Steven Bates:  

Been off the chart for a while. LIving in Tooele now and just started working again after a long pause. I needed some extra cash when my granddaughter from Phoenix moved in so I started working at the new Cabelas warehouse here in Tooele, just 5 minutes from my home, but I don't think I'll be there too much longer. These old bones are a bit rusty, but I can still work an 8+ hour night shift throwing boxes of stuff on and off the bins and conveyors. I gotta admit, though, that at first I was a bit sore at the end of a shift, but the extra money on top of my pensions and SSI make life a bit nicer. I still have the beard, now growing longer for the Santa Clause bit. I have 18 or so grandkids and 9 great grandkids thus far(and counting) and the Santa bit is just for them and friends. It's too much fun to charge anything more than a piece of pie or a dinner with them. The wife goes as Mrs. Santa and we have a really good time at several parties. I've lost over 100 pounds in the last several years - from 285 to 185 - but I still have a bit of old belly fat that won't go away without a fight, and I'm tired of fighting. One note, however, I must share with you - my oldest and dearest friend from since grade school in Provo - Buzz Chipman - passed away a while ago. He...Expand for more