10 Random Things About Me (okay I'll Play)

I usually don't participate in this sort of nonsense, but this time I will do it. 10 completely random things about me and my life.

1. Silkies. I like silkies...You know, the little pieces of silk like material that line blankets. Ever since I was a little tike I would take it in my hand and and feed it through my fingers as I crumpled the whole blanket up. Then, I would do it again...over and over again. Some of my friends know I like them, and they are thoughtful enough to save the silkies from their old blankets and give them to me. However they aren't quite the same as when they are on the blanket.

2. I am 1/4 Mexican. My Grandma is Mexican. I am as white as can be, so no one believes me. I tell them all I got was the attitude.

3. I recently found out that my great great grandfather was an upstanding polygamist Mormon.

4. My brother is a tattoo artist who lives in Missoula MT. He has done tattoos on lots of rock stars. Motley Crue, Poison etc are some bands that he has done his work on. I also have never met him. In fact I didn't even know for sure I had one until last year.

5. A few buddies and me used to participate in an activity we affectionately called VP (virgin patrol). We would drive around to the different parks and along the river and bright light anyone parked there. At one point we had become so professional that we had invested in a 750,000 candle powered spotlight and a PA system. We ticked a lot of people off, but I don't think we saved any one's virginity.

6. I was almost ran off the road in my Chevette by a crazy drunk man in Island Park, ID. If you want the full story, let me know.

7. My mom and I did not have a car until I was 16. We walked and rode our bikes everywhere we went. Groceries, Kmart, mall. Everywhere. My mom never has had a driver's license.

8. I met my beautiful wife on a blind date.

9. I have been to four different colleges five different times. I have had five different majors and I have nothing to show for it.

10. If I had my choice of places to live that I have been to, I would choose either Bozeman or Kalispell MT. Unfortunately my pocket book can't afford it too well.

--> Read more...

Weight Watchers Update

2.1 lbs

2.1lbs....My whole week rested on that fact that I had lost 2 measely little pounds. I have twelve weeks to lose 8% of my weight. I am not sure if am going to make it. I guess if I continue to lose 2 pounds a week, I will make my goal. I will let you know next week.

--> Read more...

Of Diets and Men

So my wife has talked me into joining Weight Watchers with her. My first day was Monday. It's all based on this point system that they have come up with. They calculate how much you currently weigh, how tall you are, whether your male or female, and how sedentary you are. I get 38 points every day. This means I can eat fairly decently. My wife on the other hand only gets 20. Now this may not be fair, but I am tremendously grateful that it is her with 20 points and not me. The bottom line is, the fatter you are the more you get to eat initially.

I will keep you all informed as to how this all works out....Right now...I'M STARVING.

--> Read more...

Steve Jobs Sick!

It's amazing that a once failing company has such power and prestige that Its ceo stepping down is headline news. Steve Jobs announced that he is retiring for the time being because of an illness that is rumored to be cancer. I have read reports that he is to have his pancreas removed after cancer treatment. If it is cancer of the pancreas, the chances of recovery is usually very slim.

It was just a few years ago that we talked about Bill Gates the way we now talk about Steve Jobs. Back then Steve was nothing more than a side note and a joke. People liked the Apple products, but it was just a fad. But nonetheless, when Jobs said he was coming back as the ceo. Things began to take off. just a few years later, Apple has gained significant marketshare in personal computers. Not only that, Apple has managed to dominate the music industry. The Ipod is the only media player that matters, and itunes sells more digital music than any other company. Only WalMart beats Apple in general music sales.

The future of the company remains to be seen. Stocks dropped sharpley after Jobs announced his desire to step down. Can they find another charismatic visionary such as Jobs? Companies (as well as other institutions) rise and fall when they lose such a person.

The computer world needs Apple. Whether you are a PC fan or a Mac fan, you have to agree that there needs to be competition in the market place. There is no other company that gives Microsoft a run for their money such as Apple. It is the only way to keep the once all powerful Microsoft humble.

Long live Steve Jobs and long live Apple.

--> Read more...

Trying to be Authentic

I really am trying to be more like Jesus this year. Not in a snobby, go to church every week, say the right things and read the bible every day sort of way. But more in how I think and how I respond.

My question to you is, how do I become more authentic? What steps do you think I need to take to achieve the freedom that comes from Christ. Feel free to respond...

Blessings

--> Read more...

Memories Part 3

Just a few minutes after getting ready for bed on that frightening evening, my grandparents called. As I remember it, they had just gotten back from a trip to Mexico and called us from the airport to see how we were doing. This memory may not be correct, because for the life of me I cannot figure out why they would call us from their and not wait until the got home. But I digress.

My mom answered the phone and chatted with my grandma for a few minutes before handing the phone to me. I talked with my grandma for a while conversing as well as a four-year old is capable of doing before handing the phone back to my mother.

She was sitting on the arm of the chair in our tiny living room chatting with Grandma, when she abruptly stiffened up and fell backwards. She dropped the phone and hit her neck on the arm of the chair with tremendous force. My mother had descended into another seizure.

My toddler brain could think of doing only one thing. I grabbed the phone and began to scream at my grandparents to get there as fast as they could becuase there was "something wrong with Mama". I didn't know what I was doing, I was terrified. All I knew for sure, was that this phone was my connection to the outside world. I needed rescuing. I needed some security. At that moment, that phone became my lifeline.

I was still screaming with anguish into the phone for my grandparents to "get here" as they walked in the door. I remember running to my grandfather (Papa) and hugging him while tears streamed down my face.

My memory blurs a bit from here. I recall the ambulance arriving. I recall my mom being placed into the ambulance. I remember going to the hospital and trying my best to explain to the doctor what had happened (I was later told that he didn't believe me). She spent a few days in the hospital and was later diagnosed with Epilepsy. She had been experiencing Grand Mal seizures.

--> Read more...

Year End Update

Another year. Another measurement of time. Another 366 days (it was a leap year after all). Another segment of time filled with happiness, sadness, anguish, pain, love, hurt, peace, anxiety, joy, fear, worship, praise, thankfulness, bitterness, and many other adjectives.

Of course we are all aware of the many events that made 2008 one for the ages. Banks collapsing, stock market crashing, housing prices down the toilets, and of course a new president. But this folks is not going to be about world events. No, in this little entry, it's time to be introspective and talk a bit about what happened in the Edwards' household this year.

The beginning of the year found our entire family stuffed into a tiny apartment that made us all slightly claustrophobic. Kim was searching for a new job and I was barely getting any sleep working full time at night and teaching the kids school during the day.

In February, Kim started a new job not knowing what the future held. Sofa Mart presented many challenges for the normally timid Kimberly. She did well, but it caused way too much anxiety in someone so introverted as my wife. So she began to look for another job that would suit her abilities as well as her education. After much persistence and applications. Potandon produce hired her on as a Food Safety Assistant. This job has been perfect for her. She has not only done well, she has excelled and found a place where she can see herself working for many years to come. God is not only good, he is Awesome!

The kids made it through their dad trying to teach them school. They enjoyed the summer and were excited to be back in public school. Lemuel is in Fourth grade and is excelling in all subjects, including making friends. He has a special ability to make anybody his friend. Not only that, he has a simple faith in Jesus that I admire daily.

Brayden Started Second grade with gusto. He is doing much better in his reading. Because of that, he is finding a lot esteem. He enjoys school and church and playing. He has an attitude that doesn't stop, but he is a good kid and a joy to be around.

Abigail entered kindergarten. She loves it to put it lightly. Everyday she can't wait to get to school and see her teacher and her friends. She is a joy! I am a father who is definitely smitten by his little girl.

Keenan....is Keenan. Feisty, forward and wanting things his way. he is your typical four year old. I love the kid, but I gotta say that I am a little afraid of him entering school next year. He has his own idea of how things should be and it is impossible to reason with him. If you try, expect to invoke the wrath of Keenan.

I went part time at Sam's and reactivated my real estate license. I thought going part time would help me recover from my lack of sleep. Shockingly enough, I seem to be just as tired working three nights a week as I was working five nights a week. You start to recover from the night shift and it is time to go back to work.

Real estate has not been good to me. In fact it hasn't been good to anyone. I only managed two transactions last year and one of them was the purchase of my own house! I have decided to give it one more year. If I can't make anything work of it, then it will be time to call it quits. If you know of anyone that is planning on buying or selling any real estate in the Eastern Idaho area, don't hesitate to give them my phone number.

I also started school again in December. I am attending Western Governors University studying Information Technologies/Network Administration. it is an online competency based school in which I can finish as fast as I can go. My target date is spring/summer of 2010.

Years come and years go. All we can do is hold on to the grace of God. I pray that each one of us search for Jesus this year. Make authenticity your goal. Learn to live without the shackels of human religion. Learn to live in the Spirit. Because where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. Lord teach us what true freedom is!!!

Love and grace in the new year.

--> Read more...