Beating the Odds

This page is for posting newsworthy items and things in general that are worth being happy about: It was started on June 4th 2001. The most recent announcements or good news items are at the top.

May 1, 2004
If it couldn't happen after all this time and effort, I finally found her. Jill Herman and I will get married as soon as necessary details are put in order for our lives. I am so happy. We are both very happy. Each day I discover how very perfectly she fits into that empty space in my heart reserved exclusively for an eternal partnership. There were several reasons I was brought to Seattle and Jill with her daughter Kaitlyn are two of them. Our lives have been building to this time when we join together as a family. It is so wonderful I can hardly believe it is happening to me. Nora and Kaitlyn are close in age at 5 and 6 respectively. It is great to see them play together and they are excited to be step sisters.

A little bit about Jill: She is originally from Arkansas and studied Nursing in Tennessee. She joined the Church at 25 while in school and moved to Seattle in about 1993. She enjoys working at the newborn intensive care unit at a hospital in Everett. Prior to working in the NICU, she worked in the adult critical care unit. She has blonde hair and green eyes that just melt me. She enjoys camping, boating, needlework crafts, serving in the Church, and being a mom. She doesn't like it when kids talk back to her, prefers not to talk in church, and is at her best when in code at the hospital. I feel so blessed to have her in my life and to be in her life.

January 15, 2004
I'm not really sure now how it all happened, but a Mandolin arrived today from my dad in Boulder Colorado. I'm learning a song called "Red Haired Boy" and it's great. This is the first time in my life that I've ever been serious about learning to play music. The mandolin is a beautiful sounding instrument and I've always noticed it's unmistakable tone in recorded music. Learning to play it on my own is fun.

I finally found a recording of Beethoven's Symphony Number 6 Opus 68. My personal copy of this piece left my life several years ago. I remembered and recognized the main parts of the score, but didn't remember the name of it. In my searching since then, I've been buying classical CD's featuring Beethoven's work. Consequently I have a lot of great Beethoven pieces and now I finally have a version of this other great symphony!

October 2003
Difficult circumstances and challenging occurances that bring sadness often also bring bright moments. My paternal grandmother Emma Weiderspon died. This event inspired a call from my father Bob. Up until that day, we have not spoken for nearly 25 years. Since then we have talked twice and warmly shared details of our lives and families. I'm sure we will talk more. Additionally, my half sister Diana and I have spoken and corresponded through email many times. She has sent me photos of our brothers and sisters that I've posted on this website. So suddenly, I have a father and 9 more brothers and sisters!

September 2, 2003
Working for ODOT as a temporary employee couldn't last. Today was my first day with the City of Lynnwood, Washington. I'm a project manager responsible for technology projects. More specifically, I handle all the Intelligent Transportation Systems projects. Prior to fall 2003, the City has received a lot of funds through federal grants. Part of my new job is to spend it! We will do a lot of signal controller upgrades, central communications, and central control upgrades. There will be a lot of gadgets and gizmo's to play with. One of my most favorite is the one I drive around with that turns the traffic lights green for me!

This job brings me physically closer to Nora and allows me to do work that I enjoy. What more could I ask for?

August 10, 2003
It's time I edit this page and remove the really "journal" type things. My life is an open book, but the things I learn and experience are best shared via personal conversation. Those that know me, know I'm a talker and rarely clam up when it comes to my personal life... for better or worse.

June 10, 2003
I gave a talk or sermon in Sacrament meeting last Sunday and was asked by several people for a copy of "You Are Special". This was a paper I read as an introduction to my words. Others that missed the meeting asked me to send a copy of the talk in it's entirety. One friend asked me to give the entire sermon all over again...just to her! That will teach her to miss Sacrament meeting. So to save stamps, paper, and printer ink, I'm posting the TALK and the "You Are Special" paper on this website. Just click on the links and it will come up.

June 2, 2003
Have you heard that a duck's quack does not echo and nobody knows why? Most people (scientists) have heard this and I was reminded from the inside of a Snapple bottle cap today. Well, a research laboratory in the UK found the only duck alive whose quack echos. Here are the results on this website. The quack in fact does echo. Don't worry about the macromedia player if it asks you to download it, you don't need it. Be sure to download the sound files and play them.
If you are like me, you will get a BIG kick out of this. I laughed so hard when listening to the quack in the reverberation chamber that my belly muscles hurt! Now, now, this is serious scientific research. Can you imagine chasing that poor duck around the acoustic chamber shoving a microphone into it's beak until it bellers a "QUACK". Humans are odd creatures.

June 1, 2003
Through the process of growth, a person becomes aqcuainted with hope and comfortable with putting things into the hands of the Lord, casting cares upon Him and feeling happy with the opportunity to have hope. It is a spiritual emancipation that has no equal. It is a spiritual conduit through which distinguishable counsel, whether from Father in Heaven or from His Son Jesus Christ, is clear and distinct. Trying to write about it almost feels disrespectful because it cannot be properly conveyed. The line between hope that can develop into faith and hope that may be wishing can be quite transparent.

The new job is going well. Working for a public agency is a bit different compared to working as a consultant. I have noticed enough differences to write a book about it! I will not write a book....who would read it?

May 18, 2003
I start working for ODOT tomorrow. It is interesting how it all came about. After being laid-off from Siemens due mainly to the present economic situation in the country, the project managers and engineers for a project I was working on at ODOT as a consultant contacted me about joining their team. I took the job. It is a temporary position that may turn into a permanent position. Meanwhile, I'll keep my options open by applying to permantent positions within the Pacific Northwest.

March 31, 2003
I failed to put this news in chronological order when it happened several weeks ago. My older brother Robert and his wife had their 6th child. A boy. They named him Paul ... after me. I will see him for the first time at the end of April at Rob's graduation.

March 26, 2003
I finished digitizing all of the 172nd Semi Annual General Conference talks from October 2002. In MP3 format, they all fit on one CD ROM with room to spare for the next two conferences! It's amazing to realize it took me over a month to do it all. Perhaps digitizing the 173rd General Conference scheduled for this weekend will not take so long.

February 18, 2003
Lance and Charlie Hanson just had their third baby girl! Her name is Danielle. The Hansons are neighbors in Harrisburg and have been good friends for years. Nora and their oldest daughter Kaylyn have been friends since they were only months old.

A noteworty discovery is that I can put all of the General Conference talks onto a single CD if they are recorded in .mp3 format. Today I finished putting the morning session talks into .wav and .mp3 format.

February 10, 2003
Over the weekends in Harrisburg at my home, I sometimes like to listen to the messages of General Conference that were delivered in October 2002. One particular message given by Margaret D. Nadauld struck me quite poignantly this last weekend. In her talk, she described a Woman of Faith pointing out many of the qualities that such a woman would have developed or would have as part of her natural personality. A lot of thoughts came in and out of my mind as I listened to Sister Nadauld's words. Some of those thoughts were accompanied with feelings and promptings that I should in my life cultivate many of the qualities described. Christlike attributes are applicable to men and women alike. By the close of her discussion, two things were clear to me: 1) In my activities searching for women to develop friendships with I must find women who are working toward being "Women of Faith", and 2) Although imperfect in my strivings to be like the Savior, I am worthy to fellowship, court, and be joined with a Woman of Faith.

January 19, 2003
Today I was sustained and set-apart at Church as the Junction City Ward Clerk. This is a very large responsibility for a man who works away from where I have my home. It feels right though, especially since I will be working closely with some of my good friends in the Church. Many of the qualities and strengths from members of our Bishipric will hopefully rub off on me as I serve with these great men. Here's a link to more about this calling and qualities that I've noticed so far in the people I will serve with.

December 23, 2002
Today marks the re-beginning of my motorcycle riding days! After finishing the final mechanical adjustments, charging the battery, and adding fuel, the 1975 Honda GL1000 Gold Wing fired up and I took it out for a ride to register, license, and insure it. I have to admit that I was really petrified riding it, but expect that the uneasiness will fade and I'll begin to relax and enjoy it. If not, then I'll sell it and take up something else. We'll see. Of course, this is the exact opposite time of year to be riding in Oregon.

October 4, 2002
On my way to pick up Nora, the odds caught up with me. I was rear-ended on the freeway during the afternoon rush hour. This is the second time I've been rear-ended and the second time I've been in any kind of collision while driving. Except for a bump on my head and a settlement from the insurance company of $400.00, it was just a hassle.

September 30, 2002
What a day! I completed my 34th circle around the sun today and embarked on one of the perks of being a single man. For the first time in a long time, I spent part of the evening with a woman on an actual date! I am so exhilerated right now and feel that my life has suddenly become more complicated. This first date after several years is quite different compared to how I remember dating more than 10 years ago. It feels different and good. For the benefit of those that would actually read this and want to know more, I'll simply add that I felt a bit awkward too because this interesting person is easily the most classy woman I've ever been out with. Even with that bit of intimidation, it felt OK and I have only one regret. I should have walked her to the door of her house rather than simply "drop her off" when we returned. Maybe next time I'll show a little more class!

September 18, 2002
I found out last week from my attorney that THE DIVORCE IS FINAL!!!! I AM A SINGLE MAN and can now get on with my life. I didn't think that I would feel any different from one day to the next or one moment to the next, but I really do. During the nearly 40 month ordeal from initial filing in April 1999 to final judgement and filing in September 2002, there were some things about not being married, not being single, not being divorced that I just got used to. In the midst of that, I learned to be happy with my status and especially my fatherhood doing the best I could to be with Nora as much as possible despite the circumstances. It feels good to now be at a starting point for the rest of my life.

The new job is going well and I'm looking into relocating closer to the office to save driving. Working from the home office is great, but it doesn't replace the face-to-face interactions with my office partner/boss. I love my house and neighborhood and it will be hard to leave, but I'll find a suitable home in Portland. Besides that, selling the house makes good financial sense because the equity will pay off the heavy legal bill that has accrued over the last three years. (Debt is not a very attractive attribute when dating.) So, there it is.

June 22, 2002
While in California for my first work assignment with Siemens-Gardner, I have missed my bicycle. Several weeks before leaving JRH, I won a contract to design bicycle and pedestrian access through an interchange in Grants Pass, Oregon. At JRH, when you win a contract, you receive a cash bonus of 1% the contract amount. (Way cool policy.) Knowing that I would be meeting with people including bicycle riders in Grants Pass, I took my bonus, added some more to it, and purchased a bicycle. Knowing then that I didn't want to appear as too much of a novice, or be left behind when riding with the cyclists, I started riding a little to get in shape. It didn't take at first so my bicycle took second or third order behind other things. Eventually it became an expensive piece of exercise equipment leaning against the wall. So, I took it out and rode it...really rode it. I began to enjoy the feeling of being out and especially the feeling of building my endurance and strength. Now I miss it. So, I'll get back on after going home.

One thing that I'm torn about with the bicycle riding is the weight loss vs. a worthwhile physical attribute. I have worked really hard over the past few years on my belly. It got really nice and was very much a trophy of many great meals and good times with friends and family. I figured that when I start dating again, if it's there before any long term relationship develops then there's no problem whether it stays or goes in the future. If it's not there while a long term relationship develops, then it might not be so welcome if it comes back. Think about it. What would you do?

June 18, 2002
I suppose getting back to editing this website is newsworthy. It has been a long time and lots has happened. Nora and I have had many visits and I'm working on getting pictures posted. She is the joy and love of my life. I was thinking the other day that there is not another human being on earth that I love more than Nora.

I've recovered 100% from the hernia surgery. The medication for pain was the worst part of the experience. Somehow, I am ultra sensitive or allergic to morphine and morphine derived medications. I lost a lot of sleep while struggling with my sensitivity.

Other big news is the change in employment from JRH to Siemens. My first assignment is to train/work in Concord California writing the State specifications for Advanced Transportation Management Systems. My company just received word that we won the contract for New York State ATMS specification work. So, I may be working with specifications for some time to come. However, once finished in Concord, I'll work out of the Portland office in Oregon.

Also, a lot has happened with the divorce since October. If it's not apparent, I avoid putting any detail about the divorce on the website or speaking about it in more than general terms. One detail that I will post is that it's not over and a trial is set for July. The divorce will finally be over. This trial is priority with the court and therefore will not be postponed for any reason. I am looking forward to moving on with that part of my life. That really is something worth being happy about despite the ickiness of it all.

October 11, 2001
Since September 27th, I've been recovering from bi-lateral inguinal laproscopic repair surgery. Recovery has been somewhat slow and I am often sore. The extent of the damage to tissue required 36 square inches of reiniforcing synthetic fabric. My surgeon said he stiched the reinforcement beginning near my hip bones on both sides to the middle under my belly button then down to the lowest point.

August 8, 2001
After the truck engine lost oil pressure on the way to pick up Nora for the July 6th visit, I resolved to rebuild the engine. This is now complete. The engine runs great and is very smooth and much quieter. There is even about a 20 percent increase in horsepower! My brother Robert helped me over the telephone and through email to get parts together and do it right. From start to finish, it took about a week and a half. Tear down, clean up, and part acquisition was stretched out over about ten days. Once all the parts were together, including a replacement head and valve assembly, a refurbished crankshaft, and gasket set, I was ready for reassembly. Reassembly started about 2:00 PM on Tuesday July 31st. By noon on August 1st, I had it running. Another two hours was spent getting it running right. It had 4 miles on it before starting out to pick up Nora in Kalama Washington. There were no problems whatsoever!

June 28, 2001
Several weeks ago in April I made a business trip to Idaho for a job in Pocatello our firm is working on. I needed video and photos for about 20 intersections. Using my personal camera for the photos was convenient, but the 4 plus pictures per intersection took it's toll on the 12 year old device. It died. This camera was used for almost all of the Nora photos posted to this website. Upon mentioning the need to get a new camera, my good neighbor Misty Turrene gave me a camera she was no longer using! Pictures posted hereafter are taken with that new camera.

June 27, 2001
It's going to be hard to keep to the committment of posting only positive things here. Maybe I should qualify big news items as newsworthy. Last Monday Christina announced she and Nora will be moving this weekend to Redmond, Washington. I don't have any other details.

It's still good news that the divorce process will end, but it's a ways off again. The court has rescheduled the trial for August 29. This is probably due to our July date being needed for someone in custody (jail). Furthermore, by the time the court scheduled everyone in, other divorcing couples took the most recent upcoming court dates. We were subsequently bumped to the next available date.

June 19th, 2001
Lance and Charlie Hansen had their second daughter yesterday. Her name is Shelby and she's 5 lb 15 oz. The Hansens live at the front of the cul-de-sac with their daughters Kaylyn and Shelby. Kaylyn is one of Nora's best friends here in Harrisburg and is turning three on the 30th of June. She has invited Nora to attend her birthday party on that same day. If Nora is here, we will go to Pappa's Pizza with about 10 more 3 to 4 year old kids and have a party we will not soon forget.

June 15th, 2001
My ex and I have a trial date set for our divorce on the 17th of July. Although not necessarily positive, it represents the end of a long process that officially began in April 1999. That it will finally be over is good news and certainly positive. Details of the outcome will not be made public, but some details will be reflected in the visit schedule that will be posted for family and friends.

June 8, 2001
Patt and Betty Briggs are getting to adopt their two grandchildren, Sierra and Mikael! The children will be in their home starting next week. It has been a huge uphill battle with attorneys and contradicting counselors. In fact at one point, the kids were almost adopted into another family, but it was stopped and now the doors have been opened for the kids to be where they belong. The SCF decision from months ago was reversed.

June 5, 2001
The Coffelt family in Spanish Fork Utah had their 5th child. Her name is Marin and she was just over 5 lb. at birth. I should be getting a photo soon and will post it here. The birth was by operation because her mommy's placenta was over the birth canal. Faline and Rob had a lot of work to do preparing for this birth. Faline was laying down for the last month before the surgery, which meant that Rob had extra duties with Amanda, Taylor, Robin, and Benjamin. Our mom went to help with the family for a week during the period before and after the birth.

June 4, 2001
My insurance company is State Farm. They just sent me a letter saying "Congratulations, you are one of our select policy holders. You have been with us and accident free for 10 years. This qualifies you for a 20% discount." Furthermore, they said that as long as I insure vehicles through my policy, they will not cancel or fail to renew the policy. This will come in handy when teen age drivers begin to wreck cars. The ten years must have started shortly after returning from Florida in 1990 when I served a mission for my Church. Prior to serving for two years, I was on my own insurance policy through State Farm, and did not have any crashes then either.

During my entire driving experience, I've only had two motorcycle wrecks, but did not make any claims against the auto insurance. I get to count my blessings also for not being hit by other vehicles except for once in High School when I was rear ended at slow speed. So, despite a few speeding tickets, or violations of the basic rule in Oregon, I deserve the insurance discount.

It pays to stick with the same insurance company for a long time!

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