You want me to do what? Hello?

At my work, we have our new phone system that uses VoIP, internet phone. You can call any of our offices around the state and ask for my extension. They will promptly transfer the call. I assume it works for out of state to our toll free phone number as well.

This morning, we were only getting busy signals as we tried to dial out, a clear indication of a recurring problem we've been having where we can only dial extension on the network or receive incoming calls. I contacted our help desk to see if they could fix the problem. The conversation ended like this:

IT guy: "What I need you to do is unplug your phone line for about 5 seconds..........."

Me: "I don't think you'll be able to tell me what to do next after that."

Here's your sign.

Twist

Happy Birthday, Oh Happy Birthday!

Since I can't be there to sing happy birthday, little brother, I thought I'd send my geriatric hamster with his walker.

Enjoy,

Twist

Summer Days

I just returned from vacation. Most of my siblings have beaten me to blogging, but I still want to record a few thoughts. Even though there was occassionally not even standing room, even though the mosquitos were fierce, even though it rained much of the time, even though some of that rain made it in the tent, even though our normal routine was totally thrown askew, I love to be with my family. I hugged the ones that came, and missed the ones who didn't. I guess the days are gone where everyone will be there, but I miss them just the same.

Highlights besides visiting were fishing with my brother-in-law and nephew and trips into the hills either by vehicle or on foot.

For all those I didn't see, hug, laugh and cry with, I love you all as well.

Twist

All We Need is Love

I have discovered why so many teenagers and others get on facebook and myspace. While I don't have a myspace account, I do now have a facebook. Initially I signed up so I could view some group photos of a camp I recently helped as an adult leader. Shortly after signing up, I began to accumulate friends on my facebook account. People requested to be my friend, I asked others to be my friend. This is the true secret. We all want friends. We all want to be wanted. In the world of youth, this is of ultimate importance. As an adult, it's not so bad either. Friends I know, friends who have moved away, friends I had forgotten about, friends I don't even know. I find myself wanting to request friends that are young , old, and unknown just to show my friend count higher and higher. And if one of your friends writes on your wall, well that is akin to having your house teepeed. It's not done out of hate or dislike. You only teepee your friends.

That's about all I can write for now. I need to see if anyone's replied to my friends requests on facebook.

Twist.

Eagles' Nest

My son Nathan,will soon be 16. That means he could get a drivers license, start to date, and it means he needs to get his eagle scout project done within 2 years. Fortunately, he's been working on the project over the other things. We spent a number of hours this past week working on the project. He is renovating the Outdoor Nature Center at the elementary school where my wife works. There is now a 4x6 foot turtle habitat, a bird feeder, bird house, and soon a weather center. Lots of new plants were put in, the bridge resealed and handrails painted and a general cleanup all over. I personally hauled hundreds of pounds of materials in the wheelbarrow. The entire project is more work than several we've heard about. Most all of it's done now just waiting for the write up. We're hopefull that he'll be approved and receive his award by the time school starts again. Chris got his eagle just before he turned 18. Nathan will have 2 years to spare. Their mother fully deserves a pat on the back for a job well done.

I think I need some ibuprofen.

Twist

Wedding Bells

While I was away at camp, my wife was planning the wedding, luncheon and reception for Chris and Tandi. I got back in the afternoon on Friday and in the evening we started decorating the church building. We setup chairs, we carried food, but everything was pretty much a simple affair. I know, easy for me to say. They got married and headed out to Colorado for a honeymoon in a cabin in the mountains. They are going white water rafting. While they are gone, Tamra went to her father's and we get to babysit the sheltie and the wolf. Yes, I said wolf. He's sweet, but if they'd taken him to Colorado, who knows, he might have run off to join a pack somewhere. Now we're in the process of getting everything out of Chris' room to move kids around.

To top all the week off, Laura and Niels just announced their engagement as well! They are planning to be married December 12th this year. Never a dull moment around our house.

Maybe I should have just purchased a tux. Might come in hand a lot in the next few years.

Twist

Summer Camp

There has been so much going on, I'm going to put two posts out. I've spent the past week at Girl's Camp. 4 Men, 21 women leaders and about 75 young women at camp. We had hummingbirds, a deer, a young bear in camp, threat of a forrest fire all week, and a water balloon fight that threatened to never end. We went through over 1000 balloons and had two launchers.

The last night of camp, the women leaders woke up the men at 1:30am to the smell of smoke. Fortunately, the fires were about 100 miles away, but I'm sure some of the women didn't sleep the rest of the night.

The Spirit was incredible all the camp, but especially for the testimony meeting and closing events. The food was great. I probably gained 5 pounds.

I hope I get to go again next year.

Twist