The Fruit Guy

I could not ask for much more at my new job at Trucker Huss. The people I work with are very nice. The attorneys are all experts in employee benefits, so there is always someone to bounce an idea off. I have a variety of interesting work from Fortune 500 Companies to small start ups to charities, and my office is 1/2 a block from a BART station.

But what I want to brag about is the Fruit Guy. Every Monday a box is dropped off at the office from the Fruit Guy. Inside you will find your standard fare of fresh fruits including bananas, oranges, tangerines, pears and a variety of apples. There has also been something special in the box each week, such as passion fruit, flavor king plums or Asian pears. Yesterday, I started my new work week by eathing a crisp and juicy Asian pear. This morning I am having a banana and a tangerine.

Maybe I obsess about good food too much. But, I think it is a nice perk.

Passing On Bad Habits

The other night Katie was feeling very sad about our move, transitioning to a new school and her lack of friends. I am sure there is an appropriate way to help her feel better that is approved by Dr. Spock and the American Pediatic Association. You know, some positive message that helps her open up and talk about her concerns? But I do not know what it is.

So I do what my dad did -- go out for a treat. Mixing some special one-on-one time and comfort food is, in my opinion, highly effective.

I am on the Body for Life eating plan right now, and it was not my free day, but I couldn't really offer her a protein bar and wink. I can hear me now, "Hey Katie, want to sit on the porch and have some tasty Myoplex." She would think I was punishing her, not comforting her.

No, we went to Cold Stone. After eating our ice cream silently for a while, we were able to beginning joking around and then I could talk with her about how things were going.

I imagine in this way I can pass on to Katie my healthy habit of going out for "pint" when I have a really bad day. Generally, a pint of New York Super Fudge Chunk will do the trick.

The Jungle

The Jungle must be the best "play place" in the world. It is a about ten times the size of a McDonalds or Chucky Cheese play place. The tubes are also extra large so that adults can fit in comfortably while playing tag with their kids. Check it out:

A New Week in A New Life

Last Monday, I began my job at Trucker Huss, APC in San Francisco and Jonathan and Ellie started school at Buena Vista Elementary in Walnut Creek. Madison and Katie were still not registered so they did not start school until Tuesday.

Work is going very well for me, but my diet on Body-for-Life has been shot to pieces. There are just too many good places to eat in San Francisco, how can I resist? I can't. On Monday, I was invited to a restaurant called the Garden. The interior was gorgeous, but that is not the point. There was a menu based on one ingredient, which was corn. It was like an Iron Chef menu with corn as the secret ingredient. I started with a sweet corn and truffle flan. So good and so California. I then had prime ribeye on a corn salad. Yum. And I finished with corn ice cream and corn fritters. Wow! Would you really expect me pass on one of those absolutely unique and divine courses of California fine dining. The food was fricken culinary ART!! The attorneys in my office are really nice people. One of the attorneys plays in a blue grass band with members of his family. We are going to stop by tomorrow at the farmer's market on the way to stake conference to check his family band gig.

There is a 24 hour fitness gym just across the street from my office. So I have been able to work out every day. I can curl a 100lb barbel now, and I have added an inch and a half to my biceps. I just wish I could cut more inches off my waistline.

It seemed like the kids were having a hard time adjusting to school this week, but Friday ended with a primary ice cream social for Jonathan and Ellie, Madison went out to dinner with her new seminary class and Katie was invited over to work on a history project with a girl in her class. All of the sudden the kids seemed a bit happier and hopeful that they will fit in and have new friends. Seeing them happy also gave me a sigh of relief.

Survived Our First Earthquake

Last night at about 9 p.m. we had a most excellent 4.0 earthquake. Showing our true California colors, we all loved it! It shook us pretty good and the epicenter was only about two miles from us. Jonathan was jumping up and down screaming, "Aftershock! I want an aftershock!"

As you can tell from the above post, we made it safely to California. However, our packing for the trip did not lack craziness. Even after our huge yard sale, we still did not fit into the moving van. We negotiated an extra 500 cubic feet in an additional truck, but we still did not fit and had to leave many belongings behind. This was a bit stressful! As the remaining packing space was filling up, I noticed that my retro painting easel was still in the garage. Alas, I admit that I was tired and ready to part with it. But Shelley squished it in instead of the microwave. She said that we could buy a new microwave in California. Now that is true love! Thank you, Shelley!

Unfortunately, our food storage had to stay in Virginia. We did fit in out 72-hour kit though.

Our airplane ride was uneventful. In fact, United took very good care of our pooch. They put in some water dishes that connect to the side of the kennel and some shredded newspaper on the bottom of the kennel. However, Riley was not happy with me when we met up in San Francisco. It took a lot of petting and scratching before he warmed up to me again. Many other airport patrons were also willing to give our beautiful Airedale some recuperative love. And who can blame them.

On Thursday, we basically took a 5 hour "nap" to recover and then went over to see our new home for the first time and sign the lease. We are really excited about the new home. It is just what we need -- lots of room, close to the metro and downtown Walnut Creek, and cheap rent.

Thanks again to everyone who helped us out so much to make this move in only 10 days. You know who you are and THANKS!!!!!