February 12th and 13th, 2011, 65th and 66th Days

It's no fun being sick.  I had to get up at 5:00 on Saturday morning to go to a leadership meeting and I wasn't feeling well (Did I mention it was at 5:00).  After the two hour meeting, I came home and wanted to go on a bike ride but I wasn't feeling well enough, so I just hung out with my wife and kids.  Hunter and I helped Nicole get all the roses ready for "Singing Valentines" for Pine View High school.  The kids go around the community and sing to people and give them three roses.  It's nice, but Nicole spends a lot of time on it, so I feel a little bad for her.  Saturday afternoon Nicole and I and the boys went to the movie "Megamind", it was pretty dumb, but we laughed.   Saturday night we went out the the Wades and Anderson's to Texas Roadhouse, then met the Weavers at Crave yogurt.  It was quite the evening, even though I wasn't feeling too chipper.  It's always fun to hang out with friends.  Sunday was not much better, as I was starting to get really sick.  I did my duties at church, but came home and slept the rest of the day, into the night, and all night long.  Nicole didn't get to bed until 4:30 because she was working on the singing valentines.  She had to get up at 7:00, so I felt bad for her.  It didn't help that I couldn't help much because I felt like someone had run over my head with a lawn mower.  So, all-in-all it was a pretty boring Saturday and Sunday.  Things I learned, 1st, It is no fun being sick!  This is short, but when your head feels like someone is pumping it up with a bike pump, you don't feel much like writing words of wisdom!

February 8th through 11th, 2011 - 61st through 64th Days

I didn't forget to write, there was just not much happening this week.  I had one of my customers call in and she had seen my blog link from Facebook.  I told her not to call in and try and make me mad.  She has a boss that is quite the character, and if he called in and tried to get me mad, I may go all Qwest on him.   I was excited at the prospect of getting my new phone this week--it was supposed to ship on February 4th.  However, when we called AT & T and got connected to an Indian speaking customer support rep we couldn't understand very well, he said my phone wasn't even shipping until the end of March!  Of course, with his accent it sounded more like  "Ve R chipping n de nd ef Much", which could mean we are going to get a pile of chips sometime in March.  Anyway, we're hoping for the best.  Speaking of which, why is it that all of the phone companies outsource their customer support to India?.  Isn't that the one industry that should have clear speaking individuals to pick up the phone?  Maybe it's just me, but I find that a little odd.

On Friday Kerry and I changed our minds and decided we wanted to look at Range Rovers as well as Navigators.  I found a really nice Range Rover in Arizona, so I called my parents and told them to go to the dealer and take it for a test drive for me.  A few hours later I got a call from my dad saying the dealership didn't exist!  He stopped and asked someone if they'd heard of Scottsdale Motor Cars, and they said it was a scam.  Apparently, they've been out of business for quite some time, and owe a lot of people their titles to cars.  Their address is just an abandoned lot.  Luckily I didn't send my money over the internet, and end up without my money, or a Ranger Rover--that may have tried my patience a bit.   As it was, we foiled the scam, and all that was lost was my parents time, which I felt bad about.  Are my parents the coolest or what?  How many parents would drive 30 minutes to test drive a car for their son?  Anyway, sorry mom and dad. 

I was able to go for a great bike ride on Friday, then come home and watch a movie and have a date night with my wife.  It was a great week.  5 Days, no getting mad, or even upset, even at my dog (who peed on the floor twice and I had to clean it up).  Things I learned this week, 1st, There are more Indian people in Customer service then there are sands of the sea, seriously, I think that's an accurate statistic.  2nd, I love accents, and when I talk to someone from another country, I find myself adopting their accent by the end of the phone conversation.  So, my end of the phone call usually ends like this, "Dank u Hamid, av a nice stay".   I hope I'm not offending them, isn't copying the sincerest form of flattery?  3rd, There are a lot of scams on the internet, beware, especially if the person on the other end of the line says he's in Texas, but he sounds like he's in India; of course, that could just mean the dealership outsources their customer service to India, but I'd still be careful! 4th, my parents are the coolest.  5th, I miss Kaylee!

This was not my AT&T service rep, I guarantee you. 

February 6th and 7th, 2011 - 59th and 60th Days

I still love Sundays.  Woke up early, went to meetings, got to see everyone at church, life is good.  It was fast Sunday (where we abstain from eating and drinking for 24 hours), so by the time dinner rolled around I was pretty hungry.  The problem with fast Sunday is you eat three times as much for dinner as you normally would, so you don't fight the fluff very well.  Whereas you should lose weight on fast Sunday, I think I gained a pound.  Sunday night was fun, we just hung out with the kids.  I didn't watch the Super Bowl, but I think I was one of the only people in the Universe that did not.  We liked the commercials though, especially a Dorito one where the guy fed the dead fish doritos, and he came back to life, then he knocked over the urn of his roommates dead grandpa and the grandpa came to life, it was quite funny (see link below).   Instead of the Superbowl, I got to interview the kids to see how their live was going.  Amber is obviously in heaven, and Logan and Hunter are typical boys and only answer direct questions, and don't give any more information than is absolutely necessary.  Example of conversation with Logan and Hunter.  "So, how is school?"  Response, "Good".  "Do you like any girls?"  Response, "Yes".  "Really, why didn't you tell me?"  Response, "You didn't ask."  "So, what is she like?"  Response, "She's nice".  Wait a minute!  I got a two word response, now we're making progress!

On Monday work was a little stressful, but there was definitely a time where I wanted to get mad at a customer and I didn't, but it was difficult.  I had a customer that has promised to pay me for three months, and he keeps using excuses, and I finally sent him an email and told him I was concerned.  It is probably not a good idea to send emails when you're frustrated, because I'm sure I came across a little harsh.  However, he did agree to send the payment, so that was good.  Monday night we had Family Home Evening and the lesson was on marriage, so Amber was happy.   Then we all made smoothies and watched "Chuck".  It was pretty stupid, but it was fun being with everyone.  Things I learned Sunday and today, 1st, Doritos can bring things back to life, so I'm keeping a bag on hand in case my dog dies.  2nd, Boys do not communicate like girls.  In fact, I wonder sometimes how boys and girls come from the same place (boys must come from Storks in Mongolia, girls obviously come from Storks in France or Morocco).  3rd, Don't ever push the send on an email until you've read it throughly, sometimes you come across more harsh then you'd like.  4th, After the Dorito commercial, I went and ate a half bag of Doritos, so the commercial must have been effective.

This ad was funny.

February 4th and 5th, 2011 - 57th and 58th Day

After Thursday was so great, Friday was bound to be a let down, but it really wasn't so bad!  I was supposed to go with Nicole and Amber up North, but a prospect called in and said they wanted a demo of our software and they needed to make a decision right away.  So, I gave up my dream of going up north to return the wedding dress to stay home and possibly make some money.  I knew it was going to be a good demo when the guy said, "Hey, is this the Kyle that used to work at Bayern, your voice sounds familiar."  I said, "Yeah, who's this?"  He said he name was Keith and he had talked with me in 1999!  I said, "Hey, I was the one that sold you Steel Plus in 1999!"  Anyway, sometimes having a high squeeky voice can be a blessing.  At least no one forgets your voice.  By the end of the demo they said, "Hey, we love your software, send us a license agreement!"   I would have much rather traveled for 7 hours to return a dress (not really, but I have to say that for my own protection, you never know who's reading these things).  On Friday night Nicole was gone, so what did I do--BIKE RIDE!  That's right, Kerry and I went for a bike ride, then I came home and made what Hunter called a "Dude's meal".  The "Dudes meal" consisted of chili cheese dogs, dorito chips, and grape drink.   So, all in all, how does a day get much better? 

Saturday, that's how it gets better.  I got up at 9:00, that's right, 9:00, then went on a bike ride with my 17 year old son.   After lunch, I began preparing for the big date night.  My wife and told me she was leaving the date up to me.  So, Hunter and I went to Walmart and bought a rump roast, some baby carrots, a chocolate cream pie, some flowers, and a bottle of Mango bubble bath (Hunter helped me pick out the Mango bubble bath).  Then, I went over to my neighbors and borrowed a small iron table and chairs.  I put the roast and some potatoes and the carrots in a crock pot, and began the preparation for the perfect evening for my wife.   I set up the small table and chairs in the bedroom, put the flowers on the table, and set up the massage table and then put in a DVD of a fake fireplace.   I put candles all over the house to help it smell good, then started a water fall feature to add to the ambiance.  Nicole came home to a home cooked meal of Roast and potatoes, Flaky biscuits, salad, corn, and chocolate pie.  The kids were great and helped me set it all up, then they ate and cleaned up while we at at our little "Restaurant".   Nicole loved it and hopefully she felt like the queen she is.  The kids loved it because they got to have roast on a Saturday night.   So, Friday was aweome, Saturday was awesomer! Things I learned this weekend, 1st, Having a high squeeky voice can be beneficial at times, not most of the time, but some of the time, yet.  2nd, Riding bikes with Kerry can be hazardous on your back.  3rd, I learned what a "Dudes Meal" is, and I like it.   4th, I like a "Female Meal" (aka, roast and potatoes), better than a "Dudes meal". 5th, You can't go wrong as a guy if you make your wife dinner, and buy her bubble bath and flowers.  Believe me, it ranks right up there with watching all 5 DVDs of "Pride and Prejudice".   

February 2nd and 3rd, 2011 - 55th and 56th day

Wow, what a contrast, Wednesday was awful, and Thursday was amazing.  I woke up Wednesday grumpy.  Then, I went to work, and my clients were grumpy.  I came home and ate a grumpy lunch, and had a grumpy afternoon.  Nicole and Amber had to go up North to get the dress, so they weren't home (could have something to do with me being grumpy).  When I got home from work, I went shopping at Costco, but all I had was the Porsche.  I had to pick up one of those 30 packs of Charmin, and squeeze it into the Porsche.  Needless to say, that didn't help my grumpiness.   Luckily I could squeeze the Charmin!  Then, I went home, unpacked the car, and went out shopping at Walmart for the rest of the food.  It took me two hours to shop, and then I had to squeeze 20 bags of groceries into my Porsche!  Just a word to the wise, cereal boxes do not squish like Charmin, in fact, neither do 8 cans of stewed tomatoes, 5 gallons of milk, or any of the other items I bought at the store (with the exception of the broccoli--I had no problem at all squishing the broccoli!).  Once I finally got home, I was exhausted and played a few games of pool with my boys and went to bed.  Whew, I was hoping Thursday was better!  However, just in case you were salivating, I was still nice (for the most part)

Well, they say there's a calm before the storm.  In my case, it was a storm before the calm.  Thursday was as good as Wednesday was bad--if that makes any sense.  Everyone was nice on Thursday.  I got to leave work at about 3:30 from work and go to my daughter's bridal shoot.   When I walked into the studio and saw Amber in her wedding dress, it took my breath away--literally, I was speechless.  I can't tell you how gorgeous she looked.  I kept thinking, "That's my little girl, when did she grow up like that?"  After the studio we went to another place to take a few pictures of her and Mitch in a rustic setting.  It was really nice, and the photographer was amazing.  We ended up at Pioneer park in the red rocks.  I was in charge of spritzing the bouquet and taking care of the shoes.  It was really nice to be there with Nicole, Amber, and Mitch.   Amber looked like a queen, and Mitch looked like her peasant servant (just kidding, Mitch looked amazing as well, but he didn't take my breath away like Amber did, sorry Mitch).  What a wonderful, amazing afternoon.   Things I learned Wednesday and Thursday, 1st, a Porsche was not made to fit large picture frames, large rolls of Charmin, or anything bigger than a salt and pepper shaker.  2nd, Shopping without my wife is like running over a skunk, it stinks and it's no fun.  3rd, Having Nicole gone is like running over two skunks and a porcupine.  4th, Seeing my daughter is a wedding dress was, well, WOW.  5th, Being with family on special days and creating memories is what life is all about.   6th, I will never forget today.
.

 Bad day squeezing the Charmin!

 

Great Day! My little girl's growing up.

WOW!

February 1, 2011 - 54th Day

For some reason, Tuesday was just a great day!  My tech guy was still sick, so I was alone on the tech front, but it was great.  My attitude was good, I was nice to people, and the day went fast, even when I had to deal with a few people who were a little short of a full deck.  It was extremely cold today, however.  I mean, I'm talking really cold, probably 20 degrees!  I got home and forgot that I had to go to church at 6:00 for a meeting.  I realized I didn't have a car, so I began to walk.  Well, I made it about 400 feet, and my nose and ears were so cold I headed back home.  I walked about 100 feet and I couldn't feel my nose or ears so I put my coat collar up and started to walk backwards toward my house.  My neighbors little girls saw me and looked at me like I was a space alien.  I then waited for Nicole, who pulled up, gave me a hot slice of pizza from Costco and took me to church.  What a great wife.  At mutual I trained the 14 and 15 year old boys how to change a tire.  I then made it into a contest.  They had to put on a bike jersey, put on arm warmers, put on gloves, take off the gloves, put on a helmet, take the tube out of the tire, put it back into the tire, and pump it up.  The fastest one did it in 5 1/2 minutes.  The slowest was 7 minutes and 35 seconds.  It was a lot of fun and I was proud of them, even though 7 minutes is a bit long to change a tire.  I then went home, and had another piece of pizza and watched "White Collar" and went to bed.  It was a good day, and I tried to be as nice as possible.  Things I learned today, 1st, When you're in a good mood, why is it that it seems like everyone else is in a good mood, but when you're in a bad mood, everyone is so grumpy!  2nd, 20 degrees in St. George is like -30 in Idaho (remember, it's a dry cold here!)  3rd, Watching 14 and 15 year old boys try to change a tire is quite the fun activity, especially since it's the one thing on earth I can do quite a bit faster than them! (It made me feel like a real macho man, I tell you). 4th, Costco pizza is better than Little Caesars pizza by a long shot.  5th, Being nice is more fun than being grumpy.  

January 30th and 31st, 2011- 52nd and 53rd Day

What a relaxing Sunday!  I got up late, went to Stake Conference, which is only two hours.  Then I came home, made a gallon of homemade salsa, baked 5 dozen white chocolate chip cookies, read a chapter in a book, and read scriptures, all before 2:00!  Then I got on-line with Kaylee and we had a great talk.  We invited our close friends, Dave and Connie Ott, over for dinner and it was really nice.  Nicole had made Cane Asada burritos and so dinner was fattening, but delicious.  We then sat and talked for hours.  Connie is one of the funniest people I know so we laughed a lot and cried a lot.  Hunter and I then took cookies around to the families in the neighborhood and wished them "Happy Sunday".  It was a great day, and by the time I went to bed I was exhausted.  I was still nice to everyone, no grumpiness the entire day.

Monday morning my main tech guy at work called in sick, so I was ready for the onslaught of technical calls, but it was a very mellow day.  I was a little under the weather because I ate too much yesterday (5 chocolate cookies!)  At lunch I made enchiladas for dinner, and then when I got home, the entire family raked and bagged the leaves in the yard.  It was a little weird raking leaves in January (we should have done that in November), but it was fun to have the entire family working together.  Nicole's brother, Ken, came to visit last night and he and I tried to re-wire the light switches in our house because some of them had a short and they were shorting out.  What should have taken 15 minutes took 2 1/2 hours.  Kaylee, your little brother, Logan, has news, so if you're reading this, you better email him.   Things I learned Sunday and Monday.  1st, I could definitely get used to 2 hours of church on Sunday.  2nd, Chocolate chip cookies and Carne Asada burritos don't go well together--no matter what anyone else tells you, trust me. 3rd, If you ignored number 2, be prepared to have Tums, Pepto Bismol, Mylanta, or any other acid indigestion medication on hand.  4th, If you ignored number 2, also be prepared to not be hungry for breakfast or dinner the next day.  5th, It's fun to rake leaves with the family, unless you have a dog (use your imagination).  6th, If you touch a screwdriver to a live, uncovered light switch, it will provide you with some sparks and a nice jolt (who knew!)  7th, If you ignored number 2, and you don't have any Tums on hand, try number 6, and your stomach ache goes away immediately--trust me!