really loved participating in Teacher Council Meetings and learning from great members of the ward who serve faithfully as teachers and leaders. 

It was a good day at church as we had fast and testimony meeting. I realized sitting there that this might be the last fast and testimony that I will be in with Natty for a while as she is graduating and then probably moving on to a student ward and other opportunities.  That is exciting stuff for her and will be a good opportunity for her to be involved.  I took the moment to share some fatherly wisdom with her. That fatherly wisdom consisted of sharing my thoughts about the Savior and his love for Natty and his love for each of us.  I focused on the fact that the Savior knows who we are and loves us through the highest highs and the lowest lows. He knows when we are down and is there to lift us and love us.  I am grateful for Him.  I am grateful for Natty and Jack and Andy.  What a tremendous blessing these kids are in my life.  They are wonderful and I am grateful to be their dad. 

Well, whatever comes I will do my best to press forward, to continue on with faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and to try and set an example for my children to follow. 

Passed and Passed

Great News!  Passed by Praxis exam for Special Education  That was the big one and I was a bit on the nervous side for how that would turn out. What a great relief that is. 

Just got my social studies task back and I managed to pass that as well.  Good 24 hours for score reports.  I've got 6 more credits to go before student teaching.  Really happy about that.  Need to get them knocked out quick.  Speaking of knocked out, i am ready for some sleep. 

Need Sleep

I am completely dead.  I got up first thing and worked on my task for Social Studies.  Got it submitted.  I really hope it passes.  Then I took a shower and went to work.  Spent the greater part of the next 12 hours on my feet cooking.  It was SUU graduation and out day was full.  It wasn't just full, it was non stop.  It was a record setting day for us.  We ran out of hamburger buns even after I went and picked up another 36 at the store.  We sold out of chicken fried steak.  I am ready to pass out.  Ready to just crumble in bed.  My legs are aching bad.  I just took some ibuprophen and hope it kick in quickly.  Record breaking day - not just barely breaking the record either.  We put some distance on that one.  The nice part is, we were properly staffed and well prepared in the kitchen.  I am exhausted.  I have to head back in tomorrow to help keep us in front of it.  Hopefully we will not be quite as busy.  We don't have the product to be that busy again tomorrow.  Oh my goodness.  I cannot believe just how tired I am right now.  Look forward to sleep. 

Empty Tank

I am currently running on empty.  It has been a very long day. I ran in to sign a check this morning and ended up working all day.  It was a busy day at the Brick which was very good.  Tomorrow is going to be even busier and we have to be up to the task.  It will not be easy as it is SUU graduation and the volume of people will be heavy.  We will do the best we can.  I am really quite tired right now. Holy cow.  I finally got started on my social studies task around 11. I am close to being done but can no longer keep my eyes open.  Time to call it and then I will get a fresh pair of eyes on it tomorrow where I can wrap it up and submit it. Just want to be done. 

Stay Awake!

Still laboring on my current task for Social Studies.  I need to get through this thing.  Had to redo quite a bit because I didn't quite get it lined up exactly with what I think they are looking for.  There are a lot of parts to this thing and I don't really want to do it twice so I am hoping that a little extra time now will help me to dot all the I's and cross all the T's to get this done.  Oh my goodness. It is exhausting.  Ready to be done with it.

Making Progress

Got word that I passed my pre-clinicals today.  That is great.  Happy to be done with one more.  I spent the day working on an 8 week social studies unit.  I think I have it together.  There are a few more things that I have to do on other parts of the task. When I get through those I will submit it and hope to get that class done.  Technically I was supposed to have both of these completed yesterday to stay on track but I am pretty dang close and have a bit of a cushion to play with.  Just don't want to burn up that cushion.  Gotta get through this as I have some work demands coming on here shortly. By shortly I mean any moment.

I took Natty and Jack to see Black Panther tonight. I hadn't seen it and wanted to catch it before it left the theater.  Tonight is the $5 special ticket price at the theater so we went.  Andy didn't want to go so he stayed home.  It was a good flick.  I rather enjoyed it.  There was a lot of hype about this movie. I think it was well deserved.  The kids seemed to enjoy it as well. 

Well, we will keep pressing forward and working on making progress.  It feels good to have the classes winding down.  Still lots to do but there is a light at the end of the tunnel.