Fun at the park with Ethan, Kate, and Willyne

Two Pictures of Ethan and Kate on the Wanlass Park Swings

Ethan Loves The Slide!

I worked this morning, played with Ethan, Kate, and Riley in the afternoon and evening.  Definitely fun!

I've gotten up a little earlier the last two mornings, so those walks have been on the treadmill (I like to see where I'm going).  The air is fresher outside, but my heart pumps harder on the treadmill.  Did a mile again today, at a 2% grade.  The last 3 minutes I started sweating big time.

Had half a Kefir shake and vitamins for breakfast, a half small plate of leftovers for snack, measured portion meals for lunch and dinner, and the small healthy pop popcorn and a Weight Watchers ice cream bar for evening snack. 

I read the chapter in the Old Testament Institute manual that explained what I read in Leviticus 4-12 yesterday -- why all the various types of sacrifice were important.  It was definitely helpful to read that!

A New Doctor Today

I had my first visit with Dr. Ray Richards today.  Willyne came with me.  He is the one we have been referred to for radiation treatments here in St. George.  It was a good and productive visit.  I will go back next week for some scans to help him plan precisely where the radiation will be directed, and then we will proceed about a week after that.  Dr. Richards sounds like he wants to do six weeks of treatments rather than eight, and he was optimistic on the results (while not guaranteeing them).

We have discovered that Dr. Richards is Doug Jr's stake president and my brother Steve's former neighbor when Steve lived on Lizzie Lane.  Additional proof it anyone needed it that this is indeed a small world!

My allergies have been awful today, my nose is now cracked and I've put ointment on it to try to help.  So I will make the rest of this quick -- I did a mile at 2% grade on the treadmill this morning, I had small healthy meals today, and enjoyed listening to some chapters in Leviticus on a DVD while driving today.  That puts a good spirit in the car!

Allergies are affecting me.  Had to take a Sudafed PE tablet to stop the dripping enough to go to bed last night.  I could feel the effects of that waking up this morning (much harder to get alert).  Up at 6:15, out walking my mile loop around the elementary school at 6:40.  That felt great!  Allergies kicked in again as soon as I got home.  One day at a time, I can do this!

I am drinking a kefir shake and taking my vitamins for breakfast, and am on my second twelve-ounce glass of Kangen water.  My fan is going on the highest setting and the allergies are subsiding without another Sudafed tablet for now.  Always thankful for that in the height of spring, especially the Spectrum newspaper says this is the heaviest allergy season in many years!

I enjoyed 1 Ne 9:6 this morning . . .

"But the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men; for behold, he hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words. And thus it is. Amen."

I am thinking it is a great companion to one of my lifetime favorite scriptures, 1 Ne 3:7, which reads,

"And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."

This reading really blessed me this morning!

A Busy Day

A busy day at work.  I was in client meetings pretty much non-stop from 8:30 to 3.  Definitely a first day back in the office after the trip!

Didn't read scriptures today, I missed that.  No walk.  Ate reasonably well:  kefir shake and vitamins for breakfast, two bowls of lentils and an unbuttered wheat roll late in the afternoon, a zone bar and a couple handfuls of trail mix for a supper snack.  Not enough water to drink.

Had Bishopric meeting tonight.  I was asked about being released from the stake auditor position.  Much love and appreciation was expressed, for which I am very grateful!

Restarting the daily wellness routine!

Woke up at 5:30 with my lower back/tailbone worse than yesterday. I was thinking it's still trying 2 recover from flight.  But I wandered from my eating pattern at Disney World 4 days ago and have needed gradually smaller cereal bowls before bed each day since. Willyne thinks that's it. I'm feeling a little better after a bathroom visit that makes me think we're both partly right. I'm heading out for a short slow walk now... about 2 hours ago via txt

Walked 1 mile to LaVerkin Elementary & back. Cool crisp morning air and walking feel great! Just don't ask me to bend down! :)  about 1 hour ago via txt

Had breakfast -- small bowl of Irish oats with a few blueberries, a twelve-ounce glass of Kangen water, and vitamins.  Read scriptures, it is like exercise, hard to start and then it feels so good!  One verse that touched home for me today was ". . . after I had traveled for the space of many hours in darkness, I began to pray unto the Lord that he would have mercy on me, according to the multitude of his tender mercies" (1 Ne 8:8)

I know that He does bless us with a multitude of his mercies and that they are indeed tender!

Continuing on food as the day progressed, I had a small bowl of lentils for lunch and a small strawberry shortcake.  For dinner I had two small bowls of lentils and two wheat rolls with butter.  I am on my fifth twelve-ounce glass of water as I update this a little after 5 pm.  Now if I can just make it through the evening on that . . .

Random Sunday Thoughts

My weigh-in today was 262.5 which put me about 3 pounds less than two weeks ago and even for the week of the trip.

It was a usual busy Sunday. Meetings 7 to 12. During Priesthood I had a temple recommend interview with President Eves that was an opportunity for both of us to bear testimonies to each other that was very sweet.

Helped finish up the last audit of this semiannual cycle and turned it into President Chamberlain. I had a good conversation with him too, how often do you get that in the same day? He released me to focus on my upcoming radiation treatments and beating this cancer. I have know this might happen for a month, and I needed that month and now have come to realize it is for the best.

I know the Lord is in charge of His church, that He loves us completely, and He wants what is best for us always, even when it takes us awhile to see it!

I then came home, met Willyne to visit three families with her and go to choir practice. I don't always have time for choir but I love singing (even though I'm only OK at best) because it is such a powerful way to bear testimony and feel the Lord's Spirit!

Back Home In La Verkin

I loved seeing the Ragozzines and the Jacksons, but the plane ride home was tough.  Tonight I feel like I had a five hour ride inside the spin cycle of a washing machine.  My back hurts, especially my tailbone, and I am stiff.  But the trip was very worth it, I so loved seeing everyone!

I did walk about a mile today between the two airports.  :)

I read about half the way home (the other half, Willyne and I did the two crossword puzzles in the airplane magazine).  One thing in particular that I read really touched me. It was by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland about receiving divine inspiration about making important decisions . . .

" .. . once there has been genuine illumination, beware the temptation to retreat from a good thing.  If it was right when you prayed about it and trusted it and lived for it, it is right now.  Don't give up when the pressure mounts"

(Ensign magazine, April 2010, page 24, quoting a 1999 BYU devotional address.)

Magnifying the Concept "Endure to the End"

Today was a "chill" day after all yesterday's excitement at Disney World.  I only walked to the laundry building and back to get a newspaper (a quarter mile round trip).  I got to play with Maggie and Emma when Willyne went off to see the Gator Store with Rachel in the morning, and again in the evening with Willyne when Rachel and Terry were able to have an evening together.

I have Willyne to thank for a good thought for today, this comes from President Uchtdorf's October 2007 conference talk "Have We Not Reason To Rejoice?", she shared it with me from LDSNuggets.com,

"Enduring to the end, or remaining fathful to the laws and ordinances of the gopel of Jesus Christ throughout our life, is a fundamental requirement for salvation in the kingdom of God . . . Therefore, enduring to the end is not just a matter of passively tolerating life's difficult circumstances or "hanging in there".  Ours is an active religion, helping God's children along the strait and narrow path to develop their full potential during this life and return to Him one day . . . Enduring to the end is a process filling every minute of our life, every hour, every day, from sunfise to sunrise.  It is accomplished through personal discipline following the commandments of God."

I often wish the phrase "Endure to the End" was worded "Faithful to the End", after reading this I am thinking I need to strive to be passionately and steadily faithful every minute to the end.  :)

Happy Birthday to Sarah and Abigail, Fun at Disney World!

We had a great day at Disney World!  Here are a few pictures:

Welcome to the Happiest Place on Earth!

There were quotes like this up all over the park, this one especially struck home for me!  I'll have to add ths to my list of favorites :)

Love the big Maggie's big smiles when she got out of the Haunted House!

I have no idea how far we walked today, but my body is telling me it was at least three miles!  It was Disney World though, I did eat some yummy treats.  My favorites were a funnel cake I shared with Willyne and a pineapple ice cream/juice treat.

A fun day with Rachel, Terry, Maggie,and Emma in St. Petersburg, FL

Here are some fun pictures from my day today.  Love watching Rachel help Maggie with her puzzle (above)!

This picture of me with Emma speaks for itself, don't you think?  I have cherished this week of getting snuggles from my grandchildren!

Rachel couldn't resist snapping this picture of me in the parking lot  walking to the gate of the Florida Aquarium in Tampa today.  Maybe its the terrific T-shirt, or perhaps those neon white legs.  I'm just glad I didn't shatter her camera lens!  :)

We parked in the far part of the parking lot so we could get some shade.  It worked! -- car felt great when we came back to it!  It also made for a little more walking today - about a mile I figure.

On to Tampa

Had a terrific day. Played one last time with Chloe and Abigail. It was so hard to say goodbye!

Flew to Tampa this afternoon had a good dinner of scrubbers and conversation with Willyne and Rachel at Sweet Tomatoes. :)  Walk today was a mile through the airports.

Now I'm going to catch some high quality and well earned zzz's!

Shot heard from Lexington, ’round the world

We started the day early today and were at the Lexington Green for the annual reenactment of the first shots fired in the American Revolution, April 19, 1775. It was a beautiful crisp morning to be out, and a good way to visualize history as it was originally made. Here's an article with more information on it, Shot heard from Lexington, ’round the world, and a picture from that article:

Here's a larger view of the action on the Green (it's not as clear so you know I took this picture . . .)

To add a little exercise info into this for Benjamin, I walked 0.8 miles round trip to this event, and on the way there I was (unbelievably) the pacesetter at a brisk pace so we did have a good heart rate going.

Later in the morning I walked to Waldo Park near the Ragozzine home with Chloe.  Brought the total to the day to 1.5 miles.  She is a delight at the park as you can see!

I ate pretty well most of the day too, including oatmeal pancakes with applesauce (tasted great!), homemade vegetable soup, and a salad.  I did help eat a treat tonight -- we all went together to the final Patriot's Day event of the day put on by the Ragozzine's ward, which was an ice cream social at this awesome farm about 30 minutes from their house.  Five of us shared one gigantic banana split.  If I'm going to have a treat, might as well be a great one!

A little bit of sun in Boston today

There was not a lot new to say today.  We had another family day today and totally loved it!  I played some more with my grandchildren, watched some movies, had good conversations with my daughter Sarah and her husband Darin, enjoyed being with Willyne, ate some terrific vegetable soup and homemade rolls, and just generally had a really satisfying day!  And for the first time in 3 days, the sun came out twice for a few minutes each in the late afternoon.  They call this place New England for several good reasons, the weather definitely being one of them.  It has been consistently grey skies and occasional drizzles the whole time, but finally a welcome little break in that today. :)

Chloe's birthday is great!

Lots of terrific pictures today!  Most were taken with Willyne or with Sarah's cameras, and these will wind up on Beecher Bunch, although that may take until we get home . . . I will see what I can do in the meantime, but for now just know that we had a real ballerina come to Chloe's birthday party and give a lesson . . . there is also video of me attempting to dance with Chloe .  . . we had a pinata shaped like a ballerina's slipper that was great! . . . we had chocolate cupcakes and Chloe blew out candles on them (and for those of you concerned with my food intake, one cupcake is a lot smaller than a traditional piece of cake, so I'm feeling like I was reasonable . . . Chloe and Abigail were both just a whole lot of fun today -- I loved it!!!

Heading East

Willyne and I travelled east today. We are in Boston until Tuesday visiting with Sarah, Darin, Chloe, and Abigail. Chloe's birthday is tomorrow, I'm dancing with her at her ballerina party, so that should be fun!


If you check my Twitter feed in the right column you'll see some pictures I posted of our day today!

"Life isn't a dress rehearsal.It is to be lived well in whatever circumstances we find ourselves."-Saw this MarvinJAshton quote 2day&LovedIt

Here's some of those pictures :)

Grandpa loves Abigail and Abigail loves Grandpa!

Chloe the Ballerina Entertains Her Family!

Thanks!

Thanks to everyone that works with me at Accutek and for all of our clients and friends who made this tax season great!

It is a real pleasure to work with YOU!

I love this verse"And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do"(1Ne4:6)-IKnowWithFaithAllGoodIsPossible!   7:19 AM Apr 15th via txt

More random thoughts and some smiles!

Good start today!Small bowl Irish oatmeal with2strawberries(that's the sugar)&1% milk,water,vitamins.Nice talk with Willyne!Sunny drive2wrk!


Listened to Exodus 25 and 26 on the way to work.Amazing the details of building the tabernacle!


Snack was a zone bar and water, lunch was a chicken salad and water, still doing good!


Donning a hard hat to represent LaVerkin at county economic development airport tour today http://twitpic.com/1foooo


http://twitpic.com/1fopd1 - New terminal bldg under construction - ribbon cutting 13 Jan 2011


http://twitpic.com/1foq53 - It will have high ceilings and a nice welcoming area


http://twitpic.com/1foq55 - How it is looking from across the runway.It will be ready in 9 months, yea!


I called Jacob on the way home to say hello at work for a minute, found out he was home, so had nice short surprise visit with Jacob, Hilary, Becca, and Danielle.  And a yummy dinner of Danielle's soup, yea!


Yes, I know it's April 14, obviously I helped lots of tax returns go out today too, just thought I would give a little variety here :)

a few random thoughts for today . . .

It's April 13, so you know what I spent my day doing . . .

A few other tidbits, I went in first thing this morning and had my monthly blood draw done.  I should know in a few days what the magic PSA number is. . .

I had dinner with a youth group I work with tonight.  When it was time for seconds, I had another bowl of salad.  Maybe the hardest part for me was passing on the scones, I dearly love those.  As I have mentioned before I am not perfect at this, it is an hour by hour process, thinking of things I would like to eat and convincing myself not to.  But for tonight I was good.    :)

T minus 3 days and counting . . .

A nice day.  There was a little rain and wind in our valley today.  That made it pretty, also kicked up allergies for me and several other people I know.  Actually, I've been thankful that we're already to mid April and I haven't had a bad season -- I attribute it to allergeasy that Dr. Carter prescribed for me a year ago.  But usually even with the medication I start reacting before now . . .

I had a question today from my cousin Margo about the name of this blog, guess it is a story in and of itself that I'll gradually tell like peeling the layers of an onion.  But the most immediate part is that my prostate cancer is gradually rising 3 1/2 years after surgery, so we are doing several things to combat it.  Partly lifestyle changes, I'm trying to walk more, eat better, you know things I should have been doing all along anyway, but needed strong motivation to get me to do.  And even now I still find it a challenge, so my son Benjamin coined a phrase at the start of the year that he was starting a project to "Keep Dad Alive", which I adopted into the name of this blog.  I can tell you how I am doing at it, and you can keep me in line when I slip (hopefully less and less often :)

Becca is headed back to college in Idaho at the end of the week, it has been great having her here since Christmas!  So we spent a little time together tonight, very nice, thank you!

A Sweet Sunday!

Weekly weigh-in 264.4, that's two pounds better this week. I won't be at my scales next week, we'll see how I am in a fortnight. :)

A busy, but great day!  The two highlights were hanging out with Becca for a couple hours and talking with Willyne for a couple more.  And I have a long "to do" list, not all of which is work.  I have to cut down on that list, of course, to fight the cancer.  Today was also satisfying because I made some good progress on that effort!

Two New Blog Features and Some Pretty Pictures From The Air

I have added two new features to this blog today:


1. An item in the lower right column highlighting video clips I really feel are exceptional and are indicative of my fundamental feelings about life. The inspiration to start this came from listening to Benjamin for years say that if it wasn't for sporting events, many of us would never pause to listen or even think about our National Anthem. Last night a client and friend, Jan Moorehead, forwarded me a video clip that has been viewed over 4 million times. I agree with Jan, this is pretty much the ultimate way to present our National Anthem. As I see other video clips of this caliber in the future I intend to add links to them in this item.


2. Some of you have asked how you can be easily notified when I add new items or comments are made here. Just below the followers section in the right column, I have added an item where you can subscribe to either items, comments, or both using your choice of several different services including Google, My Yahoo, and more. Please let me know if this helps, I'm not familiar enough with how those work to know for sure. This is simply an attempt at it. :)

Here are some thoughts later in the day while headed home . . .

You might enjoy sharing this view of Mt Baldy I had while flying home today!

Look at all that snow!

I think I'm ready to try climbing it again (its been 22 years since I did it). Anyone care to join me, say in July?

(It's the highest mountain in the San Gabriel Mountains at just over 10,000 ft straddling the Los Angeles-San Bernardino county line.  On a clear day you get an unbelievable view of the entire Los Angeles basin.  On a normal day, especially  in July, you see an unbelievable amount of smog.  The trail starts at around 6,000 ft and is a reasonable day hike)

Nice Visit With Gary Lynn in Ontario, CA

I had a great visit with Gary Lynn today-did his taxes and had lunch (garden salad with chicken and cottage cheese and water). Picture taken by me on my cell phone while we were standing there. Hard work is much better when you get to share it with good friends :)

Welcome to LA - here one more time before deadline day

Driving by Staples Ctr - They're promoting the NHL Kings today

Joe Torre has to love these signs around the city

A building in the Wilshire Ctr district where I met some clients. Their pictures are much clearer than the ones I take on my cell phone camera, check them out! http://www.3guysred.com/3guys/3_Guys_and_a_RED.html

http://twitter.com/3GuysandaRED

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Los-Angeles-CA/3-Guys-and-a-RED/142683951564?ref=mf

Across street from client is the teachers union office-Carpenters are picketing it!

The LA teachers union struck my senior year-ironic carpenters now striking them!

I Love This Place! A dinner of scrubbers - feels really good!

Lunch with Doug Jr

Doug meets Doug4lunch&Manchester United vs Bayern Munchen! (Well OK, 15 minutes of the game -- it was still good and the company was better :) What did I have to eat? Popeye's - 1 chicken biscuit and 1 chicken wrap with water. Who won the game? Manchester won the day 3-2, but the aggregate was a 4-4 tie and Bayern moved on in the championship tournament on the away goals tiebreaker. These were both quality teams! Where is Bayern Munchen? That would be Munich, capital of Bavaria in southern Germany. Amazing what you can find on worldwide TV!







After my 45 minute fun break with Doug Jr, it was back to work, but my first task was driving to the next meeting, which was . . .

A pretty drive home from appts near Leeds UT

All driving for work should look this nice, don't you think?

A Partially Benjamin Approved Day .)

At midday my food has been a large bowl of Great Grains cereal with milk & water to drink.No walk yet,hopefully tonight.Its sunny&gorgeous! about 10 hours ago via txt

Had a nice lunch&visit with Josh-a very tasty grilled chicken salad.The dressing had corn syrup so I passed&the salad was good without it! about 7 hours ago via txt

Dinner was a wonderful spaghetti sauce with lots of tomatoes&fresh mushrooms,one scoop rice&a bread stick.Love Willyne's cooking!More water to drink about 1 hour ago via txt

The Tortoise Moves A Small Step Forward And Keeps Smiling

Today was one of those interesting spring days -- started out nice and sunny, then got more cloudy, windy, and rainy as the day progressed.

Did a variety of work. Didn't go for a walk. Ate moderately healthy food, starting with a kefir shake and vitamins, but then had Easter leftovers as the day progressed. Drank lots of water, two cups of milk, and nothing else.

I think I ended the day a little better than I started it. Gradual progress, got to stay with this!

Happy Easter!

I'm enjoying Easter at home with Willyne, Doug Jr, Becca, Danielle, Jacob & Hilary. A real treat! less than 5 seconds ago via web from La Verkin, UT

What a Wonderful Easter Gift - Christ Lives & Loves Us! Please take two minutes to consider this thought: http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=bd163ca6e9aa3210VgnVCM1000003a94610aRCRD&locale=0

Benjamin and me walking in to conference!

In the ConferenceCtr.Priesthood Session starts in 25min.Choir is practicing and I'm loving it.PresPacker was first in his seat,great example.

My exercise today was walking the mile roundtrip from the parking lot to the Conference Center. No speed records were set, my corns were doing a number on my dress shoes, but it was a walk all the same. At least the company was good!

A Benjamin approved day . . . and I even got some work done :)

Food for today-bkfst kefir shake+vitamins,lunch arbys roast beef pita,snack 2nd pita+1scoop pnuts,dinner cafe rio pork salad.lots of water. about 1 hour ago via txt

In SLC 2nite.Just finished last appt.Headed to treadmill for 30 min.Listened2good scriptures on faith on cd's while driving-a real blessing! about 1 hour ago via txt

Walked 1.5 mi in 30min peak 4%grade 126 heartbeat kept 120 heartbeat pretty steadily that is target from my doctor.Burned 260 cal.Feel good! less than 5 seconds ago via web from Poplar Grove, Salt Lake City

14 Days And Counting :)

Two weeks to go until the ides of April (are they any better than Caesar's ides of March?).I'm headed home from work at 10pm.No walk today. less than 5 seconds ago via web from Hurricane, UT.