Week of 20260405 - General Conference; Bureaus Built; Toastmasters Challenge; Taxes Mailed; New Worksite; UPS for the Router; Automatic Multiple Model Trials via Excel; SUV Revived
= Sunday, we listened to General Conference; I watched as well. Between sessions today, we heard someone testify that we should seek fairness for all, including those who have not made the covenants we have made.
= I assembled a bureau from Walmart. Steph found our shot records.
= Monday, Steph got some training. I built a simulation of future visits. We interacted with the Young Single Adult conference committee. I gathered records for Federal taxes.
= Tuesday, we enjoyed Toastmasters; in her speech, Liz Burgess prioritized leadership behaviors by their importance. The President of the club asked Steph to complete the projects for a Level-2 award before July to help the club's standing. We're one member short of the 20 needed for its accomplishments to count.
= I finished our taxes. I disputed a charge that seemed to be coming out annually. [Mistake: the charge was autopay for a credit card balance for a card that's only used for an annual sale.] I built another dresser and made the same mistake I as I did for the previous one; so, it took longer than it should have to finish properly.
= Wednesday, we went to work at the old location and were sent to the new location. I modified my prediction model. Home, we worked on things for the YSA conference. I built another bureau. Then I looked at Excel tools for my work project. And it was 0145.
= Thursday, I had Walmart give the minivan an oil change and bought an UPS for the home router. At Lowe's, I bought minor items for the house. At FedEx, I copied our taxes, then foolishly mailed them cheaply instead of the more expensive route that would have provided tracking. At storage, I picked up a fancy lamp, lunch bags, oversize fan, and blinds.
= Friday, I got Excel to do 20 iterations of the model each time the workbook is touched. We watched The King’s Warden (Chinese, with subtitles) at AMC, then had sushi. Home, I baked a devil’s food cake. We had cake and ice cream and watched The Closer until about midnight.
= Saturday, we picked up the SUV. Steph agrees that the service desk person sounds like and looks like Michelle (our middle daughter), enough to be her twin. I replaced our door locks and got my first bug bite in years; I had no mosquito bites in Ghana. Steph delivered a podcast episode.
As many do, we watched Conference where we were.
Deiter S Uchtdorf announced: He has risen! That testimony has made all the difference in his life. A few women doing service were the first witnesses of the resurrection. Through what we have seen and experienced, we can also be Jesus' witnesses.
Emily Belle Freeman pointed out that maybe it took both the worst days and the best days in Peter's life to transform him from a fisherman to a shepherd. Joy is not the absence of sorrow; it is in the influence of Jesus Christ in our lives.
Pedro X Larreal reminded us that we partake of the Sacrament to witness to the Father that we remember Jesus Christ and are willing to keep his commandments to have the Holy Spirit with us. We should elevate our preparation for the Sacrament.
Edward B Rowe urged us to spend more time with Jesus Christ as Our Guide through life that can be a minefield. We don't need to feel alone as we carefully follow Him. And the Father gave Jesus power to heal us even when we walk imperfectly.
Ronald A Rasband testified that Jesus came, was crucified, and rose again. Jesus reaches out with the same hands that were nailed to the cross. Everyone will be resurrected, whole, with perfect bodies, because of Him.
(The congregation singing, in the conference center)
Dale G Renlund reminded us that not all matters are of equal importance; seek for the precious gifts Jesus can impart. When we have repented, we owe no more to justice, because of Jesus Christ. He will fill with sweet our bitter cup.
Thierry K Mutombo and his wife received a miracle after standing for the truth. Satan's plan is "play now, and pay later", but remember that although Jesus was humiliated and crucified, Sunday did come, and will come in your life.
Alan R Walker said that we must lay aside lesser things to receive a continual stream of blessings from God.
[It came to me that if you want greater power from God, then agree through covenants to try to wield that power righteously.]
President Dallin H Oaks counseled that living worthily to meet Christ is no easy task, but there is no better way to show our love for God than to show love to our fellow man.
D Todd Christopherson said that character is the fruit of actions, thoughts, desires, and intents of the heart. Christlike individuals have great influence on the world.
Chi Hong (Sam) Wong said that "remember" is a scriptural signpost. Remember that keeping commandments leads to happiness, that man can only be saved through Jesus' atonement, that God has made you free through this knowledge.
Aaron T Hall exhorted that Jesus relentlessly works to bring us home. He can deliver us from afflictions, pain, and temptations of every kind. Let him extend peace to your soul.
Susan H Porter reminded children (and us): you spent a long time in the Spirit World growing and learning to learn to love others and keep God's commandments. When you say "Send me", God will work miracles.
Neil A Anderson insisted that if all the restoration accomplished was to bind families together forever, it would have been worth all the effort it has cost. Allow the Lord to expand your gifts of love and patience in marriage; it is an eternal journey.
Quentin L Cook related that when Easter and Passover met 190 years ago, keys were bestowed that were central in returning to our Father as a covenant people. Elijah returned with the sealing power to fulfill promises made to the fathers.
Taniela B Wakolo encouraged those in part-member families to keep loving. His own wife waited eight years and he went through 24 missionaries before he was sealed to her.
Agency is sacred; the invitation is rooted in Christlike love.
Gerrit W Gong related how disciples of Christ walked to Emmaus, a place of healing, when Jesus joined them and they recognized him in the Sacrament. Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. Then walk with someone alone and sad.
Dallin H Oaks exhorted us to demonstrate Christ's love in our interactions. And, he taught that as we act upon what we have received from God, we will receive more.
Conference is over for six months.
General Authorities visiting with each other
Emily Belle Freeman (center, Young Women General President) used to be the co-host of Don't Miss This. Her daughter, Grace, has taken her place on the show, at least for the duration of this calling.
We'll continue to benefit from this conference.
I assembled the "other" bureau: one for me this time.
The framework was almost done..
But I had misinterpreted the instructions regarding the center section. and had to take it out and put it back in.
When you do it right, the slides fit the holes, like this, with the closed end of the slide to what will be the back of the dresser...
It's finally ready for drawers.
The easiest position for this operation is laying down on the floor and tilting a drawer on its side while you tighten the screws to fasten its handle.
The cat, like a polar bear on an ice floe.
The bureau is handsome and functional, even though the drawers are cloth with a hard front.
Steph found our shot records. Here are some of our shots.
That required Steph to us an Instant Pot..
And an air fryer to complete.
Notice the paw in the water.
Fancy slacks, pleated top
Referring to the alma mater, or a higher power?
Shorter than ours, but the better to tow a jeep with
The chain wasn't deliberately draped in the shape of a flamingo, but we couldn't have done it on purpose this well.
I think the log cabin used to be the sales office for mobile homes.
Hard to see these symbols without thinking of certain movies.
The club still has these lights, but they don't show up well via Zoom. Featured here is Steph's timing app on her phone.
The old ways are still the most-effective. Steph is demonstrating the signals she'll use.
This means, hurry! The red signal has already been displayed and you're into your 30 seconds to wrap it up!
Liz Burgess gave an advanced presentation,,
She discussed attributes of leadership.
Each meeting has a Word Of The Day; we try to use the word in our speaking opportunities.
Steph tried using the audience camera to show timing signals..
but eventually used the lectern camera for subsequent online speakers.
And back of the room for speakers in person
Have you ever seen a storm drain from underneath?
When the restaurant attached to the Legacy museum wasn't open, we tried this place. [It has since shuttered its doors.]
For anyone who thinks recycling metal is dead.
There's a building under there somewhere.
Fire department practice tower
We had ordered two dressers. I'll try this again. It's amazing that everything came out of that little box. Someone living away from home for the first time or moving into an apartment could easily fit one of these in the trunk.
It looked good until I tried to fit the rails onto the center section and once again had put the back in the front [oops].
Now it's right. Hindsight: test the rails on the center section *before* bolting the center section into place.
The Allen wrench packaged with the bureau has a Phillips-head tip on one end. So one tool does double-duty.
The top is especially nice, real not flimsy.
What does B G B stand for?
Big Green Bus. There are multiple such businesses. They provide gymnastics experiences inside the bus for young kids. (One of them features rings to hang from, a "rock wall", and the opportunity to ride a cable from one end to the other.)
This RV caught our attention. Our big one was good to live in for eight months but feels scary to drive. Traveling, a bed and a toilet/shower would be enough.
This lasted for all of ten minutes until our "permanent" rooms were assigned - no window.
Sew Bernina displays a traditional quilt pattern. We haven't yet checked out the African Market next door.
Steph got a better photo with her phone. Her research says it's a Carpenter's [Block] Wheel [or Star]. There is a tradition of decorating barns this way, though nowadays, the "quilt" is painted metal.
Ice cream with Key Lime pie
Decorative echoes of thatched roofs
Tasty sandwich and "Freestyle" drink (from a machine such as you'll find at the movies)
Transportation for the elderly isn't always labeled, but this short bus has a municipal tag.
The front porch has hollow front columns. Each year, birds nest in them and then then dump poop on the front door when they change direction for a landing. This year, it occurred to me to put something in their way.
I bought an Uninterruptible Power Supply for our home router.
Instead of making you open the device to connect the battery, this design lets you make the connection from the outside.
The well-placed notification label has done its work.
A gentleman perhaps a few years older than I am gave Steph this reminder at Walmart Neighborhood market.
We've seen shopping cart corrals, but until today, I had never seen one being moved by forklift..
They were taking it out of the parking lot, not bringing it to the parking lot.
Not a clear photo, unfortunately, but this trailer is large enough for a bed. It probably has an outdoor kitchen as well; my parents had a "teardrop" like this, though without the air conditioner.
On a poster. The postal vehicle of the future?
He had to start from the painted divider to make this turn
We we had protected our knockoff Tiffany lamp by storing it in a hard-shell suitcase. Success.
I picked up some other items from storage as well.
I don't think we ever used this. We'll let you know how it turns out.
Salads don't make themselves
But the results are nice.
You could fit at least two of these inside a Ghanaian avocado.
Secret ingredients, especially the pickled onions
This container has a retractable spout.
Salad for now - salad for later
Walmart sells these stickers now.
Osaka is big on presentation.
In the business card holder in Osaka's foyer
Von Memory's fowl naturally lay colored eggs.
I decided to use one of our boxes of cake mix.
Here's that lamp on my newly assembled dresser.
I cut furniture sliders to fit.
The devils food cake was a success.
I applied frosting with a spatula.
There was only enough to do the top.
Steph's demonstrating rubbing shakers together to vibrate the contents out of the holes. We frequently come to Waffle House to eat just before starting our monthly fast in anticipation of a monthly testimony meeting at church.
We don't know where this truck goes to serve food; it was at a gas station across from AUM.
I finally installed new locks.
And removed the management company's key box.
Oops! I installed this set backwards; time for a nap.
[At the end of the day, I removed and then replaced these correctly so someone who gets into the workroom has to breach these as well.
After the nap, the driveway door.
We're going to have to prune our neighbor's tree again.
New lock, but old latch retained; it's a custom job.
First bug bites in years. (In Ghana, I wore long sleeves and used bug spray.)
I made the old locks obvious to freelance recyclers.
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