The Beard

Before I completely cut off the beard this is what fun I had. Natalie told me she didn't like my face.

State of the Jazz

Thanks to Ian, I was able to attend the Jazz game vs. the Celtics. Unfortunately like a lot of the games this year, it was one we should have won. Poor play down the stretch doomed the team.

The Jazz recently traded longtime disgruntled Giricek to Philly for outstanding shooter Korver. I really like this trade and think it will help out, but as long as Sloan can't figure out where to give the minutes then the team will continue to be average. Korver is exactly what the team needs, he can flat out shoot. He is a good team player and will work well in the system.

Haircut

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Integrity and the art of heating

Its about time I tackle this subject. Since the Christmas miracle I wrote of a lot has transpired. Our heating woes are over and I have learned a lot about boilers, furnaces, and integrity. I gave a lesson on integrity a few weeks ago in YM so this is very much on my mind. I guess I need to back up just a little bit and some explaining.

After the 'miracle' of having our heat back, it went out again Christmas night at around three in the morning. I got it running again after about an hour and was thankful that businesses would be open again on the 26th. I called a bunch of places and set up times for estimates and prepared for my week off of getting our house securely warm again.

I had no idea the barrage we would get with estimates and opinions. Each company wanted to install a furnace in a different way and give us the most expensive/efficient unit. No one really suggested we fix the boiler. That is until Dave from Bill's Comfort Systems came over. When he walked in the door he wanted to know what was going on so I told him and showed him. After looking at the boiler he said we had a great system and that not even the most efficient furnace would be as good. He said we needed to get it fixed and not to tear it out or make any rash decisions until a boiler specialist/plumber had checked it out. He was the only one who suggested this, which was of course self defeating, because he gained nothing out of it. Before he left he told us how we get the A/C in the attic and make it work. I was very impressed with him and that while having nothing to gain gave us the most sound advice to our problem. When we get air in, he will definitely be the guy we go with.

We called a few boiler specialists, most weren't around, but got through to Thurgood Plumbing in Syracuse. After telling them what was going on, he said that he could tell over the phone that our boiler was not bad, that it was not going out, and was coming over to check it out. He got there with his son in about a half hour. He checked the system said it looked great and then proceeded to determine what went bad. He reached up to the expansion tank that had been replaced a week prior and undid a valve at the top that released the air. SWOOSH! Air whooshed out and he said, "That was your problem." He told us that when the expansion tank was installed the valve was screwed down too tight which meant that the air/water pressure mixture was too high which caused the system to shut down, a good thing. The shutdown prevented the system from exploding all which was caused because the valve was improperly screwed down. "Your system is good and should work just fine now." We asked about payment and he said no that if there were any other problems we encountered he would be happy to fix them. We didn't end up spending a dime on all this.

A few things;
After proclaiming our system was bad the system went down and we were shocked to see that they were right. Little did we know that they caused the problem.

We now know who to have work on our boiler and A/C.

Boilers are great and much more efficient than furnaces, you just need another system for A/C.

Only a few people wanted to help us, the rest wanted to take money we didn't have.

I don't necessarily feel that all these other guys were dishonest, I just don't think they were worried about fixing our current problem. They saw the big dollar signs. Only Dave from Bill's Comfort Systems was full of integrity. He wanted to help us out and they don't even work on boilers. Without a doubt we will go to them when we get air--which is forthcoming. I know he will be honest and give us what we need, not try and give us something we don't. I will also steer everyone his way or to Bill's Comfort Systems if they need heating/air help.

I would have been so mad if we would have replaced a system that didn't need replacing.

A lot of people are knowledgeable but few are specialists, that's why when you find one you call him "my" guy.

shooter gun

opening gifts

Natalie on Christmas day

Christmas Pics and stuff

Christmas Eve Party

This year was the first year we have had the party at the church. After scarfing down the pizza we had the Christmas program. This year we had a few talents and then the traditional singing and scripture reciting. Unlike other years the singing was done in groups. Primary, Adults, Boys, Uncles, etc... The uncle group got 4 verses of Far Far Away, not sure if another group had more than two verses. We certainly weren't worthy of the extra verses.

Then came the Santa spilled his bag game. This year was rather uneventful, nothing striking or that caused a near fervor or fight. Then came cleanup and since we were at the church a game of 4 step. The game that never ends. In all it was a great way to get ready for the big morning tomorrow.

Christmas Miracle

On my way home from work Wednesday I received a call from Janalynn saying, "I need you to get home as soon as you can, the leak has turned into a tsunami."

Last Sunday there was a leak in the boiler reserve, how that is possible I don't know, there is no place for a leak, I mean the thing looks impregnable, but its obviously not. Kailey woke me up at 6 am(my only real day to sleep in) to inform me of this. It wasn't leaking too bad and was leaking right above a drain so it wasn't too big a problem. So Tues they fixed it, and a few hours later we had another leak, this one in the bathroom in a place I couldn't reach. Janalynn called them back, they fixed it and told us our boiler was bad and needed replacing.

Of note the guy who came Tues to fix the boiler never mentioned this and he is the boiler specialist for the company. The guy who came Wed was not the specialist but it was he who said it was bad.

I am certain it is not running good and is on its last leg but I wasn't quite ready to bury it yet, especially after their initial estimate. It was still working, so we were going to continue to live with it.

Sat night/Sunday morning. I woke up and was really cold. I mean really cold. Janalynn informed me she had gotten up and the boiler was dead, the vents cold. She was right. There was nothing doing. We knew Ward Council was to be in session so we called and told them what was going on, and that our plan was to use space heaters until Wed. Our bishop was over in a flash with three and called a member who is a HVAC guy to check it out. Unfortunately he is not a boiler guy and didn't know what to do with it. We went to church and warmed up and got about 4-5 more space heaters from our home teachers and others after church. Then we went to my uncle Bill's Christmas party. We came home and put the kids to bed. I was up pondering what to do, sitting on the couch wrapped in a blanket.

Finally as I was ready for bed I said a prayer. I asked for guidance and how to best handle the situation. I received the thought to go and turn the boiler on, I continued praying only to have this thought continue and get stronger. I said my Amen and went down to the boiler, wrapped in my blanket. I flipped the switch and stood there. Nothing happened. I waited and waited for roughly three or so minutes, which seemed and eternity. Then I switched it off again. I stood pondering this whole situation only to have the thought come back to turn it back on. I did so again. I waited and waited again. This time when the three minutes were up I waited some more. And then it happened. The boiler fired up and started to work. Within a few minutes the vents were warm and all areas were working. I marveled at this and couldn't sleep I was so excited.

Our bishop asked the whole ward at the start of the month to read scriptures and pray each night as a family during this month. He said that a lot of families needed miracles. Little did we know at the start of the month that we would be one such family, little did we know that we would be the beneficiary of a miracle.

The Lawler Christmas Party

The Lawler's have now been in Utah for five years and have had a party each and every year. It is one of our family's favorite things to do each year. The food is good, the company even better and the game just as fun every year. I absolutely love the white elephant game. Finding a clever gift makes this game a hoot. Every year we have a reappearance of the alien head, every year it seems like Daniel gets it. Last year I gave a $20 pizza hut card that had .95 cents left on it. I thought that was clever. This year Janalynn had them done before I knew it, so our gifts weren't as undesirable. I will say Grandma Lawler getting the hat was a hoot. It was good to see Becca, Jamie and little Eli, and sad to see Matt had busted his leg( a cheap shot from Daniel at the Turkey bowl). Till next year.

Dad at the school

At Natalie's behest I came to school with her, well at 10 o'clock for her party. I have to admit that even as a teacher and being in schools all the time I was out of my element in a 1st grade class. There were four moms and me. It was fun. Natalie was very happy I came, and so was I.

Janalynn's Preschool Holiday Spectacular

Tonight was the first annual Wee Love Preschool Holiday Spectacular.
It was neat to see all the kids and Janalynn do their program. The kids had a little shellshock and didn't quite know what to do, needless to say Janalynn sang a few solos.

Neighborhood Gifts

"Yeah, you could call it a get back."

Living in Davis County is like living in Provo, minus the judgements.  In other words there are cougar fans everywhere.  Sometimes I feel like I am the only Ute around.  So when the subject of Utah vs. BYU comes up it is almost like me against the world.  This year was another bitter loss, but I think I handled it better than last year.  When it came to getting neighborhood gifts out Janalynn thought it would be neat to put her world famous cookies in a Ute cup and give it out.  I was unsure, but got behind the idea.  Don't worry they aren't tainted, but now everyone has a Ute reminder in their house.  I'm sure someone will do something interesting with the cups.  But at least for a day the Utes are victorious.  And yes I made sure the big Y fans got a cup of Ute cheer.

Compliments

After telling students I wouldn't be at school on Mon/Tues(google earth training) One of my students said "You are the only teacher that I would rather have than a sub."

Its nice to get a compliment especially one like that.

Best Buy vs. Circuit City Winner by Landslide

I have to admit I was warned before I walked in the doors at Circuit City. I just thought only others had problems, I mean I had great success from there and they were the first card I ever owned. I should have listened.

I guess at this point I need to say that my computer went on the fritz Monday and hasn't fully recovered and may never quite recover either. We decided to look at computers and I had been eyeing this HP fully loaded for awhile, now I had a reason to purchase. I found the deal I wanted at Best Buy. Only problem I had to stop at CC to make a payment on my camera.

From the moment I walked in I should have known that things were going to be bad, real bad. When I went to make my payment I was told they only accept checks or cash. Who carrys a checkbook around? Okay what self respecting guy does? I don't know of any. So I had to go to an ATM and get out the cash to make the payment.

Meanwhile the gal that helped me with the computers decided she was going to sell everything possible to me. She wanted me to pay 250 to set up my computer. Now I have to admit I get a real thrill out of setting it up so this was going nowhere but everytime I told her I wasn't interested she just kept moving on to another product. The dumbest reason she came up with was that I needed a wireless router for my desktop. WHY????? I have wires from the desktop, printer and hard drive, why on earth would I need one less wire. She went on for this forever. Luckily Janalynn called and gave me a reprieve. I actually left the store.

When I came back she was gone and I found a squirrely looking kid who I knew wouldn't bother me about paying someone 250 to install my computer for me. I told him I just wanted the computer now, he said did she tell you about all the install stuff? Yes and No I DO NOT Want them! We got to the checkout part and then the trouble began. With the computer and camera on my card I was over the limit. I told him I had made the payment, he said go to customer service. (They need to name this stand around a wait for along time with little help). No one seemed to know how to help me out. They all knew I had paid for the camera and had enough credit to buy the computer, but for some reason it wouldn't work. I stood there for about 45 minutes, with no one really taking my side and me coming up with different ideas only to have the computer lock us out. I had been approved but couldn't buy it. Finally, defeated I walked out--ticked off.

I was going to come straight home, but decided to take my chances at Best Buy. I walked in, stated my case that all I wanted was "this computer" as I held up the ad. No warranties, or install stuff, just the computer. The guy said okay and got it out. Then I did a quick credit check and was walked to the front with this guy pushing my cart, he put me in front of the long line, made sure I was taken care of before leaving. I was out quickly in about 10-15 minutes. I didn't have to use a check.

I will never go back to circuit city, even if they are giving away free stuff. Everything about it sucked.

BTW this computer absolutely rocks, and somehow I was able to figure out how to set it up. Final Analysis

Customer Service Winner Best Buy

Selling me a bunch of crap I don't need, when repeatedly saying I don't want or need it. Winner Circuit City

Ease of payment Winner Best Buy

Convience Winner Best Buy

Standing around with nothing to do and helping me do nothing. Winner Circuit City

Place I will go back to Winner Best Buy

Place I will advise others to avoid Winner Circuit City

Place to go if you want to waste time, have some idiot talk to you and sell you crap you don't need, and repeat your information repeatedly over the phone for no apparent reason Winner Circuit City

The only good thing about all this is that I feel real good about it in the end. No remorse only excitement. Even with all the bad karma of circuit city I still won out in the end.

Another Snow Day

We decided to decorate our neighbor's yard with snowmen. The snow today was incredible to pack, I would rank it right up there with best snow to make snowballs or snowmen ever. If you believe it Natalie and Porter made most of the snowmen themselves, I did the heavy lifting.

A Christmas Carol

Every night I put Natalie to bed I either read her a story or tell her a story. For the past week she has wanted a Christmas story each night. We have already done Rudolph, Santa, Frosty, the Grinch, and a bunch of made up stories about elves and stuff. I am quickly running out of material. Tonight I told her the story of Ebenezer Scrooge. As I was telling it I couldn't help but ponder on the story myself. I even got a little choked up in the end.

I have read a lot of books, seen a lot of movies, and heard many more. I am not sure if there is a better story than A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. My dad would argue and say perhaps A Tale of Two Cities (also Dickens--his favorite story). This tale is such a marvelous story for so many reasons. In my opinion I would say perhaps CS Lewis and his Lion the Witch and Wardrobe or The Last Battle would rival this story.

Is there a better tale than that of an old man-a scrooge if you will, who has become so cold and selfish that he is unfeeling--who then is visited by three ghosts who let him see the past, present, and future and this makes him change. Here is someone who is horrible to be around, downright mean and heartless who gets a glimpse of life from snother perspective and then changes. And not just a little change mind you, I mean a full on change. There is nothing better than in the Albert Finney version when he takes the gifts to the Cratchet's and is dressed like Santa and the family is trying to figure out who he is so he pulls down his beard and the mother nearly passes out from shock. Truly one of the great storys, and there is nothing better than the 1970 Albert Finney version. The dancing on the coffin scene is one of the greatest scenes ever. This story is a great reminder to us all that life isn't about bank accounts or wealth accumulation, but who we are and how we treat others.

Elf Yourself

Stole this from the Fords, but it is fun:
The Fawson Elves

Outside Christmas Decor

Played around with the camera. Janalynn actually did all the decorating by herself. I just took the pics

How To Know When You're Ready for Children

Got this is in the email the other day. This is one of the best emails I have ever received. I am not big on forwarding, but this one is blog worthy



MESS TEST
Smear peanut butter on the sofa and curtains. Place a fish stick
behind the couch and leave it there all summer.

TOY TEST
Obtain a 55-gallon box of LEGOs (or you may substitute roofing
tacks). Have a friend spread them all over the house. Put on a
blindfold. Try to walk to the bathroom or kitchen. Do not scream
because this would wake a child at night.

GROCERY STORE TEST
Borrow one or two small animals (goats are best) and take them
with you as you shop. Always keep them in sight and pay for
anything they eat or damage.

DRESSING TEST
Obtain one large, unhappy, live octopus. Stuff into a small net
bag making sure that all the arms stay inside.

FEEDING TEST
Obtain a large plastic milk jug. Fill halfway with water. Suspend
from the ceiling with a cord. Start the jug swinging. Try to
insert spoonfuls of soggy cereal into the mouth of the jug, while
pretending to be an airplane. Now dump the contents of the jug on
the floor.

NIGHT TEST
Prepare by obtaining a small cloth bag and fill it with 8-12
pounds of sand. Soak it thoroughly in water. At 3:00 p.m. begin
to waltz and hum with the bag until 9:00 p.m. Lay down your bag
and set your alarm for 10:00 p.m. Get up, pick up your bag, and
sing every song you have ever heard. Make up about a dozen more
and sing these too until 4:00 a.m. Set alarm for 5:00 a.m. Get
up and make breakfast. Keep this up for 5 years. Look cheerful.

INGENUITY TEST
Take an egg carton. Using a pair of scissors and pot of paint,
turn it into an alligator. Now take a toilet paper tube and turn
it into an attractive Christmas candle. Use only scotch tape and
a piece of foil. Last, take a milk carton, a Ping-Pong ball, and
an empty box of Cocoa Puffs. Make an exact replica of the Eiffel
Tower.

AUTOMOBILE TEST
Forget the BMW and buy a minivan. Buy a chocolate ice cream
cone and put it in the glove compartment. Leave it there. Get a
dime. Stick it into the cd player. Run a garden rake along both
sides of the car.

PHYSICAL TEST (Women)
Obtain a large bean bag chair and attach it to the front of your
clothes. Leave it there for 9 months. Now remove 10 of the beans.

PHYSICAL TEST (Men)
Go to the nearest drug store. Set your wallet on the counter. Ask
the clerk to help himself. Now proceed to the nearest food store.
Go to the head office and arrange for your paycheck to be
directly deposited to the store. Purchase a newspaper. Go home
and read it quietly for the last time.

FINAL ASSIGNMENT
Find a couple who already have a small child. Lecture them on how
they can improve their discipline, patience, tolerance, toilet
training and child's table manners. Suggest many ways they can
improve. Emphasize to them that they should never allow their
children to run wild. Enjoy this experience. It will be the last
time you will have all the answers

Setting up for Christmas

I would have to say that in the past we have usually set up for Christmas during the Thanksgiving weekend, this year we waited until December. After our turkey dinner, which I need to add was about as good as any homemade turkey I have eaten(I heard a tip on sportstalk that made the difference, marinate the turkey for 18 hours with a mixture of a cup of salt to 1 gallon of water--the gravy was as good as any gravy I've ever had) we read scriptures. Our bishop emotionally urged all members of the ward to read their scriptures and pray together each day during this month, but especially until Christmas. We decided that we would read the book of Matthew.



Afterwards we pulled out all the Christmas decorations, put on some holiday favorites, and decorated the house. Over the years Janalynn has collected quite an assortment of Nativity sets, and frankly part of the challenge is finding a place for each of them. I will say that this is actually something I really enjoy--not so much the decorating--I mean all the Nativity sets. In the end we got just about everything out, realized we need to get rid of some of it, and everyone joined in and had an enjoyable time.

snowball fight

which one is Natalie?

First Real Snow

I realize it has already snowed, but it wasn't much a storm and was gone as quickly as it came. Woke up at 7 am and it was snowing the kids were so excited they got in their gear and had to go out. Porter didn't even care he was wearing girl stuff. They threw snowballs at each other until Porter hit Natalie in the face which ended that.