coworkers and eyelashes

Have you ever had a coworker that for the most part you get along with them, think they do a pretty good job but there are just some certain things about them that drive you crazy so much that the quirks about them outweigh any good that they might do for their entire lives?  yep, you guessed it. I work with one.  He is a nice guy but I am driven to wearing my headphones every day because then I don't have to hear him.  Sounds pretty rude of me doesn't it.  Thank goodness he doesn't read this blog..... at least I don't think he does.  Crap I hope he doesn't.  Ok ok, I'm sorry.  I need to be more understanding I know but I am sure glad I have a great pair of headphones! 

As I was sitting here working an eyelash fell in my eye and about blinded me.  Now for some reason unknown to me, I have been blessed with freakishy long eyelashes.  I remember when I was a kid helping my dad at the junior high (he was a janitor there) the older girls would make a big fuss about my eyelashes and I got so embarassed one time that I cut them off with a pair of scissors.  I'm glad I didn't poke my eye out!  I think that that promoted them to grow even longer so at the ripe age of 43 I am fairly picky about sunglasses that I buy because my eyelashes rub on them.  So when I say an eyelash fell in my eye and about blinded me, I'm not kidding.   I stumbled to the restroom as quick as I could to get to a mirror and didn't notice that one of the stalls were occupied so not only am I blinded in one eye I'm about to retch in the sink as well. 

I believe I can put up with blindness

New skills... check!

Alisha and I went to a bread making class yesterday.  I have always wanted to learn how to make bread and Alisha wanted to perfect her talents so we took our lunch break and drove to Orem.  The class was free and very informative and of course we left with our arms loaded with product from the store.  We have a Bosch and a Kitchenaid mixer but the store was demonstrating with a Bosch so when I got home from work that is what I used.  Alisha was busy helping Chelsea move out of the house (hopefully this will be a good thing for her) so I decided to try my new found knowledge with whole wheat bread.  When I got the dough into the bread pans I felt a sense of accomplishment because my dough looked like the instructors of the class!  After baking the loaves weren't the prettiest but man, it sure tasted good.  I'm grateful to my mother for donating her grain mill and for the big buckets of wheat. 

tonight I start building Alisha's fly rod.  I am a pretty lucky guy in regards to a wife that loves to do things with me.  I am a pretty avid fly fisherman and there was no way she would stay home while I went so she picked it up as a hobby and it has taken off for her.  last year we went to a small somewhat unknown lake and she caught quite a few large tiger trout from her kick boat.  We had taken the trailer and the dogs and left the kids at home so we could have a nice quiet weekend fishing and it ended up being one of the best trips we have ever done.  Davidson (my Yorkie) had on his life jacket and would stand out on the end of the kick boat and wait for me to catch one so he could investigate.  Alisha had William G ( her Yorkie) with her on her boat and I think he slept most of the time.  Watching Alisha hook into some big fish and release them after she landed them brought me quite a bit of pleasure.  So she got a new fly rod blank and tonight it starts to go together. 

I can't wait!

It's gonna be a good day

I'm back at work today and I'm glad to be here.  I loved the time off for the holidays and spending time with family but it's nice to be able to get back to work and focus on everything that I have on my plate.  I couldn't help but think about all the stuff I had to do at work while I was off and I think I planned my days out in advance more than once.  We had a pretty good holiday, the kids were happy with Christmas and it was great spending time with my brothers and sisters.  The older I get the better I get along with my siblings.  I turned 43 on the 31st and that is the same age that my sister Ronda passed away.  Her birthday was on the 24th so happy birthday Ronda and I miss you. 

Merry Christmas

I was talking with a friend the other day and he happened to mention that he has gotten on here and read this blog a couple of times.  He told me that there was alot of fluff but not much substance in my writings.  My comment back to him was I was just trying to spread some cotton candy around.  There might not be much substance to my musings but I enjoy getting some words out of my head.  Last night I drove with my 17 yr old up to Ogden to pick up my 14 yr old daughter from her mother.  during our drive he told me about his plans to become a hermit and live in the mountains of Wyoming.  I told him good luck.  I think what he really wants to do is go in the military and in my opinion that is a good choice.  I remember when I was his age I really didn't have any idea what I would do for my future and working in the aerospace industry never even crossed my mind yet here I am 20 years later content with my choices. 

I smoked some chicken brats the other day that I had made and I was quite happy with how they turned out.  Tomorrow I'm smoking 15 pounds of honey cured bacon I have had in the fridge for a week curing and all I asked my wife to get me for christmas was a nice big brisket.  I think I am addicted to this cooking thing I do know that it really gives me great pleasure to cook for other people. 

I also wanted to wish any one who reads this blog a merry Christmas.  I am a Christian and I believe in Christ so to me this time of year brings out some very personal feelings for me and I am grateful for the opportunity to share these feelings with my family and friends and anyone else who would listen.  I love my Savior and am humbled that He would take the time to listen to me and to help me like He does. 

Have I told you lately?

Have I told you lately how difficult Christmas is for me?  The anxiety and stress levels just rise like crazy for me when I start to think of the financial burden and the feeling that I am inadequate.  I'm sure that I should go to counseling for this.  Maybe there is a phobia out there that I can say I belong to.  I know that my children don't require much and this feeling of inadequacy comes from me but I just can't help it.  My wife and I are pretty lucky to have the kids we do.  They are some of the most mature and responsible children I have ever been around and I'm pretty sure I am biased about it but aren't you supposed to be when it comes to your children?  I was explaining my feelings to Alisha the other day and she gave me some wonderful advice.  Here it is in its purest form: "don't worry about it".  Now seriously how could I go wrong with that kind of advice!  I took it to heart and for the last few days I have tried to change my thoughts and feelings about this time of year and I have finally come to a conclusion.  I suck at change. 

Last night my 17 yr old son, Keaton, had a choir concert at the high school.  he is a pretty good singer and while Alisha and I were sitting there listening it took me back to my high school days when I sung in the
a cappella choir.  I went to Bear River High School and Carl Ashby was our director.  I loved that class and when I looked at my son up there singing he looked so much like me when I was his age.  I had alot of good friends and experiences in choir and I am grateful for the experiences.  Maybe I need to be more grateful for all that I have.

Isn't that what this season is all about?  Being thankful for what you have and who you have in your life instead of worrying about being inadequate...  hmmm, I guess I have more things to think about.  If I don't get on here before christmas let me say merry christmas or happy holidays to anyone that reads this.  And to my wife that I know will read this, you have made my life complete.  Enjoy the diamond earrings that will be under the tree. 

Excellent pickles!

It's lunchtime again and my sweet wife put a baggie of pickles in that she had made.  I really love dill pickles but sometimes they are pretty strong from the store the ones she made are just right.  I guess all she did was make the brine and drop the cucumbers in and put them in the fridge.  they have been in the fridge now for at least 2 months and they just get better and better.  they are nice and crispy with just the right flavor.  cudos to her for making them.  We had a good thanksgiving spent with most of my brothers and sisters and nephews and nieces and their kids.  the family is sure getting big!  We had a nice relaxing weekend and I smoked some ribs and garlic on saturday.  I do believe that I have really gotten my use out of the smoker.  We sure missed Tylen and Chase though.  I don't really have any profound thoughts today as I have been swamped at work.  I'm just grateful to be here and being able to share my thoughts.  have a great day I know I will!

Potato chips and chestnuts

I'm sitting here at work on my break eating potato chips.  I really like the salt and vinegar ones the best.  I go in cycles for potato chips and it is starting to come back to eating them for break again.  Kind of like the trend for clothes.  My daughter Cambrie is all about the 80's style of clothing I just hope it doesn't get out of control too much because there were some really bad styles in the 80's.  Last night I decided that I wanted to roast some chestnuts, you know you hear it all the time in christmas songs so we went and bought some and I followed the instructions in a recipe I found online.  Cameron wouldn't touch them but I really liked the flavor except they were pretty dry.  Maybe I cooked them too long but Alisha really liked them and she ended up taking them to work today to snack on.  I think tonight I will boil or steam the others and see how they turn out.  I talked to my mother today all the way to work, that is a treat that I get once in a while.  We don't really talk about much but I have to say that she is the best mom out there.  I'm pretty lucky to have her still.  My dad passed away last year and that was tough so I am doing all I can to let my mom know how much I love her.  I want to make sure that she knows that.  Ok, break is over, gotta go