Chocolate

Don't eat a lot of chocolate, but if I'm going to eat it. I really like the Ghirardelli's dark chocolate. Plus it's dark chocolate is good for you in a lot of ways (in moderation, see Mediterranean diet).

SF

Friday night in San Francisco with some of my "homies" (Georgi's phrase). Good times.

Sam's Scout Camp

Sam went to scout camp for the first time. He went up for 3 days, and left Patrick there for the rest of the week. He had a OK time. Tough going as an 11 year old, but Mike (scout leader) said he did a good job. Sam said he had a good time hanging out with his buddy Cameron (Mike's son). I asked him what didn't you like. There were plenty of complaints to choose from, however his strongest complaint, was the 6am bugle. He thought that was "stupid", and unnecessary. This from a kid who wants to go to the Air Force Academy, and wants to be a pilot when he grows up.

Get a dog.

Salesguy-Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah.......blah.

Me- Huh.

Salesguy- Do you have the digital house alarm system.

Me- No. 

Salesguy-What kind do you have?

Me- I don't know? 

Salesguy- How much do you pay?

Me- I don't know.

SG- That seems to be the phrase of the day.

Me- Yeah, seems.

SG- Do you have to type in the code before you leave the house.

Me- Never do.

SG- You never activate your alarm?

Me- What makes you think I have an alarm.

SG- ?????

Me- That's just a sign in my yard that makes people think I have a system. Seems to do it's job since you thought I had an alarm. Costs me nothing.

SG- Don't you worry about people knowing that. 

Me- No, not really. 

SG- Why is that?

Me- Because I have an 80 pound crazy dog.

SG- Don't you worry about him biting people?

Me- No! I thought that was what he was suppose to do. Why would I worry about it?

SG- Has he ever actually bit people?

Me- 3 different people who didn't belong in my back yard.

SG- Does he stay outside?

Me- He moves in and out, and at night when we are sleeping he tells me about people in my front yard. He does a great job. He' s smart, he knows our friends, and he knows when and where people belong and don't belong. He's a thinking alarm system. 

SG- Hmmm.

Me- Just give me a monthly price and I'll ask my wife.

SG- It's ????? cents a day. (I can't remember)

He was a nice college kid from Oregon St. Really did his best, and did a good job. It's hard to sell door to door. I left out a lot of the conversation. It was at least 100 degrees in the front yard where we were talking, and he was out there hitting it hard. I would hire a kid like him eventually. Love the people who have horrible jobs, and do them well. Tells me they are hungry.  

Dad Can Cook!

Me-Georgia, I'm turning on the grill you want a hot dog? 

Georgia-Yeah I do. You could cook mine in the microwave. 

Me- I could, but I'm going to cook it on the grill because I'm turning it on.

Georgia- Yeah, but you burn everything there. So I want mine in the microwave.

Guess I should have listened the first time.

You say Potato I say Potatoe....

Suzi- I could make some funeral potatoes.

Me- Could you just call them primary potatoes? Why do they have to be called that.

Suzi- Because they are called that.

Georgia- I want potatoes at my funeral. 

Me- Georgia!...... would you just be quiet!

Like Father, Like Son?

Patrick spoke in church today. He did a great job, really did well. It was his second time speaking in Sacrament meeting, but it looked like he'd done it a many, many times before. He looked very comfortable. I asked Suz before hand, " is he nervous?" She said "I'm sure we're much more nervous than he is", and that was the case. 

I had plenty of people tell me he did a great job. He got a very nice compliment from an older gentleman who said that he had brought a visitor to church, and that the visitor said that Patrick's talk seemed to be written just for her, and that she really enjoyed it. 

It really is a neat thing that our young people have the opportunity from a very young age (starting at age 3 in primary) to learn to speak publicly. I remember the nightmare it was for me when I first spoke in church at 16 and how I thought I was going to die. Not to mention my famous first blessing of the sacrament that is apparently legendary in the Placerville ward. I refuse to write that moment down so that I can deny it ever happened if I need to, but if you've never heard that story and would like to know I'd be glad to tell you over the phone. It really is funny. 

So I really enjoy public speaking now. Such a strange thing considering I thought it was going to kill me the first couple of times, and for many times to come. I look at my kids, and it is so easy for them, and I think how much more accomplished a speaker they will be when they are my age. I hope everyone had a great weekend, have a great week as well! 

A Sign of Aging

When teenagers stop talking because I'm close enough to hear what their talking about. 

Painful Truth

Georgia- Dad did you go to a father's day party in Hannah's kindergarden.

Dad- Humm... I don't know, yes, maybe, I don't know.

Georgia- Yes you did, and Hannah made you a hat to wear, and you don't ever wear it. 

Ouch. Dag on set me up. Little stinking lawyer. 

Crazy

Suzi- She's crazy

Me- Everybody is crazy.

Suzi- Yeah, but she's crazier than normal. 

I loved that statement. "Crazier than normal." Made me laugh hard. 

The Gang

Summers Here!

Kids are out of school, and summer night baseball games are back on the menu. It was a little cool of a night this night. Left before the fire works in the 7th inning. We went with the Islas family, and the Burrows family.