Ooops I did it again!

I didn't do the "every other day" post - I've decided I'm pretty boring.

Some random things I've thought about today.....
What to get a 14 year old for Christmas?
November 22nd - the day JFK was shot and my cousin, Scott Barnes, birthday.
It's really cold outside.
Spending Thanksgiving in the WC (Wayne County) - when we go depends on the weather.
Who cares if Bristol Palin is a finalist on Dancing with the Stars.
My 401k plan is so performing much better than it was 1 year ago.
Looking forward to MKW coming home!
Evan's birthday on Sunday - need to get him a present
Glad the Utes got a win.
Hope the Utes get another win.
Annie is a great writer and has cute kids
Haley is also a great writer and has a cute "kid".
Facebook is stupid.
Bye Bye Birdie at HHS was disturbing.
I'm tired of the TSA news.
Will I get a raise, a bonus, anything?
I can't believe we mowed the lawn Saturday morning (to pick up the leaves).
We should have put up the Christmas lights Saturday (instead of mowing)
Why does my mom keep giving me her hand me downs

What Now.....BAM!!!

The title of this post is taken from Parker. You see Parker has always had a bit of a talking problem....particularly in school.

When he was in first grade, his teacher, Mr. Longhurst, kept moving his desk from place to place around the classroom trying to find someone he could sit by and not talk. He had tried everyone and everyplace and decided to sit Parker next to his desk. Well, within about 30 seconds, Parker and Mr. Longhurst were in full conversation!

In sixth grade, his teacher Mrs. Shepherd, described Parker as a future SBO - because he had that kind of personality.

At our first PT conference at HJH, his science teacher, Mrs. Grossaint, said that Parker needed to talk more. WHAT????? Well within a few weeks he was talking and driving Mrs. Grossaint crazy.

This year again at PT conference, his history and science teachers both said that he had a talking problem. Mr. Dahl the History teacher expressed his concern to Evan (I was visiting with another teacher). He said that Parker talked to much and that he better be ready for the states test that was coming up. Evan replied "No problem, he'll get 100%", and of course, Parker got 100% - with no studying! So the talking problem continued and Mr. Dahl gave Parker a '2' in citizenship.

Mom and Dad (i.e. the Nazi parents) were not amused and were quite concerned, but after much soul searching and discussion, hopefully Parker is getting on top of controlling his mouth. The goal we gave him was to become invisible in class.

So back to "What Now....BAM!" This week, Mr. Dahl handed Parker his first term certificates for High Honor Roll and Outstanding Citizenship!

"WHAT NOW....BAM!!!!"

Kind of Every Other Day!!!

My goal of posting every other day in November has not been 100% - but close. But like most of the goals I have, that doesn't mean I can't get back on track.

Reading Annie's blog makes me feel like I'm not much of a writer - I guess that's why I chose to be an accountant. We do write - but it's usually factual - not much of a story involved. I am truly a numbers geek. Just ask my family.

I calculate things in my head. I count my steps as I am walking and know how many steps it takes to walk a mile. I count the stairs to the basement everytime I go down them. When I watch a softball or baseball game, I like to have a scorebook to keep track and I calculate batting averages after a game for every player. I balance my checkbook every month. I used to pay exactly 10% tithing - now I will round up to the nearest dollar (that was a huge step for me). I can whip out an income tax return in nothing flat. When on a road trip, I calculate what the odometer should be when we get there.

So no I'm not the best writer, but as far as numbers go I can hang with the best of them!

They lost again!?!?!?!?!?

I don't know what has happened to the Utah football team - but I sure hope they can fix it and finish their last two games with a "WIN".

Go Utes!

He's Gone

That is the message I received last night at 10:57 p.m. from Blaine's youngest daughter.

He was a good person and I'm thankful that I was able to spend many "sports" seasons with him!

The Rest of the Story

I went to the Salt Lake City Courts this morning to contest my parking ticket that I got on Saturday.

Come to find out it wasn't for parking it was for an expired registration - I haven't changed the sticker on my license plate.

It's still for 2010 - CRAP - it's home on the counter. I guess I'll change it tonight!

The trip was worth it though - they reduced my $30 charge to $10 - which made me feel a little bit better -- and-- if I hadn't made the trek across the street, I never would have know what the ticket was really for!

Uncle Blaine

Yesterday we went to see Uncle Blaine in the VA Hospital...he has taken a turn for the worse.

It's crazy to think that just three months ago he was at Preston's wedding reception and actually looked good. He told us at that time that a growth had been found in his stomach and that they were going to do a biopsy on it the next week. Well it ended up being cancer and he decided to go ahead and treat it with chemotherapy. He was moved to a care facility and spent some time at the Huntsman Cancer Institute.

Last Friday he was readmitted to the VA Hospital with a bacterial virus. He is in MICU (Medical ICU) and we had to put on gowns and gloves before we could go visit. Mom and Dad went in first and then when he asked for a blessing Evan and I went in. I couldn't believe my eyes. He didn't even look like Uncle Blaine and was nothing but skin and bones. His hair was long and combed straight back. His words were slurred but he did know who we were and he actually asked how my kids were....that's the thing...he has watched my kids for about the last ten years as they have participated in sports.

He is a sports nut! Every sports season, I would send him a schedule and he would usually show up - good weather and bad. I remember at one time he told me while watching a Hunter football game, that if he was still alive at 80 that someone should just take him out and shoot him. I also remember seeing him when he turned 80 and asked if he still wanted that - he said no. Last week he turned 82 years old!

He has lived alone for quite some time in a little apartment on 9th West. His three living daughters were at the hospital last night and were not handling things very well. When a nurse came looking for some consecrated oil, Evan pulled his out. Vicki (his 2nd daughter) said "Oh you Mormons!" I turned to her and said "Vicki, your a Mormon too!" to which she replied "I don't even know where my ward is". It's times like this that I'm glad I have the gospel, together with the faith and knowledge that it give me. It makes me sad that they don't have it in their lives.

When I left, I went to talk to them and told them how much their Dad needed them right now. I did it with a smile and told them stories of Grandpa Eccles and that their Dad reminded me of him and how my Mom reminded me of him....as he got older he got kind of grumpy and would say anything he wanted to...just like their Dad and my Mom...but again that he really needed them right now.

As we talked on the way home, we talked about how people deal with relationships, illness and death. In the last few years, Blaine and Mom had developed a really good relationship. Our family (the Huber's) have invited him to family events - blessings, baptisms, mission farewells, weddings - and he would come!

I'm not sure Uncle Blaine will make it and I don't know how this will affect his kids, but for me I'm glad our family had the chance to get to know him and have him be a part of our lives!

They lost....

My team lost today - sad day at the University of Utah. I know it was only a game, but you always hope for a win, especially on a day when BYU actually won a game...and now there is church tomorrow.

I know some BYU fan will just have to say something about it so I have been practicing comeback lines
Yes, the U lost, but we still have won twice as many games as you - or
It's about time you won a game, I'm really happy for you - or
You know, I graduated from the Univerity of Utah, where did you graduate from? Oh that's right, you didn't go to college!
We've lost one game, now how many have you lost?
Are you serious, they really lost, I'm glad you told me!
Have you ever been to a BYU game?

The worst part about the day is that I got a $30 parking ticket!

HJH History Fair

I've decided to post every other day in November - blog posting month - because I can't quite seem to make it every day.

Last night we went to the History Fair at Hunter Jr. High to see the exhibits. Parker's looked great! He said it looked "sexy" - because he is "sexy" and his "sexy" parents helped him. I'm not sure where the "sexy" comments are coming - but what the hey!

So as we looked at the projects, there were some good ones and some not so good ones. Some with a picture and words on a piece of poster board, some written by hand, some with goofy art work and weird colors. Some were easy to figure out the topic - others - well - it was a stretch!

We have done our share of History Fair Projects with Preston, Meranda and now Parker. The most acclaimed one was MK's in 9th grade - it won 1st place at HJH and 2nd place in District. Preston did a group project once - the teacher said it was probably the best in content - but the presentation was "interesting" (no help from Mom)! Parker's is right up there with the best - he is willing to have anyone help with his!

Crazy scary....

Today I went to use my debit card at lunch and couldn't find it....tore my wallet and purse apart....thought about when I had used it last....what I was wearing, etc.

I'm think (know) I'm weird because I check my bank account on line every day - sometimes twice a day - no strange transactions had happened. The last time I used it was Friday night at the Spaghetti Factory.

Called them when I got back to my office --YES--they have it.

It's nice to know there are still some honest people in the world!