More fun with Ethan, Kate, and Riley

I know I got a good physical workout today, my body tells me so.  I don't know how far I walked, but I know it was at least a mile!  All doing good fun things with my grandchildren - I held and rocked Riley, pushed Kate on the swings, and kicked the soccer ball with Ethan. It was a good food day too.  I had a small bowl of Irish oats for breakfast with half a banana and a dozen blueberries. I had a small chicken pasta salad for lunch and a large chicken and shrimp salad for dinner (no dressing). I had half a zone bar for morning snack and the other half for an afternoon snack.  Once again, water was the drink of the day.  And for once, I didn't feel hungry in the evening - I was done eating for the day at 6.  I am feeling good (except when I go too long between allergy pills). 

All in all a great day!

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!

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 . . .

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.

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!

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)

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!

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

The Daily Routine :)

No treadmill yesterday or today. Catching up on work got the best of me. I did take my vitamins and did enjoy the many people I talked to :) half a minute ago via txt

Our Family Mexican Easter Party

Hello from me,Willyne,and grandson Riley at family Mexican Easter party!

Ethan takes on Doug Jr at the soccer net :)

My exercise today was to play soccer and Ducks&Geese with the family at our party.Don't know how far I went but my heart rate felt good!

87 Degrees in LA, Sunny and Smiling on My Way Home!

Did 30 minutes on hotel treadmill, 1.5mi. Peaked at 3.4 mph, 4.0 slope, 113 heartbeat -- felt like more, and it feels good! :) about 13 hours ago via txt



Feeling a little better this morning! about 12 hours ago via TwitPic

Talk about timing!On my way home-just passed security at ONT.TV screen on.I watch last 15sec of WV-KY.I'm very happy for "The Logo" tonight! about 1 hours ago via txt