Reunion / Vacation Plans 2014

Deb, in the parking area next to the House/Cottage

This is the year for the Scott Family to join together (with all of our progeny).  Ben took the initiative and found a house big enough for all at the Lake of the Ozarks in Sunrise Beach, MO.  Deb and I decided to go down and see it.  It has 2 living units with 3 distinct living areas, the house with 5 bedrooms and a cottage.  More details on: www.vbro.com/258021# .

The house

The house overlooks the Lake.  On the opposite shore is the docks for the boat rental and a local restaurant.  The property includes a dock and swimming area as well as a small play area for small folks.  Remember, these are 'Winter' pictures.

Play Area

The house overlooking the Lake

A view of the house from the boat rental dock

Another view from the opposite shore

Boat dock (the lake will be 7-10 feet higher in summer)

Celebrate Scarlet Elyse Jensen

OMG - the most beautiful little bundle from heaven came in last week on a cloud in the middle of the night (1:57 am) in Olathe, KS to two blessed creatures of the realm, Bo and Farrah. Here's a picture.

Christmas at Disney World

Thank you DeLynne for hosting us in your world, Disney World. It was a fabulous get away for Debbie and I. Not once did I succumb to the computer or checking e-mail, although mom kept up with text-messaging (so did I with the office).

We got delayed with snow in (of all places) Nashville. The de-icing took over an hour. Waiting in line to de-ice took almost an hour. Orlando was experiencing below normal temperatures (down to 29 degrees). It was in the low 40's with wind throughout Monday. Tuesday it warmed up, was a little warmer, and we picked up 2 extra hooded sweatshirts. The wind was more tame but it was still cold.

Monday night we saw the famed Christmas procesional. Over 300 voices - 80 from Disney cast members, 300 from local churches and schools, 8 from the professional Disney singers along with the Disney World Orchestra. It was amazing.

Valentine's Day Dance - Lenexa

Debbie and I took occasion tonight to 'crash' the Adult Retro Valentine Dance in Lenexa . We doubled with Greg and Becky Taylor good friends of ours. We had a blast while dancing to the early 60's / late 50's music in our fun outfits. We also saw Lindsay at the dance and did the Limbo. The winner is pictured here. Lindsay also did the limbo even though she's due to deliver a new child to the world in May.

To the Senators

Please do all that you can do to cause this 'Stimulus' package to fail. It is not about stimulus. It is not about helping anyone, the more we learn, the less we see it as a real solution and it will contribute to the huge deficit already held by the US government. On the eve of a report on abuses from the previous, we HAVE to pass a bill before the obvious failings of the previous one is reported on. Don't let the bill pass. If it cannot see the light of day - it is not safe.

The worst part of the economy is a head of state expressing his inherent distrust that the American public can take care of itself. If the rules of the economy are a changing scenario, no company will risk its future with what used to be common sense - that's why people are put out of work. Who knows what to expect?

To my Representative

Congress has a nice interface for writing to your congressman - My congressman is Dennis Moore. I wrote him today. Too late for the first vote on the 'Stimulus' package, but in plenty of time for the revised package that will return from the Senate with over $100 B added to the already overwhelming package.

It's interesting that you can't fund a war, but you can fund every pet project ever invented and call it a 'stimulus'. It only stimulates the imagination to try to get more from our government.

Here's the letter:

Thank you Dennis for providing this forum for me to contact you. I appreciate it greatly. I know that the democrat party would like us to believe that the 'Great Bailout' bill is to help America re-arm itself, but it seems to be a 'great boondoggle' for those who helped capture the congress and Whitehouse.

There is no provision for small business to benefit with a more predictable legislative or tax climate. There are massive provisions for giving money and funding to those who have proven their inability to perform. It is a natural punishment for those who contracted legitimate debts and now can't pay to lose their collateral. It is a natural effect that those who loaned to those who can't pay won't get paid. The reality is that the 'government-owned' Freddie-Mac and Fannie-Mae encouraged lending practices that were fundamentally unsound, urged on by legislation that tried to provide home ownership to groups that couldn't afford it.

Now from the floor of Congress, we hear the same congressmen who now want to fund community action groups deride the wisdom of Banks owning planes that could be used to facilitate their business.

Please act SLOWLY to vote on a bill that is so full of perks for EVERYONE that it damages us for years to come. Continuing support for this bill will only serve to verify that you are part of the congressional community that needs to 'pay back' its supporters at the expense of the good of the country. Please find an alternative to the largest pork barrel piece of legislation ever.

Thank you,

Jim Scott
a lifelong registered Democrat

Seen at Union Station - KC, MO

Amazingly young looking, these two were seen on Segway two wheelers at Union Station celebrating the anniversery of 26 years of marriage. A handy artist was on hand to capture the moment.

There is no greater love than that forged in the fire of time and tempered by the endurance and patience excersized by two committed to each other and supported by family and loved ones.

You've all contributed to the success of this union.

Thank you, and love to all.

Holiday Candies (Buckeyes)

These are the candies that never made it anywhere. Buckeyes are probably Deb's favorite all time Holiday treat. They are the equivelant of home-made peanut butter cups with a very high temptation value.

The first batch of 26 yielded 7 to give away. The second batch at least stood for pictures and out of around 36, more than half made it to worthy recipients. It is a refridgerated treat, so it doesn't ship well (too bad for out of towners). It also doesn't seem to keep real well either (it all gets eaten too quickly).

Turkey Day 2008

Minneapolis, MN was the location of our Thanksgiving revelry. I had business on the Saturday after Thanksgiving in Minneapolis, so I decided to take my lovely bride and visit Farrah and her Fiance, Bo.

Farrah was so excited to show off her place and her cooking talent. It was good. Bo and Farrah shared full responsibility for the Turkey and basted it every 20 minutes (just like Bo's mother does). It came out perfect. They asked me to do the honors of cutting the Turkey. It was an amazing display of cooking talent and it was nice to see the newly emerging family in the Scott clan. Thank you Bo and Farrah for a great weekend.

This is Farrah, Bo and the dog wishing us well on our trip back to Kansas on Saturday afternoon. See you at Christmas.

Live in this Moment

Yesterday was a singular day. On 3 of 4 Saturday mornings, in soccer season (Spring and Fall), I usually referee the first 3 games of the morning. Yesterday was no exception.

It was a tournament day, with teams from all over the country. I had teams from South Carolina and Iowa that I noticed. The teams were good, precise, well trained and careful. But the weather was amazing.

On the way to the fields, I decided to drive my motocycle. It was 7 am and the temperature was about 50 degrees and VERY foggy. I could see droplets in front of my headlight. The moisture clung to my windshield, my pants, my gloves and my jacket. At the end of my 25 minute drive, my jacket and jogging pants were soaked (thankfully, not all the way through). Visiblility was so short that I found myself losing cars that we more than 1/2 block away. Signal lights were obscured from across the street.

At the fields, you couldn't see the parking lots from the soccer field or any nets from soccer fields one field next to you. And it stayed that way throught the first 2 games. Then, in the middle of the second game, one of the referees mentioned 'I love days like this'. Later I thought on how insightful this comment was.

We only have one day to live. I'm thankful for each one. On that day, I saw how important it was to focus on the moment (you couldn't see anything else anyway). I realize that I really am thankful to wake to each new day. Each day is an adventure. This moment is your moment. Live for this moment - make the most of it. It's all you get. It's all you really need.

A Temple in KC

In October conference, in the first session, in the first talk by President Monson, it was announced that a Temple would be built in the 'greater Kansas City area'. Speculation immediately took hold - where? It will be in Clay county at the Shoal Creek exit of I-435, short of Liberty in Kansas City, MO (5 minutes from Carrie and John Shaw's house - my niece). That was the revelation that I was waiting for last conference, I guess.

I'm sorry that I haven't shared more of my thoughts on this blog with you. I guess that the last entry about conference and it's meaning to me left me with a need to answer that challenge of seeing there revelation, or an incredible experience. There was revelation there, to be sure. But like most revelation, it was spoken for me - t0 my soul. Much of it could be shared, but normally not in a public way. That which is a personal sacred experience can be trivialized and sullied in public declarations. I don't want to seek after public acclaim, but I do want to live in such a way that in the day I see my Saviour face to face, I will feel comfortable.

The Big Change

There are changes here in the Scott house. Jim is moving his buisness back into our basement. We've had a lot going on with all the cleaning, packing, stocking, and throwing some things away. Pete our son-in-law did the electrical work and sheet rock and it looks great! It would be nice to have some upper windows besides one window well. Oh well, It's a basement for Heaven's sake!

LDS Conference Weekend

This is one of the highlights of my year. For many people in the church, the semi annual conference is the one opportunity to be able to escape, take a trip, go somewhere. After all they don’t have the responsibility of one (or more) Sunday callings (ie: a teacher, pianist, nursery leader, etc.). But for me, I enjoy the opportunity of sitting at the feet of prophets, seers and revelators who have prayed the I might understand the messages they give.

My wonder at their insights is akin to the wonder I believe propelled the 5,000 to sit at the feet of Jesus and his apostles all the day long until the Saviour felt moved to find them bread to eat and miraculously provided for them all. It wasn’t just the teachings of the Master that kept them there, but also the spirit they felt as they saw and heard from his lips. He fed them a spiritual feast before he fed them the loaves and fishes.

I’m looking forward to this weekend’s spiritual feast.

The Incredible Shrinking Man

Since November 17th, I have embarqed on an exacting diet to get rid of excess weight that has accumulated over an extended period of time. My target is to get to the weight that I had when I graduated from college. I enrolled in the torture program associated with 'Slim4Life' (tm).

Here are pictures to show the progress

Pic 1 is April 2007

Pic 2 is May 2007

Pic 3 is Aug 2007

Pic 4 is Christmas 2007

Pic 5 is Jan 22, 2008

Pic 6 is March 22, 2008

Tell me what you think (no, I did not get contacts)

Seattle Trip - 5 Tea Party/Tickle Monster

Our last day in Seattle was very pleasant. Tara created a grand breakfast. Benny and I watched his train videos. Alexandria put together a very proper tea party for Grandma Debbie.







Alexandria even served her brother, Benny and made him feel welcome to her special tea party.


Later they invited Grandpa to become the 'dreaded' Tickle Monster.






Being a Tickle Monster is a limited term engagement. Eventually everyone is 'tickled out' and the kids run away. Finally even the dog turns on you.


What a wonderful visit. Thank you Ben and Tara. And thank you Alex and Benny. We love you all.

Seattle Trip - 4 The Zoo

Going to the Zoo is a perfect grandparent event.

Notice how good the kids look in their cages!





Sometimes the kids are kept in caves instead of cages. Here they've taken up residence in a wolf's lair.


Eventually they get out and follow you home (to their parents' home).




Here are pictures of some of the real animals we left behind.

Seattle Trip - 3

The trip from Spokane took us through actual climate changes. Spokane sits on the west of the Rocky Mountains, at the edge of the long rolling high plains of central Washington. We cross the Columbia river flowing north and south and into the mountains again that overlook Seattle. This is looking into those mountains approaching Seattle.

Snow at the top of the pass

deserved some documentation.

This is the Snoqualmie pass, about an hour from Seattle. It's amazing.

Seattle Trip - 2

As part of the trip, Deb and I went on business to Portland, Oregon then to Eugene, Oregon, then to Spokane, Washington and back to Seattle. On the way, we were able to drop off and visit my niece, Anne Scott.

She was the sweetest hostess. We didn't stay long, but we came away hoping to be some of the first people to read her books.

Oregon also made an impression on Debbie as we went out of our way to drive by the Portland Temple. It was a thrill.

The setting in the forest sets this temple apart.

Later down the highway, while we were motoring past the Columbia river, we stopped at Multnomah falls. Another thrill of nature. The water falls 620 feet.

From here we went through southeastern Washington up to Spokane, the home of the Spokane falls. This is both sides of the falls.

Reports from Seattle - 1

Well we finally made it. Benny, Alexandria, Tara and Ben greeted us on Saturday last. We also got to meet the dog, Sire.

We went to run the first day on my first 5K run.

It was also Alexandria's first 5 K run. She came in with an astounding 25 minute time at the side of her father. I came in with a much more liesurely time, but at least I finished.

Here's a picture of the finish line. Over 22,000 people participated in the run.

Trip to Seattle, etc.

>We're at the airport waiting to get on the plane. So I thought I would take time to add to the blog. Debbie and I are taking a vacation / business trip to the Northwest. We'll keep you informed. We'll see Ben and the family and then off to Oregon for a couple of days. We expect to see Anne Scott and 3 credit unions and then return to Ben's family for a couple of more days before we launch back to the midwest.