Tuesday, well that is tomorrow, but as you all know, unless you have been holed up in the bottom of a vessel sailing the seven seas. Tomorrow is the inauguration of the new president of the United States. I am not a big fan, but it will be a historic event. I did say historic not prehistoric like I was thinking when I saw Stevie Wonder singing at the Lincoln Memorial party. I am glad to see the events and I look forward to the future. DO I believe the President Obama can "change" everything..... no, it takes more that one person to tango. We as a country will need to work together and bash through this funk we are in. I do believe that WE can do it. Is life all that bad...... NO, I think lots of these companies are seeing that they can trim some of the fat. Those that are not pulling his or her weight will get the axe. I hope everyday that I put my best foot forward and can be counted among the hard workers. Heck I think I work pretty hard. I even have a second job lately, a taxi driver! Just ask my girls, they still owe me $4.53 for the taxi ride home the other day. I will just put it on their tab. I plan on giving it my best tomorrow and every other day. Good luck Mr. President and if you wreck your car in SLC, bring it by.

PS. My girls do not think I am very funny either.

I feel like an idiot!!

IDIOT, why can I not connect the dots. The other night I was looking for something to read and I stumbled across the book "Christmas Jars". Great book that I read a few years ago, If you have not read it I would greatly suggest it. Well, I was thumbing through the pages re reading some parts and I put it down. I thought I would start something else. Then I got on the computer and started to goof around. I have an addiction to "facebook", I have had some fun looking up some old friends and just playing around with it. Well, I found my mission group on there and found a few of my old companions. Jason Wright was there and so I wondered what he was doing with his life. HE IS THE AUTHOR of my book, "Christmas Jars". I could not believe that my mission companion had done so well for himself. So I went out and got "Wednesday's Letters", that is great too.

Just to think I was his companion some 18 years ago. We had such a good time together, I pulled out my journal to reminisce some of the old times. Jason and I used to play 9 ball pool all the time. In fact I think we averaged 4 or 5 games a day. In Brasil they have barzinos all over the place. Almost like 7-11's but they are open bars and most of them have pool tables. These barzinos were always by the bus stops. So we started to play 9 ball pool. The Brazilians did not normally play this kind of pool so we would teach whoever and then laugh and play a game. We had a ball. Just close your eyes and imagine two missionaries in ties and white shirts drinking Cokes and playing pool. What a laugh. We baptized so many together, and I do not think I worked harder with anyone else. I think we went roller staking, BBQ hamburgers for our zone and had a massive missionary sleep over one time. He was great.

The story that I remember most happened almost before we were transferred. I woke up one morning and his bed was gone. I found him asleep in the office area on the floor so I asked what happened. I guess he was dreaming that we were teaching by a place in Brasil called sete largoas. There is a big lake in the middle of town there. He had to go to the bathroom really bad. I apparently told him to go in the lake. So he did. He peed so much that it went through the mattress and puddled on the floor. I know that he was embarrassed that he had peed the bed, but we laughed so hard at that. In my Journal at the end of that day I wrote in big letters "GO IN THE LAKE!!!!"

If you get a chance read his books, they are great, and the author was my compainion. This is my claim to fame.

Help me with a problem......

I am going to get in so much trouble....... Oh well,

I have a friend, relative or acquiantance that has moved away from her family for the first time in her life. My sister... (oops) moved to Spokane a month ago as some of you may know. I am worried about her. See, this is the first time that she has ever been "away" from home. I do not want her to be sad and miss her family. So, I am trying to think of how I did it when I have lived a way from the homestead.

I have never been to Spokane, but I am sure that there is plenty of new things to see. I would try to get out of the house and explore the area. That can be hard in the winter time, but try some close places first. The Library, I am sure they read in other places than here. Or a mall, You do not need to buy anything just go for a walk. Is there a gym near by or even a scrapbook store. Just keep busy. That will keep your mind off the miles from Mom.

Next I would suggest your ward. Become involved, the church is different in places other than Utah. Demand a calling form the Bishop or call the Relief Society President to see if they need any help. I am sure the young women would be happy to help with Jayda and Jaycee once in a while so you can have some "free" time. Can your neighbors use some help with something else? The ward will have activities for you to be involved in.... do it.

Hobbies, I know that you like to scrapbook, but never have the time. Do it, try some new things. Read a book or two. Is there a book club that you can join? ask the Relief Society they might know. I will bet the girls will like a matinee movie every once in a while and they are usually cheap. Is there a play group or pre school you can get Jayda into? These are all great hobbies for you.

Last but not least is your testimony, build it. It is a good time for you to learn on your own. The Gospel can be a strength to you.

With technology we are not that far away. (Heck the webcam will let you see my ugly mug anytime you want). We love you Jay and pray that everything will be great.

NOW... I would ask everyone Else's help. Some of you have more experience than I do at being a long way from home. Can you leave a comment about what you do or have done to get used to living somewhere else. I would appreciate it. Thanks

Tonight is the night, and I will be watching. So if you are planning on robbing my house just do not disturb me in the midst of the game. This will be a big test for the Utes, in fact this game could be the biggest they have ever played. Utah is the only team from a non BCS conference to play in a BCS game more than once. Can they beat Alabama? I am not feeling that confident, but I will cheer as loud as possible form my comfy couch. I think it is funny to hear the fans guaranteeing victory. I consider myself a huge sports fan, and I have teams that I have followed for a long time, but I am not the in your face fan of those teams. I like the complexity of the game. Whether t be trying to analyze the defense or the strategy on the baseball diamond. That is what I love. I hope for a good day

Go Utes!!