Coming Together

Spent the day working to pull things together at the Depot and at the Brick. I think we are there with who the leaders will be. It is good. There are still some challenges ahead of us but we will get through them. We are making progress.

Rest Needed

Today was wonderful. It was a much needed day of rest after a few very busy days. I didn't feel well on Friday or Saturday.
I was exhausted. Big day again tomorrow. Need to catch some z's. I am fading. Must get to sleep. 

Oh, I got called to teach gospel doctrine. Pretty excited about it.

180 degrees

Today was the test. After what was quite possibly our worst day ever yesterday at the depot, today was the complete opposite. It was a great team effort and I was so grateful to see many step up.  Zach came over and will be permanently there in coming days. I am gratefulm

Even More Unsettling

Well it has been a long and difficult day. We had our new chef walk out tonight.  That was probably a good decision as she was fixing to get fired. The thing that Tom gave us was a certain sense of stability. Things were going to be ordered. Things were going to be prepped.  We were going to have someone in the kitchen cooking. That is somewhat of a staple.   Well, I am needing to curl up in the corner and cry. 

Unsettling

Just going through some transition pains right at the moment. It is a lot of stress for everyone. I am finding myself slightly frustrated by a few things that are going on. I hope we can get things ironed out quickly.

She Runs

I pulled the carburetor on the moped and managed to get it cleaned and put back together. It actually fired up and ran like a champ. That was awesome. Very excited about it. I cruised around the neighborhood for a few and then parked it. I am really tired at the moment. It was a good day.  Time for bed.

Pioneer

It was Pioneer day. I didn't do a lot of pioneering. I had some issues to address at the depot. My goodness, there are little things that need correction.  Hoping that we can dial things in quickly. I did get to dive into the moped a bit. Actually got it to fire with some starter fluid. Couldn't get it to continue running and think I may need to pull the carburetor. This is new for me, fortunately I have a brother in law that has a lot of experience with this kind of thing.

Had a great chat with the boys tonight. They told me all about their latest rides. They will be home in a couple weeks. Looking forward to having them home.

Scooter

I found a scooter today. It is actually a 125 cc and is considered a motorcycle class. I picked it up on the cheap. It is in great shape.  It needs the carb cleaned and a battery. With a few additional dollars the value will increase dramatically. I think Mr. Jack will be very excited, I am pretty excited about it.  It was a bit impulsive but I had actually been looking at them for a while. Hopefully it turns out well.

Gospel Doctrine

Today I was given the opportunity to teach a gospel doctrine class. It was great. I haven't taught gospel doctrine for roughly 22 years. I miss it. I have a little rust that I need to shake off but I had a good time.  I am not well versed in the scriptures and am not going to be able to give a detailed summation of what is happening. It is fun to explore the scriptures and see how they point us to Christ and apply to our lives. The class went well and I would love to do that more often.

Blind

Went out on a blind date tonight. It was a good time. Jacob and Holly invited me out to dinner with them and their friend. I agreed. She was a nice gal. Oh my goodness. It is late and I need to sleep. I am teaching Gospel Doctrine tomorrow and have been trying to prepare some things. I will continue with prep tomorrow morning. Oh my.  I must sleep now.

Rest is upon me.

Well dang it. I had just gotten a couple lines written and suddenly the page erased. I am quite ready for sleep. 

New Grass

Last Monday I planted grass seed around the yard. I had dug up a lot of grass when installing the sprinklers and needed to grow new stuff. It is starting to come along.  I am fairly tired at the moment.  Struggling to keep my eyes open so I'm going to call it a day.

Changes

We let chef Tom go today at depot. He took it well.  Almost as if he was expecting it. It is too bad that things didn't work out with him but the reality is that we totally missed the local market. Wow, so very tired today. It is rather late. Must get sleep.

Stressful

I went to a movie tonight and it was rather stressful. I watched the Skyscraper movie with "the rock".  It was a good movie but I was a bit overcome by anxiety as Dwayne conquered soaring heights. It got to be so much.  I was cringing and had to remember that it was just a movie and that Dwayne was going to be okay. Good movie.

Great Meal

I put frozen chicken tenderloins in the crock pot before church. Added minced garlic, sea salt, a few dashes of ground ginger, and maybe a half cup of Olive garden Italian dressing. I nearly forgot, green onions on top.  After church I added a half cup of whole milk followed by three or four handfuls of firsts blend cheese.  I let that sit in the crock for a bit and prepped some fresh cut zucchini and crook neck squash as well as a pot of rice.  When everything was ready I topped the rice with the cheesy chicken and the squash mix.  It reminded me of zucchini casserole. Quite good.

89

I made a run up to Provo today to pick up some supplies from the Sam's Club for the restaurants.  It was a good trip.  I was debating if I should run down into Springville and surprise Jay, Sara and fam.  I wasn't feeling great and kind of wanted to get back so decided I would just run in and turn around and run back down to Cedar.  I didn't even stop for lunch or get a hot dog combo at Sam's which is pretty much a major violation of the rules I govern myself by.  Anyway, I thought it would be funny if I ran into Jay and Sara at Sam's and so I started to chuckle to myself when all of the sudden I saw them.  I called out and then we stood and talked for some time right there on the bulk candy aisle.  It was a popular aisle.  Good times. It gave me a good break from driving and when I got back in the car I was feeling a lot better.  As I drove down into Nephi I got a crazy idea that I should head east and run through Manti.  The last time I had been to Manti was as a wee child and it was kind of scary.  I remember going to hunt birds with Brian the next morning and that is about it. I quite liked it today.  I stopped at the temple and walked around.  Sent the boys some pictures of it.  I really liked that building.  The drive added some time to the trip but it was a good time driving down 89 and seeing a bunch of Utah that I had never seen before or that I hadn't seen in years and really had no recollection of.

Go Kart

A couple of years ago I purchased a go kart for the kids.  It has been fun. There was the time that Jack almost ran over two girls from down the street, the time Andy rammed straight into the curb, and there were the great drives.  I got that thing dialed in earlier in the year and we took it out to Three Peaks and had a great time.  It was an ugly go kart.  I decided to paint it a month ago.  I took it apart, painted it, and put it back together.  I recovered the seats and had it looking really good.  Well, tonight I sold it.  The boys are moving on to motorcycles up in Alaska and I think they would have a better time with motorcycles or an ATV.  I am looking for those and may have found a couple of options.  We shall see.  The boys don't yet know that I have sold the go kart.  I might need to find something before they come home.  All will be just fine I am sure.  That kart went fast.  I put it up and within 30 minutes I had a cash offer and took it.  Not bad.  Not bad at all. 

Not Pleased

Got a phone call from the Principal of Cedar High School this morning.  He was calling to let me know that he still had not heard back from WGU and had a qualified candidate apply for the position he had offered me.  He would be interviewing that individual and would let me know in a couple of days.  It doesn't look real good for me.  This is quite disappointing news and I am pretty frustrated by the complete lack of response from my placement coordinator. I sent a message to my mentor that I was displeased.  About a half hour ago I got an email from the placement coordinator who was blaming a faulty computer and hard drive replacement for his delayed reply.  It has been a month.  Well, whatever.  I am not happy with that situation but will just keep pressing forward.  I don't have much of a choice.  There is work to be done and I need to get through this last semester.  All will be fine. Just wish it would have come together. 

Saw a Friend

Had my friend Karlee send me a message this morning about coming through town and wanting to meet for lunch.  It was good to sit and visit with her for a bit.  We are both single parents trying to take care of our children, go through school, and serve faithfully in the church.  She does a great job with it all, much better than I.  Anyway, we have similar views on several issues and we usually have a good laugh about things when we visit.  Life can be quite hilarious at times and in many circumstances.  It is good to keep things in perspective and to understand that trials are temporary, that we are here to have joy and that it can be found throughout our lives. 

Shooting Time

I got a call from Dan asking if I would go and cover for him with the Teachers Quorum as he is stuck up north.  Disc golf was on the schedule for the evening and I thought it would be a fun outing so I said yes. I got over to the church at the scheduled time and was supposed to meet up with Will Mitchell to go out with teachers as two-deep leadership.  Turns out Will was stuck up on the mountain.  Carl Johnson came and told me he was without a second for the Priests Quorum so the teachers and the priests joined up tonight and went out to the shooting range.  I have not gone shooting in quite some time. We were just shooting 22's so it wasn't a high power affair but we sure had a good time.  Grabbed some of my old spray paint cans and it was a good time seeing them explode when shot.  I keep telling myself I need to pick up a couple of guns, after tonight I really believe that is in order. Andy loves to shoot and I think Jack has a good time with it too.  I'm sure Natty would be down.  I think I need to make this happen. 

Planting Seed

I have several sections of my yard that have need of grass. Sections where I had cut out to put in sprinkler pipe had not fully grown back and several feet died. I prepped the areas, built up some soil in areas and then went and planted seeds. Hopefully everything will grow in nicely. I think it will. 

Still trying to get everything figured out with school. Not sure yet if I will be interning or student teaching. Waiting to hear. That is mildly frustrating and I would like to know what direction I am going.  Soon enough I will know.

Sushi Sunday

We had a little family gathering with those of us residing in Cedar. We had a special birthday dinner for mom.  It was a fun one. We had sushi. Fun to roll our own. I had prepped a crab cream cheese mix as well as that same mix with siracha sauce. It was actually quite good. I think we may have to do it more often. It was a good gathering. Grateful for mom and grateful we could celebrate her birthday.

Round Two

I got a call that the hood stopped working again.  Back to it I guess. I went and the hood was on. I went and took care of some other things and when I stopped back it was off.  I had to get into it. I think I have it dialed in now. At least it made it the rest of the day without having another problem. I really hope it is fine now.

Made a run to the temple tonight. Wonderful as always.

Exhaust Hood Fail

Got a call from Zach this morning who informed me that our hood was out. The motor had shut down on an overload a couple of weeks ago. I had some reservations about it and was hoping it was going to be fine. For the last two weeks it was fine but today It died. I ended up pulling the motor and then I went and got a new one from the folks that sold us the last one. Dan and I put it in and fired it up. All was good but the rotation was going the wrong way.  We smoked out the dining room a bit as we pushed exhaust in instead of pulling it out. So we pulled the motor, changed the wiring for the rotation, reinstalled it and were good to go.  There were times when a job like this would have scared me but there really wasn't much to be scared of. Just pulling and replacing. Good to have the experience. Glad we got it done and that it is doing the job.

the 5th of July

What is so special about the day after the fourth of July?  I guess for starters, I lived to see it.  Not that I was super concerned about not living to see it.  The day was busy.  Started out at the depot grill and shutting off the water to the building in order to remove a dishwasher up at the bar that did nothing but leak water and ruin hardwood flooring.  I had to cut and cap a waterline and that worked out well.  Dan and Amy had a little wine cooling fridges and gave it to us so I took that in this morning and we put it where the dishwasher was.  Perfect little spot now at the bar for keeping things cold.  By things I mean syrups and mix-ins for soda fountain specialty drinks.  Next came the task of changing out the light bulbs for 100W LED bulbs.  There are six large acorn lamp covers in the dining area and it is a bit intimidating to move them, we managed to get it all done and brightened up the place a skosh.  Nice to get those projects done.  I have a counter project to get done at the brick house and may need some forward thinking on it to knock it out without being in the way. 

I mowed the lawn tonight.  That is a great activity for me.  So therapeutic. Now, I can rest easy. 

The 4th

As I begin to write this entry I hear fireworks exploding outside of my window. This is a special day in America as we celebrate our independence.  I had a fine day that began early as I got up at 4:45 in the morning and went about gathering supplies for the ward breakfast.  It was a good meal and came together well.  Kerry Mitchell's was on the cooking crew and I quite enjoyed visiting with him. He is a professional chef and is really good.  We shared stories. It was a good time.  The breakfast was good and the flag raising that preceded breakfast was wonderful. Grateful for the land in which I live and the freedoms which I enjoy. 

Had a lovely meal with the fam this evening. They are wonderful. Good to be with them.

Hoping

Well, I have had no news from my placement coordinator since I spoke with him about being offered an internship at the high school.  I did find out that he actually had a conversation with the principal so that is positive.  The principal said he was waiting to hear back on one issue that the placement coordinator needed clarification on.  I sent a message to the placement coordinator this morning as a follow up.  Hopefully we can get this figured out.  I would really like to have that opportunity to go to work and to get my foot in the door at the high school. If it doesn't work out that is fine too and I will do my student teaching a more traditional way. 

Working on several little projects at both locations right now.  Have a few things figured out and will try to be at the depot early on Thursday to get lights changed out and to get a water line capped and a dishwasher removed.  I have a couple of shelves to install over at the Brick and would like to get that done soon as well.  I need to paint the kitchen at the Brick as well.  Just gotta get through it.

Well, not much else to report.  I have to get up in a few hours to go and help with the Ward 4th of July breakfast.  Busy morning fast approaching. 

Hot Day

When I went outside this morning the first thing that hit me was just how hot it was. At one point the temp was 96 in the shade. That is hot for Cedar. Yikes. I don't know how it is going to be for the rest of the week. Hopefully not too insanely hot.

Struggle

Sometimes I struggle.  I know, hard to believe right?  It's true.  I struggle with some things. I do some things that I am asked to do and sometimes those things irritate me.  One thing I find irritating was a major focus point in our elders quorum lesson today.  It has to do with everyone moving up for the lesson in the chapel.  I don't like having to move up.  I like having my space. I like having agency to chose where I will sit. Anyway, we are asked each week to move up and to sit closer to the front.  It is somewhat irritating and I move up begrudgingly.  So I guess this message was directed at me and others like me and then those that opt not to move up at all.  There was a video shown of one of the general authorities of the church talking about the very act of moving forward when invited to do so.  Great, now I feel like crap for having a poor attitude about it. I mean, I do it but I don't necessarily want to do it.  Not a great attitude at all.  So the message today was irritating to me.  Irritating because I don't want to hear about it.  Irritating because I don't want to feel guilty for liking to sit on the back row.  Irritating because I think people might assume a bit much when it comes to someone that prefers to have a little distance. I love the Lord and I do my best to serve in any way that I can.  I attend to my meetings faithfully and sometimes I attend those meetings on the back row.  Well, Sacrament meeting is typically on the second row, left side of the chapel unless someone is occupying that space in which case it might turn into center front or somewhere else in the left and center front area of the chapel.  I wonder what that indicates?  Anyway, I will try to have a better attitude about it and will do my best to show the Lord that I sustain those he has called.  I can't say it won't be a struggle.  I am sure it will be and I will want to rebel and enjoy my space.  Nevertheless, I do love the Lord and will try and show him that in this way. 

Tommy Baptism

Made a quick trip up north today to attend Tommy's baptism.  8 years have passed quickly.  It was a great meeting and I'm glad I was able to attend.  I made a run up to Salt Lake after so I could pick up some stuff from Standard Restaurant supply.  Before heading there I made a trip out to the Oquirh Mountain temple.  It is a beautiful building. Glad I was able to go. 

So I made a poor decision yesterday. I decided to get sugar free Russell Stover chocolate candies. They are now sweetened with stevia so I thought that would do the trick. Wow, Russell Stover is short for welcome to hell.  Just destroyed me inside. I have had major cramping all day. Brutal.

I am exhausted. Heading to bed.