Jam tomorrow, jam yesterday...

On the 1st of the month we got to go pick our fill of apricots. Many of the next few days were spent making jams of many flavors. I helped for half of Saturday before I had to call it a day. On Sunday I tried experimenting with some flavors. My first batch I made on my own, was a Cranberry-Apricot. (some of you got little samples, so please let me know what you think) I have been told to write the recipe down, so for those that are interested, here is how it was made.

• Start by boiling the frozen cranberries in a large pot till they start to crack.
• Drain the water and blend the cranberries lightly. (not quite a puree, you still want the small chunks for character)
• Make sure you have about 3 1/2 of blended cranberries and put in large stock pot to await the apricots.
• Half the apricots and throw away the pit. Place halves in blender or food processor and blend. You should have about 4 cups. Place in stock pot with cranberry.
• Measure 6 1/2 cups of sugar in a separate bowl.
• Mix cranberries and apricot and turn heat on high.
• Quickly pour in and mix sugar.
• Measure in 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.
• Bring mixture to a boil.
• Add 2 small packages of pectin and boil for 1 more minute.
• Remove from heat and measure it into prepared and sanitized jars.
• Boil jars for 30 minutes remove from heat.
• Jam should be mostly set within 1-2 hours

When finished it should be a beautiful shade of red.

Enter Sandman

Over the last few years I have been steadily wearing down, and did not know why. After a co-worker had went in for a sleep test and said he was feeling much better each day, I decided it would not hurt to get it looked into.

After talking to my doctor, I went in for a preliminary test where they monitored my sleep patterns. After getting laid off, I found I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. I went to a second test, in which they used a CPAP device. The next morning I was not as sluggish getting up, and after the doctor looked over my results, she agreed and ordered a CPAP for me to use at home.

I have been using it for two weeks and feel like I have a second wind already. Team that with the West Valley rec Center membership we got, I hope to be in much better shape soon.

Prior to using the CPAP, I felt like I would get three hours of sleep for the 7-8 hours I was in bed. Since using it, I feel like I am getting adequet sleep, and Meghan loves that I do not snore loudly anymore.

I will post more soon. I have other thoughts that I want written down, but time is short this evening. (last day of class (at the school))

Hi Ho Hi Ho , Its Off To Work We Go!!

  As most of you know, at the end of January, my old employer, Fetzers Architectural Woodwork, laid off a fifth of its workforce.  They pulled us in a conference room, handed us the papers and said to go home, no explanation in the why or how they chose whom.  I was very sad to leave a job that I found very enjoyable.  

  Since then I have been able to spend a lot of time with my family, for which I will never regret.  The downturned economy had me worried it may take a long time to find a job.  Each job into I went to had between 250-300+ applicants.  It was a little disconcerting.  I had potential employers not return calls, and more then a few resumes go unanswered.

  I watched the job website and seeing the numbers dwindle, was getting a little discouraged.  I then saw a listing for a job in Pleasant Grove, that I thought might be a long shot but submitted my resume anyway.  I got a call back a week later, and had an interview over the phone.  By the end of the call, the interviewer said, "I don't feel good about giving you this position but we do have a Solidworks Draftsman position open. I will talk to the boss and see what he thinks."  This was on Wednesday afternoon.  I gave him a couple days and when I went to call them back early Monday, I had a voice message already wanting to schedule an interview.  I called and it was scheduled for Thursday afternoon.

  I arrived early, anticipating waiting a few minutes, but I was taken on a warehouse tour immediately.  After being explained the areas and the machinery, I was taken into one of the conference rooms.  Within a couple minutes, the Engineering Manager and the other engineer arrived in the room.   After a bunch of drawings and a Q&A session, we shook hands and I left.

I went to a doctors appointment Friday morning and upon leaving the office I had a message to call them back. I called and was told they would be sending the offer out shortly.  

  We got back to Herriman, and I loaded up the computer.  The offer was more than I had anticipated, which is good.  I emailed a few more questions and told him I would have the offer signed and back to him soon.  It was at this time my computer decided to update Service Pack 1 for Vista. :p

  After the update, I was able to sign and return the offer, so I will be starting my new job on Monday. *Cheering*

More to come later. (I promise no 5 week delay)

That's not flying, that's falling with style.

  I got the opportunity to go to Ogden and try indoor skydiving with my father.  It was so much fun.  You get there, they have you sign the waivers saying "I won't be stupid and if anything happens they are not liable."  The take you in a class and show you an instructional video.  The tell you how to enter the chamber and start flying.  Next, you get suited up in all the gear, and head towards the chamber.  Another quick review and the asked me to step in.  The first flight I was a little nervous.  

  The instructor is right there with you so everything is safe.  They took me out after one minute and took dad in.  Both of us wore the same grins for each flight we took.

  The second flight they would send you higher then a few feet off the ground, if you felt comfortable enough to try it.  It was fun though when I watched the top of the plexiglass panels disappear and saw solid wall the first time, I had to brush away a few small doubts.  This could become a very addictive thing to do if I let it.  It almost makes me want to try a real skydive.  

  If any of you have not tried this, I highly recommend it.  Who would think a 90 mph wind could buoy me a few feet in the air.

I got a Nikon camera. I love to take a photograph...

A little something I made at work today for my wallpaper on the widescreen monitor I use at work.

P.S. The title is a piece of Paul Simon's song Kodachrome, but all these pictures WERE taken with our Nikon camera... :)

Teacher, tender comrade, wife, A fellow-farer true through life. --Robert Louis Stevenson

We have had our ups and downs, but I love my wife. Without her, I would not be half the man I am today. She has supported me through all the trials I have gone through and we have gone through together. In a world where many people believe that a marriage is "For Better or Else", I am glad to have my eternal companion by my side.

We have three beautiful daughters together. My favorite part of the day is coming home for lunch (or after work) and having them at the top of the stairs jumping up and down in excitement to see me.

Meghan has such love and patience with them. Though they get into more than thier share of mischief, we still love every minute we spend with them.

I am so thankful for everything the Lord has done to get me where I am today, for both the trials and the blessings.

... The effect is like having your brains smashed out by a slice of lemon wrapped round a large gold brick...

We held a New Year Eve party last night, so naturally we made our homemade version of Kickapoo. Of course we had plenty of additional food and drink. (we still have enough to feed a small army) We had initially put 1 p.m. as the start time, but after my nephew was over, we had to re-clean the house, so it was a good thing most people arrived after 5.

Angelee and her husband Darrin were in town and it was a pleasure having them join us. Adam and Michelle also made it up with Darcy, whom played with Abby and Zoe, getting into all sorts of mischief.

Meghan made a large roast into Beef Wellington, pasta salad, potatoes, pot stickers, crackers and cheese, and we pulled out the chocolate fountain with strawberries and pretzels. (We even still have leftovers of that.

Adam and Michelle left just after 9, as it was past Darcy's bedtime and Angelee, Darrin, Meghan & I played a game of Outrage! After Angelee beat all of us, on her first game, we put in The Producers and started another game.

We paused the movie, watched the ball drop, drank sparkling cider and then continued the movie.

All in all it was a very enjoyable evening, spent in the company of friends, thank you all for coming.