Wedding Graffitti 5-24-08

Well, we did it. We re-wed on May 23rd. It was about 2 weeks earlier than I had originally anticipated but it was so that Annette wouldn't have to pay for another month in her apartment. It was along weekend and all the kids could be here if they wanted. I was hapopy to start over again. I don't think there are many of us that actually do this THREE times but, none the less, it's done and I'm grateful and happy for it. We all went out as a family on Friday and had a wonderful dinner. Crit and Nick was the only ones that couldn't be there. Other than that. It was a family affair like last time. Ha ha ha ha. Anyway... the house is nearly all in order, the walls and furnishings are nearly all in place and life is continuing on as it should. Life is good and I'm grateful for it and all my family too.

I woke up to see someone (I know who it was too) had tagged the truck. Leaving cute little messages of the beloved event! I think the people who tagged it are not too far behind Annette and I.

This last Weekend 5-17-08

Annette and I went down to see Missy and Thom. Also we stopped in to see her brother Darren and his little family that is growing up so fine and all. That Darren is quite a musician. He showed me what he was doing and how he was creating an entire orchestra with his computer! How cool was that. Anyway, I had to go down to meet with a client and we incorporated the trip with visiting Missy. Here's a few snap shots of them. Tom is an excellent barbee man! He does a great job. I need to learn from them how to cook over a grill. I haven't developed that talent yet.

Also, the band blog is up and running now. Go check it out. I think I'll ask Seth to let me put one together for the old Looking Back Band too.

Third Time's a Charm!

Ellory's Blessing

Last Sunday we had Ellory blessed. It was a fun time because all the family was there. We missed missy but it was fun having Nick's mom, her family and all of her aunts anuncles were at the house. It made me think that I'd better clean up my Redneck backyard and make it look good. Anyway, I forgot my camer and we had a houseful. Critter did snap one of her in her blessing dress and she sent it to me. David blessed her and it was funny because he first blessed her and then gave her the name of Ellory jane Perez!!!!! OPPS!!!! He fixed it by saying Ellory Jane Howe! He was so nervous. Anyway, Davey sure loves little Ellory and she loves him. He can make any baby smile. He's like his grampa Anderrsen that way. This family is so good to be a part of...hey wait...they can't help but be related to me! ha ha ha

I Love Them All

Redneck America- Gotta Love It.

This last week I went to Leadore Idaho for my annual visit with the Jr. Econmics students of Leadore School. Kim Sharp, the teacher has invited m\e upmthere for years and I enjoy going there so much because the drive gets me away from my office and the 2 hour drive gives me a reason to think about all that has to happen to be successful in life.

The first time I went to Leadore was back in 1981 and I remember rolling into this little town, turning off the highway and on to one of four streets that goes west. It was like going back in time at least 100 years. I remember the first time I drove in, I drove past this same pile of cars, maybe with one or two less. I also remember a jack rabbit just calmly hoping past the cars in front of me like he was a regular pedestrian there in town. Anyway, I love going there, the people are wonderful and friendly and are the heart of this country. Anyway, I decided to take the camera and grab a couple of redneck shots!! Cool huh?

Ahhhh, a new week!

So this weekend was a very busy one, as are most weekends. Lets see, we cleaned the church, got help a friend move (well sorta, got there late), went to Stake conference this weekend, picked up stuff in the basement, went home teaching, played a gig with the "Mint Condition" Band on Friday, made cookies, and went to try to refill cartyridges that were just too old I guess at Critters place. No wonder I can't wait to come to work. Besides, I love what I do 99% of the time.

Looks like the festivities for this week are, Home Evening with Crit & Ellory followed by a quick recording session with one named Rick Harris tonight at home, 40 Somethin band pactice tomorrow night, a gig @ Apple on Wednesday, a quick recording session on thursday and finally, a date with Annette ion Friday. Full schedule for sure.

Critter brought the car back last night so I drove that. I feel guilty driving it because they need it so bad but Annette tells me it is good for them to figure out wht they are going to do. I love my little Crit and Ellory, heck I love all my kids.

April 18th 1980 Memories!!!

Hey!! Today I would have been married to Annette for 28 years. Well, it was such a great sealing to her at the Manti Temple way back then. Who would have thought that from that day we would have 4 great kids and 5 wonderful grandkids. Oh man life is good. I am happy and so pleased with my family. I love it and I am blessed. Life is good.

So today, I was really down and have been for a long time ( 5 weeks) with the slow down and the darned media talking all the crap that they do. They, the media, are so believeable that one would think that this is normal. Anyway, I snapped out of it today and decided to take charge of myself again. I made myself accountable for what i was doing all day. I find that a note pad, and a pen, writing what I've done, who I've contacted, what I've done, is very revealing! No wonder I was down. I'm reminded of a story that I heard aboutr a man that sold mexican food from a handcart in a large California city. He had great food, a good steady business and he worked hard to send his son to college so that the son would not have to sell food from a cart as he was doing. He was so pleased to send his son to the university and worked hard at it and business was good and he was always growing more and more every year.

Well, the story continues with the son coming home from college for a spring break and telling his father, "Hey Papa, don't you know we're in a recession? People are losing their jobs. People are mortgaged beyond their means to pay. People are seeking refuge from all of the emotional stress caused by this recession. Why would you order more meat and vegetables to make more food to sell to people who can't afford to eat out?"

Well, the father thought about it. He knew that his son was more educated formally than he ever was going to be. He thought to himself, "Well, he knows! He's been to school! I should not order more meat and vegetables to make more! He says we're in a recession! So I will listen to him." So the father made fewer and fewer meals from his handcart and soon, he was closing his little business down because there was nobody coming to buy his food. Finally, he too was a victim of the "Recession".

It is interesting how a self fullfilling prophecy will come true if we think that way. It actually works both ways. We are what we think. The little food stand was successful as long as the father thought it was. As soon as he didn't, then it wasn't. So in life it is! "We are What we think!!!"

I'm glad I snapped out of it today!!!!