Worry

My Dad was always telling me not to worry about Jess when we were younger and he (my dad) was around.

So we're all (CJ, Alex, Jo, me) downstairs last night picking up toys... except Alex of course is playing with toys.  Christopher keeps telling Alex to stop playing because it's time to pick up.  I tell CJ to relax that mommy and daddy will take care of Alex.  CJ continues to be bothered by Alex's playing.

CJ: Alex, STOP playing!
Me:  Christopher, don't worry about Alex.  You worry about you.
CJ: But I have to worry about Alex because he's my baby brother.

The tears of joy swell in my eyes... and as I write this.

Wise Words of Tecumseh (Shawnee)

This was read as part of my uncle Gary's funeral service:

Live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart.
Trouble no one about his religion.
Respect others in their views and demand that they respect yours.
Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life.
Seek to make your life long and of service to your people.
Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.
Always give a word or sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, or even a stranger, if in a lonely place.
Show respect to all people, but grovel to none.
When you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life, for your strength.
Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living.
If you see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies in yourself.
Touch not the poisonous firewater that makes wise ones turn to fools and robs their spirit of its vision.
When your time comes to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way.
Sing your death song, and die like a hero going home.

Garileo Pedroza

Hubs and Dad
Kearns, UT-Gary was born September 6, 1956 to Frank and Beverly Pedroza in Murray, Utah he married Ann in 1981 and they have two wonderful sons, Philip and Issac. He is the third of four brothers. Although he is free of the pain of arthritis, it was not a peaceful passing. He fought like hell to stay as he felt that he had work to do and that he needed to take care of his little family, multitude of friends and cohorts. His passing has left a large hole in many people and places. He left us all way too early. He is preceded in death by his parents. Survived by his wife, sons, brothers and a multitude of aunts, uncles and cousins.
 
Gari grew up in Kearns, Utah. He attended Kearns Jr. High and was student body president, inspiring many, and helping transform the Kearns High graduating class of 1974 into one of the closest classes ever. Gari went on to graduate from the "U" in planning, working as an intern for SLC and then as a planner at Price, Utah. As the arthritis began to take a toll on his body, he worked from home turning his "avocation" into his "vocation", consulting and connecting people on various projects relating to his geometries with the intent of helping the world.
 
Gari loved camping and the mountains. Because he could no longer hike he had to content himself with driving to the various vacation areas, speeding by rest areas with a vengeance! Everyone learned quickly not to drink any beverage while on the drive with "G"!
 
Gari always honored Christmas and kept it in his heart the whole year. It is appropriate that he left with the angels this time of year.

The Last Symbol

I've decided I need to start keeping track of the books I read.

Author: Dan Brown
Much like the other books by Brown that I've read (The DaVinci Code and Angels & Demons) which isn't saying much as it involves the same character, Robert Langdon. I certainly enjoyed the book and was able to breeze through it quite rapidly including some late nights where I couldn't put it down.  Brown's short chapter switching back and forth between plot lines contributes to that quite a bit. It made we want to go back to Washington DC for another trip and see some specific sites.

Halloween Hat

Jo has put out a few Halloween decorations around the house including a couple plastic witch's caldrons.  Today, Christopher decided that one in particular makes a great hat.  He was playing with it on his head and decided to push to down all the way... all the way, over his ears and eyes.  He thought that was pretty funny.  Thing was though that it was tight fit so when it came to taking off his head, he kinda started freaking out and really struggled with getting it off.  Additionally, he want any help getting it off so Jo and I sat there laughing hysterically.  I looked for the camera, but wasn't fast enough.

Dizzy Trucks

Christopher calls cement trucks "Dizzy trucks".  Yes, I know there's a Bob the Builder character that is a cement truck called "Dizzy", but I still think it's cute.

Semi-Recent House Projects

Thanks to my handy contractor, Dennis, we now have more master bathroom storage, 3 new ceiling fans, and a newly textured ceiling (the last one in the house) in our other upstairs bathroom.  The work in the other bathroom was a result of the job K-Bar did for us, which I'm still not happy about.  Dennis had to fix the ceiling cracks, patch the wall, texture the ceiling, and paint nearly the entire bathroom.  All that work and it cost us no small amount.  Thankfully, Dennis always does great work, and we're always happy with the results.  I will definitely call him next time before looking elsewhere.

The fans have been nice this summer since it's been so hot, and the boys have gotten a kick out of them.  My only complaint is that I keep bumping into the chain with my head.

Something else I did all by myself was to mount one of those cheap push lights on the bottom of the new bathroom cabinet for those late nights visit.  That way, there's no blinding light experience for the visitor.