Be My Valentine!

Mom and I attended our stake's valentine dance. We were impressed. There was a live band - The Dick Losee Band. Great music. Mostly from the past. I recall "Moonriver" "In The Mood" "Sunrise Sunset" from Fidler On The Roof, and numerous others.

Marge still has the moves for the swing and a little jitter bug music. Her knees even held up during our dancing.

The floorshow was by the UVU dance team. Most impressive. They rival the BYU dance team.

Even the Gym was decorated to the point that with a little imagination it didn't look like a Gym. There were lots of heart shaped ballons, etc. Even lots of food and drink.

The oldest couple on the floor had been married 67 years and had 82 decendants. We were among the middle aged group. There were lots of young marrieds and young daters.

To summarize the evening - we had a good workout and lots of fun.

Today I sent off some engagement letters for some new clients - One in Reno, Nevada and two in Southern California. I have been busy trying to keep some new people in my system.

Tomorrow is Jackie's birthday so we will be spending some time with Nathan.

To all! Happy Valentines Day.

Random Stuff

Marge and I were with Nathan today. Blues Clues is his very favorite TV program. He reminds me of Ben when he was about Nathan's age. There was always another clue. Nathan's vocabulary now includes a few words from the Blues Clues series. Mom took Nathan to Toys R Us this afternoon. Nathan is fixitated on Balls. I even had to hide the balls for the pool table because Nathan would find them and try to carry several at a time. The problem is that those balls are heavy and when dropped on a foot or toe cause pain. Rubber balls work fine.

Nathan wants to hold all of his favorite toys--all at the same time. Very difficult.

Jackie took here citizenship test today and passed. She will receive a letter telling her where and when to go to take her oath of citizenship. She will then be a US Citizen. We are proud of you Jackie.

Mom has gone to the instacare clinic for an antibiotic. He has a persistant cough which won't go away.

I have a couple of new clients this week. One in Nevada and the other in Southern California. I just hope the funnel keeps dropping a few at the narrow end.

That's it for now.

B. Ray Mundo

Sunday Sacrament Meeting today was on the theme of the Book of Mormon. One of the speakers was Stephen Covey (son of "the" Covey who wrote the 7 habits book series.) Brother Covey began his talk by saying he had selected 7 blessings from reading the Book of Mormon. He mentioned that the word "seven" was an important word for the Covey family--actually almost a habit. Brother Covey like his father is a business consultant. Anyway, the talk was good and I will now restate the 7 blessings he selected.

1. It is a true record of a people from ancient America. Joseph Smith told his Brethern that the Book of Mormon was the most correct book on the earth. Joseph Smith and 3 witnesses saw the Angel Moroni and the Book of Mormon plates. They all testified it the Book's truth. Subsequently 8 witnesses saw the plates and likewise testified that the Book of Mormon is true.

2. The Book of Mormon contains the fullness of the Gospel. It clarifies the Atonement of Jesus Christ and is another Testament of Jesus Christ. Look at Mosiah 4, II Nephi 9, Alma 5, 7, 40 and 52, and 3rd Nephi.

3. Reading this book will draw us nearer to God. It will bring us closer to our Savior Jesus Christ. It will increase love and harmony in the home.

4. The Book of Mormon is written for us today. Nephi saw the record as a voice of one from the dust. Both Mormon and Moroni saw the day when it would be translated and published testified that it was written for us today. It's message is current and relevant.

5. The Book of Mormon is tangible evidence of the restoration. It is physical and is not going away. The first printing was of 5,000 copies. Today there are over 100 Million books in over 107 languages in print. It is either true or is a fabrication. It cannot be ignored by honest people.
6. The Book of Mormon is written with a promise by Moroni. Pray to Good for an answer of whether it is true. This is the key to conversion.

7. Modern prophets have given us a promise with a challenge. To read and ponder will give us increased spirituality. It will help us walk in obedience and keep the commandments.

We finished the second week of our eight week family history course today. Marge carried most of the responsibility. We had 13 in attendance.

Tonight David, Jackie and Nathan will sleep over. The reason--Jackie will be taking her citizenship test tomorrow while David goes off to work. So, Nathan will stay with us and it will save the time for someone to bring Nathan to Provo from Draper. Anyway, Becki, the reason has nothing to do with them looking for a car.

As I look at my watch it's 10 p.m. and Nathan is still not asleep. So David has taken him for a ride to tire him out.

Did everyone hear about the successes Bill Hepworth is having with varsity wrestling in Washington. He will be moving on to more matches. Congrats to Bill.

That is for now from the Senior Neandersons

February Update

February has started out as a very busy month. But. . .my time commitments have very little to do with doing work for which I can send an invoice. Rather. . .I (we) are busy with physical therapy, some doctor appointments and just other stuff. Every Wednesday evening Marge and I go to the Holzapfel class on "Joseph the Seer." We have tickets for two BYU basketball games this month (Colorado State on 2/11 and Utah on 2/28). I had a luncheon with 3 other lawyers at LDS Philanthrophies on 2/3 to discuss charitable stratagies for the benefit of the full-time staff (mostly lawyers) who work there. Two afternoons this month are devoted to the Normandy Village Homeowners Association Board of Trustees. The meeting is usually about 1 hour but there is preparation time. On 2/16 Marge and I will fly to Sacramento, rent a car, and drive to the Sansome farm for two nights. Then on 2/18 we will go to Eldorado Hills for a client meeting. We fly home late on 2/18. We leave for Cabo on 2/27 through 3/7. We plan to meet John and the Speck family and stay in the D-108 condo. Jason and I will go fishing on either 2/28 (Saturday) or 3/2 (Monday).

Tax time is upon us. I always dred this time of year. Thinking about income taxes is like having a "root canal" every year. Even though I always extend to October I need to know what my obligations are so I can plan. Just so you all know, I don't do our income tax returns. I have a local CPA firm take care of doing so. For clients the only tax returns I will prepare are Form 706 (Estate Tax) or Form 709 (Gift Tax). The rest is beyond me. What say you?

I am looking at a to-do list with 34 items. Most will produce no income. At my age some of items on my list relate to old-age guilt and a concern that my time to complete books and stories may be short. Don't read anything special into these comments. I am not ill. But I am 75 going on 76. Recently Marge and I had lunch with John and Gail Hallgren (John is 80 and Gail not far behind). They have aged significantly during the last year and both seem so frail. What is tells me is that health can change so quickly that I don't want alot of "unfinished business" to haunt me.

I am a presenter at a seminar to be held in Southern California on April 6, 7 & 8. It could lead to some ongoing business for Hank Whiffen and I doing "back office" work for highly productive insurance agents with weathy clients. Time will tell. If interested go to the following site. www.advpractice.com/symposium My picture as a symposium speaker is not too bad--at least it is better than my "costco" photo.

My book on "10 principles of effective wealth preservation" [The Best Ways To Dramatically Enhance Your Estate Planning] has 29 chapters. It's not finished but is now waiting for the Obama Administration to present a bill in the House to deal with estate and gift taxes. I am hopeful something with be done within the next 60 days. Otherwise the law is just too confused on the future of estate and gift taxes. Stability and finality is what I need in this part of the tax code. Is it going to happen? Is there an answer? According to one of John's referenced authors, Gertrude Stein, "There ain't no answer. There ain't going to be any answer. There never has been an answer. That's the answer."

No photos on this post.

Su Padre