Busyness of Life

I find it early in the morning and not wanting to go to bed just yet. My day has been full and non-stop and yet I feel somewhat unsatisfied. Here are some of the things that I have done today:

- Mountain biked in the morning (Badger Mountain)
- Purchased dirt bike parts (Hermiston)
- Put parts on bike (Parent's house)
- Waterski'd (Finley Slalom Pond)
- Watched a movie with friends
- Traveled over 200 miles :-/

I spent time with family and friends and a great time but forgot to incorporate the spirit into the day. I have always wanted to study my scriptures in the morning but have never been able to accomplish this - perhaps it is time to finally make it happen. I will start when I wake up later this morning (which should be easy since it is Sunday) and then go onto Monday. I am thankful for those around me and with whom I associate that inspire me to be better and influence me for the good - so much more than they realize and for this I thank them. Hopefully I can do the same for others. Here is to a new goal for the upcoming week and filling my life with more important things.




Funny picture I found - I would be proud to have this as my son, or daugher :).

Extreme Jungle Croquet

We had an activity at my house tonight with all the priests. What can be better than extreme croquet and a BBQ!? Let me explain about this activity: it was set up in my backyard where the grass hasn't been cut in almost 3 weeks (somewhat planned), then we set up tunnels and ramps and well, a bucket to "launch" your ball. I knew this was a bad idea so what did I do? I video taped it of course! I can't post the video of the result of one "incident" we had but I will post a picture. I promised I wouldn't publish it anywhere.

The purpose of this is to launch the ball off the old screen door. It was a good idea and that is all that matters.

Tin can and ball to the face. Brutal.

Isn't this obstacle nothing but awesome?
Cooking burgers and playing croquet. We had a good time. I do have to admit that the priests in the quorum are top notch. We owe this to the parents and wonderful teachers and leaders they have had in the past.

Piano and Music

I was catching up on all the blogs I have neglected in the past year and all of a sudden I heard voices and then a LOUD bang at the door (granted this was at 9:45 or so tonight). Although I know you all believe I get visitors ALL the time, I really don't. The bishop brought back my chaps he borrowed for a ride him and his wife took this last weekend as well as dropped off the General Conference Tickets he "strategically" requested for me.

They stayed for a while in my very messy house (I have dumped a ton of my clothes in the front room and am trying to clean out the wardrobe). I like to have a clean house when people arrive so I believe I apologized at least a couple times. They then noticed I had a piano and asked me to play a song. I am not a fan of playing in front of people but I made the attempt anyway. Unfortunately, I played well enough for them that he asked me to play the piece I played (part of it that I know) for standard's night - where the youth will entertain the widows in the ward. I think I committed to it but am not at all excited about it. It is a difficult song and I have half of it to learn and the entire thing to master.

I love the piano and music. It calms me and makes me happy. I find that music will uplift me and bring the spirit into my soul quicker than almost anything else. I hope me messing up in front of everybody doesn't ruin this for me! ;-)



Oh - and here is a random video and picture of me wrecking that Brit requested...

Lawn chairs and Blogging

First off, I would like to dedicate this blog to my cousin Janet who basically called me out for not having blogged in well, a year.. again. I have come to the realization that I am not a blogger and may never become one. I am fine with this :).

In this very short blog, I would also like to mention lawn chairs. I was sitting in my lawn chair in my front driveway this evening talking on the phone. Although many might think this is odd, I do this as I have little reception inside my home. I usually talk at least 3 hours every evening on the phone but decided to talk only an hour and a half on this occasion ;). Anyway, during the call I decided to go for a walk (twice) and during one of those two times my parents drove by, saw the lawn chair and didn't see me anywhere so they kept driving. They thought this was a bit odd. What they don't understand is that it is a neighborhood custom. I had thought only one neighbor participated in this this but in fact I have seen at least 3 others do this on occasion. Here here to lawn chairs in driveways.

Planes....

Who thought that sitting in a field watching planes go over would be so much fun!? Well... now I am a believer. Or maybe it was the company... ??

I know this picture doesn't do it justice but here ya go..

Now with some sound... pretty suspenseful, no? Mad skills by the once KEPR news reporter, Andrea Candrian.

One Year Anniversary

For most, a one year anniversary marks a marriage or how long someone has been dating working at a job........ but for me, it marks just over ayear since I last posted on my blog! I couldn't be happier for myself that I have resisted so long to post something. I do have to dedicated this posting to my cousin Trina as she gave me a hard time at Twin Lakes for not having posted something for quite some time.

For all that happens in my life, I should write more. I have noted to friends and family that I could sell my life story as a soap opera.. its true. However, life is good and I don't have any complaints. Let me see... dating, always stories there. Then there is a trip that was going to take place for a month in Asia.. in retrospect, it is good that it didn't happen but I would have loved it. If I would have survived the military run government of Myanmar, my life would have once again been put in perspective. Often times it takes a trip abroad to put life in true perspective and realize what is and what isn't important. I feel as if we in the US live such a sheltered and abundant life that so many don't realize what we have here and what those abroad live happily on.

I moved to a family ward earlier this year and within a couple weeks had a calling as the Priest Quorum Advisor. It has been a blessing and kept me much busier as well. The calling takes me on week long scout encampments, Tuesday night mutuals, camp-outs, and much more. It has been a lot of fun and the priests are a good group of tight knit guys.

I have also been boating with good friends since February as well, Matt and Scott... it has been a good year for the river.

I didn't want to leave my new blog posting without photos I decided to put in some pics of my horseshoe pit I put in the backyard. I do have to admit that it looks pretty good, although basic.

Some preparations and measurements. Needs to be square and at the right distance.

I figure the more grass I take out the less I have to mow.

One of the two finished horse shoe pits. I need to get my grandpa over and have him whoop up on me again!