A Year of Change

7am, Christmas morning. The boys are sleeping away and Lori and I are watching one of the iconic Christmas movies of all time, The Christmas Story. Dad used to love it. I’d always turn it on for him whenever it was on tv. He’d get such a kick out of it. I loved making him laugh.

Yesterday we left around 9:30 to head down to Tom’s. First up we went to pick up our lunch so that put us at Tom’s about 12:30. We bought enough sushi to probably feed 10 people! It’s hard to tell how much you order when you’re ordering over the phone. Lori brought along a long cutting board and set up a lunch that looked like it was out of a movie. We all had our fill and then retired to the couch. I told Tommy I ate so much it felt like Thanksgiving. A couple hours later we headed home. Around 5 we stopped to see Dixie. She was her usual combination of lost and happy. Happy is all that’s important. We just go along with most anything she says that makes no sense. She thought she was in California the day before and that he mom was in Germany and her dad had a new girlfriend. We did straighten her out the part about her dad having a girlfriend but let everything else go.

When we finally made it home, Jagger went to the gym and Ty rode along and hung out with some friends for an hour while Jagger worked out. When they made it home we watched the end of Home Alone. Then the boys played some video games downstairs. I took a melatonin to try to get a good nights sleep, big mistake! I’m a little groggy this morning.

Today we’ll get Dixie around 10:30 or 11 and are cooking a prime rib roast. No new snow but it’s all white outside. Have a great day and remember the true meaning of the day. If you’re not sure what that is, google it! Merry Christmas to everyone and may God watch over and bless you!

Up and at em, it’s 5:30am and we’re outta here in 45 to 50 minutes. Hope to be back by noon or so, traffic permitting. Difficult driving conditions in Denver. West bound I-70 just closed in Denver by the airport. Also it’s still below zero down there and will be still below zero by the time we get there. Let’s go!

Last night we went to our party at Elani and Ben’s. Marty and Melanie came along and Jag stopped by on his way back from Boulder. James and Adriana came too. Andres, from our cigar group, who is going to rent the small house next to Ben’s, was also there. Outside of that, we didn’t know anyone. Of course we quickly made friends, as we’re always the most fun people wherever we go, ha. We left about 7:30 which was perfect. We all decided from now on when we have a party, we’re going to start it early and have an ending time. This was 5 until 8, perfect!

Time to get moving. Could be a challenge and I have a 9am appointment and Lori has a 9:40 appointment. 48 hours until Christmas morning! It comes so so fast. I remember as a kid, it seemed like it took forever for Christmas morning to get here. Now we lament the fact it seems like it’s here and gone in a matter of days. Funny how life works.

Have a great day, be well, stay safe and God Bless.

Just a little snow and not all that cold. Denver definitely has it worse off than we do.

Home today, Denver tomorrow. Then we’re here until the middle of next week except a trip to see Tom. Not sure if that’s Christmas Eve or Day. We need to work around Dixie. Ty was hanging with friends last night and Jag went to a movie and stayed at Ethan’s. I made it to the gym and Lori wants to go this morning after we both have our calls at 9:30. I have a couple more presents I’m expecting from the brown truck, hopefully today.

Tonight from 5 until 8 we have a Christmas party at Ben and Elani’s. They live next door to James and are friends of ours. Lots going on at work. When the going gets tough, you can either step up or give up. I’ve always been the step up guy. In a weird way, the challenge of adversity is exhilarating. That’s good as I’m afraid 2023 is going to be an exhilarating year, ha!

I think Shelly is moving into a new memory care place today or tomorrow. We sent some homemade cookies to her and Tasha even though we don’t really talk. Shelly is tough to get in touch with and Tasha doesn’t really want to talk to Robin or me as we’re sort of opinionated about Shelly’s care. Not worth going into it any more than that, let’s just say we don’t always think she’s doing the best by her mother, who is our sister. I’ve always said, money makes people funny.

Time to get moving. Make it a great day, 72 hours to go. Hard to believe Christmas is here already. Time goes fast the older you are. Cherish each and every moment, even when they’re not all good! God Bless.

Here comes the cold! Lori and I are supposed to go to Denver tomorrow but we decided to cancel the trip. Temperatures are going to be below zero all day with wind chills in the 25 to 50 below range. It’s just not worth it. I am going down Friday but it’ll be a balmy 10 degrees then. We need to move two doctor appointments and one car appointment.

Last night we went to sushi in the Village. It was a fun dinner and Jag’s first official dinner with us since he turned 21! Ty managed to sneak in a couple shots of sake when no one was watching. It was just as expensive as Matsu but also just as good with larger portions and not as loud.

Today Lori works in Vail. We had a dusting of snow last night, less than an inch. Not sure how much snow is headed our way but as I said, it’s the cold, not the snow that is going to be the issue. I think it’s actually going to be warmer up here than down in Denver.

Ty’s hand is sore and itchy. We go back January 2nd to have his cast cut off and then we’ll see where we are. Today I have a few things arriving from Glen, sort of our family jeweler in Scottsdale. Mom and Dad bought most of their stuff from him over the years and I’ve been dealing with him for probably 30 years. I had him size Dad’s gold Indian head pinky ring so it fits the ring finger on my right hand. This way I can wear it more often. He also remade Lori’s guard rings and repaired another of Mom’s old rings that had a small ruby fall out. He and I are pretty close and talk pretty often. He’s one of the good guys.

Time to get moving. Hope you all are well. It’s great having the boys home. Wish everyone was here to share the season with us. Enjoy the day and take time to stop and smell the roses! God Bless.

After Ty’s doctor appointment to get his new cast on (his hand is healing fine, whew) the boys and I headed out to Denver. We made it to the mall by 12:30 and were at Tom’s a little before 2. We hung out for about 90 minutes before heading home. He loved his gift (Jonnie Walker Blue Label Scotch) and had a good lunch out before we arrived. Hope he had a good day.

Tonight we’re going into the Village for sushi at Yama. First up I have a 10 am call and then Jag and I are going to the eye glass shop for his appointment at noon to look at some new frames he wanted for his birthday. Ty went out last night and of course was late getting home which messed up our sleep.

My buddy who is the GM at the Porsche shop moved our service appointment from today to Thursday to save me a trip today. Thursday it’s going to be below zero all day down in Denver and Lori and I will be leaving early.

Jag went to the gym after we made it home last night. With finals he hadn’t been getting to go as much as he’d like. I sure understand that! Time to get moving, 5 days to go! Cold weather coming too. Enjoy the season, God Bless.

Today Tom is 62! Getting up there! Ha! The boys and I are going down after Ty’s doctor appointment this morning. Tom has a lunch until about 1 so we should be good on time.

Last night at 6, Jag rolled in. We helped him unload his car and then had dinner. We had a couple cakes made, one for Jag and one for Tom, and they forgot to use sugar or something as they’re not very good at all. They were super expensive too. Lori called the girl at the bakery and we’ll be taking them back tomorrow when they open. We’ll stop in Denver and get a replacement for Tommy.

It’s going to be a busy week trying to close out the year. This has been the toughest year since probably 2008. Not sure 2023 will be any better, at least the first six months, thanks Joe! I have a big call tomorrow and sadly might let some non-essential people go. We made a point not to do that when covid hit but now it’s a different situation. Business has changed so we just don’t need certain people for certain positions anymore as their jobs have been eliminated due to closures of restaurants and other changes. We’ll see.

As I mentioned above, Ty goes to the doctor at 10 for a check up and to get the pins in his hand removed. Then he gets a cast. Hope all’s well. It’s going to be a cold week. Below freezing here and in Denver. Crazy football day yesterday but we won, whoo hoo! Time to get moving, make it a great day, God Bless.

Yesterday afternoon Ty rolled in. With him came every stitch of clothing he took to college, along with everything else he took from his computer to all his food. He essentially moved out over break. He’s not sure if he’s back in the same room or if he gets another one, so home with him came all he had. We started the laundry and are probably a quarter of the way through it. Lots left to do. Lori won’t admit it but she loves being there for he boys.

Jag went out with about 16 friends last night to dinner for his birthday. He’ll be here by dinner time tonight. I managed to wrap some presents and box up some others. Robi, your box is going out Fed Ex 2 Day tomorrow.

No new snow although they say it’s cold. I don’t really notice it. I’m lucky that way. I think we’re going to the gym and the World Cup soccer game is on at 8. The house is beautiful as Lori has everything decorated and looking like a Hallmark card.

I’m done with the steroids so today I need to start working my way back to 205 pounds, ha. Tough timing with Christmas week ahead of me. Enjoy the day and Go Broncos! Robi and I have a little wager as we both have our back up qb’s playing,

Here’s a couple pictures of our laundry project and this doesn’t include the 4 loads we’d already done and the two running in the washing machines. To get a handle on it, we run both machines at the same time to speed things up!

Enjoy! God Bless.

Happy Birthday today to Jagger! 21 years old! So hard to fathom. We all know he’s turned into more of a great man than anyone could have ever expected. We’re so excited for the life ahead of him and to see how he will change the World! We’ll celebrate tomorrow as being 21, he’s hanging with a bunch of his friends tonight and hitting the hotspots in Boulder. Ty, who will turn 19 in 30 days, is heading up today.

I was down and up from Denver in pretty good time. It was good to spend time with my buddy Art, who is dealing with anxiety. He was super thankful for the visit and needed the company. Hope he pulls out of the dark place he somehow fell into.

Three football games on today! Hope Tom doesn’t go into overload! Think they start at 11 this morning our time. We need to get some birthday cards (Tom’s is Monday) and figure out a cake.

James played his benefit concert last night in L.A. It was on Paramount Prime so we watched a good chunk of it. It was different being a benefit show so they had some interns who were guest artists. Interns are musicians who are new that the foundation gave a leg up to. Some were good, others still learning. It’s a good foundation that I’ve been involved with for a few years as they train people for regular jobs like welding or something else. One of the big misnomers is that everyone needs to go to college. Mike Rowe, the Dirty Jobs guy from tv, is also involved, and he pointed out the 11 million job openings for people with skills not learned in college. I’ll stop now but you get the point. James flies home today.

Last day of steroids today. I’m feeling pretty good but it’s hard to tell until you get all the way off the drugs. Steroids have side effects although I seem to be fine. Nothing more than a slight headache. Most all of the dizziness is gone, knock on wood.

I need to get wrapping today. I think I’m pretty much done shopping. I don’t want or need much so I told Lori not to go get me anything. I do most, if not all of the shopping for the family so I bought myself a couple pairs of jeans and a shirt which is just fine.

Time to get moving. Make it a great day, 8 days to go! God Bless and Merry Christmas!

Didn’t sleep much. Must be the combo of steroids and a couple cigars at our men’s group. They can amp you up. James is in L.A. as they have a benefit concert at SoFi tonight for 7100 high rollers. It’s an acoustic show. He always insists we carry on at his pad without him.

I’m off in about an hour for Denver. With luck I’ll be back by 3 or 4, depending on traffic. Lori will be home today and I think is taking her mom to get her nails done. I heard it was going to be below zero last night so I plugged in my truck to keep her warm.

Jag’s birthday is tomorrow, wow, 21 years old. So hard to get your head around. Not sure what to get him. He wants a cool pair of frames for his glasses so that might be it but I’d rather give him something special. We were thinking $2100 ($100 for each year) or I wanted to get him a Montblanc pen, something that’s an heirloom he’d have forever. I remember mom and dad gave me this gold nugget on a chain that in the end turned out not to be gold, ha. I still cherish it and have it though. Was the thought that counts.

Lots going on at work. 2023 is going to be tough and we’re getting ahead of it. We’re turning the Company upside down and dramatically changing the way we do things. Too much to go into to but it’ll be a major shake up.

Time to run. Make it a great day, live in the moment and embrace the season, God Bless.

It was a crappy drive to Denver yesterday. Nothing treacherous, just snow, slow and crappy. I made it to the warehouse by 10, the mall by 10:30 and after a quick stop at Whole Foods to pick up some Dover Sole, (which we love) was headed home by noon. Each day I’m feeling better. I didn’t eat much yesterday and am thankfully down a pound. Only three more days of roids. I felt like driving my truck into the back of this idiot in front of me yesterday while I sat for an hour between Georgetown and the tunnel!

We have maybe an inch of snow in the forecast for the day and then it clears out. Ty’s last final is today and Jag is done. They’re both hanging out in Denver until Sunday. I have one more trip down tomorrow. I’m really excited about the boys bracelets I’m having made in England. Pat, my new buddy, went to the pub the other night with some mates (that’s how he talks, ha) to see Mick’s brother Chris’s band play. Guess his dad used to play golf with Mick’s dad, too funny. Anyhow they bracelets are coming together well. We’re working on a couple other bespoke projects too.

Lori wants to go to the gym. I have a good friend in Denver who’s been dealing with depression and anxiety for about six months. He now only goes to work maybe a few hours a day. I’m seeing him tomorrow. A lot of people are dealing with a lot of crap since covid hit. I’m convinced the shots have everything to do with just about everything. I have a couple books I’m going to give him but more importantly just going to hang out and have a coffee with him and listen. Sometimes that’s all people need. No one listens to anyone anymore. They may listen but they don’t really hear. There’s a big difference.

Ten days until Christmas, wow. That means two weeks until my birthday, ugh. Wish the numbers would reverse and start going backwards, ha. Make it a great day, enjoy life and do something random for someone you don’t know today, it’s a good feeling! God Bless.