A Year of Change

It took me most of the day but I have 70% plus of the garage cleaned out. Granted, we have a few boxes of photographs and old memorabilia in the house waiting to be put away. This morning I’m off to the dump. Lori posted a lot of things for sale and we took in $300 or $400 so far. One of the best things about cleaning out the garage and posting stuff for sale is you meet people who can really use and appreciate the stuff you don’t want. One kid and his mom showed up for a $10 Audi roof rack. It didn’t fit on their Jeep so they left. Later in the day his dad and little sister showed up trying to make it work. To fit on their Jeep Cherokee they’ll need to fabricate some sort of bracket. Finally I told them they could just have it. They were thrilled and I gave them some plastic containers that were going to the dump this morning too. You could tell they had little money and really wanted it. Hell, they probably spent more in gas than what I wanted for it. Later an older couple from Leadville, some 60 miles away, came over for a solid wood table we bought used and picked it up for $100. We sold them a couple old wooden chairs too and they were thrilled. They were every bit of being in their mid 60’s. The woman apologized to Lori for her appearance as she just had some skin cancer cut off her face. Lori said she looked fine and told her about a really good scar cream to help her out. The guy, Jeff, had a shirt on from Mountain Beverage which I recognized as they are a beverage distributor in the State. He drives an 18 wheeler every day from Leadville down to Vail and other wealthy towns delivering alcohol. They love antiques which no one seems to want these days and are coming back to look at the stuff in our storage units. I gave them a bottle of wine and they were thrilled to get the table and chairs. I gave them so plastic containers too and you would have thought they won the lottery. You could tell they really needed the table and chairs and were so happy to get them. Other people came by too, all people who appeared to not have a lot of money. I could be wrong but I think people who frequent garage sales or buy used stuff are looking to save some bucks because they don’t have a ton of disposable income. Best feeling is all the stuff went to good homes were it’ll get used.

I’ll get some more stuff cleaned out and organized today. I still need to get on the storage units as well. Sunny and warm, mid 80’s yesterday and all week long. Katie came back up, she’s a good girl. Ty, Jack and Sonny showed up around 10. Ty has lacrosse all week. Even if he can’t play he’ll go with the team to help out. Lori’s off to California Thursday until I think next Tuesday. Wednesday I need to get the windshield on the Mercedes repaired in Denver. So a busy week. Taxes are due on the 15th, ugh. More money we don’t want to spend as we don’t really see any benefit from paying taxes. It’d be one thing if it actually helped out our daily life but it really doesn’t. We had a flat in the Suburban yesterday morning. I had an email saying low tire pressure. We managed to get air in the tire at 7am before it went completely flat and dropped it at Costco and then I went back when they opened. For $10.99 they repaired it. Now that’s worth paying for!

That’s it, I need to load up the truck and leave for the dump in a little over an hour so I’m back before my weekly conference call at 9. Live life! Enjoy! God Bless!

It was nice yesterday, even though we had a good storm in the afternoon. Ty and his crew took off in the morning and were gone all day and stayed at Sonny’s. Jag and Katie went somewhere and then Katie left for Denver around 7 or 8. Lori and I cleaned up around here and went to Costco.

Today I’m really trying to find time to clean the garage! We also want to clean out the pantry. It’s 7 am now so we have a pretty good chance if we hurry, ha. Lori is going to her Mom’s on Friday as there are no rental cars available until then and she already has a girl out this week. Dixie is on antibiotics which are upsetting her stomach a bit. We need to bring here back here. Time to stop messing around.

Yesterday afternoon Lori walked outside and smelled smoke. Sure enough across the street in the park there were three workmen standing over smoke coming from under the mulch in the playground. Not sure how it ignited but the police and fire department were here quick to soak the mulch. Then we had the super soaker rain storm so that squashed any remaining embers under the ground. Can’t be too careful up here in fire season.

Time to get moving, until tomorrow, God Bless.

Yesterday we picked up Mom’s old patio furniture she had at the house in Scottsdale out of the storage unit and brought it home, cleaned it up and set it up on the patio. We’ve been lugging this stuff around for over 10 years and finally are getting to use it. Lori also hung up Mom’s old wind chimes and we both had instant memories of her and her house as the wind blew them around making the unmistakable sound we heard for years. Funny how a specific sound can bring back memories.

Ty, Sonny and Jack drove up from Denver and then after a bit headed to Edwards. They made it home a little after 11pm. Jag and Katie went to a movie and were home by about 10. Harley played all day and we took her on a walk after dinner. Mojo always gets a mini version of a walk after we take Harley.

Today We’ll get on the garage and down in Eagle Ranch is the festival I mentioned yesterday. I think Lori is going to Dixie’s Monday as she needs some help. She’s outside throwing the ball for Harley right now. It was in the mid 80’s yesterday and they say warmer today, we’ll see. Enjoy life! Be well, stay safe and God Bless.

Man it’s nice outside, going to be in the 80’s again today. Yesterday Jag and I went to Denver to pick up some clothes for his new real estate job starting a week from Monday. He’ll be interning under one of the top women in the valley at Liv Sotheby’s. He’s still working on his license but will learn a lot. After we made it home Katie drove up as she landed yesterday back in Denver from her Florida vacation. Later Ty and Sonny drove to Denver to stay at Jack’s and they’ll all be driving up this morning. So lots going on as usual. It’s always a lot of work but good to have kids coming and going even if they always make an unbelievable mess.

Yesterday was Mom and Dad’s anniversary. I didn’t forget, just didn’t put it in. Decided to mention it this morning for Tom and Robin. Harley has training at 9:30 this morning. It feels like a Saturday even though it’s Friday. Eagle Ranch has a big party this weekend in town. It’s a big gear swap and has all kinds of food, music and reps from different outdoor companies.

Best of all yesterday, the Nugget’s won! We were down most of the game by as much as 14 points in the third quarter before turning it on and eliminating Portland from the playoffs. Tonight we have hockey. Fun sports time if you live in Denver.

Think we’ll need the a/c today or for sure this weekend. Lori has the doors open now cooling off the house. I need to clean out the garage and get over to the storage units and get our summer lawn furniture that was Mom’s in Arizona. Time to break it out. Now go get outside! Get off your couch! Do something fun! God Bless.

Jag and I are off to Denver this morning and Ty has his last day of school. Jag starts his internship or job with one of the top relators in Vail a week from Monday. I need to get him some summer shirts from Nordstrom. Lori still has a headache and is home today.

I woke up a little after 5 am and couldn’t find Harley. She was sleeping in my office and somehow got shut in there last night. Mojo slept outside most of the night as usual. He has his bed and we have him hooked up to a long lead so he doesn’t wander off.

The Av’s won in overtime although I didn’t see it. I was sleeping by then. Hope the Nugget’s close out Portland tonight.

Katie is coming up tonight for a couple days. She’s been in Florida on vacation.

Looks like another cyber attack on our infrastructure. This time the meat packing plants across the Country. Looks like we paid off some gang in Russia again. Way to go Joe. Yesterday he said he’s been President for 15 months! Poor Joe is just not all there. He also cancelled all oil and gas leases in the Artic because the price of gas is dropping so much! That’s sarcasm. Gas has never been higher and they say will be $5 a gallon soon. WTF is this guy doing?

Looks like everyone is trying to bribe everyone to get the vaccine. States, cities, companies and the government are all offering free stuff and the chance to win stuff. We even have a lottery where the State is giving away five $1 Million prizes, wow. Even though we got it, I still don’t trust it. The ear doctor said not much they can do for the ringing in my ear from the shot. Didn’t think so.

Time to go, make it a great weekend. Going to be hot here, high 80’s. Enjoy, God Bless and go Nuggets!

What a game! It took double overtime but the Nuggets won. Thank God as it would have been a huge let down if we lost. Next up tonight I think is the Av’s, our hockey team.

Lori is in Frisco today and I have a doctor appointment for the ringing in my ear from the vaccine and then a conference call at noon. They won’t be able to do anything but I’m going anyhow. Ty spent the night at Sonny’s and Jag stayed home. Sunny and nice outside. Mojo woke me up at 3:34 am, nice.

I need to get on the garage and this weekend I’m tackling the storage units. Guess I’ll go. Enjoy the day, God Bless.

Big month! We’ll we get Aaron Rodgers? Hope so! Av’s could win it all, hmmm. Schools out Thursday, Dixie I think is coming for a visit and we’re hoping to take a road trip to Montana. Throw in some outdoor activities and lots of sun and it should be fun. Last at the end of the month we’ll be half way on our way to 2022, wow.

Lori is still trying to kick her headache. Not sure if it’s allergies or what as she doesn’t remember doing anything to trigger it. Hopefully it’ll be gone soon. We had a weekend of basically eating whatever you want. Thank God the cheesecake is gone and yes I finished it off yesterday. Now it’s back to eggs and avocado’s for the week.

Jag had Lexi and a few girls over last night for a few hours. She just got back from college back east. It was really nice yesterday and is going to get warm all week. Time to get going. Kick off June by doing something fun, you deserve it and life is too damn short! God Bless.

Lori worked her tail off all day yesterday and boy did it pay off. The dinner was amazing but the cheesecake was so good and unlike anything any of us have ever had that it could have won an award. It was a cross between a soufflé and a traditional cheesecake as it was so light and airy with a texture unlike anything you’ve ever had. She improvised on a recipe and whatever she did had everyone in awe. She topped it off with fresh berries and a huckleberry sauce she somehow made. Again, she started with a Basque (from Northern Spain) recipe and then modified it using I think some almond paste and tapioca flour and less sugar so it was also gluten free but you would have never known. I told her she needs to start making it commercially. On top of that, she made short ribs with a homemade rub that were the best any of us had ever had. Throw in truffle burgers with all the trimmings, bison brats, a cucumber and tomato and basil salad, grilled corn on the cob with enchilada sauce and fresh cornbread and we had an amazing meal.

Earlier Ty went to a graduation party at the pavilion in Eagle Vail. Marty, Melanie and Max picked him up on the way to our house. They stayed until about 7 as Melanie and Max had to drive to the Westin at the Denver airport for flights to Pittsburg and Texas this morning.

Then the Av’s demolished the Vegas Knights. Vegas played a dirty game but it didn’t matter, we won 7 to1. Not sure what’s up today. Tomorrow we’re back at it, June 1st! Ty’s last day is this coming Thursday.

Lori is out in the living room with the dogs. Think she’s been up for 45 minutes or so. Time to go. Happy Memorial Day, thank a vet for your freedom and for their service. Too many take things for granted these days. Some dems and misguided people want to cancel Memorial Day as they say it’s a holiday of oppression by the U.S. government, what the fuck? Guess they’d rather be living under Hitler and his regime. What they apparently don’t realize is if it wasn’t for the veterans they wouldn’t even be able to voice such idiotic thoughts, good God. Wish all those so unhappy with our Country would move to China or something. Oh well, the silent majority has almost had enough. God Bless.

They said the weather was going to be pretty crappy but looking outside right now, it’s not too bad. Maybe we’ll get a few showers this afternoon but that’s ok. Yesterday was beautiful. We headed into Vail around 4 to put in an appearance at the graduation party. The town was packed with visitors enjoying the Village and being in the mountains. You could easily tell they were all from out of town.

Earlier in the day Lori planted flowers outside to work on her sunburn. She managed to roast her shoulders and upper back to go along with her chest!

I’m trying to find the best short rib recipe right now so I can get those going. We’re having burgers and brats too. Lori made this incredible looking cheesecake last night which has been in the fridge chilling since it came out of the oven. I should put her in charge of the ribs! She’s a damn good cook. Here’s a picture to tease you, I’ll try to post the finished product tomorrow.

Last night Dixie went to a birthday party for Dr. Warren who turned 92! These guys have it going on. Living life, still of sound mind, with a senior moment here and there which anyone 90 or older has, and physically able to get up and go. So happy for her to still be moving and grooving. Wouldn’t be surprised if there was a little dancing last night too! Think Lori is going out to get her and bring her out for a few weeks or a month.

Looks crappy in Denver but as I said, blue sky with a few clouds up here. We have lots to do before Marty and Mel get here at 4:30ish. We’ll have way too much food but that’s ok, the boys will eat a lot and we’ll have leftovers. Super proud of both boys for their grades and doing so well during the past year and a half. It’s easy to underestimate or even ignore the challenges young kids faced during this whole mess. They pretty much keep their feelings to themselves and you have to pull things out of them. You also need to watch for signs of not normal behavior to make sure depression isn’t taking over. Lots of kids had a really hard time, adults too! Lucky I’m so shallow and self centered and let most everything just roll off my back like water on a duck. That way I could keep an eye on the rest of the family which includes people who work for me that I consider family too. Hopefully we’re well on our way back to normal. Now we just need Biden and his misguided brood to get out of the way. I don’t understand how people can’t see the damage he and his administration are doing to the Country. maybe they can, hope so.

That’s it, enjoy your day, be well and may God Bless and watch over you!

Yesterday after the gym Lori and I went to Home Depot to get some flowers. We stopped at Cut, our local meat market and picked up 20 burgers for tomorrow, half regular and half truffle. We’ll freeze a few of them. Jag took off for Aspen to get his haircut. He called when he left as traffic was slow going into the canyon. We told him to cancel but he went anyhow. We checked the roads and found out the highway going east (back home) was closed due to a bad accident. Turns out it was closed all night long so he had to take the long way home. There were two choices, one back through Glenwood and then down to Rifle, north to Craig, over to Steamboat and back down through Wolcott or over Independence Pass to Twin Lakes, up through Leadville and then down to Minturn. Route 1 would have been over 4 hours and maybe more depending on the congestion in Glenwood so I told him to go over Independence. He made it pretty quick and then went to Ethan’s where he spent the night. Ty meanwhile hung out with us.

Lori had a bad headache but it’s 50% better today because I made her take a couple valiums. That shows it’s muscular. She’s been running and lifting too much at the gym. She needs to take it easy. This afternoon we’re supposed to go to a graduation party in Vail. Graduation is earlier today at Ford Amphitheater and I think Ty is going as Sonny is graduating. The weather is nice with temperatures in the mid 70’s. I’d prefer not to go as of course the Nugget’s playoff game starts at 2 and the party at 3, ugh. It’ll be fun though. There’s also the Annual Bullets and BBQ party at the range that our local gun shop puts on. After getting to play and shoot a bunch of new guns there’s an after party at the 10th Mountain Distillery. They have an auction to benefit the Green Beret Foundation. Hmm, graduation or guns, choices choices choices.

Tomorrow it’ll be a bit cooler but that’s ok. We’re grilling burgers, bison brats and putting some short ribs in the slow cooker. We’re making a few things out of Food and Wine magazine like this yummy Basque cream cheese strawberry tart. Lori has also been grilling corn on the cob lately and then putting this homemade enchilada sauce over it. Boy it’s good. Marty and Melanie are coming over, should be fun! We sure need this break. Think I’ll go fly fishing Monday if the weather is good. Time to get moving and head to the gym! Make it a great weekend and Happy Memorial Day! God Bless.