Jake in Cancun

 Oh hi kid,

Another week gone by.

It’s hot and dry here, my grass in the backyard is dry and crunchy. And I water every night for a long time. The front and side is better, but there are dry spots. I’m also busy remodeling the bathroom, but it’s not fast enough for your mother, she mentions how slow my progress is at least twice a day. I’ve gotten the backsplash tiled and grouted, the vanity is in and plumbed, and the mirror is up. Next I need to pull the old toilet out, replace the baseboard behind it, prime the walls for the wallpaper, put up the wallpaper on that wall, then put in the new toilet. After that I need to replace the rest of the baseboards and trim, prime the rest of the walls and put up the rest of the wallpaper, put up towel hooks and stuff, then do final touch ups (there are a lot of touch ups needed on the grout). Fun huh?

This week I picked up more freelance which I’m very grateful for. I also have a second job interview for that job I had a one way interview for about a month ago. I really thought I blew that, and maybe I did. But I’m super grateful for this interview and I’m going to ask you directly to keep me in your prayers. It’s for another software company that supports dental offices, so I’m guessing that’s why I got the second interview. In addition to the freelance work I got I had another conversation with the lady that helps find franchises. I’m more open to it, but my preference is still a job. 

The big news for Jacob this week is that Jacob is in Cancun with his buddy Dallin. They are staying there with another one of their mission comps. He left really early Friday, we were out the door by 3 am. I felt like I didn’t sleep before my alarm went off, so I’ve been a little tired ever since. There was some challenges before they left as their flight was canceled at the last minute. I admire Jacob because instead of just freaking out he got busy and found another flight for he and his buddy. Since he got there they’ve been to the beach, been on a boat, snorkeled, seen some ruins, and had his shirt pooped on by a dog ( I’ll send a picture).

Saturday was a work day. I finished the plumbing on the vanity. Mom and Ben went with grandma shopping. I was frustrated with the plumbing because it leaked the first time I turned it on, so I decided to find comfort in a sausage McMuffin. There’s a new McDonald’s next to the Maverick which is going to be challenging for my waistline. They have a new spicy McMuffin that I was looking forward to trying. It was a disappointment, the sauce was way too vinegary. After mom and Ben got home Ben wanted to go to IKEA to look at furnishings for his apartment. I think he’s getting things figured out. I bought a low shelving unit that was on sale and set up an electronics and charging station in the garage. While I was doing that I had to clean up the clutter on mom’s side of the garage. I’m excited about the workstation. I’ve started gathering my ryobi batteries and my RC batteries and my soldering station. I’ve been a little worried about the batteries laying all over the house and garage. There have been fires started by lithium ion batteries. One over in the 10th ward by a scooter battery. So I had a metal toolbox that I’m going to use to store them in case anything happens. I pulled the battery out of your Traxxas and it seems fine. It will be fun to get our RCs going when you get back. 

Ben made the best ribs I ever had for dinner, he smoked them really well. Then I mowed the lawn. It was hot. But I felt like I had a productive day. 

A couple of weeks ago when we got home from Moab I felt what I thought was a bug bite or a zit on my calf. This week it started to spread and ache. I was a little worried that it might be a blood clot or something scary like that. But the more I looked at it the more it looks like another varicose vein. Varicose veins are when your veins loose their elasticity and collapse. It’s genetic and both of my parents had them I have several in my legs but they’ve never hurt before. I guess it’s common for them to hurt. So i guess I’m just telling you this because they may be in your boys future. I don’t think they are serious but just an unpleasant aspect of aging. It felt better yesterday because I moved around a lot and Tylenol really helps too. 

Next week Ben leaves for his short visit to Connecticut to get the keys to his apartment. He’s a short timer and I’m already starting to miss him. I can tell he’s ready, but I’m not. I had the thought the other day about what a big deal Ben going to Yale is. I think how proud my parents and grandparents would be. Not just of him but of all you boys, especially you three boys. I know my mom would be so proud of you and you mission service, how tall and handsome you are, how you make good choices. I’m so proud of you too. I know your sweet grandma Heumann is so proud of you too and I think you three are her favorite.

Well Joe, I sure love you, talk tomorrow,

Pops