More Pics

Corn Dogs for lunch
Happy Brandon
Sleepy Brandon
Dallas with his homemade triangle Grandpa helped him with.

Father of the Year

I hereby nominate myself for father of the year for my efforts yesterday in running the business and taking care of 4 crazy little boys simultaneously.  It was a crazy day but I think we did a good job.  Special thanks to Cody and Eli for doing such a good job helping me with Brandon while Dallas was at school and I was busy with customers.

Ready to walk Dallas to school.
Time to get clean!
Brandon likes bananas!
Breakfast table fun
Eli eating breakfast.

1st Time New Car Buyer Syndrome

Me and the boys have had a fun day here at BSS.  Cody and Eli were a big help watching Brandon while I was in the office today.  We even had time to go out and wash the Speed3.  Here is a video clip I made of it after it was all clean:

Morning Adventures

Me and the boys had a pretty good night last night.  Mommy isn't here, she is in L.A. for a couple of days.  I had all the boys in bed by 9:30 last night, and I was able to decompress for a little while.  I went to bed around 11:00, and Elijah was the first to wake up around 12:15.  I heard him running down the hallway saying he had to go potty.  I helped him go potty and told him to go back to his bed, but he just went and hopped in mine.  Seeing as there was enough room, I tucked him into mommy's side and we both fell asleep.  About 10 minutes later, Brandon started fussing.  I got him a bottle and so all 3 of us were now in the bed.  It went well because after that we all slept soundly until morning.  We had a good morning also.  I made all the kids breakfast.  Me, Eli, and Cody had cold cereal; Dallas had oatmeal, and Brandon had a piece of bread and a half a banana.  Then I threw them all in the tub, got them dressed and we walked Dallas to school.  It went pretty smoothly.  I think they do miss their mommy though.  Now I'm down in the office with my assistant manager for the day, Brandon.  I'll post some pictures of our mommy-less adventures later tonight.  Oh yeah, and the treadmill is acting up.  I tried to run on the treadmill this morning, but the belt was slipping, which can be a scary experience.  So I will have to tighten that up if I want to get any running done today.

Another Snow

Drove over to the trailhead this morning and ran 4 miles on the trail.  I was complaining about the rain yesterday so it's only fitting that this morning I was running in snow.  Actually I would rather run in snow than rain any day.  My pace is getting a little better, I was probably around 7:30 pace this morning, but it is probably because of the 3 slices of cake that Derrinda brought me back from the baby shower she went to last night.  So I had plenty of energy reserves.  That is still a slow pace, but better than 8.  Derrinda is taking off for SoCal today.  She will be back Saturday.  It will be an interesting couple of days watching all the boys while doing everything else too.  The oldest 3 will be pretty easy, but that Brandon is quite another story.  I've been getting my afternoon runs in as well, just 4 miles, but it feels good to be getting back into it again.  There is nothing like two a days.  It reminds me of getting in shape for Track and Cross Country.  It's a good feeling.  

Heavy Metal

I ran 4 miles this morning.  I was pretty tired.  These 2 a day workouts are hard.  They are always hardest the first week or so until the body adapts.  It does feel good to be running again though.  I remember doing two a days in High School and being so dead that my legs would be burning just walking up the stairs at MVHS.  They would feel so heavy.  But it was always worth it come race day.  Hopefully I can stay motivated this time.  

Dallas has a school project where he has to fabricate a homemade musical instrument.  It shouldn't be too hard since his instrument is the triangle.  We'll have to find some kind of metal that will make a nice "ding" sound and shape it into a triangle.  I sure am sick of all this rain.  

Rocking Out with the Stone Family

Modest Mouse

Last night I drove Dallas and Cody over to the trailhead after work.  Dallas and I went running while Cody rode his bike.  We had a good time.  Dallas and Cody always have lots of insight to share.  There is a really big tire that has been there along the trail for years.  It probably came off of a big dump truck or some other kind of heavy equipment.  They just had to stop and play on that tire for a while.  Dallas was pretty sure it came off of a Monster Truck.  Anyway, we ended up going out a mile and back, so Dallas ran 2 miles!  We did have to stop and walk a couple of times because Dallas said his spine was crunching.  He is a character.  When I picked him up from school yesterday and we were walking home, we saw an old dog and he said "That dog is very well mannered."  I can't believe the stuff that comes out of his little kid mouth sometimes.  I ran 4 miles again this morning.  I just ran from BSS over to the trail behind Safeway and back.  It was raining pretty good this morning.  I was listening to my iPod and "3rd Planet" by Modest Mouse came on and gave me some food for thought-- "The Universe is shaped exactly like the earth, if you go straight long enough you'll end up where you were."  Think about that one for a while.

Monday Morning Madness!

I went for a run this morning on the paved trail starting from the daffodil farm.  I only went 4 miles, but it was good to be out in the morning running again.  I was probably going close to 8 minutes per mile which is deathly slow for me, but that's what happens when you let yourself get out of shape.  I shaved all my facial hair off last night.  That was a weird thing to look at myself in the mirror after being used to seeing myself with the scruff, and seeing myself clean shaven.  I feel like a naked faced fool.  It didn't help when all my boys were running away from me because they said I looked "weird" this morning.  It is funny, because I could understand where they were coming from, me and my sisters would react the same way when my Dad would shave.  It's amazing the difference it makes.  Now I have a small understanding of how Samson must have felt when Delilah cut off his hair back in the day. 

My Frankenstrat Guitar Project

I repainted this guitar last summer, but I wanted to try and post a video to my blog and see if it would work. I also don't think I showed this guitar to anybody after I finished it. It is the 3rd guitar I painted and it turned out pretty good. It is a copy of Eddie Van Halen's Frankenstrat that he built in the early 80's. It is a fun hobby for me and I hope to build another guitar sometime soon!

More Moss!

So yesterday was a really nice day and I decided to get ready for spring outside around here.  I mowed the lawns and noticed that my nemesis, the moss, was not only after the pavement around here, but also trying to take over the grass.  I got the sprinkler system working and wet all the lawns.  Then I put down moss killer via the Scott's fertilizer spreader.  I noticed this morning that it is already starting to turn brown!  In a couple of areas it is already black.  I need to rake it out of the grass in a couple of days, I hope the weather cooperates.  It sure is another beautiful day in the Northwest today!  I hope I can get out and enjoy the sunshine again today.  I haven't been running all week, I should start again, but I'm having real issues staying motivated for some reason.  Hopefully the weather will make me want to get going!!!

Is Health Skin Deep?

I've been thinking about health and fitness a lot lately.  I'm kind of struggling to stay motivated with running and getting in shape for some reason lately.  It has made me think a lot about the human body and health.  I know a lot of people think that if someone is on the plump side, then they are out of shape and unfit.  This is usually true.  However, the opposite is not always true.  Just because someone is thin doesn't mean they are in shape or healthy.  Some people are naturally skinny or on the thin side.  They can eat fast food, junk food, etc., and not exercise, and still stay skinny.  On top of this, a lot of drug addicts, cigarette smokers, and alcoholics are thin also.  That certainly doesn't mean that they are in shape, fit, or healthy.  It is easy for us to judge from what we see of the body, it's hard not to because we can't see what is on the inside.  For example, when people overeat all the time and make unhealthy food choices, they don't usually think about the harm they are doing internally to their body, they usually just worry about getting fat.  Getting fat isn't a good thing for sure, but it isn't the only harm being done.  People who consume too much food are making their bodies work way harder than they should be.  For instance, the digestive system is constantly hard at work trying to deal with all this food that it is constantly being forced to deal with.  It makes everything harder for the body.  Drugs, alcohol, and other substances being introduced to the body also make the body work overtime to rid tissues of  unwanted and harmful invaders.  When someone is extremely tired, it shows in their body language, on their faces, etc.  But when the bodily systems are extremely tired, it doesn't show on the outside.  But that doesn't mean they don't need a rest. I think that is one reason why we feel so good when we eat right and exercise.  We give our body the time it needs to refresh itself and rest.  The heart and circulatory system need to be exercised by aerobic activity in order to stay healthy.  My friend Jason has always been naturally very skinny.  But throughout the years of running with him, it was always easy to see if he was in shape or not.  If you were to see Jason in shape and out of shape, you would not be able to see much difference, if any.  But his heart and lungs and muscles sure can tell.  Let us all take the time we need to exercise.  Let us all evaluate what we are eating and putting into our bodies.  Our bodies will thank us and we will feel better!

Band Practice

I had band practice last night.  We ran through all the songs we had been working on.  The frustrating part is that there is no way we will be able to do "Jump" because our drummer simply can't play the solo section of the song.  We've been trying to get this song down for over a year now and he just can't do it.  It's too bad too because I worked very hard on nailing Eddie Van Halen's guitar solo, and now it is in vain.  I guess the good news is I can impress people when I go to Guitar Center to try out guitars or amps.  The Prince song should work out good, we just need to work out some of the vocal parts and I need to finish up some of the lead guitar parts, but it sounded pretty good.  "Whip It" turned out good too, it is a pretty easy song, but it should be a crowd pleaser seeing how popular it was in the early 80's.  "Walk this Way" by Aerosmith and Run D.M.C. sounded good between me and the drummer, but with Audrey and Greg doing the rapping stuff, it lacks a little bit.  And Brian needs to come up with some bass to fill it out.  The best part of the evening was being able to drive my pocket rocket there and back.  I love how responsive that car is.  Going highway speeds, if you put the accelerator pedal down, you can go from 60-100 in a matter of just a few seconds.  It really pulls.  It is super fun taking turns in it too.  The off-ramp that takes you off the 167 onto Main St. in Sumner I used to have to take it at no faster than 25 or so, but last night I took it at about 50 and it just zipped through it with ease.  Driving is very fun in that little beast.  The cool part about it is I averaged 25 miles per gallon.  I don't know of any other car that will go 0-60 in 5 seconds and can get that kind of gas mileage.

New Songs for 80's Band

I've been working on some new songs we might be adding to our setlist.  It's always fun to learn new songs on the geetar.  I have learned "1999" by Prince, "Walk this Way" by Aerosmith and Run D.M.C., "Your Love" by the Outfield, "Whip It" by Devo, "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey, and polishing up "Jump" by Van Halen.  We haven't added new songs to our set forever and that makes things boring, doing the same songs over and over again.

In other news, Dallas has been enjoying running.  He has run a mile everyday after school for the last 3 days.  Yesterday he ran a mile in 8:57!  I thought that was pretty fast for a 7 year old.  He is excited to run in the track meets this summer.  We went and bought him his first pair of running shoes last night and he is sure excited to run in them tonight!  Cody also did good yesterday in riding his bike with me for about 3 miles.

Little Runners

I told the kids that I was going running right after we closed at 5 tonight.  Dallas said he wanted to run too, so he asked if I could run with him around Bldg. C here at BSS.  Then Cody wanted to run too.  I told them a while ago about the track meets this summer and asked them if they wanted to participate on the Best Self Storage track team.  They said they did, but then they kind of forgot about it.  So we all started out around the building (me, Dallas, Cody, and even Eli).  I had to tame the pace down as Dallas started at about a 6 minute mile pace.  Eli made it halfway around the building and then went in the house.  Cody made it 1/2 mile and Dallas made the entire mile without stopping.  I didn't time him, but by my estimation it was probably about a 9 minute mile.  That is exciting.  They were all excited because I told them if they could make it 3 1/2 laps (1/2 mile) then they could be on the team.  So Cody will be our 1/2 miler, and Dallas will be our miler this summer.  I told them that if they keep working at it, they may even be able to finish the 2 mile if they want to.  And of course Eli will enjoy the 50 yard dash this year!!  Now their Daddy just needs to get in shape so he can contribute!!

Another Moss Update!

Due to an overwhelming interest in the battle of me vs. moss at Best Self Storage, I feel compelled to let everyone know that I did pick up a key player in what I think will be very bad news for the moss.  Lilly Miller Moss Out has been recruited and is ready to play.  Bleach and water works great for the slimy thin moss, but where there is fuzzy growth, the moss is not impressed.  Hopefully this will do the trick.  I will update after the application and let everyone know how it goes!! 

Elders Quorum

So today at Church while I was sitting with my Primary class during sharing time, some guy walks up to me and hands me a slip of paper.  I reply with a thank you and he is on his way.  As I read the paper, I am reminded as to why I have always had issues with the way Elders Quorum is run.  The paper is titled "Missionary Exchanges" on the top.  Then it states the meeting time and place for missionary exchanges is Wednesday nights at 7 p.m. at a members home.  I couldn't help but notice that I am on the list to go on splits with the missionaries, along with some other guy from the ward, on April 1st.  Then there is the fierce warning from whoever authored this; it says "If you are unable to fulfill this assignment, it is your responsibility to find a replacement."  How is it my responsibility?  I never asked to go on splits with the missionaries.  I never signed up.  I understand that they must have problems getting people to volunteer, but that doesn't mean they can just sign people up to go and expect it to be their responsibility.  I think next week I will go around and hand out a notice to everybody that they are assigned to help clean out units at Best Self Storage and if they can't do it on the date they have been assigned, it is their responsibility to find a replacement.  Tell me what the difference is.

Immigration

We are all immigrants.  Our ancestors came to this country for the same reason people are still dying trying to get here: to make a better life for them and their families.  I think before we blame the problems in this country on the Mexican immigrants, we should look at the problems that the born and raised citizens cause.  It has been my experience that the majority of those abusing the welfare program of this country are not the immigrants, but rather U.S. citizens who are so spoiled by the ease of life in this country that they are unwilling to put in honest work for an honest wage, and would rather have the government supply them with what they need and/or want.  I don't know if anybody else got that super awesome video from U. Ron of that hick couple consisting of a super gifted middle aged female that thinks she's hot (far from it) and her awesome super skilled middle aged guitar owner friend (notice I didn't say guitar player, that would be an insult to those of us who can actually play) singing about what it means to be an American.  Those fools couldn't last 15 minutes doing the back breaking labor that these supposed terrible people do all day every day, usually for less than minimum wage.  I know this because if they worked as hard on their musical abilities as most immigrants work the land, they might actually be able to play an instrument and sing.  

Island in the Sun

I thought I would share this video.  It combines two of my favorite things: animals and Weezer.  One of my favorite parts of the video is when the big Grizzly walks over to Rivers(singer of Weezer) and he gets nervous and stands up.  Had a good day at BSS today.  Kind of slow but I did rent a 10x20.  Rainy.  Here is the video:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hyoszso38E&feature=PlayList&p=76017691207B71F4&playnext=1&index=2

Museum of Flight

Grandpa Stone accompanied Derrinda and the boys and I up to the Museum of Flight near Boeing Field tonight.  We all had a blast looking at all the cool aircraft, spacecraft, and learning all about the different ways that man has accomplished the wonder of flight.  It was really a great learning experience for all of us, but the kids were always saying "Whoa", "Hey look at that!" and fun things like that.  We had a great time and we were especially glad that Grandpa could come with us.  He has always liked airplanes and was pretty knowledgeable about the different engines and aircraft already.  My favorite plane there was the SR-71 Blackbird.

Highly anticipated moss update!

I walked around and checked the moss after the mass killing yesterday, and it looks like all the moss has perished, except for some of the bigger clumps, and their days are numbered.

Cuddly Brandon

Derrinda got up early to run this morning because she is having a get together with her friends later this morning.  When she got back and said that it was my turn to go run, I was sleeping with Brandon in my arms.  I decided to wait on going on my run because babies don't stay babies for long enough so you have to cherish those moments.  Even Eli is already such a big boy.  He woke me up to go on the potty this morning while Derrinda was out running.  You always hear people say that they don't stay little for long, but I never really understood it until now.  I finally did get up to go running, and I went the same route behind Safeway and up the river trail to Fred Meyer and back.  4 miles in about 29 minutes.  "He's just slooooow."

Moss Killing

I spent the afternoon killing moss.  I went through 15 3 gallon tanks of bleach/water.  My back hurts.  Some of the fiercer moss looks like it wasn't impressed with my bleach/water solution.  Maybe I will have to do a 2nd application with a fiercer concentration.  Bob (UPS guy) stopped by and told me to buy Lilly Anderson Moss killer from Home Depot to use on the tougher moss.  We rented a 10 x 20 today right at closing too, so that was good.  Things are going good here.

Make Me Fries

This song takes me back to High School.  If you've ever tried singing along to it, this will be highly amusing:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLd22ha_-VU

You've got to start somewhere

I have learned a lot of things from running.  I also picked up a lot of tidbits of wisdom from my Dad along the way.  One of the things he would say, especially during the beginning of a training cycle, is "You've got to start somewhere."  Well, that kept running through my mind this morning as I slogged along at about an 8 minute mile pace for 4 miles.  I hate running that slow, and I don't get much enjoyment out of it, but in order to get in the kind of shape to where running begins to be fun, you have to get through the first stage of training.  For some reason, 4 miles has always been my starting point for my runs when beginning again after an injury or illness.  It is right around 30 minutes, which is just enough to get tired, but not enough to exhaust you.  

My new car!

I bought a brand new 2009 Mazdaspeed 3 about 2 weeks ago after much research on sport compacts.  I wanted a car that would be practical, yet still fun enough for someone who was spoiled by driving a '69 Chevy Nova in High School and College.  It came down to the Mazdaspeed 3, VW GTI, Mini Cooper S, or Subaru WRX and I chose the Speed 3.  I have been completely happy with my decision so far.  This car MOVES!!  It has 263 Horsepower, 280 lb. ft. of  torque, and does 0-60 in 5.4 seconds.  Lots of fun!!  

Surprise!

Everybody thought I would be the last person in the world to join the blogging scene.  At least I beat Mom and Dad to it.  This blog will pretty much just be like a journal.  I will probably talk about my running workouts, things that happen at work, and my opinions and ideas.  And maybe some stuff that I like.