Christmas 2008

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. We enjoyed Christmas this year and it was special for us all but it was different. We as a family have fought all sorts of illness. Hallie had Viral Croup which was very contagious. Several of us had Strep, many of us had sore throats, runny noses, fevers etc. We worried about the Nick and Noah getting any of these. So far we have all made it through but we are not over everything. Bryan has had a particular hard time this season and seems to go from one illness to another, headaches, etc. I don't know why this has happen but we are thankful for the Gospel and for our Lord Jesus Christ. He has strengthen our faith and our testimony through the little things we did for each other. We were disappointed when we had to cancel our annual Christmas Eve Party even though it was the right thing to do. We missed not being with family and friends and sharing the Christmas Cheer and message but wanted each of them to know that although they were not with us physically we felt their love in our hearts.

Christmas was special in many ways, the kids opening presents, Luke trying to take it all in and not having enough time to enjoy each present, Sydney getting her Barbie's Doll House, Hallie getting a scooter, Kendra getting her own DS, the spinach dip made by Natalie, the baking that CIndy and Natalie did, the beauty of the Christmas tree, the 8 - 12 inches of snow on Christmas day, talking with our Texas Family and listening to their excitement of what Santa brought and many many other blessings to numerous to list here.

Although there were many great things that happen that I could write about my top two are as follows: (1) I received from my lovely wife a special photograph of herself that brought me to tears along with it a letter expressing her love for me and her testimony of the Gospel. I will cherish this forever and this picture will hang in my office for the world to see. (2) Cindy and I have worked since before Thanksgiving putting together what we call our Stevens Heritage Cookbook. It was a labor of love and has all our family favorite recipes that we have loved over the years; many from our Grandparents, many from our friends and some that we found in one place or another. It was a work we loved doing and hope a blessing for our posterity which we hope will be cherished forever and that it will be used by our children's families and pass down through our grand children.

Yes it was the best of times and it was the worst of times. We hope that everyone had a great Christmas and that they were blessed and that you will have a happy healthy and prosperous New Year. With all our Love to all our family and friends.

Christmas is the best time of the Year

Yes, Christmas has come to our little snowy Happy Valley. The lights are sparkling, Frosty is swaying in the wind and the Tree has been up before Thanksgiving. I love looking at the Christmas tree and the lights even though I only see the Blue, Yellow and White but they look the same as the yellow ones unless I am very close.

Why is Christmas so special. It started as a little boy back in our little square quaint 2 story 3 BR home. My brothers and I would go to bed Christmas eve and in the morning the tree would be up, the presents under the tree left by Santa. Santa always brought the Christmas tree. Yes Santa did visit every house on Christmas Eve, how else could the tree and presents appear. We believed!!

I don't know how Mom and Dad did it, it takes us a month to get almost ready! As I grew up we started putting the tree up after Thanksgiving which was much more fullfilling. We would always go to the Candlelight Service at our Methodist Church on the Sunday before Christmas. It was very special, nicely decorated and I loved to hear my Grandmother sing the Carols. She had a very sweet, clear voice and sounded like an angel when she sang as did her sister. Did you know they were a sister act in Vaudeville and were to first to sing "Down by the Old Mill Stream."

The youth of the church would always put on the Christmas Story, with wise men, Shepherds, a Manger with Joseph, Mary and Baby Jesus. For some reason, beyond me, I was always asked to be the Narrator while everyone else re-enacted the birth of our Savior. This was very fulfilling to me, as I do love reading the Christmas Story. I also loved being a part of the Manger Scene at Church. As a Youth Group we built a complete Manger Scene with all the animals, etc. We built it out of plywood, painted it and stored it in the church attic until the Saturday after Thanksgiving then we would spend the morning and put it up for the town to see.

In my sophomore year, I was asked to join the Choir, why I don't know, on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being best, I was a true '1' at my prime! I sat next to Warren Faulkrod who had a great powerful baritone tenor voice. It didn't matter how I sang, my singing was lost in his beautiful resonating voice. Well a funny thing happen my senior year at this service while singing in the choir. We had a Midnight Candle-light Service and we were singing 'Go Tell It On the Mountain' and I passed out, wiped out all the chairs around me, stopped the program. They took me to the back and revived me. I did not know why I had fainted, never had before and have never fainted since. In talking to my Mom and Dad afterwards, we determine that I had not eaten a thing all day, not since supper the night before. I had run from one event to another all day long; I guess that would not happen today with my food storage around waist.

The best thing I like about Christmas is the great peace I feel from the songs, the decorations, and mostly from the people. I think this is the one time a year that everyone is sincerely and genuinely concern for others. They are kinder in the stores, they seemed to have happier faces, easily prompting sweet tender smiles when they see you. The carol 'Joy to the World' is an echo of my feelings at this time of year and it validates what I see in our people. There are many angels among us and they come out by the hundreds every Christmas. This time of year has to be the happiest for our Heavenly Father.

I do think Christmas is best when families can share it together. May everyone's Christmas be full of Joy, Health, Happiness and Charity. I invoke the Lord's blessing on all that read this blog and know that I have already ask the Lord for a blessing on you.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good Night! The every present Optimist.

Tag and out

Yes Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of the year. I am looking forward to Parades, Turkey, Cranberry sauce (If Natalie buys it and if Bryan has a coupon), Apple Pie and just a lazy day of vegetating. Since Natalie has Tag us all here are my 10:

1) Just like you all, I am truly thankful for my Savior. I could not be the person I am with out his help. He is truly a 'Big Brother'. I love him with all my mind, heart and soul and look forward to the day that I can give him a big hug and say thanks for being there. I know that he has carried me many times leaving only one set of footprints in the sand.

2) I know this is redundant and many have heard this many times before but I am truly thankful for my wife of 40+ years. She is my better half and also my main support after the Lord. She makes me very happy. I am a very lucky man to have found such an angel in this life and then to have been sealed to her for all eternity. I love her smiles, holding her hand whiling walking together, and sharing a movie or TV show. I love her creativity and marvel at all the great things she can do. I am so thankful she said 'I do' so many ions ago.

3) Where would any of us be with out our family. I am thankful for my daughters and all the love they have shown me over the years. They are diamonds in the bracelet of my life. No joy can compensate for the love and friendship of a daughter and even though they have replaced me as the number one man in their life I am still blessed as they build they own families. I am truly thankful for my son-in-laws and the love they have for my daughters. They take very good care of my girls and my grand children and I loved them like the sons I never had. Of course last but not least are my grandchildren. They are terrific. I wish I had their energy. Their love is so unconditional and they bring me much joy such that I can't really express in words. I am thankful for my family, truly truly.

4) I am thankful that I have my health and that I can ride my bike to work when the weather is good and the temperature is about 35. The wind in my hair and my heart pumping away climbing the next hill is as close to a Utopian moment one can get to by himself.

5) I am thankful for Prayer. It is a great blessing in my life. Yes, Heavenly Father does answer our prayers. Having a prayer in my heart enhances my eternal optimism. Through prayer I can be successful in anything I do.

6) I am thankful for technology and all the opportunities it brings to my life, our lives. For example, where would our families be without IPOD, Madden Football, TiVo and HD TV. Cellphones has changed all of our lives to the utmost. The Internet is a great blessing and yet a curse but as a family we can blog together and share our life's experiences. I am thankful that with technology I can re-live great Sporting Moments, watch my favorite re-runs and see many movies for the fourth and fifth times.

7) The Beach Boys. I know this may date me but some of the best music ever written (my unconditional opinion) is the surfing music of the 60's. The beach boys are tops in this category and I love to listen to their music, work to their music and lounge to their music. It always, yes I mean always soothes my soul.

8) I am thankful for Ham and Scallop potatoes. These are two of my top five foods. Talk about something being savory and mouth watering, if I know that is what is for supper, dinner etc. I am thinking about it all afternoon. When you bite into a center piece of the loin it is like skiing down the icy face of a glacier, making a three point shot to win the game with 1 second left on the clock or having 11 strikes in a row and with only one more for perfection. It is always a Kodak moment.

9) I am thankful for the Springtime. It is my favorite time of the year. Trees budding, flowers blooming, grass 'greening' all remind me of our new beginning that lies before us for Eternity. There is nothing more inspiring than see all this newness and knowing that the Lord did this for our happiness and to motivate us into the future.

10) As there are so many things, yes so many things, that I am truly thankful form, I want to conclude with number ten (10) being is living in this wonderful country we call America. I know it to be a land of promise and destiny. I love this country with all my heart and although we are having a struggle as a nation, I am so thankful that we can have our own opinions be able to express them openly and without fear or reprisal. That we can have an election to determine our next leader and then have a passing of the torch without violence. This is a great country. Americans in my humble opinion are the most compassion people in the world. America is the keystone and people from all around the world look to us first for help and support. This was the Lord's plan from the beginning and I thank him for it often.

Thanks to Natalie for tagging us and encouraging us to count our tick-marks and say:
"I am thakful for....." To everyone, Have a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Question for Thanksgiving

Is it possible to offer a prayer of thanksgiving without asking for something?

President Eyring challenged us to periodically have a prayer where we just express gratitude for all that we have. I have tried this several times and I find it very hard. My intentions are good with my initial effort right on goal but before long I find myself asking for things. For example, I will be thanking the Lord for my family and then I find myself asking Him to bless them. It takes a lot of focus to meet this challenge and I hate to say this I have not been successful yet. However, my gratitude has expanded for all the Lord has done for me. I am truly thankful for all his help and inspiration and I find myself more dependent on Him each day.

So my question remains,

"Is it possible or have you offered a prayer of thanksgiving without asking for something?"

Sweater Sweater - maybe a quirk!

One of the things I like about the Fall is that I get to wear my sweaters. I really love wearing sweaters they are casual, comfortable and at times they have the air of elegance and professionalism. I suppose to some sweaters look like another layer of clothing but to me they have a very distinguishing look. I feel more powerful, have more confidence and just thrive on the enjoyment of wearing sweaters. My favorite is the V-neck but all styles are OK.

I have often wondered where the name for a sweater came from; maybe it is had a practical beginning i.e., like sweat-suits we wear for the gym. Here is an excerpt I found on the Internet. Notice the word 'bounder' I don't think that would describe my feelings about wearing sweaters!

History: It's an American term, deriving from a knitted shirt or a heavy woolen jersey (so called because sailors on the Isle of Jersey wore them). It was adopted in the 1890s by American sportsmen who wore them to make them sweat. (Don't ask me why.) First it had a stand-up edge around the neck, then for golf a polo collar was added to it in 1894. Cyclists continued to wear it with the stand-up edge for a while. But a 1900 source says that "no man can wear it as it now stands without looking like a bounder" (in Cunnington et al.'s A Dictionary of English Costume). In 1920 the English started to call the sweater jumper, and in 1930 pullover, which then found its way into German. It wasn't just the name that changed. While sweaters were a man's garment, mostly worn for sports, the jumper was an everyday item for everyone.

Which Number

If you pick a number between 1 and 1000 did you know that Hallie can guess your number in 12 moves or less. Next time you see her, test her. She is GOOD!!!!!
The question is can you?

Its that Time

Everyone, Please make plans to vote early or go to the polls on Tuesday.

We need to put the best person available in as President. whoever you like Obama or McCain they need your vote. I am not totally happy about either of the front runners but we need a president. If it would help I would vote for Bryan E. Harper. He's our man. But since the homeland does not know him as we do I will have to settle for the one of the two front runners. Yes in my book I like Obama less therefore I will vote for McCain. When I listen to Obama I get really sick and only see him as if was President Logan from the TV show '24'. There is no substance to him.

Remember Please Vote for your best choice, it is the AMERICAN WAY!!!!!!!!!!!

Can it be True??????

CAN YOU BELIEVE..............................
The reasons behind still other laws have been lost to history, and chances are you can get away with violating them. In Denver, for example, it’s illegal to drive a black car on Sunday. And in the foggy past, Minneapolis outlawed red cars on Lake Street.

Here are 12 more unusual laws related to cars and driving. But we must warn you: Reading these means you’ll have to answer truthfully when the officer asks “Do you know why I pulled you over?”

Honk if you pass

Rural New Jersey might sound like a never-ending New Year’s Eve party if everybody obeyed the law. State law requires drivers to honk the horn when passing another vehicle going in the same direction outside a business or residential district.

However, watch it in Little Rock, Ark., where the law says “no person shall sound the horn on a vehicle at any place where cold drinks or sandwiches are served after 9 p.m.”

Honking at sandwich shops is OK in University City, Mo. – so long as you honk in your own car. It’s illegal to honk the horn of someone else’s.

Kindly keep your cattle in the car

Hey, city slicker – you’ll have to keep that cow in your vehicle in Topeka, Kan. The city has made it “unlawful for any person to suffer or permit any livestock owned or controlled by such person to run at large, or to drive any herd of cattle, horses, mules or hogs, or any flock of sheep, upon any street in the city.”

You’ll need permission to throw that brick

In Mount Vernon, Iowa, you’re not allowed to shoot arrows or throw bricks onto any street or highway without the City Council’s written consent.

Clean up your act

In San Francisco, it’s illegal to wipe a vehicle with used underwear and to pile horse manure more than six feet high on any street corner.

Unhand that nozzle!

In Oregon and New Jersey, you cannot pump your own gas. Supposedly this practice keeps gasoline prices lower in those states, because insurance costs for gas stations go down if attendants instead of customers pump the gas – but, on the other hand, that attendant must be paid, whereas you pump for free. So the jury’s out on the reasons for this one.

Animal and vegetable antics

Palm Springs, Calif., forbids anyone from walking a camel down the main street, Palm Canyon Drive, between 4 and 6 p.m.

Hunting from moving vehicles is illegal in several states, including Connecticut and Tennessee, where only whale hunting by that method is allowed.

Thou shalt not sow a vegetable garden in any public street in Chico, Calif. The law, however, does not forbid flower gardens.

No pillows on the roadbed

No matter how sleepy you get, you are not allowed to snooze in the middle of any street in Eureka, Calif.

Reno, Nev., won’t let you park yourself on a bench or chair in the middle of its roads, either.

As long as we’re on a roll, here are a few more tips to the lawful:

• Yield to peacocks in Arcadia, Calif.
• Don’t jump into a passing vehicle in Glendale, Calif.
• Don’t change clothes in your car at the beach in Destin, Fla.
• Don’t keep a car door open longer than is necessary in Oregon.
• Don’t drive through playgrounds in Dublin, Ga.

How serious are they? Serious. Screeching your tires in Derby, Kan., could get you 30 days in Bad Boys’ Bed & Breakfast.

And if you think switching back to a one-horsepower hay-burner might get you away from the long arm of the law, consider this: In Texarkana, Texas, it’s illegal to ride a horse at night without taillights.

Tag and Out

I have been Tagged by Tara.

The rules:
-List 6 Quirks about yourself
-Tag 6 other people
-Tell who tagged you

---------My Quirks-------------------------------------------

1) I hate to have my hair messed up. It curdles the hair on the back of my neck when someone messes it up. There is no reason why this should be, I guess it is my vanity, I always want to look you nice, neat and in control. Messy hair means you are out of control. For the same reason I will forgo a hat if I will be visiting people later. If the occasion warrants it I don't mind wearing a hat and having the hair out of place.

2) This one has no rhyme or reason for its validity, but I think people use to much toilet paper when doing their business. My family harasses me about this. I think 3 or 4 sheets per wipe is sufficient yet some people wad up the toilet paper the size of a softball to get the job done. I think it has to do with the fact that I have unclogged many toilets in my family from to much paper in the bowl. Just imagine putting your hand into that cool water and pulling out 3 softballs of paper!

3) I hate snakes with a passion. I used to be so scared of snakes that I could hear them crawl in the grass. I, once, stop a Little League All Star game when I was about 12 years old. I was playing third base when I hear a snake crawling in the grass. I signaled the Umpire for time out. He asked why, I told him. Then I went looking for the snake behind my position at third base. The snake, a four foot garter snake, was slithering about 7 feet behind me. Once I knew where the snake was, I told the umpire, " Let's play ball'. When I know where the snake lies I am no longer afraid. Today, I am still scared of snakes but not quite as much.

4) I like peanuts, all kinds, and Ice cream, usually Vanilla but I hate to mix them together in a sundae. It must be something on the left side of my brain or maybe a thorn in my foot. Who knows, I don't!

5) I am very afraid of Bees and yet my family expects me to take care of them because I am the Husband, the Dad or the family 'go-to person when they can't do it themselves'. I will do it for the family but I have almost a heart attacked when asked to do it. This fear probably stems from when I was a little boy and ran over a honey bee nest in the ground with our lawnmower. Before I could get into the house, I was stung over 200 times on my legs, arms, back and face. It was a terrible 6 days in recovery.

6) And last but not least, I love to watch movies that I have seen before. I have to watch any movie several times to really appreciate the story, the acting, the humor and any subtleties in the movie. Some movies I could watch over and over and over. To name a few, " Sleepless in Seattle", " National Treasure", "Hunt for Red October", "You've Got Mail", " American President" and many many others. I even like watching TV shows from yesteryear, A-Team, M.A.S.H., Bonanza, M.A.S.H.,Knight Rider, M.A.S.H., Old John Wayne movies, 1997 AZ Win, Don Larson World Series Perfect Game, etc ........................... Lets have a movie night.

Well those are a few of my quirks.

Melissa, Bryan, Misty, Adam, Lonna and Bree you are now tagged.

The Secret - For a Happy Life

I know these times are trying and some days just plain scary. I took comfort in the statement by President Benson quoted below. It gave me peace in my heart and I hope you receive the same comfort and peace.

According to Ezra Taft Benson - The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, 106-107

"There is a real sifting going on in the Church, and it is going to become more pronounced with the passing of time. It will sift the wheat from the tares, because we face some difficult days, the likes of which we have never experience in our lives. And those days are going to require faith and testimony and family unity, the like of which we have never had. We must prepare for the great day of the Lord. This preparation must consist of more than just casual membership in the Church. We must be guided by personal revelation and the counsel of the living prophet so that we will not be deceived."

In other words, we need to work hard to have the Spirit with us and we will be comforted during these trying times and we will not be deceived. We heard this counsel in our just completed General Conference.

Numerical Analysis

Did you know that if you took 8 eights and using only addition you could show an answer of 1000?
..............8
..............8
..............8
............88
........+888
.....---------
........1000

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Now having seen that can you take 8 nines and using only the 4 common operands (+,-,*,/) come up with the result of 1000?

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Help is there

Reread the riddle!!!!!!!!

The September Riddle

I am sorry but to many factors beyond my control in the economy, the reward for being the first to solve this riddle will have the esteem privilege and honor of being Number 1 with all the accolades of family and friends but with no $1 in your pocket.
. . . . . . . .
With that qualifier here is the riddle, or the mind bender, thought crasher and maybe even 'I can't believe I did not get it' riddle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
. . . . . . . .
This is a biker riddle! While riding down the rode on your 21 speed cross-country bike enjoying the beauty of a fall day, the beautiful countryside as it sparkles from the rays of sunshine, the blowing of the trees and the toggling of the rainbow of leaves from the gentle breezes, your eyes in a brief moment see flashes of two things. You pause in your peddling for a minute and see another one. In the next several seconds you never see the re-occurrence of this thing. After thoroughly enjoying the view you continue with your fall day ride while pondering the question;
"What is it about nature that allows us to see and appreciate and then again not see?"
. . . . . . . .
Good Luck

A Stitch in Time or a dumb thing!!!

A stitch in time saves nine.....! Actually it saved four. Sunday PM I was using s very sharp knife when it slip and cut two figures on my left hand. Ouch! I took 5 stitches on my index finger and thus saving four instead of nine. A bread knife can be very sharp. I was un-nerved that I couldn't look at the damages for about 3 minutes. Bryan was able to take me to the hospital so I could get fixed up.

When I told my family, how it happen they have been teasing me the rest of the weekend. I was using a very sharp bread knife to........
.
.
. cut ice cream... My daughter said,"If you were that much in a hurry for ice cream you should have used the microwave... Go Figure!!

People in Big Trucks

Yesterday, I was driving my truck, my little Ford Range which is so much fun to drive and this guy in his Ford 350 pulls up on my left side when I was stop at the intersection and blocks my view on oncoming traffic. I don't think he cared that I was there and trying to cross the intersection. I inched up so I can see because he wants to turn left and I couldn't see. So he inches up to block my view again! Why do people have to be so intolerate of us little people. This has happen many times. I guess they think we are blocking their view of traffic as they look down and count the scratches on my roof and they can't turn left. I say no more left turning lanes lets implement the 'Texas Left' or the 'Michigan Left' or the 'New Jersey Left' which is actually a right then a left. That way us special people in small vehicles can move straight ahead.

Today is roman numeral XL1

Today is a great blissful, happy, 'part of eternity' day. Cindy and I have been married for 41 years. We have had our ups and a few downs over the years. My memories of our wedding day are not as clear as they once was but the one thing that is clear, eternally clear, is that my Love for my spouse has grown deeper each year. " Love is a many splendor thing", an active process by which two hearts grow as one. We have cleaved unto each other and have inter-twined our lives to the point that we can no longer separate our life lines. We feed off each other and nourish each other as the sun rises each morning. I am the person I am because of the support and love of my tender-hearted, intelligent, caring wife. It is this Love that will one day provide us with an Eternal Home with our Father and Heaven. Learning to think as one is part of the eternal perspective we need to learn here during our mortal probation. I am a very blessed man!!

I think all of this is sum up in the attached picture where some of the fruits of our
lives have fell not far from the roots.

A U G U S T 2 6, 2 0 0 8
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Vacation Pictures

Cindy and I had a great time in Texas playing with the grandkids. The slide show below shows a few of the 270 pictures we took. We petted stingrays at the zoo which was a little scary but
invigorating. The building is the new Dallas Cowboy stadium that will open in 2009. It will cost $1.2B to build. It will hold 80,000 people. You will see pictures from Chuck E Cheese, Melissa and Josh's home, the swimming pool, the minor league ball park with Air Bacon the Grand Prairie Hogs mascot. Enjoy!
Update - 8/18/2008: The slide show is located to the left of this post on the main screen. You can click on the site and it will enlarge the pictures and you will see the captions.

Insults with Class

When Insults Had Class - I thought these were clever and interesting. I hope you will.

(These glorious quotes are from an era when cleverness with words was still valued, before a great portion of the English language got boiled down to 4-letter words.)

The exchange between Churchill & Lady Astor: She said, "If you were my husband I'd give you poison," and he said, "If you were my wife, I'd drink it."

A Member of Parliament to Disraeli: "Sir, you will either die on the gallows or of some unspeakable disease." "That depends, Sir," said Disraeli, "whether I embrace your policies or your mistress."

"He had delusions of adequacy." - Walter Kerr

"He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire." - Winston Churchill

"A modest little person, with much to be modest about." - Winston Churchill

"I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure." Clarence Darrow

"He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary." - William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway).

"Poor Faulkner. Does he really think big emotions come from big words?" - Ernest Hemingway (about William Faulkner)

"Thank you for sending me a copy of your book; I'll waste no time reading it." - Moses Hadas

"He can compress the most words into the smallest idea of any man I know." - Abraham Lincoln

"I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it." - Mark Twain

"He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends." - Oscar Wilde

"I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play; bring a friend.... if you have one." - George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill "Cannot possibly attend first night, will attend second... if there is one." - Winston Churchill, in response.

"I feel so miserable without you; it's almost like having you here." - Stephen Bishop

"He is a self-made man and worships his creator." - John Bright

"I've just learned about his illness. Let's hope it's nothing trivial." - Irvin S. Cobb

"He is not only dull himself, he is the cause of dullness in others." - Samuel Johnson

"He is simply a shiver looking for a spine to run up." - Paul Keating

"There's nothing wrong with you that reincarnation won't cure." Jack E. Leonard

"He has the attention span of a lightning bolt." - Robert Redford

"They never open their mouths without subtracting from the sum of human knowledge." - Thomas Brackett Reed

"In order to avoid being called a flirt, she always yielded easily." - Charles, Count Talleyrand

"He loves nature in spite of what it did to him." - Forrest Tucker

"Why do you sit there looking like an envelope without any address on it?" - Mark Twain

"His mother should have thrown him away and kept the stork." - Mae West

"Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go." - Oscar Wilde

"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts... for support rather than illumination." - Andrew Lang (1844-1912)

"He has Van Gogh's ear for music." - Billy Wilder

"I've had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn't it." - Groucho Marx

Vacation Update

Vacation has been so busy and so much fun that I haven't read any blogs until this morning. We have been swimming, gone to the park, to the zoo, done some shopping, played games, fixed bikes, went for a long bike ride and have thoroughly enjoyed being with the grandkids and with Melissa and Josh. What a great diversion from work. Cindy and I needed that. The girls have enjoyed their American Gril dolls and visiting the American Girl store while the boys went to 2 baseball games.

The Texas Rangers versus the Yankees and my Yankees came in second while Texas was next to last. The second game was a minor league team called the AirHogs names after the Grand Prairie squadron in world war II. Both games were very enjoyable.l My brother Gary who I have not seen in about 3 -4 years was able to go to the second game.

It was great to see him and get caught up on his family. He retired last April and is taking care of Abigail, Dawn's daughter. He is aging well but not as well as me!!!! It was a fun two nights.
I have taken a lot of pictures and will upload them when I get back home.

I went to the blog today because there is something special about today. It won't happen again for 1000 years but a similar thing will happen next year. This is a trivia question not a brain teaser and I don't know if you can find it on the internet but it should be there.

Hint for Brain Teaser 2

I don't know how many looked at the Brain Teaser and decided it was to hard or maybe it would take to much time. Sorry for that, I had intended this to be fun not a torture test!

To begin to make things somewhat easier the sentence in the block is:

Consider this three three five four four three five five four three six six eight eight what is the next numeric in series

This represents a "linear series mapping" although to many this is meanliess then this hint is for everyone;

............... .....99 maps to ten....

Guys, Gals, you can do this. All winners today will have the opportunity tomorrow for an 'easy winner take all' teaser.

Brain Teaser #2

Here is what everyone has been waiting for, Brain Teaser #2. Have fun and enjoy. Instructions are at the bottom.

HINT:

Beginning of sentence starts with 'C' There is a sentence hidden in sequence in the Box above. Start with a letter and using vertical or horizontal moves unravel the sentence which will ask you a question. No diagonal moves are permitted. Find the answer to the question and explain your answer. Remember all correct answers will compete on Tuesday for that ever allusive "DOLLAR".

First right answer on Tuesday wins.

Brain Teaser

Here is something fun. The first one with the correct answer wins a dollar. Yep, you heard it here first. You solve the teaser and win a dollar good for lots of merchandise at many 'dollar' stores across the whole USA. Now I know many will say they new the answer but did not see the post right away. To be fair, I will use the order your response appears in the comments section. First come, first served, therefore, first winner with right answer!!!! Once A week or less often, the Cheery-biker will provide you an opportunity to bank a dollar !!!!

Here we go. There was a farmer working in his cornfield one day when a Scientist stop at his fence to ask him a question. He asked, "Does the air temperature have any effect on the sweetness of the kernels when the corn is picked and cooked?" The farmer answered, I don't know! Then the farmer, turned to the Scientist and asked, "Is it possible that some temperature somewhere in the world when measured using the Fahrenheit Scale would have the same value if measured using the Centigrade scale? The Scientist said, I don't know but I will find out. When the Scientist got back to the farmer, what was his answer, Yes or No? and if it was Yes, what temperature would that be??????

I have posted the answer and the winner as a comment. If you want to test your brain then don't read the comments until later.

FUN at BEAR LAKE

Once upon a time we gathered together for a fun filled day at Bear lake. The SUN was bright but the air was cool and the water was a balmy 64 degrees. However, we were so glad not to be painting, cleaning, weeding that nothing could dampen our spirits. We were ready for a day at the beach; as portrayed by the wild pictures below!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Picture 1 = A family that plays together gets sand between their toes!!!
Picture 2 = Hallie's being Serious building her Sand Castle
Picture 3 = Hallie and Sydney's Sand Castle. A work of ART!
Picture 4 = Let's take a stroll around the Lake
Picture 5 = Mom, my hands are stuck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So goes the adventures of Luke
Picture 6 = The perfect, organized picnic site.................
Picture 7 = A great way to spend your day at the beach!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Picture 8 = I need more sand, lots of sand. Where does the sand go????????????
Picture 9 = A Kodak moment!!!!!!!!!
Picture 10 = Abby and Amy looking for shells







































As you can see, this was a welcome day from all of our home porjects. We really really needed this relaxing, fun-filled day and Bear Lake was the place to go.

Crash Stevens

Although we did not take a picture, this is what happen to me last night while trying to get Pete (the Dog!) back into the garage before the family left for a bike ride to Lundstrom Park and a yummy picnic supper. My first crash since taking up bike riding last year. How this happen is a mystery but we finally corralled Pete and got him into the garage. I bent my glasses, bruised my cheek bone and my eye and develop a road rash on my kneecap like the two Luke has. It turned out to be a great night but my young, ever young body was aching when bed time came.

Independence Day _ 2008

4th of July - 4th of July - 4th of July - 4th of July

Today was America's 232 birthday. I love our freedoms and our country. I know it is a choice land above any other land and that Heavenly Father prepared this Land for us today. I love the American Flag, it invokes feelings of joy and happiness. Its Stars and Stripes make it serene, elegant, and strong all at the same time. Since I was a little boy I have loved the looks of this flag even when I did not understand want it met to be patriotic. I love patriotic songs, marching songs and songs that invite brotherhood and peace. Lee Greenwood's "Proud to be an American" is one of my favorites. "God Bless America", "America the Beautiful" and "This Land is your Land" are also a few. Our National Anthem, "Star Spangled Banner" stands supreme. It is a great story about how Francis Scott Key came to write this special song.

Today we had a family hot dog roast. We did not eat until 8:30PM and we built a fire in our fire pit, ate hot dog and samore's. The kids went swimming in their 6 foot by 10" high pool. Luke is a water magnet. He is into the water in 2 seconds when he sees it. We are thankful for the holidays and the freedom to choose how we celebrate our freedoms.

I just want to say I am proud to be an American and I thanked the Lord for this blessing often. I hope everyone had a great 4th of July and that you remembered what our founding fathers went through to make us the nation we are today.

Where on Earth is 'Wall E'

You would think taking a very active two-year old to the movies would be a test of courage, stamina and patience. The family, all 10 of us (Bryan and Natalie + 4, Heidi +1, Gramma and Grampa), went to see the new animation movie, 'Wall E'. The movie is about this robot, 'Wall E' that was left on the planet earth to clean up after some problem that contaminated the Earth, whichI miss watching the movie. 'Wall E' is very ingenious and does his work faithful everyday until a spaceship brings an android 'EVE' that is taking picture of earth to see if it is safe to return. When the spaceship returns for the android 'Wall E' gets on board and travel back to the Mother Ship. Ultimately 'Wall E' falls in love with 'EVE'. How do machines fall in Love, maybe that is true artificial intelligence? The movie was very entertaining, I recommend it but I won't give away anymore of the plot so lets get back to the main point of this blog, the everlasting active, very active two year old, Luke.
When the movie started he was completely enthralled with 'Wall E'. During the whole movie he kept calling 'Wall E' by name and wanting to know why he was doing things. He sat there for two hours, can you believe two hours on Grampa's lap! I did not think a very active young man could be still that long. I think the secret is to have a jumbo popcorn next to him and quickly refill it once. He would watch the movie call for 'Wall E' and then eat a few rounds of popcorn. I bet he ate a whole jumbo popcorn by himself. It was great fun and I am looking forward to two great animation movies coming later this year. One at Thanksgiving and One at Christmas, watch for the trailers and remember to take the kids, even the young kids but have plenty of popcorn!!!!!!!!!

Small Miracles Forever

It seems like everything I post is serious and here is another one. I am sorry if these are getting old but I wanted to take a minute and talk about small miracles. People have said at times,they have not had a miracle in their life. I think we consider miracles as something that comes with Angels, or bells and chimes ringing or something else that is spectacular like the Lord parting the Red Sea. By definition:

"A miracle is an extraordinary event caused by the power of God. Miracles are an important element in the work of Jesus Christ. They include healings, restoring the dead to life, and resurrection. Miracles are a part of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Faith is necessary in order for miracles to be manifested" (Guide to the Scriptures, 165).

So this begs the question; what are the extraordinary events that shows a miracle in our lives? I want to suggest that miracles occur regularly by virtue of the following two stories:

Story #1: Last Saturday was to be a big day. Natalie and Bryan had everything planned down to the second. We would get up at 6:00Am and start our projects. Everyone had their own part. I t would take us all day to complete all these projects so we could the following week put our home on the market. Well Saturday came and by 11 o'clock AM, we had barely started anything and were essentially hours behind with no hope of finishing. Natalie was not her normal self, Cindy was feeling a lot of stress and the kids were being overly active. The family was called together and I told them we needed a miracle and that we needed family prayer. The prayer was offered, a miracle asked for and by the end of the day (approximately 8:30PM) we sat down and realized we had accomplished everything we wanted with a little bit more. The Lord had truly provided a miracle because from the moment of our prayer it was like we had a new day with many more hours available to us. It was unbelievable, but how the Lord performed this miracle I don’t know but we were truly blessed and thankful for His help. Natalie said her whole attitude changed after that prayer. Bryan’s back was as strong as ever and Amy painted and cut everything in with no problems, Cindy made curtains and provided our meals. As a family we worked together and never got in the way of each other. Please remember and take to heart; the Lord cares about the little things in our lives and will provide a way for us if we have faith and remember to have our hearts full of gratitude.

Story #2: Cindy and I decided that we wanted to go to Texas the first week of August and since it was the summer that we should consider taking Hallie and Syddey with us to be with their Cousins. Bryan and Natalie agreed and I went looking for tickets to see if we could afford such an adventure. I found tickets for $213.00 plus applicable taxes which by a long shot was a great price. This was Monday evening and we decided that I should book the trip. Tuesday morning on my break I tried to book the trip but every time I click on the ‘select flight’ Orbitz, Travelocity and Priceline would not honor this price. In fact the price kept going up to $385.00 and more plus applicable taxes. I decided that I would not book any flights at this time and that we would consider not being able to take Hallie and Sydney. We discussed it that night and were all disappointed but felt that was the right thing to do. That night we thank the Lord for our blessings and for the opportunity that Cindy and I would have to see Melissa, Josh and the grand-kids in Texas but were disappointed that we would not be taking Hallie and Sydney. We did not ask for a miracle or a special blessing but rather let our hearts be full of gratitude for our many blessings.

The next day I received an email from Travelocity saying they had tickets for $213.00 if I was still interested in going to Texas. I thought who are you kidding but since there was a link in the email I click it to see what was going to happen, knowing full well that I had been down this road before. To make a long story short and you probably know the ending by now but we got the tickets for that price and we were able to confirm our reservations and seats on each flight. This was truly a miracle. Again, I want to reiterate that the Lord cares about us and knows us personally and answers our prayers and even provides hidden blessings even when not requested. Everyone is very thankful for this miracle and we have truly thanked the Lord many times..

Elder Matthew Cowley stated in the New Era, Jun 1975, the following: “Now, except ye believe as a child, you can’t receive these blessings. We have to have the faith of a child in order to believe in these things, especially when you reach college age and your minds are so full of skepticism and doubt. I guess there are some things that you should doubt, but you can become as little children in these things. Miracles are commonplace, brothers and sisters.” We need to have miracles in our Life to realize that the Lord wants his people to be successful, full of faith and an instrument in His hand.

Sister Sydney S. Reynolds, First Counselor in the General Presidency wrote in an article for the Liahona, “A God of Miracles”, Jul 2001, the following comment after discussing a few miracle in her life: (I recommend this article) “Just as important as these “mighty miracles” are the smaller “private miracles” that teach each of us to have faith in the Lord. These come as we recognize and heed the promptings of the Spirit in our lives. ….. I believe that all of us can bear witness to these small miracles. We know children who pray for help to find a lost item and find it. We know of young people who gather the courage to stand as a witness of God and feel His sustaining hand. We know friends who pay their tithing with the last of their money and then, through a miracle, find themselves able to pay their tuition or their rent or somehow obtain food for their family.”

I love and appreciate the Lord’s hand in my life and in the life of my family and friends.

Hot Days of Summer

Don needed a ride to Salt Lake City (SLC) Airport so he could attend the funeral of his maternal grandfather ( our prayers are with him); so Gramma and Grampa decided to make a day of it and take three yes three grandkids with us. We had Luke, Sydney and Kendra on a day of 100+ degrees in SLC. We had to do some shopping, maybe more than some. It was Shop Hop week for all quilters. This is an opportunity to visit hundreds and hundreds or quilt stores and see new ideas for your quilt projects. There wasn't going to be time to attend this year until Don needed a ride. Gramma was ecstatic. The kids had a great time but got really tired on the way home. They got a 'etch-a-sketch' travel toy, fed the fish and the ducks at Pine Needles, bought candy saw Trucks, airplanes, trucks, buses, trucks and more trucks. For Lunch we went and visited Mara and here kids. Luke was a little unsure of being with the boys but quickly got into the swing of things. Sydney and Kendra jump right into the boys toys and had a blast. When we got ready to continue our shop hopping Mara gave the kids some trucks to keep and play with on the way home. Luke got two!
He loved the ride and spotted every big truck that we saw. He is so into trucks. Grampa there is a truck, a bus, a plane and on and on. Last night on the way home he kept asking if he could ride in PaPa's big truck. I said I am sure he could. He will be so excited. Luke developed a fever and was very uncomfortable on the way home, he wanted his Daddy and Mommy. Mommy gave him some medicine when we got home and he went right to sleep. Go Figure!
Sydney and Kendra were so tired that got silly and we had silly laughter all the way home. A funny story: When Gramma was in Threads and Times quilt shop, Grampa took the kids for a walk in the plaza, we came to the DOGroom a shop that grooms your pets. We look in the windows and Sydney said, "...what is Max doing in there?" I looked in and sure enough here was a black cat that looked like our Max. Same Eyes and same thick black coat. Luke could not figure how Max got into the store.
It was great time for Gramma and Grampa and we tired ourselves out also. So the moral of the story is: Even on one of the hottest days of summer, there is nothing like being with the grandkids.

GeoCaching Trio

Yesterday as we went GeoCaching for FHE, I took the Trio picture of the girls and their treasures they found. If you read Nat's Blog you know we utilized our GPS to find these treasures. It was a lot of fun and the kids totally loved their treasures. Life can be so much fun.

In My Father's Hand

Today is June 15, 2008, it is a day that we as a nation take a moment and tell our fathers how much we love them and how much they mean in our lives. Since this blog in many ways can take the form of a journal, I though I would take a moment and reflect on my father and his influence in my life. It wasn't always easy growing up with my Dad but it has taken the raising my own children to begin to fully appreciate what and why he did the things he did.

When I was a young child, my Dad was foremost in my life and I honored him as little boys do. I followed his example and imitated him in my life. As I became older it was apparent to me that I would never do anything that upset my Dad because of his temper and his big hands. I did not like spankings although in my generation this was a fact that all my friends knew and accepted. The thing that made it the hardest was that my Dad would never listen to me and understand why something happen. It was not that I was always trying to avoid the obvious hands on my bottom routine, yes, sometimes that was my desire, but rather I felt what had happen was not directly my fault and I wanted to explain; if I was wrong so be it, let the hands come. There were times when I was in the right and nothing should have happen, but I was guilty as charged. As I got older, I learned that Dad was very stubborn, his way only, and when he had been drinking it was worse and I knew that all questions received the answer No!, no discussion, no redirect, no nothing, therefore if something was important to me the road to opportunity was through Mom. From these youthful years, I decided at this juncture that I would try and be more open minded and consider the thoughts and feelings of others, especially for my wife and children. I know that I have not always been successful with this effort over the years, but I hope my wife and family will think so.

Even though I had a very hard time communicating with my Dad and sometimes I felt alone, my Dad taught me many things that makes me the man I am today. I can't enumerate all things in this post but will write about 4 of the things that came to my mind while attending Church today:
1) My Dad taught me to be honest in all my dealings and that the character of a man's integrity is told by his actions. I learned at a very young age to be honest even if it hurts. My Dad could not accept lying in any form and insisted on nothing more than the absolute truth from all his boys, my brothers. I believe that I am not a perfectly honest person but I know from my Patriarchal Blessing that my example has a great influence on people around me and that I should never do anything that will affect this example to them. Everyday I try to live up to this blessing but realize this is a big order and thank goodness that I have a lifetime to achieve.
2) My Dad taught me to use tools and to work with my hands. One of my Dad's talents that I wish I had inherited was his great ability to take things apart and put them back together with all the screws, washers, wires, etc in the right place and nothing left over. My love for building things comes from my Dad teaching me about tools and the right way to use them including using the 'right' tool for the job. He would say, "...never use a wrench for a hammer". Sorry Dad I have done that a couple of times. My Dad learned this from his Dad and my girls and their husbands, hopefully, have learned this from me.
3) My Dad taught me to respect the opposite sex and to be kind and helpful to them. I think my life has reflected my appreciation for womanhood and especially for my lovely wife and my daughters. I love them dearly and I know that this comes from Dad. A short story will epitomize the importance Dad place on respecting woman.

I was a junior or senior in High School living in a small village, Millport, NY. All the kids were like brothers and sisters, one big family, we played together all the time. We almost never excluded people but sometimes we made it difficult for some to participate. As friends we would plan activities to do something different from the ordinary. One week we decided we would like to organize a party up at Clyde Jack's Pond. Clyde was an older gentleman that had retired and had a farm about a mile and half away. He had an air boat, Everglades style, and would give anyone ride that wanted a ride. We thought it would be nice to go there for our party. We planned everything and made assignments and then we each went to our parents to get permission and then we would contact Clyde to see if this was acceptable to him. Everyone thought this was a good idea and we finished making preparations. One of my friends who wanted to be more than a friend to one of the girls thought that it would be a good idea if we all asked a girl to be our date. Most of us wanted to be together but because one of us wanted to have a date we decided that we would all ask a girl out. I asked Marily Furnkranz who lived 3 doors up the street if she would go with me. She said Yes! So on the night of our party my Dad told me that I needed to go to her house and pick her up, it was a date! All were planning on meeting at Hammond's Store and we would go together to Clyde's. I tried to explain to Dad that this wasn't really a date but a get-together among Friends. Dad asked, "Did I ask her out?, I said, yes". "Then go and pick her up and make sure you walk her home after the party, all the way to her house". Well ,I picked her up we all had a fun great evening and Clyde did everything he could to make it a nice party. After the party when we got back to town, we all started walking home together and as we came to a friend's house, we would say good-night and continue on. When we got to my house, it was only Marilyn and I left from our group, she said, goodnight and started walking to her house. My Dad came out of the house like a cannon and screaming at me so loud, that I thought the neighbors would be aghast, saying that I needed to walk Marilyn home. I said she said it was OK. Dad said no it wasn't, now get up there and walk her all the way home because that is what Stevens' men do, they take care of their dates and ensure they are safely home. I was very mad at my Dad and very embarrass to run and catch up with Marilyn. I told her what happen as I walked her home. I think she was pleased but never said anything. Later on when I calmed down and thought about what my Dad was trying to teach me, I realized how right he was and that from then on I would always be kind and respectful of woman. I hope my family knows that has been my goal all their lives.

4)The last one I would like to talked about today is the importance of being a friend. I hate to say this but in my Dad's life his friends always came before Mom and the family. He would drop whatever he was doing for his friends. I did not like this when the family was put in second place. However, I do realize that we need friends and that we have to help each other if we are to return to our Heavenly Father. Service is the key to happiness now and in the life to come. I hope that I have been a good friend and servant to those around me and hope my family has never felt like a second fiddle. I hope my Love for and of the Lord shines forth through my actions, my example and all my doings. The person I am today has develop through the years because of the friends I have or have had in my life. To paraphrase a saying that we have hung in our home over the years; "People come and go in our lives but only a friend leaves a part of their heart with us." I am fortunate to have had a few great friends in my life, Lenny Grow was my best friend through High School and we shared much which help me cope with becoming a man. In College my best friend was Cindy Kleiner who became my wife and eternal companion, the mother of my children and the person who owns the largest part of my heart. Reed and Barbara Rands who would do anything for us and who with their children made 'young converts' to the Church their friends and thus helping us to grow our testimonies. Dick and Sharon Empey who would give you the shirt on there backs and many times did. Anytime you asked for something they would find away to make it happen, i.e. building the staircase in our home. Steve and Lonna Harper who because of golf, Young Woman's and a certain son have become an endearing part of our lives and along with their children have always made us feel like royalty. All of these wonderful people have left part of their hearts with us and we will forever be grateful.

We are who we are because of the fathers in our lives. My father has truly bless my life and I want to go on record, in spite of the difficulties with my Dad, and testify I'm a better person today because of his love and concern and I wish that I had learned this and thanked him for it before he past away. I love you Dad.

Sidenote:

(I appreciate my son-in-laws and the respect they show my daughters. I appreciate their love and kindness for those choice spirits that hold such a special place in Cindy and my hearts. It is hard for a Dad to let another man take over and be the provider and protector for a lovingly daughter and I am thankful that all my daughters have married good men who honor their priesthood and who are slowly replacing dear old dad. They never will at least in my mind.)
Keep up the good work.

The Bags that keeps on giving

Yesterday was a terrific day. My family celebrated my birthday, my reversed 16 birthday with the 'Bag that keeps on giving'!! Everytime I turned around the bag was full with another present wrap in the yellow tissue paper. For awhile I thought I was the man with 500 hats! Besides the hugs and kisses from my eternal wife (Cindy) and my grand-children and the presents; the best thing about the day was the potato salad we had with dinner. It was terrific; close to utopia. In case no one knows, or possibly forgot, potato salad is my favorite salad and second place is a distance (light years) away. So I wanted to take a minute and tell everyone in my family from the future twins to Jacob's Cuddlers to the Texas sports enthusiasts thanks for a wonderful day. I love you all, bunches, lots, tons, never ending!!!

I loved the golf book, the arm heart monitor and the mounds of candy along with National Treasure 2 - Secret Books. This morning I looked in the Bag and saw nothing. Oh well a new day.