It's Official.....

I've been working on changing the way I live. The motivation came from a scare I got from the doctor last year. I was afraid that there was something seriously wrong with me. I was so afraid that I didn't want to go see the doctor and see what might be wrong. Seems nuts for a guy who spends his time in doctors offices day in and day out. But my own mortality had hit me probably for the first time in my life. I don't know how to convey that reality except to say at 38 I finally realized anything could happen to me, and I wasn't helping my own cause.  

Finally I went to go see my doctor, and we did a TON of tests. Blood, sonograms, MRI, colonoscopy, and poked and poked. After a close investigation the doctor did find a couple of things, but nothing scary like cancer or a tumor. The problems he did find should be helped with a life style change. 

At that time I made a decision that I was done with living the way I was living in terms of the food I eat, and the low commitment to excise that I had. 

I set some goals, and created a vision of who I want to be. That vision has evolved a bit on the go as I learn more about myself, and will probably continue to evolve as I age. Every day for the last eight months my vision of who I am going to be has motivated me to get my butt out of bed, and guided my decisions about what I eat. 

Why I tell you this is because, the great part is that it's not hard at all. I have loved it. There is no hardship because I believe in something bigger for myself. I am headed someplace great, and I know I am going to get there. I am giving myself a much better life, and hopefully a much more enjoyable future.  I have a clear and compelling vision of who I'm going to be (this time) and that has made all of the difference. Without that vision I know nothing would have changed. 

FYI my lifestyle (I'm not on a diet) does not include running marathons, or never eating things I enjoy. It's about doing the right things for myself when I know I should, and enjoying that. Still have a ways to go, but I'm loving every step.  

Personal Trainer Suzi

Suz and I don't get to exercise much together. Our schedules during the week are so different. This weekend Suz and I went out and ran together. I tell you what, she kicked my butt. I chased her for an hour, and the space got bigger and bigger as the hour progressed. 

We had a good time, each of us with our own ipods listening to our own music or favorite talk show.  I usually listen to a podcast of my favorite morning talk show. She listens to music. This morning I listened to "Train". Love there music. The only thing Suzi asked was that I not run and dance, or run and sing while running with her. Every time I would start she'd say "stop." Now I know where Georgia gets it. Georgia doesn't like when I sing in public either. I say "ROCK ON!" whenever you feel like it. 

A Great Reason for a Hike

Beautiful stuff out in the middle of the moutains near Santa Cruz.

Big Basin Redwoods

Shot this picture close to midnight as I was climbing into my sleeping bag. I love how the camera catches things a totally different image than what I could see with my eyes. It was close to pitch black when I shot this photo.

The Flames

Mmmm for Josh. Joshy Likes!

Patrick's Birthday dinner. If it's a little over cooked, someone in the house likes things a little toward the well side. Has nothing to do with my BBQing ablity inspite of what my children say. They might state that I don't know how to cook anything that isn't well done. To that I say......you cook then smarty pants.

Mitt's Top 10 Reason for Leaving The Presidential Race

10. There weren't as many Osmonds as I had thought.

9. I got tired of the corkscrew landings under sniper fire.

8. As a life-long hunter, I didn't want to miss the start of varmint season.

7. There wasn't room in the campaign for two Christian leaders.

6. Word leaked out that nobody had bothered to search my passport files.

5. I'd rather get fat, grow a beard, and try for the Nobel Prize.

4. I wanted to finally take off the dark suit and tie and kick back, in a light-colored suit and tie.

3. Once my wife Ann realized I couldn't win, my fund-raising dried up.

2. I took a bad fall at a campaign rally and broke my hair.

1. There was a flaw in our campaign theory that as Utah goes, so goes the nation.

 

82 Degrees

Oh what a beautiful day! Sun was perfect. Not too hot, certainly not too cold. Just came in from outside it's 11:00 pm and it's currently 79 degrees. Makes me want to sit outside on the bench Grandpa Paul got for Suzi on our front porch.

Lodi is a Much Safer Town Now

A Conversation I Heard Upstairs

Sam: Mom is it too late to take a shower.
Suz: Sam....hurry!
Georgia: NO SAM! You're going to make us late again. Don't.
Sam: Georgia, I'll be fast.
Georgia: Ugh.

I love all the passion on Sam's showering at 7:26am. I vote he should shower, but it won't make me late for work.

American Idol

Suz has hooked me on this show. I've been cheering for David Archuleta this year, and he's been doing quite well. I was nervous and excited about him singing Angels tonight. One of my favorite songs for years. Robbie Williams is relatively unknown in the US, but a big star in the UK.

Little concerned Simon might not like it, but I think Simon liked that David choose an English artist.

Go to itunes and look up Robbie, money well spent. I think most of his music is fantastic.

Robbie Williams- Angels

Aunt Annie's Comment Starts A Brawl

So Suzi reads me Aunt Annie's comment regarding Luke to which I respond, "honey, it's not sore joints. It's the tumor behind his leg. It get's sore from getting knocked around for a couple miles." All 4 children are standing in the room when this exchange takes place. They all know he has those lumps, and maybe they have heard me talk about the tumors, but maybe they have never put two and two together.

Sam asks "does he have cancer?!" All 4 kids eyes on me, and I answer "no....well......I don't think so. The vet say's probably not."

Sam states "you should get it removed." Hannah "yeah dad get it fixed." I answer "well that would cost thousands of dollars, and I don't think I want to do that."

I then make the mistake of saying "listen if he has cancer it won't make a difference, and if he doesn't I don't want to have it treated because it costs a lot of money." (FYI he has more than one tumor.)

Sam then tears up and says "Does he have cancer or not! Dad it's LUKE. You have to get it fixed!" Hannah falls down and starts crying. Georgia is getting teary too, and Patrick does what Suzi does when she gets nervous. He leaves the room. Hannah askes "what are we going to do if he has cancer?" I shouldn't have answered that question. Not smart. Hannah "Why would you put him down!" Me, "listen, he doesn't have cancer! I don't think....so let's not worry about that."

It takes me a good 10 minutes to get everyone calmed down and reassured that Luke is going to be ok. Everyone is still convinced I'm a bad guy. I make a statment to calm things down "listen guys, if Luke is relatively healthy and the tumor becomes a big problem we'll get him taken care of." Now looking back at it, I'm sure I will be held to that.

Guilt

I have no problem leaving the dog to go for a run. He tries to make me feel guilty, and most times it doesn't work. However there are times I go to the treadmill in the garage if his guilty looks get to me. 

Suzi can't get out of the door. She complains about how he looks at her, and then before you know it she's got the leash and dog headed out for a run. She's so nice. 

I'm not cold hearted. He's getting old. After a run he's sore and limps around for the rest of the day.